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  • Sarah Michelle Gellar Teases Her ‘Wolf Pack’ Role With New Set Photo

    Sarah Michelle Gellar Teases Her ‘Wolf Pack’ Role With New Set Photo

    Paramount+ is preparing an adaptation of Wolf Pack based on Edo Van Belkom‘s book of the same name with Teen Wolf‘s Jeff Davis working on the project. It’s unclear how close it’ll stick to the original, but it will follow the core story of a young boy played by Armani Jackson and a girl (Bella Shepard) who are met by supernatural creatures after a California wildfire.

    Joining the cast is Sarah Michelle Gellar, who is most famous for her role as Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has been building quite a career since with various projects like CW’s Ringer or even CBS’ The Crazy Ones starring opposite Robin Williams. Now, she’s set to join Wolf Pack and offered a tease of her character, Kristin Ramsey, on Instagram with a first look.

    She hinted in an interview that she initially wasn’t interested in joining the project but it was the scripts that caught her eye and drew her into this story. The chance to explore “anxiety and depression among children” using the monsters as metaphors gave it something unique that drew her to the project. So, it’ll be interesting to see what she brings to the table with this project.

    Source: Instagram, Deadline

  • James Earl Jones No Longer Voicing Darth Vader Himself

    James Earl Jones No Longer Voicing Darth Vader Himself

    James Earl Jones was the one to give Darth Vader his iconic voice ever since the first Star Wars film was released in 1977. Yet, we could still hear his iconic take on their character in the recently released Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. Yet, that wasn’t actually Jones’ voice anymore as after 45 years it has changed with age.

    So, Disney and Lucasfilm took a different approach and relied on a synthetic speech recreated from archival footage to create a new dialogue. They worked with the Ukrainian synthetic speech artist Bogdan Belyaev that brought the latest return of Darth Vader to life even during the war that is still ongoing in his home country. Even while there were concerns about his and his team’s well-being, they wanted to power through the situation to highlight they can push through such harsh times.

    Jones has signed off that his voice can be used even if he’s no longer directly involved, and Lucasfilm still continues to credit him for it even if he didn’t sit in a recording booth to bring the voice to life. It does also set a rather curious question regarding the future of actor’s being used in projects even if they’ve passed away.

    Marvel did recently acquire the rights tod o the same with Stan Lee even if we’ve not seen what exactly that’ll entail quite yet. The co-creator of Marvel has been an avid fan of appearing in the media for years, and it does seem like something he’d love to see continue even after his passing but there’s a bitter question to be asked about using someone’s existence long after they’ve passed. We’ll have to see how these kinds of topics will be handled in the future.

    Source: Vanity Fair

  • ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Officially Joins the 1 Billion Club at the Worldwide Box Office

    ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ Officially Joins the 1 Billion Club at the Worldwide Box Office

    Jurassic World Dominion has officially passed the lucrative threshold of earning over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. For a film that was released in June, it took a more gradual time period than most films to reach this milestone. Nonetheless, it’s certainly notable being only the third film to gross one billion since the pandemic began. One of the two is Top Gun: Maverick, which remains well ahead of Dominion as the highest-grossing film of 2022 thus far.

    The assumed final installment of the Jurassic World saga completes the trilogy’s ability to earn over $1B globally. The total earnings from the trilogy are currently at $6.02B. Jurassic World Dominion is also the seventh film from Universal to reach this financial milestone.

    Overall, this has been a banner year from Universal at the box office between Dominion, family films in Minions: Rise of Gru and The Bad Guys, and horror films in The Black Phone and Nope. Between all of these films, Universal has passed the threshold of over three billion dollars at the global box office this year. They are the first studio to reach that financial milestone since 2019.

    And the film studio is far from finished with new releases this year. Of note, Bros, Tar, Ticket to Paradise, She Said, Puss n’ Boots: The Last Wish, and The Fabelmans (which just won the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award) are all set to release by the end of 2022.

    In terms of upcoming films that have the potential to join Dominion and Maverick in one billion earned globally, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way of Water seems to stand the best chance to be financial needle-movers for Disney by year’s end.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Avatar’ Earns $3.5M Internationally in Re-Release

    ‘Avatar’ Earns $3.5M Internationally in Re-Release

    As Avatar begins its official theatrical re-release in the United States, the James Cameron-directed film has thus far earned over $3.5 million in the international box office. The film has so far been released in 37 different global markets. In relation to other theatrical re-releases, Avatar has earned 57% more than Star Wars: The Phantom Menace did at this point in 2012. Though it has underperformed by 29% in comparison to the 3D release of James Cameron’s other financial juggernaut in Titanic during 2012’s Easter season.

    The relaunch of Avatar in movie theaters comes just under three months before the highly anticipated sequel project Avatar: The Way of Water arrives. To help drum up interest in the re-release, the original Avatar film has been temporarily removed from the Disney+ streaming platform. The results of this attempt to drum up interest in the franchise could be an indicator of how The Way of Water will be received by audiences by December of this year.

    After well over a decade, questions were had about if Avatar would indeed have any future installments. However, audiences should prepare for an onslaught of new films in the franchise with three additional films arriving in 2024, 2026, and 2028 respectively.

    Avatar: The Way of Water is set to open theatrically on December 16, 2022, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet.

    Source: Deadline

  • New ‘Wakanda Forever’ Merch Showcases the Film’s Main Cast & New Logo for Namor

    New ‘Wakanda Forever’ Merch Showcases the Film’s Main Cast & New Logo for Namor

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is closer than ever, and it looks like Marvel Studios is pushing its marketing into overdrive. We’ve already gotten some teases of the main cast and even Iornheart’s more comic-accurate costume in the past but it seems some more merchandise has found its way online through @MCU_Facility on Twitter.

    It doesn’t offer much new but does once again highlight the designs of the various main characters. The latest addition is a pin for what could be a logo for the Atlanteans, or the Marvel Cinematic Universe take on it. Namor is prominently showcased wearing a Jaguar-inspired crown and it does seem like they are sticking to that very design as part of their logo.

    The Jaguar shouting as part of its design could be a showcase of Narmor’s people being on the attack in the upcoming project but likely also just an easier way to add a distinguishing factor between the offered designs. Black Panther’s logo is a different style altogether and it’s great to see how Marvel is using the character’s in-universe mythology inspired by the real-world to add some distinguishing designs.

    Riri Williams is also prominently showcased and gets her own logo, which is likely the updated Arc Reactor version of her armor’s heart piece. It’s distinctive enough with the heart shape form and what looks like a rabbit design on top. It’s still unclear what her role will be in the film but it’s certainly interesting how big of a part she has in the film’s promotion. Perhaps we’ll get a tease of her proto-armor in the next trailer.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘True Detective’ Adds to Season 4 Cast

    ‘True Detective’ Adds to Season 4 Cast

    Following the announcement of Jodie Foster and Kali Reis leading the fourth season of True Detective, HBO has begun filling out the ensemble for the series. John Hawes, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, and Anna Lambe are all set to take part in the hit premium series.

    The fourth season has the official title of True Detective: Night Country. The season is said to follow Detectives Liz Danvers (played by Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (played by Reis) as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of six research station workers without a trace. Night Country promises a deep dive into the dark mysteries of both eternally icy Alaskan wilderness and the personal struggles of the protagonists. Below is a description of each of the newly revealed ensemble members for the season.

    • John Hawes is playing Hank Prior, a police officer with both a quiet demeanor and troubled history.
    • Christopher Eccleston is playing Ted Corsaro, the regional Chief of Police that has professional history with Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster’s character).
    • Fiona Shaw plays Rose Aguoineau, a mysterious survivalist living in the region.
    • Finn Bennett is set to play Peter Prior, the protege and apprentice working under Liz Danvers.
    • Anna Lambe is playing Kayla Malee, a regional nurse who appears overprotective with her family from strangers.

    True Detective: Night Country is currently in the pre-production phase. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to believe the new season will be released on HBO and HBO Max by late 2023 to early 2024.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Opens to $3.1M in Previews

    ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Opens to $3.1M in Previews

    Don’t Worry Darling looks to be showing promising signs for its box office performance. The Olivia Wilde-directed film has opened to over three million dollars from preview screenings between Monday’s IMAX fan screenings and Thursday’s official opening. The film was initially projected by Warner Bros to open with a total of approximately $17 million in its first weekend, however, industry sources have begun leaning towards a $25+ million opening.

    This would definitely be a positive for the studio following what has been a harsh review season for Don’t Worry Darling, which currently sits at 36% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes. And audiences appear to be skewing more positive with an 87% approval rating on the website. Don’t Worry Darling stacks up relatively well in relation to other notable past releases such as House of Gucci and Get Out’s preview openings of $1.3M and $1.8M.

    While initially being a highly anticipated second feature outing for rising star director Olivia Wilde, much of the intrigue in the past month has been based around ample amounts of tabloid-esque controversy surrounding the project. This includes the disputed nature of Shia LaBeouf‘s exit from the film, rumored conflict between Wilde and star actress Florence Pugh, and potential that Harry Styles spit on Chris Pine at the Venice Film Festival (which has been proven false).

    Overall, following the rumored production and publicity nightmares of the film, Warner Bros could end up finding Don’t Worry Darling to be a commercial success for a studio in desperate need of financial gains.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘The Old Guard 2’ Wraps Production

    ‘The Old Guard 2’ Wraps Production

    Production on The Old Guard 2 has officially wrapped.

    Director Victoria Mahoney shared the news on Instagram on Friday morning. Production was underway in Rome, Italy and wrapped principal photography at 5:40 AM. To celebrate the news, Mahoney shared a film slate that looks to be signed by the cast and crew.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci1ehRtqI8Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Production on the sequel to The Old Guard kicked off back in June, with leading lady Charlie Theron sharing a photo from set. Joining the cast for the sequel are Uma Thurman and Henry Golding, who will star alongside returning cast members Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

    Mahoney took over directing duties from Gina Prince-Bythewood who left the project to direct The Woman King, which is currently dominating the box office. She’s directing from a script by Greg Rucka.

    The Old Guard first hit Netflix on July 10th, 2020. Since its initial release, the film has remained one of the most-watched original films on the streaming service with 186 million hours watched within its first 28 days of release. The Old Guard and its sequel are based on the comic book series of the same name by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez.

    Source: Instagram.

  • Babak Anvari Will Direct New ‘Cloverfield’ Film for Paramount

    Babak Anvari Will Direct New ‘Cloverfield’ Film for Paramount

    An acclaimed horror franchise is finally on its way back to the big screen. Babak Anvari has been tapped to direct a new installment in the Cloverfield series, which is now in development at Paramount, based on a script by Joe Barton. Like previous entries, J.J. Abrams will act as a producer through his company Bad Robot, alongside Hannah Minghella and Jon Cohen. The list of executive producers also includes Drew Goddard and Matt Reeves, who wrote and directed the original film, respectively, as well as Bryan Burke.

    The untitled Cloverfield project is keeping to tradition by not revealing any plot details at this time. It will be the fourth film in the franchise that began with 2008’s found-footage movie, about a group of party goers fleeing from a rampaging monster in New York City. After nearly a decade of radio silence, Cloverfield was followed by two anthological sequels, 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox, released only a couple years apart in 2016 and 2018. All three films were famously shrouded in mystery before being unveiled to the public, with the latter two both marketed as original projects before surprising fans as Cloverfield installments shortly before release.

    This will be Anvari’s first foray into tentpole work, with the creative having only previously worked on small indie flicks. His debut film, 2016’s Under the Shadow, earned him a BAFTA award for Outstanding Debut Filmmaker, and his second movie, Wounds, released in 2019 to mixed reviews. He recently released his first major studio project, I Came By, for Netflix. That dropped on the streamer in August of this year. His Cloverfield film does not currently have a release date.

    Source: Deadline

  • Storm Reid to Topline ‘The Nun 2’ for New Line

    Storm Reid to Topline ‘The Nun 2’ for New Line

    Storm Reid has landed the leading role in New Line’s sequel to The Nun.

    The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Reid is set to headline The Nun 2, the sequel to The Nun that also serves as a prequel of sorts to the Conjuring films. Michael Chaves, who directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, has signed on to direct The Nun 2. Details surrounding the film are currently unknown, but Akela Cooper wrote the screenplay with Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing having tackled revisions.

    The Nun was a prequel spinoff from The Conjuring 2 that focused on Bonnie Aarons as a demonic nun. The film took place in a monastery in 1952 and focused on a priest (Demain Bchir) and a young nun (Taissa Farmiga) as they sought to fight the nun’s evil possessions. While The Conjuring films are incredibly popular, The Nun has actually become the highest grossing Conjuring film.

    Reid currently stars in Euphoria. Her other credits include Disney’s live-action adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, James Gunn‘s The Suicide Squad and Sleight. She can next be seen in HBO’s highly anticipated live-action series adaptation of The Last of Us.

    Filming on The Nun 2 will kick off this October for a Sept. 8, 2023 release date.

    Source: THR.