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  • ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Digital, Physical Release Dates Revealed

    ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Digital, Physical Release Dates Revealed

    Audiences across the world will soon have the ability to view the continued adventures of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and company from the comfort of their homes. It is being reported that Top Gun: Maverick will release digitally on August 23, followed by a 4K and Blu-Ray release on November 1.

    The Tom Cruise-led sequel to the classic 1980’s action film has become the relative surprise hit at the box office in 2022. While anticipated to be a success, very few anticipated the roaring success Top Gun: Maverick enjoyed in being the only film of the year to cross the one billion dollar mark in box office gross globally. The film recently passed Titanic to officially become the seventh highest-grossing film domestically. Globally, Top Gun: Maverick currently sits as the 13th highest-grossing film of all time.

    With the arrival on all digital platforms, Top Gun: Maverick is seemingly nearing the end of its dominant run in movie theaters. This comes after still maintaining a top-three spot in weekend box office earnings as late as this past week, when it was re-released on larger screen, earning over seven million dollars. It certainly will be a major uphill battle for any upcoming film releases to match this level of box office success, especially moving away from the summer months.

    Top Gun: Maverick was directed by Joseph Kosinski and stars the likes of Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, and Val Kilmer.

    Source: Twitter

  • Mark Ruffalo Comments on a Potential ‘World War Hulk’ Film

    Mark Ruffalo Comments on a Potential ‘World War Hulk’ Film

    Over his years working as Bruce Banner in the MCU, actor Mark Ruffalo has proven to be a bit of a leaky faucet when it comes to top-secret Marvel Studios information. To that end, Marvel Studios One-Above-All, Kevin Feige, was probably sweating last night as Entertainment Tonight approached Ruffalo at the green carpet premiere of the studio’s upcoming Disney Plus streaming series, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.

    To their credit, ET came out of the gate hard, asking Ruffalo about a potential World War Hulk film, a project that was first reported nearly a year ago by KC Walsh to be in development at the studio. To his credit, Ruffalo didn’t give anything away, this time, simply stating, “Any time they want to do it, I’m here.“

    While 2008’s The Incredible Hulk was the second MCU film, a sequel has never materialized due to a distribution deal between Marvel Studios and Universal. Interestingly enough, evidence recently surfaced that indicated the distribution deal may be nearing its end, information that lines up with a potential 2024 or later release for the World War Hulk film. Of course, until Marvel Studios provides official word, fans will continue to debate the possibility of such a project. Perhaps once a few episodes of She-Hulk have aired and the public becomes aware of what the ET reporter is referencing in the interview, Marvel Studios could announce such a project…maybe even at D23 this September.

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Actor Confirms Role as Leap-Frog, not Frog-Man

    ‘She-Hulk’ Actor Confirms Role as Leap-Frog, not Frog-Man

    Dozens of fans can now rest easy. In an interview at the green carpet premiere of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, actor Brandon Stanley confirmed that the frog-based character seen in promotional footage for the show is indeed Leap-Frog (as reported here) and not Frog-Man, as most fans believed.

    Stanley’s comments also reveal that the character will indeed be a mash-up of both amphibian-inspired characters from the comics (as first reported here). In She-Hulk, Stanley will be playing Eugene Patilio and using the moniker of Leap-Frog. In the comics, Eugene, who goes by Frog-Man, is the son of Vincent Patilio, a Daredevil villain who goes by Leap-Frog. Since it’s unlikely the MCU is willing to invest the time into a multi-generational Patilio saga, they’ve combined the characters into one: Eugene Patilio, aka Leap-Frog.

    Interestingly enough, Stanley indicates that Leap-Frog is a hero in the show. In the comics, Eugene, who went by Frog-Man, followed that trend even recently appearing as an ally to Tony Stark in the current, ongoing Iron Man run. It seems likely from the footage that She-Hulk might feature Leap-Frog undergoing some sort of cathartic rebirth as he is certainly squaring off with Daredevil (who is just off camera) in one of the trailers.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law debuts August 18th on Disney Plus. Leap-Frog debuts sometime later!

  • ‘She-Hulk’ Writer on Daredevil Appearance: “This is Our Version”

    ‘She-Hulk’ Writer on Daredevil Appearance: “This is Our Version”

    After nearly a year of rumors, Disney let the cat out of the bag about Daredevil’s appearance in She-Hulk, using the character in a promo for the show and removing all doubt about the veracity of said rumors. What is still in doubt, however, is whether or not the character, last seen briefly in Spider-Man: No Way Home, is the same character who lead 3 seasons of his own show on Netflix. Some fans are sure he is; others are sure he is not. All the while, Marvel Studios has remained silent on the matter. However, in an interview with Comic Book, She-Hulk head writer Jessica Gao and director Kat Coiro gave some insight into their understanding of the scenario.

    Unfortunately, neither Gao nor Coiro confirmed or denied whether or not Charlie Cox‘s character’s story is a direct continuation of the Netflix series. According to Gao, the creatives behind She-Hulk looked at the opportunity to include Daredevil as a chance to put their own spin on the character, one that ended up very different from the dark, gritty Netflix series.

    We were like, ‘This is our version,’ and it’s true for any character. Like every character that we’ve used that existed in the MCU, it gets to be a little bit different on our show because you see them in very dramatic roles like these big high pressure, high stakes kind of situations but on our show because our show is more of a slice of life, they can kinda take a break from that. 

    Jessica Gao

    Gao further explained that with She-Hulk’s lighter tone, characters who join the show in smaller roles were stepping into that comedic world and were reshaped by it, though not permanently:

    They get to take a little bit of a comedy vacation. Of course, after our show, they get to go back to save the world, saving the universe, very serious, intense story but on our show, they get to just take a little break and when the universe is not at stake like, ‘What’s going on with you?’ They get a chance to really explore like a different part of their character because not everyone can be at a 10 saving the world every minute of every day.

    Jessia Gao

    Coiro was much less forthcoming about what to expect from Cox’s character in the upcoming series. When asked if his appearance in She-Hulk would continue his story from the Netflix series, Coiro played…coy…saying, “I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about it, but it’s very conscious and it’s very much planned. That’s all I can say.“

    It’s easy enough to say, “fans will just have to wait and see” whether or not Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin are picking up in the MCU where they left off, but there’s also an opportunity for Marvel Studios to stay quiet on the matter, allowing the speculation and conversation to continue. One of those things serves them better than the other.

    She-Hulk: Attorney At Law debuts this Thursday on Disney Plus.

    Source: Comic Book

  • Next ‘Saw’ Entry Eyeing 2023 Halloween Release

    Next ‘Saw’ Entry Eyeing 2023 Halloween Release

    Well, it seems that Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are bringing back Saw, as it has been not only given an October 27th, 2023 release date but Kevin Greutert is also set to return in the director’s chair. He has previously worked on Saw VI and Saw. The Final Chapter, but also was responsible for editing the first five entries as well as its first spinoff, Jigsaw.

    It’s the first entry since the reboot spinoff, Spiral, which starred Chirs Rock and Samuel L. Jackson. Bloody Disgusting’s John Squires was first to release the information and while it’s unclear how the film will tie into the franchise, it’ll be the tenth part. The only promise they can make is that we’ll get “all-new twisted, ingenious traps and a new mystery to solve” in the sequel.

    Saw has become quite the cornerstone for modern horror. With as many franchise entries as it had, it still managed to find a way to add something unique with each new entry. Love them or hate them, the iconography from the Saw franchise was everywhere after the success of the first film, which was shot on a shoestring budget.

    Source: Bloody Disgusting, Deadline

  • ‘John Wick’ Prequel Series Finds New Home in Peacock

    ‘John Wick’ Prequel Series Finds New Home in Peacock

    NBCUniversal is slated to add another potential stalwart series to its young streaming service in Peacock. The Continental, which serves as a prequel series to the John Wick film franchise, is set to move from Lionsgate’s Starz to the NBCU streamer.

    This serves as a highly unconventional move in the streaming age in a developing property outright switching to a different distributor. It certainly is a large win for Peacock, who recently also acquired the film rights for Keanu Reeves-led John Wick. Meanwhile, this move is in line with the restructuring Starz has been in the process of recently focusing more on targeting female-demographic audiences.

    In an official statement about the acquisition, Peacock’s president Kelly Campbell spoke about the excitement of having the new series under the NBCU banner.

    The John Wick films have become a global phenomenon, are among the most watched titles on Peacock and we are thrilled and honored to partner with Lionsgate to extend this incredible franchise. We understand the value of a global franchise and Val Boreland (EVP and Head of Content Acquisitions for NBCUniversal) and team knew that by bringing this special event series to Peacock and putting the full power of NBCUniversal behind it, the premiere of The Continental will be the streaming event of the year.

    Kelly Campbell

    In addition, Kevin Beggs, the Lionsgate Television Group Chair, equally shared excitement for the partnership between the two groups to expand the John Wick franchise.

    John Wick has become part of the cultural zeitgeist with a massive, passionately engaged fan base around the world. We’re delighted to partner with Peacock to continue expanding the John Wick Universe. This agreement reflects the collaboration of our Motion Picture Group, which has grown the franchise from the beginning and was excited by the opportunity to bring it to the next level, Jim Packer (President of Worldwide Television and Digital Distribution for Lionsgate) and his Worldwide Television Distribution team, which found the perfect home for The Continental, and the Lionsgate Television creative group, which created a brilliant and enduring property that is one of the most highly-anticipated streaming events of 2023.

    Kevin Beggs

    The Continental, which will follow the perspective of a young Winston Scott (played by Colin Woodell in the series, and previously portrayed by Ian McShane in the films) as he navigates the criminal-filled underbelly of 1970s New York City at the titular hotel. The series is slated to release in 2023. Meanwhile, the franchise’s next theatrical release John Wick: Chapter Four is scheduled to release in theaters in March of 2023.

    Source: Deadline 

  • ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Adds Viola Davis

    ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Adds Viola Davis

    Lionsgate has added yet another big name to the cast of its upcoming Hunger Games prequel, titled Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winner Viola Davis has joined the cast as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head game maker of the 10th annual Hunger Games.

    Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure.

    Francis Lawrence

    Davis – who will next be seen in The Woman King – joins a cast led by Tom Blyth, who will play a young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler, who plays tribute Lucy Gray Baird from the impoverished District 12. Other announced stars include Josh Andrés Rivera, Peter Dinklage, and Hunter Schafer, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth and Jason Schwartzman.

    The Hunger Games films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul. Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story.

    Nathan Kahane

    Hunger Games franchise producer Nina Jacobson adds what it’s like of adding Viola Davis to the cast of the ambitious prequel.

    From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role. A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.

    Nina Jacobson

    Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes hits theaters on November 17, 2023.

  • ‘Jessica Jones’ David Tennant Open to Return in a Future MCU Project

    ‘Jessica Jones’ David Tennant Open to Return in a Future MCU Project

    There have been many villains throughout Marvel’s history on television and on the silver screen. We’ve witnessed a variety of adaptations but none left a darker impact than the one that David Tennant did on his iconic run as Kilgrave on Netflix’s Jessica Jones. The man was more than just a villain and joined the ranks of one of the franchise’s most iconic.

    While he has passed away in the original series, the current return of Netflix characters is opening up the possibility of some iconic actors returning. With that window open, some fans had the chance to ask the Purple Man himself, David Tennant, if he’d be open to returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    While he believes that it’ll be difficult to bring his character back, he definitely is open to the possibility. He also praised the talented writers hinting that they’d have a way of finding a way to bring him back into the fold. With the multiverse already established, there’s quite the opportunity to bring him back in interesting ways.

    Imagining dimensions where he took over with a reluctant group of heroes doing his bidding would make for an interesting addition to the multiverse. He could also be a weapon that’ll help everyone involved to take down Kang the Conqueror due to his unique ability. Whatever they may have planned, Tennant is always a delight and definitely worthy actor to bring back into the MCU.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Black-ish’ Creator to Direct Warner Bros.’ ‘Wizard of Oz’ Remake

    ‘Black-ish’ Creator to Direct Warner Bros.’ ‘Wizard of Oz’ Remake

    It looks like Black-ish creator Kenya Barris is set to travel to Kansas and beyond, as he is set to direct a remake of Wizard of Oz for Warner bros. Discovery. He’s currently set to write and direct the new adaptation, which should not get mixed up with New Line’s attempt at reviving the classic storyline as well for the silver screen.

    Nicole Kassell of Watchmen fame is set to take on that adaptation of Dorothy’s travel through Oz, but the version Barris is currently working on is kept in the dark and it’s unclear how far it may move from the original franchise. It’s always interesting when two production companies try to tackle the same franchise simultaneously, though it’s unclear if we have another Jungle Book situation where two very distinct versions release within a specific time window.

    Barris is currently busy on his Netflix film You People, which he co-wrote with Jonah Hil. So, it’s quite exciting to see the trajectory of his career and what it might mean for the Wizard of Oz adaptation moving forward. It’s hard to deny that the 1939 musical was an important milestone for cinema. So, it’ll be interesting to see just how they attempt another adaptation as there’s also a duo movie adaptation of Wicked in development.

    Source: Variety

  • Disney & Marvel Video Game Showcase Set for D23

    Disney & Marvel Video Game Showcase Set for D23

    All eyes are on D23’s potential film and television announcements, but the Expo unveiled today that fans should look out for more video game news as well. In a press release, the House of Mouse revealed that it will stage a showcase for its upcoming Marvel and Disney games at 1:00 PM – Pacific Time – on Friday, September 9th. 

    The digital presentation will be hosted by Kinda Funny’s Blessing Adeoye Jr., and will feature exclusive first looks at new content from Disney & Pixar Games, Marvel Games, Lucasfilm Games, and 20th Century Games. For those hoping to watch the showcase in real time, it will be streamed live on YouTube, D23Expo.com, and the social media pages for D23, Disney, and Marvel Entertainment. Anyone attending the convention will be able to watch live on the Premiere Stage, with an added presentation following the live stream featuring developer interviews, special guests, and exclusive giveaways.

    Titles fans can expect to see discussed during the showcase include LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which has been released but likely has more downloadable content on the way, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, a tactical role-playing game that is set to become available in stores sometime next year. Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life-sim game releasing on September 6th, has also been listed as part of the virtual display.

    Curiously, the press release for the event also names the upcoming Marvel ensemble game from Skydance New Media as a topic of conversation. That game was announced last year as a narrative-driven blockbuster with an original story, but nothing has been made public since. Hopefully, D23 can provide some more exciting answers when the time comes.

    Source: BusinessWire, Twitter