Tag: Film

Timothée Chalamet Joins Warner Bros.’ ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ Prequel

It looks like Warner Bros. wants to bring back a cinematic and literary classic, as they are currently developing a prequel focused on Roald Dahl‘s Willy Wonka. Deadline has revealed that the production company and Roald Dahl Story Co.’s will explore the adventures of a young Willy Wonka before he created his iconic chocolate factory. It will feature musical numbers and continue the musical theme of the original film. That is not all, as Timothée Chalamet has been cast in the titular role of the crazy chocolatier. He has been in negotiation for some time, but as he will show off his singing and dancing skills, they needed to find time for training to ensure he can prep for the production. The film will be directed by Paul King based on a screenplay by Simon Farnaby. The script was also developed by prior writers Simon Rich, Simon Stephenson, Jeff Nathanson, and Steven Levenson.

It will be the third adaption of the classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after Gene Wilder‘s 1971 version and then Johnny Depp in 2005. This incarnation of the famous childhood classic will be the first not to follow the story of Charlie Bucket. It is uncertain which direction they will take with this “origin story.” We could explore his childhood and what inspired him to take on the iconic mantle, or we’ll get to see a man explore the world and uncover candies that no one has ever seen before. At this point, anything is possible.

Source: Deadline

May 24, 2021
REPORT: Dan Trachtenberg’s ‘Predator’ Adds Amber Midthunder in Leading Role

Around three months, we broke the first plot details on Dan Trachtenbergs‘s adaptation of Predator. Originally, the film was given the title Skulls before it was revealed by DiscussingFilm that it was actually part of the well-known franchise that started back in 1984. Now, it looks like DiscussingFilm shared that Amber Midthunder was cast in the film’s lead role. The Native American actress may be well-known to Legion fans and CW’s Roswell, New Mexico series. She will take on the role of a Comanche woman, who breaks her tribe’s gender norms and becomes a warrior, as she faces an unlikely nemesis. It will be based on a screenplay by Patrick Aison, who previously worked on USA’s Treadstone.

The film is eyeing a production start in Calgary, Alberta. John Davis will produce the film under Davis Entertainment, who also worked on Chronicle, Shane Black‘s The Predator, and Shaft. It is uncertain if the film will embrace its horror roots, or lean more into the action direction. The direction teased seems rather interesting, as moving away from the typical guns could make for some more creative action sequences between Midthunder‘s character and the Predator alien. Whatever direction they choose to go, Trachtenberg will definitely offer a creative new approach to the classic franchise.

Source: DiscussingFilm

May 21, 2021
Lionsgate Eyeing Henry Cavill for Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Reboot

There can only be one. Well, except for the Highlander films, as Deadline has just revealed that Lionsgate is currently eyeing Henry Cavill to star in a reboot of the iconic franchise. The film will be directed by John Wick‘s Chad Stahelski. It will bring the 1986 classic into the modern age. There is no word if this will be a complete reboot or a continuation within the universe. It has been going around for a while with names like Ryan Reynolds and Justin Lin being in discussion at one point. The original franchise expanded four sequels and three TV series. As such, it was only a question of time before it would get a potential reboot.

Of course, this would be another win for Cavill. His career has seen quite the uptick since he took on the role of Superman in 2013. He had a starring role in Mission Impossible: Fallout. Currently, he is the headliner of Netflix’s The Witcher series and even joined their Enola Holmes films, which recently got a sequel film renewal. Highlander has high franchising potential. So, he might be very busy soon.

The 1986 film had an all-star cast consisting of Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and many more. It follows immortal beings, who hunt down each other for their powers. Of course, the only one to accomplish that is through beheading their enemies and dramatically absorb their abilities. The original producer, Peter Davis, was involved with the production’s early stages but tragically passed away in February. The film will be continued by Neal H. Moritz, Josh Davis, and David Leitch.

Source: Deadline

May 21, 2021
REPORT: First Details for Mads Mikkelsen’s Villainous Role in ‘INDIANA JONES 5’

We may finally have our first solid details on James Mangold’s Indiana Jones 5. According to a new article from The Illuminerdi, Mads Mikkelsen will be portraying the film’s main antagonist. The Danish actor, known for his villainous roles, will reportedly play a former Nazi scientist enlisted by NASA to work on their moon landing initiative. Mikkelsen’s CIA handler, tasked with being his “babysitter”, will supposedly be played by Shaunette Renee Wilson. The Illuminerdi went further, reporting that the fifth Indiana Jones will also include a female villain working side by side with Mikkelsen, described by the outlet as “an evil and brutal killer”. Scarlett Johansson was offered the role but passed.

If this information is true, it would place the events of the movie smack dab in the middle of the United States’ famed “space race” with Russia. That would mean Indiana Jones 5 is set in the late 1960s, around a decade after the end of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It also means the franchise could be leaning further into the science-fiction elements introduced by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas in the franchise’s last installment.

Indiana Jones 5 has been in various stages of production for over ten years, with Mangold being selected by Spielberg to take the reins just last year. The director will create the film based on a script by Solo scribe Jonathan Kasdan. The star-studded cast also includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Boyd Holbrook, Thomas Kretschmann, and, of course, Harrison Ford reprising his iconic title character.

Source: The Illuminerdi

May 20, 2021
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Plot Leaks Online

Here’s an interesting way for a film’s first description to find its way online. The United States Copyright Office released an entry for the upcoming sequel of 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog. The problem is that it includes the film’s first official description. There is a chance that it may change but only continue reading at your own risk if you want to avoid any spoilers regarding the film’s plot. There are some considerable reveals included in the plot. It was first found by Twitter user @Ninja_risu.

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is ready for more freedom, and Tom and Maddie agree to leave him home while they go on vacation. But, no sooner are they gone, when Dr. Robotnik comes back, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to both build and destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

It looks like Sonic will be on his own, as James Marsden and Tika Sumpter only have brief appearances in the film. The plot also confirms the return of Jim Carrey, which was uncertain until now. Dr. Robotnik was a highlight of the first film and it is great to know the actor will return to the role. Knuckles’ involvement already hinted at the live-action appearance of Master Emerald, which may tie into Sonic’s origin story teased in the first entry. It’ll be curious to see if it also sets up the existence of the Chaos Emeralds in the real-world or they might travel through some alternative dimensions.

Source: United States Copyright Office

May 20, 2021
Netflix’s ‘Knives Out’ Sequel Adds Kate Hudson

Murder is afoot, as Knives Out 2 adds another famous face. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Kate Hudson has joined the project alongside various franchise newcomers. She is joining the latest additions that include Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, and Janelle Monae. So far, the only returning actor from the original film is Daniel Craig. They continue to keep the plot of the production hidden as it eyes a production start in Greece.

Hudson has quite the filmography but took a brief break after 2017’s Marshall. Her first film since was the 2021 musical drama, fittingly titled Music. The actress is well-known for her work on films such as Almost Famous, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bride Wars, and Fool’s Gold. As director and writer Rian Johnson loves to play with conventions, we can’t really pinpoint which type of role she may tackle in the upcoming sequel.

As the first film had quite an all-star cast, it is too early to say if there are more to come. At this point, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Johnson tries to expand as much as possible. With the setting potentially being in Greece, we may be introduced to an entire town of potential victims and murderers. Hopefully, we might get some more details as production starts and a word on just how large this cast may end up being. It is uncertain if they might even be hiding one or two guest appearances to catch us off-guard once it releases on Netflix.

Source: Hollywood Reporter, IMDb

May 20, 2021
Leslie Odom Jr. Joins Upcoming ‘Knives Out’ Sequel

There is no stopping Ryan Johnson‘s upcoming Knives Out sequel. Throughout the last few days, we’ve been getting one casting announcement after another. It looks like his next entry in the Netflix-owned franchise will feature another stellar all-star cast. With production set to begin in Greece sometime this summer, casting on the project has kicked into full gear. Following his recent Oscar nomination for their work in One Night in Miami, actor Leslie Odom Jr is set to join the cast of the upcoming sequel in an undisclosed role.

Odom joins the likes of recent additions such as Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, and Edward Norton in what’s undoubtedly going to be a cast that’ll definitely rival that of the first. The sequel to 2019’s Knives Out will instead release exclusively on Netflix. This development comes after it was announced in a massive $400M+ deal that they’d acquired two sequels. In it, we got the confirmation that writer and director Rian Johnson will return alongside Daniel Craig.

The sequel currently has no set release date as production on the film has yet to begin. The film was once again written by Johnson who will produce the project alongside Ram Bergman. There have been no hints at what direction the film will go or even what kind of setting we can expect. If they are filming in Greece, we can expect a story taking place in that region. Perhaps Benoist Blanc’s vacation gets disrupted by a sudden case of murder?

Source: THR

May 18, 2021
‘WandaVision’s Kathryn Hahn Joins ‘Knives Out’ Sequel

It looks like our theory is turning out true, as we are getting daily announcements for new Knives Out 2 cast members. Deadline has just dropped the news that Kathryn Hahn has officially joined the all-star cast that already includes Janelle Monae, Edward Norton, and Dave Bautista. Of course, Daniel Craig will return as the protagonist, Benoist Blanc. So far, it seems that Craig is the only returning cast member from the last film. He’ll be facing a brand new mystery that may twist up genres similarly to how the first entry in the franchise again.

Hahn is hot off of her time as Agatha Harkness on WandaVision. This casting news has already gotten a lot of attention and harking back on the Disney+’s show’s gag that it was her “All Along.” The film will be heading to film in Greece as its plot remains under wraps. We might have another extended family on our hands that gets rudely interrupted by murder during their vacation at the beach. They may also portray locals that get wrapped up in an unlikely case.

The first film’s cast was quite expansive. So, we might have barely scratched the surface and already see some impressive names joining the project. Rian Johnson‘s passion project garnered more attention after Netflix purchased the sequels for a record payment. It seems he is currently only planning out two sequels, but we may see if there are even more entries in Blanc’s repertoire in the future.

Source: Deadline

May 13, 2021
Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill Returning for ‘Enola Holmes’ Sequel

It looks like Netflix has another hit on their hands, as it was just revealed by Deadline that Henry Cavill and Millie Bobby Brown will be reprising their roles for a sequel. The film is based on Nancy Springer’s book series The Enola Holmes Mysteries that consisted of six entries. It explores the family dynamic between the Holmes and explores the rebellious teenage sister, who is just as much a super-sleuth as the rest. As such, it seems logical that we can expect around the same number of films as their new go-to film franchise.

I can’t wait to collaborate again with my Enola Holmes family! Enola holds a special place in my heart – she’s strong, fearless, intelligent and brave. I look forward to fans seeing how her journey continues!

Sherlock Holmes has seen countless adaptations throughout the years. So, the focus on his younger sister adds a new perspective to the classic whodunnit story structure we’ve come to love from the franchise. There s no word if others of the original cast will also return or if they will truly follow the books one by one. They could also add their own twist and take a new direction with the franchise. Legendary’s team will return with Harry Bradbeer set to direct the sequel. It’ll be based on a script by Jack Throne, who also was involved with the first film. We can’t wait to see where the franchise heads and we wouldn’t be sad if Cavill‘s Sherlock gets his own spin-off.

Source: Deadline

May 13, 2021
China Release for ‘Shang-Chi’ and ‘Eternals’ Uncertain As Films Face Backlash

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a stronghold in cinemas across the world. They’ve also been a mainstay with China, one of the largest growing film markets globally. Its growth has been giving Hollywood quite a bit of competition. At one point, they even tried to strengthen their ties with China by filming exclusive sequences for Iron Man 3. There were even rumors that they’ve adapted specific aspects of their films to appease China’s very strict regulations for allowing Western film releases. It looks like they might be facing some troubles with their upcoming releases, as CCTV6 China Movie Chanel released their list of upcoming releases. They showcased eight of the ten available titles with Eternals and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings noticeably absent.

Why does it matter? Well, the channel is part of China’s propaganda department. They have the final word on what Western releases make it into the country. If these films do not receive governmental approval or pass censorship, they will not be released in any capacity. For now, it doesn’t imply that the films won’t be released but that there are some aspects that may have caught the Chinese official’s attention.

It’s also curious that both have strong connections to the country. Shang-Chi will feature Simu Liu as Marvel Studios’ first Asian superhero, who was born in China. Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh are also well-known in the country. The issue the film may face is the character’s ties to the racist caricature Fu Manchu in the comics. Chinese politicians have slammed the film for simply replacing the character with another harmful stereotype. The film has also seen some harsh criticism towards Simu Liu and Awkwafina’s appearances not matching the ideal Chinese beauty standard. Mulan’s reception has also been a cause for concern after it received backlash for its portrayal of Eastern culture.

Then there is Eternals‘ director Chloé Zhao, who just recently won an Oscar for Nomadland. She also was born in China and has strong ties to the country. According to Variety, there has been some backlash surrounding the director, as her name and achievements were wiped from the Chinese web. It is still uncertain why they decided to blacklist her after the praise for winning the Golden Globes. As of now, we will have to wait and see if any new developments might give them a chance to release them in the booming market. Currently, it doesn’t look like their chances are good.

Source: Variety

May 12, 2021