Tag: Movie News

The Sunday Paper—November 20, 2022

This week featured a smattering of news throughout the entertainment industry. With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever rounding out its second weekend in theaters, M’Baku actor Winston Duke confirmed his character’s ending in the film. Deadpool 3 continues to make steady news. Rather, Untitled Deadpool and Wolverine is making news, and the new working title seems to be a clear hint to how big Hugh Jackman’s role in the film is. A recent casting rumor also points to the iconic X-Men villain Danger as the antagonist of the film. In the comics, she is the physical embodiment of the training room known as the Danger Room, which became a massive threat to the mutants.

It is now rumored that Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross will both be the President of the United States and Red Hulk in Captain America: New World Order. Casting for the Wonder Man series has begun, which is expected to begin production in the Spring of 2023. With that comes a description of the villain of the piece, who happens to be the agent of struggling actor Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man. The villain may well be based on a character first introduced in 1991’s Wonder Man comic book series, created by Gerard Jones and Jeff Johnson. That series introduced Simon’s agent, Neal Saroyan, who was ultimately revealed to be a supervillain in charge of a cadre of assassins known as The Nobility. Bob Odenkirk is rumored to be in talks for the role, though it is unconfirmed at this time.

The upcoming Armor Wars remains intriguing, after having been announced as a streaming series but later revealed to be changing gears and being developed as a feature film. Producer Nate Moore this week explains that Armor Wars was simply “too big” to be a Disney+ series. It seems that Marvel Studios wanted to have a full budget for the armor, but bringing it to the big screen might mean the film’s story takes on a greater purpose in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In Marvel television news, if new rumors are true, Marvel Studios’ animation department may be facing some layoffs and are actively waiting for their release to greenlight future seasons. Agents of SHIELD star Chloe Bennett posted a very daisy-inspired photo, prompting more speculation that she may make her formal debut to the MCU. It turns out that Matt Murdock will likely find a new love interest in Daredevil: Born Again, as Karen Page actress Deborah Ann Woll made it clear she has not been asked back for the Daredevil revival. Another Born Again rumor suggests that hero White Tiger will be joining the show’s roster.

Peter Safran and James Gunn have only recently taken on the role of DC Studios’ co-CEOs. Warner Bros. Apparently, their long-term plans for the studio could be announced within the next couple of months, but all Henry Cavill and Man of Steel sequel plans have been stalled for the time being. Otherwise Warner Bros. is looking to adapt Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Greta Gerwig might be directing Netflix Narnia films, Margot Robbie’s Pirates of the Caribbean film is no longer happening, and Disney is eyeing a The Princess Diaries revival.

November 20, 2022
First ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Story Details Hint at Space Race Setting Facing an Old Foe

The space race is on, as we finally have some tips on what to expect from Indiana Jones‘ upcoming return to theaters. Harrison Ford is back to take on Nazis but this time in a very new setting as we’ll join the archeologist in 1969, smack-dab in the middle of the space race. While the original movement has long moved on, according to the film’s co-writer Jez Butterworth, the moon landing may have had some sinister minds trying to make it work.

The simple fact is that the moon-landing program was run by a bunch of ex-Nazis. How ‘ex’ they are is the question. And it gets up Indy’s nose…It’s not just that they’re looking for something where there’s nothing up there – it’s like Reno without the gambling, or whatever his line is. But the people that are behind it are, you know, his sworn enemies.
Jez Butterworth

It definitely raises a few interesting questions. This story element could imply that Indiana Jones may somehow end up in space. After the last film introduced aliens into the franchise, it wouldn’t be too far out there but definitely could raise some questions on how it forces his hands into the story.

Jones is an archeologist and has nothing to do with space travel directly. So, the story could likely see an event from his past, perhaps even involving Mads Mikkelsen‘s Voller, who is inspired by Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi that would become a NASA engineer. In the same interview with Empire, the actor teases that perhaps there is something they are both chasing down.

He’s a man who would like to correct some of the mistakes of the past. There is something that could make the world a much better place to live in. He would love to get his hands on it. Indiana Jones wants to get his hands on it as well. And so, we have a story.
Mads Mikkelsen

It definitely is going to be quite interesting to see how they tackle the 1969 space race with an aging Jones stuck in the middle of it all. It definitely sounds like an interesting setup and here’s hoping the trailer isn’t too far to finally unveil our first look at Jones back in action.

Source: Empire

November 20, 2022
RUMOR: New ‘Thunderbolts’ Casting Hints at an Evil Superman-Inspired Villain

Rumors have been abounding as of late, as we’re about to enter the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. No matter where one feels on Phase 4, we’re about to enter a new and exciting era that’ll offer some unique projects. among them is the first non-Avengers team-up film in the form of Thunderbolts. An unlikely group of anti-heroes is stuck together to take on a mission for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, and it seems that they might be in for more than they bargained for.

A new rumor is making the circles that they are currently trying to cast the main antagonist for the upcoming Thunderbolts film, who hints at it being an “Evil Superman.” What makes this interesting is that there are two characters that could potentially take on that very role with Squadron Supreme’s Hyperion, a more direct parallel to the Justice League and Superman, or the other powered individual known as Sentry.

What adds to it is that they are already eyeing the casting of Ryan Gosling or Alexander Skarsgard, who would make two very interesting additions to the MCU. Gosling has highlighted his interest in joining the franchise but was more hopeful of taking on the role of Ghost Rider; a very popular choice at the moment. So, we’ll see if he’d even be interested in this role though it may also depend on what direction they are going.

If they are indeed going for a villain storyline, Sentry does seem like the most interesting direction given his connection to the Void. Though, Squadron Supreme as part of the Multiverse Saga would also make sense with elements leaking into the mainline MCU timeline that ends up setting up the future Avengers films. There are many potential directions they could take this storyline but we’ll have to wait a bit longer until we find out.

Source: Patreon via Twitter, Twitter

November 20, 2022
Ryan Reynolds Reveals There is a Written But Unmade ‘Deadpool’ Christmas Movie

The Deadpool franchise is back in action with Deadpool 3 in the active works. The film marks the Merc with a Mouth’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut after the Disney-Fox acquisition. Ryan Reynolds will star alongside fan favorite Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine for an event that is sure to be special on its own but also within the context of Marvel Studios utilizing newly obtained Fox properties. Still, the threequel apparently is not the only Deadpool movie impacted by the Disney acquisition.

Just in time for the holidays, Reynolds revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that a fully-written Deadpool Christmas movie exists, but that it never got made. The actor and producer said:

Four years ago, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and I wrote a Christmas movie starring Deadpool. But it got lost in the shuffle of Disney acquiring Fox and it never got made…Maybe one day we’ll get to make that movie. It’s not a musical, but it’s a full Deadpool Christmas movie. So one day.
Ryan Reynolds

It is not often that shelved and forgotten movies make a magical comeback. But with Marvel Studios leaning into holiday specials like Werewolf By Night and the Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas-themed special, anything is possible.

Deadpool 3 is slated for a November 8, 2024 release date.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

November 20, 2022
New Funko Pop Offers First Look at ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s MODOK

While those that got a look at Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania during D23 teased the arrival of MODOK, which stands for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing. The character has long been hoped to become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially because he is one of the more insane designs that would seem impossible in live-action. So, there was a lot of excitement to see him make his debut, though the first officially released trailer did not offer a glimpse at his design.

Surprisingly, it seems our first look at the character won’t be int eh second trailer but rather a Funko Pop that has seemingly found its way into stores a bit earlier than expected. Influencer Cris Parker shared a poster on his Twitter account that includes a first look at the design, which would match with descriptions that found their way online during D23. It’s still only a rumor who is behind the mask but it’s insane to see this design hinting at a rather comic-accurate design making its way to the comics. The only addition is the mask giving him a very familiar grin but also hiding his identity.

Ant-Man & The Wasp Quantumania Pop offers First Look at M.O.D.O.K pic.twitter.com/ZwePxBkT1K
— Cris Parker (@3CFilmss) November 20, 2022

It’ll be interesting to see what this design looks like in action, but it definitely is promising. There’s always the danger that it goes a little too goofy, especially if that is in fact a faceplate. Though they could surprise us and make use of his silly design to build upon. Who knows how he also connects to the arrival of Kang the Conqueror in the MCU but perhaps there’s a conflict in the Quantum Realm that was just waiting to unravel beyond its dimension.

Source: Twitter

November 20, 2022
‘Strange World’ Stars Reveal a Wild Glitch in the Matrix

Disney Studios Animation’s newest film, Strange World, is a pulpy throwback influenced by the works of authors H.G. Wells and Jules Verne featuring characters based on iconic blasts from the past such as Ka-Zar and Doc Savage. Co-director Don Hall (Big Hero 6) describes the film as an exploration of the universal father-son relationship told through 3 generations of the Clade family.

As always, Disney has assembled a fantastic voice cast for the project, including Jake Gyllenhall as Searcher Clade and Dennis Quaid as his father, Jaeger, a legendary, larger-than-life explorer whose life’s work took him away from his family. Strange World isn’t the first time Quaid and Gyllenhall portrayed a father-son duo on screen, having played Jack Hall and Sam Hall, respectively, in the 2004 disaster flick The Day After Tomorrow; however, as Quaid revealed in the global press conference for Strange World, the two stars had never previously met!

When asked about what parallels there were in the chemistry between him and Gyllenhall in the two film, Quaid laughed, saying “This is the first time Jake and I have been in the same room, actually.” The actor went on, seemingly jokingly, to say, “I’ve never seen any of those films, so I didn’t know what he looked like.” Gyllenhaal backed up Quaid’s comments, saying “I literally never met Dennis until this moment, which is really –yeah.” Quaid continued saying, “In Day After Tomorrow, we really didn’t have scenes together.” In an effort to answer the original question, Quaid did point out that the pair of actors have swapped one key part of their arc in the two films, saying to Gyllenhall, “The only difference is, is that I was searching for you and now you’re searching for me.”

Despite working “together” on two projects, it took a press junket to bring Gyllenhall and Quaid into the same room together for the first time. A glitch in the matrix if ever there were one. Strange World hits theaters November 23rd.

November 19, 2022
‘Wakanda Forever’ Faces Harsh Friday Drop, But Still Set to Dominate the Weekend

It definitely looks like Marvel Studios’ projects are quite frontloaded in their release, as even Black Panther Wakanda Forever with an A CinemaScore faced a harsh Friday-to-Friday drop. It pulled in between $17.9M and stands at a chance of making up to $70M. It’s definitely a harsh 79% drop but not the worst that Marvel Studios has seen this year, as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness dropped by 81% on its second Friday. It’s even lower than Thor: Love and Thunder‘s 80% and not too far from Black Adam’s 72%. Perhaps it’s a general genre trend in a market with less to offer.

As Deadline points out, there’s a chance it’ll make up to $70M and could stand at a 65% drop for its second weekend total. At that rate, it’s only around 3% lagging behind Multiverse of Madness, which is massive considering it was a prime summer release in May. Plus, Thanksgiving and Black Friday are around the corner which could give it a massive boost with very little competition. So, it does seem safe to assume it’ll hold the top spot going into its third weekend.

The Black Panther sequel already passed $400M worldwide and could be moving similarly to the previous entry. For those wondering if it’ll pass the billion-dollar mark: it doesn’t seem like a sure thing but if it holds after this weekend there’s still a chance it could outdo the Doctor Strange sequel. Even if some want to call this “the end of Marvel” once again, the films are still financially doing better than most and after much-calling fatigue since even after Avengers: Endgame‘s release. It’s the kind of fatigue many others would dream about.

Source: Twitter, Deadline, Collider, The Numbers

November 19, 2022
New Working Title for ‘Deadpool 3’ Reveals the Size of Hugh Jackman’s Role

When Ryan Reynolds revealed that Hugh Jackman was returning as Wolverine for Deadpool 3, it was met with equal measures of shock and excitement. Fans, and even Jackman, believed that Logan was the swan song for the actor in the role he’d dedicated the better part of two decades to play. As the film draws nearer to its scheduled April start of production, more information about it has begun to trickle out, including a working title that might give an idea of just how big Jackman’s role in the film will be.

According to insider Daniel RPK, the working title of the film is no longer Deadpool 3, but rather Untitled Deadpool and Wolverine Film. If the character’s name is in the title, audiences can definitely expect a heavy dose of Wolverine and not just a glorified cameo. If anyone has doubts, the title confirms that Wolverine will absolutely share the spotlight with Deadpool in the Marvel Studios film.

As information about the plot of the film has begun to leak out, it sounds increasingly more likely that at least part of the plot will involve time travel and/or multiverse shenanigans. Owen Wilson is rumored to be reprising his role as TVA Agent Mobius and recent rumors have pointed to the film visiting the universes inhabited by the characters from Marvel films not made under the Marvel Studios banner. One possibility could see the film adapting the comic arc Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, and which could lead to a wild ride for everyone involved as Deadpool Kills multiple non-MCU universes.

The currently untitled Deadpool and Wolverine Film will hit theaters in November 8, 2024.

November 19, 2022
James Gunn Teases Rocket’s Origin and an Emotional Ending for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’

The start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 5 will finally give us the third and final James Gunn-directed entry of Guardians of the Galaxy. It’ll be the end of an era for one of Marvel’s most popular teams. The film is bound to have an emotional resolution for various characters, one of which will be the Bradley Cooper-voiced Rocket Raccoon. While in an interview with the Phase Zero podcast, James Gunn confirmed this to be the case. The director discussed how Vol. 3 will focus on the origins of the animal and how that plays into the end of this saga.

It tells this story about Rocket and where he came from and where he’s going, and how that ties into everybody else, and the end of this iteration of The Guardians.
James Gunn

After being a seminal part of this universe, it’s fitting that the Guardians of the Galaxy would take a turn for the emotional heading into the ending of their trilogy. And the story of Rocket Raccoon appears in line to be the main arc of Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, especially with the casting of Chukwudi Iwuji as the main antagonist in the High Evolutionary. And having seen the initial trailer for the film at San Diego Comic Con this year, this author can confirm the film will be leaning heavily into more serious themes while wrapping up the stories of these characters.

The concept of weight-filled emotional themes was prevalent on the mind of James Gunn while in production for Vol. 3. And it’s why he found special solace in producing the more light-hearted Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in tandem with the Marvel Studios feature film. This is what the director had to say about balancing the two tonally different projects at the same time.

Doing this goofy thing like once every four days, and then going and shooting four days of Guardians Vol. 3, and then going back, it almost created a lot of whiplash. But it was also almost like The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special days were like snow days, you know? Those were the… that was recess. That was fun!
James Gunn

In addition, James Gunn confirmed that he considers The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special to be “required watching” in order to best experience Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 this coming May. Gunn elaborates on concepts that will be introduced for the team and how the short film allowed him to spend less time on exposition in the first act of the feature film.

People should see the Holiday Special. You’re obviously gonna learn a lot about where the Guardians have been in the past few years. You know, you’re gonna see how they now inhabit Knowhere. They’ve got a new ship called the Bowie. They’ve got a dog [who] is part of their crew now who has telekinesis named Cosmo. So where you get to learn all that, and then there’s a couple of bigger pieces of spoiler-y lore. You’re gonna learn all of those things. In a way, the Holiday Special was a Trojan Horse for me to sneak in stuff that becomes important in Volume 3, so I don’t have to spend a lot of time at the beginning of that movie explaining it.
James Gunn

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special releases on Disney+ on November 25. Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3 releases exclusively in theaters of May 5, 2023.

Source: Comicbook.com

November 18, 2022
‘Indiana Jones 5’ Director Shares His Approach to the Film

James Mangold, famous for his work on Logan and Ford V Ferrari, is taking on a daunting task. He’ll be the first new director to helm an entry in the Indiana Jones franchise, which has all been directed by Steven Spielberg, who is still actively a producer on the project. Still, it seems that he wasn’t scared of tackling this story once again and shared in an interview with Empire how he approached the material, especially with an older Harrison Ford in the leading role.

It became really important to me to figure out how to make this a movie about a hero at sunset. The issues I brought up about Indy’s age were not things I thought were being addressed in the material being developed at the time. There were ‘old’ jokes, but the material itself wasn’t about it. To me, whatever you greatest liability, you should fly straight towards that. If you try to pretend it’s not there, you end up getting slings and arrows the whole way.
James Mangold

It’s definitely interesting that he’s avoiding the age topic completely, even if some jokes may have found their way into the script. Still, the topic was even the main focus in the last entry that released back in 2008, especially with the set-up of a new generation taking over that wouldn’t lead to anything. So, we’ll see just how the story will revolve around Indiana Jones and what is even the main mystery, as we still haven’t heard what the title will be for the latest entry in the franchise.

Source: Empire

November 18, 2022