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Tag: Netflix

  • Update on Timeline for ‘Stranger Things’ Writers Room

    Update on Timeline for ‘Stranger Things’ Writers Room

    With the recent release of the now complete fourth season of Stranger Things, questions are already being asked about the timeline for when fans can expect to watch the fifth and final season of the series. Unfortunately, fans will most likely have another relatively long wait to see how the hit Netflix series comes to an end. In an interview with Collider, series creators The Duffer Brothers provided a timeline for when the new season’s writing process would begin.

    We’re going to take a little vacation in July. And then we’re going to come back. I know that the writer’s room is going to start in that first week of August.

    The Duffer Brothers

    Between August marking the beginning of the official writer’s room and the expansive production time that has now gone into Stranger Things, fans should temper their expectations on the show having its ultimate resolution in the near future. Though a potentially optimistic sign for the speed of this writing process is The Duffer Brothers also revealing that the overall planning for the final season is slightly ahead of schedule than if it was to be just written cold turkey beginning at the start of August.

    We had all the scripts before we started shooting, so we could look at the whole thing as a whole. And we outlined all of five. So it really is four and five or like of a piece, and this was due to the six-month hiatus that we had due to the pandemic. So we don’t typically have as much time. It usually feels like the train is going down the tracks and Ross and I and our writers are just throwing down track as we’re going, once we’re halfway through the season. And for the first time ever, we were able to look at it globally, not just Season Four, but Season Five as well.

    The Duffer Brothers

    It certainly will be interesting to see how Stranger Things wraps up with the attention of the watching world around it. Essentially all that’s known at this point is that there will be some sort of time jump between the ending of the fourth season and the beginning of the fifth. This is very likely a wise decision with the young cast rapidly aging out of the high school-age characters they’re portraying, and will especially be the case with it still being a ways away from actually entering production.

    Stranger Things 4 is now available to watch in completion on Netflix after the release of its second volume of episodes on July 1st. You can find our own review of this final batch of episodes here. 

    Source: Collider

  • ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Showrunner Only Planned on Four Seasons

    ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Showrunner Only Planned on Four Seasons

    The Umbrella Academy has always felt like the little show that could. The cult Netflix series debuted in 2019 to mixed reviews, but has since found it’s footing and, after three zany seasons, has left fans begging for more. In a sea of comic book adaptations and uber-popular superheroes, the wonky cast of characters that inhabit the world created by Gerard Way somehow manage to be uniquely likable.

    Season 3 saw the titular characters, once again, trying to prevent the end of the world. Their antics saw them existing in a timeline they shouldn’t and, after 10 episodes, the Umbrellas have inexplicably put themselves in a place to start over for a fourth time – in a brand new reality with no superpowers. With so much room to run creatively, showrunner Steve Blackman spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his plans for the future of the series:

    We haven’t been picked up — I have my fingers crossed. But I know what season four is in my head. I’ve already sort of worked out the beginning, middle and end of it. When I started this thing, I sort of knew four seasons of the show. I have nothing passed that in my brain, but I’ve sort of kept to a trajectory. So, I have a really good sense of what season four would be, and it should be just as bonkers as the other seasons — what a challenge these superheroes, this family has being powerless.

    Steve Blackman

    If renewed, it sounds like season 4 of the super-family dramedy could be it’s last. As sad as that may sound, all good things must eventually come to an end. It’s also still possible Blackman and his team strike storytelling gold and spawn ideas for a fifth season along the way. After all, the show has now outlived its source material, meaning anything beyond this point must be wholly original.

    Source: THR

  • REVIEW: ‘Stranger Things 4’ Final Episode Were Worth The Wait

    REVIEW: ‘Stranger Things 4’ Final Episode Were Worth The Wait

    Finally, after a prolonged wait, we got our hands on the final two episodes of Stranger Things‘ fourth season. After ending its first part on quite the high note, we’ve only had two more episodes left that would wrap up the storyline around the latest threat to Hawkins in the form of Vecna, or the originator of eleven’s powers as we’ve gone on to learn. Could the final episodes provide that send-off ahead of the final season that we’ve been waiting for?

    As I pointed out in my review of the first part, there’s a lot the first part did right but it also suffered ab it from juggling way too many subplots throughout the season. It mostly was the result of scattering its cast across the United States and Russia, but it still offered some memorable set pieces and moments throughout; there’s a reason Running Up That Hill is back in the charts. The highs were definitely high but it still stumbled at times. In a way, the final two episodes continue that trend but pull it all together with a strong emotional finale.

    Vecna once again proves why he is the threat that he is, as the team tries to put together a plan to take him down before he can enact his plan. There are times when we’re playing catch up with the big reveal of what he’s up to, everyone preparing for thSurprisingly,fore we head into the Upside Down. It’s surprising they didn’t set up the final episode as its second part as a movie finale, a lot is going on in its two-hour-plus run time. Still, there’s a lot going on with many of the subplots “kind” of coming together.

    The time spent in Russia with Hopper, Joyce, and Murray still feels disconnected from the rest. Though it ends up with one of the most visually stunning moments in the finale as Hoppeets that moment. So, it definitely delivers in the ways that you want it to. Also, Hopper and Joyce getting the moment everyone has been waiting for was the tip of the iceberg to make you forget that it’s just very loosely connected to the overarching storyline. Who knows if it feeds into the finale more. But I also won’t complain about more Brett Gelman‘s Murray in the Netflix series.

    Millie Bobbie Brown once again gives it her all as Eleven, as she not only has to find a way to help her friends but also faces the consciences of her own actions. The biggest selling point of this season was the connection between her past and the events that continue to unfold throughout Hawkins. Vecna has a personal grudge after the reveal we got last time, and she gets her moments to shine. I still think her character going back a few steps to move forward was a bit of a shame.

    Also, it should be once again highlighted how Jamie Campbell Bower continues to be a great antagonist in the series. The reveal from the last “finale” was a powerful one but I do continue to feel that the character is still a bit too “human” to compete with some of the iconic monsters that we’ve seen throughout past seasons. There’s an additional reveal in these moments that could’ve easily been kept in the actual reveal of this season, but I hope it gets further explored due to the implications for the final season moving forward.

    There are a lot of standouts in this season, but Joseph Quinn‘s Eddie Munson swiftly became a fan favorite for a reason this season. Probably the fastest turnover for a character in the show with a beautiful arc that came together nicely towards the end. His rock-out moment that was teased in trailers made for a memorable moment and wished there was more of it. The same goes for Eduardo Franco‘s Argyle who probably had some of the funniest moments throughout.

    Though, the season continues to belong to Sadie Sink and Natalia Dyer‘s Nancy Wheeler, who continue to pull some powerful performances. The latter gets a truly badass time to shine while Sink‘s Max Mayfield offers that emotional gut punch we got from her earlier in the season. It’s hard not to talk about who gives some of the strongest performances throughout without giving anything away, but the final moments definitely hit the right notes.

    Overall, the season has been strong but with some bumps along the way. In a way, the same is true for the final two episodes. Its emotional moments are the ones that truly hit strong and will play with your heart. Parts of it definitely bank on the Netflix show’s strengths and also let the series breathe where it needs to. We’re definitely entering the final part of this journey and if this season is anything to go by, we’ll likely be fighting back tears as the final moments wrap up over an upside-down Hawkins. I for one cannot wait to see how they wrap up this story.

  • ‘Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Joins Russo Bros. Next Netflix Film

    ‘Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown Joins Russo Bros. Next Netflix Film

    It looks like the Russo Bros. are focused on staying in Netflix’s wheelhouse as while they’re busy promoting The Gray Man, they’ve already set their next project in the form of The Electric State. Millie Bobby Brown, who is hot off of her work on the latest season of Stranger Things, is already set to join the film. Former Avengers co-star, Chris Pratt, is also currently in talks.

    The directing duo will once again team up with writer Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who also worked on the previous Netflix film. It’ll once again be a high-budget project that is likely going to go beyond the 200M mark. Brown will play an orphaned teen that travels the American west to find out what happened to her younger brother. She’ll be accompanied by a mysterious robot and an eccentric driver. It’s unclear who Pratt may end up playing.

    The project is an adaptation of the 2018 illustrated novel. Simon Stalenhag created the original and also worked on the iconic Tales From the Loop. It looks like they are also already eyeing a production start in October in Atlanta. So, we may get some casting announcements in the coming months as the project moves forward. Russo‘s are naturally producing under their AGBO banner.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Arlong Actor Wraps Up Work on Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Series

    Arlong Actor Wraps Up Work on Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Series

    One Piece is a major project worldwide and with 25 years on its back, the story is slowly nearing its end. Netflix has quickly jumped on board with Tomorrow Studio to find a talented cast and crew to bring the series to life in live-action. We’ve gotten a tease from the production sets that tease a massive project that has been filming since the beginning of the year. While we may have to wait a bit longer for more updates, it seems that one actor has wrapped production.

    Actor McKinley Belcher shared at the end of May that he had joined the production of Netflix’s One Piece series. Yet, it turns out he may have already wrapped up his work on the project. Belcher took to his personal Instagram to share that he’s leaving Cape Town, seemingly confirming he’s finished his work as Arlong. So, it seems that he’s been working for around a month on bringing his sequences to life.

    Some may be wondering how that works considering that we’ve recently got the tease they were working on the Baratie episodes, especially as Doctor Who director Emma Sullivan was confirmed working on them. Yet, they aren’t necessarily filming sequences from the manga back-to-back and may be working on various sequences simultaneously. It’s not uncommon especially as they have to work around actors’ tight schedules. Still, it’s geat to know that the production is coming along.

    Source: Instagram

  • REVIEW: ‘Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area’

    REVIEW: ‘Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area’

    Money Heist proved to be a huge hit for Netflix upon its release in 2017, so it’s not entirely surprising then that the streaming service has continued to grow the franchise. The latest installment, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is a bit of a slow burn. There’s a lot of story to cram within six episodes, and despite such a vast story, it often feels like the story drags. That isn’t to say it’s not enjoyable. It is. It just fails to ever feel like something exciting.

    Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area starts off with Jeon Jong-seo‘s Tokyo as she seeks a better future for herself after North Korea and South Korea are unified. Unfortunately, she soon finds herself desperate and willing to do anything to get by, even going as far as to join a group as they seek to perform a bank heist for the ages. She’s been in the army, and she’s dreamt of a bright future in South Korea. Sadly, though, upon the unification, the future she’s promised is nothing more than a lie that results in her working as an escort and a waitress, before she’s driven to fight back.

    The first episode is incredibly slow and frustrating to get through. It’s all the more frustrating because the beginning just feels entirely uneven in both the way it is shot and filmed. Thankfully, though, the show begins to find its footing with the second episode as the heist team begins to come together. The series truly benefits from its ensemble cast. Each role is perfectly cast, and Yoo Ji-Tae absolutely shines as the Professor. His on-screen presence helps to carry some of the weaker scenes; he oozes confidence and charm. The same, however, cannot be said for the rest of the cast. Some performances fall flat. The actors seem to give their all, but not all are quite able to reach the heights of Ji-Tae’s Professor.

    As the series moves away from Toyko’s point-of-view, we begin to learn about each heist member at the start of each episode. It’s a nice touch that helps to further develop these characters that would’ve otherwise been merely background characters. They had their own arcs, a tough act to accomplish in just six episodes. Yet, while the series succeeded in crafting its characters, it failed with its handling of the overall story. Money Heist: Korea could’ve easily benefited from an additional two episodes. Sure, it’s a remake of the original series, but that doesn’t mean it needs to stay within the same episode limitations as the original series.

    As for the cinematography, Money Heist: Korea is a visually appealing series. Between the lighting, the angles and the color scale, Money Heist: Korea is wonderfully shot. It’s one of the highlights of the series, honestly. The shots with the group performing the heist as they stand among the masked hostages is stunning. Every scene is framed perfectly. Sadly, while the visuals are great, the music can be lacking at times. There are some excellent music beats, sure, but for the most part the music adds nothing to the scenes.

    Overall, Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is a great effort. Yes, the early episodes are slow, but if viewers stick with it, they’ll be greatly rewarded with an exciting heist drama. It’s a stressful watching experience in the best type of way.

  • Netflix’s ‘Three-Body Problem’ Adaptation Adds to Expansive Cast

    Netflix’s ‘Three-Body Problem’ Adaptation Adds to Expansive Cast

    According to The Hollywood Reporter Jonathan Pryce, Rosalind Chao, Ben Schnetzer and Eve Ridley have joined the upcoming series. Three-Body Problem is based on Liu Cixin’s trilogy and tells the story of what happens when humanity discovers that we are not alone in the universe.

    The latest group of actors join the previously announced Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), Eiza González (Baby Driver), Jess Hong (Inked), Marlo Kelly (Dare Me), Alex Sharp (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Sea Shimooka (Pink Skies Ahead), Zine Tseng, Saamer Usmani (Succession) and Benedict Wong (Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). We exclusively broke many of these roles in a report last Fall.

    Pyrce is known for his work on Game of Thrones, the Pirates of the Caribbean films, and the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. Most recently he’s appeared in Apple+ TV’s Slow Horses and Netflix’s The Crown. Pryce’s casting marks the third Game of Thrones alumni to be cast in the series. Which shouldn’t be too surprising given that former Thrones showrunners, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, created the series alongside Alexander Woo.

    As for Chao, she’s coming off of the live-action take of Mulan and recently starred in Better Things. While Schnetzer recently starred in FX’s Y: The Last Man and newcomer Ridley has lent her voice to an episode of Peppa Pig. 

    Source: THR

  • Netflix’s ‘Spy Kids’ Finds Its Family

    Netflix’s ‘Spy Kids’ Finds Its Family

    Deadline reports that Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi will headline the newest Spy Kids film, while Everly Carganilla and newcomer Connor Esterson will play their kids. The new film will be directed and produced by Spy Kids creator Robert Rodriguez. He’ll also co-write the latest film with Racer Max. This marks a return to Netflix for Rodriguez who saw success with his 2020 family film, We Can be Heroes, on the streaming platform.

    The latest chapter of the Spy Kids franchise will see the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that will give him control of all technology. This will lead the kids to become spies themselves to save their parents and, of course, the world.

    Rodriguez, who is perhaps best known for her leading role in the CW’s Jane the Virgin, has seen her star rise considerably over the years. Along with having appeared in Someone Great and Amazon’s I Want You Back, she’s also set to star in the ABC series Not Dead Yet. While Levi is perhaps best known for his work on the TV series Chuck, as well as his leading role in Shazam! For DC and Warner Bros.

    Also producing the film will be David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger for Skydance, as well as Elizabeth Avellan and Racer Max. While Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce and Nick Nesbit will serve as Netflix’s creative lead on the film.

    Source: Deadline

  • Charlize Theron Shares Set Photo as Production Starts on ‘The Old Guard’ Sequel

    Charlize Theron Shares Set Photo as Production Starts on ‘The Old Guard’ Sequel

    After a long wait, 2020’s The Old Guard is finally getting a long-awaited sequel. Charlize Theron played the leader of a mercenary group, Andromache, who was on a revenge mission. Yet, this wasn’t your everyday group of mercenaries, as they are immortal. As the oldest member, she was the natural leader of fighters that have a deep history, such as members that fought alongside Napoleon or were part of the Crusaders.

    While no official title has been unveiled, Charlize Theron has taken to her Twitter account to announce that they’ve started work on the second entry. Sadly, Gina Prince-Blythewood isn’t back to direct the sequel yet the talented Victoria Mahoney is taking over the role, who made her stamp in the industry with Yelling to the Sky and even worked on TV projects like Lovecraft Country.

    It’ll be interesting to see how they build upon the first entry, and what surprises they may have in store for us. The concept of an immortal mercenary group offers some unique challenges for the team, and the first film has offered a great setup to build upon. So, we’ll see what surprises they have in store once they wrap up production.

    Source: Twitter

  • Jonathan Entwistle Teases “Familiar Faces” in Netflix’s New ‘Power Rangers’ Cinematic Universe

    Jonathan Entwistle Teases “Familiar Faces” in Netflix’s New ‘Power Rangers’ Cinematic Universe

    It’s been some time since it was announced that Jonathan Entwistle was announced as the head behind a new cinematic universe for the Power Rangers franchise. Ever since we’ve heard very little bout the project. Well, that was until now as we finally got an update that Jenny Klein will showrun a Power Rangers series. There are no details on how this project will effectively work or if it may be the central franchise-building others, but it finally moving forward offers an exciting prospect that we might get more details on it sooner rather than later.

    Entwistle was just as excited about the news, as he took to his personal Twitter account to share the news as well as tease that it’s a big part of this new cinematic universe. He also went on to confirm that they are establishing a new universe (a curious wording given the multiversal status of the Boom! Comics adaptations). What stands out, however, is that he also teases some “familiar faces” joining.

    https://twitter.com/jonaent/status/1536860133753401345

    Not too long ago, we heard from former Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson that they haven’t been involved in some capacity with the project. Of course, things may have changed and they were still busy mapping out the concept before getting the original crew involved. There’s also the 30th anniversary just around the corner, which could be the perfect timing to kick off this new universe and how it may connect to the rest. So, here’s hoping we’ll get more insight soon.

    Source: Twitter