‘Salem’s Lot’: James Wan-Produced Vampire Pic Taps ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s Lewis Pullman As Lead Of The Stephen King Adaptation

New Line Cinema, producer James Wan, and writer/director Gary Dauberman are teaming up for a new feature film adaption of the Stephen King novel Salem’s Lot, which features vampires in a small town.

Salem’s Lot is a small New England town with white clapboard houses, tree-lined streets, and solid church steeples. A stranger had also come to the Lot, a stranger with a secret as old as evil, a secret that would wreak irreparable harm on those he touched and in turn on those they loved. Author Ben Mears returns to Salem’s Lot to write a book about a house that has haunted him since childhood only to find his isolated hometown infested with vampires. While the vampires claim more victims, Mears convinces a small group of believers to combat the undead.

There is finally some casting news to share on the project.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the horror film’s protagonist, Ben Mears, will be played by Lewis Pullman (son of Bill Pullman), who is likely best known from Bad Times At The El Royale and will be seen in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick.

Filming on Salem’s Lot begins next month in Boston, according to the report.

It’ll be interesting if they’ll end up hiring bigger names or seasoned actors to surround Pullman in the supporting cast.

You might remember that Gary Dauberman previously wrote the scripts for Andy Muschietti’s It and It: Chapter Two for director, another Stephen King adaptation. He’s also wrote stuff such as the Swamp Thing series, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Homes, Annabelle: Creation, and Annabelle.

The Ronin previously confirmed that cinematographer Michael Burgess would be the film’s director of photography. With extensive horror credits such as Annabelle Comes Home, The Nun, The Conjuring 2, The Curse of La Llorona, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and James Wan’s upcoming horror pic Malignant.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

‘Star Wars’ & ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actress Natalia Tena Joining ‘John Wick 4’?

John Wick 4 has been filming outside of Berlin, Germany with Keanu Reeves back as the big bad assassin John Wick and director Chad Stahelski assembling quite the cast for the latest action pic. Another actor might have been added to the main lineup.

Take the following with a grain of salt, but British actress Natalia Tena (Black Mirror, Wolfe) has been listed on IMDB (could be bogus) as being part of the cast. However, Tena is such a left-field name to falsely attach to the project and sort of makes sense given her recent projects including a new crime series Wolfe.

Tena has various franchise roles including being part of the Star Wars universe playing Xi’an in the first season of The Mandalorian, Osha in multiple seasons of HBO’s Game of Thrones, and Nymphadora Tonks in four Harry Potter installments.

She wouldn’t be the only Game of Thrones alumni involved with the Wick franchise as Aflie Allen was the little brat that pulled Wick back into the life of hired killers and Ian McShane also had a brief role in the fantasy series.

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The rest of the cast consists of Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King, Donnie Yen (Mulan, Ip Man, Blade II, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, Westworld, Sunshine, The Last Samurai) as Watanabe, Clancy Brown (Highlander, The Punisher, Billions), Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Alita: Battle Angel), Bill Skarsgard (Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2), Shamier Anderson, and Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

John Wick 4 is set for release on May 27, 2022.

SOURCE: IMDB

Donnie Yen Would Consider Reprising ‘Star Wars’ Role If Asked & Having The “Best Experience” Making ‘John Wick 4’

Donnie Yen has been getting a bit of love from Hollywood recently with roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Mulan, and is currently shooting John Wick 4 in Berlin.

While speaking with Looper to promote his new action pic, Raging Fire, the Hong Kong actor was asked if he’d be willing to reprising his Star Wars role of Chirrut Îmwe.

“Well, I would definitely consider it. I had a great time shooting ‘Rogue One,’ and I guess people like my character. It really depends, you don’t know what they’re thinking. I leave it up to Disney to sort it out. We’ll see. I believe in destiny. “

With shows like Star Wars: Andor, a prequel to Rogue One, there are certainly possibilities of Lucasfilm eventually bringing back Chirrut.

He also explained how producer Basil Iwanyk courted him for the John Wick franchise and says shooting the fourth film has been his “best experience” working on it, as one of the few American productions he’s been involved with

I’m having a wonderful time here. Keanu Reeves is a wonderful soul, gentleman, best guy I’ve ever worked with, just a great guy, same as Chad. This so far has been the best experience in the very few American movies I have ever been. And you will not be disappointed with the film, you will be wowed by the film.

“They were really passionate about wanting me to be in the film, and we had multiple discussions of my role, and where I’d like to take this role. And we totally, we synced, and we were on the same page. That’s what happened, and there I am.”

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum ended with John Wick surviving the fall from the roof of The Continental hotel after Ian McShane’s Winston shot him. Winston’s motivations weren’t entirely clear as he didn’t seem shocked that Mr. Wick got away and could be giving The High Table a false sense of security. Wick eventually lands at the feet of Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who had his organization taken away from him by The High Table and convinces John to go to war with him against the mysterious group of criminal syndicate puppet masters. 

The cast also includes Ian McShane as Winston, Lance Reddick as Charon and Laurence Fishburne back as the Bowery King, Hiroyuki Sanada as Watanabe, Clancy Brown (Highlander), British martial artist Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, Doctor Strange), Marko Zaror (Machete Kills, Alita: Battle Angel), Atomic Blonde’s Bill Skarsgard, Stowaway’s Shamier Anderson, and the film’s female lead played by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama. 

John Wick 4 is set for release on May 27, 2022.

SOURCE: LOOPER

‘The Old Guard 2’ Will Officially Be Directed By Victoria Mahoney

Netflix has tapped a new director to handle The Old Guard sequel, as Deadline reports that Victoria Mahoney will replace Gina Prince-Bythewood. Adding that Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor are returning for the sequel.

Mahoney was the first female director to work on a Star Wars project, assigned as the huge film’s second unit director.

The news was reaffirmed by previous director Gina Prince-Bythewood on Twitter, who decided not to direct and will stay on as a producer. The filmmaker is busy with the Viola Davis action film The Woman King.

THE OLD GUARD – Led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (Kiki Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary.

SOURCE: DEADLINE & GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD

‘She-Hulk’ Introducing Another Asgardian To The MCU?

Marvel’s She-Hulk series has wrapped filming in Atlanta (with some extra stuff expected to shoot in Los Angeles), but it looks like another Marvel Comics character is part of the show.

An IMDB listing from stunt woman Angela Lynn Hollis seemingly reveals that Runa from The Mighty Valkyries might be appearing in the show. The first time it’s been hinted that Asgardians or New Asgard could be involved in the show.

Hollis isn’t a new hire for Marvel Studios as she previously worked on Ms. Marvel and The Falcon & The Winter Soldier in Atlanta. Along with recent work on Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam.

Runa is a relatively new character to Marvel Comics and likely won’t have a huge role.

We recently had confirmation of the inclusion of Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery in Shang-Chi, thanks to his stunt double, making these listings something to consider. Kingsley would show up on the red carpet premiere.

The 10-episode series will be directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia with Emmy-winner Jessica Gao (Rick & Morty) set as head writer. Its crew consists of cinematographer Florian Ballhaus (RED, The Devil Wears Prada), production designer Elena Albanese (Lovecraft Country), costume designer Ann Foley (Godzilla Vs. Kong, Altered Carbon), and stunt coordinator Monique Ganderton (Loki, Avengers: Endgame).

Led by Tatiana Maslany (Black Orphan) as Jennifer Walters, the Disney+ project will officially see the return of Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky aka Abomination (the new updated design recently revealed in Shang-Chi trailer), Mark Ruffalo back as Banner aka Professor Hulk, Jameela Jamil (The Good Place) was recently announced to be playing the super-strong villain Titania, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Amelia, Josh Segarra, and Ginger Gonzaga.

Jennifer is the defense lawyer cousin of Avengers member Dr. Bruce Banner aka Hulk and after a blood transfusion from Bruce is granted her own Hulk powers becoming She-Hulk. 

She-Hulk will debut on Disney+ sometime in 2022.

SOURCE: IMDB

UPDATE: ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Confirmed To Have Been Shot By ‘Avatar’ Cinematographer Mauro Fiore

Earlier this week, Sony Pictures finally released the first teaser trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home and ended up landing an impressive 355+ million views, dwarfing Avengers: Endgame.

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a Super Hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

The movie is still set to be released on December 17, but it’s unclear, officially, who shot the superhero sequel. However, a potential listing on IMDB might point towards the cinematographer of James Cameron’s Avatar and Fox’s Dark Phoenix, Mauro Fiore.

The former pic landed Fiore an Oscar for Best Cinematography in 2009 with other film credits such as Infinite, The Island and Training Day.

UPDATE: Gaffer Josh Davis mentioned in an interview with to Lite Gear back in February that he’d be working with Fiore on the Spider-Man sequel. Looks like he’s been confirmed.

“I’m currently working on the third installment of Spider-Man with actor Tom Holland, DP Mauro Fiore, and Director Jon Watts. It’s my largest job as a gaffer thus far, and wow– what a ride! Be careful what you ask for. Be thankful for the people that help you get there. Be grateful for the ones that help you get it done.”

We should be clear that we haven’t been able to confirm this listing is legit, but will likely be able to know either way when the marketing really kicks in.

The cast consists of Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Jamie Foxx as Electro, Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus, Jon Favreau, Hannibal Buress, Jacob Batalon, J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson, Marisa Tomei, Angourie Rice, Martin Starr, Tony Revolori, Paula Newsome, and J.B Smoove.

We’ve now have concrete confirmations that Benedict Wong and possibly Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn/Green Goblin will appear as well. We see a pumpkin bomb show up, someone trying to attack Peter in the shadows, Electro using his powers, and Alfred Molina’s glorious Doctor Octopus.

The Ronin first reported that Paula Newsome would appear and she is seen in the trailer.

If you feel like it, check out the Spider-Man: No Way Home for the 100th time.

SOURCE: IMDB

‘Firebite’: Aussie Vampire Hunter Series To Debut This Winter On AMC+

AMC Studios and See-Saw Picture are teaming for a new indigenous vampire hunter series, Firebite, set in Australia. The project from Warwick Thornton will star Yael Stone, Rob Collins, Callan Mulvey, and newcomer Shantae Barnes-Cowan.

Mulvey is likely the recognizable name there having appeared in Hollywood projects such as Zero Dark Thirty, Captain America: Civil War, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, 300: Rise of An Empire, Warcraft, Outlaw King, Avengers: Endgame, and The Russo Brothers’ expensive spy flick The Gray Man.

The project has begun production in South Australia with the 8-episode series to debut on AMC+ this winter.

Below is the official press release.

AMC+ announced today the start of production on the Original Series Firebite in South Australia this week, with Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black), Rob Collins (Cleverman, Extraction) and Callan Mulvey (Avengers: End Game) in leading roles. The series will also introduce Indigenous Australian star Shantae Barnes-Cowan.

Firebite is set in a remote desert mining town, a hive for the last vampire stronghold shipped from Britain to Australia in 1788 by the colonial superpower to eradicate the Indigenous populations. Sheltering from the sun in the underground mines and tunnels that surround the town until the present day, the colony’s numbers and hunger is growing. War is coming. Tyson and Shanika stand vanguard to the war. But what hope does an expertly reckless man full of bravado and a 17-year-old orphan possibly have to defeat these vicious blood-thirsty parasites, when legions of warriors before them have failed?

A co-production between AMC Studios and  See-Saw Films, Firebite is a high-octane, highly original spin on the Vampire genre and fantasy series that follows two Indigenous Australian hunters, Tyson (Collins) and Shanika (Barnes-Cowan), on their quest to battle the last colony of vampires in the middle of the South Australian desert.

The series is comprised of eight, one-hour episodes set to debut on AMC+ this winter.

Created and written by Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous auteur voice, Warwick Thornton (Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country), who also directs along with Brendan Fletcher (Mad Bastards) and Tony Krawitz (The Tall Man, Dead Europe)

SOURCE: AMC

‘Matrix 4’ Officially Titled ‘The Matrix: Resurrections’ & New Details Revealed From CinemaCon Footage

Warner Bros. has officially announced yesterday that Matrix 4 is indeed titled The Matrix: Resurrections, they also revealed footage during the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon.

Lana Wachowksi returns to direct a cast that consists of Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jessica Henwick, Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra, Ibarra, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Eréndira Ibarra, Andrew Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Christina Ricci, and Ellen Hollman.

CinemaCon footage was described by The Hollywood Reporter’s Aaron Couch, revealing that both Neo and Trinity have no memory of the previous events. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is indeed playing that “Morpheus” figure and that Neil Patrick Harris is playing Thomas Anderson’s (Neo’s identity within the Matrix) therapist. Neo is taking two blue pills a day, potentially to keep his memories/powers suppressed.

“Neo Takes two blue pills a day, prescribed by his doctor Finally he meets a man dressed like Morpheus, who offers him a red pill. Neo seems to have a few new powers from the last time (controls a missile through telekanesis).”

It was previously reported that Jessica Henwick’s character is supposed to be the new Neo/The One, but I guess we’ll have to wait a little longer about getting that confirmed. We likely won’t have to wait too long before Warner Bros. starts to kick off the marketing campaign and sharing a public trailer.

The Matrix: Resurrections still has a release date of December 22.

THE MATRIX – Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question — What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.

SOURCE: CINEMACON VIA THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’: Director Martin McDonagh’s Latest Film Enlists ‘Eternals’ Cinematographer Ben Davis

Director Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, Three Billboards) is moving forward with a new movie called The Banshees of Inisherin that has a cast that consists of Colin Farrell (Miami Vice, The Lobster, The Batman), Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan (The Batman, Eternals, The Green Knight, Dunkirk), and the voice of the MCU’s Friday, Kerry Condon (Better Call Saul, Three Billboards, Ray Donovan).

The filmmaker is best known for dark comedies.

Here is the vague synopsis for the new movie that will shoot in Ireland starting this month.

Pic charts the story of a pair of lifelong friends on a remote Irish island who find themselves at an awkward time in their relationship when one of them no longer wants to be friends.

The Ronin has been able to confirm that cinematographer Ben Davis has joined the project with films credits that include Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Doctor Strange, Guardians of The Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Cry Macho, The King’s Man, and Chloe Zhao’s Eternals.

Davis has previously worked with McDonagh on pics such as Seven Psychopaths and the Oscar-winning film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

‘Oblivion Song’: Jake Gyllenhaal To Lead Feature Adaptation Of Robert Kirkman’s Dimension-Hopping Comic Book

Another Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) property is being developed as a live-action project, as his sci-fi comic book Oblivion Song had it’s film rights secured by New Republic Pictures, after previous involvement from Universal Pictures.

The Hollywood Reporter brings us the news and adds that Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler, Prisoners) will both star and produce the movie based on the comic published by Image Comics.

The comic — which Kirkman created with artist Lorenzo De Felici in 2018 — takes place a decade after 300,000 citizens of Philadelphia were suddenly lost in a cataclysmic event named Oblivion. The government made every attempt to recover them, but after many years they gave up. But protagonist Nathan Cole hasn’t, making daily trips to find those lost.

Gyllenhaal’s most recent films include Marvel’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, Bong Joon-ho’s Okja, Velvet Buzzsaw with upcoming releases such as Michael Bay’s Ambulance and Antoine Fuqua’s thriller The Guilty. Other projects on the horizon include the survival drama Suddenly alongside Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Hobbs & Shaw, The Crown), the Navy SEAL action flick Combat Control, and the video game film The Division that will co-star Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) at Netflix.

Kirkman’s The Walking Dead franchise and Invincible are also poised to also get feature films. He was recently involved with Chris McKay’s Universal Monsters pic Renfield starring Nicholas Hoult helping craft it’s story.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER