Category: Film News

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Legendary Reportedly Lands Film Rights To Iconic Sci-Fi Hero ‘Buck Rogers’

The Wrap reports that Legendary Entertainment has nabbed the movie rights to Buck Rogers and has partnered with Transformers producer Don Murphy via Angry Films.

The project is based on the “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan that introduced the Buck Rogers character in 1928. The story centers on a coal mine inspector who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.

Buck Rogers has been adapted into various comic strips, a movie serial, radio and television shows. Developed by Chicago newspaperman John F. Dille in the 1930s, it immediately became one of the world’s most popular comic strips, read by millions daily in the newspapers all over the world. The strip was essentially Rip Van Winkle in the future in which a modern-day man wakes up 500 years in the future to a world that is no longer recognizable to him.

The popularity of Buck Rogers led to the creation of the more notable Flash Gordon (rights are at 20th Century Studios) and could easily be traced to the origins of Star Wars as well.

At one time, Sin City’s Frank Miller attempted to direct a feature film over ten years ago but when his film The Spirit tanked his involvement dissolved.

Legendary is behind the Monsterverse with Godzilla vs Kong set to be released next year along with Denis Villeneuve’s first installment of the Dune franchise. They have serious genre experience and could give new life to an aged property like Buck Rogers that has slipped from the consciousness of modern audiences.

Considering Legendary’s relationship with Warner Bros. there is a got shot it could land there for distribution.

SOURCE: THE WRAP

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‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Duo Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill Join Adam McKay’s ‘Don’t Look Up’ – Play Two Scientists Warning The World A Meteor Will Strike Earth

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill have joined the cast of Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up For Netflix taking two key lead roles according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The pair previously worked together on the Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street.

Don’t Look Up centers on two low-level scientists who, upon discovering that a meteor will strike the Earth in six months, go on a media tour to try to warn the world but find an unreceptive and unbelieving populace.

Leo and Jonah will play the two scientists.

They will be added to a cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Meryl Streep, Himesh Patel, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Matthew Perry and Tomer Sisley.

Adam McKay has been behind more mature Oscar-winning films recently with The Big Short and Vice.

Filming on Don’t Look Up is expected to begin on November 19th in Boston.

DiCaprio is also attached to star opposite Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s crime thriller Killers of The Flower Moon.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix To Reunite On Napoleon Film ‘Kitbag’ For 20th Century Studios

Deadline reports that Ridley Scott has completed his period drama The Last Duel and will next move on to his Gucci crime film starring Lady Gaga, but has also lined up his project after that as well with a period epic titled Kitbag for 20th Century Studios.

The Napoleon project will star Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix as the French military leader and emperor, the pair previously worked together on the Oscar-winning film Gladiator.

The film is an original and personal look at Napoleon’s origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine. The intention of the film is to capture Napoleon’s famous battles, relentless ambition and astounding strategic mind as an extraordinary military leader and war visionary.

The script was penned by David Scarpa, who previously wrote on All The Money In The World, a version of the upcoming Cleopatra film, and episodes of The Man In The High Castle.

Despite the myth, the French leader was not short but of average height.

One of the most famous unmade Stanley Kubrick films was also going to focus on Napoleon and more recently had been planned as HBO mini-series from Cary Joji Fukunaga (No Time To Die, True Detective) using Kubrick’s research as inspiration with Steven Spielberg producing.

Ridley will begin filming Gucci for MGM in Italy starting in March and when Kitbag is aiming to start shooting is a little unclear. Joining that Gucci cast led by Lady Gaga includes Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Adam Driver and Jared Leto.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Sarah Shahi Confirmed For Role In DC Comics Film ‘Black Adam’

Earlier, it was reported by The Illuminerdi that actress Sarah Shahi (Person of Interest) was joining the cast of Black Adam which has now been confirmed by Deadline.

In the film, Shahi will play a university professor and freedom fighter leading the resistance in Kahndaq.

She joins Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman. Doctor Fate and Cyclone are also roles expected to be filled as confirmed at DC FanDome.

Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, and Adam Sztykiel have worked on Black Adam’s script with Jamue Collet-Serra set to direct.

Dwayne and Jaume recently worked together on Disney’s Jungle Cruise.

Filming on Black Adam is expected to begin sometime next year in Atlanta, Georgia and possibly in Los Angeles, California.

Matrix 4 recently took the film’s release date of December 22nd, 2021 and still hasn’t landed a new date.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Producer Barbara Broccoli Debunks New James Bond Casting Rumor – “You Can Only Be In Love With One Person At A Time”

Most recently, there was a rumor circulating online that Tom Hardy has been locked-in as the official replacement for Daniel Craig in the James Bond franchise for months. However, producer Barbara Broccoli has now seemingly debunked that. Going into detail with Total Film stating that nobody has been hired for the role while promoting No Time To Die. Suggesting they will not even consider looking until No Time To Die has been released and some time has passed.

BROCCOLI: “I always say you can only be in love with one person at a time. Once the film’s come out, then some time will pass, and then we’ll have to get on to the business of the future. But for now, we just cannot think about anything beyond Daniel.”

This direct quote would surely counterclaim that Tom Hardy has cast as James Bond. 

Most of the time tabloids and websites will run any sort of Bond rumor to drum-up traffic because it’s well-known that EON doesn’t often comment on such silliness. However, Barbara seemingly has killed that Tom Hardy rumbling for the time being and previously debunked the Bond 25 title rumors as well.

On a more positive note, it was reported that No Time To Die screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge is currently working on a Bond 26 script. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga and producers have also recently suggested interest for his return to the franchise in the future, Cary being open to directing multiple films beyond No Time To Die.

No Time To Die’s release date has been moved to April 2nd, 2021. 

NO TIME TO DIE – Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. 

SOURCE: TOTAL FILM

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‘Matrix 4’ Actress Jessica Henwick Praises Director Lana Wachowski – “I Think She’s Going To Change The Industry Again With This Film”

Matrix 4 is going to be a brand new installment in the Matrix mythology and trade reports stated that actress Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones, Iron Fist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Godzilla vs Kong) would be playing a Neo-type character in the film with her potentially becoming the next “One”.

While speaking recently with Comic Book, Jessica had nothing but praise for director Lana Wachowski and highlighted how the technical side of the project could again have a huge impact on the film industry. As the original film did help to shift the mature factor of storytelling alongside well-crafted action scenes with proper use of CGI and practical effects.

HENWICK: “There are definitely moment on set where Yahya [Abdul-Mateen II] and I look at each other and we just go, ‘Matrix 4’. Those pinch me moments. Yeah, Lana is doing some really interesting things on a technical level in the same way that you know, she created a style back then. I think she’s going to change the industry again with this film. There’s some camera rigs that I’ve never seen before that we’re using. That’s probably all I can say for that.”

This seems to echo other stuff we’ve heard previously heard about how gung ho Lana has been with this shoot as she has been directing the bulk of second unit action sequences which is normally handled by the stunt coordinator as it can be the more dangerous shots in the film.

The sequel’s cast also includes Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra, Ibarra, Neil Patrick Harris, Toby Onwumere, Brian J. Smith, Eréndira Ibarra, Andrew Caldwell, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Ellen Hollman.

Fans like myself are hoping it’s a return to form as the two sequels didn’t have the same impact as the original and there is an expectation that Matrix 4 will be the start of a brand new trilogy possibly led by new actors like Jessica Henwwick with the original cast passing the torch.

While there has been some plenty of release date delays as the studio has moved up the release of Matrix 4 from April 1st, 2022, to December 22nd, 2021.

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: COMIC BOOK

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George Miller’s ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Moving Forward At WB Officially Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Chris Hemworth

Warner Bros. has announced via trades such as Deadline that they are indeed moving forward with their Mad Max: Fury Road prequel spinoff Furiosa written and directed by George Miller.

They’ve also announced that the cast will indeed include Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, The Northman, The New Mutants, Last Night In Soho), Yahya Abdul Mateen II (Watchmen, Matrix 4, Aquaman), and Thor/Avengers actor Chris Hemsworth. All three names had been circulating for the lead roles before today’s confirmation.

It had been suggested that Hemsworth could be playing the film’s villain.

Miller’s production team will include cinematographer John Seale, production designer Colin Gibson, and stunt coordinator Guy Norris.

When filming begins is a little unclear as Miller is busy with Three Thousand Years of Longing and his cast is busy themselves at the moment with Hemworth set to begin shooting Marvel’s Thor: Love & Thunder in early 2021 at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Anya is currently shooting Robert Eggers’ Viking epic The Northman in Belfast, Northern Ireland and recent Emmy-Winner Yahya Abdul Mateen II is finishing up Matrix 4 in Berlin, Germany.

Warner Bros. hasn’t given the film an official release date.

The film will focus on the Mad Max: Fury Road character Furiosa originally played by Charlize Theron.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD – Years after the collapse of civilization, the tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors inside the desert fortress the Citadel. When the warrior Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) leads the despot’s five wives in a daring escape, she forges an alliance with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a loner and former captive. Fortified in the massive, armored truck the War Rig, they try to outrun the ruthless warlord and his henchmen in a deadly high-speed chase through the Wasteland.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell Spotted Filming ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ Action Scene In Rome, Italy

After spending some time filming scenes in Norway, the production of Mission: Impossible 7 has moved to Rome, Italy as The Associated Press has posted some set footage of actors Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Captain America: The First Avenger) filming an action scene that features a police car.

They had been planning on filming in Venice before a COVID-19 outbreak in the city led to a production halt.

Hayley Atwell has been teasing stunt driving and weapons training for the film on her Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Lq1gtguB7/

Christopher McQuarrie has returned to write and direct the next two installments which would be using the working title Libra as primary filming was taking place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England.

There was a recent casting shake-up as character actor Esai Morales (Ozark, Titans) has replaced Nicholas Hoult as the film’s villain after Hoult had to bow-out over a scheduling conflict. The rest of the cast includes Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, and the original film’s cast member Henry Czerny. 

The studio had recently bumped the release dates for the pair of action sequels due to the production delays, those new spots in the release calendar are November 19th, 2021, and November 4th, 2022.

SOURCE: AP

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Remake of Nicole Kidman Horror Flick ‘The Others’ Lands At Universal

Deadline reports that Universal Pictures has landed the rights to The Others remake from Sentient Entertainment, as the two will partner on a reboot feature film.

The 2001 horror film from director Alejandro Amenabar starred Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman. Neither a writer nor director have been officially hired for the new incarnation.

THE OTHERS – Grace (Nicole Kidman), the devoutly religious mother of Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley), moves her family to the English coast during World War II. She awaits word on her missing husband while protecting her children from a rare photosensitivity disease that causes the sun to harm them. Anne claims she sees ghosts, Grace initially thinks the new servants are playing tricks but chilling events and visions make her believe something supernatural has occurred.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Set Photo From ‘Avatar’ Sequels Reveals New RDA Installation Called Bridgehead

The Avatar sequels are chugging along as Avatar 2 has completed live-action filming with Avatar 3 about to complete as well.

It’s official Twitter account has been posting random information and set photos revealing tidbits about the new movies including new military vehicles likely from RDA’s SpecOps. The latest one includes a science lab at a new RDA installation that will be called Bridgehead as they lost the other installation Hell’s Gate in the last film.

The evil corporation attempted to commit genocide against the native population of Pandora to secure their mining operation and likely will be more than a little upset when they return with extra forces.

Avatar 2 has new release date of December 16th, 2022 and Avatar 3 is set for December 20th, 2024. 

SOURCE: 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS