Category: Film News

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Millie Bobby Brown Tapped To Lead Sci-Fi Film ‘The Electric State’ For Universal – The Russo Brothers To Direct

The Electric State has new directors after Deadline reports that Andy Muschietti (IT, The Flash) has stepped aside as the film’s potential director due to scheduling conflicts with his upcoming Flash movie starring Ezra Miller. However, Andy and sister Barbara Muschietti will stay on as producers.

READ MORE: First Concept Artwork From ‘The Flash’ Features Michael Keaton’s Batman and New Costume

Producers Joe Russo and Anthony Russo will instead take up the role of directors on the sci-fi film that has been picked-up by Universal Pictures. The pair are best known for the directing a bunch of films for Marvel Studios such as the highest-grossing film Avengers: Endgame.

READ MORE: Russo Bros. To Direct Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans In Netflix’s $200M+ Budgeted Spy Flick ‘The Gray Man’ – Eyeing January Start In L.A.

They’ve also tapped Millie Bobby Brown (Godzilla vs Kong, Stranger Things, Enola Holmes) to play the lead role.

READ MORE: Legendary May Sue WarnerMedia Over HBO Max Announcement For ‘Godzilla vs Kong’ and ‘Dune’ – Didn’t Give Them Advance Notice

Adapting the graphic novel from Simon Stalenhag into a feature film script will be Marvel screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who are also working with the directing duo’s massive Netflix film The Gray Man.

Set in an alternative future, it tells the story of a teenage girl (Millie Bobby Brown) who realizes that a strange but sweet robot who comes to her has actually been sent by her missing brother.  She and the robot set out to find the brother in an imaginative world of humans mixing with all manner of robots, uncovering a grand conspiracy in the process.

Looking at the artwork from the graphic novel it’ll certainly have a unique visual style.

It’s unclear when The Electric State will begin shooting given that the Russo Brothers begin shooting The Gray Man next month in Long Beach, California and Millie is busy with the fourth season of Stranger Things.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Nobody’: Bob Odenkirk Spent Two Years Training Including Hundreds of Hours Learning Fight Choreography Before Production Even Started

After the exciting trailer for Bob Odenkirk‘s action film Nobody it’s pretty interesting to hear him confirm he spent two years training for the film even before they shot a single frame. Here is what he had to say during a recent interview with IGN.

ODENKIRK: “I trained for two years before we started shooting. I knew I had a long way to go. I was a comedy writer for 25 years so I didn’t even exercise for most of my life. We weren’t trying to develop a superhero body. I look like a dad, I look like a regular guy. Maybe I eat fewer hamburgers than you, but I still eat hamburgers. I said, when this guy gets hurt I want that pain to linger. So many times people get punched and they shake it off and they’re fine. I wanted him to feel all the impact of the fighting and violence.”

They also reveal Bob spent hundreds of hours in the gym practicing the choreography for the fights which is going to be intense with the creator of John Wick, Derek Kolstad, writing the script and David Leitch producing the film, the action scenes had to be at next level than an average action flick. You might remember seeing behind the scenes videos for Keanu Reeves prepping for John Wick or Charlize Theron doing similar training for Atomic Blonde.

NOBODY – Sometimes the man you don’t notice is the most dangerous of all. Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody. When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe, The Shack), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman), seems to pull only further away. The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (famed Russian actor Aleksey Serebryakov, Amazon’s McMafia)—and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again. Nobody is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), from a script by Derek Kolstad, the narrative architect of the John Wick franchise, and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father and multi-hyphenate musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.

Universal had planned on releasing the film on February 19th, 202 but have pushed to February 26th.

SOURCE: IGN

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A24 Announces R-Rated Arthurian Film ‘The Green Knight’ Will Be Released In Late July

We’ve been all anticipating over the summer/fall when we’ll eventually get to see the Arthurian flick The Green Knight and now we have a better idea when A24 plans to release it. A24 Films has updated the film’s release date on their official website for July 30th, 2021.

The fantasy film is based on the Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. They’re seemingly aiming for a much more adult audience as the film had recently earned an R rating from the MPAA for violence, some sexuality, and graphic nudity.

David Lowery directs a cast that includes Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Barry Keoghan, and Ralph Ineson.

THE GREEN KNIGHT – An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

While we have no idea what will happen with the film’s earning potential, I would love to see A24/David Lowery potentially make a bunch of films based around the Arthurian legends given how beautiful The Green Knight looks and could become counter-programming to things like Lord of The Rings, which were directly influenced by these stories. Making a batch of artful fantasy films for adult audiences.

SOURCE: A24 FILMS

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‘The Gray Man’: ‘Matrix 4’ Actress Jessica Henwick & Others Join Massive Spy Flick Directed By The Russo Brothers

Hot off making The Matrix 4 in Germany, actress Jessica Henwick has landed a role in The Gray Man, a massive $200+ million budgeted spy action film directed by The Russo Brothers for Netflix.

The news coming from Deadline, who also mention that Wagner Moura (Narcos, Elysium), Dhanush, and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood breakout Julia Butters will be joining the cast as well. The high-profile project already has actors such as Ryan Gosling (Drive, Blade Runner 2049), Chris Evans (Snowpiercer, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and Ana de Armas (Knives Out, No Time To Die) locked-in for lead roles.

Henwick is no stranger to genre projects with credit that include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Game of Thrones, Marvel’s Iron Fist, Godzilla vs Kong, and 20th Century’s recent sci-fi horror flick Underwater. Jessica recently revealed while working alongside Keanu Reeves for the new Matrix film that she has been lobbying to join the John Wick franchise as Jessica Wick.

It’s script was penned by The Russo Brothers with a polish by fellow Marvel alumni Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

The Gray Man is the debut novel by Mark Greaney, published in 2009 by Jove Books. It also is the first novel to feature the Gray Man, freelance assassin and former CIA operative Court Gentry. The action thriller will follow Gentry (Gosling) as he’s hunted across the globe by Lloyd Hansen (Evans), a former cohort at the CIA. The film is based on the first installment of the best-selling Gray Man book series.

The Russo Brothers are coming off massive success with Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame becoming the highest-grossing film to ever be released and will follow it up next year with their heist drama Cherry starring Spider-Man 3 actor Tom Holland.

Filming was said to begin next month in Los Angeles, we’ll see if that sticks.

The Gray Man is reportedly the most expensive feature film made by Netflix.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Avatar 3’ Has Officially Wrapped Filming In New Zealand

Avatar franchise producer Jon Landau posted on Instagram that they’ve finally completed live-action photography on Avatar 3, after finishing up Avatar 2 months ago. This means they can move closer to finishing them while also moving on to Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.

The image looks to be from a wrap party. Just so people are aware that New Zealand is currently free from COVID-19 which explains why they’re interacting so closely in the photo below as the country has returned to normalcy.

LANDAU: “Celebrating the wrap of live action photography—with Jemaine Clement, Brendan Cowell and James Cameron.  Congrats to the entire crew in both New Zealand and Los Angeles. Incredible work!”

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

SOURCE: JON LANDAU

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New Rumor Claims Sony & Marvel May Extend ‘Spider-Man’ Deal – Could Marvel Get Involved With ‘Spider-Woman’ & ‘Kraven The Hunter’ Too?

You might remember that Marvel Studios almost lost access to Spider-Man not too long ago and that Spider-Man 3 would have been strictly a Sony Pictures affair with Marvel sitting on the sidelines as their initial deal had expired. Luckily, Tom Holland was able to convince both Sony’s Tom Rothman and Disney’s Bob Iger to see eye-to-eye hatching a new smaller deal that would allow Marvel to make Spider-Man 3 and Holland to appear in one more MCU film.

A new rumor coming from The Disinsider Show (via The Direct) suggests that that two-picture deal has seemingly been extended, however, they weren’t forthcoming with details as to how many films are involved along with if Marvel Studios would be getting involved with any of the upcoming Sony Pictures projects like Kraven The Hunter.

While this is very likely given that Marvel would most likely want access to various Sony characters in the future (Miles Morales feels like a no-brainer), as with most rumors take with a pinch of salt. There are a couple of things that might have telegraphed this deal being in the works.

Last week, Kevin Feige confirmed that Spider-Man 3 would directly interconnect with Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness all but confirming yet another crossover there. We’ve assumed for months that this was going to be the MCU film in the second deal given that the productions are close to each other and that Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed to appear in Spider-Man 3.

It was also announced that Jon Watts will be directing their Fantastic Four reboot after tackling a trilogy of Spider-Man films (second feature film reboot of the hero) and since Spider-Man debuted in the pages of Fantastic Four it wouldn’t terribly shocking if they attempt to at least get a cameo from Peter Parker in there.

A Spider-Woman film is reportedly in the works at Sony Pictures from director Olivia Wilde, which would likely feature Jessica Drew, a character that Marvel Studios is said to have access to as she debuted outside of the Spider-Man comic books having more ties to MCU groups such as S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, S.W.O.R.D., and the Avengers. She also plays a role in the Secret Invasion (now a Disney+ series) as it’s revealed Drew is actually Skrull Queen Veranke and happens to be pals with Carol Danvers in the comics making a crossover into Captain Marvel 2 a strong possibility. While Marvel’s involvement is assumed by fans this has yet to be made official but it’s very likely.

There has been some rumblings that Kraven will appear in Spider-Man 3, but this has yet to be officially confirmed by either trades or Marvel themselves. A solo feature film directed by J.C. Chandor (Triple Frontier, A Most Violent Year) has been in the works for some time and if Kraven does appear in Spider-Man 3 might suggest that his solo film might be considered part of the MCU. It’s worth pointing out that Kraven’s development has been taking place even before the Spider-Man 3 drama. At one point, there had been talk that Spider-Man would show up in the film.

Other Marvel projects in the works at Sony include a Madame Web movie from S.J. Clarkson, a Jackpot movie, and a live-action Silk series. They had also once been developing a Sinister Six film with Drew Goddard before the Holland reboot, it’s looking very likely that the group of villains may cameo in the next Spidey pic.

In theory, if there is an extension it could mean that Marvel gets to make Spider-Man 4 along with possibly adding him in future films like Avengers 5 or Fantastic Four. With the reasons given Marvel could put their tentacles into things like Sony’s Spider-Woman and other spinoffs.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this will be Tom Holland’s send-off or if Marvel will double-down on his incarnation of Spider-Man.

SOURCE: THE DISINSIDER SHOW

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Florence Pugh To Star In Universal’s Whodunit ‘The Maid’

Universal has secured the rights to the upcoming murder mystery novel The Maid written by Nita Prose, which won’t even be published at Penguin Random House/HarperFiction until 2022. Deadline also reports that Midsommar-breakout actress Florence Pugh is set to play the role of Molly the maid in the new film, however, a director nor screenwriter were named at this time.

Set at the Regency Grand Hotel, where Molly the maid leaves every room perfect and pristine, while getting to know each guest’s dirty secrets. A Clue-like, locked-room whodunnit, The Maid explores Molly’s descent into the murderous underbelly of her gilded workplace, while telling a timely story about the strengths of our differences.

Florence has been having an interesting career so far with credits that include The Outlaw King, the AMC series The Little Drummer Girl, Little Women, and will be seen next in the solo Black Widow film opposite Scarlett Johansson. There are even reports she’s already primed to reprise the Yelena Belova role in the Hawkeye series which is currently in production. The actress is currently filming the New Line Cinema thriller Don’t Worry Darling from director Olivia Wilde.

It certainly sounds like genre got a large shot-in-the-arm thanks to Rian Johnson’s popular Knives Out and we expect to see more movies of these types being announced in the future alongside Rian’s untitled sequel.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Bullet Train’: Rapper Bad Bunny Joins Brad Pitt Action Flick Currently Filming In Los Angeles

Production is already underway on Sony’s big action film Bullet Train in Los Angeles, Californi and the new additions to the film’s cast keep rolling in from Deadline.

The outlet reports that rapper Bad Bunny has nabbed an undisclosed role.

Starring Oscar-winner Brad Pitt and directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, John Wick, Deadpool 2), the action flick will focus on a group of assassins with varying motivations on a Japanese bullet train.

The rest of the cast consists of Joey King (The Dark Knight Rises), Andrew Koji (G.I. Joe Origins: Snake Eyes), Michael Shannon (Knives Out, Man of Steel), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Godzilla, Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron), Karen Fukuhara (The Boys, Suicide Squad), Brian Tyree Henry (Godzilla vs Kong, Widows, Joker, Eternals), Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Sunshine, Westworld, The Last Samurai), Logan Lerman (Fury, Hunters), Lady Gaga (Gucci, A Star Is Born, Machete Kills), Masi Oka (Heroes), and Zazie Beetz (Joker, Deadpool 2).

As previously revealed, film’s production team will include production designer David Scheunemann (Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, Gunpowder Milkshake), cinematographer Jonathan Sela (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, Transformers: The Last Knight), and stunt coordinator Greg Rementer (The Mandalorian, Nobody, Hobbs & Shaw).

Recently, a bad ass trailer for an upcoming action movie titled Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk was released by Universal Pictures which is also produced by David Leitch and worth checking out as it was led by Bullet Train‘s stunt coordinator.

NOBODY – When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), seems to pull only further away. The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (famed Russian actor Aleksey Serebryakov)—and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.

A release date has yet to be announced by Sony Pictures for Bullet Train.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Star Trek’: Chris Pine Isn’t Sure If He’ll Be Back For Future Films – Thinks Quentin Tarantino’s Project Would Be “Tremendously Interesting”

Actor Chris Pine is currently doing the press rounds to help promote his upcoming film Wonder Woman 1984 and while speaking with Comic Book revealed he hasn’t read any scripts concerning the Star Trek franchise such as Noah Hawley‘s Star Trek 4 or even the Quentin Tarantino project written by Mark L. Smith, the latter was said to be influenced by the 1930s gangster episode from the original series.

“You know, I haven’t [read a script],” Pine tells Comic Book. “I really, in terms of the Star Trek of it all, I wish I knew anything. I’m quite literally one of the last people ever to find out. So, I haven’t read that script, I don’t know where it is in development, I haven’t read the Noah Hawley script, I have no idea what’s happening in Star Trek land. But I love the character, I love the universe, I love my friends in it, you know, to have a Quentin take on it would be tremendously interesting and entertaining.”

Pine even suggests he might not even return for future films in the exchange.

“You know, look, whatever happens, if I come back or not, it’s a great universe, it deserves to have a future, and I hope that is the case.”

Paramount has seemingly pressed pause on the film side of the franchise to focus on multiple television shows for their streaming service Paramount+ formerly CBS All Access. It would be a little upsetting if the studio ultimately recast the Captain Kirk role but hardly surprising given that they couldn’t figure out salaries back when S.J. Clarkson was attached to direct Star Trek 4 years ago.

SOURCE: COMIC BOOK

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Chris Pine Tapped To Swing A Sword In Paramount’s ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Movie

Filming on Paramount/eOne’s Dungeons & Dragons (working tile Chainmail) is expected to begin sometime in the spring with locations set to include Belfast, Northern Ireland and various spots in France. It was recently confirmed that Game Night cinematographer Barry Peterson would be reuniting with directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. The director of photography has been location scouting in 2020 getting ready for production to take place in 2021.

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Chris Pine is now in talks to take an unnamed lead role in the fantasy flick. We still don’t have a good picture of what type of film they’re going for as people could easily be sucked into a game or it simply might explore the mythology of Dungeons & Dragons as straight fantasy film. There is an expectation since the adventure game is played with a group of people that Pine will be part of an ensemble of actors playing the lead roles.

The iconic table-top game was a huge hit in the 1980s and recently got a resurgence thanks to Netflix’s Stranger Things popularizing it with a new generation. It’s mostly a hodgepodge of fantasy elements and creatures either created via the Monster Manuel or influenced by existing material pulled from various literary sources.

Pine is likely best known globally for his lead roles in the Star Trek and Wonder Woman films making him an obvious franchise player in the eyes of a studio. This wouldn’t be the first time Chris has swung a sword as he played Scottish historical hero Robert The Bruce in the Netflix film The Outlaw King from director David Mackenzie.

I watched it recently and was quite impressed with Pine’s accent.

THE OUTLAW KING – The untold, true story of Robert The Bruce who transformed from defeated nobleman, to reluctant King, to outlaw hero over the course of an extraordinary year. Forced into battle in order to save his family, his people and his country from the oppressive English occupation of medieval Scotland, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies a ragtag group of men to face off against the wrath of the world’s strongest army lead by the ferocious King Edward 1 and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales.

Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley made waves with their comedy Game Night, but also penned Marvel’s successful Spider-Man: Homecoming and led the duo being hired to direct The Flash for Warner Bros. only for them to eventually exit.

Dungeons & Dragons currently has a release date of May 27, 2022.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER