Posted on in Television News

Netflix’s ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ Series Aims To Begin Shooting This Summer In Toronto

Last month, it was revealed that Netflix is developing a drama series based on the PlayStation video game, Horizon Zero Dawn. Well, it looks like that “early development” is much further along than previously known. The Ronin can confirm that Netflix is going to shoot their Horizon series in Toronto and other locations in/around Ontario with filming said to be aiming for a start this August and wrap around late March of next year.

They’ve already started prep on Horizon with production designer Mark Steel, who previously worked on other Netflix projects like Locke & Key and The Umbrella Academy, joining the show’s production team.

We’re still waiting on news concerning showrunners, writers, directors and actors. But if they’re aiming to begin production in a month we should be getting those announcements in the near future.

Netflix’s latest batch of video game adaptations includes the Lance Reddick-fronted Resident Evil series, The Cuphead Show, an in-the-works Bioshock movie, and an animated Castlevania show. Other PlayStation live-action projects in the works are The Last of Us at HBO, God of War at Amazon Prime Video, Twisted Metal at Peacock, Neill Blomkamp is helming a Gran Turismo movie, and a Chad Stahleski-directed feature film adaptation of the popular samurai game Ghosts of Tsushima is also in the works.

In a world where Machines dominate the earth and mankind lives on in primitive tribal societies, one woman sets out to find her destiny among the remnants of the ancient past. As Aloy, you must brave the Machine-infested wilderness and unearth secrets that lie buried deep within the earth. Will you embrace your calling… or pass into oblivion unsung? The player uses ranged weapons, a spear, and stealth to combat mechanical creatures and other enemy forces. A skill tree provides the player with new abilities and bonuses.

Posted on in Film News

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount’s ‘Star Trek 4’ Adds ‘WandaVision’ Production Designer Mark Worthington

Paramount has been trying to put together Star Trek 4 for ages now. There had been some hope after hiring Matt Shakman to direct that things would be moving forward but when the studio announced they secured the returning cast, that was refuted by the actors in question that deals haven’t been finalized. Well, it looks like Shakman has already started the pre-production stage and is putting together a crew of his own.

The Ronin can reveal that Shakman is looking to reunite with WandaVision production designer Mark Worthington as he’s been added to the anticipated sci-fi adventure project. Worthington is no stranger to the Star Trek franchise as he’s worked on Star Trek: Discovery in the past. His credits as a production designer and art director include things such as Lost, Tombstone, Austin Powers In Goldmember, HBO’s Watchmen, and American Horror Story.

We can also confirm that the film’s working title will be Riverside. If you’re unfamiliar with franchise lore, the production title that will be used during filming is a direct nod to the hometown of James T. Kirk that is Riverside, Iowa.

At one point, an incarnation of the fourth film would have used time travel to see Chris Pine‘s Kirk meet up with his father George, who was played by Chris Hemsworth in the first reboot installment from 2009 before becoming Thor in the MCU. George, of course, dies and changes many of the events of Kirk’s life. However, those George Kirk resurrection plans seemingly dissolved when the actors and studio couldn’t agree on contracts/pay.

Despite Paramount’s optimism to get cameras rolling by the end of the year, it’s possible another delay could be on the horizon as Shakman is expected to shoot the Godzilla & The Titans series next.

A surprise attack in outer space forces the Enterprise to crash-land on a mysterious world. The assault came from Krall (Idris Elba), a lizard-like dictator who derives his energy by sucking the life out of his victims. Krall needs an ancient and valuable artifact that’s aboard the badly damaged starship. Left stranded in a rugged wilderness, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the crew must now battle a deadly alien race while trying to find a way off their hostile planet.

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EXCLUSIVE: ‘Godzilla & The Titans’ Series Spinoff At Apple Will Be Shot By ‘Ghost In The Shell’ Cinematographer Jess Hall

Legendary and Apple have teamed up for a series spinoff of their Godzilla/Monsterverse franchise with Godzilla & The Titans. It’s been already announced that Matt Shakman will be directing and we’ve learned he’s reuniting with a familiar director of photography.

The Ronin has been able to confirm that WandaVision cinematographer Jess Hall is joining the Apple TV+ series. Some of Hall’s feature film credits include things like the live-action Ghost In The Shell movie that starred MCU alumni Scarlett Johansson and Edgar Wright’s fantastic action-comedy Hot Fuzz, part of his Cornetto trilogy.

Interestingly enough, speaking of Ghost In The Shell, that film’s director Rupert Sanders worked on Apple’s big sci-fi show Foundation which is heading into its second season.

The creative team behind Godzilla & The Titans includes Chris Black (who will also serve as showrunner) Matt Fraction, Joby Harold, and Tory Tunnell.

Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking new reality that monsters are real, the series explores one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to the secret organization known as Monarch.

Legendary’s Monsterverse is an expansive story universe of multi-layered experiences centering around humanity’s battle to survive in a world that is under siege by a catastrophic new reality — the monsters of our myths and legends are real. Beginning in 2014 with “Godzilla” and continuing with 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island,” 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” and 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” Monsterverse films have accumulated close to two billion dollars globally at the box office and is ever-expanding with the latest iteration being a new anime series, “Skull Island.”

On the Monsterverse’s theatrical front, Adam Wingard is directing a sequel to Godzilla vs Kong and will begin shooting sometime this year in Australia. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the next film, expected to explore the Hollow Earth, will feature dinosaurs after being previously teased in Kong: Skull Island.

Casting on Godzilla & The Titans is the next big step.

Posted on in Film News

‘Mickey7’: Bong Joo Ho’s Anticipated Off-World Colony Sci-Fi Flick Adds ‘The Favourite’ Production Designer Fiona Crombie

We’re all excited to see what director Bong Joon Ho‘s follow-up to his Best Picture winner Parasite. The sci-fi film at Warner Bros. titled Mickey7 is based on the novel by Edward Ashton with a call-sheet that consists of Robert Pattinson (The Batman), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight), Toni Collette (Knives Out), and Naomi Ackie (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker).

The Ronin can confirm that the Korean filmmaker has added production designer Fiona Crombie to the crew and will help bring the off-world colonial to life along with the ice world of Niflheim. Fiona’s credits include Yorgos Lanthimos’ period dark comedy The Favourite, the Disney hit Cruella, and most recently worked with director Ari Aster on his upcoming A24 pic which stars Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix.

Here is the official synopsis for the novel:

Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it. On a fairly routine scouting mission, Mickey7 goes missing and is presumed dead. By the time he returns to the colony base, surprisingly helped back by native life, Mickey7’s fate has been sealed. There’s a new clone, Mickey8, reporting for Expendable duties. The idea of duplicate Expendables is universally loathed, and if caught, they will likely be thrown into the recycler for protein. Mickey7 must keep his double a secret from the rest of the colony. Meanwhile, life on Niflheim is getting worse. The atmosphere is unsuitable for humans, food is in short supply, and terraforming is going poorly. The native species are growing curious about their new neighbors, and that curiosity has Commander Marshall very afraid. Ultimately, the survival of both lifeforms will come down to Mickey7.

The new sci-fi flick is expected to film at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England. A location used for the studios’ big DC Comics and Potterverse films, speaking towards the scale of the project.

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EXCLUSIVE: Directors Andrew Stanton & Jeremy Podeswa Join Netflix’s Sci-Fi Series ‘Three-Body Problem’

The Ronin can reveal that two-time Oscar-winner Andrew Stanton and four-time Emmy-nominee Jeremy Podeswa have joined a group of directors being assembled for Netflix’s high-profile sci-fi series Three-Body Problem (based on the books by Chinese author Liu Cixin) that already had Derek Tsang (Better Days) and Minkie Spiro (The Plot Against America) set to helm multiple episodes.

Three-Body Problem’s creative team consists of writers and executive producers David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo. They are joined by producers Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, who were behind things like Looper, Knives Out, Glass Onion, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Set against the backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

The growing cast includes Eiza Gonzalez, Benedict Wong, John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, Jonathan Pryce, Rosalind Chao, Ben Schnetzer, Jess Hong, Marlo Kelly, Alex Sharp, Sea Shimooka, Zine Tseng, Saamer Usmani, and Eve Ridley.

UPDATE: Costume designer Michael Wilkinson is also confirmed to be part of the crew. Wilkinson has previously worked on the Star Wars series Andor, Man of Steel, Justice League, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Watchmen, Aladdin, The Gentlemen, and 300.

Of course, Stanton has been a fixture at Pixar being behind things like Wall-E, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and the Toy Story franchise. His recent television credits include For All Mankind, and the second season of Stranger Things. After directing Disney’s ambitious live-action John Carter movie, Stanton hit pause on feature film work as the sci-fi fantasy film became a legendary box office flop. There doesn’t seem to be much bad blood with Disney as Stanton recently reunited with them on the Star Wars streaming series Obi-wan Kenobi, writing the final two episodes.

Podesaw worked on six Game of Thrones episodes at HBO alongside Benioff/Weiss, The Pacific, Boardwalk Empire, and the post-apocalypse drama Station Eleven.

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Léa Seydoux To Play Bene Gesserit Character Lady Margot Fenring In ‘Dune: Part Two’

I think it’s safe to say audeinces are excited to see what director Denis Villeneuve has come up with for his second Dune installment with Dune: Part Two and the casting so far has been extremely impressive. It keeps getting better with each new addition.

Another high-profle actor has been selected to join the sci-fi fantasy epic as Deadline reports that French actress Léa Seydoux (Crimes of The Future) has been cast in the role of Lady Margot Fenring of House Fenring.

Like Lady Jessica, she is a Bene Gesserit and married Count Hasimir Fenring, which likely means the Count is potentially in the film too. While aligned with the Emperor Shaddam IV of House Corrino, she has been helpful to the Jessica and could be a secret ally to the Atreides in the film as they gather an army of Fremem to defeat their enemies of Irrakis using the meissah prophecy for his own personal benefit.

Other additions to the sequel’s cast include actress Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Midsommar) as Princess Irulan, the daughter of Christopher Walken‘s Emperor Shaddam IV. A role that would have importance in sequels. Also, taking a villain role is Austin Butler (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Elvis) is playing Paul’s evil Harkonnen rival, Feyd-Rautha, the dangerous pretty-boy nephew of Baron Harkonnen (played by Stellan Skarsgard).

Returning for second half of the story are Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem.

Dune: Part Two is set to be released on October 20, 2023, and is expected to begin shooting this summer. Villeneuve has indicated that a third film could be on the table as he hopes to adapt the second Frank Herbet novel, Dune Messiah, to round-out a trilogy.

DUNE – A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘4vibes Productions’ Confirmed For Marvel Studios, May Tease UK Shoot For ‘Fantastic Four’ Reboot

The Ronin has been on hiatus but is back to share an interesting tidbit about another new Disney Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and also can confirm it’s indeed for Marvel Studios.

Titled 4vibes Productions, this “might be” the long-gestating Fantastic Four reboot that Marvel has been developing given the “4” aspect. Not only that, it looks like whatever the MCU project is it will be shot in the United Kingdom, which would suggest it’s a live-action project and would need studio space likely at Pinewood UK Studios or Longcross Studios.

At one time, director Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) was attached to the reboot before he bailed on the superhero project to focus on other film projects including a new Disney+ series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew that will star Jude Law (Peter Pan & Wendy, Captain Marvel).

*Minor spoiler*

John Krasinski played a Multiverse version of Reed Richards alongside Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange 2 but there aren’t any indications either of those actors will reprise those Marvel characters for the MCU’s main 616 universe moving forward.

There have been some indications from trades that a new director might be hired by the time D23 Expo 2022 takes place in September where Kevin Feige is expected to make all sorts of announcements. Perhaps, giving fans new information on things like Echo, Ironheart, Armor Wars, Captain America 4, Harkness, Daredevil, Nova, Thunderbolts, Wonder Man (we likely first caught wind of the project last September), Secret Wars, and their highly-anticipated X-Men reboot.

Bassam Tariq’s Blade reboot (confirmed for a shoot in Atlanta) and Shawn Levy’s Deadpool 3 (the R-rated sequel is confirmed to be a co-production with 20th Century Studios and could be potentially released by them) are expected to be the next films going into production in the near future as well, so there is some hope we’ll get casting/characters details soon.

We previously reported that Seasons 2 of Loki (confirmed by cinematographer Isaac Bauman) and Ms. Marvel (this might be announced in the coming months) will also be shooting in the United Kingdom. Most recently, things like Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, The Marvels, Ant-Man 3, and Secret Invasion have been shooting in/around the area. However, things had slowed down a little seemingly due to the pandemic.

Fantastic Four, Blade, and Deadpool 3 are without release dates but that is assumed to change soon.

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Florence Pugh & Austin Butler In Talks For Key Roles In Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Part Two’

Director Denis Villeneuve is searching for three new cast members for his Dune sequel to fill important roles in the second half of his sci-fi-epic, splitting the first Frank Herbert novel into two parts. The studio seems to be zeroing in on young talent to appear in Dune: Part Two alongside Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya.

Deadline reports that American actor Austin Butler (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood) is being eyed to play Paul’s evil Harkonnen rival, Feyd-Rautha, the dangerous pretty-boy nephew of Baron Harkonnen (played by Stellan Skarsgard). Butler recently worked with Quentin Tarantino playing a member of the Manson Family, Tex, in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and portrays the legendary Elvis Presley in an upcoming biopic co-starring with Tom Hanks.

The role of Feyd was originally played by musician Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 box office flop.

Earlier in the week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that British actress Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Midsommar) was being courted to play Princess Irulan, the daughter of the Emperor, a role that would have importance in sequels. Chalamet and Pugh previously worked together on Little Women.

Dune: Part Two is set to be released on October 20, 2023, and had been hoping to begin shooting before the end of 20222.

SOURCE: THR & DEADLINE

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Steven Spielberg To Direct New Frank Bullitt Movie For Warner Bros.

While Steven Spielberg is getting for the Oscars, he’s already lining up a future film project at Amblin and Warner Bros. as the filmmaker is looking to direct a brand new film focusing on Steve McQueen’s iconic 1960s cop Frank Bullitt.

Deadline reports the project isn’t simply a reboot of the original film Bullitt but seemingly is a continuation with Spotlight screenwriter Josh Singer tackling the script, it also has the blessing of the McQueen family. Although, it’s not mentioned who will be taking over the role from McQueen.

A lot of people are rooting for Canadian actor Ryan Gosling after his role as the quiet but deadly getaway driver in Nicholas Winding Refn’s neo-noir film Drive, but I wouldn’t rule out an older seasoned veteran like Oscar-winner Brad Pitt (Ounce Upon A Time In Hollywood) being considered.

When the news broke, folks seemed to be puzzled that Spielberg would want to tackle an action-focused cop thriller. Despite his credits including things like Saving Private Ryan, Munich, four Indiana Jones installments, and Minority Report proving the director has the chops to handle the action side of things.

If you’re unfamiliar with the original film, check out the trailer and synopsis below.

Senator Walter Chalmers is aiming to take down mob boss Pete Ross with the help of testimony from the criminal’s hothead brother Johnny, who is in protective custody in San Francisco under the watch of police lieutenant Frank Bullitt. When a pair of mob hitmen enter the scene, Bullitt follows their trail through a maze of complications and double-crosses. This thriller includes one of the most famous car chases ever filmed.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Metropolis’: Apple Announces Series Inspired By Fritz Lang’s Dystopian Sci-Fi Masterpiece Coming From Sam Esmail

Apple TV+ is still playing catch-up when it comes to compelling original content that gets viewership on the level of Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and other streaming platforms but has been seemingly focusing on quality over quantity. One example is their extremely popular sci-fi series Foundation based on the collection of novels from author Issac Asimov.

The streaming service is looking to adapt another sci-fi hallmark for an upcoming series, as Sam Esmail’s long-gestating television incarnation of Metropolis has finally found a home at Apple. They’ve given the project a series order with Esmail writing, producing, and will act as Metropolis’ showrunner. Apple made the announcement in a press release via Forbes.

It comes from Universal Studio Group’s UCP.

Based on Thea von Harbou’s 1925 novel, Metropolis was released in 1927 with legendary German director Fritz Lang putting together one of the most beloved pieces of cinema history. The landmark silent film helped inspire things like Star Wars, Blade Runner, The Fifth Element, and the Japanese anime/manga of the same name.

Metropolis presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder (Gustav Fröhlich) discovers the grim scene under the city, he becomes intent on helping the workers. He befriends the rebellious teacher Maria (Brigitte Helm), but this puts him at odds with his authoritative father, leading to greater conflict.

It’s unclear if Esmail will attempt to modernize the visuals by taking an original route or attempt to incorporate designs from the original 1927 film.

SOURCE: FORBES