Tag: Christina Hodson

Posted on in Film News, News

Vin Diesel Confirms Return For Universal’s ‘Fast & Furious’ Grand Finale Despite Lawsuit From Former Assistant Accusing Him Of Sexual Battery

The “Fast & Furious” franchise is chugging along with screenwriters Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel tasked to write the script for the next film with French action director Louis Leterrier (“The Incredible Hulk”) returning after being a replacement for longtime franchise creative/helmer Justin Lin (“Star Trek Beyond”) when he exited “Fast X” over creative differences leading the studio to hire a new director while in the middle of an expensive production.

Franchise star/executive producer Vin Diesel, who is facing a lawsuit from his former assistant Asta Jonasson surrounding sexual battery allegations, took to Instagram to reveal that he’s part of creative meetings with the studio and writers for the eleventh installment that is being referred to as the “grand finale.”

There had been some questions if Diesel would be kept on the franchise moving forward as we’ve seen some Hollywood studios dumping actors from high-profile projects due to racist, antisemitic, violent, and criminal behavior/allegations to avoid PR nightmares or end working relationships before further revelations are revealed. Diesel had been keeping a low profile since the lawsuit was announced last year and Universal had previously etched in the release for “Fast X: Part 2/Fast & Furious 11” for April 4, 2025. That date would signal a shoot starting up this spring or summer unless the studio decided to delay it.

You can see that post from Diesel below.

SOURCE: VIN DIESEL VIA INSTAGRAM

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Batgirl’: Leslie Grace Nabs Barbara Gordon Role In Solo Movie At HBO Max

A Batgirl movie has been in development for years now and Warner Bros. dodged a bullet when Joss Whedon exited as his toxic behavior on the set of Justice League reshoots among other sets over the years. Instead, the project has moved from Warner Bros. to HBO Max with Bad Boys For Life and Ms. Marvel directing duo of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are helming the DC Comics from a script penned by Christina Hodson (The Flash, Birds of Prey).

After a recent report of a multiple candidates in the mix to play Barbara Gordon, it’s been revealed by Deadline that In The Heights actress Leslie Grace has secured the role. Barb is the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner Jim Gordon and suits-up alongside Batman, Robin, and handful of other masked vigilantes.

The solo Batgirl film is at HBO Max, but it’ll be curious to see if Grace ends up playing the role any of upcoming DC Comics movies.

Folks have assumed that Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne could end up being a mentor to this incarnation of Barb and seeing the project becoming a female version of Batman Beyond.Given that Batgirl is expected to be set in Gotham City it’ll be interesting to see what villains she’ll end up tackling. If I was Warner Bros./HBO Max, I would plant seeds for Gotham City Sirens by adding Poison Ivy and other potential characters.

Other DC Comics movies in the works include Wonder Woman 3, Zatanna, Blue Beetle, Static Shock, Supergirl, a black Superman movie produced by J.J. Abrams, Hourman, a female version of Plastic Man, and director Chris McKay is still hopeful about making Nightwing.

Batgirl has yet to be given a release date at HBO Max.

IN THE HEIGHTS – In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Batgirl’: Isabella Merced, Zoey Deutch, Leslie Grace & Haley Lu Richardson In The Mix To Play Barbara Gordon

A Batgirl movie has been in development for years now and Warner Bros. dodged a bullet when Joss Whedon exited as his toxic behavior on the set of Justice League reshoots among other sets over the years. Instead, the project has moved from Warner Bros. to HBO Max with Bad Boys For Life and Ms. Marvel directing duo of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are helming the DC Comics from a script penned by Christina Hodson (The Flash, Birds of Prey).

Deadline is now reporting that Warner Bros. is in the thick of casting an actress to play Batgirl.

Although test deals still are being locked up and some already have passed, the talent expected to test for the role includes Isabella Merced, Zoey Deutch and Leslie Grace. We also have heard Haley Lu Richardson’s name, but she might have bowed out before the test process.

The list of candidates would suggest that Batgirl isn’t directly connected to Matt Reeves’ The Batman trilogy and likely will have a stronger connection to projects like The Flash and other recent DCEU projects. Folks have assumed that Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne could end up being a mentor to this incarnation of Barb and seeing the project becoming a female version of Batman Beyond.

Given that Batgirl is expected to be set in Gotham City it’ll be interesting to see what villains she’ll end up tackling. If I was Warner Bros./HBO Max, I would plant seeds for Gotham City Sirens by adding Poison Ivy and other potential characters.

Other DC Comics movies in the works include Wonder Woman 3, Zatanna, Blue Beetle, Static Shock, Supergirl, a black Superman movie produced by J.J. Abrams, Hourman, a female version of Plastic Man, and director Chris McKay is still hopeful about making Nightwing.

Batgirl has yet to be given a release date at HBO Max.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Batgirl’ & ‘Static Shock’ Movies Might Become HBO Max Exclusives

In a new article from the New York Times, where they speak with DC Films president Walter Hamada and it’s revealed that they are going to make superhero films that will become HBO Max exclusives.

The outlet speculating that “risker characters” like Batgirl and Static Shock could be some projects that ultimately head to HBO Max. However, it reads more like their opinion rather sourced information.

The most expensive DC movies (up to four a year, starting in 2022) are designed for release in theaters, Mr. Hamada said. Additional superhero films (two annually is the goal, perhaps focused on riskier characters like Batgirl and Static Shock) will arrive exclusively on HBO Max, the fledgling streaming service owned by WarnerMedia.

It’ll be interesting if Warner Bros. and DC Films feels like diverse projects like these would only be viable on streaming rather than theatrical. Only time will tell as this isn’t official news or anything.

There is already some feathers ruffled with WarnerMedia’s day-and-date model coming in 2021 and are signs that future directors are making sure their movies won’t be suddenly thrown on HBO Max. Making sure directors are aware that films are heading to streaming ahead of time is likely a good thing rather than what recently happened to filmmakers.

SOURCE: NEW YORK TIMES

Posted on in Film News

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

There wasn’t much in the DC FanDome panel but they did reveal some official concept artwork that includes Michael Keaton’s Batman.

Check it out below!

Director Andy Muschietti recently confirmed to Vanity Fair that Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck are officially reprising their roles of Bruce Wayne aka Batman in the film with Keaton said to be taking a much larger role.

It’s also said that Keaton’s Bruce Wayne could be carried over to other DC Comics projects, all signs are pointing towards the Batgirl movie.

The film is indeed a version of Flashpoint with screenwriter Christina Hodson tackling the latest version of the script. Hodson previously working on Bumblebee, Birds of Prey, and the upcoming solo Batgirl film.

The Flash is set for release on June 2nd, 2022.

SOURCE: DC FANDOME

Posted on in Film News

Margot Robbie and ‘Birds of Prey’ Screenwriter Christina Hodson Attached To A Second ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’ Film – Will She Play Redd?

It looks like Disney is putting a lot of energy into their Pirates of The Caribbean franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed Disney is now developing a second film alongside the reboot they’re working on. This second project would star Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey actress Margot Robbie in an undisclosed leading role with screenwriter Christina Hodson writing this new film.

Hodson is likely best known for her work on the DC Comics films such as Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and most recently with rewrites on The Flash.

Robbie being Australian might be a good excuse to shoot at the various sea-side locations and studios down under. I’m also curious if they’re planning on giving her the role of Redd, the updated attraction character from the parks that is now a female pirate.

This female project is said to be featuring new/original characters. Also, would separate from the Pirates reboot that writers Ted Elliott and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, The Last of Us) had been working on recently for Disney.

It certainly sounds like the studio is planning on expanding on the franchise without Jack Sparrow as both the films aren’t being pegged as sequels or a continuation of the previous installments.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER