Tag: Disney

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Kevin Feige Reveals Scarlett Johansson Reteaming For “Top Secret Marvel Studios Project”

During an event where actress Scarlett Johansson received the American Cinematheque Award, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has revealed that the studio will reunite with Johansson for a top-secret project that won’t involve her character Natasha Romanoff, aka, Black Widow (via Deadline).

Johansson will also produce too after being an executive producer on Black Widow.

Among those in attendance to pay tribute to the two-time Oscar nominee was Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who praised her for her “talent,” “vision”, intelligence and savvy, both as an actress and a producer, also teasing a “top secret Marvel Studios project” on which the studio is reteaming with the actress, which he said has nothing to do with her Black Widow character, Natasha Romanoff. Feige noted that Johansson, who became the first Marvel actor to exec produce one of the studio’s movies with Black Widow, will also serve on the upcoming project as a producer.

This comes after Johansson attempted to sue Disney after the company dismissed her calls for renegotiations when they dumped Black Widow on Disney+’s Priemer Access (streaming VOD option), which she believed would ding her bonus potential connected to box office returns by $50 million. Disney aggressively countered leading to a PR nightmare with a sexist response to the lawsuit but was ultimately resolved with a settlement.

It’ll be interesting to see what the mysterious project will be and what she’ll be doing on it outside of producing.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Snow White’: Gal Gadot To Play Evil Queen In Disney’s Live-Action Remake

Disney and director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer, The Amazin Spider-Man) are behind yet another animated fairy tale movie getting a modern live-action version with Snow White. The studio already hired young actress Rachel Zegler (West Side Story, Shazam!: Fury of The Gods) to play the iconic Disney princess in the new movie.

Deadline is reporting that Israeli actress Gal Gadot has nabbed the antagonist role of the Evil Queen, joining others such as Emma Stone, Angelina Jolie, and Cate Blanchette playing female Disney villains. The Evil Queen attempts to poison/kill Snow White when her magic mirror reveals that the young princess is a rival to her own beauty.

Gadot confirmed the report on the red carpet for her upcoming Netflix film, Red Notice.

Technically, this would be her third Disney role after Ralph Breaks The Internet and 20th Century Studios’ murder mystery pic Death On The Nile. Perhaps, this is yet another step towards Gadot potentially joining the Marvel or Star Wars cinematic universes.

We’ll keep my fingers crossed that Marvel Studios considers her Squadron Supreme members Princess Power or Thundra, whenever, they make their live-action debut.

Gal is also attached to Wonder Woman 3, but director Patty Jenkins will be busy with Star Wars: Rogue Squadron for the next two years. It’ll be interesting to see if DC Films attempts to squeeze her in another DCEU before then.

Snow White & The Seven Dwarves is one of the most iconic Disney films as it was their first animated feature film released all the way back in 1937.

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARVES – Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the wicked queen orders the murder of her innocent stepdaughter, but later discovers that Snow White is still alive and hiding in a cottage with seven friendly little miners. Disguising herself as a hag, the queen brings a poisoned apple to Snow White, who falls into a death-like sleep that can be broken only by a kiss from the prince.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News, News

Disney Bumps ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Release Date From July 2022 To June 2023

A new slew of Disney dates have been updated including a heap of alterations for Marvel’s 2022-2023 lineup. Among the new dates sees Indiana Jones 5 being bumped from a date of July 29, 2022 to June 30, 2023 pushing the film nearing an entire year from it’s most recent spot.

This isn’t terribly surprising as Harrison Ford was injured on set and there had been already a handful of production delays before that making it harder and harder for Lucasfilm and director James Mangold to complete the fifth installment in time for a summer 2022 release, given the post-production process needed to be done once photography was finished.

Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and Mangold co-wrote the script.

The rest of the cast consists of British actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Fleabag), Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Fantastic Beasts 3, Casino Royale, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Another Round), German actor Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Valkyrie, Blade II), Antonio Banderas (Desperado, Uncharted), Boyd Holbrook (The Predator, Narcos, Logan), Shaunette Renée Wilson (The Resident), and Toby Jones (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Captain America: The First Avenger).

SOURCE: DISNEY

Posted on in Film News, News

Marvel Studios Movie Lineup In 2022-2023 Get Adjusted Release Dates

Today, Disney has announced a wave of new adjustments to their upcoming film slates for Marvel Studios movies in 2022 and 2023. Two dates previously set for untitled Marvel projects on July 28 and October 6 have been removed from the schedule.

Below is what the new lineup looks like.

  • DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS – MAY 6, 2022 
  • THOR: LOVE & THUNDER – JULY 8, 2022
  • BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER – NOVEMBER 11, 2022 
  • THE MARVELS – FEBRUARY 17, 2023
  • GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL.3 – MAY 5, 2023
  • ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA – JULY 28, 2023
  • UNTITLED MARVEL STUDIOS MOVIE – NOVEMBER 10, 2023

There is a good shot that Bassam Tariq’s Blade reboot is taking that November spot in 2023 given that project seems further along than either Deadpool 3 (a director has yet to be announced) or Jon Watts’ Fantastic Four (reportedly doesn’t have a script).

SOURCE: DISNEY

Posted on in Film News, News

Tom Holland Says They’re Treating ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ As “The End Of The Franchise”

Spider-Man: No Way Home will be swinging into theaters on December 17, but what the future holds for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man isn’t as crystal clear as it was before the hiccups between Sony Pictures and Disney/Marvel. At one point, an extension was nixed and Sony almost moved forward without the help of Marvel Studios.

Tom Holland was able to get the two studios back to the table and the third Spider-Man film was shot, thankfully still takes place within the MCU.

During a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tom Holland gives the impression that the end of the trilogy with Spider-Man: No Way Home, could ultimately be the end of the ride if new deals aren’t made.

“We were all treating [No Way Home] as the end of a franchise, let’s say. I think if we were lucky enough to dive into these characters again, you’d be seeing a very different version. It would no longer be the Homecoming trilogy. We would give it some time and try to build something different and tonally change the films. Whether that happens or not, I don’t know. But we were definitely treating [No Way Home] like it was coming to an end, and it felt like it.”

While there has been plenty of online fan speculation concerning the future of Spider-Man, Holland is currently without an official contract (despite an openness to return) as the actor said he completed it shooting No Way Home. Spider-Man 4 hasn’t been announced by either Sony Pictures or Marvel, alongside any future extension on their co-production deal.

Director Jon Watts is making a movie for Apple Studios that stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt, seemingly before he helps Disney/Marvel reboot the Fantastic Four (reportedly doesn’t have a script) for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This doesn’t leave much room for a return to tackle Spider-Man 4 anytime soon, Sony likely won’t wait too long before moving along with the solo films with or without Marvel/Watts.

Fans have simply assumed that Spider-Man: No Way Home will further connect the Sony Spider-Man Universe films to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, if Marvel parts ways with Sony that really doesn’t make much sense given Kevin Feige’s longstanding aversion to other people (even within the Marvel offices) tinkering with his cinematic space without his oversight.

What Sony does with their characters post-Marvel Studios is pretty much anyone’s guess with multiple solo movies on the horizon such as Jared Leto’s Morbius, Tom Hardy’s Venom 3, J.C. Chandor’s Kraven The Hunter led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Olivia Wilde’s untitled but assumed to be Spider-Woman movie.

One plausible scenario that was mentioned when Disney and Sony first walked away from a co-production extension, that Marvel/Sony would partner on Spider-Man 3, giving some finality to the MCU trilogy and then essentially let Sony do what they want with their characters. The Multiverse could easily place Holland’s Spider-Man outside of the main-canon Marvel Cinematic Universe allowing Sony to continue to use those actors, including Tom Holland finally being able to show up in Venom 3 or other spinoffs.

Tackling a version of the Sinister Six and pairing Peter Parker with Doctor Strange certainly feels like bucket list things for Marvel to do before saying goodbye to the character.

Until there is a real announcement of a further extension, we can’t really get too comfortable with the idea future Spider-Man movies will always take place within the Marvel’s established universe. Because Sony was already willing to chug along without them before, I don’t see how that changes if a deal isn’t reached.

SOURCE: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

Posted on in Film News, News

New ‘Hellraiser’ Movie Will Have A Female Version Of Pinhead Played By Jamie Clayton

Nia DaCosta’s recent release of the Candyman soft-reboot proved that not all horror remakes/re-imaginings are created equal, some can actually improve upon the original. However, we get plenty of examples of films that just shouldn’t exist and because of this, it’s tough to gauge which projects will ultimately be great.

A new Hellraiser movie is on the way at Spyglass Media Group and in a press release via The Playlist that their new horror flick, directed by David Bruckner, is heading to Hulu. Mentioned in the casting list, Jamie Clayton will be playing a female incarnation of the beloved horror iconic Pinhead.

Also, Clive Barker has joined the film as an executive producer.

According to Spyglass and Hulu, the “loyal, yet evolved re-imagining” of “Hellraiser” stars Odessa A’zion (“Grand Army”) in the lead role opposite Jamie Clayton (“Sense8”) as the iconic Pinhead. Yes, it appears Pinhead is getting a major makeover with Clayton taking on the role and putting a new spin on the legendary horror baddie. The supporting cast includes Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”), Goran Visnjic (“The Boys”), Drew Starkey (“Love, Simon”), Adam Faison (“Everything’s Gonna Be Okay”), Aoife Hinds (“Normal People”), and Hiam Abbass (“Succession”). In addition, “Hellraiser” creator and filmmaker, Clive Barker, has joined the project as an executive producer.

The Illuminerdi first reported on the casting of Odessa A’zion.

Some other installments of established horror franchises on the horizon include Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City, Scream 5, a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film heading to Netflix, and lost-gesting reboot of Friday The 13th.

HELLRAISER – Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank’s body apart. When Frank’s brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank’s old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.

SOURCE: THE PLAYLIST

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Eternals’ Director Chloe Zhao Coyly Muses On Prospect Of Making A ‘Star Wars’ Movie

After winning the Oscar for Best Director, Chloe Zhao will be releasing her big MCU film Eternals next month and during the promotion for the new superhero flick seemingly revealed a desire to explore Star Wars.

While chatting with Empire Magazine’s Al Horner, the filmmaker was aspect about potentially making a Star Wars film after mentioning Star Wars multiple times in the interview.

“Hmmm. I have to tread very carefully with what I say here. [laughs],” the filmmaker said carefully. “Yes. Let’s just say, it’s a world I have so much reverence for because it was such an important part of my life. [laughs].”

Interestingly enough, her wording at the top of the response would suggest previous interactions with Lucasfilm. Could she have already shot something Disney+-related or taken meetings with the studio?

It wouldn’t but like she would be the first Marvel Studios alumni to tackle the Star Wars universe after folks like Jon Favreau, Peyton Reed, and Taika Waititi working on the Disney+ shows. Waititi is attached to make his own movie after Patty Jenkins’ Star Wars: Rogue Squadron and Kevin Feige is producing another pic with screenwriter Michael Waldron (Loki, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness).

I’d personally love to see Zhao jump into the world of Star Wars, but when and where seems to be a question. There could easily be sequels to Eternals and she’s attached to make a sci-fi western Dracula film for Universal Pictures.

Zhao’s Eternals will be released next month on November 5.

ETERNALS – The immortal heroes, the Eternals, came here 7,000 years ago, since the dawn of man, to “protect humans from the Deviants.” Sersi reveals that she hasn’t seen some of the other Eternal teammates for centuries. With the monstrous creatures, the Deviants, long thought lost to history, mysteriously return, Ikaris decides that it’s time for them to “find the others” and defend humanity once again. As the epic story unfolds, Sersi and Ikaris reunite with Kingo (played by Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (played by Lia McHugh), Gilgamesh (played by Don Lee), Thena (played by Angelina Jolie), Makkari (played by Lauren Ridloff), Phastos (played by Brian Tyree Henry), and Druig (played by Barry Keoghan).

SOURCE: EMPIRE & AL HORNER

Posted on in Film News, News

Letitia Wright Reportedly Still Spreading Anti-Vaccine Conspiracies On ‘Black Panther 2’ Set

Back in December, Black Panther actress Letitia Wright posted a video on her Twitter account that questioned vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine and when fans questioned her on spreading conspiracy theories she spouted some weird religious statements in replies. After all that got media attention she apologized and then deleted the account.

Fellow MCU actor Don Cheadle briefly tried to defend the actress on Twitter before realizing what she was spreading around and quickly backtracked that support.

Well, it’s now October and there is a report from The Hollywood Reporter that Wright is still pushing those conspiracies on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Atlanta and that fallout from December led her American reps to part ways.

A number of performers, from Rob Schneider (now shooting Netflix’s Home Team) to Letitia Wright (filming Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) have shared anti-vaccine positions on social media. In Wright’s case, a set source says she has espoused similar views about the COVID-19 vaccines on the Atlanta production. The British actress quietly parted ways with her entire U.S. team of representatives in the wake of a backlash over posting a controversial anti-vaccine video in December.

The interesting part mentioned is that Disney are not requiring vaccines and that won’t be instituted until mid-October, meaning that Black Panther 2 and other productions that have started are exempt from the new sticker system (potentially putting cast and crew at risk).

Disney, the studio behind Black Panther, will begin rolling out a sticker system on all of its new productions in mid-October that requires visible proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, as stipulated in a return-to-work agreement between AMPTP and Hollywood’s unions. Those in Zone A who are fully vaccinated will have a wristband. Those who are not, will not. (Anything already shooting is not covered.)

While it’s unknown what Wright’s vaccine status actually is, the actress was sent to a hospital after an on-set accident and could have put people that were in contact with her during that treatment at risk, including hospital staff and other patients.

This is extremely odd in retrospect, since someone that might have been immune-compromised (like the late Chadwick Boseman) could have been at greater risk for seriously illness or death by interacting with unvaccinated co-stars/crew members.

Not to mention the irony that Wright’s character Shuri is supposed be the brightest scientists in the MCU and the woman playing her seems to be anti-science.

Black Panther: Wakanda releases on July 8, 2022.

SOURCE: THR

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Friday The 13th’ Screenwriter Winning Domestic Rights A Preview Of ‘Predator’ Lawsuit?

Hollywood is looking at a bunch of various copyright lawsuits, one of the most notable ones is focused on Friday The 13th with the film’s producer and writer fighting in court claiming rights to the franchise.

Today, it was announced via The Hollywood Reporter that Friday The 13th screenwriter Victor Miller has won an appeal to secure the domestic rights to the horror franchise from producer Sean Cunningham.

On Thursday, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a win for him in a copyright termination battle. As a result, he’s set to reclaim the domestic rights to the franchise.

Cunningham had claimed Miller’s script was work for hire, which was refuted by a federal judge back in 2018.

It’s a big win for Marc Toberoff, who is representing other screenwriters trying to get the rights/copyright to their material.

The original killer in the 1980 film was Pamela Voorhees, the mother of Jason, who had drowned at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff. At the end of the film, an undead Jason leaps from the water and became the staple killer for the franchise moving on.

Crystal Lake’s history of murder doesn’t deter counselors from setting up a summer camp in the woodsy area. Superstitious locals warn against it, but the fresh-faced young people — Jack (Kevin Bacon), Alice (Adrienne King), Bill (Harry Crosby), Marcie (Jeannine Taylor) and Ned (Mark Nelson) — pay little heed to the old-timers. Then they find themselves stalked by a brutal killer. As they’re slashed, shot and stabbed, the counselors struggle to stay alive against a merciless opponent.

Attorney Marc Toberoff, is also representing John and Jim Thomas with their own attempt to get the rights to their 1987 script that was turned into the Predator franchise. One of the handful of keystone IP properties at 20th Century Studios that Disney inherited when they purchased 21st Century Fox.

There is a possibility that this appeals win for Victor Miller, might lead to the Thomas Brothers also getting participation with the domestic rights to Predator. However, we’ll have to see how things shape-up in the courtroom, as each one of these copyright cases aren’t apples-to-apples.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News, News

‘Predator 5’ Officially Wraps Filming With Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers & Dane Diliegro Confirmed For Roles

It’s officially a wrap on Predator 5! Cinematographer Jeff Cutter reveals on Instagram that the film has finished production after spending the summer filming in Calgary, Alberta.

He also confirmed three actors for the film two of which The Ronin previously mentioned were involved with the new Predator film. They Include Amber Midthunder (Legion), Dakota Beavers, and Dane Diliergo.

UPDATE: Kyle Strauts, who we first revealed in May would be back in the predator role after appearing in Shane Black’s The Predator has also confirmed his role in the pic.

The new pic directed by 10 Cloverfield Lane’s Dan Trachtenberg will follow a group of Indigenous humans, the assumption has been this will be the first film in the Predator franchise taking place before the events of the original and will be a period film.

Filming kicked off back on June 10.

Predator 5’s production team consists of the aforementioned cinematographer Jeff Cutter (10 Cloverfield Lane), production designer Kara Lindstrom (Den of Thieves), and stunt coordinator Steven McMichael (Damnation).

Predator 5 isn’t the only project from the Alien/Predator franchise in the works has Ridley Scott has been teasing a third Alien prequel era film is on the table at 20th Century Studios and Scott is producing an Earthbound Alien series from Noah Hawley (Legion, Fargo) at FX.

It’ll be curious to see if Trachtenberg’s film will be a one-off or connect to future installments or a series.

Disney hasn’t announced a release date but trades had been speculation it would land a spot in the Summer of 2022.

However, Predator 5 is a co-production between 20th Century Studios and Hulu, which means it could skip a traditional theatrical release to become a Hulu exclusive.

PREDATOR – Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a soldier of fortune, is hired by the U.S. government to secretly rescue a group of politicians trapped in Guatemala. But when Dutch and his team, which includes weapons expert Blain (Jesse Ventura) and CIA agent George (Carl Weathers), land in Central America, something is gravely wrong. After finding a string of dead bodies, the crew discovers they are being hunted by a brutal creature with superhuman strength and the ability to disappear into its surroundings.

SOURCE: JEFF CUTTER