Tag: Warner Bros.

Posted on in Film News

Johnny Depp Officially Resigns Grindelwald Role In ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’ – WB Will Recast

Johnny Depp won’t be in Fantastic Beasts 3 after all, the actor took to his Instagram account to make a public statement about the studio asking him to resign the role of villain Gellert Grindelwald.

You can read Johnny’s post below.

The studio is said to be looking to recast the role as filming has been underway at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England making it a little difficult to pivot to a new villain given how Grindelwald was being lined-up to be a baddie in the next three films.

Colin Farrell had played a version in the first installment before morphing into Johnny Depp and we’ll keep our fingers crossed they’ll go back to him, given how much hype the Irish actor is getting for playing The Penguin in The Batman with heavy special effects makeup.

It feels like Warner Bros. was waiting on the results of Johnny Depp’s libel court case against The Sun (concerning articles calling him a “wife beater”) before making any concrete calls, Depp had recently lost that trial and alludes in his statement to that being a reason for the exit.

There has also been some behind the scenes chatter that Depp will also be removed from Disney’s Pirates of The Caribbean franchise as well, despite two separate projects in the works from the studio.

Warner Bros. has also had to deal with multiple anti-trans comments from Fantastic Beasts franchise screenwriter and Harry Potter author/creator J.K. Rowling, the writer sticking to guns and seemingly inflaming upset fans by doubling-down on that transphobia.

Rowling and director David Yates had previously stood by Depp.

SOURCE: JOHNNY DEPP

Posted on in Film News

Olivia Wilde Thriller ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Halts Due To Positive COVID-19 Test – Had Been Filming In Los Angeles

Yesterday, Deadline confirmed that Los Angeles filming on the New Line Cinema thriller Don’t Worry Darling has temporarily paused due to a positive COVID-19 test from an undisclosed member of the production, not to be part of the main cast. The period film being directed by Booksmart’s Olivia Wilde has an impressive cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, KiKi Layne, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll, and Olivia Wilde.

Production will pause for 14 days.

New Line tonight temporarily shut down production on the Olivia Wilde-directed film Don’t Worry Darling when a member of the production tested positive for COVID-19. The studio confirmed it happened, something that is an occupational hazard for any film or TV show that is shooting right now. They shut down right away.

With the United States hitting 103,000+ single day new positive COVID-19 cases, an all-time record, there is a good chance that other productions in and outside of California are likely going to see more productions hit with positive tests. Even with aggressive safety protocols in place.

The New Line project isn’t the only project filming stateside that has had hiccups due to positive tests as Dwayne Johnson (along with his family) tested positive just weeks before Netflix’s Red Notice was set to resume filming in Atlanta. Speaking of Atlanta, Marvel Studios has a huge presence in the area with Disney+ shows wrapping up alongside Spider-Man 3, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and She-Hulk all set to film there.

In mid-October, filming on the Netflix western The Harder They Fall starring Idris Elba and Regina King that was taking place in New Mexico paused for COVID-19 tests as well. Elba famously had previously dealt with the Coronavirus while in Australia and shared his experience on social media.

There were reports that Spyglass Media’s Scream 5 had three crew members contract COVID-19 in North Carolina but kept on filming anyways which sounds extremely risky from an insurance perspective and to the safety of their cast/crew.

Production bubbles seem to be where things are headed and might be a way to curb potential future shut downs. Bubbles limit the contact of people working on the film to outsiders and hinder the chance of positive tests, the NBA bubble was a huge success story over the summer.

Director Olivia Wilde is expected to follow-up Don’t Worry Darling with an untitled Sony/Marvel film which is reportedly focusing on Jesscia Drew aka Spider-Woman.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Television News

Steve Agee Officially Reprising Warden John Economos Role In James Gunn’s ‘Peacekeeper’ Series For HBO Max

Yesterday, it was announced by Deadline that comedic actor Steve Agee (Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2) will be reprising one of his two roles from James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad for the upcoming spinoff series on HBO Max. Steve will be playing Belle Reve warden John Economos. The DC Comics series will focus on John Cena’s character Peacekeeper with James Gunn returning to write and direct.

I hear Agee will reprise one of two of his Suicide Squad roles, that of John Economos. The character is a warden of Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary and an aide to Viola Davis’ government character Amanda Waller. Agee is a longtime thespian in Gunn’s canon, having starred in the filmmaker’s Super, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and his horror feature production Brightburn directed by David Yarovesky. Agee also is playing King Shark in Suicide Squad. 

Gunn and Steve confirmed the news on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1322003900077993984

The Suicide Squad is set for release on August 6th, 2021.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

Posted on in Film News

‘The Suicide Squad’ Tasked To Destroy A Nazi-Era Prison Lab Called Jotunheim and James Gunn Had Carte Blanche To Kill-Off Characters

We won’t get to watch James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad until next August month but there are some new details about the film coming out.

James Gunn took to Twitter to reveal that Warner Bros. allowed him to kill any of the characters he wanted after a fan suggested that certain characters and high-profile actors were safe because of their usefulness in future films.

GUNN: “No character was protected by DC. They gave me carte blanche to do what I wanted. That was one of the things we agreed to before I came to work for them. I wasn’t looking for shock value but I wanted the audience to know anything could happen.”

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1320104790722969601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1320104790722969601%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fca.ign.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-suicide-squad-james-gunn-carte-blanche-to-kill-any-dc-character

The Direct also caught-wind of a Reddit post from someone with an early copy of the latest issue of Empire Magazine where producer Peter Safran reveals that the Latin American location in footage will be the fictional island nation of Corto Maltese and happens to be the home of a Nazi facility called Jotunheim where experiments took place on prisoners. These excerpts have circulating at other sites.

SAFRAN: “There they have to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory named Jotunheim where political prisoners were held and experimentations took place.”

The Nazi connection and material that could be covered there might help to support the assumption that the film might indeed end up landing an R-rating.

The sizzle-reel trailer that dropped during DC FanDome also seemingly revealed that the villain of the film might be alien baddie Starro.

Here is a rundown of the cast.

  • Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn
  • Viola Davis as Amanda Waller
  • Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang
  • Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag
  • Idris Elba as Bloodsport
  • John Cena as Peace-Maker
  • Alice Braga as Sol Soria
  • Pete Davidson as Blackguard
  • Peter Capaldi as Thinker
  • David Dastmalchian as Poka-Dot Man
  • Michael Rooker as The Savant
  • Sean Gunn as Weasel
  • Mayling Ng as Mongal
  • Flula Borg as Javelin
  • Steve Agee as King Shark (body)
  • Daniela Melchior as Rat Catcher
  • Nathan Fillion as TDK
  • Julio Ruiz as Major General Suarez
  • Juan Diego Botto as General Luna

The Suicide Squad is set to be released on August 6th, 2021.

SOURCE: JAMES GUNN & EMPIRE MAGAZINE

Posted on in Film News

‘Mortal Kombat’ Actors Lewis Tan and Ludi Lin Head To Australia For Reshoots – Release Delay Incoming?

Actor Lewis Tan (Deadpool 2) has posted images on his Instagram account that all but confirm that he and co-star Ludi Lin (Aquaman, Power Rangers) are heading back to Australia for some reshoots for New Line Cinema’s Mortal Kombat reboot as the duo are sharing a long flight together. Tan wearing a stylish Scorpion mask.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1a0IDB9s7/

Principal photography originally took place at Adelaide Studios in South Australia.

Austraila, like New Zealand, has been one of the more safer places for film production as Marvel’s Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings wrapped-up recently after filming in Sydney. Thor: Love & Thunder is now expected to take over the Shang-Chi stages at Fox Studios Australia as production is said to begin in early 2021.

Mortal Kombat’s cast consists of Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Lewis Tan possibly playing new character Cole Turner, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, Tadanobu Asano as Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and Sisi Stringer as Melina.

The film had been scheduled for release on January 15th, 2021 but it’s looking like it’ll be getting a delay given that Warner Bros. hasn’t even released a trailer for the action pic and we don’t know how long these reshoots could last. It does seem like New Line would be cutting it really close to have the film ready on time and it remains to be seen if WarnerMedia will even stick to a theatrical release.

SOURCE: LEWIS TAN & LUDI LIN

Posted on in Film News

Ben Wheatley To Direct Jason Statham In ‘The Meg 2’

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rebecca director Ben Wheatley has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct their sequel to the shark action flick The Meg.

The studio has set filmmaker Ben Wheatley, whose updated version of Gothic tale Rebecca debuted this week, to direct the sequel to its 2018 giant shark thriller hit, The Meg.

The original earned an impressive $530.2 million globally on a budget of $130 million.

THE MEG – Previously thought to be extinct, a massive creature attacks a deep-sea submersible, leaving it disabled and trapping the crew at the bottom of the Pacific. With time running out, a visionary oceanographer recruits rescue diver Jonas Taylor to save the crew and the sea itself from an unimaginable threat — a 75-foot-long prehistoric shark known as the Megalodon.

Ben Wheatley is no stranger to action with his excellent R-rated action comedy Free Fire that focused on a Boston arms deal with the IRA that goes sour very quickly which starred Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Armie Hammer, and Sharlto Copley.

He was also tasked to direct the Tomb Raider sequel but we haven’t got many updates on that film recently from Warner Bros. or the trades.

Jason Statham is a busy bee lately as he filmed a thriller called Wrath of Man aka Cash Truck for director Guy Ritchie and will reunite with Ritchie for the spy flick Five Eyes.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Posted on in Film News

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

Posted on in Film News

‘Matrix 4’ Moves From April 1st, 2022 To December 22nd, 2021 – ‘Black Adam’ Pulled From Schedule

When a majority of movies are being delayed over and over, Warner Bros. has announced that Matrix 4 will be moved up from April 1st, 2022 to December 22nd, 2021. This move will allowing fans to see the film earlier than expected.

However, with this good news it is at the expensive of Dwayne Johnson’s DC Comics film Black Adam that has been removed from the schedule for the time being. It’s expected to land a new date but likely wasn’t going to hit that prime holiday spot on December 22nd, 2021.

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

Matrix 4 is currently film in Berlin, Germany.

SOURCE: WARNER BROS.

Posted on in Film News

‘The Batman’ Release Officially Delayed To March 4th, 2022 – Other DC Films Also Shuffle Dates

Tonight, Warner Bros. has confirmed Colldier’s scoop that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will indeed be taking The Batman’s current release date of October 1st, 2021 as the DC comics movie has been officially moved to March 4th, 2022.

There was some shuffling of the other DC Comics films too.

They’ve also pulled Black Adam from the schedule entirely as it had been set for release on December 22nd, 2021, moved The Flash to November 4th, 2022, and the Shazam! sequel heads to June 3rd, 2023.

Wonder Woman 1984 is still seemingly set for Christmas Day, but that will likely get delayed as well in the coming days.

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes “The Batman,” with director Matt Reeves (the “Planet of the Apes” films) at the helm and with Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse,” “Good Time”) starring as Gotham City’s vigilante detective, Batman, and billionaire Bruce Wayne.

Also in the star-studded ensemble as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (the “Hunger Games” films) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Black Mass”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Barry Keoghan (“Dunkirk”) as Officer Stanley Merkel; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Dumbo”) as Oswald Cobblepot.

SOURCE: WARNER BROS.

Posted on in Film News

‘Dune’ Reportedly Delayed To 2021 – Takes Over ‘The Batman’ Release Date On October 1st

According to a report from Collider, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movie will be released on Oct 1st, 2021 after been previously set for a date of December 18th by Warner Bros./Legendary.

The October date was originally meant for Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

This would mean that The Batman would be either given an earlier date or possibly delayed further. I have to imagine given how crowded 2021 has become and it hasn’t completed filming that pushing to a date in 2022 might be the right move. It’s possible it could nab the Black Adam’s release date of December 22nd, 2021 as that film is looking a delay after production was delayed due to Dwayne Johnson finishing up the Netflix film Red Notice.

I’m sure we’ll hear about a new release date very soon once Warner Bros. confirms that Dune is being bumped to 2021.

Wonder Woman 1984 moving to Christmas Day seemed to telegraph that they wanted to bump Dune to a later date, however, I wouldn’t be shocked if that film is pushed into 2021 as well.

Major American theater chain Regal has announced they will be closing their doors again, but some have speculated that the company might not reopen all (not enjoy evidence to support that). Then again, studios pulling their massive movies out of 2020 would give chains plenty of reason to close their doors again as No Time To Die, Black Widow, and now Dune haven’t left them with many options.

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.

The film stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name,” “Little Women”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”), Oscar Isaac (the “Star Wars” franchise) Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “Avengers: Infinity War”), Stellan Skarsgård (HBO’s “Chernobyl,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Avengers: Endgame”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” HBO’s “Euphoria”), David Dastmalchian (“Blade Runner 2049,” “The Dark Knight”), Chang Chen (“Mr. Long,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Netflix’s “Sex Education”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), with Jason Momoa (“Aquaman,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Skyfall”).

SOURCE: COLLIDER