Wednesday, November 11, 2015

11-11-15 Movie News

        Hello ladies and gentlemen, here is some movie news with some of my thoughts and opinions (which will be in BOLD print). So without further ado...


(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)


        Following their cover reveal this morning, EW has debuted a new interview with Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Harrison Ford featuring the actor discussing everyone’s favorite scruffy looking nerf herder, Han Solo. “There’s not an abandoning of the character,” Ford says, when asked if the character has lost any of his trademark sass. “He does not aspire to the position of Obi-‘Ben’ Kenobi, nor do I aspire to be some New Age Alec Guinness. His development is consistent with the character, and there are emotional elements which have occasioned his growth.” Ford goes on to reveal that the Han Solo we see in “The Force Awakens” may not be all that different from how we knew him thirty years ago. “We spend a lot more time [in the movie] on his failure to master basic skills, like accounting, and accounting for his own behavior. There’s a lot of the rogue still left in Solo. Some things don’t change.” The subject also came up of the upcoming Han Solo spin-off movie, currently being scripted by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan to be directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord for a May 25, 2018 release. When asked if Lucasfilm had approached him about the film, Ford maintained what we already know about the project: “I think they’re probably talking to the young Han Solo.” The outlet went on to ask him what advice he’d give to the actor playing a young version of him, saying: “I would say, ‘Talk to your director. Watch the movies. And welcome aboard. Make it your own.’” Switching gears to his other iconic role, Ford was asked if he’d like to return to the whip and fedora of Henry Jones Jr., which he seemed enthusiastic about doing. “Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’d love to do another Indiana Jones. A character that has a history and a potential, kind of a rollicking good movie ride for the audience, Steven Spielberg as a director — what’s not to like?” Opening in theaters on December 18, 2015, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, and features a new generation of swashbuckling heroes and shadowy villains, as well as the return of fan-favorite smugglers, princesses, and Jedi.

        I really love these comments. First off let's start with the fact that Han hasn't changed one bit from the original films and that's just perfect because the way he was in the original trilogy (egotistical, brave, cunning, arrogant and fierce) and I think it's a great way to continue on building who the character was. As for the Young Han Solo comments, I don't think we'll see Han in the movie at all and I absolutely agree with his advice for whoever gets the role. For the Indiana Jones comments, it isn't a surprise that he wants to do another one because it is a known fact that he prefers Indiana Jones over Han Solo and I wouldn't be shocked if they announce a new Indiana Jones film in the near future. 



        As reported late last month, Peyton Reed is currently in final negotiations to step back up to the plate for the Marvel Studios sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp after successfully directing the first Ant-Man film, which has grossed more than $517 million at the worldwide box office. While promoting the December 8 release of Ant-Man on Blu-ray/DVD, Reed spoke to MTV about the second installment and the importance of showcasing Evangeline Lilly’s Hope van Dyne, aka The Wasp. “That was one of the things that was important to me in the first movie when I came on was emphasizing the Wasp more, both Hope Van Dyne and Janet Van Dyne,” Reed said. “It’s a crucial part. It’s a crucial part because in the comic books, with the exception of the first handful of Ant-Man stories, Wasp came on pretty early on in the comics in the ’60s and you really thought of them as a partnership, a romantic partnership as well as a hero team. It’s going to be fun to play around with all the aspects of that in this movie.” Although their relationship was a little antagonistic at the beginning, Hope and Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang were definitely breaking the ice by the end of the first movie. A lot of that tension came from her dad Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) deliberately holding her back, despite being clearly capable, though now Hope has an opportunity to (literally) spread her wings.

        “It’s such a no-brainer that there needs to be female heroes,” Reed said. “It’s about keeping the stories interesting and having fresh stories to tell. I always like that about Ant-Man and Wasp because it dealt with gender politics as well as superhero stuff. In the comics, particularly in the ’60s comics, the Janet Van Dyne Wasp was clearly written by all men and was pretty one-dimensional. She’s gotten much more dimensionalized since then. That’s one of those things that I think is going to be really exciting and fresh about this movie. You do feel a certain amount of responsibility. At the end of the day it’s organic to that character and the movie.” In fact, the surprise addition of Ant-Man and the Wasp to Marvel’s ever-expanding Phase 3 slate will make Lilly the first female character to play a title role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. “It’s been important to me in all my movies,” Reed continued. “It’s a huge part of ’Bring It On,’ strong female characters, and ’Down With Love’ is a movie about feminism. So to me it’s something that I’m just psyched to be able to explore in this movie.” As for Pym’s wife Janet van Dyne (briefly glimpsed in-constume in an Ant-Man flashback), still lost among the surreal world of the Quantum Realm, it sounds like the hunt to bring her back to the land of the living will happen in the next movie, with Reed hinting that he has definite casting ideas for who to take on that role opposite Douglas. He has also apparently been privy to all of Rudd’s footage as Ant-Man in next summer’s all-star blockbuster Captain America: Civil War. Ant-Man and the Wasp will feature the return of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang alongside Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne. Although no writers have been announced yet, Adam McKay recently told THR that he’s had discussions with Paul Rudd about returning to co-pen the sequel after they successfully retooled Edgar Wright’s script on the first movie. Kevin Feige once again produces the Marvel Studios film for a targeted release date of July 6, 2018.

        These are really great comments from Reed. I love how passionate he is for the sequel, but it's not surprising since the first film was a huge success both critically and financially. I also like the fact that he is willing to make The Wasp a central and important character in a comic book film. I thought Evangeline Lilly was a terrific choice for the role of Hope Van Dyne and I'm really glad that she is wanting to return for the sequel. I absolutely enjoyed the first Ant-Man even after having doubts about the film when Edgar Wright left the film, but now I'm really looking forward to the sequel and I'm curious to see how it fits in with the rest of the MCU.



        Leading man Seth Rogen puts the “high” in high holidays in the new NSFW Red Band trailer for the irreverent holiday comedy The Night Before, which is the most crazy and surreal look yet at what is sure to be a perennial stoner classic. Check out The Night Before Red Band trailer below. Set for release this holiday season, The Night Before stars Rogen alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon and Mindy Kaling. From director Jonathan Levine, the director of 50/50 and Warm Bodies, comes the new holiday comedy. In it, Ethan (Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Mackie) have been friends since childhood, and for a decade, their yearly Christmas Eve reunion has been an annual night of debauchery and hilarity. Now that they’re entering adulthood, the tradition is coming to an end, and to make it as memorable as possible, they set out to find the Nutcracka Ball – the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Featuring a screenplay by Jonathan Levine and Evan Goldberg & Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir, The Night Before is produced by Rogen, Goldberg and James Weaver and executive produced by Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Barbara A. Hall, Kyle Hunter, Ariel Shaffir and Ben Waisbren. Sony Pictures will release the film on November 20.


        This was a really great trailer. Now granted it wasn't as funny as the first red band trailer, but it was funny enough to sell me on the movie. Nothing I've seen in the marketing campaign has really given anything away about the movie's plot and that's very rare for a comedy. Now the problem is that the best jokes might be in the trailer and that wouldn't bode well at all. I'm hoping that this film is fantastic and that we get a few more and very different laughs. 


        Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and the rest of the Portokalos clan are back in the first My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 trailer, which you can view below. The film is the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Gold Circle Entertainment and HBO present the Playtone production of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, written by Academy Award nominee Vardalos, who stars alongside the entire returning cast of favorites. The movie picks up with Toula and Ian struggling to find time for each other while managing their lives and a teenage daughter. A Portokalos family secret will be revealed and bring the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding. Although the sequel marks the official filmic followup to Toula and Ian’s story, Vardalos starred in a short-lived CBS series titled “My Big Fat Greek Life” in 2003 which featured most of the original characters in a slightly retooled set-up. Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin, Ian Gomez, Alex Wolff, Elena Kampouris, John Stamos, Rita Wilson and Joey Fatone round out the cast of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine) directs the next chapter of the film that is once again produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Paul Brooks and Steven Shareshian return to executive produce alongside Vardalos and Scott Niemeyer. Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy domestically and in select international territories beginning March 25, 2016.


        This was actually a really great trailer. Having really enjoyed the first film, I thought it ended on a perfect note, but it did make a ridiculous amount of money so it makes sense for a sequel to come out. This is also a really good time to come out with it because a lot more people have seen it since it's initial release and because it gives the filmmakers time to let the characters in the story age just enough to make the film seem more real. I'm not really excited that there is going to be another Greek wedding in the film and it kind of gives off the vibe that The Hangover 2 did when it ended up being the same film as the last one just in a different location. I'm hoping I'm wrong and I hope this film can be just as successful as the first film. 


        Entertainment One has released the international trailer for Triple 9, the gritty, action-packed crime thriller starring Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games, Zombieland) and Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs, The Reader) from acclaimed director John Hillcoat (The Road, Lawless). Check out the Triple 9 trailer below. The thriller involves a group of dirty cops blackmailed by the Russian mob into performing a seemingly impossible heist that involves the murder of a rookie police officer. Hillcoat’s impressive ensemble cast also includes Casey Affleck (Interstellar, Out of the Furnace), Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Martian, Doctor Strange), Aaron Paul (Need For Speed, “Breaking Bad”), Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious 6, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies, Point Break), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead,” The Boondock Saints) and Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Pain & Gain). Based on a screenplay by Matt Cook, Triple 9 will be released by Open Road Films domestically on February 19, 2016.


        This was an amazing trailer. I honestly had never heard of this film whatsoever until now and it looks terrific. It has an amazing and talented cast and this has the potential to be an Oscar caliber film. I also like the fact John Hillcoat is directing this because his last two feature films The Road and Lawless were terrific and I'm really excited to see this film. as I mentioned the film looks great and I'm looking forward to it. 

        So there you have it ladies and gentlemen, which of these stories peaked your interest or was there another story that interested you? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.

                                                                                                                                        Jonah Sparks

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