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)
It was revealed back in 2013 that Brad Pitt will be reprising his role as Gerry Lane for an upcoming (still untitled) sequel to World War Z with The Impossible‘s Juan Antonio Bayona attached to direct. Today, Paramount Pictures has revealed that World War Z 2 will be waged on June 9, 2017. That’s the same day that 20th Century Fox has earmarked for its planned Fantastic Four 2. That’s not the only box office showdown potentially in the cards today, either. Locke writer and director Steven Knight will be providing the screenplay for World War Z 2 with Pitt again serving as producer.
This is not surprising one bit. The movie received mixed reviews, but it did have some financial success and it makes sense for Paramount to make a sequel. The big discussion point here is the fact that it will be going up against Fantastic Four 2 and this isn't a great idea. One of these two movies is going to have to move becuase they will eat off of each other's box office intake. Fantastic Four 2 has already had to move twice and I don't think they'll move again. As for World War Z 2 I could see it move to May 12th, 2017 which is the week after Guardians of the Galaxy 2 comes out or they could release it in late August of 2017 since there is nothing for it to compete against and it would be around the same time as when the last film was released.
Warner Bros. Pictures has just revealed a new trailer for director Scott Cooper’s crime drama Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, Corey Stoll, Rory Cochrane, Sienna Miller and Adam Scott and you can check it out below. In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. “He could be charming. He could be ruthless. He was like a cobra—you never knew where he could strike,” director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) said previously of Bulger, who was imprisoned with two life sentences in November of 2013. “A lot of people on set knew Whitey intimately. They got chills at [Depp’s] resemblance. Some of them couldn’t even look at him. It’s easy to be the mustache twirling villain but this performance couldn’t be further from that. He is truly gifted.” Black Mass hits theaters on September 18.
This was a great trailer. After watching the first one I thought that this could be the film that brings Johnny Depp back to reality where he can do the roles that made him a star early in his career (Blow, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Ed Wood, Donnie Brasco etc.) and now after seeing this trailer I am fully convinced this is that career-defining role for Depp. I think the film looks awesome and I'm going to go ahead and put his name in consideration for not only getting nominated, but possibly winning an Oscar if this film lives up to what is being advertised and if it can standout above other performances.
Following the new promo teaser and images earlier today, EW has posted an editorial written by Fantastic Four star Michael B. Jordan. In the article, the actor talks about the controversy surrounding his casting as Johnny Storm, AKA The Human Torch, in the Josh Trank-directed film. Here’s an excerpt: This is a family movie about four friends—two of whom are myself and Kate Mara as my adopted sister—who are brought together by a series of unfortunate events to create unity and a team. That’s the message of the movie, if people can just allow themselves to see it. Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up and says, “I’ll be the one to shoulder all this hate. I’ll take the brunt for the next couple of generations.” I put that responsibility on myself. People are always going to see each other in terms of race, but maybe in the future we won’t talk about it as much. Maybe, if I set an example, Hollywood will start considering more people of color in other prominent roles, and maybe we can reach the people who are stuck in the mindset that “it has to be true to the comic book.” Or maybe we have to reach past them. To the trolls on the Internet, I want to say: Get your head out of the computer. Go outside and walk around. Look at the people walking next to you. Look at your friends’ friends and who they’re interacting with. And just understand this is the world we live in. It’s okay to like it. An origin story said to be inspired largely by the “Ultimate Fantastic Four” comics (the first arc of which was written by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar with Joe Kubert illustrating), Fantastic Four offers a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team. The story centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy. “Marvel’s First Family” will include Whiplash‘s Miles Teller as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), “House of Cards” star Kate Mara as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), Fruitvale Station and Chronicle‘s Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) and The Adventures of Tintin‘s Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Dawn of the Planet of the Apes‘ Toby Kebbell will also star as Doctor Doom alongside Reg E. Cathey (“The Wire”) as as Dr. Franklin Storm and Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) as Harvey Elder, aka The Mole Man. The 20th Century Fox release Fantastic Four features a screenplay by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and is set to hit the big screen August 7.
These are fantastic comments. Now I'll be perfectly honest, I was a little skeptical at first when the cast was announced and I was one of those guys that said that the Storm siblings either need to be both White or both African-American and not a split. But then I realized that all that matters is how they portray the characters and does the film stick to the core elements of who these characters are. I will say thought once the cast was announced I was fine with who they got to go in this different direction. I've been behind this movie from the start and I'm not jumping off of the train anytime soon.
Variety is reporting that Summit Entertainment parent corporation Lionsgate has revealed that next year’s Now You See Me: The Second Act will not be the final curtain call for the Four Horsemen, as they are already developing a followup. “We’ve already begun early planning for ‘Now You See Me 3,’” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer during a company conference call today, in which he also stated he believes part 2 will gross even more than the $350 million 2013’s Now You See Me took in. Apparently this is part of a company strategy to focus on building franchises in the wake of Hunger Games and Twilight running their course. It was announced earlier this week that the two-part Divergent Series: Allegiant has started filming and a follow-up to John Wick is also in the planning stages. Isla Fisher was not able to take part in the second Now You See Me film due to her pregnancy, but hopefully the actress will be able to reprise her role of illusionist Henley Reeves in the third film. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their mind-bending spectacles, the Four Horsemen resurface in Now You See Me: The Second Act only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet. With a screenplay by Ed Solomon and Pete Chiarelli, Now You See Me: The Second Act stars Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Caine. The Jon M. Chu-directed film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 10, 2016.
This is pretty surprising news to hear. I say that because the second film doesn't come out for another year and talks of a third film are already happening. I think it might be a little too early for these talks to begin, but Lionsgate must have a lot of faith in the second film. I'm skeptical for one reason and that is because of director Jon M. Chu. As some of you may know he is the director of the upcoming Jem and the Holograms (as well as two Justin Bieber concert movies) movie that comes later this year and will be one of the worst movies of all-time as well as one of the biggest financial failures of all-time. Of course I'm basing that off of a really crappy trailer, but I don't care. Hopefully the cast of the film takes over and tells him that he can't screw this film up. I really enjoyed the first film and I'm looking forward to the second film, I'm just not happy with who is directing the second film.
Tate Taylor, the filmmaker behind DreamWorks’ Oscar-nominated adaptation of The Help, is reuniting with the studio to bring Paula Hawkins’ runaway best-selling thriller The Girl on the Train to the big screen. DreamWorks picked up the rights in 2014 and had Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) begin the adaptation process even before the novel was published in January by Riverhead Books and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. It’s been the #1 book on the New York Times bestseller list for the 17 weeks since its release. The novel is about a woman named Rachel, who recently became divorced and who spends her daily train commute fantasizing about the perfect couple in a house she passes only to one day see something shocking that gets her caught up in a mystery. The film will be produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff for Marc Platt Productions. Holly Bario, president of production at DreamWorks, states in the press release: “With ‘The Help,’ Tate deftly adapted a beloved novel into a compelling film that stayed true to its origin while pleasing fans and moviegoers alike. We are excited to have Tate back at DreamWorks and thrilled that he’s joining us on this journey as we bring another bestseller to theaters.” Taylor, who most recently directed the James Brown biopic Get on Up, which was released by Universal Pictures, adds: “Bringing rich material to the screen in the filmmaker-friendly environment DreamWorks provides is a director’s dream. I’m honored to be a part of this.”
I think this is a great choice. Tate Taylor is an amazing director and so far he is batting a perfect 1,000 when it comes to the films the has directed. The film sounds really interesting and I think he is the perfect choice for the film and it helps that he has worked with a strong female lead in his previous films and I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the actors he has worked with in the past show up in this film as well.
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
(NOTE: All of these stories come from comingsoon.net)
It was revealed back in 2013 that Brad Pitt will be reprising his role as Gerry Lane for an upcoming (still untitled) sequel to World War Z with The Impossible‘s Juan Antonio Bayona attached to direct. Today, Paramount Pictures has revealed that World War Z 2 will be waged on June 9, 2017. That’s the same day that 20th Century Fox has earmarked for its planned Fantastic Four 2. That’s not the only box office showdown potentially in the cards today, either. Locke writer and director Steven Knight will be providing the screenplay for World War Z 2 with Pitt again serving as producer.
This is not surprising one bit. The movie received mixed reviews, but it did have some financial success and it makes sense for Paramount to make a sequel. The big discussion point here is the fact that it will be going up against Fantastic Four 2 and this isn't a great idea. One of these two movies is going to have to move becuase they will eat off of each other's box office intake. Fantastic Four 2 has already had to move twice and I don't think they'll move again. As for World War Z 2 I could see it move to May 12th, 2017 which is the week after Guardians of the Galaxy 2 comes out or they could release it in late August of 2017 since there is nothing for it to compete against and it would be around the same time as when the last film was released.
Warner Bros. Pictures has just revealed a new trailer for director Scott Cooper’s crime drama Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, Corey Stoll, Rory Cochrane, Sienna Miller and Adam Scott and you can check it out below. In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history. “He could be charming. He could be ruthless. He was like a cobra—you never knew where he could strike,” director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) said previously of Bulger, who was imprisoned with two life sentences in November of 2013. “A lot of people on set knew Whitey intimately. They got chills at [Depp’s] resemblance. Some of them couldn’t even look at him. It’s easy to be the mustache twirling villain but this performance couldn’t be further from that. He is truly gifted.” Black Mass hits theaters on September 18.
This was a great trailer. After watching the first one I thought that this could be the film that brings Johnny Depp back to reality where he can do the roles that made him a star early in his career (Blow, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Ed Wood, Donnie Brasco etc.) and now after seeing this trailer I am fully convinced this is that career-defining role for Depp. I think the film looks awesome and I'm going to go ahead and put his name in consideration for not only getting nominated, but possibly winning an Oscar if this film lives up to what is being advertised and if it can standout above other performances.
Following the new promo teaser and images earlier today, EW has posted an editorial written by Fantastic Four star Michael B. Jordan. In the article, the actor talks about the controversy surrounding his casting as Johnny Storm, AKA The Human Torch, in the Josh Trank-directed film. Here’s an excerpt: This is a family movie about four friends—two of whom are myself and Kate Mara as my adopted sister—who are brought together by a series of unfortunate events to create unity and a team. That’s the message of the movie, if people can just allow themselves to see it. Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up and says, “I’ll be the one to shoulder all this hate. I’ll take the brunt for the next couple of generations.” I put that responsibility on myself. People are always going to see each other in terms of race, but maybe in the future we won’t talk about it as much. Maybe, if I set an example, Hollywood will start considering more people of color in other prominent roles, and maybe we can reach the people who are stuck in the mindset that “it has to be true to the comic book.” Or maybe we have to reach past them. To the trolls on the Internet, I want to say: Get your head out of the computer. Go outside and walk around. Look at the people walking next to you. Look at your friends’ friends and who they’re interacting with. And just understand this is the world we live in. It’s okay to like it. An origin story said to be inspired largely by the “Ultimate Fantastic Four” comics (the first arc of which was written by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar with Joe Kubert illustrating), Fantastic Four offers a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team. The story centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy. “Marvel’s First Family” will include Whiplash‘s Miles Teller as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), “House of Cards” star Kate Mara as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), Fruitvale Station and Chronicle‘s Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch) and The Adventures of Tintin‘s Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Dawn of the Planet of the Apes‘ Toby Kebbell will also star as Doctor Doom alongside Reg E. Cathey (“The Wire”) as as Dr. Franklin Storm and Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) as Harvey Elder, aka The Mole Man. The 20th Century Fox release Fantastic Four features a screenplay by Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and is set to hit the big screen August 7.
These are fantastic comments. Now I'll be perfectly honest, I was a little skeptical at first when the cast was announced and I was one of those guys that said that the Storm siblings either need to be both White or both African-American and not a split. But then I realized that all that matters is how they portray the characters and does the film stick to the core elements of who these characters are. I will say thought once the cast was announced I was fine with who they got to go in this different direction. I've been behind this movie from the start and I'm not jumping off of the train anytime soon.
Variety is reporting that Summit Entertainment parent corporation Lionsgate has revealed that next year’s Now You See Me: The Second Act will not be the final curtain call for the Four Horsemen, as they are already developing a followup. “We’ve already begun early planning for ‘Now You See Me 3,’” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer during a company conference call today, in which he also stated he believes part 2 will gross even more than the $350 million 2013’s Now You See Me took in. Apparently this is part of a company strategy to focus on building franchises in the wake of Hunger Games and Twilight running their course. It was announced earlier this week that the two-part Divergent Series: Allegiant has started filming and a follow-up to John Wick is also in the planning stages. Isla Fisher was not able to take part in the second Now You See Me film due to her pregnancy, but hopefully the actress will be able to reprise her role of illusionist Henley Reeves in the third film. One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their mind-bending spectacles, the Four Horsemen resurface in Now You See Me: The Second Act only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet. With a screenplay by Ed Solomon and Pete Chiarelli, Now You See Me: The Second Act stars Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Caine. The Jon M. Chu-directed film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 10, 2016.
This is pretty surprising news to hear. I say that because the second film doesn't come out for another year and talks of a third film are already happening. I think it might be a little too early for these talks to begin, but Lionsgate must have a lot of faith in the second film. I'm skeptical for one reason and that is because of director Jon M. Chu. As some of you may know he is the director of the upcoming Jem and the Holograms (as well as two Justin Bieber concert movies) movie that comes later this year and will be one of the worst movies of all-time as well as one of the biggest financial failures of all-time. Of course I'm basing that off of a really crappy trailer, but I don't care. Hopefully the cast of the film takes over and tells him that he can't screw this film up. I really enjoyed the first film and I'm looking forward to the second film, I'm just not happy with who is directing the second film.
Tate Taylor, the filmmaker behind DreamWorks’ Oscar-nominated adaptation of The Help, is reuniting with the studio to bring Paula Hawkins’ runaway best-selling thriller The Girl on the Train to the big screen. DreamWorks picked up the rights in 2014 and had Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary) begin the adaptation process even before the novel was published in January by Riverhead Books and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. It’s been the #1 book on the New York Times bestseller list for the 17 weeks since its release. The novel is about a woman named Rachel, who recently became divorced and who spends her daily train commute fantasizing about the perfect couple in a house she passes only to one day see something shocking that gets her caught up in a mystery. The film will be produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff for Marc Platt Productions. Holly Bario, president of production at DreamWorks, states in the press release: “With ‘The Help,’ Tate deftly adapted a beloved novel into a compelling film that stayed true to its origin while pleasing fans and moviegoers alike. We are excited to have Tate back at DreamWorks and thrilled that he’s joining us on this journey as we bring another bestseller to theaters.” Taylor, who most recently directed the James Brown biopic Get on Up, which was released by Universal Pictures, adds: “Bringing rich material to the screen in the filmmaker-friendly environment DreamWorks provides is a director’s dream. I’m honored to be a part of this.”
I think this is a great choice. Tate Taylor is an amazing director and so far he is batting a perfect 1,000 when it comes to the films the has directed. The film sounds really interesting and I think he is the perfect choice for the film and it helps that he has worked with a strong female lead in his previous films and I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the actors he has worked with in the past show up in this film as well.
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
