Monday, November 2, 2015

11-2-15 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)


        Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures have released a brand-new poster for the upcoming video game adaptation Warcraft, which you can check out below. In addition, it has been revealed that the first Warcraft trailer for the film will debut this Friday in conjunction with Blizzard’s annual BlizzCon! Legendary’s Warcraft is a 3D epic adventure of world-colliding conflict based upon Blizzard Entertainment’s globally-renowned universe. Directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code), the film was written by Charles Leavitt with a rewrite by Duncan Jones. The film, a Legendary Pictures, Blizzard Entertainment and Atlas Entertainment production, is produced by Charles Roven, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Alex Gartner. Stuart Fenegan, Jillian Share, Brent O’Connor, and Blizzard Entertainment’s Michael Morhaime and Paul Sams serve as executive producers. Rob Pardo and Blizzard Entertainment’s Chris Metzen and Nick Carpenter co‐produce with Atlas’s Rebecca Steel Roven. Fighting for The Alliance, Warcraft features Dominic Cooper as King Llane Wrynn, Travis Fimmel as Anduin Lothar, Ben Foster as Medivh, Ben Schnetzer as Khadgar, and Ruth Negga as Lady Taria, and on the side of The Horde is Clancy Brown as Blackhand, Toby Kebbel as Durotan, Robert Kazinsky as Ogrim, and Daniel Wu as Gul’Dan, with Paula Patton’s Garona caught in the middle. Warcraft is set to debut in theaters on June 10, 2016.

Warcraft

        I really like this poster. It is something different and new for a big blockbuster film like this and plus it gives a clear idea of the factions that will be going head-to-head in the film. This is a film that I've been looking forward to simply becasue of director Duncan Jones who is a masterful director and I think his style fits this property perfectly. Now I haven't played much of the games, but from what I have played of them I enjoyed and I think this film can be the film to put video game movies on the map. 



        TWC-Dimension announced today that the action film The Six Billion Dollar Man, starring Mark Wahlberg (Ted, Lone Survivor, Transformers: Age of Extinction), is set to be released on December 22, 2017. Oscar-nominated and acclaimed filmmaker Damián Szifron (Wild Tales) wrote the screenplay and has now been confirmed to direct. Principal photography will commence in September of 2016. Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Bob Weinstein will produce the film. The Six Billion Dollar Man is based on the classic television series “The Six Million Dollar Man” and the novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin. The story follows military officer, Steve Austin, who becomes part of a top secret government program after a horrific accident leaves him near death. With the help of cutting edge technology, Steve is brought back to life with extraordinary abilities, making him the world’s first truly bionic man. “I’m thrilled to assemble ‘The Six Billion Dollar Man’ for the big screen with the likes of Bob Weinstein and Damián Szifron,” said Wahlberg. “We look forward to creating a Steve Austin for the 21st century.” “Writing the screenplay was such a fantastic ride and embarking on this journey with Mark, Bob and Stephen to take this story to a whole new level is simply spectacular,” said Szifron. “Growing up, these kind of films left an indelible mark on me and now it feels so good to be making one.” “Damián’s unique vision and longtime passion for this story will usher in an new take on this series for a new generation,” said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films. “We are excited to release the film during the holidays to bring audiences an explosive reimagining of this cultural icon.” Overseeing production for TWC-Dimension are Matthew Signer, EVP of Production and Creative Affairs, and Keith Levine, SVP of Production and Development.

        I really like this date. It's coming out around Christmas which should help the money financially and it will offer some decent counter-programming with a few animated films that are coming out around that date. I've been behind this idea from the start and now that $1 billion dollars is a real prices now compared to $1 million back in the 1970's it makes sense for the film to be the Sic Billion Dollar Man. I also think Mark Wahlberg is the perfect choice for the role of Steve Austin and if this film does great this could be a potential multiple film franchise. 



        The Hollywood Reporter brings word about another casting addition to Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange feature film with actor Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man, “Boardwalk Empire”). Variety adds on that Stuhlbarg will play the role of Doctor Nicodemus West, the character who fixed Strange’s hands and even follows him to Kamar-Taj and undergoes his own mystical training. Scheduled to hit theaters November 4, 2016, Doctor Strange is scripted by Jon Spaihts and directed by Scott Derrickson. It is said to follow the story of neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. Also attached to star in Doctor Strange is Rachel McAdams as the female lead with Tilda Swinton set to appear as the Ancient One and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the good doctor’s arch foe, Baron Mordo. “Hannibal” and Rogue One star Mads Mikkelsen is also in talks for the villain role of the film, which remains a mystery. Although no official Doctor Strange artwork has yet been revealed, fans attending the recent D23 Expo in Anaheim, California were treated to a concept art sizzle reel, teasing the look of the “Phase Three” entry.

        I really like this casting. Michael Stuhlberg is an actor who is good in everything he is in, but he never gets any recognition and that's most obvious in the film A Serious Man which if you haven't seen then I highly recommend you check it out. I'm really curious to see how he does in the role and how it will help bring it to life. I'm not familiar with the whole Doctor Strange universe so I'm going into this blind and I'm excited to see what Scott Derrickson can do with something outside of his comfort zone. 



        Sony Pictures Animation announced today that Hotel Transylvania 3 is officially on the way! The third film in the animated franchise will arrive on the big screen September 22, 2018. Released in 2012, the original Hotel Transylvania was helmed by Genndy Tartakovsky, the creator of hit animated series like “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Samurai Jack,” and grossed more than $350 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel, the recently released Hotel Transylvania 2, performed even better than its predecessor, and has already passed $373.6 million worldwide. In fact, Hotel Transylvania 2 was number four at the domestic box office this week, despite being in its sixth week of release. It has not yet been revealed who among the voice cast will be returning for Hotel Transylvania 3. The second film featured the voice talents of Adam Sandler, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly Shannon, Jon Lovitz, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Fran Drescher and Mel Brooks. Tartakovsky, however, has stated that he doesn’t think he’ll be back in the director’s chair for a third film. Hotel Transylvania 2, which opened September 25, saw Mavis (Gomez) and Jonathan (Samberg) married having just had their first baby. Although a home video release date has not yet been revealed, you can preorder Hotel Transylvania 2 at Amazon. Hotel Transylvania 3 will face some monstrous competition at the box office. September 21, 2018 is the same date Warner Bros. Pictures has scheduled for their still-untitled Scooby Doo animated movie.

        This isn't surprising news to hear. I haven't big the biggest fan of the franchise so far, but when you are an animated film that makes money like this franchise has, then you obviously want to continue to make more films. I'm very curious to see what the plot of the third film will be because I honestly have no idea where they could go. I'm also interested to see how many more SNL buddies Adam Sandler can cram into his movies because that's all he does and doesn't care about making quality films. 



        As the casting for Lionsgate’s upcoming Power Rangers movie rolled out, it was unclear if the film would be taking its cues from the original series. With every announcement, each actor was only designated by the corresponding color of the Ranger they would be playing and no further details. Now, a tweet from the official Power Rangers account has seemingly revealed that the characters in the film will feature the same names as the original cast. Dacre Montgomery will lead the team as Jason aka the Red Ranger with RJ Cyler (Me and Earl and The Dying Girl) as Billy the Blue Ranger, Naomi Scott (The Martian, “Terra Nova”) as Kimberly aka the Pink Ranger, Ludi Lin as Zack aka the Black Ranger, and musician Becky G. as Trini aka the Yellow Ranger. Screenwriters Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor) wrote the screenplay for Power Rangers, which is described as a modern reinvention of the long-running franchise. In it, a group of ordinary high school kids find themselves infused with extraterrestrial powers and must harness those powers as a team to save the world. Original creator Haim Saban is acting as producer along with Brian Casentini and Allison Shearmur. Saban’s “Power Rangers” franchise is the brainchild of Haim Saban, creator and producer of the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” hit series that launched in 1993. Following its introduction, “Power Rangers” quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running boys live-action series in television history. The series follows the adventures of a group of ordinary teens who “morph” into superheroes and save the world from evil. It is seen in more than 150 markets around the world, translated into numerous languages and is a mainstay in the most prominent international children’s programming blocks.  20th Century Fox previously released two feature films, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie in 1995 and Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie in 1997. Set to be directed by Project Almanac‘s Dean Israelite, Power Rangers will debut in theaters on January 13, 2017.

        This is a really great news to hear. One of the things that I've been impressed about so far is that the studio has built a cast of complete unknowns and this was a big question on whether or not the original names were going to be used and now that we have that confirmed I couldn't be happier. It makes so much sense for the studio to do this because it keeps with the mythology and it does a lot of fan service for those who loved the original show. I'm afraid of building my excitement for this film because there is a possibility that the film could be terrible, but I'm still going to give the film a shot because I am a fan of the early incarnations of the Power Rangers. 

        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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