Thursday, August 11, 2016

8-10-16 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)


        TheWrap reports that Aquaman will be going up against his arch nemesis in the upcoming solo film, revealing that he will fight Black Manta in the 2018 film. Black Manta was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy in “Aquaman” #35 in 1967, and though the character fought the King of Atlantis for decades, it wasn’t until the 1990s that he was finally given an origin, which has since changed over the years since. Originally Black Manta was a child abused by a ship’s crew that he was a member of, seeking revenge against Aquaman as an incarnate of the sea, but recent iterations of the character have seen him blaming Aquaman for his father’s death and seeking to kill the hero for revenge. The character doesn’t have an actual super powers but is an adept fighter with great strength. His trademark suit, however, allows him to swim across the deeps of the ocean and to fight Aquaman on his home turf. Screenwriter Will Beall (Gangster Squad, “Castle”) will pen the script for the upcoming movie from a story concocted with director James Wan and DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns. The underwater film will star Jason Mamoa as the title hero, with Amber Heard set to play his wife Mera (Queen of Atlantis) and Willem Dafoe as his advisor Vulko, both latter characters making their debut in the upcoming Justice League movie. Aquaman is set for release July 27, 2018.

        This is great, but not really surprising news. The fact that we are getting Black Manta on the bog screen is great because he is Aquaman's greatest foe. However it was kind of obvious that he was going to be the villain if you knew that he is Aquaman's greatest foe. For a while it was rumored that Common was going to play the character in Suicide Squad, but those were confirmed false so Warner Bros. is still looking for the actor. I honestly don't know who I would like to see play him, I just know I'm really excited to see him and Aquaman go head to head. 



        Deadline reports that Universal Pictures is eyeing Antoine Fuqua to direct the third big-screen version of Scarface. A number of other directors have previously been courted for the film, including Harry Potter director David Yates and No director Pablo Larrain. Fuqua has found a lot of success lately with The Equalizer and Olympus Has Fallen, with his next film The Magnificent Seven debuting in theaters September 23. Jonathan Herman (Straight Outta Compton, Ghost in the Shell) has penned the most recent version of the screenplay, which was previously written by Fuqua’s Training Day writer David Ayer (Suicide Squad). The first theatrical Scarface made it to theaters in 1932 from director Howard Hawks and told the story of an Irish immigrant’s rise to power as a gangster in 1920s Chicago. The film was remade in 1983 directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone with Al Pacino in the lead role, shifting the focus to a Cuban refugee rising to power as a gangster in 1980s Miami.

        I absolutely love this idea. Antoine Fuqua gets a bad rap for his films and I'm not really for sure why. Yes he does make some things over the top, but he does do a great job of telling some great stories. I think he is a perfect choice for this film taking over from Bran De Palma. Now one thing that kinda worries me in the sense that I think Fuqua may recast Scarface as an African-American which wouldn't be shocking,but really disappointing. Being from Cuba is a key part of Scarface and changing that changes the character completely. I hope that they can find someone for the role, someone for the sake of the film. 



        With Juan Antonio Bayona leaving the World War Z sequel to helm Jurassic World 2, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions are now in talks with David Fincher to take the director’s chair! Variety reports that Pitt, who is returning to star in and produce, is expected to start filming the World War Z sequel in early 2017. Fincher and Pitt have previously worked together on Se7en, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Fincher’s last feature film was Gone Girl in 2014. The World War Z follow-up was previously scheduled to open on June 9, 2017, but Paramount is expected to delay the film’s release. Despite production problems and an expensive reshoot of the third act, the first World War Z was a big hit worldwide with $540 million. The film, based on Max Brooks’ novel, was directed by Marc Forster on a $190 million budget. The sequel is being produced by Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Ian Bryce and Skydance’s David Ellison.

        This would be a fantastic idea. David Fincher is one of my favortie directors of all-time and I generally love every film he does. While I didn't overly love World War Z, there were a few good parts to it and a sequel has long been rumored, but with no momentum. Adding a guy like Fincher to the directors chair is a smart idea and putting him back together with Brad Pitt after all of the great work they've don't together is a very smart move. I think the film has the potential to be neat in a sense where the first film wasn't. 



        Mashable reports that Aquaman himself is getting ready for another comic book role as Jason Momoa is in talks for the lead role of The Crow remake. Momoa recently posted a photo of himself with the project’s director Corin Hardy (The Hallow) on Instagram teasing a “dream job” and “great news to come.” He is currently filming his role in Warner Bros.‘ Justice League film and has reportedly found time for this film between his stints as the King of Atlantis. The development of The Crow reboot has had a troubled history with frequent stalls in the pre-production cycle and multiple lead actor drop outs including Bradley Cooper, Luke Evans, Tom Hiddleston and Jack Huston. The film rights for the property were also in question after Relativity’s bankruptcy filing earlier this year, though it appears things have been sorted out if the film has found its leading man. Series creator James O’Barr previously spoke about the film, saying it would stick closer to the source material in many regards including using the same songs referenced in the pages of the original comic. How much has changed in the development process since then remains to be seen. The Crow was originally published as a four issue miniseries in 1989. Alex Proyas directed the 1994 film based on the series which starred Brandon Lee. Tragically, Lee died in an accident during production. However, the role was recast for several sequels and even a short-lived television series. In the comics, too, O’Barr’s character has been sequelized in quite a few different stories and formats.

        If this becomes true, then I think this film might be salvageable. Jason Momoa is a terrific actor and I think he is going to crush it as Aquaman and I think he would be a great for this film. He really embodies the look of The Crow and having the long hair helps too. The Crow is one of my favorite films for a plethora of reasons and I have wanted to see this story retold with today's technology. The first film is a completely masterpiece and the death of Brandon Lee while making the film makes it all the more tragic. While it has had problems getting going in the past, I think going with Momoa while he's not doing any DC films is a perfect choice.   

        According to Deadline, the Ocean’s 8 cast is getting closer to a full roster as Oscar winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables, The Dark Knight Rises), pop star Rihanna (Battleship, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets) and rapper Awkwafina (Neighbors 2, real name Nora Lum) are now set to join Sandra Bullock (Gravity, The Blind Side), Cate Blanchett (Cinderella, Blue Jasmine, Carol), Mindy Kaling (“The Mindy Project,” “The Office”) and Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, Alice Through the Looking Glass) in Warner Bros.‘ all-new, all-female Ocean’s Eleven reboot. No word yet on whether previously-rumored actress (Magic Mike XXL, Love & Mercy) and director (Pitch Perfect 2) Elizabeth Banks will round out the crew or another will take her place, but so far it looks like a solid ensemble of female star power. Gary Ross (Free State of Jones, Hunger Games) will direct and produce this new film, which will be a continuation of the George Clooney-led films, with Bullock playing Danny Ocean’s ex-con sister. With help from her right-hand woman (Blanchett, playing the equivalent of Brad Pitt’s Rusty), she’ll form a team of thieves to steal a necklace from the Met Ball in order to frame a villainous gallery owner. Shooting is expected to begin this fall. A cameo by Clooney has been nixed for the time being, although he could potentially appear in sequels. Ocean’s Eleven remake trilogy filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has been onboard to develop the reboot with producers Clooney and the late Jerry Weintraub since 2014, with screenwriter Olivia Milch (Queen & Country, Little Women) penning the script. “Ocean’s” is a well-honed brand that dates back to the original Rat Pack-led Ocean’s 11 from 1960, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

        I really like all of these additions. It really helps round out the cast with a lot of different people and it could make for a fun film. The entire cast so far for the film looks amazing and it'll be interesting to see who is in the 8th and final spot. Now some people are complaining that remaking a film and making the whole film about women instead of men is wrong and they should learn for Ghostbusters (2016) just did. Hopefully when everyone realizes that this is still connected to the most recent Ocean's films (unlike Ghostbusters (2016)), then more people will give in and see the film


        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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