Godzilla: King of the Monsters was awesome and you should go see it on the big screen.
And now, more film news!
IN THIS WEEK’S “What could have been” story, Long before Avengers: Infinity War delivered the “most ambitious crossover event in history,” 20th Century Fox had an even bigger one planned with the Marvel characters that they had owned back in 2011. That means not only heavy-hitters like X-Men and Fantastic Four, but Deadpool and Daredevil. But alas, their ambitions got ahead of them, and that massive Fox Marvel movie was ultimately scrapped. But nearly a decade later, X-Men First Class writer Zack Stentz reveals what could’ve been.
In an interview with Kevin Smith’s Fatman Beyond Podcast (via Heroic Hollywood), Stentz revealed that 20th Century Fox had a plan for a movie that would have far and away taken the title for most ambitious crossover event in history. Stentz had been working on a “secret movie” for Fox at the same time as X-Men: First Class that would have featured characters from X-men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool, and even Daredevil, which at the time was still under Fox. Stentz said:
“My ex-partner and I, when we were working at Fox and we were working on X-Men: First Class, we did a secret movie for them that, I can’t tell you what the plot was, but I can tell you that it used all of the characters, all of the Marvel characters that Fox had at the time in 2011. It used the X-Men. It used the Fantastic Four. It used Daredevil. It used Deadpool. Daredevil was still at Fox at the time. We almost had Paul Greengrass directing it which would’ve been so cool but he had another project to do instead. It didn’t end up going but it was a script I was really proud of and it would’ve been really good.”
Wow. Imagine if that had happened? That’s crazy,
With Fox now under the jurisdiction of Disney, we’ll probably see that crossover sometime in the future under the Marvel Studios umbrella. Though it will be quite some time before that happens.
IN THIS WEEK’S “The Jurassic 3” story, word on the street is that three of the original actors from Jurassic Park will be showing up in Jurassic World 3.
On MTV News, Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard all but confirms that the big three names from the original Jurassic Park will be making their return in the upcoming Jurassic World 3. The actress was asked if she looks forward to working with the Jurassic Park actors in the forthcoming sequel.
“Yes, very much so,” said Howard. “I don’t know what’s been confirmed or whatever, but I’ll blink if it’s happening… maybe…”
Obviously, this is far from definitive proof that Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum are returning to the franchise. However, in the world of Hollywood blockbuster secrets, Howard’s words, combined with her not-so-great poker face, are about as much of a confirmation as we’ll likely get until the film’s premiere.
This news fits perfectly with what director Colin Trevorrow said about the third film in the Jurassic Park sequel franchise. Back almost a year ago, he strongly hinted that fans would be upset if they didn’t get the chance to see the main three make their triumphant return (Goldblum was briefly seen in the last film).
As for what will bring them all together to mingle with the new cast? That’s still unknown. But last year, Trevorrow also said that the idea that the dinosaurs would terrorize a city is unlikely, even though the final images from ‘Fallen Kingdom’ seemingly point to that sort of plot.
…Ugh, they better not just do the same thing they always do. These movies really need to mix it up now. It doesn’t matter who they get in the cast, these stories need to get freshened up. But, at least , you know, more Goldblum!
IN THIS WEEK’S “Django…and Zorro?” story, are we ready for this team up?
Quentin Tarantino‘s Django Unchained got a sequel in the form of mashup comic book mini-series Django/Zorro from Dynamite Entertainment, and Collider is reporting tonight that it’s now receiving a feature film adaptation.
The site reports that Tarantino is working with Jerrod Carmichael on bringing the pair-up comic book storyline to the big screen.
The official comic book synopsis:
“The official Django Unchained sequel, uniting the gun-blazing Western hero with the legendary swordsman of literature, film, and comics: Zorro! Set several years after the events of Django Unchained, Django again pursues evil men in his role as a bounty hunter. Taking to the roads of the American Southwest, he encounters the aged and sophisticated Diego de la Vega by sheer chance. Django is fascinated by this unusual character, the first wealthy white man he’s met who seems totally unconcerned with the color of his skin… and who can hold his own in a fight. Django hires on as Diego’s bodyguard, and is soon drawn into a fight to free the local indigenous people from brutal servitude. Learning much from the older man (as he did from King Schultz), he discovers that slavery isn’t exclusive to his people, as he even dons the mask of Zorro in their mission of mercy!”
Collider.com notes that it’s unclear whether Tarantino is co-writing the script with Carmichael or if he’ll merely be overseeing/producing the adaptation. Guess we’ll find out as time passes.
IN THIS WEEK’S “Pattinson for three” story, Robert Pattinson is set to protect and serve Gotham City for three upcoming Batman movies.
The actor, 33, was confirmed as the next caped crusader last week with director Matt Reeves tweeting a GIF of the actor late Sunday with three bat emojis.
Reeves is set to direct a trilogy of films for Warner Bros. with Pattinson in the leading role, according to Deadline. The first in the trilogy, The Batman, is expected to be released in 2021.
Reeves told The Hollywood Reporter in January his idea for the films is “very much a point of view-driven, noir Batman tale.”
“It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional,” he continued. “It’s more Batman in his detective mode that we’ve seen in the films.”
As Reeves explained, “The comics have a history of that. [Bruce Wayne] is supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been.”
“I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc that he can go through a transformation.”
As for the title of his film, he hinted it could change once production got underway.
“Right now it’s called The Batman,” he said. “What it will be called ultimately, I don’t know.”
Robert Pattinson is also working on another Warner Bros. film, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, alongside John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki. The epic opens in 2020.
IN THIS WEEK’S “Spies ‘R’ Us, story, Diane Kruger will co-star in Simon Kinberg’s spy thriller 355. She is joining an all-star ensemble that includes Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Fan Bingbing, and Penelope Cruz.
Kinberg is set to direct from a script he co-wrote with Theresa Rebeck. The movie follows a group of spies from international agencies around the world. These women must bond together, overcoming their suspicions and conflicts, to use all their talents and training to stop an event from occurring that could thrust our teetering world into chaos. Along the way, these strangers and enemies become comrades and friends, and a new faction is formed – code-named 355 (a name they adopt from the first female spy in the American Revolution). Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez also co-star.
“I’m so ecstatic to have an actress of her caliber to round out this extraordinary cast,” Kinberg said.
Universal acquired US distribution rights. CAA Film Finance brokered the deal with Film Nation handling international sales. Freckle Films’ Chastain and Kelly Carmichael will produce alongside Simon Kinberg’s Kinberg Genre.
RELATED: So, it turns out Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were the ONLY two actors that were being looked at for the role of Batman.
The entire casting process for Robert Pattinson as Batman took only several weeks.
According to a new report from THR, the rise of Robert Pattison’s Batman came about quickly and with very little trouble. A source close to the situation not only called the casting “quick,” but said that it was actually “quicker than normal,” which is baffling considering the stakes of such a decision.
Apparently, while rumors and speculation over the last year said that Reeves and the studio were deciding between a huge number of actors, the truth is that the filmmaker always had his mind set on a small number of potential Batman actors. In fact, as he put the finishing touches on his story and script, the director was narrowing the choices down to his top two, which always included Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult. That means that Jack O’Connell and Armie Hammer were never in the discussion, despite endless reports.
From there, both actors met with Reeves in April to discuss the project. Then during the week of May 20, Hoult and Pattinson flew back to meet with the studio and Reeves and did the now-famous screen tests in a full Batsuit. As per tradition, the screen tests were conducted in a previously-used Batsuit, though the exact one isn’t named.
During that time, both actors had pre-negotiated deals, leaving the decision based solely on who Reeves and the studio thought was best. And as we know, Pattinson is the lucky winner, based not only on his screen tests, but apparently, judging by Reeves’ Twitter account, his work on films like Good Time.
Now, Pattinson has the better part of a year to get in shape and prepare for his role as Batman before the film begins production in early 2020. The new ‘Batman’ reboot will arrive in theaters on June 25, 2021.
Huh. Go figure.
IN THIS WEEK’S “3 from Hell“, story, Rob Zombie has been teasing fans about the release of his sequel to The Devil’s Rejects, Three from Hell, for months. While we still don’t have an exact release date, the shock-rocker-turned-filmmaker made a post on Instagram this morning promising a trailer for the movie will arrive in six days. That means we’ll be getting our first look at Three From Hell on Monday!
Three From Hell will reunite the Firefly clan (Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, and Sid Haig); the film will also feature Richard Brake, Emilio Rivera, Danny Trejo, Kevin Jackson, Wade Williams, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Pancho Moler, Daniel Roebuck, David Ury, Sean Whalen, Austin Stoker, Dee Wallace, Bill Oberst Jr., Dot-Marie Jones, and Tom Papa.
Well, ok then.
IN THIS WEEK’S “Breaking Bond” story, A “controlled explosion” on the set of Bond 25 damaged the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios and caused a “minor injury” to a crew member off stage, according to a tweet posted Tuesday from the official James Bond account.
No injuries were reported on set. The production has been plagued with multiple setbacks, including an injury to star Daniel Craig.
In May, it was announced that Craig would undergo minor ankle surgery due to an injury sustained while filming in Jamaica. Production continued while Craig was rehabilitating, and the film’s Twitter account announced that the spy thriller was still on track for a release in April 2020.
Seems this film is plagued with various accidents. Could they be working too fast and therefore making some mistakes? Who knows. But I’d sure want to be careful on that set.
IN THIS WEEK’S “He’s still making movies” story, Woody Allen is returning to Spain this summer as production gears up for the director’s 51st film.
According to production studio Mediapro, the untitled film, which was first announced in February, will be a “comedy-romance,” following a married American couple who attend the San Sebastian film festival only to fall in love with different people. Filming is set to begin July 10 in Spain.
“She has an affair with a brilliant French movie director, and he falls in love with a beautiful Spanish woman who lives there,” the studio confirmed in a statement. “It is a comedy-romance that resolves itself in a funny but romantic way.”
Previously, Mediapro Studios worked alongside Allen for the films Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Midnight In Paris, which garnered strong reviews and several Oscar nominations. “At Mediapro we’ve been working with Woody Allen for 14 years. His films, like every project the group produces, have a unique personality,” said Mediapro founder Jaume Roures. “This latest movie has all the ingredients to be right up there along with what we’ve become accustomed to from a director of Woody Allen’s talent: an intelligent script and a first-rate international cast. In addition, we’re delighted to be able to shoot the movie in a city such as San Sebastian, which has such strong ties to cinema.”
Also joining Allen on the project is Cristoph Waltz, Elena Anaya, Louis Garrel, Gina Gershon, Sergi López and Wally Shawn as well as production company Gravier Productions.
Allen’s last film A Rainy Day in New York was shelved by Amazon after the renewed attention to the sexual molestation allegations leveled at Allen by his daughter Dylan Farrow. Allen denies the allegations. Several actors who worked with him in the past have said they would not be interested in working with him again. A Rainy Day in New York will be released in several European territories.
I’m just not that interested in his films anymore.
IN THIS WEEK’S “You want to do what, now?” story, Glen Powell has been tapped to star in Wanna F*** Your Brother, co-production with STXfilms and MWM Studios. The Other Woman screenwriter Melissa Stack wrote the script and is directing the film about a buttoned-up lawyer who gets her black sheep younger brother a summer job at her New York law firm. He quickly becomes the toast of the town… and the object of desire of the powerful women they work for.
Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black, and Steve Tisch will produce for Escape Artists.
Powell is starring in the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick for Paramount, which lands in theaters in 2020. His other upcoming projects include the Netflix comedy Most Dangerous Game, in which he reunites with his Set It Up co-star Zoey Deutch, and Time After Time, a love story based on the novel by Lisa Grunwald.
IN THIS WEEK’S “Worst description ever” story, Sandi Tan isn’t wasting any more time. After charming audiences with last year’s documentary gem and Indie Spirit nominee “Shirkers” — which chronicled the filmmaker’s wild early years making a film when she was just a plucky teen bouncing around Singapore, only for the entire thing to be stolen by her would-be mentor — Tan is lining up her next big feature.
In a new interview with The Cut, Tan shares her plans to tell another story about a smart woman waylaid by a devious man, as originally told in ways that seem, well, just a bit unfilmable. Tan will soon tackle her own version of Elif Batuman’s Pulitzer Prize finalist The Idiot, jumping to the narrative realm with her own screenplay, which she will direct for the big screen.
Batuman’s autobiographical novel offers its own challenges. Tan says, “I read it and I was like, I love it so much, but I don’t know how to do it,” Tan told the outlet, adding that she then read it again and realized she had a way into making it into a film, adding, “I was like, Oh my God, I have to do it. I know how to do it. I know how to do it!”
A bildungsroman (a novel dealing with one person’s formative years or spiritual education. I didn’t know that word either.) offering told in epistolary style (mainly through emails, it is a modern story, after all), the 2017 autofiction novel follows Harvard student Selin as she embarks on an ill-advised romance with fellow student Ivan. Selin is the idiot of the title, and as she follows Ivan back to his native Hungary, it becomes achingly clear why that’s the case.
Tan has already conjured up some intriguing comparisons for her adaptation, noting that “the book’s basically the intelligent, creative young woman’s ‘Twilight.’ … It’s about this woman who is head smart and heart stupid — that’s why she’s the idiot. And she’s being sucked into this vortex of obsession by this guy, and by the end of it she gets destroyed. But instead of turning into a vampire, she turns into an artist.”
The filmmaker also told The Cut she’s picturing her film as “Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’ told from a female point of view” and “the teenage version” of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread.
….Ok, any film that includes comparisons to Twilight and Phantom Thread does not fill me with any desire to see it. But what do I know?
Aaand, IN THIS WEEK’S “Fred Durst made a movie?” story, you might not be aware of this, but John Travolta made a movie with Fred Durst. Yes, that Fred Durst – the lead singer of Limp Bizkit. For a while, the movie was going by the name Moose, but it has a new title – The Fanatic. With that new title comes news that the flick is being dumped directly onto Amazon this month, where you can enjoy it from the privacy of your own home with no shame.
Last month, The Fanatic, a Fred Durst-directed movie starring John Travolta, was supposed to premiere at Cannes. But Travolta had the screening cancelled at the last minute, apparently because he wanted to go back and work on a new cut of the film. At the time, rumor had it that Amazon had purchased the rights to the film. And that seems to be correct, because Amazon is saying you can expect the movie to be streaming starting June 29 (via BloodyDisguting).
Here’s where things get slightly strange (as if the very notion of this film isn’t already strange). Amazon is still calling the film Moose, which was the original title before it got switched to The Fanatic. And there is now a poster for the film, with the title The Fanatic.
I suppose we’ll have to wait and see what it’s officially called when it arrives at the end of the month. In any case, the fact that the movie is going right to Amazon isn’t a very good sign, although it will reportedly have a limited theatrical run staring September 6.
In the film, Travolta plays Moose, a man obsessed with a celebrity named Hunter Dunbar (played by Devon Sawa). Moose heads to Hollywood to meet Dunbar, but the meeting doesn’t go as planned:
“Moose’s actions begin to take a dark turn. Against the advice of his friend Leah (Ana Golja), Moose begins to make frequent visits to his hero’s private home. As the visits continue to escalate, Dunbar find himself in increasing danger.”
So, a movie that allows John Travolta to be even creepier than he already is. Ok then.
Ok, off we go! See you next time!