Ben Affleck to Star, Direct, and Co-Write Solo 'Batman' Film with DC's Geoff Johns

Well we pretty much knew this was coming.

Ever since Ben Affleck was announced as the new Batman almost two years ago (funny how it's been that long and we still have to wait another 8 months to actually see him play the character), it's been widely assumed he would write and direct his own Batman movie that he would of course star in as well.

Coming out of Comic Con, word now is that Affleck will indeed helm his own Batman flick, but not only that, he'll be scripting it with DC Comics' chief creative officer, Geoff Johns.

Johns has written some of the most memorable comic series over the past couple decades, so it's pretty great to hear he'll be working with Affleck to write the film. And though it's not reported, I personally expect Affleck's Argo writing partner, Chris Terrio (who won an Oscar for that film and also scripted next year's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) to assist with the script as well.

Word is that Affleck and Johns are very much 'in-sync' with writing the script and may even have a complete draft by the end of this summer. The plan is for Affleck to direct his long-awaited Live By Night this fall with a possible release of the new Batman film in 2018, meaning it would begin filming sometime next year, maybe early 2017.

While it's pretty exciting to hear a guy like Affleck will be taking on his own Batman film (like him or not, the guy is talented), I'm curious as to what the public's reaction will be to his take on the character. Again, we don't know what that will be until Batman v Superman hits next year, but it's just interesting plans are already being made for more when audiences still have yet to be introduced to his new Dark Knight.

Anyway, stay tuned for more on this project as it becomes available.

Source: Deadline

Marisa Tomei to Play Aunt May in New 'Spider-Man'

It's funny to think that just 13 years ago, we were in the midst of the summer of 2002, when Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man starring Tobey Maguire was dominating the film industry and box office.

I was heading into my freshman year of high school as the public's first foray into the cinematic world of the webcrawler was a roaring success. The film had received glowing reviews and and opened with the biggest box office weekend of all-time (then $114 million), eventually heading to over $400 million domestically and over $800 million worldwide (back then, that was pretty huge).

Obviously, two more sequels came after, followed by a reboot in 2012 with a sequel to that hitting last year, and now we have another reboot coming in 2017. This one though, is being headed by Marvel Studios and will be connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the next 10-15 years.

How time flies.

With our new Spider-Man cast in Tom Holland (The Impossible) and a director found in newcomer Jon Watts, word now comes that the all important role of Aunt May (the woman who raises Peter Parker and guides him as his moral compass) will be played by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei.

Yeah that's right, Mona Lisa Vito from My Cousin Vinny will be playing Aunt May (believe it or not, she's 50 now but doesn't exactly look it). Like I said, time flies.

This casting actually makes a lot of sense given the Peter Parker/Spider-Man we'll be getting in this new rebooted series will be starting out as just a freshman in high school (ironic connection to my summer of 2002) at the age of 13-14, so Aunt May being in her late 40s, early 50s seems pretty appropriate.

There's also a rumor that she'll be making her first appearance as Aunt May in next year's Captain America: Civil War, alongside Tom Holland's new Spider-Man. We shall see on that.

Tomei is a really great actress, having been nominated for an Oscar three times (winning once, My Cousin Vinny) and appearing in numerous films like Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Wrestler and The Lincoln Lawyer. This serves as a new direction for her into studio tentpoles as she mainly sticks to dramatic work.

Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios untitled Spider-Man reboot hits theaters in a little over two years, July 28th, 2017.

Source: Variety/The Hollywood Reporter

First Set Pic of Melissa McCarthy in New 'Ghostbusters' Uniform

In terms of 80s film favorites, I like Ghostbusters but I don't necessarily LOVE it like Back to the Future.

Ghostbusters only had one sequel - an above average one at best - while Back to the Future did an entire trilogy which is still today deemed a classic.

Not to mention, the filmmakers behind Back to the Future knew both when to stop and how not to allow any type of reboot or remake from ever getting made (it's in their contracts). Ghostbusters, on the other hand, spent decades in 'development hell' trying to get a 3rd film off the ground before finally succumbing to an all-female led reboot hitting theaters next year. I'm pretty sure it's going to end up taking less time for the new film to go from pre-production to release than it took Dan Aykroyd to write the first draft of Ghostbusters 3.

Anyway, with all that said, we finally have our first look at the new Ghostbuster leader, Melissa McCarthy, on set in full uniform:

I know, not exactly earth shattering but it's the first time we've seen anyone filming a movie with a Ghostbusters outfit in over 25 years so...plus the glasses look like a nice touch.

The new film also stars new Ghostbuster members Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, as well as Chris Hemsworth as 'the secretary' and Neil Casey recently being added to the cast as the film's villain. 

There's no official synopsis yet though there is this tidbit from the Boston Herald (where filming is currently taking place):

Wiig and McCarthy play a pair of unheralded authors who write a book positing that ghosts are real. Flash forward a few years and Wiig lands a prestigious teaching position at Columbia U. Which is pretty sweet, until her book resurfaces and she is laughed out of academia. Wiig reunites with McCarthy and the other two proton pack-packing phantom wranglers, and she gets some sweet revenge when ghosts invade Manhattan and she and her team have to save the world.

Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy) both co-writes and directs the new film, set for release July 22nd, 2016.

Source: Vulture, Boston Herald

New Official Image from 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2'

Lionsgate has released a new still from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, the conclusion to the film saga that began back in March 2012.

The final installment is set around Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and a unit from District 13 going on a mission to the Capitol to assassinate that damn President Snow (Donald Sutherland, can't stand the guy because he plays a villian so well) and end the war that has overtaken Panem.

The image features Katniss, Boggs (Mahershala Ali) - right-hand man to President Alma Coin - and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) prepping for battle.

I have not read the Hunger Games books though I did see the most recent installment of Mockingjay - Part 1, which I thought was really well done and definitely enjoyed it. I think it's rather impressive the studio, Lionsgate, has been able to get these films out within a year of each other and not only maintain quality but even surpass it.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 hits theaters November 20th, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing it.

With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claflin), and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her.  The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.

Source: Lionsgate

First Trailer for 'Creed' Starring Michael B. Jordan

When it was first announced a couple years back (July 2013 I believe) that a Rocky spinoff was in the works - based around Apollo Creed's son being trained by the Italian Stallion himself - I was quite curious.

The film would be written and directed by Fruitvale Station helmer Ryan Coogler as well as starring that film's lead, Michael B. Jordan, as the title character of Adonis Johnson. Sylvester Stallone would be back of course, this time as a supporting character in his signature role.

Creed was said to be a 'dream project' for Coogler. He always wanted to tell a story of Apollo Creed's son, whose father died in the ring before he was born, leading his family to forbid him from boxing. That, along with his natural talent, makes his desire to pursue the sport that much stronger.

Well the first trailer just hit tonight and...Wow! This. Looks. Awesome.

I don't think Sly Stallone on his best day could have directed a film that looks this good. The trailer is utterly fantastic. I can't wait to see this movie.

Why are you still reading this? View the trailer below along with the film's official synopsis.

Creed hits theaters (no pun intended) November 25th.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures comes award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s “Creed.”  The film explores a new chapter in the “Rocky” story and stars Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone in his iconic role.  The film also reunites Coogler with his “Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed.

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born.  Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.

Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer.  Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend.  Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.

With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Two New Posters Released for 'Terminator Genisys'

You know it's a slow news day - or slow weekend - when your first entry of the week is about film posters. Anyway...

Two new posters have been released for Terminator Genisys, opening tomorrow night with early pre-shows followed by it's official opening day on Wednesday. The reviews so far...haven't been great (36% currently on Rotten Tomatoes, but hey, there's only 11 reviews to count at this point).

I guess it's foolish to hope or think this film will live up to James Cameron's original two masterpieces (especially since the 3rd and 4th entries have been subpar), but if this is serviceable and falls more in line with what Cameron created, I'll accept that.

You can check out the two new posters below (the first I believe will be handed out by AMC theaters tomorrow night during early pre-shows, the second is a play on the teaser poster that was released last year with a pretty catchy tagline of 'time is the ultimate weapon').

Source: Paramount Pictues/Skydance Productions

New 'Terminator Genisys' Featurette - Sarah Connor

With it's July 1st release date fast approaching, a new featurette for Terminator Genisys has been released, this one focusing on Emilia Clarke's Sarah Connor.

Having recently re-watched The Terminator, I can definitely say for sure that Clarke shares a strong resemblance to the original Sarah Connor, Linda Hamilton. With that said, I'm still not sure what to make of this movie. I want to believe it will be good, but the more footage I see, the more it looks like your typical, modern day action film with plenty of CGIed special effects and average at best writing to move the story along.

I believe its actually having its world premiere tonight in Berlin, Germany and the press was given their screening yesterday so reviews and reaction should be hitting early this week. If its positive buzz, I can see the film doing solid business over the long 4th of July weekend. However, if the buzz is bad (which, let's be honest, the very well could happen), I can truly see this film doing very poorly during the holiday weekend and not being well received at all. Its just got a lot to overcome.

Anyway, you view the new featurette below with the film's official synopsis as well.

Terminator Genisys officially hits theaters next Wednesay, July 1st.

When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Now, Sgt. Reese finds himself in a new and unfamiliar version of the past, where he is faced with unlikely allies, including the Guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger), dangerous new enemies, and an unexpected new mission: To reset the future.

Source: Paramount Pictures/Skydance Productions

Julia Stiles Returning for 'Bourne 5'; Viggo Mortensen Offered Villain Role

A lot of people like to cite The Dark Knight Trilogy as their favorite trilogy over the past 10-20 years. However, for me, one that seems to be forgotten quite often and in my opinion is actually BETTER is that of The Bourne Trilogy starring Matt Damon.

I remember watching the first film, The Bourne Identity, on HBO I think about a year after it came out and loving the movie. Then The Bourne Supremacy hit theaters in 2004 (which I didn't go see) but ended up buying it on DVD along with the first film and watching them both a number of times. Finally, The Bourne Ultimatum hit in 2007 and I did in fact go see this one in theaters. It was a great movie and capped off what was at the time and still is, one of the best action movie trilogies of all-time and probably in the top 10 of best film trilogies, period.

With all this, I was rather shocked and ecstatic last year when news came that Matt Damon was returning for his 4th outing as Jason Bourne along with director Paul Greengrass (he helmed Supremacy and Ultimatum). It was always widely known that Damon wouldn't come back unless Greengrass was directing and that seemed unlikely given the filmmaker's sour relationship he had with the studio, Universal, after making another Damon action film, Green Zone in 2010. But, I guess time does indeed heal all wounds, and now we have the currently untitled Bourne 5 hitting theaters next July 29th, 2016 (by the way, the fourth entry - The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner that was released in 2012 - I didn't see it and have no interest. Heard it wasn't very good).

While nothing has been released in terms of story for Damon's next outing as Bourne, we now have learned that Julia Stiles (who appeared in all three original films as covert agent Nicky Parsons) will be back for the next installment. She joins Alicia Viklander (Ex Machina) who is also in talks to join the cast. Stiles played a small role in the first film, a bit larger role in the second, and definitely a key role in the third as it was hinted her character and Damon's Bourne had a romantic relationship at one point. It's unclear what significance she will have this time around.

To top this all off, word also comes that Viggo Mortensen himself (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - yeah, I guess I forgot about that one, never saw) has been offered the role as the film's villain, an assassin tracking Bourne. Mortensen would certainly be a 'get' for the project as the man is very picky with his roles, but obviously when he does decide to do anything, he's friggin fantastic (see A History of Violence, great movie).

I'm curious if more cast members from the original trilogy will be back for this one. Joan Allen's Pamela Landy certainly comes to mind, along with David Strathairn's Noah Vosen, who both appeared in The Bourne Legacy as well. Maybe even Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross will make an appearance. 

We shall see, but I'm definitely excited for this one. Probably my most anticipated movie of 2016.

Source: Variety

Jack Huston Departs 'The Crow'

When it comes to the new adaptation of The Crow that Hollywood has been trying to do for years, you have to wonder if the project is cursed by the ghost of Brandon Lee.

That's not to say the franchise's legacy is on solid ground (three really bad direct-to-video films followed the original), but it's starting to become apparent that maybe the 1994 classic should be left alone to age like a fine wine.

Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) - who was set to star just three short months ago - has dropped out of the project due to 'scheduling issues'. This comes after Luke Evans (Dracula Untold) - who had been attached to star for almost two years - dropped out back in January because he was tired of waiting and wanted to pursue other projects. Not only that, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) was supposed to direct, then unknown director J. Javier Gutierrez, with newcomer Corin Hardy signing on to helm back in December (do we start the countdown now of when he'll go?).

This news all comes after things were starting to look up for the project with Andrea Riseborough (Oblivion) being eyed to play the film's villain just last month, and Academy Award winner himself, Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), entering talks today for an unspecified role.

The director, Hardy, had this to say regarding Huston's departure:

“Jack Huston is unfortunately unavailable to continue with us on ‘The Crow'. [It] is an amazing project, and I am grateful that we have the time and patience to get it right. We look forward to unveiling our new lead and starting to film over the next several weeks.”

I'm not sure if it's 'creative differences' the numerous lead actors are having with the studio but it's very obvious this project is troubled and has been through the ringer in terms of getting it on track. Word is that the studio, Relativity, is now looking at Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class) and Jack O'Connell (Unbroken), among others, as replacements. O'Connell definitely has the talent, but I'm not sure if he's the right guy for this role. Same for Hoult.

Relativity actually released a statement regarding Huston's departure too:

“Jack is a remarkably gifted actor, and we look forward to working with him in the future. Corin Hardy has a tremendous vision for ‘The Crow,’ and we are working closely with him to continue prepping the movie and supporting him as he brings his vision to the bigscreen.”

The studio is definitely persistent in getting this film made and, who knows, it could end up being a solid movie. I think they really need to score a good lead for the film and get production underway. Once some promo pics are released, maybe with a effective trailer, things can start to turnaround.

Until then...

Source: Variety

New Featurette Released for 'Terminator Genisys'

A new featurette has been released for the upcoming 5th entry in the Terminator franchise, Terminator Genisys. While the one released a few days ago centered on series creator James Cameron singing the film's praise (which I'm still shocked about and you can view here), this one details Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 character, or 'Guardian/Pops' as he's referred too:

As a lifelong, die-hard Terminator fan, I am still very much on the fence about this movie, deciding if I should jump in or bail the heck out. While the visuals from the footage seen do look great along with some of the casting being spot-on (Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor), I'm not sure what to make of the the whole Back to the Future Part II twist on the first two films to create this one.

I like how the filmmakers involved are trying to honor the beloved The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, I'm just wary of them tarnishing the story from both those films by completely messing with that timeline. But as they say, that's Hollywood for you.

One last thing, why has there been no footage shown of Matt Smith in this movie? You know, everyone's favorite Doctor Who who (no pun intended) hasn't been seen in any trailers or TV spots for this film. I remember last year when he was announced to be joining the cast, the studio never announced who he was playing and besides that awful Entertainment Weekly photoshoot the actors did last fall (see below), Mr. Smith has been nowhere to be found. I'm just surprised since the guy has a loyal following of fans who would be eager to see him in this movie if they actually knew he was in it. Maybe he's playing a surprise character and they're trying to keep it secret until the film's released? WHO knows (pun intended).

Regardless, I very likely will be seeing Terminator Genisys opening weekend, I just hope it isn't a disappointment.

The film opens Wednesday, July 1st starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Byung-hun Lee, J.K. Simmons and Matt Smith.

Source: Paramount Pictures/Skydance Productions