SPOILERS ‘Venom’ Director Explains Why Carnage Wasn’t The Movie’s Villain

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October 8, 2018

In case you missed it, Sony’s Venom movie devoured box office records with $205M over the weekend, reviews be damned. Audiences were clearly curious to see how Spider-Man’s frenemy would fare on his own, especially after hearing about Tom Hardy’s off-the-wall performance. Whether this success stretches for a few weeks is uncertain, but we do know plans for a sequel were teased by the movie’s mid-credits sequence.

Woody Harrelson’s casting wasn’t a secret, although Sony did their best to keep his role as the symbiote villain Carnage under wraps. He doesn’t play a role in the story at all but does appear in a brief, Hannibal Lecter-esque cameo after the credits, and frankly it’s as weird as the rest of the movie. Like so much of Venom it feels wildly out of place but there’s something fun about it that makes you wish there were more. So…well, why wasn’t there?

Director Ruben Fleischer explains to Collider why they didn’t just go ahead and make Carnage the villain rather than Riz Ahmed’s boring ol’ corrupt corporate suit…

“We felt strongly that the first movie needed a place to build to, and that by … Carnage is the character I think fans, and everyone wants to see the most, in the Venom world, but we didn’t want to spoil it on the first movie. The first movie is all about Eddie and Venom, and their relationship, and establishing the character. Then from there, it felt like we wanted to give them a place to go. So, choosing their most formidable adversary felt like a great, natural sequel.”

I can see where he’s coming from, and the jury’s out whether it’s a good idea to go with the top heel in the first movie or not. Christopher Nolan waited until The Dark Knight to get around to Joker, but Sony’s first Spider-Man flick sure enough had Green Goblin in it. Ultimately, nobody will care if Venom does well enough that we get to see Carnage in full at a later date.

‘Bodied’ NSFW Trailer: Eminem-Produced Satire Is Battle Rap Meets Street Fighter

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John Nolan

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October 8, 2018

While we’ve seen issues of race, toxic masculinity, and economic disparity tackled in more serious films already this year, I guarantee there won’t be a more entertaining approach than in Joseph Kahn’s rap battle flick, Bodied. A standout on the festival circuit praised for Kahn’s unique visual style and reliance on his music video background, the film boasts the star power of Eminem as a producer, and once you see the trailer it’s easy to see why the white rapper from Detroit who dropped a diss track on Donald Trump would be so interested.

Bodied stars Calum Worthy (American Vandal) as Adam Merkin, a liberal grad student whose thesis on use of the N-word in hip-hop gets him pulled into the world of underground rap battles. After dropping some hot fire himself, he becomes the protegee of legendary battle rapper Behn Grymm (ATL‘s Jackie Long), and must learn to cope with the aggressive racism and sexism inherent to the culture. Rory Uphold plays Adam’s woke girlfriend, while Dumbfoundead, Walter Perez, Shoniqua Shandai, Charlamagne tha God, Dizaster, Hollow da Don, Debra Wilson, and Anthony Michael Hall make appearances.

I saw the film at Sundance and loved the explosive Street Fighter-esque energy Kahn brings to the battle matches.He and co-writer Kid Twist have some provocative ideas that could prove sensitive, and I’m dying to see what the reaction will be once more people hear them out.

Bodied hits theaters on November 2nd, and YouTube Red on November 28th.

Producer Dashes Hopes Of A Female James Bond

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Travis Hopson

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October 8, 2018

With Bond 25 likely to be Daniel Craig’s last go as James Bond, there’s been a lot of talk about the future of the character and the franchise. And many are thinking now may be the time to add some diversity to the role, rather than sticking to the all white male standard that has been in place for more than half a century. We’ve seen Idris Elba top a lot of wish lists to be the new 007, but there’s also been some talk about having a woman cast as Bond.

While some fans may be excited by this prospect, the only one whose opinion really matters is producer Barbara Broccoli, and she made it very clear in a new interview with The Guardian that to her, James Bond will always be a guy.

“Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”

That may be disappointing to hear but it shouldn’t be surprising. The Bond franchise has been notoriously slow to evolve because, frankly, its never really needed to. I don’t foresee that changing any time soon if ever. I also agree that some characters are perfectly fine as they are, and Bond is one of them.

Broccoli may not want Jane Bond 007 under her watch but she is open to the idea of a female director being hired, a first for the franchise whenever it might take place…

“Yes, absolutely. As a female producer, of course I’d like to do that.”

Somebody get Kathryn Bigelow on the line, STAT.

Bond 25 is set to open in 2020 with Cary Fukunaga (definitely a dude) behind the camera.

DC Readers: Win Passes To A Free Screening Of ‘First Man’

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John Nolan

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October 8, 2018

We’re happy to offer our DC readers the chance to attend a free early screening of First Man, a reunion of La La Land director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling, who plays astronaut Neil Armstrong.

SYNOPSIS: On the heels of their six-time Academy Award®-winning smash, La La Land, Oscar®-winning director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reteam for Universal Pictures’ First Man, the riveting story behind the first manned mission to the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the decade leading to the historic Apollo 11 flight. A visceral and intimate account told from Armstrong’s perspective, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the film explores the triumphs and the cost—on Armstrong, his family, his colleagues and the nation itself—of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

The screening takes place tomorrow, Tuesday October 9th at 7:00pm at AMC Mazza Gallerie. If you’d like to attend, simply complete the Rafflecopter contest form below. Winners will be selected tonight at 8pm, so don’t waste time! Good luck!

First Man opens in DC on October 12th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sophia Lillis To Star In ‘Gretel And Hansel’; Janelle Monae Joins “Lady And The Tramp’, ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Cast Adds Eddie Marsan

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John Nolan

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October 8, 2018

It breakout Sophia Lillis isn’t making things easy on herself. She followed up the Stephen King adaptation with a role in HBO’s disturbing Sharp Objects series, and now Lillis has taken on yet another horror role, this one based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Lillis will star in Gretel and Hansel, a twist on the story about a brother and sister who venture into a dark forest and stumble upon a witch’s home made of gingerbread. Bad things happen. This version will be directed by Oz Perkins (The Blackcoat’s Daughter) and is described as “being set a long time ago in a distant fairy tale countryside and focuses on a young girl who leads her little brother into a dark wood in desperate search of food and work, only to stumble upon a nexus of terrifying evil.” Next up for Lillis are reprising her Beverly Marsh role in It: Chapter Two, and then solving mysteries in Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase. [THR]

Hidden Figures and Moonlight‘s Janelle Monae is the latest to add her voice to Disney’s live-action Lady and the Tramp film, which will premiere on their upcoming streaming service. Monae will voice Peg, who in the original movie was a Shih Tzu Maltese who sang the song “He’s a Tramp”, and I’m guessing that track will be reimagined with the R&B star in mind. She joins a cast led by Tessa Thompson and Justin Therou as the titular canines, with Thomas Mann, Kiersey Clemons, Benedict Wong, Ashley Jensen and Yvette Nicole Brown part of the cast, which will combine CGI animation with live-action. Charlie Bean (The Lego Ninjago Movie) will direct. [Deadline]

Eddie Marsan has worked with director David Leitch on two previous occasions, appearing in both Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2. So it only makes sense he’d return for Leitch’s next film, the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw. Marsan will join Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, and Vanessa Kirby for a “small but significant” role in the action flick, but that’s all we know about his part. Marsan is versatile as Hell. In 2013 he couldn’t have starred in movies any more different than Still Life, The World’s End, and Filth, but he did it and was great in all of them. Hobbs & Shaw opens September 2nd 2019.

‘Shoplifters’ Trailer”: Hirokazu Koreeda’s Latest Looks To Steal Hearts And Awards

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John Nolan

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October 8, 2018

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda took a brief respite from the family dramas to direct The Third Murder, a legal thriller that did well on the Japanese festival circuit but wasn’t met with his usual acclaim. Perhaps everyone was waiting for Shoplifters, which he debuted at Cannes earlier this year and won the Palme d’Or, the director’s second Cannes victory. Now the film prepares to hit theaters stateside, where many already think it the frontrunner for Best Foreign film at the Oscars.

Shoplifters reunites Koreeda with many of his regulars, like Lily Franky and the late Kirin Kiki, telling the story of a poor family who are only able to get by through petty thievery. When the father takes in a young abandoned girl she quickly becomes a part of their lives and they adopt her, although secrets from her past test the bond they share. Koreeda found some of the best box office success of his career with this film and an Oscars run will only take it to the next level. This is playing at Middleburg in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to be there.

Shoplifters opens on November 23rd.

Podcast: Superhero Fatigue? Remakes? Do VENOM and A STAR IS BORN Shut The Critics Up?

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John Nolan

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October 8, 2018

On this week’s show, me and fellow PDCer Roxana Hadadi take a look at two important films for this season. Sony’s VENOM is the launch of their new cinematic universe but is Tom Hardy’s bizarre performance enough for fans? And does its box office success signal an end to the conversation about “superhero fatigue”? Plus, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s A STAR IS BORN has a ton of Oscars momentum behind it. Has Cooper found the formula for doing remakes the right way?

All this and more, so tune in and join us for another great show! And be sure to follow my podcast Cinema Royale here on Blogtalkradio as part of Critical: The Movie Critics Network!

Box Office: ‘Venom’ Devours $205M Debut, ‘A Star Is Born’ Glimmers With $42M

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John Nolan

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October 7, 2018

1. Venom (review)- $80M
It’s too soon to say that Sony has found their next big franchise with the massive $80M domestic, $205M worldwide debut of Venom, but it’s a damn good start. I’m hesitant to jump the gun simply because we expected long-running returns after The Amazing Spider-Man‘s initial success, and then things fizzled out. But let’s talk about the now, which is everything Sony could have hoped for in launching their curious non-Spidey cinematic universe. While the reviews weren’t great, Tom Hardy’s unhinged performance as Eddie Brock has been praised even among the detractors, and if you just want to see Venom eating people’s heads…well, you get that too. So sure, there’s a curiosity factor in there that may cause a big drop next week, but then you never know. The reaction has been strong enough that Sony should feel confident in moving forward with their other projects, and it also should bode well for the upcoming Into the Spider-Verse animated movie, which Venom teases after the credits.
2. A Star is Born (review)- $41.2M/$42.6M
Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut A Star is Born got off to a rockin’ good start with $42.6M, after opening a little early for previews. Oscar buzz has been swirling not only for him but Lady Gaga in her biggest screen role, and that no doubt was a factor in these numbers. This is a good old fashioned star-driven drama based on one of Hollywood’s most classic, oft-told stories. They don’t come around often anymore and audiences were dying to see it.
3. Smallfoot– $14.9M/$42.7M
4. Night School– $12.2M/$46.7M
It was a sharp 55% drop for last week’s number one movie, Night School, but the Kevin Hart/Tiffany Haddish comedy still holds a solid $46M domestic. It was always going to be tough sledding this week with Venom and A Star is Born sucking all the air.
5. The House with a Clock in its Walls– $7.2M/$55M
6. A Simple Favor– $3.4M/$49M
7. The Nun– $2.6M/$113.3M
8. Hell Fest– $2.07M/$8.8M
9. Crazy Rich Asians– $2.06/$169.1M
10. The Predator– $900K/$49.9M

‘The Umbrella Academy’: First Look At Ellen Page And Mary J. Blige In Netflix’s Superhero Series

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John Nolan

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October 7, 2018

It was inevitable that Netflix’s expansion into original programming would include a superhero series of their own, and the first will be an adaptation of The Umbrella Academy, the popular indie comic from My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. The first images from the series have now been revealed, including a look at two of its biggest stars: Ellen Page and Mary J. Blige.

I can’t believe Mary J. Blige is in The Umbrella Academy. That’s so awesome.

The Umbrella Academy centers on a dysfunctional super family fighting to save the world in an alternate universe where President John F. Kennedy was never assassinated. The seven were “adopted” at birth by their mentor/father Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a billionaire industrialist with a secret of his own. Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, David Castañeda, Aidan Gallagher, and Cameron Britton co-star, with Steve Blackmon (Fargo) serving as exec-producer.

Here’s the synopsis: On the same day in 1989, forty-three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a billionaire industrialist, who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his “children” to save the world. But not everything went according to plan. In their teenage years, the family fractured and the team disbanded. Now, the six surviving thirty-something members reunite upon the news of Hargreeves’ passing. Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Vanya and Number Five work together to solve a mystery surrounding their father’s death. But the estranged family once again begins to come apart due to their divergent personalities and abilities, not to mention the imminent threat of a global apocalypse.

The Umbrella Academy hits Netflix on February 15th 2019.

Superheroes Get The Finger In First Trailer For ‘The Boys’ TV Series

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John Nolan

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October 7, 2018

I’ll admit, my interest in Vertigo Comics adaptation The Boys has waned from the days when it was being considered for a feature-length movie. Now an Amazon series with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg as exec-producers, their second time adapting a popular Garth Ennis comic book following the success of AMC’s Preacher, it took up a prominent slot at this weekend’s New York Comic-Con where the show debuted the first trailer. If you know anything about Ennis and the way he likes to subert genre and themes, then you’ll recognize his sense of humor immediately.

The Boys takes place in a world where superheroes are mostly accepted and seen as corporate-owned celebrities. In reality they are screwed up and corrupt, believing their powers put them above the law. That’s where The Boys come in, a super-powered vigilante group charged with keeping other supers in check.

Karl Urban stars as The Boys’ team leader, Billy the Butcher; Laz Alonso as Mother’s Milk, Jack Quaid as Wee Hughie, Karen Fukuhara as The Female, Tomer Kapon as Frenchie, Erin Moriarty as Starlight, and Elisabeth Shue as Madelyn Stillwell. The surprise casting revealed at NYCC was Simon Pegg as Wee Hughie’s father. Fans will remember that Wee Hughie’s design was based on Pegg, and it was long hoped that he would some day play the role. I guess this is as close as it will ever forget. Pretty cool.

The Boys hits Amazon next year.