Brett Cullen To Play Thomas Wayne In Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ Film

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September 17, 2018

More news on the Joker front, following the rather lackluster reveal of Joaquin Phoenix as the Clown Prince of Crime. Today brings word that Brett Cullen has replaced Alec Baldwin in the film, taking on the role of Thomas Wayne. If you recall, Baldwin had a cup of coffee in the role before departing, claiming that pretty much anybody could have played it. Well, Warner Bros. went out and got just about anybody to do it.

That’s not a knock on Cullen who is a perfectly fine character with a long history of comic book movie roles, including The Dark Knight Rises, Ghost Rider, and the Incredible Hulk TV series. Dude has been around for a minute, with a career spanning decades on the big and small screen. Cullen just isn’t as fun of a name as Baldwin, who might have brought something special to the role of Wayne, who is rumored to be sort of an oafish Donald Trump-esque figure.

Cullen joins Marc Maron, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, and Bryan Callen in Todd Phillips’ Joker, opening October 4th 2019. [TheWrap]

Ryan Gosling Is Planning His Next Directorial Effort, But It Won’t Be For Netflix

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

To be completely honest, I forgot that Ryan Gosling has already made his directorial debut with 2014’s Lost River. The somber fantasy film had a lot of buzz following its Cannes premiere, but not necessarily for the right reasons, and when it finally hit theaters the response was resounding silence. Now it appears he’s set to return behind the camera, and cinematographer Benoit Debie has revealed a few details to Cinema Teaser.

Debie, who worked with Gosling on Lost River and also shot Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers, confirmed his involvement in Gosling’s upcoming film. He didn’t reveal any details, however, except to say that Netflix showed interest in backing it, but that Gosling turned it down for artistic reasons…

“I have a new project with Ryan Gosling. Its financing isn’t complete and Ryan told me that Netflix offered to produce it, on the condition that he would shoot it digital. And necessarily not releasing it in theaters or barely. I told him I found it was a pity and he agreed.”

Good on Gosling for refusing to compromise his creative vision. He’s a big enough name that he can afford to be picky, knowing someone will pitch in even though his first movie was a dud. That said, we’re starting to see Netflix rethink their distribution models to include larger theatrical releases, so maybe Gosling will change his mind?

‘Bigger’ Trailer: Julianne Hough And Tyler Hoechlin Launch A Fitness Empire

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

Tyler Hoechlin is already more powerful than a locomotive in his role as Superman on CW’s Supergirl, but in Bigger he plays a regular guy who becomes the model for fitness and physical strength. Bigger stars Hoechlin as Joe Wieder, with Julianne Hough as his pinup model wife Betty, who along with his brother Ben (Aneurin Barnard) launched a fitness empire that would inspire generations.

Directed by George Gallo, Bigger chronicles the true story of brothers Joe and Ben Wieder, who overcame extreme poverty and anti-semitism to build Wieder Enterprises. They would also create the International Bodybuilding Federation and the Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, and Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests, in the process introducing the world to a young Arnold Schwarzenegger, played by Australian actor Calum Von Moger who definitely looks the part.

It’s the perfect film and role for Hough who is known as something of a fitness nut. This is a story that I’m surprised hasn’t been told in a major way before, given the impact the Wieders had in creating the wellness industry we have today.

Also starring Kevin Durand, DJ Qualls, Colton Haynes, Victoria Justice, Steve Guttenberg, Robert Forster, Max Martini, and Tom Arnold, Bigger opens October 12th in limited release.

DC Readers: Attend A Special Screening Of ‘Life Itself’ Starring Oscar Isaac And Olivia Wilde

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

We’re happy to offer our DC readers the chance to attend a special “girls night out” screening of Life Itself, directed by This is Us creator Dan Fogelman and starring Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Laia Costa, Olivia Cooke, and Annette Bening.

SYNOPSIS: As a young New York couple goes from college romance to marriage and the birth of their first child, the unexpected twists of their journey create reverberations that echo over continents and through lifetimes in Life Itself. Director and writer Dan Fogelman (“This Is Us”) examines the perils and rewards of everyday life in a multigenerational saga featuring an international ensemble including Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Olivia Cooke, Sergio Peris- Mencheta, Laia Costa, Alex Monner and Mandy Patinkin. Set in New York City and Carmona, Spain, Life Itself celebrates the human condition and all of its complications with humor, poignancy and love.

The “girls night out” screening of Life Itself will include a fun social media contest and a chance to win a “Treat Yourself” gift basket full of DryBar items! The screening takes place on Wednesday, September 19th at 7:00pm at AMC Mazza Gallerie. If you’d like to attend, register at the Amazon Studios ticketing site here.

Please remember that all screenings are first come first served and you’ll need to arrive early to ensure receiving a seat. Enjoy the show!

Life Itself opens September 21st.

‘The Girl In The Spider’s Web’ Trailer: Claire Foy Is The Protector Of Women

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

It took Sony a few years to agree to a sequel to David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and when they did it was to basically move on beyond anything he did. Not only is Fincher gone, but so too are his stars, Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig. In their place is Evil Dead‘s Fede Alvarez, Borg/McEnroe star Sverrir Gudnason, and Claire Foy in the iconic role of Lisbeth Salander, the vengeful protector of women.

All involved are looking to put their stamp on the franchise with The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and the new trailer suggests a film that will be just as violent and disturbing as the original. The barely-recognizable Foy takes on the role of Salander, the computer hacker turned vigilante who targets men who hurt females. The story is based on the fourth book in the Millennium series, penned by David Lagercrantz after author Stieg Larsson’s death. So in a way choosing this particular book to adapt is a good way to get separation from the original adaptations, including the popular Swedish versions.

Also starring Lakeith Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks, Claes Bang, Vicky Krieps, Stephen Merchant, and Saskia Rosendahl, The Girl in the Spider’s Web opens November 9th.

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Trailer: Disney Brings The Magic Back This Holiday Season

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

It only took half a century but Disney has finally embarked on a sequel to Mary Poppins. The beloved children’s classic will be revisited with Mary Poppins Returns, led by Into the Woods director Rob Marshall and starring Emily Blunt as the titular nanny. And for those worried it may not do justice to the original, all you need to do is watch the latest trailer, which more than captures that magical spirit.

Literally sweeping in from the sky, Mary Poppins returns into the lives of the Banks clan, who are in need of her uplifting charms more than ever. Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw play the now grown-up Banks children, who now have children of their own and a ton of very real problems. Nothing a few song and dance numbers can’t solve, right? Good thing Hamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda is on hand, in his first major acting role, as well as Dick Van Dyke dancing a jig that recalls his appearance in the prior movie. Also on hand are Angela Lansbury, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Pixie Davies, and Joel Dawson.

Mary Poppins Returns hits theaters December 19th.

‘Apostle’ Trailer: ‘The Raid’ Director Returns With A Gory Cult Thriller Starring Dan Stevens

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

If you’re like me, hearing “new movie by Gareth Evans” immediately causes visions of The Raid 3 dancing in your head. Sadly, that ain’t happening…yet, but a new film by the celebrated action director is exciting news no matter what, and the little bit we’ve seen and heard of Apostle has been pretty crazy. But can the director known for his insane fight flicks make the transition to something with a bit more psychological intensity?

Based on the first trailer for Apostle the answer is a definite “yes”, and Evans’ gift for maddening camera angle looks especially effective in ramping up the film’s creepiness factor. Dan Stevens stars in the horror as a man who infiltrates a religious cult to retrieve his kidnapped sister, and what unfolds is a threat that he won’t be able to punch his way out of. Alongside Stevens the film includes Michael Sheen as the cult’s charismatic leader, Lucy Boynton, Bill Milner, and Kristine Froseth.

Yeah, the plot is a little similar to The Wicker Man but this already looks a lot more gruesome. The crank of the vice, people strung up in trees…this definitely won’t be for the squeamish.

Here’s the synopsis: London, 1905. Prodigal son Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens) has returned home, only to learn that his sister is being held for ransom by a religious cult. Determined to get her back at any cost, Thomas travels to the idyllic island where the cult lives under the leadership of the charismatic Prophet Malcolm (Michael Sheen). As Thomas infiltrates the island’s community, he learns that the corruption of mainland society that they claim to reject has infested the cult’s ranks nonetheless – and uncovers a secret far more evil than he could have imagined. Written and directed by Gareth Evans (THE RAID), APOSTLE is a harrowing occult fable where the only thing more horrifying than madness is the sinister reality behind it.

Apostle will hit Netflix on October 12th.

‘How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ To Conclude Franchise

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John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

Ever since it launched in 2010, DreamWorks ‘ How to Train Your Dragon has been a massive success, both critically and at the box office. The two films have grossed over $1.1B and earned three Oscar nominations, while spawning the long-running DreamWorks Dragons TV series and a bunch of video games. It had been unclear if the third film would be a simple continuation of Hiccup and Toothless’ story of if franchise director Dean DeBlois had a conclusion in mind, but now in an interview with EW he has made it clear that this is the end of everything, both on the big and small screen.

“We thought about it for a long time and came up with what we think is a bittersweet way to say goodbye to these characters, but the right way,” DeBlois said. “You will understand why Hiccup says, as you heard in the trailer, ‘There were dragons when I was a boy.’ And by the end of this film, you’ll have answered the question [of] what could have happened to them.”

Titled How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, it finds an older, wiser Hiccup now leaving in peace as the leader of his people. Meanwhile, his dragon pal Toothless’ encounter with an untamed female mate leads to the discovery of other dragons just like him. Hiccup and Toothless must face the possibility of a future apart from one another, even as danger threatens their kind.

DeBlois adds,“The overall theme of the story is letting go, or finding the wisdom to let go, rather, [It applies to the non-human characters, too]… So much of Hiccup’s identity, as a leader and an adult, is because of his relationship with Toothless…But if Toothless is not there, who is Hiccup?”

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World opens March 1st 2019.

Here’s Your First Look At Joaquin Phoenix In Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’ Movie

By

John Nolan

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September 17, 2018

Well, we now have our first look at Todd Phillips’ Joker movie, and Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role. But you’ll probably not want to do any comparisons to past Jokers, because this look isn’t too radical. You won’t find any green hair, wild teeth, or face paint; it just looks like Phoenix if he were just an everyday schmoe.

View this post on Instagram

Arthur.

A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on Sep 16, 2018 at 12:12pm PDT

As you can see, the caption says “Arthur”, which confirms previous rumors of Joker’s name before he turned to costumed villainy. We can probably take the rest of that rumor as gospel then, which means the story will center on Arthur Fleck, a regular guy who returns home to care for his once-beautiful mother, Penny, who has become obsessed with her former employer, a guy named Thomas Wayne. Yep, Bruce Wayne’s daddy, and the role Alec Baldwin took and quickly discarded a few weeks ago. Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, and Bryan Callan are currently on board.

Joker is expected to open October 4th 2019 as part of a label separate from the DCEU, so don’t expect any crossover with any of the Justice League characters.

Kate Beckinsale Says She’s Done With The ‘Underworld’ Franchise

By

John Nolan

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September 16, 2018

The Underworld franchise has stuck around longer than I think anybody expected. Featuring vampires in an eternal feud against Lycans/werewolves, they have largely relied on Kate Beckinsale as the chief vampire warrior, Selene. There have been five Underworld movies and she has starred in four of them, most recently in 2016’s Underworld: Blood Wars, which earned a franchise low $81M overall.

While there has been talk of a sixth Underworld movie for some reason, Beckinsale says she won’t slip back into the skin-tight leather to star in it. She makes her point short and quick to Variety…

“I wouldn’t return. I’ve done plenty of those.”

Well, so much for that. I don’t know if Underworld can really thrive without her, but to be honest, Blood Wars proved that it’s not really thriving with her. So this may be the end, at least until somebody comes around and reboots the whole thing.