Steven Spielberg’s 2026 UFO Film Moves Away From ‘Avengers’ And ‘The Mandalorian’

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February 19, 2025

Steven Spielberg's UFO movie is touching down at a later date

The movie release schedule in 2026 is going to be crazy, and we’re seeing just how much by the fact that Steven Spielberg’s untitled blockbuster is fleeing its release date. Universal Pictures has moved Spielberg’s sci-fi UFO movie penned by David Koepp from its May 15th 2025 slot to June 12th. That avoids the unfavorable position it had between Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian & Grogu. While analysts were salivating at the potential heavyweight showdown, clearly Universal execs were less thrilled.

There’s another reason for this move, however. Director duo The Daniels’ follow-up to Everything Everywhere All At Once is further behind and so the event film has vacated the June 12th spot with a new date to be announced soon.

Spielberg’s movie, rumored to be titled Disclosure, has a cast led by Josh O’Connor (Challengers), Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), and Eve Hewson (Flora & Son). The UFO film is based on an original idea by Spielberg, scripted by Jurassic Park writer David Koepp.

The move is an easy win for Spielberg. On June 12th his film will face the Scary Movie reboot. A week earlier is the live-action Masters of the Universe, while a week later on June 19th is Toy Story 5.

‘Freaky Tales’ Trailer: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn & More Star In Fleck & Boden’s Wild Oakland Comedy

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Travis Hopson

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February 18, 2025

Pedro Pascal in Freaky Tales — Freaky Tales

Among the Sundance regulars that I know, there’s been no question asked more than “Where the **** is Freaky Tales at?” Last year’s opener, a wild nostalgic hodge-podge of an Oakland comedy from Park City royalty Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden (Half Nelson, Sugar, Mississippi Grind) has sat on the shelf for too long, mostly because its rights belong to Lionsgate and…well, you know the kind of 2024 they had. Finally, the film is going to hit theaters next month and it should be an easy favorite for indie and genre fans alike who are looking for something quirky with a bit of everything.

Freaky Tales is an anthology film set in 1987 Oakland, CA, with each connected story taking place in real locations during one very special night. The crazy array of vignettes give you punks vs. neo-Nazi fights, rap battles, an NBA star’s roller coaster evening, corrupt cops, Bruce Lee-style martial arts, and so much more.

And if you’re an old school rap fan who recognizes the movie’s title, you won’t be surprised to know that rap legend Too Short is both an exec-producer and an actor. The film’s impressive ensemble includes Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn (he’s been in every Fleck and Boden film), Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, the late Angus Cloud, Keir Gilchrist, and Tom Hanks.

Without giving anything away I’ll just say that Hanks is incredible in this. He’s only funny like this nowadays when he guests on SNL.

SYNOPSIS: Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters — an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector — on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles. Executive produced by hip-hop pioneer Too $hort, and featuring an all-star ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, Angus Cloud, and Tom Hanks, this pulpy blend of explosive action, edgy humor, gory kills, and sly twists and turns makes for one wild ride.

Freaky Tales finally hits theaters on April 4th.

‘Cleaner’ Interview: Daisy Ridley Talks Sky High Fight Scenes And Getting Back Into The Action

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Travis Hopson

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February 18, 2025

Daisy Ridley stars in CLEANER on February 21st

Since her time fighting stormtroopers as Rey Skywalker came to a (temporary) end, Daisy Ridley has stayed about as far away from action roles as possible. She’s intead flexed her dramatic muscles again in films such as Young Woman and the Sea, The Marsh King’s Daughter, and Magpie based on a story of her own making. But now Ridley’s getting back in the fight with Cleaner, a film that finds her fighting terrorists from inside and outside of a skyscraper.

Cleaner pairs Ridley up with veteran Casino Royale and Goldeneye director Martin Campbell. The two worked so well together that they instantly set out on another action flick, Dedication, that opens in a few months. Perhaps this can be the begining of a long-lasting partnership?

Here’s the Cleaner synopsis: Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. Their just cause is hijacked by an extremist within their ranks, who is ready to murder everyone in the building to send his anarchic message to the world. It falls to an ex-soldier turned window cleaner, played by Ridley, suspended 50 storeys up on the outside of the building, to save those trapped inside, including her younger brother.

I had a chance to speak with Daisy Ridley about her time on Cleaner, and she talked about the honor of working with Campbell and what they have in common from a filmmaking standpoint. She also talked about the physicality of the role, and what it was like to shoot a movie that required being suspended so high off the ground.

Cleaner opens in theaters on February 21st. Check out the interview below, and please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for more!

‘Eric LaRue’ Trailer: Michael Shannon’s Directorial Debut Arrives In April, Stars Judy Greer And Alexander Skarsgard

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Travis Hopson

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February 18, 2025

Nearly two years ago at Tribeca, Michael Shannon premiered his directorial debut, Eric LaRue. Today, Magnolia Pictures has set an April 4th theatrical release while also revealing the trailer, which features star Judy Greer as a grieving mother in the wake of a tragedy perpetrated by her son.

Eric LaRue is directed by Shannon from a script by Brett Neveu adapted from his 2002 stageplay. Greer plays Janice, who is attempting to move on after her son murdered three of his classmates. She’s struggling to reconnect with her faith ahead of meeting some of the victims’ parents. Alexander Skarsgard plays her husband Ron who has found comfort at a new church.

Joining Greer and Skarsgard in the cast are Alison Pill, Tracy Letts, Paul Sparks, and Annie Parisse.

Shannon told Deadline about the importance of making this film for him as it touches on the subject of gun violence which has been plaguing this country for too long…

“Eric LaRue is as meaningful to me as any work I’ve done as an actor, and my intention was to make a film that perhaps could offer healing of some sort around an issue that has confounded us as a country for quite a long time. That issue being gun violence in schools and the infinite ripple effect it has on our society.”

‘Dope Thief’ Trailer: Brian Tyree Henry And Wagner Moura Star In Apple Crime Series Produced By Ridley Scott

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Travis Hopson

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February 18, 2025

Wagner Moura and Brian Tyree Henry in DOPE THIEF

In a short amount of time, Brian Tyree Henry has elevated his career from a supporting player to a headliner, and after a busy 2024, he’s now got one of 2025’s most anticipated shows. Apple has debuted the trailer for Dope Thief, a new series starring Henry and Civil War actor Wagner Moura and executive produced by Ridley Scott.

Created by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Peter Craig (The Town), with the first episode directed by Scott, Dope Thief is based on Dennis Tafoya’s book about two Philly buddies whose small-time grift exposes something bigger than they ever could’ve imagined.

Joining Henry and Moura in the cast are Marin Ireland, Kate Mulgrew, Nesta Cooper, Amir Arison, and Ving Rhames.

Henry is an exec-producer along with Craig, who will also direct an episode.

SYNOPSIS: Based on Dennis Tafoya’s book of the same name, the series follows long-time Philly friends and delinquents who pose as DEA agents to rob an unknown house in the countryside, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they unwittingly reveal and unravel the biggest hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern seaboard.

Dope Thief hits Apple TV+ with two episodes on March 14th. New episodes debut weekly after that.

‘The Odyssey’ First Look: Matt Damon Is Odysseus In Christopher Nolan’s Greek Epic

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Travis Hopson

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February 17, 2025

Because Christopher Nolan movies never miss, Universal Pictures knows they have a big hit on their hands with The Odyssey. They aren’t wasting any time building up the hype for the upcoming blockbuster, by today releasing the first look at Matt Damon as Odysseus, the tragic hero of Homer’s epic poem.

Production is underway on The Odyssey, and the new image shows Damon in classic Greek soldier garb as Odysseus. Events should be after the fall of Troy, as Odysseus and his men face many trials on the journey home, including the deadly Cyclops, the seductive sirens, the deceptive goddess Circe (who turns them into pigs), and more.

Joining Damon in the cast are Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, and Mia Goth.

An interesting note is that Nolan was offered the directing gig on 2004’s historical epic Troy, which precedes events in The Odyssey, but turned it down to do Batman Begins.

It remains to be seen how closely Nolan follows the mythological aspects of the story, or if he strips them out in favor of something more grounded as seen recently in The Return.

The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17th 2026.

Review: ‘Cleaner’
Daisy Ridley Fights Terrorists From A Mile High In Martin Campbell's Nostalgic 'Die Hard' Clone

By
Travis Hopson
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At 81 years old, veteran filmmaker Martin Campbell is moving faster than ever. He doesn’t seem to be attempting to capture the old glories of Casino Royale and Goldeneye, but to working with the top female action stars of today. As such, we’ve seen him direct Maggie Q (The Protege), Eva Green (Dirty Angels), and now Daisy Ridley for the Die Hard-esque actioner, Cleaner. While it doesn’t come close to reaching Campbell’s greatest highlights, it’s a solid, topical thriller that puts Ridley in the role of a hero who saves the day without the Force on her side.

Ridley plays ex-soldier Joey Locke, kicked out of the military for something that sounds vaguely insubordinate. It doesn’t take us long to figure out that Joey is living life by the seat of her pants. She’s already late for work, where she washes windows at the massive One Canada Square skyscraper in London, but must race to scoop up her autistic bro Michael (Matthew Truck), a Marvel fanatic (he carries a toy Thor hammer around everywhere) who has been causing trouble. She’s forced to bring him in to work with her on the worst day possible. The morally questionable Agnian Energy is holding a lavish gala, only for it to be hit by eco-terrorists led by Marcus (Clive Owen) who wants them to admit their blatant corruption to the world. However, there’s mutiny in the ranks as his second-in-command Noah (Taz Skylar), one of Joey’s co-workers, has more extreme plans in mind.

Cleaner takes its time to get rolling, as much of the film deals with Joey trying to sort out what to do with Michael, who is a bit of a headache and someone she is ill-equipped to watch over. She can barely take care of herself, by all appearances. We learn a little about her backstory that informs her heroic efforts later, but honestly, the script by a trio of writers (including Captain America: Brave New World‘s Matthew Orton) doesn’t tell us much because it doesn’t have to. Less is usually more when you just want to watch the good guy fight baddies and save the day.

For much of the film Joey is stuck on the outside looking in from her window-washing scaffold, and her goal isn’t to fight terrorists but to get Michael the Hell out of there. But once she finds a way in, those old soldier instincts kick right in…after a bit of urging from the impotent police force down on the ground. Campbell’s veteran skills at choreographing action kick into gear, and Ridley seems to relish getting physical again after taking quite a few movies off from it. She can kick butt without the need for a lightsaber. Better use of the skyscraper’s levels and architecture in staging the fights would’ve been appreciated, as would more time for Owen who seems to have been there only to return a favor.

Ridley and Campbell enjoyed working together so much that they’re working on another action flick, Dedication, which has a very similar premise minus the towering locale. If Cleaner is any indication, it’ll be another well-made, but not entirely memorable, slice of action movie nostalgia.

Cleaner opens in theaters on February 21st.

‘Goodbye June’: Kate Winslet To Direct And Star In Netflix Family Drama

By

Travis Hopson

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February 17, 2025

Kate Winslet to make directorial debut with GOODBYE JUNE

It’s been a long time coming, and Kate Winslet is finally moving from in front of the camera to behind it. THR reports the Oscar winner will make her feature directorial debut with Goodbye June, a film that is being set up with Netflix.

Winslet will direct and star in Goodbye June, and she’s surrounded herself with co-stars who also know a thing or two about earning accolades. Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, and Helen Mirren will join Winslet in the cast.

The script is by Joe Anders, who happens to be Winslet’s son with ex-husband Sam Mendes.

Netflix describes the England-set family drama as a “touching, yet humorous” drama, “which sees a fractured group of siblings pull together under sudden and trying circumstances.”

Winslet most recently starred in Lee, playing war photographer Lee Miller in a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Riseborough also featured in that cast.

Box Office: ‘Captain America’ Bravely Debuts With $100M Despite Poor Reviews

By

Travis Hopson

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February 17, 2025

Captain America: Brave New World led the President's Day weekend

Captain America: Brave New World (review)- $88.5M

Marvel’s first big movie of the year, Captain America: Brave New World, got off to a hot start over the President’s Day weekend with $88.5M, $100M if including all four days. The film is the first solo outing for Anthony Mackie as Captain America, after having the shield passed to him by Chris Evans in 2019. The timing was right, as Black History Month undoubtedly factored into the attendance. Of course, there’s also the presence of Harrison Ford, the debut of the Red Hulk, and curiosity over Mackie’s performance. This is the fourth highest-grossing President’s Day debut ever. The film added another $92M overseas for an overall haul of $192M. Whether this equates to a long-term run is unclear, but the reviews weren’t great and that could be a problem. The film has one of Marvel’s lowest Rotten Tomatoes critical scores at 50%, while the audience score is more favorable at 80%.

2. Paddington in Peru (review)- $13M

Paddington in Peru, the third film in the beloved franchise and first without director Paul King, has been out overseas since November, but it finally opened here in the States. The marmalade-loving bear couldn’t compete with Captain America, earning $13M which is just slightly better than what Paddington 2 did in 2017. That said, it still has a 94% RT critical score and 90% with audiences so people still love it. Worldwide the film has $131M.

3. Heart Eyes– $10M/$21.5M

4. Dog Man– $9.7M/$66.8M

5. Ne Zha 2– $7.2M

6. Love Hurts– $4.3M/$12.2M

7. Mufasa: The Lion King– $4.1M/$240.7M

8. One of Them Days– $2.9M/$43.5M

9. Companion– $1.87M/$18.7M

10. Becoming Led Zeppelin– $1.81M/$5.4M

[BoxOfficeMojo]

Review: ‘Armand’
Renate Reinsve Gives Another Standout Performance In Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel's Astonishing First Feature

By
Cortland Jacoby
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There’s no doubt that Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve is a talented actress. The range she showed in 2022’s The Worst Person in the World was extraordinary, playing a twenty-something handling the emotional highs and lows of young adulthood. Since then she has mostly played supporting parts, but in the psychological drama Armand, Reinsve solidifies her talent as one of today’s best actresses.

She plays Elizabeth, a well-known actress who is summoned to her child’s school on urgent business. Armand, who we never see, is six and attending a Norwegian day school. As she speeds erratically through the windy mountain roads. We see teachers and admin talking around the meeting, how they need to try to pacify Elizabeth as soon as things start to get out of hand because they “know how Elizabeth can be.”

Sure enough, as soon as Elizabeth sits down with the teachers and administrators of Armand’s school, her defenses come up wanting to know why she is here and how bad the situation is. When the other child’s parents (Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Endre Hellestveit) come into the meeting, things slowly evolve into a cat-and-mouse-like game between the truth and the emotions driving every character. Did Armand do the thing he was accused of? Is Elizabeth a bad influence? Or is something deeper lurking between the six people in that room?

Writer and director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel expertly weaves the narrative together and holds the audience constantly in the palm of his hand. Elizabeth’s connection to the other parents is slowly revealed with mastery and intrigue, opening up the story in scope. It’s hard to believe this is his first film.

Armand is a two-hander between director and star, Reinsve clearly understands and executes exactly what Tøndel needs from her. She flips between hysteria and calm on a dime. There’s an entire scene where the camera is close-up on her and she has to laugh for a good two to three minutes before she dissolves into tears. Actresses with multiple Oscars statues to their names couldn’t do that. Reinsve gives a jaw-dropping performance that is only enhanced by Tøndel’s keen eye for storytelling. Armand is a film that the less you know going into it the better, but know you are in for a ride.

Armand is open in theaters nationwide from IFC Films.