‘The Tragedy Of Macbeth’ Teaser: Denzel Washington Has Blood On His Hands In Joel Coen’s Shakespeare Adaptation

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December 21, 2021

The trick to adapting Shakespeare is to find a way to give the material your own voice, a spin that is unique. For Joel Coen, working for the first time without his brother Ethan, it’s perhaps essential that his solo debut, The Tragedy of Macbeth, also be a way for him to show what kind of filmmaker he can be. It’s material everybody knows, but Coen has found a way to make sure his version will be at the top of conversation this awards season: cast Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand.

Undeniably, the biggest draw for The Tragedy of Macbeth is its two leads. You simply don’t get much better than Denzel and McDormand. And sure enough, the reviews for both performances have been soaring since the film debuted at New York Film Festival. Surrounding them in the cast are Corey Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Melling, Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, and Kathryn Hunter. Moses Ingram, Ralph Ineson, Sean Patrick Thomas, Brian Thompson, and Richard Short.

Here’s the very brief synopsis: Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in Joel Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation; a tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning.

The Tragedy of Macbeth opens in select theaters on Christmas Day, before moving to Apple TV+ on January 14th 2022.

New Trailer For Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Death On The Nile’ Works Around The Armie Hammer Problem

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Travis Hopson

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December 21, 2021

I’m not going to lie; I laughed out loud a lot at this new trailer for Death On the Nile. While Kenneth Branagh is currently eating up all of the accolades for his film Belfast, the starry studio pic he did before that has been in release date Hell. The last trailer we got for it was in summer 2020, with an expected fall release date. COVID messed that all up. Not to mention there’s that whole Armie Hammer problem. A problem that is still so big that he can barely be noticed in this trailer at all, with whoever edited it working overtime to reduce his appearances to quick cuts and barely-noticed reaction shots.

The focus is clearly on star Gal Gadot, and why wouldn’t it be? She stars alongside Branagh who returns as Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, brought in to solve a murder on a glamorous riverboat. Also in the cast are Annette Bening, Rose Leslie, Russell Brand in a rare acting role, Tom Bateman, Ali Fazal, Letitia Wright, Dawn French, Sophie Okonedo, Emma Mackey, and Jennifer Saunders. And Armie Hammer. Let me know when Poirot finds all that footage of Hammer that seems to have been lost.

Death On the Nile will finally launch on February 11th 2022.

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this dramatic tale of love gone wrong features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement.

‘Legion Of Superheroes’ Adult Animated Series Coming To HBO Max From Writer Brian Michael Bendis

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Travis Hopson

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December 21, 2021

Even if you don’t know the name Brian Michael Bendis, chances are you know some of the characters he’s created. Miles Morales, the Spider-Man you loved from Into the Spider-Verse? He was first in the pages of Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man. Dig the Jessica Jones series on Netflix? She was first in Bendis’ Alias comic, one of my all-time favorites. He also created Echo, who can be seen right now in Hawkeye and will soon have her own Disney+ show. Bendis has also written a lot of shit, but he has been a force in the world of Marvel comics for a couple of decades. That makes the news of his first major series project being a DC Comics property somewhat ironic.

Bendis revealed that he has been hired to bring the Legion of Superheroes to HBO Max as an animated series geared towards adults. It makes sense to have Bendis on this as he wrote the most recent version of the team in a comic that concluded back in January.

The Legion of Superheroes is a team in the 30th and 31st century who idolize the heroes of today. In the original version they worked alongside teenaged Clark Kent/Superman. Founding membership included Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad, but the roster has swelled into the dozens. The “controversial” bisexual Superman, Jon Kent, recently spent time in the future as part of the team.

“Facts: its very early goings but I can tell you This will be an adaptation of the ‘Legion of Superheroes’ that Ryan Sook and I have been working on the last few years,” Bendis said. “And just like that series, on sale now, it will harken back to so many classics while at the same time doing what Legion does: pushing all the ideas of superheroes forward in every direction. I think ‘Legion of Superheroes’ is among the greatest franchises in the history of comics and I’m as honored to be curating them as I was ‘Spider-Man.’”

This could be really cool, and I’m surprised it’s taken this long for Bendis to get a gig like this. Ava DuVernay is currently adapting Bendis’ most recent creation, Naomi, into a series on the CW.

‘The Batman’ Is Standalone But Robert Pattinson Would “Love” More, Moody New Motion Poster Released

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

Warner Bros. has yet to commit to a sequel to The Batman, but with other projects set in that world, including a Penguin series and one featuring Gotham City PD, it’s clear they have big plans for that world. But as far as Matt Reeves’ vision for the Dark Knight, this story is meant to be a standalone, with potential for more.

Producer Dylan Clark told Empire…

“Warner Bros. has a multiverse where they’re exploring different ways to use the character. We don’t get involved in that. Matt is interested in pushing this character to his emotional depths and shaking him to his core.”

Robert Pattinson still has to win over the fans with his version of Bruce Wayne, but he’s already got thoughts about where Batman could go, and he’s thinking trilogy…

“I’ve made a kind of map for where Bruce’s psychology would grow over two more movies,” Pattinson says. “I would love to do it.”

No matter what happens, I doubt we’re going to see Pattinson face-to-face with Michael Keaton or Ben Affleck in the DCEU. I look at this new movie as off on its own like Christopher Nolan’s stuff.

Meanwhile, Reeves has also dropped a moody new motion poster for The Batman, which features the hero brooding in the blood rain background. We also see The Riddler’s infamous question mark symbol, teasing their eventual showdown.

The Batman opens in theaters on March 4th.

Question everything.#TheBatman pic.twitter.com/OUOkscOdK0

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) December 20, 2021

Jamie Foxx’s Electro Rumored For Solo ‘Spider-Man’ Spinoff Movie

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

Of all the Spider-Man franchise characters we’d least expect to get their own movie, Electro is probably one. Well, that is before Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the reclamation project led by Jamie Foxx’s showstopping performance. I mean, he made Electro super cool and a Helluva lot better than he was in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

So here come the rumors about the future of Electro. Murphy’s Multiverse says “Sony is now interested in developing an Electro solo project starring Foxx.”

As weird as this sounds, I quite like the idea. The Max Dillon/Electro we saw in No Way Home was so different than before, and they did a lot of work in giving him a moment of reflection alongside Andrew Garfield’s version of Spidey. If we were to see Electro again, chances are he’d be trying to atone for his crimes, which is a pretty good starting point for a movie.

Keep in mind this is all rumor for now, and Sony has a lot of projects coming up already. If true, I’m guessing an Electro movie would be far down the road.

‘Euphoria’ Season 2 Trailer: Zendaya Carries Around Her Baggage In Return To HBO’s Critically-Acclaimed Series

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

A lot has changed since we last saw HBO’s critically-acclaimed series Euphoria. That was way back in summer of 2019, by the way. COVID has hit this show particularly hard, and while there were a couple of specials to acknowledge the pandemic and move stories forward, a proper second season finally arrives next month, bringing Zendaya back to the role that won her an Emmy.

Only now, Zendaya is a much bigger star than she was when the first season concluded. Will that lead to more eyeballs on the show that deals with addiction, love, identity, heartbreak, friendship, and so much more. Based on what we see here, Zenday’s recovering addict Rue is quite literally dragging her baggage around with her. How that ends up impacting this thing she has for Jules (Hunter Schafer), we’ll just have to wait and see but something tells me whatever is in Rue’s bag is going to be a disaster.

Zendaya is surrounded by an incredible ensemble that includes Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Algee Smith, and Sydney Sweeney. The series was created by Sam Levinson, who directed Zendaya in her most dramatic film to date, Malcolm & Marie. Excellent film and she’s great in it. She’s also in the #1 movie in the world right now, something called Spider-Man: No Way Home. Heard of it?

Euphoria season 2 hits HBO on January 9th 2022.

‘The Northman’ Trailer: Alexander Skarsgard Stars In Robert Eggers’ Bloody Viking Revenge Saga

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

Robert Eggers, the director who gave us incredible horrors The Witch and The Lighthouse, is back with The Northman, his take on an Icelandic Viking revenge saga. Yes, please!

The film is based on the Scandinavian legend of Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out to get revenge for the murder of his father. The story of Amleth directly inspired William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which should tell you a lot about the source material. Eggers will make that shit messed up and twisted as fuck, which is what we want from him.

Alexander Skarsgard stars as Amleth, joined by a mix of Eggers favorites and newcomers. Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Dickie, and Ralph Ineson return from The Witch, with Willem Dafoe back from The Lighthouse. They’re joined by Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Claes Bang, Murray McArthur, Gustav Lindh, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Ian Gerard Whyte, and singer Björk in her first feature since 2000’s Dancer in the Dark.

The Northman opens on April 22nd is one of the year’s most anticipated films. Will it live up to the hype? This trailer sure suggests that it will.

Giveaway: Enter To Win NO TIME TO DIE On Blu-Ray!

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

We’re happy to offer our readers the chance to win a Blu-Ray combo pack of No Time to Die, featuring the final performance of Daniel Craig as James Bond!

SYNOPSIS: James Bond is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service. However, his peace is short-lived as his old CIA friend, Felix Leiter, shows up and asks for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain who’s armed with a dangerous new technology.

No Time to Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and co-stars Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, and more.

To enter, simply complete the Rafflecopter contest form below! One winner will be selected on Friday, December 24th and notified by email. Good luck!

No Time to Die will be available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD on 12/21.

The ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts’ Trailer Is Missing Someone Very Important

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Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

Warner Bros. and HBO Max have been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, a film that launched one of the studio’s biggest franchises ever. And what better way to do that than to bring back all of the huge stars who have been part of it. Some of them have popped up in the recent game show series hosted by Helen Mirren, but the best have been saved for the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts event. EVERYONE is going to be there…well, almost everyone. A pretty big name is missing.

Now, I’m guessing this will change, but author JK Rowling’s name is missing from the list of people who will be part of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. Of course, stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint are there, along with pretty much everybody who mattered in the cast and even some of the directors. But you don’t see Rowling’s name listed, and that probably has to do with the transphobic comments she’s made that have alienated a good chunk of fans.

To be fair, there are fans both in support of her absence and those who don’t like it one bit. Me, I think WB is right to leave her out of the marketing but she ought to be there in the show itself. The Potterverse wouldn’t exist at all without her.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts hits HBO Max on January 1st 2022.

‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ Teaser: Michelle Yeoh Stars In Netflix’s Live-Action Prequel To Their Hit Series

By

Travis Hopson

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December 20, 2021

Netflix knows a good thing when they’ve got it, and they aren’t waiting around to give their subscribers more of it. The Witcher has been one of the streamer’s biggest shows, and already we’ve seen an animated spinoff film, and now the live-action prequel series, Blood Origin, which stars the always-awesome Michelle Yeoh.

Set 1200 years before the events of the core series with Henry Cavill, Blood Origin follows the creation of the first Witcher, and involves ancient Elven civilizations and events surrounding the “Conjunction of the Spheres” when the worlds of men, monsters, and elves merge into one.

This was the series that Jodie Turner-Smith was originally supposed to lead, but she dropped out and was replaced by Sophia Brown. She plays Elle, a warrior of the Queen’s guard who strikes out on her own. Also in the cast are Laurence O’Fuarain, Lenny Henry, and Mirren Mack.

The Witcher: Blood Origin hits Netflix in 2022.