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‘Rebel Moon’: Zack Snyder To Direct ‘Star Wars’/Kurosawa Inspired Sci-Fi Film At Netflix

By
Travis Hopson
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Zack Snyder joins with UFC for MMA film BRAWLER

Remember that Seven Samurai-influenced Star Wars movie Zack Snyder pitched nearly a decade ago? It obviously never came to pass, but it is finally happening. Sorta. And where else, at Netflix, home of his recent zombie heist flick Army of the Dead.

According to THR, Snyder’s next film is titled Rebel Moon, and that title REALLY sounds like it should be for Star Wars, right? Well, it’s not. However, it is sci-fi heavily influenced by Star Wars and the influential movies of Japanese legend Akira Kurosawa, whose samurai films including Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Hidden Fortress, and others are stone-cold classics.

Co-written by Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Kurt Johnstad, Rebel Moon is “a story is set in motion when a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius. Desperate people dispatch a young woman with a mysterious past to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them make a stand.”

I love this because it shows Snyder continuing to move on and do his own thing, no more bullshitting around with Warner Bros. And if Netflix can be the place for him to make his kind of movies the way he wants to make them, then I’m all for it.

 

‘The Purge 6’ Could Happen And James DeMonaco Wants Frank Grillo Back For It

By
Travis Hopson
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FRANK GRILLO as Leo in "The Purge: Anarchy." ©Universal Pictures.

So you’re saying there’s a chance?

The Forever Purge opened last week, delivering another uncomfortably dark reflection of our toxic politics. Franchise creator James DeMonaco has long had designs on this being the finale, the “final” Purge, so to speak, and in my review I said this was a good way for it to come to an end with a final, if somewhat ominous, message of unity. Well, it might not be over, after all.

Speaking with Slashfilm, DeMonaco says he has an idea for another Purge film that may have been inspired by Blumhouse’s Jason Blum. Even better, DeMonaco wants Frank Grillo to return and be part of it…

“As for Jason [Blum], Jason probably did get into my head, because about three months ago, I did come up with what I think could be part six. We will see. We’ll see,” DeMonaco said.

He continued, “Dude, my ‘Purge 6’ idea is all about Frank [Grillo]. It’s all about the Leo character. Without giving anything away, I think he’s off on his own, but he’s going to be called back into action, hopefully on ‘Purge 6,’ if we’re lucky enough to do it. I hope that Leo comes back. That’s the goal. When I came up with ‘Purge 6,’ he was the center of the idea. I’m hoping that we get to do that with him.”

Grillo starred in both The Purge: Anarchy and The Purge: Election Year, but has not been a part of the last two films. It always seemed to me that he would carry on as the central focus, so to bring him back is a pretty good idea.

This next part I find interesting because it seemed to me back when I spoke to DeMonaco years ago that he always knew there was potential for franchise growth…

“We never saw the potential for anything larger than a cult thriller or something like that,” he explained. “Jason’s the one who saw the conceit, and Universal saw that the conceit can be somewhat, well, it could be universal, could be commercial. We just saw it so dark and so dystopian and nihilistic that we didn’t see the potential.”

I don’t care,  I just love these movies and am happy they’ve continued exactly as they have. This hardly makes for an official confirmation of The Purge 6, but as I said in the beginning, you’re telling me there’s a chance.

 

Ryan Coogler Teaming With Shaka King And Lil Rel Howery For A Political Insurrection Movie

By
Travis Hopson
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Ryan Coogler is a very busy man, even when he’s not behind the camera shooting Marvel blockbusters like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Next week he’ll lend his producing powers to Space Jam: A New Legacy, and of course he’s developing another Creed sequel with his friend Michael B. Jordan. But Coogler has another idea in mind that guarantees to be hot-button stuff, and it will be alongside Judas and the Black Messiah director Shaka King.

Variety reports Ryan Coogler, Shaka King, producer Charles D. King, and Get Out actor Lil Rel Howery are joining forces on a film about American political insurrection. Given the events of January 6th, this couldn’t be more topical or potentially explosive. Coogler and both Kings are expected to produce, while Shaka King will direct and Howery will star. Sounds about right.

Everyone involved are very familiar with one another. Shaka King is coming off the six Oscar nominations for Judas and the Black Messiah, which Coogler and Charles D. King produced and Howery had a small role in.

No further details at this point, like how who will take on the script. But think about if this were an insurrection movie from the Black perspective? If Black people had charged into the Capitol on January 6th the government response would’ve been very different. I wonder if that’s the direction they’re taking?

Whatever they decide to do, with this level of talent and the topic involved this is one to keep an eye on.

New Trailer For ‘The King’s Man’ Examines The Legacy Of The Series

By
John Nolan
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I’m going to say it, the Kingsman series is one of the most underrated action franchieses of the last 10-years. Yes they’re a bit cheesy, even offensive in parts, but they are SO much fun. The King’s Man the third film in the series, and a prequel looking at the start of the espionage organization, was a casualty of the COVID schedule switcheroo. We are finally going to get to see the film December 22nd, 2021, a full year and a half after it’s original intended release. The upside? A second bite at the marketing campaign that’s requiring them to dig a bit deeper then the first time around, the result is trailers like the ‘Legacy’ trailer we got today. Tons of new footage cut with DVD extra style interviews looking at the film itself and where it fits into the series at large.

While I’m still not happy Taron Edgerton isn’t front and center, I take alot of solace in the fact that Djimon Hounsau and Gemma Arterton are two of the folks taking his place. While they are my favorites of the group, there isn’t a slouch in the main cast which is also comprised of Ralph Fiennes, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, and Charles Dance

Check out the trailer below and look for The King’s Man in theaters on December 22nd, 2021

 

Official Synopsis: 

As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King’s Man.

Production Details: 

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Based on the Comic Book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons
Produced by: Matthew Vaughn, David Reid, Adam Bohling
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance

Tom Hardy To Get His First Writing Credit For ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’

By
Travis Hopson
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If the ridiculously titled Venom: Let There Be Carnage turns out to be twice as bonkers as the first, we only have Tom Hardy to thank for it. Why? Because this time he’s actually getting a writing credit, the first of his career.

The hit 2018 film, which went on to earn $856M worldwide, was written by a trio of writers including Kelly Marcel. Marcel goes it solo for the sequel, but shares a story credit with Hardy. It’s a partnership that goes way back, according to her comments to Empire…

“This is new for him, to get credit, but it’s not new for him to be this involved. He’s absolutely 100 per cent committed to everything that he does…He’s married to Venom. He loves this character. He’s very involved in what he thinks should happen.”

A “story by” credit doesn’t mean Hardy actually wrote out the screenplay, but he was a heavy contributor in shaping the plot and direction of the characters.

“He doesn’t get a pen and write. We spent months breaking the story together on FaceTime, riffing on ideas, seeing what worked, seeing what didn’t. Then I took everything we spoke about and holed up somewhere for three months quietly, knocking out a script.”

The way Marcel describes it, Hardy must’ve had a lot to do with the first film as well. Their working relationship extends back to Hardy’s breakout role in Bronson back in 2008. Marcel was a script editor back then.

I’m curious to see what Hardy’s influence was on Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Will more heads be eaten as a result? Let’s hope so.  The film hits theaters on September 24th.

 

 

 

Hugh Jackman Trolls Fans With Wolverine Return Tease

By
Travis Hopson
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Hugh Jackman engaged in some epic fan trolling yesterday. Everyone knows that fans are having a tough time imagining anybody other than him as Wolverine, and Jackman played into that on Instagram by teasing a possible return now that the X-Men are under the Marvel Studios banner.

It began with Jackman posting a piece of Wolverine fanart by Boss Logic. Okay, he’s done stuff like this before. Even though he has “retired” from playing Wolverine, Jackman loved his time in the role and still looks back fondly on it. But then he went and did the damn thing that sent the Internet into a frenzy, by posting a photo of himself alongside Marvel chief Kevin Feige.

See, that’s just wrong. Jackman knew the reaction this would get and he did it anyway!

Now, Jackman and Feige are buds so it’s possible he’s just posting a photo of a friend.  Could I see Jackman doing something with Feige in the future? Absolutely. I mean, Feige is working on a Star Wars movie, right? That makes more sense to me than to a full-fledged return as the clawed Canadian X-Man.

As far as we know, the X-Men won’t appear in the MCU for a few years as part of Phase 5. Jackman is already 52 years old and doesn’t want to be as ripped physically as the role demands. Can’t blame him. Chances are someone else will suit up as Wolverine. Or maybe Jackman will cameo as Old Man Logan someday.

Cinema Royale: Talking ‘The Tomorrow War’, ‘The Forever Purge’, Best Movies Of 2021 So Far

By
Travis Hopson
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On this week’s Cinema Royale, we’re past the halfway point of 2021! Can you believe it? What better time to look at our picks for the best movies of the year so far. Will some of your favorites make our cut?

Plus, we travel into the future with Chris Pratt in Amazon Studios’ The Tomorrow War, and try to survive the night with The Forever Purge!

All of this and more!

You can subscribe to Cinema Royale wherever you get your podcasts! Follow the Punch Drunk Critics and Cinema Royale!

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RIP: Richard Donner, ‘Superman’, ‘Lethal Weapon’, ‘The Goonies’ Director Dead At 91

By
Travis Hopson
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Sad news today as Superman and Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner has passed away. He was 91 years old. The news was revealed by his wife, X-Men producer Lauren Schuler Donner.

For many of us of a certain age, Richard Donner was a fixture of our childhoods. He showed us that a man could leap tall buildings with a single bound and could fly with 1978’s Superman. That was one of those films that was integral to the success seen now by Warner Bros. and Marvel Studios in their own superhero movies.

Before that, Donner began his film directing career in 1961 with the Charles Bronson/Mary Tyler Moore test pilot drama X-15. His big breakthrough was in the 1976 horror classic, The Omen.

Donner was prolific in the 1980s, especially for those of us who grew up in the era. He helmed the problematic (but still uncomfortably funny) 1982 comedy The Toy, and of course he was the guy who gave us one of the most iconic action franchises ever with Lethal Weapon. Donner would go on to direct all four Lethal Weapon films, the latest in 1991.  He has also been part of discussions on a fifth movie.

Along the way, Donner gave us other nostalgic classics such as The Goonies, Radio Flyer, Ladyhawke, Maverick, and Scrooged. Towards the tail end of his career, Donner slowed down considerably. He directed an adaptation of Michael Crighton’s Timeline in 2003, concluding with 2006’s Bruce Willis thriller 16 Blocks. He was also a producer on two X-Men movies, joining his wife who produced all of them.

Donner was integral to the development of my cinematic tastes, and I will be forever grateful.

Our condolences go out to Donner’s family and friends.

Stephen Dorff Sh*ts On ‘Black Widow’, Says He’s “Embarrassed” For Scarlett Johansson

By
Travis Hopson
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Jealousy is an ugly thing. Case in point: Stephen Dorff. Once considered one of Hollywood’s bad boys with films such as Blade, S.F.W., and Cecil B. Demented, he’s not really in the upper echelon anymore. And so he’s taken to trashing others who are, such as Scarlett Johansson and her upcoming Black Widow, which he calls “garbage” even though he hasn’t seen it.

Dorff spoke with The Independent to promote his recent MMA drama Embattled, which I thought he was truly excellent in. During the interview, he set his sights on Johansson and Black Widow, while claiming the only reason he doesn’t star in big blockbusters like that is because he only wants to work with rising star filmmakers.

Sure, dude.

“I still hunt out the good shit because I don’t want to be in ‘Black Widow,’” he said. “It looks like garbage to me. It looks like a bad video game. I’m embarrassed for those people. I’m embarrassed for Scarlett! I’m sure she got paid five, seven million bucks, but I’m embarrassed for her. I don’t want to be in those movies. I really don’t. I’ll find that kid director that’s gonna be the next Kubrick and I’ll act for him instead.”

Look, he might be genuine here. Dorff isn’t the first actor to shun the spotlight for smaller movies by future legends. However, it’s the venom he has Johansson and Black Widow that outs him as being envious. He could have simply said “I’m not really into blockbusters anymore” and everyone would’ve understood.

Dorff also took a shit on the recent Oscars telecast while blasting the entire industry for apparently not being as smart as him.

“This year’s Oscars were the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen,” Dorff said. “My business is becoming a big game show. You have actors that don’t have a clue what they’re doing. You have filmmakers that don’t have a clue what they’re doing. We’re all in these little boxes on these streamers. TV, film – it’s all one big clusterfuck of content now.”

So when Dorff eventually signs to play someone’s Dad in a Marvel or DC movie, just remember this whole rant, okay?

John Cena’s A Bloody Mess In First Look At ‘Peacemaker’

By
Travis Hopson
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When The Suicide Squad opens in just over a month, it will be only our first introduction to John Cena as Peacemaker. The character, a sort of dark twist on The Punisher, will have his story continue in an HBO Max series from James Gunn and now Empire Online has our first look.

Cena’s a bloody mess in the first Peacemaker image, seen here chatting with Gunn who will direct five of the series’ eight episodes. We still don’t know any story details, although that’s probably so nothing from The Suicide Squad gets spoiled. One thing we can probably count on is that Peacemaker will be a douchebag on the big and small screen.

“Peacemaker’s a piece of shit,” Gunn says. “He’s not a good guy. And he wears the goofiest costume you’ve ever seen in your life.”

“Peacemaker has a clear set of ideals that I find really interesting. You know: ‘I want peace no matter how many men, women and children I need to kill to get it.’ Sounds like nonsense, but it also makes a lot of sense. And you see in John’s performance how he does not feel good about it – something I thought was the seed of an entire eight-episode show.”

Gunn describes the series as a “big science-fiction story” and will in some way have Peacemaker contending with a world that has Batman, Superman, and Aquaman in it, something that is not easy for him to do.

Cena adds, “This guy is a loud, obnoxious, bro-ey douchebag. That sucks. But why? At what point did he become such a douchebag and what does that mean? There’s a lot to dive into there.”

Peacemaker hits HBO Max in January 2022. The Suicide Squad opens August 6th.

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