The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he’s still about to be punished! THR and other outlets are reporting that Jon Bernthal will suit up as The Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, joining Tom Holland, in the film from director Destin Daniel Cretton.
This comes after Bernthal reprised his Frank Castle/Punisher role from the Netflix series, debuting as part of the MCU in Daredevil: Born Again. Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil previously showed up in Spider-Man: No Way Home, linking these characters closely to Spidey as they are in the Marvel Comics. Punisher’s first comic book appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man in 1974. Spidey and Daredevil are perhaps Marvel’s most popular superhero team-up. It wouldn’t be surprising if more Daredevil stars are included, perhaps adding Cox himself and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin?
Other new additions to the cast include Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink, and The Bear actress Liza Colón-Zayas. It’s expected that Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return but nothing has been made official.
This is beginning to sound like a major shift in creative direction for the MCU, turning away from the Multiverse stuff that audiences have largely rejected. With The Punisher also receiving a “Special Presentation” episode on Disney+, it’s like Marvel is turning more towards the gritty, street-level stories.
The plan is for shooting to begin this summer, in time for Spider-Man: Brand New Day to hit theaters on July 31st 2026.
Sure, that one creepy infected dude in the 28 Years Later trailer kinda looks like Cillian Murphy, but it ain’t him. Promise! We’ve known for a while that he wouldn’t be reprising his role as Jim in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s long-awaited sequel, but he will be showing up in the next two movies. In a new interview with Variety, the duo reveal the size of Murphy’s role in Nia DaCosta’s upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and in the third movie…
“[Murphy] appears briefly in Nia’s film,” Boyle confirmed. “I don’t think that’s giving too much away, and our plan is that he will be an enormous character in the third film in the way that Jack O’Connell’s character — who you see briefly at the end of the first film — is an enormous character with Ralph Fiennes in the next film.”
Boyle’s comments also confirm that Ralph Fiennes’ role as Dr. Kelson continues into the next movie, which makes sense if you’ve seen what he’s up to in 28 Years Later.
Murphy played the protagonist Jim in 2002’s 28 Days Later. He was one of the first characters to encounter the rage virus, and it’ll be interesting to see where he is now and how he figures into the story. Garland admitted that the script for the third movie is unfinished…
“The script isn’t written. It’s strange: there’s a story, there’s a plan, there’s a structure. These three films are in some ways distinct from each other, in other ways interrelated, because there are characters that have a through line throughout all of them, although they are also essentially separate stories. It makes it, in filmmaking terms, have something in common with television. Both Danny and I have worked at some point on television, and TV has a slightly more organic element about the way things can unfold. So people might write a whole story arc, but then they will discover in the shooting how that story arc really lands.”
In my review, I comment that 28 Years Later isn’t so much a horror movie as it is a coming-of-age story. Garland talks about the tone of this new trilogy and how it keeps changing…
“I think that, having written the first one, in many ways I didn’t know at that point what the film would be, because there’s a whole set of discoveries left to uncover. The same is also true with the second film. So I had to understand something about what Ralph Fiennes is going to create with Danny, to be able to lean to that. There is always a gap between the thing that exists on the page, as it’s gone through the filter of many people’s imaginations and agendas and preoccupations, and then again in the edit.”
While DaCosta’s film is set to open on January 16th 2026, the third movie is undated and could be a while. Garland adds…
“So short answer: I’ve got the idea, I’ve got the plan, but there’s not a script. I’m waiting to see what happens, I suppose.”
It’s taken years, but Chad Stahelski’s Highlander reboot is finally gearing up at Amazon MGM, which shelled out big money to grab it from Lionsgate back in April. Henry Cavill is set to swing the sword as the titular immortal, and now we know that he’ll be joined by another big star, Russell Crowe.
Collider reports that Crowe has joined Cavill in the Highlander reboot. He’ll take on the role of Cavill’s mentor, in what sounds like a new take on Sean Connery’s part as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez in the 1986 film.
Stahelski hopes to turn Highlander into a hit franchise, just as he did with John Wick. His most recent film, John Wick: Chapter 4, earned $447M. We’ve never seen what Stahelski can do outside of John Wick. Can he replicate that success? At the very least, we know he’ll bring his signature style of action to the story of immortals swordfighting one another for supremacy.
Crowe had a busy 2024 in which he starred in four movies: Land of Bad, Sleeping Dogs, The Exorcism, and Kraven the Hunter. He was also seen, in his younger, more physically-ripped form, in Gladiator II. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Crowe’s next film, the historical drama Nuremberg, and how it could send him back to Academy Awards glory.
The plan is for Highlander to begin shooting in September. It had originally been set to begin in January, but Stahelski took time away to help elevate the action in Ballerina, which is open in theaters now.
It’s a new world out there for James Bond. With Amazon MGM in charge now, and new producers in David Heyman and Amy Pascal, it’s unclear how the estimable super spy will look the next time we see him. An actor still needs to be named, and that hunt has been going on for years. But a director for the next film also needs to be found, and Puck has the shortlist of the final five contenders, with some pretty big names on the list.
The reported nominees to direct Bond 26 are All Quiet On the Western Front and Conclave director Edward Berger, Dune‘s Denis Villeneuve, Scott Pilgrim director Edgar Wright, Westworld‘s Jonathan Nolan, and surprisingly, Paddington director Paul King.
Berger’s name has been on the list for a while, and he’s already had a pitch meeting with producers. Villeneuve has openly expressed interest, but with Dune: Messiah coming up it could be tough for him to add Bond to his busy slate.
Nolan, Wright, and King seem like outsiders, but one of them could be a sneakily brilliant pick. A potential hurdle for Nolan is that he has no feature directing experience, but he’s written with his brother Christopher Nolan on The Prestige, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. King’s forte is wholesome fare such as Paddington and Wonka, so this would be something new for him. I’m kind of curious to see what he’d do with 007, honestly. Wright has the most experience in the action genre with Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and his upcoming remake of The Running Man. We could only hope that he’d cast his Cornetto pals Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the film, too. Pegg as Q would be brilliant.
To my mind, Berger, Villeneuve, and Wright are the most obvious choices. But who knows what the producers and Amazon/MGM are thinking? If it’s important to them that the director be from the UK, then that leaves out Villeneuve, but he’s also got the most experience in the blockbuster field.
Everything is wide open right now. Who would you pick to direct the next James Bond? Perhaps someone not on this list? I’d love to see a woman, maybe Kathryn Bigelow, get a shot.
Toxie fans, the wait is almost over! Nearly two years since Macon Blair’s The Toxic Avenger debuted at Fantastic Fest, the film is finally set to hit theaters in August. With Peter Dinklage starring and early reviews absolutely raving about it, the delay has been pretty disheartening, especially with some insiders calling the film “unreleasable” due to the extreme level of gore and violence. Fortunately, Cineverse and Iconic Events Releasing swooped in to save the day as distributors, and with it being an unrated version, it guarantees there should be some fun midnight screenings for gorehounds coming up.
A new red band trailer has dropped ahead of The Toxic Avenger‘s release. Emmy-winner Dinklage plays the downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze who, after a catastrophic toxic event, transforms into the world’s most radioactive superhero, battling corporate corruption and protecting the people he loves.
Also in the cast are Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, Jacob Tremblay, and Jane Levy. A real A-list crew for this reboot of the Troma classic.
SYNOPSIS: In THE TOXIC AVENGER, when a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.
The Toxic Avenger hits theaters on August 29th. Honestly, I can’t wait to see this with a packed crowd of fans!
On the latest episode of Cinema Royale, me and Joblo.com’s Chris Bumbray couldn’t stop raving about F1! The most immersive, exhilarating racing film ever? We discuss not only how great this movie is and why it must be seen in IMAX, but we also surmise that it must’ve made Tom Cruise super jealous! How dare Brad Pitt take HIS director, Top Gun: Maverick‘s Joseph Kosinski, and make such an awesome, technological powerhouse with such death-defying race sequences? You know what? Cruise is going to run out and make Days of Thunder 2 now! Just you watch. And he’ll probably get Kosinski to direct it! Take that, Brad!
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It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about Netflix’s live-action Dragon’s Lair movie, based on the classic 1980s video game that revolutionized arcades with its cartoon graphics and smooth cinematic style. Announced back in 2020, the film now may have a director as THR confirms The InSneider‘s report that James Bobin is in talks for the job.
Bobin, best known for directing The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted, is nearing a deal to direct Netflix’s Dragon’s Lair movie. Ryan Reynolds had been attached to produce and star as the bumbling knight, Dirk the Daring. In the years since, he has dropped out of the lead role but remains aboard as producer.
Also producing is animation legend Don Bluth, whose visuals powered Dragon’s Lair to become one of the most popular arcade games of the ’80s. Bluth is also known for his iconic films such as The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, All Dogs Go To Heaven, Anastasia, and The Land Before Time.
Dragon’s Lair is a comedic fantasy adventure centering on Dirk the Daring, who clumsily embarks on a quest to save the beautiful Princess Daphne from the dragon Singe and the evil wizard Mordroc.
Mixing humor and adventure is what Bobin does best, so this seems like the right fit. Critical will be who is cast as Dirk the Daring, and with Reynolds out of the mix it’ll be interesting to see who steps in.
Bride Hard wants to be a Paul Feig movie so bad. Known for his female-led comedies in the late 2000s and 2010s, Feig is known for his acute ability to combine humor, pathos, and action to move the story along in memorable and hilarious ways. The essence of his best, such as The Heat, Spy, and of course Bridesmaids, make up the DNA of Bride Hard without any of the tact and care that those films are known for. Instead of a smart and funny commentary on female friendship, it’s a cliché, harshly written money grab that gives female-led casts a bad name.
Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp, known for their work on Pitch Perfect together, reunite as two lifelong friends who face a crossroads in their relationship. Camp plays Betsy, a thirty-something bride who is very excited to get married to the wealthy Ryan (Sam Huntington). She harbours resentment and frustration towards her best friend Sam (Wilson), who is married to her job. Sam also happens to be a government asset. This is sort of where the story goes off the rails.
After ditching Betsy and the rest of the bridal party in Paris for a mission and subsequently getting demoted from Maid-of-Honor, Sam attends the wedding on Ryan’s family’s island. Not only is her relationship with Betsy icy, but she is getting left out by the rest of the bridal party, including Ryan’s controlling sister, Virginia (Anna Chlumsky), and Betsy’s college roommates, Lydia (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Zoe (Gigi Zumbado). When the ceremony is crashed by a dangerous cartel member (Stephen Doff), Sam and Betsy must put everything aside to save the day.
To say this script is a hodge-podge of cliches and plot devices would be an understatement. Nothing is really developed; every line feels flimsy. There are no emotional stakes. The stars director Simon West brings together give wooden and goofy performances. Rebel Wilson lacks the comedic precision and believability to be a secret agent. She is no Melissa McCarthy, who gives an underrated performance in Spy.
Anna Camp plays the damsel in distress best friend as obnoxiously over-the-top as possible. Every reaction is overdrawn. At one point, she comes bounding into the room as if she is on Lassie, screaming about how her friend is really alive. The tone, the cadence, everything— very Lassie-like. The characters may be written as caricatures, but Camp’s one-note performance doesn’t do the film any favors.
There are so many elements of this film that are just off. From the blatant product placement for Lay’s, Sun Chips, and E.L.F. cosmetics to the awkward pacing, there’s so much that doesn’t work in Bride Hard. The action scenes were long and boring. I felt myself falling asleep during one at the end. It is also worth mentioning that Sam’s family owns a centuries-old distillery in Savannah that is not not a plantation. Like, they have cannons on the property but don’t mention its history at all. The whole thing is weird.
The best part of Bride Hard is Da’Vine Joy Randolph. She is witty and beautiful and not in the film enough. When she is, she’s in a completely different movie, a better movie I can stand watching. She deserves better. Women in general deserve better.
Bride Hard is in theaters today. Watch the trailer below.
Luca Guadagnino’s Sgt. Rock movie for DC Studios was shelved mere weeks before shooting was to begin this summer. The reasons were unclear. It followed original star Daniel Craig dropping out, with Colin Farrell eyed to replace him. So there was some talk it could’ve had to do with scheduling, but it seems the problem is deeper and has to do with its creative direction.
James Gunn, who as the co-chief of DC Studios likely made the decision to nix Sgt. Rock, told EW that the reason was it didn’t live up to his standards creatively…
“I feel like we’re in a pretty good place. We’re still moving forward, but it’s not going to be…What would Peter want me to say here? … So it’s still moving forward, but, yeah, right now it wasn’t exactly where I wanted it to be creatively, and so it needs to change a little bit.”
Gunn is referring to Peter Safran, the other co-chair with DC Studios.
Contrary to my assumption made in April, the problem with Sgt. Rock appears to be Justin Kuritzkes’ screenplay. Kuritzkes worked with Guadagnino on Challengers and Queer, and my guess is that he’s going to stick around to try and get it right. Guadagnino likes to stick with the people he trusts and has brought back cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and costume designer Jonathan Anderson. So this project isn’t dead, but it could be a long while before we see it.
Dave Bautista might not brawl in a WWE ring anymore, but a good bar fight? He’s still down for that. We might want to wait for more official confirmation on this, but Nexus Point News is reporting that Bautista has joined Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House 2. That should be quite the showdown.
Assuming, of course, that Bautista will play some kind of antagonist. His character is reportedly a former fight cut from the same cloth as Gyllenhaal’s Dalton. Yep, sounds like slugfest is in the works for those two.
The sequel to Amazon/MGM’s smash hit will be directed by Guy Ritchie, which is interesting in and of itself. Will Beall (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F) wrote the script with filming to begin in September.
Bautista’s casting ushers in a new crop of characters, meaning much of the Road House cast won’t be coming back. That’s a shame, because I thought they had a pretty fun ensemble in the first one.
Coming up for Bautista is a voice role in The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender. He’ll also reunite with his See co-star Jason Momoa in action comedy The Wrecking Crew, and with Samuel L. Jackson in Afterburn.
