Lando’s Back! Billy Dee Williams To Return For ‘Star Wars: Episode 9’

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July 10, 2018

Yes, everybody loved Donald Glover’s smooth portrayal of Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story, but the O.G. he ain’t. Rumors have been swirling since The Force Awakens that Billy Dee Williams would eventually return to the role, and were sparked again just last month. Now THR has confirmed Williams will be back as the galaxy’s coolest gambler in Star Wars: Episode 9.

There couldn’t be a better time for this to happen, honestly. With Han Solo, Leia, and Luke Skywalker basically gone, Lando immediately steps in as the most senior human character from the original trilogy. He’ll probably die in a cape-related incident or something (Capes get stuck in escalators all the time, I hear) but at least we’ll get a chance to see what he’s been up to before that happens.

Williams pulled out of an upcoming event appearance due to a filming conflict, tipping people off to his casting. He joins Keri Russell as the newest faces confirmed for Episode 9, which will bring back prior stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac. While this is Williams’ first Star Wars film since 1983’s Return of the Jedi, it won’t be his first time back as Lando. He voiced the character in both Star Wars Rebels and briefly in The Lego Movie.

Star Wars: Episode 9 opens December 20th 2019.

‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ Gets Funnier As JB Smoove Joins The Cast

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

Spider-Man: Far From Home just got a lot funnier. JB Smoove will be leaving the comfy confines of Larry David’s house in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and swining over to Manhattan for the Spidey sequel.

I could be wrong there. The always-hilarious Smoove might be across the pond as the film takes Peter Parker and his friends on a European adventure. Smoove is the second new addition to the cast after Jake Gyllenhaal who signed on to play villain Mysterio. He joins the returning Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, and Zendaya. Jon Watts will once again be behind the camera.

Spider-Man: Far From Home opens July 5th 2019. [Deadline]

‘Black Panther’ Breakout Winston Duke To Play MMA Star Kimbo Slice In ‘Backyard Legend’

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

It’s time for Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War standout Winston Duke to star bulking up. While the actor was intimidating and funny as Hell as M’Baku in both films, the first of his career by the way, he’ll need to step it up to play MMA legend Kimbo Slice in the upcoming biopic, Backyard Legend.

Deadline has the news of Duke’s casting, with White Boy Rick scribe Andy Weiss writing the screenplay. Duke will take on the role of Kimbo Slice aka Kevin Ferguson, the Bahamian-born fighter who went from brawling in unsanctioned backyward fights to MMA fame. He died of heart failure in 2016.

Duke, who will also serve as an exec-producer alongside Kimbo’s friend and manager Michael Imber, had this to say…

“I’m looking forward to exploring Kimbo’s story and interrogating the expectations society places on men like him who are their own special breed of hero.”

It’s unclear if this will be Duke’s next role. He’s also attached to Us, the “new nightmare” from Get Out director Jordan Peele.

Ava DuVernay’s ‘Central Park 5’ Adds Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, And John Leguizamo

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

As we might expect from Ava DuVernay’s upcoming Netflix limited series on the Central Park 5, the talent attached to it is remarkable. DuVernay will direct every episode, joined by award-winning cinematographer Bradford Young (Solo: A Star Wars Story) and writers Robin Swicord, Attica Locke, and Michael Starberry. And now we know her cast will include Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, and John Leguizamo.

The story of the Central Park 5 has been in the news more lately because of its connection to Donald Trump. They were five Harlem teens wrongly convicted of the brutal assault and rape of a jogger in 1989. The convictions were vacated in 2002 after a serial rapist confessed to the crime. The case is notable because it’s largely believed that the five men, four of which were black and another Hispanic, were the victims of racial discrimination. Speaking of racism, Trump famously took out a full-page newspaper ad saying the men should be executed, and in 2014 when asked about it still held firm to the belief they were guilty.

It’s unclear what roles Williams, Farmiga, and Leguizamo will play, and it probably doesn’t matter. All three are excellent choices who can handle anything DuVernay throws at them. Central Park 5 begins production next month.

Interview: Boots Riley On Breaking Into Hollywood With ‘Sorry To Bother You’

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

There’s no simple way to describe Boots Riley’s directorial debut, Sorry to Bother You. Going into Sundance where I attended the world premiere, all I needed to know was that Boots directed it. Period. I had grown up a fan of his activist hip-hop group The Coup, and wondered how, if at all, he would bring the group’s radical, anti-capitalist messaging to the big screen. The answer was OF COURSE HE WOULD, but this is no simple movie with an easy-to-understand message. Nothing with Boots is ever quite so simple.

Much like Boots himself, Sorry to Bother You does not fit neatly into any particular box. At once a comedy, a savage political critque of capitalism and white patriarchy, and a surreal treatise on what it takes to survive as a black man, the film goes to many unexpected extremes. Sometimes Boots wants you to laugh at his hyper-stylized version of Oakland, where he pulls from his past telemarketing experience to tell the story of Cash (Lakeith Stanfield), an unemployed guy just trying to keep his head above water. Sometimes Boots wants to sober you up to some harsh truths about American society. Other times…well, other times Boots just seems content to fuck with your brain a little bit.

I was fortunate enough to speak with Boots about Sorry to Bother You, how he came up with the concept, and when he decided that filmmaking was the natural course for his career to take.We also discussed his many influences as a director and a musician, of which there are many and quite a few surprises.

Sorry to Bother You is in theaters now and you can check out my review here.

Tiffany Haddish To Star In Miguel Arteta’s Comedy ‘Limited Partners’

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

The Tiffany Haddish takeover continues and doesn’t appear to be slowing down at all. After her breakout turn in Girls Trip, Haddish is the arguably the most sought-after actress in Hollywood and she has taken full advantage of it. Not only does she have Night School coming up with Kevin Hart, but also mob drama The Kitchen and Tyler Perry’s comedy Nobody’s Fool. And now she’s added one more film to her busy slate, Limited Partners, from Beatriz at Dinner director Miguel Arteta.

Deadline confirms Haddish and Arteta will teamup for Limited Partners, about two best friends who start company together, only to see their friendship tested during a buyout. They describe it as being in the same vein as Superbad and Bridesmaids, which is a pretty bold claim to make. Arteta isn’t a huge name but he’s been an indie darling for years. His most acclaimed film would probably be Chuck & Buck, but he’s found success with the Michael Cera comedy Youth in Revolt, and recently premiered Duck Butter at Tribeca.

And there may be more on the horizon for Haddish as studios jockey for her services. Warner Bros. apparently wanted her for ex-Cameron Diaz project Bobby Sue, while Sony approached her for what is rumored to be a new 21 Jump Street movie. Those could still happen once Haddish’s schedule clears up.

‘Deadpool 2’ “Super Duper Cut” Blu-Ray Release Revealed, Will Debut At San Diego Comic-Con

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

Deadpool 2 has been another huge hit for 20th Century Fox, and so it’s no surprise they are going to be highlighting the infamous merc at Comic-Con this month. What’s there for them to do that we haven’t already seen? They’ll be hosting a Saturday night panel in Hall H (basically replacing Marvel, who won’t be there) that will be led by Ryan Reynolds “and pals”, so I’m guessing Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, and hopefully Julian Dennison and Brianan Hildebrand will be joining in. Here’s the panel description:

“Prepare for the ultimate superhero landing as Deadpool and pals drop into Hall H for an hour of maximum effort. Expect dirty jokes, broken fourth walls, maybe some spandex, and real, live unicorns!* *Panel may not actually include mythical creatures.”

This is interesting because there’s really no reason for Fox to be holding a Deadpool 2 panel. The film is still in theaters adding to the $722M it’s made worldwide. So my hope is this will be the place for Fox to reveal plans for X-Force, Deadpool 3, and maybe other films in the X-universe.

What’s more, the panel will be followed by the world premiere of Deadpool 2: Uncut, the extended edition that will be hitting Blu-Ray as the “Super Duper Cut”. Reynolds just debuted a teaser for the home release, confirming it will be available in digital on August 7th, followed by Blu-Ray/DVD on August 21st.

Spandexier is totally a word. Ask anyone. Deadpool 2: The Super Duper Cut on Digital August 7 & Blu-ray August 21. #Deadpool2 pic.twitter.com/nrhNMtt8Ww

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 9, 2018

The world premiere of Deadpool 2: Uncut will take place on July 21st at 10pm PST at the Horton Grand Theatre.

Sacha Baron Cohen Uses Dick Cheney To Tease New Series, ‘Who Is America?’

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

I can’t believe I’m posting about a Sacha Baron Cohen TV series because I neither care about Cohen and even less about the Showtime network. And yet the politics of it have lured me in, and I can’t wait to see how he can further enrage a politically divided country. What better time could there be for the series we now know will be titled Who Is America?

The news was confirmed by Vulture who have spotted posters for the interview series all over New York, captioned “You’ve Been Warned.” It was only just days ago when Cohen dropped the first infamous teaser, featuring a previous encounter with his rival Donald Trump. That was followed by Showtime and Cohen entering talks for the new series, which would be similar to what he did on Da Ali G Show. And now we have one more tease, which reveals a couple of key details. First, that Cohen has been shooting this new program for a year; and second, that Dick Cheney’s cold, metal heart warms when asked to give his autograph, no matter how stupid the item is he’s signing.

pic.twitter.com/ngkMhXeReK

— Sacha Baron Cohen (@SachaBaronCohen) July 8, 2018

Look for Who Is America? to hit Showtime on July 15th!

‘The Favorite’ Trailer: ‘The Lobster’ Director Has Emma Stone & Rachel Weisz Engage In Bizarre Palace Intrigue

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John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

With The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, director Yorgos Lanthimos has had two of the strangest awards season entries. While his latest, The Favourite, may look like a historical drama easier for voters to wrap their brains around, the new trailer confirms the director’s unusual sense of humor will again be on full display.

Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone are the starry trio at the center of an 18th-century royal drama about the Queen, her close confidante and secret lover, Sarah Churchill, and the weird triangle that forms when Sarah’s young cousin Abigail arrives. With Sarah strategizing a war against France, it’s Abigail who becomes the Queen’s new favorite. Let the fight for power, badgers, and rabbits begin!

There’s debauchery and royal insanity all over the place, which is exactly what I want from a costume drama. Nobody needs another dull period piece about palace intrigue, and now the only question is how many Oscar nominations will this get? I want it to get all of them right now.

Here’s the official synopsis: THE FAVOURITE is a bawdy, acerbic tale of royal intrigue, passion, envy and betrayal in the court of Queen Anne in early 18th century England. At the center of the story is the Queen herself (Olivia Colman), whose relationship with her confidante, adviser and clandestine lover Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) is turned upside down by the arrival of the Duchess’s younger cousin Abigail (Emma Stone). Soon the balance of power shifts between the women as they jockey for influence with the Queen and the court.

Also starring Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, and Mark Gatiss, The Favorite opens November 23rd.

Laurence Fishburne Hasn’t Heard Anything About ‘Man Of Steel 2’, Thinks He’s Done With The DCEU

By

John Nolan

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July 9, 2018

If rumors are true that a Man of Steel sequel will be announced at Comic-Con later this month, Laurence Fishburne hasn’t heard anything about it. The veteran actor played Daily Planet editor Perry White in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, but has since jumped over to Marvel with Ant-Man & the Wasp, taking the role of Bill Foster.

Speaking with Den of Geek, Fishburne says he hasn’t heard anything about Man of Steel 2, and thinks his time in the DCEU may be finished…

DoG: Are you still on call with DC to come back as Perry White?

Fishburne: I don’t think I’m still on call. I was unfortunately unable to go do some work on what turned out to be the Justice League movie. I don’t know that I need to go back or if they’ll have me back or not, but I was grateful to have been a part of it. I loved working with Zack (Snyder), I think he makes an incredible superhero movie. I’m just excited to be a part of this (the MCU) now.

DoG: So you don’t know if there’s a Man of Steel 2 in the works or anything like that?

Fishburne: I don’t. I don’t. I haven’t heard anything about it. They just fell behind the eight-ball. I really wish they had started 20 years ago. But that’s all right, they’re where they are.

I’m convinced there will be some announcement of a new Superman movie at Comic-Con, because it would be such a wasted opportunity for Warner Bros. not to. They don’t have Marvel to contend with this year, making it a perfect time to really grab some headlines.