New ‘Ahsoka’ Trailer Reunites The ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Cast As Thrawn Emerges

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July 11, 2023

The Mandalorian isn’t just the first and most successful of Disney’s Star Wars show, it has birth a franchise all to itself. Already we’ve seen The Book of Boba Fett spinoff, and coming up is the highly-anticipated Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson as the popular Jedi, Ahsoka Tano.

Debuting in Star Wars: The Clone Wars before leaping over to Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka Tano is the former padewan of Anakin Skywalker before his turn to the Dark Side. In her new series, Ahsoka explores a post-Empire galaxy where new threats are emerging. She will also be on the hunt for the missing Ezra Bridger, the emerging Force-sensitive rebel who went missing along with Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Dawson is joined by Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson, Ivanna Sakhno, Diana Lee Inosanto, David Tennant, Lars Mikkelsen, and Eman Esfandi. Of course, this is another Dave Filoni joint as he has become the caretaker of the Star Wars mythology following George Lucas. He serves as head writer and will direct episodes along with Steph Green, Peter Ramsey, Jennifer Getzinger, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Rick Famuyiwa.

Ahsoka hits Disney+ on August 23rd with the first two episodes.

Check out the new poster for #Ahsoka and experience the two-episode series premiere of the Star Wars Original series, streaming August 23 on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/cVrWW8L8n1

— Star Wars (@starwars) July 11, 2023

‘Wonka’ Trailer: Timothée Chalamet Dreams Of A Delicious Future In Paul King’s Musical Prequel

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Travis Hopson

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July 11, 2023

Timothée Chalamet has some big shoes to fill with his upcoming role in Wonka. While most would like to forget Johnny Depp’s creepy performance as the eccentric candymaker Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder’s is universally beloved for the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. On Chalamet’s side, he’s playing a much younger version of the character in what is a prequel to Roald Dah’s 1964 book.

A new trailer for Wonka shows Chalamet in the familiar top hat as he embarks on wild, musical adventures that spark his imagination and lead to the creation of delicious candies in his special (and dangerous) factory.

Here’s the synopsis: Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, this irresistibly vivid and inventive big-screen spectacle will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time

Joining Chalamet are Keegan Michael-Key, Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson,, Jim Carter, Matt Lucas, Natasha Rothwell, Tom Davis, Michael Baynton, Simon Farnaby, and Rich Fulcher, and Hugh Grant.

Behind the camera is Paul King, known for the universally acclaimed Paddington movies. Can he bring that same childlike spirit and wonder to the world of Everlasting Gobstoppers? We’ll find out when Wonka opens on December 15th.

‘Harlan Coben’s Shelter’ Trailer: A New YA Mystery Unfolds In Prime Video’s Series Next Month

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Travis Hopson

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July 11, 2023

Harlan Coben is among my favorite authors, but I have to admit that he has a gimmick. A schtick. Many of his mystery novels have to do with people who are believed to be missing or dead, but are actually alive for some reason. Examples would be Tell No One, adapted into an excellent movie in 2006, and Six Years. There’s some of that plot in the upcoming Prime Video series, Harlan Coben’s Shelter, which is based on the first of the author’s popular Mickey Bolitar YA novels.

Jaden Michael stars as teen Mickey Bolitar, who seeks answers about the disappearance of his girlfriend, while also dealing with the news that his father, recently deceased, may actually be alive. To find answers to the many mysteries in his life, Mickey turns to a couple of his friends for help.

The series also stars Constance Zimmer, Adrian Greensmith, Abby Corrigan, Tovah Feldshuh, Sage Linder, and Brian Altemus.

Coben is aboard as a showrunner and exec-producer alongside Allen MacDonald.

Here’s the synopsis: Harlan Coben’s Shelter follows the story of Mickey Bolitar after the sudden death of his father leads him to start a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey. Mickey quickly finds himself tangled in the mysterious disappearance of a new student at his school, Ashley Kent, which leads to uncovering unimaginable secrets within their quiet suburban community. With the help of his friends—the inventive Spoon and the secretive Ema—Mickey pulls back the sleepy facade of Kasselton to reveal a dark underground that may hold the answers to decades of disappearances, deaths, and legends … and perhaps even his own complex family history.

Harlan Coben’s Shelter debuts on Prime Video on August 18th with the first three episodes.

‘Problemista’ Trailer: A24 Releases Julio Torres’ Surreal Immigrant Comedy This August

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Travis Hopson

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July 11, 2023

A24, a studio that has built a reputation for releasing indie projects from filmmakers with unique voices, may have found the next big thing with Julio Torres’ Problemista. The surreal immigrant story stars Torres who is also the writer and director, playing a young man hoping to make it big in America as a toy designer.

Torres has found a lot of support for the film, with Tilda Swinton co-starring as a misfit artist who takes his character under her wing. Also, Emma Stone and Dave McCrary are counted among the film’s producers. The cast Torres has put together includes RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, and Greta Lee.

Here’s the synopsis: Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. From writer/director Julio Torres comes a surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system.

Problemista opens in theaters on August 4th.

Michael Mann’s ‘Ferrari’ Heads To Neon; Christmas Day Release Set

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Travis Hopson

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July 11, 2023

Michael Mann’s anticipated Ferrari movie has found a new home. Deadline reports that Neon has won a competitive bidding war to distribute the film, with an awards season release already in place.

“Michael Mann, one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in American cinema, was moved by the power of this intensely dramatic story to persist for years to bring it to the big screen,” Neon CEO Tom Quinn said. “‘Ferrari’ reaffirms Neon’s continued commitment to supporting visionary auteurs who push the boundaries of cinema. Working with Michael Mann on ‘Ferrari’ is a dream come true for Neon.”

The film stars Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Jack O’Connell, Sarah Gadon, Patrick Dempsey, and Gabriel Leone, and centers on Enzo Ferrari as he tries to keep his vaunted automobile marque alive in the 1950s. Mann directs from a screenplay by late writer Troy Kennedy Martin.

Ferrari is set to be released on Christmas Day, but appears headed to Venice for a prestigious world premiere. Originally, STX Entertainment had the distribution rights, but when the company folded the film was up for grabs and Neon won the day. They had a huge 2022 with acclaimed movies such as Broker, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, and Triangle of Sadness, while 2023 has been busy with Infinity Pool, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Sanctuary, and others.

‘Love At First Sight’ Trailer: Haley Lu Richardson And Ben Hardy Are Right On Time For Love In New Netflix Rom-Com

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Travis Hopson

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July 10, 2023

Who says traditional rom-coms are dead? They might not be as prevalent on the big screen anymore, but streaming has given them a new life. In particular, Netflix has made them a cornerstone of their content, with the To All the Boys franchise receiving huge viewership numbers, as well as solid critical reviews. So it’s no surprise that Netflix is taking on another rom-com from the same producers, and it also looks like quite a charmer.

Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy star in Love At First Sight, a film that reminds us that when it comes to love, timing is everything.

The film also stars Jameela Jamil, Rob Delaney, Dexter Fletcher and Sally Phillips. Vanessa Caswill directs from a script by Katie Lovejoy, adapted from Jennifer E. Smith’s popular novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

Based on the synopsis, this movie would’ve starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan about 30 years ago.

After missing her flight from New York to London, Hadley (Haley Lu Richardson) meets Oliver (Ben Hardy) in a chance encounter at the airport that sparks an instant connection. A long night on the plane together passes in the blink of an eye, but upon landing at Heathrow, the pair are separated and finding each other in the chaos seems impossible. Will fate intervene to transform these seat mates into soul mates?

I don’t know of any actress as likable as Richardson, making her perfect for this kind of movie that tugs at our heart.

Love At First Sight hits Netflix on September 15th.

‘Barbie’: Ryan Gosling Gets The Spotlight With Ridiculous New Song Titled “Just Ken”

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Travis Hopson

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July 10, 2023

The hype and anticipation surrounding Barbie are enough to shoot through the roof of her Malibu Dream House. Early test screenings took place over the weekend and so far the buzz is good, both for Margot Robbie as the titular doll come to life, but also for Ryan Gosling as her forever boy-toy, Ken.

It’s Ken who gets the spotlight in a new teaser, featuring a ridiculous song titled “Just Ken”. In the movie, Ken is sorta facing an existential crisis. As you’ve no doubt noticed, he seems to be a bit clingy. So what does Ken do when faced with the possibility of not being Barbie’s boyfriend? What’s his purpose?

This is pretty silly but also brilliant, and Gosling looks like he might steal this movie away from everyone.

Barbie opens in theaters on July 21st.

James Gunn Teases ‘Legendary Star-Lord’ Project Set On Earth

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Travis Hopson

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July 10, 2023

The conclusion of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 saw James Gunn end his run at Marvel Studios…for now. But he didn’t leave all of his fan-favorite characters hanging. He also set up a couple of things so that, even while he’s gone, there will be something to look forward to. And that is especially true when it comes to Chris Pratt’s character, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord.

The final scene of the movie ended with a title card that read “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return…”, teeing up…well, something. A solo movie? A Disney+ series, possibly? While Gunn is unlikely to be involved given his DCU commitments, he says in the Guardians 3 commentary track (via The Direct) what he envisions the Star-Lord project to be…

“We always want to give somebody a little something special,” said Gunn. “And Chris and I, forever, have talked about how great it would be to be able to do a ‘Legendary Star-Lord‘ movie, a story with Star-Lord on Earth trying to adapt to the environment of Earth in the same way that somebody else might try to adapt to the alien environment of outer space. He’s a fish out of water in just kind of regular water. So I can’t wait to see it.”

Honestly, this sounds like an hour-long Disney+ special to me, not a full-length feature. But you never know. Marvel needs all the hits they can get right now, and people LOVE Star-Lord and the Guardians crew.

’28 Years Later’: Danny Boyle And Alex Garland Are Getting Serious About A New ’28 Days Later’ Sequel

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Travis Hopson

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July 10, 2023

There has been so much talk of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland returning for a new film in the 28 Days Later series that it’s tough to take seriously. The 2002 movie was critically acclaimed and helped launch a revival of the zombie genre, but the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, was less well-received. Boyle has long been gung-ho for doing another, and has openly praised a screenplay idea that Garland came up with. But now in a new Inverse interview, the two are sounding more serious than ever about a new film titled 28 Years Later.

“I resisted it for a long time because there were things about ‘28 Weeks’ that bugged me. I just thought, ‘Fuck that. I’d rather try to write a different story in a different world,’” explained Garland. “But a few years ago an idea materialized in my head for what would be really ‘28 Years Later.’ Danny always liked the idea.”

Boyle added, “So we’re talking about it quite seriously, quite diligently. If he doesn’t want to direct it himself I’ll be well up for it, if we can execute a similarly good idea.”

If done a couple of years ago, the film would probably be dealing with a post-pandemic world or something like that. Hopefully, Garland and Boyle are smart enough to come up with something a lot more interesting than that. We’ll see if this ever gets off the ground, and maybe they can bring Cillian Murphy back, too.

‘Lips Like Sugar’: Woody Harrelson And Owen Wilson To Star In Crime Thriller Set During ’84 Olympics

By

Travis Hopson

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July 10, 2023

Does anybody remember Lost in London? That was the weird 2017 comedy written and directed by Woody Harrelson that was shot, screened, and broadcast live into theaters. It was an odd experiment that kinda came and went without making much of a ripple, but it did see Harrelson and Owen Wilson team up with both actors playing themselves. Now they’ll be reunited in the upcoming crime thriller Lips Like Sugar.

Harrelson and Wilson will lead the the crime film directed by Grammy Award-winner Brantley Gutierrez and penned by Warrior writer Anthony Tambakis.

Here’s the synopsis: Set during the ’84 Olympic Games in LA and loosely based on a true story, LIPS LIKE SUGAR is a neon-soaked, coming-of-age thriller set against the gritty backdrop of the punk and skate worlds of West Los Angeles. As the new friendship of two teenage girls from different walks of life unfolds and city officials focus on the Olympics, a pair of former detectives’ (Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson) lives become intertwined when one of the young girls goes missing.

Former Arcade Fire member Will Butler is set to compose the score. He previously co-composed the Oscar-nominated score for Her.