Sony releases the Venom: Let There Be Carnage movie trailer. Officially announced in January 2019, Venom 2 will see the return of Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a down on his luck reporter who's fused with an alien symbiote, giving him super-human powers. After being introduced in the Venom post-credits scene, Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) aka Carnage is expected to be the main villain of the sequel. Venom: Let There Be Carnage also sees the return of Michelle Williams as Eddie's ex-girlfriend Anne Weying and Reid Scott as Dan Lewis, Anne's new boyfriend. Joining the franchise is Naomie Harris as Shriek, who is Carnage's love interest in the Marvel Comics. Though Ruben Fleischer directed Venom, Andy Serkis was recruited to helm Venom: Let There Be Carnage, with Kelly Marcel taking over sole scripting duties after co-writing the first film with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. Initially planned for an October 2020 release, the Venom: Let There Be Carnage release date was delayed a year to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's currently slated to hit theaters Sept. 24, 2021. Now, the studio has unveiled the very first footage from the upcoming sequel. Related: Who Is Carnage? Woody Harrelson's Venom 2 Villain Explained Today, Sony released the Venom: Let There Be Carnage movie trailer and poster, offering a first look at the followup film. The footage featured reveals Eddie and Venom have settled into a kind of normal routine, with the symbiote cooking him breakfast and the both of them visiting the bodega run by Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu). There's also plenty of setup for the conflict between Venom and Carnage, with the trailer featuring Harrelson's Cletus talking to Eddie and then him being experimented upon at Ravencroft, before finally being revealed in his symbiote form. Check out the Venom 2 movie trailer below. When the first Venom movie released in 2018, it was met by mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing the chaotic nature of the film, and some likening it to the superhero movies of the early 2000s. However, Venom was an undeniable hit with moviegoers, grossing $856.1 million on a budget of $100-$116 million, ensuring it turned a profit. As such, Sony moved ahead with Venom 2, following through on the promise of the post-credits scene and making Venom's most popular antagonist - Carnage - a central figure in the sequel. Now based on the Let There Be Carnage trailer, it seems Serkis and Marcel haven't taken Venom's negative reviews too much to heart, and have instead leaned into the chaos of the first film. Considering how much of a success Venom was with casual moviegoers, that may be the right move. One element of the first film that many viewers enjoyed was Eddie and Venom's relationship, which is again on display in all its weirdness in the trailer. If their dynamic throughout the entirety of Venom: Let There Be Carnage is similar, then it seems the sequel will deliver more strange buddy cop antics. As for Carnage, Harrelson's awful red wig is gone, which improves his human design from the first film, and his symbiote form looks good and creepy for the few moments it's on screen. Altogether, the Venom 2 movie trailer teases a film that will entertain those who enjoyed the first, but those who didn't like Venom may not be won over. More will be revealed when the Venom: Let There Be Carnage release date gets closer.

Comedian Seth Rogen reveals that he has chosen not to continue working with James Franco due to the abuse allegations against his long-time collaborator. The two actors have partnered together for a number of films and television projects over the years. Notably, they originally worked together on the 1999 cult show Freaks and Geeks, followed by multiple onscreen comedies, including Pineapple Express, This Is the End, and The Disaster Artist. Their last collaboration was the 2019 film Zeroville, which Franco directed and starred in alongside Rogen. During this time, a growing number of allegations of abuse and sexual harassment have surfaced against Franco. In 2014, a 17-year-old girl came forward to disclose that Franco had allegedly messaged her on Instagram and invited her to meet up with him at a hotel. In 2018, students from his acting school accused the actor of sexual exploitation and later filed a lawsuit against him, which reached a settlement in February of this year. Despite these charges, Rogen has periodically worked with Franco on various projects and even joked about the allegations. In 2014, Rogen hosted Saturday Night Live and teased that he had pranked Franco by pretending to be a young girl on Instagram. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:All The Joss Whedon Abuse & Misconduct Allegations Explained While speaking to The Sunday Times, Rogen shared that he no longer had any plans to keep working with Franco. He offered a few details about his evolving perspective on their friendship: “I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James, and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now… I don’t know if I can define [our friendship] right now during this interview. I can say it, um, you know, it has changed many things in our relationship and our dynamic.” When asked about the abuse claims, Rogen noted that he has purposefully stepped away from any professional partnerships with Franco. He added, “…I despise abuse and harassment and I would never cover or conceal the actions of someone doing it, or knowingly put someone in a situation where they were around someone like that.” He subsequently acknowledged that he regretted his infamous joke on SNL, calling it “terrible.” Although Rogen admitted that he found their estrangement difficult, he also recognized that the situation was much more painful for others and that he harbored no pity for himself. While Rogen’s decision to avoid collaborating with Franco due to his exploitative behavior is certainly a step in the right direction, it is unfortunate that it took him this long to explicitly disavow the actions of his friend and professional colleague. Only last month, actress Charlene Yi criticized Rogen for enabling Franco’s toxic actions on the set of The Disaster Artist. For years, female entertainers and production crew have not only reported their experiences with predatory harassment, but have also vocalized the widespread enabling of such abuse by men in power. More often than not, it has been easier for those in charge to turn a blind eye and reap the benefits of silence, rather than work alongside their female colleagues as allies. Rogen’s explicit condemnation of abuse is the correct one, but it needs to remain coupled with clear and unwavering action for true change to take effect.

Director Michael Chaves teases just how dark The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It gets. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are making their returns as Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigators at the center of The Conjuring franchise. The franchise has grown exponentially since the original film released in 2013, branching off into different spinoffs that include the likes of Annabelle and The Nun. 2016 was the last time the Warren's took center stage in the franchise, but The Conjuring 3 looks to be bringing them back in a big way this summer. Following the case of Arne Johnson, who pleaded insanity by way of possession after committing murder, the Warrens will be investigating the paranormal occurrences surrounding the violence. This includes both Johnson and a young boy who was initially possessed by the demon that eventually inhabited the murderer's body. The Conjuring 3's first trailer teased the film's darkness and those involved have touted just how brutal it will get. Now, Chaves is doubling down. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:Conjuring 3'S Case Was Previously Adapted As Kevin Bacon's The Demon Murder Case When asked how he approached the case at the center of the movie, Chaves says he wrestled with his own beliefs and how, or if, he should apply them to the film. The director says that while marketing may say that each and every Conjuring movie is "the darkest yet," he truly believes The Devil Made Me Do It will prove this statement true in more ways than one. Chaves say this is because of the real life aspects of the case, including the murder at the film's center. Do you believe the Warrens' story literally? How do you approach this particular case? Michael Chaves: Yeah, it's a really good question. I totally wrestled with that. I think that up to this point, just being a fan of it, the question of whether I believed in it wasn't really brought to the forefront.When I got the script, and I started reading about the case - this is a very different case than the other Conjuring movies. There's always the marketing spin of, "This is going to be the darkest Conjuring movie yet," but in a lot of ways, this really is the darkest Conjuring movie yet. There's a real victim; there's a real man who was killed, and we are telling the story of the murderer. We're telling the story of the other guy. All of a sudden, I had asked myself, especially growing up Catholic, what do I believe and what is going to be my point of view of this movie?That is a question that I honestly still have been wrestling with. I think we all wrestle with our faith and, ultimately, what I believe has to take a backseat. It's the Warrens' story and it's Arne's story. While it still remains to be seen just how dark The Conjuring 3 will get, early glimpses have surely shown that Chaves' comments could be quite accurate. In addition to the trailer's eerie vibe, The Devil Made Me Do It slyly pays homage to The Exorcist, arguably one of the darkest and most iconic horror films of all time. The Conjuring 3 will surely have elements of that film with its religious overtones and themes of possession. The Conjuring films have always been about the cases that the Warren's investigate, but the Warren's personal connections to these incidences have always been highlighted. Lorraine in particular has been portrayed as being physically and psychically connected to the spirit world and each film sees her more and more drained because of the toll that these literal demons are taking on her. The trailer for the film indicates that Lorraine's powers may have grown stronger, but with that also comes the fear that the other side has become stronger, too. How strong those demons are will be clearer when The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It hits theaters this summer.

Zack Snyder knows what will happen in an Army of the Dead sequel if it happens. Following his exit from the DC Extended Universe, Snyder eventually agreed to work with Netflix on his next project. With the promise of complete creative freedom, the director revived old ideas to make another zombie movie years after remaking Dawn of the Dead for his directorial debut. Army of the Dead takes place in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and follows a group of mercenaries as they invade a zombie-infested Las Vegas to pull off a major heist. Army of the Dead stars Dave Bautista as the leader of the mercenary group and features Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Matthias Schweighöfer, Theo Rossi, Nora Arnezeder, and Tig Notaro as members of the team. The movie's trailers have shown some of Snyder's signature action and visuals, but they've also established what makes this different from other zombie movies. Snyder's zombies are fast and intelligent, and they also include a tiger. There is a lot of excitement to see what Army of the Dead holds and the future of the new universe Snyder created, and the director already knows what will happen in a possible sequel. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Army Of The Dead Character Names And Roles Explained Prior to Army of the Dead's release on Netflix, Screen Rant participated in a junket interview with director Zack Snyder. He eventually addressed the possibilities of Army of the Dead 2 and revealed he already knows the story. Snyder doesn't want to get ahead of himself when talking about doing a sequel, but the current idea for the sequel is "pretty crazy." I'm knocking on wood right here, but if there was an opportunity for a sequel, Shay [Hatten] and I know exactly what happens with that. We've done a long and hard look at where that movie would go, and it's pretty crazy. I'm working right now on an animated prequel that tells the story of where the zombies came from, so we get to go back to Area 51 and go all the way. And that's crazy and cool, and it's a hard R animated adult animation. And then Matthias [Schweighöfer] did Army of Thieves in Europe during Corona, and that movie's just finishing now. His is like a romantic comedy heist film, so it's cool that it's a genre-busting bending [film], but it's just a separate genre. Now, of course, if we were to do a sequel to this, it continues the zombie story. It takes it even further. Fans of Snyder's will not be surprised to learn that he already has a strong idea of what Army of the Dead 2's story will be. He traditionally does an excellent job of creating new worlds with his movies and has a history of making plans for the future. After all, Snyder had a five-movie plan for the DCEU when he first started. Now he's seemingly taken a similar approach here to get a head start on what an Army of the Dead sequel will look like. It also likely helps that Snyder has already done a great deal of work in creating an Army of the Dead shared universe of sorts. He and Netflix have gone all-in on this zombie world to create two prequels to the first film. The first project is an R-rated animated show about the origin of the zombies showrun by Snyder's longtime collaborator Jay Oliva and featuring several Army of the Dead stars. Meanwhile, Matthias Schweighöfer directed and starred in a live-action prequel following his character. With Netflix and Snyder already heavily invested in the Army of the Dead universe, a sequel will absolutely happen as long as the first movie is as successful as all parties involved believe it will be

Zack Snyder confirms Army of the Dead wasn't changed because of the coronavirus pandemic. After spending years around superheroes, Snyder is returning to his roots with zombie flick Army of the Dead. The film is not a sequel to his directorial debut Dawn of the Dead, but will instead introduce a new world and new characters. Set to premiere later this week on Netflix, Army of the Dead focuses on a crew of mercenaries led by Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) who venture into the quarantine zone of Las Vegas with an eye on a large cash prize lying beneath a casino. The only issue? Hundreds of zombies are in their way. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW Army of the Dead was filmed back in 2019, well before the coronavirus pandemic swept the world. However, it needed to undergo some reshoots last year when Chris D'Elia was replaced by Tig Notaro. Though it might not have started out that way, there's no question that Army of the Dead holds some connections to the global events of the past year. Just the word "quarantine" has taken on new connotations, which makes one wonder if Snyder adjusted any part of the film because of the pandemic. RELATED: Army Of The Dead Character Names And Roles Explained The answer on that front is no. Screen Rant participated in a press event for Army of the Dead, where Snyder commented on whether he and his team ever considered changing certain plot elements - such as temperature checks and governments abusing authority - to avoid potential backlash stemming from the pandemic. Snyder had this to say: Zack Snyder: No, we never really talked about it, other than that we had taken some time to do the reshoots and stuff. Also the tone of the movie and its point is social commentary, it just happens to land a little harder now. There are many projects that have debuted over the past year that hit harder than normal purely because of the pandemic, from Oscar winner Nomadland to optimistic superhero flick Wonder Woman 1984. With a plot that specifically hinges on the effects of a virus, Army of the Dead was always bound to draw comparisons to real life events. However, it was smart of Snyder to avoid altering the project to fit (or sidestep) the pandemic. Audiences can already draw their own conclusions from what's happening onscreen, and Army of the Dead was made before this even happened. Better to let it release as it always planned to. Army of the Dead will be the first in what could become a proper franchise for Netflix, with an animated prequel and live-action feature prequel already on the way. Whether future stories set within this Army of the Dead universe could later reflect the pandemic remains to be seen, but it's likely that there will be unintentional connections. After all, from this point on it will likely be hard to avoid comparisons to coronavirus. Still, if Army of the Dead feels more relevant than expected, it wasn't planned to be that way.

The next installment in the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is saying goodbye to the haunted house format that made the first two films so beloved. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are returning as the real life paranormal investigators after five years of spinoffs that saw their characters relegated to the sidelines. The Conjuring 3 is bringing them back into the spotlight and it has been touted as the darkest entry in the franchise yet. Set to follow the case of Arne Johnson, the first man who claimed demonic possession as a defense in his murder trial, Ed and Lorraine Warren will head to Connecticut to investigate. Ensnared alongside Johnson in this supernatural mystery is David Glatzel (Julian Hilliard), the young boy initially possessed by the demon that goes on to inhabit Arne Johnson. While The Conjuring 3 looks to be taking things to terrifying new heights once again, the film will break the format of the previous two movies in interesting ways. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:Conjuring 3 Prelude Comic Introduces The Movie's New Evil Entity Director Michael Chaves reveals that The Devil Made Me Do It will emulate the real life investigations of the Warren's by not confining them to the haunted houses that they were visiting in the first two movies. While Chaves thinks that the first film left people craving another haunted house entry, he says that the sequel and its spinoffs have explored that format enough. The director believes it's time to break down the doors and bring the Warren's out into the world. You were saying this is unlike any other Conjuring movie, like it's not a haunted house movie. What was interesting about introducing that procedural element and what were the challenges of it? Michael Chaves: I think it was always the promise of The Conjuring movies and promises of the Warrens. This is what they did, they would actually have these investigations that weren't just limited to a haunted house movie.A friend of mine, when they first saw The Conjuring, they thought this was going to be like Mulder and Scully. They're always going to be doing it like The X-Files; it'll be a different case, each one. But it's funny, because I think that the first one left such an impression that people kept on wanting that haunted house experience. And I think that kind of was the birth of the franchise.With all of these other spin-offs, we've seen the haunted house format really well explored and done really well. I think with this, everybody - starting with James and going down to the studio and everyone involved - wanted to just kick the doors off the haunted house and wanted to take the Warrens out into the world. Both The Conjuring and its sequel saw the Warren's tackle real life cases while confined to the family homes they were occurring in. This resulted in some of The Conjuring franchise's scariest moments, but after two movies in the main arm of the franchise and several spinoffs, it's time for a new direction. What exactly Chaves means by taking the Warren's "out into the world" is made a little bit clearer in the film's first trailer. The court case of Arne Johnson is featured in some parts of the the clip and it's clear that The Devil Made Me Do It will see the Warren's consulting on both the paranormal and the legal side of things. This will add an interesting wrinkle to their job that will only be complicated by the spirits that still linger. Whether or not those spirits will make an appearance in the courtroom itself remains a mystery, but The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is already going beyond the confines of the truth to tell what looks to be a terrifying story. Bringing the demons into the real world will only make it that much scarier.

Mickey Rourke has become a fan of Law & Order: SVU and has found another chance to criticize Marvel Studios. Law & Order: SVU has been on the air for 22 seasons to become the longest-running program in the Law & Order franchise, surpassing the original. The series recently received a spin-off series focusing on original cast member Christopher Meloni's character Elliot Stabler in Law & Order: Organized Crime. Rourke was on the rise in the 1980s with films like Rumble Fish, Barfly, and 9 1/2 Weeks but in 1991, he left acting to pursue a career as a boxer. He returned to acting in the mid-'90s and saw a career renaissance in 2008 for his part in The Wrestler, which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. 2008 was the same year Iron Man opened in theaters and kicked off the MCU, and during the awards circuit, Rourke became attached to the highly anticipated sequel. Fans were excited at the prospect of seeing two beloved stars of the 1980s who were seeing career revivals, Downey Jr. and Rourke, share the screen. Iron Man 2 was a box-office hit, but fan and critical reaction were not as kind. While there seem to have been many issues behind-the-scenes of Iron Man 2, Rourke has been the most vocal about his anger at the project, director Jon Favreau, and Marvel Studios. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Every MCU Movie Iron Man 2 Set Up In a recent post on his Instagram account, Rourke spoke about how he had started watching Law & Order: SVU while in quarantine. He had always heard of the series but never picked it up until recently when he moved his gym equipment into his living room. He went on to praise the actors on the series, including Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Stephanie March, B.D. Wong and Ice T. claiming what they do is real acting as opposed to what Marvel does. Rourke's post was on May 8, just one day over the eleventh anniversary of the release of Iron Man 2. Rourke's displeasure with Iron Man 2 has been well documented, and he has criticized Marvel Studios for cutting down his performance. His comeback seems to have stalled as 2010 also saw Rourke starring in The Expendables, but the actor did not return for the two sequels. Since then, the actor has taken a lot of work in direct to DVD projects, smaller independent projects and was most recently seen in 2020 on the Fox reality competition, The Masked Singer. The early days of the MCU, while successful, also had their share of drama behind the scenes with stars like Edward Norton, Natalie Portman, and director Edgar Wright. While Wright reconnected with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Natalie Portman is set to return to the MCU after an eight-year absence in Thor: Love and Thunder, it doesn't appear Rourke will be invited back anytime soon. Yet there now could be a chance the producer of Law & Order: SVU reaches out to him for a guest-starring role.

Daniel Dae Kim shared a fun response to the love he’s been getting for his animated Raya and the Last Dragon character. The actor voices Raya’s father, Chief Benja, in the film, which premiered on March 5 in both theaters and as a Premier Access release on Disney+. In addition to Kim, the film stars plenty of other big names, including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, and Sandra Oh. Raya and the Last Dragon, Disney’s latest animated endeavor, tells the story of a young woman from an ancient fantasy world who must find the last known dragon to save her people from impending doom. Set in a fantasy world that it supposed to represent Southeast Asia, the voice cast for the film is predominantly Asian American. The film has been praised for its stellar animation, well-performed voice acting, and messaging related to women empowerment. However, the film is also being praised for something else a little less technical. Daniel Dae Kim’s character, Chief Benja, has become somewhat of a thirst object after many Raya fans took to social media to express their attraction to the tribe leader and doting, protective father. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:Why Raya Needs To Become The Next Official Disney Princess While a fun dive into the lust-inducing qualities of animated dads, the article comes to a more meaningful conclusion. Though the aforementioned animated fathers are deemed physically attractive, the article claims that a large part of their charm comes from their personalities and qualities as stand-up fathers and men. It’s not that the fathers are regular Adonises; it’s that they are, as the article says, “humble-hot.” Buchanan interviewed Daniel Dae Kim for the article, who explained that a large part of Benja’s attractiveness likely comes from his qualities as a strong warrior, an attentive and supportive father, and a compassionate leader. This is something, Kim pointed out, that society harbors a great need for right now. Though some reactions to the article felt that other former hot animated dads deserved mentions, like Mufasa from The Lion King, many responses generally agreed with the fun article. If animation companies want to continue this trend of hot dads past Raya & The Last Dragon, it’s pretty likely that there will be no complaints. Though these father figures are only animations, they provide a sense of comfort to the audience, no matter the age of the viewer.

Godzilla is getting a new ride in Japan soon, putting visitors in the middle of a battle against King Ghidorah. It's never too long before the King of the Monsters is battling his three-headed foe again. In the early era of the Japanese series, Godzilla collided with Ghidorah in four different movies. In 1991, after being defeated by Godzilla, the antagonist was rebuilt as a Mecha-King Ghidorah. 2001 saw the roles reversed, with Ghidorah protecting the Earth from an evil Godzilla. Fittingly, for the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2004, the reptile battled arguably the most powerful Ghidorah of all. Ghidorah was given a MonsterVerse design in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. In Godzilla vs. Kong, Ghidorah possesses Mechagodzilla in the climax, making the three-headed villain's presence felt. It has been a good time for fans of the King of the Monsters. Legendary Studios successfully kick-started a worldwide revitalization of the franchise in 2014. Seven years later, 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong has provided optimism for the box office after 2020's gloomy theater outlook. In Japan, it was Shin Godzilla that made the most impact on the reptile's home country. The 2016 film won Picture of the Year in Japan, impacting the Godzilla franchise forever. Unsurprisingly, the world's first life-size Godzilla statue features this version of the reptile. RELATED:Godzilla Vs Kong Proves Ghidorah Is Godzilla's Greatest Enemy If ziplining into a life-size Godzilla isn't one's fancy, perhaps being in the middle of a kaiju conflict will do. When the Seibuen Amusement Park in Japan reopens on May 19, a Godzilla ride awaits. A trailer for the attraction was recently released (via Godzilla The King), revealing visitors will be treated to a confrontation between Godzilla and his three-headed nemesis. Based on the teaser, it could be an indoor cinematic experience. When the ride opens on May 19, everyone will know for sure. Notably, the ride features new designs for Godzilla and Ghidorah. The three-headed monster bears similarities to his look in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Godzilla's new design looks particularly impressive. Not many would complain if TOHO decides to use this design for future Godzilla films in the Japanese series. The big question is if the Godzilla ride can compete with the Mario Kart attraction at Super Nintendo World. Over at the Nijigen no Mori theme park in Awaji Island, where the life-size Shin Godzilla statue is stationed, there is also the world's first permanent museum dedicated to the franchise. This certainly reminds everyone just how big the series is. At the Seibuen Amusement Park, the new Godzilla ride will be accompanied by a new Astro Boy attraction. Those visiting the park on May 19 look to be greeted with a wave of nostalgia.

Nathan Fillion, one of the many stars of James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad sequel/soft reboot, has recently shared a hilarious Instagram post of himself and fellow castmates Flula Borg and David Dastmalchian attempting to recreate their recent Den of Geek magazine cover. Gunn’s take on DC’s infamous Task Force X, which is set to hit cinemas this August, is the tenth entry in the DC Extended Universe and boasts an impressive ensemble cast that will also see Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn reuniting with her 2016 Suicide Squad co-stars Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, and Viola Davis, as well as introduce several new faces including Idris Elba, John Cena, Peter Capaldi, Michael Rooker and the voice of Sylvester Stallone as King Shark. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW Fillion, best known for his roles in the popular TV series Firefly, Castle, and The Rookie, is slated to play Floyd Belkin, or T.D.K., a villain based on the comic character Arm-Fall-Off-Boy who has the bizarre ability to detach his limbs and use them as a weapon. Meanwhile, German actor Borg (Pitch Perfect 2) is set to play Javelin, a former Olympian who uses javelins as weapons, and Ant-Man and the Wasp’s Dastmalchian is bringing the little-known Batman villain Polka-Dot Man to life, so named for the various polka dot gadgets which line his suit. In his preparations for the film, Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn has been praised for delving deeply into some of the more obscure corners of DC comics lore to fill this latest version of Task Force X with some truly peculiar characters. RELATED: The Suicide Squad Secretly Just Made DCEU Harley Quinn More Like Batman The humor and comradery between the cast, which is evident in all of the marketing material released so far for The Suicide Squad, clearly continues to extend beyond the set, as Fillion and his co-stars goofing around to mock their latest photoshoot proves. Not one to be left out, James Gunn also weighed in on the post, saying he was “So Jealappy (jealous but happy) to see these photos.” Check out the original post from Fillion below: Following on from the poor critical reactions received by the original 2016 incarnation of Task Force X in David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad, a film which was plagued by last-minute reshoots and repeated claims of studio interference, Gunn’s The Suicide Squad certainly has a lot riding on its shoulders as he attempts to restore faith not only in the Suicide Squad brand but the wider DCEU as a whole. To make things even more difficult, many diehard DC fans are still heavily involved in campaigning for Warner Bros. to restore Zack Snyder’s original vision for the DCEU off the back of the recent Synder Cut release. Gunn’s film seems to be far more intent on forging a new path for the future of the franchise, separate from its early beginnings under Snyder’s watch. One thing fans can take comfort in, however, is that if anyone knows how to make an entertaining ensemble film filled with lovable rogues and misfits, it is James Gunn. With The Suicide Squad just mere months away and John Cena’s Peacemaker spin-off series on HBO Max also well on the way, one thing DC fans can be certain of is that the DCEU will be a very different place once James Gunn has finished putting his stamp on it. In the meantime, fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for more behind-the-scenes treats and antics from the movie’s cast as the release date draws closer.

Director James Gunn responds to Dave Bautista's comments that he's stepping away from playing Drax the Destroyer after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. On the heels of the threequel officially getting a release date from Marvel Studios also came the news that the wrestler-turned-actor is planning on retiring the character once the cosmic-based trilogy is finished. Expectedly, this new comment received varying reactions, including one from Gunn. Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, the character is part of the original lineup of the fan-favorite MCU superhero team. Drax was motivated to seek revenge for the death of his family, going after Thanos, who was ultimately to blame for the crime. After the first film in the sub-franchise however, this hasn't been revisited aside from a brief moment in Avengers: Infinity War referencing his grief. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marking his sixth outing as the hero (including the upcoming appearance in Taika Watiti's Thor: Love and Thunder), Bautista says that he plans to walk away from the role after the threequel given his age. So while the character may still be in the universe, he won't be played by Bautista. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: What Guardians Of The Galaxy 3'S Logo Tells Us About The Movie In response to this comment, Gunn revealed that as far as he's concerned, Bautista IS Drax in the MCU and can never be replaced. That said, he offered the actor support, saying that he has every right to decide what his next acting endeavor will be following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Check out the director's full reply below: Just like Bautista, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might be Gunn's final project in the MCU. The filmmaker has repeatedly said that the threequel will conclude the trilogy that he began in 2014. While it's taken a bit of time for the project to move forward due to several factors, including the director's brief firing and eventual rehiring, its story has long been locked. Plot details are still scant at the moment, but Gunn has offered clues about what to expect, including the film featuring a major character death in the franchise. Couple that with the presumed search for Gamora, which was set up at the end of Avengers: Endgame, as well as the much-hyped origins for Rocket Raccoon, and it is shaping up to have an emotional narrative. As for Drax, in particular, it's difficult to gauge what his arc in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be. Since Thanos has been defeated, there's really not much to his character that has been established prior in the MCU. A heroic death might be a great way to send off the hero, but based on Bautista's comments, it sounds like he will survive. If that's the case, it will be curious how the movie will leave him. In terms of recasting, chances are that Marvel Studios will opt out of that unless it's a version of the character from a different universe.

Maya Rudolph explains why it's so much fun playing a villain for Disney's upcoming Disenchanted, the long-awaited sequel to 2007's Enchanted. The first film acted as the perfect send-up of a classic Disney fairytale, wherein a princess-to-be named Giselle (Amy Adams) falls down a magical portal and ends up in modern day New York City. Giselle's idealistic views put her at odds with the people of the real world, though she still manages to find her happily ever after. Enchanted was a critical and financial success upon release, and there have been rumblings of a sequel for years. Disenchanted was first discussed back in 2010, but it's only been in recent months that it has finally started moving forward. Disney confirmed last December that Disenchanted will be a Disney+ exclusive, and that Adams will reprise her role as Giselle. Other returning players include Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden. Plot details are still being kept under wraps. Disenchanted has yet to receive a release date, though Dempsey said in January they were looking to film in the spring. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Enchanted: Every Disney Voice Actor Easter Egg Rudolph is among the new cast members joining Disenchanted, and her initial casting suggested she will be playing the villain. Now Rudolph has confirmed this in a new interview with Variety, where she discusses why she's so thrilled to be the bad guy. She couldn't reveal any specifics about her character, but she had this to say about being Disenchanted's villain: That’s the thing! They always have the most fun. I like the women. There are so many good ones. When you’re a kid you’re like, “ugh why is the evil stepmother so awful? Why do they have to be so bad? The Queen is such a jerk, what’s wrong with her?” But now that I see all the nuances and the fun ways to play things, it’s just high drama. It’s the most fun. I don’t know if you’ve watched “Dynasty” lately, but if you’ve watched any scene, it’s so good. So arch, dramatic and campy all at once. Rudolph was cast alongside Jayma Mays and Yvette Nicole Brown, who will also reportedly be playing villains. It sounds like Disenchanted will assemble a proper dark trio, and it will be thrilling to see them take the stage. Enchanted only had one main villain with Susan Sarandon's Queen Narissa, so the sequel is already raising the stakes by adding more bad guys. Rudolph's excitement about really digging into her character's villainy bodes well for the entire project; Rudolph excels at playing larger than life characters, and it'll be great fun to see her tackle a Disney villain. Despite the increase in antagonists, though, Disenchanted will still hold much of the magic of the first film. Director Adam Shankman said in 2018 that there will be more songs in Enchanted 2, so that classic Disney touch will remain. As for that title, it sounds like Giselle might find herself in a more cynical state when the film picks up. However, with three villainous ladies on the way, she might need to perk up quickly. Hopefully plot details will emerge soon so we can get an idea of what Disenchanted has in store.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to reopen on Broadway in 2022. The play, billed as the eighth story in the Harry Potter series, opened in April 2018 at the Lyric Theatre. The story begins nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and follows the lives of an older Harry and his son, Albus, who is about to attend Hogwarts. The show received a rapturous response from critics, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Play, and becoming the most awarded play in theatre history. The story was less well-received by Harry Potter fans, who questioned its place in the canon due to the fact it was not written by J. K. Rowling. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW Like most aspects of normal life in 2020, the theatre industry was forced to shutter due to the Coronavirus pandemic last year, closing down the Cursed Child play. 2020 proved to be a very difficult time for theatre, an industry many expected to be among the last to safely reopen from the pandemic. Producers of the Cursed Child even filed a lawsuit against their insurer for refusing to cover losses due to COVID-19. This failure to receive a pay-out means the production may be at risk of a competitive disadvantage when it resumes on Broadway. RELATED: Harry Potter: Every Major Book Character Left Out Of The Movies The New York Times revealed that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is “not expected to return until 2022”. This is later than a number of other Broadway performances, which are to resume from September 14. The report also said that the play “is rethinking its length and structure before deciding how and when to reopen.” It is not immediately clear what these production changes might be, though fans have already begun speculation. The play runs over two parts, with the first at two hours and 40 minutes and the second at two hours and 35 minutes. With the production rethinking this length, cutting down scenes or eliminating storylines may be the first step. Any changes will be contentious with the fandom, who are already sensitive to changes in the Harry Potter storylines. This will require production to manage fans' expectations with the harsh realities of reopening the theatre industry. Cursed Child will join a long list of Broadway plays struggling to resume production in the face of COVID-19. With 65% of Broadway’s audience made up of tourists who may be put off from traveling, theatre experts anticipate a difficult road to reopening. Other contentious topics include whether masks, negative test results, or vaccinations will be required of attendees. The move to reopen Harry Potter & The Cursed Child in 2022 will provide a bumper year for Harry Potter fans as the untitled third installment in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise is also set to open in 2022.

Reports have begun to surface that Eternals 2 is already in development at Marvel. Directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals has been shrouded in mystery since its announcement in 2019. It's hard to determine just which movie MCU fans are looking forward to most after nearly two years of no releases, but it's clear that this cosmic adventure is pretty high up on the list. This is thanks, in part, to Eternals star-studded cast. Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, and Gemma Chan are all set to star in the film. Up until recently, the mystery surrounding Eternals has remained strong, but Marvel's Phase 4 sizzle reel pulled back the curtain and finally gave a first look at the film. The ensemble could be seen in various periods across the film's 7,000 year story and anticipation for the film has only increased. Behind the scenes, reports have swirled about how confident Marvel is in the film and Zhao's vision as director. Her unprecedented creative control on the film has seen her have a hand in everything from the final cut of Eternals to developing the screenplay alongside Marvel scribes. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:When Is Eternals Set In The MCU Timeline? This anticipation and confidence has reportedly translated to the studio's move to develop a sequel to the film six months before it hits theaters. John Campea revealed that the studio is hard at work on the follow-up even though they didn't announce any such thing in the Phase 4 preview. Campea likened it to how the studio has yet to announce Avengers 5 despite the fact that it's all but guaranteed to be in development. Of the sizzle reel and Eternals 2, Campea said: It's basically the same reason Avengers 5 and Eternals 2 weren't announced. They were only announcing those films up to 2023 that have verified release dates. There are over 20+ projects on the board.... We all know there's going to be an Avengers 5 and there's going to be an Eternals 2. By now, Marvel is known for both their secrecy and their intense planning years in advance. There are several MCU films lingering without release dates, including Blade, the Fantastic Four reboot, and Deadpool 3. The furthest film out with a set release date is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, currently set to hit theaters on May 5, 2023. This has no bearing on what has yet to be announced, though, as Marvel head Kevin Feige has the MCU planned through 2027. If the studio continues their recent pattern of debuting four films a year, that means there are around 14 to 16 films that have yet to be revealed. Eternals 2 is more than likely one of those, as the first film, like the rest of Marvel's slate, is guaranteed to be a hit. Whether or not the first film's expansive cast will be returning is something that will likely be revealed when Eternals hits theaters, but it sure seems like Zhao will be returning to direct, especially if the reports are right about her smashing it out of the park with her first MCU outing.

Robert Kirkman calls his upcoming Dracula spinoff, Renfield, an extremely violent comedy. Previously, Universal had plans for an interconnected universe of monster movies called the Dark Universe, which would have included a new take on Dracula, but those original plans have since fallen apart. Now, Renfield is part of the studio’s reevaluated plan to produce films based on their classic movie monster legacy. Renfield will focus on Dracula's servant from Bram Stoker’s original 1897 gothic horror novel. In the novel, Renfield is an inmate thought to be suffering from delusions that compel him to eat living creatures in the hopes of obtaining immortality. Eventually, it is revealed that Renfield is being compelled by Dracula, who subsequently offers him immortality in exchange for worship. Yet, the brief moments when Renfield uses his conscience eventually leaves him beaten and broken at the hands of Dracula’s wrath. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Who Turned Dracula Into A Vampire (In Original Books & Netflix Show) Speaking on the Fat Man Beyond Podcast (via ComingSoon), Robert Kirkman described Renfield as a comedy that is extremely violent. Kirkman, who wrote the original pitch, will be serving as a producer on the film, which is also described as being similar to his popular animated Amazon Prime series, Invincible. “We’re doing this cool movie for Universal that’s a focus on Renfield,” Kirkman said. “It’s a story about him being Dracula’s henchman and how shitty a job that is. It’s a fun, extremely violent comedy because I’ve got a crutch, and it’s violence.” Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man proved to Universal and viewers alike that there is a place for monsters in the modern world. And viewers have yet to see Renfield as a fleshed-out character despite memorable performances by Dwight Frye in the 1931 Dracula movie and Tom Waits in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The lessened restrictions at Universal have allowed for a number of creature-based movies to move forward with the studio, including Elizabeth Banks’ Invisible Woman and the Ryan Gosling-led Wolfman film. Karyn Kusama’s upcoming Dracula film will also ensure that Renfield won’t be alone in carrying on the legacy of Bram Stoker’s creation. Robert Kirkman is sure to create a satisfying story for the minor Dracula character. The Walking Dead co-creator is no stranger to gore, especially for creatures of the undead variety. It should exciting to see how a film that involves so much death manages to also be a hilarious comedy, but again, Kirkman's previous work shows he's capable of keeping things funny while not shying away from blood and guts. Still, viewers suffering from entomophobia should consider themselves warned.

Amid the growing backlash against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Golden Globes, Tom Cruise joins the boycott by returning all three of the awards he's won over the years. The first signs of trouble for the HFPA arrived earlier this year, just ahead of the 78th Golden Globes ceremony. The organization came under fire for not having a single Black member in its ranks, and for overlooking noteworthy Black productions in favor of headscratchers like Emily in Paris and Music. The HFPA promised to do better in the future and even came forward recently with some proposed reforms. However, Hollywood has been less than pleased with those proposals, with many calling them little more than "window-dressing platitudes." Major players within the industry like Netflix and Amazon vowed to boycott the Golden Globes. Over the weekend, celebs Mark Ruffalo and Scarlett Johansson came out against the HFPA, thus adding to the fire. Finally, in the most pointed rebuke of the HFPA so far, NBC announced on Monday they would not air next year's Golden Globes ceremony. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Golden Globes 2021: The Biggest Snubs & Surprises Just as the NBC news broke, another development emerged: Per Deadline, Cruise has made his own statement against the HFPA by returning his three Golden Globes. There are the two Best Actor awards he won for Jerry Maguire and Born on the Fourth of July, as well as the Supporting Actor trophy for Magnolia. According to sources, this just happened today. Actively returning awards that had been given years ago is quite the statement, and that it came from an A-lister like Cruise only makes it all the more momentous. It remains to be seen if other Golden Globes winners could follow suit, but it wouldn't be surprising if they do, particularly if they are seriously against the HFPA. At the time of this writing, the HFPA hasn't responded to Cruise's protest. With this and NBC's refusal to air next year's ceremony, Monday is far from a good day for the beleaguered organization. Perhaps this will finally prompt the HFPA to actually make real, meaningful changes in their practices. The Association said they were dedicated to real change, and this is the time to actually follow through with those words. Until that happens, though, expect even more members of the Hollywood elite to disavow the Golden Globes and the HFPA. Between Cruise, Ruffalo, and Johansson, as well as the many others who have spoken up, there are bound to be more who will stand opposite the group.

Throughout the early Harry Potter movies and books, the Boy Who Lived is shown accidentally performing dark magic, but what if those events were the work of the horcrux within him? Harry's magic is shown to be volatile, which is partly why the Dursleys are so terrified of the very idea of him being "different", but there's definitely an element of him not being in control. That may be called magical instinct persevering, but there could also be a darker reason behind it. Harry's first major magical moment comes at the zoo when he unwittingly removes the glass of the snake's enclosure, miraculously without a wand, but there are other examples throughout of his magic seemingly acting of its own free will. Before the events of The Philosopher's Stone, the books confirm Harry once turned a Muggle teacher's wig blue, for instance. And more tellingly, when Harry is being chased by Dudley's gang of bullies, he finds himself up on a roof, without evidence or real possibility of him having apparated. These things are presented as Harry's magical self-preservation or vengeful defense mechanisms in some cases because they fit the idea of his true identity being suppressed. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: What Would Have Happened If Harry Potter Had Been Sorted Into Slytherin The telling thing about the moment when Harry mysteriously leaps to a rooftop - and indeed his unwitting use of parseltongue at the zoo - is that both suggest Dark Magic use. The latter is obvious, but the former is confirmed in the later revelation that only the most highly advanced dark wizards are able to fly unaided. And one compelling theory suggests that the magic used is the expression of the piece of Voldemort's soul within him, defending its vessel the same way the horcrux in the locket fights back against Harry and Ron in The Deathly Hallows. In several of the early cases of Harry doing magic, it is in response to his being - or at least feeling - attacked. Combining the Parseltongue with vanishing the glass at the zoo is a means to punish Dudley, while flying away is in the name of self-preservation. There's even probably a case to suggest that the horcrux might identify the hatred of magic in the Dursleys that makes them ostracize and flat-out abuse Harry and automatically see Dudley as the enemy. Harry's temperament to his extended family would certainly fit with the added poison of that sort of influence. Going further than the theory, there's also the possibility that Harry's horcrux wanted to be found by its original master. Acts of magic willfully ignoring the rules against underage magic usage led to punishment, but that sort of dark magic usage would presumably alert anyone in Voldemort's remaining circle. Like the One Ring calling out to Sauron, Harry's fate was always tied to Voldemort because of the dark compulsion he had towards him. Ironically, of course, while the horcrux might have protected him throughout the Harry Potter series, its ultimate destruction was also what saved Harry when Voldemort attempted to kill him in the forest.

Dave Bautista has opened up about his film ambitions, revealing that he is ready become a director. Bautista stars in the upcoming zombie heist action film, Army of the Dead, from Zack Snyder. Army of the Dead was released in select theaters and will be available to stream on Netflix on May 21. Bautista made a name for himself as a professional wrestler in WWE for nearly a decade beginning in 2002. His past as a bodybuilder trained in mixed martial arts led him to great success as a wrestler, breaking records and becoming a six-time world champion. During his tenure with WWE, Bautista began to increase his talents, venturing into acting with early titles such as Werner Herzog’s 2009 film, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? and RZA’s (of the Wu-Tang Clan) 2012 martial arts film, The Man with the Iron Fists. After a final WWE bout ending in an appearance in WrestleMania35 in 2019, Bautista officially retired from wrestling. He has spent the past few years mainly focusing on his acting career, becoming a household name, especially due to his induction into the MCU in 2014 as Drax from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:Why Army Of The Dead’s Zombie King Will Be Key To Snyder’s Shared Universe However, in a recent interview with Screen Rant, Bautista opened up about graduating from acting to directing. The former bodybuilder explains that his experience in wrestling has taught him how to be a diligent student of the experts around him, spending his time throughout his acting career, actively learning from the best in the business and becoming comfortable with the filming process. Now, Bautista could see himself directing great films and becoming the “world champion.” Additionally, he points out that, contrary to what many would assume, he doesn’t want to do big action epics, but more intimate dramatic films. Read what Bautista said below: Dave Bautista: Yeah, absolutely. I feel that. Right now in my career, I feel confident that I could direct a film. I have goals, and I don't want to do big epic films. I want to do very contained, dramatic, and inspiring films. That's always what I've wanted to do. But now I feel confident that I've learned enough, and that I know enough about the process. Obviously, I don't know every technical aspect. But I feel confident that I could sit in a director's chair right now, and if I had a solid script and a solid cast, I could make one hell of a movie. I just think I'm at that point where I've just learned from the best; I've absorbed it. I've been a student. And it was the same in wrestling. I learned from the best, and I picked their brain, and I took advantage of those guys in a way that a lot of people are missing out on. I wanted to learn things; I wanted to learn the process of professional wrestling and why it was an art. It's the same thing with films, and I've done the same thing. And I feel like, right now if given the opportunity, I could be world champion. In the meantime, Bautista has continued to further his acting career with various roles, including his beloved role as Drax in the MCU, which is about to come to an end. He announced that after the upcoming third installment in the franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, he is retiring the Drax character. Vol. 3 would make Bautista’s sixth appearance as Drax, including the long awaited next installment of Thor, Thor: Love and Thunder. Additionally, Bautista has just been cast in Knives Out 2, the sequel to Rian Johnson’s critically acclaimed mystery film, Knives Out. In Knives Out 2, which will release on Netflix, Bautista will star alongside Daniel Craig, who is reprising his role as the astute detective, Benoit Blanc, and the newly cast Edward Norton. Bautista’s ambitions fall in line with most every high-profile actor in Hollywood who has gone on to direct their own projects. He shines in a variety of works from sci-fi such as Blade Runner 2049 to comedy like My Spy, making him a great candidate to direct a swath of different films. As Bautista says himself, a lot of his success would be on, first, being given the opportunity, and second, finding a great script and assembling a great cast. But, if anyone can do it, Drax the Destroyer can.

Scream 5 star, Courteney Cox, teases the upcoming movie's place in the franchise's continuity. The fifth installment of the iconic horror film franchise is directed by Ready or Not's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, following the 2015 passing of Wes Craven, who directed all four previous films. The fifth Scream film has been long-awaited since the 2011 reboot with Scream 4, which was met with disappointment by some fans who felt the film did not live up to the previous movies. However, Scream 5, officially titled Scream, is expected to go in a new direction from the previous films while honoring the series and Craven's legacy. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW For years there had been rumors of Scream 5 in the works, but fans were surprised when it was officially announced that Spyglass Media Group acquired the rights to the project. Franchise regulars David Arquette, Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell signed on to reprise their roles as Dewey, Gale and Sidney earlier this year, confirming that the film would not be a hard reboot. Filming was originally set to begin in May with a release date of 2021, but like many productions this year, was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Production was underway by September, with filming taking place in Wilmington, North Carolina while following COVID-19 safety protocols. Despite three members of the production testing positive for COVID, production continued. The movie officially wrapped filming back in November 2020, with a release date set for January 2022. The film will follow a young woman who returns to her hometown, only to encounter disturbing murders connected to the infamous masked serial killer. While most details surrounding the movie are being kept secret for now, Cox is sharing where the film fits in the franchise. RELATED: Friends: Why Courteney Cox Turned Down Playing Rachel In a recent interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, Cox spoke about where Scream 5 fits in the franchise's continuity. Cox explained that the new movie is the beginning of a completely new franchise. "Scream, this is the fifth one. It's not Scream 5 though, this is Scream….These directors are incredible, they're making it absolutely, it's a new franchise," said Cox. "It's hip, it's scary, it's just a new Scream. It's not a reboot, it's not a remake, it’s just a brand new launch. I think it’s going to be fantastic." While the much-anticipated sequel will see familiar faces return from past films in the franchise, there will also be some newcomers that will help give it a whole new generation. Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Dylan Minnette are among the cast making their debut in the franchise. Other details behind the film are being kept so secret, that it was revealed last month that multiple versions of the screenplay were written to keep from spoilers being leaked. It will certainly be interesting to see what direction Scream will go in, and how the new characters will unite with the originals to fight off the iconic masked serial killer. While there's still a little less than a year to go before the film hits theaters, Cox is likely making fans even more eager to see the new film. While it's difficult to imagine how the new movie is not a remake or a reboot when there are multiple characters returning from the franchise, things will likely make more sense once audiences see the movie.

Army of the Dead's Nora Arnezeder revealed her character's secret backstory. As reviews roll in for Army of the Dead, the hype for Zack Snyder’s upcoming return to the zombie realm is only increasing. Currently sitting in the 70% range on the Tomatometer, early reviews are praising Army of the Dead as an ambitious amalgam of heist and horror action, while some critics claim the film does neither very well. Snyder’s zombie flick will debut in about 600 theaters on May 14 before streaming on Netflix the following week, May 21. Army of the Dead finds a short-order cook, Scott Ward (Dave Bautista), who has been tasked with rounding up a team and retrieving $200 million from a Las Vegas casino's vault. One important caveat is that Vegas is the epicenter of a zombie outbreak and the government is preparing to nuke the city within 32 hours. Bautista’s heist crew, dubbed the Las Vengeance team, is a ragtag bunch, yet each member has their specialty: Cruz (Ana de la Reguarea) as a mechanic, Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick) as a zombie killer, Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer) as a safecracker, Peters (Tig Notaro) as a helicopter pilot, and Lily (Nora Arnezeder) as “The Coyote,” who is known for sneaking people into the city. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED:Why Army Of The Dead's Zombie King Will Be Key To Snyder's Shared Universe The film is expected to delve into many of these characters' backstories, while some will be left for the prequels. Arnezeder said previously, in her mind, Lily used to work at the casino the Las Vengeance crew is operating in. But now, in an interview with Screen Rant, Arnezeder is revealing more of the secret backstory she made up for her character: That's something that you do as an actor: you create a background character. I can tell you my little secrets if you want. She's doing everything for her daughter. She has a daughter. Yeah, it's a big revelation. Arnezeder also spoke about the process of creating a layered character, which requires one to come up with a backstory that explores their motivations: In order to build a strong character, I always look at the big picture and the bigger objective. I think doing it for the money is not as strong, but doing it for someone that's so dear to your heart brings so many layers to the character. It makes it deep. While the animated prequel series will chronicle the origin story of Scott Ward and other members of the Las Vengeance crew, including his daughter Kate (Ella Purnell) and Cruz, it is unclear if Lily’s backstory will be explored. It is also unclear if any creatives or executives are even aware of Lily’s secret backstory, or if this is just something Arnezeder invented to help inform her performance. With Army of the Dead featuring such a large cast of characters, it would be nearly impossible to explore everyone’s backstory in the film’s 2 hour 28-minute runtime, which is largely what necessitated the prequel series. If Lily was not given a specific backstory, it is nice to see Arnezeder taking the initiative and improvising one for her Army of the Dead character.

The Golden Globes’ 2022 NBC broadcast has been officially cancelled by the network, marking a pivotal moment in the long history of protest, criticism, and boycotts against the show and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that runs it. For some, the cancellation may have come as a shock. But the recent boycott movement against the Golden Globe Awards is just the latest development in a decades-old string of lawsuits and callouts. In 1943, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was founded by a small group of foreign journalists with the stated intention of facilitating more effective coverage of Hollywood for non-American markets. The Golden Globe Awards were created shortly thereafter as a method for the group to bestow its own honors on the films, performers and creatives of the day. In the eight decades since, the fame and influence of the HFPA and the Globes has grown substantially, but the organization itself has failed to evolve with it in the ways many outsiders – and some members – believe necessary. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Golden Globes 2021: The Biggest Snubs & Surprises Though negative sentiment against the HFPA has grown substantially in recent years, the organization has been the target of controversy and criticism for decades. That pattern of questionable behavior has only been magnified with recent calls for improved diversity in the film industry at large, ultimately leading to the recent boycott movement and NBC’s cancellation of the show. Here’s what you need to know about the Golden Globes controversy. Golden Globes & HFPA Controversy Explained For decades, the HFPA and the Golden Globes have been at the root of a number of industry scandals. The show was dropped by NBC in the late ‘60s after an FCC claim that the HFPA was misleading the public about its award selection process. In 1982, it was dropped again, this time by new broadcast partner CBS, after a controversy surrounding that year’s “New Star of the Year – Actress” award being given to Pia Zadora for the critically lambasted film Butterfly. Zadora’s husband, Israeli business magnate Meshulam Riklis, had flown members of the HFPA to his resort properties in Las Vegas just weeks before voting took place. Riklis also financed the production of the film. While the Golden Globes rebuilt something of its public reputation through the eighties, controversies continued to persist. Over the past few decades, the HFPA has repeatedly faced accusations of accepting extravagant gifts, all-expense-paid trips, and other sorts of kickbacks by studios and producers aimed at influencing the voting process. Over just the last five years, the amount of money paid yearly to the HFPA by NBC for the Golden Globes has exploded, rising from the single-digit millions range to closer to $30 million, according to official reports. That spike has been paralleled by a sharp increase in the amount of money paid out to HFPA members for various committee duties, sparking widespread accusations of inappropriate financial management, which the organization has repeatedly denied. While more funds have been allocated to charitable causes in recent years, the same concerns have remained. Even recent hosts of the Golden Globes like Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have criticized the HFPA on their own stage. As protest against Hollywood’s lack of diversity has intensified in recent years, those past criticisms against the HFPA have only grown stronger. Because of the group’s small size – less than a hundred members as opposed to the thousands present in the Film Academy and Television Academy – questions have been raised about the process of admittance. As of earlier this year, the group’s membership included no Black journalists. That severe lack of representation has been heavily criticized, especially given the Golden Globes’ pattern of ignoring Black-centric stories in its nomination process. Such criticisms certainly aren’t new, but they recently came to a head when a large-scale studio boycott of the show began to take shape. RELATED: Why Hamilton Can Win Golden Globes As A Movie (But Not Oscars) Golden Globes 2022 Boycott & Cancellation In February 2021, the Los Angeles Times published an extensive breakdown of the HFPA’s controversial history, resurfacing the old criticisms mentioned above and digging deep into the organization’s modern-day finances. That article helped reinvigorate public frustration with the HFPA leading up to the 2021 show, which itself was then riddled with further criticism for the Golden Globe nominees. Judas and the Black Messiah, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Da 5 Bloods, three highly acclaimed films from Black directors and led by Black stars, were all left out of the “Best Motion Picture – Drama” category. Minari, an American-made movie about a Korean American family, was placed in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category. And the widely panned Netflix series Emily in Paris received two nominations while Michaela Coel’s highly acclaimed series I May Destroy You was completely boxed out, following an extravagant series of Parisian set visits and exclusive press events provided to members of the HFPA. Then near the beginning of May, Netflix and Amazon announced they would both by boycotting the 2022 Golden Globe Awards in protest of the HFPA’s failure to institute meaningful reform. The boycott was soon joined by WarnerMedia, who, in an official statement, called the HFPA out for a history of sexist, racist, and homophobic questions directed at actors and creatives at past press events. The statement also references past instances of overt sexual harassment – accusations that appear inline with Brendan Fraser’s past allegations that he was groped by former HFPA president Philip Berk at an event in 2003. The protests gained even more attention when Tom Cruise recently announced he would be returning his three Golden Globe trophies. Finally, with industry pressure mounting, NBC announced that it was cancelling its 2022 broadcast of the annual awards show. The network has claimed that it is open to working with the HFPA again in 2023, but that it believes significant time is required to enact the necessary changes. The cancellation has been supported by many in the industry as more stars and studios have spoken out against the organization. What The HFPA Is Doing In Response Following the cancellation from NBC, the HFPA has put out a detailed timeline of measures it plans to take to fix the many complaints against it. Those plans include revising the organization’s bylaws and code of conduct to amend issues with studio kickbacks, hiring a chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, and seeking out new members and new leadership over the coming months with the help of outside, nonpartisan consultation. The HFPA has vowed to add 20 new members to its ranks by August, expand membership by 50 percent over the next 18 months, and reevaluate the eligibility of current members by revised criteria as determined by the new conduct and diversity guidelines. RELATED: Oscars 2021: What Went Wrong Unfortunately, while all these reforms sound significant on paper, they don’t guarantee the kind of systemic change many in the industry have called for. It’s entirely possible that the revised guidelines and expanded membership could cause major improvements to the HFPA, but it’s also possible that these public-facing changes could be little more than PR maneuvers to remedy the group’s severely tarnished image, and that the core of the organization will remain the same. Only time will tell if the HFPA is truly interested in reforming itself for the better, and in that time, the Golden Globes may lose a huge portion of its cultural clout. What Will Happen To The Golden Globes? This is not the first time the Golden Globes have been mired in controversy. It’s not even the first time the show has been dropped by NBC. Similar circumstances failed to kill the HFPA in the ‘60s, and the ‘80s, and the mid-2000s, and it honestly seems unlikely that they’ll kill the organization now. But the path to survival this time may finally necessitate more significant overhauls of both the Golden Globe Awards and the HFPA as a whole. It’s possible that the show could go on with a different broadcast partner next year, or it could hand out awards in a less dramatic fashion. Or maybe the organization will actually take the suggested time before voting once again. While it’s encouraging to see major studios like Netflix and WarnerMedia demand needed change from powerful groups like the HFPA, Hollywood’s issues with poor diversity are much larger than a single organization. The show’s cancellation is the latest in what will inevitably be a long campaign to reform an industry that was initially founded to celebrate some and exclude many others. The life or death of the Golden Globes, while the current flashpoint moment, is just one part of a larger whole.

Marvel has unveiled new figures from their partnership with Funko for the forthcoming Venom: Let There Be Carnage giving a new tease of the titular villain symbiote. Set a year and a half after the events of the 2018 film, the story centers on investigative journalist, Eddie Brock, as he struggles to live with an increasingly-manic Venom. He then must face off against serial killer, Cletus Kasady, as he becomes the host for the symbiote Carnage and go on a rampage. The cast for the film will see the returns of Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson in the titular roles, alongside Michelle Williams and the introduction of Stephen Graham to the series. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW First released in October 2018, Venom received generally negative reviews from critics but was a box office smash, helping launch the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters with other entries including next year's Morbius, a Kraven the Hunter film and others. The mid-credits sequence for the Hardy-led film saw the introduction of Harrelson's Kasady, setting up his proper role as the antagonist in the sequel after the creative team elected to save him for a follow-up. After numerous release delays due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Let There Be Carnage is now slated to finally hit theaters on September 24. RELATED: Every Upcoming Sci-Fi Movie In 2021 Marvel and Funko unveiled two new Pop figures tied to the release of the sequel based on both Venom and Carnage's design in the film. In addition to the Pop iteration of the figure, Walmart will carry a jumbo 10-inch version of the Carnage design. Both figures can be viewed below: Whether this week's first trailer for the sequel wowed or disappointed viewers, all can certainly agree that the design of Carnage in the film is a faithful take on the character that proves very menacing. Though the manufacturer has put out plenty of legitimately terrifying figures, including Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise from It, the new figure of Carnage might be one fans can give themselves nightmares with by keeping it on their shelves. But even if fans don't elect to pick up their own copy of the figure, it at least offers another exciting glimpse at the villainous alien symbiote for the sequel. What this week's trailer has indicated to audiences is — at the very least — Hardy, director Andy Serkis, and writer Kelly Marcel are trying to improve and fix the criticisms coming from the first film, from the inclusion of the titular villain to a seemingly-darker vibe. Plus, with Hardy reportedly signed on to star in one more film and having helped with the story on the sequel, it would certainly be nice to see his efforts not be in vain. For now, fans will have to wait just four more months until Venom: Let There Be Carnage finally crashes into theaters.

Black Widow director, Cate Shortland, confirms the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been fully finished and untouched by Marvel for a year. Scarlett Johansson's solo MCU movie is finally nearing its release once again. Black Widow was originally set to release in theaters in May 2020, but Disney delayed the film multiple times due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of kicking off Phase 4, the movie now will arrive after three Disney+ shows have started airing. Black Widow will be available to watch in July in theaters and on Disney+ through Premier Access. The extended wait for Black Widow theoretically gave Marvel Studios even more time to work on the movie and perfect it. Fans regularly wondered if Marvel would make changes to the movie due to the new Phase 4 release order, even though it is set in the MCU's past: between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel Studios has spent the last year finishing several of its upcoming blockbuster movies and multiple Disney+ shows, but it turns out that they've left Black Widow alone the whole time. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Black Widow's Trailer Proves It Isn't Releasing Too Late As part of Empire's summer preview issue, Shortland briefly spoke to the magazine, which also debuted another new image from Black Widow featuring Johansson's Natasha Romanoff and Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. There is no direct quote from Shortland in the article, but the outlet states Black Widow's director revealed "the film has been fully finished – and untouched – for a year now, just waiting to be unleashed on audiences." This confirms that Marvel Studios hasn't made any changes to Black Widow, even though it is now coming out later in the MCU Phase 4 slate. The movie has long been rumored to connect to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina rumored to appear in Black Widow now. If the movie was meant to lead into the Disney+ show, it would seem that any changes were made to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier instead. This also confirms that Marvel hasn't secretly done any reshoots on the movie or even changed the edit. Although the delays to Black Widow gave Marvel Studios time to work on the movie more if desired, the reality of the situation is that they had to shift time, energy, and money to other projects. The movie already has an estimated budget north of $200 million, so pumping more time into it would've only inflated the cost. Johansson might not return to lead future Black Widow movies, but there is still a chance Marvel Studios has hopes for this to launch a franchise with Florence Pugh. Since Marvel hasn't made any changes to Black Widow in the last year, hopefully that is a sign of their confidence in how it turned out.

Brainiac was considered as the villain in Man of Steel 2 according to Zack Snyder. Man of Steel opened in theaters on June 14, 2013, and launched the DCEU, which now includes multiple films based on heroes like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Suicide Squad. Yet, no official sequel to Man of Steel has been produced, and Warner Bros. instead opted to turn Man of Steel 2 into Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Snyder then began crafting an epic five-part tale that would lead into Justice League and its subsequent sequels. Brainiac was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino and first appeared in Action Comics #242 in July 1958. The character has been one of Superman's most iconic enemies second only to Lex Luthor. Yet, despite the character's popularity, he has never made the jump to the big screen. The character was planned for Superman III before being scrapped. He was also a major part of Kevin Smith's and Tim Burton's Superman Lives treatment that never saw the light of day. Despite not appearing on film, the character has made multiple appearances on television including the DC Animated Universe, Smallville (played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, James Marsters), and most recently as the main villain on the short-lived Syfy series, Krypton. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: Why DC Isn't Making Man Of Steel 2 In an interview with BroBible, Zack Snyder revealed that he planned to use Brainiac in a sequel to Man of Steel. Snyder doesn't elaborate if this was the original plan before Man of Steel 2 became Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice or if this would have come after Justice League. He highlights that he feels an extraterrestrial villain is ideal for Superman. Snyder said: We talked about a Brainiac movie...I just think it’s best to give Superman these extraterrestrial challenges because I think you’ve got to be careful with — other than Lex Luthor, because, of course, you have to continue with Lex, because Lex is his real nemesis — but I think you really have to look outside of the Earth for challenges for him because of how powerful he is. The Brainiac discussions appeared to have happened early in development on the sequel. Man of Steel 2 was originally announced before the first film opened in theaters, but by the time the film came out, the studio decided to shift focus on setting up the Justice League instead of a traditional Superman sequel. Snyder outlined the Justice League sequels to include the team fighting a DCEU incarnation of the Legion of Doom and Darkseid with the story wrapping up as Clark Kent and Lois Lane's son became the new Batman. Therefore, it didn't seem there was a place for Brainiac in that story. It seems at the moment, Man of Steel 2 is unlikely to happen. Snyder has all but stepped away from the DCEU, as Zack Snyder's Justice League marked an end for that chapter of the series history. Warner Bros. has put the focus on spotlighting new heroes like Zatanna, Blue Bettle, and Static Shock. The Superman franchise itself is getting another reboot from producer, J.J Abrams, and writer, Ta-Nehisi Coates, that will feature a Black Superman. While Brainiac could be a possible villain for that project, it seems unlikely fans will see Henry Cavill face off against Brainiac anytime soon.

Regina King will direct a live-action Bitter Root movie for Legendary, based on the acclaimed Image Comic series. Even though King has been involved in Hollywood for decades, her profile has been on the rise in recent years. She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk and then a Primetime Emmy for HBO's Watchmen. She previously won Emmys for her work in Seven Seconds and twice for American Crime as well. These accolades came right before King delivered her feature movie directorial debut, One Night in Miami. The ensemble movie featuring Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Muhammad Ali followed the four iconic figures as they gathered for one night and discussed a variety of pressing cultural and political topics. One Night in Miami was one of 2020's best-reviewed films and earned a 98% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It had a major presence through the movie awards season and earned three Oscar nominations, with King also receiving a nomination for Best Director at the Golden Globes. The quality of One Night in Miami left many wondering what she will direct next, and now we know. Continue Scrolling To Keep ReadingClick the button below to start this article in quick view. START NOW RELATED: One Night In Miami Ending & Real Meaning Explained According to a report from Deadline, King will direct an adaptation of the Image Comic, Bitter Root, for Legendary. She'll produce the live-action movie through her Royal Ties banner in addition to directing the comic book property. Black Panther director, Ryan Coogler, and other members of Proximity Media are also set to produce Bitter Root. The script is currently being rewritten by Bryan Edward Hill, who previously worked on Ash vs the Evil Dead and Titans, and is developing the upcoming Power Rangers reboot. There is currently no known schedule for the production. Bitter Root was created by David F. Walker, Sanford Greene, and Chuck Brown in 2018. The story is set during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and follows the Sangerye Family, a once-great family of monster hunters who have been torn apart by tragedy. They are forced to reunite to take on an unimaginable supernatural force. The series has 24 issues published to date and has been praised for tackling racial themes. It was also nominated for an Eisner Award for the best new comic series. Based on King's recent work with One Night in Miami, she should be an excellent fit for a Bitter Root adaptation. It will allow her to tell meaningful stories about race but do it in a very different style than the play adaptation. Now, she'll have horror and action elements to play with and show a new side of her directing vision. If Bitter Root is King's next movie, this likely rules her out from tackling DC's Black Superman movie or Blade for Marvel Studios, as she was recently speculated to be a contender for both. King will still tackle the comic book movie world with Bitter Root, though. Her involvement will hopefully allow the movie adaptation to move forward quickly.