With the coverage of the Oscars last week, the weekly movie news post was skipped, so this week’s will cover two weeks’ worth of news. These last two weeks saw the announcement of multiple sequels in the sci-fi and horror genres, as well as cancellations in both the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universes. For these stories and more, check out below:
Marvel Cancels 'The Punisher' and 'Jessica Jones'
I normally don’t cover cancellations on these news recaps, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a wildly popular franchise that’s difficult to ignore. A few weeks after the release of The Punisher season 2, Netflix has announced that they have cancelled the series. Additionally, they announced the upcoming season 3 of Jessica Jones will also be that series’ last, bringing an end to all of the Marvel-Netflix series. While it’s suspected that all of Marvel’s Netflix characters will eventually reappear in some form or the other, in something a little more closely tied to the MCU - all of these shows technically were in the same universe but made scarce references to what happened in the movies and never saw the appearance of any movie characters - right now, Marvel has not made any official announcements when we’ll see these characters next.
DC Pulls Back on Plans for Extended Universe
While not so much a cancellation, DC has announced their own changes in the DCEU, stating that their shared universe is no longer their top priority. While the DCEU will still exist, all of the comic book company’s next batch of movies will be standalone features that don’t involve constant callbacks and connections to their other movies, in the same vein as Marvel. Recent movies such as Aquaman and Wonder Woman technically do take place in the DCEU but mainly focus on the story at hand and not how the other characters fit into the larger picture. Meanwhile, their upcoming slate that includes Shazam, Wonder Woman: 1984, Joker, and Birds of Prey, will all follow that same notion. This announcement also goes hand in hand with another recent announcement that Will Smith has dropped out of the James Gunn-directed Suicide Squad sequel, with no official announcement made whether Smith’s character Deadshot will either be recast or dropped from the movie altogether. Smith’s exit is another dent made in the shift away from the Zack Snyder-started universe.
Daniel Craig to Star in New Todd Field Movie
Todd Field has not directed a film since 2006’s Little Children. His newest project - titled The Creed of Violence - has been in development hell for years, with talks of Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale circling at one point or another. Though it now appears that the project is finally coming together, as it’s announced that Daniel Craig has signed on to star in this film as one of his first post-James Bond projects. An adaptation of the Boston Teran novel of the same name, Craig would play an assassin named Rawbone who works together with a government agent to bring down a smuggling ring around the Texas-Mexico border. Field has only directed two movies - the aforementioned Little Children, as well as In the Bedroom - both of which are incredibly well-made, heart-wrenching experiences to watch. This will be slightly different territory for Field, but it should still be another brutal, engaging watch nonetheless.
Rami Malek Reportedly Will Play Next James Bond Villain
Speaking of James Bond, Rami Malek is reportedly in final talks to portray the villain in the 25th James bond villain. Fresh off his Best Actor win for Bohemian Rhapsody, Malek previously addressed the potential casting, calling it a “dream role,” and hinting that the casting is a done deal. Potentially to be titled Shatterhand, this next Bond movie will be Daniel Craig’s final outing as the character, and will also be directed by Cary Fukunaga, whose latest project was the Netflix-released miniseries Maniac, which adds another level of interest to this project. After winning over audiences as the iconic Freddie Mercury, it will definitely be intriguing to see Malek as someone we’ll love to hate.
Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage to Star in New Comedy 'Brothers'
In the comedy world, it’s been announced that Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin will star in a new project together, in a film that should be in the same vein as Twins, known as Brothers. Written by Tropic Thunder writer Etan Cohen, there isn’t much news as of now about the new project, other than it being explicitly stated it’ll be the same tone as the aforementioned Twins. While Cohen’s latest fare has been hit-and-miss, this will be one to approach with a bit of caution but it should be a great way for both Brolin and Dinklage to flex their acting chops - especially Dinklage, who started off more in the comedic world before gaining star power as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones.
Yorgos Lanthimos Next Film Announced
Since The Favourite gained ten Oscar nominations, Yorgos Lanthimos’ next project is now a high priority for studios. His next film - titled Pop. 1280 - has recently been announced and is apparently a high priority for studios Imperative Entertainment and Element Pictures. An adaptation of the Jim Thompson crime novel, the story will focus on a corrupt sheriff of a small town who manipulates those nearest to him in order to win an upcoming election. The novel has been a longtime favorite of Lanthimos, whose previous work involves characters frequently manipulating one another, as evidenced in The Favourite and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Considering this is already treading typical Lanthimos territory, this one is already highly anticipated.
'Edge of Tomorrow' Sequel in the Works
Warner Bros. plans to Live Die Repeat once again, as they announced they’re developing a sequel to the hit sci-fi film Edge of Tomorrow. The first film followed Tom Cruise as a public relations officer who finds himself stuck in a time loop that finds him resurrected each time he’s killed by aliens. He receives training from a Special Forces soldier, played by Emily Blunt, to gain the skills he needs to fight the aliens and escape the loop. While this project was only just announced, the plan is to bring back original director Doug Liman, as well as both Cruise and Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow was a surprise hit for Warner Bros. and an ultimately very fun experience, so here’s to hoping that this cycle will repeat to great success once more.
John Krasinski to Direct 'A Quiet Place 2' with Emily Blunt Returning
One project we definitely know Emily Blunt will return for is A Quiet Place 2, the sequel to the hit horror film written and directed by her husband John Krasinski. A Quiet Place was a massive success, following a family who has to live in silence from a group of monsters that can sense movement based on the tiniest sound made. The horror film was incredibly successful as it incorporated the topics of well-layered family drama into a unique horror setting. Krasinski has announced he’ll officially be returning to write and direct the sequel, and while details for this one are scarce as well, as of now, this one is also one that will be high on the radar, considering how much of an emotional ride the first film was.
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