It’s been a jam-packed two weeks for movie news, with plenty of major remake and sequel announcements, along with a new biopic announcement, and much more. Check out what’s been happening in the world of movies below:
Christopher Nolan’s Next Move is Titled ‘Tenet’ and Reveals Final Cast List
Christopher Nolan’s movies are always widely anticipated, and always highly speculated due to just how secretive he is about them. While he did announce he had a new project in the works some time ago, little was known about it other than some casting announcements. Though now it’s known the movie will be titled Tenet, and shooting will be underway soon. All that is known about the project is the fact that it will be an action epic set in the world of international espionage. Nolan has added one of his regulars Michael Caine to the cast, along with Kenneth Branagh, Dimple Kapadia, Aaron Taylor-Johnston, and Clemence Poesy, who join John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki. This will be Nolan’s first movie since 2017’s Dunkirk, and will see a July 17, 2020 release.
‘Sonic’ Movie Delayed Due to Major Redesigns After Fan Backlash
One of the biggest causes of uproar from audiences this year came when the trailer for the upcoming Sonic the Hedhehog movie got released, and fans saw his odd CGI design. The outcry from longtime Sonic fans was massive, so much that director Jeff Fowler announced the title character would get completely redesigned. The film originally still maintained its November 8, 2019 release date, and there was much speculation if the visual effects department would be able to go back and completely change every frame featuring Sonic within six months. That speculation came to an end when Fowler announced the movie would be pushed back from its November release to a February 14, 2020 release date, giving the effects team some breathing room. While this may not necessarily change fans’ anticipation for the movie otherwise, at least they will be comforted knowing what they first saw won’t be Sonic’s final design.
Video Game Adaption ‘Just Cause’ Coming From ‘John Wick’ Creator
The latest video game adaption has been announced, that being Just Cause, an action game taking place across multiple islands that follows a special agent trying to overthrow a dictator and stop all of his mercenaries. The game itself spawned three sequels, and now producers are looking to create a movie franchise of their own. Germany’s Constantin Films picked up the movie rights to the video game series and have tapped John Wick creator Derek Kolstad to write the script, as well as produce the film. Currently no director or cast has been announced yet, but this will be a top priority for Constantin Films, as it will begin filming in 2020. While video game adaptations haven't received the kindest treatment from critics nor audiences, that streak broke with Pokemon: Detective Pikachu earlier this year. More than likely, that will simply be viewed as an exception to the rule, though Kolstad’s involvement does lead to some promise.
‘The Wild Bunch’ Remake Coming From Mel Gibson
The Wild Bunch, Sam Peckinpah's violent Western classic, is getting the remake treatment, having been a longtime dream project for Mel Gibson, who will be directing the film. And it looks like he’s got a cast underway, with Michael Fassbender, Jamie Foxx, and Peter Dinklage all in talks to join the remake as the titular aging outlaws looking for one final score. Not much is known in terms of when the film will be released or who else is being looked at for the cast, though the script is done, and Warner Bros. will distribute the film, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing alongside Gibson. This will be Gibson's first film in the director's chair since 2016's Hacksaw Ridge, which picked up multiple Academy Award nominations. Since then, he's been busy in front of the camera, including having just appeared in this year's Dragged Across Concrete.
Boy George Biopic in the Works
It should come as no surprise that with the popularity of Bohemian Rhapsody, more music biopics would quickly be on the way. Netflix released the Motley Crue biopic The Dirt and resonated with fans despite being critically panned, and the Elton John biopic Rocketman just saw release and won audiences over. Next up, Boy George! The film has no title or cast announced yet, but will be distributed by MGM, who’s also developing an Aretha Franklin biopic, making this their second music biopic in the works. The film will follow Boy George from his early life to his rise to superstardom leading the band Culture Club in the 1980’s. The film will be written and directed by Sacha Gervasi, who first rose to prominence for his documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil in 2008.
‘Your Name' Director's Follow-Up Movie 'Weathering With You' Gets Release Date
In 2017, the anime film Your Name was released, and went on to become one of the highest grossing anime films of all-time, helping put the genre back on the map. The film was easily one of the best films to come out of that year, and the next film from director Makoto Shinkai, has since been highly anticipated. Now, fans won't have to wait much longer for that film. Shinkai's next film, Weathering With You, a sci-fi drama focusing on a high school boy who meets a girl who can manipulate the weather, will see a release this year. The film will open in Japan on July 19. For American audiences, the film will see an awards-qualifying limited run later in the year, before receiving a wide theatrical release in 2020. It's currently unknown when exactly the US release will be exactly just yet, though either way, this will surely be a potential candidate for end of the year lists, with hopefully lightning striking twice for Shinkai.
Ava DuVernay Directed ‘New Gods' Movie for DC with Comic Writer Tom King
DC seems to be turning things around with their movie slate, with Shazam! receiving some of the highest praise yet for the DC Extended Universe, joining the ranks of Wonder Woman and Aquaman as major improvements over their earliest releases. While they have a slew of other projects already in the works, they’re adding one more to their slate, with a film focusing on Jack Kirby’s New Gods, a group of deites within the superhero world. The film will be co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay, who’s received critical acclaim for her films Selma and Middle of Nowhere. DuVernay will be joined by DC’s own Tom King to co-write the screenplay. King is currently one of the company’s most acclaimed writers, with his takes on Batman and the New Gods-related Mister Miracle being highly acclaimed in recent years. With such an acclaimed creative team behind this, New Gods is easily now one of DC’s most anticipated upcoming titles.
‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Director Eyed to Helm ‘Snow White’ Live-Action Remake
The Disney live-action remakes just keep on coming. This year, we’ve seen Dumbo and Aladdin already, with The Lion King and Lady and the Tramp on their way next, along with Mulan and Cruella both on their way. Next up on their list will be a live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s very first animated film. While there have been live-action remakes made before - Mirror, Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman - this one will be the first that specifically gets the Disney treatment, who will work to distance themselves from those two film. While it's not official yet, it looks like they may have their director for this project, with (500) Days of Summer and Amazing Spider-Man director Marc Webb tapped to helm the film. Not much else is known yet in terms of cast, though The Girl on the Train screenwriter Erin Cresida Wilson is tapped to write the screenplay, while Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen, are set to write new songs for the film.
Taika Waititi’s ‘Akira’ Remake Gets Release Date
While live-action remakes of anime, like video game adaptations, aren't exactly always treated kindly by audiences or critics, one film that will be eyed as being an exception to the rule will be Taika Waititi’s live-action remake of Akira, the highly acclaimed anime film from 1988 that’s set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Waititi has been making more of a name for himself in recent years, with What We Do in the Shadows receiving critical acclaim, while his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Ragnarok, going on to become one of the most beloved entries into the series. The film was constantly pushed back for quite some time, though will now be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and released by Warner Bros, with production commencing in October. The film has been announced to get a May 21, 2021 release date where it will face off against…
‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Gets Release Date
Akira’s big competitor on May 21, 2021 will be none other than John Wick. After Chapter 3 - Parabellum receiving critical acclaim and positive audience reactions, Lionsgate has signaled the release for more adventures of the famous hitman. Director Chad Stahelski had stated in a recent interview that he would love to continue making films in the series, stating that he and Keanu Reeves have plenty of ideas, and that as long as fans want more, they’ll keep creating more. Nothing currently is known about what Chapter 4 may entail, though judging by the way in which Chapter 3 ended, fans are surely already speculating. The John Wick franchise has been one of the best action franchises to be released in recent memory, with its extensive mythology, impressive stunts, and vivid set pieces, and while there are some fears that the series may eventually run out of steam, it doesn't look like it will be anytime soon.
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