John Travolta has been circling Gotti, the biopic about the New York Mafia boss and head of the Gambino crime family, for some time now. Turns out the film got made, the trailers have been making the rounds these past few weeks; and now, only ten days before its release, Lionsgate has decided to remove the movie from their schedule.
The Tracking Board broke the news earlier, which surely isn’t totally weird and non related to the current cultural purge in Hollywood. It surely has nothing to do with Travolta being accused of sexual misconduct by a masseuse.
The charges of sexual harassment, or misconduct, or however you want to categorize it, have been coming fast and furious, systematically cleansing a polluted, disgusting Hollywood machine that sorely needed a sociological renaissance. Travolta appears to be in line next, as rumors of his seedy sexual aggressions towards male massage therapists and the like have been floating around for years.
Also, let’s be clear here, Gotti getting pulled is no big loss. Gotti was never going to be a good movie; those days for Travolta are way back in the rearview mirror, making his compelling work in The People Vs. O.J. Simpson feel like an anomaly more than a second or third comeback. And his irrelevance also means that Travolta’s misgivings will be largely overlooked and forgotten.
Stay tuned for more accusations, er, “delayed movies.”
Marvel’s Iron Fist has added Alice Eve to season two of the Netflix series.
The English actress’ role has not yet been disclosed.
“We are very excited to have an actress of Alice’s stature join the cast of Marvel’s Iron Fist,” Marvel’s Head of television and executive producer Jeph Loeb said in a news release. “Her exceptional talent brings an intrigue and danger to her character unlike anyone else.”
Many will know Eve from her role as Carol Marcus in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek: Into Darkness. Most recently, she appeared in the Black Mirror season three episode “Nosedive.”
Eve joins returning cast members Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick, Tom Pelphrey, Jessica Stroup and Sacha Dhawan.
The second season of Iron Fist will follow Danny Rand and Colleen Wing as they set off on a new adventure as protectors of Chinatown in New York City.
Iron Fist will return with new showrunner Raven Metzner (Sleepy Hollow) at the helm. Scott Buck left the series to work the Marvel-ABC series Inhumans.
Netflix has not yet released a premiere date for season two.
This series is based on the 2002 book by Richard K. Morgan and takes place 300 years in the future, one where human consciousness can be stored in ‘sacks’, rather digital implants, and allow the wealthy to continually upgrade their bodies, or ‘sleeves’, and live forever.
Takeshi Kovacs is an elite soldier for hire and traditionally a revolutionary. He is imprisoned and his conscious is stored. Centuries later, he is awoken in a different body. He is essentially brought back by Laurens Bancroft, who offers him a pardon for his crimes. In return, Kovacs must solve a murder case, that of Bancroft’s own death, by the hands of a previous sleeve.
Quell trained Kovacs. She is the leader of the ‘Envoys’, a group of interstellar warriors that hone skills in combat, survival and that of intuition. His awakening stirs controversy as Detective Kristin Ortega has now started to follow suit. There are also quite a few other storylines that follow and intersect with all the characters. Society is ultimately on both ends of the spectrum on the controversial choice of transferring one’s conscience to another body. Thus, the future is riddled with constant riots and protests.
The project is a longtime coming for screenwriter and creator Laeta Kalogridis, who refers to this show as her passion project. She optioned the rights almost 15 years ago and has long been trying to bring it to life. The original plan was to make it a feature film, but as a ‘tough sell’, but Netflix stepped up.
“We tried to imagine what a potential globalized future on Earth would look like, with a certain amount of technological change, familiarity and a large degree of human familiarity,” Said Kalogridis.
Just ten days away from the release of The Last Jedi, the international trailer gives us a first look at a much-teased new location, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Spoilers below
The Star Wars Galaxy Coninues Expanding
RIP Cantina, there’s a new bad guy haunt in town. This one looks a lot brighter, with wide stained-glass windows and a well-lit bar. The international trailer for The Last Jedi shows a split-second view of Canto Bight, the 1%s answer to the original Cantina. The Star Wars website describes the new location as a “casino city and playground for the galaxy’s ultra-rich”. Wonder if they serve droids…
The rest of the international trailer shows footage we’ve already seen, including some flashbacks to The Force Awakens. The Hollywood Reporter explains that Canto Bight exists on the planet Cantonica, the second confirmed “new” planet for The Last Jedi. The trailer also shows a new creature helping destroy the bar; a less-icy version of the snow fox/wolf introduced in previous trailers (and included in the international version, as well.)
New footage begins around 1:58, but it’s worth checking out the whole trailer. While details about Canto Bight and the bar itself are still scarce, we do know it will serve as homebase for Benicio Del Toro’s “DJ”.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Last Jedi continues the story of Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren. It picks up where its predecessor left off, with Rey on a mysterious island where Luke Skywalker has been hiding. She has come to him for training, but the force is unbalanced and the threat of the dark side looms once more. The Last Jedi stars Daisy Ridley (Rey), Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron), John Boyega (Finn), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran (Rose). Cast also includes Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Andy Serkis (Snoke), Gwendolyn Christie (Captain Phasma) and Laura Dern (Admiral Holdo).
In case you’ve missed the teaser teaser, or the teaser to the teaser of the introduction of the trailer, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is getting a trailer this week. Ahead of that we’ve gotten photos, lazy viral marketing and, now, a synopsis.
The most amazing thing about this synopsis is the way it can be completely dismantled in more than one way if you take even the slightest moment to think about it. Read this, courtesy of EW, and let’s discuss:
“Directed by J.A. Bayona, the sequel — set several years after 2015’s billion-dollar smash Jurassic World — concerns a volcano on Isla Nublar that threatens the dinosaurs that had overrun the park at the end of the previous film. Who has the best shot at preventing the prehistoric beasts from becoming extinct (again)? That would be Chris Pratt’s dino trainer Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard’s former park manager Claire Dearing.”
Ok. Things start off well: J.A. Bayona not Colin Trevorrow. Right after that, things begin to wobble. So, there’s a volcano threatening to kill these dinosaurs, who were created in a lab. But… we don’t like these dinosaurs, right? They’re vicious killers. Also, since they were created in a lab why not.. oh I don’t know… make more? Why tackle a volcano?
Oh, right. Because we have to have another Jurassic movie and this is a soulless cash grab just like Jurassic World and execs don’t give a damn about the audience because DINOSAURS!
Enjoy Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom when it comes out June 22. Let me know if it’s anything more than complete garbage.
Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver is one of the more fulfilling hits of the summer. It made a ton of cash, earned a ton of critical clout, and was generally a great time for audiences, and it was AN ORIGINAL IDEA OMG! Of course, this means a Baby Driver sequel is en route.
Wright recently spoke to EW about the possible sequel, and it seems that while he might write the screenplay, he may hand off directing duties to someone else:
“Those talks are already in the works. The deal is being hammered out as we speak. So, hopefully, I’m going to at least write a second one. I’ve definitely got lots of ideas. Whether it’s the next movie, I don’t know. I’m just working that out at the moment, actually. I have a couple of things that I’ve been developing, and also a couple of new ideas that I had, and all the nice things things that I’ve been offered since [the release of Baby Driver]. I would like to get back on the saddle very shortly, because — slightly beyond my control — but there was four years between The World’s End and Baby Driver. I don’t want it to be that long again. I would love to have a film out in the next two years.”
All positive stuff. He wants to get going on his next project, and we should all be happy for that. Handing off the Baby Driver sequel to a different director might be an issue down the road. Sometimes it works out well – James Cameron’s Aliens, Guillermo Del Toro’s Blade II – sometimes it does not (*cough* Batman Forever).
Stay tuned for more news about the Baby Driver sequel as it pops up.
Star Trek has been quite the news item over the last 24 hours. First, it was Quentin Tarantino and JJ Abrams working on a new spec for a fourth Star Trek film. Now, Black Mirror Season 4 has unveiled a preview of its own Star Trek-themed episode.
The episode is called “U.S.S. Callister.” Check it out:
So that looks pretty wild, yeah? The tone of this preview doesn’t jibe with the rest of the Black Mirror Season 4 previews, but certainly this whole storyline relates to a simulation where these people are in some sort of mind prison where their soul is being stripped away piece by technological piece. Just a guess.
Black Mirror is a fascinating show for Netflix, a Twilight Zone for the social media age, and it seems like a terrific spot for creators to get a foothold in the industry. Except all the shit that goes down here feels like it could actually happen one day, so the stories are even more horrific. At least to an extent. It’s a blast, really.
“U.S.S. Callister” is directed by Toby Haynes, and it stars the great Jesse Plemons, who is doing some sort of goofy ass accent. We don’t have any news regarding the release of Black Mirror Season 4, but it shouldn’t be long now. Perhaps January.
Her social media, strong. Her variety show segments, a hit. Nash Huang is at the top of her game. But when the iRis Shutter contact lens hits the market, Nash’s life is personally invaded. The latest leap forward in “technological progress,” these contacts not only play video or augment reality…but also record footage. Fighting to keep her life together after a leaked sex tape goes viral, a clingy super-fan is the last thing on Nash’s mind…but that’s exactly when the bodies pile up and the terror begins.
And now, From computer to car. From state to street. The No. 1 Fan draws near. Meanwhile, Nash learns what the other side of 140 characters feels like as she picks up the pieces to a life post-privacy.
No. 1 With A Bullet #2 Written by: Jacob Semahn Art by: Jorge Corona Colors by: Jen Hickman Lettered/Designed by: Steve Wands
Writing
With its second issue, No. 1 With A Bullet takes a slight step back (until the end at least!) from the suspense to really focus on the emotions of its main character Nash. This issue opens with a very intense meeting between Nash and her employers and that emotional intensity doesn’t let up for the duration of the issue. Semahn really allows us to get to know Nash here and it makes the reader really connect with her. We also get to see how people react to her plight, both support groups and critics. The critics are especially powerful as we get a very well done ‘montage’ of the kind of venom that is usually spit out when some one’s personal life is spread out in the open. It’s human vindictiveness and mob mentality at it’s worst. Semahn doesn’t hold back in his portrayal of these scum and it really makes you cringe.
It’s not all negative though, as we also get to spend time with Nash and her friend, someone she has known since high school, and part of a strong support group. The chemistry between these two is written extremely, with a natural bond being obvious. There is also therapeutic humor here, the kind that can only come with a very old friend.
The issue ends with a double whammy though that literally made me say, “oh shit!” Nash records a very direct and pointed statement revealing the details, including the identity of the culprit, of her sex tape. It is now out and in open and public. Nash is obviously fed up and is throwing down the gauntlet. It’s exhilarating to read. But then comes the real gut punch as a viewer notices something that puts a whole new spin on the book. It’s a great moment and it’s actually very frightening. It sets up the kind of cliffhanger that makes you eager to read the next issue.
Art
No.1 With A Bullet is a great looking book. Jorge Corona does some amazing panel work here, dividing images in half and coming up with clever page layouts. There is also a lot of weight to the pencils, with thick lines and borders giving everything added texture.
The colors are vibrant without coming out too processed. Like the writing, they help ground this ‘cyberpunk’ tale. The palette is also fantastic as is the use of background and foreground contrast.
I must also mention the lettering, as it is subtle, but font plays a huge part in exposing feelings and emotions. We also have excellent use of social media posts as narrative devices.
Conclusion
No.1 With A Bullet is truly a comic for today’s social climate. It is the kind of sci-fi comic that elevates both the genre and the medium. But it’s far from just a social/political statement, as it grounds its important themes with well, written, relatable characters and some truly gorgeous art and design. Image continues to put out the best sci-fi comics in the medium, and you can add No.1 With A Bullet to that list.
Yesterday, after weeks of erratic behavior and fights with the cast, Bryan Singer was fired from the set of Bohemian Rhapsody, the new Queen biopic. It didn’t take the maligned filmmaker long to reply.
Singer released a statement regarding his firing – unannounced, unplanned absences from the set and arguments with star Rami Malek are said to be the main factors – and says something about an ill parent and it’s all Fox’s fault and… yeah:
Bohemian Rhapsody is a passion project of mine. With fewer than three weeks to shoot remaining, I asked Fox for some time off so I could return to the U.S. to deal with pressing health matters concerning one of my parents. This was a very taxing experience, which ultimately took a serious toll on my own health. Unfortunately, the studio was unwilling to accommodate me and terminated my services. This was not my decision and it was beyond my control. Rumors that my unexpected departure from the film was sparked by a dispute I had with Rami Malek are not true. While, at times, we did have creative differences on set, Rami and I successfully put those differences behind us and continued to work on the film together until just prior to Thanksgiving. I wanted nothing more than to be able to finish this project and help honor the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen, but Fox would not permit me to do so because I needed to temporarily put my health, and the health of my loved ones, first.
So you see, the studio is to blame. Not Singer for his weird behavior, or for throwing an object at Malek during an argument, or for the real reason this is all happening right now: Singer’s well-documented and seedy sexual misconduct history.
Perhaps Bryan Singer is having family health issues. It could be true. But it could also be a gross coverup for the real reason he’s been acting weird. The walls might be closing in, and just like when you forgot to turn in your essay in Freshman composition, you use the sick family member excuse.
The coincidences here are undeniable. Like Ricky Jay says in Magnolia, “this is not just, one of those things. It cannot be that.”
Bryan Singer’s production company, Bad Hat Harry, has also been removed from the lot. Which seems like an odd move for someone who was fired over ailing parents. A new director for Bohemian Rhapsody, which has only a couple of weeks of filming left on the schedule, is expected to be announced soon. Stay tuned!
The culmination of the current DCEU, Justice League, is currently making its theatrical run and has been seen as somewhat of a disappointment. The film is on pace to make less than any DCEU film to date and with the budget inflating following extensive reshoots, it’s going to have trouble breaking even. That has led many to think of what could have been, would we have been better off with Zack Synder’s original cut or would the current DC slate of films look different if George Miller’s Justice League Mortal was made all those years back, there is really no way of knowing.
What we can know is that in 2011, Gangster Squad writer Will Beall wrote a script for a Justice League film. Via The Wrap, we now have a rundown of what the script looked like. Here is a list of what The Wrap considered highlights from the script:
Though Steppenwolf is the lead villain in this year’s “Justice League,” Beall’s draft would have made his boss, Darkseid, the master of evil. That opening shark-tank battle ends with Desaad, one of Darkseid’s minions, killing Killer Croc and stealing Kryptonite that Luthor has just tried to buy from KGBeast, aka Anatoli Knyazev. At one point, Croc bites a shark.
While 2016’s “Batman v Superman” would pit the heroes against each other, the 2011 script imagined them as allies who know each others’ identities and have coffee at Metropolis Diner, where they chat about other DC superheroes like Diana (Wonder Woman), Green Lantern, Green Arrow and Aquaman. They soon travel to Central City to recruit Barry Allen, aka The Flash.
Amanda Waller and King Faraday run the Department of Metahuman Affairs and seize Killer Croc’s body. We also meet Abel Terrant (Tattooed Man), Copperhead, Barbara Minerva (Cheetah) and Solomon Grundy. Waller and Croc eventually met in 2016’s “Suicide Squad.”
In deep space, Green Lantern John Stewart and Thanagarian Katar Hol, aka Hawkman, engage in a cool action sequence inside a space-station nightclub as they try to stop Kanjar Ro from helping Dessad weaponize the Kryptonite. The first act ends with Superman kidnapped by Steppenwolf and the Parademons and taken back to Apokolips.
By the start of the second act, Batman goes to Themyscira to recruit Diana, with whom he has a romantic history.
Barry Allen, Green Lantern John Stewart and Diana have a meeting with Wayne inside the Batcave, which has several generations of Batmobiles and Batsuits, as well as Mr. Freeze’s Cyro-Gun, the Scarecrow’s Mask, and The Penguin’s Umbrella.
John Stewart returns to OA (Green Lantern headquarters) and finds the dead bodies of his fellow Lanterns: Katma Tui, Kilowag, Guy Gardner, Salakk, and Tomar-Re. The entire Lantern Corps has been massacred by Darkseid.
With the Lantern Corps out of the way, Darkseid invades earth at the midpoint of the script — with help from a brainwashed Superman. As he does in Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” and “Batman v Superman,” Wayne dons special armor to fight the Man of Steel. Diana manages to release Superman from Dessad’s mind control and Superman rejoins the League in the fight against Darkseid.
Superman goes through a Boom Tube and travels eleven years into the future to find that Darkseid has wiped out 80 percent of the Earth’s population. Diana leads the last of the human resistance with an aged and grey-haired Bruce Wayne as her second-in-command. They have a son named Clark Wayne, and one surprising member of the resistance is Lex Luthor.
The Future Batman leads a dozen fighters known as Batman’s Berzerkers. They include Slade Wilson (Deathstroke) George Harkness (Captain Boomerang), Helena Bertinelli (Huntress) and Barbera Minerva (Cheetah). Comics fans might also recognize this team as the members of Suicide Squad — though not exactly the Suicide Squad of last year’s film. The last of the resistance is headquartered inside Superman’s Fortress of Solitude.
Future Lex Luthor figures out a way to send Barry Allen back eleven years in time, partly using Darkseid’s Boom Tube. Future Flash goes back in time to before Darkseid’s invasion, and dies in younger self’s arms — after warning of the terrible future.
Diana, Bruce, Barry and Green Lantern travel to Apokolips and rescue Superman before Desaad can take over his mind, and the reunited Justice League battle Darkseid and his forces on Apokolips to stop the invasion of Earth. The entire Lantern Corps, along with the Amazons from Themyscira, join in the battle.
The script ends with Mercy Graves planning a presidential campaign for Lex Luthor and Luthor receiving a message from Future Luthor telling him of Superman’s secret identity: Clark Kent.
The script led Warner Brothers to sign Beall to a 2 picture deal, with the idea that his Justice League film would be made. Ben Affleck was even interested in directing the project. That obviously didn’t happen but it’s fun to look at a DCEU that could’ve been.
