As we all know, earlier in the year Zack Snyder had to step away from Justice League due to personal reasons regarding his daughter. After his departure from the film, Warner Bros. signed Joss Whedon to finish directing the picture.
Fox 5 DC talked to Justice League cast members Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, and Ben Affleck; Affleck discussed Snyder’s importance to the movie.
“Zack cast this movie, he made the two movies prior, [Justice League] is very heavily informed by the work that went into it ahead of time — including design and script and everything else. So it’s Zack’s movie.”
Following that, he mentioned that Whedon improved the overall film.
“We got lucky, we had [Joss Whedon] come in who kind of worked off Zack’s template, and also added his own flavor and his own stuff to it, and I think made the movie better,” Affleck added. “Although, I wouldn’t necessarily want to have two directors on every movie, I do think it was an interesting way of doing it.”
It remains to be seen how the two directing styles will blend. Snyder has continually brought darker tones to the DC Universe, wheereas Whedon usually takes a lighter approach.
“Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.”
Justice League comes to theaters on November 17? Are you looking forward to the DC team-up movie? Comment below, let us know.
The fallout continues from the disturbing Kevin Spacey developments. The once revered actor has already been removed from his hit show, House of Cards. Now, it seems his upcoming performance in Ridley Scott’s All the Money in the World, which had been campaigned heavily as an Oscar hopeful, has been appropriately torpedoed.
Sony had pulled the Oscar campaign for Spacey, who plays J. Paul Getty under a mountain of makeup, and they are considering canceling the AFI Fest premiere and pushing the release date from December 22 to June, 2018. Either way, Ridley Scott’s big biopic shot at Oscar gold has probably forever lost any chances it may have had.
The allegations against Kevin Spacey are still accumulating as victims are speaking out left and right. It’s getting worse before it can ever get better, and the accusations Spacey faces are horrific. Way down the list of grievances lie the movies he has in the can or television shows he’s been apart of, or theater production where he was the star. These things involve hundreds of people putting in hard work, taking pride in their product, and it’s now being ripped away from them. Again, not the biggest issue here by a mile, just another shitty thing pinned to Kevin Spacey’s expanding ledger of bullshit behavior.
Personally, I’d like to hear what Ridley Scott has to say about this development.
21st Century Fox has been holding talks to sell most of the company to Walt Disney Co., according to CNBC.
Fox would then focus on news and sports.
For Disney, the opportunity to take control of another movie studio and significant TV production assets as it readies a direct-to-consumer entertainment streaming offering is attractive as is Fox’s significant exposure to international markets, such as the U.K., Germany, and Italy — both through its networks and 39 percent ownership of Sky. Disney recently announced it will pull all of its movies from the Netflix platform and will establish two direct-to-consumer offerings: one for sports and one including its key franchises such as “Star Wars” and Marvel.
The sale to Disney would mean that the X-Men and Fantastic Four Cinematic Universes would come back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the report, it has Fox selling FX to Dinsey as well. ‘Legion’ is part of FX.
Back in September, we broke down why Disney should buy the X-Men film rights from FOX for $6 billion (read here). It will be interesting to see how much the entire movie studio will go for, $10 – $15 billion?
It should be noted that this process will take a very long time, but the fact that conversations are starting to happen is encouraging.
This is a breaking news story, and we will update you as the story develops.
What do you think? Are you excited to see the X-Men in the MCU?
After the shocking news that Zachary Levi (Chuck) will be portraying the original Captain Marvel, Variety is now reporting that Disney Channel star Asher Angel has been cast as Billy Batson in Shazam!
Directed by David Sandberg (LightsOut),Shazam! tells the story of a young boy (Angel) who has the ability to transform into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi) by saying the word Shazam. Angel is best known for his role on the Disney Channel series Andi Mack.
Shazam! will be the next DC Extended Universe movie to enter production and will land in theatres after James Wan’s solo Aquaman movie.
Swinging Safari is something old and something new. It is a story of the sexual revolution in the days of the hippie, full of bright colors and polyester. But the setting, Australia, is something new and fresh for American eyes.
Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue lead an expansive cast of Aussie talent, and it looks like a terrific time. Check it out:
1970s Australia: A 200-ton blue whale washes up on a local beach and the kids think it’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened in their lives. Behind closed doors, the Mums and Dads of this quiet suburban cul-de-sac celebrate in their own special way, by joining the sexual revolution. It’s a time of boxed wine, bad hair, bad styles, bad choices, but good times. And like the rotting whale, it’s all about to go spectacularly wrong.
This looks like a lot of fun and it looks like director Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert) isn’t pulling his punches. It feels like The Ice Storm crossed with Boogie Nights and placed in The Outback.
Swinging Safari opens in January 2018 in the U.K. There is no set release date in the States but it could possibly show up on the festival circuit next year.
Since being announced as the director of the upcoming solo Nightwing movie for Warner Brothers, Chris McKay has been active on social media discussing the film but with minimal details. Little is known about the direction of the project leading fans to become somewhat flustered. The biggest question is who will take on the iconic role of Dick Grayson, something McKay discussed on Twitter.
We haven’t started the process of casting NIGHTWING yet but when we do you’ll hear something because our search will be far and wide
This tweet stemmed from the fact that Stranger Things and Power Rangers star Dacre Montgomery tweeted a photo of Nightwing; leading to speculation that he was up for the role. He has since deleted the tweet and it seems as if McKay wanted to set the record straight regarding his movie.
The internet has been all over the place regarding the role of Dick Grayson since even before the film was announced. Everyone has fancasted a different actor with such favorites as Dylan O’Brien, Zac Efron, and Steven Yeun. No matter who McKay and crew decide on it’s likely to upset some portion of fans. This won’t be the first time a DC movie casting choice will cause controversy either, we all remember what happened when Ben Affleck was cast and his first Robin won’t be any different.
No official release date was announced for Nightwing. Although, some rumors made their way onto the internet stating that casting and pre-production for the film would begin in 2018. That would likely set the film for a 2019 or 2020 release date, barring any unforeseen delays.
The DCEU film slate is stacked in the coming years with Justice League coming later this month and Shazam! currently in production, not to mention the upcoming The Batman and Wonder Woman 2. Warner Brothers will need to find an optimal release date for Nightwing if they want a financial success.
Who would you like to see take on the role of Nightwing? Let us know in the comments below!
There are more comic books to choose from now than there ever were before. The industry is filled with so many wonderful options for every type of reader. Allow me to point you in the direction of a few that I think are crucial comic pulls for 11/8/17.
Daredevil #595
If you haven’t been reading Charles Soule’s spectacular Daredevil run, stop depriving yourself. Soule has been telling classic Horn Head stories long before the Marvel Legacy mission statement was mandated. This will be his twenty-ninth issue with the character.
Keeping a creative team together consistently at Marvel or DC is virtually impossible these days. Daredevil is one of the rare gems that utilizes the artist rotation as a strength. Not every collaboration has been a home run, but for the most part it’s been spectacular (especially when Ron Garney and Matt Milla are involved). Stefano Landini steps in on pencils to kick off the first arc under the Legacy banner.
Matt Murdock has returned to Hell’s Kitchen, after a long trip searching for his protege, only to find that Wilson Fisk has been elected mayor. Daredevil’s greatest enemy is now in control of the city he loves, will Matt choose to fight this with his fists or briefcase? This should be a great jumping on point for those that have been looking to get in on the Soule-Man’s blind ninja-lawyer adventures.
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Port Of Earth #1
A brand-new series by Top Cow/Image Comics written by Zack Kaplan. Port Of Earth sees humanity strike a deal with alien diplomats who want to use our oceans as a fuel source in exchange for advanced technology. Things don’t go as planned, the intergalactic agreement starts to deteriorate and the public want answers.
We got to take an early look at this issue and it’s fantastic. If you enjoy movies like District 9 or thought-provoking sci-fi comics, this is a must-read. Andrea Mutti and Vladimir Popov provide the art and immediately immerse us in a familiar world with tension building and pressure building.
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Slots #2
If you missed out on Slots #1 last month, pick up the second printing along with the second issue. Join Stanley Dance as he navigates the sleazy underbelly of Las Vegas in pursuit of redemption by way of stepping back into the boxing ring he clearly left a long time ago.
Writer Dan Panosian introduces readers to an intoxicating cast. The handful of character we meet are as real as it gets in the dirty corners of Vegas. Our main character is a total scumbag, but one that we can’t help but adore as he wields old charm and quick wit.
Panosian also provides the art for the book, which is an absolutely gorgeous spectacle. The setting provides the perfect back drop to this colorful and natural crew. You’ll want to investigate every dirty corner of the city in Slots.
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Moon Knight #188
Another character making their Marvel Legacy debut is Moon Knight. We’ve been without Marc Spector since Jeff Lemire’s brilliant run ended earlier this year. Max Bemis takes over writing duties and promises to keep the crazy coming.
Keeping up the Legacy theme of focusing on classic hero versus villain comic book glory, this issue will apparently introduce Moon Knight’s greatest nemesis. Having his head on straight(er), Spector finds himself back on home turf, but how long can he keep it together this time?
This is the start of a entirely new run, so it’s a jumping on point for everyone! Lemire left some big shoes to fill, Bemis seems to be aware of this and anxious to try and push the character even further.
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Mister Miracle #4
This one’s a no-brainer, if you aren’t already reading Mister Miracle, it’s on purpose. Tom King is a man on fire right now, this book is a true testament to that. He’s not the only one, artist Mitch Gerads is as well. Together they’re taking Scott Free to a place we’ve never seen him go before.
Mister Miracle is a game changer, raising the bar significantly on visual storytelling and layouts. This is the kind of comic you read more than once immediately. It’s a unique take, giving the character a much needed refreshing. You’ll no doubt see this series on a lot of lists at the end of the year.
‘The Walking Dead,’ whether it be the comic book or show on AMC is all about building up to very personal moments, the third episode, ‘Monsters’ of the eighth season was chalk full of those moments.
‘All Out War’ is a personal struggle of your moral compass, and tonight’s episodes distinctly drew the lines in the sand for several characters. The battle between Morgan and Jesus carried the episode, but what’s brewing between Rick and Daryl will carry the season. The show also hit a new cinematic high with the evolution of Aaron’s character and the sendoff for Eric. AMC and ‘The Walking Dead’ handled Eric and Aaron’s relationship very well over the 17 episodes they appeared in, and you would have to be a heartless person to feel nothing during their final exchange.
Morgan goes back to being the wildcard, and it will be interesting to see how his story continues or comes to an end over the course of the season.
Sidenote – Am I the only one that thinks Gregory is an evil George Carlin? Let me know what you think.
Daryl feels responsible for Glenn’s death, plus he went through Negan’s reprograming seminar – the philosophical and or physical battle between Rick and Daryl that is brewing could be what makes this show legendary. It was subtle in ‘Monsters,’ but look for it to grow over the coming weeks. Are you on ‘Team Daryl’ or ‘Team Rick?’
What makes ‘The Walking Dead’ comic so special is the ability to drop cliffhangers at the end of each issue. ‘Monsters’ reminded me why I love ‘The Walking Dead’ universe so much. When you want to watch the next episode at 10 pm the same night, you know that you just watched an excellent episode.
Ezekiel’s rants are getting tough to bare, but hopefully, after next week’s episode, he won’t be so boisterous.
What did you think of tonight’s episode? Sound off in the comment section below.
Best known for his performances as Gollum and Caesar and making a career out of wearing skin-tight motion capture suits Andy Serkis makes his directional debut with the romantic drama Breathe.
Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) was an active man in his late 20s when he meets Diana Blacker (Claire Foy), and the pair quickly falls in love. In Kenya on a business trip the pair get married and have a child: but Robin gets infected with polio and becomes paralyzed from the neck down. When he returns to England Robin falls into a suicidal depression, but his wife is determined that he lives: their actions could benefit the lives of other disabled people. Breathe was an incredibly personal story for producer Jonathan Cavendish (best known for producing the Bridget Jones movies) because it was about his parents. Jonathan Cavendish was one of the driving forces behind the film: he runs the production company, and he commissioned William Nicholson to write the screenplay. Films about disability have been met with success – examples being The Theory of Everything, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and The Intouchables. Breathe could easily follow in the mold of those films: it had the cast, and Serkis shows he has as much talent behind the camera.
Since being dumped as Spider-Man Andrew Garfield has focused on starring in prestige films and got award nominations for his role in Hacksaw Ridge. Playing a character becoming disabled is often a great way for actors to get awards attention and Garfield would be deserving of another Academy Award and BAFTA nomination. Garfield portrayed all the aspects of Robin’s character – from the fun-loving able-bodied man and being good-humored when surrounded by his friends and family while also showing his depression he suffered after being hospitalized. The biggest challenge Garfield faced was when Robin was first hospitalized and unable to talk so he could only act with his eyes and simple facial expressions and his talents were fully on display. Even after Robin moves into his home, he still suffers from bouts of sadness because he knows there are certain things he can’t do for his family.
Foy is also on a career-high after winning an Emmy for her leading role as Queen Elizabeth II. Foy has always been a talented actress, and she is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Foy was committed to her role as a determined young woman willing to take on the medical establishment, learn how to care for her husband and is absolutely devoted to him. It is a strong performance from Foy, and with Garfield they made a great pairing.
Breathe also had a fine supporting cast with the notable members being Tom Hollander, Hugh Bonneville, and Stephan Mangan. Hollander provided some humor as Diana’s twin brothers and Bonneville played the inventor of Robin’s respirator wheelchair. Mangan was the biggest surprise because he is normally a comedic actor in the UK, yet in Breathe he played his role straight, and he gave a fine performance as a doctor and campaigner for disability rights who works with Robin.
Serkis shows he has a director’s eye and has a lot potential as a filmmaker. Breathe was a great looking film, paying great attention to period detail, was visually impressive (especially the scene in the German hospital) and had some bright cinematography thanks to Academy Award winner Robert Richardson. There are some great emotional sequences like when Robin sees the sky for the first time after getting paralyzed, and it was a moment of triumph when Robin first uses his wheelchair.
For someone who is squeamish about medical procedures Breathe made me squirm more than any horror film ever would. Scenes showing Robin receiving a tracheotomy and Diana trying to use the feeding tube made me whine. And this was a film that had a 12A rating in the UK.
The problem with Breathe is the screenplay. William Nicholson is known for writing bio-pics: his credits include Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Unbroken and his work on Breathe shares the same problems – he tries to put too much in the film. Breathe came off as episodic, a series of events instead of being a cohesive story. The film could be broken down into small segments, and this structure would have been more suited to television.
Breathe could be easily seen as either a weepy or awards bait. It has the acting leads who are worthy of being nominated, and fans of romance films will enjoy the story of love and commitment between the Cavendishs. Serkis shows he’s got talent behind the camera, but he was unable to mask the problems with the screenplay.
When it comes to recent comic book treatments of video games, Titan Comics has been at the forefront. With Assassin’s Creed,Dark Souls, and other titles in its library, the publisher has turned its sights towards another game. Bloodborne. Since the game’s release in 2015, developer FromSoftware has sold over two million units, and Titan looks to expand its universe with Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep.
Written by Ales Kot (Secret Avengers, Zero), the series follows a nameless hunter as they battle creatures in Yharnam. A cursed city. In a press release, Kot said, “Bloodborne is one of my all-time favorite games. I put close to two hundred hours into playing it and researching its universe”.
Piotr Kowalski will serve as the artist for the series. His earlier works for Titan include DarkSouls and Wolfenstein. The first issue of Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep, is set to be released in February 2018.
