Spider-Man: Homecoming, Villan Announced!

Marvel has revealed some news about Spider-Man: Homecoming that isn’t casting news – finally.

At San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, Marvel finally let fans know who the villain of their latest Spider-Man franchise will be, and they revealed it’ll be The Vulture himself.

There were always strong rumours about The Vulture appearing, and that he would be portrayed by Michael Keaton (Birdman, Need for Speed, Batman Returns – 1992), however, these rumours were never confirmed. But with the release of some stunning concept art, we can safely say one and for all that The Vulture is coming.

In the released concept art, you can very clearly see Spidey facing the Vulture – and you can also see he won’t be sporting his usual neon green gown. Instead, what we’re looking as is a dark green, high tech suit, with massive mechanical wings and wicked metal talons.

Those who were lucky enough to see the trailer they release at SDCC this year have also eagerly confirmed that the concept art is accurate to his brief appearance in said trailer.

Rumours do speculate that Vulture’s flight suit is based on technology left behind by the Chitaru after the infamous Battle of New York between Loki’s army and The Avengers in The Avengers/Avengers Assemble. Looking at the construction of the wings in the image, it is not a stretch at all to assume this would be true.

This also lends itself to another rumour that’s been going around – whilst we’re all aware of the rumours that some of the cast are supposedly going to be villains, and one will supposedly be The Tinkerer – this would make plenty of sense as he could A) build the flight suit, and B) The Vulture originally enlists The Tinkerer’s skills in the original comics aswell.

Overall, Spider-Man: Homecoming looks like it’s to be the hit of the summer, with a blend of heavy-hitting fight scenes and teenage perils of homework and high school that will create the Spider-Man movie fans have been begging for. The official synopsis reads;

“A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland (Captain America: Civil War, Billy Elliot: The Musical Live, In The Heart of the Sea)), who made his sensational debut in Marvel Studios’ Captain: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero in Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

Spider-Man: Homecoming is due for release on 7th July 2017, and will star Tom Holland, Robert Downey. Jr (Iron Man, The Judge, Charlie Bartlett), Zendaya, (Shake it Up!, Zapped, Frenemies) Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler, What Women Want, Empire)and many. Many. Many. MANY more.

 

Arkham Asylum Rumoured To Be Setting for Ben Affleck’s “Batman” Movie

With Suicide Squad gaining massive traction and excitement, and the Justice League having an incredible showcase at SDCC this weekend, it’s no wonder that Ben Affleck‘s (Good Will Hunting, Shakespeare in Love, Argo) Batman movie is stirring up some traction.

Rumours have already begun across the internet that Affleck’s standalone movie will take place in Arkham Asylum.

Arkham Asylum is one of the most infamously known places in Gotham, housing the criminally insane residents, including villain favourites such as Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, The Scarecrow and of course, Batman’s favourite, The Joker.

Also the setting of the incredibly popular first installment of the Batman video game franchise from Rocksteady, and a large focus during the television series Gotham staring Ben KcKenzie (The O.C., Southland, Goodbye World), Arkham Asylum has always been a huge point of interest for the Batman franchise and fans, mostly because it plays host to some of the most interesting and terrifying DC villains of all time.

With the Asylum and its guests being so hugely popular, and with the release of Suicide Squad aiding to the debut of a handful of the inmates, it wouldn’t surprise fans at all if this incredibly wonderful rumour was true.

The untitled Batman reboot currently has no release date – however, if you can’t wait to see Ben Affleck’s interpretation of the Dark Knight, you can see Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. And if you want more, you wait to see him in either Suicide Squad August 5th 2016, or the Justice League movie, due for release November 2017.

Alden Ehrenreich Confirmed for Young Han Solo

Rogue One hasn’t even hit the big screens yet, but already Star War’s fans are eagerly awaiting the next prequel movie.

The Star Wars prequel movie (believed to be called Han Solo: A Star Wars Story) already had a lot of buzz around it when it was announced that a young Han Solo would be in these movies. However, after supposedly considering over 2, 500 actors for the role, it’s been confirmed by Disney that the Han Solo mantle will be going to Alden Ehrenreich. (Hail, Caesar!, Beautiful Creatures, Blue Jasmine)

Alden won over directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord early on, rumours say, with claims he was one of the first of the huge line-up to audition for the role. He also screen-tested in the Millennium Falcon, and also with the biggest critic of them all about this decision – Chewbacca.

Filming begins in either January or February 2017 and is looking forward to a 2018 release. It will be the second released in a trilogy of standalone Star Wars films. The first, Rogue One, will be released in 2016, with plenty of behind-the-scenes goodies and news available to keep you busy.

Ghostbusters Take Over Waterloo

Who you gonna call? Because I don’t think TFL can help with this one…

Commuters were absolutely delighted this week with a spooky take-over of Waterloo Station in London to celebrate the release of the new Ghostbusters in UK cinemas, created by a beautiful partnership between Sony Pictures UK and Forbidden Planet.

Waterloo Station was complete with slime oozing down the CCTV, big screens showing the news of supernatural activity within the city, and of course, a giant Stay Puft Marshmellow Man breaking his way through the floor.

On top of this ginormous and impressive display, complete with decorated barriers and massive posters, there is a pop-up shop in the heart of Waterloo Station, where you can pick up all kinds of goodies, including T-Shirts, Funko Figurines, and even Limited Edition Odeon tickets to the film.

If you head underground via the peak-time link tunnel, you can also find the “Ghostbusters immersion zone”, featuring walls wrapped in New York vinyl and audio to complete the atmosphere.

If you ain’t afraid of no ghost, head to Waterloo quick, because the take over is going to be back under control by the 24th July.

Ghostbusters, directed by Paul Feig, and starring Kristen Wiig (The Martian, Bridesmaids, Zoolander 2), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, The Heat, Gilmore Girls),  Kate McKinnon (The Big Gay Sketch Show, Ted 2, Finding Dory) and Leslie Jones (Something Like Business, Workaholics, Trainwreck)as the four leading roles, and Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Rush, In the Heart of the Sea) as receptionist Kevin, is now out in UK cinema’s nationwide. Our writer Sean Bassett had plenty of great things to say about it himself, so I’d trust his judgement and get on down to your local cinema ASAP.

Pedro Pascal Reveals Harry Hart’s Return for “Kingsman 2: The Golden Circle”

Given the very very big hint posted on Taron Egerton‘s (Eddie the Eagle, Legend, The Smoke) Twitter back in April 2016, we’re not sure if we should really consider Pedro Pascal‘s (Game of Thrones, Narcos, Bloodsucking Bastards) latest Instragram post a spoiler.

 

Hide behind Harry. #SafePlace #Kingsman2 #TheGoldenCircle

Regardless, Kingsman fans can now be delighted as the return of Harry Hart, played by Colin Firth (The Kings Speech, Love Actually, Kingsman: The Secret Service) to Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Firth’s character was originally murdered rather brutally on-screen by movie villain Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Avengers: Assemble, The Hateful Eight) by being shot point blank in the head. Surely, a death no one can return from, right?

Apparently, wrong. Given Firth’s appearances on set, Taron’s tweet, and this final nail in the coffin (so to speak…) from Pascal, it looks like we will be seeing our most distinguished, sarcastic, dog-stuffing spy back on our screens for Kingsman: The Golden Circle. 

Kingsman: The Golden Circle will focus on an American version of the Kingsman agency, with several big names lined up for parts in the sequel to the surprise Box Office Hit, Kingsman: The Secret Service.

The film is currently in production and on schedule for release on June 16th, 2017.

Angouri Rice Added to Cast of “Spider-Man: Homecoming”

It feels like only yesterday that we filled you in on three more cast members joining on for Spider-Man: Homecoming, but already we’ve been given further news of someone else signing on for the movie.

 

Angouri Rice (The Nice Guys, These Final Hours, Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows) is the most recent addition to the cast of Spiderman: Homecoming.  The Australian actress recently had her break-out role in The Nice Guys, starring opposite Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, Drive, The Big Short) and Russell Crowe (Les Miserables, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind).

Like virtually every other cast member, there’s no confirmation on who Rice will be playing.  Marvel and Sony have yet to comment on her addition to the line up.

This may be incredibly speculative, but I feel like she might be Gwen Stacy. Whilst Sony and Marvel have indeed confirmed that there will be no love interest in this movie, and that Zendaya (Shake it Up!, K.C. Undercover, Zapped) is the leading lady, the casting of a small blonde girl has made me wonder if they will be re-introducing Gwen Stacy into this universe, and if so, what path will she take in this installment?

However, we will never truly know what Marvel and Sony have in store – she could be the Green Goblin for all we actually know. So for now, we will sit and wait.

Spiderman: Homecoming is filming now in preparation for a release on July 7th, 2017.

 

 

MORE Casting News for “Spider-Man: Homecoming”

At this point, the world could collectively play a game where we throw some names in a hat, pull it out, and chances are they are in this movie.

Following casting news from last week, a further three actresses have been added to the cast line up.

Garcelle Beauvais (The Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blue, Grimm) has officially signed on for the Marvel blockbuster, as has 17 year old Tiffany Espenden (Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Earth to Echo, Phineas and Ferb).

 

Alongside these two, six time Emmy Award winner Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey, The Enforcer, Judging Amy) has also added her name to the list of impressive actors joining on for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Marvel and Sony have yet to comment on their roles – they seem to be keeping an extremely tight lid on who’s who in next summers Marvel and Sony production, as the only official roles are Tom Holland (Billy Elliot The Musical, Captain America: Civil War) as the famous web-slinger, Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler, Rescue Me, Empire) as Aunt May, and Zendaya (Shake It Up!, K.C. Undercover) as leading girl Michelle. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, The Judge, Sherlock Holmes) will be making a cameo as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Otherwise, the rest of the cast are all rumours, be them strong or weak ones. However, it is very clear that Marvel and Sony want to re-introduce Peter Parker with a bang, and seal his place once and for all in the MCU.

Spiderman: Homecoming is currently filming, and is scheduled for release on July 7th, 2017. However, if you just can’t wait that long, you can catch Holland making his debut in Captain America: Civil War. 

Book Review: ‘This Savage Song’ by V.E. Schwab

“Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.

Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.”

V.E.Schwab, also known for Vicious, and her Shades of Magic series once again delights fantasy novel fans with her darkest tale yet.

August Flynn is a monster, a Sunai burdened by who he is and with a deep longing to be human. Kate Harker wishes she could be as monsterous as her father, who provides safety to their cities citizens at a cost. So what could go wrong should the two collide as an unsteady truce begins to crumble?

Once again, Schwab’s world-building is so flawless – it’s so gripping and detailed, and yet the text seems to flow effortlessly. The world she’s built is so vast, and she manages to also include political divisions between the city our two main characters are set in and other cities that are (so far) unknown to us.

The characters in this text are absolutely wonderful, especially the two main characters. August is a monster, hating the weight of what he is and the physical signs of it, marked by tallies on the skin, and by the hunger for human souls – ones that can only be brought to him by his music. He’s such an original character with such an amazing premise – if not just for the soul stealing violin alone. He’s so sweet, genuine and lovable, which is why his monstrous side is especially chilling.

Kate Harker was an absolute gem to read – burdened with her fathers legacy, she longs for his attention and approval, and seeks to get it by trying to be as violent and cruel as he is. While she plays the part of cold and calculating (and she is exceptionally intelligent), she has a lot of heart to her, and a lot of emotions linked to her childhood and trauma. She was so interesting to read, and her inner conflict was beyond fascinating.

All of the supporting cast of characters were fantastic aswell, from the cold Callum Harker and the Holier-Than-Thou Leo, to the students August befriends at Colton. However, audiences will fall head over heels for August’s sister Isla. Trapped inside the base where August lives with his two adoptive parents and heads of the FTF (Flynn Task Force), she’s gentle, sweet and holds a great deal of power. She’s a complete fairy tale princess trapped in a tower character, but with a terrifying twist hiding under her skin.

The whole story carries itself incredibly well, with this gorgeous imaginative world where monsters born from violence and shadows stalk regular people after dark. The three breeds of monster displayed in this book are such unique and terrifying creations – you won’t be comfortable looking at your shadow for a very long time.

This book cannot receive enough praise – Schwab displays incredible talent as she builds this wonderful world, inhabited by new monsters, and some you might recognise yourself. Schwab does an amazing job of showcasing both sides of the war in Man vs. Monster, using a descriptive and diverse cast of characters.

The adventure you’re taken on with August and Kate is thrilling, emotional, and at times, uncomfortably brutal. It’s her darkest book yet, and I highly recommend fantasy lovers pick this up for a read – just keep an eye on the dark corners in your room once you’re done.

Marvel’s ‘Luke Cage’ On Netflix is Heading to Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con is the yearly event for fans of all things comic and nerdy – with tickets selling insanely fast, incredible line ups and exclusive sneak peeks at the most anticipated upcoming tv-shows and movies, it’s the place to be every Summer.

So it should come as no surprise to Marvel fans that Marvel’s Luke Cage will be making an appearance at SDCC next month. Joining the debut for the upcoming series, the main man Mike Colter (The Good Wife, Salt, Jessica Jones), alongside Alfre Woodward (State of Affairs, 12 Years a Slave, True Blood) who will be playing Mariah Dillard, a politician who wants to usher in a new age for the streets of Harlem where she grew up. Also joining them will be Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy, Cloverfield, Meth Head), who will be playing Shades, AKA Alvarez and and showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker.

Further casting for the show includes Rosario Dawson (Rent, Sin City, Death Proof) reprising her role as Claire Temple (seen in Daredevil and Jessica Jones), Sonia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Outlaw, Donas de Casa Desesperadas) as her mother, Soledad Temple; Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction, Vacancy, Under the Dome) has been cast as Detective Scarfe and Simone Missick (The Road to Sundance, Black Card, Ray Donovan) as Misty Knight.

Luke Cage first made his appearance in the first season of Marvel’s Jessica Jones, a bartender who Jones is drawn towards due to her ties to the murder of his wife. During the series, Jessica and Luke strike up a relationship, and she comes to learn of his unbreakable skin and superhuman strength. Luke Cage will be exploring Luke’s story as a wrongly accused man who escapes prison. He’s a fugitive, trying to keep a low profile and rebuild his life. But soon, he’ll be forced to confront the past he’s tried to keep behind him.

Marvel intend to show preview footage from Luke Cage during their panel at SDCC, which many fans are excited for, especially since all we’ve had so far is the short (but oh so very sweet) trailer for the show.

At present, Jessica Jones leading lady Krysten Ritter isn’t due to make an appearance with the cast.

Luke Cage is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 30th 2016.

Nicolas Winding Refn Interested in Directing a Batgirl Movie

Nicolas Winding Refn, director of the recently released The Neon Demon, has expressed an eagerness to direct a Batgirl movie.

Refn’s The Neon Demon, which has encountered some very mixed reviews, is his first movie with a female lead. This isn’t for a lack of trying though – Refn also expressed interest in directing a Wonder Woman movie. Obviously, this didn’t pan out (Warner Bros. and DC’s Wonder Woman due out next year has Patty Jenkins directing) – but now Refn has brought up another DC superheroine.

Refn told Business Insider in a recent interview;

“God, I would love to make one [a superhero movie], it would probably be great fun, I just don’t know when it’s going to happen. I very much enjoy my freedom creatively, but I also would love to make one of those big Hollywood films that costs a lot of money and has a lot of people running around with cell phones and all that insanity.”

When asked what hero he’d like to work with, he thought for a moment (“What ones are left?”) before continuing on “You know the one I want to do? I want to make Batgirl. Let’s get Warner working on it.”

Refn has shown with The Neon Demon that he can make a dark, beautifully visual movie with an interesting lead protagonist – it’s the story of a young girl (Elle Fanning –  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Super 8, Malificent) as she succumbs to her career in the fashion world of Los Angeles. It’s described as a gory thriller show – so perhaps not something Warner Bros. would be interested in to keep it’s PG-13 rating with it’s movies. But, at the very least, it would be visually interesting.

Perhaps one day we’ll see Batgirl hit the big screen – she’s already rumoured to be part of the Harley Quinn standalone project, slated to star and be produced by Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, . Robbie would be reprising the role as the anti-heroine after her debut in Suicide Squad, due for release this summer.

But whether Barbara Gordon, or any of the Batgirls will ever have a stand-alone, or if Refn would be crowned director, is something we’ll just have to wait and see about.