‘Elizabeth Banks’ Joins Saban’s ‘Power Rangers’

With Filming set to begin late this month on Saban’s Power Rangers, the announcement that Lionsgate have found their Rita Repulsa for the reboot of the classic 90’s kids show comes in the knick of time.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that The Hunger Games favourite and Pitch Perfect 2 Director Elizabeth Banks has signed on the play the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers most feared nemesis and prolific cackler. Banks’ casting confirms that Rita Repulsa will been in the adaptation but little else is known about whether she will be joined by other famous villains such as Goldar, Finster and Lord Zedd.

Banks will star alongside newcomers Dacre Montgomery, Ludi Lin and RJ Cyler with The Martians (2015) Naomi Scott and Singer/songwriter Becky G rounding up the Power Rangers cast.

The reboot will see Jason (Montgomery), Zack (Lin), Billy (Cycler), Kimberly (Scott) and Trini (G) return to the big screen as the bunch of kick-ass teens with attitude who battle an army of invading Alien fiends.

Project Almanac (2014) director Dean Israelite will helm the movie that is expected to hit theatres on March 24, 2017.

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The Team Behind ‘300’ Will Bring Robin Hood Into The Future

Robin Hood is set to have a few busy years ahead. Not only is the hero and his Band-of-Merry-Men set to star in Disney Live action reimagining, Lionsgate’s Robin Hood: Origins and now the recently announced Robin Hood 2058.

The film, set 40 years into the future, will be produced by The Hollywood Gang, the production company responsible for brining Frank Miller’s visually stunning 300 (2006) to the big screen. The precise story is under-wraps but The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Robin Hood 2058 will be a “futuristic reimagining of Robin Hood” taking place in a “dystopian London with a rogue MI5 agent on a mission to avenge injustice.”

British screenwriter and New York Times Bestselling author Tony Lee will helm the script, which Lee ensures will “stay faithful to the legend’s source material.”

With the movie planned for release next year it will see direct competition from Lionsgate’s planned franchise starter Robin Hood: Origins starring Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) actor Taron Egerton. The film will also see Jamie Fox as Little John and Eve Hewson as Maid Marion in the Otto Bathurst (Black Mirror) directed movie.

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‘Hulk’ Will Be More Verbal In ‘Thor: Ragnarok’

Its safe to say that Marvel’s next Thor film is early days into pre-production but more details continues to leak by way of the director himself Taika Waititi.

In an interview with Hitflix, the What We Do In The Shadows Director discuss the nature of having the Incredible Hulk in Thor: Ragnarok, a character that isn’t the most chattiest of The Avengers. “It’s interesting, because at the moment, there’s a big conversation that’s happening about how far to push that. Whether or not The Hulk should be [verbal/conscious]”, revealed Waititi.

Although he couldn’t confirm that the Green-Guy could become more eloquent, he did confirm that the discussion is on the table. “I think a lot of those conversations have more to do with what’s going to come up in future movies. So I think a lot of those decisions are larger group decisions, rather than anything to do with just me or the writer. They have a lot of stuff that they have to consider. But I do think that’s the best way to track it. I think we all want that. I think we all want to see that development and the evolution of that character. I also think you can do it in a fun way.”

Fun certainly seems to be on Waititi’s mind with the film having been described as a ‘road trip movie’ with Thor and Banner at the wheel. Two characters who have had a building competition between starting back in 2012’s Avengers Assemble.

A Norse-God and a cantankerous Indestructible monster? Sounds like an interesting road trip.

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‘Fast 8’ Heads To Iceland

 

It seems like the Fast and Furious franchise will continue its globetrotting ways with the latest instalment heading to the frigid landscape of Iceland.

News comes via The Iceland Review where the Mayor of Akrones, Regína Ásvaldsdóttir, informed the locals of the impending film production hitting their town. Stating that “surely, this is an extensive project and will affect retail and service in town,” she also confirmed that production crew would arrive in early April.

Iceland joins as the second location for the eighth Fast and Furious sequel with long-standing franchise mainstay Vin Diesel having already confirmed that New York will also see car-combat hit its streets. The action star also revealed back in November last year that the car and crime series would start generating spin-offs, with the actor stating that “we’ve written out story lines for various characters.”

Diesel has already disclosed in the past that Fast 8 will start a new trilogy of films which will take the franchise to 10 in total. It could also be possible that the next film will also lay groundwork for the spin-offs discussed with new cast members and characters jumping on board to veer off into another Fast and Furious adventure.

Straight Outta Compton (2015) Director F. Gary Gray will take the wheel on the project which is expected to crash onto our screens  April 14, 2017.

Woah, that was a lot of puns.

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‘Wonder Woman’ Will Squash Sexism With Humour

In the new issue of Empire Magazine, it was revealed by Wonder Woman leading lady Gal Gardot, that her Diana Prince has experienced much in her life on the account that she is old, very old. Like crazy old.

The former Fast and Furious actress revealed that the 5,000 year old God finds it tough “because she’s seen it all, she has seen what humans can do, so it was very hard for her to come back and fight.”

In DC’s recent big reveal on the CW network. The new trailer for the first live-action Wonder Woman film showcased that a large percentage of the movie will unfold in front of the backdrop of World War I and the modern day.

Producer Deborah Snyder gave an insight into the decision to show a split time perspective in order to showcase the sexism that Diana would have experience across the ages. “Her sexuality is part of her power, but she is also a feminist icon,” explained Snyder. “Gender has been a hot topic, so it is very timely to bring her back.”

Snyder also imparted how the film will combat the rampant sexism through humour: “The way we have approached it, especially in the stand alone movie, that is definitely there. Looking back and doing an origin story – and it is a period piece – see the role of women through history. There is a great source of humour in that now. It is so unbelievable you can’t even fathom it. You are still making a statement, but having some fun with it.”

Gardot also gave an insight into dealing with Wonder Woman’s dual identity, explaining that “they have the same attitude. Although when she is Diana she tries to blend in, she is not too outgoing. I don’t want people to think she is perfect. She can be naughty.”

Wonder Women will be knocking heads together in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which hits screens March 25. With her solo movie coming after in June 23, 2017.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2’ Starts Filming “In A Couple Of Weeks”

How long has it been since we’ve seen those lovable rogues, that talking Racoon and a dancing living tree aboard the Milano? Seems like ages doesn’t it, but with Director James Gunn announcing via Twitter that production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 begins “in a couple of weeks.” We might have to wait a little while yet but at least we have number of information just waiting to leak across the inter-web when shooting finally starts.

Talking of leaks, Gunn seemed to hold back on denying or rebutting spoilers this time around but he did confirm that the recent table read went well, expressing that “our returning cast is even better and our new cast is amazing.”

Gunn even revealed, in response to a fan question, that the post-credit scene had already been written, simply stating that it had been “scripted.”

He even confirmed that an official cast announcement “will be very soon”, meaning that we will get an answer to castings rumours regarding comic-book favourite Mantis.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is currently scheduled for a May 5, 2017 release.

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’24: Legacy’ Finds Its Lead

Earlier this month the revival, Kiefer Sutherland-less, 24: Legacy received an order for pilot by Fox. Until now however the cast for the series that follows-on from 2014’s mini-series Live Another Day, has remained a tight-lipped secret.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Straight Outta Compton (2015) star Corey Hawkins has been cast in the main role in 24 normally reserved for the long-standing hero Jack Bauer.

Hawkin’s Eric Carter will be former Army Ranger who is described as “strong and smart.” Carter, who is now working for CTU, comes from “a very rough background and turned his life around in the Army Rangers.” Now “back home in Virginia with his wife Nicole, he’s pulled back into action as his past comes looking for him.”

The new series will start filming this winter and will retain its real-time per-hour-episode format. It is yet still unknown the number of episodes the show will receive and whether we will see any old faces returning. Fox’s Dana Walden did tease however, “never say never.”

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Director ‘Taika Waititi’ Promises That ‘Thor’ Will Be The ‘Best Character’ In ‘Ragnarok’

In the past two Thor films nobody can deny that perhaps the title character has been eclipsed by other characters. From comedic timing of Jane Fosters adorkable side-kick Darcy (Kat Dennings) to the God of Mischief Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) sarcastic-put downs and one liners. Its easy for the God Thunder Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to be overlooked in his own film.

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi assures fans however that this time around that won’t be the case.

In an interview with Crave Online, Waititi revealed his approach for third film in the Thor series, describing that in his pitch to Marvel big-wigs, the director imparted that Thor “just needs to be the most interesting character.” Even quipping that “If you’re going to call the movie Thor, Thor has to be the best character.”

After 2013’s Thor: The Dark Worlds some-what serious approach, fans have been concerned that the series might lose Marvel’s trademark comedy going forward. But it seems that Waititi’s comedic past, with such films as What We Do In The Shadows (2014) on his resume. He might be the man to bring levity back to the series. But not too much with Waititi pressing to Marvel that he “wasn’t just like a crazy comedy director or too dramatic.”

Waititi has also looked to bring his improvisational style to the Marvel film, with the director making up “a lot of shots on the spot sometimes” while sticking to an overall plan. “I always plan what I’m going to do and then I’ll throw that plan away when I see what the actors want to do, and then we have to come to a common ground and figure that out.”

The director further noted the difficult with balancing CGI with practical effects, a danger when dealing with the rumoured appearance of The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), commenting that he tried “as much as possible” to film “practically and on locations.”

Although fans have theorised as to the nature of the film, story details are still tight as what exactly the ominous Ragnarok will bring to the MCU and what it means for the future of Asgard itself.

Thor: Ragnarok opens November 3, 2017.

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‘Simon Kinberg’ & ‘Bryan Fuller’ Explain ‘Apocalypses’ Power In The New ‘X-Men Movie’

Apocalypse is easily one of the most recognisable X-Men villains from comics and the cult-classic animated Tv show of the 90’s. But the Ancient Egyptian is also one of the more enigmatic and complicated nemesis that the Mutant team have ever faced.

So with Oscar Isaac stepping into the shoes of the title villain for the first time on the big screen this coming May. X-Men: Apocalypse director Bryan Singer and producer Simon Kinberg sat down with IGN and a handful of press to hype up their next movie in the growing X-Men franchise.

“He’s the most powerful mutant we’ve ever had in one of these movies and that he would be an unbeatable foe for any individual mutant in these X-Men movies,” explained Kinberg. “One of the things they do in the comic and the cartoon is you notice he has multiple powers. It’s not just one, he has a power suite. We do that in the film. He has various abilities and powers, one of them, like [Apocalypse actor Oscar Isaac said during the Comic-Con panel], is the power of persuasion, and part of why that’s necessary is he needs other followers to be his Horsemen, and some of them would be hard to persuade – Magneto, Erik being the hardest.”

It was revealed in the debut trailer for the movie that X-Men mainstay Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) would be one of Apocalypses’ Four Horsemen alongside younger versions of Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Angel (Ben Hardy) and newcomer Psylocke (Olivia Munn). It was curious however as to why Magneto would join the elusive villain given that Erik has never been one to play well with others, a facet of Apocalypse which Kinberg elaborates on:

“It’s interesting, what’s a little bit, hopefully, complex in the movie, or even ambiguous, is how much he’s persuading his followers with a superhuman ability or just he’s like any cult leader who is really good at convincing people to follow him, so we don’t really ever make that explicit. It’s not like he’s putting people under a spell, but he is superhumanly persuasive.”

In a separate interview, director Bryan Singer who also wrote the film alongside Kinberg. Further explains the intricacies to the Cult Leader-esque villain and his wide array of powers. “He has a number of different powers he’s acquired over the years, as he moved from body to body, accumulating these various abilities. One of them is to imbue other mutants and to heighten their powers and abilities beyond anything imaginable,” a skill which is on full display when Storm uses her heightened powers to wreck havoc on a city in the trailer.

“Secondly, he can shield from psychic power”, explained Singer. “He can form shields so that it makes it harder for a psychic like Xavier to tap in and get to him. He’s not a psychic himself though. He can’t manipulate — he can amplify your power, but his ability to physically damage or destroy or build is in the non-biological world. That’s in the physical world. He can change the inorganic molecules of things. So these are some of the powers that we’re exploring in this one, and the epic things that he does towards the end of the picture.”

Singer further echoes Kinberg’s sentiments mentioning that “in the end, his greatest power is the power of persuasion, is the ability to know what he needs and who he needs it out of and to get it from them, as he does with the Horsemen, and as he has through civilization after civilization for tens of thousands of years.”

The filmmakers are also keen to emphasis that their Apocalypse is a charismatic leader, whose goal is to unite Mutants under his reign. This sense of entitlement comes from the villains origin story that he is the first mutant to walk the Earth, a part of the characters comic backstory that Kinberg reveals inspired their interpretation of the character:

“This Apocalypse of our film is an amalgam of a lot of different versions of Apocalypse from the comics and the cartoons. [-] But one of the things that interested us the most was the notion of his being the first mutant and coming from a time where mutants were treated as gods and what it would be like for someone who experienced a world in which he was treated as a god, go from that to a world where he was treated at best as an equal and at worse than less than, and how radical that would make that character in our modern world, so that was something that we talked a lot about thematically and emotionally for this character, this actor.”

Singer also recognised that this villain’s unique backstory would bring a different aspect to the Mutant franchise which fans have yet to see: “We always tread this theme of ‘mutants vs. humans,’ and Apocalypse has two aspects that make him such a different character than I’ve traditionally explored in the universe. One is that he makes no distinction between humans and mutants. He’s interested in the Earth as a whole, in the purity of civilization and the strongest. Secondly, it deals with ancient mutantism, or the origin of mutants, or the origins of gods and religion. The X-Men universe has never touched upon any of those things, and that stuff I loved when I was a kid. I read Chariots of the Gods when I was a kid, and I was fascinated with religion as a kid, and cults and things like that. So that stuff made this so appealing to do.”

The director also hinted that by the end of the film the landscape of the Mutant world would be drastically different, like erasing four or so films from the timeline such as his previous X-Men: Days of Future Past did. “It’s a global situation. He wants to make a massive global change. I don’t want to tell you what he’s going to do, but it’s visually unique. He’s going to do something really bad to the Earth that’s going to cause a lot of people to not live. [Laughs] And those that survive will be the strongest.”

X-Men: Apocalypse hits theatres May 27, 2016.

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Fox Orders ‘The Exorcist’ Tv Show

A reimagined Tv show of the horror classic The Exorcist has been order to pilot by Fox.

The one-hour pilot will follow two priest as they battle a demonic possession with thewrap describing the new series as an “reinvention” of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel.

The novel was originally adapted for the screen by William Friedkin in 1973 which spawn a number of failed sequels.

Fox’s show will be written by Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four) who will also serve as executive producer alongside David Robinson, James Robinson and Barbara Wall.

The Exorcist will join a growing list of classic horror films receiving the small screen treatment, with the novel also getting a big-screen reboot in the near future.

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