The Film Future Of “Uncharted” Is A Little, Well… Uncharted

As someone who finally got a PlayStation and then proceeded to binge all four Uncharted games in a week (who needs sleep?), I have a deep and abiding love for the fantastic characters of the games. From the disaster-prone and clever Nathan Drake, to the brilliant and bad-a Elena Fisher, to the snarky and loyal Victor Sullivan, I grew invested in their crazy adventures and intricate stories.

So when I heard that Sony was planning to make a live-action Uncharted film, I lost my mind. In late July, Joe Carnahan (The Grey, writer and director) was confirmed as the writer for film, although his current production schedule prohibited him from directing it. Other people attached to making the film happen are producers Charles Roven (Man of Steel) and Avi Arad (The Amazing Spider-Man).

However, don’t get your hopes up. Recently, Sony took the Uncharted film off of their production schedule. The film was originally slated to be released June 30th, 2017, and has been in the works since 2009. But rather than just get a “TBA” or be moved to a different release date – because, even if they got all their ducks in a row today, it’s extremely unlikely that they could have a completed film in less than a year – like other delayed major motion pictures, Uncharted was removed from the production schedule altogether.

Some speculate that this could mean that the film was cancelled entirely.

Insert Pac-Man dying SFX here. Sony's video game adaptation of UNCHARTED, set for 6/30/17, has been removed from their release calendar.

— Exhibitor Relations Co. (@ERCboxoffice) September 1, 2016

But wait! I have some (admittedly weak) evidence to the contrary. The same day that the removal was announced, writer Joe Carnahan tweeted that he had just finished the opening scene in the script – and that it was “REALLY GOOD.”

It would be really odd to announce something like that the same day as a cancellation, right? So, maybe, the film is just being postponed for a long time, and so they just decided to take it off the production schedule until they figured everything out? Maybe? Hopefully?

So I guess you can sorta kinda get your hopes up. I don’t know. It’s kind of an emotional roller coaster at this point.

https://twitter.com/carnojoe/status/771544858020327424

So don’t be disappointed. But don’t get your hopes up too high, either. Maybe keep them at a reasonable level (or a wee bit lower), so that, if a later release date for the film is announced, you’re pleasantly surprised (and if it remains cancelled indefinitely, the pain won’t hurt so much).

Personally, I’m going to be crossing my fingers and knocking on wood everyday until I hear that the film is back on track. If they keep to the video game formula of incredible visuals, engaging story, and brilliant and dynamic characters, they’ll have a truly fantastic movie. If Sony accurately captures the relationship between Nate, Elena, and Sully, they’ll easily capture themselves a box-office hit.

So here’s hoping that they’re just pushing the release date back until 2018.

But until I find out for certain, in the words of Victor Sullivan, I’ll be “sweatin’ like a hooker in church” (but for different reasons, obviously).

 

Image Credit by: Brink

Karen Gillan Joins ‘Jumanji’ Sequel

Karen Gillan has nabbed the female lead in the continuation of the ‘Jumanji’ series. She will star alongside Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas in the Jake Kasdan directed film being brought to us by Sony.

Gillan was the final piece to slot into place for the film, as filming is now scheduled to begin in Honolulu next month. Set to play Martha, this is the latest in a line of big roles for Gillan that includes Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Having starred in various smaller roles before a leading role in ‘Doctor Who’ kick-started her career, Gillan seems set to continue on her path to Hollywood domination.

 

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A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

 

Dwayne Johnson took to Instagram to confirm the casting that ended a months long search for the right person.

Gillan is set to reprise her role of Nebula in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2’ as well as costar alongside Ethan Hawke in ‘In A Valley of Violence’.

‘Jumanji’ is set to hit theatres July 28, 2017.

Sony Pictures Announce New Ghostbusters Cartoon ‘Ecto Force’

Ghostbusters will be getting a new cartoon series in 2018, Sony Pictures revealed recently. The cartoon will be produced by Sony Pictures Animation in collaboration with director Ivan Reitman’s new Ghostbusters film company Ghost Corps. The cartoon series will feature a future setting, so won’t feature the Ghostbusters from the upcoming reboot.

Sony released an official synopsis for the animated TV show:

A brand new animated television series, Ghostbusters: Ecto Force, will further expand the Ghostbusters cinematic universe and focus on a new generation of Ghostbusters in the year 2050 who capture ghosts around the world with help from local teams—and some very cool gear!

Of course, this isn’t the first time Ghostbusters has had a cartoon series without the film Ghostbusters. The 1997 animation series Extreme Ghostbusters only featured one of the movie Ghostbusters (Egon Spengler); the rest were new characters: sarcastic slacker Eduardo Rivera (Rino Romano), mechanic Roland Jackson (Alfonso Ribiero), extreme sports fan Garrett Miller (Jason Marsden) and goth Kylie Griffin (Tara Charendoff).

That said, the original Ghostbusters still had a cartoon featuring the Ghostbusters from the film before they decided to introduce a new team. 1991’s The Real Ghostbusters featured Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore as the main characters, albeit without the live-action actors voicing their cartoon counterparts. Instead, David Coulier was the main voice of Peter Venkman (Lorenzo Music previously voiced him for the first two seasons), Maurice LaMarche voiced Egon Spengler (later reprising the role for Extreme Ghostbusters), Frank Welker was cast as both Ray Stantz and Slimer and Winston Zeddemore was voiced by Arensio Hall for three seasons before Buster Jones took over from season four.

It is therefore a curious decision to make a Ghostbusters cartoon with a new team before the current crew get one of their own. The original idea for the 1984 Ghostbusters had a future setting so maybe Ivan Reitman feels now is the right time to explore a futuristic Ghostbusters?

There are also plans for a Ghostbusters shared universe similar to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) so it is possible this new team will operate similar to how Agents of SHIELD works as a television counterpart to the Marvel films. Maybe we’ll see some of the ghosts from the 2016 movie cross over to Ecto-Force? Maybe we might even get a live-action adaptation some point down the line that would allow the future team to meet the 2016 Ghostbusters via a time travel mechanic?

An interesting concept in the synopsis is the idea of the future team battling ghosts from around the world. It seems like we can expect the future Ghostbusters to do some globe-trotting, so could we see ghosts haunting London or the Australian Outback? The Ghostbusters taking on the ghost of Winston Churchill would be suitably barmy for what will likely be an eccentric kids’ television show.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. The 2016 Ghostbusters reboot still has to be a success for the Ecto-Force cartoon to actually happen. Whilst it has been officially announced by Sony, if the Ghostbusters film flops then I expect Ecto-Force will be cancelled before it has even had a chance to air. Let’s hope the answer to the question ‘Who ya gonna call?’ will be ‘Melissa McCarthy‘ from the cinema-going public and not ‘someone else’.

 

You CAN Bust Ghosts With Madame Tussauds New York In ‘Ghostbusters Experience’

 

If you love Ghostbusters as much as me, chances are you will be probably be around about the same age as me, which is …. *awkward silence and coughs* Actually to be honest I was born in the year the first Ghostbusters film came out as well as the original (and best) Transformers movie, which goes to prove and to quote WWE superstar The Rock ‘it doesn’t matter’, in this case, what your age is. If you love Ghostbusters, you love Ghostbusters.

I’m pretty certain that everyone that loves Ghostbusters will like me at one point pretended to be a Ghostbuster, what if I tell you that now you CAN be a Ghostbuster. You can save New York. You can be a hero.

July 1^st marks the official opening of the all new Ghostbusters Experience exclusively at Madame Tussauds New York. Sony Pictures, Ghost Corps and THE VOID have teamed up ahead of the movie release date on July the 15th , the official press release states.

‘The new experience is a fully immersive, authentic and multi-sensory space where guests are not only able to interact with Madame Tussauds’ newest figures, but also enter an authentic physical environment that brings the Ghostbusters story to life with an epic Hyper-Reality finale.

The opening of Ghostbusters Experience marks the next step in an evolution for Madame Tussauds as the attraction launches into a new era of completely immersive entertainment offerings for visitors. Guests will walk through multiple scenes from the new film and then can become actual ghostbusters themselves as they grab proton packs and blast their way through an incredible Hyper-Reality experience, Ghostbusters: Dimension. Designed and created by tech innovators, THE VOID, Ghostbusters: Dimension combines interactive physical environments, real-time effects, and virtual reality to allow guests to step into the movie in a way not even the actors have done.’

So what can you get up to whilst you’re there? Well again the press release states the following

• Visitors to Madame Tussauds New York start their Ghostbusters journey in a New York City subway station haunted by “Sparky,” who terrifies guests through the windows of an oncoming subway car.
• As guests proceed through the Alridge Mansion Museum, they feel a ghostly presence coming to life as they pass portraits that follow their every move and end up face-to-face with “Gertrude,” an ill-ridden ghost who spits mock slime all over them, rickety doors, spooky portraits and moving rocking chairs amplify the unknown presence.
• Zhou’s Chinese Restaurant serves as Ghostbusters Headquarters where visitors will meet Jillian Holtzmann (portrayed by Kate McKinnon), working on her proton pack, and Patty Tolan (portrayed by Leslie Jones), readying herself for the next spirited brawl. In the Headquarters, guests will learn about fighting the paranormal and see actual ghosts trapped in a containment unit just feet away from a display case with actual props from the movie.
• The experience concludes with an epic finale in the Mercado Lobby, where a Ghostbusters will urge guests to assist Erin Gilbert (portrayed by Kristin Wiig) and Abby Yates (portrayed by Melissa McCarthy) as they fend off “Slimer” and blast away any remaining villains. The hologram of “Slimer,” is seen chasing guests around, anxiously trying to get a selfie with them.
• Moving on from the Ghostbusters Experience, guests can ride off in victory on a replica of the Ecto-2 motorcycle complete with a green screen photo opportunity.

I don’t know about you but the option to grab a proton pack and get blasting is something that I’ve wanted to do my entire life. Maybe we’ll be able to finally see if ‘bustin’ makes you feel good’.

You can find out more information and buy tickets for the Ghostbusters Experience at https://ghostbusters.madametussauds.com/

Valiant Kick Starts Summer With 4001 A.D.

Publisher: Valiant Comics @ValiantComics

Story By: Matt Kindt

Art By: Clayton Crain  & David Mack

Lettered By: Dave Lanphear

Covers By: Clayton Crain, Tula Lotay, Ryan Bodenheim, Clayton Henry, Ryan Lee, Ryan Sook

Release Date: May 4th, 2016

Cover Price: $3.99 USD

Reboots, abrupt cancellations, and controversial turmoil is status quo for Marvel and DC at the moment. But much like famous sports teams that suffer rough periods, it is difficult to imagine they will remain that way. However, during this period of upheaval for the big two, independent publishers are offering up some of their best work. Valiant Comics is currently producing absolute gems. 4001 A.D. is their current summer hit crossover.

Primarily encompassing their science fiction success Rai, this event  ushers in the future for Valiant Entertainment. Their universe is easily accessible with little canon in which to be lost. In fact, I often suggest Valiant books for new readers and collectors. Harbinger and Bloodshot, two of the publisher’s flagship series will see their motion picture debuts beginning in 2017 via Sony Pictures.

All star writer Matt Kindt and artists Clayton Crain and David Mack bring the 41st Century character Rai to life. He was a government-like enforcer for “Father” an artificial intelligence that had laid waste to the Earth and lifted a utopian society New Japan into orbit. “Father” may be compared to an advanced Skynet from James Cameron’s Terminator. Rai has resisted his iron fist methods, and he finds himself cast to the dangerous and primitive lands of the Earth. In an ironic twist, the Earth is similar to the world of Mad Max filled with dinosaurs. With the help of other heroes like the immortal Eternal Warrior, he fights his way back to New Japan to face the ultimate tyrant.

In 4001 A.D. Kindt’s pacing is on point. The art by Clayton Crain can only be described as breath taking. The art could be a sole reason for the purchase. The lettering is by Dave Lanphear; it took some adjustment. Not because I didn’t like it, but it is much different from what I am accustomed. The issue overall is excellent.

If you are looking for an entrapping read with amazing art, 4001 A.D. does not disappoint. I admit that I am a huge fan of great stories, and I believe that Snyder and Capullo’s Batman was perhaps the best run of the past decade, but Valiant much like the aforementioned masters is producing tales in which you can easily find yourself captivated.

4001 A.D. art by Clayton Crain

 

 

 

 

‘Men In Black’ Meets ‘Jump Street’ Film Title Revealed

 

We heard rumours of a Men In Black meets Jump Street crossover film early last year during the Sony hack scandal that gave an insight into where the companies film division planned on moving forward in the coming years. One of those said plans was Spider-Man being lent out to Marvel which eventually became a reality and it seems that MIB 23 is actually happening also.

At last weekend’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, sources out of ComicBook.com snapped a quick-pic of the logo (above) revealing the franchise mash-up title alongside Sony’s panel announcement that the film was moving forward.

No official word as to whether Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will once again step into the black suits for MIB 23. But the Sony Pictures hacks did indicate that Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill will return without Jump Street’s original Director’s Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. Instead Muppets (2011) Director James Bobin has been tapped to takeover the comedy-action series.

For all your Here-Comes-The-Men-In-Black-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

‘Marvel’ Reveals New Movie Title ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’

Spider-Man: Homecoming see’s Marvel’s first son return to the fold – of course not before his well publicised cameo in this months Captain America: Civil War – and to celebrate, the big wigs put on a big soiree which saw Spidey actor Tom Holland release tidbits of information about web-heads newest reboot.

In press released at CinemaCon, Holland joined Sony Pictures Head Tom Rothman on stage to unveil the studios first joint film with Marvel Studios and that nifty new logo (above). “I’m Tom Holland and I’m your new Spider-Man,” quipped Holland before revealing that his first solo Spider-Man movie will see the titular hero search for his identity. While “saving the world and getting your algebra homework done at the same time,” added Rothman.

Acknowledging the woes that Sony have had with the arachnid-hero in recent years, Rothman commented that their lucrative deal with Marvel will hopefully see Spider-Man’s story go past “about three movies.”

Besides Holland’s cameo in Civil War, the actor is also signed to star in future Avengers movies but fans will have to wait until Infinity War Part 1 on May 4, 2018 before they can see that.

But if you really can’t wait to see your favourite Web-Slinger, don’t forget to catch Captain America: Civil War in theatres April 29, 2016.

For all your Web-Headed-Solo-Movie-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx