If you're like me, you read that headline and immediately began racking your brain to think about how this works with Firefly. It's not a Firefly project. According to Deadline, Serenity is a thriller in which Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway take part in a story about a boat captain's past and present colliding on a small island in the Caribbean. With a description like that, it's hard to tell exactly what we can expect from this film. To throw an additional curveball in there, Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, is set to direct the film. It's safe to say we have no idea what this combination will create!

What we do know is that roping in big talent like McConaughey and Hathaway (who appeared together in Interstellar) seem to be a big vote of confidence for a film like this! We'll keep you updated as we learn more about the project!

That much I think we can all get behind! Yet Lady Maria is considered a boss in Bloodborne I just don't get it. You swing one sword at somebody and all the sudden you're a villain...read more on GameTyrant

Permalink

Clive Owen has a penchant for starring in short films with incredible production value from well-known directors (see: The Hire series for BMW Films), and now he's added another one to his resume. Killer in Red is a short that comes from Paolo Sorrentino, the filmmaker and creator of HBO's meme-friendly series The Young Pope. It's essentially a commercial for Campari liqueur, but it works as a slick modern noir that left me wanting more from this stylized world and its mysterious characters.

Via: Indiewire

It's safe to say if Christopher Walken had gotten the role of Darth Vader the character would be much different than it is now. Hell, his portrayal might have sunk the film in its first installment! Still, it's funny to hear what I suppose in some alternate universe could have been with this old video recently uncovered by Reddit. This guy mostly freestyles lines in a way that Walken would, but the lines he delivers are golden! I need someone to dub this into actual scenes with Vader from the film!

While we as Americans are not all that different from our international brethren fundamentally, we are almost entirely different culturally. In addition to insanely long work hours, it appears it's just as much of a job to have an apartment in Japan! While it would be cool to have a high tech tub that auto fills to your preferred temperature, can't I just have a normal shower?! I'm also super uncomfortable with the amount of water they're letting get everywhere in this video, WHAT ABOUT MOLD?

Learn about bathing and other crazy parts of Japanese apartment living in this humorous video by Rachel & Jun! 

John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski is the latest director who has been attached to the Highlander remake, which has been in and out of development for over a decade. During a recent interview with Collider, Stahelski talked about the film and explained why the movie is taking so long to get into production and that there's just so much material to work with. They are taking the best story elements from across the franchise and implementing it all into one story that will be spread out across a trilogy of films:

"I think the TV series hit on a lot of great stuff wasn’t in the feature, between the watchers and all the different types of immortals. How do we get this into a feature mode before we dribble it into the TV world? Well, let’s restructure it in parts, let’s look at it like it was a TV show, let’s look at it like it was a high-end trilogy. How to we tell the story of The Gathering, The Quickenings, The Immortals and how do we really build this world out even more so than the original project? That’s what we’re restructuring right now. It’s taking all the good stuff that we had before I was involved in the project from the script; redeveloping the script to give us really good chapters one, two and three; and expanding the world."

This is the first time we've heard that the studio is looking to develop a whole trilogy for the film franchise reboot. He goes on to talk about their vision for this project, explaining: 

"The vision we’re trying to get across and what we’re trying to develop, I equate very close to Star Wars. The first one is a very satisfying ending but it does leave the door open and that’s kind of how I see this. I would really like to expand it over three. I see The Gathering happening over three. It’s tricky, don’t get me wrong, that’s why we’re still developing it. We want to be able to tell three complete stories that all kind of fit. I think the Star Wars trilogy, at least up to The Empire Strikes Back, is a good example of how we want to process it."

I thought it was amusing that he made a point of letting us know that he's not a big fan of Return of the Jedi. I hope that Stahelski will get to realize his full vision of the story because as you know, if the first film fails, they won't get to make the other two chapters. The director goes on to talk about the tone of the film and reveals one element from the '80s film that he can't see the remake without:

"The tone of the first one just hit at that weird music video edge in the 80s that had Queen and for some reason, Queen just fits. I don’t think you can do Highlander and bring about that kind of tone again with the mythological world and take it too seriously. Just as we did with Wick, you can’t kill 80 people over a puppy and take yourself seriously. We got to let the audience know that we’re having fun and that there is a world here.

"Point being I can’t see Highlander without Queen, without the queen center, without having Freddy Mercury, 'Prince of the Universe,' and all this stuff. I can’t picture the movie in my head without it."

I love what Stahelski did with John Wick and I hope that he can bring that kind of badassery to Highlander. It's good to know that he and his team are taking their time developing the film to make sure it will be something that the fans will enjoy. It's definitely going to be interesting to see what his vision of Highlander turns out to be. 

It's only been a month and a half since Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released in theaters, but Star Wars fandom is already looking ahead to Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi and Phil Lord and Chris Miller's young Han Solo movie. But before we dive into the next entry in the saga, let's take a quick look back at Rogue One through the eyes of 8-Bit Cinema. The only thing I don't agree with in their adaptation is the heart that pops up between Jyn and Cassian at the end; I felt like the movie didn't really support a strong romantic reading of their relationship. But I guess that's one of the points that's left vague enough for people to argue and theorize about. How about you? Did you think Jyn and Cassian had a notable love story in the theatrical cut of Rogue One?

Marvel has announced that they've cast the lead roles in their upcoming new series Cloak and Dagger. Actor Aubrey Joseph (The Night Of, Run All Night) has been cast in the role of Tyrone Johnson, a.k.a. Cloak, and former Disney Channel star Olivia Holt (I Didn’t Do It) will play Tandy Bowen, a.k.a. Dagger.

 Executive producer and showrunner Joe Pokaski said in a statement:

“The characters of Tandy and Tyrone have always stood out to me ever since I first met them in the pages of Marvel comics when I was a boy. When Olivia and Aubrey read for the roles, these characters leapt off the page. We’re so excited to see what these talented young actors bring to the Marvel Universe.”

 Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television and Executive Producer, added:

“Marvel is delighted to have found our 'Cloak & Dagger.' Olivia Holt and Aubrey Josepn encompass the true essence of the characters and we are excited for the audience to see them in these roles.”

I'm not familiar with either of these actors, but the creative team developing the project seem to have found what they are looking for in them. They definitely look like they fit their roles. 

The series will focus on Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson, the eponymous Cloak and Dagger, as they learn to use their newly-acquired super powers while also falling in love with each other. Cloak is capable of teleportation through the “dimension of darkness” but can also leave foes stranded in the other world as well. Dagger has the ability to create light daggers with her mind, which she can control as well. Her daggers are capable of both draining life from their targets, or healing them.

The series is scheduled to debut on the Freeform Channel in Winter 2018. Hopefully, they end up giving fans something really cool. 

If you're still one of those people who is remaining cynical about the release of Horizon: Zero Dawn, shame on you. Look, I'm all for skepticism when it comes to gaming...read more on GameTyrant

Permalink

Rememory was one of the films I was most excited to see at Sundance. The brief description I read really stood out to me, and I’m a huge fan of Peter Dinklage. Combined with the fact that this was one of Anton Yelchin’s final films, I was anxious to see it. I think my hopes were too high because I’ll admit I was a little disappointed.

Rememory tells the story of Sam (Dinklage), a lonely model-maker with a regrettable past. He takes it upon himself to solve the mysterious death of Gordon Dunn, who invented a machine that allows people to objectively view their own memories as a form of therapy. This new technology, while highly sought-after, has unforeseen flaws. Sam has to track down and eliminate potential suspects one by one, using their memories to look for clues. He uses his models as a visual layout, a unique take on the wall with photographs and string often seen in crime thrillers.

This film is a neo-noir with an ambitious plot that sometimes gets out of control. There are too many characters, and it felt like no single storyline got the time it deserved. It would have been nice to explore the story a little more in-depth. Because the plot is spread so thin, I felt like I couldn't emotionally connect to any part of this story. I kept thinking how great this story could have been if it were told as a television series.

I will say this, though, the score was fantastic, and Dinklage shines as the lead. I would love to see him in more leading roles. And of course, Yelchin is as good as ever, playing one of the first participants in the testing of the Rememory machine. It was really emotional to see him onscreen again. So while it wasn’t a perfect film by any means, I wouldn’t say pass this one over entirely.

For this week's review, we take a look at the latest from M. Night Shyamalan. After what some are calling a return to form in The Visit last year, Split features James McAvoy playing a man who kidnaps three girls while suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Listen on PodTyrant

Permalink

The Imagineers at Disney have already designed a number of Star Wars-themed attractions for the Star Wars Lands that are coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, including a Millennium Falcon ride. But if they're still looking for ideas, they might benefit from taking a page from this fan's playbook.

/Film points us to YouTuber Chuck Maurice, who has created an awesome fan-made Star Wars roller coaster in Planet Coaster, a PC game in which you can design every element of your own rides. Maurice's creation takes place in a contained, indoor, Space Mountain-style area, and it whisks fans through the attack on the Death Star from A New Hope. He did a terrific job creating these elements in a digital version, and though it seems like it'd be super expensive to make in real life, I'm guessing Disney has the resources to make something like this if they wanted to. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

The ride begins at the 1:53 mark.

In 2014 Peter Capaldi joined the eighth season of Doctor Who as the 12th incarnation of The Doctor. After three seasons, it's now time to say goodbye as the actor has announced that he will be leaving the series this Christmas.

When talking to  BBC Radio 2 (via Doctor Who Twitter), Capaldi said, “[I]t will be my last... This will be the end for me… I feel it’s sort of time for me to move on to different challenges.” He went on to say:

"One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best. From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity, generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic."

Capaldi will be leaving the series at the same time as showrunner and executive producer Steven Moffat. He will be replaced by Chris Chibnall. I'm sure we'll learn who will be taking on the role of the 13th Doctor at the end of the year. 

I'm actually ok with Capaldi leaving show as he was a version of The Doctor that I never really liked or connected with. That being said, he obviously wasn't my favorite Doctor, so I'm excited to see who will come on board to replace him. If you were a Capaldi fan, I do understand your disappointment over his departure. 

With Moffat leaving the series as well, things are going to get interesting, and I have no idea what to expect. Doctor Who series 10 will introduce Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts, the Doctor’s new traveling companion. It's set to premiere on April 15.

How do you all feel about this being Capaldi's final season as The Doctor? 

BREAKING NEWS!
“It (the new series of Doctor Who) will be my last… I feel it’s time to move on.”
- Peter Capaldi
#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/4gx9rTShPZ

— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 30, 2017

Peter confirms he'll be stepping down in Xmas 2017, but
"I’m still #DoctorWho! We’re doing epic stuff! I’m not done yet!”
- Peter Capaldi pic.twitter.com/OYqTN7qIws

— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 30, 2017

Ben Affleck said that if he couldn't put together a story and script for The Batman that he was happy with he wouldn't direct the movie. Well, he's just dropped out of the film and will no longer direct. He's still attached to star in the film and produce it, though. In a statement to Variety, Affleck said: 

“There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions. Performing this role demands focus, passion and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.”

This news was followed by a tweet from Variety's Justin Kroll who said that Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Cloverfield director Matt Reeves is "high on the list of directors they are looking at." There's no confirmation of this and no deal has been made. As of right now, he's just a name on a list, but he's a solid director that I wouldn't mind seeing make a Batman movie. No other names on this list were offered.

There's no other information given as to why Affleck dropped out, but according to inside sources, the "decision was solely made based on what’s best for the project and had nothing to do with the recent disappointment of Affleck’s recent directing job Live by Night." I thought Live By Night was a solid film, but it bombed at the box office because, in my opinion, it wasn't marketed very well. 

Regardless of that, Affleck is out as the director of The Batman, and someone else is going to come on board to replace him. I'm kinda bummed out by this news because Affleck is a talented director, and I think he would've done something great with the film. Hopefully, whoever the studio does end up bringing on to direct will give us something great.  

Disney has released the final trailer for their enchanting live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, and I have no doubt that fans are going to absolutely love it. The new trailer is packed to the brim with new footage from the film full of Disney magic and wonder. This film looks like it's going to be a wonderful adaptation that fantastically represents the animated film that many of us grew up watching. It seems like it perfectly captures the feeling, tone, and spirit of the original. I also included a new poster that was released for the film above.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

Beauty and the Beast stars Emma Watson as Belle, Luke Evans as Gaston, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Dan Stevens as the Beast, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Kevin Kline as Maurice, and Josh Gad as Le Fou. It hits theaters on March 17, 2017.

I enjoyed the showdown between Doctor Strange and the villain Dormammu in Scott Derrickson's film. It was a very fun, clever, and unique showdown that only a character like Doctor Strange could pull off. 

Benedict Cumberbatch actually provided the voice of Dormammu in the film, which I thought was interesting because he played both hero and villain in the same movie. But, there was another actor who recorded the voice work for Dormammu, and that was Tony Todd (Candyman), who has a very distinct and menacing voice. Todd revealed the news himself in an interview with Comic Book Resources in which he said: 

"I have to tell you about one recent disappointment. I almost did Doctor Strange. I went in to do a session to play Dormammu. Benedict [Cumberbatch] had already recorded it but the producers wanted another voice just as an alternative. We did a six-hour session and then two weeks before the movie came out they let me know that they went back to the original choice. I say this just to point out to everybody that you’ve got to roll and sway with all these punches and waves that come at you. Did I cry? No. I understood. I was disappointed at the value that I lost — people going, 'Dude, are you Dormammu?' [Laughs] But there’ll be another Dormammu."

That's kind of a bummer. Upon learning that Todd actually recorded the voice work for the film, that's a version of the character that I would love to hear! I can't help but think that Todd's version of the villain would have been amazing, but the studio still decided to take it in another direction. 

I have no idea if we'll ever hear Todd's version of the character, but I hope that one day we will. He's just got such an incredible voice, and I'm a little shocked that they didn't end up using it. I just keep imagining it in my head, and it's awesome! One of his most recent voice projects was providing the voice of Zoom in The CW's The Flash.

Hopefully one day Marvel does find a role for him in one of their upcoming movies! 

The gang over at We Got This Covered has created and released a fun fan trailer for a Deadpool and Wolverine team-up movie. As you'll see, it's amusingly inspired by the action films of the late '80s and early '90s. The trailer has got that ridiculous over-the-top and ridiculous vibe that we used to see all the time in those classic action movie trailers from the era. I would totally watch a Deadpool and Wolverine film in this style! 

Today only, you can pick up the prelude to the ever popular X-COM: Enemy Unknown and X-COM 2 absolutely free via Humble Bundle. While X-COM: UFO Defense is notably...read more on GameTyrant

Permalink

Not long ago we learned the awesome news that James Cameron would be teaming up with Deadpool director Tim Miller to bring us a new Terminator movie. This was incredibly exciting news because Cameron hasn't really been involved with the franchise since he made Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The rights to the property revert back to Cameron in 2019, and he's preparing to give fans something great and different. 

During a recent interview with The Daily Beast, Cameron was asked about the declining quality of the Terminator franchise, and in his response he offers us some insight into what he might be planning for his next Terminator movie.

"It’s really just stumbled along, trying to find its voice again. There’s probably some degree to where it’s lost relevance, you know? Maybe the things that made it good back then are kind of a yawn now. It’s easy to remember fondly the things that kick off a franchise. It’s hard to keep a franchise vigorous, and relevant. I haven’t had my hand on the tiller since Terminator 2, and that was 1991. So what’s that? Twenty-six years? But look, I think it’s possible to tell a great Terminator story now, and it’s relevant. We live in a digital age, and Terminator ultimately, if you can slow it down, is about our relationship with our own technology, and how our technology can reflect back to us—and in the movie, literally, in a human form that is a nemesis and a threat. But also in those movies, in the two that I did, it’s about how we dehumanize ourselves. In a time when people are being absorbed by their virtual-social world, I mean, just look around. I always say: if Terminator was about the war between the humans and the machines, look around any restaurant or airport lounge and tell me the machines haven’t won when every human you see is enslaved to their device. So could you make a relevant Terminator film now? Absolutely."

This is definitely an interesting way to approach the subject matter. There are so many different directions that he could take the story from that initial thought and concept, which I'm sure would be the backbone of his pitch and what inspired him to want to make another Terminator film. 

I can't wait to see what Cameron and Miller have up their sleeves for this film. They've got plenty of time to flush out their ideas and get a great script in place. If anyone can reinvigorate this franchise properly and get people excited about it again, it's Cameron. 

Our friend at Couch Tomato has created yet another great video in which he breaks down 24 reasons why two completely different films are the same movie. In this episode, he fantastically compares Lethal Weapon 3 with Star Trek Beyond, and he fantastically points out some interesting similarities that you probably would have never known had you not watched this video. Enjoy!