James McAvoy and Bill Hader in Talks for IT Sequel

James McAvoy Bill Hader

One of the most impressive genre efforts of recent years was Andy Muschietti’s IT. As the more adult-focussed follow-up continues to develop, the sequel is zeroing in on adding some pretty big names to its ranks.

Having already confirmed Jessica Chastain to be playing the adult version of Beverly, now comes word that James McAvoy and Bill Hader are in talks to join what’s currently been referred to as IT: Chapter 2.

As per Variety, Split’s McAvoy is being lined up to play the adult version of Jaeden Lieberher’s Bill, while Hader is in talks to play the adult take on Finn Wolfhard’s Richie. Bill Skarsgard is expected to be back as the eerie Pennywise.

To once more be directed by Andy Muschietti, this hotly anticipated IT follow-up is booked in for a September 6th, 2019 release.

MARVEL’S JESSICA JONES Renewed for Third Season

Marvel's Jessica JOnes

With the second season of Marvel’s Jessica Jones having impressed many when it landing on Netflix earlier this year, it comes as very little surprise to hear that the series has been renewed for a third year.

Netflix revealed the news, confirming that the Krysten Ritter-starrer will be back for a Season 3. No details whatsoever are known on what lies ahead in this third season at this early stage.

Where Marvel’s Netflix-exclusive realm is concerned, that will continue this June with Season 2 of Marvel’s Luke Cage. After that, a third season of Marvel’s Daredevil is on the way towards the end of the year.

Expect more on Marvel’s Jessica Jones as this third year continues to develop.

Small Screen Adaptation of Warren Ellis’ INJECTION in Development

Injection

These days, any comic book with any sort of reputation and following seems to have a chance of being adaptation for the big or small screen. And now, the brilliant Injection has been confirmed for the adaptation treatment.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Cable Productions has optioned the rights to Warren Ellis’ much-loved ongoing series.

Injection began life back in 2015, with Ellis bringing in Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire to work on the art of the tale. In terms of premise, the loose story of Injection centres on five people with some incredible skillsets who are brought together by the British government. After discovering what could lie ahead for mankind, the group decide to put together a new form of artificial intelligence made up of technology and magic. From there, the five have to deal with the repercussions of their creation and the notion that the world is slowly becoming a place that might just be too advanced and odd to support human life.

Expect more on this as it continues to develop.

Joe Russo Teases SECRET WARS for the MCU

Marvel Secret Wars

With Avengers: Infinity War nearly upon us, attention has turned to what other all-encompassing arcs could lie ahead for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Of course, a fourth to-be-titled Avengers movie is already booked in for May 2019, with that to deal with the fallout of Infinity War. And let’s face it, it appears that some of our favourites won’t be making it out alive once Thanos finally steps out of the shadows in this month’s huge ensemble.

It could be something, it could be nothing, but co-director Joe Russo has teased that a cinematic take on the famed Secret Wars could potentially be on the table moving forward.

Speaking to Internaute, Joe teased, “We’ll say that if that Fox deal goes through with Disney, there’s a lot more characters to work with all of a sudden. It would be interesting to do something like Secret Wars.”

For those well versed in the world of Marvel Comics, you’ll be well aware of Secret Wars and just what a huge deal it was. For those unfamiliar with this arc, let us fill you in.

Secret Wars was a major event arc that began in 1984, spanning across pretty much each and every Marvel comic book title of the day. The Beyonder is introduced, and he magically transports a whole bunch of heroes – against their will – to the ominous Battleworld. The tale was essentially a who’s who of Marvel’s biggest hitters, with Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four (minus Sue Storm), Hulk, Magneto, Ultron, Doctor Doom, and the Lizard the major names involved in the action as these characters were pitted against one another. While that was all well and good, the biggest thing to come out of Secret Wars was that it was during this arc where Spider-Man first comes across the black suit that would ultimately go on to bond with Eddie Brock and form Venom. The tale was initially put together merely to shill a new range of Marvel toys, but the success of the arc led to several follow-up stories over the years.

In terms of what Joe Russo mentioned about Disney and Fox, that relates to the ongoing purchase of plentiful Fox assets by the House of Mouse. One such element of this deal would see the cinematic rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four switch over to Disney, meaning that these characters could then be used in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Infinity War hits UK cinemas on April 25th.

Dwayne Johnson’s BLACK ADAM to Shoot Next Year?

Black Adam

With David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! currently shooting, now comes an update on the solo picture for Shazam’s greatest rival, Black Adam.

For years now, Dwayne Johnson has been signed-on to play this big-time DC rogue, and originally the plan was to have Adam make his cinematic bow in the aforementioned Shazam! Those plans were soon shelved though, and Black Adam won’t be appearing in Shazam! in any form or fashion, instead waiting for that solo film to happen a little further down the line. And just when that ‘further down the line is’, Johnson has given us a bit of a tease.

Speaking to Yahoo while promoting Rampage, Johnson enthused, “The script came in, it’s great, we’re working on it. If things come together in the way we anticipate them coming together, that feels like a 2019 movie. It’s this phenomenal opportunity for us to nail the tone and make sure he’s badass. Also, we have intrinsic DNA tied to a lot of other properties in DC.”

Intrinsic DNA, eh? Well, that could well tie in with those rumours of Black Adam being introduced in Gavin O’Connor’s Suicide Squad 2.

For those not all that familiar with the Black Adam character, he debuted back in 1945’s Marvel Family #1 as Teth-Adam of Kahndaq. Depicted over the years as both an out-and-out villain and an antihero, Black Adam is one of the few characters who can pretty much match Superman toe-to-toe when it comes to powers. Whilst he has tangled with the Man of Steel and various other DC heroes over the decades, he’s best known as a Shazam villain. Shazam, of course, is young Billy Batson. When Billy shouts “Shazam!”, he turns into the legendary hero.

At present, Shazam! is set for an April 2019 release, and it looks like Black Adam may get shooting at some point in 2019.

Sean Whalen Joins 3 FROM HELL

Sean Whalen Roach The People Under the Stairs

With Rob Zombie’s 3 from Hell continuing to reveal its cast, Zombie has taken to social media to confirm that Sean Whalen has joined the picture. Whalen, of course, is best known to genre fans for playing Roach in Wes Craven’s brilliant The People Under the Stairs, not to mention roles in the likes of Zombie’s Halloween II and Adam Green’s Hatchet II.

Another has entered our 3 From Hell world. #3fromhell #robzombie #seanwhalen

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Already on board for 3 from Hell are the returning Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Danny Trejo, and Daniel Roebuck, with new additions in the shape of Austin Stoker, Dee Wallace, Dot-Marie Jones, Tom Papa, Jeff Daniels Phillips, David Ury, Kevin Jackson, Richard Riehle, and Clint Howard.

Zombie, Moseley, and Haig famously played Baby, Otis, and Captain Spaulding in The House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects, while Trejo appeared as Rondo in The Devil’s Rejects and Roebuck had the small role of TV host Morris Green in that same film. Those four aren’t the only ones to have previous with Rob Zombie, however, with Tom Papa having voiced El Superbeasto in the animated The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, Jeff Daniel Phillips having played Seymour Coffins in Halloween 2, David Ury and Pancho Moler portraying Schizo-Head and Sick-Head, respectively, in 2016’s 31, Kevin Jackson being one of the victims in 31, and Richard Riehle having had a role in Halloween II. Elsewhere, we know that Clint Howard’s role will be that of a new clown dubbed Mr Baggy Britches.

3 from Hell is currently shooting, with an official release date to be confirmed a little later down the line. As ever, expect more on the return of the Firefly family as we get it.

BATGIRL Movie Brings in New Writer

Batgirl

With many fans hugely excited at the news of Joss Whedon developing a Batgirl movie for Warner Brothers, those same fans took a gut punch just a few months ago when Whedon departed the project, citing the strange reason that he just simply had no ideas for the narrative of the picture. Well now, that film has taken a huge move in getting back on track.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Warners has brought in Christina Hodson to begin work on a new screenplay for the film. Hodson has some previous with the Barbara Gordon character, having penned a script for a Birds of Prey-based movie at The WB back in 2016. Her other credits include Shut In, Unforgettable, and the upcoming Bumblebee.

The standard Batgirl character was created way back in 1967 – although a Golden Age version was around in the early-60s – with Jim Gordon’s daughter Barbara under the cape and cowl. She’d soon join Batman and Robin in helping to fight the good fight and protect Gotham City. Over the decades, Barbara hit some major stumbling blocks, most notably being paralyzed by The Joker as part of his plan to “break” Jim Gordon during the fan favourite The Killing Joke story. But not even paralysis could stop Barbara from helping out Batman, for she then oversaw things from afar as Oracle. As mentioned, Babs would return to action as Batgirl in later years, although others such as Casandra Cain and Stephanie Brown have also taken on the Batgirl mantle at times.

In terms of live-action takes on Batgirl, Yvonne Craig played the role in the 1960s Batman TV show, with Alicia Silverstone then playing a version of the character (we’re still not happy that she was Alfred’s niece!) in 1997’s Batman & Robin.

For Batgirl, the movie is set to be part of Warners’ DC Extended Universe and is just one of a whole host of films all planned for the shared DCEU.

In addition to James Wan’s Aquaman swimming to the silver screen this December, there’s David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! set for April 2019, Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 2 booked for November 2019, the Ray Fisher-headlined Cyborg for April 2020, a believed July 2020 date for Green Lantern Corps, and then plans for the Scarlet Speedster-centric Flashpoint, the Dwayne Johnson-starring Black Adam, Gavin O’Connor’s Suicide Squad 2, Chris McKay’s Nightwing, David Ayer’s Gotham City Sirens, a Harley Quinn picture for Margot Robbie, a joint outing for Harleen and the Joker, a Deathstroke movie, the long-gestating big-screen outing for the Justice League Dark team, a Birds of Prey-driven effort, a Deadshot picture, a Justice League follow-up, a Man of Steel sequel, a silver screen adventure for Lobo, and then, of course, Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which may or may not see Ben Affleck back in the cape and cowl. Oh, and then there’s Todd Phillips and Martin Scorsese’s Joker origin movie that’s being developed separately to the DCEU and currently has Joaquin Phoenix as the favourite to nab the Clown Prince of Crime gig.

Expect more on Batgirl as it continues to develop.

3 FROM HELL Adds Richard Riehle

Richard Riehle

With Rob Zombie’s 3 from Hell continuing to flesh out its key cast, the follow-up to The Devil’s Rejects has moved to add another genre fave to its ranks.

Straight from Zombie himself, 3 from Hell has brought in Richard Riehle in an unknown role. Riehle is likely best known to genre fans for the likes of Hatchet and Chillerama.

Richard Riehle has joined the cast of 3 From Hell. #robzombie #3fromhell #richardriehle

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Already on board for 3 from Hell are the returning Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Danny Trejo, and Daniel Roebuck, with new additions in the shape of Austin Stoker, Dee Wallace, Dot-Marie Jones, Tom Papa, Jeff Daniels Phillips, David Ury, and Clint Howard.

Zombie, Moseley, and Haig famously played Baby, Otis, and Captain Spaulding in The House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects, while Trejo appeared as Rondo in The Devil’s Rejects and Roebuck had the small role of TV host Morris Green in that same film. Those four aren’t the only ones to have previous with Rob Zombie, however, with Tom Papa having voiced El Superbeasto in the animated The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, Jeff Daniel Phillips having played Seymour Coffins in Halloween 2, and David Ury portraying Schizo-Head in 2016’s 31. Elsewhere, we know that Clint Howard’s role will be that of a new clown dubbed Mr Baggy Britches.

3 from Hell is currently shooting, with an official release date to be confirmed a little later down the line. As ever, expect more on the return of the Firefly family as we get it.

Diego Boneta Joins New TERMINATOR Movie

Diego Boneta

With a new Terminator movie currently in development from franchise creator James Cameron and Deadpool director Tim Miller, the upcoming next entry in this series has moved to add a new name to its ranks.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Diego Boneta has signed on for the film in a to-be-confirmed yet key role in this next Terminator effort. Boneta will be familiar to genre fans for the likes of Rock of Ages and Scream Queens.

This return for the Terminator series will completely ignore anything that’s happened since Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. While the rights for the franchise have now reverted to creator Cameron, his involvement in the four ongoing Avatar sequels means he won’t be directing this return for Das Arnold’s T-800. That’s where Tim Miller comes in, for he’s the person tasked with filling the director’s chair.

In addition to Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising one of – if not the – most iconic roles of his career, Linda Hamilton will be back as one of the most badass women in cinema history, Sarah Connor. In terms of other newcomers to the franchise, Blade Runner 2049’s Mackenzie Davis joined the film last month.

At present, this to-be-titled Terminator effort is booked in for a November 2019 release.

New Douglas Adams Book Announced

You and 42: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Douglas Adams

Forty years after the BBC Radio 4 broadcast of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a major new book about Douglas Adams’ life and works has been announced, an essential volume for fans of the writer and projects such as the aforementioned radio, television and books series, as well as Dirk Gently, and Adams’ time writing and script-editing Doctor Who.

Edited by husband and wife team Jessica Burke and Anthony Burdge, the volume – You and 42: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Douglas Adams – features a stunning cover design by Robert Hammond and comprises a series of essays on the subject of Adams’ career and work and the way it has impacted upon his fans’ lives, and features contributions from the likes of Jem Roberts, Barnaby Eaton-Jones, Kevin Jon Davies and many others. It’s all for a good cause too, with the entire authors’ royalties being donated to Save the Rhino, Adams’ own favoured charity.

You and 42 is being published by Who Dares Publishing, the company run by legendary Target Books artist Andrew Skilleter, and will be the first in a series of similar volumes dedicated to such wide-ranging subjects as David Bowie, Blakes 7, and the Doctor Who Target books themselves.

Pre-orders are now open with the book being due at the end of April, and the great news is that you don’t need to wait until Thursday to order it. It’s priced at £15.99 but can be ordered with a £2 discount from the Who Dares website.