Denis Villeneuve Has Plans for Multiple DUNE Movies

Dune

One of the upcoming movies that has genre fans the most excited is Denis Villeneuve tackling Frank Herbert’s legendary Dune. And now, the director has revealed that he aims to make two (or more!) Dune pictures.

The Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 director had long talked of Dune as a dream project before officially signing on for the gig early last year. Given the ample source material to pull from, it’s highly promising to hear the ridiculously talented Villeneuve has plans for more than just the one film.

As he explained to The Playlist, Villeneuve said, “Dune will probably take two years to make. The goal is to make two films, maybe more.”

Dune began life back in 1965, with Frank Herbert’s original novel tying for the 1966 Hugo Award and then winning the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. Set in the distant future, the story centres on Paul Atreides as his family takes control of the desert planet known as Arrakis. With valuable resources key to the tale, what unravels is a plot that’s full of politics, betrayal, and man’s relationship with nature. A Kyle MacLachlan-starring, David Lynch-helmed movie followed in 1984, which went on to become a cult classic, and then Syfy developed a Dune TV series in 2000. As for written works, Herbert penned five sequels himself before Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert expanded that written world even further.

Expect more on all things Dune as it continues to develop.

THE NEW MUTANTS Delay Due to New Character Being Added

The New Mutants

Last month, Josh Boone’s hotly anticipated The New Mutants saw its release date quietly pushed back from this April to next February, with the belief being that reshoots were happening in order to introduce a completely new character. Well, Anya Taylor-Joy has now confirmed that speculation.

Speaking to The Playlist, Taylor-Joy said, “Well, the only thing that I could say, without being in trouble, is that it being delayed is disappointing, frustrating in fact. I do think that there is a great responsibility to make sure the movie is done right and that we deliver the fans something that they can feel all happy about and excited about. So, I don’t think it being delayed is a bad thing because it’s definitely more important to make sure that we get it right than rushing to make a date. So, hopefully, all of these reshoots and adding of the new character that will give the fans an altogether satisfactory, wonderful product.”

In the film, The Witch and Split’s Taylor-Joy is playing the teleporting sorcerer, Magik. Joining her in the titular team are Maisie Williams as Scottish werewolf Wolfsbane; Charlie Heaton as propulsion-fuelled Cannonball; Henry Zaga as the solar energy manipulating Sunspot; and Blu Hunt as the psionic Dani Moonstar. Alice Braga is on board to play a mentor to the group as they attempt to escape a secret facility and their own past sins.

Where the new character responsible for these reshoots is concerned, rumour has that character pegged as Warlock. The shape-shifting alien was previously believed to be a part of the film in its early stages, but now it appears that Warlock is again being added to the action.

To give you an idea of why The New Mutants has so many fans looking forward to it, be sure to check out the trailer below:

At present, The New Mutants is set for a February 14th, 2019 release.

Kristen Wiig Confirmed as WONDER WOMAN 2’s Cheetah

Cheetah Wonder Woman

We brought word a few weeks ago that Kristen Wiig was up for the role of the villainous Cheetah in Wonder Woman 2, and now director Patty Jenkins has moved to confirm that the actress will indeed play this longtime rival of the Amazon’s.

Taking to her Twitter account, Jenkins put out the below message:

Wiig is likely best known for her work on Saturday Night Live and efforts such as Whip It, Bridesmaids, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Skeleton Twins, Sausage Party and the Ghostbusters reboot. Previously, it was believed that Emma Stone had actually been offered the Cheetah gig but turned it down.

For those not familiar with Cheetah, the first incarnation of the character debuted back in 1943’s Wonder Woman #6. The version of the rogue who is expected to appear in Wonder Woman 2 is the Barbara Minerva one. 1987’s Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #7 was when Minerva made her bow. A British archaeologist, she is gifted the powers of a cheetah by Urzkartaga – basically, a bizarre kind of plant god. With 2011’s ill-fated New 52 refresh of the DC Comics realm, Minerva was reimagined as a contemporary of Wonder Woman’s at times. This time possessed by the Goddess of Hunt, that’s how she becomes the supervillain Cheetah. Of course, DC wasn’t happy with just one do-over, and The New 52 was scrapped in favour of DC Rebirth in 2016. In that rehashed continuity, Cheetah is again given a fresh lick of paint. A well-travelled archaeologist, her fascination with the Amazons would see her become close friends with Diana and would even help her to learn English. Urzkartaga would again come in to play, this time actually marrying Barbara – and from there, she would become Cheetah and blame Diana for this whole transformation.

In addition to Gadot obviously returning for Wonder Woman 2, the film will also features Ewen Bremner’s Charlie, Said Taghmaoiu’s Sameer, and Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. Just how Trevor returns to action, we’ll have to wait and see. In terms of timeline, the latest news is that the sequel will take place in the 1980s and see Diana and Co. take on the Soviet Union.

At present, Wonder Woman 2 is set for a November 1st, 2019 release.

STARBURST MediaCity Festival Schedule Revealed

festival

The schedule for the STARBURST MediaCity Festival – being held at The Landing at MediaCityUK on March 16th and 17th has been published so you can plan what films you want to take in over the two packed days!

Friday March 16th

Room 1

17.30 A BOY AND HIS DOG

19.15 SURPRISE FILM

21.15 Festival Introduction

21.25 Tom Paton introduces his film REDWOOD

Room 2

18.00 Short Films: DOLL / HELLS BELLS / FTL

18.50 THE GATEHOUSE

21.00 Film Gutter: Jörg Buttgereit in conversation + NEKROMANTIK

23.20 Film Gutter: REVISITING MELANCHOLIE DER ENGEL

Room 3

18.30 HOUNDS OF LOVE

Saturday March 17th

Room 1

10.00 BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS

12.00 The Battle for Bond with Rob Sellers

12.45 The Sound of Bond with Gas Music

13.00 THUNDERBALL

15.15 Short Film: SEARCH/DESTROY: A STRONTIUM DOG FAN FILM

15.40 Short Film: CONNIE

16.05 Short Film: BLOOD SHED

16.30 TREMORS

18.15 PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE

20.00 One Man Bond with Brian Gorman

21.30 STARBURST FANTASY AWARDS

22.15 After Party

Room 2

10.30 CHARISMATA

12.15 WORKING LATE with exclusive footage from the feature film version of POLTERHEIST

13.00 THE HOUSE OF SCREAMING DEATH

15.05 Short Film: SALIENT MINUS TEN

15.45 TORMENT

17.30 THE CHILD REMAINS

19.45 Film Gutter: YOUR FLESH, YOUR CURSE (UK Premiere)

22.30 Film Gutter: AMERICAN GUINEA PIG: SONG OF SOLOMON (UK Premiere)

Room 3

10.00 THE HUMANOID

12.00 KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS

14.00 KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE

15.45 Short Film: ECHOES OF THE PASSED

16.10 Short Film: TOLL BOOTH

16.20 Short Film: THE DOG WALKER

16.25 SWINGS & ROUNDABOUTS

16.35 THALAMOS

17.05 A WELCOMING PLACE

17.35 BRAGGING RIGHTS!

17.45 THE STAY

18.00 DEAD MEET

Room 4

11.45 SILENT RUNNING

13.30 ALTERED STATES

15.45 GATTACA

17.45 EVENT HORIZON

19.30 THE GREASY STRANGLER

Director Jörg Buttgereit will be meeting fans* during the day

The Breakout Bar (on floor 6 by Room 4), will be hosting two live shows:

13.30 BRAVE NEW WORDS. Ed Fortune and friends will be talking books in a live version of their popular weekly podcast.

16.00 STARBURST Radio Live. Mike Royce, Martin Unsworth, and Kris Heys will be talking nonsense in this Jägerwater-fuelled live edition of their award-winning radio show and podcast.

You can find full details of the films and shorts at www.starburstfilmfest.co.uk. The event has been sold out for a while and we’re looking forward to welcoming you for two days of mayhem and cult entertainment!

We reserve the right to alter or amend the schedule at any time. Changes will be posted on the day if needs be. Guests appear subject to work commitments. *Guests may be charging for autographs or photographs at their discretion.

Bronson Pinchot Joins Netfilx’s SABRINA Series

Bronson Pinchot

As Netflix’s upcoming Sabrina series continues to flesh out its core cast, the series has moved to bring in Bronson Pinchot.

Courtesy of Deadline, the Perfect Strangers, Beverly Hills Cop, True Romance, and Ray Donovan star will be playing George Hawthorne in the show. That character is the Principal of Baxter High and will be seen butting heads with Sabrina and her pals.

Already on board for this new take on an old favourite are Kiernan Shipka as the titular teenage witch, Jaz Sinclair as her bestest bud Rosalind, Chance Perdomo as warlock cousin Ambrose Spellman, Michelle Gomez as Madam Satan, and Lucy Davis as Aunt Hilda.

To be based on the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comic book, the current blurb on the upcoming series reads:

Sabrina is based on the comic book Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which reimagines the origin and adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and, of course, witchcraft. Tonally in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature – half-witch, half-mortal – while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit.

Expect more on this new show as we get it.

Vin Diesel to Star in BLOODSHOT

Bloodshot Vin Diesel

Since the turn of the year, Vin Diesel has been regularly speculation as taking on the titular role in Sony’s Bloodshot movie. And now, the Fast & Furious star has officially signed on for the picture.

As per Deadline, Diesel has signed on to headline the adaptation of the famed Valiant property. Dave Wilson is making his directorial debut with the picture, having often worked with Deadpool’s Tim Miller and his Blur Studios over the years – most notably helming the likes of Halo 2 and Mass Effect 2. Arrival’s Eric Heisserer is on screenwriting duties.

For those not familiar with the Bloodshot character, he’s a comic book act created by Kevin Van Hook, Don Perlin and Bob Layton. A former soldier who was killed and brought back to life with a whole bunch of snazzy technological upgrades, he’s essentially the perfect soldier complete with a healing factor, the power to shapeshift, and the ability to interact with pretty much any and all piece of technology.

Sony previously picked up the cinematic rights to Valiant Entertainment’s Bloodshot and Harbinger characters, with the initial plan being to give each character two solo outings before bringing the pair together in a huge crossover event.

As ever, expect more on all things Bloodshot – and Harbinger, for that matter – as we get it.

Netflix Acquire Rob Liefeld’s EXTREME UNIVERSE

Extreme Universe

One of the most opinion-splitting names in the comic book game is Rob Liefeld. With a shared live-action realm long planned for Liefeld’s Extreme Universe of characters, the shared world has now been picked up by Netflix.

Deadline broke the news, with Akiva Goldsman and Weed Road heading up a writers room who’ll be tasked with penning the outings of this shared universe. Goldsman, Liefeld and Brooklyn Weaver will be serving as producers on this plentiful project.

On this news, Netflix’s Scott Stuber said, “Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Universe features gritty stories and distinctive characters. Akiva’s creative voice has been behind some of the largest movie franchises, making him uniquely capable of helping bring these superheroes from the Extreme Universe to life for Netflix.”

Goldsman added, “Rob is a unique and innovative talent who knows how to combine hard-edged comic book action with real emotionality. Netflix has the ambition, reach, and dedication to bring his universe to life.”

Rob Liefeld is someone who many comic book fans hold in high esteem, with him famously co-creating a certain Merc with a Mouth by the name of Deadpool. He’s also highly regarded for his work on Marvel’s The New Mutants and X-Force titles, and he helped change the game by being one of the names who started up Image Comics.

Since debuting in the 1990s, Liefeld’s Extreme Universe has seen several changes to its titles, with its most recent incarnation featuring titles such as Bloodstrike, Brigade, Kaboom, Cybrid and Bloodwulf. In terms of previous books, Youngblood and Avengelyne are some of the bigger hitters, and the movie rights for Avengelyne are already with Paramount Pictures and has the aforementioned Akiva Goldsman attached to direct.

Expect more on all of this as we get it.

Michael Bay to Direct ROBOPOCALYPSE

Robopocalypse

Rumblings of a Robopocalypse movie have been swirling around for a few years now, with Steven Spielberg once in the frame to direct the big screen adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s 2011 sci-fi novel. Well now, a director has indeed been found for the cinematic take.

As per Variety, it will actually be Michael Bay who’ll be in the director’s chair for Robopocalypse. Yes, the one and the same Michael Bay who has a penchant for fast cars, explosions, and gratuitous close-ups of Megan Fox’s arse.

Spielberg had previously been attached to direct the adaptation back in 2013, and he’s tried to get the project off the ground at several points over the past few years. In fact, Spielberg even began to amass a cast, with Chris Hemsworth, Anne Hathaway, and Ben Whishaw all lined up. Scripting and coast issues were quoted by Spielberg as being the main reason for production never fully coming to be. Drew Goddard had worked on several draft scripts, although it is currently unclear whether any of those will be used moving forward or if a new script will be started from scratch. For Spielberg, he is still involved in a producing capacity, which is the same role he’s had on Bay’s Transformers franchise.

The official blurb on the Robopocalypse novel reads:

Not far into our future, the dazzling technology that runs our world turns against us. Controlled by a childlike, yet massively powerful, artificial intelligence known as Archos, the global network of machines on which our world has grown dependent suddenly becomes an implacable, deadly foe. At Zero Hour, the moment the robots attack, the human race is almost annihilated, but as its scattered remnants regroup, humanity for the first time unites in a determined effort to fight back. This is the oral history of that conflict, told be an international cast of survivors who experienced this long and bloody confrontation with the machines.

Expect more on all of this as it continues to develop.

Jon Favreau to Oversee Disney’s Live-Action STAR WARS TV Series

Jon Favreau

For a little while now, we’ve heard that a live-action Star Wars series was being developed for Disney’s impending streaming service. Well, now comes the encouraging news that Jon Favreau will be overseeing the project.

Lucasfilm officially broke the news, revealing that Favreau will executive produce and write the series. Favreau, of course, is no stranger to a galaxy far, far away, with him having provided vocals for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series in addition to having a small role in May’s Solo: A Star Wars Story. In addition to that, Favreau is a huge favourite of Disney’s for his work on the likes of the Iron Man franchise and 2016’s refresh of The Jungle Book. In fact, Favreau is currently working on a new take on The Lion King for the House of Mouse, not to mention plans for a Jungle Book sequel.

On this news, Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy said, “I couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform. Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base.”

For his part, Favreau enthused, “If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn’t have believed you. I can’t wait to embark upon this exciting adventure.”

There’s no specifics on just when this new Star Wars show will premiere, although we do know that Disney’s on-demand streaming platform will launch next year. Given some of the heavy hitters potentially at Disney’s disposal – from classic Disney favourites, to superheroes, to Star Wars and so, so much more – many are already expecting this new service to be a legitimate rival to Netflix and Amazon Video.

Mackenzie Davis Lands Lead Role in New TERMINATOR Film

Mackenzie Davis

We’ve known for a little while that that upcoming James Cameron and Tim Miller-developed was to bring back some familiar faces whilst shifting the focus of the franchise to a new batch of characters. And now, we’ve finally got word on who’ll be spearheading the charge as one of these newbies.

As per Variety, Mackenzie Davis has been brought in as one of the leads of the sixth Terminator picture. Davis is best known for the likes of Halt and Catch Fire, The Martian, and Blade Runner 2049.

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 Deadpool’s Tim Miller comes in, for he’s the person tasked with filling the director’s chair. As far as Mackenzie Davis, she’s actually been on the radar of Miller for a little while now, with him originally wanting her to play Domino in Deadpool 2 before Miller ultimately departed that project.

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.

At present, this to-be-titled Terminator effort is booked in for a July 26th, 2019 release.