THE PUNISHER Confirmed for a Second Season

Marvel's The Punisher

In some news that’s sure to put a grin on the face of many a genre fan, Marvel Entertainment and Netflix have moved to confirm Marvel’s The Punisher for a second season.

What’s most surprising about this news is that the first season of the Jon Bernthal-starrer only arrived on the on-demand streaming service last month.

At this early stage, absolutely zilch is known about returning talent – bar Bernthal – plot details or release information, but we do get the swanky announcement video shown below:

Expect more on Season 2 of Marvel’s The Punisher as we get it.

Woody Harrelson in Talks to Join VENOM

Woody Harrelson

Who doesn’t love Woody Harrelson, right? Well, that means it should come as pretty great news to hear the hugely talented Harrelson is in talks to join the Tom Hardy-headlined Venom.

As per Variety, the War for the Planet of the Apes star is in negotiations to play a henchman in the symbiote spectacular. Very little is known on the role at this stage, but we’d expect it to be a rather hefty one given Harrelson’s stature.

Already on board with Hardy for Venom are Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate, Scott Haze and Reid Scott. Zombieland’s Ruben Fleischer is on directing duties for the October 2018 release.

Pulling inspiration from the Venom: Lethal Protector and Planet of the Symbiotes comic book arcs, Venom will be the launching point of Sony’s shared Spider-Verse. While Silver Sable and Black Cat team-up effort Silver and Black is confirmed, there’s also solo movies in development for the vampiric Michael Morbius and reportedly Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio.

Disney Edges Closer to 20th Century Fox Acquisition

War for the Planet of the Apes

To follow up on some huge news from earlier this year, it appears that Disney is extremely close to agreeing a deal to purchase 20th Century Fox. Well, several of Fox’s key divisions, at least.

In a new report from Variety, it’s believed that talks are in the final stages for a takeover worth a whopping $60 billion. To give you an idea of just how huge that figure is, Disney previously purchased Lucasfilm and Marvel for $4 billion each, while the House of Mouse splashed out $7.4 billion on Pixar.

Another key element in this deal getting signed, sealed, delivered is that Comcast have dropped out of the running. Previously, Comcast was looking to rival Disney in any deal for Fox.

As far as we’re aware, any deal that does happen – and it looks like it really is only a matter of time right now – would be for Fox’s movie studio and their FOX TV production company.

Of course, one of the most grin-inducing elements of this deal for genre fans is that it could bring a whole new lick of paint to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Considering that Disney is the home of the MCU, this could have pretty monumental ramifications on this shared superhero realm due to Fox owning the cinematic rights to Marvel properties such as the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. In case we need to spell it out for you: this means that Xavier’s mutants and Marvel’s First Family could be brought into the MCU.

In the X-Men’s case, given their storied history so far, it would likely make sense to just continue with the key players of that X-world and incorporate them into the greater MCU. For the FF, though, after the troubles of Josh Trank’s turd-tastic Fantastic Four movie of 2015, we wouldn’t be surprised if a new cast was assembled if the Fantastic Four do indeed wind up in the MCU at some point down the line.

Considering that the FF have been such a huge and pivotal part of the Marvel comic book world for so many decades, despite how wonderful the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, it still feels slightly strange that Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm aren’t propping up the Yancy Street corner of the MCU.

Other notable properties that Disney would acquire as part of any such deal include heavy hitters such as the Avatar franchise, the Alien series, the Kingsman movies, and the beloved Planet of the Apes saga. Then there’s the television side of things, with shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, The X-Files and Gotham all heading to Disney if and when the purchase of Fox is completed.

Given how Disney is in the midst of developing their own on-demand streaming service, expanding their catalogue with such huge movies and TV shows could instantly position them as a serious rival to the likes of Netflix and Amazon.

As ever, expect more on all of this as it continues to develop.

Steven Caple Jr. to Direct CREED 2

Creed Michael B. Jordan Sylvester Stallone

While it was originally thought that Sylvester Stallone would be helming the upcoming Creed 2, that’s not going to be the case.

Despite Stallone having considered directing the follow-up, Variety is reporting that Steven Caple Jr. will be on directing duties. After having talks with the powers-that-be, Stallone decided against directing, instead handpicking relative unknown Caple Jr. to oversee the picture.

On this news, MGM’s Jonathan Glickman enthused, “We could not be more fortunate and excited for the collaboration of Steven, Sly, Michael and the producers to build upon the success of Creed. The combination of Steven’s talent and unique vision makes him the perfect director to continue the Rocky franchise’s storied lineage.”

For Caple’s part, he added, “It’s an honour to be a part of such an iconic franchise and to work with such great collaborates. Mike, Sly and Tessa are extraordinarily talented and bring something special to today’s culture. I look forward to joining the family and continuing the precedent set by this franchise’s alumni of incredible filmmakers.”

The current early blurb on Creed 2 reads:

The upcoming installment follows Adonis Creed’s life inside and outside of the ring as he deals with new-found fame, issues with his family, and his continuing quest to become a champion.

At this stage, we know that Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson will be returning for Creed 2, and the sequel to Ryan Coogler’s phenomenal Creed is currently booked in for a November 2018 release.

May 2019 Release Date Set for DETECTIVE PIKACHU

Detective Pikachu

Having started to flesh-out its key cast over the past few weeks, Detective Pikachu has now been given a set release date.

Universal Pictures and Legendary Entertainment have booked in a May 10th, 2019 US release for the film – putting the movie up against The Rosie Project and Uglydolls. As previously reported, Legendary will be handling the Japanese release of the movie while Universal handle all other markets.

Already on board for the picture are Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton, while none other than Ryan Reynolds will be playing the titular Detective Pikachu. Plot-wise, Smith will seek the help of Pikachu to help him find his kidnapped father. Newton will be playing a journalist who joins in with the mystery. Goosebumps’ Rob Letterman is on directing duties, with Nicole Perlman and Alex Hirsch working on the screenplay.

Max Landis Updates on AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON Remake

An American Werewolf in London

With Max Landis currently writing a new take on his father John’s famed An American Werewolf in London, Landis Jr. has given a little bit of insight in to his vision for the remake.

Taking to his Twitter account, Max first said, “Finishing my first draft of An American Werewolf in London today. Took me way longer than usual because every time I opened the Final Draft file my laptop would slam closed under the weight of my father’s expectations”.

When a fan then asked him about the villagers dispatching of the werewolf relatively easily during the second half of the original picture and whether they knew all along who the werewolf was, Landis responded, “Answering this question and the nature of the village’s role in the plot in the second and third act as of now are the biggest changes I’ve made to the original structure. I always wondered about that Pentagram. Doing some fun stuff.”

At this stage, the redo is certainly in the early stages of development. Landis is writing the new take on this old favourite, and there’s a chance that he may end up directing should the film actually happen – which isn’t a certainty at this stage.

As for Max Landis, he’s one of the brightest young talents in the game right now, having written Chronicle, American Ultra, Victor Frankenstein and created Netflix’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency.

Two Comic-Book Arcs to Influence VENOM

Venom Planet of the Symbiotes

Following plenty of speculation, director Ruben Fleischer has moved to give an insight in to what to expect from the Tom Hardy-headlined Venom by revealing which comic-book arcs will be serving as inspiration.

Speaking at Sony Pictures’ panel at Sao Paulo’s Comic Con Experience 2017 (as reported by Collider), Fleischer confirmed that Venom: Lethal Protector and Planet of the Symbiotes will be the basis for the picture.

Reports from a month or two back had Lethal Protector pegged as an influence on the film, and that 1993 tale places Eddie Brock/Venom as more of an antihero rather than outright villain. Moving to San Francisco to fight the good fight, things go array when the Life Foundation kidnap Brock and create five offspring of sorts: Scream, Phage, Riot, Lasher, and Agony. To help ultimately take down these crazed symbiote soldiers, Venom ends up teaming with Spider-Man.

As for Planet of the Symbiotes, that 1995 arc again saw Venom teaming with Spidey, although this time we also had the Scarlet Spider along for the ride, too. That trio came together to investigate a slew of symbiote-related murders which Brock actually thought he himself may have carried out. Again, though, it’s the five aforementioned symbiotes from Lethal Protector who are behind the murder spree… and things only go from bad to worse when the deranged Cletus Kasady is released from prison and once again becomes Carnage, the most brutal, murderous symbiote of them all!

Joining Hardy in Venom are Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate, Reid Scott and Scott Haze.

At present, the film is set for an October 2018 release, with it being the first of Sony’s shared Spider-Verse of movies which will also feature the Silver Sable and Black Cat team-up, Silver and Black, and a solo movie for the vampiric Michael Morbius. Elsewhere, there are also rumoured plans of solo outings for both Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio.

Face an Undead Hoard with ZED ZOMBIE SURVIVAL EVENTS This Christmas

zed survival

Fancy pitting yourself against the walking dead? Now’s your chance as Zed Zombie Survival Events has answered your prayers this Christmas as they have announced they will be hosting Original Zombie Survival Experiences from now until January 27th. Due to popular demand, there will be running two shows on Friday and Saturday.

Zed Events, who have terrified over 40,000 victims since their launch 5 years ago will lay on ‘full immersion’ zombie survival events in a 250,000 Sqft abandoned shopping mall for the holiday season. Each event in their Reading facility is an adrenalin and blood-soaked survival horror event like no other. From arrival, thrill seekers will be part of an unfolding story that will play out in real time.

A Zed Events experience is like being in a film, except you are not acting. The fear will be real. This is what is meant by ‘Full Immersion.’ The team use movie quality Special Effects, weapons and props (provided by Hollywood SFX artists) to achieve something that is unrivalled in live survival horror. This will be something that you will never forget. You simply turn up and take part. Everything is taken care and provided to you, you just need to survive. Sounds easy, right?

Zed Events survival experiences are rated incredibly highly, achieving five stars across the board from customers who dubbed it ‘absolutely brilliant and totally believable’, ‘to this day we think it is the best thing we’ve ever done’. A simply ‘WOW’ experience.

Got what it takes to survive the onslaught of the dead? Can you figure out the puzzles to escape the undead-infested Mall? Book now at the award-winning ‘Zombie Shopping Mall’!’

Check out the website at www.zedevents.co.uk, and Facebook and book your place now!

Jon Hamm Keen to Replace Ben Affleck as Batman

Jon Hamm

It seems that barely a week goes by without some talk of Ben Affleck being replaced in the cape and cowl over in the DC Extended Universe. And with it having been quiet on that front this week, now comes word of yet another name in the frame to take over the Caped Crusader gig for Matt Reeves’ The Batman.

According to Radar Online, one person particularly keen to step in and play the World’s Greatest Detective is Mad Men star Jon Hamm. Hamm is a friend of Affleck’s since they worked together on the brilliant The Town, but he reportedly sees the Batman role as one that could take his career to a whole other level. After all, the Dark Knight is one of the biggest and best characters in all of pop culture history.

The report continues by saying that Reeves is keen on the idea of Hamm filling the Batfleck-shaped hole for The Batman, particularly due to how his relatively similar age and look to Affleck would hopefully make the transition a smooth one.

This, of course, comes after recent reports of Reeves being keen to have Jake Gyllenhaal step up and don the famed cape and cowl for The Batman.

Whether it’s Hamm, Gyllenhaal or A.N. Other, it sadly seems only a matter of time before Affleck steps away from the Batman gig. If it’s not reports of him being unhappy with the DCEU and wanting out, it’s instead reports of Warner Brothers looking to replace him ahead of Reeves’ planned new trilogy of Bat-flicks.

For us, we think Affleck has made for a pretty damn good Batman so far, and it would be a huge shame if we didn’t get to see his Bats get his own solo movie. Regardless of what we want, though, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before Affleck officially departs one of cinema’s most coveted roles.

As ever, expect more on all of this as we get it.

2019 Release Date Set for PET SEMATARY Remake

Pet Sematary Cat

Remember those rumblings of a Pet Sematary remake on the way? Well, that redo has now been handed a release date.

As confirmed by Paramount, the Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch-helmed effort will be released on April 19, 2019. In addition to directing, Widmyer and Kolsch have also penned the movie, too, along with Jeff Buhler.

No cast details are known at this early stage, but we do know that Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian and Steven Schneider will be producing.

Pet Sematary, of course, began life as a Stephen King novel back in 1983, with the story focussing on an eerie pet sematary behind the new home purchased by the Creed family. Rumour has it, any animals buried in said sematary will come back to life. The tale doesn’t stop there, though, for things don’t go exactly to plan when the hallowed ground is used to reanimate humans…

King’s work would famously be adapted for the big screen in 1989 by director Mary Lambert – itself in turn followed by a 1993 sequel. Ever since 2010, there’s been regular chatter of a remake happening, and at one point we even had the brilliant Guillermo del Toro throwing his hat in the ring to tackle the redo. Ultimately, del Toro’s uber-busy schedule didn’t allow for anything further to happen on that front, but we are now still getting a new take on this old favourite.

As ever, expect more on this new Pet Sematary as it continues to develop.