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BUTTON MAN: David Leitch Tapped To Direct TV Adaptation Of Hit 2000 A.D. Graphic Novel

John Wagner and Arthur Ranson’s Button Man is still in the mix, even after years of development under multiple hands. Word now comes from Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr. that the project is now in the hands of Fifth Season Production Company for a TV adaptation. What’s more is that David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw) is being eyed to direct the series. In addition, he will exec produce alongside Kelly McCormick via 87North. Alex Jackson will also exec produce next to Wagner and Ranson. Here’s a description of the graphic novels via 2000 A.D.: A former soldier, he left the military to offer his services as a mercenary in various Third World engagements, But soldiers-for-hire were a dying breed and the work was drying up. So Harry returned to England, and civvy street. Until a friend tells him about THE KILLING GAME Modern-day […]

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ONSLAUGHT: ‘Godzilla X Kong’ Director To Tackle ‘Gonzo Action Horror’ For A24

Onslaught is what’s happening these days for the good folks at A24. The action thriller will reteam The Guest and You’re Next duo, writer/director Adam Wingard and co-scribe Simon Barrett. Borys Kit’s Heat Vision column at THR bills the movie as a “gonzo action horror” that will shoot in the Fall. The report also notes Wingard’s recent $522 million global box office success with Godzilla X Kong: The New Age, adding his return for another chapter notwithstanding, Onslaught would come first. The same likely goes for the upcoming sequel to 1998 John Woo thriller, Face/Off, to which Wingard confirmed his attachment back in early 2021. Updates remain pending, as always. Read more at THR.

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PROJECT LEGION In The Works From ‘Boy Kills World’ Studio

Adventure thriller tentatively titled Project Legion is next in line from Nthibah Pictures, the U.S./South Africa-based independent film studio behind Moritz Mohr’s Boy Kills World. The film marks the first fully-funded and produced feature in a new deal announced on Tuesday by Nthibah Chairman Wayne Fitzjohn, whose Talent10 Holdings affirmed a $50 million investment to expand Nthibah’s content slate. Billed as the first in a franchise, Project Legion is a modern-day adventure centering on the unlikely rise of Zach, a dreamer turned prize-fighter forced to navigate his realities in more realms than he ever imagined. Fitzjohn, who is also founder and CEO of Talent10, is penning the script alongside award-winning South African filmmaker Jozua Malherbe (BBC Studio’s “Devil’s Peak”) who will also direct. The project also reunites the pair with Simon Swart (I Can Only Imagine, Boy Kills World) following director Donovan Marsh’s 2021 Netflix mystery thriller, I Am All […]

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Warner Bros. Jacks Into THE MATRIX Franchise For A Fifth Film

A new entry into The Matrix franchise is in development. As the trades reported on Wednesday, a fifth installment is in the works from writer/director Drew Goddard (Bad Times At The El Royale). He is also producing the film next to Sarah Esberg under their Goddard Textiles banner, with Lana Wachowski exec producing. The pentalogical installment is being billed as “simply set in the “Matrix” universe, not a direct sequel” per reporting by The Wrap’s Drew Taylor. Casting details and further story info remain under wraps. News comes just as the inaugural groundbreaking martial arts-imbued sci-fi actioner directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski celebrated its 25th anniversary. Propelling the franchise with two more installments for the studio in 2003, followed by 2021’s relaunch with The Matrix Resurrections, the four-part saga raked in nearly $1.8 billion for the studio. The previous film was released simultaneously in theaters and for 30 days […]

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THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE Lands 2026 Sequel Date

Nintendo game director and “Mario” creator Shigeru Miyamoto took the YouTube stage on Mario Day on Sunday to announce development of a new follow-up to last year’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie from Universal. The video joins Miyamoto with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri in announcing a release date set for April 3, 2026 from Universal Pictures, and much more. Watch: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directed the first film based on the hit Nintendo properth, from from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel. Featuring the voice talents of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black, The Super Mario Bros. Movie centers on two New York City plumbers, Mario and Luigi, who get mysteriously sucked into a portal into the Mushroom Kingdom. Once seperated, Mario plots his course through multiple trials with the help of Princess Peach, in order to gain allies, reunite with his brother, and possibly save both […]

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NARUTO: Destin Daniel Cretton To Direct Live Action Adaptation

The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit reports that Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings helmer Destin Daniel Cretton take the chair for Lionsgate’s Naruto in a writing and directing capacity. The film is based on the hit manga franchise that launched on the pages of Shueisha in 1999 before taking off in animation from studio Pierrot. The story of Naruto chronicles the life of Naruto Uzumaki, and his quest to become a ninja despite being cursed from birth as the host of the demonic nine-tailed fox sealed in his body by his father. The anime spawned several shows, films and spin-offs with Lionsgate announcing its nascent efforts in 2015, with word as of late via Kit that the IP’s creator, Masashi Kishimoto has given Cretton his blessing. “When I heard of Destin’s attachment, it happened to be right after watching a blockbuster action film of his, and I […]

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NON STOP: Don Lee Confirms Ensemble Action Film Development Following Last Year’s Peculiar Poster Reveal

The Eternals and Train To Busan actor Don Lee confirmed the development of Non Stop, a new action film whose existence went viral with the release of a concept poster late last year. The following quote comes via Variety’s Patrick Frater who interviewed Lee as his latest film, The Roundup: Punishment, is set to screen at the Berlinale. “I still have a project left for Marvel. Also ‘The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil,’ which I’m remaking with Sylvester Stallone. And then I’m getting ready for something called ‘Non Stop,’ which is an actual franchise where Asian martial art actors [‘The Raid’ star] Iko Uwais, [‘Ong Bak’ star Tony Jaa] and Jet Li – get together in one movie,” says Lee. The poster began making the rounds on Instagram and in news sites overseas in the Southeast. Actor Lee shared it on his Instagram page in December while Jaa later shared […]

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BADLANDS: ‘Prey’ Director Developing New Standalone ‘Predator’ Movie

Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey was an engrossing hit in 2022 upon its release on Hulu, and the word now is that he’s on board with another standalone film in the Predator universe this time with Badlands from 20th Century Studios. He is still in development with a sequel to Prey as well which could see actress Amber Midthunter reprise her role as the daring heroine that took on the intergalactic killer stalking her Commanche tribe. As for Badlands, there are no other plot or casting details with Friday’s news. Badlands and the in-development Prey sequel mark the latest potential additions to the saga since its theatrical launch of Predator from 20th Century Fox in 1987 from director John McTiernan, and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and the late Carl Weathers, and introducing late costume actor Kevin Peter Hall in the iconic title role. Read more at Deadline. Lead photo of Amber Midthunter as Naru […]

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KILL THEM ALL Graphic Novel Adaptation Lands ‘Extraction’ Director

Sam Hargrave will direct Kill Them All, an adaptation of the 2015 Oni Press graphic novel publication to be written by James Coyne. The film’s development, announced back in 2019, is situated at Paramount Pictures with Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec producing on behalf of Midnight Radio. Here’s a description of the book via Oni Press: The new gonzo graphic novel love letter to 90s action movies by Eisner-nominated cartoonist Kyle Starks (Sexcastle, Rick and Morty). A betrayed murderess wants revenge. A hard-drinking former cop wants his job back. For either to get what they want, they’re going to have to fight their way through fifteen flights of criminals, assassins, drug lords, murderers, yup, even accountants, and… KILL. THEM. ALL. The film marks the latest from Hargrave who made his mark in stunt performance in a career that dates back to 2005, honing his craft in online shortfilm content and […]

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THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU Feature Continuation Of The Hit Show Films This Year!

The next phase of “The Mandalorian” is in development for the big screen as the trades are reporting as of Tuesday. Series exec producer Jon Favreau is on board to direct, as well as produce alongside Kathleen Kennedy, and Dave Filoni. Tilted The Mandalorian & Grogu, the new film follows up on the three-season success of the hit aforementioned series which launched in 2019, spotlighting a new arc in the sprawling Star Wars saga with actor Pedro Pascal in the title role. The series is one of several live-action takes in the universe featured on the Disney+ service, along with “The Book Of Boba Fett,” and last year’s Rosario Dawson starrer, “Ashoka,” with others pending including “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” and Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” with Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae. “I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” said Favreau. “The prospect of […]

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CRIMINAL Creators Tapped To Shepherd New Prime Video Series Adaptation

A Prime Video series adaptation is officially pending based on the multi-Eisner Award-winning graphic novel, Criminal. Creators/authors Ed Brubaker (Westworld, Batman: Caped Crusader) and Sean Phillips on board to exec produce. More from Deadline via Brubaker in 2019 from Monday’s report: “Criminal tells the interweaving saga of several generations of families tied together by the crimes and murders of the past,” … “And one of the big events in many of these characters’ pasts, which has been referenced since the very first Criminal story, was the death of Teeg Lawless. Before we even met Teeg, we knew that he had died when his son was a teenager, but other than the identity of his killer, we have never told the rest of that story. It’s just been a ghost haunting the series, as Teeg Lawless has become one of the most popular characters in the comic.” Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva reports […]

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ECHO 8 Trilogy: Casting Call Underway For ‘Five By Five’ And ‘Beyond’ Through February

Film duo Maria Tran and Takashi Hara are kicking off principal photography in Q1 2025 for the back-to-back production of the sequels to the independently produced Australian noir action psych thriller, Echo 8. A casting call is now underway with submissions to be sent by February 8. The Echo 8 Trilogy represents a collection of urban action assassin films with a female- led perspective, crafted under the creative direction of Maria Tran and penned by Elizabeth H. Vu. This trilogy takes audiences on three distinct cinematic journeys: “Echo 8” (2023), “Five By Five” (2025), and “Echo 8 Beyond” (2025). Five By Five: Set three decades prior to ‘Echo 8,’ the prequel ‘Five By Five’ unveils the enigmatic Agent 5’s grief-stricken existence and his gradual spiral into chaos while climbing Zodiac’s hierarchy. Echo 8 Beyond: After the occurrences of ‘Echo 8,’ Anna finds herself pursued by lethal Zodiac operatives tasked with […]

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News Briefs: A24 Tackles MMA Biopic, White Returns In TROUBLE MAN, Kodansha’s ORIGIN Brewing, NORYANG This Friday, And More!

• Following news broken in 2019, Dwayne Johnson will play Mark Kerr, confirming a new biopic based on the no holds barred era of the UFC fighter’s career. The film will be directed by Uncut Gems helmer Benny Safdie who reunites with A24 for the project. (Deadline) • Trouble Man lines up Michael Jai White along with Method Man, Gillian White, Orlando Jones and more for the action comedy from Samuel Goldwyn Films. Featuring fight choreography by Joey Min, White plays an ex-cop-turned-P.I. who unravels a larger conspiracy while investigating a famed R&B singer’s disappearance. (Deadline) • Kodansha and Majestic Limited will bring Origin to the big screen. Korean author Boichi’s hit publication which only recently arrived in the U.S. last month, is a violent futuristic action sci-fi set in Tokyo where mysterious beings known as “Origins” hunt down non-human remorseless killers preying on humans. (Variety) • Ridley Scott will […]

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Loren Avedon And Keith Vitali Are Neither Retreating Nor Surrendering As They Announce BLOOD BROTHERS 2

Actor and martial artist Loren Avedon took to social media over the weekend to announce the development of a sequel to No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers, the 1990 action thriller which also starred actor Keith Vitali (Wheels On Meals), along with Rion Hunter and Mark Russo. The new movie would reunite Avedon and Vitali for the first time since headlining director Lucas Lowe’s installment of Hong Kong-produced American martial arts crossover action flick from Seasonal Films, which centered on two warring brothers who must put aside their differences to avenge their father’s death at the hands of a Colombian terrorist, played by Hunter. The No Retreat, No Surrender franchise began with 1985’s No Retreat, No Surrender with Kurt McKinney and the then-nascent star Jean-Claude Van Damme. Hong Kong cinema mainstay Corey Yuen directed the first two installments of the franchise, the second of which swapped McKinney for a […]

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WARHORSE ONE Gets A Sequel Shoot In 2024

A sequel to Warhorse One is in development, according to information shared on social media via actor Johnny Strong and the film’s official fanpage. The film, tentatively titled “Warhorse Two” as illustrated by current prelim artwork online, will reportedly begin production in the new year with a script by Strong who starred in the first film, as well as co-directed with filmmaker William Kaufman (Daylight’s End, The Channel). Plot details are underwraps for the new film in which Strong will be joined on screen once more by young actress Athena Durner. The two will reprise their roles from the first film – previously released by Well Go USA in the summer – which follows Strong’s character, SEAL Team Leader Richard Mirko as he fights to survive behind enemy lines in Afghanistan with the daughter of a murdered family of missionaries in his care. Details written on the film’s fan page […]

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THE TIGER MASK: Kodansha Suits Up With Italian Film Firms For New Live-Action Adaptation Of Hit Manga

Live-action adaptations of popular manga properties will still have their space going forward with an upcoming new take on Kodansha publication, The Tiger Mask. Variety’s Nick Vivarelli reported on Monday the development of the film via Rome-based Fabula Pictures and Brandon Box in Milan, alongside Kodansha. Penned by Ikki Kajiwara and inked by Naoki Tsuji, The Tiger Mask launched in 1968 with the story of Naoto Date, a heel wrestler who, after garnering success in America, returns home inspired and with the hope of becoming a heroic wrestler. That goal becomes par for the course as Date is forced to battle old foes from his former organization, the Tiger’s Den. The film marks the latest adaptation of the manga following two animated features released in 1970 from Toei by director Takeshi Tamiya who also shepherded the 1969 animated series. The latest iteration in live action starred Eiji Wentz in 2013‘s […]

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Universal Developing Fifth BOURNE Film From ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’ Director

The Bourne franchise remains potent according to Deadline’s Justin Kroll who reports that a fifth movie is in-development Universal. Edward Berger, director of the 4x Oscar-winning All Quiet On The Western Front, is up to take the director’s chair. Kroll says that Berger will be the only name attached to the project if a deal goes through. Further announcements are pending on whether or not franchise star Matt Damon, who took the reins for The Bourne Identity, Doug Liman’s 2002 reboot of Roger Young’s 1988 adaptation of the Robert Ludlum novel, will reclaim the starring role. The Bourne franchise presently comprises of four films through 2016, largely chronicling the story of a CIA black ops agent whose amnesiac landing in France commences a breakneck journey across the globe, battling his way through hired assassins and mercenaries to expose the truth behind the program that he once volunteered for. Paul Greengrass […]

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CREED IV: ‘Rocky’ Franchise Producer Rings The Bell For 2024 Production Start, Michael B. Jordan To Star And Direct Once More

Rocky franchise producer Irvin Winkler confirmed the development of a fourth installment of the Creed saga with Michael B. Jordan at the helm, according to Deadline’s Destiny Jackson. Winkler made the announcement on Saturday during Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles, telling the audience “We are planning to do Creed IV right now”. He added: “We have a really good story [and] a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now we’re going into pre-production.” Jordan shepherded this year’s Creed III as both star and director following the work of past directors Ryan Coogler (Creed, 2015), and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II, 2018). The film co-starred Jonathan Majors opposite Jordan in a story that saw our protagonist, Adonis, confronted by former childhood friend Damian, who sets out to lay claim to the boxing world. Development updates are yet to be made […]

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DRAGON’S REVENGE: Spring 2024 Start Confirmed For Masebrothers Hong Kong-Homage Feature Actioner

Mathieu Caillière and Jeremy Vazzoli – better known as the Masebrothers – officially confirmed an early 2024 start of production for Dragon’s Revenge. The feature film launched crowdfunding on Kickstarter back in March with the online event release of the team’s preliminary action short, “Dragon Cop”. A statement over at the film’s update column via Kickstarter details a statement by the Masebrothers citing reasons for the months-long delays in updates, including public and private financing hurdles to cover the film’s technical costs of production, and campaign backers unable to fulfill the pledge, putting the team in what they describe as “a somewhat tricky situation”. “As a result, we had to completely rethink our script”, the statement reads. “After several months of hard work and writing, and production contingencies we are proud to announce you that the script is finally done! We promise you a film full of easter eggs and […]

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Philip Tan, Actor And Stunt Professional Center Of New Biopic Development From Son, Actor Lewis Tan

Actor and martial artist Lewis Tan is currently developing a biopic about his father, actor and stunt professional Philip Tan (Lethal Weapon 4, Speed Racer). News of the project broke last week in an interview with Tan shepherded by reporter Lisa Cam for South China Morning Post’s STYLE magazine. Tan spoke about his upbringing, and the role martial arts and movies played in the bond he shares with his father. He also dove in plentily about the project to Cam, delineating the history of Asian casting in entertainment and the progress that’s been made in recent years, among other points in the interview. “I wrote it like a coming-of-age tale that tells his story in three segments,” says Tan. “One is as a child in China, then about him growing up in London dealing with racism, abandonment issues, anger and pain. Then the last segment is set in the 70s […]

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