disney

THE BAD BATCH: Premier Season Continues To Thrill

Disney+ “The Bad Batch” continues to impress with the release of each episode. Didn’t read the coverage for the pilot episode? FCS has you covered. But here’s your catch-up for episodes 2-4. Starting off in Episode 2, “Cut and Run” we follow the Batch to the planet Saleucami to meet, or re-meet, a familiar character from The Clone Wars, Cut Lawquane, who just had a meeting with Captain Rex, although the reason is still unclear. We met Cut back in The Clone Wars Season 2, Episode 10, “The Deserter.” It turns out to be a good meeting, since the Bad Batch soon become trapped and Cut and his family help them escape the planet. This episode also sees Cut and his wife Suu indirectly teach Hunter some “parenting” skills, as he grows as Omega’s father figure. Next up is Episode 3, “Replacements.” This episode focuses more on Crosshair, as in […]

THE BAD BATCH: Animated ‘Star Wars’ Offshoot Takes Off In Top Notch Form On Disney+

Cathy LaFrance

As if we needed more reasons to celebrate May the 4th, Disney released the new Star Wars series, The Bad Batch. The Bad Batch is set between Revenge of the Sith, and A New Hope, or if you’re all about the new stuff, Star Wars: The Clone Wars – S7, and Rogue One. The first episode starts off just about 10 minutes before Order 66 – the order to wipe out the Jedi. We first meet Jedi master Depa Billaba, and her padawan Caleb Dume, or as anyone who has watched Star Wars: Rebels knows him as Kanan Jarrus. They are quickly overrun by battle droids, but the “Bad Batch,” Clone Force 99, crash in, literally, and save the day. Shortly after Order 66 is executed, many clones are recalled to Kamino for a mandatory assembly, and then we see the infamous Palpatine Galactic Empire speech from Revenge of the […]

WANDAVISION: We Watched It, So You Don’t Have To. Here’s Why Cathy And Christina Think You Should!

Cathy LaFrance

Christina and I may be a bit late to the party, but better late than never! Perhaps a surprise hit of late-pandemic-era streaming (suck it, Bridgerton), the Disney+ mini-series WandaVision quickly achieved cult status with Marvel fans and TV buffs alike. The series begins, quirkily echoing TV sitcoms of years gone by: I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Brady Bunch, Family Ties, Full House, Malcolm in the Middle, and even modern-day favorites like Modern Family and The Office. But the decade-by-decade progression of American TV had a darker secret belying it. SEASONE ONE Episode Guide Episode 1: Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience I have a theory that you can’t really judge a TV show by its pilot. When I start to watch a show, I like to give it at least 3 episodes before I feel like I can rightfully decide if I like it or […]

THE MANDALORIAN’s Cara Dune To Be Recast

Lee B. Golden III

Contributors to The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog are reporting that a new actress may stake her claim in the co-starring role of The Mandalorian character, Cara Dune. The role was previously played by former MMA star Gina Carano, who was fired from the show and released from her agency last week following backlash over a social media post equating being a conservative in 2021 to being Jewish in 1940s Germany. Insiders say Cara Dune wasn’t part of the Star Wars series next up, a Boba Fett spinoff, but expect that the character will be recast down the road, for both story and merchandising reasons. Said post was one in a series of controversial posts stretching back to late last year or so. I won’t go into the specifics or the extenuating drama for that matter as the THR report does that plentily in detail. Carano debuted in womens’ MMA […]

FALCON & THE WINTER SOLDIER Trailer: The MCU does Starsky & Hutch

Vance Ang

Depicting a post AVENGERS: ENDGAME era, the MCU reintroduces Anthony Mackie (‘Avengers: End Game’, ‘Outside the Wire’) and Sebastian Stan (‘Avengers: End Game’, ‘I, Tonya’, ‘The Martian) reprising their roles in FALCON & THE WINTER SOLDIER for a syndicated TV series. Due for a mid March 2021 release, the two heroes are set to team up against the villainous Flag Smasher group. Daniel Bruhl will appear as the antagonistic Baron Helmut Zemo (‘Captain America: Civil War’, ‘Inglourious Basterds’, ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’) whilst these mismatched heroes acquire some much needed back up in Sharon Carter played by Emily Van Camp (‘The Girl in the Book’, ‘Boundaries’). Undoubtedly these days TV series do have the benefit of larger budgets, and certainly in the case the backing of the MCU monolith presents what is essentially an a larger budget action series. One of the more unique elements of this series, is no doubt […]

FILM, TV AND STREAMING IN 2020: FCS’s Choice Picks From A Year In Quarantine Entertainment

Christina Ortega

I remember very clearly New Years Eve of 2019: I had worked for weeks putting together a kick ass roaring 20’s theme party, and those in attendance all had a Gatsby of a time, and we were so excited for the new year and all the things that 2020 would bring to us. Well, that didn’t go as planned… I won’t even waste your time with a rehash of the Pandora’s jar of events that this year has been for everyone, let alone what personal disasters we’ve each had to deal with. Instead, let’s take our cue from Monty Python and try to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Some of us here at Film Combat Syndicate – myself, Cathy and this site’s founding editor, Lee – thought we’d try to end the year on a positive note and list some of our favorite things from this year. […]

Disney+ Leaves Its Mark With Promos For WANDAVISION, MS. MARVEL, WHAT IF..?, LOKI And FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER

Lee B. Golden III

From films to television and more, Disney left no stone unturned on Thursday for its latest announcements. Marvel fans are sure to get a sizeable load from the company going forward as it slates WandaVision, What If…?, Loki, Ms. Marvel and Falcon And The Winter Soldier, and right from the start, these look absolutely promising, among its even larger and more grand announcements. Take a look!

THE MANDALORIAN: SEASON 2 Sees Mystery, Action, And More Baby Yoda In The Official Trailer!

Christina Ortega

“Ooh.” “Who’s that?” “Oh, wow!” “Oh, how cute!” “What are you getting me into?!” “I need to watch this!” These are just some of the reactions of one of my friends while watching the trailer for season two of The Mandalorian. She firmly stated, after viewing the trailer, that while she is not a Star Wars fan, she is going to have to try this show. If you haven’t already checked out the trailer, you have to. I’m up to three viewings. The story of Mando and Baby Yoda (I know that’s not his name, but I prefer to use this moniker) continues as he is told that he must take the child to his own kind. Though only two minutes, we see a lot in the trailer: a mention of the Jedi, some X-wings, lots of action, a mysterious hooded figure, and, of course, all the cuteness of Baby […]

MULAN: Final Trailer Streams Ahead Of September 4 Launch On Disney+

Lee B. Golden III

Like it or not, Niki Caro’s Mulan is coming exclusively to Disney+ subscribers, and if you’re one of them, you’ll need to pay an additional $29.99 to buy the film and watch it. The good news though is that by buying the film, you’ll own it, and get to see it as many times as you want, which, for what it’s worth is.. well, a deal. BUT, you be the judge. Best of all, really, is that people will finally get to see the film after months of having its release shelved due to the closure of theaters in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The film was supposed to open in March, and then was scheduled a few times this summer until ultimately its rollout on Disney+ became the final solution, and I wouldn’t be surprised if future Disney titles got the same treatment. For now, the official, and probably […]

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INDIANA JONES 5 Confirms James Mangold For The Director’s Chair

Lee B. Golden III

2019 would’ve been the year that Disney franchise staple Indiana Jones returned to theaters per the stifled development of a fifth entry into the franchise. A 2022 date is likely inbound following an exclusive at Variety back in February, pre-empting at what now confirms James Mangold as the director of the new installment. Producer Frank Marshall offered the following to Collider via IGN: “I think [James Mangold] also has a relationship with Harrison [Ford]. It was all of the right pieces coming together, at the right time,” the famed producer explained, adding that, “Steven [Spielberg] is staying on as a producer, so we’ve got the best of everything.” Ford has headlined the franchise as the titular famed archaeologist and explorer since 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, inducted as one of AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time. With Spielberg at the helm for follow-ups in Indiana Jones and […]

MULAN: A Warrioress Answers The Call In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Indeed, there will be some more fantastical elements respective to the original property with Niki Caro’s Mulan now in full swing. The first official trailer is out following this year’s teaser and it doles out much more in terms of story and characters, and excitement. It’s also the latest live-action incarnation of the character to surface since Jingle Ma’s film in 2009. The cast is led by Crystal Liu who plays the daughter who takes the place of her father, ailing solider conscripted into military service by the Emperor. Disney is releasing the film in the Spring with an ensemble including Tzi Ma, Gong Li, Xana Tang, Jet Li, Donnie Yen and Jason Scott Lee. Peep the trailer above and the latest poster below!

Disney’s Next Live-Action Adventure: KNIGHTS

Christina Ortega

Disney is planning to take you and your family back to the European Middle Ages. According to a Deadline exclusive, this live-action family-adventure is called Knights and “will follow a headstrong young woman who joins a knight on his quest to destroy a world-threatening artifact before it falls into the wrong hands.” Matt Orton (who wrote Operation Finale) is working on the screenplay and will likely hit theaters rather than Disney’s upcoming streaming service. Disney’s live-action executives Jessica Virtue and Chaz Salembier are overseeing the project. Want more of the Middle Ages? Disney is also working on a Sword in the Stone reboot and The Merlin Saga. Stay tuned for more updates as more information is released.

THE MANDALORIAN: The Official Trailer For Jon Faverau’s Disney+ Series Still Has Me Swooning

Lee B. Golden III

D23 is leaving its mark this weekend with a plethora of stunners in television, film and other aspects of its endeavors. In part, this obviously means Disney+ with news much ado with its line-up including The Mandalorian which debuts November 12 on the streamer. The trailer premiered on Friday and the fans couldn’t ask for more. Well… they could, but…ah well, you get it. At any rate, I’m late on this one so I might as well share it here too. I can’t afford to sub to Disney+ at present but it’s worth knowing that the franchise is in good company with the House of Mouse steering things. This trailer above is great. This poster is great. That Faverau is already developing season two with Dope director Rick Famuyiwa is also great. I mean…well, yeah. I’m sold. Now all I need is a friend with a Disney+ subscription who’ll invite […]

GAMBIT Removed From Its 2020 Release

Lee B. Golden III

Public announcements were made on Tuesday pertaining to Disney’s forthcoming schedule, including new dates for current titles, and a new trio of Star Wars movies to arise starting in 2022 through 2026. The update also elucidated the crystal clear removal of Gambit from its release schedule, previously slated for March of next year. The character’s potential emergence into the big screen fray saw its development during the heyday of the X-Men trilogy as a solo film eventually became the subject of many a headline years later. Actor Channing Tatum was slated to breathe new life into the character after its appearance with Taylor Kitsch in the role for 2009 X-Men spin-off, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Directors Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman and Gore Verbinski each had a turn to helm the project in the last several years until they turned it down, and it was about three months ago that Tatum himself […]

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX – THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Cadences Online With A First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Comedian and late night television host Stephen Colbert was on hand at McCormick place in Chicago on Friday for this year’s Star Wars Celebration. You can check that out below as it’s packed with laughs and warmth between director J.J. Abrams, exec producer Kathleen Kennedy, and the cast of this year’s upcoming ninth installment newly revealing teaser footage and the title, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker. The teaser arrives in the wake of any and all news of late this week surrounding Disney+ in its grand entry, set to launch this November with a sprawling array of forthcoming content. That will no less include the Star Wars franchise according to numerous reports, thus officiating where The Rise Of Skywalker will land once it finishes its theatrical run after this Christmas.

STAR WARS IX Sees Leia Returning, Announces Cast And Production Start Date

Lee B. Golden III

Actress Carrie Fisher’s untimely passing on December 27, 2016 was going to be an inevitable challenge if Disney had planned on reviving the role of General Leia Organa. To say the least, it’s a challenge the studio is officially ready to meet as they’ve announced the cast for the tentatively untitled ninth chapter of the Star Wars saga following The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Best of all is the return of actress Kelly Marie Tran who took a string of abuse from the terrible, horrible, no good ends of the SW fan community – so much that she deleted her Instagram back in June. I’ll say this, guys: Let’s be better from here on. Thanks in advance. STAR WARS: EPISODE IX CAST ANNOUNCED RETURNING AND NEW CAST MEMBERS WILL JOIN TOGETHER FOR THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF THE SKYWALKER SAGA. Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s […]

OPINION: Star Wars Stories Are On Hold, And That’s AWESOME!

Yesterday, Lucasfilm dropped a real bombshell; Star Wars Stories, the movies released between numbered Star Wars films, will be put on hold for the foreseeable future. The angry, racist, manbaby Star Wars “fans” have no doubt pounded their chests and claimed a victory against the tyranny of Kathleen Kennedy and her Disney overlords but nothing could be further from the truth. As an evil, SJW, Commie bastard who loved The Last Jedi, I think this is the best thing that could have happened. Now Lucasfilm can step back and ask itself a very important question: what the hell are Star Wars Stories even supposed to be? Despite being one of the biggest franchises since the dawn of cinema, Star Wars is in an unenviable position. In many ways, it’s become too big to fail; an institution able to coast on its name but beholdened to the expectations of its own […]

WHEN FANDOM BECOMES FANATICAL: How Toxic Fans Are Ruining The Joy Of Films For Everyone

Last week, actor Kelly Marie Tran was forced off social media. This came after months and months of harassment from those following her about her character “Rose Tico” who Tran played in the latest Star Wars film, The Last Jedi, written and directed by Rian C. Johnson. The Last Jedi is a interesting film in the current American filmography, the second part in a new Star Wars Trilogy under Disney. While a huge commercial success and lauded with praise by the film press, it’s easily the most divisive film amongst any fanbase in recent memory. From what this writer has seen, one either loved the film or absolutely hated it with no grey area in between. I was about 7 or 8 years old when I saw the original Star Wars Trilogy on VHS. A few years later, the Star Wars prequels were announced and shortly released. To say that […]

MULAN: Jet Li, Gong Li And Xana Tang Join The Cast For The Live-Action Film

Lee B. Golden III

News seems to be fast-tracking this week for Walt Disney Pictures amid the current progress toward reviving the studio’s animated gender-bending classic, Mulan. Following the addition of international action star and actor Donnie Yen for the role of Commander Tang on Wednesday, three new names are now circling the live-action production: International action star Jet Li (Hero, The Expendables Trilogy), distinguished actress Gong Li (Curse Of The Golden Flower, Miami Vice, The Monkey King 2) and New Zealand actress Xana Tang (Filthy Rich, Dead Lucky). As Rebecca Sun’s exclusive at The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday confirms, Jet Li is in final talks to play the Emperor of China. The report also cites at least two moves signaling departures from the Barry Cook/Tony Bancroft-directed 1998 film, highlighting actress Li for the role of a powerful witch, and actress Tang who will play Mulan’s sister. Actress Crystal Liu is headlining the cast […]

Rian Johnson To Create New STAR WARS Trilogy; Will Write And Direct Tenth Film

Lee B. Golden III

Disney is feeling the Force with filmmaker Rian Johnson, and with The Force Awakens helmer J.J. Abrams back at the helm for the ninth installment of Star Wars which is currently slated for 2019. Just over a month from the release of Johnson’s own contribution with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the official Star Wars website is hailing fans with news of Johnson’s involvement on the creation of a brand new trilogy. The Looper helmer will write and direct the forthcoming tenth installment to boot with longtime collaborator Ram Bergman onboard to produce. Further cast and crew details are still pending while The Last Jedi still has Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver, and stalwarts Mark Hamill and the late and lovely Carrie Fisher shepherding Disney’s latest volume of the longstanding space opera centered on interplanetary politics and conflict, and epic battles between the forces of good […]