The long running tokusatsu franchise Power Rangers latest season will find it’s home exclusively on Netflix, Deadline reports. Power Rangers: Dino Fury season 2 will debut in the spring of 2022, the first to be exclusive to the platform.
I’m quite pleased with this.
Regarding some of the best casting news ever, it now appears that the forthcoming G.I. Joe spin-off a la Snake Eyes has found its antagonist in actor Andrew Koji for the role of Storm Shadow.
Paramount and Hasbro have tapped Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 & 2, Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol) to assemble what THR‘s Borys Kit is reporting as an “ensemble piece” in the G.I. Joe screen saga.
Paramount
Anyone’s guess outside the studio circuit is as good as mine at this point regarding what lies ahead with a third G.I.Joe film; Murmurs of Dwayne Johnson circling working title, Ever Vigilant, may ring a bell for those keen on recent news over at That Hashtag Show which should keep fans of The Rock amply pleased.
It’s worth noting Hasbro’s recent efforts toward IP expansion on its various properties other than Transformers, and we’ve yet to hear more than what we’ve been given with respect to current scripting and development efforts. Clearly they’ve got their work cut out for them, although that’s not stopping them from striking while the iron is hot.
Thus, now comes word of a new G.I. Joe spin-off courtesy of an exclusive from The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit which will focus on key team member, Snake Eyes. Actor, martial artist and comic-con favorite Ray Park (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, X-Men, Accident Man) has prolifically portrayed the role of the silent, black-clad ninja opposite Korean superstar Lee Byung-Hun in the rivaling role of Cobra Commander’s killer elite, Storm Shadow, in both live-action films from Stephen Sommers in 2009, and Jon M. Chu’s 3D-converted hit in 2013 which also saw Johnson’s entrance as Roadblock.
Evan Spiliotopoulos, who penned the latest live-action Beauty And The Beast as well as The Huntsman: Winter’s War and is penning the sequel to Netflix fantasy hybrid, Bright, is circling to write the script with Brian Goldner serving as one of the producers.
Allspark Pictures, Hasbro’s film label, plans to produce films based on this cross-property universe, with Brian Goldner (Chairman, President and CEO, Hasbro) and Stephen Davis (Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Hasbro) serving as Producers, and Josh Feldman (Co-Head of Storytelling, Hasbro) as Co-Executive Producer. Hasbro will also deploy in the room an unprecedented team of its top artists and designers to assist Goldsman and the writers to visualize this all-new cinematic universe.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Hasbro’s Allspark Pictures and Sweetpea Entertainment are moving forward on a feature film franchise based on Dungeons & Dragons, the world’s most popular role playing game. Hasbro’s Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis, Courtney Solomon and Allan Zeman of Sweetpea Entertainment, and Roy Lee (“The LEGO Movie,” “How to Train Your Dragon”) are attached as producers.
Comic-Con kicked off several days ago in San Diego and news had already begun pouring out from the crevasses about what’s to come. One such update included a new deal made between Hasbro and multimedia streaming site, Machinima for a new Transformers series.
This should service quite well as a promotional gem for Paramount Pictures in the good company of Akiva Goldsman and his writing team as they string together a fifth feature-length installment for a 2017 release. We’ll see how this turns out.
The TRANSFORMERS are coming to Machinima. In an agreement between Machinima and Hasbro, the TRANSFORMERS world will be brought to life on the many2many programming service that kicks off right smack in the middle of The Combiner Wars. The series introduces new lore and all-new characters that, combined with the characters fans have known for decades, will bring the TRANSFORMERS storytelling in a new direction as the Machinima series will deliver raging action and signature humor to legions of TRANSFORMERS fans.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring one of the biggest franchises in the world to Machinima. Our audiences are huge fans of the comics, movies, toys and video games, and for us to continue the legend with the Combiner Wars is a unique storytelling opportunity,” said Machinima’s Chief Creative Officer Daniel Tibbets.
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Machinima on this groundbreaking, new digital series,” said Tom Warner, Senior Vice President for the TRANSFORMERS franchise for Hasbro. “As one of the top global producers and distributors of digital entertainment, they’re the perfect partner to help launch a totally new kind of TRANSFORMERS animation—one that, for the first time ever, is specifically designed for the teen and adult fans who have grown up loving the TRANSFORMERS brand. We look forward to delivering amazing action, storytelling and characterization that these fans demand, as the Combiner Wars play out across toys, comics, digital games and of course, the brand new animated digital series.”
More details of the Machinima/Hasbro series will be announced shortly.
Depending on how you may feel about the recent live-action renditions of Hasbro property, G.I. Joe, it’s probably about time we finally got another step closer to some news on the third film in the franchise. Over the course of the past few years, directing prospects went to Jon M. Chu who sat behind the camera for the 2013 sequel, G.I. Joe: Retaliation following helmer Stephen Sommers’s 2009 flick, G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra. Of course, that was before he moved back to doing movie musicals like the upcoming Jem And The Holograms and the recently announced Can’t Touch This, and so on that word, the latest filmmaker now being sought after is Green Lantern, Goldeneye and Casino Royale helmer Martin Campbell.
Talks are reportedly early according to Schmoe’s Know via Screenrant, but if confirmed, Campbell will hopefully be the one to help tone down the storyline to a more grittier, espionage-driven, military action movie as opposed to what was done before in the first two films, with the second being a much greater improvement. Shooter scribe Jonathan Lemkin is attached for the screenplay with Snow White And The Huntsman writer Evan Daugherty no longer penning it, while Retaliation co-stars, actress Adrienne Palicki and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are expected to return, with mentions of other possible names from the first two films. Beyond this, official announcements are still pending regarding who will be back, in addition to whether or not we’ll still get our fair share of ninja action courtesy of Ray Park’s Snake Eyes and Lee Byung-Hun’s Storm Shadow… because ninjas. Bruh.
Campbell was last reported to be on deck for the upcoming book adaptation, Hunter Killer, which should include some of those more popular espionage/action elements he’s become known for in his films, a thing which should give Lemkin plenty of space to work with as well. So, hopefully we’ll learn more about what Campbell and Lemkin may have in store for G.I. Joe 3 now that Cobra Commander is back at large and still a threat. Perhaps London will get even this time.
Stay tuned for more info!
G.I. Joe 3 Promo Art: LA Licensing Expo 2014 via ComingSoon.net
One thing is certain when it comes to director Michael Bay: He doesn’t really care what anyone thinks. His movies make LOTS of money, and that’s something Paramount likes very, very much. So, needless to say, Bay will still be making movies as long as he wishes, blowing things up in any cinematic capacity and adhering to all his strengths in helping bring big blockbusters to the masses.
However, he might not be doing that again with the fifth installment of the Transformers franchise following previous announcements that he’ll be passing the torch to another director for its 2016 release. Sounds reasonable, particularly since he’s onto other film endeavors, so it will be interesting to see where Paramount goes between now and the next several years, especially since there are constant on-and-off mentions of a Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover; It’s a lot of hype right now, so don’t buy into any of it until the trade sites make it official.
In the meantime, if you like to melt your brain with giant fighting robots, ‘splosions, corny comic relief, ‘splosions and all other kinds of Bay-isms, the Transformers franchise is for you. And if you own a DVD or Blu-Ray player, check out what’s available below for the impending home release of Transformers: Age Of Extinction. I reviewed it at the time of its theatrical release, and if you’re interested, CLICK HERE to have a read. Otherwise, cue the deets, and check out the official Facebook page for other treats!
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–From director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg and in association with Hasbro, Inc., Paramount Pictures’ $1 billion worldwide blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction makes its highly-anticipated debut September 30, 2014 on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD and VOD. The film will be available to own two weeks earlier on Digital HD September 16, 2014.
The Transformers: Age of Extinction four-disc Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and three-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack feature more than three hours of illuminating bonus content. From selecting fierce new cars and designing new TRANSFORMERS characters to constructing elaborately detailed sets, this comprehensive footage truly takes viewers inside the fun, hard work and excitement of making an electrifying global blockbuster film.
The spectacular Combo Packs also include an in-depth interview with Michael Bay about his approach to the film’s jaw-dropping action sequences, a crash course on the “Bayhem” of being on set for the massive, global production, a revealing look at the design process inside Hasbro Headquarters, and more. Plus there’s even more than meets the eye with the hilarious TRANSFORMERS KREON trailer where KREON figures take you through all of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movies. In addition, the Combo Packs include a brand new Angry Bird TRANSFORMERS trailer where birds and pigs turn into Autobots and Deceptihogs, creating havoc on Piggy Island. The Blu-ray 3D includes expanded images as seen in IMAX™ theaters.
Blu-ray Combo Pack
The Transformers: Age of Extinction Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, English 5.1 Discrete Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The English 5.1 and English 2.0 tracks were each individually mastered to ensure optimal sound for the home entertainment experience.
The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The disc breakdown is as follows:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):
Feature film in high definition
Disc 2 (Blu-ray):
Bay On Action—In-depth interview with Michael Bay about his vision and approach to the film’s mind-blowing action sequences.
Evolution Within Extinction:
Generation 2—A look at where the fourth film picks up as we meet new faces—both man and machine—and a Transformers world after the Battle of Chicago.
Drive Like Hell—Two entirely re-envisioned models of OPTIMUS PRIME and BUMBLEBEE appear in the film, along with an intimidating new nemesis, LOCKDOWN, as a Lamborghini Aventador plus other incredibly cool cars including a sophisticated Bugatti Veyron and a sleek Pagani Huayra. Check them out and see how actor Jack Reynor learned how to drive his Sonic rally car for the intense chase sequences.
Small Town, Big Movie— When Transformers rolls into some small Texas towns, the normally quiet and picturesque countryside is suddenly alight with explosive action. Explore the different locations with members of the show’s art department and hear from robotics students whose designs appear as part of Cade’s lab.
Shadow Protocol Activated— Follow the production to Detroit with unprecedented access to GM’s Lansing plant and Milford Proving Grounds test track; watch an impressive indoor car chase created in an auto parts factory; return to Chicago where location managers discovered a historical movie theater that served as the backdrop for Cade’s fateful first encounter with OPTIMUS PRIME; and finally travel to Washington state and the unlikely site of a never-used nuclear power plant.
The Last Stand—A vacant lot in downtown Detroit is turned into a square block of Hong Kong. Watch as it literally takes shape from the ground up—then marvel as the crew blows it up piece by piece.
The People’s Republic— China plays an extremely prominent role in the film both on-screen and behind-the-scenes; in fact, four Chinese actors were chosen from thousands of applicants on a reality TV show to appear in the movie. In addition, the production traveled to Hong Kong, the beautiful valley of Wulong Karst National Park in Chongqing and the Great Wall in Beijing to capture breathtaking footage.
Rise of the DINOBOTS—Several new TRANSFORMERS characters make their live-action debut in this film. Get a brief history of the new recruits and then go inside Industrial Light & Magic to see how they were designed and conceptualized for the film.
The Finishing Touch— Watch Michael Bay work like you’ve never seen him before. The director connects virtually with his Santa Monica headquarters, visits the editing bay and then checks in on the visual effects house in San Francisco—all from the comfort of his Miami home office. Also, get an in-depth look at the music contributions of Imagine Dragons as they collaborate with the film’s composer Steve Jablonsky. Finally, get exclusive red carpet access to the film’s world premiere in Hong Kong.
Just Another Giant Effin’ Movie—Discover the fun, frenetic and amazing way a movie like Transformers: Age of Extinction gets made.
A Spark of Design— Enjoy an exclusive look inside Hasbro’s creation of TRANSFORMERS: Age of Extinction Stomp and Chomp Grimlock action figure from concept and development to sculpting and painting, and then ultimately to the assembly line.
T.J. Miller: Farm Hippie — Actor/comedian T.J. Miller never imagined he’d be part of a massively successful franchise like Transformers so he sets off to personally thank the people who made it possible. Come along as he visits Bay Films, gets some pointers from Kelsey Grammer, and even stops by Mark Wahlberg’s house in this funny piece.
KRE-O TRANSFORMERS: Take Us Through the Movies! – OPTIMUS PRIME will bring you up to speed on all of the TRANSFORMERS movies one by one in this hilarious, animated short where the TRANSFORMERS KREON figures act out the movies while building and rebuilding each scene…brick by brick.
The Angry Birds TRANSFORMERS: Origin Story – Bonus content tells the origin story of how the EggSpark has landed on Piggy Island causing the eggs on the island to turn into evil Egg-bots, wreaking havoc across the whole island. The EggSpark has also caused the Birds and Pigs to turn into Autobots and Deceptihogs, who must team up in order to stop the Egg-bots before it’s too late!
Trailers
Disc 3 (DVD):
Feature film in standard definition
Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack includes all of the above, as well as a Blu-ray 3D with expanded images as seen in IMAX theaters presented in 1080p high definition, English 7.1 Dolby TrueHD, English 5.1 Discrete Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The English 5.1 and English 2.0 tracks were each individually mastered to ensure optimal sound for the home entertainment experience.
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a new way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.
DVD
The Transformers: Age of Extinction DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Discrete Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.
Not much is officially known about the official plot for director Michael Bay‘s latest trilogy installation with Transformers: Age Of Extinction. After first unveiling a Super Bowl teaser followed by this week’s three new posters, we still only have a previously reported idea of what the plot will entail. Fortunately though, we now have a full new trailer that gives us much more of what we can expect from the film’s brand new story to be followed by two more films, all of which clearly appear to take a less comedic, more serious tone than the previous set of films starring Shia LeBeouf.
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