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Channing Tatum's GAMBIT Movie Gets The Greenlight And A Screenwriter
The ever-expanding Marvel movie multiverse has been on a warpath this year with its amazing franchises already coming into fruition. The work currently being done with Tim Miller’s Deadpool and Marvel’s 2015 Netflix line-up, in addition to talks of a female spidey feature film, as well as the possible revival of semi-human vampire hunter, Blade, and L.L. Cool J’s most recent Tweet boasting a future Marvel role have pretty much overshadowed that of the recent announcement Warner Bros. made for its own superhero line-up a few weeks ago; They’re catching up, but in the eyes of comic book fans in both camps, apparently not fast enough.
That said, it remains to be seen what the future of the X-Men saga from 20th Century Fox will hold, although we already have a pretty gnarly idea about the possibilities in that regard. However, we have heard little on what will entail for actor Channing Tatum‘s part in an upcoming standalone push for fellow X-Men member and rogue mutant, Gambit, and the studio is keeping it that way. Fortunately for us, there are signs of life with official word from Deadline that the film has a new scribe in the form of Josh Zetumer. In addition, the report also brings word that the film has officially been greenlit for Tatum, currently on the way with sequel stripper dramedy Magic Mike XXL, attached to star.
Zetumer is prolifically known for providing the script for this year’s Robocop reboot from director José Padilha. I argued a balanced case in defense of that film which garnered its share of mixed reviews back in February as PG-13 reinterpretation that didn’t fully live up to the standards in the eyes of many who saw the R-rated first film. Considering we’re in PG-13 territory now, there’s probably less room for scruitiny to say the least, which if course isn’t to say there’s plenty of room to make a crappy film. Besides, Channing Tatum is a good actor and comes off as someone who really loves the character as he’s so expressed in many earlier reports online, so if he’s the one to be Gambit, it deserves justice with the right director and the right vision for the action and story to accommodate his cinematic re-emergence in superhero atmosphere since 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Tatum is also producing with Reid Carolin, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg, the latter who wrote The Fantastic Four reboot for next year’s release and is also producing 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse. Stay tuned for more info.
Amr Waked On Netflix's MARCO POLO: "Lots Of Action, Sex, Politics & Nudity!"
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, actor Amr Waked (Lucy) shared details about his character, as well as details about the diversity and scale of the cast and crew and production as a whole. “I think Netflix has made a very, very powerful production.” he says. “The value is immense, and the actors are so powerful, all of them, and each from a different part of the world. The amount of nationalities and languages spoken set was crazy – 26 nationalities and 30 languages, I think. I was very stimulated by the massiveness. The first thing that shocked me was the production value. I filmed in Kazakhstan and Malaysia. In Kazakshtan, it was in the middle of nowhere, in the mountains. We had to travel four hours from the airport to the hotel, and then two and a half hours to the location. It was very tough to film it.”
Major Theater Chains Pull From IMAX/Netflix Deal For CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 2
It was supposed to be a “groundbreaking” maneuver for the film distribution industry in light of the latest updates for Yuen Woo-Ping‘s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend. Now, not quite so much.
Monday evening news broke throughout reporting the latest deal between film’s production company, The Weinstein Company, subscription video-on-demand provider Netflix and theatrical entertainment company IMAX that promised a day-and-date release for the upcoming sequel starring Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen. This week however, a handful of theater branches have pulled back from the deal refusing to comply with the release agenda, with at least a total of five major U.S., Canada and Europe-based theater chains backing away, including Regal, Cinemark, Carmike, AMC, Cineplex, Cineworld and Wanda.
In sum, the battle lines have officially been drawn. Whether or not the theater chains were informed about the deal or they were and simply refuse to be a part of it, one thing is clear aside from the film’s August 28, 2015 release date: Unless you live near an aquarium or a museum or are subscribed to Netflix, the chances of seeing this film just got a little bit more difficult.
Personally, I prefer to see movies in their big screen glory, as I love being part of the experience of a movie. Moreover, I say this also because I don’t have Netflix – just putting it out there. So while Netflix may see this as a lucrative deal they can benefit from, chances are that folks like me may have to go a little farther out of my way just to see a film, in which case, if you’re like me, you might be feeling a little alienated. And in all likelihood, no one is going to buy a ticket for a film they can see at home, which kind of makes the theatergoing experience seem moot.
In the end though, this is an investment, and for some reason or another, IMAX feels it can benefit from making Netflix an excluisve partner. As it stands though, that remians to be seen. As for me, well, as hectic as my day-to-day work schedule is, hopefully MoMA will grant me a enough commute time to make it to an 10:30pm showing. And I’m no night owl either. Bummer.
H/T: Variety, The Wrap
The 'Fisk' Is In For Vincent D'Onofrio In Marvel's DAREDEVIL For Netflix
Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero Daredevil in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
Charlie Cox Is The Man Without Fear For New Netflix Series, DAREDEVIL
Blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, Matt Murdock fights against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero Daredevil in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
The JUSTICE LEAGUE Is Coming!
Well, it’s official. Director Zack Snyder is putting his best foot forward with DC and Warner Bros. for a Justice League film that will follow the long awaited release of the Man Of Steel 2/Batman vs. Superman movie which is still awaiting an official title. The news just broke late in the weekend following previous reports of the second film’s push back from its initial July 17, 2015 date so that Snyder and the other filmmaker could fully realize their vision.
Casting announcements are still in constant flux, with official updates still needed regarding just how actors Jason Momoa, Matt Damon or Dwanye “The Rock” Johnson will be involved in Warner Bros. growing DC film series. In addition, there is also the issue of what will happen with other characters like Green Lantern and Flash, the latter who is currently poised for a standalone television series on the CW later this year starring Gustin Grant.
Rest assured, Warner Bros. and DC are awake to what is happening now with Walt Disney Co. and Marvel cinematic universe, in accordance with its current ABC series, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and its forthcoming programs for Netflix. And with San Diego Comic-Con on the way, fans can expect some HUGE surprises to come. In the meantime, Snyder’s next film is already set to start principal photography this summer in Michigan where hundreds reportedly lined up for an extras’ casting call.
Batman vs. Superman will see the return of Henry Cavill after leading last year’s Man Of Steel, with actresses Amy Adams and Diane Lane, and actor Lawrence Fishburne expected to reprise their roles as Lois Lane, Martha Kent and Perry White, respectively. New on the roster is actor Ben Affleck in the role of Batman, with Gal Gadot attached to the first of a previously-reported three-film deal as Wonder Woman with a standalone movie still in development. Actors Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons will portray Lex Luthor and Alfred Pennyworth, respectively; Currently rounding out the cast are actresses Holly Hunter and Tao Okamoto, and actor Callan Mulvey, in addition to the recently announced role of Cyborg to be played by actor Ray Fisher.
Both films will be shot back to back, with Batman vs Superman heading into theaters on May 6, 2016 against Captain America 3. Justice League still has no official release date.
Stay tuned for more info!
H/T: WSJ
Netflix Series MARCO POLO Filming Is Underway
Offering another reason why anyone should have access to Netflix is the brand new nine-episode action adventure series, Marco Polo, which has already begun principal photography set for Venice, Kazakhstan and Malaysia before airing later this year. The news comes following its initial announcement for Starz in 2012 from creator and executive producer John Fusco, prior to its subsequent move to Netflix, in addition to news of an unrelated film currently in development over at Warner Bros.
Leading the way is Italian actor Lorenzo Richelmy (pictured left) who will play the title role, with actress Zhu Zhu, and actors Benedict Wong, Tom Wu, Remy Hii and Rick Yune rounding out the principle cast. The series is also being produced by The Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein and Game Of Thrones series director Dan Minahan, in addition to Pirates Of The Carribean 5 helmers Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg who are directing the first few of the nine-episode series for U.S. distribution.
Personally, I hope to acquire Netflix for myself in the not too distant future, with all of the amazing news that have come as of late with Marvel. If there is one thing that I enjoy most out of television nowadays, it is a good action series, much like what I have enjoyed with shows such as Game Of Thrones, as well as Cinemax’s Banshee and Strike Back, this year’s broadcast of The Transporter for TNT and Metal Hurlant Chronicles for Syfy, among others. And with Fusco behind this project, I think there’s a lot to look forward to for fans of mature and thrilling action and adventure who love what Marco Polo might bring to the table, especially Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, who says “John Fusco and his team have created a timeless tale of power, adventure, betrayal and lust that combines deft storytelling and cinematic ambition,”; Weinstein adds “With the glowing success of series like House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, it’s clear that Netflix is breaking tremendous ground in the realm of streaming original content. We could not be more excited to partner with them on this project, along with the creative tour de force of John Fusco and his talented team.”.
Resident Evil: Retribution and Outcast stunt coordinator Brett Chan is directing the action sequences with his team, who recently suffered the unfortunate loss of veteran martial artist, actor and co-coordinator Ju Kun who boarded Beijing-bound Malaysia flight MH-370 en route to the set last month before the plane reportedly disappeared over the Indian Ocean. Those reports are still developing as production on the series moves forward as an otherwise honorable tribute by Netflix and Fusco (pictured right with Kun) to a great performer to many, and a family man and beloved friend to the lives of those he touched.
Stay tuned for more info.
H/T: Deadline
FROM DUSK TIL DAWN: THE SERIES Expands As A Netflix Original
Multifaceted film director and cult cinema icon Robert Rodriguez continues his momentum this year with the forthcoming release of Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For, and the diversified programming to be featured on his new television platform, El Rey Network, headlined by the March 11 airing of From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series. Time will tell if the new show proves to be a success as it takes a prequelized approach following the cult success of the 1996 feature thriller on which the show is based, while the network also ramps up efforts to assemble another exciting new action adventure series in the form of Matador, from executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and newly starring actor Gabriel Luna and actress Nicky Whelan.
Marvel And Netflix To Double Team For 2015
On the eve of the North American 2D/3D/IMAX premiere of Alan Taylor’s Thor: The Dark World, comic book movie giant Marvel is launching its next big step to bring the action home with the aid of digital platform, Netflix.
What’s even more particularly interesting here is that one of the series/mini-series programs will revive the character Daredevil once again since Mark Steven Johnson’s previous 2003 efforts were followed by an abandoned push for the film accompanied by the departure of A-Team helmer Joe Carnahan last year. The characters also listed include Heroes For Hire characters Iron Fist and Luke Cage, the former having been previously reported for a potential live-action feature was planned at one point with actor and martial arts impressario Ray Park, who last expressed his own continued hopes to play the role back in 2009; the latter was also hyped with actors Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) and Michael Jai White (Favela) named as hopefuls for the role of Luke Cage/Powerman.
The news also comes in light of the demise of long-time movie rental delivery outlet Blockbuster, a move that undoubtedly gives platforms like Netflix plenty of momentum to captialize on with digital streaming now in consumer demand. And speaking of momentum, this week’s press release should also shed some light on the current developments of Marvel’s brand new franchise in the form of malleable teenage superheroine Kamala Khan, the company’s first Muslim-American polymorph for Ms. Marvel.
Just when you think Marvel’s plate is full, they’re already asking for seconds and thirds. I think it is safe to say superheroes and movies aren’t going away anytime soon. And if that is the case, well…sorry China.
Check out the press release courtesy of ComingSoon.net:
The Walt Disney Co. and Netflix Inc. today announced an unprecedented deal for Marvel TV to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures of four of Marvel’s most popular characters exclusively to the world’s leading Internet TV Network beginning in 2015. This pioneering agreement calls for Marvel to develop four serialized programs leading to a miniseries programming event.
Led by a series focused on “Daredevil,” followed by “Jessica Jones,” “Iron Fist” and “Luke Cage,” the epic will unfold over multiple years of original programming, taking Netflix members deep into the gritty world of heroes and villains of Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Netflix has committed to a minimum of four, thirteen episodes series and a culminating Marvel’s “The Defenders” mini-series event that reimagines a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters.
Produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Television Studios, this groundbreaking deal is Marvel’s most ambitious foray yet into live-action TV storytelling.
“This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment. “This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what’s sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.”
“Marvel’s movies, such as ‘Iron Man’ and Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’, are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “With ‘House of Cards’ and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we’re thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.”
This new original TV deal follows last year’s landmark movie distribution deal through which, beginning with 2016 theatrically released feature films, Netflix will be the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from the Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature and Lucasfilm. Netflix members can currently enjoy a wide range of Disney, ABC TV and Disney Channel films and shows across the 41 countries where Netflix operates.