Robin Williams' take on the Genie in 1992's "Aladdin" is a legendary voice performance. So full of the rich humor and sardonic wit we came to expect from the late great Williams. We all knew it was going to be a frustrating process to find someone to play that role in the live-action Disney remake. However, Will Smith? Really? That’s the best you could come up with to replace what is the best voice acting performance in Disney animated history? I’m all open for Smith to wow me, but I would have probably gone with Eddie Murphy instead. This is a safe, cozy project for Director Guy Ritchie, the filmmaker behind the Tarantino-inspired films of the late ‘90s/early aughts, “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch."
Read more‘Solo’ Score Ineligible for Oscar Consideration Because Someone Forgot to Submit It
Variety is reporting that the music for: Solo: A Star Wars Story, with a score from John Powell and themes by John Williams, is ineligible for Oscar consideration because someone, somewhere, missed the deadline to submit it. Yes, the November 15 deadline was not met when it comes to Solo's soundtrack, which was probably the best part of the movie, come to think of it. How and/or why did this happen? We're not really sure, but this just proves how forgettable the movie was, even to Disney bigwigs.
Netflix Cancels Its Most Popular Marvel Shows (‘Daredevil' and ‘Luke Cage') As it Gears up for Streaming War Against Disney+
Marvel’s recent run on Netflix had an impressive array of popular shows like “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” “Iron Fist,” “The Defenders,” and “The Punisher.” Had is the key word, as Netflix has already cancelled 4 of those 6 shows, and will probably ax the remaining two (“Jessica Jones” and “The Punisher”) in the coming months. There is no doubt in everybody's mind why Netflix would go through cancelling some of their most popular Marvel shows and that reason is quite simple: Disney+.
The upcoming Disney streaming service is bound to become an arch nemesis for Netflix. The cancellation of “Daredevil,” Netflix’s most popular Marvel show, will no doubt have fans raging, but chances are that the series will come back on Disney+ in 2019, a streaming site that is set to have all the Marvel, Lucasfilm, Disney and 20th Century Fox films (when that merger eventually happens.)
In news that had rocked the industry to its core, Disney announced late last year that it would, eventually, be pulling its movies from Netflix and start a new streaming service solely composed of the Disney content — past, present, and future — which actually is pretty gigantic and could easily fill any streaming service. Netflix decided that instead of Disney pulling the shows and embarrassing them, it is all about power after all with these billion-dollar companies, it would just cancel the shows.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has stated that Disney+ would be would feature "new, original shows and movies, including original Marvel and Star Wars series" and the entire Disney back-catalog, which is a huge selling point for audiences.
Forget about Amazon Prime, Netflix has finally found its match, a true competitor to dethrone their crown. If there wasn't a legitimate streaming war, or anyone seriously contending for Netflix' crown, that is a thing of the past now because a battle between the mouse house and Netflix is inevitable. Let's get ready to rumble.
End Notes:
The 20th Century Fox back catalog, which Disney+ would receive once the deal is done includes TV shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, 24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Modern Family, This Is Us, The X-Files, Scandal, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Prison Break, American Dad, Glee, Empire, The Americans and much much more.
On the movie side of things, Disney would acquire franchises such as the X-Menmovies, Fantastic Four movies, Star Wars (the rights to the original and prequel trilogies),Deadpool series, Avatar series, Planet of the Apes series, Night at the Museum films, and the Home Alone films.
Marvel and Disney desperately seek Oscar nom for ‘Black Panther'
I haven't re-watched Ryan Coogler's "Black Panther" lately, but it's not even the best Marvelmovie of the year. I'm writing this in complete shock, having just heard the news that Arthouse Convergence is getting involved in pushing 'Panther' for the Oscars? Am I dreaming this? A $700 million Disney movie having to turn to arthouses for support.
Read moreDisney's Shot-For-Shot Live-Action Reboots Bank on Viewer Nostalgia
So here's how it usually works these days Hollywood. A formula working well at the box-office? Well, how about we just recycle it again and again and again ... And once that idea stalls then how about we bank on the nostalgia of the original and reboot it into a whole new package. Disney's caught on to this like real pros with their juggernaut franchises, in fact, that's all they seem to be doing — Marvel, Star Wars, animation etc. not a single original thought conceived, they have to stick with what people already know, what people are comfortable with, what doesn't provoke new thoughts. It's all really a big fat brainwash if you ask me.
Read moreTim Burton's Live-Action ‘Dumbo' [Trailer]
Tim Burton's 2010 adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” earned over $1 billion at the global box office. It also cemented his 21st-century reputation as the go-to-director for classic children's fantasy. That's his thing now: "Alice," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and now "Dumbo."
Read moreDisney streaming service to launch in 2019; will be called Disney+
In news that had rocked the industry to its core, Disney announced late last year that it would, eventually, be pulling its movies from Netflix and starting a new streaming service solely composed of the Disney content — past, present, and future — which actually is pretty gigantic and could easily fill any streaming service. The goal was, maybe still is, to launch the branded streaming service in 2019, which will be home for all their feature films and TV shows. It’s a huge move, but one that was inevitable.
Read moreGuillermo del Toro Directing ‘Pinocchio’ for Netflix
Guillermo del Toro has no doubt been given free reign to do whatever he'd like after his follow-up to the Oscar-winning “The Shape of Water.”
According to THR, del Toro has signed on with Netflix to write, direct, and produce a stop-motion version of his long-time passion project, “Pinocchio.”
Read moreDisney CEO admits, Star Wars movies were "a little too much, too fast" and to "expect some slowdown"
Courtesy of THR:
"I made the timing decision, and as I look back, I think the mistake that I made — I take the blame — was a little too much, too fast. You can expect some slowdown, but that doesn't mean we're not going to make films. J.J. [Abrams] is busy making [Episode] IX. We have creative entities, including [Game of Thrones creators David] Benioff and [D.B.] Weiss, who are developing sagas of their own, which we haven't been specific about. And we are just at the point where we're going to start making decisions about what comes next after J.J.'s. But I think we're going to be a little bit more careful about volume and timing. And the buck stops here on that."
Disney CEO confirms Kevin Feige will oversee the X-Men, Fantastic 4, and Deadpool
When Disney bought Fox, Marvel head Kevin Feige was saying don't expect the X-Men or any other Fox entities to join the MCU for, at least, a handful of years after the deal is done.
He stated the characters weren't under Marvel's control yet so until the deal goes through and that happens he's not planning anything.
However, the deal has gone through and Feige's boss over at Disney Bob Iger, speaking to [THR], is saying Feige is ready to oversee the X-Men, Fantastic 4, and Deadpool.
"I think it only makes sense [that Feige takes over]. I want to be careful here because of what's been communicated to the Fox folks, but I think they know. It only makes sense for Marvel to be supervised by one entity. There shouldn't be two Marvels."
On If Deadpool could become an Avenger:
"Kevin's got a lot of ideas. I'm not suggesting that's one of them. But who knows?"
Dave Bautista: 'I don't know if I want to work for Disney anymore'
Ruffalo On James Cameron's “Marvel Fatigue" Comment: “Sour Grapes. He's Just Jealous"
If you didn't hear, James Cameron has had enough in regards to Marvel movies. That's at least what he told reporters earlier on Friday:
“I’m hoping we’ll start getting ‘Avenger’ fatigue here pretty soon,” Cameron said. “Not that I don’t love the movies. It’s just, come on guys, there are other stories to tell besides hyper-gonadal males without families doing death-defying things for two hours and wrecking cities in the process. It’s like, oy!” [Link]
Mark Ruffalo responded last night when asked about the "Avengers fatigue"comment at an "Infinity War"junket, he states "Sour grapes. He's just jealous."
Not sure if I would say Cameron is jealous, especially since he's responsible for two of the highest grossing movies of all-time and for also being one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. So, no Mark, I think James Cameron is really just tired of watching Marvel movies.
The Russos Say They Are Probably Done With The MCU After ‘Avengers' Films
If it weren't for the Russos, I just don't think Captain America would be as popular a character in the MCU. I mean, after all, it looked like Marvel and Disney seemed to want to bank on Robert Downey Jr.s Iron Man as the driving force of the Avengers.
However, after the slight but amusing "Captain America: The First Avenger" directed by "Jumanji" helmer Joe Johnston, Marvel Head Kevin Feige quickly switched directions for Cap and hired Joe and Anthony Russo to helm "The Winter Soldier." That film was a game-changer for the genre, and the closest to near cinematic heaven a superhero has come since Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy. The follow-up "Civil War," a film that, by all accounts, was an Avengers affair, but much better, sealed the deal that the Russos were the go-to guys for Feige. No surprise then that he hired them to direct the last two movies of the MCU, this week's released "Infinity War" and next year's as of yet untitled sequel.
Going back to the transition between "The First Avenger" and "The Winter Soldier." What a drastic change that was for Marvel. They were still trying to find their own identity, relying on what Favreau did with "Iron Man" and, by all accounts, "The First Avenger" is an ok film, but, when viewed again today, it feels much more like a DCEU film than any Marvel film we've come to expect the last 7 years or so.
"The Winter Soldier" really changed the game; It changed the style, the tone, the seriousness, hell, the Russos even decided to bring a cinematic feel to "The Winter Soldier" by heavily borrowing from the 1970's political thriller and not even being subtle about their affection for it by hiring Robert Redford who starred in one of the very best of that genre in the 1970s: "The Three Days of the Condor."
And so The Russos, who only directed two other films before being hired for "The Winter Soldier," the sligth but amusing "Welcome to Collinwood," and the God awful "You, Me and Dupree," have found a niche for the aciton-thriller and have become the two hottest filmmakers in American studio filmmaking. With their MCU almost done, I was wondering, what's next for them?
According to an interview with Empire, the brothers are adamant at their next project not being a Marvel movie.
“The next film that we will direct will most likely be for our company, and most likely be a tentpole,” the Russos said. “[Christopher] Markus and [Stephen] McFeely have come on board in a very unique capacity, as what we’re calling Co-Presidents of Story. We’ve been developing inside the studio system for many years, inside networks, and we know what works about them and what doesn’t work about them.”
There it is, folks. Russos not returning to the MCU, for now.
‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ Is Actually the First of Three Han Solo Movies
Buried in Esquire’s interview with Alden Ehrenreich, written by Alex Pappademas, the actor lets it slip that his contract stipulates that he will make three Han Solo movies. Here’s how it reads in the actual article itself: I ask Ehrenreich how many he’s signed up for. “Three,” he says, then flinches, understanding he may have just created a disturbance in the Force. “I don’t know if that’s officially, uh, public. But—yeah.”
You didn't think I wouldn't point to the fact that Alden Ehrenreich's performance in the upcoming "Solo: A Star Story" was rumored to have Lucasfilm so distraught with that they decided to hire an on-set acting coach for the actor.
According to a report from Vulture:
“Lucasfilm wanted something very specific: copying someone else. Alden’s not a bad actor — just not good enough.” “You could see his acting became more relaxed. He became more Harrison-like,” the source says. “The coach helped!”
Yikes. The fact that he has a contract for three films must have sent Disney in panic mode. We hope the performance is well-met when the film is released on May 25th.
“Iron Man 3" is The Most Underrated Movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
It's kind of a funny thing when you think about Robert Downey Jr's story. The drugs, the sex, the crazy partying, the meltdowns - it all led to an insanely triumphant comeback and him becoming, of all things, an action star by playing Iron Man in three highly successful movies. He is, more or less, the star of the MCU, or, at least, alongside Chris Evans' Captain America, its face.
Downey made a career of memorable roles before his personal life went out of control due to a severe bout with cocaine and heroine addiction, but "Iron Man" staged the most incredible comeback in, qute possibly, Hollywood history. He went from a black-listed actor that nobody wanted near their productions to the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.
The comeback, contrary to what some might think, didn't start with "Iron Man" but instead with 2006's indie "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" which was written and directed by a guy that was also deemed "washed-up," a "has-been" by the industry: Shane Black. A noir, murdery-mystery comedy, the film also kickstarted an acting style Downey Jr. would mimic in the "Iron Man" and "Sherlock Holmes" films.
READ MORE: 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' Movies RANKED
Black started his career as a whiz-kid screenwriter. At the age of 27 he wrote "Lethal Weapon" and became the hottest screenwriter in town, he followed that up with cult classics such as "The Last Boy Scout," "The Last Action Hero" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight." However, none of the aforementioned films even came near the box-office success of "Lethal Weapon." After "The Long Kiss Good Night" in 1996 Black disappeared from the spotlight only to return with "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang."
The partnership, and consequential friendship, between Black and Downey Jr. would lead the latter to vouch and fight for the former to helm "Iron Man 3." Black would eventually take over Jon Favreau's duties as director.
If "Iron Man 2" was a total and utter disappointment, the third installment felt fresh, unique and unlike anything we had previously seen from the MCU. It, of course, was a drastically different film from the 2008 original, a benchmark for the MCU. "Iron Man 3" felt fresh, innovative and just downright satirical about the superhero genre.
The screenplay approach to the film was somewhat unusual and still is an anomaly in the genre. Black tried to sidestep cliches by infusing his own auteur voice to the mix. The recognizable writing style and themes that he sculpted since 1987's "Lethal Wepon" were there in spades: Male bonding, the trade of witty dialogue, labyrinthine crime plots and, most importantly, the Christmas setting, all rendered the film a uniqueness that would never be greenlit in today's safer, by-the-books MCU. In other words, the movie was filled with what we've come to know as "Shane Blackisms."
Back in 2013 I had this to say about the film:
"Shane Black, has taken over Jon Favreau's duties as director of the newest Iron Man. If Iron Man 2 was a total and utter disappointment, this newest installment seems fresh and newly invigorated. It helps that Iron Man 3's screenplay is written in a way that goes against the narratives we are used to now with the MCU movies, much kudos must be given to Shane Black and Drew Pearce who collaborated on the screenplay. In Iron Man 3 the baddies are played by capably brilliant actors -Ben Kingsley and Guy Pierce- that bring a real nice touch to a film that could have easily steered the wrong way. This is a film that doesn't take itself so seriously and that's possibly the best approach to have in making these kinds of movies. As an added bonus, this has he potential to be a Christmas classic."
five years after its release, it seems like we will likely never again have the risk-taking of "Iron Man 3," espeially with Marvel and Disney upping the restraints on filmmakers as the films become more and more popular.
Mark Hamill on ‘The Last Jedi’: “They had time for me to milk that alien but to show human emotions, nah…”
Mark Hamill's interviews promoting "The Last Jedi" back in December were fascinating to watch. The 66-year-old-actor seemed to be somewhat bitter or, at the very least, troubled by the way Luke Skywalker was treated in Episode 8 by director Rian Johnson.
Hamill is back this week criticizing Disney for making him milk that disgusting sea cow and "not even having a short scene where Luke shows human emotions." Yikes. He doesn't seem to give two fucks about it either. The 66-year-old actor can't help but let his real thoughts slip into the fray. That's why we adore the guy, but, honestly, why even bother come back for Episode 9, I mean, I know Rian Johnson is gone and Abrams is back, but Disney probably don't want him near the next installment, especially since "The Last Jedi" made $200+ million less than "The Force Awakens." Hamill has insulted their product on countless occasions. What other actor would do that to Disney? It's not that I disagree with his sentiments and reservations for TLJ, it's just that he's shown no respect to them in countless interviews. I would be peeved off if I were Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy.
I gathered a up a few stories that had to do with Hamill criticizing Disney and "The Last Jedi."