Monthly Archives: March 2018
One Easter Egg ‘Shocked’ the Ready Player One Screenwriter
Zak Penn, co-writer of the Ready Player One screenplay, said he was "shocked" when he spotted an Easter egg referencing his 90s movie, Last Action Hero, in the film.
Penn co-wrote the screenplay for Ready Player One, along with the book's author, Ernie Cline. Apparently Penn wasn't on board with the idea of including a reference to his work, but Cline slipped it in anyway, reports io9.
The Easter egg appears in the opening of the film, on a theater marquee that the film's race sequence — one of the main challenges of the film's key-hunting narrative — speeds past showing Jack Slater 3. Jack Slater was Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in Last Action Hero, a movie Penn co-wrote with Adam Leff. Slater is brought into the real world by a boy with a magic theatre ticket, and even meets Schwarzenegger at the premiere for the latest Jack Slater film. It's all very meta and self-aware, a fitting progenitor to Ready Player One's referential world.
Former Daredevil Boss Wants to Make a Moon Knight Show
Before he took over the directing reins of the Pacific Rim franchise from Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim Uprising helmer Steven S. DeKnight served as the showrunner on the first season of Marvel-Netflix's Daredevil. Although he's no longer a part of the Netflix MCU, DeKnight told me during a recent phone interview that there's another Marvel character he would like to adapt for them if the opportunity ever arose.
"I wouldn’t mind taking a crack at Moon Knight at some point," DeKnight said, citing his slate of upcoming projects as the only big impediment to him returning to the Marvel-Netflix fold one day.
"There are so many characters that I love in the Marvel universe. Really, for me, it would be about schedule. My schedule these days, as you imagine, is a little tight. God, you know, when I signed onto Daredevil, I expressed an interest in Iron Fist and the Punisher, which I both loved. I’d love to see Moon Knight get a little bit of love. Great, great character."
Spielberg Doesn’t Think Netflix Movies Should Get Oscars
Steven Spielberg doesn't think original movies from streaming platforms, including Netflix and Hulu, should be eligible to get nominated and potentially win Oscars.
In an interview with ITV News (via ScreenCrush), the filmmaker spoke about streaming giants like Netflix making their own films now and how that affects the movie industry. In Spielberg's view, since these movies are consumed via a television format, they should only get Emmys instead.
"But in fact, once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie," Spielberg said, speaking about movies from streaming services. "You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I don’t believe the films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination."
Netflix Steps up Its Horror Game with Requiem
Netflix’s Requiem is a bone-chilling new series the streaming service co-produced with BBC One, that blends psychological horror with a cold case twist. U.S. streamers can check out all 6-episodes at your own risk on March 23rd.
Requiem begins with professional cellist Matilda Gray (Lydia Wilson) witnessing her mother’s horrific suicide first-hand. Traumatized by the event, Matilda searches for clues that might help her understand why her mom would choose to end her own life.
During her investigation, Matilda uncovers evidence that could link her mother to a 20-year-old unsolved missing persons case involving an infant girl named Carys. This leads Matilda and her friend Hal (Joel Fry), on a journey away from the bustling streets of London, to the lush Welsh countryside in search of answers...And this is where the story gets weird...In a good way!
The Spice Girls Are Making an Animated Superhero Movie
The Spice Girls are reuniting for an animated superhero film. The former band-mates will be lending their likeness and voices to the project, which will focus on the Spice Girls' message of "girl power."
Variety reports the news via a source of the site, who says the film is currently in need of a production partner, and that all five women are “fired up about the idea,” adding "the Spice Girls are thinking big in terms of a franchise on a global scale. They’re the most successful girl group on the planet. It’s just what Marvel or Disney needs.”
Each character will have a unique "girl power" that corresponds to her personality. For those of you too young, or uninterested, to remember the lineup, the band included Sporty Spice (Melanie Chisholm), Baby Spice (Emma Bunton), Scary Spice (Melanie Brown), Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell), and Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham).
A Visual History of Nightwing in 35 Images
Dick Grayson is undoubtedly one of the most popular heroes in DC's massive stable. Sure, he may have started out as a mere sidekick to the world's most popular superhero, but he managed to branch out on his own and establish a new identity as Nightwing. That struggle looks to be at the heart of Titans, an upcoming TV series featuring a new take on DC's teen heroes.
To celebrate the 2018 debut of Titans, we thought now would be a good time to look back at the many incarnations of Dick Grayson over the years as both Robin and Nightwing. Check out our slideshow to see how the character's look has evolved in the comics, movies, TV series and video games.
For more on the DC superhero team, check out IGN's deep dive into the history of the Teen Titans. Titans is expected to debut alongside Young Justice: Season 3 as part of DC's new streaming service in 2018. Here's how the series could unite the Arrowverse and DC Extended Universe.
MoviePass Drops Monthly Price to Under $7 for Limited Time
MoviePass has announced it will be dropping its monthly price.
A subscription to the theater-based subscription service—which allows users to see one movie a day for a monthly fee—is dropping from $9.95 to $6.95 a month. The offer will only last for a limited time, but the service did not announce when the reduced price would end.
The $6.95 subscription will only be available for new subscribers. Current subscribers will continue paying $9.95 a month for their MoviePass subscription.
“Our vision has always been to make the movie going experience easy and affordable for anyone, anywhere,” said CEO Mitch Lowe. “With the current growth and support that we’ve seen within the last several months, our studio and exhibitor revenues and other marketing partnerships have motivated us to lower the price once again, offering movie lovers greater access to MoviePass.”
Mark Hamill Wants a Star Wars Horror Movie About a Force Ghost
With the Star Wars Story movies now offering a wider palette of film genres to play with, Mark Hamill thinks the Star Wars franchise could move into new territory - and he has one particular idea he's pining for.
"You know what I'd love to see?", the Luke Skywalker actor told IGN in an interview. "A Force Ghost that's, like, actually frightening. Not somebody that's beatifically smiling down from the clouds or coming to give exposition - you know, a ghost is scary! But we'll see. My work here is done."
It wasn't the only idea he offered. When we asked what ideas for new Star Wars genres he had, Hamill reeled off a list:
"Well I lean towards comedy, you know one of my favourite movies is It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, which is all about greed and the extremes that people go to for material gain. But you know, I wonder if there's a movie that could follow the model of, like, the English Patient. It'd probably be a challenge. What about a Gothic Romance, or something with supernatural elements?"
Zone of the Enders 2 Remaster Delayed
The remaster for Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Mars has been delayed.
Konami announced the news on Twitter, revealing the game will now come out sometime this September for PlayStation 4 and PC. Konami originally set a spring 2018 release window for the remaster at TGS 2017.
Additionally, a VR version of The 2nd Runner Mars will come to PSVR and PC, and this version of the sequel will feature first-person gameplay. The remaster will also sport enhanced graphics, 4K resolution, new sound design (with surround sound support), and several new features, which have yet to be detailed.
Don Cheadle Says Superheroes Are Going Down in Avengers: Infinity War
As if the point hadn’t been hammered home enough by Avengers: Infinity War’s directors, writers, Kevin Feige, and Robert Downey Jr. himself, this movie will see at least one Avenger meet their end. While some have spoken about this metaphorically (implying a character will end their time as a superhero) and others more literally (hinting that someone is going to die), it’s clear that the Avengers aren’t going to come out of Infinity War unscathed.
While talking to Don Cheadle, who plays James “Rhodey” Rhodes aka War Machine, on IGN’s visit to the Atlanta set of Infinity War with a small group of press, the actor added more fuel to the fire by saying things are going to get grim for Earth’s mightiest heroes.