A Happy Return to ‘Homecoming’
Jon Favreau is returning the comic book world of the MCU, reprising his role as Happy Hogan in next year’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. Hogan, the personal driver and sometimes sidekick of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) is returning to the franchise for the first time since Iron Man 3. The new Spider-Man will follow a young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he adjusts to his role as the web-slinging superhero. The character was first introduced into the MCU in this year’s Captain America: Civil War and is said to be building off the burgeoning relationship between Stark and Parker as Spider-Man takes on more crime fighting responsibility and tries to have as normal a teenage life as he can manage. The movie is set to open on July 7, 2017.
(Variety)
Gene Wilder Classics Returning to Theaters This Weekend
With the tragic death of Gene Wilder earlier this week, two of the actor’s most beloved movies, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Blazing Saddles will be hitting some theaters this Labor Day weekend. Warner Brothers is reporting that many theaters requested prints of the films at the behest of fans saddened by the loss of the actor. Wonka is said to be hitting 200 screens, while Blazing Saddles will be playing on 60. While far from wide release, both movies are treats to see on the big screen, making it worth the effort for many fans who wish to mourn Wilder’s loss with likeminded film buffs. You can check your local listings to see if any theaters near you will be showing the films.
(Deadline)
‘The Lost City of Z’ Finds Itself on Amazon
Amazon Studios is in talks to take on the American distribution for Charlie Hunnam’s The Lost City of Z. The James Gray (The Immigrant) directed biopic, based on the book by David Grann, follows Colonel Percival Fawcett (Hunnam) who disappeared while searching for a legendary lost city in the jungles of Brazil. The acquisition would be a stunning coup for Amazon, who’s had some success over the last year has they’ve gone into the streaming business. Unlike Netflix, Amazon takes a somewhat more traditional approach to their distribution, allowing certain films limited to wide theatrical release before debuting it on their platform. The Lost City of Z also stars Sienna Miller, Robert Pattison, and Tom Holland and will have its world premiere on October 16 at the New York Film Festival.
Netflix Releases Trailer for Latest Christopher Guest Film, ‘Mascots’
The first trailer for mockumentary legend Christopher Guest’s latest opus, Mascots, was released yesterday, giving fans their first glimpse of the film ahead if its premiere on Netflix. Mascots reunites a lot of faces familiar to the work of Guest, including Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, and guest himself. It also features Silicon Valley star Zach Woods. This time around, the Waiting for Guffman and Best In Show team take on the world of competitive mascots, promising all manner of the kind of madcap absurdity we’ve come to expect from Guest and his troupe. The movie premieres October 13 on Netflix.
(YouTube)
‘Westworld’ Key Art Gives Glimpse of Robot Menace
HBO released the key art for their upcoming adaptation of Westworld. The Anthony Hopkins starring series updates the 1973 film written and directed by Michael Crichton. The new series has already generated substantial buzz—both good and bad—ahead of its October 2 premiere on the cable channel. HBO, drawing ever closer to the end of their massive hit Game of Thrones, needs something to keep drawing in viewers on Sunday nights, and Westworld’s massive star power may be just the ticket. Hopkins is joined by Ed Harries, Evan Rachel Wood, and James Marsden for the futuristic series about a theme park populated by artificial intelligence. The postert released yesterday gives audiences a taste of the series’ robots.
(HBO)
