R.I.P.: ‘America’s Dad’ Alan Thicke Dies at 69
Beloved actor of film and television Alan Thicke died last night at age 69 of an apparent heart attack. Best known as the patriarch Dr. Jason Seaver on the 80s sitcom Growing Pains, Thicke earned the nickname “America’s Dad,” taking his place among the who’s who of American sitcom fathers who, in their own way, helped guide the development of so many TV watchers. In addition to his acting, Thicke was also an accomplished composer of TV theme songs, penning the classic openings for Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, and Wheel of Fortune, among others. Thicke had recently guest starred in an episode of Netflix’s Fuller House, and was still actively making appearances on various TV shows as a special guest, often in recurring roles. He leaves behind three children, including singer Robin Thicke, and his wife.
First Full-Length ‘Dunkirk’ Trailer Showcases Christopher Nolan’s Strengths
Warner Brothers debuted the first full trailer for director Christopher Nolan’s latest effort, Dunkirk today, giving us a better glimpse at the visionary director’s World War II story of hope and survival. Featuring frequent Nolan collaborators Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy, the film follows evacuation of Allied forces from a besieged beach in Dunkirk, France in 1940. From what we see here, Nolan once again flexes his directorial muscles with stunning visuals and instantly recognizable style. It’s been a few years since Nolan’s last film, Interstellar, and he seems to be moving forward with the same large scope, sweeping epic feel of that film, though admittedly done in a more grounded way. Still, any time a new Nolan film is on the horizon is a good time to be a moviegoer, and being as it’s serving as a mid-summer anchor, 2017 is already shaping up to be an exciting time to watch some films. Dunkirk is expected on July 21, 2017.
(Legendary Pictures)
From a Galaxy Far, Far Away to Sherwood Forest: Ben Mendelsohn Tapped as Sheriff of Nottingham
Fresh off from his performance as the villainous Orson Krennic in Rogue One, actor Ben Mendelsohn has confirmed his casting as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the upcoming Robin Hood: Origins. He joins Taron Egerton (Kingsman) as Robin Hood, Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shade of Grey) as Will Scarlet, Jamie Foxx (Ray) as Little John, and Eve Hewson (Bridge of Spies) as Maid Marion. The film is to be directed by Peaky Blinders director Otto Bathurst, from a script by Joby Harold (the upcoming King Arthur: Legend of the Sword). Mendelsohn brings a particular ruthlessness to the role of the Sheriff, making him, perhaps, the best cast since Alan Rickman in Prince of Thieves. Though whether or not we actually need another Robin Hood movie (Disney, after all, made the perfect version back in 1973) it doesn’t seem like Hollywood is ever going to stop trying to shove the tale down our throats. If we must see this play out once again, at least it gives us a chance to see Mendelsohn menace once again.
(Variety)
David Ayer and Margot Robbie Reteam for ‘Gotham City Sirens’
While the resounding critical opinion of last summer’s Suicide Squad was basically “I dunno, parts were cool I guess,” Warner Brothers is now fast-tracking a sort-of-sequel/spinoff of the film titled Gotham Sirens. Based on a popular DC comics title, the film focuses on Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn in a team up with plant controlling botanist Poison Ivy and acrobatic thief Catwoman. Suicide Squad director David Ayer returns to helm the project, which is being written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Sherlock Holmes 3). Robbie is producing the project. Assuming WB learned the lessons of this year—stop with your pointless handwringing and let your DCEU movies be what they’re going to be without making needless cuts—then there’s a chance that this might fare better than Suicide Squad. Of course, that’s probably asking a lot of the studio behind DC’s cinematic output, and chances are that the collective $1.5 billion they earned between Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad this year didn’t teach them anything of significance. Best to approach this with cautious optimism, at best.
(THR)
