Film Bits: Michael Keaton Returns in ‘American Assassin’ Trailer; ‘The Little Hours’ Makes Heretical Hilarity

First ‘American Assassin’ Trailer Previews Promising Thriller

Michael Keaton returns with what looks to be yet another knock out performance in American Assassin. We’ve finally got our first look at the upcoming film from director Michael Cuesta (Homeland). Keaton co-stars along with Dylan O’Brien (Maze Runner), in which O’Brien plays a bereaved man whose new fiancé is murdered in a terrorist attack. Following her death, he swears vengeance upon the men responsible and is subsequently recruited as an assassin for an espionage agency. Based on the little that we see here, it seems to be another standard Bourne-esque thriller, though one escalated by the power of its performances. The glimpses we get of Keaton solidify the fact that we need at least one film from the actor a year, and hopefully this trend continues. American Assassin opens September 15.

(CBS Film)

Watch the Trailer for ‘The Little Hours’ and Then Pray for Forgiveness

After premiering at Sundance earlier this year, The Catholic League called The Little Hours, “Trash. Pure trash.” If that’s not endorsement enough, then I don’t know what is. Allison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci, and a veritable who’s who of modern comedic performers in a raunchy (as hell) film about…nuns? Writer/director Jeff Baena (Joshy) holds nothing sacred in this wildly profane, and hysterically funny, trailer. Don’t watch this one in the presence of polite company; when I say it’s not safe for work, that’s more than just a judgment call. It’s a cold, hard fact. The Little Hours opens June 30.

(Gunpowder & Sky)

James Gunn Reveals ‘Guardians 3’ Intentions

With a little less than a month to go before Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2 opens, questions have been swirling about whether or not director James Gunn would return to the series a third time. After months of hemming and hawing, Gunn has officially announced that yes, he will be returning to turn Guardians into a proper trilogy. The director made the announcement yesterday via Facebook, stating, “In the end, my love for Rocket, Groot, Gamora, Star-Lord, Yondu, Mantis, Drax, and Nebula – and some of the other forthcoming heroes – goes deeper than you guys can possibly imagine, and I feel they have more adventures to go on and things to learn about themselves and the wonderful and sometimes terrifying universe we all inhabit.” No word yet on when we can expect the third movie, but Gunn did say we can expect it sometime after the fourth Avengers movie, currently slated for 2019.

(James Gunn)

‘A Star is Born’ Remake Begins Production

Warner Brothers has begun production on another remake of A Star is Born, a movie made first with Janet Gaynor in 1937 and later Judy Garland and later still with Barbara Streisand. This time, the film stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, telling the familiar story of fame and its fickle tendencies. Cooper is serving double duty as both co-star and director, marking his debut behind the lens. To celebrate the start of production, WB released an image from the upcoming production, which you can see here. A Star is Born is expected in theaters on September 18, 2018.

(Variety)