‘Close Encounters’ Returning to Theaters for 40th Anniversary
Steven Spielberg’s science fiction classic, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Sony pictures is rereleasing the film with 4K remastering, giving you a vision of alien encounters unlike anything you’ve seen before. The new remaster looks stunning based on the trailer released to celebrate the impending return to theaters. Hard to believe it’s been four decades since Close Encounters catapulted Spielberg to the top of the Hollywood pantheon. Even now, movies like this are a rare treat, and seeing it again on the big screen will be a magical opportunity. Close Encounters of the Third Kind hits theaters once again on September 1.
(Sony Pictures)
‘James Bond’ Movie Sets Release Date
James Bond is back in action. The 25th entry into the Bond series has been slated for released on November 8, 2019, though little else is currently known about the project. Daniel Craig is expected to return to the role, which he’s played since Casino Royale in 2006, despite some speculation earlier this year that the actor was done with the franchise. As of yet, no director has signed on to helm the project, though screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who wrote the previous four scripts in the series, are on board to write the next screenplay. Casting and other announcements are expected in the coming months.
(Deadline)
Matt Groening Series ‘Disenchantment’ Picked Up by Netflix
Matt Groening, the genius behind The Simpsons and Futurama, has unveiled another potential animated game changer, Disenchantment. The new series was recently given a 20-episode order from Netflix, with 10 episodes expected to premiere next year. It’s being described as an adult fantasy in the vein of Game of Thrones, and will follow Princess Bean, her elf friend Elfo, and her “personal demon” Luci. Groening said that, “Disenchantment’ will be about life and death, love and sex, and how to keep laughing in a world full of suffering and idiots, despite what the elders and wizards and other jerks tell you.” Broad City actress Abbi Jacobson, voice actor/comedian Nat Faxon, and Eric Andre have all been confirmed to star in the series. No word yet on when the show will officially premiere, but this has all the makings of another hit from Groening.
(Variety)
‘Wonder Woman 2’ Gets Release Date
Following last weekend’s confirmation that Wonder Woman 2 is officially a go for Warner Brothers and DC, the studio announced when we can expect to see the sequel to this year’s smash comic book success hit screens. The film has been slated for release on December 13, 2019. Director Patti Jenkins has yet to be confirmed for the new sequel, though negotiations have been ongoing since Wonder Woman was released to critical and commercial acclaim, and the director is expected to come back. As of yet, no story has been confirmed but rumors have said that the next film in the series will be set in the 1980s and feature Diana Prince taking on Soviet forces at the height of the Cold War. Wonder Woman can be seen next in this year’s Justice League, which is expected to hit theaters on November 17.
Lionsgate Expanding ‘John Wick’ into Shared Universe Franchise
Lionsgate is set to expand upon the world of John Wick. The production company recently picked up the screenplay for the female centric assassination story Ballerina and are currently looking at ways to tie the story into the popular Keanu Reeves led franchise. Written by Shay Hatten, the script supposedly is in the vein of La Femme Nikita but with a more stylized flair. How they plan to connect the script to the world of John Wick is up in the air, but the Wick films certainly offer plenty of room to play around in. A female assassin story certainly fits the mold and could easily be placed within the world of the Continental. Still, changing scripts to fit a mold often has devastating effects on what might otherwise be a great story. Writing an original film within the universe makes more sense than trying to pigeonhole, and the risk here is pretty great for Lionsgate. If they pull it off, however, it could be a wonderful addition to the franchise.
