Warner Brothers Unveils Shocking New Martin Scorsese Project
In a surprise announcement, Warner Brothers and DC announced plans to expand their slate of DC films to include films that don’t necessarily fall into the canon established by Zack Snyder’s Justice League series. Even more surprising was that the first film announced would be one exploring the origins of the company’s most notorious villain, the Joker, with none other than Martin Scorsese on board as producer. WB has lined up Todd Phillips (The Hangover) to direct the film, which he will also co-write alongside Scott Silver (8 Mile). The tone is said to be akin to the gritty Scorsese crime dramas of the 80s, like Taxi Driver, and will, at heart, be a hard-nosed detective story. Jared Leto, who played the Joker in last year’s Suicide Squad—and who is expected to return in Suicide Squad 2 and Gotham City Sirens—is not expected to play the character here, and will most likely go to a younger actor. This marks the latest in a series of attempted course corrections following the lackluster reception to Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad. Scorsese on board as producer is a particularly stunning move, but bodes well for the tone they’re said to be reaching for.
(Deadline)
Michael K. Williams Cut from Han Solo Movie
Michael K. Williams (The Wire) announced that his role in the upcoming Han Solo spinoff movie has officially been cut from the film. The decision is apparently related to the firing of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who were replaced by Ron Howard late in production. Williams stated that he was needed for reshoots but was unavailable due to his work on another project. While seeing Williams in anything is always a delight, the fact that they’re so easily able to get rid of his character suggests one of two possibilities. The first is that his role was too minor to be of real importance and that his removal won’t affect things in the slightest. The second, is that this movie is turning into a disaster of epic proportions. Howard is certainly a capable director, but how well can he piece together a film that was already mostly shot by the time he was brought in? Hopefully they can pull it out, but every new bit of news from the set is another sign that things aren’t going well in a galaxy far, far away.
(Deadline)
Netflix Releases ‘Little Evil’ Trailer
The writer/director of the cult classic Tucker & Dale vs Evil, Eli Craig, returns to horror/comedy with his latest film, Little Evil. Playing off of the evil child tropes of horror classics like The Omen, the movie stars Adam Scott (Parks and Rec) as a man whose new step-son may, in fact, be the Antichrist. Netflix released the first trailer for the movie and it looks about like what you’d expect from the man behind Tucker & Dale. Craig has proven himself as able to balance the subtle needs of the horror genre with comedic needs of his plot, and Scott feels perfect to deliver the deadpan comedy. Little Evil premieres September 1 on Netflix.
(Netflix)
