Disney is soon going to run out of classic animated movies to turn live action, as after the likes of Maleficent, Cinderella and The Jungle Book, we’ve got films such as Beauty & The Beast, Mulan and Aladdin coming. The latter now has a director, with Guy Ritchie stepping into the breach.
The Sherlock Holmes and Man From U.N.C.L.E. helmer is in talks to help develop the movie and direct, with John August (Big FIsh) writing the script. It’s not known how closely it will stick to the 1992 animated version, about a street urchin in who gets hold of a magic lamp with a genie inside that grants him three wishes. It’ll be interesting to see if they keep the genie as a shapeshifting, pop culture reference spewing comic force, or whether they turn him into something a little more sinister.
As well as the films mentioned above, Disney is also developing Jungle Book and Maleficent sequels, as well as live-action takes on The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. So they’ve certainly got a very full slate.
With China now the second biggest market for movies in the world and Chinese companies investing heavily in film, Hollywood is on the lookout for ways to tap in the Middle Kingdom’s money. There’s also Legendary Pictures – makers of Godzilla and The Dark Knight Movies – which was bought by Chinese investors. That’s helped result in The Great Wall, which star Matt Damon but takes us into Chinese history and one of its most iconic structures.
Shiny lycra, men in monster suits, stunningly cheap looking special effects – that’s what Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is all about, right? Well, not any more, as for its movie reboot it’s been given a bigger budget and some far better production values.
John Wick got a lot of praise, not necessarily for its plot, but for its almost comic book style and for the quality of its action. Indeed, it reminded many of why pure action has always been so popular. Now it’s coming back for a sequel.
Believe it or not, Resident Evil is the most-successful videogame-to-movie franchise ever. Now it’s returning once more with a fifth film featuring Milla Jovovich as Alice – although as the title suggests, this one is planned as the last instalment (until they inevitably decide to reboot it).
Matthew McConaughey has certainly come a long way from being the king of awful rom-coms. Indeed, he hasn’t made one for year. Next up he’s got Gold, which those behind it must feel could be an awards contender as it’s being given an Oscar friendly Christmas release in the US.
Following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, many suggested that Natalie Portman could be looking at at least a Oscar nomination for playing the title in Jackie. Fox Searchlight picked up the movie after its festival debut, and has now released the first teaser trailer.
Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg have only just been in cinemas with a film based around modern day disaster, with Deepwater Horizon. However, they’ll soon be back with another, Patriots Day, which has just dropped its first trailer.
Jordan Peele is known for his comedy, particularly as one half of the breakout comedy partnership Key & Peele. Normally when an actor directs their first film, they stick with a genre they’re known for, but instead Peele has gone into the world of horror.
Ever since it was first announced, the next Wolverine movie has lacked a title. That omission began to seem increasingly glaring at its March 2017 release date got closer and closer.