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Imagine being such a powerful and inspiring figure that your words motivate someone to write a film. Well, Arnold Schwarzenegger is one. The man responsible for revamping the action genre and making danger look cool inspired a writer to write Steve Carell’s famous film, Little Miss Sunshine. The tragicomedy was released almost two decades ago but remains one of the best works of the actor.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) | Credits: Tri-Star Pictures

Written by Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine was inspired by a speech made by the former Governor of California – the one, the only, Arnold Schwarzenegger. As he talked about losers and despising the lot, the words struck a chord with the writer and he decided to channel it all into a script. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s speech didn’t have the effect the Governator thought it would.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Speech Inspired Little Miss Sunshine...

Hunger Games movie franchise director Francis Lawrence and his About:Blank Productions banner have signed a first-look production deal with Lionsgate.

With the Hunger Games series having generated nearly $3.7 billion in ticket sales worldwide for Lionsgate, Lawrence inked the producing deal with the major studio ahead of directing and producing The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the next film in the franchise.

The first look deal announcement was made by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will go into production for Lionsgate in 2025, ahead of a planned worldwide release on Nov. 20, 2026.

Lionsgate has been keeping Lawrence and his producing partner Cameron MacConomy busy as they recently wrapped production on the studio’s The Long Walk, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel that stars Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.

“Francis’ ability to marry incredibly compelling characters and emotions with exciting...

Late last week, we learned that Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy have turned to Dark Phoenix director Simon Kinberg to write and produce a new Star Wars trilogy.

There have been conflicting reports about whether these movies will serve as Episodes 10, 11, and 12 in the Skywalker Saga. However, most outlets have since confirmed they won't be a continuation of that story.

According to a new piece from Variety (via SFFGazette.com), the news came as a surprise to executives at Lucasfilm and Disney, but is "considered internally to be in deep development and not nearly ready to be made public." In other words, this could be another announced Star Wars project that fails to ever come to fruition.

The trade acknowledges that many in the industry were shocked by Kinberg's hiring, particularly as his track record as a writer is spotty at best.

Despite that, his history working on franchises means "Kinberg...

Writer-producer Simon Kinberg is working on a new Star Wars trilogy, said to be Episodes X-xii, but reports also highlight how far off it’s likely to be.

As we’ve recently explored on these pages, Lucasfilm has spent the past five years announcing Star Wars films and then not making them. With the exception of TV spin-off The Mandalorian And Grogu, due in cinemas in 2026, precisely none of the movies announced by the studio in recent years have gone into production. Big names have been attached – Patty Jenkins, Taika Waititi, Shawn Levy and the like – but little else of substance has emerged.

To the list of names on Lucasfilm’s roster we can now add Simon Kinberg – the multi-hyphenate filmmaker whose addition to the Star Wars franchise was announced on the 7th November. The word is that Kinberg, best known for his work on the X-Men film series, is...

Star Wars fans were taken by surprise when reports emerged that Simon Kinberg had been tapped to develop a new trilogy of movies, and new reports point to the reasons why Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy chose to approach him specifically. Perhaps best known for his work on the X-Men franchise, it was reported that Kinberg had been tasked with writing and developing a new Star Wars trilogy. However, it is not currently known whether these movies could represent a potential continuation of the Skywalker Saga, and take the form of Episodes 10-12, or will be an entirely separate tale.

Now a new report from Variety suggests that sources familiar with the deal point to Kinbergs established connections with the franchise forming the basis for Kennedys decision. Highlighting Kinbergs ongoing relationship with Lucasfilm executives Carrie Beck and Dave Filoni, both of whom he worked with on Star Wars: Rebels, the report...

When news broke on Thursday that Simon Kinberg — best known for being a writer, producer, director or all of the above on much of the “X-Men” franchise — had been hired by Lucasfilm to write and produce a new “Star Wars” trilogy, it came as a surprise to many executives at Lucasfilm and Disney. The project is considered internally to be in deep development and not nearly ready to be made public.

There was also some surprise within the wider industry that Lucasfilm had turned to Kinberg as the newest steward of “Star Wars” on the big screen. According to multiple industry sources with experience working in the franchise space, Kinberg is seen on one level as a sensible and safe choice. Starting with 2005’s “XXX: State of the Union” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” his films as a screenwriter have grossed more than $3.3 billion worldwide. Beyond the “X-Men” films, he’s also produced “Cinderella,...

Woody, Buzz, and the Toy Story gang in an intense scene from Toy Story 3, showing the characters facing a pivotal moment. (Photo Credit – Hotstar)

Okay, Toy Story fans—brace yourselves. Toy Story 3 almost took a wild turn, and not the kind that would’ve made you sob uncontrollably at the end. Nope.

Michael Arndt, the screenwriter, spilled the beans on how the first draft was a wacky comedy chase scene. Forget the tear-jerking incinerator scene and the final goodbye to Andy—this ending had the toys running for their lives on Rc cars, planes, and motorcycles. Not precisely a tear-fest, huh?

Arndt spilled the tea in an interview with Script Apart, revealing that in the original script, the toys had to race back to Andy’s house before he left for college. So far, so good, right? But then, things got really out of hand. The gang stumbles...

What are the main differences between Luke Skywalker in Star Wars canon and Legends storytelling? Since 1991, major interconnected Star Wars stories have existed off of the big screen. These stories have been in the form of books, comics, video games, TV shows, and more all encompassing the Star Wars Expanded Universe, or EU.

That was until 2014, when the Star Wars canon was reset and the EU became known as "Legends." Since then, the new Star Wars canon expanded universe has begun, featuring new stories that factor in all the new live action projects. Because of this, Luke Skywalker's characterization is different in the new timeline when compared to the old one, but also still similar in other ways.

Legends Luke Skywalker Had More Students That Fell To The Dark Side The Fallen Students Of Skywalker

Canon's Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is well known for his role in the fall of his nephew,...

Rachel Zegler offers some disappointing news for fans expecting to see her return to The Hunger Games franchise for the upcoming film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Zegler played the role of Lucy Gray Baird in the first prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Lucy Gray Baird's fate at the end of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is left ambiguous as she flees into the woods to escape Coriolanus Snow. With more Hunger Games prequels in development, many fans are hoping to discover more about Lucy Gray Baird's life before the events of the main series.

Yet, fans shouldn't hold out hope to learn more about Lucy Gray Baird in the upcoming film Sunrise on the Reaping, at least not with Zegler attached. Speaking with Cosmopolitan, Zegler was asked if she believed her character would appear in the upcoming Hunger Games film. While the actress is open to returning,...

This stunning Dark Rey cosplay predicted one of Rey Skywalkers best and most haunting scenes in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Though The Rise of Skywalker had its issues, it did examine Reys fear and trauma as she carried the burden of being the last Jedi and the shock of her upbringing and heritage. Given her grandfathers identity, darkness was something intrinsic in Rey, and her arc in The Rise of Skywalker was about trusting herself and her instincts, fighting the darkness at every turn.

Of course, Rey still had moments when she thought the darkness might overwhelm her, giving us the haunting visual of Dark Rey carrying a unique blood-red, double-bladed switchblade lightsaber. One cosplayer predicted Reys dark appearance over 2 years before The Rise of Skywalker was released. In 2021, cosplayer saira (@sairaspooks) posted a throwback to a dark Rey cosplay shed done around the time Star Wars: The Last Jedi...

Netflix will bring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freemans divisive sci-fi action thriller Oblivion to a new streaming home on November 1. Joseph Kosinskis 2013 movie saw him collaborating with Cruise several years before they broke the box office with Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, and while the film did not garner the incredible reviews or theatrical gross of that sequel, it is still a movie that begs to be reassessed. The addition of the film to Netflixs library makes it the perfect time to do just that.

Set in the year 2077, Oblivion takes place on an Earth that has been devastated by an alien invasion decades earlier. The planet has been abandoned other than a few remaining outposts, and any remaining resources are being harvested for use on Titan where the remnants of humanity live. Cruise plays Jack Harper, a drone repair technician who, along with his partner Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), must ensure...

In a surprise to no one, the Rey film, which disappeared after being pushed back for “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” has hit yet another setback. This time, the new writer, who Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy got to replace the other two writers they fired, has also left the film.

Steven Knight was brought in March 2023 to replace the original writers Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson. Lindelof has said publically that he was asked to leave Star Wars.

This isn’t even the first time this has happened. Kathleen Kennedy has a trail of people who either quit or were fired for “creative differences.”

There is a list of 18 from 2022, which has increased since then! Some of the people removed include,

Michael Arndt, Gary Whitta, Gareth Edwards, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow, Josh Trank, Stephen Daldry, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Stephen Schiff, J.D. Dillard and Matt Owens, Stuart Beattie,...

An outstanding Star Wars cosplay expertly recreates the climactic duel between Rey and Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Lightsaber duels are always a highlight of the Star Wars movies, and fans had been waiting 10 years for a new live-action duel when The Force Awakens came out in 2015. Even more astounding than the duels themselves is the creative ways so many cosplayers and photographers capture the magic of lightsabers in their own way.

The Legion of Cosplayers Instagram page posted a truly incredible recreation of Rey and Kylo Ren's lightsaber duel back in 2017, just two months before the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi:

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Legion Of Cosplayers (@legionofcosplayers)

Curiously, this version of the duel shows Kylo Ren wearing his helmet, unlike the original scene where his face is visible. Perhaps this takes inspiration from the movie's first teaser trailer,...

Mexican-born auteur Guillermo del Toro hit the Oscar jackpot with his fantastical love story “The Shape of Water” (2017), which took home four prizes including Best Picture and Best Director. But that’s just one of many eye-popping fantasies he has crafted throughout his career. Let’s take a look back at all 12 of del Toro’s films, ranked worst to best.

Del Toro made his feature directing debut with the Spanish-language horror drama “Cronos” (1993), which established him as a maker of dark, visually-stunning fright-fests. The film wrote him a ticket to Hollywood, where he helmed the creepy chiller “Mimic” (1997). Over the next two decades, he would bounce back-and-forth between mainstream American productions and more personal stories in his native language.

It was for “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006), a fable about a young Mexican girl escaping into a terrifying fantasy realm during the falangist Spain of 1944, that del Toro reaped his first Oscar bid for Best Original Screenplay.

Although Rey Skywalker's adoption of the last name Skywalker in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was (and remains) controversial, it's clear that she's canonically a Skywalkerand she will almost certainly be Star Wars' very last. The sequel trilogy was met with considerable criticism. In fact, among Star Wars movies and TV shows, the sequels are some of the most heavily debated, and many still see them as some of Star Wars' worst movies.

While there were a number of Star Wars sequel trilogy problems that led to this mixed reception, the revelation at the end of The Rise of Skywalker that Rey had decided to take the last name Skywalker as her own was one of the most controversial. Nevertheless, Star Wars has been clear that Rey Skywalker is her canon name, making her the final living Skywalker. Now, with Rey's upcoming Star Wars movie, it's very likely...

It's no secret that many successful movies are based on best-selling books. While many movies' success is partially due to the brilliance of the original stories, sometimes, reading the books first can completely ruin the viewing experience. This is the case with films like The Hunger Games when the source material is simply much more layered than what's presented in the film. Not all movies follow the exact directions of their books, and even in the rare cases when they do, the difference in media often results in a disappointing experience.

Some movies are simply their own works of art that should not be heavily compared to their source material. While the original books might be successful on their own terms, the movie adaptions can choose to creatively alter their stories to convey different themes. Sometimes, not reading the books first can make the film more enjoyable.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes...

Rebuild the Galaxy explores fan theories such as Darth Jar Jar. Mark Hamill and Ahmed Best are returning to Star Wars in the miniseries. Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy promises to deliver thrilling, experimental arcs and unexpected alliances in a galaxy turned upside down.

Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is finally bringing one of the best ideas from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to the Star Wars screen in a more significant way. Rebuild the Galaxy is sure to be a fascinating addition to Star Wars movies and TV shows. Although it isn't canon, the four-part miniseries will explore a number of stories from across the Star Wars timeline that have thus far remained fan theories or have never been seen in the franchise before.

One of the most popular theories coming to life in Rebuild the Galaxy is the Darth Jar Jar theory, which, as the name suggests,...

Other Jedi existed in the New Republic era, but Rey is considered the last Jedi in the sequel trilogy. The absence of New Republic era Jedi raises questions about their whereabouts during the sequels. The upcoming Mandalorian movie may show a massive Jedi sacrifice, potentially explaining the absence of Jedi in the sequel trilogy.

One massive lingering question from the Star Wars sequel trilogy era must be addressed in Star Wars' upcoming movies. Among Star Wars movies and TV shows, the sequel trilogy is still highly criticized. In fact, many still consider the sequels to be some of Star Wars' worst movies, although much of the harshest backlash about the trilogy has died down over the years.

Nevertheless, this era is an integral part of the Star Wars timeline, and it introduced a number of canon-altering changes to the franchise. One of the most significant reveals of the sequels, signaled...

Unplanned sequels often ruin characters by contradicting their established arcs. Continuity issues in sequels can anger fans when new writers prioritize their vision over established character development. Undesired sequels and reboots risk undoing years of character development and loyal fan investment.

Some character development is completely ruined by mishandled movie sequels. Essentially, movie sequels have ruined characters when they contradict, repeat, or otherwise completely ignore a character's arc from previous installments. Movie sequels that were not planned when the previous movie was in production are tricky, and it is difficult to write a continuation of a character arc that feels organic under these circumstances. If working against character development is inevitable, it's probably because the movie sequel is completely unnecessary.

Unwanted upcoming movie sequels and reboots run the risk of undoing years of development for beloved characters. Oftentimes, sequels that ignore character development also create continuity issues, angering the fandom even more.

The Force Awakens was based on Luke being "lost," leading to disappointment among audiences. The Mandalorian era has proven Luke will likely be "lost" again due to new characters and storylines. Star Wars needs to decide what to do with Luke as he's too important to continuously disappear.

Despite Luke Skywalker being the main character of the original Star Wars trilogy, recent projects have tended to quite literally lose this iconic character. As one of the best Star Wars characters, Lukes appearances throughout the franchise will always carry a heavy weight along with them. This has made it quite difficult to fold him into new stories, as his presence alone can easily dominate both the story thats being told and the characters within it.

There are, of course, ways around this, but it seems as if Disneys Star Wars has taken a rather unique (and unfortunately ineffective) approach. On two occasions now,...

After nearly a decade, Star Wars seems to have addressed its villain problem, shifting away from recycled characters and plot points. The sequel trilogy's reliance on Palpatine hindered the introduction of new and original villains in Star Wars. Recent Star Wars projects, such as Ahsoka and The Acolyte, show promise by introducing Legends villains like Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Plagueis.

After nearly 9 years, I finally have faith that Star Wars has resolved its villain problem. The sequels received considerable backlash when they were released, and, sadly, they are still largely considered some of Star Wars' worst movies. In part, the sequels were criticized for their treatment of the heroes from the original trilogy. However, many viewers were much more critical of the recycled plot points, characters, and story arcs from other Star Wars movies and TV shows.

While this included issues like Star Wars: The Force Awakens following many...

On October 16, 2023, Disney celebrated 100 years of magic, from movies, television shows, theme parks, and an improbable corporate identity that has become beloved all on its own. Disney's most significant impact is the cinematic canon that defined the company, and as is to be expected from such an iconic company, it has gone through a lot of changes in its century-long history.

Disney has had eight distinct eras that shaped the company and altered the course of its vaunted animation. Each generation has had highs and lows some more than others but each has had its clear place in the Disney timeline. Despite facing various hardships, Disney has continued to delight fans of all ages with its timeless takes on classic fairy tales and original stories that resonate just as deeply. Every Disney fan has their favorite film and era, but some rank better than others in performance and quality.

Updated...

Star Wars: New Jedi Order will explore the future of the franchise and examine the franchise's past, particularly Emperor Palpatine's legacy. Rey's relationship with Palpatine and the restoration of the Jedi Order will be central themes in the new film. The film will confront the unpopularity of the Jedi Order due to Palpatine's propaganda and the actual criticisms of the Jedi throughout the Star Wars timeline.

Star Wars will move beyond the Skywalker saga with Rey's New Jedi Order, but it still may have to address some of the issues of the franchise's past, particularly Palpatine's final legacy. New Jedi Order is set to move further into the future of the Star Wars timeline than any other Star Wars movie has gone before, starting about 15 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. While it's an exciting push into the future of the franchise, New Jedi Order also seems...

The Acolyte's Qimir has the most revealing shirtless scene in Star Wars, surpassing Kylo Ren's scene in The Last Jedi. Qimir's scene serves a specific purpose in The Acolyte's plot, highlighting his power of deception and vulnerability. The Acolyte pushes Star Wars boundaries with an intimate, vulnerable scene, setting a new standard for future live-action content.

Star Wars has had shirtless dark-side users in the past, such as Anakin Skywalker or Kylo Ren, but The Acolyte took it so much further. Star Wars has a long history of showing its main characters without a shirt: Luke Skywalker got the franchise's first shirtless scene came in The Empire Strikes Back. Since then, Star Wars has included more shirtless scenes, usually via Star Wars' most powerful Sith Lords. The most recent example wasn't necessarily a Sith Lord - it was Kylo Ren's scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi - but...

“Inside Out 2” roared into cinema in June, becoming Pixar’s highest-grossing film in a debut weekend of all time, while its current worldwide haul at this time of writing stands at just over one billion.

The first movie — one of the most ingenious films of this century — took audiences inside the head of young Riley as she navigated a move to a new city while her emotions tried to guide her through the move in her head. This second film brings back those emotions as Riley goes through her teenage years. But Joy and Sadness and the gang have to deal with several new emotions in headquarters, including Anxiety, Embarrassment, and Ennui.

But while the film marches towards $1 billion at the box office, could it also be marching towards awards glory? Well, animated flicks don’t get the justice they deserve when it comes to the Academy Awards. So often,...

In the Star Wars franchise, character endings can be both satisfying and unsatisfying, depending on the execution and the impact on the story. Some of the most satisfying endings include noble sacrifice or showcasing character growth from beginning to end. On the other hand, some character endings fall short of their potential or are unsatisfying due to poor storytelling decisions.

The Star Wars saga is filled with some of the most compelling characters in science fiction and often gives them highly memorable endings, but not all are equally satisfying. Compelling character arcs elevate expectations for how their story will end, which can lead to incredible resolutions or deeply disappointing ones. Even if the general idea behind a character ending is good, it can be ruined by poor storytelling choices and uninspired execution. However, when Star Wars gets a character ending right, it makes the overarching story even more satisfying.

Because...

The cast of The Hunger Games franchise could’ve looked slightly different.

Austin Butler revealed in a Buzzfeed interview with his Bikeriders co-star Jodie Comer, he revealed that he auditioned for but didn’t get a part in the hit movie series.

“I auditioned for The Hunger Games and I didn’t get it at all,” Butler said adding that he doesn’t even recall getting a “call back.”

He then revealed that he auditioned for the role of Peeta Mellark, the male tribute representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games, alongside female tribute Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence).

He added, “I don’t even think I got a call back; what’s the character, Peeta? Josh Hutcherson got that; he’s great.”

Hutcherson starred alongside Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth throughout the four Hunger Games films, with the films helping the trio become worldwide stars.

For her part, Comer revealed...

Jena Malone eagerly awaits a possible return to The Hunger Games franchise as Johanna Mason. Malone suggests exploring a sequel set after the Capitol's downfall or before Katniss' volunteering. Director Francis Lawrence is open to developing familiar characters with rich, thematic stories.

Jena Malone, who portrayed the fierce and formidable tribute, Johanna Mason, from District 7 in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, recently expressed her enthusiasm at the possibility of returning to the popular franchise should a sequel ever be made. Malone reprized her role from the 2013 movie again in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 and was a memorable part of the trilogy, and now, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Golden Globe nominee reflected on her time playing the emotionally scarred victor of the 71st Hunger Games as well as a proud participant of the third Quarter Quell.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire PG-13ActionAdventure...

Lucas didn't like the lack of originality in The Force Awakens. He wanted it to push boundaries and add new elements. Lucas thought The Last Jedi was beautifully made. He didn't comment on the story, direction, or characters. Lucas reportedly loved Rogue One. Gareth Edwards stated that he could "die happy" after hearing Lucas' review.

After creating and overseeing Star Wars for nearly four decades, George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney in 2012, and his reactions to their various movies and TV shows have been mixed. It makes sense for the creator of Star Wars to have strong opinions on how his saga has been handled in his absence, especially regarding projects that did something different than he would have. Lucas has expressed disappointment in some Disney Star Wars projects while offering praise and encouragement to others, though he had not really said as much as one would think.

While...

Orion and the Dark parodies Toy Story 3's incinerator scene in a clever and subtle way. Netflix's 2024 animated film features the same "What if anthropomorphic things had feelings?" trope as Toy Story 3. The movie Orion and the Dark references one of Pixar's most devastating moments, showcasing its impact and legacy.

Toy Story 3 includes several iconic and memorable moments, one of which was sneakily (and cleverly) parodied in a 2024 animated movie that sadly slipped under the radar. The 2010 Pixar animated comedy-drama film, directed by Lee Unkrich and written by Michael Arndt, serves as the third installment in the Toy Story movie series and takes place right before Andy is supposed to leave for college. Consequently, Toy Story 3's main conflict revolves around what happens to Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys when Andy grows up.

Pixar plans to release Toy Story 5, starring...

It doesn’t matter if you are happy, sad, or feeling stuck in your life a good road trip with your friends and family has the capability of solving every little or big problem in your life. That’s why road trip movies are a reminder to ourselves to get out of our little apartments and hit the road with our loved ones to go on a life-altering adventure to create memories that we will never forget. Therefore, we compiled a list of the 10 best road trip movies filled with comedy, adventure, emotion, wide open roads, and beautiful sceneries to remind you to go on the greatest adventure of your life.

Dog (Prime Video & MGM+) Credit – MGM

Dog is a comedy-drama film directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin from a screenplay by Carolin. The 2022 film follows the story of US Army Ranger Jackson Briggs as he goes on a...

Lionsgate has unveiled plans for a new Hunger Games movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, based on franchise writer Suzanne Collins’ just-announced new novel.

The screen adaptation, unveiled on Thursday by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, has Francis Lawrence in talks to direct the adaptation for Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson’s Color Force banner. Lawrence, screenwriter Michael Arndt and producer Jacobson earlier teamed with Lionsgate on four film adaptations of earlier Collins books — The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay — that took in $3.3 billion in box office.

Collins and her publisher Scholastic announced the fifth book in the series Thursday. Scholastic will publish Sunrise on the Reaping simultaneously in print, digital and audio formats in North America and other English-speaking territories on March 18, 2025.

There’s no word yet on casting for the film, but Lionsgate has set a wide theatrical release on Nov.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes star Tom Blyth has found his next major role. The actor has boarded the cast of Watch Dogs, an upcoming feature-length adaptation based on the popular video game series of the same name.

According to Deadline, the actor is set to co-star opposite Talk to Me's Sophie Wilde in Watch Dogs. The movie is in development at New Regency, the company that previously produced the 2016 Assassin's Creed adaptation starring Michael Fassbender. French genre director Mathieu Turi is helming Watch Dogs from a screenplay by Christie LeBlanc, with new revisions by Victoria Bata. New Regency's Yariv Milchan and Natalie Lehmann will produce the movie alongside Ubisoft Film and TV Head Margaret Boykin.

Related Mortal Kombat's Hiroyuki Sanada Rumored for Another Video Game Adaptation

Shogun and Mortal Kombat star Hiroyuki Sanada is reportedly wanted for a role in another video game movie.

Daisy Ridley opens up about the toll Star Wars took on her health and confidence, causing a "leaky gut" and intense stress. Reprising her role as Rey in a post-Rise of Skywalker sequel, Ridley now feels confident and capable in the franchise. Ridley's new Star Wars movie will focus on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order, part of Disney's efforts to revitalize the franchise.

Daisy Ridley has candidly opened up about the impact being part of the Star Wars franchise had on her health, including giving her a leaky gut. Ridley saw her career skyrocket as Rey in The Force Awakens, but as a relative unknown at the time, the actress found the stress of the role and the intense pressure in leading the new trilogy of the franchise almost too much.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy Sci-Fi Release DateDecember 15, 2015DirectorJ.J. AbramsCastHarrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver,...

At long last, it seems the MCU is getting closer to its mutation. We’re only two months away from Deadpool & Wolverine, which in its own way will bring something of an evolutionary leap to Marvel’s cinematic DNA. The world is still raving about the stellar first season of animated show X-Men ’97. And now, there are signs that we’re getting closer to the thing fans have been really waiting for: a proper MCU X-Men movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a writer has been hired to write such a thing – and the person tasked with that almighty responsibility is Michael Lesslie.

Given the amount of secrecy around Marvel’s X-Men plans, it’s unknown what brief Lesslie has been given – but he’s currently putting pen to paper on bringing Xavier’s team to the big screen. Lesslie previously served as lead writer on Park Chan-wook...

2024 is a great year for prequels, with recent titles such as The First Omen receiving widespread acclaim and upcoming movies such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Mufasa: The Lion King set to release later in the year. There are many prequels that work when isolated from a franchise as a whole, but the best prequels are those that enhance the original movie, existing for the sake of developing characters and their backstories further rather than just beating around the bush.

Prequels tend to be character-driven or origin stories that provide a context to why certain events happened in the original movie or why a character has turned evil. Their purpose is to give viewers the answers they are looking for, connecting past and present. When prequels effectively do that, the original movie automatically becomes better.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Sheds Light on President...

The prequel film contains many connections to the first four Hunger Games movies, including familiar names, places, and songs. Coriolanus Snow, as an 18-year-old mentor, is a central character and the most obvious connection to the previous films. The prequel introduces the first mentors for the Hunger Games, who are not former winners and showcases the use of drones in the arena for the first time.

The events of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes take place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) won the 74th Hunger Games, but the prequel contains numerous references to the first four movies in the franchise. The 2023 film depicts Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) as an 18-year-old trying to prove himself in the Capitol, and it highlights his complex relationship with the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th Hunger Games, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler).

Director...

Starz officially announced the streaming release date for Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This comes after over four months since the prequel spin-off had made its theatrical debut.

Per Collider, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has now been scheduled to start streaming on May 14, 2024, at 9Pm Et, exclusively on Starz. The Rachel Zegler-led movie is currently available to rent or buy on digital. As for its home video release, Hunger Games fans waiting for its streaming debut can first purchase the prequel on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. During its theatrical run, the coming-of-age dystopian drama earned a worldwide gross of over $337 million at the box office, making it the lowest-grossing installment of the blockbuster franchise.

Related A Hunger Games Theory Connects a Prequel Hero to Another Franchise Villain With The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' release, some...

“Jar Jar Binks makes the Ewoks look like fucking Shaft.” – Tim Bisley, Spaced, “Change” (2001).

Reviews for The Phantom Menace were, it’s fair to say, mixed. Looking back on it, that’s understandable. It’s a mixed film. After a lot of excitement and hype for the return of the game-changing franchise, some anti-climax was inevitable. 133 minutes and countless midi-chlorians later, a sense of disappointment gave way to rage for some.

Attack of the Clones had an improved, if not stellar, critical reception and Revenge of the Sith continued this trend to be recognized as the best of the three. That said, despite the upward trajectory there was a sense that these films would never recover from their initial mauling and that their lasting legacy would be their failure to recapture the magic of the Original Trilogy in a sustained way.

But 25 years after the release of The Phantom Menace,...

In an interesting turn of events, “Star Wars” creator George Lucas publicly supports Disney CEO Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Company board against the activist investor groups trying to obtain board seats. This is highly ironic given that George Lucas was very vocal about how he felt betrayed by Bob Iger. Iger himself even talked about how Lucas felt betrayed in his book.

Now, George Lucas has seemingly put out this statement saying, “Creating magic is not for amateurs. When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago. I was delighted to become a Disney shareholder because of my long-time admiration for its iconic brand and Bob Iger’s leadership. When Bob recently returned to the company during a difficult time, I was relieved. No one knows Disney better. I remain a significant shareholder because I have full faith and confidence in the power of Disney and Bob’s...

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:

Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys

2024 Oscars Predictions:

Best Adapted Screenplay Oppenheimer, from left: Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, 2023. © Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Weekly Commentary: Cord Jefferson stands on the brink of potentially making history in the adapted screenplay category with “American Fiction,” potentially becoming only the second...

Stars: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Fionnula Flanagan, Hunter Schafer, Ashley Liao, Joshua Kantara, Amélie Hoeferle, Hunter Schafer | Written by Michael Lesslie, Michael Arndt | Directed by Francis Lawrence

It’s been eight years since we last visited the world of Panem. Now the world spans to five films and this time we’re sent back over 60 years to see the 10th annual Hunger Games and the rise of Coriolanus Snow. This time Snow is played by newcomer Tom Blyth, who has to carry the runtime of the film all by himself. He’s joined for the most part by Rachel Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray.

The two leads carry the film effortlessly, Tom Blyth in particular does a fantastic job of giving complexity to Snow, showcasing a flawed but ambitious character as we slowly see his loss of humanity grow on screen. The film, unlike its predecessors,...

Literary agency Verve has parted ways with CEO Bill Weinstein.

“We thank Bill as a co-founder and for his 14 years of service and wish him nothing but success in his future,” Verve leadership said in a statement Monday.

No reason was given by the agency, although the decision “was made after thoughtful deliberation by Verve’s leadership and approved by Verve’s board and owners,” according to the email announcing the ouster. Some sources have said the move could be financial; the agency, with a strong focus on the literary, was hit hard during the strikes last year. That, coupled with a contraction in television, is hitting many companies and the agency may be no exception. The company rebuffed acquisition overtures from Gersh last summer.

Verve will not be naming a new CEO. The responsibilities of that role will be shared by the founders and managing partner, Liz Parker.

Weinstein...

A potential sequel to "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" could explore the backstory of Mags Flanagan, a character who never speaks in the later films. Fans have speculated that Mags' inability to speak may be a result of post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) from her time in the arena. A sequel to "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" could reveal the reason behind Mags' muteness and delve into the impact of her victory in the 11th Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes serves as the first prequel in the Hunger Games film series, but another movie could revolve around Mags Flanagan and explore her backstory (and possibly confirm a popular fan theory regarding her character). The 2023 dystopian film, directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt, is based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 book of the same name.

Daisy Ridley is bringing Rey Skywalker back to the Star Wars galaxy in an upcoming movie about the new Jedi Order. Over the course of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rey discovered her Force abilities, trained as a Jedi under Luke Skywalker and his sister Leia Organa. She ultimately chose to reject her dark heritage in order to embrace and continue the Skywalker legacy. The fate of the Skywalker family has always been entwined with that of the Jedi Order and so it seems only right that Rey be the one to revive the Jedi Order following their struggles at the hands of Darth Sidious and Kylo Ren.

At Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, it was announced that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy would be directing the movie that welcomes both Daisy Ridley's Rey and the Jedi Order back to the galaxy far, far away. The film will focus on the status of the...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Leviathan 4K Uhd from Kino Lorber

Leviathan plunges onto 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on February 20 via Kino Lorber. The 1989 sci-fi/horror film been newly restored in 4K from the 35mm interpositive with Dolby Vision/Hdr and 5.1 surround and lossless 2.0 audio.

George P. Cosmatos directs from a script by David Webb Peoples and Jeb Stuart. Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays, Daniel Stern, Ernie Hudson, Michael Carmine, Lisa Eilbacher, and Héctor Elizondo star.

Special features include: a new commentary by film historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson; Leviathan: Monster Melting Pot featurette; interviews with Hudson and Elizondo; the trailer; and reversible artwork.

Pumpkinhead & Killer Klowns Puppets from Toynk

Reach out and grab some fun with Toynk’s Reachers,...

Toy Story 3's initial ending was more comedic, with a race to get back to Andy's house using radio-controlled vehicles. This ending wouldn't have worked because it focused more on the race than on the growth and acceptance of the toys and Andy. The final ending of Toy Story 3 resonates with audiences because it explores the toys' reconciling with their purpose and saying goodbye to Andy.

Toy Story 3 screenwriter Michael Arndt explains how the first draft of the Pixar movie had a more comedic ending. Between the toys nearly being incinerated, and Andy saying goodbye to his toys as he gives them to Bonnie and heads off to college, the third installment is remembered for having a dramatic and deeply emotional ending. The movie contains plenty of comedic moments, but its legacy is the impactful ending that almost becomes shockingly dark before concluding as a tearjerker. Although...

The writer of Toy Story 3 revealed that there was a different ending initially planned for the film, which would have been less dramatic. The original ending involved the toys having a comedic race against time to get back to Andy's house before he left for college. Many fans are concerned about the possibility of a fifth Toy Story movie, as they believe it could undermine the closure achieved in Toy Story 3.

For many fans, the Toy Story franchise found a perfect ending in Toy Story 3. According to writer Michael Arndt, there was actually a completely different ending planned for the film which would have taken away much of the drama that made the movie a success.

Toy Story 3 Release Date June 16, 2010 Director Lee Unkrich Cast Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Joan Cusack , Ned Beatty , Don Rickles , Michael Keaton Rating G Runtime 103 Genres Animation , Adventure , Comedy , Family , Fantasy...

Focus Features’ “The Holdovers” is one of the sweetest movies of the year and is set to become a new Christmas classic. Written by David Hemingson and directed by Alexander Payne, the 1970s-set story follows Paul Giamatti as a school professor tasked with staying behind on campus to look after students not going home for Christmas. What follows is a charming, touching tale about two foes who learn to become friends. Giamatti gives a knockout performance while Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a hot contender for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a cook mourning the death of her son. The movie’s strongest point, however, is its writing.

“Whiskey Cavalier” creator and “Black-Ish” and “American Dad!” scribe David Hemingson crafted the script. He has never been nominated for an Oscar before but we expect that that he’ll win one this year. We’re predicting he will take home...

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Enter the arena again when “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” arrives on premium video on demand and premium electronic sell-through on Dec. 19 from Lionsgate. The film will be available to buy for $24.99 and to rent for $19.99 on participating digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu.

Based on the Suzanne Collins novel of the same name, the prequel centers on Panem’s President Snow — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen’s games. Tom Blyth’s Coriolanus Snow is an Academy student tasked with mentoring District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, in the 10th annual Hunger Games. Their pairing sets off a series of events that force Snow to battle his instincts for good and evil. Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera,...