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04/15/16 @ 12:37 pm EST
 Disney’s “The Jungle Book” will dominate the U.S. box office this weekend, opening in the $70 million range while “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” continues its fast fade at multiplexes. The live-action-CG hybrid, directed by Jon Favreau, is launching at 4,028 domestic venues with critics having embraced the movie with some of the best reviews of the year for a studio production. It currently has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Disney is so confident about the impending success of the family film — which carries a $175 million budget — that it’s already started developing a sequel. The studio is in talks with Favreau, screenwriter Justin Marks and producer Brigham Taylor to return. Should “The Jungle Book” hit $75 million, it would match Disney’s animated hit “Zootopia” for the third-best opening of the year after “Batman v Superman” at $166 million and “Deadpool” at $132.4 million. 08/13/25 @ 2:16 pm EST
In a blockbuster move that reshapes the future of one of cinema’s most iconic spy franchises, NBCUniversal has officially acquired all rights—excluding publishing—to Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series in perpetuity. The deal, finalized after a fiercely competitive bidding war, ensures the Bourne universe will remain under the Universal umbrella, opening the door for new films, television projects, and cross-platform storytelling. Earlier this year, the Ludlum estate reclaimed the rights and initiated an auction led by WME. The process attracted seven major offers, including bids from streaming giants and rival studios. Ultimately, Universal matched the top proposal with what insiders describe as a “very large deal,” securing the franchise’s future at its longtime home. Since its cinematic debut in 2002 with The Bourne Identity, the franchise has redefined the spy genre with its gritty realism and kinetic action. Matt Damon’s portrayal of the amnesiac operative Jason Bourne, coupled with direction from Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass, set a new standard for espionage thrillers. The series has spawned five films, grossing over $1.64 billion globally, and includes a spinoff ( The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner), a short-lived TV series ( Treadstone), and even a theme park attraction ( The Bourne Stuntacular) at Universal Studios Orlando. With the rights secured, Universal is already laying groundwork for future installments. Producer Frank Marshall, who has been with the franchise since its inception, will continue to oversee development alongside Captivate Entertainment’s Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith. A new film is reportedly in development with director Edward Berger ( All Quiet on the Western Front) and a script by Joe Barton. While not yet greenlit, speculation is swirling about Matt Damon’s potential return to the role that made him a global star. NBCUniversal plans to leverage the Bourne IP across its vast media ecosystem, including film, television, streaming, and interactive experiences. “We’re energized to continue expanding the Bourne universe into the future with exciting new stories for global audiences,” said Peter Cramer, President of Universal Pictures. Jeffrey Weiner, executor of Ludlum’s estate, echoed the sentiment: “We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal. We look forward to working with the Universal team to expand the Bourne franchise across Universal’s varied platforms”.  ... 08/10/25 @ 2:42 pm EST
After nearly two decades away from the visor, James Marsden is officially returning as Scott Summers—aka Cyclops—in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, and he’s calling the experience “a nice little homecoming” to the role that first put him on the map. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Marsden reflected on the long journey back to the X-Men leader, joking, “I’m getting a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume.” He added, “I’ve spent 20 years listening to people say, ‘When are you coming back?’ I’m dead. Well, maybe not”. Cyclops was famously killed off in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), but Marvel’s multiverse antics—especially after Deadpool & Wolverine and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness—have paved the way for legacy characters to return. Marsden’s Cyclops is expected to play a key role in the battle against Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., in the Russo Brothers-directed crossover epic. Marsden won’t be alone. Avengers: Doomsday is stacking its cast with X-Men veterans, including: Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Channing Tatum (Gambit). Marsden first donned the ruby-quartz visor in X-Men (2000), followed by X2 (2003) and The Last Stand (2006). He briefly returned in Days of Future Past (2014), but Doomsday marks his first full-fledged return to the role in over a decade. “It was the first real event project I was ever a part of,” Marsden said. “And a very beloved character, this icon from the comics. So to step back into that role was pretty special”. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, as part of Marvel’s Phase Six.  08/10/25 @ 2:14 pm EST
This weekend at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention, VisionQuest showrunner Terry Matalas dropped major news about the upcoming Marvel miniseries, confirming the casting of two Star Trek: Picard alumni— Todd Stashwick and Orla Brady—in pivotal roles for the 2026 Disney+ series. Stashwick, known for his role as Captain Liam Shaw in Picard, will portray Paladin, a morally ambiguous mercenary from Marvel Comics. First introduced in Daredevil #150 (1978), Paladin is a skilled operative whose allegiance often hinges on the highest bidder. In VisionQuest, he’s described as an assassin tracking down White Vision— Paul Bettany’s reawakened android who gained sentience at the end of WandaVision. Matalas confirmed that Paladin will be a central antagonist, bringing a grounded, tactical threat to the otherwise AI-heavy narrative. Brady, who played Laris and Tallinn in Picard, will take over the role of F.R.I.D.A.Y., Tony Stark’s AI assistant previously voiced by Kerry Condon in the MCU films. Unlike her purely digital predecessor, Brady’s version of F.R.I.D.A.Y. is rumored to appear in humanoid form—possibly as a Life Model Decoy or holographic avatar. This recasting marks a shift in how Marvel is portraying its artificial intelligences, with several—including Emily Hampshire’s E.D.I.T.H. and T’Nia Miller’s Jocasta—expected to have physical embodiments. Matalas emphasized Brady’s emotional range and intelligence as key reasons for her casting, calling the collaboration with Marvel “wonderfully collaborative”. Paul Bettany returns as Vision, navigating a post-Wanda existence with fragmented memories and existential questions. Matalas likened Vision’s arc to Spock’s journey in Star Trek IV, suggesting a cerebral and emotional quest for identity. James Spader is also confirmed to reprise his role as Ultron, with Matalas teasing a “unique” use of the character—possibly involving a human avatar or holographic projection. The series will also feature Faran Tahir reprising Raza from Iron Man and Ruaridh Mollica in a mystery role, speculated to be Tommy Maximoff. Filming wrapped in July 2025, and VisionQuest is slated to premiere on Disney+ in 2026.  ... 08/09/25 @ 12:56 pm EST
Disney Junior is expanding its superhero lineup with a fresh animated series aimed at younger audiences: Marvel's Avengers: Mightiest Friends. The show promises to deliver bite-sized action, heartwarming friendships, and age-appropriate heroics featuring beloved characters from the Marvel Universe. The series reimagines Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a format tailored for preschoolers, blending Marvel’s iconic action with Disney Jr’s signature warmth and accessibility. The series will feature kid-friendly versions of fan-favorite characters like: Captain America – the brave leader with a shield and a heart of gold, Iron Man – the tech-savvy genius with a flair for invention, Black Panther – the noble protector of Wakanda, Ms. Marvel – the energetic shapeshifter with a passion for helping others, Hulk – the gentle giant learning to manage his strength and Spider-Man – the friendly neighborhood hero with sticky situations. Each episode will center around teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving, with the Avengers tackling challenges that resonate with young viewers—like sharing, cooperation, and standing up for what's right. Storylines will be episodic, with self-contained adventures that emphasize emotional intelligence and moral lessons. Whether it’s rescuing a lost pet or helping a friend overcome fear, the Avengers will model positive behavior while still delivering superhero thrills. The series is slated to premiere in 2026, joining Disney Jr’s growing roster of educational and entertaining content. It follows in the footsteps of Spidey and His Amazing Friends, which proved that Marvel heroes can thrive in the preschool space without losing their heroic edge.  08/09/25 @ 12:39 pm EST
New rumors have been swirling about The Batman Part II and James Gunn had taken to social media to set things straight. The upcoming Matt Reeves film along with the newly launched DCU have both been popular targets of “scoopers” and so far most of their insider information has turned out to be false. A chorus of reports that the second Robert Pattinson led Batman film had been cancelled or given to a different writer/director blood social media and even Gunn posting that none of them were true didn’t stop them. The only thing that finally killed that narrative was a post by Reeves showing the completed script. And even then scoopers claimed that the film would be delayed again… which is not true so far as the film has begun pre-production and is scheduled to start shooting in early 2026, plenty of time for an October 2027 release. This hasn’t deterred the insiders from more attention grabbing posts, now claiming that Robin will appear in the upcoming sequel and the DCU Batman will make his debut in Clayface. These rumors make no sense at all as Gunn has said that the DCU Batman will debut in The Brave and the Bold film where they will introduce Damian Wayne as Robin. It’s hard to believe that they would let Reeves introduce Robin right before the main universe is going to do the same. Well, Gunn has hit social media again about the Robin rumors and said, “Guys please stop believing this nonsense. I think six of us have read the script. No one knows anything about The Batman 2.” Remember that these insiders make money off of views and are never held accountable for completely wrong information. There’s a difference between speculation on what the film might include and presenting yourself as someone in the know and make statements that have no truth to them.  ... 08/02/25 @ 12:43 pm EST
After two seasons of undercover antics and family drama, Netflix has officially pulled the plug on FUBAR, the action-comedy series starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro. The cancellation, confirmed on August 1, 2025, comes just weeks after the show’s second season premiered to lukewarm reception. FUBAR debuted in May 2023 with strong numbers, thanks in part to Schwarzenegger’s global star power and the novelty of his first leading role in a television series. The show’s premise—a CIA operative discovering his daughter is also an agent—offered a mix of espionage, humor, and family tension. Season 1 racked up over 11 million views during its premiere weekend. But Season 2, released more than two years later in June 2025, failed to recapture that momentum. It peaked at just 3.3 million views in its first full week and quickly dropped out of Netflix’s Top 10. The 73% decline in viewing minutes between seasons was a major factor in the streamer’s decision to cancel. The series featured: Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner, a veteran CIA agent, Monica Barbaro as Emma Brunner, his daughter and fellow operative, Carrie-Anne Moss joined in Season 2 as Greta Nelso, a former East German spy with ties to Luke. Supporting cast included Milan Carter, Fortune Feimster, Jay Baruchel, and Travis Van Winkle. Despite the star-studded lineup, critics and fans noted that Season 2 lacked the charm and pacing of its predecessor. Some viewers described the follow-up as “uninspired” and “ridiculously flanderized”. The cancellation leaves several plot threads unresolved: Tina’s mysterious loyalties and ties to the “Grey Division”, The fate of Emma and Aldon’s relationship and the fallout from CIA exposure and Luke’s retirement plans.  08/02/25 @ 12:31 pm EST
Marvel Studios has officially kicked off production on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the fourth installment in the MCU’s Spider-Man saga, and fans are already buzzing over the fresh developments. Tom Holland unveiled his new Spider-Man suit in a dramatic teaser released on August 2, 2025. The costume features: Bolder colors and a larger spider emblem, echoing classic comic book aesthetics, Raised webbing and a design that blends elements from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s suits. A short clip where Holland steps into the light and asks, “We ready?”—marking his return since No Way Home The film boasts a stacked cast, blending familiar faces with exciting newcomers: Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned) return, though their characters’ memories of Peter remain a mystery. Jon Bernthal makes his big-screen MCU debut as The Punisher. Mark Ruffalo joins the Spider-Verse as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, marking his first appearance in a Spidey film. Michael Mando reprises his role as Mac Gargan/Scorpion, last seen in Homecoming. Sadie Sink and Liza Colón-Zayas have been cast in undisclosed roles, with rumors swirling that Sink may play a variant of Gwen Stacy or Lily Hollister (Menace) Set videos from Glasgow reveal intense action sequences including a stunt involving an armored vehicle crashing through a van, possibly linked to Mr. Negative’s Inner Demons. Speculation about multiple suits being used in the film, hinting at evolving identities or multiverse variants Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ( Shang-Chi), the film promises a grounded, emotionally rich story. Holland described it as a “fresh start” and likened the production to the vibe of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Filming is underway in London and Glasgow, with a release date set for July 31, 2026.  07/23/25 @ 1:18 pm EST
The DC Universe is expanding once again, and this time it’s giving center stage to one of its quirkiest and most beloved underdogs: Booster Gold. After years of fan speculation and stalled attempts, the time-traveling hero from the 25th century is finally getting his own live-action television series on HBO Max. Booster Gold, real name Michael Jon Carter, is a former Gotham City college football star who fell from grace due to a gambling scandal. Disgraced but ambitious, he steals advanced technology and a time machine from a museum and travels back to the present day. His goal? To become a famous superhero—not out of altruism, but for fame and fortune. Despite his self-serving motives, Booster often ends up doing the right thing, earning a complicated but endearing reputation among DC’s pantheon of heroes. The show was first announced as part of DC Studios’ “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters” slate, but progress was slow until recently. Now, David Jenkins, creator of Our Flag Means Death, has been tapped to write the pilot and potentially serve as showrunner. Jenkins’ knack for blending humor, heart, and genre storytelling makes him a promising fit for Booster’s offbeat tone.  07/21/25 @ 5:11 pm EST
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has officially confirmed that Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier will helm the highly anticipated X-Men reboot, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Feige made the announcement during a press roundtable promoting The Fantastic Four: First Steps, stating, “It’s official, Jake Schreier is doing X-Men for us, and we’re very, very lucky to have him”. The script is currently underway, with screenwriter Michael Lesslie ( The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) attached to the project. Schreier’s appointment follows his critically praised work on Thunderbolts, which showcased his ability to handle ensemble casts and emotionally grounded storytelling. Feige emphasized Schreier’s connection to younger audiences, noting that the X-Men film will be “a very youth-oriented, focused and cast movie”. Feige also promised a more comic-accurate portrayal of the X-Men, a departure from previous cinematic iterations. “We want to embrace that which was not embraced 25 years ago… those comic-accurate looks,” he said, referencing costumes and character dynamics that fans have long hoped to see on screen. The reboot is being positioned as a franchise reset, not a multiverse continuation. Feige clarified, “Reboot is a scary word… Reset, singular timeline—we’re thinking along those lines”. This approach aims to reintroduce the X-Men with fresh faces and stories, while honoring the core themes of identity, adolescence, and belonging that define the mutant mythos. The film is expected to arrive in 2028, following the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Secret Wars.  07/21/25 @ 5:04 pm EST
DC Studios has officially tapped Ana Nogueira, the rising screenwriting talent behind Supergirl, to write the script for its upcoming Wonder Woman reboot—a major step forward for the studio’s evolving cinematic universe. Nogueira’s selection marks her third major project with DC Studios, following her work on the Supergirl film (set to release June 26, 2026) and the in-development Teen Titans live-action movie. James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has emphasized that Wonder Woman is a priority, though not fast-tracked. “Nothing is going to be shot unless we’re as sure as we can be that the script is good,” Gunn stated, underscoring the studio’s commitment to quality over speed. Gal Gadot, who previously portrayed Diana Prince in two solo films and several ensemble appearances, will not return in the role. The reboot aims to introduce a fresh take on the Amazonian warrior, aligning with the studio’s broader narrative overhaul. In addition to the film, DC Studios has been developing Paradise Lost, a television series set on Themyscira. While its status remains uncertain, the show was initially pitched as a Game of Thrones-style prequel exploring the political intrigue of Wonder Woman’s homeland.  |
