Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama 2024 - Update #45

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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NEWS:

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  "Deadpool & Wolverine" grossed 38.5 million dollars in Thursday preview showings, a record for R-rated films and the eighth biggest day ever for previews showings.

From Deadline:  The site has a list of all the songs that you'll hear on the "Deadpool & Wolverine" soundtrack.

KEVIN FEIGE - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige answers five questions for "Deadline."

From THR:  Could Robert Downey, Jr. return as Tony Stark/Iron Man return to a Marvel Studios film the way Hugh Jackman has returned as Logan/Wolverine in "Deadpool vs. Wolverine?" Marvel boss Kevin Feige says it could happen.

DAREDEVIL & WOLVERINE - From THR:  Ryan Reynolds watched "Deadpool & Wolverine" with his nine-year-old daughter and his late 70-ish mother. And they loved it.

From THR:  Actress Emma Corrin says she took inspiration from "Willy Wonka" in order to play villain "Cassandra Nova" in "Deadpool & Wolverine."

FRANCHISE - From Deadline:   Marvel Studios Head of TV and Streaming Brad Winderbaum gave updates on several projects: the "Eyes of Wakanda" TV series, "Daredevil: Born Again," "Agatha All Along," and the animated "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige says that the "Fantastic Four" movie will be a period piece "set in a version of the 1960s."

COMIC-CON - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios is returning to "Hall H" at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The convention runs July 25th to 28th.

SHE-HULK - From Deadline:  Tatiana Maslany, the star of the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "She-Hulk," says twerking with twerking with series guest-star, Grammy-winning recording artist, Megan Thee Stallion, was "the greatest moment in my life."

BLADE - From Deadline:  Mia Goth apparently has been cast in Marvel Studios' "Blade" film (due Nov. 2025). She addressed the films many delays by saying that they want to make a great movie.

From Deadline:  On social media, Wesley Snipes, the original big screen "Blade," is having a laugh at the troubles of Marvel Studios' "Blade" reboot, which is to star Mahershala Ali in the title role.  The project has now lost two directors and is on its sixth writer.

From Variety:  Yenn Demange has stepped down as director of Marvel Studios' long-in-development "Blade" reboot film. This is the second time a director has departed the project, with Bassam Tariq being the first.  Eric Pearson ("Black Widow," "The Fantastic Four") is now also the sixth writer to take a crack at the film's script.

AVENGERS - From Deadline:  As Disney/Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" prepares to overwhelm the box office in late July, the film's director, Shawn Levy, is apparently at the top of the list to direct the next "Avengers" movie.

X-MEN - From Deadline:  The latest news on Marvel Studios' "X-Men" film is that Michael Lesslie, the writer of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" is in negotiations to write the "X-Men" movie.

DEADPOOL/WOLVERINE - From CBR:  According to information on the AMC Theaters website, the running time on Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine" is 127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes).  The film is due July 26th.

DAREDEVIL - From Deadline:  Actors Charlie Cox (Matt Murdoch/Daredevil) and Vincent D'Onofrio (Wilson Fisk/Kingpin) say that they are very much involved in the creative process of the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Daredevil: Born Again."  The series now has a target release date of March 2025.

FANTASTIC FOUR - THR:  "The Hollywood Reporter" is reporting that actor Ralph Ineson ("Game of Thrones," "The Witch") is in talks to play the character, "Galactus," in Marvel's "Fantastic Four" film.

From Deadline:  The site is reporting the Oscar-nominated actor, John Malkovich, has signed onto Marvel's "Fantastic Four" in role that is being kept under wraps.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From GamesRadar:  There is a photographic image of actor Danny Ramirez  as the character "Joaquin Torres," making its way around the interwebs.  Torres appeared in the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," and Torres will apparently replace Sam Wilson as "The Falcon," because Wilson takes on the identity of Captain America and will star in "Captain America: Brave New World."

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige apparently advised Hugh Jackman against coming back as Wolverine for "Deadpool & Wolverine."

OBITUARY - From Deadline:  British art director and production designer, Ray Chan, has died at the age of 56, Tuesday, April 23, 2024.  Chan was best known for his work in art direction, production design, and additional photography for Marvel Studios, beginning with "Thor: The Dark World" (2013) to the upcoming "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024).  He was nominated for five Art Directors Guild Awards and won twice.

ANT-MAN - From Variety:  Michael Douglas, who plays "Hank Pym" in Marvel Studios' "Ant-Man" movies asked Marvel to kill off his character in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." He says he pitched a "fantastic death."

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE - From Deadline:  Director Shawn Levy explains that the next Marvel Studios' film, "Deadpool and Wolverine" is not "Deadpool 3."  "This is a two-hander character adventure," he says.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From EW:  The site has the first official photos from "Captain America: Brave New World."  There is a first-look of Anthony Mackie as "Sam Wilson/Captain America."  There is also a first look at Harrison as "Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross," the general who is now President of the United States.  The film is due Feb. 14, 2025.

IRON MAN - From ComicBook:  Recent Oscar-winner Robert Downey, Jr. ("Oppenheimer") says that he is willing to return to his role as "Tony Stark"/"Iron Man."  He hints that Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige could have a plan could have a plan and that he says, "Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:   Sources have told "Deadline" that Emmy-winning actress, Julia Garner (Netflix's "Ozark") has been cast to play the Shalla-Bal version of the "Silver Surfer" in Marvel's upcoming "Fantastic Four" movie.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - From Variety:  New set photos have emerged from the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Daredevil: Born Again," reveals actor Jon Bernthal as "The Punisher," looking bloodied up.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - From Variety:  Although she is done (for now) playing "Gamora," actress Zoe Saldana thinks it would be a "huge loss" for Marvel Studios if they didn't bring back the "Guardians of the Galaxy."

BLADE - From ClutchPoints:  The latest news on Marvel's "Blade" film is that it starts film this Fall, according to info found on the website, "Production Weekly."

From Variety:  Aaron Pierre becomes the latest person to exit Marvel Studios' troubled "Blade" film.

From Vulture:  Alejandra Gularte offers, "Everything We Know About Marvel's Long-Delayed 'Blade'"

X-MEN '97 - From THR:  Beau DeMayo, the writer-producer who created "X-Men '97," for Disney+/Marvel, has been fired.  The series is a continuation of Fox's beloved Saturday morning animated series, "X-Men" (1992-97) and is set for a March 20th debut.

FRANCHISE - From THR:  Marvel Studios is "retooling," according to "The Hollywood Reporter."  For instance, the fifth Avengers film is no longer entitled, "Avengers: The Kang Chronicles."

IRON MAN - From USAToday:  Actor Robert Downy, Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in several films for Marvel Studios, has won the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  He won for portraying "Lewis Strauss" in director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."  Fellow Marvel star, Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk, was also nominated in the same category for playing "Duncan Wedderburn" in the film, "Poor Things."

From Variety:  Actor Robert Downy, Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in several films for Marvel Studios, has won the "Best Supporting Actor" award at the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards.  He won for portraying "Lewis Strauss" in director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios has announced the cast of its reboot of the "Fantastic Four" franchise.  The planned 2025 will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). 

DEADPOOL 3 - From YouTube:  "Deadpool 3" is now officially "Deadpool & Wolverine," and it has a trailer.  The film is due July 26th, 2024.

From Polygon:  There are cameos a-plenty in the first "Deadpool & Wolverine" trailer.

THUNDERBOLTS - From THR:  According to "The Hollywood Reporter," actor Lewis Pullman (Apple TV+'s "Lessons in Chemistry," Top Gun: Maverick) will play whatever role actor Steven Yeun was supposed to play in the upcoming Marvel film, "Thunderbolts."  Yuen exited the film in early January (2024).

DEADPOOL 3 - From Variety:  Ryan Reynolds announced via Instagram today (Wed., Jan. 24th) that "Deadpool 3" has wrapped up filming.

GUARDIANS - From ComicBook:  "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" earned a "Best Visual Effects" Oscar nomination at the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards.  The winners will be announced Sunday, March 10th, 2024.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline:  Hugh Jackman has shared a video on Instagram of the workout he is using to get his "Wolverine body" back for his role in "Deadpool 3."

ECHO - From Time:  What to know before watching the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Echo."

THUNDERBOLTS - From Variety:  "Variety.com" says that it can confirm that actor Steven Yeun is no longer involved in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts" film.  Marvel never officially confirmed that Yeun was in the film, so it is unknown if Yeun's character was dropped or is being rethought.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline:  Actor Ryan Reynolds finished 2023 by posting of photo of himself wearing the "Deadpool" costume on Instagram.

AWARDS - From AwardsWatch:  The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced nominations for the 11th MUAHS Guild Awards. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 received four nominations.  The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

KANG - From THR:  Marvel Studios has dropped actor Jonathan Majors from its roster of stars after the actor was convicted by a New York City jury of reckless assault in the third degree and also of harassment.  Majors had played "Kang the Conqueror" in two seasons of the Disney+ series, "Loki," and in the movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

BLACK PANTHER - From ComicBook:  Disney+ has announced a new animated series, "Eyes of Wakanda," set in the world of his film, Black Panther.  It is scheduled to debut sometime in 2024.

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MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Review: Iron Man (2008)

Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Review: Thor (2011)

Review:  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Review:  Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Review: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Review:  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Review: Ant-Man (2015)

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Review: Doctor Strange (2016)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Review:  Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Review:  Black Panther (2018)

Review:  Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Review:  Captain Marvel (2019)

Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Review:  Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Review: Black Widow (2021)

Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Review: Eternals (2021)

Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Review: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (2023)

Review: The Marvels (2023)

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Click here for the 2023 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2022 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2021 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2020 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2019 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2018 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 14th to 20th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

NETFLIX - From YahooFinance:  Netflix says that it will phase out its $11.99 ad-free plan.

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Donald Glover brings an end to his musical persona, "Childish Gambino," with a new album, "Bando Stone and the New World," and perhaps, a film and world tour.

EMMYS - From Variety:  The nominations for the 76th / 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards have been announced.  FX's "Shogun" leads the drama categories with 25 nominations and its series, "The Bear," leads the comedy categories with 23.  The winners will be announced Sunday, Sept. 15th in a ceremony broadcast on ABC.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Michael Mann says that he hopes to start film "Heat 2" by the end of this year or the beginning of next year (2025). He won't discuss the cast, although there are rumors about Adam Driver and Austin Butler.

AMAZON - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Colin Firth has joined Amazon Prime Video's "Young Sherlock."  Based on Andy Lane's series of novels, the Amazon production will star Hero Fiennes Tiffin.

BUSINESS - From THR:  Another day, another round of layoffs at Warner Bros. Discovery, across all divisions.

HULU - From Deadline:  Halle Berry has reportedly exited Ryan Murphy's Hulu legal drama, "All's Fair," starring Kim Kardashian.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  CBS has announced the Fall 2024 premiere dates for its returning and new TV series.  The first series arrives on Wednesday, September 18th with the Season 47 premier of "Survivor" and and the last two arrive Sunday, October 27th with the Season 2 premier of "Tracker" and the Season 5 premiere of "The Equalizer."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/12 to 7/14/2024 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 44.65 million dollars.

From YahooEntertainment:  Neon's release, "Longlegs," is a surprise #2 at this weekend's box office.  But is the film cursed by star Nicolas Cage's creepy performance?

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Zoe Kravitz's talks about why her directorial debut, "Blink Twice," is no longer entitled "Pussy Island."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO has released a first-look image of Emily Watson as "Valya Harkonnen" from the television series, "Dune: Prophecy."  The series is due this fall.

OBITS:

From Variety:  American comedian, actor, and recording artist, Bob Newhart, has died at the age of 94, Thursday, July 18, 2024.  Newhart came to prominence with the release of an album of comedic monologues, entitled "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart."  That LP and its follow-up, "The Button-Mind Strikes Back!," won Newhart his three Grammy Awards.  As an actor, he would be best known for two former CBS sitcoms, "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78) and "Newhart" (1982-90).  He would win his sole Primetime Emmy Award for a guest role on the former CBS sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory."

From Deadline:  Tributes pour in for iconic deadpan comedian, Bob Newhart, who died yesterday (Thurs., July 18th) at the age of 84

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From Deadline:  Film and television actor, James B. Sikking, has died at the age of 90, Saturday, July 13, 2024. Sikking was best known for the role "Lt. Howard Hunter" on the former NBC police drama, "Hill Street Blues" (1981-86), a role for which he was once nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.  He also played "Doogie Howser's" dad, "David," on the former ABC sitcom, "Doogie Howser M.D."  He also appeared in such films as "Ordinary People" (1980), "Outland" (1981), "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984), to name a few.

From Variety:  American film and television actress, Shannen Doherty, has died at the age of 53, Saturday, July 13, 2024 after a long battle with breast cancer beginning with her 2015 diagnosis.  She first gained prominence playing the role of "bad girl," "Brenda Walsh," during the first four seasons of the former Fox teen soap, "Beverly Hills, 90210." She also starred as the witch, "Prue Halliwell," on the first three seasons of The WB series, "Charmed."  She appeared in a number of films, including "Heathers" (1988) and "Mallrats" (1995).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 7th to 13th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Today (Fri., July 12th) in New Mexico, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has dismissed the involuntary manslaughter trial against Alec Baldwin. Baldwin has been charged in the 2021 accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."  Judge Sommer accused the state of repeatedly failing to disclose key evidence to Baldwin's defense team.  The trial was dismissed without prejudice meaning it cannot be refiled.  The already-convicted armorer on the film, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed could also be released from prison.

From Deadline:  Alec Baldwin racks up a win early in his trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.  Baldwin is being tried for the shooting death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, in 2021 on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

POLITICS - From TheNewYorkTimes:  George Clooney says that he loves President Joe Biden, but that Biden has got to go... with friends like this...

STREAMING - From Variety:  Halle Berry and Glenn Close is joining Ryan Murphy's Hulu legal drama, "All's Fair," which will star Kim Kardashian.  Berry and Close will join Kardashian as executive producers.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/5 to 7/7/2024 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 75 million dollars.

BUSINESS - From Variety:  David Ellison meets the press in the way of his company, Skydance Media, gobbling up Paramount Global.

From Deadline:  David Ellison's Skydance Media and its backers are taking over Paramount Global with an 8 billion dollar investment.  Ellison will be chairman and CEO of the merged companies, and the deal is expected to be closed by mid-2025.

From Deadline:  A special committee of Paramount Global board members has given a key approval vote to Skydance Media's bid to gain the controlling share of National Amusements Inc., the parent company of Paramount.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinki talk about next summer's blockbuster film, "F1," starring Brad Pitt.

From WorldofReel:  There is a first poster for director Joseph Kosinski's "F1," which stars Brad Pitt. The film is due Summer 2025. Kosinski directed the megahit, "Top Gun: Maverick."

OBITS:

From Variety:  American television fitness guru and personality and author, Richard Simmons, has died at the age of 76, Saturday, July 13, 2024.  Simmons was best known for his extensive line of self-help books and videos related to exercise and weight-loss.  His best known series is probably the "Sweatin' to the Oldies," initially released on videocassette.  He gained fame as a fitness guru after opening his exercise studio, "The Anatomy Asylum," in 1974.  By the late 70s and into the early 1980s, he began consistently appearing on television.  From 1980-84, he hosted "The Richard Simmons Show," which was nominated for seven Daytime Emmy Awards and won four.  After the series ended, Simmons continued to make numerous TV and public appearances.  Beginning in 2014, Simmons largely became a recluse.

From THR:  American film and television actress and TV producer, Shelley Duvall, has died at the age of 75, Thursday, July 11, 2024.  Early on in her career, Duvall was the protege of director, Robert Altman, who discovered her, and she appeared in several of his films, including "Brewster's McCloud" (1970) and "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), and "Nashville" (1975).  Known for playing eccentric roles, she starred in "Popeye" (1980), the adaptation of the famed newspaper comics strip and animated cartoon series.  Duvall's most famous role may be that of the tormented wife, "Wendy Torrance," opposite Jack Nicholson's "Jack Torrance" in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" (1980).  As a producer she earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her work on children's programming.

From Variety:  The magazine's Owen Gleiberman writes a remembrance of actress Shelley Duvall, who died Thurs., July 11th.

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From Deadline:  American actor and voice artist and former child star, Benji Gregory, has died at the age of 46, Thursday, June 13, 2024.  Gregory is best known for the role of "Brian Tanner" on the former NBC sitcom, "Alf" (1986-90). Gregory also performed voice roles on such animated series as "Pound Puppies" and the "Back to the Future" animated series.

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From Deadline:  American film producer, Jon Landau, has died at the age of 63, Friday, July 5, 2024.  Landau was best known for his association with writer-director James Cameron and was the COO of Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.  Landau shared the "Best Picture" Oscar win with Cameron for the 1997 film, "Titanic."  He also received "Best Picture" Oscar nominations for "Avatar" (2009) and "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022).

From Deadline:  In mourning the death of his close friend and collaborator, Jon Landau, James Cameron says "a part of myself has been torn away."

From Deadline:  Hollywood is shocked by the death of Oscar-winning producer Jon Landau ("Titanic), and they salute his vision, achievements, and kindness.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 1st to 6th, 2024 - UPDATE #12

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  The winner of the July 4th box office is "Despicable Me 4" with an estimated take of 20.4 million dollars.

CELEBRITY - From EW:  Famous actor Kevin Bacon disguised himself as a regular person for a day and discovered that, compared to fame, it sucks.

MOVIES - From THR:  "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" director Matt Molloy said he kept turning down offers from super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer until he said yes to the new "Beverly Hills Cop" film.

FILM FESTIVALS - From Deadline:  Director Tim Burton's new film, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," will open the 81st Venice Film Festival on Aug. 28th. The film is the sequel to his 1988 Oscar-winning hit, "Beetlejuice."

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Sony teases that more information will come about Quentin Tarantino's 10th and alleged final film. Earlier this year, it was announced that Tarantino had scrapped his plans to make a movie called "The Movie Critic."

NETFLIX - From THR:  Netflix has won the rights to "RIP," a thriller from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's production company.  Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film also stars Damon and Affleck.

JAMES BOND - From WorldofReel:  Edward Berger ("All Quiet on the Western Front") is the latest name to pop up as a potential director to helm the next James Bond film franchise reboot.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal moves tentpole musical, "Wicked" to November 22nd where it will open against Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II."

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has crossed the 1 billion dollar mark (1.014 billion dollars) at the global box office, which is the fastest ever for an animated film.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the legendary blockbuster film, Jaws (1975). There are two documentaries about the film, dueling for attention, "Jaws: Making a Splash in Hollywood" and "Jaws @ 50."

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film producer, Jon Landau, has died at the age of 63, Friday, July 5, 2024.  Landau was best known for his association with writer-director James Cameron and was the COO of Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment.  Landau shared the "Best Picture" Oscar win with Cameron for the 1997 film, "Titanic."  He also received "Best Picture" Oscar nominations for "Avatar" (2009) and "Avatar: The Way of Water" (2022).

From Deadline:  American screenwriter and director, Robert Towne, has died at the age of 89, Monday, July 1, 2024.  He was best known for his work on the 1975 film, Chinatown," for which he was the "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar.  He was also nominated for Academy Awards for his work on "The Last Detail" (1974), "Shampoo" (1976), and "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan" (1984). He wrote and directed four films, including "Personal Best" (1982) and "Tequila Sunrise" (1988).

From Deadline:  American film editor, producer, and director, Bud S. Smith, has died at the age of 88, Sunday, June 23, 2024.  He edited or co-edited such films as "The Karate Kid" (1984), "To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), "Darkman" (1990), and "The Replacements" (2000).  He shared two Oscar nominations for his editing work on "The Exorcist" (1973) and "Flashdance" (1983).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 23rd to 30th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/28 to 6/30/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 57.4 million dollars.

MOVIES - From THR:  Denis Villeneuve's next film from Warner Bros. will arrive in 2026.  It could be the third film in the "Dune" series, "Dune: Messiah."

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Actor Jared Padalecki says goodbye to his series, "Walker," on The CW.  And he has harsh words for the "cheap" network.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  The Los Angeles Lakers' new coach, JJ Reddick, meets the press.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" television reboot series is taking shape under the guidance of a duo from HBO's hit, "Succession."  Francesca Gardiner will write and Mark Mylod will direct the series.  The series is due in 2026.

From Deadline:  The "Harry Potter" TV series and the "IT" prequel series, "Welcome to Derry," are headed to HBO as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming "rethink."

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety:  Recent Oscar-nominee, Lily Gladstone, is among 487 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Reminiscing about his past with the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, actor Judge Reinhold had signed onto the 1984 original film when the project was an action movie with Sylvester Stallone set to star.  The film later become a comedy starring Eddie Murphy.  The new film, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" is due on Netflix July 3rd.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/21 to 6/23/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 100 million dollars.

From THR:  "Inside Out 2's" 100 million dollars in box office is the all-time record for an animated feature film. That is also the seventh-biggest weekend for any film.

REMEMBRANCE - From Jacobin:  Apparently, the recently deceased actor, Donald Sutherland, was a man on the political left and he never abandoned those principles.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Jonathan Majors has come in from the cold. He will star in the revenge thriller, "Merciless." The film will be directed by Martin Villeneuve, the younger brother of "Dune" director, Denis Villeneuve.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Actor, musician, and comedian, Martin Mull, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, June 27, 2024.  He is best known for roles in such satirical series as "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and "Fernwood 2 Night" and it continuation, "America 2 Night."  He had recurring roles in the former ABC sitcoms, "Rosanne" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."  He was a lead in the sadly, short-lived Fox comedy, "The Cool Kids."  His best known film role may be as "Colonel Mustard" in 1985's "Clue."  He as nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on HBO's "Veep."

From Variety:  American film and television actor, Bill Cobbs, has died at the age of 90, Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  A prolific actor, Cobbs appeared in such films as "The Brother from Another Planet" (1984), "New Jack City" (1991), "The Bodyguard" (1992), "Ghosts of Mississippi" (1996), and "Night at the Museum" (2006), to name a few.  A frequent presence on numerous TV series, he appeared on such series as "I'll Fly Away," "The Drew Carey Show," and "Star Trek: Enterprise."  He was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on the Canadian children's television series, "Dino Dana," winning the award in 2020.

From Deadline:  American television executive, Jamie Kellner, has died at the age of 77, Friday, June 21, 2024.  Kellner helped founded two broadcasts networks, the Fox Broadcasting Company (1986), and The WB (1994).  Later, he would succeed Ted Turner as head of Turner Broadcasting System (2000).  Among the TV series Kellner helped develop were "The Simpsons," "Married... with Children," and "In Living Color" at Fox and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek" at The WB.

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Spencer Milligan, has died at the age of 86, Thursday, April 18, 2024.  He was best known for playing, "Rick Marshall," the father of Will and Holly Marshall, during the first two seasons on the children's live-action, sci-fi TV series, "Land of the Lost" (NBC, 1974-75).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 16th to 22th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Kevin Costner announces that he is not returning for the final season of "Yellowstone."

SPORTS - From TheNewYorkTimes:  It's okay, fellow Lakers fans. We do have 18 titles, too.

AMAZON - From THR:  Josh Gad will star in and produce with Mel Brooks a sequel to Brooks' "Star Wars" satire film, "Space Balls" (1987). Amazon MGM Studios is behind the project.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Will Smith has joined Sony Pictures and Escape Artists on the sci-fi film, "Resistor."  It is based on Daniel Suarez's novel, "Influx."

MOVIES - From Variety:  Lionsgate has landed the North American rights to Francis Ford Coppola's divisive new film, "Megalopolis."  Lionsgate currently plans a Sept. 27th, 2024 release date.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/14 to 6/16/2024 weekend box office is Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out 2" with an estimated take of 155 million dollars.

TELEVISION - From Variety:  As the final episodes of "Yellowstone," film without him, star Kevin Costner says he would return to the series "under the right circumstances.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Jason Patric has joined the cast of the "Terrifier 3," the sequel to the 2022 hit cult film, "Terrifier 2."  Film on the third entry wrapped in NYC last week.

TONY AWARDS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced last night (Sun., Jun 16th). "The Outsiders" wins for "Best Musical."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Eddie Murphy provides some updates on the fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." Much of it has to do with working with Taylour Paige, who plays Axel Foley's daughter. The film is due July 3rd on Netflix.

MOVIES - From TheNewYorkTimes:  There is a chilling reason American audiences might not get to see "The Apprentice," the new movie about Donald Trump (played by Sebastian Stan) and his mentor, the late Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong).

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Canadian film and television actor, Donald Sutherland, has died at the age of 88, Thursday, June 20, 2024.  His seven-decade film career contains too many great films to name, but among them are M*A*S*H (1970), "Klute" (1971), "Don't Look Now" (1973), "Invasion of the Body Snatcher" (1978), "Ordinary People" (1980), and "The Hunger Game" franchise.  He won a Primetime Emmy for his work in the HBO TV movie, "Citizen X" (1995). Some consider Sutherland to be the best actor never to be nominated for an Oscar, but he did receive an "Academy Honor Award" in 2017.  Among Sutherland's five children is actor, Kiefer Sutherland.

From Deadline:  Keifer Sutherland remembers his father, actor Donald Sutherland, who has died at the age of 88.

From Deadline:  Remembering Donald Sutherland, a career in photos

From Deadline:  Hollywood reacts to the death of Emmy-winning actor, Donald Sutherland. Among the comments are President Joe Biden, and Oscar-winners, Ron Howard and Michael Douglas.

From Deadline:  Donald Sutherland's last major role was as "Judge Isaac Parker" (a.k.a. "the Hanging Judge") on the Paramount+ miniseries, "Lawmen: Bass Reeves."  Series executive producer and star, David Oyelowo, talks about working with Sutherland.

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From ESPN:  Professional baseball legend and Major League Baseball centerfielder, Willie Mays, has died at the age of 93, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.  Known as "the Say Hey Kid," Mays is considered by some to be the greatest all-around baseball of all time.  Mays is best known for his time with the New York/San Francisco Giants, with whom he won the 1954 World Series.  He was the National League Rookie of the Year (1951) and was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player.  Mays finished his career with the New York Meets in 1972 and 1973.  Mays also played one season in the Negro Leagues.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 9th to 15th, 2024 - UPDATE #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Russell Crowe explains why he turned down the role of "Aragorn" in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Viggo Mortensen eventually won the role.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Longtime TNT sports broadcaster, Charles Barkley, says that he is going to retire after the 2024-25 NBA season. The news comes as it seems TNT's parent, Warner Bros. Discovery, is going to lose its NBA rights to NBC.

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Idris Elba and Rebecca Ferguson are circling roles in Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow's ("The Hurt Locker) next film for Netflix.

ANIMATION - From Variety:  Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment previewed 20 minutes of its upcoming anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”  Directed by Kenji Kemiyana ("Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex"), the footage received thunderous applause during the packed presentation on Tuesday at the Annecy Animation Festival.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director Henry Selick is once again interested in a film adaptation to Neil Gaiman's 2013 novel, "The Ocean at the End of the Lane."  Selick also hopes to revive his failed Pixar project, "The Shadow King."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Yahya Abdul Mateen II will star in Netflix's TV adaptation of the 2004 Denzel Washington film, "Man on Fire."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 6/7 to 6/9/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' Bad Boys: Ride or Die with an estimated total of 56 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Bad Boys: Ride or Die leads the international box office with a debut of 48.6 million dollars. It's global box office haul is 104.6 million dollars.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee Kristen Stewart will play ground-breaking American astronaut, Sally Ride, in the Amazon MGM Studios miniseries, "The Challenger."

MOVIES - From THR:  The film that will follow the recent hit, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," has a director.  It is Grant Sputore, who directed the 2019 Hilary Swank sci-fi flick, "I Am Mother."

OBITS:

From NBA:  American basketball player, coach, scout, and executive, Jerry West, has died at the age of 86, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  He is best remembered for his association with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, including being a member of the 1971-72 NBA Championship team that went 69 wins and 13 losses.  That won-loss record was an NBA season record that stood until the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls won 72 games and lost 10 on the way to an NBA title.  West also won 8 titles as an executive, including five as a member of the Lakers front office and two as a member of the Golden State Warriors front office.  West is a three-time member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  As a player, he was inducted as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball team which won the gold medal and again as a player in 1980.  Later, this year (2024), he will be inducted as an NBA executive. West's silhouette is the basis for the NBA's logo.

From Deadline:  American journalist and television commentator, Howard Fineman, has died at the age of 75, Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Fineman was best known for his work with the cable news network, MSNBC.

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POLITICS - 

From TheRoot:  "The Root" gives you "The Long Racist History of Donald Trump, from the 1970s to Now."

From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From Truthout:  On Thursday afternoon (May 30th, 2024), in "The People vs. Donald Trump" — the New York-based trial featuring, for the first time in United States history, an ex-president in a criminal proceeding— a jury of the former president’s peers delivered a unanimous verdict: that he was guilty of all crimes he was accused of committing. Trump becomes the first former President in US History to be convicted of a crime.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from June 1st to 8th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

EMMYS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2024 / 51st Daytime Emmy Awards have been announced.  ABC's long-running soap opera, "General Hospital," won four awards, including "Outstanding Daytime Drama."

NETFLIX - From Deadline:  Writer-director Tyler Perry has set the cast for "Straw," his latest film for Netflix, the streamer announced on Wednesday. Taraji P. Henson is set to star alongside Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill. and Ashley Versher.

From Deadline: Netflix has released the first images, title and voiceover cast for Aardman’s new Wallace & Gromit movie, "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl." The release date is this winter 2025 on Netflix, but the movie will debut on the BBC this Christmas.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The CW has cancelled its drama, "All American: Homecoming" after three seasons.  That leaves the original series, "All American," as the sole remaining scripted series began on The CW before Nexstar bought the network.

MOVIES - From Collider:  Elle Fanning is in negotiations to star in "Badlands," the next film from the Predator-Prey franchise.  There apparently also a direct sequel to the 2022 film, "Prey."

STREAMING - From THR:  Oscar-nominee Paul Giamatti has signed onto starring in a TV series based on director Eli Roth's "Hostel" film series.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The hit British TV series, "Ghosts" (2019-23) begat the American hit, "Ghosts" (CBS, 2021-present).  Now, there is to be a German television adaptation.  The six-part series will join a French version that is also being developed.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Neve Campbell says that she has returned to the "Scream" franchise for "Scream 7" because the studio came back to her in a "respectful way."

STREAMING - From Variety:  The site offers the 20 best movies coming to streaming in June 2024.  Among them are Netflix's "Hitman" and "Origin" at Hulu.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/31 to 6/2/2024 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "The Garfield Movie" with an estimated take of 14 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Billy Zane releases the first images of himself as legendary actor, Marlon Brando from the biopic, "Waltzing with Brando."  Directed by Bill Fishman, the film is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Actress Lily Tomlin says that she has mixed feelings about Jennifer Aniston's remake of the 1980s film, "9 to 5," the legendary comedy that starred Tomlin alongside Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton.

DISNEY/TRAILER - From Deadline:  Disney has provided a first look at "Moana 2," as well as a teaser trailer.  The film, which stars Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho, is due Nov. 27th, 2024.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film producer and screenwriter, Stephen J. Rivele, has died at the age of 75, Friday, May 17, 2024.  Rivele shared a "Best Original Screenplay" Oscar nomination with Oliver Stone and Stephen Wilkinson for Stone's 1995 biopic, "Nixon."  Rivele also co-wrote the biopic "Ali" (2001), and he was one of the writers and producers of "Birth of the Dragon" (2016).

From THR:  British-Canadian stage, screen, and television actor, Alan Scarfe, has died at the age of 77, Sunday, April 28, 2024.  He may be best known in the U.S. for playing bad guys in action films and for his appearances in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Star Trek: Voyager".  Scarfe appeared in such films as "Street Justice" (1987), "Iron Eagle II" (1988), "Double Impact" (1991), and "Lethal Weapon 3."

----------------

POLITICS - 

From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From Truthout:  On Thursday afternoon (May 30th, 2024), in "The People vs. Donald Trump" — the New York-based trial featuring, for the first time in United States history, an ex-president in a criminal proceeding— a jury of the former president’s peers delivered a unanimous verdict: that he was guilty of all crimes he was accused of committing. Trump becomes the first former President in US History to be convicted of a crime.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

A "Star Wars" Link-o-Rama 2024 by Negromancer - UPDATE #17

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

NEWS AND RUMORS:

THE ACOLYTE - From Deadline: As the debut of the Lucasfilm Disney+ series, "Star Wars: The Acolyte" arrives, Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy says that "storytelling needs to be representative of all people." That means she ain't here your whining about "woke."

GEORGE LUCAS - From Deadline:  Star Wars creator George Lucas was fêted with an Honorary Palme d’Or at this evening’s closing ceremony of the 2024 / 77th Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony.  Lucas' longtime friend, collaborator, and mentor, Francis Ford Coppola, joined him on stage. This article includes video footage of the rapturous applause Lucas received.

From CBR:  At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, George Lucas explained in an interview why he sold Lucasfilm and Star Wars to the Walt Disney Company.

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Oscar-nominated actress Sigourney Weaver is in talks to join the "Star Wars" film, "The Mandalorian & Grogu." It will be the first Star Wars movie to go into production since "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

EPISODE I - From Space:  "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" has returned to movie theaters in celebration of the 25th anniversary of its original theatrical release.  During the first weekend of its return to theaters, the film took in 8.1 million dollars in 2,700 domestic theaters, including 150 premium screens and 130 specialty motion D-Box/4D auditoriums.  The movie includes an exclusive look at the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series, "The Acolyte."

DAWN OF THE JEDI - From THR:  Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer Beau Willimon ("House of Cards") will write the screenplay for the "Star Wars" film, "Dawn of the Jedi," which is scheduled to be directed by James Mangold. 

OBIT - From Deadline:  Dianne Crittenden, the casting director for the original "Star Wars," has died at the age of 82, Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.  Over her 40 year career, Crittenden was the casting director on three of Terrence Malick's films, including his first, "Badlands."  Her works includes such films as "On Golden Pond," "Witness," and "Spider-Man 2."

THE ACOLYTE - From Deadline:  The new Lucasfilm "Star Wars" series, "Star Wars: The Acolyte," is set to debut on Disney+ June 4th.  The series, which is led by Amandla Stenberg, is set in the final days of the "High Republic" era.

LANDO - From Deadline:  What would it take for Billy Dee Williams to return to "Star Wars?"  "Pay me a lot of money," he says.

OBIT - From Variety:  Voice actor Mark Dodson has died at the age of 64, Saturday, March 2, 2024.  Dodson performed a voice role in three "Star Wars" productions.  Dodson voiced "Salacious Crumb" in "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983).  He performed "voice characterizations" in the ABC television film, "Ewoks: The Battle for Endor" (1985).  He voiced "Niima Scavenger" in "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens" (2015).  Dodson also provided vocal effects for some of the "Mogwai" in "Gremlins" (1984) and "Gremlins 2: The Next Batch" (1990).

THE ACOLYTE - From Collider:  "The Acolyte" is a Disney+ series set 100 years before "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" during the "High Republic" era.  "Collider" is reporting that the series will hit Disney+ Summer 2024.

THE MANDALORIAN - From THR:  Gina Carano used her social media posts to be fired from her role as "Cara Dune" from the Lucasfilm/Disney+ series, "The Mandalorian."  Now, she is suing Disney for discrimination and wrongful termination and Elon Musk and Twitter/X is helping to fund the lawsuit.  One of the remedies of her lawsuit is that Disney be forced to recast her in "The Mandalorian."

OBIT - From StarWars:  There has been a death in the Lucasfilm family.  Emmy Award-nominee, Carl Weathers, died at the age of 76, Thursday, February 1, 2024.  With the launch of The Mandalorian on Disney+, Weathers joined the "Star Wars" family as Greef Karga — an expeditor for the Bounty Hunter Guild who rises to become Magistrate of Nevarro, and ally to the Mandalorian and Grogu.  Weathers would receive an Emmy Award nomination for his performance. In addition, Weathers directed the critically-acclaimed episodes, “Chapter 12: The Siege” and "Chapter 20: The Foundling."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Darth Maul will be the star of a four-issue comic book miniseries from Marvel Comics, entitled "Star Wars: Darth Maul - Black, White & Red." The fun starts April 25th, 2024.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer Charles Soule says he has big plans for Marvel's current "Star Wars" comic book, culminating in a big reveal in "Star Wars #50."

AHSOKA - From Variety:  Lucasfilm has confirmed that series creator, Dave Filoni, is working on a second season of the Disney+ series, "Ahsoka," starring Rosario Dawson.

THE MANDALORIAN - From Deadline:  Lucasfilm announced the news of a new Star Wars film, "The Mandalorian & Grogu," which will be directed and produced by "The Mandalorian" creator, Jon Favreau.  Details as to the film's plot are being kept secret, but production will begin sometime this year. In addition to Favreau, producers of the project include Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni.

NEW JEDI ORDER - From ScreenRant:  Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy teases "Star Wars: New Jedi Order." Production could begin soon with Daisy Ridley confirmed to return as "Rey Skywalker" in a story set 15 years after the events of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker.  Obaid-Chinoy says, “I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special. And we’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.”

-----------------------------------------

STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:   "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story" 

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

----------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 26th to 31st, 2024 - UPDATE #11

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

POLITICS - From YahooNews:  In case you were wondering, even after being convicted of 34 felony counts in New York yesterday (5/30), Donald Trump can still run for President of the United States and he can still vote for himself in Florida.

From NBCNews:  Outside the courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, legendary Oscar-winning actor, Robert De Niro, clashed with Trump supporters.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Mike Flanagan will write, direct, and produce a radical new take on "The Exocist" for Blumhouse.  Flanagan has previously directed such films as "Oculus" (2013) and "Doctor Sleep."

NETFLIX - From THR:  Emmy-winner, Kerry Washington, has joined director Rian Johnson's third "Knives Out" film, "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery."  The film is due in 2025.

SPORTS/BLM - From ESPN:  Major League Baseball (MLB) has incorporated the statistics from the Negro Leagues, the professional baseball leagues that were made up of African-American baseball players.  The first Black players league formed in 1887 and the last such league, Negro American League, disbanded after the 1962 season, although some consider its 1951 season to be the last major league seasons.  The records that were incorporated into the MLB record books apparently cover six different Negro Leagues over a period from 1920 to 1948.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the three-day Memorial Day weekend (5/24 to 5/26/2024) box office is Warner Bros.' "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" with an estimated take of 25.6 million dollars.

CANNES - From Deadline:  Director Sean Baker's New York-set romantic comedy-drama, "Anora," has won the top prize, the Palme d'Or, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.  It is the first American film to do so since director Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life (2011).

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal Pictures has announced a new original event film created and directed by Steven Spielberg set for May 15, 2026. Universal always had the weekend reserved for an event title.

OBITS:

From ESPN:  Television sportscaster and former American professional basketball player, Bill Walton, has died at the age of 71, Monday, May 27, 2024.  Walton won two titles as a member of the UCLA Bruins (1971-72, 1972-73).  He played for three NBA franchises: the Portland Trailblazers, where he won a title in 1976-77; the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers; and the Boston Celtics, where he won a title in 1985-86.  He became a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.  Since 1990, he'd been a television sportscaster, winning an Emmy Award in 2001.

From Deadline:  American songwriter, Richard M. Sherman, has died at the age of 95, Saturday, May 25, 2024.  Richard and his the late brother, Robert B. Sherman (1925-2012), were known as the "Sherman Brothers" and were also known for the work in musical films.  They produced more motion picture song scores than any other team.  Apparently all their music was produced for the Walt Disney Company, and Richard and Robert won two Oscars for the music the produced for Mary Poppins (1964).  Richard and Robert were named "Disney Legends" in 1990.

From Variety:  Film and television writer, producer, director, and personality, Morgan Spurlock, has died at the age of 53, Thursday, May 23, 2024.  Spurlock was best known for the 2003 documentary film, Super Size Me, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.  His career was mostly derailed after he admitted to sexual misconduct in 2017.

From Deadline:  American television entrepreneur and visionary, Patrick Gottsch, has died at the age of 70, Saturday, May 18, 2024.  In the early 1980s, he started his own home satellite installation company and also began working for a livestock auction company in the early 1990s.  Gottsch put his experiences together and launched "Rural Free Delivery Television" (RFD-TV), a 34-hour rural television network, on the DISH Network in December 2000.  Gottsch had first tried to launch RFD-TV in the late 1980s and in the 1990s, but could not get funding.  In 2017, he also launched "The Cowboy Channel," which like RFD-TV, operates under Gottsch's company, Rural Media Group.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 12th to 18th, 2024 - UPDATE #15

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From ScreenRant:  Will Smith confirms that production is ongoing for "I Am Legend 2," and that he has had a "productive" meeting with Michael B. Jordan, his co-star.

MOVIES - From THR:  Universal has made a number of changes to and announcements concerning its 2025 horror movie slate.  That includes the following:  "Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" has received an official release date in theaters. Dec. 5, 2025. "M3GAN 2.0" moves from May 16, 2025 to June 27, 2025.  "The Black Phone 2" moves from June 27, 2025 to Oct. 17, 2025.

MOVIES - From Variety:  "Mortal Kombat 2" is set for an October 24, 2025 release date.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Junior broadcast network, "The CW," is looking to expand its reach into live sports. While that can't compete for the NFL or NBA rights, they are considering partnerships with entities like ESPN.

BUSINESS - From CBSNews:  McDonald's is considering a $5 meal deal.

From CBSNews:  Americans are choking on surging fast food prices.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director George Miller said that there was "no excuse" for the feud between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, the stars of his 2015 hit film, "Mad Max: Fury Road."

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Steve Buscemi is the latest celebrity to be attacked on the streets of New York City.  An unknown man walked up and struck the 66-year-old actor while he was walking in a neighborhood on Manhattan's East side. Buscemi's publicist said the actor is doing ok.

CANNES - From Deadline:  Francis Ford Coppola's much-talked about film, "Megalopolis," has buyers that will distribute the film in key European markets.  Constantin Film has bought the film for distribution in Germany and all German-speaking territories, including Switzerland and Austria.  Eagle Pictures bought it for Ital.  Tripictures has the film for Spain.  Entertainment Film Distributors Limited purchased the film for the U.K.  As announced last week, Le Pacte will distribute the film in France.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/10 to 5/12/2024 Mother's Day weekend box office is 20th Century's "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" with an estimated take of 56.5 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Warner Bros. is set to release a new "Lord of the Rings" movie.  Entitled "The Hunt for Gollum", the film will focus on the tragic character, "Gollum," to be played again, by Andy Serkis.  "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit" trilogy director, Peter Jackson, and his partners, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, will produce the film and will be involved every step of the way.  Andy Serkis will direct the feature which is scheduled for 2026.

From Deadline:  Peter Jackson, Andy Serkins, and Philippa Boyens talk about their return to "Middle-Earth" for more "Lord of the Rings" films.  They also talk about how the Cannes 2001 saved the original films.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Dabney Coleman, has died at the age of 92, Thursday, May 16, 2024.  Best known as a character actor, Coleman's best known work was in such films as "9 to 5" (1980), "On Golden Pond" (1981), "Tootsie" (1982), and "WarGames" (1983), to name a few.  He was also the lead in several short-lived TV series:  "Buffalo Bill" (NBC, 1983-84), "The Slap Maxwell Stoy" (ABC, 1987-88), "Drexell's Class" (Fox, 1991-92), and "Madman of the People" (NBC, 1994-95).  Coleman was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards and won once, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special," for his performance in the ABC made-for-TV movie, "Sworn to Silence" (1987).

From Deadline:  American alto saxophone player, jazz musician, and composer, David Sanborn, has died at the age of 78, Sunday, May 12, 2024.  According to "Discogs," Sanborn had over 800 recorded music credits, including 33 albums releases.  Sanborn also won six Grammy Awards.  He also composed the score for several films, including "Lethal Weapon 2," "Lethal Weapon 3," and "Lethal Weapon 4."

From Variety:  American film producer and director, Roger Corman, has died at the age of 98, Thursday, May 9, 2024.  According to his IMDb stats, Corman directed 55 films and produced 385 between 1954 and 2008.  With his brother, Gene Corman, Roger founded New World Pictures, a small film production and distribution company.  Corman mentored and gave starts to a number of directors who would go on to fame, including Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, John Sayles, and James Cameron, to name a few.  Future acting legend who got a start with Corman, including Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper, to name a few.  In 2009, Corman received an honorary Academy Award.  Among Corman's most famous films are "The Big Doll House" (1971), "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960), and "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964), to name a few.

From Deadline:  Hollywood remembers Roger Corman, including quotes from Gale Anne Hurd, William Shatner, Ron Howard, John Carpenter, and Joe Russo.

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GAZA:

5/7/2024 - From NewYorkTimes:  The actions of police officers and counterprotesters at campus demonstrations came under further scrutiny on Tuesday, with the University of California system saying it would investigate the law enforcement response to a violent attack on pro-Palestinian protesters at its Los Angeles campus, while the White House condemned the taunting of a Black student captured in a video at the University of Mississippi.

5/4/2024 - From TheGuardian:  On the police crackdown on campus Gaza ceasefire protests: "the police are sending a message" says Dartmouth labor historian.

5/3/24 - From NBCNews:  In an interview with Kristin Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press," Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, said she believes there is a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza.