Dune: Part Two is already shaping up to be a beloved sequel based on the extremely positive first reactions, but it might just be a box-office blockbuster as well. The film is set to premiere in just a few days, and box-office projections are looking at a $170 million worldwide opening.

The forecast estimates that Dune: Part Two could see somewhere between $70 million and $80 million domestically, but Warner Bros. reportedly feels a little more conservative with a $65 million opening. Some believe it could open as high as $90 million, but either way, the Dune sequel should have the biggest opening weekend of the year so far. The international projections could see anywhere between $80 million to $90 million from close to 70 markets.

Even if the box-office for Dune: Part Two lands on the lower side of the forecast, it will be well above the take of its predecessor, which opened with $41 million in 2021. Of course, this was during the pandemic, which saw the movie simultaneously released on HBO Max. The first movie ended its run with $434.8 million worldwide. I think we can expect the sequel to do better.

Our own Chris Bumbray gave the film a rave review. “In this day of assembly line blockbusters, it’s a miracle that director Denis Villeneuve has managed to get not one but two incredible, uncompromised epics like this through the studio system,” he wrote. “It works as a tentpole blockbuster, but Dune Part Two is also filmmaking at the highest level. It’s a real cinematic event everyone owes it to themselves to take in and hopefully won’t be forgotten come Oscar time. It’s a masterpiece.” You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review right here.

Dune: Part Two will “explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.” The film will hit theaters on March 1st.

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The fighting we’re about to see on-screen in the Road House remake seems tame compared to what’s happening behind the scenes of this Amazon-MGM production. First, Doug Liman was boycotting the SXSW premiere due to his objection over its streaming debut (which star Jake Gyllenhaal has pushed back on), but now an even bigger battle might be shaping up.

R. Lance Hill, aka David Lee Henry, is the writer of the original Road House, and he’s filed a lawsuit against Amazon for copyright infringement over his original screenplay for the 1989 film. One of his most explosive accusations is that the studio used AI dialogue replacement during the SAG strike to replicate the voices of the film’s actors in ADR sessions. 

As per the legal complaint (excerpted by Deadline), “Hill is further informed and believes and based thereon alleges that Defendants went so far as to take extreme measures to try to meet this November 10, 2023 deadline, at considerable additional cost, including by resorting to the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) during the 2023 strike of the Screen Actor’s Guild (“SAG”) to replicate the voices of the 2024 Remake’s actors for purposes of ADR (Automatic Dialogue Replacement), all in knowing violation of the collective bargaining agreements of both SAG and the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) to which Defendants were signatories.”

For their part, Amazon’s attorneys are vehemently denying his claims, telling Deadline, “The film does not use any AI in place of actors’ voices. We look forward to defending ourselves against these claims.”

It’ll be interesting to see how this case pans out, as AI’s use in Hollywood is proving to be one of the biggest hot-button issues. It was a central sticking point in the SAG-AFTRA negotiations this summer and fall. It will no doubt weigh heavily in the upcoming International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) negotiations, as many people in the industry fear AI taking their jobs. 

In the Road House remake, Gyllenhaal plays an updated version of Dalton, the zen-philosopher bouncer memorably played by Patrick Swayze in the original. This time he’s a UFC fight, and while so far it does seem like a loose remake, the trailer does carry over some of the original film’s most iconic lines, such as “no one ever wins a fight.”

What do you think of this explosive lawsuit? Let us know in the comments. 

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New data from Norway examines how video games influence children, their social behaviors, and their spending habits. It turns out, younger players are being bullied over their lack of cosmetic skins, are using in-game items to become more popular, and are struggling to avoid all the ads and user-made scams connected…

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New data from Norway examines how video games influence children, their social behaviors, and their spending habits. It turns out, younger players are being bullied over their lack of cosmetic skins, are using in-game items to become more popular, and are struggling to avoid all the ads and user-made scams connected…

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The X-Files creator Chris Carter revealed last year that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler was developing a reboot of the iconic series, but how involved will Carter be in this new take on his creation?

Chris Carter spoke with The Wrap at the opening of his art exhibit in Los Angeles over the weekend, where he revealed that he’s not involved with the X-Files reboot beyond giving it his blessing and acting as its cheerleader. “I wouldn’t [be involved],” Carter said. “Only as a cheerleader. They don’t need my blessing. 20th Century Fox and Disney owns the show. They are free to do with it what they believe. I’m honored that they came to me and asked me, not for my permission, but my blessing.“

The X-Files creator said that he spoke with Ryan Coogler about the reboot but couldn’t spill any details. “I’m not supposed to be talking about it, according to Disney. But I’ll tell you, yes. I’ve had a conversation with him,” he said. “Yes, he likes to go with a diverse cast. And he’s got some good ideas.” Depending on your feelings towards Carter, knowing he won’t be creatively involved in the new project might be a good thing.

As for whether he would like to continue with his X-Files series, Carter said only if David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson would want to do it. While I doubt that we will ever see the classic X-Files team reunite, I think we’ve learned never to say never. Even Anderson, who famously said she was done with the character, did seem at least receptive to the idea of a return provided it was under new management. “[The X-Files] just feels like such an old idea. I’ve done it, I did it for so many years, and it also ended on such an unfortunate note (Scully’s pregnancy reveal),” Anderson said in 2022. “In order to even begin to have that conversation (about another season) there would need to be a whole new set of writers and the baton would need to be handed on for it to feel like it was new and progressive.“

The X-Files remains one of my favourite TV shows of all time, and it’s one of the few I can return to again and again. While the idea of a reboot may seem sacrilegious to some, I am curious to see what Ryan Coogler can do with the concept. It’s a very different world than in 1993, so the time could be right for new mysteries, conspiracies, and monsters.

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The horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein (you can read our review HERE), which came to us from director Zelda Williams (making her feature directorial debut) and screenwriter Diablo Cody, just reached theatres on February 9th… and it hasn’t exactly been a smash, drawing just $9 million at the domestic box office so far. Maybe now it will be able to draw in more viewers, as they’re going to have the chance to watch the movie in the comfort of their own homes: Universal Pictures has already given Lisa Frankenstein a digital release, and it’s available to watch through sites like Amazon.

Set in 1989, Lisa Frankenstein has the following synopsis: A coming of RAGE love story from acclaimed writer Diablo Cody about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.

Kathryn Newton (Freaky) and Cole Sprouse (Riverdale) have the lead roles and are joined in the cast by Carla Gugino (Gerald’s Game), Liza Soberano (Alone/Together), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things), and Henry Eikenberry (The Crowded Room). Newton is playing Lisa Frankenstein, Sprouse is the handsome Victorian corpse, and Chrest will be playing Lisa’s father Dale. Soberano’s character is named Taffy and Gugino is playing Janet.

Cody produced Lisa Frankenstein with Mason Novick. A press release notes that they have previously collaborated on films including Tully, Young Adult, Jennifer’s Body, and Juno, which earned Cody an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Jeff Lampert serves as executive producer, while Focus Features’ Vice President of Production and Development, Michelle Momplaisir, was the creative executive on the project. Focus Features will distribute the film in the United States, and Universal Pictures International is the international distributor. Filming took place in New Orleans.

Williams previously directed a horror comedy short called Kappa Kappa Die (which was scripted by Piranha 3D and Saw X writers Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg).

Will you be watching Lisa Frankenstein now that it has been given a digital release? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Lisa Frankenstein has already been given a digital release appeared first on JoBlo.

Wendy’s will start experimenting with surge pricing, much like Uber and Lyft, as the company rolls out digital menus to all its United States restaurants by 2025, according to the company’s February earnings call. Under the test, burgers, Frosties, and other menu items will have “dynamic prices,” costing more during…

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Wendy’s will start experimenting with surge pricing, much like Uber and Lyft, as the company rolls out digital menus to all its United States restaurants by 2025, according to the company’s February earnings call. Under the test, burgers, Frosties, and other menu items will have “dynamic prices,” costing more during…

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Dave Bautista’s transformation from a former wrestling superstar to a feature film powerhouse starring in some of Hollywood’s most significant blockbusters is incredible. While other stars on a similar path have stumbled, Bautista continues to boost his credibility with projects like Blade Runner 2049, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series, to name a few. One of his more notable roles in recent years is for Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Dave Bautista plays Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. a role he’s retired after appearing in multiple films, ending with 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Bautista says that while he’s no longer playing Drax, he’s open to playing more roles in superhero cinema. He’s simply waiting for the opportunity.

Speaking with Gizmodo, Bautista says he’s been in contact with Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige about starring in other projects. While Bautista is one of Marvel’s more recognizable stars, he’s covered from head to toe in makeup while playing Drax. If Marvel plays their cards right and makes him look different enough, Bautista could play another character in the MCU.

“When I said that I was done, I was really just done with my journey as Drax,” Bautista said. “I still have a relationship with Marvel. I’ve seen Kevin Feige again, Lou [D’Esposito] as recently as two weeks ago. And they know that I would be up for a role. I love the universe — the superhero universe, I love it. I’m a fan. So Marvel or DC, if they call, I would answer the phone. And if the role makes sense, I’d be all over it.”

“I just would like the opportunity to do a bigger role, a different role,” he continued. “Maybe a deeper role. I’d love to have the opportunity to play, like, an ominous villain in the superhero universe. … I’m not done with it. But my journey with Drax is over.”

Last year, Dave Bautista told GQ Magazine playing Drax wasn’t all roses and daffodils. The makeup process for the character was an undertaking, with hours spent each day to complete the look. While Bautista is incredibly grateful for his time as Drax, he doesn’t want the character to be his legacy. He wants to expand and be known for more than being the other big green guy in the MCU.

You can catch Dave Bautista in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, which is coming to theaters on March 1. Bautista plays Beast Rabban in the larger-than-life science-fiction spectacle alongside Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Stellan Skarsgård. Reviews for Dune: Part Two continue to pour in, with our Editor-in-Chief, Chris Bumbray, giving the sequel a 10/10 in his official review.

Who should Dave Bautista play in another superhero movie or franchise? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Dave Bautista says his days of playing Drax are over, but he’s game to star in more superhero cinema appeared first on JoBlo.

Don’t you just hate it when a glitch you exploit in your fave video game gets fixed? I do, too, and apparently, so do Palworld players. Developer Pocketpair recently patched up a popular bug-turned-feature in the Pokémon clone that let players do something they weren’t actually supposed to: capture tower bosses. After…

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