Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a surprisingly faithful adaption of the original Dragon Quest III, opting to prioritize visuals and quality-of-life changes over many drastic overhauls. It’s a remake done right, and its new features and mechanics only serve to enhance the fundamental experience. One of these very…
There can be only one! OK, it seemed for a while that that one – that is, Chad Stahelski’s Highlander remake – would never make it to the screen. And while we still have a ways to go, we do know that filming is set for January. Not only that, but Stahelski has dropped new details that give us an idea of what we can anticipate as far as locations, action and how he’ll “bend” the story.
Speaking with The Direct, Chad Stahelski said that his Highlander will completely shift the timeline we might expect, saying, “We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong, and seeing how it goes. There’s big opportunity for action. There’s a chance to play a character that not a lot of people get to play. And it’s a bit of a love story, but not how you think. On John Wick, I learned a lot on how to bend the storytelling a little… another kind of myth.”
No doubt Stahelski has some challenges coming his way. Yet, while the Highlander franchise does have its legion of fans, it’s not like it couldn’t use an update or creative reimagining. At this point, with the series on the dormant side and the worst and weirdest behind us, we can look forward to the story and characters developing under capable hands.
Joining Chad Stahelski on his Highlander mission will be Henry Cavill, who is on his own rebound along with the series. On pitching the character to his star, Stahelski said, “My selling point was, to [Henry Cavill], look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc there. And you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts…”
The Highlander reboot has a long history of stalls and company hand-offs, but now that Chad Stahelski and Henry Cavill are moving forward at a seemingly steady pace, we can finally have complete confidence in its completion and release.
What are your hopes for the new Highlander movie?
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Poetry Comics Month, Day 22: Music
When Jussie Smollett announced in January 2019 that he was the victim of a hate crime, it didn’t take long at all for his story to unravel, with the Empire actor being charged just the next month for filing a false police report. Despite some matters being dropped, Smollett was later found guilty on multiple felony counts of disorderly conduct. But now Jussie Smollett is getting his name clear…on the record, at least.
An Illinois judge has deemed that Jussie Smollett will have his conviction overturned, although this is by no means a demonstration of any innocence. As special prosecutor Dan Webb stated (via Variety), “Make no mistake — today’s ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett’s innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jury’s unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.”
Jussie Smollett had been sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 days of probation, along with being hit with fines. No doubt it has been a long few years for Smollett, but just because he will have his conviction overturned doesn’t mean he’ll be welcome back in the industry just like that. Not only has the damage been done, but Smollett himself apparently knows that everything he did to trigger and promote the lie was wrong and unethical on so many levels. He, too, betrayed the support and trust of those that came to his defense.
Jussie Smollett was best known for playing Jamal Lyon – the son of Terence Howard’s Lucious and Taraji P. Henson’s Cookie – on Empire, garnering some praise for his performance. Since his December 2021 conviction, Smollett has laid low – and we fully expect that to hold, whether he wants that or not.
What do you think about Jussie Smollett’s conviction being overturned? Give us your take on the matter below.
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Scott Pilgrim vs. the World wasn’t the success it should have been, but the live-action adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series nonetheless developed a passionate cult following. Thirteen years later, the entire cast returned for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, a new animated series that debuted on Netflix last year. While the chances of a second season were already slim, the streaming service has made it official: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has been cancelled.
O’Malley confirmed the news on X/Twitter. “It’s been one year since Scott Pilgrim Takes Off came out. It was an honor to work with all of the cast & staff around the world. It was like conducting a symphony orchestra every day. From the moment [co-writer BenDavid Grabinski] sparked the idea, the project felt like a one of a kind miracle,” O’Malley wrote. “Anyway, we were recently informed that the show will NOT return. As you know, we only intended one season, and called in a lot of favors to make it happen, so making more would have been nearly impossible. Still, I know some of you have been holding out hope.“
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was believed to be an animated adaptation of the graphic novels, but it shattered expectations with a big twist to the story. “Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers; attracting the attention of all her past seven exes,” reads a description. “Scott was attacked by Ramona’s first ex, Matthew Patel, during a performance with his band. Seemingly, Scott was killed. However, after a weird dream Ramona had, she concludes that Scott is actually still alive and decides to further investigate his disappearance.“
Much of the cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World returned to voice their characters in the animated series, including Michael Cera as Scott, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Ramona, Chris Evans as Lucas Lee, Anna Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim, Brie Larson as Natalie Adams, Alison Pill as Kimberly Pie, Aubrey Plaza as Julie Powers, Brandon Routh as Todd Ingram, Jason Schwartzman as Gideon Graves, Mae Whitman as Roxanne Richter, Ellen Wong as Knives Chau, Kiernan Culkin as Wallace Wells, Satya Bhabha as Matthew Patel, and more. You can check out a review of the series from our own Alex Maidy right here.
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THR reports that Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to join the cast of J.J. Abrams’s new mystery feature. As expected, there are no details on who Jackson might play in the movie, only that it will be a “key role.“
The film will star Glen Powell (The Running Man), Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) and Emma MacKay (Sex Education). Plot details are naturally being kept under wraps. It was previously speculated that the film would involve time travel, but sources have said that’s not the case. The project is expected to kick off production in the spring in the UK with Abrams directing from a script he wrote. He will also produce through his Bad Robot banner. This will mark Abrams’s first feature film since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which was released in 2019.
Jackson is currently in production on The Beast, an action movie directed by Renny Harlin. The actor stars as the President of the United States. The title refers to the Presidential limousine, which is an impenetrable tank stocked with grenades, shotguns, armour plating, and bullet-and-bombproofing. In addition to Jackson, The Beast also stars Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad) and Guy Burnett (Oppenheimer). “When a militia of unidentified hostiles coordinates a coup against the U.S. presidency, the President (Jackson) uncovers the extent of The Beast’s highly classified offensive capabilities,” reads the synopsis of The Beast. “Separated from his wife, the President must learn to control The Beast — and the monster inside himself — in order to save his life, the life of Secret Service agent Taft (Kinnaman), and America.“
The actor will next be seen in Afterburn, a sci-fi action film set ten years after a solar flare has wiped out technology across the globe. Jackson plays a freedom fighter named Valentine and stars alongside Dave Bautista, who plays Jake, an ex-soldier who “works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission is to team up with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first.” Jackson has also expressed an interest in returning to the Star Wars franchise as Mace Windu, who he insists is still alive.
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Since Lost ended almost fifteen years ago, I’ve been searching for a series that gives me the same sense of “what the f*** is going on.” That show finally arrived with From, a sci-fi horror series that unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter. MGM+ has some great news for fans as the network announced that From has been renewed for season 4. Production on the new season will kick off in Nova Scotia in 2025 for a premiere in 2026.
“FROM has been a sensation for MGM+, capturing the attention of millions of viewers and helping us to shine a bright light on our MGM+ brand,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Our talented show creators and cast have brilliantly and carefully crafted this wonderful show, and we look forward to providing the answers the FROM audience so enthusiastically craves in season 4!“
From creator John Griffin added, “With the culmination of Season Three we have, in many ways, reached the end of the beginning. In Season Four, a new journey begins. The question is whether it will lead our characters home, or deeper into this unrelenting nightmare. We are so grateful to our partners at MGM+ to be able to continue this tale and beyond excited to share the news with our amazing FROMily.“
“We are thrilled by the support of our fans and our partners at MGM+ and are so excited to share the next chapter of our story with our FROMily,” said showrunner Jeff Pinkner. “By the end of season 3, our characters will begin to understand why they are trapped in FROM Town… but will understanding help them to escape? And if so, how?“
From stars Harold Perrineau (Lost), Catalina Sandino Moreno (The Affair), Eion Bailey (Band of Brothers), Hannah Cheramy (Van Helsing), Simon Webster (Strays), Ricky He (The Good Doctor), Chloe Van Landschoot (Skin), Corteon Moore (Utopia Falls), Pegah Ghafoori (The Perfect Wedding), David Alpay (Castle Rock), Elizabeth Saunders (Clarice), Avery Konrad (Honor Society), Scott McCord (East of Middle West), Nathan D. Simmons (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Kaelen Ohm (Hit & Run), Angela Moore (A Series of Unfortunate Events), A.J. Simmons (Reacher), Deborah Grover (Night Heat), Robert Joy (CSI: NY), and Samantha Brown (Y: The Last Man). If you haven’t checked out the series yet, I’d highly recommend it. Intriguing, mysterious, and downright gruesome; it’s one hell of a show.
The third season finale will premiere on November 24th. You can check out a review from our own Alex Maidy right here.
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Hollywood loves a good musical biopic, and now it’s Bob Dylan’s turn in the spotlight. Based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, A Complete Unknown will hit theaters next month, but the first reactions have emerged, and they’re quite positive, with plenty of praise for star Timothée Chalamet. Some believe he’s even a shoo-in for Oscar glory.
Scott Menzel said: “Timothée Chalamet delivers the performance of the year in A Complete Unknown. A true tour-de-force where Chalamet is never seen. Chalamet’s performance is not just about the voice and look but rather all of the little nuances and mannerisms that he perfectly brings to his life in his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Great supporting performances too from Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.“
Variety’s Clayton Davis said: “Timothée Chalamet slides into Bob Dylan with an effortless yet focused determination in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Fearless in some hypnotic moments. For me, it’s Monica Barbaro and Elle Fanning that anchor the story of an illusive, mysterious man that remains in that sphere. James Mangold helms with confidence, with gorgeous sets and costumes. Much respect to one of the best to do it.“
Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist added, “Not a fan of folk music and A Complete Unknown is superb and shockingly moving. Timothee is fantastic. Monica Barbaro is incredible. We need a Joan Baez spin off movie.“
David Poland said: “A Complete Unknown manages to tell us everything about Bob Dylan while telling us almost nothing about Bob Dylan. Some would say that was the target. The movie is ultimately about the power of the individual and talent and how what we all want can turn on a dime, repeatedly. Chalamet brings enormous power to this portrait of a man who just keeps leaving but then also keeps delivering surprises. Edward Norton’s turn is perfectly true to Seeger. Monica Barbero delivers a Baez of many facets, from fire to ice. And Elle Fanning is destined to be underrated in a complex turn as “the first NY girlfriend.” I really need to see it again to fully negotiate all that is there and all that is not there by design.“
While Chalamet earns plenty of praise, some argue that Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro steal the show. Abe Friedtanzer said, “A Complete Unknown looks and sounds great, a standard biopic that truly comes alive when its iconic characters make passionate music together. Timothée Chalamet is well-cast but Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton steal the show as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.“
Here’s the official synopsis: “Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A Complete Unknown follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.” In addition to Chalamet, A Complete Unknown stars Edward Norton, Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro. The film also co-stars Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, and Scoot McNairy.
A Complete Unknown will hit theaters on December 25th.
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Making a big-budget musical seems to be the great white whale for any aspiring director. Many have tried, many have failed. Those include names like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and most recently Todd Phillips. Undeterred, Jesse Eisenberg, fresh off the success of his breakout hit A Real Pain, has signed on to direct his third movie which – wait for it – is set to be a musical comedy.
Indeed, according to Deadline, Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti are set to co-star in the film which, is about “a shy woman who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director, she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theater production.”
Sounds good, right? Given how A Real Pain is, it may well be, but, the non-musical/musical genre has humbled some truly great directors before, so Eisenberg has to be careful.
Here are a few:
This movie was a notorious bomb for Scorsese, as it was his follow-up to Taxi Driver. It was highly anticipated at the time, with it pairing Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli, but the film, which went hugely over budget, was a bust. Scorsese became depressed after its failure but eventually bounced back with one of his greatest films, Raging Bull.
This movie’s failure led to the collapse of Coppola’s dream studio, Zoetrope, with him spending a staggering $26 million on this musical set in Vegas, with songs by Tom Waits. Why was it such a flop? Partly because Coppola opted to recreate Las Vegas on the Zoetrope soundstages. The movie didn’t even gross a million dollars and sent him into bankruptcy. His next quasi-musical, The Cotton Club, was also a flop. However, both films have since been re-evaluated, with The Cotton Club in particular impressing critics once Coppola released a new cut.
When Todd Phillips announced his Joker sequel was going to be a jukebox musical, it seemed like there was about a 99% chance the movie would be a disaster, but then there was also that small sliver of hope it might be a classic. Suffice it to say, it was a disaster—with it among the biggest flops of all time.
Do you think Eisenberg will pull off what Scorsese, Coppola, and Phillips failed to? To be sure, I’m sure his scale is a lot more modest. I know Eisenberg a bit from interviewing him a few times; he doesn’t take himself super seriously, so the movie probably has a better-than-average chance of succeeding. One thing that’s on his side is that Giamatti is actually a pretty good singer, with him having nailed his songs in the underrated rom-com Duets from the early 2000s.
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If you’ve been enjoying the return of Dragon Age with The Veilguard, there are some cool quality of life changes and bug fixes in the latest patch that went live on November 21, 2024. I’ll break them down below to let you know what you’re getting into.