During the opening moments of tonight’s Game Awards 2024 event, Harrison Ford appeared on stage to hand out the award for Best Performance alongside Troy Baker—who plays the role Ford made famous in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle—and Bethesda’s Todd Howard.
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park is a classic. Over the years, the subsequent sequels have attempted to tap into what made the first one so special, and Jurassic World Rebirth will be no exception. While speaking on The Discourse podcast, Jurassic World Rebirth screenwriter David Koepp (who co-wrote the original movie) said Spielberg and himself were interested in returning to the tone of Jurassic Park.
“I hope people like the movie because the series tended to change after three, and it felt like, ‘Okay, so let’s change our tone.’ Steven [Spielberg] and I were interested in a tone that was maybe more akin to the very first movie,” Koepp said. “I saw it early on as a mission movie. I like things that are driven by bottles, by containment, you know?“
Koepp continued, “And so, developing a limited team and a thing that they have to accomplish – that was all really fun. And it was just fun to return to that world of great adventure backed by real science and write some cool new characters. You don’t often get a chance to have a blank slate and say, ‘What do you want to do?’… There were no franchise expectations other than dinosaurs.“
Jurassic World Rebirth takes place five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, as the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. “Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived,” reads the official description. “The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.“
Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a skilled covert operations expert who is “contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.” The film also stars Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, and David Iacono. Gareth Edwards directed the film, which is slated to hit theaters on July 2, 2025.
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PLOT: A mysterious traveler blackmails a young TSA agent into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Day flight.
REVIEW: I will always have a soft spot for airplane thrillers. Whether it’s Red Eye, Air Force One, or even Die Hard 2, the airport/airplane is a dynamic setting. The cameras, the security, the massive amounts of people of all backgrounds moving through the space; there’s a lot of potential. Especially when it comes to a thriller. So I was excited to hear that we’d be getting a new airport action/thriller. Unfortunately, Carry On takes a very long time to get going and doesn’t have nearly enough action beats to justify the runtime.
The story of Carry On follows Ethan Kopek, a TSA agent who is down on his own life choices. When a mysterious man forces him to let a dangerous package through security, Ethan must do what he can to stop it. There’s certainly a Speed element to it. This is really one of those “shut your brain off” kinds of films because as soon as you try to throw logic into it, everything falls apart. Stab someone in the middle of the airport? Well, security apparently isn’t manning the cameras and no one saw anything despite there being hundreds of people around. There are so many coincidences that have to happen that it can be pretty silly. But I know I got a kick out of how much they made the TSA seem important.
Taron Egerton makes for a good lead, even if the character of Ethan Kopek is a bit one-dimensional. I’m sure they could have gotten from point A to B without making Ethan such a loser. But he lacks chemistry with his pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), making their interactions a bit stale. Given how much Nora serves as Ethan’s motivation during the crisis, it takes away some of that desire for reconciliation. Jason Bateman is absolutely the star of the show providing an intense villain that feels parallel with Dennis Hopper’s Speed villain at times. He’s in control of the situation and has such confidence about it, putting such venom behind his lines. The Traveler is not a nice man. Theo Rossi makes for such an intimidating lackey that, despite the character being one-dimensional, he’s able to make him pop.
If I can help it, I tend to avoid watching trailers for movies as they often spoil too much about the film. But I always watch them afterwards to see how they represented the movie and Carry On feels like a lie. Unlike the trailer, there’s very little humor to undercut the tension and takes a long time to get going. This is certainly more thriller than an action movie. I don’t think is inherently a problem, but it does feel like Netflix is selling a false bill of goods. But the few action beats that do happen are well done (outside of a very CGI car crash).
Carry On also has a very strange representation of death. We get several characters dying, yet there’s not much impact with any of them. They just kind of happen because the story says so and the characters don’t really have time to focus on it. They’re also done in such unceremonious ways that all of them have a “Wait, did they just die?” reaction versus something more definitive. It makes the side characters feel very unimportant. Oddly, the film starts out like it’s going to be some kind of Christmas movie, complete with blaring Xmas tunes and visuals. But this is really just to set up the busy travel day at the airport. However, I have to give the film credit for the usage of the greatest Christmas song of all time, Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
Ultimately, Carry On feels like more of a whimper than a bang. For everything that works, there are a multitude of things that don’t. Even so, I still have a soft spot for these kinds of films and Jason Bateman’s performance is absolutely electric. If you don’t let the logic of it all ruin it for you, then this is an interesting thrill ride. But I have a very hard time recommending it as it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.
CARRY ON RELEASES EXCLUSIVELY TO NETFLIX ON DECEMBER 13TH, 2024.
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Variety reports that Snoop Dogg is set to star in The Last Man, an original sci-fi movie written and directed by Luc Besson. While the pairing may seem like an odd one, Dogg and Besson have actually worked together before. Dogg voiced one of the main characters in Arthur and the Minimoys, which was released almost 20 years ago.
The plot of The Last Man is being kept under wraps. The only details refer to it as a post-apocalyptic tale believed to be inspired by The Planet of the Apes. It may also be connected to Dogg’s Last Man Standing song, released in 2009. “I’ve been a big fan of Snoop Dogg’s music ever since ‘Who Am I,’” said Besson in a statement. “We first met 20 years ago, and we’ve always wanted to work together again. We just needed the right project that would excite us both — and this is it, with Snoop in the lead role. I can’t wait to get started!“
Dogg added, “Ever since I’ve seen The Professional, I’ve always wanted [Luc] to direct a whole movie for me. Now we finally get the opportunity for him to write and direct me in a Luc Besson movie.” In addition to starring in The Last Man, Dogg will also produce with Sara Ramaker via their Death Row Pictures banner. Luc Besson and Virginie Besson-Silla will produce for EuropaCorp. Production will kick off in 2025.
Besson’s next project will see him tackle gothic horror with Dracula: A Love Story, an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel. “It’s a totally romantic approach,” Besson told Deadline this summer. “There’s a romantic side in Bram Stoker’s book that hasn’t been explored that much. It’s a love story about a man who waits for 400 years for the reincarnation of his wife. That’s the true heart of the story, waiting an eternity for the return of love,” says Besson, leaving it open on whether the woman that Dracula meets is a reincarnation or not.” The film stars Caleb Landry Jones as Dracula, alongside Christoph Waltz, Matilda De Angelis, and Zoë Bleu Sidel.
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When it comes to jobs, there’s not a lot I wouldn’t consider doing… but high-rise window cleaner is certainly not one of them, and that’s without a group of gun-totting extremists in the picture. Quiver Distribution has dropped the official red-band trailer for Cleaner, an action thriller starring Daisy Ridley.
The official synopsis for Cleaner reads: “Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. Their just cause is hijacked by an extremist within their ranks, who is ready to murder everyone in the building to send his anarchic message to the world. It falls to an ex-soldier turned window cleaner, played by Ridley, suspended 50 storeys up on the outside of the building, to save those trapped inside, including her younger brother.” In addition to Ridley, Cleaner also stars Clive Owen and Taz Skylar.
In a statement, director Martin Campbell said, “Cleaner is a nail-biting thriller, unique and original in both its characters and its setting. Much of the time takes place on the side of One Canada Square — hundreds of feet up in the air — and I want the audience to be up there with Joey in a stomach churning, vertiginous experience.“
Ridley must have enjoyed working with Campbell, as she’s already set to reunite with the director for Dedication. The action thriller will find the actress playing Major Billie Jean Parker, “a decorated Marine Corps commander who is relieved of duty after a high-stakes mission in the Philippines results in civilian casualties, despite capturing anarchist leader Omar Romatas. Facing the loss of her career, she visits her dying father, Clyde, a former Marine, who asks her to attend a dedication ceremony for a school building named in his honor. The event takes a deadly turn when Omar Romatas’s vengeful son, Bento, launches an assault, taking hostages. Forced back into combat, Billie Jean sets traps and executes precise strikes to outwit the attackers. Her tactical instincts and ruthless efficiency shift the fight, as she confronts her past and proves her worth in a relentless battle that will define her legacy.” Ridley is also set to return to the Star Wars franchise in several new movies.
What did you think of the trailer for Cleaner? Will you be watching when it hits theaters on February 21, 2025?
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Spyglass Media and Paramount Pictures once intended to make a Scream 7 that would have starred Scream (2022) and Scream VI leads Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, with Freaky and Happy Death Day director Christopher Landon at the helm. But then Ortega allegedly asked for a substantial pay raise – and as we saw when Neve Campbell dropped out of Scream VI due to a pay dispute, these pay issues don’t tend to work out. Then Barrera was fired from the project after comments she made about the Israel-Hamas war didn’t go over well with executives at Spyglass. Landon dropped out the of the project soon after. So Scream 7 has been re-developed, Campbell has signed on to return as franchise heroine Sidney Prescott, back in the lead role – and last month, it was announced that Isabel May of the Yellowstone prequel 1883 has signed on to play Sidney’s daughter. At the time, the news was a bit of a surprise, because the actress rumored to be in the running for that role was Mckenna Grace of the Ghostbusters franchise. Now, Deadline has broken the news that Mckenna Grace has joined the cast of Scream 7 after all! We just don’t know exactly who she’ll be playing.
Since May was cast, we’ve heard that Grace’s Ghostbusters co-star Celeste O’Connor and Gen V‘s Asa Germann have roles in the film as well. Courteney Cox has been in talks to reprise the role of reporter / author Gale Weathers since March, but she recently revealed that she hasn’t signed on yet. Patrick Dempsey has had discussions about reprising his Scream 3 role of Detective Mark Kincaid, but he’s waiting to see the script.
Kevin Williamson, who wrote the screenplay for the original Scream, is set to direct this new sequel. In addition to writing the original Scream, Williamson has also written I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream 2, The Faculty, and Halloween H20 (where his script contributions were uncredited). He wrote the initial drafts of Scream 3 and Scream 4, then those both received some major rewrites. For Scream 7, he’ll be working from a screenplay by 2022’s Scream and Scream VI writer Guy Busick, who crafted the story with his co-writer on the fifth and sixth films, James Vanderbilt. (Vanderbilt is also a producer on the most recent sequels.) Williamson made his directing debut with the 1999 thriller Teaching Mrs. Tingle. Twenty-five years later, Scream 7 will be his second directing credit.
Want to hear some rumors / possible character spoilers? A while back, industry scooper Daniel Richtman claimed that Scream 7 has the following character line-up: Taylor (17-18) – Sidney’s daughter. Brian (17-18) – is Taylor’s boyfriend. Chelsea (17-18) – the heartbreaker of the group. Holly (17-18) – Taylor’s rich friend, the queen bee of the group. Logan (17-18) – Taylor’s hot, but creepy neighbor with a Ted Bundy vibe. Jennifer (40s-50s) – Logan’s mom and Sidney’s friend. So look over the cast list and see which actor you think matches which character.
What do you think of Mckenna Grace joining the cast of Scream 7? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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As you explore the Zone, stumbling upon all manner of mutants and freelance Stalkers in search of mystery and money, you’ll inevitably eavesdrop on stories about stranger-than-usual anomalies—the stuff of legends. As it turns out, the Zone produces legendary artifacts in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl that…
As you explore the Zone, stumbling upon all manner of mutants and freelance Stalkers in search of mystery and money, you’ll inevitably eavesdrop on stories about stranger-than-usual anomalies—the stuff of legends. As it turns out, the Zone produces legendary artifacts in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl that…
Back in September, it was announced that Evan Peters (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Anthony Ramos (Twisters), Ashton Kutcher (That ’70s Show), and Jeremy Pope (Hollywood) are on board to star in The Beauty, the latest show that American Horror Story and Monster co-creator Ryan Murphy has in the works at FX. Now, Variety has broken the news that Rebecca Hall of Godzilla x Kong: New Empire has also joined the cast.
Filming on The Beauty is already underway. FX has given the show an 11 episode order. While the series is based on the Image Comics series of the same name by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, plot and character details are being kept under wraps. So for now, we can only go by the description of the comic book series to get an idea of what the show is going to be like: Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could become more and more beautiful every day? What if it was a sexually transmitted disease? In the world of The Beauty, physical perfection is attainable. The vast majority of the population has taken advantage of it, but Detectives Foster and Vaughn will soon discover it comes at a terrible price.
Ryan Murphy has created the TV series adaptation with Matthew Hodgson. Peters, Murphy, Hodgson, Kutcher, Ramos, and Pope are all executive producers on the show, as are Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, and Eric Gitter. The series is being produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television. Murphy has an overall deal at Disney, which includes 20th Television.
In addition to Godzilla x Kong: New Empire, Rebecca Hall’s acting credits include The Listeners, The Listener, Resurrection, Godzilla vs. Kong, Tales from the Loop, The Night House, Holmes & Watson, Professor Marston & the Wonder Women, The BFG, Christine, The Gift, Transcendence, Iron Man 3, The Awakening, The Town, Frost/Nixon, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Wide Sargasso Sea, among other things.
Does The Beauty sound interesting to you? What do you think of Rebecca Hall joining the cast? Have you read the Image Comics series? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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According to Deadline, Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles movies may serve as a major Gladiator II reunion. The outlet has heard that Joseph Quinn is the top choice for playing George Harrison. The actor has reportedly been seen carrying around a guitar while he shoots The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
As we know, Ridley Scott recently let it slip that Gladiator II star Paul Mescal would appear in the Beatles movies, reportedly as Paul McCartney. Ringo Starr has previously confirmed that Barry Keoghan (Saltburn) would be playing him. As for John Lennon, it’s expected that he’ll be played by Harris Dickinson (Babygirl). None of the deals have closed, so anything could still change. The project is very ambitious. Instead of just one movie, Mendes will direct four movies, each telling the story from the point of view of a different member of the Beatles.
Sam Mendes’ production company, Neal Street Productions, has partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment for the movies. It’s been said that this is the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and the members of the Beatles — Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison — have granted the full life story and music rights for a scripted movie.
Neal Street Production partner Pippa Harris said, “This project springs from an idea of Sam’s which he had over a year ago, and it’s a testament to his creative brilliance and powers of persuasion that Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Lennon and Olivia Harrison responded with such warmth and enthusiasm as soon as he spoke with them. […] To have The Beatles’ and Apple Corps’ blessing to do this is an immense privilege. From our first meeting with Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler, it was clear that they shared both our passion and ambition for this project, and we can’t think of a more perfect home than Sony Pictures.”
Sony hopes to start shooting in the U.K. in mid-2025, with a planned 2027 release for all four biopics. Studio head Tom Rothman knows this is a big gamble, but said, “You have to match the boldness of the idea with a bold release strategy. There hasn’t been an enterprise like this before, and you can’t think about it in traditional releasing terms.“
Quinn can currently be seen playing Emperor Geta in Gladiator II. Our own Chris Bumbray enjoyed the sequel, and while he admits that it isn’t the instant classic the original was, “it’s nonetheless a highly entertaining, faithful sequel, jam-packed with action and spectacle. There hasn’t been a lavish, action-driven historical drama done on this scale in some time, with Scott, despite his advancing age, as energetic and kinetic a director as ever.” You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review right here, and be sure to let us know what you think of the film as well.
What do you think of Joseph Quinn potentially playing George Harrison?
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