Made on a budget of $30 million, the action thriller Atomic Blonde earned $100 million at the box office and was meant to launch a franchise, with screenwriter Kurt Johnstad saying he envisioned the story as a trilogy. But, seven years after Focus Features (a division of Universal Pictures) released the film, a sequel has still not made it into production – and during an interview with The Direct, director David Leitch revealed what the hold-up is: Atomic Blonde 2 has gotten caught up in rights issues.

Atomic Blonde was a passion project for star Charlize Theron, who produced the film through her company Denver and Delilah Productions. Denver and Delilah started developing Atomic Blonde 2 in 2018, and in 2020 Theron revealed that the sequel was set up at the Netflix streaming service. That was the last we heard of it… until this new update from Leitch.

Leitch told The Direct, “Everyone’s still trying to unravel rights issues, and it had traveled from Universal to Netflix for a bit, and then now it’s become a little bit of a bottleneck of too many forces working against each other to try and get it made, because it’s such a great piece of IP and would be amazing to go back and revisit that world and that character. So, hopefully we can get it done…“

Based on the graphic novel The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart, Atomic Blonde had the following synopsis: Sensual and savage, Lorraine Broughton is the most elite spy in MI6, an agent who’s willing to use all of her lethal skills to stay alive during an impossible mission. With the Berlin Wall about to fall, she travels into the heart of the city to retrieve a priceless dossier and take down a ruthless espionage ring. Once there, she teams up with an embedded station chief to navigate her way through the deadliest game of spies.

Theron played Lorraine Broughton and was joined in the cast by James McAvoy, John Goodman, Til Schweiger, Eddie Marsan, Sofia Boutella, Roland Møller, Jóhannes Jóhannesson, James Faulkner, Barbara Sukowa, Toby Jones, Sam Hargrave, Bill Skarsgård, and Daniel Bernhardt.

Are you a fan of Atomic Blonde, and are you hoping the rights issues will be resolved so Atomic Blonde 2 can go into production? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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The Walking Dead spin-off The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (you can read our review of the first season HERE) just wrapped up its second season on AMC this past weekend, but the third season has already been filming for a while – and during an interview with Collider, showrunner David Zabel confirmed that he already has some plans in mind for season 4, if the show gets that far.

The first season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon had the following synopsis: Daryl (Norman Reedus) washes ashore in France and struggles to piece together how he got there and why. The series tracks his journey across a broken but resilient France as he hopes to find a way back home. As he makes the journey, though, the connections he forms along the way complicate his ultimate plan.

The six episodes of season 2 pick up where the first season left off, following fan-favorite characters Daryl Dixon (Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). They both confront old demons while she fights to find her friend and he struggles with his decision to stay in France, causing tension at the Nest. Additionally, Genet (Anne Charrier)’s movement builds momentum, setting Pouvoir on a violent collision course with the Union of Hope in the fight for France’s future.

While the first two seasons were set in France, the setting is moving to Spain for season 3 – and it sounds like it would remain in Spain if season 4 happens. Zabel told Collider, “If we get a Season 4, it will be an outgrowth and a continuation of the story we’re telling in Season 3. That’s the pattern I’ve fallen into now. I think in 12-episode segments in my mind, which is two seasons of the show. There are six episodes in a season, so far. The first 12 were all of a piece, and if there’s a next 12, they will similarly be of a piece. If you ask me about Season 5, all bets are off. I have no idea about that.“

Zabel also told The Hollywood Reporter, “The characters should not settle down. It should be a road show. They have to keep moving [to return home]. At the end of season 2, they’re going somewhere. We don’t know exactly where, and it’s not a direct line to the next place they go. But the idea is to keep the characters struggling and striving to get home and moving. [Exploring a new culture is] going to be so exciting for reinventing the show. It felt like all signs pointed toward us continuing to move and get to the next place. In seasons 5 and 6, it could be a different place. They’ll keep moving until they get home!“

Are you glad to hear that the showrunner already has some ideas for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 4? What do you think of the show continuing to move through different countries as it goes on? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon showrunner already has plans for season 4 appeared first on JoBlo.

One of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero biggest draws is the different narrative branches and what-if scenarios. Fans love to see crazy story beats, especially when they result in unique fights or new characters. A great example of this is Gohan Black, a fun twist on the diabolical Goku Black. He’s become popular enough…

Read more…

One of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero biggest draws is the different narrative branches and what-if scenarios. Fans love to see crazy story beats, especially when they result in unique fights or new characters. A great example of this is Gohan Black, a fun twist on the diabolical Goku Black. He’s become popular enough…

Read more…

Details on Stranger Things season 5 have been few and far between over the last couple of years. Well, on Wednesday Netflix at long last gave fans a tease of what to expect from the final set of episodes and when they’ll eventually air.

Read more…

Details on Stranger Things season 5 have been few and far between over the last couple of years. Well, on Wednesday Netflix at long last gave fans a tease of what to expect from the final set of episodes and when they’ll eventually air.

Read more…

The video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s (read our review HERE) quickly became Blumhouse Productions’ highest-grossing movie when it reached theatres and the Peacock streaming service back in October, surpassing the likes of Split, The Invisible Man, The Black Phone, M3GAN, the recent Halloween sequel trilogy, and the Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and The Purge franchises with its haul of $295 million. So, of course, there’s a sequel coming our way, aiming for a December 5, 2025 theatrical release. Returning star Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) recently said that Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is going to be bigger and scarier than its predecessor, and now co-star Matthew Lillard (Scream) has added that the movie is going to be fan-centric and action-packed.

Five Nights at Freddy’s stars Hutcherson and Lillard alongside Mary Stuart Masterson (Benny & Joon), Elizabeth Lail (You), Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy), and Kat Conner Sterling (A Week Away). The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

Stunt performers Kevin Foster (WandaVision), Jade Kindar-Martin (Interview with the Vampire), and Jess Weiss (Mayfair Witches) play the animatronics Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, and Chica. Fans are speculating that characters called Toy Chica and Mangle might be in the sequel, but their involvement has not been confirmed.

The video game takes place in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a darker version of Chuck-E-Cheese, where an animatronic animal band performs kiddy songs by day, and goes on murderous rampages by night. The goal of the game is survive a night locked inside, knowing that a furry death machine might jump out of the dark at any moment.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Lillard said, “To have a franchise like (Five Nights at Freddy’s) is very exciting. ‘I always come back’ is my last line of the movie, so I’m coming back, that’s good. Here’s the great news – I think the fans fell in love with what we did, I think [creator Scott Cawthon] is the shepherd of this incredible project and I think collectively the filmmakers listened to some of the criticism that they got, and they’re growing. I think this film is going to be tonally a little different. I think we’re going to have a lot more. I think it’s going to be an action-packed film. Again, I think it’s fan-centric, and I think they’re going to love it.“

We’ve previously heard that Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is expected to film in Louisiana from October 28, 2024 through January 31, 2025.

The first adaptation was originally set up at Warner Bros., where Gil Kenan (Monster House) was going to direct the film from a screenplay he was writing with Tyler Burton Smith (the Child’s Play remake). Then the project moved over to Blumhouse, where Chris Columbus (Home Alone) was attached to direct it for several years. It finally went into production with Emma Tammi – director of The Wind, Into the Dark: Delivered, and Into the Dark: Blood Moon – at the helm, working from a screenplay she wrote with Seth Cuddeback (Mateo) and video game creator Scott Cawthon. Tragedy Girls writers Tyler MacIntyre and Chris Lee Hill share story credit with Cawthon.

Five Nights at Freddy’s was produced by Blumhouse, in association with Striker Entertainment. Cawthon is a producer alongside Blumhouse founder Jason Blum. Russell Binder is executive producing. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop handled the special effects that bring the homicidal animatronic animals to life on the screen.

Are you looking forward to the fan-centric, action-packed Five Nights at Freddy’s 2? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

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Highlights from the Scholastic graphic novel imprint’s celebration of 20 years of publication and diversity.

It’s trendy these days to take a character from popular children’s stories and given them a horror twist. Lately we’ve been hearing about horror movies based on the likes of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Bambi, Pinocchio, Three Blind Mice, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and now Alpeke Entertainment has revealed that they’ve made a slasher horror comedy called Shiver Me Timbers, which puts a horror twist on Popeye the Sailor.

Directed by Paul Mann and produced by Alpeke Entertainment, Shiver Me Timbers is set to premiere at the American Film Market in Las Vegas, “giving attendees an exclusive preview of a wild ride, the likes of which you’ve not experienced before.” EuroObscura will be handling international sales at the event.

In Shiver Me Timbers, Olive Oyl, her brother Castor and friends, go on a camping trip to see the meteor shower with Halley’s Comet. But the night turns into horror as a meteor transforms Popeye into an unstoppable killing machine. With thrilling 80s slasher references and comedic twists, the film combines elements of horror and comedy in a fresh take on both genres. Shiver Me Timbers pays tribute to classic slasher films while delivering hilarious moments, shocking scares, and nostalgic nods that will delight both horror and Popeye fans alike. Here’s another synopsis: In Northern California during the summer of 1986, Olive Oyl, along with her cinema-obsessed friends and brother Castor, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime camping trip to witness the dazzling meteor shower accompanying the arrival of Halley’s Comet. But what starts as a serene evening of stargazing quickly turns into a harrowing nightmare when a meteor from the comet transforms Popeye, into a terrifying and unstoppable killing machine.

Made in the UK, the film has a running time of 75 minutes. A press release notes that Shiver Me Timbers promises a thrilling viewing experience, enhanced by a recognizable character who brings a dose of humor and heroism to the horror genre. With a blend of adventure and suspenseful fun, the film delivers a rollercoaster of a plot that will leave audiences “shivering in their timbers.”

A trailer for the film can be seen at the top of this article, and a batch of first look images can be found below, along with a poster. Check them out, then share your thoughts on Shiver Me Timbers by leaving a comment below.

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We can all agree that Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors of the 21^st century. His books have influenced countless authors and set the foundation for modern horror media. King is the only writer whose books have given me a feeling of dread when I’m just on the second page. He has written hit after hit, and his life is just as fascinating as any story he has ever written. Over the years many people have asked Stephen King which one of his novels was favorite. He has always said that it was “The Dead Zone”, which shouldn’t really shouldn’t be a surprise. Even though he was a successful author before “The Dead Zone” was published, it was his first massive hit. The book put him on the map and set him down the road to become the legend we know today.

I have to agree, “The Dead Zone” is one of his best novels – it’s easily in my top 5 favorite King books. The book revolves around Johnny Smith, a man who, after an accident, falls into a coma for 5 years. When he awakens, he discovers that part of his brain is damaged beyond repair; he dubs this part of his brain “The Dead Zone”. Because of this damage, his brain compensates by developing psychic powers. He can now see visions by touching objects and people. Eventually, Jonny sees a vision of a corrupt and sadistic senator named Greg Stillson becoming president. To his horror, he sees Stillson causing a global nuclear war killing billions. Because of this, Smith tries to kill Stilson to stop this horrific future from ever occurring. 

In 1983 the novel was turned into a classic film that was directed by David Cronenberg and starring Christopher Walken was released to critical acclaim. Indeed, The Dead Zone was one of the few Stephen King adaptations that worked. For years the majority of King’s adaptations were either horrible or were so distant from the source material that they were just in name only.  

For decades the 1983 film was the only adaptation of the book that was ever made. But in 2002 a new take on the novel was created, this time for television. The series would create a dedicated following that is still praising it even after its cancellation. The show was one of a group of massive hits for the USA Network that were being produced at the time. Not to mention it would set a historic record of the highest ratings for a premiere of a cable series in television history. If you’re curious, the number was 6.4 million viewers. 

It would also push Anthony Michael Hall’s career to a new level, with him, at the time, being best known for being a member of The Brat Pack. It’s one of my top 5 favorite TV shows of all time. But does it still hold up? Well, let’s take a walk into the mysterious Dead Zone to find out and luckily two stars of the show John L Adams and Kristin Dalton will be leading the way in this episode of Gone But Not Forgotten, which you can watch embedded above!

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