Moviefone Editorial

Author: Jesse Schedeen

  • Every Marvel TV Series, Ranked From ‘Daredevil’ to ‘The Incredible Hulk’

    Every Marvel TV Series, Ranked From ‘Daredevil’ to ‘The Incredible Hulk’

  • 15 Things You Never Knew About ‘Batman’ on its 30th Anniversary

    15 Things You Never Knew About ‘Batman’ on its 30th Anniversary

    Warner Bros.

    It’s been 30 years since the world was gripped by Bat-Mania. “Batman” truly dominated the summer movie season in 1989, giving starving superhero fans a taste of a darker, more dramatic Caped Crusader. While we wait for the dark Knight to return to the big screen in 2021’s “The Batman,” learn more about the making of Tim Burton‘s epic superhero revamp.

    1. The origins of “Batman” can be traced back to 1979, when producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan purchased the rights to the franchise from DC Comics in the hope of making a darker movie more in line with the original Bob Kane/Bill Finger comics.

    2. The project went through numerous incarnations over the course of that next decade. At one point “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman pitched a more comedic take starring Bill Murray as Batman and Eddie Murphy as Robin.

    Columbia Pictures

    3. Despite this prolonged period of development, WB didn’t officially greenlight “Batman” until Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” became a box office success in 1988.

    4. Burton has admitted to never having read the Batman comics before being hired as director, though this is due to his dyslexia rather than an actual distaste for the source material (as many detractors have claimed). Burton has also said the 1988 graphic novel “Batman: The Killing Joke” helped him gain a better handle on the Batman/Joker dynamic while preparing for the job.

    Warner Bros.

    5. Jack Nicholson negotiated an extremely favorable deal with WB that granted him top billing in the credits, control over his shooting schedule and percentage points of both the box office gross and merchandise sales.

    6. In fact, Nicholson’s deal is considered to be one of the most lucrative in Hollywood history. He’s estimated to have earned at least $100 million from the franchise over the years, including being compensated for sequels in which he never appeared.

    Warner Bros.

    7. Nicholson may have eventually reprised his role had the series not been rebooted following 1997’s “Batman and Robin.” A planned fifth movie called “Batman Unchained” would have featured the Joker returning in the form of a hallucination caused by Scarecrow’s fear gas. That story pitch also introduced Harley Quinn as the vengeful daughter of Jack Napier.

    8. Robin Williams lobbied for the Joker role and came very close to winning the part when it appeared Nicholson would bow out. Williams’ remained bitter about losing the role for many years, even refusing the opportunity to play The Riddler in 1995’s “Batman Forever.”

    Warner Bros.

    9. Michael Keaton improvised some of Batman’s most memorable lines in the movie, including the now-iconic “I’m Batman.” The script has the character instead saying, “I am the night.”

    10. The newspaper cartoonist’s rendition of “The Bat-Man” is actually drawn by Batman co-creator Bob Kane. Kane was also supposed to have played the cartoonist, but he fell ill during filming.

    Warner Bros.

    11. To date, this is the only theatrical Batman movie to feature exactly one supervillain from the comics. Every other Batman movie has included at least two villains.

    12. Pat Hingle (Commissioner Gordon) and Michael Gough (Alfred Pennyworth) are the only two “Batman” actors to reprise their roles in all three sequels.

    Warner Bros.

    13. Sam Hamm’s original screenplay included a pre-Robin Dick Grayson. Child actor Ricky Addison Reed was cast in the role, but the character was cut when Warren Skarren revised Hamm’s script shortly before filming commenced.

    14. The ending was another source of many last-minute revisions. Originally, the climax revolved around an enraged Batman attacking Joker after the death of Vicki Vale.

    Warner Bros.

    15. “Batman” became the highest-grossing DC Comics movie of all time and wasn’t unseated until 2008’s “The Dark Knight.”

  • 15 Comedy Sequels That Surprisingly Don’t Suck

    15 Comedy Sequels That Surprisingly Don’t Suck

  • 11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Ghostbusters II’ on its 30th Anniversary

    11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Ghostbusters II’ on its 30th Anniversary

    Columbia Pictures

    It’s been 30 years since “Ghostbusters II” got the gang back together. It may not have entirely satisfied fans of the 1984 original, but bustin’ always makes us feel good. Celebrate this big movie milestone by learning more about the making of “Ghostbusters II.”

    1. Several changes were made to the sequel in order to reflect the popularity of the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters.” That included bringing back Slimer as comic relief, avoiding any scenes of the Ghostbusters smoking and changing Janine’s appearance to more closely resemble her animated counterpart.

    Sony Pictures Television

    2. Ben Stein has a small cameo in the film, but he almost had a much bigger role. Stein was considered as a possible replacement for Bill Murray after Murray showed a reluctance to participate in the sequel.

    3. The original screenplay contains several scenes not included in the actual film, including a sequence where Ray is possessed by Vigo while driving the Ecto-1 and attempts to kill the other Ghostbusters.

    Columbia Pictures

    4. The film also has a deleted subplot in which Rick Moranis‘ Louis lays various traps for Slimer, hoping to prove his mettle as a Ghostbuster.

    5. Vigo actor Wilhelm Von Homburg didn’t know his lines would be dubbed over by Max von Sydow, and he stormed out of the premiere after discovering the change.

    Columbia Pictures

    6. Vigo isn’t based on a specific historical figure, but his appearance and back-story were strongly influenced by Vlad Dracula and Grigori Rasputin.

    7. The twin babies cast as Oscar are the nephews of singer John Denver.

    Columbia Pictures

    8. “Ghostbusters II” set a new record for highest opening weekend box office gross when it hit theaters. Unfortunately, that record was broken again the following weekend by “Batman.”

    9. The movie was the source of a minor controversy thanks to a tie-in “Ghostblaster” toy released at Hardee’s fast food restaurants. 2 million units were recalled after the toy was deemed a choking hazard.

    Columbia Pictures

    10. Two of director Ivan Reitman‘s children have cameos in the film. Catherine Reitman plays the girl with the puppy in Egon’s lab, while Jason Reitman plays the child who exclaims, “Ghostbusters are full of crap!”

    11. Ironically, Jason Reitman has now been tapped to direct the long-awaited “Ghostbusters 3“, due for release in 2020.

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  • The 15 Best Directorial Debuts of the Past 10 Years

    The 15 Best Directorial Debuts of the Past 10 Years

    Most directors require years to truly hone their craft and start operating at the top of their game. But some, like “Moon” director Duncan Jones, manage to knock it out of the park on their very first time at bat. To celebrate “Moon’s” 10th anniversary, here are the 15 best directorial debuts from the past decade.

    Neill Blomkamp – ‘District 9’ (2009)

    TriStar Pictures

    Neill Blomkamp established a clear formula with his feature film debut, using high concept sci-fi as a way of telling a story about the racial and social inequality rampant in his come country of South Africa. Frankly, he did it best the first time around.”District 9” stars Sharlto Copley as a government bureaucrat who learns firsthand what it’s like to live as an alien refugee on a hostile world.

    Duncan Jones – ‘Moon’ (2009)

    Sony Pictures Classics

    Duncan Jones probably could have coasted through life just having the coolest dad in the world (his dad is David Bowie), but instead he went and established himself as one of the most exciting new voices in science fiction. “Moon” does a whole lot with its limited cast and budget, showing the quiet, desperate plight of a lunar miner who just wants to get back home, yet finds out the job is much more than he bargained for.

    Drew Goddard – ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)

    Lionsgate

    You could be forgiven for thinking that producer/co-writer Joss Whedon  also directed “The Cabin in the Woods,” as it has that same sense of wit and energy common to so many Whedon projects. But it’s actually Drew Goddard steering this ship. What begins as a delightful homage to b-movie horror flicks like “The Evil Dead” winds up going to some pretty bizarre places by the end.

    Ryan Coogler – ‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013)

    The Weinstein Company

    “Fruitvale Station” didn’t just show the world what a promising new talent it had in Ryan Coogler, it also kicked off a very fruitful partnership between Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan. This haunting drama follows the last 24 hours in the life of Oscar Grant III, leading up to the infamous police shooting that sparked unrest in San Francisco.

    Chad Stahelski – ‘John Wick’ (2014)

    Summit Entertainment

    As much as “John Wick” is hailed as the film responsible for bringing star Keanu Reeves back into the action movie spotlight, it’s also a showcase for director Chad Stahelski. This movie simply wouldn’t have worked without Stahelski’s keen eye and the inspiration he drew from Japanese anime and Hong Kong action movies for the many bone-crunching action scenes. Equal credit also goes to Stahelski’s fellow first-timer, uncredited co-director David Leitch.

    Dan Gilroy – ‘Nightcrawler’ (2014)

    Open Road Films

    It’s hard to believe “Nightcrawler” is the work of a first-time director. It’s just so confident and self-assured in its exploration of the seedy underbelly of the Los Angeles news scene. It doesn’t hurt that writer/director Dan Gilroy had an incredibly intense performance from Jake Gyllenhaal to bank on.

    Alex Garland – ‘Ex Machina’ (2015)

    A24

    Alex Garland had built up a strong reputation as a writer on films like “The Beach,” “Sunshine” and “Dredd,” but “Ex Machina” marked his first time behind the camera. Needless to say, he didn’t disappoint one bit. “Ex Machina” is a gorgeously shot and very moody look at a robot coming to terms with her very existence.

    Robert Eggers – ‘The Witch’ (2015)

    A24

    Never let it be said that director Robert Eggers didn’t put in the effort to make his debut film look and feel authentic. Watching “The Witch” is like being transported back to 17th Century New England and seeing firsthand what it’s like to eke out a living in a haunted wilderness.

    Tim Miller – ‘Deadpool’ (2016)

    20th Century Fox

    2016 would have been a lousy year for X-Men fans if Tim Miller‘s “Deadpool” hadn’t shown up to ease the blow of “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Miller gave us a superhero movie that’s unabashedly adults-only, hilariously self-aware and content to tell a much more personal, small-scale superhero origin story. It was the first of several signs that this franchise may actually work best in the R-rated realm.

    Travis Knight – ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)

    Focus Features

    Laika CEO Travis Knight shouldered a very different burden for the company by taking the reins of its fourth animated feature. The end result is both one of the most visually stunning animated movies in recent memory and the best Laika film since 2009’s “Coraline.”

    Jordan Peele – ‘Get Out’ (2017)

    Universal Pictures

    A horror movie may not have been what “Key & Peele” fans were expecting from Jordan Peele‘s first feature-length project. But Peele certainly left a strong impression with this satirical yet disturbing look at modern race relations. There’s a reason this one became a cultural phenomenon in 2017.

    Greta Gerwig – ‘Lady Bird’ (2017)

    A24

    Greta Gerwig made the jump from starring in thoughtful indie comedies to writing and directing one in 2017’s “Lady Bird.” Easily one of the most critically acclaimed releases of 2017, “Get Out” draws heavily from Gerwig’s own experiences as a restless teen in Sacramento. The result is a very funny and very authentic coming-of-age tale.

    Bo Burnham – ‘Eighth Grade’ (2018)

    A24

    It’s pretty rare to find a coming-of-age teen movie starring actual teenagers, but that’s one reason why Bo Burnham‘s “Eighth Grade” stands out so much. “Eighth Grade” is another example of a director pulling from their own life (in this case, Burnham’s struggles with anxiety and depression) to craft a refreshing and authentic look at the teen experience.

    Ari Aster – ‘Hereditary’ (2018)

    A24

    “Hereditary” is easily one of the most unnerving horror movies to come around in a long time. Like many great horror films, “Hereditary” works because the supernatural trappings are merely there to accentuate deeper themes of tragedy and loss. This film immediately established Ari Aster as one of the most promising new voices in the genre, and we’ll see if that appeal can carry over to his followup project, “Midsommar.”

    Bradley Cooper – ‘A Star Is Born’ (2018)

    Warner Bros.

    Plenty of big-name actors dabble in directing (it’s one of the perks of Hollywood super-stardom), but few have made the leap behind the camera as deftly as Bradley Cooper. “A Star Is Born” is hardly the first time we’ve seen this story told, but Cooper and co-star Lady Gaga make it their own. Is Cooper destined to become the next Clint Eastwood?

  • 9 Things You Never Knew About ‘Moon’ on its 10th Anniversary

    9 Things You Never Knew About ‘Moon’ on its 10th Anniversary

    Sony Pictures Classics

    Ten years ago, newcomer Duncan Jones made a big splash with his directorial debut, “Moon.” Not just a promising start to a memorable career, “Moon”is now regarded as one of the best science fiction films of the 21st Century. Relive the strange odyssey of Sam Bell by learning more about the making of “Moon” and its unexpected connection to another of Jones’ films.

    1. While “Moon” was written specifically with Sam Rockwell in mind, Rockwell was initially unsure about joining the project. Patty Considine was chosen as his potential replacement until Rockwell officially signed on.

    2. “Moon” was shot in 33 days on a modest budget of $5 million.

    Sony Pictures Classics

    3. In order to cut down on expenses, the crew used several sets that had been built for the canceled “Red Dwarf” movie.

    4. Kevin Spacey (ew) didn’t sign on to voice GERTY until he was allowed to watch the entire film first, at which point he eagerly recorded his lines in a single day.

    Sony Pictures Classics

    5. Sam’s plants are nicknamed “Ridley” and “Kathryn,” references to acclaimed directors Ridley Scott and Kathryn Bigelow.

    6. When it came time to film the scene where Sam is hit on the head, Rockwell’s designated stuntman was absent from the set. Producer Stuart Fenegan decided to fill in instead.

    Sony Pictures Classics

    7. The rescue team is codenamed “Eliza,” which is believed to be a reference to an MIT computer program from the 1960’s named ELIZA. This program was designed to mimic bland human conversation when speaking to operators, much as GERTY does when interacting with Sam.

    8. Jones’ 2018 film “Mute” is actually a spinoff set in the same universe as “Moon.” Sam and his surviving clones can be seen in courtroom footage being broadcast on TV.

    Netflix

    9. Jones has said he hopes to eventually release a third film in the “Moon” universe to create a trilogy of interconnected films.

  • 11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ on its 15th Anniversary

    11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ on its 15th Anniversary

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    “Napoleon Dynamite” is now 15 years old, making it nearly as old as its awkward but inspirational title character. The film has maintained a devoted cult following over the past 15 years, even inspiring an animated series and a video game spinoff. So pay tribute to the lovable dorks of rural Idaho by learning more about the making of “Napoleon Dynamite.”

    1. “Napoleon Dynamite” is based on “Peluca,” a student film Jared Hess directed while attending Brigham Young University. It stars Jon Heder as a similarly awkward teen outcast named Seth.

    2. The nickname “Napoleon Dynamite” was previously used by singer Elvis Costello as a pseudonym for his 1986 album “Blood and Chocolate.” Hess claims to have been unaware of that fact until filming was almost complete, when a teenage extra made the connection.

    3. The exact time period of “Napoleon Dynamite” is a frequent source of debate among fans. While Napoleon’s student ID suggests it takes place during the 2004-05 school year, the fashion, technology and music all point to an ’80s or ’90s setting.

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    4. Despite playing 16-year-old high school students, Heder and costar Efren Ramirez were 26 and 31, respectively, at the time of filming.

    5. The part of martial arts instructor Rex was almost played by Jack Black. Black instead starred in Hess’ followup film, “Nacho Libre.”

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    6. Unlike his character Uncle Rico, actor Jon Gries is a vegetarian. The shots of Rico wiping his mouth while eating are Gries’ way of disguising the need to spit out the steak he’s chewing.

    7. The iconic dance scene at the end of the movie was largely improvised by Heder. It was filmed in only three takes due to a dwindling supply of film reel, with Hess stitching the final version together out of the best shots from each take.

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    8. The dance scene was made even more difficult because it was unclear whether Hess would have enough money to secure the rights for Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat.” As a fail-safe, the other two takes were set to another Jamiroquai song, “Little L,” and music from the Michael Jackson album “Off the Wall.”

    9. “Napoleon Dynamite” has grossed over $46 million on a $400,000 budget, making it one of the more successful indie films ever released.

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    10. Heder was only paid $1,000 to star in the film. Fortunately, he was able to renegotiate his contract after release, earning a percentage of the gross.

    11. To celebrate the movie’s 10th anniversary in 2014, a golden statue of Napoleon and his tether ball set was erected on the 20th Century Fox lot.

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  • 11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Speed’ on its 25th Anniversary

    11 Things You Never Knew About ‘Speed’ on its 25th Anniversary

    20th Century Fox

    “Speed” is now 25 years old. And just like stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, this classic action movie doesn’t show its age one bit. That’s the power of a strong, simple premise. Celebrate this movie milestone by learnign more about the making of “Speed.”

    1. “Speed” can thanks its existence (at least in part) to legendary director Akira Kurosawa. Kurosawa wrote the screenplay for 1985’s “Runaway Train,” the plot of which inspired Graham Yost to write “Speed.”

    2. Yost originally titled his screenplay “Minimum Speed,” but decided to cut the adjective.

    Miramax

    3. Quentin Tarantino was among the directors approached. Though he turned it down, Tarantino later included “Speed” in a list of the best films released since the 1992 debut of “Reservoir Dogs.”

    4. The film’s snappy dialogue can be credited to Joss Whedon, who performed an uncredited, last-minute rewrite and focused specifically on making Jack Traven’s lines better fit actor Keanu Reeves. Early (and now highly sought-after) posters feature a writing credit for Whedon.

    20th Century Fox

    5. Stephen Baldwin was originally offered the Jack Traven role, but turned it down after complaining the character (pre-Whedon rewrite) was too similar to “Die Hard” protagonist John McClane.

    6. Both Halle Berry and Ellen DeGeneres were considered to play Annie Porter before Sandra Bullock was cast.

    20th Century Fox

    7. There’s a reason Annie is so adept at driving the runaway bus. Originally the screenplay revealed her backstory as an ambulance driver.

    8. Studio executives were aghast at Reeves’ decision to cut his hair in a close-cropped, blue collar fashion, fearing it would hurt the movie’s marketability.

    20th Century Fox

    9. The film went over-budget, to the point where a test screening had to rely on storyboard animatics for the subway sequence. Fortunately, the audience’s response convinced Fox to hand over more money to finish the film.

    10. The climax of the film was originally supposed to take place in Dodgers Stadium, but the setting shifted to LAX when the production couldn’t secure the rights to film at the stadium.

    20th Century Fox

    11. A total of 14 buses were used for production, with different buses designated for interior shots, undercarriage shots and high-speed scenes. Two buses were designated solely for explosion shots.

  • 11 Things You Never Knew About ‘The Hangover’ on its 10th Anniversary

    11 Things You Never Knew About ‘The Hangover’ on its 10th Anniversary

    Warner Bros.

    Ten years ago, “The Hangover” landed in theaters and proved that R-rated comedies can also be huge summer blockbusters. It spawned a franchise and made huge names out of stars like Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis. To celebrate this big milestone, here are 11 fun facts about the making of “The Hangover.”

    1. The plot of “The Hangover” is inspired by a similar ordeal suffered by a Hollywood producer named Tripp Vinson. Vinson once went MIA from his own Las Vegas bachelor party and awoke in an unfamiliar strip club with a hefty bill.

    2. The screenplay was included on the 2007 Blacklist, a roundup of the most acclaimed scripts not yet made into films.

    Warner Bros.

    3. Ed Helms didn’t need any special makeup work done to create his missing tooth. Helms never developed an adult incisor tooth in that spot, so he simply had his dental implant removed during filming.

    4. Lindsay Lohan was originally offered the part of Jade. Lohan has since admitted she regrets turning down the role.

    Warner Bros.

    5. Jack Black, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jonah Hill were all considered for the role of Alan Garner, though Alan’s portrayal in the script was significantly altered before Zach Galifianakis was eventually chosen.

    6. Galifianakis improvised one of Alan’s most memorable lines, “I didn’t know they gave out rings at the Holocaust.” Galifianakis changed the original joke because he wanted to convey Alan’s utter ignorance about the wider world.

    Warner Bros.

    7. Ken Jeong has said that he had to get permission from his wife before appearing nude in “The Hangover.” Jeong had underwear digitally added to his body for the trailer.

    8. Mike Tyson initially turned down an offer to appear in the film, but he changed his mind after learning that Todd Phillips previously directed 2003’s “Old School.”

    Warner Bros.

    9. Phillips waived his salary in favor of partial ownership of the movie, a decision which paid off handsomely after its release. Phillips compares it to George Lucas‘ handling of the original “Star Wars.”

    10. “The Hangover” became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy ever released, beating a record long held by “Beverly Hills Cop.”

    Hasbro

    11. In 2018, Hasbro released a “The Hangover”-inspired variant of Clue called “Clue: Lost in Las Vegas.” which tasks players with finding a missing friend rather than uncovering a murderer.

  • 13 Things You Never Knew About ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ on its 15th Anniversary

    13 Things You Never Knew About ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ on its 15th Anniversary

    Warner Bros.

    “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” marked a major turning point for the franchise when it hit theaters 15 years ago. Not only did it bring a new visionary director and newfound level of critical acclaim, it also transformed the series from a whimsical, family-friendly story of child wizards to a darker story about a young man confronting his terrible destiny. So celebrate this big milestone by learning more about the making of the third movie in the Harry Potter series.

    1. After Chris Columbus declined to direct a third Harry Potter movie, WB pursued a number of potential replacements before settling on Alfonso Cuarón. That lineup included M. Night Shyamalan, Guillermo del Toro, Marc Forster, Callie Khouri and even series veteran Kenneth Branagh.

    Warner Bros.

    2. “The Prisoner of Azakaban” greatly expanded the scope of Hogwarts and the number of castle landmarks seen on-screen. Creator J.K. Rowling gave Cuarón a certain amount of freedom in that regard, but she did veto the idea of adding a graveyard, as she feared it would spoil upcoming books in the series.

    3. Ian McKellen was offered the role of Albus Dumbledore following Richard Harris‘ death. He turned it down, not wanting to be faced with the pressure of bringing a second iconic wizard character to life.

    4. Peter O’Toole was another major contender for the Dumbledore role, though concerns about his age and the cost of insuring the role caused the studio to look elsewhere.

    Warner Bros.

    5. Michael Gambon eventually won the Dumbledore part, despite the fact that he had never read the books and purposely avoided reading them for the remainder of the series.

    6. The rival seeker who battles Harry for possession of the Golden Snitch during the Quidditch match is actually Cedric Diggory. Cedric is played by Joe Livermore in “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” but the part was recast when Cedric took on a much more prominent role in “The Goblet of Fire.”

    Warner Bros.

    7. The Honeydukes set is a modified version of the same set used for Olivander’s wand shop in “The Sorcerer’s Stone” and Flourish & Blotts in “The Chamber of Secrets.”

    8. Dudley Dursley actor Harry Melling was nearly replaced after losing a significant amount of weight in between the second and third films. Instead, Melling was given a fat suit for “Prisoner of Azkaban.”

    9. “The Prisoner of Azkaban” is unusual in the series in that it features several shots of practical illusionist tricks. Illusionist Paul Kieve was hired to serve as a consultant for the film and coached several of the actors.

    Warner Bros.

    10. “The Prisoner of Azakaban” is the final film in the series with a score composed by John Williams.

    11. It’s also the final film in the series to be released on VHS.

    Warner Bros.

    12. WB maintained strict secrecy surrounding the project, including referring to it by the codename “Radiator Blues” during post-production and providing night vision goggles to movie theater ushers to help combat digital piracy.

    13. Despite being one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the Harry Potter series, “The Prisoner of Azkaban” is also the lowest-grossing of the eight. Huh.