Moviefone Editorial

Category: Comic-Con

Comic-Con 2022: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Panel

Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Gary Moyes/HBO.

‘Game of Thrones’ was aways one of the shows big enough to break through to the massive Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con.

So it was not surprising that prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ came roaring to the con to fill the same cavernous space.

‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original series.

(L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

‘Dragon’s team kicked things off with some footage (it doesn’t do to show up at the Con with nothing) and then the panel got into full swing.

Present were Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Emily Carey, co-creator Ryan Condal, Mily Alcock, and Martin. Showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, sadly, was diagnosed with COVID and sent his hello to Hall H through a statement read by D’Arcy.

One of the highlights of the panel was the presence of several Brits among the cast, which meant that, like the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ panels, there were some good jokes flying around.

Asked what he wanted as a set memento, Paddy Considine had a quick answer. “My knife. I wanted to keep it,” he told the crowd. “Trying to nick one was hard. I thought they’d give me it at the end. If anyone from HBO is listening, give me the fucking knife!”

Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

He went on to admit he did take something, but wouldn’t specify, since no one had noticed it missing yet. If anyone sees a dragon in the vicinity of Paddy Considine’s house, please call the ASPD (the American Society for the Protection of Dragons).

Matt Smith, meanwhile, complained about his long, blond wig. “It looks great but it’s a pain in the arse to put on. It takes an hour and a half,” he said. “I’d decree they could dye their hair.”

With fan questions talking up coffee cups (following the infamous incident where one appeared on screen during ‘Thrones’ final season), Smith assured everyone that they were not banned from set.

Martin was also god value, owning up to his inspirations – “‘Game of Thrones’ was based on the War of the Roses, this is based on an earlier period called the Anarchy. I pilfer freely from history,” he quipped – while admitting that he had yet to make a cameo on the new show because he’s been a bit busy working on a certain book. “It’s a little late,” he admits of the latest ‘Thrones’ novel.

Though the new footage screened at the Con hasn’t shown up online, we don’t have too long to wait – ‘House of the Dragon’ launches on HBO on August 21st.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

(L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

July 23, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira Returning

(L to R) Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, and Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

When Andrew Lincoln’s ‘The Walking Dead’ character Rick Grimes was spirited away by mysterious forces in a helicopter early in Season 9 of the show, fans were left wondering when he might show up again.

And then Michonne, played by Dania Gurira, departed the following season on a quest to find the man she loves.

We had been told around that time that their story might continue in TV movies (partly to work around Lincoln’s schedule).

Now, though, both actors made a surprise appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel for the show to announce that their characters will in fact return in a new series.

Lincoln and Gurira, who have been actively involved in conceiving the creative and the continuation of their characters’ story, will be executive producers, while Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of ‘Walking Dead’ Universe, is acting as showrunner.

“What a great surprise for the fans at this final Comic-Con for the series that launched this universe and made television history, says Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “We couldn’t be more excited for a truly epic series finale later this year and to see Andy and Danai return in a new series they helped create, one of three new series coming in 2023 that continue the stories of so many iconic and fan-favorite TWD characters.”

(L t R) Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

“Rick and Michonne are two of my favorite people and Danai and Andy are two of my favorite people,” Gimple says. “Working with all of them continues to be a dream come true. The three of us, along with a terrific team of ‘TWD’ all stars and incredible new voices, are crafting an insane love epic worth the long, long wait.”

“This has been the most extraordinary journey playing Rick Grimes for the best part of a decade. The friendships I’ve made along the way are deep and lasting, so it’s fitting that I finally get to complete the story with Danai and Scott and the rest of the ‘TWD’ family, Lincoln enthuses. “I’m so excited to be returning to the screen as Rick, reuniting with Danai as Michonne, and bringing the fans an epic love story to add to the ‘Walking Dead’ Universe.”

Gurira adds: “Michonne and this ‘TWD’ family has meant so much to me, and to continue the journey of these beloved characters, alongside Scott and Andy, both creatively and in front of the camera, and bringing ‘Walking Dead’ fans something truly special is just glorious. I can’t wait to pick up the katana again.”

Here’s the official synopsis: “This series presents an epic love story of two characters changed by a changed world. Kept apart by distance by an unstoppable power. By the ghosts of who they were. Rick and Michonne are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead… And ultimately, a war against the living. Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they’ve ever known before? Are they enemies? Lovers? Victims? Victors? Without each other, are they even alive – or will they find that they, too, are the Walking Dead?”

While the main ‘Walking Dead’ show wraps up this year, there are a variety of spin-offs in the works, including those featuring fan-favorite Daryl (Norman Reedus), Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and anthology ‘Tales of the Walking Dead’, which starts on August 14th.

This new Rick/Michonne series, which has yet to announce its title, will launch next year with six episodes.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

July 22, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: Marvel Spotlights its Upcoming Animated Slate

Even as its live-action offerings continue to expand (‘She-Hulk’ is next up on the roster), Disney and Marvel are not neglecting the animated side of their televisual universe.

At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, the Marvel team offered a blend of announcements, confirmations and new details on their various animated series.

‘What If…?’ of course, has already had its first season out on the streaming service, will be back for more early next year. The panel included a screening of one episode of Season 2, plus news that Season 3 has just been commissioned. Season 2 includes episodes featuring characters such as ‘Thor: Ragnarok’s Hela.

The Zombies episode of ‘What If…?’ was a popular one among fans, so of course the MCU is spinning that one off. ‘Marvel Zombies’, also inspired by the 2005 comics run, takes place in an alternate reality where a new generation of heroes must battle against a zombie apocalypse.

That show is overseen by executive producer Bryan Andrews (who directs) and written by fellow executive producer Zeb Wells.

San Diego Comic-Con 2022 Marvel Animation panel.

Further away in terms of release is ‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year’, the new Spidey cartoon series.

Originally announced on Disney+ Day last year, ‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year’ is an animated series that follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots. With Jeff Trammel as head writer, the show will be set before the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and naturally sees Peter wearing a version of his earlier, more homemade suit.

Jeff Trammell teased the show with the cast of characters, and Ryan Meinerding showed off the new Spider-Man suit designed for the series. A fun reveal was that moderator Paul F. Tompkins will be playing a character in the series. A second season was also announced, aptly titled ‘Spider-Man: Sophomore Year.’

We learned at the panel that Charlie Cox is aboard to voice Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the series, though there’s no word on whether Tom Holland is playing Peter (he’s said before he’d be happy to do it). Doctor Strange was also featured in the artwork shown at the panel.
‘Freshman Year’ will debut on Disney+ in 2024.

Before that, we’ll see one of the more anticipated offerings, ‘X-Men ’97’. Written and produced by Beau DeMayo, it’ll further the legacy of the 1990s ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ and, to the delight of fans in the audience at the Con, will indeed feature the iconic theme music.

San Diego Comic-Con 2022 Marvel Animation panel.

While the show is still in an unfinished state, DeMayo brought artwork and an animatic, and announced that a Season 2 is also being figured out.

‘X-Men ’97’ heads to Disney+ in Fall 2023.

On the sillier and more adorable side of things, we have ‘I Am Groot’, which spins off the toddler version of the leafy ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ character. Voiced, as usual by Vin Diesel, the five initial shorts while chronicles his glory days growing up — and getting into trouble — among the stars.

Written, produced and directed by Kirsten Lepore the Groot shorts, teased in the first trailer for the show, offer the chance for limited dialogue fun as Groot encounters other creatures – and has problems with them!

Bradley Cooper is back to voice Rocket and Lepore announced that a further five shorts are now in the works.

The first batch will take root on Disney+ on August 10th.

‘I Am Groot,’ exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 MARVEL.

July 22, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ Announces Cast

Though there has been talk for a long time about a third ‘Gremlins’ movie, it has never quite managed to materialize.

But there is movement – more targeted at the younger members of the family – on a new series that will act as a prequel to the first two movies.

‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ is an animated series coming to HBO Max and Cartoon Network next year.

This new show turns the clock back to 1920s Shanghai to explain how 10-year-old Sam Wing (who we meet when he’s much older as shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 movie) first crosses path with a certain young Mogwai.

Sam and Gizmo will embark on a journey through the Chinese countryside, encountering colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore.

As they attempt to return Gizmo to his family, and discover a legendary treasure, they’ll have to face a power-hungry industrialist and his ever-growing army of evil Gremlins.

(L to R) Zach Galligan, Sandra Oh, Randall Park, George Takei, and Bowen Yang have all been cast in HBO Max’s ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.’

Tze Chun is running the show for this new series, and he brought fresh news of the voice cast to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Previously announced were Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong and Izaac Wang, to which we can now add Sandra Oh, Randall Park, George Takei and Bowen Yang. Gizmo, meanwhile, who was previously voiced by Howie Mandel, will here be performed by AJ LoCascio.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for the panel, though, was word that Zach Galligan – who famously played Billy Peltzer, the lad whose life is turned upside down by Gizmo and the Gremlins in the 1984 original and its 1990 sequel, ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch’ – is also lending his voice to the new show, but as a new character.

“I can’t say too much but because it’s 1920s China, I’m not playing Billy because he wasn’t around,” Galligan said following his surprise appearance on the panel. “So I’m playing this cool character. It was really fun and amazing to work with a new group of creative people who are taking a fresh look at the franchise and are expanding the mythology—who knows what they’re going to add. Maybe they’ll add a new transformation or a new rule we don’t know about yet… I think Gremlins fans are going to eat it up.”

Dropping hints that there are plenty of Easter eggs for film fans to find, Galligan seemed enthused about the new show. “I’ve been doing this a long time; it takes a lot really to surprise me. I thought it was very creative and I thought they did some interesting, very smart things, which to me is more important to being surprised,” he later told TooFab. “I think when it comes down to entertainment, the most important thing is execution. It’s how well you’re gonna tell it. The animation, the visual look of it is great, the voices are great and when you put it together with a good story, you’re going to have a really entertaining show to watch.”

The panel also included a screening of the whole first episode, though that naturally wasn’t put online.

HBO Max has yet to announce the date for the new series.

HBO Max’s ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is scheduled for 2023.

July 22, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Panel

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Everything about Prime Video’s Tolkien adaptation ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ has been gigantic so far. The amount of money that parent company Amazon paid to secure the rights to the author’s appendices, from which this new story is drawn.

The budget lavished on the new show. The size of the cast. The scale. The shoot.

It makes sense, then, that the San Diego Comic-Con panel would be suitably huge. And so it was, taking over the Hall H stage with composer Bear McCreary conducting a live orchestra playing the score for the show and a long event hosted by noted Tolkien fan Stephen Colbert.

While the likes of showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne weren’t willing to reveal all their secrets, they and a selection of their cast did show up to talk about the series – and to show several clips.

Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

‘The Rings of Power’ unites all the major stories of Middle-earth’s Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

The “Second Age” refers to a long period in the history of Middle Earth that ends with the defeat of Sauron and precedes Tolkien’s book and Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie trilogy, which take place during the Third Age. The titular Rings of Power were forged in this era and 19 of them were given to elves, dwarves, and humans to incentivize them to support Sauron’s reign. The One Ring, which figures so heavily into the plot of the original trilogy is the most powerful of the 20 (it’s what Frodo and the gang travelled all that way to destroy, after all). The official description mentions an evil even greater than Sauron, which probably points Morgoth, a god-like creature who tried to rule Middle-earth – and that had Sauron serving as his general.

A key part of this first season is The Stranger (Daniel Weyman), who crashes down to Middle-earth from the sky with a comet that brings cold fire. The team wouldn’t be drawn on who he might be, but he’s certainly likely to be important.

For these stories, the focus is more on characters such as Galadriel, the powerful elf played in the movies by Cate Blanchett, but brought to life here by Morfydd Clark.

Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Clark was among the cast members who showed up to talk about make-up struggles, the challenges of shooting and their joy at bringing Tolkien’s world to life.

Among the highlights? Sophia Nomvete, who plays female dwarf Disa, one of the first to be featured prominently in a Tolkien adaptation.

And, as is traditional for Comic-Con, the panel featured plenty of clips that are, sadly, not going to be made public (we’ll just have to wait for the show itself). A new trailer, however, did make its way online and you can see that below.

‘The Lord of the Rings’: The Rings of Power will be on Prime Video starting 2 September.

(L to R) Owain Arthur (Prince Durin IV), Robert Aramayo (Elrond), Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor), and Benjamin Walker (High King Gil-galad) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Owain Arthur (Prince Durin IV) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

(L to R) Nazanin Boniadi (Bronwyn), and Ismael Cruz Córdova (Arondir) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Queen Regent Míriel) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Charlie Vickers (Halbrand) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Robert Aramayo (Elrond)in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

(L to R) Morfydd Clark (Galadriel), and Fabian McCallum in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

(L to R) Trystan Gravelle (Pharazôn), and Ema Horvath (Eärien) in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Morfydd Clark is Galadriel in Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

July 22, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ Return With New Series

A couple of giggling idiots making nonsense comments about pop culture or music could be the poster children for today’s social media. But Beavis and Butt-Head, the titular duo of creator Mike Judge’s famous set of shorts and TV series, began life in 1992.

The pair, who originated in a single short film by Judge called ‘Frog Baseball’, soon became popular, appearing on MTV to critique (in the loosest sense of the word) music videos and scored their own series running between 1993 and 1997, and 1996’s big screen adventure ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe’.

Following a one-season revival in 2011, they returned in a big way this year thanks to Paramount+ movie ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe’ and that’s just the tip (cue incessant sniggering from the boys) of Judge’s plans.

We’ve known for a while that Judge intended to bring the pair back to the small screen for another new series, and he came to the San Diego Comic-Con with a couple of clips from the show, which you can see on this very page.

The new ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ series will premiere on Paramount+ on Thursday, August 4th.

Talking to moderator Paul Scheer for a panel interview, he explained that the latest return was thanks to one of his other jobs. One of the bands who contributed to TV series ‘Silicon Valley’ asked for a ‘Beavis’ segment to run during the musicians’ Coachella show. Creatively inspired again, Judge started coming up with fresh ideas.

He didn’t, however, want to change what works about the rock-loving imbeciles. “There was always a temptation to make them smarter, and I’ve always resisted it,” Judge said at the panel. He explained that this had been a topic of discussion when he heard a pitch that someone made while he was working on ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe’. “I had to say, ‘Beavis and Butt-Head really don’t read very well, so that’s not gonna work.’”

And even though the show will, like the recent movie, explore how the characters look and act in middle age, there is no move to update the animation style. “We talked about all that stuff, and it comes back to, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’” Judge said about the basic character design. “I’d like them to look better, but every time we tried to make them look better, it would make them less funny.”

In addition to discussing his beloved characters, Judge also shared that a new series of ‘King of the Hill’ was looking likely and that there will be more from the character of Daria, who was spun off from the original ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’.

The new ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ series will premiere on Paramount+ on Thursday, August 4th.

The new ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ series will premiere on Paramount+ on Thursday, August 4th.

July 21, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ Teaser and Poster

In 2004 and 2007, we watched Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha go hunting for historical artifacts, following clues and unearthing documents in the two ‘National Treasure’ movies.

That was then, and this is now, and though there continues to be talk of a third ‘National Treasure’ outing in the works, Disney’s focus has instead shifted to a Disney+ series version, set in the same universe but featuring (mostly) new characters.

One big character coming back for more fun is Bartha’s Riley Poole, who, as he jokingly says in the behind-the-scenes featurette, was once the young guy but is now… not so much.

The series focuses on a young heroine, Jess (Lisette Olivera), a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about her family’s mysterious past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.

In addition to Olivera, the series also stars Zuri Reed as Tasha, Jess’ ride-or-die friend who joins the treasure hunt but is forced to reevaluate her belief system to help her best friend.

Antonio Cipriano is Oren, a lovable but self-obsessed goofball with an encyclopedic knowledge of conspiracy theories that attempts to win back Tasha’s affections. Then there’s Jordan Rodrigues as Ethan, Jess’ childhood best friend who has loved her since the day they met.

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ exclusively on Disney+.

Jake Austin Walker plays Liam, a swoon-worthy struggling musician, with a permanent chip on his shoulder, who comes from a long line of treasure hunters, with Lyndon Smith as FBI Agent Ross, a dogged investigator who begins to realize there’s a greater conspiracy at hand.

Up until today, the biggest name on the call sheet was Catherine Zeta-Jones playing Billie, a badass billionaire, black-market antiquities expert and treasure hunter who lives by her own code.

But as of today’s Comic-Con panel, we now know that Harvey Keitel is coming back to reprise his role of Peter Sadusky. An FBI agent who frequently butted heads with Cage’s Ben Gates, he’ll likely be sprinkled throughout the season.

As for Cage himself? Show co-creator Marianne Wibberly (who, along with husband and co-writer Cormac, scripted the movies) said on the show’s con panel, “We wanted him, but he is very busy.” She added that he will “maybe” pop up in future if he has time.

The Wibberlys are just part of the connective creative tissue between the movies and the series, as Jerry Bruckheimer is also involved. Director Jon Turteltaub, however, isn’t behind the camera for this one (though he does have an executive producer credit), with Mira Nair handling that job.

With the series still in production, the producers didn’t have a lot of footage to show but did offer a 15-second teaser focused on Olivera’s Jess, which you can see below.

There are no details yet on when the show will hit Disney+, but next year seems most likely.

July 21, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Panel

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If there was one major take-away from the ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, it was that Hugh Grant should be on as many panels as he wants to be. Whether he’s in the show, movie, comic or game being pimped or not.

If there was another major take-away from the panel, it was that ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ looks like a whole lot of fun.

While ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ as a concept doesn’t have the greatest cinematic history (the 2000 version, which starred Jeremy Irons, Justin Whalin and Marlon Wayans is infamously divisive among movie fans, and scored terrible reviews), ‘Honor Among Thieves’ – or at least the footage shown at Comic-Con – is certainly on a better footing so far.

The con crowd were excited to see the likes of Grant, Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and Sophia Lillis alongside co-writer/directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, plus producer Jeremy Latcham enthuse about their experiences working on the movie.

(L to R) Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Pine and Hugh Grant from Paramount’s ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Daley and Goldstein, who previously made the likes of ‘Game Night’, both had history as D&D players, and the cast also made mention of the board games’ impact of their lives – even if it was limited to knowing it exists.

In a funny, relaxed panel dominated by Grant’s humorous reactions to every question – he ran the gamut from S&M jokes to dropping a ‘Notting Hill’ referencing while quipping that this was his first time at the Con “but we tried to come for ‘Sense & Sensibility’ – the cast and creators offered some insight into making the movie but also showed off their easy chemistry.

‘Honor Among Thieves’ promises the story of a charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers, who undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.

Pine plays a Danny Ocean-in-fantasy world style character, who makes plans but also plays the lute. Rodriguez is a powerful barbarian who provides the muscle, while Page is a heroic paladin. Smith is a sorcerer, Lillis a druid and Grant appears as Forge Fletcher, a rogue and the movie’s main antagonist.

Paramount’s ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

There are magical items to find (naturally) and one in particular that has unleashed a terrible evil. But basic fantasy plot aside, the movie has a very Taika Waititi feel to it, blending comedy with action and subverting our expectations.

As the panel ended, the first full trailer for the movie played (find it above) and showed off just some of what the movie will have to offer. Dragons? Check. Dungeons? Yep. Magical mayhem? Sure. Creatures galore? You betcha.

Effects teams are still hard at work on this one (Daley shouted out ILM and Legacy Effects “who brought you Baby Yoda” as the main providers) and we can expect to see ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ in theaters on March 3 next year.

(L to R) Justice Smith plays Simon, Sophia Lillis plays Doric, Chris Pine plays Edgin and Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures.

(L to R) Chris Pine plays Edgin and Regé-Jean Page plays Xenk in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures.

Paramount Pictures’ ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ opens in theaters on March 3rd 2023.
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July 21, 2022
New ‘Elvis’ Trailer is Ready to Rock

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama ‘Elvis,’a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Elvis Presley might these days be more the butt of jokes about his older, heavier, sparklier days, but when he was young, hungry, and just getting his start, you could already sense the power.

For his new movie, Baz Luhrmann is looking to chronicle a hefty chunk of Presley’s life, but this new trailer for what is simply called ‘Elvis’, focuses more on his earlier years, when the stuffy authorities were horrified at the hip-swiveling musical wonder who sent girls wild with his lip-curling style.

Austin Butler, who has appeared in movies such as ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, here plays Elvis, and the film explores the life and music of Presley seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

And the main trio are just a sampling of the cast – ‘Elvis’ also includes Helen Thomson as Elvis’s mother, Gladys, Richard Roxburgh as Elvis’s father, Luke, Natasha Bassett as Dixie Locke, David Wenham playing Hank Snow, Kelvin Harrison Jr. bringing to life B.B. King, Xavier Samuel as Scotty Moore, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Jimmie Rodgers Snow.
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Elvis is not the only iconic musician to show up here, either, as in his life and career, he crossed paths with a swathe of others. Singer/songwriter Yola plays Sister Rosetta Tharpe, model Alton Mason takes on the role of Little Richard, while Gary Clark Jr. is Arthur Crudup, and artist Shonka Dukureh plays Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. Luhrmann wrote the movie with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner.

Luhrmann, of course, is no stranger to musical movies, having brought the likes of ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Strictly Ballroom’ to life, while the stylish period dramas on his resume include ‘Australia’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’. And ‘Elvis’ certainly offers the opportunity to combine both classic tunes and costumes.

It has been nine years since Lurhmann was behind the camera for a movie – he did make Netflix’s hip-hop drama ‘The Get Down’ in the meantime and has worked on various commercials, but it’s good to see him return to theaters. Butler, meanwhile, has shown promise in his other roles and Hanks is, of course, always a reliable performer, even if we’re wondering about his accent work this time. But from the evidence of this, ‘Elvis’ could be a winner from Luhrmann.

‘Elvis’ will be gyrating on to screens on June 24th.

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis.’ Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.
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May 23, 2022
First Look at Leslie Grace as ‘Batgirl’

(Via Instagram) Leslie Grace as ‘Batgirl’

“Holy new costume, Batgirl!”

Actress Leslie Grace set the Internet ablaze late on Friday when she premiered on her Instagram account a first look photo of herself as Barbara Gordon in her full superhero costume for the upcoming HBO Max movie ‘Batgirl.’

The film is currently shooting in Scotland for a late 2022 release on the streaming service and will also see Oscar winner J.K. Simmons return as Barbara’s dad, Commissioner James Gordon, as well as Michael Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne/Batman, after his upcoming appearance in November’s ‘The Flash.’

The photo reveals a purple and yellow Batgirl suit reminiscent of the costume the character wore in DC Comics’ 2011 reboot “The New 52,” which was also the template for most of the previous DCEU movies.

Grace also posted along with the photo a quote from the seminal 2003 series, “Batgirl: Year One” by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon. “I use their expectations against them. That will be their weakness. Not mine. Let them all underestimate me…and when their guard is down, and their pride is rising, let me kick their butts.”

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A post shared by Leslie Grace (@lesliegrace)

Created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino for inclusion in the 1960’s ‘Batman’ TV show, the character made its debut first in Detective Comics #359 before appearing in the third season of the series in 1967.

‘Batgirl’ will mark the third time the iconic crime fighter has appeared in live-action following Yvonne Craig in the ‘Batman’ TV series, and Alicia Silverstone’s performance in 1997’s ‘Batman and Robin.’

In the comics, Gordon is eventually injured by the Joker, and becomes the paraplegic computer expert, Oracle. While there is no indication that this version of the character will appear in “Batgirl,’ Oracle has appeared in live-action television series including the 2002 show ‘Birds of Prey’ played by Dina Meyer, and more recently in the third season of ‘Titans,’ portrayed by Savannah Welch.

With ‘The Flash’ set to introduce the idea of the DC Multiverse, and bring Michael Keaton’s Batman back into the fold, it’s a little unclear which DC universe the movie will take place in. Simmons returning as James Gordon would indicate that it is a continuation of Zack Snyder’s DCEU, but Keaton’s inclusion, and not Ben Affleck’s, means all bets are off.

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (‘Bad Boys for Life’), written by Christina Hodson (2020’s ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’), and also starring Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly, ‘Batgirl’ is set for release on HBO Max later this year.
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January 15, 2022