Moviefone Editorial

Tag: avatar

  • Movie Review: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

    Jake Sully, Ronal, and Tonowari in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    (L to R): Jake Sully, Ronal, and Tonowari in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Arriving in theaters on December 16th, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ represents James Cameron attempting the same high wire trick he pulled with the 2009 original, with the added pressure of 13 years between releases.

    But as the old maxim in Hollywood goes, it’s best not to bet against Jim Cameron! This is a man who was told that his film about a troubled, true-life ship would sink without trace. That he couldn’t come up with a solid sequel to a movie about a killer cyborg. And, most tellingly, that no one could turn 3D from a gimmick to a worthwhile format, especially not with a movie about some blue creatures whose storyline seemed to be an expensive, live-action remake of ‘FernGully: The Last Rainforest’.

    None of the naysayers had further comment after the success of ‘Titanic’, ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ and ‘Avatar’.

    It’s safe to say that, while the original may not have left the same lasting cultural crater as it did on the box office (it took until ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ to truly dethrone it, and a recent re-release has seen Cameron claim the crown back again), ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ looks set to go over just as well.

    Jake Sully and Neteyam in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    (L to R): Jake Sully and Neteyam in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The story picks up more than a decade after the events of the original film (for those who somehow find themselves in a theater watching the new movie without having seen that, there is a helpful exposition dump from Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) himself.

    Jake, see, was a paraplegic human brought to the moon of Pandora to replace his late brother, a marine who was part a mission to subdue the local populace, known as Na’vi, so humanity could continue strip-mining the place. Your basic colonialist narrative with the added wrinkle of “Avatars”, lab-grown versions of the Na’vi to which a human consciousness can be connected – one of which had been earmarked for Jake’s sibling.

    Instead, Jake encountered  the Na’Vi, met warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) fell in love and fought back against the human forces, led on the military front by Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), a burly, blustering marine who sees it has his job to take down the Na’vi.

    ‘The Way of Water’ fills in some of the gaps between movies––Jake and Neytiri have a family, including three kids of their own (Jamie Flatters as eldest son Neteyam, Britain Dalton as Lo’ak, second-born son and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey/“Tuk”, their eight-year-old daughter) plus adoptive teenage daughter Kiri, played by Sigourney Weaver. And yes, she has a connection to Weaver’s character Dr. Grace Augustine from the first movie that we won’t specify here.

    Sigourney Weaver plays Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage Na’vi daughter In 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    Sigourney Weaver plays Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage Na’vi daughter In ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.

    Though the family and their tribe have lived peacefully in the intervening years, humanity––and Quaritch, who was killed by Neytiri at the end of the first movie––are back to finish the job. Soon, Jake and his brood are running for their lives, ending up with the Metkayina clan (led by Cliff Curtis’ Tonowari and Kate Winslet’s Ronal), who live and thrive around and in Pandora’s voluminous oceans.

    As for the film itself, it shares both the many strengths and some crucial weaknesses of the original.

    On the positive side of things, this shoves the “spectacle” right back into “spectacular”––Cameron and his technological and creative team have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible once again, realizing truly dazzling visuals that will absolutely be held up as groundbreaking and state of the art.

    Cameron has plenty of experience of his own in the water, and he brings all of it to making the oceanic scenes look as real as possible. It’s clear that team ‘Avatar’ didn’t spend all this time sitting on their laurels––mammoth amounts of research and development have gone into making the Na’vi look even more lifelike this time (and figuring out clever ways the Metkayina would differ from Jake and Neytiri’s tribe, such as their more powerful tails, which aid in swimming).

    Neytiri and Jake Sully in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    (L to R): Neytiri and Jake Sully in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The world around them is brimming with fresh creatures, which are just as incredible as the forest-dwellers from the first run-around. And when the humans arrive to cause problems, they do so in machinery that looks chunky, real-world and immaculately designed.

    3D hasn’t really been much of a thing these past few years, but ‘The Way of Water’ uses it in such a way as to draw you right back in. And while the high frame rate still has some issues at moments, this is lightyears ahead of the likes of ‘The Hobbit’.

    Yet we did mention the weaknesses, and this first sequel (Cameron currently plans three more) carries them over too. Primarily it’s in the storyline, and despite the director assembling a writers room to help crank out an overarching story and four distinct outings, the characters and plot remain lacking.

    With a script for this one credited to Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (who were part of the ‘Avatar’ sequel creative quorum and also wrote on the likes of ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’), you might have hoped for more polish. Instead what we’re offered are a second helping of basic tropes, easily foreseeable plot turns and embarrassingly base-level initial squabbling between the kids from the tribes before they learn to put aside their differences.

    'Avatar: The Way of Water'
    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ opens in theaters on December 16th. Photo courtesy of the movie’s Twitter account.

    Lang, though he immerses himself in the role despite being big and blue this time, is still saddled with cheesy dialogue and first-draft motivations.

    And while the likes of Weaver and the rest of the Sully-Neytiri clan are the focus here, spare a thought for poor Saldana who, aside from some heroic third-act moments, is mostly called upon to worry.

    And while the visuals are near-flawless, you could be forgiven, at times when humans are sharing the screen with Na’vi, for thinking that you’re watching the movie that plays before a theme park ride. Then there’s several character and action moments that feel like the director making a greatest hits album––the chatty marines and sturdy tech of ‘Aliens’, the parental worries of ‘Terminator 2’ and the watery finale of ‘Titanic’ all sharing space here.

    Those quibbles aside, if you give yourself over to the action, the lavish (virtual) locales and the rush of emotions that Cameron is looking to generate, and is mostly successful in doing so, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ will give you reason to celebrate returning to Pandora.

    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ receives 4 out of 5 stars.

    'Avatar: The Way of Water'
    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ opens in theaters on December 16th. Photo courtesy of the movie’s Twitter account.
    20076604 g4uicAnv

  • ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’s James Cameron and Kate Winslet

    Eij8i2a3

    Opening in theaters on December 16th is the highly-awaited sequel to 2009’s box office smash ‘Avatar,’ entitled ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’

    Once again written and directed by groundbreaking filmmaker James Cameron, the new film picks up more than a decade after the original and sees Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family escaping from the return of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), and looking for refuge with the reef people clan of Metkayina, a water-dwelling species on Pandora.

    In addition to Worthington and Lang, the film also welcomes back Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, CCH Pounder as Mo’at, and Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, as well as Sigourney Weaver as new character Kiri, who is the daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s avatar.

    Joining the cast are Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore, Jermaine Clement as Dr. Ian Garvin, Cliff Curtis as Tonowari the leader of the Metkayina, and reuniting with Cameron for the first time since ‘Titanic,’ Kate Winslet as Tonowari’s wife, Ronal.

    Also joining the cast for the sequel are Jamie Flatters and Britain Dalton as Jake and Neytiri’s sons, Neteyam and Lo’ak, respectively. Trinity Bliss plays Jake and Neytiri’s daughter Tuk, while Bailey Bass and Filip Geljo play Tonowari and Ronal’s children, Reya and Aonung, respectively. Finally, Jack Champion joins the cast as Spider, the long lost son of Miles Quaritch.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of traveling to London to sit down in-person with Oscar-winning director James Cameron and Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet to talk about the work on ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’

    The filmmaker discussed the sequel, the challenges of making it, how the technology has changed since the original, and his plans for more sequels, while Winslet talked about reuniting with Cameron, joining the sequel, and learning to hold her breathe.

    Kate Winslet stars in director James Cameron's 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    Kate Winslet stars in director James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Cameron, Winslet, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Jack Champion, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jamie Flatters, and Bailey Bass.

    MF: To begin with, Kate, what was it like for you to reunite with James Cameron for the first time since ‘Titanic’ on ‘Avatar: The Way of Water?’

    Kate Winslet: Yeah, very long time ago. Yeah, it’s 26 years ago. It was amazing and absolutely incredible. The script was always going to be phenomenal because it’s ‘Avatar.’ Again, for Jim, it’s a world he created. He writes for women in a way that is extraordinary.

    He always creates strong, not just female characters, but female leaders, women who are powerful mothers who lead with integrity. So, I just appreciated being asked. I was excited to jump in. I absolutely loved every minute of it. It was a wonderful experience.

    MF: Director James Cameron has said that he knew he wanted to do a sequel to ‘Avatar’ pretty quickly after finishing the original. When did he ask you to be involved in the sequel?

    KW: It was I guess quite a long time. He first mentioned something to me almost in passing back in 2014 or 2015. I guess it was around that time. I had seen him for an event in LA and he said, “Oh, we have to get you big and blue sometime.” I said, “Oh yeah, I’d love that.” The seed was sown.

    Then in late 2017 was when he actually called and said, “I really do want to send you this script.” He described Ronal to me as being a female warrior goddess, and leader of a clan. I just thought, my God, if it really is that, this could be extraordinary.

    I read the script and loved it, and was particularly taken by not only the elements of family and motherhood, but also this added physical challenge of learning how to free dive and breath hold, which I was just so excited by and not remotely daunted by. I had no fear around the idea of any of that. I just loved learning something new in my 40s.

    It’s so funny, when you are young, you think you’ve learned all of the new things that you could learn, and as an adult, we close our minds off to the possibility of learning something new. So, to be in a situation that provided this wonderful opportunity for me was just amazing.

    Jake Sully, Ronal, and Tonowari in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    (L to R): Jake Sully, Ronal, and Tonowari in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: I understand that you broke a record on set because you were able to hold your breath for seven minutes and 12 seconds, is that correct?

    KW: Seven minutes and 14 seconds. You have to oxygenate your body, and there’s a whole breathing sequence that you do, and it’s quite a considerable process. It’s not to be tried at home and you cannot do it by yourself. Actually, that’s a very important safety thing.

    You really mustn’t do it alone because what happens is when people surface from having held their breath, there’s a particular breathing sequence that you need to do the minute you hit the surface. If you don’t do that, you could be in danger of blacking out, and that’s when people run into trouble. That was the thing I learned, first of all, which we all did, was the safety. Once you know what you’re doing, it certainly makes things a lot easier.

    I just loved the whole process. It was amazing. Yeah, seven minutes, 14 seconds. I was incredibly proud of myself and really determined that I was going to do it, I was going to do a big breath hold that day. I had my heart set on it. I even said to my husband, “Don’t come to work today to watch because I just don’t want the pressure of you being there.”

    But actually, he was there. He snuck in and he actually videoed the last part of my breath hold. We got it on camera, me surfacing and going, “Am I dead? What happened?” Straight away, I’m like, “How long was that?” It’s pretty cool!

    Director James Cameron for 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    Director James Cameron for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’

    Moviefone: Mr. Cameron, can you talk about the performance capture suits you used for this film, and have they changed at all from the ones you used on the original?

    James Cameron: The suits were the same. We improved the head rigs a bit. I mean, we improved everything. It was all a prototype when we did it on ‘Avatar.’ We didn’t know it was going to work and then we found out it worked pretty well, so then we improved it all. But the process is the same. It’s just there’s no real camera, there’s no set. It’s just a pure interaction between the actors. They love it and I love it.

    I don’t have to get distracted by the lighting and the camera work, and the Dolly track and the steady cam stuff. I can just work directly with the actors. I had returning cast, obviously, Sigourney, Sam and Zoe, but I also had this whole new cast with these kids, these newcomers. It was just a joy to go to work every day. Not a joy necessarily always during the day when you’re solving problems and that sort of thing. But we really enjoyed it.

    MF: The look of the sequel is incredible and is even more spectacular than the original. Looking forward to ‘Avatar 3,’ ‘Avatar 4,’ and even possibly ‘Avatar 5,’ with technology constantly improving, what do you expect those film’s will look like in the future?

    JC: I think over time we’ll shift from the novelty value of being in the world. We can assume that. You walk in, you sit down, you can assume it’ll be immersive because that’s our baseline. It’s really about, how much do I care about these characters, and where’s this story taking me? Where’s this journey taking me?

    I mean, we’re always going to try to bring in wonders, awesome moments, amazing vistas and all that sort of thing, but we’re also shifting our focus to the story of the characters and the emotion, which I think is healthy. Because it shouldn’t just be about pretty pictures. The immersive stuff, we know how to do that so they’ll all be like that.

    MF: Were you already planning for this sequel when you made the original?

    JC: Not really. No. The only thing was that when the studio wanted to take out the scene where Grace (Sigourney Weaver) dies and I said, “You can’t take that out. We need that scene. It’s very important. It’s very important for the sequel.” I hadn’t even written the story yet, but I knew that there was a connection there.

    They wanted to take it out and ultimately it just turned into a big headbutting contest, and I won. So, it’s in (the original), therefore we have this movie, at least the Kiri character, comes out of that part of the story.

    MF: Are there scenes in ‘Avatar: The Way Of Water’ that you kept in because you needed them for the next three installments?

    JC: Oh yeah. Like I said, it’s all written out so we know exactly.

    MF: Finally, have you already shot everything you need for ‘Avatar 3?’

    JC: ‘Avatar 3’s done. I mean, the movie’s not done, but the capture, all the work with the actors is done. So, dramatically it’s all set in stone. We have to go through the process of making it look real and immersive, and all that sort of thing. That’ll take a couple years.

    Then part of ‘Avatar 4’ is not done, but the script is done, and part of ‘Avatar 4’ has been shot. Because we had to finish with these kids because they’re not going to be kids. In fact, they’re not kids now.

    Jack’s 6 ft 8″ or whatever. He was 12 when I cast him. Trinity Bliss, she’s such a sweet girl. She was seven when I cast her, and she’s now 13 and about two feet taller. So, we had to bottle that lightning while we had it through the first part of movie 4. And then there’s a big time jump, and then we see all the characters six years later.

    So, then everybody will be the right age for the continuation of the story. I didn’t want to get caught in that ‘Stranger Things’ thing where they’re still in high school but they look 25. I like ‘Stranger Things,’ don’t get me wrong. It’s fine and I go with it that they’re still teenagers.

    'Avatar: The Way of Water'
    ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ opens in theaters on December 16th. Photo courtesy of the movie’s Twitter account.
    20076604

  • ‘Avatar’s Stephen Lang Talks Thriller ‘Old Man’

    x0y8KJZq

    Opening in theaters, on demand and on digital beginning October 14th is the new thriller ‘Old Man’ from director Lucky McKee (‘All Cheerleaders Die’).

    The movie stars Marc Senter (‘Starry Eyes’) as a hiker who while lost stumbles across a cabin in the woods. Inside, he meets an erratic old man (Stephen Lang) who brings him into his own personal nightmare.

    Actor Stephen Lang has appeared in dozens of popular movies including ‘Manhunter,’ ‘Tombstone,’ ‘Public Enemies,’ ‘Don’t Breathe,’ and most recently ‘The Lost City.’

    But he is probably best known for his role as Colonel Miles Quaritch in director James Cameron’s ‘Avatar,’ a role he will soon be reprising in the upcoming ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ opening in theaters on December 16th.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Stephen Lang about his work on ‘Old Man,’ his first reaction to the screenplay, his unique character, his acting process, working with Marc Senter, reuniting with James Cameron for the upcoming ‘Avatar’ sequel and reprising his role for ‘Avatar: The Way of the Water.’

    Stephen Lang stars in 'Old Man.'
    Stephen Lang stars in ‘Old Man,’ which was directed by Lucky McKee.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Stephen Lang.

    Moviefone: To begin with, how did you got involved with this project and what was your first reaction when you read the screenplay?

    Stephen Lang: I was sent the script and I think Lucky (McKee) wrote me a nice letter and so I thought I’d give it a shot. I sat there and read a couple pages, decided to read a couple more pages, then a few more pages. Then finally I decided to read the whole thing to find out what the hell was going on because I was having a hard time making heads or tails of it. But by the time I was done, I still didn’t know what it was about, but I knew it was interesting and I knew it was challenging.

    MF: What was your approach to playing the character and what were some of the themes that you excited to explore with this film?

    SL: Well, I think one of the things we spoke about early on was one of the things that the script did convey very powerfully, which was atmosphere, just a sense of atmosphere. Forget about story for a minute. The story was there somewhere threaded in there, it seems to me. But I found it to be interesting just in terms of the physical atmosphere that was being delineated in the script.

    I also felt that the verbal quality of it was really fascinating because there’s something almost like Lewis Carroll about the way the words are getting just thrown out there. I began to think of Allen Ginsberg a lot as well because there was this quality of just rage and howl coming out of this character.

    But what we began to talk about it, Lucky and I, right away said Andrew Wyeth, and that there was very much a feel of the paintings of Andrew Wyeth. What you see very often is a very specific country setting, and there’s something incredibly foreboding about it. There’s always something really kind of foreboding is the word, and I felt that was in this script.

    So, all the things I’ve just described to you, Lewis Carroll, Ginsberg, Andrew Wyeth, they’re all kind of talking around the subject as it were, without defining exactly what the subject is. But it was enough to go on, it was enough to make me feel, well, those are all interesting associations, so let’s get together and actually see what this thing is about.

    Patch Darragh and Stephen Lang in 'Old Man.'
    (L to R) Patch Darragh and Stephen Lang in ‘Old Man,’ which was directed by Lucky McKee.

    MF: Do you often draw inspiration for a role from music, art or literature as opposed to just taking your inspiration from the script?

    SL: I think a lot of times you do. You look for something particular and It can be anything. It can be a song, it could be a line from another movie. I mean, it could be a lot of things. It could be a stone in your boot. I mean, there’s all kinds of things that it could be.

    I don’t recall ever responding to a script exactly the way I responded to this one. I wasn’t afraid of it, but I was slightly confused by it and intrigued by it. It gave me a desire to see if I could learn the language that this guy was speaking, to see if I could understand where he was at. But you’re always successful up to a degree.

    MF: Can you talk about the Old Man’s reaction when he meets Joe?

    SL: Well, you don’t go out in the woods like that and isolate yourself with the expectation that anybody’s going to come call. Generally speaking, if people do come call, it will be a government man, the DEA drug agents or something like that. In any case, there’s pretty much nobody that’s going to come there that the old man really wants to see.

    I’d say that the odds are stacked against Joe from the get go, but he earns his way in. That’s a testament, I think, to the way that Marc Senter plays the role, which is extremely absorbent. He brings a tremendous innocence to it and a lot of very raw emotion, which has its effect on the Old Man because he is human. He’s reachable in his way.

    Marc Senter stars in 'Old Man.'
    Marc Senter stars in ‘Old Man,’ which was directed by Lucky McKee.

    MF: Most of your scenes in the movie are with Marc Senter. What was it like working with him and did it ever feel like you were doing a play because it was just the two of you on set?

    SL: I mean, it did. Definitely it would be unavoidable when you read the thing. You see it yourself. I think (screenwriter) Joel (Veach) might have written this as a stage play first and then put in some movie stuff. I can’t remember if that’s the case or not, but definitely, it works well as a play. There’s no question of that. Marc is a very accomplished actor and a really great scene partner. He’ll try anything.

    I would say that between Marc, myself, and Lucky, we really just had a lot of fun trying to move the pieces around and find out how things work best, and where they work best. A lot of it is mechanics in a way because if you get the mechanics right, then you can just lose yourself in the material. You know what I mean? Not make too many decisions, let the decisions organically make themselves, because it’s only film and it’s not even film anymore. You can just keep going, and keep the rehearsal going.

    MF: Finally, what was it like to work with James Cameron again on ‘Avatar: The Way of Water?’

    SL: It’s a gift to me. It’s really one of the gifts of my life. In fact, not just my career, but my life, to be able to work with Jim and with the rest of the team. They’re so talented and such decent and humane and good people to work with. I think we all have a sense of being grateful to be in each other’s company.

    And nobody’s more grateful than I am about the whole thing. We’re really gratified with the reception that the re-release has gotten, which has been nothing short of glowing. So, that’s a nice indicator. So, we stand with open hearts, full of expectation.

    MF: Since your character seemingly dies in ‘Avatar,’ were you surprised to get the call to return for the sequel?

    SL: I’m always surprised that anybody calls me for anything. He was pretty clear about his feelings for the character and the work that we had done together. So, I mean, I was honored to be part of the team, and continue to be.

    Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
    Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
    20076604 7IVyNKKOu7sou3pj4XHpv

  • D23 Expo 2022: Lucasfilm, Marvel, and 20th Century Studios Presentation

    cK2RYZTh

    D23 Expo 2022 achieved peak genre fan love today with the Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios presentation in the jam-packed Anaheim Convention Center.

    You can watch Moviefone’s exclusive backstage interviews with talent by clicking on the video player above.

    Disney chairman Alan Bergman took the stage of the center’s Arena to welcome fans and introduce tons of upcoming offerings from the House of Mouse’s most successful studios.

    Lucasfilm got things started with a first look at what the ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ are up to. Lucasfilm president Kathy Kennedy presented a new look at ‘Andor.’ Debuting in just 11 days on Disney+, it begins five years prior to the events of ‘Rogue One.’

    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.
    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.

    Stars Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma) and Diego Luna (Cassian Andor) described it as the tale of “a revolutionary [learning] there’s a purpose. That there’s something to fight for.”

    The two were joined by co-star Adria Arjona, whose character Bix Caleen has feelings for Andor. “She cares deeply for him,” said the actress, “sometimes to her own detriment. It’s complicated.”

    The film’s final trailer was tenser and grittier than most ‘Star Wars’ we’ve seen before, with nary a cute sidekick in sight. The first three episodes debut on September, 21st.

    Next up was a detour from ‘Star Wars’ with another Disney+ spinoff series – the return of ‘Willow.’ The 1987 film’s stars Warwick Davis and Joanne Whalley appeared – “At last we have some scenes together,” laughed Davis – alongside new co-star Christian Slater and presented a new trailer. It featured the returning Brownies, knights, sword fights, and a far greater number of female warriors than the original movie.

    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.
    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.

    There was lots more ‘Star Wars’ presented to fans when writer-producer-Force guru Dave Filoni appeared in his trademark cowboy hat and announced the first two episodes of the 16-episode second season of the animated ‘Bad Batch’ will drop on January 4th.

    Filoni also offered a peek at a six-episode series of animated shorts called ‘Tales of the Jedi,’ half of which will star fan-fave Jedi Ahsoka Andu, with the other three featuring Count Dooku. All episodes drop on October 26th, and the trailer promises appearances by Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, Yoda, Bail Organa, and Darth Maul.

    Filoni’s co-producer on ‘The Mandalorian,’ Jon Favreau, arrived from the midst of shooting the ‘Ahsoka’ live-action series starring Rosario Dawson. And ‘Spider-Man‘ director Jon Watts and actor Jude Law showed up to rep ‘Skeleton Crew.’ A live-action show about a group of kids who get lost in the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, it’s a new story set, like Ahsoka, in the New Republic era.

    Then it was turn for the cast of the third season of ‘The Mandalorian’ to take the spotlight: including Katee Sackhoff, Amy Sedaris, Giancarlo Esposito, and everyone’s favorite Mando, Pedro Pascal. The season’s first teaser revealed a platoon of sky-diving, jetpack firing Mandos, Mando and Grogu in a chase through space, lots more of Swallow’s mysterious Armorer, Sackhoff’s Bo-Katan Kryze taking command, and a regal-looking Carl Weathers.

    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.
    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.

    Without a doubt, the highlight of the Lucasfilm presentation came next – as stars Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge joined director James Mangold in presenting the first-ever footage from the fifth ‘Indiana Jones’ film.

    Fans thrilled to the sight of a horsebound Ford racing though a subway, chases along the tops of trains, motorcycles chasing planes, the welcome John Rhys-Davies back as Sallah, and a very Toht-like Mads Mikkersen as the baddie.

    A visibly choked up Ford returned the audience’s gratitude. ”No, thank you, said the veteran actor, “for making these films such an incredible experience. I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic. And [Phoebe Waller-Bridge] is one of the reasons. Indiana Jones films are about mystery and adventure but they’re also about heart. I’m really happy that we have a really human story to tell as well as a movie that will kick your ass.”

    “This is it!” he joked of his return to his most iconic role, “I will not fall down for you again! But thank you so much. Thank you James Mangold for picking up the pieces and making a spectacular film.”

    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.
    Courtesy of Lucasfilm.
    PJpnUFWr6IUm179ciHgZl5

    Not to be outdone by Indy, it was then Marvel Studios turn on stage, with chief Kevin Feige introducing a live musical presentation of “Rogers: The Musical,’ with composer Mark Shaman conducting as a full Broadway cast cavorted on stage.

    The most anticipated Marvel release followed – with a new look at November’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ The scene consisted of Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda defending Wakanda’s Vibranium reserve before an international committee, as the Dora Milaje thwart a mercenary attack on a Wakandan research center.

    “Chadwick [Boseman] was with us every step of the way,” saidBassett of her late co-star. “He showed us the way.”

    “I’m excited for my bro to look down on us and smile,” added Wright.

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    YfwFRIH7gcF9NDbGgfedc2

    Coogler is also responsible for ‘Ironheart,’ the upcoming Disney+ series featuring Riri Willaims, Tony Stark’s genius-inventor successor in the MCU. A first look saw star Dominique Thorne confronting antagonist The Hood, played by ‘Hamilton’ star Anthony Ramos, a practitioner of the dark arts. Expect a unique battle of tech versus magic when the show drops next year.

    Also coming next year is ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly were joined by Jonathan Majors, a.k.a. Kang the Conqueror.

    A first look depicted Scott Lang flying high after the success of his autobiography, the return of his frenemy Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), and his daughter Cassie (now played by Kathryn Newton) opening up a whole world of trouble when she sends a signal to the Quantum realm, drawing the attention of the fearsome Kang, the cybernetic MODOK, new co-star Bill Murray, who plays an an old friend Michelle Pfeiffer’s Janet van Dyne.

    “Have I killed you before?” asks Kang upon first meeting Ant-Man.

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    B1SAaPWX3xWKnawiOgxUQ1

    Fans won’t have so long to wait for Marvel’s first Halloween “Special Presentation” – ‘Werewolf by Night.’ Stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly hit the stage alongside director Michael Giacchino, best known as the composer of many beloved Pixar film scores.

    Shot in retro-style black and white, debut footage was reminiscent of classic Universal Monster movies – and revealed a quick shot of Marvel Comics’ Man-Thing in his MCU debut.

    ‘Secret Invasion’ next wowed fans, with star Don Cheadle offering a first look at the upcoming Disney+ series. Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, Olivia Coleman, and ‘Captain Marvel’ Skrull Ben Medohlson appeared in footage that took the espionage side of the MCU to a new level.

    The biggest applause for Marvel TV came when Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, and Sophia Di Martino presented a look at ‘Loki’ season 2. The stars were joined by ‘Everything, Everywhere, All at Once’ actor Ke Huy Quan in the new role of a TVA archivist.

    “Sorry, I’m so confused right now,” said Quan, who debuted in 1984’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.’ “Is this NOT the ‘Indiana Jones’ panel?”

    The footage featured the return of actors Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Wunmi Mosaku, along with the intriguing return of Kang as a sculpture Loki uncovers.

    Marvel had more in store for Disney+ subscribers with ‘Echo,’ spinning off the deaf villain of ‘Hawkeye’ into her own series. Stars Alaqua Cox, Graham Greene, and Vincent D’Onofrio debuted footage that saw the return of D’Onofrio’s Kingpin (with a bandaged eye after the events of ‘Hawkeye’).

    “To bring Fisk and Maya back together again was a thrill,” said the actor. “We had some crazy scenes.”

    Though nothing was revealed of another Kingpin-starring project – ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ – star Charlie Cox presented a look at his blind hero’s appearance in TV’s ‘She-Hulk.’ The scene showed Daredevil flirting with Jennifer Walters during a stakeout, as he described his ability to hear heartbeats.

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.

    More Marvel movies arrived with ‘Captain America: New World Order’ stars Anthony Mackie, Shira Haas (as Israeli superhero Sabra), Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, and Tim Blake Nelson – back in the MCU after 14 years as The Leader.

    “It’s amazing,” said Mackie of bringing his Cap to the big screen. “I’m nervous. It’s exciting. It’s everything I expected it to be.”

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.

    Fans also cheered on the arrival of 2024’s misfit team movie ‘Thunderbolts,’ Marvel’s answer to DC’s ‘The Suicide Squad.’ Stars Wyatt Russell (John Walker/US Agent), Hannah John-Kamen (Ava/Ghost), David Harbour (Red Guardian) and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), and Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier) appeared with art of their characters, and Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova/Black Widow II) offered a video greeting.

    “These are my kinds of people,” said Stan. “They look like a troubled bunch.”

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    eXEQEtjd5Lta9eQzxMGTa1

    Even bigger applause went to ‘The Marvels,’ when Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Parris gave a first look at the MCU’s first-ever all female superhero team.

    “I had such an amazing time with these beautiful women – inside and out. It was so nice to have a team. I have a team!”

    Footage from the July release opened with Monica Rambeau in a space on a mission for Fury, before being suddenly body swapped with Ms. Marvel.

    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    Courtesy of Marvel Studios.
    XVsT1d7zkJcDxiIuB3qk74

    Last but not least… The panel concluded with a treat from 20th Century Studios, with director James Cameron dialing in from New Zealand, where he’s finishing the first of several ‘Avatar’ sequels, ‘The Way of Water,’

    “Right now it’s pretty hectic around here. We’re finishing up a five-year production cycle. This has been a bit of an odyssey. Shooting and capturing for movie 2, movie 3, and the first part of movie 4. We’re finishing up movie 2.”

    Several scenes of 3D were presented of the films’ new Na’vi warriors, with underwater footage drawing gasps from the audience.

    “The whole movie deals with the protection of family and protection of familial love,” said Sam Worthington.

    Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
    Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
    20076604

     

  • James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Unveils New Images and Character Details

    Kate Winslet as Ronal in 'Avatar: The Way of Water.' Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.
    Kate Winslet as Ronal in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.

    It’s not a stretch to say that ‘Avatar’ sequel ‘The Way of Water’ stands as one of the most anticipated follow-ups of recent years. And not just because the original film landed in 2009 and we’ve been waiting more than a decade for the next chapter of sci-fi action set on the moon of Pandora.

    So far, all we’ve really had is a couple of pictures, some concept art and the first teaser. But thanks to an incoming issue of Empire magazine, James Cameron has shared some new imagery and intriguing details.

    First up is more information on the character played by Kate Winslet – who first worked with Cameron on the long, arduous shoot for ‘Titanic’, playing Rose. Here, she’s someone very different: a member of the alien race known as the Na’vi, who are native to Pandora and face conflict with the humans who want to mine the place for its natural resources.

    Winslet will be seen, via the magic of performance capture, as Ronal (pronounced ‘Ro-nail’), who along with Cliff Curtis’ Tonowari, leads the Metkayina clan. They dwell in the shallows of Pandora’s vast oceans, and will play a major part in the upcoming adventure.

    “She is deeply loyal and a fearless leader,” Winslet tells Empire. “She is strong. A warrior. Even in the face of grave danger, and with an unborn baby on board, she still joins her people and fights for what she holds most dear. Her family and their home.”

    Her reunion with Cameron is a long time coming, and she acknowledges how the years in between have altered them both. “Jim and I are both totally different people now to who we were 26 years ago,” she says. “He is calmer, and I am definitely more hyperactive now!”

    Sigourney Weaver plays Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage Na’vi daughter In 'Avatar: The Way of Water.'
    Sigourney Weaver plays Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage Na’vi daughter In ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.

    Sigourney Weaver, meanwhile, is even more of an old hand at working with the director, since they first collaborated together for 1986’s ‘Aliens’ and, following a few documentaries, Weaver played Dr. Grace Augustine in the first ‘Avatar’.

    When it was announced that Weaver would be back for the second film, there was surprise since Augustine died helping the Na’vi. So how is she returning? Turns out, Weaver will play a different character… And the surprising angle is that it’s Kiri, the teenage daughter of Sam Worthington’s Jake and Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri.

    The joy of performance capture, of course, is just this sort of switch-up, with actors able to play any age – or anything. Still, it wasn’t as simple as having Weaver act younger, as Cameron explains. “As an acting challenge, it’s big,” he says. “We’re gonna have a 60-something actor playing a character decades younger than her actual biological age. Sig thought it was all kinds of fun.”

    According to the director, Weaver workshopped the role with a group of teenage girls to figure out mannerisms and posture. “Sigourney just became younger,” recalls Cameron. “She looked younger, she had more energy, and she never quite stepped out of Kiri for our whole capture period. She had a glow on her face and lightness in her step and a fun spirit.”

    Let’s not forget, this is the first of a planned ‘Avatar’ onslaught, with three more movies planned in the coming years. For now, though, we can look to ‘The Way of Water’ arriving in theaters on December 16th.

    Kate Winslet as Ronal in 'Avatar: The Way of Water.' Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.
    Kate Winslet as Ronal in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’ Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.

  • Giovanni Ribisi Talks ‘The Offer’

    Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo of the Paramount+ original series 'The Offer.'
    Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo of the Paramount+ original series ‘The Offer.’ Photo: Nicole Wilder/Paramount+ ©2022 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

    Airing its finale on Paramount+ June 16th is the 10-part miniseries about the making of ‘The Godfather’ entitled ‘The Offer.’ The series chronicles producer Albert S. Ruddy’s journey to turn author Mario Puzo’s famous novel into a movie.

    The series stars Miles Teller as Ruddy, Juno Temple as Ruddy’s assistant Bettye McCartt, Matthew Goode as head of Paramount Pictures Robert Evans, Burn Gorman as Gulf and Western Industries’ Charles Bluhdorn, Colin Hanks as Bluhdorn’s right-hand man Barry Lapidus, Dan Fogler as filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, and Giovanni Ribisi as mob boss Joe Colombo.

    Actor Giovanni Ribisi began his career at a very young age appearing in such successful 90’s sitcoms as ‘My Two Dads’ and ‘The Wonder Years,’ before making the jump to the big screen with Tom Hanks’ directorial debut, ‘That Thing You Do!”

    Since then he has appeared in several popular movies including ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Gone in 60 Seconds,’ ‘Lost in Translation,’ Public Enemies,’ ‘Ted,’ ‘Gangster Squad,’ and ‘Selma,’ as well as starring in Prime Video’s ‘Sneaky Pete’ in 2017.

    But the actor is probably best known for playing Parker Selfridge in James Cameron’s ‘Avatar,’ and will reprise his role later this year in the long-awaited sequel, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Giovanni Ribisi about playing Joe Colombo in ‘The Offer.’

    z1tXAC5E

    You can read our full interview with Giovanni Ribisi below or click on the video player above to watch out interviews with Ribisi and Dan Fogler about ‘The Offer.’

    Moviefone: To begin with, were you aware of all the legendary behind-the-scenes stories of the making of ‘The Godfather’ before you started making this miniseries?

    Giovanni Ribisi: There were so many things that were so intriguing about the story and the making of, but I’d also categorized ’The Godfather’ as it came out of the 70’s as sort of the wild and crazy days of filmmaking. So, for that reason, it wasn’t all together shocking, but just still amazing to me. What Al Ruddy did to achieve what he did.

    MF: Can you talk about your approach to playing Joe Colombo and the differences between the character depicted in the series and the real-life mob boss?

    GR: For any biopic or even documentary for that matter, there’s always an interpretive factor and a lens that you’re looking through to create the whole story. I think for me, I had read a book that was written by Don Capria, and actually Joe Colombo’s son, Anthony Colombo, which was better than some sort of sensationalized mobster biography. It was something that was from having grown up with this man, looking up to him as a father and it really humanized him for me.

    But there was also definitely for the story, a comedic aspect to the nature of everything. Also, just how ridiculous it got, especially by today’s standards of again, what protagonist Al Ruddy was going through and the hurdles he had to overcome in order to achieve what he did. So, for me, I think at a certain point in reading the scripts, I just decided to have fun with it. I wanted to look at it from, I wouldn’t say comedic, but just try to find the humor just to balance the severity, I guess.

    MF: In your opinion, why did Joe Colombo hate Mario Puzo’s novel ‘The Godfather’ so much, and how did producer Albert S. Ruddy convince him to let them make the movie?

    GR: That’s a great question. This is just my theory, because I don’t know for sure. But what it seemed like Joe Colombo was doing, and I think the common ground that he found with Al Ruddy was that he was trying to bring in and usher in the new guard of what his life was. I think that the book, and the way things were depicted, and Frank Sinatra‘s take on it were just not conducive to him trying to reidentify, restructure his life and the business that he was in.

    I think that you can make the argument that there’s movies before ’The Godfather’ and after ‘The Godfather,’ not just because of the nature of filmmaking. I mean, largely of course because of that, but also because the way they went about things. Mike Nichols was the maverick of Hollywood and he was trying to rescue this thing from corporate America and bring the creative nature of films, and the possibilities of that to the films that he was making.

    I think that from just that notion of thinking outside of the box, Al Ruddy and all that, I think that’s where they connected. Al really changed Joe’s mind. I mean, he was adamantly against it. He was trying to deny the ideas of the mafia or La Cosa Nostra. Joe Colombo was trying to do that.

    Miles Teller as Al Ruddy and Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo of the Paramount+ original series 'The Offer.'
    (L to R) Miles Teller as Al Ruddy and Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo of the Paramount+ original series ‘The Offer.’ Photo: Nicole Wilder/Paramount+ ©2022 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: What was it like working with actor Miles Teller on Colombo and Al Ruddy’s friendship?

    GR: I just can’t say enough positive things about my experience with Miles and just what a class act he is. He reminds me of an old school movie star. He’s just got taste, and he’s really smart, and he challenges the material in all the best ways. So, it was easy to find for me personally, to find that connection and that bond with him and to have that hopefully translate through the characters.

    MF: ‘The Offer’ reveals that Luca Brasi actor Lenny Montana was actually a member of Joe Colombo’s crew. Were you aware of that before making the series?

    GR: Oh, I had no idea. Then when you look him up, it’s incredible because he was a 1950s wrestler, in the sort of the lower brow version. He was just such a character and that’s also part of, I think Coppola’s genius and Al Ruddy just looking at somebody like that, hiring them and making them perform the way they did. Because that’s one of the most, for me, one of the most memorable scenes of the movie and something that I flash on whenever anybody brings up ‘The Godfather.’

    MF: In the series, Lenny Montana is played by ‘The Incredible Hulk’ actor Lou Ferrigno, which was perfect casting. What was your experience like working with Ferrigno?

    GR: I mean, he was the guy that for everybody on set, when he came on set, we were all star-struck because he’s such a huge, almost pivotal masculine figure in our Freudian minds of the formative years. ‘The Incredible Hulk’ and watching that show, anybody who’s as old as I am now, remembers that.

    Lou Ferrigno as Lenny Montana of the Paramount+ original series 'The Offer.'
    Lou Ferrigno as Lenny Montana of the Paramount+ original series ‘The Offer.’ Photo: Nicole Wilder/Paramount+ ©2022 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Finally, you worked with director Sofia Coppola on ‘The Virgin Suicides’ and ‘Lost in Translation.’ How do you think this series honor’s her father, her family, and their cinematic legacy?

    GR: I really hope it honors their cinematic legacy. That was definitely minimally an intention from all of us and just by virtue of the fact that it is about what they did and what it takes to make a movie. Not just to go through that, because a lot of people go through experiences or extreme experiences like that and they don’t make ‘The Godfather.’

    But this was something that is just, again, just such a seminal important piece of work for what we all do. I think movies would be completely different had ‘The Godfather’ not been made. Yeah, it’s definitely a tribute to them.

    Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo
    Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo in the Paramount+ original series ‘The Offer.’ Photo: Nicole Wilder/Paramount+ ©2022 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
    caV4Ec2j

    You can watch an exclusive scene from the finale of Paramount+’s ‘The Offer,’ featuring the premiere of ‘The Godfather,’ by clicking on the video player above.

  • ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Trailer Reaction

    Avatar: The Way of Water photo
    20th Century Studios

    Last week at Disney’s CinemaCon presentation, the first trailer for James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to ‘Avatar’ was revealed. It was also revealed that the movie’s title will be ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ and that it will be released with Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ which is set to put a spell on audiences beginning May 6th.

    Returning for the sequel from the original movie are Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, and Joel David Moore, as well as new cast members Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, Michelle Yeoh, Jermaine Clement, and Vin Diesel. Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang are also scheduled to return from the first film, even though their characters were killed at the movie’s conclusion.

    Moviefone had an opportunity to screen the new trailer, in a movie theater in 3D, and can breakdown all the highlights and what you can expect from the new ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ trailer before it is released in theaters on May 6th.

    The trailer begins with a montage of Na’vi running on trees, flying over the ocean on winged creatures, and in their natural habitat on Pandora. We see several shots of Jake Sully (Worthington) both in his Na’vi form and his human form, with help of a walking device. Sully seems to be walking in some kind of human/ Na’vi construction site, followed by two avatars.

    UQbp646w

    There are many shots of the Na’vi in water, as the title would suggest but no real look at any of the new underwater characters being introduced in this film. We did see some of the underwater creatures, including a gigantic whale-like animal. We also get a look at the RDA’s new chopper, as well as the Na’vi preparing to go to war, using bows and arrows.

    The trailer ends with Jake Sully’s voice-over saying, “I know one thing, where ever we go this family is a fortress.”

    Missing from the trailer were any real plot details for the upcoming sequel, or hints to the new characters that will be played by Kate Winslet, Vin Diesel, and others, or how Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang may be able to return.

    The trailer does include Cameron’s amazing use of 3D, which is what made the original movie such a hit. It was worth the wait to see Pandora again on the big screen, especially in 3D, even if it was for only a few minutes.

    We highly recommend that you see the ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ trailer in a theater, and on 3D where available, when it debuts with ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ on May 6th.

    Avatar: The Way of Water
    20th Century Studios
    20076604
  • Which Fox Properties Will Survive Disney’s Axe After ‘Dark Phoenix’ Flop?

    Which Fox Properties Will Survive Disney’s Axe After ‘Dark Phoenix’ Flop?

    20th Century Fox

    OK, so “The New Mutants” is likely never seeing the light of day after the flop of  X-Men film “Dark Phoenix.”

    But does that mean the X-Men franchise is dead now that Disney owns the Fox property?

    Hardly. Today, Disney announced that Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige is inheriting Fox’s comic book heroes, including the X-Men. So, continue dreamcasting the new Wolverine, people.

    However, Disney is axing the majority of the existing Fox film development slate and “refocusing output,” after the studio posted a $170 million operating loss in Disney’s fiscal third quarter.

    What else is safe, besides the X-Men?

    James Cameron’s sequels to “Avatar” are on track, as well as more “Planet of the Apes” movies.

    And potential awards magnets, including Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story,” the Amy Adams thriller “Woman in the Window” and Brad Pitt’s astronaut drama “Ad Astra,” are still happening, although “Woman in the Window” has been bumped to next year.

    Disney CEO Bob Iger also said indie label Fox Searchlight will continue to make feature films and and also make movies for Disney+. However, Fox’s film divisions will be producing significantly less movies than before the Disney purchase.

    “It will probably take a solid year, maybe two years, before we can have an impact on the films in production. We’re all confident we’re going to turn around the results of Fox live action,” Iger said.

    [Via Variety]

  • James Cameron Congratulates ‘Avengers: Endgame’ After it Beats ‘Avatar’ Box Office Record

    James Cameron Congratulates ‘Avengers: Endgame’ After it Beats ‘Avatar’ Box Office Record

    Marvel Studios

    After close to a decade of untouchable box office dominance, “Avatar” has finally given up its crown as the biggest box office earner of all time. And now, its director is heaping praise on the film’s successor.

    After a re-release that helped it squeak past “Avatar”‘s previous world record of $2.789 billion, “Avengers: Endgame” officially became the biggest movie ever over the weekend, earning a staggering $2.791 billion. As he did with other records of his that “Endgame” had previously broken, “Avatar” mastermind James Cameron acknowledged the feat in a social media post.

    Addressing the folks at Marvel Studios with a Na’vi greeting, Cameron shared an image of Iron Man covered in wood sprites from Pandora.

    “I see you Marvel,” the director wrote. “Congratulations to Avengers Endgame on becoming the new box-office king.”

    “Endgame” directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo took to Instagram to praise Cameron right back, sharing several images of themselves in silhouette, marveling over Cameron’s previous films.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ON0AOlD1b/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Addressing Cameron directly, the Russo brothers called him “a monumental reason why we fell in love with film in the first place,” and thanked the filmmaker for “inspiring us and opening the world’s eyes to what’s possible.” The duo closed out their message by saying, “We can’t wait to see where you take us next…”

    That would be back to Pandora, with Cameron currently working on four planned “Avatar” sequels, which have been in various stages of development — but finally seem to be moving along — for ages. If all goes according to plan, the first follow-up will hit theaters at the end of 2021.

    With so much additional content to come from both Marvel and Cameron, we have a feeling that the filmmakers may be trading records for the foreseeable future.

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

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

    Summit Entertainment

    Ten years ago, “The Hurt Locker” arrived in theaters and established itself as one of the definitive movies about the Iraq War. Amid the rave reviews, it propelled director Kathryn Bigelow to become the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director. Celebrate this major movie milestone by learning more about the origins and the making of “The Hurt Locker.”

    1. Screenwriter Mark Boal based the script on his own experiences as a freelance journalist embedded with an EOD Army unit in Iraq.

    2. Bigelow was convinced by ex-husband James Cameron to take on the project. Cameron may have come to regret that decision, as “Avatar” wound up losing the Academy Award for Best Picture to “The Hurt Locker” in 2010.

    20th Century Fox

    3. Even without accounting for inflation, “The Hurt Locker” became the lowest-grossing Best Picture winner in history. Its theatrical run had already completed by the time the Oscar nominations were revealed.

    4. Bigelow wanted to shoot the film as close to Iraq as possible for the sake of authenticity, so much of filming took place in Jordan mere miles from the border with Iraq. Experts had to consulted to make sure the sites chosen were safe from Iraqi snipers.

    Summit Entertainment

    5. Many of the extras in the film were Iraqi refugees seeking asylum in Jordan.

    6. The film was originally intended to star Charlize Theron, Colin Farrell and Willem Dafoe.  Bigelow opted instead for a cast of relative unknowns.

    7. To date, four cast members have gone on to have roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Evangeline Lilly (Wasp) and Guy Pearce (Aldrich Killian).

    Marvel Studios

    8. 100 hours of film was shot for every hour of footage in the final cut, a ratio higher than even that of the notoriously troubled “Apocalypse Now.”

    9. The film was the subject of a lawsuit from Master Sergeant Jeffrey Sarver, who claimed to be the creator of phrases like “the hurt locker” and “War is a drug,” and argued that Renner’s character was based on him. The lawsuit was eventually thrown out.

    Summit Entertainment

    10. Production company Voltage Pictures filed its own lawsuit, targeting thousands of BitTorrent users who downloaded pirated copies of the film.

    11. The 2014 Broadway version of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” features several references to “The Hurt Locker.” The show features a running joke about inheriting sets and props from a short-lived stage musical version of “The Hurt Locker.”