Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm.
While the small-screen ‘Star Wars’ universe is enjoying a positive resurgence thanks to ‘Ahsoka’ (which recently released its fifth episode), it appears that there are changes afoot for one of the future shows in development.
While we learned back in July that Donald Glover –– who, of course, played the younger Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ –– and brother/creative partner Stephen were taking over the writing of the ‘Lando’ series.
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The show (as it was at the time) was to chronicle the further adventures of the gambler and rogue years before he starts running Cloud City (and is played in the movies by Billy Dee Williams).
Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm.
While we hadn’t heard much about the Glover siblings’ plan for Lando (obviously they were not able to kick off writing scripts because of the ongoing writers’ strike), it does appear that things have now changed.
“It’s not even a show… The idea right now is to do a movie. Right now, because of the strike, it’s kind of like telephone, all of the information.”
That’s all he could say –– Lucasfilm and Disney really don’t like much information on future projects getting out there before they can officially announce.
But despite no official word yet from either company, trade publications such as Variety and Deadline did get them to confirm the new development.
Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm.
Donald Glover has previously said he would want to reprise the ‘Solo’ role, admitting to GQ (via Deadline) in April that he enjoyed playing him and is looking to continue so:
“I would love to play Lando again. It’s a fun time, being him. It just has to be the right way to do it. Time is precious. The past couple of years, this pandemic shit, it really had people experience time… People realize their time is valuable. You only get so much. I’m not interested in doing anything that’s going to be a waste of my time or just a paycheck. I’d much rather spend time with people that I enjoy. It just has to be the right thing, and I think it could be. Lando is definitely somebody I like to hang out with,”
So, that’s one less series headed our way from the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy and one more movie.
But it’s not like we’ll all be starved for Jedis, Sith and Grogu. With ‘Ahsoka’ still to run for a few more weeks, we’ll then see ‘Skeleton Crew’ from director Jon Watts, starring Jude Law and ‘The Acolyte’ (from ‘Russian Doll’ co-creator Leslye Headland.
Plus, there are new seasons of ‘Andor’, ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Bad Batch’ at various stages of development along with new animated TV Movie ‘A Droid Story’.
(L to R) Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the voice of L3-37 and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm.
Walt Disney Studios kicked off the first day of D23 Expo 2022 in style today with tons of advance looks at what the House of Mouse has in store for fans in the coming days, months, and years. You can watch Moviefone‘s exclusive backstage interviews by clicking on the video player above.
The first D23 Expo in three years began with the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, revealing the first-ever footage from ‘Hocus Pocus 2’.
Bailey was joined by the wacky Sanderson Sisters themselves – stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy – who appeared via video to show how their characters are back for the first time since 1993 for more soul-stealing Halloween action.
Battling them this time around are aspiring witch Becca (Whitney Peak) and magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson).
But the audience’s biggest applause went to the original film’s Billy Butcherson (‘The Shape of Water’s Doug Jones) upon his return from the grave. ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ hits Disney+ on September 30th. The trailer is in the video player above.
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Next up on the panel was another eagerly anticipated sequel, ‘Disenchanted’. Returning stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden took the stage, alongside Maya Rudolph, the film’s new villain. ‘Disenchanted’ finds Adams’ Giselle and hubby Dempsey moving to the suburbs with their infant and teenage children.
“I was a huge fan of the original,” said Rudolph. “I can’t believe I got to be part of this… It’s not easy being mean to Amy Adams.” The new teaser trailer for the sequel is in the video player above.
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As far as live-action remakes of Disney animated classics go, ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ was the first on deck today: with star Jude Law (Captain Hook) flanked by newcomers Alexander Molony (Peter Pan), Ever Gabo Anderson (Wendy), and Alyssa Wapanatâhk (Tiger Lily).
Expect more empowered female characters this time around, including at least one Lost Girl among Peter’s Lost Boys.
“Disney has worked very hard to give her more depth and a lot more character,” said Anderson of Wendy. “She and Peter are equals in this film.”
Law added that Hook and Pan’s prior relationship is also fleshed out. “We got to mine their back story a little bit more. You get to understand their past,” he said, hinting that the two were once friends.
“I got to make sure all the little details, all the Easter eggs are there. Because I’m a nerd,” confessed Simien. He then joined another of the film’s stars – scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – in a Doom Buggy rolling across the D23 Expo stage.
Few Disney films are so beloved as 1994’s ‘The Lion King’. And fans will get more of the film’s animal kingdom in the 2024 prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.
Director Barry Jenkins appeared to explain how “Mufasa is the origin story of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Land… It’s the real story of how Mufasa found his place in the circle of life. What you learn is that Mufasa is great because of the family and the friends he has with him.”
Of course Disney Studios wouldn’t exist without its very first animated classic, 1937’s ‘Snow White’.
Director Marc Webb is tackling the live-action 2024 remake, featuring Gal Gadot as the Wicked Queen and Rachel Zegler as its eponymous heroine. The two were touched by the warm response they received as they presented a first look at their characters.
“Just your reaction means the world to us,” said Gadot.
A visibly moved Zegler explained that, “Snow White is the girl you remember, but she’s definitely made for the modern age,” stating the film redefines what it means to be the fairest of them all.
Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot at Disney D23 Expo 2022 Getty Images
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While ‘Snow White’ is Disney’s first animated feature, 1989’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ is responsible for the studio’s renaissance. As well as its renewed dedication to musicals, as Rob Marshall, director of May 2023’s live-action adaptation, reminded fans today.
“It was very important for us to honor the original. We went to Alan Menken, who was divine to work with, and also our dear friend Lin-Manuel Miranda. They had never worked together before… There are four new songs. We still retain the beauty of the original score, written by the late great Howard Ashman as well.”
Fans were treated to the film’s entire “Part of Your World” number, featuring a note-perfect Halle Bailey, who appeared on stage with Marshall.
“Three days of filming ‘Part of Your World,’” said Bailey, “that was the most beautiful experience of my life. Just getting to sing a song I’ve loved since I was a child was so exciting.”
“The camera loves you,” Marshall told Bailey. “But it’s more than that. [It] loves what’s inside. [It] loves what you bring.”
The two then unveiled a teaser that recalled ‘Finding Nemo’ in the color and detail of its underwater world. You can find a teaser version of the clip in the video player at the top of the page.
It was then time for Pixar Animation Studios’ turn in the spotlight, with chief creative officer Pete Docter introducing next summer’s ‘Elemental’.
Director Peter Sohn spoke of how the film’s Element City was inspired by the culturally mixed New York of his childhood. Footage shown depicted the star-crossed romance of its fire-based heroine Ember (Leah Lewis) and her watery boyfriend Wade (Mamoudou Athie).
Pixar also unveiled its first original long-form series in the form of ‘Win or Lose’, each episode of which follows the perspective of a different character connected to a co-ed softball team, the Pickles.
With this year’s ‘Lightyear’, Pixar returned to the science fiction of ‘Wall-E’. Expect more in this vein soon, starting with ‘Elio’.
Announced today at D23 with star America Ferrera on stage, the film’s title character is an 11-year-old boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in his world. His mom (Ferrera) runs a top-secret military project, which inadvertently results in Elio making first contact with alien life and becoming our planet’s ambassador to the rest of the universe. It’s due out in spring 2024.
Last but by no means least on the Pixar slate – ‘Inside Out’ star Amy Poehler made a surprise appearance alongside Docter to announce ‘Inside Out 2’.
“Joy and the emotions are back for an all new adventure inside Riley’s head,” said a fittingly ebullient Poehler. “Only this time she’s a teenager!”
New emotions will also appear in the film, as Kelsey Mann takes over the directing chores from Docter, with Meg LeFauve returning to write the summer 2024 release.
To cap off the panel, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer (and Oscar-winning ‘Frozen’ director) Jennifer Lee greeted the D23 Expo audience to show what’s in store for the studio’s 100th anniversary next year.
But first, Disney’s fan-favorite 2016 ‘Zootopia’ will get a spin-off series this November on Disney+. And attendees got an advance look at the aptly titled ‘Zootopia+’, consisting of six short ‘Zootopia’-style spoofs of everything from ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ to ‘The Godfather Part II’.
Perhaps Disney’s most unique offering at the Expo was ‘Iwaju’. Coming this year to Disney+, it finds the animation studio partnering for the first time in its long history with an overseas animation studio – Africa’s Kugali. Its three founders appeared today, describing their Afrofuturism fable and its characters as a love letter to their hometown of Lagos, Nigeria.
More sci-fi arrived with a new look at ‘Strange World’, described by Lee as “a film about family, legacy, and what we leave behind for the generations that follow.” Director Don Hall explained how the film chronicles three generations coming together on an alien planet in order to save their world.
Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Lucy Liu introduced a rip-snorting clip of an exciting chase through ‘Strange World’s creature-packed planet.
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The Disney Animation segment, and indeed entire panel, concluded with the revelation of the studio’s 100th anniversary feature film – ‘Wish’. The tale of the star upon which so many Disney characters have wished throughout the past century, ‘Wish’ is co-directed by the attending team of Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Buck, who co-wrote the film with Lee, explained how ‘Wish’ explores a kingdom of wishes, in which wishes can literally come true. Offering a lush, animated watercolor style coupled with CG animation, it stars newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as 17-year-old Asha, who pleas to the heavens for help, and gets an actual star from the sky, named Star, who communicates through pantomime.
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Disney “good luck charm,” actor Alan Tudyk appeared with footage of his character, a goat named Valentino who wishes to communicate with people. Finally, DeBose saw fans off with a sizzling live performance of “More for Us,” one of the film’s songs by Grammy winner Julia Michaels.
It’s the story of a doctor (Dawson) and her 9-year-old son (Chase Dillon), looking to start a new life, who move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans. They soon discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest (Wilson), who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned failed-paranormal expert (Stanfield), a French Quarter psychic (Haddish) and a crotchety historian (DeVito).
Leto is reportedly playing the Hatbox ghost, who pops up occasionally during the ride, while One Take News has heard that Curtis is aboard as Madame Leota, the ghost of a psychic whose head is encased in her crystal ball. The character is an iconic element in the attraction, so it makes sense to have someone as respected as Curtis in the role.
Jamie Lee Curtis in 2018’s ‘Halloween.’
We don’t yet know whether either actor was on set for the movie itself, or whether they’ve simply been digitally scanned and will be providing their performances via a little post-production magic.
The original ‘Haunted Mansion’ attraction originally opened at Disneyland in California in 1969, a few years after it was initially dreamt up by Walt Disney as a walk-through attraction. It then evolved into a ride that takes guests through a supernaturally charged mansion in Louisiana.
Later versions at other parks have altered the theme and location, with both Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland’s editions featuring more show scenes, a longer ride time, and a Gothic aesthetic, while Disneyland Paris’ version, known as ‘Phantom Manor,’ is themed to a decimated house on the American frontier.
That adaptation didn’t exactly win over the critics and it was far from a smash at the box office either, though it did manage to scare up $180.2 million worldwide (though it cost $90 million to make before marketing costs).
‘Haunted Mansion’ will glide into theaters on March 10th, 2023.
Jared Leto in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Morbius.’
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“Mindhunter” is back: The second season, which debuts August 16, will focus on the Atlanta Child Murders.
Also returning with new seasons: “GLOW,” “Derry Girls,” “Dear White People,” and “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.”
And you’ll want to check out new series “Wu Assassins” and “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.”
Here’s everything coming to Netflix streaming in August:
Available August 1
“Are We Done Yet?” (2007)
“Boyka: Undisputed” (2016)
“Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)
“Groundhog Day” (1993)
“Horns” (2014)
“Jackie Brown” (1997)
“Jupiter Ascending” (2015)
“Now and Then” (1995)
“Panic Room” (2002)
“Rocky” (1976)
“Rocky II” (1979)
“Rocky III” (1982)
“Rocky IV 1985)
“Rocky V” (1990)
“Sex and the City: The Movie” (2008)
“Something’s Gotta Give” (2003)
“The Bank Job” (2008)
“The House Bunny” (2008)
“The Sinner: Julian” (2018)
“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (1995)
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love” (1998)
Available August 2
“Ask the StoryBots:” Season 3″ (Netflix Family)
“Basketball or Nothing” (Netflix Original)
“Dear White People:” Volume 3 (Netflix Original)
“Derry Girls:” Season 2 (Netflix Original)
“Otherhood” (Netflix Film)
“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power:” Season 3 (Netflix Family)
Available August 4
“Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj:” Volume 4 (Netflix Original)
Available August 5
“Enter the Anime” (Netflix Original)
“No Good Nick:” Part 2 (Netflix Family)
Available August 6
“Screwball” (2018)
“Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That” (2016)
Available August 8
“Dollar” (Netflix Original)
“Jane The Virgin:” Season 5
“Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” (2011)
“The Naked Director” (Netflix Original)
“Wu Assassins” (Netflix Original)
Available August 9
“Cable Girls”: Season 4 (Netflix Original)
“The Family” (Netflix Original)
“GLOW:” Season 3 (Netflix Original)
“The InBESTigators” (Netflix Family)
“iZombie:” Season 5
“Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling” (Netflix Family)
“Sintonia” (Netflix Original)
“Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales” (Netflix Family)
“Tiny House Nation:” Volume 1
Available August 13
“Knightfall:” Season 2
“Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready” (Netflix Original)
Available August 14
“The 100:” Season 6
Available August 15
“Cannon Busters” (Netflix Anime)
Available August 16
“45 rpm” (Netflix Original)
“Apache: La vida de Carlos Tevez” (Netflix Original)
“Better Than Us” (Netflix Original)
“Diagnosis” (Netflix Original)
“Frontera Verde” (Netflix Original)
“Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus” (Netflix Family)
“The Little Switzerland” (Netflix Film)
“Mindhunter:” Season 2 (Netflix Original)
“QB1: Beyond the Lights:” Season 3 (Netflix Original)
“Selfless” (2015)
“Sextuplets” (Netflix Film)
“Super Monsters Back to School” (Netflix Family)
“Victim Number 8” (Netflix Original)
Available August 17
“The Punisher” (2004)
Available August 20
“Gangs of New York” (2002)
“Simon Amstell: Set Free” (Netflix Original)
Available August 21
“American Factory” (Netflix Original)
“Hyperdrive” (Netflix Original)
Available August 22
“Love Alarm” (Netflix Original)
Available August 23
“El Pepe: Una vida suprema” (Netflix Original)
“Hero Mask:” Part II (Netflix Anime)
“Rust Valley Restorers” (Netflix Original)
Available August 27
“Million Pound Menu:” Season 2 (Netflix Original)
“Trolls: The Beat Goes On!:” Season 7 (Netflix Family)
Available August 29
“Falling Inn Love” (Netflix Film)
“Kardec” (Netflix Film)
“Workin’ Moms:” Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Available August 30
“The A List” (Netflix Original)
“Carole & Tuesday” (Netflix Anime)
“The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” (Netflix Original)
“Droppin’ Cash:” Season 2 (Netflix Original)
“La Grande Classe” (Netflix Film)
“Locked Up:” Season 3
“Mighty Little Bheem:” Season 2 (Netflix Family)
“Styling Hollywood” (Netflix Original)
“True and the Rainbow Kingdom: Wild Wild Yetis” (Netflix Family)
“Un Bandido Honrado” (Netflix Original)
“Dear White People” is welcoming several new faces for Season 3.
The Netflix series has booked Blair Underwood, Yvette Nicole Brown, Laverne Cox and Flavor Flav for roles in Season 3. Series creator Justin Simien will also make an appearance. Details about their characters were not revealed.
Season 2 ended with Sam (Logan Browning) and Lionel (DeRon Horton) being chosen to join the mysterious Order of X at Winchester University. Not much is known about upcoming storylines other than that they will feature “new characters, new relationships, new secrets.”
Underwood recently appeared in another Netflix project, the acclaimed (and Emmy-nominated “When They See Us”). Former “Community” actress Brown has a recurring role on CBS’ “Mom” and is set to moderate the Comic-Con panel for the streamer’s “The Witcher.”
And Cox will star in the final season of “Orange Is the New Black,” which premieres July 26 on Netflix .
The countdown to “Dear White People” Season 3 can officially begin. Netflix has released a date announcement, letting fans know that the show will return for its third season on Aug. 2.
The streamer timed the news to coincide with Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In honor of the special day, the stars of “Dear White People” participated in “The Great Grits Swap: Juneteenth Edition.” Basically, they weighed the merits of sweet vs. salty grits, as you’ll see below.
The date announcement video didn’t address what we can expect from Season 3, but the description did tease “new characters, new relationships, new secrets.” The series will return to Winchester University, the fictional Ivy League school attended by the main characters. They’ll continue to navigate issues of race and identity as well as engage in activism. Creator Justin Simien has teased a wild upcoming season, telling the Calgary Herald, “Just buckle up and surrender to the fact that Season 3 is crazy.”
Get ready. “Dear White People” returns to Netflix on Aug. 2.
Most discussions about racism don’t lead to laughter, but Netflix’s upcoming TV series “Dear White People” manages to tie in plenty of humor.
The streamer dropped a new trailer Thursday, and it highlights the prevalence of everyday racism with hilarious yet realistic situations. Like the 2014 film it’s based on, the show is set at a predominantly white Ivy League college and follows several students of color who confront racism in various ways. We see plenty of examples throughout the preview, from conversations about slavery to a white student being shocked that a party with blackface would still happen in 2017.
While racial justice is clearly a central theme of “Dear White People,” the issue isn’t the only one explored. The Justin Simien-created show also looks at the college experience, young adulthood, sexuality, and more. Based on the trailer, we expect them all to be tackled with wit and compelling storylines.
Netflix dropped the first teaser for the upcoming comedy on Wednesday, plus revealed the series’ premiere date. The video offers a quick look at the adaptation, which — like the 2014 movie it’s based on — tackles racial tensions at a predominantly white Ivy League university. Specifically, we see star Logan Browning as college radio show host Samantha White, giving white students advice on offensive Halloween costumes to avoid. Slutty nurse, for example, is fine; blackface? Not so much.
The comedy comes from Justin Simien, who wrote, directed, and co-produced the film. He scored multiple awards with the movie, including the Sundance Film Festival’s U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent. The series will try to live up to that success with some original cast members as well as new stars. In addition to Browning, the show Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robertson, DeRon Horton, John Patrick Amedori, and Ashley Blaine Featherson.
Most discussions about racism don’t lead to laughter, but Netflix’s upcoming TV series 
“Dear White People” the TV series is almost here.