(Left) Donald Glover attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. (Right) Yoshi in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Preview:
Donald Glover is voicing Yoshi in ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’
Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day all return to their roles.
The new movie lands on April 1.
Having seen big box office success with 2023’s ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ studio Universal and animation powerhouse Illumination have naturally come up with a sequel, this one drawing from the ‘Super Mario Galaxy’ game.
And at a recent Nintendo event, Illumination boss Chris Meledandri announced that ‘Atlanta’ star Donald Glover would be voicing dino favorite sidekick Yoshi in the movie.
What’s the story of ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’?
(L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
After defeating Bowser (Jack Black) in the original movie, Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day) and Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) are back for another adventure and must face off against the evil Koopa King and his son, Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie).
They’re also transported to outer space and explore various planets, like a fiery volcano world, an underwater planet and a techno-land with neon, gravity-defying obstacles. In the new trailer, the Mushroom Kingdom heroes team up with Rosalina (Brie Larson) and Yoshi (Glover), the egg-laying dinosaur (who’s normally silent except for the occasional “Yoshi!”).
When will ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ be on screens?
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ lands in theaters on April 1.
L to R: Yoshi, Baby Luigi, Toad and Baby Mario in Nintendo and Illumination’s THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Other Movies Similar to ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie:’
Opening in theaters on December 20th, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ represents Disney’s latest trip to the animated canon-to-live-action watering hole. Of course, “live-action” in this case is a slight misnomer as every blade of grass or twist of hair on screen is brought to life with impressive, photorealistic CG.
But even with a filmmaker as talented as Barry Jenkins in charge, what transpires feels like a waste of his time and energy, since the storyline is so generic as to become tiring.
When Jon Favreau brought the world the 2019 version of Disney animated classic ‘The Lion King,’ he did so with plenty of verve and the musical stylings of Beyonce added to the power of the original music.
But here’s the question –– did anyone truly, really need to learn how Pride Rock came into being or why everyone calls Scar “Scar,” besides the obvious reason? Like with some other prequels, the movie ultimately rattles off a tiring list of callbacks and nods that can’t paper over the cracks of an entirely predictable story. And not just because you know how it ends, and you’re never particularly worried about anyone involved since we’ve all seen the next chapter.
Even the music, this time provided by ‘Hamilton’ genius Lin-Manuel Miranda (who was so effective on ‘Moana’) is less than thrilling.
Perhaps the biggest issue for the new movie lies in Jeff Nathanson’s script. You can practically fill in a bingo card when it comes to references to the original, and if you’re keeping count of every time someone says “everything the light touches” you’d fill two sides of A4 paper. It’s prequelitis at its worst.
The story of how Mufasa lost his own family but discovered another one (and then largely lost that) all while seeking a promised land where everything will be better is so basic as to be laughable in places.
Still, there are some positives to be found –– the intercut moments featuring Pumbaa, Timon, Rafiki and Kiara (daughter of Simba and Nala) are at least more entertaining and poke fun at the franchise in general.
Jenkins is an accomplished, proven director, but the demands of the technology and fitting his square peg soulfulness into the edges-shaved round hole of Disney at its most rudimentary is rarely a situation that work for either.
Cast and Performances
The adoptive brothers of Taka (soon to be known as Scar) and Mufasa are the focus, but there are other roles to be considered too.
Pierre, so good this year in ‘Rebel Ridge’ and before that in Jenkins’ TV series ‘The Underground Railroad,’ does what he can with the role, and brings the young(er) Mufasa to life with some depth and emotion.
He may not be James Earl Jones (Mufasa’s legendary original voice, who scores a warm tribute at the start of the movie), but he’s a decent substitute.
Harrison Jr. has more to play as Taka, since his character gets to be first enthusiastic and then bitter, forming the basis for what will become Scar.
He certainly wrings some emotion out of the role, even if he’s a little undercut by logic issues –– despite one moment late on, you really can’t believe why Mufasa would keep him around.
Sarabi –– the future Queen of Pride Rock –– serves mostly here as love interest for Mufasa and object of obsession for Taka, and while Boone’s performance is sweet and heroic, the role is rarely satisfying.
Mikkelsen, here back on villain duty, is essentially just a snarling plot device who threatens our heroes. He’s the role model for Scar’s eventual personality, and while Mikkelsen always gives good antagonist, the character’s something of a cipher.
In a world where ‘Wicked’ can serve as an effective and emotionally fulfilling prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ you really would hope for more from a ‘Lion King’ origin tale.
Yet sadly, this is merely not embarrassing, providing little that is truly unexpected and settling for a Greatest Hits of ‘Lion King’ lore.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’?
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ enlists Rafiki (John Kani) to relay the legend of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka — the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny — their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Jake Gyllenhaal attends as Amazon debuts Inaugural Upfront Presentation at Pier 36 on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Photo by Slaven Vlasic-Getty Images for Amazon.
Preview:
Jake Gyllenhaal will star in a ‘Road House’ sequel.
Amazon confirmed the news today.
The company also announced word on ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ and more.
It was a big news day for Amazon’s film studio arm and streaming service Prime Video, as the companies used their shared first “Upfronts” (a presentation for ad buyers) to announce some new projects and follow-ups to recent successes.
Prime –– pun entirely intended –– among the movie news was word of a sequel to this spring’s ‘Road House’, the updated take on the cult Patrick Swayze bar-brawling drama that starred Jake Gyllenhaal.
Though the first film arrived on a wave of negative press –– producer Joel Silver was removed for aggressive behavior, director Doug Liman denounced the plan to release the movie direct to streaming (he’s since made peace with the idea) and a lawsuit from the writer of the original that claimed the new movie was simply a grab at keeping the IP –– ‘Road House’ has turned out to be a big success for Amazon/MGM, with 50 million views globally in its first two weekends.
And there was more to come…
This is what Amazon film boss Jennifer Salke said at the event:
“As we saw this spring the world went crazy for a little movie called ‘Road House’. Nearly 80 million viewers globally have watched ‘Road House.’ We like to watch these results like a baby.”
So, far from putting baby in a corner (a little cross-Swayze humor there), the studio has Gyllenhaal ready to return for a follow-up. No other details were confirmed, so we’ll have to wait to see if Liman is lured back to direct (highly unlikely) and what the story might be for the star’s main character Dalton, the MMA pugilist-turned-bar bouncer.
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
The thriller series, which takes the Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt movie as its loose inspiration to tell a story of relationships and spy craft, was confirmed to be returning for a second season.
But unlike ‘Road House’, there was no confirmed casting, so while Donald Glover (who also co-created the show with Francesca Sloane) and Maya Erskine starred in Season 1 as two strangers brought together by a mysterious agency, there is no word yet on whether they’ll be back (despite the first season ending in a seeming cliff-hanger).
Sloane is back for Season 2 to run the show, but it remains to be seen whether the series continues the story of the established John (Glover) and Jane (Erskine) Smith or follows some other agents.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge was originally aboard to develop and co-star in the show with Glover but left after creative differences. Still, she’s stuck around Amazon/Prime Video…
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Tomb Raider’ series
Phoebe Waller-Bridge from ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
While we knew that ‘Fleabag’ creator has been developing a show based on the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game, Amazon has now handed down a series order.
Waller-Bridge will write the series, but currently doesn’t plan to star.
Here’s what she had to say about the news:
“If I could tell my teenage self this was happening I think she’d explode. ‘Tomb Raider has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators. Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all.”
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Premiering on Prime Video this week, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ loosely –– very loosely –– adapts the 2005 Doug Limanmovie that saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie playing married assassins unaware of each other’s secret job whose stale relationship is re-ignited when they’re assigned by their competing agencies to take each other out (and we don’t mean on a date).
But the new series shares really only the title and the most basic concept with the movie. Instead, here we have two strangers who apply for a job that sees them partnered up and moving through the various stages of relationships in their fake coupledom even as real feelings develop and the missions become more perilous.
Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ deployed monsters as metaphor for teenage angst, body changes, and concerns. ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ tries a similar trick (though hopefully without the problematic future Joss Whedon of it all), utilizing the central couple’s various experiences as a mirror for a developing relationship.
It’s not a completely 1:1 situation, though some episodes play to that much more than others (episode 5, for example, sees the duo forced into a situation where their charge, played wonderfully by a superbly grumpy Ron Perlman is effectively a substitute child) but in general, the idea works.
Sometimes the balance of character work to action can be off-kilter, and not everything about the main dynamic works (Donald Glover and Maya Erskine have decent chemistry, though it takes some time to find its groove). Which, we suppose is how all relationships start and end up working.
But on the whole, it’s an entertaining peek into the various marker points of the relationship and the series format certainly offers more scope to explore the character levels than anything in the movie.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Script and Direction
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Though Glover originally developed the show with ‘Fleabag’ creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creative differences saw Waller-Bridge depart and Glover instead create the show with his ‘Atlanta’ cohort Francesca Sloane (who runs the show here).
The writing for the series carries some of the hallmarks of Glover and Sloane’s past work (though none of its experimental, random nature which probably wouldn’t have worked for this). This time around, their focus is on the burgeoning relationships and using the spy missions/job as a giant metaphor for an evolving connection between two people is one that largely works well, even if it does mean there tends to be a larger focus on interaction between the two main characters rather than the action side of things. Jane and John are written decently, though they may end up testing the patience of some audiences.
As for the metaphors, they run the gamut from excellent to exhausting. One episode, where our main pair meet and spend time with another “John” and “Jane” is at times interminable (no fault of the actors involved). But the mission-of-the-week format means that if you don’t spark to one episode, you may well enjoy another.
Directors Hiro Murai, Christian Sprenger and Karena Evans (the first two have ‘Atlanta’ experience on their busy resumes, the latter has focused more on music videos and other TV series) bring a fresh, dynamic look to the show, and if the action moments aren’t quite up there with the likes of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ or ‘Bond’ franchises, that’s because it isn’t the main point here. This is a relationship drama with a side of set-pieces.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Performances
(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
With the guest cast almost constantly changing (only one or two people beyond the leads appear in more than a single episode), the weight is very much on Glover and Erskine. As people who have both been the focus of TV series they co-created, they’re both more than able to carry the load of leading roles.
Of the two, Erskine comes off better, getting to show more development than the slightly more disconnected Glover. She’s excited for the opportunity to begin with, but you can really see the weight settle upon her as the season moves on. Keeping the metaphor of the relationship going, she becomes more and more disenfranchised as she realizes she’s holding up more of her end in terms both missions and personal life.
Which is not to say that Glover is bad –– his John Smith is a man who seems far less willing to leave his old life behind (a nod towards the usual commitment issues found more often in men than women) –– and he has some superb moments as the relationship develops and, at times, sours.
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Neither of the main pair are natural action stars, but they do their best, aided with a decent stunt team.
Around them is an ever-changing roster of others: Paul Dano is a good-looking neighbor who Jane takes a shine to, while Wagner Moura and Parker Posey are the other John and Jane who share the double date that ends awkwardly (and dangerously). Again, as mentioned above, the actors are perfectly fine in their roles, they’re just let down a little by the episode’s script.
Perlman, meanwhile, is wonderful in his role as the mysterious man that John and Jane are assigned to protect.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Final Thoughts
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
If it sometimes stretches the concept a little thin, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ is an effective mix of spy thriller and marriage drama with the emphasis on the latter.
Those seeking the next ‘Atlanta’ won’t find that here, but then, that wasn’t the point –– and as adaptations of movies go, this at least has the confidence to truly be its own thing.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
What’s the story of ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’?
Two lonely strangers land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travel, and a dream brownstone in Manhattan.
The catch? New identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John (Donald Glover) and Jane (Maya Erskine) navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone.
Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?
Prime Video’s ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ has launched its first trailer.
The show stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine.
The series launches on February 2nd.
Once upon a time, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith‘ were Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, playing married assassins whose relationship had begun to feel stale. But when they discover their shared, hidden sides, things spice back up –– even if neither might survive it.
In taking that idea, ‘Atlanta’ creator and co-star Donald Glover has given it a slight twist (see below), recruiting Maya Erskine to play Mrs. Smith to his Mr.
From the looks of the first teaser, the show certainly manages to bring both the funny and the action levels, so this is one we’re anticipating.
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What’s the story of ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’?
(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
While it has a similar basic concept to the 2005 Doug Liman movie (famously the project where Pitt met and ended up married to co-star Jolie), the new series puts a fresh spin on the story.
Here, Glover and Erskine play two lonely strangers who land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travel, and a dream brownstone in Manhattan.
The catch? New identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John and Jane navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone. Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?
Who also appears in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’?
Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Glover co-created the series with Francesca Sloane, one of his ‘Atlanta’ colleagues. Christian Sprenger, a fallow ‘Atlanta’ veteran, is the main director.
Originally, ‘Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge was aboard to co-write and co-star, but because of creative differences, she left the show in 2021.
“I worked on that show for six months fully in heart and mind and really cared about it — still care about it. And I know it’s gonna be brilliant. But sometimes it’s about knowing when to leave the party. You don’t want to get in the way of a vision. Creative collaboration is like a marriage, and some marriages don’t work out.”
When will ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ be on our screens?
All eight episodes of the show will debut on Prime Video on February 2nd.
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
(L to R) Alison Brie and Chevy Chase in ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
Even at the height of his ‘Saturday Night Live’ fame and comedy movie star status, Chevy Chase had the reputation of being an outspoken, difficult person.
Yet his proven comic talent on the comedy show, and his cinema work meant that he came across as more of a tricky star dealing with the pressures of fame.
These days, however, he’s more seen as an angry old man, spouting off about past work and claiming that he was better than the likes of ‘Community’, on which he starred as part of the ensemble for 85 episodes between 2010 and 2013.
Speaking to ‘WTF’ podcast host Marc Maron on a recent episode of the show, Chase laid into the show.
Chevy Chase in ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
For four seasons on the show, Chase played Pierce Hawthorne, a former moist towelette tycoon who was at one time the C.E.O of Hawthorne Wipes. He enrolled in Greendale Community College to expand his horizons.
Chase shared the screen with the likes of Donald Glover, Joel McHale and Danny Pudi, and was frequently criticized for his rude behavior, including making racial comments during a heated disagreement with series creator Dan Harmon over his character. He eventually departed the show at the end of the fourth season.
On the subject of the show, Chase said this:
“I honestly felt the show wasn’t funny enough for me, ultimately. I felt a little bit constrained. Everybody had their bits, and I thought they were all good. It just wasn’t hard-hitting enough for me.”
And about his character?
“I didn’t mind the character. I just felt that it was… I felt happier being alone. I just didn’t want to be surrounded by that table, every day, with those people. It was too much.”
Asked how he felt when his former ‘Community’ collaborators made negative comments about his on-set behavior, Chase doubled down:
“I guess you’d have to ask them. I don’t give a crap! I am who I am. And I like where — who I am. I don’t care. And it’s part of me that I don’t care. And I’ve thought about that a lot. And I don’t know what to tell you, man. I just don’t care.”
Previous Chase comments
Cast of ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
This is far from the first time that the outspoken Chase has gone on the offensive.
“First of all, between you and me and a lamppost, jeez, I don’t want to put down Lorne (Michaels, ‘SNL’ boss) or the cast. But I’ll just say, maybe off the record, I’m amazed that Lorne has gone so low. I had to watch a little of it, and I just couldn’t f*****g believe it. That means a whole generation of s**theads laughs at the worst f*****g humor in the world.”
For a man who claims he doesn’t want to speak badly of anyone, he certainly spends a lot of time doing just that…
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.
Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story.’ Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm.
Donald Glover is not quite finished with Lando Calrissian. Above the Line has learned that the actor, along with his brother Stephen Glover has signed on to write for the ‘Star Wars‘ ‘Lando’ series for Disney+. Glover previously stepped into the role of a young Lando Calrissian in 2018’s ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ directed by Ron Howard.
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He opened up about his experience in playing the iconic character and his interest in reprising the role in an interview with GQ (via Deadline) in April:
“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,”
Glover and his brother Stephen Glover will write the series together, with the intention that Donald will be reprising his role as the titular character. Their deal was signed before the WGA strike.
Originally, ‘Haunted Mansion’ director Justin Simien was attached to the project. It was announced in December 2020 during Disney Investor Day by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. However, when asked about whether he was still involved with the project by THR, Simien said:
“I am attached, I think, but I don’t really know. (Laughs.) The last thing I was told was that they loved it but needed to put a pin in it until they could figure out everybody’s availability. I haven’t investigated further, but I’m not an idiot. I’m not alone in that experience. But I can’t help but wonder, ‘Am I too Black? Am I too queer? And people just don’t want to say that?’ Because it seems like I develop things with these companies and they just never happen for reasons unknown.”
It turns out that Simien has departed from the project since last summer as he focused on directing ‘Haunted Mansion’. Lucasfilm then reached out to the Glover siblings to bring them on board. The Glover brothers have been long time collaborators, working on shows such as ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Swarm.’
Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
“Six seasons and a movie!” It was a rallying cry for fans of the cult sitcom ‘Community’, which was created by Dan Harmon. The series ran for 110 episodes over six seasons, with its first five seasons airing on NBC from September 17, 2009, to April 17, 2014, and its final season airing on Yahoo! Screen between March 17 to June 2, 2015.
Harmon has long said he intends to fulfill the fans’ dream of making a movie based on the show and the idea has grown over the years since the series left screens.
NBC’s streaming service Peacock announced last year that the film would be a reality:
“Six seasons and a movie’ started out as a cheeky line from ‘Community’s early seasons and quickly ignited a passionate fan movement for this iconic, hilarious and cool (cool, cool) NBC comedy. We’re incredibly grateful that 15 years later, we are able to deliver fans this promised movie and can’t wait to get to work with Dan Harmon, Andrew Guest, Joel McHale, Sony and our partners at UTV to continue this epic comedy for Peacock audiences.”
Joel McHale as Jeff Winger on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
Now, according to Joel McHale, Donald Glover –– who hadn’t been listed along with the other cast members for the movie –– is on board.
“Donald’s coming back and that’s really important. The fact that Donald’s gonna do it, that was the big piece. But I think everyone’s coming back. I mean, so far we’re pretty good. And I think that will happen. If not then, you know, Donald will be there.”
Set at a community college in the fictional Colorado town of Greendale, the series starred an ensemble cast including McHale, Glover, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash as a group of students brought together as a study group, plus a crazed example of the teaching staff and the equally offbeat dean of the college.
Harmon and his writing staffed used the show to poke fun at tropes and genres, frequently using meta references and humor while also maintaining a level of heart for the group as they slowly bonded. McHale played snarky, washed-up lawyer Jeff Winger, who is suspended by the state law bar for falsely claiming he had a bachelor’s degree and must gain one to get his career back.
Glover played Troy Barnes, a former high school football star who is now in something of a rut. He strikes up a friendship with Abed (Dani Pudi), who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of TV shows and movies. Abed struggles to interact with others via conventional means due to his implied autism, so he often chooses to interpret the group’s everyday activities by comparing them to film and TV narratives.
With Glover confirmed, the only cast member not officially returning so far is Yvette Nicole Brown, but with luck she’ll be back before too long.
And she has time to decide anyway –– the movie is on hold right now in solidarity with the writers’ strike.
(L to R) Jonathan Banks as Professor Buzz Hickey and Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC’s ‘Community.’ Photo courtesy of NBC.com.
Donald Glover attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
Donald Glover is finally ready for his Spider close-up.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the ‘Community’ veteran and ‘Atlanta’ creator/star is on board to star in and produce a currently untitled movie featuring obscure ‘Spider-Man’ villain the Hypno-Hustler.
So who is this little-known baddie? Created by Bill Mantlo (who also created Rocket Racoon, who has gone on to be a key part of Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies), and artist Frank Springer, Hypno-Hustler was a disco-era character who first appeared in ‘Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man’ No. 24 in 1978. His real name was Antoine Delsoin, the leader of a band called the Mercy Killers and used hypnosis technology in his instruments on his audience in order to rob them.
It doesn’t sound like the source material for the greatest cinematic villain, but in Glover’s hands it should be something fun––he’s not a creative type who sticks to the basics.
The new Spider-Universe movie is at an early stage right now; it doesn’t have an announced title but we do know who hatched the idea to turn the character into a movie: Myles Murphy, the son of actor and comedian Eddie Murphy, is on board to write the project.
Glover’s history with ‘Spider-Man’ stretches back at least a decade, though. His ‘Community’ character Troy was seen wearing Spider-Man pajamas in the episode “Anthropology 101”. Fans jumped on the idea that he could be ideal to play Miles Morales in a future Spidey films.
(L to R) Donald Glover and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’
Still, Glover did get to play Miles, albeit in voice form, in TV series ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ in 2015.
And while the live-action cinematic Spider-universe stayed Parker-central with 2017’s ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ Glover appeared briefly as a character named Aaron David, who Spidey encountered while the man was trying to by advanced weapons from the Vulture’s crew. A deleted scene from the movie suggested that Aaron was Miles Morales’ uncle (Mahershala Ali voiced the character more officially in ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’).
This is the latest development in Sony’s ever-expanding batch of movies based in the world of the web-slinger, even if most of them won’t feature the (Spider) man himself.
With two ‘Venom’ films and ‘Morbius’ already out in the world, the future for Sony is certainly entangled in a web. Movies on the way include ‘Kraven the Hunter’, due October 6th next year, followed by ‘Madame Web’ on February 16th, 2024. In development, meanwhile, are ‘El Muerto’, a third ‘Venom’ and a slate of TV series set in the same universe.
Marvel Comics’ Hypno-Hustler. Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.
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