‘Superman’ had its home release only one month after its theatrical release, which seems very early for a big comic book movie.
After the events of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, this makes sense.
Fans who missed ‘Superman’ in theaters will want to watch it since it has ties to the second season of ‘Peacemaker’.
When the home release date of ‘Superman‘ was first released, many people felt it was way too soon. Not only is the movie still playing in theaters, it is still bringing in money. A home release date of August 15th is just 35 days after its theatrical release. This is quick for any movie, but for a comic book movie? It is almost unheard of.
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Then, after watching the first episode of ‘Peacemaker‘, it became instantly clear why DC Studios did this. The events of ‘Superman’ tie into key plot points of this season and while it is not required viewing, it certainly helps with the storytelling.
At the end of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 1, fans lost their minds when the Justice League showed up. Now that the DCEU has gone the way of the buffalo, and the DCU is the new canon, James Gunn needed to correct a few things. To no one’s surprise, he did so brilliantly, proving what a mastermind he is.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 starts off with a “Previously On” however, it highlights that it is the DCU, not the DCEU. Because of this some events are slightly altered, with the major one being that instead of the Justice League showing up, it is the Justice Gang, who are prominently featured in ‘Superman’. This includes Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardener), Isabela Mercad (Hawkgirl), and Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific).
‘Superman’ Events Are Referenced Multiple Times In ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/Max.
Also in the premiere episode of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 is an interview between Christopher Smith (John Cena), also known as Peacemaker, and the Justice Gang, which he hopes to join. While Mr. Terrific is absent, Hawk Girl, Guy Gardener, and Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) are present. They mostly poke fun at Peacemaker, delivering a hilarious scene.
There are also several times in this episode (and later in the season) that the “Luther event” is mentioned. This is, of course, in reference to the pocket universe that Lex Luther (Nicholas Hoult) opened up, nearly destroying Metropolis in the process. Frank Grillo also reprises his role as Rick Flag Sr., who is acting director or A.R.G.U.S. while Amanda Waller is being investigated.
Early Home Release For ‘Superman’ Just Makes Sense Now
Frank Grillo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
With all of these ties to James Gunn’s ‘Superman’, it makes sense why DC Studios opted to give it a home release. As mentioned, it is not necessary to watch it in order to understand what it happening in ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, but it will give you more insight into why A.R.G.U.S. is so afraid of dimensional rifts.
Also, because the Justice Gang is in the series, although not often, seeing ‘Superman’ allows viewers to get to know them and their dynamic a little bit more, rather than being thrust into the chaotic conversation that is going on during Peacemaker’s interview without any backstory.
The best part? If you so wish, you can still see ‘Superman’ in theaters, as it is still playing.
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 receives 8 out of 10 stars.
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It has been over three years since ‘Peacemaker‘ Season 1, but the time has finally arrived for Season 2 to grace our screens. The new, highly anticipated season premieres Thursday, August 21st on HBO Max at 9 pm ET/PT.
John Cena returns as Christopher Smith, also known as Peacemaker, in the lead role. He is joined by the rest of the 11th Street Kids – Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), John Economos (Steve Agee), Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), and Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks). Season 2 is written by James Gunn, however he only directs three episodes with Peter Sollett, Greg Mottola, and Alethea Jones stepping in to direct the others.
John Cena in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 has the daunting task of transitioning from the DC Extended Universe to the new DC Universe. When he became co-CEO of DC James Gunn stated that the majority of previous projects would not be canon in this new universe, with the exception of a few things, including ‘Peacemaker’ Season 1.
That said, it did need to be slightly altered. Because of this, many fans are going to be cautiously optimistic going in. Have no fear, the adjustments are adressed from the very start of the season – be sure you don’t skip the “Previously in the DCU” section.
Script and Direction
Jennifer Holland in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Thankfully, James Gunn is a brilliant storyteller, so he was able to do this seamlessly, not leaving room for any questions or confusion. As always, he takes the time to put a love and appreciation into the scripts that he is writing and knows how to tell a good story.
Stepping back into this wacky world, with these characters who are often down on their luck, might have taken longer than viewers would have liked, but all can be forgiven because the first five episodes of the season (which is what press were given for review purposes) are great.
As seen in the trailers, Peacemaker discovers another dimension in which the grass seems a whole lot greener. This forces him to look deep inside himself and decide what he truly wants out of life.
At the same time, the rest of the 11th Street Kids are dealing with their own issues. No one has it easy, but isn’t that true to the nature of the world? We are all going through something at any given time. It is this relatability that will have viewers hanging onto every word.
Multiverses are hard to explain, and very difficult to keep the attention of the audience. It needs to be done exactly right to make sense and thanks to great writing and direction, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 perfectly transitions from the DCEU to DCU.
It is not required to see ‘Superman‘ before diving into this new season. There are mentions of the events of the film, and even though they do play a key role in the series, it does a great job of letting viewers know the details they need to. That said, it will certainly enhance the viewing exprience if you have seen it.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) John Cena, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, and Steve Agee in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Erin Sintoes/Max.
Due to the nature of this season of ‘Peacemaker’, much of the cast has to flex their strengths as actors. Some of them are playing two versions of themselves while others are playing different versions of the characters we got to know in season one. It is always impressive when someone can pull this off and to have so many of them doing it in multiple episodes is no easy feat.
The chemistry between the cast is what has always been at the center of this series. That is what made these misfits so lovable. Something that James Gunn has always been good at is making viewers care about people that are not always perfect – sometimes far from it. But it is the stellar performances and the way the actors dove into these characters that made them unforgettable.
John Cena does a wonderul job as Peacemaker, especially taking into consideration the diliema he is put in almost immediately. It is easy to see the internal struggle he is putting himself through, which makes it impossible not to root for him even more.
Jennifer Holland once again shines as Emilia Harcourt. She knows how to give her a hard exterior that fans want to see be chipped away. Every so often we get a peek at a softer side, but don’t be fooled, she knows how to kick serious butt, and we love to watch it.
Frank Grillo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Season 2 delivers more of the same, but not in a redundant way. There are a lot of heartfelt and emotional conversations being had. Some rifts are formed, which become difficult to watch, but surely keeps things interesting. The same off-the-wall humor is there with moments that might send you into laughing fits.
Of course the entire returning cast is wonderful. It is clear they know these characters inside and out. That said, Frank Grillo coming in as Rick Flag Sr. is one of the biggest standouts of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2. He voiced this character in ‘Creature Commandos‘ and briefly appeared as him in live-action in ‘Superman’, but his journey in this series is completely captivating. He is extremely vulnerable, but also volatile, and easily one of the best written characters of the season from what we have seen so far.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 is able to capture the same craziness of the first season. Writer James Gunn knows how to tell a story that will have fans cracking up one minute and wiping away tears the next. Having to retcon some events can be a scary situation, but he handled this wonderfully.
It is lovely to see these characters together on screen again. With just three episodes to follow, it is hard to say where things will go, but the stakes are high, as are the emotions. There has to be a reason they were held back from press, and considering the end of episode five, the possibilities seem endless.
What’s the story of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2?
In season 2, Peacemaker (Cena) discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.
It’s fair to say that the Marvel movies, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, have reached “cultural event” status. And there’s a strong case to be made that the MCU is a currently a pop culture juggernaut, the likes of which we haven’t since the original ‘Star Wars‘ trilogy hit theaters for the first time.
It is a great time to watch the Marvel movies in order now and you can watch them all on Disney Plus in 4K format. You can even plan virtual Marvel movie nights with your friends using Disney+ GroupWatch feature.
(L to R) Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a sickly man from Brooklyn who’s transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) – Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.
The story follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.
Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.
Against his father Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – a powerful but arrogant warrior god – recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
When Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
(L to R) Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
After the cataclysmic events in New York with ‘The Avengers’, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Following the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans), which causes an epic battle between former allies.
Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’
King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett).
Just when his time under house arrest is about to end, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) once again puts his freedom at risk to help Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) dive into the quantum realm and try to accomplish, against time and any chance of success, a very dangerous rescue mission.
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization and his father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung).
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.
Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Teaming with other Multiverse Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield), they must now work together to take out the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx) and other Spider-Man villains from around the multiverse.
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present. The special follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Quill the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child.
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) , and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible and pits them against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).
Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), aka Captain Marvel, has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe.
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
Preview:
‘Peacemaker’s second season brought DC to Hall H.
Show creator James Gunn and star John Cena were among those on the panel.
Gunn talked up where the season fits into the DC Universe.
Who would have imagined that ‘Peacemaker’, designed as a spin-off from James Gunn’s 2021 DC movie ‘The Suicide Squad’, would be one of the few elements to remain in place once the filmmaker took over DC Studios and began building out his own mythology.
Well, Gunn, obviously, as he’s using Season 2 of the show to expand on the story he started telling in this summer’s ‘Superman’.
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And Comic-Con was naturally the place for him to show off new looks at the returning series, which has John Cena starring as the blundering, blustering vigilante, alongside offering hints of other DC Studios projects going forward.
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Curtis Bonds Baker/Max.
In season 2, Peacemaker (Cena) discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.
What happened at the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 panel?
Frank Grillo in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
To the surprise of almost no one, Cena showed up in full Peacemaker costume. He does this a lot for promotional events. Hope he has them washed in between appearances.
Gunn had this to say about how the show connects with ‘Superman’:
“The show happens a month after the events in ‘Superman’. There’s a lot of the characters [who] return in [this] season of ‘Peacemaker’. In the very first episode, we have Guy Gardner, but there’s a lot more as we go down the line. But it is definitely a part of the DCU now.”
Lest you forget, Guy Gardner is played by Nathan Fillion, reprising his ‘Superman’ role.
A clip (which will not be publicly released) from the new season was shown to attendees, featuring Holland’s Emilia Harcourt kicking ass in a bar but a new trailer is now online:
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The new season will see Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. seeking revenge for Peacemaker having killed his son (in ‘The Suicide Squad’). And our hero –– to stretch the term to its widest interpretation — seeks a new life in an alternate dimension where he really does get to be a good guy.
There was also a look at the new opening credits –– still a dance number, but with new music and some different characters added.
And Gunn reveals that the music will, as is usual for his projects, be on point:
“I mean, first of all, I think the soundtrack this season is my favorite soundtrack I’ve ever done. It’s so good with so many bands I love. It is in line with the soundtrack from the first season, but it’s a lot more modern bands, actually a lot more songs from the past, you know, 10-15, years or so.”
When will ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 be on screens?
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 lands on HBO Max on August 21st with its first episode, followed by seven more episodes weekly.
‘Peacemaker’ season 2 premieres on HBO Max August 21st.
2025 San Diego Comic-Con runs July 24th-July 27th. Photo: Comic-Con International.
Preview:
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is taking place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 24th through July 27th.
Neither Marvel nor DC will have studio panels, but there are still plenty of other great film and TV projects being highlighted.
Notable panels include ‘Predator: Badlands’, ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, ‘The Long Walk’, and more.
Legendary filmmaker George Lucas will also be making an appearance on Sunday.
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is right around the corner, and with Marvel and DC opting to skip out on studio panels this year, it might seem like there is no reason to attend. That, however, could not be further from the truth, as there are still many incredible projects being showcased this year.
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Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are packed to the brim with can’t miss panels, including ‘Predator: Badlands‘, ‘Peacemaker‘ Season 2, ‘The Toxic Avenger‘, and ‘Star Trek’. On Sunday, legendary filmmaker George Lucas will make an appearance at the famed Hall H, alongside Guillermo del Toro, to offer a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Peter Dinklage as “Toxie” in the action, comedy, horror film, ‘The Toxic Avenger’, a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Yana Blajeva/Legendary Pictures.
‘The Toxic Avenger’ reimagining is taking over Hall H on Thursday July 24th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. San Diego Comic-Con attendees will get an exclusive first look at the film, but that is not all. Writer and director Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman, and cast including Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige wil be on hand to discuss behind-the-scenes stories. The panel features a live Q&A, and exclusive footage from the upcoming film.
Synopsis: When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.
Friday, July 25th
‘The Long Walk’
Mark Hamill at The Major in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Master storyteller Stephen King’s first novel finally hits the big screen in ‘The Long Walk‘, from visionary director Francis Lawrence (‘The Hunger Games’ franchise films) and adapted by screenwriter JT Mollner (‘Strange Darling‘). Cast and filmmakers will participate in this Hall H panel from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Friday, July 25th for an in-depth Q&A session and first look at the intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: How far could you go?
Synopsis: Every year, fifty teenage boys meet for an event known throughout the country as “The Long Walk.” Among this year’s chosen crop is sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty. He knows the rules: that warnings are issued if you fall under speed, stumble, sit down. That after three warnings… you get your ticket. And what happens then serves as a chilling reminder that there can be only one winner in the Walk. The one that survives.
‘Predator: Badlands’
Elle Fanning from ‘Predator: Badlands’ at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Director Dan Trachtenberg (‘Prey‘) joins stars Elle Fanning (‘A Complete Unknown‘) and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi(‘Upright’) immediately following the panel for ‘The Long Walk’ in Hall H for an exclusive look at ‘Predator: Badlands’, the latest chapter in the legendary franchise. Hear firsthand stories from the set, insights into the film’s new setting and characters, and get a sneak peek at never-before-seen footage.
Synopsis: The film is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
After learning all about ‘Predator: Badlands’, stay in your Hall H seats and step into the Grid as director Joachim Rønning (‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil‘) and the cast of ‘TRON: Ares‘ take the stage to discuss the highly anticipated next installment in the Tron saga. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, get character insights, and have an exclusive first look at footage from the film.
Synopsis: A highly sophisticated Program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
Saturday, July 26th
‘Project Hail Mary’
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Phil Lord (director and producer), Christopher Miller (director and producer), Ryan Gosling (actor and producer), Drew Goddard (screenwriter and executive producer), and Andy Weir (author and producer) give an exclusive first look at the most anticipated sci-fi thriller movie event of 2026 in Hall H on Saturday, July 26th from 2:15pm to 3:15pm.
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, ‘Project Hail Mary‘ follows a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship, lightyears from home, with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: to solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction . . . but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
Peacmaker Season 2
(L to R) John Cena and Danielle Brooks in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2. Photo: Jessica Miglio/Max.
The HBO Max series ‘Peacemaker’, from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television, returns for a highly anticipated second season on August 21. Fans that attend the SDCC 2025 panel, which immediately follows the ‘Project Hail Mary’ panel, will be treated to exclusive sneak peek footage from the new season and a conversation with James Gunn (co-head of DC Studios, executive producer, writer, director) and actors John Cena (Peacemaker, executive producer), Danielle Brooks (Adebayo), Jennifer Holland (Harcourt), Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), Steve Agee (Economos), Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.), Sol Rodriguez (Sasha Bordeaux), and Tim Meadows (Langston Fleury).
Synopsis: The continuing story of Peacemaker – a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it – in the aftermath of the events of ‘The Suicide Squad‘.
Sunday, July 27th
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The perfect way to close out San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is to attend the final Hall H panel at 11:00am on Sunday, July 27th. Legendary filmmaker George Lucas, Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, and Academy Award-winning artist Doug Chiang explore the power of illustrated storytelling and offer a sneak peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, moderated by Grammy, Emmy, Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning artist, Queen Latifah.
Fans are worried that James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ has too many characters in it.
James Gunn is known for large ensemble casts and knows how to write for them.
No one has ever complained about the numerous characters in ‘The Godfather’.
Every time a new trailer or TV spot for ‘Superman‘ is released, the internet is abuzz with people saying that there are too many characters. The concerns are that if there are too many characters, the story would be difficult to follow, there would be too many side plots to give the core story the time it needs, and the film would end up too oversaturated.
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The thing is, James Gunn is well known for his large ensemble casts. This is his wheelhouse, so there is no reason to be worried. He thrilled Marvel fans with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ trilogy, and his ‘The Suicide Squad‘ success surely had something to do with DC Studios handing him the reins as co-CEO.
On top of that, this feels like just another reason for people to complain about something they aren’t even that passionate about, as no one has ever said the same about ‘The Godfather‘, which has just as many characters.
The Prominent Characters In ‘Superman’ All Make Sense For The Story We Assume Is Being Told
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
One of the biggest thing that fans need to remember about ‘Superman’ is that this is technically the introduction into James Gunn’s DCU, as it is the first feature film. Yes, ‘Peacemaker‘ is (mostly) cannon and ‘Creature Commandos‘ is included yet animated, but this is the real start of Gunn’s plans. Because of this, it is necessary to establish the world that these heroes live in. Superman is not the only hero, and opting not to include any others would only hurt the believability of the story.
How many times have people asked where the Eternals or Namor were during the events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War‘ and ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ and why they never came to help? Even if Marvel tries to offer a reason, most viewers do not accept it. James Gunn is avoiding this response to ‘Superman’ by showing where the main characters of the DCU are during these events and establishing that they do exist in this world.
David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent / Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther, can you imagine a story that only involves the three of them? Not only would it likely get very boring, very quickly, it risks being repetative and too closed off.
Adding in nurmerous characters (that are likely to not be a major part of the plot, mind you) such as Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr will bring in subplots and round out the universe, making it more realistic while simultaneously setting up for what is to come in future films and television projects.
If Anyone Can Handle An Ensemble Cast, It Is James Gunn
It is hard not to laugh at the idea that ‘Superman’ has too many characters when you look at who is behind it all. James Gunn is writing and directing, and if anyone knows his way around an ensemble cast, it is that man. He is a genuis when it comes to plucking characters out of obscurity and telling an emotional, exciting, and action-packed story around them.
While Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luther are undoubtedly household names, several other characters in ‘Superman’ are not. Those who do not read DC Comics and don’t immerse themselves in these worlds, probably have never heard of Mister Terrific or Steve Lombard. James Gunn excels at bringing these types of characters to life.
If you look at character list for ‘The Suicide Squad’, it has just as many, if not more, than ‘Superman’ does. There were two complete rosters in that movie and fans still soaked it all in and loved nearly every moment of it. James Gunn is brilliant when it comes to giving every character, big or small, their time to shine and justifying their reason to exist in that universe. There is no reason to believe he will not do the same with ‘Superman’.
No One Has Ever Said ‘The Godfather’ Has Too Many Characters
(L to R) James Caan, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and John Cazale in ‘The Godfather’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The final point to make in this arguement is that no one has ever said ‘The Godfather’ had too many characters – and there are at least fifteen prominent characters in that movie. They do not all need a backstory for it to make sense that they exist in the world. Viewers don’t complain that the plot gets lost because there are so many of them, and ‘The Godfather’ certainly is not considered a bad movie (not even remotely).
This is just one example of a beloved film having multiple characters, each with a job to do to drive the plot forward even if you don’t know about their upbringing or their deep dark secrets. A movie can have one hundred main characters and still be good if the writing and the story being told is good.
James Gunn himself pointed out that ‘Oppenheimer‘ has three times as many speaking roles as ‘Superman’ does and promises that the film will not confuse anyone in an interview with IGN. Plus, ‘Superman’ isn’t even out yet, so can we please normalize saving the criticism of a movie until after you watch it?
(L to R) David Corenswet and Krypto in ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
(L to R) Nina Mazursky, GI Robot, The Bride, Rick Flag Sr., Dr. Phosphorus, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Launching with its first two episodes (of seven) on December 5th on Max, ‘Creature Commandos’ marks the start of filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran’s run in charge of DC Studios, the arm of Warner Bros. Discovery intended to adapt its sprawling DC Comics properties.
It faces quite the challenge, since Warners has seen some truly mixed fortunes with the likes of Superman, Batman and the rest, and particularly in combining them via one cohesive cinematic universe.
Gunn certainly brings some experience to the table, having spent a few years with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ characters in the MCU (and a wealth of other genre work), plus getting a solid ‘Suicide Squad’ effort into cinemas and, possibly even more importantly, impressing audiences with his take on the Peacemaker character spun off from that on to TV.
(L to R) Dr. Phosphorus, GI Robot, The Bride, Nina Mazursky, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
This very much has the feel of Gunn’s work –– it’s chatty, funny in a dark, sometimes sarcastic way, but is also filled with moments of humanity (even if they’re for characters who are decidedly non-human).
Here, he’s able to indulge in even more of what he enjoys, including deconstructing tropes (while also using them when needed), poking fun at stalwart concepts such as heroism and moral gray areas and letting a talented cast. That much-aimed for cohesiveness is already showing up, since Frank Grillo, who voices Rick Flag Sr. here, will be bringing the character to live-action for ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Dr. Phosphorus, The Bride, Nina Mazursky, Rick Flag Sr., GI Robot, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Gunn, in typically busy form, wrote all seven episodes, adapting the comics originally created by Pat Broderick and J.M. DeMatteis.
The story across the episodes follows one mission –– taking down the threat of sorceress Circe (Anya Chalotra) who has tasked what is effectively an incel army obsessed with the all-female island of Themiscyra (AKA Wonder Woman’s home) with attacking a small fictional Eastern European country in the hopes of using its resources to conquer the island, which Circe believes is her right.
Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, who has played the role across the two ‘Suicide Squad’ movies and ‘Peacemaker’ has to gather who she can to send on the mission to stop them, her resources severely depleted since the disastrous assignment in Gunn’s ‘Squad’ movie.
(L to R) GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus, The Bride, Rick Flag Sr., Nina Mazursky, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
It’s a compelling set up for a misfit mission movie, the various characters quickly proving to be oil and water in their outlooks, and Flag trying to keep them unified (or at least not killing each other… or him).
The result is an entertaining brew that is filled with plenty of action and drama and also manages to explore the backstories of the various characters (yes, even Weasel has a tragic past).
Yves “Balak” Bigerel is the show’s supervising director, and he and his team certainly find a style that fits with Gunn’s writing. The animation brings to mind more recent efforts such as ‘Harley Quinn,’ and its dynamic enough for what it needs.
Performances
Gunn has recruited an impressive voice cast for the show, with a few standouts…
Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
(L to R) Rick Flag Sr., Amanda Waller in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
While Flag, pressed into service to lead the team, is more of a straight man to the wilder personalities that make it up, he’s not without depth and a proper storyline. Grillo lends him the appropriate amount of gruff weariness and shows the man’s layers particularly when talking about his late son (in one of several references to ‘The Suicide Squad’).
The Bride in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The Bride of Frankenstein is one of the more interesting characters on the team, filled with rage and sadness at her creation (or re-birth) purely to serve the interests of a man. It’s one that needed a sure touch, and between Gunn’s writing and Varma’s sensitive, full-throated performance, it works well.
(L to R) Nina Mazursky, GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The team’s aquatic mutant, she’s the nerdy, nervier member who has to find her backbone to really fight alongside them. Chao does good work voicing both sides of a character who has one of the more interesting arcs.
(L to R) Princess Ilana, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Gunn veteran Bakalova (who voiced Cosmo in the third ‘Guardians’ movie), here voices the princess of the country that Flag and the rest are sent to help. Initially attracted to the old soldier, she reveals some hidden depths and Bakalova is good playing the layers.
Other notable characters
(L to R) GI Robot in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
This being a Gunn production, it surely would be complete without at least one member of his family, and Sean Gunn is back playing both the slavering Weasel (who, as mentioned, gets a convincingly sad backstory) and World War II relic creation G.I. Robot, who is obsessed with slaying Nazis. Sean Gunn brings them both to vibrant vocal life.
David Harbour, meanwhile, scores a decently meaty role as Eric Frankenstein, the creature created by the literary doctor, who has his own reasons for keeping track of our heroes (and obviously factors into the Bride’s story).
Final Thoughts
(L to R) GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Not every filmmaker would choose to have the story of a group of violent, strange creatures be the beachhead for their new, linked comic book adaptation universe. But James Gunn is not every filmmaker, and while ‘Creature Commandos’ certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, it’s quite the calling card.
His take on Superman will be with us next year and that might give us more an idea of how he handles the traditional hero’s story. For now, though, this group are entertaining and emotional in equal measure.
And those who are big DC Comics fans will find plenty of references –– not that you have to know them to understand the story –– bringing flavor to the show.
‘Creature Commandos’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘Creature Commandos’?
The new DC animated series tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans.
When all else fails… they’re your last, worst option.
(L to R) Carrie-Anne Moss and Douglas Smith in ‘Die Alone’. Photo: Filmoption.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Carrie-Anne Moss about her work on ‘Die Alone’, her first reaction to the screenplay, similarities to ‘Memento’, her approach to her character, working with Douglass Smith, and collaborating with director Lowell Dean on set.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.
Carrie-Anne Moss as Mae in the Thriller, Horror ‘Die Alone’, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to this screenplay and what intrigued you about this world that Lowell Dean had created?
Carrie-Anne Moss: I loved the script right away. I particularly loved the part of Mae, the character, and I really wanted to play her. I’m not a real zombie apocalypse, gory film watcher, but the story was what really brought me to wanting to be a part of it, the love story, and the journey of Mae. I just thought it was something I really wanted to be a part of, and then when I talked to Lowell, and he had such a clear vision. Any concerns that I slightly had, he was just like, “Yeah,” because the ending of the movie, I wasn’t sure. The ending on the page, it was really disturbing. I don’t mind disturbing things, I am not saying that, but there was intimacy and that quality. There was something in that that I just wasn’t sure as just reading it. He just assured me. He said, “You’re going to love the ending,” and he was right. I love the ending. That really surprised me, because again, I felt the love, I guess. He wanted to tell this love story, and I saw it as that as well.
MF: There is an amnesia element to ‘Die Alone’ that reminded me of ‘Memento’. Did you realize that as well when you were making this movie?
CAM: Well, I have to say that was one of the hesitations that I had with it, was that there was a couple of moments, let’s say two moments between me and him where I was like, “Oh, is this too similar?” But then when I finished it and I really looked at the larger scope of the project, it’s nothing like ‘Memento’. Even the amnesia part, it’s so different, so that was how I was able to quell that. But it deterred me in the beginning, because I don’t want to do something again. You know what I mean? That’s not something I’m looking to do. But overall, I didn’t really feel they were that similar, in the end. There’s a couple of lines where I go, “Oh.” A little bit of a nod, I guess.
(L to R) Douglas Smith as Ethan and Carrie-Anne Moss as Mae in the Thriller, Horror ‘Die Alone’, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
MF: Without giving anything away about the plot, as an actress, how do you approach a character as complex as Mae?
CAM: Well, you rely on the writing, for sure. He wrote the character and the script very solidly, then you must play the truth and make sure you hit your moments. I mean, you must obviously do that no matter what, but it was really on the page. I just had to embody her.
MF: Can you talk about the friendship Mae forms with Ethan and what it was like working with Douglass Smith?
CAM: Oh, great. I mean, I’ve worked with him before, so we have a relationship. We know each other. We weren’t close, but we worked a lot more together than we had in the past. He’s very easy to be with. He’s such a good actor, and he’s such a pleasure to act with, very professional. He’s great. I think he does such a great job.
(L to R) Carrie-Anne Moss as Mae and Director Lowell Dean in a BTS still from the Thriller, Horror ‘Die Alone’, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
MF: Finally, what was it like collaborating with director Lowell Dean?
CAM: Yeah, he really opens the space to allow you to have the freedom. He hires a lot of great people, even on the crew and stuff. Everyone’s doing their thing. He has an input in all of it, but then when he calls action, he really lets you be, so I appreciated that. I like that way of working.
MF: Just to follow up, is that what you are looking for from a director when working on set?
CAM: I mean, that’s not what I’m looking for, but when it does happen, it’s really my favorite way to work. It’s just not how everybody works, but when it happens, or you have a moment of that, or maybe you’ll have little bits of that, but some people just set that tone. I’d say Christopher Nolan totally sets that tone. First time I’d ever really been in that environment was with Christopher Nolan, where he just opens it up and you get to do your thing. Lowell did the same thing.
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What is the plot of ‘Die Alone’?
Lost in a world reclaimed by nature and overrun by mysterious creatures, a young man (Douglass Smith) with amnesia teams up with an eccentric survivalist (Carrie Anne-Moss) to find his missing girlfriend.
(L to R) Douglas Smith as Ethan, Director Lowell Dean and Frank Grillo as Kai in a BTS still from the Thriller, Horror ‘Die Alone’, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
Rhona Mitra as “Selina” in the action/thriller/war film, ‘Hounds of War’, an XYZ Films release. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress Rhona Mitra about her work on ‘Hounds of War’, her first reaction to the screenplay, her character, working with Frank Grillo, shooting the action sequences, and collaborating with director Isaac Florentine, as well as looking back on her work on the classic action movie ‘Doomsday’.
You can watch the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.
(L to R) Frank Grillo as “Ryder” and Rhona Mitra as “Selina” in the action/thriller/war film, ‘Hounds of War’, an XYZ Films release. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to make this movie?
Rhona Mitra: Well, this came in pretty hard and fast, and the turnaround was very quick, so I didn’t have too much time to chew on it. When a script and a project like this comes in, you got to get on a plane within 24 hours, so I need to make sure that I’ll be able to walk on set and do the character justice and not feel like a goofball. That’s literally an actor’s nightmare to walk on the set and feel like you’re unprepared. I knew Frank, so that was a bonus. I knew what I was dealing with there. All my scenes are with Frank, so that was a no-brainer. It was shooting in Malta, which doesn’t hurt at all. That’s pretty much all I needed because at the end of the day, it’s a job. There’s fighting and I love fighting. I love fight sequences, and I knew I’d be working with a good stunt team.
MF: How would you describe your character and your approach to playing her?
RM: I mean, she’s a woman who’s come from a life which has been hard. I think that I’ve obviously played characters in my life where these women who end up in these very male dominated environments doing incredibly dangerous stuff with a lot of men. I’ve played so many women who have done this now. Something that I draw on is always trying to find where’s the little girl before all of this happened and how does she get on this trajectory? She’s in this very dangerous world, and there’s a point where she just pulls herself out of it, which I think that we all get to that point when we hit about our 40s, where we have this “come to Jesus” moment and go, “Hang on a second. Where am I? Who am I? How the hell did I get here?” Either you take yourself off the boil for a while and do some serious reassessing, or you carry on a trajectory which may or may not serve you, and most likely it won’t. I think we all must have that point where we kind of step back and become the architects from the ground up again. She created a sanctuary. She stepped away from this world, she took care of herself. When it comes back knocking on her doorstep in the form of somebody who obviously she has very fond feelings for, she goes back into it because of her connection to the person rather than the addiction of being part of that world. I think that’s something that’s really appealing to me is how do we engage with this violent world that we’re living in and not abandon the softness of our true essence? I know that’s way deeper than anything this film is saying, but that’s what I liked about it. That’s what I related to, if that makes sense.
Frank Grillo in ‘Hounds of War’. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
MF: Can you talk about Selina’s history with Ryder and why she decides to help him?
RM: Because he is like a family member. There are some people in our lives that you just feel so deeply loyal to. You often find in anything that’s kind of military, whether it’s legal or not, it doesn’t matter if it’s sort of corrupt or legit, it’s all corrupt. All of it is naughty. But there is this bond that is formed, and I’ve worked with so many different people, whether it’s SAS or Navy SEALs, there’s an orphanage of misfits that get recruited into this kind of world where you form a family that is beyond anything that you can ever really put words to because you do or die with them. The way that Frank and I discussed this and what he and I both know, and we believe in, is that that love, which is not a romantic love, is a connection which is so beautiful because they will die for each other and it’s not romantic. I find that much more interesting than romantic love. It’s a loyalty, which is a very beautiful thing, that exists between people in service.
MF: What was it like working with Frank Grillo again?
RM: I’ve worked with Frank before. So, I knew him. Working with Frank is like working with a sibling. I just know him, and we know each other. So, we know how to move around each other, and we can just about push each other’s buttons enough to get all the right elements out. We have a good dance with each other. We both know where to tread, and that’s important. This movie is Frank, and he must do his thing. Creating the environment where Frank can do his thing while also doing your thing, because you must be able to go toe-to-toe with Frank Grillo. You’ve got to be able to hold your own. So, I think I can do that with him.
Frank Grillo as “Ryder” in the action/thriller/war film, ‘Hounds of War’, an XYZ Films release. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
MF: Can you talk about shooting the action sequences and working with the stunt team?
RM: They’re always my favorite part of any production. Stunt people are unequivocally the most respectful, the most dedicated, and the most creative in so many ways because they’re creating a language that’s not even on the page. So, while you’re saying, “Okay, we need to have this happen.” The stunt choreographer is basically creating a whole dance that isn’t even written, that doesn’t even have notes, that doesn’t even have melody. Ten you get together with them, and they show you this. I love it because it’s so violently poetic and it’s so cathartic that every single time you do a take or you get it right, you see that it’s such a great team feeling. That I love, because you created something with a team that everyone is proud of. Ultimately, for me, it puts me in my most humble state because I must do right by the stunt team. They’re so much better than me that all I want is to get a good report card from them. All I want is to make sure when they see that take, they’re like, “Girl, done good.” I feel like I always want to show up and do the best job for them. I don’t really care what anyone else says. If the stunt coordinator or the partner I’m doing the fight with looks at me with the nod of respect, I go home a happy girl.
MF: What was it like collaborating with director Isaac Florentine on set?
RM: He’s a lovely, lovely man. He’s a very gentle person. He knows his fight world so well. So, to be able to see somebody kind of conduct that world the way that he does was a very new experience for me. It’s a collaboration because character and nuances of the characters that we are being charged to bring to life is a different balance because he’s not about character, he’s about the dance. There are different types of directors, so that’s where the collaboration comes in. So, him trusting us, me to shape and form the dance to Selina’s way of moving is a trust. It’s a mutual trust. I hope he felt okay about handing that over. He’s so bloody good at what he does, but hopefully he was happy with what I did with the character.
Rhona Mitra in ‘Doomsday’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
MF: Finally, 2008’s ‘Doomsday’ has grown a big cult following since its release, do you have fond memories of making that movie?
RM: I do have a lot of fond memories of making that film. For me, it was one of the greatest bonds that I ever made with a crew. The crew on that film, I feel like I went to war with for seven months. I feel like that was a real labor of love and tenacity and trying to make something work. There’s a lot of difficult elements in that production as they are with a lot. But the best part of it was, again, it was the stunts and crew, they’re always my favorite part. We had the best crew. We shot in South Africa. We got amazing shots that should never have happened, virtually with no time, with very little money. We worked hard. I mean, it’s a lot of fun. Again, I just want to make sure that I’m playing a character plausibly. I’m only five foot six, and so I’m having to go up against these big giants and make it look plausible. I take that seriously. So, I was in training twice a day and I was with the stunt team who became brothers to me. We were always practicing our fight sequences. I did horse riding. I did a 180 handbrake turn in a Bentley Continental. I managed to do that. I learned so much stuff that was, for me, the off-camera stuff was probably the most enjoyable. That and ‘Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, I’d have to say I love them both deeply, the process of making those films.
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What is the plot of ‘Hounds of War’?
Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick and Rhona Mitra star in ‘Hounds of War’ about the best military mercenaries that money can buy. Known as ‘The Hounds’, they are sent on a final mission by their creator: a carefully planned trap set up to destroy them.
Who is in the cast of ‘Hounds of War’?
Frank Grillo as Ryder
Robert Patrick as Colonel Hart
Rhona Mitra as Selina
‘Hounds of War’ will be available on digital beginning September 20th.
It was later revealed officially that Grillo would be playing Rick Flag Sr. in the animated series ‘Creature Commandos’ and eventually other live-action DC projects. We’ve since learned that he will in fact also appear in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2 as Flag and wait for it … Grillo will appear in ‘Superman’ as well.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of once again speaking exclusively with Frank Grillo about his new movie ‘Long Gone Heroes’, which is available in theaters, on digital and on demand September 20th, as well as ‘Hounds of War’, which will be available on VOD September 20th.
We also spoke to Grillo about shooting ‘Superman’, working with James Gunn, ‘Peacemaker’ season 2, working with John Cena, making ‘Creature Commandos’, and if Joel Kinnaman calls him dad now.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
Here is what Grillo said about keeping his appearance in ‘Superman’ a secret:
“They are so trying to not let anything out prematurely, purely for the audience, purely for the fans. I’ve been terrible at it in the past and have almost been fired. I swore to them I would not, if I had to lie, I’ll lie. I hate to lie, but yeah, I just can’t say anything. I think it’s for the best. Because of the way (James) Gunn and Peter Safran have organized DC, whether it’s ‘Peacemaker’ and ‘Superman’, a lot of it is intertwined. So, if you talk about something, it could be a spoiler. So, you got to be diligent about not just saying too much, you know? By the way, that was my excuse with Marvel. I’m like, “I’m not lying.” They’re like, “Yeah, you are.” I’m like, “I don’t want to lie. It makes me feel bad.” They go, “We don’t care.’”
He also had this to say about working with James Gunn on ‘Superman’ and other projects:
“I mean, look, I’ve been on those sets, right? I’ve been on the steps. I’ve been in that world with all of them, with the biggest, right? Especially when I had the little bit in ‘Avengers’, every one of those guys was there. It was so amazing. But James Gunn is a different creature. He’s a different animal, right? He’s an artist who now took over a studio and he’s an active artist. I mean, what he’s written for ‘Creature Commandos’. It’s amazing. When I read his words for ‘Peacemaker’, I’m like, it’s perfect. He’s a creative master, and what they are doing between the business aspect and the creative aspect is mind-boggling to me. So, I think everyone’s going to be happy.”
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‘Peacemaker’ Season 2
John Cena in ‘Peacemaker’. Photo: Max.
Grillo confirmed that he will appear in ‘Peacemaker’ season 2 saying, “Oh, (I’m in) the whole thing. Yeah.”
He also had this to say about working with John Cena:
“There’s another guy. I would think, “Oh, Cena, a wrestler, kind of a thug.” But this guy reads a book every two days. He is the most gracious man I have ever met. Intelligent, funny, strong, but there’s no accidents. I always say there’s no accidents in success. John Cena is exactly where John Cena should be. The guy’s a freak. You know what he does on his spare time in the trailer? He plays the piano!”
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‘Creature Commandos’
DC Studios’ ‘Creature Commandos.’ Photo: DC and Warner Bros.
The animated series will kick off DC’s ‘Chapter One: Gods and Monsters’ saga and is set to premiere on Max December 5th.
Grillo had this to say about the new series:
“I can’t say anything about it, but I’ve seen it. I’ve done it, and it’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it’s raunchy and it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. So, we’re going to go to (New York) Comic-Con with it in October to show a little bit of it. I’m so excited and I’m excited for James Gunn and Peter Safran, most of all. I really am.”
Finally, we asked Grillo if he’s met Joel Kinnaman who played Rick Flag Jr. in the ‘Suicide Squad’ movies, and if so, did Kinnaman call him dad?
“Yeah, Joel and I had to do a couple of things. I didn’t know Joel. We knew each other through mutual friends, but never really knew each other. That’s what I love about this business. Another spectacular guy, spectacular actor. I’m a big fan of his acting, but (he’s) just a great person. I love that guy. He’s a good man. I’m glad he is my son.”
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David Corenswet as Superman in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’. Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram.
