Jaume Collet-Serra is on to direct a new action thriller called ‘Kate Warne’.
Emily Blunt is considering starring in the film as the title character, with Dwayne Johnson producing.
The script has been re-written but will still have to wait until the actors’ strike is over.
It looks like we have a ‘Jungle Cruise’ reunion in the works. No, the sequel has not chugged forward much given the dual strikes (though you can bet Disney will be looking to move this one along now that at least the writers’ action is over).
Instead, ‘Cruise’ director Jaume Collet-Serra is boarding the in-development detective thriller ‘Kate Warne’, which is being produced by Dwayne Johnson (who, of course, starred in the Disney ride adaptation).
And the ‘Jungle’ connections continue as Emily Blunt has been considering starring in this one for a couple of years now –– she was first mentioned as circling back in 2021 –– but, as Deadline reminds us, the actors are still on strike, so she has yet to make a formal acting deal.
She’ll be back to negotiating to star when the industrial action is over, but there is no sign of that just yet. Even if she doesn’t end up in the main role, she’s also a producer on the film, alongside Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions.
The Amazon-owned MGM is hoping that with Collet-Serra’s attachment, it’ll move forward once anything can shoot.
What’s the story of ‘Kate Warne’?
Emily Blunt in ‘The English’ which premieres November 11th on Prime Video.
‘Kate Warne’ is described as a propulsive action adventure built around Warne, a real life female Sherlock Holmes in a male dominated industry whose singular sleuthing skills paved the way for future women in law enforcement and forever changed how detective work was done.
Gustin Nash wrote the first draft of the script, but it has since seen a re-write (before the strike) with ‘Godmothered’s Melissa Stack taking over screenplay duties.
This feels more in Collet-Serra’s wheelhouse –– he’s been known for the likes of Liam Neeson thrillers ‘Non-Stop’, and ‘The Commuter’, while he last made ‘Black Adam’ with Johnson in the title role –– than even ‘Jungle Cruise’ though he’s proved to be adaptable through his career so far.
He’s also been behind movies such as horror pic ‘Orphan’ and shark thriller ‘The Shallows’.
Next up for the director is ‘Carry On’, which sees Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, a young TSA agent who is blackmailed by a mysterious traveler to allow a dangerous package through security and on to a Christmas Day flight.
The latest movie from the DC cinematic universe showcases Jaime Reyes as he gains incredible superhero powers from an ancient alien tech known as The Scarab.
Blue Beetle was first introduced in comic books in 1939 and has since made appearances in animated shows such as ‘Young Justice’, and live-action TV series such as ‘Smallville’. The film marks the Latino superhero’s first entry into the DCU, where it focuses on the origin of his power and the introduction of Kord Industries.
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Aside from great action sequences, the film also highlights Jaime’s family. Their close-knit relationship shows that not all superheroes need to go it alone. The Reyes family was always a part of the character’s story, and showcasing this in the movie adds an extra layer of emotion and heart.
“Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.”
Originally, the movie was not intended for a theatrical release. ‘Blue Beetle’ was set to hit streaming service Max (formerly HBO Max), but during development, the studio decided to give the film a theatrical run. Filmed for IMAX, audiences are able to be immersed in the story and action scenes of Blue Beetle.
As the newest superhero in the DCU line-up since James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as co-CEO, fans wonder if Blue Beetle will return in future projects. James Gunn took to his Instagram account with a photo from the screening to confirm that Jaime Reyes will remain in the DCU, “I can’t wait for audiences to meet Jaime Reyes, who will be an amazing part of the DCU going forward!”
Currently, there’s no word on whether a ‘Blue Beetle’ sequel is in development. However, this doesn’t mean Maridueña won’t show up in upcoming DC projects. Gunn has also confirmed that John Cena and Viola Davis will continue to have a presence in the DCU as their characters, Peacemaker and Amanda Waller.
‘Blue Beetle’ was released domestically on August 18, 2023. Currently, the movie is still playing in theaters, and if you want a chance to experience it on the big screen, AMC Theaters has the movie available for $5 as a part of its Fave Faves deal. ‘Blue Beetle’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes
Watch the official trailers for ‘Blue Beetler’ below:
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The movie was released on digital on September 26 and is available for purchase for $24.99 or rent for $19.99 on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube, and Google Play. The movie has yet to arrive on streaming, but once it meets its 90 to 120-day window, it should arrive on Max.
Fans can look forward to 4K UHD, Blu-Ray, and DVD release on October 31, 2023. There will be a steelbook edition as a Best Buy exclusive. Bonus features for the physical release include:
Generations: Blue Beetle” – 4-part documentary
Told in distinct chapters, explore the journeys of actors and filmmakers bringing “Blue Beetle” to the big screen for the first time ever. Audiences will be immersed in the POV of filmmakers who showcase their experiences on set and in their creative studios making the story of this DC character a reality.
Nana Knows Best – featurette
Witness Nana’s transformation from an adorable ‘abuelita’ into a machine gun-wielding revolutionary, and stop in for a few of her most fun moments on set throughout production.
Scarab Vision – 2-part featurette
Xolo Maridueña hosts this series of scene study walk throughs that showcases how the scarab works and the role it plays in some of Blue Beetle’s most epic moments.
Opening in theaters on September 15th before premiering on Prime Video September 22nd is the new biopic ‘Cassandro,’ which is based on the life of lucha libre wrestler Saúl Armendáriz and was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams (‘Music by Prudence’)
‘Cassandro’ director Roger Ross Williams.
What is the plot of ‘’Cassandro’?
When Saúl Armendáriz (Gael García Bernal) starts competing in the macho world of Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling, he’s always cast as the runt. After he meets Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez), Saúl gains not only a professional trainer but also a friend who helps him create a new character in the ring. Together they debut ‘Cassandro,’ a radical subversion of Lucha Libre’s stereotypical role known as the Exótico. Flamboyant and powerful, Cassandro turns lucha on its head. But Cassandro also upends Saúl’s own life, throwing into tumult his relationships with his mother Yocasta (Perla De La Rosa), his secret lover Gerardo (Raúl Castillo), and his absent father Eduardo (Robert Salas).
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Who is in the cast of ‘’Cassandro’?
Gael García Bernal (‘Werewolf by Night‘) as Saúl Armendáriz / Cassandro
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Roger Ross Williams about his work on ‘Cassandro,’ why he wanted to make a movie about the popular Mexican luchador, why Gael García Bernal was the only actor who could play the role, and how his background as a documentary filmmaker uniquely qualified him to direct this particular movie.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about learning of Saúl Armendáriz’s incredible story and his relentless spirit, why you wanted to make a movie about him and the themes that you wanted to explore?
Roger Ross Williams: The first time I met Cassandro, I went down to interview him and I fell completely in love with him. He has this positivity and inner spirit, inner glow that I just couldn’t believe. He’s so charismatic and he’s so positive. Even the challenges in life, he’s embraced them and used them in his character, and he’s authentically himself. I thought that was just a beautifully inspirational story to tell, and that’s why I wanted to tell the story. I want to make inspirational films, I want to tell inspirational stories about people who’ve overcome great odds. To me, it was about self-love, and he is someone that exemplifies that.
MF: Why was Gael Garcia Bernal the right actor to bring Cassandro’s story to the screen?
RRW: What other actor could play this role? He is one of the greatest actors in Mexico. He had the emotional and the physical chops to take this on, where he learned to wrestle. He spent months working with real luchadors learning to wrestle. He did most of his own stunts himself. It’s like he really threw himself into this role and I knew that that’s the kind of actor he is. So, ever since I saw ‘Y Tu Mamá También,’ and then of course ‘Bad Education,’ I knew that Gael was the actor. There was no other actor who could play this role, so I didn’t stop until I got him to say yes.
MF: Finally, since this is a biopic, do you think that your background in documentary filmmaking uniquely qualified you to make this movie?
RRW: I was open and flexible to, really, changes and creating things, and making magic happen on set, but also I was obsessive about the authenticity of the film. It’s a border story, it’s about a very specific community, it’s about a very specific world of lucha libre, in a very specific place of Juarez and El Paso. So capturing that in an authentic way was so important and so key to the story. I think because I’m a documentarian, those little details that, when I talk to someone either from that community or from the Latinx community, they’re like, “Wow, you nailed it. You got this world so right.” Because I did the research, and I spent time there. I spent time with the real Cassandro, and it was really important to me.
Opening in theaters on September 15th before premiering on Prime Video September 22nd, ‘Cassandro’ introduces mainstream American audiences (at least those who may not have seen 2019 documentary ‘Cassandro, the Exótico!’) to a boundary-pushing Mexican wrestler.
Gael García Bernal plays the main man in affecting and well-rounded fashion, though the movie itself never quite channels the flair of subject Saúl Armendáriz.
When Saúl Armendáriz (Bernal) starts competing in the macho world of Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling, he’s always cast as the runt.
After he meets Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez), Saúl gains not only a professional trainer but also a friend who helps him create a new character in the ring. Together they debut ‘Cassandro,’ a radical subversion of Lucha Libre’s stereotypical role known as the Exótico.
Flamboyant and powerful, Cassandro turns Lucha on its head. But Cassandro also upends Saúl’s own life, throwing into tumult his relationships with his mother Yocasta (Perla De La Rosa), his secret lover Gerardo (Raúl Castillo), and his absent father Eduardo (Robert Salas).
Co-written (with David Teague) and directed by Roger Ross Williams, ‘Cassandro’ takes an understated approach to the world of someone who never was, at least in the ring. Armendáriz’ story is one of struggle and triumph, ego and self-destruction, pride and hope. And, yes, while it has previously been chronicled by the 2019 documentary, that doesn’t detract from the appeal of the movie.
With a nuanced, emotional and typically great central performance by Bernal, the movie is anchored by his portrayal of the man, who suffered rejection from his father and had to hide who he truly was from most of the people around him.
Aside, that is from his doting mother Yocasta, (Perla De La Rosa, proving to be every bit the match for her onscreen son) with whom the young Armendáriz has spent most of his life. Their relationship is one of the highlights of the movie, wreathed with sadness but also joy at their close bond.
When Saul starts to develop the persona that will change the macho world of Lucha Libre, you see him come alive in a way he’s never been able to before. Williams chronicles it all with a steady eye and calm perspective, letting the story unspool in slow-burn style.
There are familiar beats to be found for sure, but Armendáriz’ story is a fascinating one. And refreshingly, the script doesn’t shy away from the fact that despite his game changing impact on his sport, Armendáriz’ fame doesn’t automatically translate into full acceptance in his private life, as his main relationship has to be kept a secret.
This gives the film some extra power and significance, and makes it stand out from others of the genre –– be they sports or other biopics (and it’s for good reason, since we are suddenly, pleasingly inundated with stories about Latino people achieving long-held dreams that offer different takes on the culture). It’s something worth celebrating.
Not everything about the movie works as well as its central performance(s).
The slow, focused approached to Armendáriz’ life works well when it is showing him struggling to find acceptance, working menial jobs or facing barriers in his personal life, but it sticks around for the wrestling scenes, and that only sporadically succeeds.
Cassandro as a character is wild and spontaneous, and the matches might have benefitted from a little more flair to keep up with him. There are fleeting moments where his skill as a wrestler translates (and Bernal clearly threw himself into training to be convincing), but it’s never quite as entertaining as the man himself.
Also, for a story about such a unique real-world character also hits a few of the standard points that you’d expect in a sports biopic such as this, though those are thankfully kept to a minimum.
There will, of course, be concerns about a straight actor such as Bernal playing a gay icon, but he quickly puts aside such worries with his sympathetic portrayal. Outside of that, his affair with a closeted fellow luchador is rarely quite as authentic.
Yet perhaps the biggest issue with the role is not one of sexuality, but of age. While Bernal at 44 does convincingly channel the much younger Armendáriz during his early days (he debuted as a wrestler in his pre-Cassandro era) at the age of 18, and the movie stars there.
It can be distracting at times to see Bernal playing the role, and it might have worked to have someone else play him as a teen (as Williams obviously does when he’s shown as a young boy), so as not to make you wonder why someone of at least 30 is in such a situation.
‘Cassandro’ is certainly an underdog story worth telling, even if the dramatic film that has resulted isn’t always able to properly contain it. But it looks at his life with an unflinching gaze and, when it lets him be himself, and as in Lucha itself, it shines.
‘Cassandro’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
“Cassandro’ will release globally on Prime Video in 2023.
(Left) Director Guillermo del Toro for ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.’ (Right) Jabba the Hutt in ‘Return of the Jedi.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.
Guillermo del Toro is one of those filmmakers with a list of exciting yet unmade projects that could fill a To Do list for seven directors.
There are his famous examples –– a third ‘Hellboy’ movie, Lovecraft adaptation ‘At the Mountains of Madness’ –– but those are just the tip of his probable project iceberg.
And while he’s talked up a potential ‘Star Wars’ project before (a galaxy where there are plenty of movies either in development or hovering in limbo at any one time), we now have confirmation from writer (and ‘Foundation’ showrunner) David S. Goyer that the idea of a del Toro ‘Star Wars’ movie came closer than anyone has imagined.
David S. Goyer talks his unmade Guillermo del Toro ‘Star Wars’ script.
‘Foundation’ season 2 showrunner and executive producer David S. Goyer.
Goyer stopped by the Happy Sad Confused podcast to discuss the latest season of ‘Foundation’ and more, and dropped word about the ‘Star Wars’ script he wrote with del Toro looking to direct.
Here’s what Goyer had to say:
“I wrote an unproduced ‘Star Wars’ movie that Guillermo del Toro was going to direct. It was about four years ago. It’s a cool script.”
Goyer did not go into details about what the movie might have been, but del Toro took to social media to confirm his story and to heavily hint that it would have featured Jabba the Hutt.
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Guillermo del Toro poses backstage with the Oscar® for Animated Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
That makes sense, since back in 2015, del Toro told Yahoo Movies that his ideal ‘Star Wars’ project would focus on the earlier days of the bulbous, sluglike gangster.
Here’s del Toro on the topic:
“This is not real; this is me as a fat geek just geeking out and talking about it. I would do the sort of ‘Godfather’ saga that Jabba the Hutt had to go through to gain control. One, because it’s the character that looks the most like me, and I like him. I love the idea of a Hutt type of mafia, a very complex coup. I just love the character.”
In other interviews, del Toro has confirmed that he pitched Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy on ideas for ‘Star Wars’ movies, but obviously his busy schedule or their plans didn’t let it come to pass. At least, not yet…
Goyer wasn’t done dropping hints about ‘Star Wars’ projects he worked on… And it sounds like the other is much closer to reality.
This is what Goyer said:
“I also wrote an unproduced… I have a ‘scriptment’ for an origins of the Jedi movie, also for ‘Star Wars,’ that I wrote, that took place 25,000 years before the first ‘Star Wars’ film.”
(L to R) Director James Mangold, and Dave Filoni at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Mangold later told Empire this about the planned movie:
“It takes place 25,000 years before Episode IV, and it’s about the discovery of the Force. I told Kathy [Kennedy] I wanted to make a kind of Bible movie, a kind of ‘Ten Commandments’ of ‘Star Wars’ –– kind of a Cecil B. DeMille film about the arrival of the Force, and that’s what I’ve been pecking away at between press events. That’s the idea.”
With luck, this one should make it to screens, but we may still have a wait ahead of us…
(Center) Jabba the Hutt in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.
Opening in select theaters on September 8th before premiering on Prime Video on September 15th, ‘A Million Miles Away’ chronicles the fascinating, ambitious true story of José M. Hernández, who went from picking crops with his family as a migrant worker to blasting off on the Space Shuttle.
Michael Peña plays Hernández, with Rosa Salazar as his equally ambitious and talented wife Adela, and the story is one to inspire anyone who dreams of making it to orbit.
‘A Million Miles Away’ follows Hernández and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station.
With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal.
It’s been quite the year for inspirational Latino stories, between ‘Flamin’ Hot’ and now ‘A Million Miles Away’. And if you thought breaking into the world of corporate America’s snack business was hard, try going from picking crops to riding on the Space Shuttle!
Director Alejandra Márquez José, working with co-writers Bettina Gilois and Hernán Jiménez, here adapts Hernández’ book, ‘Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut’, written with Monica Rojas Rubin.
The raw true story is one that has plenty of fuel for a movie, and Abella brings it to the screen with verve, energy and power. Hernández’ journey to NASA was far from an easy one; a bright child with a talent for math, he was nevertheless forced to move schools a lot at a young age as his family followed where the farm work was to be found. Yet, supported by his parents, he still managed to become and engineer and then, yes, an astronaut, helping to complete construction of the International Space Station.
Peña, who has long stolen scenes in much bigger movies (and has onscreen astronaut experience thanks to ‘The Martian’), here makes for an ideal leading man, his natural exuberance matching well with Hernández’ own.
Around him, the director has cast some great performers, with his family standing out –– not the least of which is Rosa Salazar as his dedicated wife. She’s vibrant and, unlike some biopics where the wife is reduced to standing by their husband or popping out kids at the expense of their own dreams. Adela managed to combine both.
By the time Hernández made it into the Astronaut Candidate program, the couple had five children and Adela was ready to turn her well-honed cooking abilities into running a Mexican restaurant near the Johnson Space Center.
The story is, of course, focused on José, but it doesn’t neglect Adela, charting her own complicated, funny clan, their early dating life and how they coped with challenges (such as José’s string of rejections from NASA –– it took him 12 years just to get into the program).
NASA enthusiasts will enjoy the latest peek at astronaut training procedures, but the story doesn’t simply take off –– pun entirely intended –– when José realizes his dream; it is compelling and entertaining long before he’s glimpsed in the trademark blue jumpsuit.
Adella has crafted a film that makes you root for everyone involved, not just its central figure, and you’d have to have a heart frozen in the depths of space not to have a lump in your throat during certain moments. Watching a real-life story of determination and drive is as emotional as it is rousing.
‘A Million Miles Away’ might not break much new ground when it comes to biopics, but it’s a story worth telling, and it tells it well.
This movie largely sidesteps some common biopic issues –– after all, Hernández’ story is not as well-known as some others.
Still, there are a few issues. Given everything that happens in Hernández’ life, there is a lot to cram into the story between his family life and his career. It can sometimes feel as though you’re watching the movie on fast-forward, as events speed up and we cross several years.
It is, of course, largely unavoidable, given even a generous near two-hour running time, but it’s still jarring at times.
And while the story is a fascinating one (and some moments you might think were added for dramatic emphasis, such as his inspirational elementary school teacher Ms. Young, who ends up attending his launch on Discovery, are completely real), the script does occasionally flirt with cliché, people (who, we can assume were invented for the movie) spouting things that sound like a screenwriter made them up rather than an actual human.
Another noticeable concern is the make-up at different times of the story. We’re supposed to believe that Peña, 47, is Hernández through the use of some make-up and a filter. Some other scenes of the younger Hernández don’t completely convince either, and the same can be said for Salazar when portraying the older Adela Hernández.
Despite any small issues, ‘A Million Miles Away’ is most definitely worth a watch, especially for anyone of any age who is harboring a dream that people are trying to convince them is impossible. Hernández’ drive and grit pulse through the movie, and it certainly finds some fun ways to bring the story to life. And for anyone who might think, ‘well, an inspirational biopic of a real hero isn’t rocket science…’ this time, it actually is.
‘A Million Miles Away’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
We know Sofia Vergara best as the outspoken Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the long-running, successful comedy series ‘Modern Family’, which ended in 2020.
Yet even before the show concluded, Vergara has been expanding her career out beyond it, appearing in movies such as ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Chef’, and working as a producer on a variety of projects.
She’s combining both for new Netflix drama ‘Griselda’, starring as the complex, ambitious title character, co-creating and helping to shepherd the show as an executive producer.
It promises something quite different from Vergara, who hasn’t had the chance to showcase her dramatic chops in recent years.
The first images from the series, featuring Vergara and more, are now online.
The limited series is inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious Colombian businesswoman Griselda Blanco, a devoted mother who created one of the most profitable cartels in history.
Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as “the Godmother.”
Here’s the co-creator and executive producer on the connections between the star and her character:
“As a Colombian immigrant and single mother who came to America and built an empire, Sofía shares that personal aspect of this character and her passion for telling her story was undeniably the driving force behind this project. What will really surprise viewers is how she encompasses this complete darkness in her performance — a far cry from the beloved comedic star she’s known as. Finding her way to that place was her great challenge on this show, and seeing the successful transformation was a privilege.”
And director and executive Producer, Andrés Baiz explains the story:
“When we meet Griselda, she is a woman overrun by the male-dominated world around her. We also see her evolution as she makes use of her oppression as a means of terror –– these images provide just a peek into the duality. The duplicity is what I find so fascinating about Griselda, and Sofía Vergara captures her essence fiercely.”
So, forget ‘The Godfather’. The “Godmother” is coming to our screens. The six-episode limited series will arrive on Netflix in January.
Opening in select theaters on September 8th before premiering on Prime Video on September 15th is the new biopic ‘A Million Miles Away,’ which is based on the book “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut” by José Hernández and was directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella (‘The Good Girls’).
What is the plot of ‘A Million Miles Away’?
Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, ‘A Million Miles Away’ follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives and teachers, José’s (Michael Peña) unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Alejandra Márquez Abella about her work on ‘A Million Miles Away,’ why she wanted to tell José Hernández’s story, meeting Hernández and his family, working with Michael Peña, casting Rosa Salazar as José’s wife, and making the NASA scenes as authentic as possible.
‘A Million Miles Away’ director Alejandra Márquez Abella.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, what intrigued you about Jose’s Hernández’s real life story, and what were some of the themes that you wanted to explore with this movie?
Alejandra Márquez Abella: Well, the fact that he was a migrant farm worker and astronaut was enough. The apparent contradiction in that sentence was fascinating for me. I wanted to explore not only having such an admirable character because I’ve done more of a despicable character sort of thing before, and I really wanted to explore having a nice guy to portray in front of me. That was a challenge in a way, and I wanted to elevate his story. I wanted everyone to see that you can achieve anything almost.
MF: What kind of research did you do for this project? Did you have a chance to meet Jose, his family, and his friends and colleagues?
AMA: I visited him and his family in Stockton, California. I spent some days with them. I met his kids and his parents. We talked a lot. I saw the Mazda. Then, Michael and I got to visit NASA, so that was a very fun part of the researching stage.
MF: Why was Michael Peña the right actor to bring Jose’s story to the big screen and what was it like for you collaborating with him on this movie?
AMA: Michael is the Mexican American superstar of all times. I think he is other than that, the most amazing, hardworking actor there is. He was such an incredible nerd about this role. He was all into it, and I was impressed how he used to come two weeks before he had a scene and discuss it with me, and he was open to hear whatever I had in mind. So I think we both enjoyed the collaboration a lot. It was a nice time.
MF: Can you talk about Rosa Salazar’s performance as Adela Hernández, and how she really supported José following his dreams?
AMA: When I met the real life Adela, I was shocked. I was impressed because she is a force you can’t imagine. Adela is, I like to say she’s the boosters on Jose. Jose got to leave this planet and go so far because she was behind or by his side making things happen. She had some opinions on the story we were about to tell. So when I was invited to her home, she cooked this really spicy dish and she was letting me know her opinions. So I always remember this anecdote because it was like a mafia kind of, “I’m going to do whatever, Adela. You’re going to be okay in the film, I promise.” Then Rosa, Rosa is like light. When Rosa comes, everything lights up, and I think that happens in the film as well. When she comes into the film, everything is like a hurricane, a revolution, and I just love her sensibility, and her creativity. I think she’s just amazing.
MF: Finally, can you talk about making the NASA sequences as authentic as possible?
AMA: Well, I think the days that we spent in NASA where pivotal. I think we don’t get to see these kind of scenes in astronaut films that much. It’s never about the training, and so we thought it would be interesting to have the new buoyancy lab and the mock-up training building and everything that’s not common in this sort of film and just have it explode in the screen.
Director Ángel Manuel Soto at a ‘Blue Beetle’ Fan Screening in London.
Having seen his most recent movie –– DC superhero origin story ‘Blue Beetle’ –– open top of the box office this weekend (with the proviso that it was a relatively soft $25.4 million, less than Warner Bros. was hoping for), director Ángel Manuel Soto has another potential job on the horizon.
According to The Wrap, he’s adding to his To Do list: Soto is now attached to direct buddy action comedy ‘The Wrecking Crew’ for MGM.
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What is ‘The Wrecking Crew’?
Dave Bautista in ‘Knock at the Cabin,’ directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
While the title has been used before –– cinematically for a Dean Martin-starring Matt Helm movie and a documentary about the legendary group of 1960s session musicians, while there is a Marvel comic with the name –– this is, in fact, the movie that Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa set up back in 2021.
The two actors, who are friends in real life, decided to figure out a movie to work together on.
Bautista put the idea out into the world as a tweet in August of 2021.
The concept has snowballed since then; MGM snapped up the chance to make the movie after a bidding war and it has since been handed to ‘Warrior’ and ‘Banshee’ TV series creator Jonathan Tropper (who wrote ‘The Adam Project’ for Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy) to turn into a script. Jeffrey Fierson, who worked with Momoa on the Netflix series ‘Frontier,’ will produce.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
So far, neither MGM nor the potential stars have revealed anything about the plot for this one –– Momoa and Bautista had hoped for something along the lines of ‘Lethal Weapon’.
Perhaps (and this is only our speculation) it’ll focus on a pair of cops who are notoriously destructive in their missions, hence the name. That’s something we can see the pair doing well.
Soto, of course, isn’t David Leitch as the original tweet suggested, but he’s certainly proved he can bring fun and style to the movies he makes, including ‘Beetle’ and his previous effort, ‘Charm City Kings’.
And while no one can work on the movie just yet because of the writers and actors’ strike (Tropper’s script was completed before the Writers Guild of America started its industrial action back in May), Soto has proved to be a director in demand.
In addition to this new potential assignment, he is also attached to work on a new ‘Transformers’ spin-off for Paramount. Soto has been developing that alongside ‘Daredevil’ (Netflix era) writer Marco Ramirez.
Few details are available on that movie, aside from the fact that it won’t be a main franchise entry for ‘Transformers’ but will instead serve as a spin-off focusing on a different story and characters within the robots-in-disguise universe.
We’ll have to wait and see whether either of these movies actually ends up hitting screens, but ‘The Wrecking Crew’ (which had been previously untitled) certainly appears to have taken a positive step forward.
Director Ángel Manuel Soto at a ‘Blue Beetle’ Fan Screening in Mexico.
Making his DCU debut, ‘Blue Beetle’ is filled with action, humor, and a strong family dynamic that tugs at the heartstring. Recent college graduate Jaime Reyes unexpectedly crosses paths with an alien biotechnology that gives him incredible power but pits him against the dangerous Kord Industries in Warner Bros.’s latest superhero comic book movie.
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What Is The Story of ‘Blue Beetle’?
In ‘Blue Beetle,’ we find Jaime Reyes as he returns home after graduating from college. What should be a time of celebration for the young graduate quickly turns gloomy as Jaime realized that his home was not how he had left it. As he settles back into his house and figures out how he can help his family, he unexpectedly comes into possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology known as the Scarab.
When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its host, he is granted an advanced suit of armor that allows incredible and sometimes unexpected power. Once Kord Industries learns of this, they plan to hunt down Jaime and take the Scarab from him by any means necessary.
This is the Blue Beetle’s official entry into the DC Cinematic Universe. Aside from appearing in comic books starting in 1939, Blue Beetle has also appeared in the DC animated series ‘Young Justice’ and the TV show ‘Smallville.’
Xolo Maridueña is outstanding as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, adding his own charm to the character. Jaime has to toe the balance of being excited and apprehensive about his new power while staying grounded enough to understand the dangerous situation he’s in. Maridueña’s performance brought it all to life, as well as the delivering intense fight scenes and emotional moments.
As a young superhero’s origin story, the movie stayed focused on Jaime’s journey of becoming Blue Beetle and how to protect his family from the relentless Kord Industries rather than having him save the world in his first entry into the DCU, keeping the story grounded. The film also spends a good amount of time with Jaime’s close-knit family, hitting many heartfelt moments that elevate the movie.
The film is directed by Angel Manuel Soto and written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer. The movie quickly introduces Kord Industries and their quest to find the alien biotechnology known as the Scarab. CEO Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon) also alludes to her intention to weaponize the alien technology, as well as her plan for the “One Man Army Corp,” better known as “OMAC.”
Jaime Reyes returns home after graduating college, excited to see his family. Much to his dismay, some unexpected news dampens the mood. The family is facing financial hardship, with their business closing and on the verge of losing their home. It’s subtle, but the film makes a point to show the gentrification of Jaime’s hometown – new corporate businesses such as Starbucks taking over the space of shuttered local businesses.
To help out his family, Jaime and his sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) work at a luxury resort owned by Kord Industries, putting him in the path of Victoria Kord and Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine) and, inevitably, the Scarab.
Without knowing, Jaime takes the Scarab home, where it deems him to be a suitable host. Once bonded with the Scarab, the movie kicks into high gear – taking the typical journey of Jaime learning how to use and understand its powers and the threat that comes with it.
The movie moves quickly in its 2 hours and 7 minute runtime but never felt rushed. It establishes the essential points efficiently so the characters can have their time to shine. While it is titled ‘Blue Beetle,’ the movie never forgets that Jaime’s family is equally as important as he is. They are there every step of the way – from the terrifying moment when the Scarab attaches itself to Jaime to supporting him emotionally when he needs it the most.
The attention given to the Reyes family is wonderful, but the same couldn’t be said for the antagonist of the film. The ambitious Victoria Kord will stop at nothing until she can get her hands on the Scarab, but the character remains a surface-level villain at best.
When one thinks of superhero or comic book movie, explosive action sequences and flashy CGI comes to mind. ‘Blue Beetle’ has plenty of that and does it well, but the best part about this movie is Jaime and his family. They have a close relationship that results in playful banter that had the audience in stitches and more importantly, an understanding that the most essential thing about their family is always to support one another no matter what.
The spotlight on the Reyes family gives a valuable and significant representation of the Latino community and culture, and serves as the heartbeat of the film.
This was a solid entry for ‘Blue Beetle’ as a superhero’s origin story. It’s a refreshing take on the Blue Beetle origin and has all the elements that make a great comic book movie – entertaining, great action, and humor. Great to see the writer and director didn’t feel the need to have a superhero who has just come into his powers save the world. Instead, it stayed contained to let the new hero shine at his own pace. More importantly, the Reyes family gave the story all the right emotions in the right places and is the best part of the film.
‘Blue Beetle’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
‘Blue Beetle’ is scheduled to be released in the United States on August 18, 2023.
