(L to R) Vin Diesel, Director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of ‘Fast X.’
Preview:
Vin Diesel has announced the next ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Louis Leterrier will direct the movie.
Like a backfiring jalopy with engine trouble, there have been several frustrating false starts for the next –– and most likely final –– ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
Despite multiple announcements (including more than one from star, producer and ‘Fast’ cheerleader Vin Diesel) about different dates, budget wrangling and schedule issues have given the potential franchise wrap-up flat tires along the way.
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Now, though, it appears that everyone is on the same page (or maybe dirt track?) as both Diesel and studio backers Universal have announced that the new movie, now called ‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The typically stunt-heavy final minutes of 2023’s ‘Fast X’ show Diesel’s Dom Toretto driving down the side of a dam and into the water below, as he and his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), race to escape a trap set by the villainous Dante (Jason Momoa), who arms a series of bombs. Then the movie cuts to black.
Two credit scenes follow, teasing the returns of Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Gal Gadot‘s Gisele.
Universal has confirmed that the movie will be screeching into cinemas on March 17, 2028.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
‘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.
(Left) John Cena at the Amazon Upfront on May 13th, 2025. Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Amazon. (Right) Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’
Preview:
John Cena and Kevin Hart will star in ‘The Leading Man’.
It’ll follow an action actor who discovers his co-star is a real-life agent.
Jon and Erich Hoeber adapted the script from a comic book.
John Cena and Kevin Hart certainly seem to like the action comedy genre –– and they’ve seen success with it too.
They’ll be hoping for more of that in a new example called ‘The Leading Man’, which, per Deadline, will see them team-up in a way that puts us in mind of Hart’s previous collaborations with Cena’s fellow wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson.
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It also marks a semi-reunion for Hart and Cena, since the latter popped up on the former’s series ‘Die Hart’, which sees Hart as a version of himself trying to become an action star.
Jon and Erich Hoeber, whose previous screenplay resume includes the likes of ‘RED’, ‘The Meg’ and ‘My Spy’, are adapting Jeremy Haun and B. Clay Moore’s comic book series about a self-absorbed movie star (Cena) who discovers that his co-star/man in the chair (Hart) is an actual agent.
He’s forced to swallow his pride and accept that action stars aren’t really action heroes… While trying to save the world.
Again, we’re reminded of ‘Central Intelligence’, though in that case it was Hart and Johnson as former high school associates who become wrapped up in Johnson’s latest case as an intelligence operative.
The concept was clearly compelling enough for Netflix, which picked up the project, with the actors jumping aboard to star and produce through their respective companies.
Where else can we see John Cena and Kevin Hart?
Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’
He’s lining up ‘Little Brother’, a Netflix comedy where he’ll star opposite Eric André, and will next be on our screens for the second season of HBO Max series ‘Peacemaker’, set in the DC universe. That debuts later this month.
Coming up, he has action pic ‘Matchbox’, which adapts the popular car toys and the resurrected release of Looney Tunes-based comedy ‘Coyote vs. Acme’, both due next year.
According to Deadline’s report, this one is in early development, so while it’ll likely hit a fast track, the lack of a director means it’ll have to wait a little bit to learn when it might hit the streaming giant’s servers.
(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.
(L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.
Preview:
Warner Bros. shelved ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ may yet be saved.
Will Forte and John Cena are among the human stars.
The movie getting dumped caused an outcry from filmmakers.
Just when we thought it had fallen completely off a cliff while trying to catch a Roadrunner, it would seem that there is a chance ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ might hit a handy, ACME-manufactured trampoline and rebound into theaters.
Yes, following the decision by Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav to thrust the movie into a vault and write it off for tax reasons (especially since the company had been going through restructuring), it looked as though ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ might finally see the light of day –– or more accurately, a projector’s bulb.
As, according to Deadline, Gareth West’s distributor-financier Ketchup Entertainment is negotiating an all-rights acquisition in the $50M range for the animated/live-action hybrid project.
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This wouldn’t be the first time that the company had plucked a Warner Bros. project from the brink of burial –– last year it nabbed fellow Looney Tunes title (this one fully animated) ‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,’ and put it in theaters in a limited run.
Let’s face it; even if this means ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has a small theatrical run but is then allowed to land on home entertainment so that fans might actually see it, that counts for something.
Unaware what has happened to date? Allow us to explain…
What’s the story of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’?
Wile E. Coyote in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.
‘Coyote vs. Acme’ follows Wile E. Coyote, who after ACME products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the ACME Corporation.
The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer against the latter’s intimidating former boss (John Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.
Dave Green directed the movie, from a script by Samy Burch, itself derived from a story crafted by Jeremy Slater and James Gunn (yes, the current chief of DC Studios at Warner Bros.) The original idea came from a 1990 New Yorker humor piece written by Ian Frazier.
It was originally greenlit in December 2020, and was targeted for what was then called HBO Max. But then the announcement came it would get a July 2023 release. But come April 2022, it was pulled from the release calendar and replaced with a little movie called ‘Barbie’.
While that obviously worked out for Warner Bros., this latest move is proving to be a lot more controversial.
Unlike even ‘Batgirl’, which was shelved in 2022, ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ was finished and had reportedly tested very well with recruited audiences.
And other filmmakers, who had seen the movie, have weighed in to criticize the decision. BenDavid Grabinski, a colleague of Green, tweeted the following:
COYOTE V ACME is a great movie. The best of its kind since ROGER RABBIT. It’s commercial. It tested well. The leads are super likable. It’s beautifully shot. The animation is great. The ending makes everyone fucking cry. I thought the goal of this business was to make hit movies?
Director Green put his own statement out on social media:
“For three years, I was lucky enough to make a movie about Wile E. Coyote, the most persistent, passionate, and resilient character of all time. I was surrounded by a brilliant team, who poured their souls into this project. Along the ride, we were embraced by test audiences who rewarded us with fantastic scores. I am beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision. But in the spirit of Wile E. Coyote, resilience and persistence win the day.”
“You would be so proud of it — a movie that should be seen but won’t. Please know that all the years and years of hard work, dedication and love that you put into this movie shows in every frame.”
What did Warner Bros. Say About the New Decision?
Warner Bros. Discovery Logo. Photo: Warner Bros.
Here’s the statement from a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson:
“With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases. With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs. Acme’. We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”
So, when will ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ be in theaters?
Patience, animation fans. While the deal for Ketchup Entertainment is looking good, it has not yet been locked down, which means it could still fall apart.
Still, per Deadline, the current plan on successful signing of the contract is for the movie to finally see screens in 2026. So either way, you’ll be waiting a little longer.
At least it’s hopeful news on this movie for once!
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.
John Cena is starring in a movie based on the ‘Matchbox’ toy cars.
‘Extraction’s Sam Hargrave will direct.
Apple and Skydance are backing the new movie.
The success ripples from the behemoth that was ‘Barbie’ continue to spread, as Mattel is looking to tap into another of its classic playtime brands.
And John Cena, who knows a thing or two about vehicular mayhem after appearing a couple of the ‘Fast & Furious’ entries is aboard for the ride as the company looks to turn Matchbox toy cars into a viable movie.
Skydance is working with Mattel to produce the new movie, currently simply titled ‘Matchbox’ which Apple Original Films has already snapped up.
For those who didn’t play with the toys (surely there can’t many people who don’t know what they are), Matchbox is the toy brand first created in 1953 and acquired by Mattel in 1997. After competing with Matchbox in the die-cast car space with its own line, Hot Wheels.
According to lore, automotive enthusiast Jack Odell designed the first car for his daughter, who was allowed to take a toy to school only if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox. When his daughter’s school friends too began clamoring for a “matchbox car,” an iconic brand was born.
That Matchbox is now moving forward is an interesting wrinkle, since studios and filmmakers have tried to get a Hot Wheels movie into production for years now.
What’s the story of the ‘Matchbox’ movie?
Mattel’s Matchbox Cars. Photo: Mattel.com.
Right now, the actual plot for the movie is a mystery. While we’re by no means expecting the lighting-in-a-bottle social satire and genius goofiness of ‘Barbie,’ the new movie may well go down the family-friendly, life-lessons route. Though in his defense, Cena (who cameoed in ‘Barbie’) has also shown a willingness to explore more cleverly comedic takes on properties.
Sam Hargrave, the stunt coordinator-turned-director who crafted the two ‘Extraction’ Netflix movies starring Chris Hemsworth, is aboard to make ‘Matchbox.’ Which would point to plenty of car and other set piece chaos, albeit in slightly less violent fashion than the usual Extr-action.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing this one alongside Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.
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When will the ‘Matchbox’ movie be on screens?
There is currently no release date set for the movie, but with a script seemingly in place and a lead officially cast, we’d expect the wheels (and cameras) to start rolling on this one before too long. If we had to guess, we’d say a 2026 release isn’t out of the question.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with acclaimed director Paul Feig about his work on ‘Jackpot!’, his first reaction to the screenplay, making a comedic version of ‘The Purge’, his casting process, working with Awkwafina and John Cena, and executing the action sequences.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
(L to R) Director Paul Feig, John Cena, and Simu Liu in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the themes you wanted to explore with this movie?
Paul Feig: I mean, the very first time I was told about the screenplay and sent it, I looked at the title page, it said, ‘Grand Theft Lotto’. I thought, this is stupid, and I put it down and didn’t read it. Then it was my producing partner, Laura Fisher, who called me up and said, “I just read that script and it’s super funny. You should read it.” The minute, I got 40 pages in, it was just like, I must do this. Because I love physical comedy. Jackie Chan is a huge hero of mine. I’ve always wanted to make a Jackie Chan level physical action comedy. I like the message of it because even though on its surface it appears to be a very dystopian, sort of negative commentary on mankind, I find that it’s not. I find that by the time you get to the end of the movie, you find out there’s more people who would not participate in something as insane as this as there are. So, it’s really Nora’s world through this, she’s only surrounded by the people who’ve chosen to join this lotto and kill her. But then by the end you learn, oh no, this is not most of the world. So, I think it’s a very uplifting movie in the end.
(L to R) Murray Hill and Dolly De Leon in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: ‘Jackpot!’ is kind of like a comedic version of ‘The Purge’. Do you agree with that and is that what you were going for?
PF: You know what, yes. I completely buy into that. I keep saying it’s ‘The Purge’ meets ‘It’s a Mad, Mad World’. But the thing about ‘The Purge’ is, getting back to the point about the lottery, nobody in ‘The Purge’ has a choice about being in the purge. Everyone must be in the purge. The lotto, the Grand Lottery, you choose to be in it. So that’s why I think we’re not… I love ‘The Purge’ movies, they are some of my favorite movies, but they’re dark.
(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: One thing that do exceedingly well as a filmmaker is casting. Can you talk about your casting process and working with Awkwafina and John Cena on this project?
PF: Because casting is 90% of my job. If I get that right, then everything else just falls into place behind it, if you do it right. But I was lucky enough with this movie, when the script came to me, Nora (Awkwafina) and John were already attached. So, I was given this gift of these two thoroughbreds. But again, you just don’t know. They never worked together before. You’re always kind of like, I hope these people have chemistry. But they just had it, just bucket loads of it. I found that the best people that I work with in this business, especially comedians, have a chemistry with each other, because they are like tennis players. They rely on the other person they’re playing against. So, there’s no ego between them because they know each one is making the other one look good, and they’re making each other look good at the same time. But it was a joy to see that they had chemistry times ten.
(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.
MF: Finally, what was it like shooting the action sequences and working with the fight choreographers?
PF: That’s a dream come true. I love that stuff so much. But I also have a great stunt coordinator who I work with on this for the first time, who comes from the Marvel world and does all that serious fighting. But he, like myself, is a giant Jackie Chan fan. So, we were both, when we met, it was just like, we get to do all the stuff we’ve always wanted to do. So, he’d go off and work with his stunt team, and they would kind of film on their iPhones, these sequences, and then they’d bring it to me and I’m like, “Oh, we’ll try this. Let’s try that.” We’d get in there and it would like kids in a candy store. I’m like, “What if he ties her onto his back?” He’s like, “Yeah, we can do that.” So, we just plussed and plussed and plussed it all up.
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What is the plot of ‘Jackpot!”?
In the future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion-dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs.
