Moviefone Editorial

Tag: Leslie Grace

  • ‘The Thicket’ Interview: Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis

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    Opening in theaters on September 6th is the new Western ‘The Thicket’, which is based on the novel of the same name by author Joe R. Lansdale.

    The film was directed by Elliot Lester (‘Blitz’) and stars Peter Dinklage (‘Game of Thrones’), Juliette Lewis (‘Cape Fear’), Leslie Grace (‘In the Heights’), Levon Hawke (‘Blink Twice’), Esmé Creed-Miles (‘Silver Haze’), Gbenga Akinnagbe (‘Passing’), Andrew Schulz (‘The Underdoggs’), Arliss Howard (‘Moneyball’), and Metallica frontman James Hetfield.

    Related Article: Every Kevin Costner Movie and TV Western, Ranked

    (L to R) Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage star in 'The Thicket'.
    (L to R) Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage star in ‘The Thicket’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Dinklage and Juliette Lewis about their work on ‘The Thicket’, their first reaction to the screenplay, their approach to their characters, the challenges of making a Western and working with director Elliot Lester.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Dinklage and Lewis, Leslie Grace, Levon Hawke, Gbenga Akinnagbe and director Elliot Lester.

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage in 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Peter, can you talk about what attracted you to the source material, your first reaction to the screenplay and your approach to playing this character?

    Peter Dinklage: Well, yes, selfishly, I am an actor and that Reginald Jones, when I read the book, I had to put his boots on. He really spoke to me in an environment in which I am not a part of, but who would I be a couple hundred years ago in that universe? Would I be Reginald Jones, or would I be a survivor? You got to put yourself in the shoes of that character and any commonality you have with that character. I know how to navigate a room like Reginald Jones does. I don’t really knock anybody sideways and stab them in the leg to get out of the room, but I’ve had the urge to, occasionally. But it’s that. It was just, Joe (Lansdale) has such a gift for, and I say this in the best possible sense of the word, I love pulp novels, so it has a pulp feel to it. I’m a huge fan of all those types of books, and it was such a fast read and so suspenseful that I really thought this could work as a film. So, David Ginsberg, my producing partner and I sought out the rights and everything started to fall into place. Ten years later, Juliette Lewis and I are sitting here talking to you.

    Juliette Lewis in 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    Juliette Lewis in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Juliette, when you first read the script, did you recognize right away that this would be a fantastic role for you to play in particular?

    Juliette Lewis: For me, it was a dream part. It was a part of a lifetime and what I was striving for was something spectacular. What I mean by that is by not trying. I wanted to make it so believable. The writing, the ingredients that I was given was so helpful and it just pops off your imagination in a very special way, and so I was very excited by it. But there’s a description about her voice being mangled, because she’s called Cut Throat Bill and that people mistake her for a man, and that she’s so savage. So, when someone tells a story like that, I really want to bring it and you believe the folklore of this character. So, I was very pleased when I placed my voice lower, and I could do it for long periods. I was like, “Oh, this might work. There might be a character here.” I showed it to Elliot, and he approved of that direction. Because you usually need your director to give you a little encouragement and say you’re going in the right direction. It’s really a special project for me.

    (L to R) Peter Dinklage and Gbenga Akinnagbe in 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    (L to R) Peter Dinklage and Gbenga Akinnagbe in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Peter, is it fun making a Western or is it physically demanding? What were the conditions like making this movie?

    PD: I love to be demanded of physically. We’re actors. Sometimes we spend too much time in the trailers, where it’s warm. There’s something about putting rocks in your shoes and being out in the cold. I say that proverbially. We didn’t put rocks in my shoes, but that feeling of the discomfort a character would have in this environment. It really does most of the acting for you when you’re freezing your bum off. You don’t have to act cold. So, there you go, it makes our job easier in a weird, ironic way.

    (L to R) James Hetfield and director Elliott Lester on the set of 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    (L to R) James Hetfield and director Elliott Lester on the set of ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Juliette, what was it like collaborating with director Elliot Lester on set?

    JL: (He was) just passionate. He came to the table with this vision, and like Peter said, he came on board. They’ve been wanting to create it for quite a while. So, he had a strong vision of the thing. They assembled such a great team, from the cast to the wardrobe, to the horse wranglers, to the prop department. I mean, everybody was just the top for this film. So, that was exciting. But Elliot’s super passionate. So, it was exciting. But I got to say, the scene with Peter, the centerpiece in the movie there, is a highlight of my career, what we got to do in this movie, next to (Robert) De Niro in ‘Cape Fear’, this scene with him was special. It’s amazing.

    (Left) Juliette Lewis in 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    (Left) Juliette Lewis in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    MF: Finally, Peter, what was your experience like working with Juliette on this project?

    PD: It’s incredible. I feel the exact same way working with (Juliette). It was a joy. I was so excited when Juliette said yes to the film, because I knew we were going to get something very, very specific and so lived in, and I didn’t know what it was going to be. I just had that gut feeling, and it was so exciting to hear her for the first time.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Thicket’?

    An innocent young man, Jack (Levon Hawke), goes on an epic quest to rescue his sister Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) after she has been kidnapped by the violent killer Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis) and her gang. To save her, Jack enlists the help of a crafty bounty hunter named Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage), a grave-digging alcoholic son of an ex-slave (Gbenga Akinnagbe), and a street-smart prostitute (Leslie Grace). The gang tracks Cut Throat Bill into the deadly no-man’s land known as The Big Thicket — a place where blood and chaos reign.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Thicket’?

    • Peter Dinklage as Reginald Jones
    • Juliette Lewis as Cut Throat Bill
    • Levon Hawke as Jack Parker
    • Esmé Creed-Miles as Lula Parker
    • Leslie Grace as Jimmy Sue
    • Gbenga Akinnagbe as Eustace Howard
    • Andrew Schulz as Hector
    • James Hetfield as Simon Deasy
    (L to R) Leslie Grace, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Levon Hawke and Peter Dinklage in 'The Thicket'. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
    (L to R) Leslie Grace, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Levon Hawke and Peter Dinklage in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.

    Other Western Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Thicket’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Peter Dinklage Movies on Amazon

     

  • Will Smith Officially Confirms Fourth ‘Bad Boys’

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CoFkzJDpP39/

    “Bad Boys, Bad Boys, wotcha gonna do?” If you’re Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, apparently you’re gonna make a fourth movie in the successful action comedy franchise.

    Yes, with Will Smith seemingly persona grata again despite that little incident at last year’s Oscar ceremony, the actor took enthusiastically to Instagram for a new video which included him driving to Martin Lawrence’s house to announce that a fourth ‘Bad Boys’ is indeed now in the works.

    Featuring a funny moment where the pair realize that it might have been a mistake to call the last movie ‘Bad Boys for Life’ (since ‘Bad Boys 4 Life’ would really work for this one), it’s mostly the excited actor teasing fans about what he’s actually announcing.

    Martin Lawrence as Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett and Will Smith as Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene 'Mike' Lowrey in 'Bad Boys for Life.'
    (L to R) Martin Lawrence as Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett and Will Smith as Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene ‘Mike’ Lowrey in ‘Bad Boys for Life.’

    But whatever it ends up being called, the fourth film will see the return of directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who oversaw that last movie, which ended up being one of the few movies released in 2020 ahead of the incoming pandemic and making more than $426 million worldwide. So of course Sony and producer Jerry Bruckheimer would want to try and get another going.

    ‘Bad Boys For Life’ saw an older Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence) tackling their latest case, a mother-son drug trafficking duo who proved to be a dangerous threat.

    Nothing is yet known about what the cops will be dealing with this time, but the script will come from ‘For Life’s Chris Bremner. And we’re all but guaranteed cars crashing and things blowing up, plus comedy squabbling between our heroes. Will anyone be slapped? Let’s find out!

    It’s certainly better news for the directors, who have had mixed fortunes of late. Following the praise and box office bonanza of ‘For Life’, they were in demand, squeezing in indie movie ‘Rebel’, worked on episodes of ‘Ms. Marvel’ (which boasted a fun visual style) and also cranked out ‘Batgirl’ with high hopes for more cinematic success.

    eslie Grace, co-director Adil El Arbi, and Michael Keaton on the set of 'Batgirl.'
    (L to R) Leslie Grace, co-director Adil El Arbi, and Michael Keaton on the set of ‘Batgirl.’ Photo courtesy of Adil El Arbi’s Instagram.

    Yet ‘Batgirl’ not only fell victim to Warner Bros. Discovery cost-cutting, consigned to the shelf when still in post-production.

    And the knocks have kept coming. The movie, which stars Leslie Grace, Brendan Fraser, J.K. Simmons, and Michael Keaton has now been described as “ not releasable” by producer and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran. Having spent a couple of months figuring out the future of the DC movie, TV and video game universe with James Gunn––who outlined their plans yesterday––Safran was doing press for the big new announcement when he was asked about the ‘Batgirl’ situation.

    “I saw the movie,” he said. “There are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera in that film, but that was not releasable. It happens sometimes. “I think [Warner Discovery CEO David] Zaslav and the team made a bold and courageous decision to cancel it, because it would have hurt DC and those people involved. I spoke to Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah last week. We’d love to be in business with all of them.”

    It’s an unusually candid answer for a controversial subject, especially about a movie that plenty of fans still want to see. But perhaps El Arbi and Fallah will get a do-over at DC. Once they finish wrangling Smith and Lawrence, that is.

    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’
    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’
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  • ‘Batgirl’: See an Image From the Canceled Superhero Movie

    eslie Grace, co-director Adil El Arbi, and Michael Keaton on the set of 'Batgirl.'
    (L to R) Leslie Grace, co-director Adil El Arbi, and Michael Keaton on the set of ‘Batgirl.’ Photo courtesy of Adil El Arbi’s Instagram.

    Ever since Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed it was locking DC movie ‘Batgirl’ away in a vault, seemingly for all time, its creators – and everyone who was anticipating the Leslie Grace-starring superhero title – have been going through an altered version of the stages of grief.

    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who had been in post-production on the movie when they learned that it was being turned into a tax write-off instead of heading to its planned destination of HBO Max, were quick to issue a statement expressing their disbelief at the move.

    Batgirl herself, Leslie Grace, added her own statement, via Twitter.

    Now today, El Arbi has gone one step further in an Instagram story, offering up a look at the movie, which may well end up being the only proper look we have at the movie.

    The picture is particularly galling, as it shows Grace in costume standing on set with El Arbi and, most excitingly, Michael Keaton in his Batman suit.

    On a more positive note, though, he also shared some of the messages of support that have come through, particularly from directors James Gunn and Edgar Wright.

    The story also shows a message from Kevin Feige, for whom the duo directed several episodes of ‘Ms. Marvel’.

    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’
    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’

    “My friends, I had to reach and let you know we are all thinking about you both,” Feige wrote in an email to Arbi and Fallah. “Because of the wonderful news about the wedding (congrats!) and the disappointing news about ‘Batgirl.’ Very proud of you guys and all the amazing work you do and particularly ‘Ms. Marvel’ of course! Can’t wait to see what is next for you. Hope to see you soon.”

    In related ‘Batgirl’ news, the decision has also impacted those who make decisions about DC movies at Warner Bros. Discovery. Walter Hamada, the DC Films president, was reportedly told about the decision to shelve the movie while attending a test screening of another title, ‘Black Adam’.

    The decision dismayed him to such a degree that The Hollywood Reporter has heard that Hamada is considering getting out of his contract – though he has now decided to stay at least through ‘Black Adam’s release on October 21st.

    Yet chances are he’ll be leaving anyway given the new broom approach that freshly arrived company CEO David Zaslav is taking to DC, looking to find a Feige-style figure to guide the movies going forward.

    And following the shareholder earnings call yesterday (which was more eagerly watched than many previous examples), Zaslav repeated his commitment to future DC movies including ‘Adam’, ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ and, yes, ‘The Flash’ even given more problematic news stories about star Ezra Miller’s behavior.

    This is one that feels like it’ll just keep rolling. But for now, the most we can hope for on the ‘Batgirl’ front is that enough stills will be released that those who were excited about the movie can create a flipbook…

    Leslie Grace as Batgirl
    Leslie Grace in ‘Batgirl.’ Photo courtesy of Leslie Grace’s Instagram.
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  • ‘Batgirl’ Directors “Shocked” by the Decision to Shelve it

    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’
    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’

    There was shock and disbelief yesterday when reports began to emerge that Warner Bros. Discovery had decided to ditch the DC title ‘Batgirl’ – even though the movie had finished shooting and was in the middle of post-production.

    That feeling of disbelief was shared by the directors of the movie, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. The duo, who had previously worked on the likes of ‘Bad Boys for Life’ and the Disney+ series ‘Ms. Marvel,’ have been quick to respond.

    El Arbi and Fallah (who had been taking a quick break from editing the movie for El Arbi’s wedding in Morocco) were informed of the studio’s decision a short time before the news began to emerge into the world. And now they have hit Instagram to express their stunned feelings over the move.

    “We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can’t believe it,” the directing duo wrote in the post. “As directors, it is critical that our work be shown to audiences, and while the film was far from finished, we wish that fans all over the world would have had the opportunity to see and embrace the final film themselves. Maybe one day they will.”

    They continue, “Our amazing cast and crew did a tremendous job and worked so hard to bring Batgirl to life. We are forever grateful to have been part of that team. It was a dream to work with such fantastic actors like Michael Keaton, J.K. Simmons, Brendan Fraser, Jacob Scipio, Corey Johnson, Rebecca Front and especially the great Leslie Grace, who portrayed Batgirl with so much passion, dedication and humanity.”

    “In any case, as huge fans of Batman since we were little kids, it was a privilege and an honor to have been a part of the DCEU, even if it was for a brief moment,” the statement ends. “‘Batgirl’ For Life.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CgzisvCMwmk/

    Though there had been talk of problematic test screenings or issues with the movie’s quality, the studio’s own statement refutes that.

    “The decision to not release ‘Batgirl’ reflects our leadership’s strategic shift as it relates to the DC universe and HBO Max,” it read. “Leslie Grace is an incredibly talented actor and this decision is not a reflection of her performance. We are incredibly grateful to the filmmakers of ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Scoob! Holiday Haunt’ (the animated movie that was scrapped at the same time as the superhero adventure) and their respective casts and we hope to collaborate with everyone again in the near future.”

    Batgirl herself, Leslie Grace, added her own statement, via Twitter.

    “I feel blessed to have worked among absolute greats and forged relationships for a lifetime in the process!” she wrote. “To every Batgirl fan – THANK YOU for the love and belief, allowing me to take on the cape and become, as Babs said best, ‘my own damn hero!’” You can see her full stamen below…

    Turns out the real reason for the change was something far more mundane – the incoming executive team is changing the direction of how Warner Bros. handles its DC titles (again) and ‘Batgirl’ fell through the cracks as a movie that wasn’t big enough to justify the budget to upgrade and market it for theatrical release, as it had been planned as a direct-to-HBO Max movie.

    The corporate decision was made to write it off on taxes as a loss, as part of an accounting technique in the wake of the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery that allows for such moves.

    It’s only available for a limited time, so other movies including ‘Blue Beetle’ seem safe for now.

    Yet to our thinking, this is just another sign that Warner Bros. still appears to have very little idea how to plan for and execute a coherent strategy for its DC movie universe.

    Robert Pattinson as Batman
    Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “The Batman,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    There are various strands, between the DCEU and the unconnected likes of ‘The Batman’, with different versions of characters floating around.

    Merging Warner Bros. and DC has led to even more chaos, as a new executive team arrives and decides to change up the thinking once again. Plenty of other projects in development and existing shows are being cancelled as the corporate strategy shifts.

    While at one point the studio was all about sharing content between theatrical and HBO Max (and, during the pandemic, releasing everything day-and-date), it now appears to be intent on keeping bigger theatrical titles in their lane and making fewer movies for the streaming service in order to cut costs.

    We’re still not sure that this all sounds like a good idea, at least not until Warner/Discovery and DC has a workable policy for its movies and TV series. While not everyone has to look to Marvel, Disney’s approach to essentially letting Kevin Feige and his creative partners control every aspect of their output has paid dividends and (largely) delighted fans.

    Warners is said to be on the hunt for someone who can offer similar guidance on the DC front, though picking from the comic book company’s ranks or the movie side hasn’t yet led to firm success.

    DC has certainly had hits – ‘Aquaman’ made more than a billion dollars, while ‘Joker’ brought both big box office and Oscar-winning kudos.

    Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam
    Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam in New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Black Adam,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

    But all this chopping and changing has not been good for the movies’ reputation, and while DC has ‘Black Adam’, ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ and ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ on the way, they’ll all need to perform to stop the concern over output quality and the direction behind the films as a whole.

    And while ‘The Flash’ – whose future remains in flux while star Ezra Miller continues to bring the wrong type of press – seems destined to still get the blockbuster treatment, it’s really not a great look to effectively flush a movie directed by and starring people of color down the corporate toilet to serve the needs of shareholders.

    Plus, it’s hardly the best sign to creative people who might want to work with you in future and are now concerned that their hard work may end up on a shelf forever.

    Leslie Grace as Batgirl
    Leslie Grace in HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl.’
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  • Warner Bros. Discovery to Shelve Leslie Grace’s ‘Batgirl’

    Leslie Grace as Batgirl
    Leslie Grace in Warner Bros. Discovery’s ‘Batgirl.’

    Call it a Bat Cave-in.

    In a surprising development, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC have apparently decided to shelve the ‘Batgirl’ movie, which was going through the post-production process and had been targeting a theatrical release or an HBO Max debut (depending on which report you read).

    Now though, the movie, which had a reported budget that began in the $70 million range and ballooned to $90 million because of Covid protocols, is no longer going to be seen in any venue, not even a home entertainment release. There had been stories of disappointing test screenings and complaints about the lack of spectacle in the movie.

    Which means that Warners – fresh off its acquisition by Discovery – is willing to cut its losses and abandon the film. It’s all part of a new strategy that will focus on the bigger budget theatrical DC Extended Universe movies. ““This is the end of DC as a hobby,” a source told the New York Post, which originally broke the story.

    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’
    Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from Disney+’s ‘Ms. Marvel.’

    ‘Bad Boys for Life’ and ‘Ms. Marvel’ directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah had been overseeing the new movie, which stars ‘In the Heights’ actress Leslie Grace starring as Barbara Gordon. The exact plot of the film hadn’t been released, but it’ll effectively follow Gordon (the daughter of J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Jim Gordon) donning her version of a Bat-suit to fight crime in Gotham City.

    In addition to Grace and Simmons, the movie stars Brendan Fraser as the villainous Firefly and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

    It’s a confusing move since the company had been trying to put more of a plan in place for its DC output. There remain concerns over ‘The Flash’, given the negative press around star Ezra Miller’s unorthodox behavior and run-ins with the law off screen.

    And the issue of who is the official Batman remains up the air too – Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne from ‘The Batman’ exists outside of the DCEU, while Ben Affleck had repeatedly said he’s ready to hang up the cowl yet will appear in both ‘The Flash’ and (as Bruce Wayne even if he doesn’t suit up) in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’, as revealed – accidentally – by a studio backlot tour stopping by where Jason Momoa was working on additional footage for the superhero sequel.

    Then there are the other DC movies. While ‘Blue Beetle’ appears to still be on track (for now, and it has the relative security of being firmly aimed at a theatrical release), a third ‘Wonder Woman’ remains in limbo.

    The studio still has ‘Black Adam’ due in theaters on October 21st, ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ out on December 21st, then ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ March 17th and (assuming it sticks), ‘The Flash’ on June 23rd.

    There were warning signs about ‘Batgirl’ last month when Warners/DC said nothing about the movie in its big Comic-Con presentation. But we’re not sure anybody had “completely shelved” on their bingo cards.

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  • KJ Apa and Isabel May Cast as the ‘Wonder Twins’

    KJ Apa on 'Riverdale.'
    KJ Apa on ‘Riverdale.’ Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW. © 2016 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved.

    Back in February, word first arrived that DC was looking to promote super-powered siblings Zan and Jayna, better known as the ‘Wonder Twins,’ from cartoons and cameos to their own live action movie.

    Now we know who will be playing the pair, as ‘Riverdale’s KJ Apa and ‘1883’s Isabel May have landed the lead roles.

    Aliens Zan and Jayna, unlike many of their comics stablemates, made their debut on TV in Hanna Barbera animated series ‘The All-New Super Friends Hour’ in 1977. Created by Norman Maurer, they went on to appear on other series before making their debut in comic books based on the show and became part of the wider DC Universe.

    They’re best known for their catchphrase, “Wonder Twins power, activate!” and touching hands, leading Jayne to transform into any animal and Zan into any form of water. Which might not seem like the greatest combo when you are extraterrestrial crime fighters.

    Still, they do at least have a sidekick, a monkey pal called Gleek, who is intelligent, communicates via sign language and has a stretchable, prehensile tail, which comes in handy.

    They’ve rarely been given major attention, popping up on the likes of cartoon series ‘Teen Titans Go!’ and live-action show ‘The Flash’.

    Now, though, ‘Black Adam’ writer Adam Sztykiel is the person who will look to bring them up to date even further and make them work on their own. But as is usual for a film like this, the plot is being kept locked behind a shield of secrecy. Sztykiel is also directing the movie.

    Wonder Twins Photo Courtesy of DC Comics.
    Wonder Twins Photo Courtesy of DC Comics.

    In other DC Comics movie news, Leslie Grace, the star of ‘Batgirl’ has been enthusiastically talking up working on her own superhero saga, with ‘Bad Boys For Life’ directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah now shepherding the movie through post-production.

    As part of an interview with Variety, Grace explained that the mood on set shifted noticeably when Michael Keaton arrived in his Batman suit. “Our directors were like two little kids,” she laughs. “They’re legit Batman nerds openly. He’s Batman, man! I couldn’t even believe that I was sharing space with Batman. I want to say more, but I can’t. It was insane, surreal, incredible. It was the stuff of dreams really.”

    And despite opining about the night shoots and squeezing into her costume, Grace seems excited to continue on to a sequel, even if she offers a caution that the initial outing must still be a success. “We got to see this first one first,” she says.

    “But there’s definitely some talks about what it could be. I’ve seen some of what we’ve shot, obviously in the playback and stuff like that, and it’s insane. We’ve already been talking about where we do take this from here, because there’s so much that happens in this film. There are a lot of different themes in the plot that we touch on. It’s not just the action. There’s a love story. There’s this father-daughter relationship. There’s looking at the world through a lens that isn’t just black and white and seeing the color and the spectrum between things.”

    ‘Batgirl’ should be on HBO Max this year.

    Leslie Grace as Batgirl
    Leslie Grace in HBO Max’s ‘Batgirl.’
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  • Alicia Silverstone On Leslie Grace’s ‘Batgirl’

    Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl in 1997's 'Batman & Robin'
    Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin’

    Last weekend, actress Leslie Grace posted on her Instagram account a photo of herself in her new costume for HBO Max’s upcoming ‘Batgirl’ movie.

    The movie, which is currently filming in Scotland, will be the first time the character has appeared in a live-action feature film since Alicia Silverstone first played the role in ‘Batman & Robin.’ Silverstone, best known for playing the iconic Cher Horowitz in Clueless, starred opposite George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1997 movie, which was directed by Joel Schumacher.

    Moviefone recently had the chance to speak exclusively with Alicia Silverstone about her upcoming shark movie, ‘The Requin,’ which will be released in theaters, on digital, and On Demand beginning January 28th. We also asked the actress her thoughts on Leslie Grace’s new Batgirl costume, and if she had any words of encouragement for the young actress taking on the iconic role.

    Leslie Grace as 'Batgirl'
    (Via Instagram)

    “I didn’t get to see it,” Silverstone said of Grace’s Instagram post. “I’m going to look it up now when we get off the phone. I’m just so excited for her. What an amazing experience she is going to have on this journey. I’m sure she is going to kill it. She doesn’t need any words (of encouragement) from me. She’s going to be great!”

    Grace, who was last seen in director Jon M. Chu’s ‘In the Heights,’ will be joined in ‘Batgirl’ by Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, who is reprising his role from ‘Justice League’ as Barbara Gordon’s father, GCPD Commissioner James Gordon. Also reprising his role from ‘Batman,’ ‘Batman Returns,’ and the upcoming ‘The Flash,’ will be Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

    Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (‘Bad Boys for Life’), the movie will also feature Brendan Fraser as the villain, Firefly. ‘Batgirl’ is scheduled for release on HBO Max sometime later this year.

    (L to R) Alicia Silverstone, George Clooney, and Chris O'Donnell in 1997's 'Batman & Robin'
    (L to R) Alicia Silverstone, George Clooney, and Chris O’Donnell in 1997’s ‘Batman & Robin’
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  • First Look at Leslie Grace as ‘Batgirl’

    Leslie Grace as 'Batgirl'
    (Via Instagram) Leslie Grace as ‘Batgirl’

    “Holy new costume, Batgirl!”

    Actress Leslie Grace set the Internet ablaze late on Friday when she premiered on her Instagram account a first look photo of herself as Barbara Gordon in her full superhero costume for the upcoming HBO Max movie ‘Batgirl.’

    The film is currently shooting in Scotland for a late 2022 release on the streaming service and will also see Oscar winner J.K. Simmons return as Barbara’s dad, Commissioner James Gordon, as well as Michael Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne/Batman, after his upcoming appearance in November’s ‘The Flash.’

    The photo reveals a purple and yellow Batgirl suit reminiscent of the costume the character wore in DC Comics’ 2011 reboot “The New 52,” which was also the template for most of the previous DCEU movies.

    Grace also posted along with the photo a quote from the seminal 2003 series, “Batgirl: Year One” by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon. “I use their expectations against them. That will be their weakness. Not mine. Let them all underestimate me…and when their guard is down, and their pride is rising, let me kick their butts.”

     

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    Created by television producer William Dozier, editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino for inclusion in the 1960’s ‘Batman’ TV show, the character made its debut first in Detective Comics #359 before appearing in the third season of the series in 1967.

    ‘Batgirl’ will mark the third time the iconic crime fighter has appeared in live-action following Yvonne Craig in the ‘Batman’ TV series, and Alicia Silverstone’s performance in 1997’s ‘Batman and Robin.’

    In the comics, Gordon is eventually injured by the Joker, and becomes the paraplegic computer expert, Oracle. While there is no indication that this version of the character will appear in “Batgirl,’ Oracle has appeared in live-action television series including the 2002 show ‘Birds of Prey’ played by Dina Meyer, and more recently in the third season of ‘Titans,’ portrayed by Savannah Welch.

    With ‘The Flash’ set to introduce the idea of the DC Multiverse, and bring Michael Keaton’s Batman back into the fold, it’s a little unclear which DC universe the movie will take place in. Simmons returning as James Gordon would indicate that it is a continuation of Zack Snyder’s DCEU, but Keaton’s inclusion, and not Ben Affleck’s, means all bets are off.

    Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (‘Bad Boys for Life’), written by Christina Hodson (2020’s ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’), and also starring Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly, ‘Batgirl’ is set for release on HBO Max later this year.

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