Dakota Johnson at the premiere of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’
Having won plenty of acclaim (and some awards nominations) for her role in Netflix’s ‘The Lost Daughter’, Dakota Johnson is looking to become a superhero in a future movie. She’s now in talks to star in Sony’s ‘Madame Web’.
The movie, which is part of the studio’s interconnected Marvel Spider-Man universe (not to be confused with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with which it links from time to time), has been in development for a while.
S.J. Clarkson, who has Marvel form with Netflix’s ‘The Defenders’ shows and has worked on shows including ‘Succession’ and ‘Made for Love’, is aiming to make her movie directorial debut. The script comes from Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, the ‘Dracula Untold’ and ‘The Last Witch Hunter’ writers who have fellow Spider-adjacent movie ‘Morbius’ due in theaters on April 1.
Madame Web as a Marvel Comics character was created by writer Denny O’Neil and artist John Romita Jr., first appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #210, which was published in November 1980.
Known as Cassandra Webb, she is usually depicted as an elderly blind woman suffering from a chronic neuromuscular disease that makes it difficult to move and breathe, and as such, she’s connected to a life support system that looks like a spider web. The clairvoyant character has precognitive abilities and once helped Spider-Man find a kidnap victim.
Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’
She doesn’t sound like the basis for a compelling dynamic superhero movie… But wait! There’s more. As is so often the case with Marvel, there has been another version.
When Webb died, she passed her powers on to Julia Carpenter, who was the second incarnation of Spider-Woman and similarly became the second version of Madame Web. It’s unclear which version the film will focus on, but given Johnson’s age in relation to both characters, you figure she’ll play Carpenter. Or both if they slap aging make-up on her initially.
Sony originally announced the movie back in 2019, and it has moved through the tricky development process more smoothly (aside from obvious pandemic delays) than some of the company’s other planned Spider-projects. Aside from the successful ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ movie, which has spun-off two sequels (the first, ‘Across the Spider-Verse Part One’ is due out October 7, the second in 2023) and both ‘Venom’ films, Sony has had mixed fortunes with its Marvel movies.
The Jared Leto-starring ‘Morbius’ has been delayed several times, while others, including ‘Silver and Black’ which was to have featured Silver Sable and Black Cat, are stuck at the script stage. Still, Sony has Olivia Wilde working on an untitled movie, and projects based on Kraven the Hunter and Silk still moving forward.
‘Madame Web’ doesn’t yet have a release date, but it does at least seem like it’ll shoot this year.
Though Sony had been looking at a long list of names, Johnson jumped to the head of the queue likely thanks to strong work in ‘Lost Daughter’ and other movies that have received praise at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, including ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ and ‘Am I OK?’. She will next be seen in Jane Austen adaptation ‘Persuasion’, which will be out this year.
2021 has come and gone and with every new year comes a whole new slate of movies to look forward to. This year will be no different with five films based on characters from Marvel Comics, four movies based on characters from DC Comics, long awaited sequels, animated spinoffs, and a video game adaption, not to mention new installments from popular franchises like Mission: Impossible, Jurassic World, and Fantastic Beasts.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the most anticipated movies of 2022!
Uncharted – Opens February 18, 2022
Columbia Pictures
Based on the popular video game series of the same name, the film stars Tom Holland (‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’) as young fortune hunter Nathan “Nate” Drake. Mark Wahlberg (‘Transformers: The Last Knight’) plays Nate’s mentor, Victor “Sully” Sullivan, while Antonio Banderas (‘Pain and Glory’) plays the movie’s antagonist. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (“Venom’), the movie will act as an origin story to the game, featuring Drake and Sullivan meeting for the first time and going on a dangerous adventure together to find hidden treasure, while also picking up clues to Nathan’s long-lost brother’s whereabouts.
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The Batman – Opens March 4, 2022
Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed by Matt Reeves (‘War for the Planet of the Apes’), ‘The Batman’ takes place during Bruce Wayne’s second year as Gotham’s costumed vigilante and features Robert Pattinson (‘Tenet) as the title character. The movie will see Batman battle his classic rogue’s gallery including the Riddler played by Paul Dano (‘There Will Be Blood’), the Penguin played by Colin Farrell (‘Dumbo’), and Catwoman played by Zoe Kravitz (‘Mad Max: Fury Road’). Helping Bruce Wayne clean up the streets of Gotham will be GCPD officer James Gordon played by James Wright (‘The French Dispatch’), and Wayne’s trusty butler, Alfred Pennyworth portrayed by Andy Serkis (‘Black Panther’).
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The Lost City – Opens March 25, 2022
Paramount
Directed by Aaron and Adam Nee (‘Band of Robbers’), ‘The Lost City’ is one of the few movies on this list that is not based on a preexisting property. The film stars Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock (‘Gravity’) as a reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model (Channing Tatum) that get caught up in a kidnapping attempt, which lands them both in the middle of a dangerous jungle adventure. The cast also includes Daniel Radcliffe (‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) as the movie’s villain, and Oscar-winner Brad Pitt in cameo role.
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Morbius – Opens April 1, 2022
Columbia Pictures
Directed by Daniel Espinosa (‘Safe House’), and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, it’s still unknown which corner of the Marvel multiverse ‘Morbius’ will take place in. While the trailer has clues to both Tobey Maguire’s ‘Spider-Man’ franchise and Andrew Garfield’s ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ series, Michael Keaton’s scheduled appearance as villain Adrian Toomes/Vulture indicates that the film may be set in the MCU. Regardless, the movie stars Oscar-winner Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist suffering from a rare blood disease who attempts to develop a dangerous cure that afflicts him with vampirism. In addition to Leto and Keaton, the cast also includes Tyrese Gibson, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, and Jared Harris.
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Opens May 6, 2022
Marvel Studios
Directed by Sam Raimi (‘Spider-Man’) and following the events of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ ‘WandaVision’ and the first season of ‘Loki’ is the sequel to ‘Doctor Strange,’ entitled ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Benedict Cumberbatch reprises his role as the title character, whose use of a forbidden spell has opened the doors to the multiverse. When an alternate version of Strange threatens to destroy humanity, the MCU’s Strange must team with Wong (Benedict Wong) and Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) to stop the threat. In addition to Cumberbatch, Wong and Olsen, the movie also stars Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki, and Xochitl Gomez as popular Marvel Comics character America Chavez.
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DC League of Super-Pets – Opens May 20, 2022
Warner Bros. Pictures
Marking the first of two movies scheduled for release in 2022 starring Dwayne Johnson as a DC character, the animated film ‘DC League of Super-Pets’ will feature the actor formally known as The Rock as the voice of Superman’s dog, Krypto. The movie will also see Johnson reteam with his ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ co-star, Kevin Hart as Ace the Bat-Hound. Directed by Jared Stern (‘The Lego Batman Movie’), the movie centers on Krypto, who teams with a group of shelter pets with special powers to save Superman and the Justice League from Lex Luthor. In addition to Johnson and Hart, the movie will also star John Krasinski as the voice of Superman, Marc Maron as the voice of Lex Luthor, and Keanu Reeves, Kate McKinnon, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz and Jameela Jamil in undisclosed roles.
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Top Gun: Maverick – Opens May 27, 2022
Paramount
After several delays due to the pandemic, the long awaited sequel to ’Top Gun,’ which was the movie that made Tom Cruise a household name, is set to finally open on May 27th and is entitled ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ Set thirty years after the events of the original film, the new movie sees Cruise’s Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell return to train a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission. The trouble begins when Maverick discovers that one of his new students is Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick’s late best friend Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), and that Rooster still blames Maverick for his father’s death. In addition to Cruise and Teller, the movie also features Val Kilmer reprising his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, as well as new cast members Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez, and Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly.
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Jurassic World Dominion – Opens June 10, 2022
Universal Pictures
The third film in the Jurassic Park sequel series, ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ will once again star Chris Pratt as Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing, as well as original series stars Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm, Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, and Oscar-winner Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler. The new movie is set four years after the events of ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ where genetically engineered dinosaurs were auctioned off around the world, while others were released in the United States. The movie will explore how humanity handles no longer being on top of the food chain. Also reprising their roles from previous movies are Justice Smith as Franklin Webb, Omar Sy as Barry Sembene, and BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu, while Campbell Scott is set to play Dr. Lewis Dodgson, a role previously played by Cameron Thor in ‘Jurassic Park.’
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Lightyear – Opens June 17, 2022
Walt Disney Pictures
Directed by Angus MacLane and written by Pete Doctor (‘Up’), ‘Lightyear’ is the upcoming Pixar animated movie set in the world of ‘Toy Story.’ The film will examine the fictional origin story of the “real” Buzz Lighyear, the character that inspired the popular toy. Chris Evans (Captain America: Civil War’) stars as the voice of Buzz Lightyear, and Taika Waititi (‘Free Guy’) will also voice an undisclosed character in the film.
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Minions: The Rise of Gru – Opens July 1, 2022
Universal Pictures
Directed by Kyle Balda (‘Despicable Me 3’), ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ is the fifth animated film in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, and a sequel to the 2015 spinoff, ‘Minions.’ Set in the early 1970s, the movie centers on a 12-year-old Gru (Steve Carell), who desperately wants to join a team of evil villains called the Vicious 6. When the group fires their leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin), Gru interviews for the job but is denied. With the help of his Minions, Kevin Stuart, Bob and Otto (all voiced by Pierre Coffin), Gru steals a precious stone from the Vicious 6 and must team with Wild Knuckles in order to defeat his former team. In addition to Carell, Coffin, and Arkin, the voice cast also includes Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Julie Andrews, and Russell Brand as Dr. Neforio.
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Thor: Love and Thunder – Opens July 8, 2022
Once again directed by Taika Waititi, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ is the forth film in the franchise following Waititi’s ‘Thor: Ragnarok.’ Set after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ little is known about the upcoming film other than Natalie Portman returning as Jane Foster and becoming Mighty Thor. We also know that the Guardians of the Galaxy will also appear, and that the main villain will be Gorr the God Butcher, played by Christian Bale. Reprising their MCU roles in the new movie are Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Jamie Alexander as Sif, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri, and Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot. Waititi is also set to reprise his role as Korg, while Oscar-winner Russell Crowe will cameo as Zeus, and Matt Damon, Sam Neill, Luke Hemsworth, and Melissa McCarthy will play Asgardian actors
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Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – Opens July 15, 2022
The third movie in the ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff series, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ is set to star Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne reprising his role as Newt Scamander. Set in the 1930s, the story will focus on the Wizarding World’s involvement leading up to World War II, and the ensuing battle with Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). With Grindelwald’s power growing rapidly, Aldus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists Newt and his friends to embark on a dangerous mission to stop Grindelwald and his army before it becomes too late, while Dumbledore debates just how long he can stay neutral before he has to choose a side. Directed by David Yates (‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’), in addition to Redmayne, Law, and Mikkelsen, the movie also stars Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Callum Turner, and Katherine Waterson.
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Black Adam – Opens July 29, 2022
‘Black Adam’ is set to be the second movie released in 2022 to star Dwayne Johnson as a DC Comics character, with the popular actor taking on the title role. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (‘Jungle Cruise’), little is known about the plot of the film, other than that Johnson’s Black Adam will fight the Justice Society of America. Sarah Shahi is set to play Adam’s love interest, Adrianna Tomaz, while the JSA will be portrayed by Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, and Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate. In the comics, Black Adam is the archrival of Shazam, but there has been no official confirmation that Zachary Levi will appear.
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Mission: Impossible 7 – Opens September 30, 2022
The second Tom Cruise movie set for release in 2022, it’s likely that ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ will get an official title before it premieres. The seventh film in the popular spy series, is once again written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Little is known about the plot, other than that it will star Tom Cruise reprising his role as Ethan Hunt, along with his IMF team played by Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Vanessa Kirby. They will be joined by new cast members Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Rob Delaney, Indira Varma, Carey Elwes, and Esai Morales as the movie’s primary villain. Also returning for the first time since 1996’s original ‘Mission: Impossible’ is Henry Czerny reprising his role as former director of the IMF, Eugene Kittridge.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) – Opens October 7, 2022
A sequel to the Oscar-winning animated movie ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)’ will once again star Shameik Moore as the voice of Miles Morales/Spider-Man. The movie will see Morales team with Gwen Stacey/Spider-Woman (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and a new group of Spider-People to battle a powerful villain. In addition to Moore and Steinfeld, Jake Johnson and Oscar Isaac will also reprise their roles as Peter B. Parker and Spider-Man 2099, respectively, and Issa Rae will be joining the cast as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman.
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The Flash – Opens November 4, 2022
One of the most anticipated movies of the year, not only will ‘The Flash’ mark the Scarlet Speedster’s first solo feature film, it will also mark the return of Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, reprising his role from Tim Burton’s 1989 ‘Batman.’ Based loosely on “Flashpoint” published by DC Comics, the plot sees Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) using his powers to travel back in time and save his mother, which has many unexpected consequences. The movie will explore DC’s multiverse, and in addition to Miller and Keaton reprising their iconic roles, the film will also feature Ben Affleck returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman, and Michael Shannon and Antje Traue reprising their ‘Man of Steel’ roles as General Zod and Faora, respectively, as well as introducing Sasha Calle as Supergirl.
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Opens November 11, 2022
Once again directed by Ryan Coogler, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is the highly awaited sequel to 2018’s Oscar nominated ‘Black Panther.’ Unfortunately, Chadwick Boseman who played the title role passed away unexpectedly in August of 2020, leaving the future of the popular MCU character up in the air. While Boseman’s character of T’Challa will not be recast, it is possible that the MCU will get a new Black Panther, and there are several characters that could take on the mantle. The obvious choice is Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, as she becomes the new Black Panther in the comics. But other possibilities include Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, Danai Gurira’s Okoye, or even Winston Duke’s M’Baku, all of which will be returning for the sequel. Another possibility is that Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger could return from his assumed death to claim the crown, but the actor’s participation in the project has yet to be announced. We do know that actress Dominique Thorne has been cast as Riri Williams, a young genius inventor who becomes Ironheart, the successor to Tony Stark’s Iron Man.
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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – Opens December 16, 2022
Following up the success of 2018’s ‘Aquaman,’ which earned over $1 billion at the box office, director James Wan returns for the sequel, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ Jason Momoa will once again play the title character, with Amber Heard returning as Mera, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II reprising his role as Black Manta. Also reprising their roles from the first film are Patrick Wilson as Orm, Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin, and Oscar winner Nicole Kidman as Atlanna. Little is known about the plot at this time other than it will feature Aquaman as King of Atlantis, discovering a lost kingdom, and fighting Black Manta.
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Avatar 2 – Opens December 16, 2022
Releasing over ten years after ‘Avatar’ premiered and became the highest grossing movie of all time, Oscar winning director James Cameron returns with the long-awaited sequel, ‘Avatar 2.’ Set years after the original, the sequel follows Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully and Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri, who now have a family together, as they fight old threats forcing them to leave their home and explore the different areas of Pandora. In addition to Worthington and Saldana, CCH Pounder, Cliff Curtis, and Giovanni Ribisi will also reprise their roles form the original, with Edie Falco, Michelle Yeoh, Jermaine Clement, Vin Diesel, and Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ star Kate Winslet also joining the cast. While Stephen Lang’s Colonel Miles Quaritch and Sigourney Weaver’s Dr. Grace Augustine both died in the original, both actors are expected to return, with Lang playing a “new version” of his character, and Weaver playing an entirely new role.
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While all release dates are subject to change, there is no doubt that the 2022 movie slate has something for everyone!
The upcoming Marvel flick “Morbius” is in production, and thanks to Tyrese Gibson, a new set photo is here.
The “Fast and Furious” actor took a photo on set in London and posted it Thursday, making it clear that he’s excited about this new project. He’s particularly thrilled to be working with the film’s director, Daniel Espinosa. Not coincidentally, the set photo he shared is one of himself with Espinosa.
The helmer has been one of Gibson’s bucket list directors, as the actor wrote in his caption. In fact, working with him sometimes makes Gibson nervous. He shared that it’s because Espinosa previously directed his hero, Denzel Washington.
Gibson isn’t the only cast member to share a photo from the “Morbius” set. Jared Leto posted one in March, during the first week of shooting. He stars in the film as the titular character, Dr. Michael Morbius, a biochemist who accidentally gives himself vampire-like qualities.
The story centers on Dr. Michael Morbius, a biochemist who attempts to cure himself of a fatal blood disease with a serum derived from bats. The treatment has disastrous results, turning him into the antihero Morbius, who has all the qualities of a vampire — including fangs, super strength, and a taste for human blood.
Gibson will play an FBI agent trying to hunt down Morbius.
The cast also includes Matt Smith as the main antagonist, Loxias Crown, who also suffers from the same blood disease; Adria Arjona as the love interest; and Jared Harris as Morbius’ mentor.
Sony has been developing its Spidey-verse for some time and found tremendous success with last year’s “Venom.” The studio is also working on “Silver and Black,” featuring Silver Sable and Black Cat. Their universe does not overlap with the Spider-Man played by Tom Holland in the Marvel movies.
Gibson is set to begin filming the next “Fast and Furious” movie this summer. He is also producing and starring in an upcoming biopic about Philadelphia-born R&B singer/songwriter Teddy Pendergrass.
We don’t yet know Harris’s role, but some of his best roles have been villains, including Moriarty to Robert Downey Jr’s Sherlock Holmes in “A Game of Shadows” and the diabolical David Robert Jones in sci-fi series “Fringe.”
Filming wrapped in May, so perhaps Harris will only be lending his voice to the film?
As ScreenRant points out, former Doctor Who Matt Smith is also in final talks to join the film at this late date.
Harris’s father was Richard Harris of “Gladiator,” “Harry Potter,” and “Camelot” fame.
His credits include “Mad Men,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “The Expanse.” He’ll also be in the upcoming HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” and “Carnival Row” on Amazon with Orlando Bloom.
After the success of “Venom,” Sony is continuing to expand its “Spider-Man” spinoff universe, with another film set to follow a villain who antagonizes the webslinger in the comics. And now, the new movie’s titular star has revealed a mysterious first image from the set.
In the image, Leto can be seen brooding behind a clapperboard, with only his eyes and what appears to be long hair visible. That’s obviously not a lot to go on (real talk: it’s basically nothing), but it’s still exciting to get a glimpse behind the scenes on the project, which has a pretty twisted premise — and thus seems like a perfect fit for the notoriously oddball Leto.
The film follows Dr. Michael Morbius (Leto), a biochemist who attempts to cure his own fatal blood disease using an experimental treatment derived from the DNA of vampire bats. Instead, he turns himself into Morbius, a.k.a. the Living Vampire, who has fangs, super strength, and an insatiable lust for human blood.
“Morbius” also stars “The Crown” alum Matt Smith, and is directed by Daniel Espinosa (“Life”). It’s scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2020.
Smith’s role in the story hasn’t been revealed yet. The film centers on the Spider-Man villain Dr. Michael Morbius (Leto), a character created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in 1971. He’s a biochemist whose attempt to cure his own blood disease goes badly wrong. He ends up becoming vampire-like, with fangs and the desire to drink blood.
The script was written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, and Daniel Espinosa is directing. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Lucas Foster are producing, while Palak Pate serves as an executive producer for Sony.
“Morbius” adds to Smith’s growing list of upcoming films. He also has roles in “Mapplethorpe,” “Charlie Says,” “Official Secrets,” and “Star Wars: Episode IX,” all of which hit theaters this year.
