Moviefone Editorial

Tag: nicole kidman

  • Tom Cruise in Early Talks for ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel

    Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'.
    Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Tom Cruise is considering a sequel to ‘Days of Thunder.’
    • It would likely see him return as driver Cole Trickle.
    • Paramount is in talks with the actor about the idea.

    Tom Cruise, it seems, is ready to turn back the clock and re-visit another one of his past movies.

    With the huge success that was ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ it seems he’s looking at ‘Days of Thunder’ as the next potential sequel generator.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise is talking to Paramount about a potential movie sequel to the NASCAR-set action drama. Which we’re sure the studio would be interested in, especially since it already wanted to make a TV series based on the original for Paramount+ which Cruise shut down.

    Related Article: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Marion Cotillard Reportedly Starring in ‘Broadsword’

    What was the story of ‘Days of Thunder?’

    (L to R) Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Released in 1990 following the success of movies such as ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Days of Thunder’ followed a similar storyline about a hot-headed lead character, albeit relocated to a new venue.

    Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (working back then with late colleague Don Simpson) and directed by ‘Top Gun’s Tony Scott, ‘Thunder’ follows the exploits of the improbably named Cole Trickle (Cruise), a scrappy race car driver recruited to a new NASCAR team led by a retired racing legend played by Robert Duvall.

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    Cruise got his first and, to date, only official writing credit on the film for developing the story with screenwriter Robert Towne. And his love interest on the movie was played by one Nicole Kidman, to whom he was married for 11 years after meeting here and who made her Hollywood debut playing a neurosurgeon who falls in love with Cole.

    ‘Days of Thunder’ wasn’t considered a box office hit upon its release (it made $157 million globally off a production budget of $60 million), and the film received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Yet it has since been re-evaluated.

    What could a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel be about?

    (L to R) Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Sticking to playbook of ‘Maverick,’ it’s not hard to imagine Cruise back as Trickle (stop sniggering!), here coaching some new hotshot driver while also looking to relive his glory days.

    And given the star’s driving (pun entirely intended) love of stunts, we could see him pushing to do as much behind the wheel as he can.

    A bigger question might be whether Kidman would return, given that their marriage didn’t exactly end on the best of terms and more recent reports have seen Cruise irked by his former wife’s comments on their relationship. So we might have to buckle up for Kidman’s character to be barely mentioned or not factor in at all.

    When would any ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel be in theaters?

    1990's 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    1990’s ‘Days of Thunder’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    With discussions at such an early stage, and Cruise’s busy schedule we can’t imagine a ‘Days of Thunder’ movie would be anywhere near the checkered flag, let alone ready to speed into theaters much before 2027 or 2028.

    Right now, we’d list this one as a rumor, not even on the starting grid. But aren’t you anticipating ‘Days of Thunder: Trickle’ just a little bit? We are. (They can workshop the title).

    Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

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  • Movie Review: ‘A Family Affair’

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Zac Efron as Chris Cole and Joey King as Zara Ford in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Zac Efron as Chris Cole and Joey King as Zara Ford in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    Launching on Netflix on June 28th, ‘A Family Affair’ continues the trend –– aside from most famous recent example ‘Anyone But You‘ –– of the rom-com movie finding a more a natural home on streaming than in theaters.

    And while this latest instance of the genre doesn’t come across as particularly outstanding, it does at least have enough laughs to sustain it, while also handling a slightly refreshing premise without diving too far into schmalzy cheese.

    Related Article: Joey King and Zac Efron Talk ‘A Family Affair’ and Working with Nicole Kidman

    Will ‘A Family Affair’ Make You Fall For It?

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    The premise of romance across an age divide is not exactly new, but the fact that Kidman’s character is the older woman falling for a younger man is far less frequently explored. Add to that the wrinkle of the King character’s reactions/connections to the new relationship and you have the building blocks for a solid rom-com.

    Not everything about the movie works –– some of its portrayals of a Hollywood hotshot also being a nervy, demanding diva also come across as tired and facile, but those are simply one layer to this story, which fortunately has more to say.

    Script and Direction

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024.

    Carrie Solomon makes her feature writing debut with the movie, partially channeling her own experiences working as an assistant on movies and for a Broadway theatre performer (who, she has been at pains to say, was nothing the spoiled, immature character she concocted and who is brought to life by Zac Efron in the movie).

    The screenplay for ‘A Family Affair’ is surprisingly funnier than trailers made it out to be, letting the slapsticky early act’s wackiness fade into the background for a slightly more nuanced look at love’s impact on a tight-knit family. It does enough work to have you empathise with the main trio, with even the Efron character showing that he’s more than just a preening actor.

    It’s all clearly inspired by the likes of Nora Ephron, but never reaches that very high watermark.

    As for director Richard Lagravenese, the visual style is not much to write home about, but it does the job of providing a decent enough setting for the characters and script to do their work. There’s some small amount of flare when Efron’s character takes Nicole Kidman’s on a late-night tour of a studio lot, and lights it up for her, while scenes set at a Christmas-decorated Big Bear house are suitably snowy (even though the movie was shot in Atlanta).

    Performances

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Joey King as Zara Ford and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair.'
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Joey King as Zara Ford and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair.’ Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    Boasting the typically starry cast that Netflix’s deep coffers can provide, you might find yourself wondering why people of this level agreed to make this particular movie, but their roles are meaty and satisfying enough that you can ultimately see the appeal.

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in 'A Family Affair'.
    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    Despite Kidman’s storied career seemingly putting her past making movies like this, she clearly felt like a change of gear (and she did, after all, agree to show up briefly for the ‘Aquaman’ sequel, so not every choice is a winner, even for someone with her taste and ability to choose). Naturally, she brings movie star charm to the role, seemingly ageless and yet totally comfortable playing a woman overcoming heartbreak and finding love in an unexpected place.

    Her chemistry with her co-stars is clear (Efron, of course, has been her on-screen love interest before, in ‘The Paperboy’ –– this is at least less embarrassing than that) and she acquits herself well.

    Zac Efron as Chris Cole

    Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    When we meet him, Cole is your typical mock-Hollywood superstar –– he’s appearing in a giant movie franchise, has a beautiful house (more than one) and someone to cater to his every need, but still whines that he can’t go to the grocery store. He can find the world’s smallest violin in aisle six.

    Still, that’s just part of his comedy DNA, and Efron gives him the humanity to be more than that, eventually evolving into someone that Kidman’s Brooke might actually find worthy of her time.

    Joey King as Zara Ford

    Joey King as Zara Ford in 'A Family Affair'.
    Joey King as Zara Ford in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024.

    Joey King has the most significant role in the film, as Zara, Chris’ harried assistant (whom he’s promised to help train to be a producer) and Brooke’s daughter. You can completely understand why she might freak out upon learning that her mother is sleeping with her boss, and while not every turn in her storyline truly makes sense (would she really keep working for him after the revelation and quitting in spectacular style early on?) King and writer Solomon at least infuse her with some self-awareness so that she doesn’t come across as a whining Gen-Z type.

    It’s also that the screenplay makes her well-rounded enough that it doesn’t need to throw in any romantic complications for Zara herself, preferring to focus on her reactions to, an agency about, the situation already giving her enough of a headache.

    Kathy Bates as Leila Ford

    Joey King as Zara Ford and Kathy Bates as Leila Ford in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Joey King as Zara Ford and Kathy Bates as Leila Ford in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    Kathy Bates is a pro at this sort of scene-stealing elder stateswoman role (witness her recent turn in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’) and here, you might initially feel she’s wasted playing Brooke’s former mother-in-law (her son was Brooke’s late husband) and editor for her writing career. But she’s soon enough given some decent scenes to show what she does well –– both as sage counsel and entertaining life and soul.

    Final Thoughts

    Joey King as Zara Ford and Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Joey King as Zara Ford and Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    ‘A Family Affair’ hardly breaks the rom-com mold but does bend it enough to offer gentle entertainment for those looking for something along the lines of Prime Video’s recent Anne Hathaway romantic drama ‘The Idea of You’.

    It’s mild, inoffensive and provides a suitable level of laughs.

    ‘A Family Affair’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the plot of ‘A Family Affair’?

    Zara (Joey King), a young woman who works as the personal assistant to self-absorbed Hollywood star Chris Cole (Zac Efron), discovers that her boss is having a secret romantic relationship with her widowed mother (Nicole Kidman).

    Who is in the cast of ‘A Family Affair’?

    • Zac Efron as Chris Cole
    • Joey King as Zara Ford
    • Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood
    • Kathy Bates as Leila Ford
    • Liza Koshy as Eugenie
    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024.

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  • ‘A Family Affair’ Interview: Joey King and Zac Efron

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    Premiering on Netflix on June 28th is the new romantic comedy ‘A Family Affair’, which was directed by Richard Lagravenese (‘Beautiful Creatures’) and stars Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman (‘The Hours’), Joey King (‘Bullet Train’), Zac Efron (‘The Iron Claw’) and Oscar-winner Kathy Bates (‘Misery’).

    Related Article: Joey King Talks Hulu’s ‘The Princess’

    Joey King and Zac Efron talk 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Joey King and Zac Efron talk ‘A Family Affair’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Joey King and Zac Efron to talk about their work on ‘A Family Affair’, their approach to their characters, and working with Nicole Kidman.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with King, Efron and director Richard Lagravenese.

    Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Zac, can you talk about your approach to this character, having the opportunity to make fun of celebrity, and what was it like for you playing a character as insecure as Chris Cole?

    Zac Efron: I mean, it was fun. I guess, I got to just amplify a lot of feelings and things that I’ve experienced over the course of my career, in a very fun way and just jab at it a little bit. So yeah, it was fun.

    Joey King as Zara Ford and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Joey King as Zara Ford and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    MF: How would you describe Chris’s working relationship with Zara?

    ZE: She’s seeing him at his absolute worst. She’s got to be terrified. It’d be weird if I put myself in Zara’s shoes. It’s a very awkward scenario.

    Joey King as Zara Ford in 'A Family Affair'.
    Joey King as Zara Ford in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Joey, can you talk about how Zara’s relationship with Chris changes once he starts dating her mom?

    Joey King: So, Zara and Chris have a very interesting relationship when we first meet them. It’s tense, but also full of love. It’s like a family kind of relationship. They hate each other, but they’d do anything for each other. When Brooke comes into the mix and starts dating Chris, it’s like everything that was just bubbling under the surface for Zara and Chris, and the tension they had, just explodes to the surface. Zara just cannot handle how this man is ruining her life, in more ways than one. She’s employed by him, and now he’s dating her mom!

    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood and Zac Efron as Chris Cole in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Aaron Epstein/Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Zac, can you talk about Chris’ feelings for Brooke, what he sees in her and what it was like working on that relationship with Nicole Kidman?

    ZE: It’s interesting. I think Chris and Brooke’s relationship in the film, it just feels very natural. It feels very easy, and I don’t think they have to pretend around each other. I’d say that’s pretty much like how working with Nicole was for me in real life. So yeah, it’s just very natural, very easy, and always fun. Nicole’s just the best. She’s the sweetest and full of love.

    Joey King as Zara Ford and Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Joey King as Zara Ford and Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Finally, Joey, can you talk about the betrayal Zara feels when her mom starts dating her boss and what it was like for you working with Nicole Kidman?

    JK: So first, for your first question, working with Nicole is just, I mean she’s so fantastic. It’s hard to encapsulate what an angel she is in terms of just how I admire her. Also, just becoming friendly with her. She’s just truly so special. I’m so lucky to work with her and Zach, they’re both fantastic. The betrayal that Zara feels is super intense. Obviously, it’s wrapped up in this hilarious predicament, but when we see Zara in her raw moments, she’s really hurt by this, and she’s really affected by it. I think that that’s where the growth comes in, because Zara realizes, “Yes, it’s okay that she’s hurt by this. She absolutely has every right to feel hurt by this, but it’s not the end of the world.” I think that there lies her growth in terms of what her mom, who’s not just her mom, deserves as a person. I think this story makes Zara really see her mom as a woman, not just her mom for the first time. It’s a definite new chapter for them. All good things but I think all important change starts with discomfort. I think that Zara and Brooke have a big uncomfortable moment. Then through that blossoms this new chapter of their relationship, where I think they can be better friends and not just have a mother daughter dynamic. I think we can all relate, if we have a parent that we’re close with, there was a moment where you are like, I see you as a person, not just a parent, and that you’re helping your parents. You’re like, I want you to see me like a person, not just your child. Going through that moment of change usually is met with fighting and discomfort, but also through that comes a much better relationship in the end.

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    What is the plot of ‘A Family Affair’?

    Zara (Joey King), a young woman who works as the personal assistant to self-absorbed Hollywood star Chris Cole (Zac Efron), discovers that her boss is having a secret romantic relationship with her widowed mother (Nicole Kidman).

    Who is in the cast of ‘A Family Affair’?

    • Zac Efron as Chris Cole
    • Joey King as Zara Ford
    • Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood
    • Kathy Bates as Leila Ford
    • Liza Koshy as Eugenie
    Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Zac Efron as Chris Cole and Joey King as Zara Ford in 'A Family Affair'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Brooke Harwood, Zac Efron as Chris Cole and Joey King as Zara Ford in ‘A Family Affair’. Photo: Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2024.

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  • Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman Returning for ‘Practical Magic 2’

    Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in 'Practical Magic'.
    (L to R) Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in ‘Practical Magic’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Preview:

    • Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are in talks for a ‘Practical Magic’ sequel.
    • Akiva Goldsman is returning to write the new movie.
    • No director is attached yet.

    Are Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman ready to be magical again? It would appear that way, as Warner Bros. has announced a sequel to 1998 witch-powered romantic fantasy comedy drama ‘Practical Magic’.

    While most of the details are a mystery for now, we’ll likely see the return of the Owens sisters, this time confronting a different story of witchcraft and family.

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    What’s the story of ‘Practical Magic’?

    Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in 'Practical Magic'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in ‘Practical Magic’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    ‘Practical Magic’ adapts Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel from Alice Hoffman. The movie follows two sisters, Sally (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman), who come from a long line of witches.

    Orphaned at a young age, they are raised by their eccentric aunts, who embrace their magical heritage. However, the Owens family is cursed: any man who falls in love with an Owens woman is doomed to an untimely death.

    Subsequently, Sally and Gillian struggle with their powers and the consequences of the family curse. Sally attempts to lead a normal life, distancing herself from magic, but tragedy strikes when her husband dies.

    Gillian, on the other hand, lives a wild life, embracing her magical abilities. The sisters are reunited when Gillian finds herself in a dangerous relationship with Jimmy Angelov (Goran Visnjic), a violent man. In an effort to protect Gillian, the sisters accidentally kill Jimmy, leading to a series of supernatural events as they attempt to hide his death and ultimately break the family curse.

    What will be the story for ‘Practical Magic 2’?

    Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in 'Practical Magic'.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in ‘Practical Magic’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Zero official details are available for whatever storyline Akiva Goldsman is cooking up in his cauldron, but we could conceivably see the sisters confronting issues with Kidman’s character’s daughters, themselves dealing with the family legacy.

    Related Article: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’s Sam Richardson and Doug Jones Talk New Disney+ Sequel

    Who is making the ‘Practical Magic’ sequel?

    Griffin Dunne in 'After Hours'.
    Griffin Dunne in ‘After Hours’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    That first movie was written by Robin Swicord, Akiva Goldsman and Adam Brooks, but at this point, it seems only Goldsman is returning to craft the sequel.

    Griffin Dunne was in the director’s chair for the original, but Warner Bros. has yet to confirm a filmmaker for the new movie.

    Bullock and Kidman –– assuming they lock down their deals –– would also produce the movie alongside the original’s Denise Di Novi.

    When will ‘Practical Magic 2’ be in theaters?

    With the movie at such an early stage, there are no release details –– we don’t for example, know whether it’ll be in theaters or go straight to streaming service Max (where the original has now landed), but given the potential star power, we don’t imagine Warners will want to shove it straight to streaming.

    1998's 'Practical Magic'.
    1998’s ‘Practical Magic’. Photo: Warner Bros.

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  • Where To Watch ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    Jason Momoa dons the trident once again in the underwater comic book action-adventure sequel alongside Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Now available to watch from home.

    Aquaman, now a father to Arthur Curry Jr., is trying to find a balance in being a father and the King of Atlantis. Black Manta, driven blind by revenge, sets out to track down the mythic Black Trident, a weapon with ancient powers. As Black Manta closes in, Aquaman must turn to the former King of Atlantis – Orm, to forge an alliance. Together, they will protect the kingdom and Aquaman’s family.

    This film is helmed once again by James Wan and reunites Jason Momoa with Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, Randall Park, and Amber Heard.

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    Where Can I Watch ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’?

    Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics.

    The underwater comic book movie held its US premiere on December 19, 2023 at The Grove in Los Angeles. The film was released domestically on December 22, 2023. Originally, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ was scheduled to be released on December 16, 2022. The film’s release was changed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reshuffling of the studio’s release dates.

    Buy Tickets: ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Movie Showtimes

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ has a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. If you missed the movie on the big screen, it is now available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Prices range from $19.99 for rental or $24.99 for purchase.

    Since the first ‘Aquaman‘ film is available to stream on Max, it is likely the sequel will eventually land on the streaming platform. However, an official date has not been released or confirmed by Warner Bros Discovery.

    Where to Watch: ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ Online

    Home Release

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    For fans of physical media, you’re in luck. ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is now available for pre-order. Prices range from $19.99 for DVD, $24.96 for Blu-ray, and $32.99 for 4K UHD. There’s also an option to purchase a two-film collection, which will include the first film ‘Aquaman’ and the sequel ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ for $32.99. The official release date for home release is March 12, 2024.

    Buy ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ On Amazon

    Aquaman and Ocean Master Makes A Dynamic Team

    Patrick Wilson as Orm and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Patrick Wilson as Orm and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics.

    To go up against Black Manta, who wields the power of the Black Trident, Aquaman needed to team up with his brother (and former King of Atlantis), Orm. Although an unlikely pair, Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson made for a great duo screen, whether it be brotherly witty banters or coordinated fight scenes. Their chemistry amplified the movie.

    Related Article: ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ 

    Momoa’s Last Swim As Aquaman?

    Jaosn Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Jaosn Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is the final movie of the previous DECU era. Current DC co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran are working towards their new vision for DC. The two previously announced ‘Superman Legacy,’ a film that will be a part of the new DC Universe Chapter One, ‘Gods and Monsters.’ Other DC films, such as ‘Joker: Folie á Deux’ will exist in Elseworld.

    This could mean that there’s a slight chance we can see Momoa’s Aquaman return in some capacity, as Elseworld stories do not connect to the main canon of the new DCU.

    Gunn and Safran introduced their new DC slate a year ago and have announced that ‘Superman Legacy’ has started production, and the ‘Creature Commandos’ episodes are being finished, with the series being released later this year. Gunn also teases upcoming projects and says, “incredible talents are being attached to new projects, planned & unplanned.”

    “Today, ‘Superman Legacy’ is about to start production, episodes of ‘Creature Commandos’ are being finished that will release later this year, at least 2 more projects are gearing up to go in the next couple months, amazing scripts keep coming in, & incredible talent are being attached to new projects, planned & unplanned. Thank you!!”

    Watch the official trailers for ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ below:

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    The official synopsis for ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is below:

    After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis. Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction.

    Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R Center) Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

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  • Movie Review: ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    Jaosn Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Jaosn Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    In theaters on December 22nd, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ represents the last gasp of the Zack Snyder-overseen DC movie universe before new studio arm bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran sweep (almost) all before them as they build out their new vision for DC Studios.

    Directed once again by James Wan (who made the billion-plus success that was the first ‘Aquaman’), it arrives following a wave of delays and changes. So, does the sequel live up to the silly-but-fun original?

    Does ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ sink or swim?

    A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    Regrettably, we must answer a solid no to the question. ‘The Lost Kingdom’ feels more like a senior handing in a sloppy work project, little concerned with how it’ll be received.

    This is superhero storytelling on autopilot, another world-threatening situation, another rote test for the hero, another villain with even less shading than he had in the first movie. And fairly shocking given the people involved and how they managed last time.

    Related Article: Director James Wan Sinks Rumors of Chaos Around ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’: Script and Direction

    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    Written once again by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, based on a story by not just director Wan but also Momoa and his producing partner Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, this is the sort of film that makes you wonder just why it took so many people to come up with a movie screenplay this basic.

    Mired in some very obvious tropes and storylines, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is really just the 7500th telling of the “hero tested by returning villain who has found some dark ancient power to help his cause, forcing the protagonist to team up with another former antagonist to save the world”. And if you felt me falling asleep as I wrote that, imagine what I went through during the movie.

    This is a film that borrows so heavily from other, better movies –– a dab of ‘The Matrix’ (in Black Manta’s squid-like attack craft), a splash of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (the backstory for the ancient power at the heart of the story) and just a sprinkling of ‘Black Panther’ (both in Arthur’s clash with someone who feels they should have his job and in a way we won’t explore here).

    Topo the Octopus in a scene from Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros.
    Topo the Octopus in a scene from Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    Aside from a callback to the drumming octopus known as Topo (an element from the comics that served as a one-off joke in the first movie but is here revealed to be an intelligence agent and a source of more occasional humor in this one) there is very little that feels at all fresh or truly interesting here.

    The whole affair is tired and repetitive, the treatment of the story beyond rudimentary and the drama only really serving to stitch together set pieces that themselves come across as several different variations on the idea of Aquaman and Patrick Wilson’s Orm running from things or punching them.

    Wan, meanwhile, gets to inject some of his usual horror overtones into the movie –– one or two sequences work (such as Black Manta showing up at Aquaman’s father’s house in darkness after he has conspired to shut off the power). But in general, let down by varied quality of the visual effects (for a film that took this long to finish, you have to worry about some sequences that look like they’re from the theme park version of the movie), this is certainly among his lesser movies.

    The re-shoots and changes that happened along the way clearly had an effect, and most of what still works about the movie is by sheer luck rather than design.

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’: Performances

    Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    If there is any real saving grace in the movie, it’s Momoa’s committed performance as the leading man, full of wisecracks (even if he does start to sound like Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man at times) and finding fun chemistry with Wilson’s Orm.

    For his part, Wilson gives good snark, fully embracing the idea of the frustrated ruler who can’t stand the doofus who is on what he sees as his rightful throne.

    Elsewhere? Poor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is reduced to an afterthought as a villain, who has his vengeful mission but very little else to do. At his side is Randall Park as scientist Dr. Stephen Shin, making the most of a nebbishy stock character and scoring one or two laughs.

    And the rest of the heroic characters are barely there –– Temuera Morrison as Aquaman’s father Tom has a couple of solid scenes with his son and grandson, but you have to wonder why Nicole Kidman bothered showing up again as Momoa’s character’s mother beyond a contract and a payday.

    Coming out even worse, though, is Amber Heard, who occasionally appears to be added in through visual effects and beyond one helpful moment, has so little to do you can understand Heard’s concerns that her character has been reduced to nearly nothing.

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’: Final Thoughts

    Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Jason Momoa as Aquaman and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    As an ending to the DC universe in its pre-Gunn era, this is like the mess of sticky drinks left on the floor after a party –– there’s no real wrap-up for anything and the usual teasing hint for future stories is pretty much absent.

    Given how Wan, Momoa and the rest brought some knowing fun to a character who has been a joke in the past, it’s all the more disappointing that their follow-up is a bombastic but hollow enterprise, a less-than-satisfying end to a movie universe.

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’?

    Having failed to defeat Aquaman (Jason Momoa) the first time, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all.

    This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

    Who else is in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’?

    The cast for the new superhero outing also includes Amber Heard as Mera, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.

    Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R Center) Patrick Wilson and Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / ™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

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  • Nicole Kidman Returning for ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2

    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers.'
    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

    Though it would seem to have wrapped up its story –– especially since it is based on a novel –– with its first season, Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ is preparing a second.

    It would seem that the streaming service is ready to go the ‘White Lotus’ route and turn the concept into an anthology, with star Nicole Kidman the sole name (so far) from Season 1 set to return.

    What was the story of ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ first season?

    Luke Evans, Melvin Gregg, Michael Shannon, Manny Jacinto, and Bobby Cannavale star in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers.'
    (L to R) Luke Evans, Melvin Gregg, Michael Shannon, Manny Jacinto, and Bobby Cannavale star in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

    Debuting in September 2021 as Hulu’s most-watched Hulu original ever — drama, comedy, limited series or unscripted –– the show saw nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living with a 10-day star at a boutique California wellness resort run by director Masha (Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine “perfect” strangers have no idea what is about to hit them…

    The cast for that first season co-starred Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, Grace Van Patten, Tiffany Boone and Manny Jacinto. It was developed (based on ‘Big Little Lies’ author Liane Moriarty’s tome), by David E. Kelley.

    Melissa McCarthy stars in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers.
    Melissa McCarthy stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers. Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

    Related Article: Nicole Kidman Reteaming With ‘Big Little Lies’ Team for Hulu Drama ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’

    What do we know about ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Season 2 so far?

    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers.'
    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

    Kelley will be back to lead the writing staff for the new season, with Kidman once more producing as well as starring.

    According to Deadline, the new episodes will follow the same general concept of strangers seeking wellness in the Swiss Alps this time around.

    And the cast is already starting to come together, with Oscar nominee Liv Ullmann (‘Miss Julie‘), Murray Bartlett (‘The White Lotus’), Dolly de Leon (‘Triangle of Sadness’), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (‘The Kissing Booth 3’) and Turkish actor Aras Aydin all in the midst of making deals to appear alongside Kidman.

    It remains to be seen whether the idea can work a second time, since audiences, even those who have not read the book, will know what to expect. Still, viewers embraced the second run of HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’ adaptation (which also starred Kidman) despite that show’s first season being planned as a limited series.

    It’s an increasing phenomenon for companies on the hunt for successful titles that can attract audiences to convert what are originally announced as one-shots into continuing series. HBO in particular has drawn dividends with ‘The White Lotus’ which went from one season made in the midst of the pandemic to an ongoing anthology series that carries over one or two actors each time. That show, created by Mike White, has earned plenty of awards acclaim and seen big viewership.

    Moriarty, meanwhile, has become a go-to author for companies looking for source material. Her book ‘Apples Never Fall’ is in development and several others have been optioned.

    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers.'
    Nicole Kidman stars in Hulu’s ‘Nine Perfect Strangers.’ Photo: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.

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  • First Trailer for ‘Special Ops: Lioness’

    Writer/director/showrunner Taylor Sheridan has quietly (and not-so-quietly, depending on where you live and how aware of his work you are) been building a small screen empire with his ‘Yellowstone’ shows, which have spun off two prequels (‘1923’ and 1883’, with more on the way).

    Those in turn have led to the commissioning of other series, including Sylvester Stallone-starring ‘Tulsa King’, Jeremy Renner-led ‘Mayor of Kingstown’, the upcoming ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’, which features Dennis Quaid and David Oyelowo and ‘Land Men’, boasting Billy Bob Thornton heading its cast.

    Sheridan’s work has, as the lists above suggest, attracted plenty of top talent, but the needle of the Big-Name-O-Meter hit even further with the announcement of another new show (seriously, when the does this man see his family?), ‘Special Ops: Lioness’, which has dropped its first trailer and you can watch t above.

    Zoe Saldana as Joe in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    Zoe Saldana as Joe in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Lynsey Addario/Paramount+.

    All about ‘Special Ops: Lioness’

    The new show, inspired by an actual US Military program, follows the life of Joe (Zoe Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror.

    The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Donald Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

    It’s all very much in the wheelhouse of movies that Sheridan has written in the past, especially ‘Sicario’, which saw Emily Blunt as an idealistic FBI agent enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

    Except ‘Lioness’ goes further into espionage territory, with plenty of meetings in darkened command centers, lots of action with guns blazing and undercover operatives under threat and comments about carrying out missions “in front of CBS news”, which makes sense, since the series from this first look comes across as something that would probably play well (if in much more limited/lower budget fashion) on Paramount+’s network sibling CBS.

    James Jordan as Two Cups, Jonah Wharton as Tex, Jill Wagner as Bobby, Zoe Saldana as Joe, Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, Austin Hébert as Randy and Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) James Jordan as Two Cups, Jonah Wharton as Tex, Jill Wagner as Bobby, Zoe Saldana as Joe, Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, Austin Hébert as Randy and Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo credit: Greg Lewis/Paramount+.

    Related Article: Wes Bentley and Cole Hauser Talk Paramount Network’s ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5

    Who else is in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’?

    In addition to the already impressive roster, ‘Lioness’ also features Morgan Freeman, playing Edwin Mullins. He’s the Secretary of State in the series and has some tough questions for the CIA program’s creators and agents.

    And the cast includes Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica Garrett, James Jordan, Austin Hébert, Jonah Wharton, Stephanie Nur and Hannah Love Lanier.

    ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ will launch on Paramount+ on Sunday, July 23. Will it catch on the way ‘Yellowstone’ has and spawn 17 spin-offs all overseen by Sheridan (who will presumably have perfected cloning technology by then so he can handle the workload)? Only time will tell…

    Jill Wagner as Bobby, Thad Luckinbill as Kyle, Zoe Saldana as Joe, James Jordan as Two Cups, Jonah Wharton as Tex, Austin Hébert as Randy in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Jill Wagner as Bobby, Thad Luckinbill as Kyle, Zoe Saldana as Joe, James Jordan as Two Cups, Jonah Wharton as Tex, Austin Hébert as Randy in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo credit: Greg Lewis/Paramount+.
    Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, Michael Kelly as Bryon Westfield and Zoe Saldana as Joe in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade, Michael Kelly as Bryon Westfield and Zoe Saldana as Joe in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+.
    Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos, Zoe Saldana as Joe, and Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos, Zoe Saldana as Joe, and Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+.
    Stephanie Nur as Aaliyah and Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    (L to R) Stephanie Nur as Aaliyah and Laysla De Oliveira as Cruz Manuelos in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Luke Varley/Paramount+.
    Laysla De Oliveria as Cruz Manuelos in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    Laysla De Oliveria as Cruz Manuelos in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Lynsey Addario/Paramount+.
    Zoe Saldana as Joe in 'Special Ops: Lioness' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.
    Zoe Saldana as Joe in ‘Special Ops: Lioness’ streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Credit: Lynsey Addario/Paramount+.

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  • Warner Bros. Discovery Moving ‘Aquaman’ Sequel Release Date

    Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa on the set of 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.'
    (L to R) Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa on the set of ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.’ Photo courtesy of Jason Momoa’s Instagram account.

    Warner Bros. Discovery has, according to Deadline, decided to shift the release dates for a batch of its upcoming movies. And it mostly means that those expecting to see James Wan’s ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ next March will be waiting a few months longer.

    No, the much-anticipated ‘Aquaman’ sequel isn’t suddenly headed off into a vault as a tax write-off. Instead, the reasoning is that the backlog of visual effects work means that Wan and co. need more time to finish the FX-heavy superhero sequel.

    The result? Instead of its original planned March 17th, 2023 release in theaters, the new movie will be a DC Christmas present for fans, releasing on December 25th next year.

    The new movie, which sees the returning likes of Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson, Temuera Morrison, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Dolph Lundgren joined by Jani Zhao, Ben Affleck and Pilou Asbæk, is still considered a big priority for Warners (especially given that the first movie crossed the billion dollar mark at the box office), and the company wants to make sure it’s as ready to make as big a splash as possible.

    It’s also good news for director David F. Sandberg, who, while he has almost finished work on ‘Shazam!’ sequel ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ was staring down the barrel of his movie going up against James Cameron’s return to the world of ‘Avatar’ with ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’.

    Disney is already busy priming the pump for the sequel’s arrival by yanking the original from tis Disney+ servers and putting the movie back in theaters from September 22nd in a shiny new 4K remastered version.

    Anticipation for the next ‘Avatar’ remains high despite naysayers trying to claim that it won’t have the same impact. Even if it gets close, ‘The Way of Water’ will be a giant movie, and no one should ever bet against James Cameron.

    Ross Butler as Super Hero Eugene, Adam Brody as Super Hero Freddy, Grace Caroline Currey as Super Hero Mary, Zachary Levi as Shazam, Meagan Good as Super Hero Darla and D. J. Cotrona as Super Hero Pedro in New Line Cinema’s action adventure Shazam! Fury of the Gods,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Ross Butler as Super Hero Eugene, Adam Brody as Super Hero Freddy, Grace Caroline Currey as Super Hero Mary, Zachary Levi as Shazam, Meagan Good as Super Hero Darla and D. J. Cotrona as Super Hero Pedro in New Line Cinema’s action adventure Shazam! Fury of the Gods,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    So ‘Shazam’s second outing (which sees Zachary Levi back leading the cast as the titular hero, who transforms upon saying his name from more regular teen Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel) will now reside in the much more comfortable March 17th slot vacated by its watery superhero sibling, and won’t have to worry about fighting for regular screens and IMAX slots with Cameron’s behemoth.

    It also represents Warners considering a March slot to be a winner following this year’s ‘The Batman’.

    ‘The Conjuring’s ever-expanding franchise continues, meanwhile, with ‘The Nun 2’, directed by Michael Chaves, set for September 8th, 2023. Fellow horror ‘Salem’s Lot’ had been penciled in for April but is now awaiting a new date.

    Those weren’t the only announcements. A ‘House Party’ reboot is headed our way this December 9th, while Lee Cronin’s ‘Evil Dead Rise’ is scheduled for an April 21st slot. Both of those movies had originally been targeted for HBO Max, which will add fuel to the fire of those rightfully upset that ‘Batgirl’ is being denied a similar chance.

    Finally, Warners also confirmed an untitled event film (whether that’s DC or something else) for February 10th next year, to take advantage of Super Bowl Weekend.

    Jason Momoa in 2018's 'Aquaman.'
    Jason Momoa in 2018’s ‘Aquaman.’
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  • Third ‘Paddington’ Movie finds Director

    StudioCanal's 'Paddington 2.'
    StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

    The two ‘Paddington’ movies are, it’s fair to say, a cultural sensation. Offering gentle charm, family-friendly slapstick, and scenery-chewing villainy from the likes of Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, they’ve been critically adored, commercially successful (to the tune of more than $500 million at the worldwide box office) and, more recently, referenced in Nic Cage meta-action-comedy. ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’.

    All eyes are naturally on what the bear from Peru does next, and who will be guiding his adventures, since Paul King, who made the first two movies, is busy with the ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel ‘Wonka’, which stars Timothee Chalamet.

    King and producer David Heyman have now anointed Dougal Wilson as the chosen successor in the director’s chair, though King will remain attached as an executive producer, having written the movie’s story with previous ‘Paddington’ collaborators Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton. Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont wrote the script.

    Wilson is something of an unknown quantity on the movie front, as he’s never directed a feature before. But he’s had a busy career in commercials for the likes of AT&T, Apple, and IKEA, plus a wealth of music video experience. Perhaps most tellingly, he’s also created several Christmas commercials for British department store John Lewis, which are known for their sweet stories.

    The new movie will start shooting next year in London and Peru, and presumably sees Paddington heading home to his native land. Exact plot details and casting have yet to be revealed, though we’d expect Ben Whishaw back to voice the title character (he mostly recently did the job for a Queen’s Jubilee celebration short), while the previous two films have both featured the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Julie Walters.

    “After ten years of working on the ‘Paddington’ movies, I feel absurdly protective of the little bear, and I’m delighted that Dougal will be there to hold his paw as he embarks on his third big-screen adventure,” said King in a statement. “Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. Aunt Lucy once asked us to ‘Please Look After This Bear.’ I know Dougal will do so admirably.”

    Wilson comments: “As a huge fan of the first two films, I am very excited (if not a little intimidated) to be continuing the story of Paddington. It’s a massive responsibility, but all my efforts will be focused on making a third film that honors the love so many people have for this very special bear.”

    Producer David Heyman also appears happy with the choice: “After an exacting search, we’re delighted that the brilliant Dougal Wilson will be directing the third ‘Paddington’ film. A much-garlanded legend within the commercials world, we have long admired Dougal’s virtuoso work, and his gift for directing with heart, humor, surprise, and vivid imaginative flair. He’s a wonderfully inventive kindred spirit for Paddington’s latest adventure with the Browns, and we’re thrilled to be working with him.”

    Given the 2023 shoot, we wouldn’t expect the movie much before the end of that year or some point in 2024.

    Hugh Grant in StudioCanal's 'Paddington 2.'
    Hugh Grant in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’
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