(Left) Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO. (Right) (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
The casting makes sense, since ‘Star Wars’ has often employed Brits as villainous characters, all the way back to the likes of Peter Cushing’s iconic, scowling, contemptuous Grand Moff Tarkin in the 1977 original.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”
Gosling is reportedly playing a character that must protect a young charge against evil pursuers.
Smith will be hunting him down and we recently learned that ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine’s Mia Goth will be on his scheming side.
What do Goth and Smith have in common, besides a propensity for playing quirky/threatening characters? Both born in the UK!
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.
Where else can we see Matt Smith?
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
Besides his Dragon-riding, endlessly plotting character, Smith is probably best known for playing the Eleventh incarnation of The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’.
Coming up for the actor is the role of an unorthodox punk in Darren Aronofsky’s latest, crime drama ‘Caught Stealing’, due in theaters on August 29th.
When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?
With ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ boasting a confirmed release date of May 22nd, 2026, we now have a second ‘Star Wars’ movie on the calendar.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is due to arrive on May 28th, 2027, and is set to start the cameras rolling in the fall, giving Smith some time to perfect his sneer.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Preview:
‘Project Hail Mary’ touched down at Comic-Con.
The panel included Ryan Gosling, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
The movie adapts Andy Weir’s book.
‘Project Hail Mary’ represents the collaboration between some fairly stellar names in filmmaking. Take directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who have brought acclaimed comedies and Oscar-winning animated superhero movies to screens while having fun with genre.
Add in Ryan Gosling, who has proved his chops in both the dramatic and laugh-grabbing departments. And blend them with the invention of Andy Weir, whose book ‘The Martian’ became a wildly successful movie in its own right.
The result is a space-set adventure that appears to offer plenty of laughs and humanity to go with the big ideas.
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So the movie was naturally one that Amazon MGM Studios knew could play well at Comic-Con, with the team showing up for a panel in Hall H.
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
‘Project Hail Mary’ is set in the near future. Our hero is Ryland Grace (Gosling), a school teacher-turned-astronaut who wakes up from a coma, alone, on a space station with no memory of who he is or his mission.
His memory returns in bursts and he pieces together that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to reverse the impact of a space event that had already hurled our planet into the early stages of an Ice Age.
As details of the mission unravel, he must call on all of his scientific training and sheer ingenuity, but he might not have to do it alone…
What happened at the ‘Project Hail Mary’ panel?
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Much as with big movies such as ‘TRON: Ares’, the ‘Project Hail Mary’ team made good use of the giant screens that stretch down the sides of Hall H, projecting logos and the galactic map seen in the trailer.
Those on stage included directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, author Andy Weir and screenwriter Drew Goddard (who also adapted ‘The Martian’).
Gosling talked about why he wanted to join the projecting, citing Weir as the greatest science fiction writer (and not just because he was sitting next to him on the panel). He knew it would be great, but not how great.
Here’s what else he said:
“It’s about a scared guy who doesn’t know what he’s doing and I was a scared guy who didn’t know what I was doing, trying to turn it into a movie.”
He called Lord and Miller, which seems like a smart move…
For their part, the directors also used a movie metaphor to describe working with Gosling, in that it’s about collaboration and they had a great time working with the actor.
The filmmakers shared new concept art from the movie, including spaceship designs and more.
Biggest news of the panel? Daniel Pemberton, who has experience working with Lord and Miller on the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies, is the composer for this.
But the best part of the panel? The first five minutes of the movie were shown, including Gosling waking up from an induced coma, befuddled and unsure of where he is. He struggles with a robot that is trying to help him and discovers that the crew in the chamber with him are all dead.
Other clips were shown, but from later in the movie, so we’ll avoid discussing those to stay away from spoilers.
When will ‘Project Hail Mary’ be on screens?
Unlike some of the other projects touted at this year’s convention, we still have a wait for ‘Project Hail Mary’.
Amazon MGM Studios will release the movie in theaters on March 20th, 2026.
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell will star in ‘Tough Guys.’
They’ll play henchmen who want to change their lives.
Amazon MGM Studios is backing the movie.
Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell clearly like starring in movies that feature the word ‘Guys’ in the title. Gosling was co-lead on ‘The Nice Guys’, Ferrell was part of ‘The Other Guys’ and now the duo is looking to team up on ‘The Tough Guys’.
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The actors, who previously shared the screen in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster smash ‘Barbie’ (Gosling as Ken, with Ferrell playing the blustery boss of Mattel), are set to reunite for the new action comedy from Amazon MGM Studios.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
The movie originated as a spec script by ‘Workin’ Moms’ veteran writer Daniel Gold.
‘The Tough Guys’ story reportedly follows two henchmen who are tired of being disposable and break free from the criminal underworld, rewriting the rules as they build a new life on their own terms.
Deadline mentions that there is no filmmaker attached to the movie yet, but given the star power interested, you know Amazon MGM will want to get this one moving.
Where else can we see Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell?
Ryan Gosling in ‘Project Hail Mary’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Ferrell is coming off the success of another Amazon MGM movie, wedding clash comedy ‘You’re Cordially Invited’. And he recently worked with the company again on ‘Judgment Day’, starring opposite Zac Efron in the story of a newly released prisoner (Efron) who takes over a TV courtroom, holding hostages while confronting the egotistical judge (Ferrell) whose previous verdict he believes destroyed his life.
He also has a variety of projects in development.
As for Gosling, he’ll next be seen in Amazon MGM’s sci-fi pic ‘Project Hail Mary’ and is sticking with outer space for the lead role in Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, which should have its cameras rolling later this year.
When will ‘The Tough Guys’ be on our screens?
With no director aboard yet, and even with the new star power, this could end up waiting a while –– especially given the actors’ busy schedule.
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
Marvel Comics has revealed a new Black Panther named Ketema, who is T’Challa’s son and caucasian.
The story should not be adapted for the big screen for several reasons.
Ryan Gosling has been fan-cast, but he can (and should) play someone else in the MCU.
When Chadwick Boseman passed away, he left a hole in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that, let’s be honest, likely no one will be able to fill. He perfectly embodied T’Challa in ‘Black Panther‘. He knew how to light up a room with his smile and laugh.
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There has been a lot of debate about whether the role should ever be recast or if there should be a new Black Panther altogether. For now, Shuri (Letitia Wright) has taken up the mantle, as fans saw in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘. She fit seamlessly into the story, and it makes all the sense in the world for her to continue representing Wakanda.
While many have been calling for a new Black Panther to step into the MCU, the recent Marvel Comics’ storyline is not the way to do it. Here’s why.
New Black Panther In Marvel Comics Explained
T’Challa’s son, Ketema. Photo: Marvel Comics.
In ‘Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1’ fans were introduced to a new Black Panther. Ketema is the son of T’Challa and Monica Lynne, or so it appears with panels flashing back to images of a pregnant Monica.
In the comic, T’Challa and Ketema engage in a tribal challenge, during which Ketema gets the upper hand on his father. When he takes off his mask, it is revealed that he is caucasian with blond hair. Both T’Challa and Monica are Black, leading readers to believe this cannot be the same child that Monica was pregnant with while married to T’Challa.
Is Ketema T’Challa’s biological son? Is he a son from a previous relationship with Nicole Adams, a caucasian woman T’Challa was involved with? There are a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers, as the limited series comic book run is just getting started. Over the next few month those answers will come, but in the meantime, this story does not come across as one that should be adapted for the big screen.
Why This Story Would Not Translate Well To The MCU
The first reason Marvel should choose not to adapt this storyline is probably the most obvious one. We already have a Black Panther in Shuri. Letitia Wright is confirmed to reprise her role as Shuri in ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ so it makes no sense for Marvel to replace her and bring in a new Black Panther. At least not yet. She has a lot more to give us.
We also already have another Black Panther lined up to take her place, when the time comes. In the post-credit scene for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ it is revealed that T’Challa had a son with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o). He is named Toussaint and he is being raised outside of Wakanda.
For Marvel to set a storyline up in a post-credit scene and then completely abandon it is not unheard of, but it would be particularly frustrating this time around. They cannot get away with never talking about him again, and if they do decide to retcon his part of the story, fans will likely be outraged. Rightfully so.
Realistically the studio can do whatever they want and claim that it works within the story because of how they have set themselves up. With the multiverse blown wide open, there is no reason they can’t have a new Black Panther step through a portal from another universe and try to take up the mantle.
That said, to do so would be extremely lazy writing. Even with the multiverse established, Marvel needs to stop relying on it to explain away situations. Viewers are getting sick of it, and for good reason. Surely this is how The Fantastic Four is going to enter the MCU. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is probably going to use that explination a lot, and honestly, that should be the last time Marvel leans on the multiverse for help.
Ryan Gosling Might Not Be The Next Black Panther, But He Should Join The MCU
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the reveal of the new Black Panther to be white, fans immediately started choosing their dream cast. Ryan Gosling ended up at the top of the list, unsurprisingly. Years ago there was a meme of him as Black Panther, now fans are hoping it will become a reality.
Rumors of Ryan Gosling joining the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ cast had already been circulating, making this casting even more likely. While he is an incredibly talented actor, and should absolutely join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are plenty of other roles he could take on.
Prior to Marvel Comics releasing this issue, many thought he had been offered the role of Ghost Rider. Not only does this seem like a much better fit for him, it would ensure that he could stick around for a while longer. If Marvel decides to adapt this version of Black Panther, the odds of that character continuing on the mantle for long is highly unlikely.
Nicolas Cage in 2007’s ‘Ghost Rider’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
As we said above, T’Challa’s son and heir to the throne has already been teased. Shuri is currently protecting Wakanda and does not appear to be stepping down any time soon. If Ketema was to come to the big screen, it would likely be as an antagonist for a third Black Panther film. Ryan Gosling would be such a great get for the MCU that it would be unlikely for them to use him in this way.
While there are many Marvel characters he would be great at playing, Ghost Rider is the perfect choice. Not only has he expressed interest in portraying the character, Ryan Gosling would be instantly believable as someone who is vengeful but just and often finds himself displaying empathy, despite his terrifying exterior.
What’s the story of Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”
Gosling is reportedly playing a character that must protect a young charge against evil pursuers.
Goth will play one of the pursuers.
We do know that Levy, despite being seemingly busy with 500 different projects at once has been developing his untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie since at least 2022, and cameras should be rolling this fall in the UK.
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.
What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?
(L to R) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Pedro Pascal, director Jon Favreau and Grogu at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production.
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Favreau and Filoni introduced a new clip from the movie and a sizzle reel at the Celebration event.
The main scene was action packed, with Snowtroopers inside an AT-AT preparing to engage in battle. Pedro Pascal’s Mandalorian cuts open into the hull of the AT-AT, then, in one continuous take, blasts, stabs, pyros, and fights his way through the Snowtroopers, making his way through the hull and then hallway, ending at the door of the cockpit, which quickly closes.
The sizzle reel, meanwhile, offered a glimpse at Sigourney Weaver’s character –– for whom Mando apparently works –– plus battle scenes (including an AT-AT tumbling off a snowy cliff), Grogu using his powers and swimming. It ended with Jeremy Allen White-voiced Rotta the Hutt, the son of the crime lord Jabba the Hutt, raising his hands in triumph in some sort of fighting arena, and then cut to Grogu in the stands and eating what passes for the Star Wars version of popcorn.
(L to R) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
‘Mandalorian’ co-creator and fellow steward Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is in development from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy but appears to keep hitting stumbling blocks and has been removed from the schedule for now.
And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.
We’d guess that while Filoni (who promoted earlier this year to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka.’
Here’s what he said about that:
“I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”
Beyond those, there are several movies (and potential trilogies) which don’t seem to be moving forward and may have been scrapped altogether, including new potential movies from ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson (who is busy with his ‘Knives Out’ movies and may not wish to dip back into the toxic stew of ‘Star Wars’ fandom after the divisive reaction to his first effort) and ‘Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, who had a much-touted ‘Rogue Squadron’ story of rebel pilots that appears to have had trouble leaving the development hanger.
When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ boasting a confirmed release date of May 22nd, 2026, we now have a second ‘Star Wars’ movie on the calendar.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is now due to arrive on May 28th, 2027. Looks like Lucasfilm is finally ready to ramp back up to one movie a year from the galaxy far, far away.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
It’s certainly a bold move for the company, which has not released a movie since December 2019’s ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ and has ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ in theaters on May 22nd, 2026.
Here’s the tweet that Lucasfilm put out at the same time as Kennedy and Filoni were on stage:
What’s the story of Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”
We do know that Levy, despite being seemingly busy with 500 different projects at once has been developing his untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie since at least 2022.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kennedy.
Gosling’s deal has closed and production on the new movie will kick off in the fall, which means Levy will likely press pause on working on the planned boyband comedy that his usual Ryan –– that would be Reynolds –– has been developing. Still, given Levy’s work ethic, we wouldn’t be surprised if he knocked that out this summer before diving into ‘Star Wars.’
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Gosling, who was one of the key elements in 2023’s monster hit ‘Barbie’ had a slightly less successful 2023, as romantic action comedy ‘The Fall Guy’ –– which was perfectly entertaining in our opinion –– failed to land at the box office and only earned $181 million from a $125 budget.
That one errs more towards the sci-fi than space opera, featuring an astronaut who has to try and save the planet. It’ll arrive on May 20th, 2026, and a first look was teased by Amazon MGM Studios at the company’s CinemaCon presentation this month.
Behind the camera, Gosling is an executive producer on a Donald E. Westlake adaptation called ‘The Actor,’ though that movie has yet to land a release date.
And oddly, Gosling’s name has been linked with ‘Star Wars’ in the past, when rumors spread online in 2013 that he and Zac Efron were being eyed by ‘The Force Awakens’ filmmaker J.J. Abrams for a part that may have eventually become Kylo Ren (as played in the sequel trilogy by Adam Driver).
Who else has been rumored for ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?
But the same day, Variety reported that Madison had decided to pass on the role. While it seems as though she’s passing up a big opportunity, it’s not like the actor is exactly short of offers at the moment –– she is very much in demand, including by Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ reboot.
What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?
(L to R) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Pedro Pascal, director Jon Favreau and Grogu at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production.
eaZX2E5uDRUrzMZDbzwwV4
Favreau and Filoni introduced a new clip from the movie and a sizzle reel at the Celebration event.
The main scene was action packed, with Snowtroopers inside an AT-AT preparing to engage in battle. Pedro Pascal’s Mandalorian cuts open into the hull of the AT-AT, then, in one continuous take, blasts, stabs, pyros, and fights his way through the Snowtroopers, making his way through the hull and then hallway, ending at the door of the cockpit, which quickly closes.
The sizzle reel, meanwhile, offered a glimpse at Sigourney Weaver’s character –– for whom Mando apparently works –– plus battle scenes (including an AT-AT tumbling off a snowy cliff), Grogu using his powers and swimming. It ended with Jeremy Allen White-voiced Rotta the Hutt, the son of the crime lord Jabba the Hutt, raising his hands in triumph in some sort of fighting arena, and then cut to Grogu in the stands and eating what passes for the Star Wars version of popcorn.
(L to R) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
‘Mandalorian’ co-creator and fellow steward Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is in development from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy but appears to keep hitting stumbling blocks and has been removed from the schedule for now.
And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.
We’d guess that while Filoni (who promoted earlier this year to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka.’
Here’s what he said about that:
“I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”
Beyond those, there are several movies (and potential trilogies) which don’t seem to be moving forward and may have been scrapped altogether, including new potential movies from ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson (who is busy with his ‘Knives Out’ movies and may not wish to dip back into the toxic stew of ‘Star Wars’ fandom after the divisive reaction to his first effort) and ‘Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, who had a much-touted ‘Rogue Squadron’ story of rebel pilots that appears to have had trouble leaving the development hanger.
When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ boasting a confirmed release date of May 22nd, 2026, we now have a second ‘Star Wars’ movie on the calendar.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is now due to arrive on May 28th, 2027. Looks like Lucasfilm is finally ready to ramp back up to one movie a year from the galaxy far, far away.
(L to R) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
(L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
Preview:
‘Project Hail Mary’ and more were showcased at Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon presentation.
There was news of ‘Masters of the Universe’ and Luca Guadagno’s latest.
Ryan Gosling, Ben Affleck and more showed up to support their movies.
Amazon has popped up at CinemaCon a couple of times in the past, but usually partnered with one of the big theatrical studios. But as Amazon MGM Studios plans to hugely expand its cinematic footprint (having also joined the Motion Picture Association), it is also making its big, proper debut at the movie trade show.
Given the recent giant news about Amazon gaining full control of the Bond franchise, there was plenty of expectation of some announcement about that, though even with the hiring of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the company’s plans, unless the deal to bring them in was sealed a lot earlier than reported, was it likely that we’d have anything beyond the company touting the new arrangement?
It was an unusually late schedule time-wise, presumably because the likes of Sony, Warners, Disney and co. had snapped up the prime spots. But as a statement of intent from the new kid on the block, it had to deliver.
It’s another tale of a reluctant astronaut, this one played by Ryan Gosling, who has to try and save the Earth. The presentation kicked off with the impressive first teaser for the sci-fi movie. Set to Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times,’ it looks very different to other Lord/Miller movies, but also great.
Gosling plays a schoolteacher recruited by Sandra Huller to save the planet, which is threatened by a dying sun. “You want the right stuff. I’ve got the wrong stuff! I put the NOT in astronaut. I can’t even moonwalk!” he claims amusingly (it’s even funnier coming from the man who played Neil Armstrong in ‘First Man.’)
Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios took the stage to announce that the company is committed to theatrical releases, with 14 working titles being readied for next year and 15 planned for 2027. They’re apparently ahead of schedule.
And the ‘Project Hail Mary’ team –– Lord, Miller and Gosling –– arrived on stage to caution the crowd that all the footage was work in progress, with Gosling singling cinematographer Greig Fraser (who also worked on the ‘Dune’ movies) out for particular praise.
Lord and Miller explained how much of themselves they poured into the movie, the biggest project they’ve ever worked on.
Gosling: “This is why we go to the movies, and I’m not just saying it because I’m in it. I’m ALSO a producer on this movie.”
Says Miller:
“Thank you for seeing movies on the big screen with the most weird and disturbing popcorn buckets imaginable.” Can’t wait to see their ‘Hail Mary’ bucket…
‘Project Hail Mary Blasts’ off in theaters on March 20th, 2026.
‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ apparently “has a few unexpected, modern twists.” Bradford Young is the cinematographer on the movie, and ‘Black Panther’s Ruth E. Carter will handle the costumes.
‘Verity,’ meanwhile, had a teaser to show, featuring the song ‘Fade Into You’ by Mazzy Star, and introduced by a fun video by the cast.
‘Verity’ has a May15th, 2026 release date set, while ‘Thomas Crown’ is too early in the process to score its own slot yet.
The latest drama from the prolific Luca Guadagnino stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield and follows a professor whose career is derailed by scandal. Andrew Garfield’s character is accused of assaulting Ayo Edebiri’s, and it becomes major news after Julia Roberts’ character, an attorney, takes on his case.
Edebiri and Garfield showed up on stage with Guadagnino, and Garfield praised his director, who he said he’d wanted to work with for 15 years.
The first footage from the movie was screened for the audience via a trailer.
‘After The Hunt’ will head to theaters on October 17th.
The new Chris Pratt sci-fi pic ‘Mercy’ was the next to be spotlighted, with the first footage of the movie, directed by Timur Bekmambetov.
It’s a blend of courtroom drama and action where an AI program serves as the judge, jury, and executioner. Pratt has 90 minutes to prove he didn’t kill his wife, using all technology available.
Since the trailer introduces the audiences to a high-tech chair where Pratt’s character is confined, what better way to promote than by having Pratt in said chair on stage for the presentation, jokingly forced to say a proper thank you to the assembled exhibitors, lest he had to Uber home.
Co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, the film will be in cinemas on January 23rd, 2026.
Lest you start checking again whether we’ve turned the clock back to April Fool’s Day, this is in fact a very real movie, directed by ‘Despicable Me’ veteran Kyle Balda, and is a live-action murder mystery where the detectives are sheep.
Director Layton, who says that from the very beginning, this movie was written, imagined, planned and dreamed for the big screen, is joined by Hemsworth and Berry on stage to introduce a trailer.
Layton also says he wrote Keoghan’s part as a dirt bike-riding maniac especially for him.
Hemsworth added that they wanted to make a gripping and thought provoking thriller that really captures L.A.
Director Aleshea Harris makes her cinematic debut with an adaptation of her play.
Vivica A. Fox took the stage with some of the other cast to show a trailer.
It’s the story of two little girls and their mother who were the victims of an arson attack at the hands of their father (Sterling K. Brown). Their mother’s dying wish? That the two girls, now adults, kill their father.
After that, head of film Courtenay Valenti and marketing chief Sue Kroll were introduced to extoll the company’s commitment to theatrical and that it is ramping up more productions from the Orion and United Artists.
From there, it was back to film promotion with…
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
Bond! But there isn’t very much to tell yet (as we guessed), with more of a mention that chosen producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are getting down to work in London to figure out next steps.
“(We are) committed to honoring the legacy of Bond while bringing a fresh take.”
With the movie finally in production after years in development limbo, a behind-the-scenes featurette screened, which included a lot of work-in-progress props, and some sound bites from the powers that be promising a movie that is loyal to the cartoon and the toys.
Director Travis Knight gushed about having wanted to make this movie for years, adding:
“I have been a fan of Masters of the Universe pretty much my entire life. It was something I lived and breathed. I had the toys. I even had a He-Man haircut.”
‘Masters of the Universe’ will be on screens on June 5th, 2026.
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Headed our way more imminently (as in, a couple of weeks) is…
(L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Gavin O’Connor, Daniella Pineda a and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
Affleck, Bernthal, Cynthia Addai Robinson and O’Connor were there to present an extended trailer for the action movie, which indicates that this sequel leans into the buddy comedy interplay between the brothers played by Affleck and Bernthal. While the trailer’s humor worked, the scripted banter on stage left something to the imagination, though it wasn’t really the fault of the cast.
‘The Accountant 2’ shoots for screens on April 25th
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Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation wrapped up with much talk of the past, present and future for the company’s ambitions –– and the assembled talent from their projects taking a selfie.
In this case, we mean ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ which has earned more than $1.33 billion worldwide and helped turn Marvel’s fortunes around while boosting Disney’s box office to a great degree last year.
That movie’s director, prolific filmmaker/producer Shawn Levy, is naturally now of great value to the studio, so his other projects based there are getting renewed attention.
What’s the story of Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars’ movie?
Shawn Levy attends the UK Fan Event of Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ at Eventim Apollo, London on July 11th, 2024. Photo by StillMoving.Net for The Walt Disney Company Limited.
As with most things in development under the Lucasfilm banner, details are scarce. We do know that Levy, despite being seemingly busy with 500 different projects at once (including the aforementioned ‘Deadpool’ movie and producing/directing duties on the final season of ‘Stranger Things’ to name just two) has been developing his untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie since at least 2022.
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward and Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy.
The time period for the potential new offering is unknown, though it reportedly charts its own course and doesn’t feature anyone from the Skywalker saga, with the emphasis on this being a standalone adventure.
If Gosling’s deal closes, the hope is to have the new movie shooting in the fall, which means Levy would likely press pause on working on the planned boyband comedy that his usual Ryan –– that would be Reynolds –– has been developing. Still, given Levy’s work ethic, we wouldn’t be surprised if he knocked that out this summer before diving into ‘Star Wars.’
Of course, for now, it’s all unofficial, with neither Lucasfilm nor Disney offering comment, but with Star Wars Celebration set for April this year in Tokyo, we could see more solid news then.
Gosling, who was one of the key elements in 2023’s monster hit ‘Barbie’ had a slightly less successful 2023, as romantic action comedy ‘The Fall Guy’ –– which was perfectly entertaining in our opinion –– failed to land at the box office and only earned $181 million from a $125 budget.
That one errs more towards the sci-fi than space opera, featuring an astronaut who has to try and save the planet. It’ll arrive on May 20th, 2026.
Behind the camera, Gosling is an executive producer on a Donald E. Westlake adaptation called ‘The Actor,’ though that movie has yet to land a release date.
And oddly, Gosling’s name has been linked with ‘Star Wars’ in the past, when rumors spread online in 2013 that he and Zac Efron were being eyed by ‘The Force Awakens’ filmmaker J.J. Abrams for a part that may have eventually become Kylo Ren (as played in the sequel trilogy by Adam Driver).
What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?
(L to R) Director James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production for a release next year.
‘Mandalorian’ co-creator and fellow steward Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is in development from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy but appears to keep hitting stumbling blocks and has been removed from the schedule for now.
And then there’s James Mangold’s film, which explores the origins of the Jedi and early force users and is awaiting a release date.
We’d guess that while Filoni (who promoted earlier this year to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm) is still going full speed ahead on his movie, he’s also been busy figuring out a second season of ‘Ahsoka.’
Here’s what he said about that:
“I’m so well into that as well… I’ve been writing it, and I’m still the single writer on it, and so I’ve been enjoying doing that, but it’s a challenge, of course, and working some of these arcs through has been a challenge and making sure it’s all going to come out in a way that I think is exciting for fans. I know that they’re interested in where some of the things I developed in Season One. I’m pretty happy with it… Love working with Rosario [Dawson], so I can’t wait to get back to that.”
Beyond those, there are several movies (and potential trilogies) which don’t seem to be moving forward and may have been scrapped altogether, including new potential movies from ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson (who is busy with his ‘Knives Out’ movies and may not wish to dip back into the toxic stew of ‘Star Wars’ fandom after the divisive reaction to his first effort) and ‘Wonder Woman’s Patty Jenkins, who had a much-touted ‘Rogue Squadron’ story of rebel pilots that appears to have had trouble leaving the development hanger.
When will the next ‘Star Wars’ movie be in theaters?
(L to R) Dave Filoni, Chief Creative Officer, Lucasfilm and Jon Favreau appears at the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California on August 09, 2024. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney.
So far, only ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ has a confirmed release date, that being May 22nd, 2026.
Disney and Lucasfilm do have an untitled ‘Star Wars’ movie on their release calendar for December 17th, 2027, so if the Levy film does hit lightspeed, chances are it could fly into that slot.
‘The Fall Guy’ is not just a rom-com between a stuntman and a director. It is also a love letter to the stunt community. As a former stunt performer, director David Leitch (‘Deadpool 2’, ‘Atomic Blonde’) paid extra attention to the action sequences and fight scenes in the film, ensuring they’re grand, authentic, and most importantly, highlight the men and women who perform them.
The film is (loosely) based on the 80’s TV show of the same name, starring Lee Majors. In the show, Majors’ Colt Seavers works as a bounty hunter on the side, where his stunt skills come in quite handy in apprehending the wanted. In Leitch’s film, Colt is played by Ryan Gosling, who is tasked to find the missing action star Tom Ryder. All the while he is trying to win back the love of his life – Jody Moreno, played by Emily Blunt.
The film premiered at SXSW on March 12, 2024, before arriving in theaters on May 3. ‘The Fall Guy’ opened to $27.7 million and has grossed $81.9 million domestically since. The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes.
Just under three weeks after its release, the action flick became available on digital platforms as of May 12, 2024. Missed it in theaters? Now you can enjoy all the action from home – rent for $19.99 or purchase for $24.99 on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu.
The digital release features an extended cut of the film, with an additional 20 minutes of never-before-scene footage, with more action and even more stunts.
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.
With former stunt performer David Leitch at the helm of a film about a stuntman, one can expect the movie to showcase some of the most daring stunt sequences. Not only is ‘The Fall Guy’ filled with spectacular action, but it broke the record for most cannon rolls in a film. The record was previously held by ‘Casino Royale,’ where James Bond’s Aston Martin rolled seven times as it swerved off the road.
Performed by stunt driver Logan Holiday, the cannon roll sequence in ‘The Fall Guy’ broke records when it rolled eight and a half times, setting the new record for most cannon rolls performed in a film.
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.
While ‘The Fall Guy’ will definitely be available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K UHD, no official release date has been announced. In the meantime, retailers such as Target, Amazon, and Wal-Mart have pre-orders available.
Watch the official trailers for ‘The Fall Guy’ below:
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The official synopsis for ‘The Fall Guy’ is below:
After a severe injury sidelines him for a year, stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is recruited to perform stunts for action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in a new epic directed by Colt’s ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). Ryder’s sudden disappearance from the shoot, however, not only complicates Colt’s attempt to get back in Jody’s good graces, but finds the fall guy enmeshed in an increasingly sinister plot.
Who’s In the Cast of ‘The Fall Guy’
(L to R) Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt is Judy Moreno in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.
Ryan Gosling (‘Barbie’) as Colt Seavers
Emily Blunt (‘Oppenheimer’) as Jody Moreno
Aaron Taylor-Johnson (‘Furiosa’)as Tom Ryder
Hannah Waddingham (‘Ted Lasso’) as Gail
Winston Duke (‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’) as Dan
Stephanie Hsu (‘Joy Ride’) as Alma
(L to R) Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt is Judy Moreno in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.
(Left) Michelle Yeoh at the 95th Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The 95th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. (Right) 1982’s ‘Blade Runner’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
Michelle Yeoh is set to star in ‘Blade Runner 2099’.
She’s the first announced cast member for the series.
Ridley Scott is producing the show, though won’t be actively involved.
Is there a competition going on between Giancarlo Esposito and Michelle Yeoh as to who can appear in the most pop culture universes? Yeoh, who already has the likes of Bond, the modern ‘Star Trek’ series, ‘Transformers’ and the MCU under her belt, is adding one more.
She’s now on to star in the new ‘Blade Runner’ series.
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What’s the story of ‘Blade Runner 2099’?
1982’s ‘Blade Runner’. Photo: Warner Bros.
‘Blade Runner 2099’ follows on from 1982’s ‘Blade Runner’, the Ridley Scott movie that introduced us to the world of rogue artificial lifeforms known as Replicants, and the enforcers who track them down (Harrison Ford played the most notable example, Rick Deckard). It meditated on existence and reality, and though it didn’t launch well at the box office, it has long since become a cult classic.
In 2017, Warner Bros. gave Denis Villeneuve the opportunity to create a sequel, ‘Blade Runner 2049’, with Ford returning as Deckard and Ryan Gosling starring as ‘K’, a replicant who works as a Blade Runner. It explored some of the mysteries of Deckard’s story and some new angles, but also didn’t really soar at the box office.
Since then, we’ve had video games and an anime take, but ‘Blade Runner 2099’ is the first new live-action attempt.
Prime Video has revealed zero official plot details about the show, but scooper Daniel Richtman has tracked down what is reportedly the basic synopsis for the show.
Given that this is from an unofficial source, prepare a grain of salt, but otherwise, read on:
“In Los Angeles 2099, Cora lived her entire life on the run, a chameleon forced to adopt numerous identities. To secure a stable future for her brother, she assumes one final identity and is forced to partner with Olwen (our best guess for Yeoh’s character), a Blade Runner who’s confronting the end of her life. The two are pulled into a widening conspiracy that poses an existential threat to a city that’s fighting to be reborn.”
Who is making ‘Blade Runner 2099’
1982’s ‘Blade Runner’. Photo: Warner Bros.
While Ridley Scott has an executive producer credit, he won’t be directly involved. Instead, Silka Luisa of ‘Shining Girls’ is showrunner and ‘Shogun’s Jonathan van Tulleken as its primary director.
The show, once planned to film in Belfast, Ireland, has since relocated to Prague.
Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou on Paramount+’s ‘Star Trek: Discovery.’
As we mentioned at the beginning of the story, Oscar winner Yeoh has lined up yet more genre work in the future –– she’ll be Madame Morrible in the two ‘Wicked’ movies (the first is due on November 27th this year), has a role in the next couple of ‘Avatar’ films (‘Avatar 3’ will be with us on December 19th, 2025) and, continuing her association with ‘Star Trek’, has been working on spin-off movie ‘Star Trek: Section 31’.
1982’s ‘Blade Runner’ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
