(L to R) Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds attend ‘The Adam Project’ World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix.
Preview:
Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy are developing an untitled heist movie.
‘Cruella’ writer Dana Fox came up with the concept.
Netflix has nabbed the rights to the potential movie.
Right now, Levy is aboard to direct and Reynolds to produce, but it’s a fair bet that if they end up happy with the script, the ‘Deadpool’ actor will end up starring.
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What’s the new project that has Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy attached?
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy at a Netflix event. Photo by Noam Galai.
The exact story details for this one are under wraps, but The Hollywood Reporter has learned that it’s a high-concept globally set caper flick a la ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. We’re sure it’ll open up opportunities for Reynolds to deploy his trademark wit and quips, but again, it’ll depend on the script as to whether he commits to star, even with Levy serving as director.
Dana Fox, who has written movies such as ‘Cruella’ and ‘The Lost City’, came up with the basic idea and has developed it with ‘X-Men’ veteran Simon Kinberg, who will also produce via his Genre Films company.
It’ll be a while before this one is ready to shoot, let alone find a release date, as Fox has yet to write the script.
And both Reynolds and Levy have busy schedules –– beyond the third ‘Deadpool’, Levy has to work on the final season of ‘Stranger Things’ and a variety of other potential shows/movies as both producer and director.
Reynolds, meanwhile, has a second ‘Red Notice’ movie, new action comedy ‘Calamity Hustle’ (which will co-star Channing Tatum and has been grabbed by Amazon Studios) and various other projects, including the next season of TV soccer doc ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ on his to do list.
Shawn Levy attends ‘The Adam Project’ World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix.
Netflix –– which of course produced ‘The Adam Project’ and already has the aforementioned Reynolds-starring ‘Red Notice’ movies, was quick to snap this one up after a competitive bidding situation that included studios and other streamers.
It’s hardly surprising that the company wants to stay in business with Levy and Reynolds given that they’ve both worked on plenty of projects there. But it’ll certainly have to be patient waiting for this new one.
‘Deadpool 3’, meanwhile, is currently on track to hit theaters on July 26th. Before that, we’ll see Reynolds in John Krasinski’s live-action/CG family fantasy comedy ‘IF’, which is out on May 17th and has a trailer online.
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
(L to R) Dogpool and Ryan Reynolds in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo: Dogpool Instagram.
Preview:
A new image from ‘Deadpool 3’ is online.
The picture sees Dogpool hanging out with Wade Wilson.
The movie recently began shooting again and is due in
As we reported recently, ‘Deadpool 3’ is gearing back up into production now the long delay of the actors’ strike is behind it.
From the evidence of this, the movie is back in full swing, as new character Dogpool –– yes, a doggie (style… you know he’d make that joke) variant on Ryan Reynolds’ title character –– hangs out with Reynolds on the set. And, from the looks of the caption, doesn’t entirely like the taste of his skin when as he licks him. Gross.
Dogpool promises to be just one Marvel element that will litter the meta-tastic new movie, which will come loaded with cameos, characters and references.
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Dogpool hits Instagram
Dogpool in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo: Dogpool Instagram.
Every star needs their social media channel, so of course Dogpool has one…
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
The ‘Deadpool’ team have yet to release formal details of the third movie’s plot, but we do know it’ll see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine meeting up with Reynolds’ Wade Wilson –– and that things will not necessarily go well, since the pair tend to fight when they interact in the comics.
We’re promised plenty of the usual meta madness inherent to Deadpool’s adventures. This time around, expect prods at the X-Men’s (and Wade’s) previous home at 20th Century Fox (before Disney’s purchase of it nabbed them the rights to the characters), and plenty of cameos from other people, including Jennifer Garner as Elektra.
Dogpool in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo: Dogpool Instagram.
For those who might not be up on the sprawling history of Deadpool in the comics, the idea was introduced in a storyline where Deadpool traveled to Earth-103173, a parallel reality in which scientists conducted Weapon X-level experiments on a dog named Wilson, transforming him into Dogpool. The canine hero would become a member of the Deadpool Corps., a team of alternate-reality Deadpools.
Think the likes of Alligator Loki in the Disney+ series named for Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief. Marvel has been using the Multiverse a lot in its current run of movies and TV series, so naturally this is something they could explore with Deadpool.
When will ‘Deadpool 3’ arrive in theaters?
After some release date juggling by Disney, the movie is now shifting to July 26th of 2024. Which means the Merc with a Mouth will still have his shot at summer.
Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine in Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’
Since then, director Shawn Levy has said that he and his team were halfway through filming when the shutdown hit. Since then, he has been able to come back to work editing what footage was shot and overseeing any effects shots for those sequences.
A new report in Variety says that the movie, a big priority for Disney/Marvel, will be gearing up to get back to shooting in the coming days and weeks, with the current aim to have production in the UK up and running before Thanksgiving (which this year falls on November 23rd).
The rush is partly because the holiday period will mean another shutdown for festivities over Christmas and the New Year, and also so that the movie can meet its planned summer 2024 release date.
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds YouTube channel.
The ‘Deadpool’ team have yet to release formal details of the third movie’s plot, but we do know it’ll see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine meeting up with Reynolds’ Wade Wilson –– and that things will not necessarily go well, since the pair tend to fight when they interact in the comics.
We’re promised plenty of the usual meta madness inherent to Deadpool’s adventures. This time around, expect prods at the X-Men’s (and Wade’s) previous home at 20th Century Fox (before Disney’s purchase of it nabbed them the rights to the characters), and plenty of cameos from other people, including Jennifer Garner as Elektra.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) reacts to Colossus’ (voiced by Stefan Kapicic) threats in ‘Deadpool.’
Reynolds, who is once more allowed to promote the movie since the strike has been called off, hit twitter today to reveal that the comics character known as “Dogpool” will be showing up in the movie (assuming he’s not joking, but it doesn’t seem that way).
Did Dogpool save the day? Not a chance in gremlin hell. But she IS currently causing the Disney plushy merch department nightmares. Coming with the movie, Summer 2024 🐶💩L pic.twitter.com/mMtUb4wSsk
For those who might not be up on the sprawling history of Deadpool in the comics, the idea was introduced in a storyline where Deadpool traveled to Earth-103173, a parallel reality in which scientists conducted Weapon X-level experiments on a dog named Wilson, transforming him into Dogpool. The canine hero would become a member of the Deadpool Corps., a team of alternate-reality Deadpools.
Think the likes of Alligator Loki in the Disney+ series named for Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief. Marvel has been using the Multiverse a lot in its current run of movies and TV series, so naturally this is something they could explore with Deadpool.
When will ‘Deadpool 3’ arrive in theaters?
The rapid start looks to be somewhat in vain, though, at least in terms of getting the movie ready for its planned May 3, 2024 opening. According to Variety, the movie is now shifting to July 26th of that year (so still summer at least).
‘Deadpool 3’ is inheriting that July date from ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, which though it was thought to be closer to finished, is now moving to February 14, 2025. We’d assume that is to allow the Marvel team to maintain their hefty MCU chronology.
The changes mean ‘Thunderbolts’, which hadn’t yet kicked off filming when the strikes hit, is shifting from December 2024 to July 25th, 2025. And the troubled ‘Blade’ will now hit screens on November 7th, 2025.
(L to R) Zazie Beetz as Domino, Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool, and Terry Crews as Bedlam in ‘Deadpool 2.’
Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
Preview
The actors’ strike means ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ won’t be ready for next year.
The next ‘Mission’ movie is shifting to Memorial Day weekend 2025.
With that change, other Paramount movies are changing dates, including ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’.
The cavalcade of movies being delayed because of the ongoing actors’ strike continues. We recently brought word that ‘Deadpool 3’ was joining the list of movies going into release limbo, and now ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ is facing another date change.
Work on the two ‘Mission’ movies (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’ finally arrived this year to somewhat disappointing box office figures) has been packed with problems –– especially the Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down shooting almost immediately.
Despite heroic attempts to keep it going, more delays and problems cropped up. And, of course, with SAG-AFTRA members on strike, that means that the cast cannot work on the film until the issue is resolved.
Unlike other movies, which have the potential to gear back up quickly once the strike is resolved, ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ has a lot of footage left to shoot and requires globe-trotting travel, multiple crews and huge logistical planning.
While ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ was scheduled for June 28th next year, it’s now shifted to May 23, 2025, Paramount likely hoping that the Memorial Day weekend will offer a prime opportunity to lure in audiences. It means (barring other movies shifting to the same period) ready access to IMAX screens and a historically successful spot for Cruise movies following ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ last year.
So now we can add industrial action to Covid on the list of obstacles that Tom Cruise cannot hurdle.
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When was ‘Mission: Impossible 8’ originally to be released?
(L to R) Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
This is far from the first release date change for the movie, which was originally scheduled for August 5th, 2022, but was then delayed to November 4th of that year. Yet the tough production schedule meant more changes.
At one point, it was dated for July 7th of this year, before setting its most recent slot. And now, we’ll have to wait even longer. But knowing Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie and co., it’ll be worth our patience.
(L-R) Noah Jupe and director John Krasinski and on the set of Paramount Pictures’ “A Quiet Place Part II.”
‘Mission’s arrival in May 2025 punts Paramount’s latest animated ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ movie (which has yet to confirm a title) to December 19th of that year, which unfortunately puts it squarely in the crosshairs of the third ‘Avatar’ movie.
With the June 28th slot opening up next year, Paramount is shifting horror thriller prequel ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ from its planned March launch to that date. The film, which stars Lupita Nyong’o, is set on the day the sound-hunting aliens arrive and start causing chaos.
Elsewhere, John Krasinski’s latest directorial effort ‘IF’, starring Ryan Reynolds, is moving a week from May 24th to May 17th.
Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One ‘from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ Franchise:
(Left) Ryan Reynolds in 20th Century Fox’s ‘Deadpool.’ (Right) Hugh Jackman as James Howlett / Logan / Wolverine in director James Mangold’s ‘Logan.’
Preview
What is causing the delay for ‘Deadpool 3’?
Who will be returning for ‘Deadpool 3’?
Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine, and why it won’t affect James Mangold’s ‘Logan’
Looks like we may have to wait a bit longer to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman share the in ‘Deadpool 3’. The film may be moved off its May 2024 release date due to the actors strike, reports Deadline. Disney has not officially confirmed or commented on the release date change.
The third installment of ‘Deadpool’ was originally slated to be released on September 6, 2024. Later, it was pushed back to November 8, 2024, until Disney announced the new date of May 3, 2024. The movie began filming in late May of this year during the WGA strike, but the production halted once the SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14.
With the ongoing strike and the film being unfinished, the alleged delay is inevitable. On top of the ‘Deadpool 3’ release date change, other Marvel films could face the same fate, such as ‘Thunderbolts’, which was slated to release on December 6, 2024. ‘Thunderbolts’ also halted production in May due to the writer’s strike.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ will be the next Marvel film to release in 2024, no word on whether this film will face a release date change.
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Who Is In ‘Deadpool 3’?
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds YouTube channel.
‘Deadpool 3’ is directed by Shawn Levy and will see the return of Ryan Reynolds as the fourth-wall-breaking merc with a mouth Deadpool/Wade Wilson. Joining Reynolds is Hugh Jackman, reprising his role as Wolverine/Logan. Also returning to the franchise are Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Leslie Uggams as Al, and Karan Soni as Dopinder. Zazie Beetz, who played Dominio in ‘Deadpool 2,’ is not reported to return.
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
The announcement of Hugh Jackman joining ‘Deadpool 3’ came about in an unconventional way, yet on brand for the franchise. In a video released in September 2022 on Reynold’s YouTube channel, the actor revealed that Hugh Jackman would be donning the adamantium claws again as Wolverine. “His first appearance in the MCU obviously needs to feel special,” the actor starts in a voiceover through a montage of walking through the woods and working on a typewriter. Reynolds continued to talk about staying true to the character and finding depth before trailing off, saying, “…and I have nothing.” All this build-up leads to Hugh Jackman nonchalantly walking across the screen as Reynolds poses the question, “Hey Hugh, you wanna play Wolverine one more time?’. Jackman answers, “Yeah. Sure, Ryan.”
Jackman’s return as Wolverine caused a wave of excitement through the fans. The last we saw the actor in the role was in James Mangold’s ‘Logan’. Although Jackman will be playing Wolverine again, Reynolds explicitly states that ‘Deadpool 3’ would not affect the end of Mangold’s film. This could mean the Wolverine we’ll see in ‘Deadpool 3’ is from another universe or timeline, as the MCU has leaned into the multiverse in recent films like ‘Avengers: Endgame’, ‘Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness’ and shows such as ‘Loki’.
Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine in Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’
Hollywood top earners meet with SAG-AFTRA leaders, offering to remove the cap on membership dues
The actors are asking for better work conditions and pay, including residuals from streaming services and protection from AI
The AMPTP and SAG walked away from the table on October 11, unable to come to an agreement on a deal
The biggest stars in Hollywood may have a solution to help end the actors’ strike, offering to remove the $1 million cap on membership dues, as well as a “bottom-up” residual structure to help actors lower on the call sheet to be paid first.
George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Tyler Perry, And More Spoke With SAG-AFTRA Leaders
George Clooney and Tiffany Boone on the set of Netflix’s ‘The Midnight Sky.’
Deadline has learned exclusively that some of the top-paid actors in Hollywood met with SAG-AFTRA leaders on Tuesday to find a way to end the actors strike. George Clooney, who spoke with Deadline, confirms the meeting:
‘A lot of the top earners want to be part of the solution,” the two-time Oscar winner told Deadline. “We’ve offered to remove the cap on dues, which would bring over $50 million to the union annually. Well over $150 million over the next three years. We think it’s fair for us to pay more into the union. We also are suggesting a bottom-up residual structure — meaning the top of the call sheet would be the last to collect residuals, not the first. These negotiations will be ongoing, but we wanted to show that we’re all in this together and find ways to help close the gap on actors getting paid.”
The SAG-AFTRA Strike Has Been Going For Over 98 Days
SAG-AFTRA members Nia Vardalos and Octavia Spencer walk the line at Disney Studios in Burbank, CA on 9/20. Photo courtesy of SAG.
The SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14, 2023, and has been ongoing for over 98 days. The actors are seeking a new deal for better work conditions and wages as well as residuals, especially since streaming has changed the landscape of entertainment. They also seek protection from the use of AI, something that can replicate an actor’s likeness and performance.
The strike has caused a significant pause in the entertainment industry, along with the WGA strike, which began on May 2, 2023. Recently, the WGA has reached an agreement with the AMPTP after a grueling 148 days. Due to the SAG strike, the actors are prohibited from doing promotion or publicity work for any struck projects, meaning they cannot appear on red carpets for premieres or take part in interviews. All production is halted, with the exception of a production where an interim agreement has been approved by SAG-AFTRA.
The negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP paused on October 11, without reaching a deal.
(Left) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds YouTube channel. (Right) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
Preview
‘Deadpool 3’ is among the big movies that studios will want to prioritize shooting once the ongoing actors’ strike is resolved.
Director Shawn Levy has talked about how far along ‘Deadpool 3’ was in its shoot.
Other movies likely to be prioritized include ‘Beetlejuice 2’, ‘Mission: Impossible –– Dead Reckoning Part 2’ and ‘Captain America: Brave New World’.
With news arriving yesterday that the members of the Writers Guild of America have officially ratified their new contract with the studios, one of the major strikes impacting Hollywood’s production process has come to an end.
All eyes are naturally now on the industrial action by SAG-AFTRA members, with the actors looking to score their own new deal with the companies. Negotiations on that one are still ongoing (the next round is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday October 11th) and there is no sign of an agreement in place yet, even if the writers’ deal means a clearer pathway to one.
But what happens when a deal is finally sealed, and actors are available to work again? The dam breaks on all the various productions that have been paused and studios must decide which movies in particular to prioritize.
For Disney, one of the bigger projects to gear back up as a priority is ‘Deadpool 3,’ featuring the return of Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson, the “Merc with a Mouth”.
This latest entry in the superhero franchise features Hugh Jackman appearing as Wolverine for the first time, which naturally makes it an exciting one for fans.
Director Shawn Levy has been making the movie and reported that he was roughly halfway through the shoot when the strike shut it down.
“That would have been smarter than I am. That would have been so savvy. But I guess, like others in our industry, I somehow thought this second strike would be averted. Then suddenly, it was upon us, and I had to send several hundred people home, and they’re still waiting to come back to work. So, I’m just really — I don’t use this word lightly — I’m yearning for a resolution that feels fair and equitable and gets this industry back to work.”
With Disney and Marvel currently sticking to their May 3rd, 2024, release date, the pressure will naturally be on to complete the film. But if the actors’ strike goes on beyond the next few weeks, expect that to change.
What other movies will be priorities?
(L to R) Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
According to a new report from The Wrap, there are a variety of big films that were already in progress which will gear back up once the strike ends.
(Left) Executive Producer Shawn Levy seen at the red carpet premiere in support of the launch of the Netflix original series ‘Stranger Things.’ Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Netflix. (Right) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
While he is in Toronto to promote his latest collaboration with Netflix, historical novel adaptation ‘All the Light We Cannot See’, Shawn Levy has naturally also been answering questions about the movie he was working on, a slightly anticipated title known as ‘Deadpool 3’.
Yes, the latest entry in the successful superhero franchise boasts not only Ryan Reynolds back in the suit as the quip-happy Merc With a Mouth, but sees Hugh Jackman join him on screen properly for the first time as Wolverine.
While the character has been the subject of many, many gags in previous ‘Deadpool’ outings, this will Jackman’s Logan him showing up to banter with/battle Reynolds’ Wade Wilson.
And according to Levy, having the pair team-up is a dream come true.
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Shawn Levy on ‘Deadpool 3’
(L to R) Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, and Ryan Reynolds attend ‘The Adam Project’ World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Netflix.
Talking to Collider, Levy revealed that has really enjoyed making the threequel so far:
“You have two major movie stars together in a movie playing their most iconic signature roles –– that is director heaven. So, the story, the tone, the movie itself leans into that gift of having Deadpool and Wolverine co-starring in a movie for the first time. So, we’re definitely not running away from that.”
Yet even all that fun couldn’t prevent the movie from shutting down for the latest strike. Even though it had kept shooting during the writers’ strike, adding the actors’ industrial action into the mix stopped it in its tracks.
According to Levy , the team was 35 days into making the movie, which is exactly halfway through the planned shoot.
Here’s Levy on whether he’s front-loaded the big effects that could have been worked on during the strike:
“That would have been smarter than I am. That would have been so savvy. But I guess, like others in our industry, I somehow thought this second strike would be averted. Then suddenly, it was upon us, and I had to send several hundred people home, and they’re still waiting to come back to work. So, I’m just really — I don’t use this word lightly — I’m yearning for a resolution that feels fair and equitable and gets this industry back to work.”
Still, he’s promising that the finished film (when it can be finished) will be raw and audacious. We’d expect no less from a ‘Deadpool’ movie.
Shawn Levy attends ‘The Adam Project’ World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on February 28, 2022 in New York City. Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix.
Levy is a man with many irons in the fire, having built a successful career as a producer as well as directing movies and TV series.
All of his recent hits have led to him getting the chance to make a ‘Star Wars’ movie, but that is currently on hold because of the writers’ strike.
“We were just starting the process of developing my movie, and the writer strike happened. So, we are in that holding pattern that so much of our industry is in.”
The same fate has also befallen his plan to make a series based on his 2010 sci-fi drama ‘Real Steel’, about boxing robots. Like his ‘Star Wars’ movie, the series was in development but is on hold pending the end of the strikes.
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Will Shawn Levy be back for ‘Stranger Things’ next season?
(L to R) Creator and Executive Producer Matt Duffer, Matthew Modine, Creator and Executive Producer Ross Duffer and Executive Producer Shawn Levy seen at the after-premiere party in support of the launch of the Netflix original series ‘Stranger Things’ at Mack Sennett Studios on Monday, July 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Netflix/AP Images. Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Netflix.
By far one of the most successful projects that Levy has been attached to through the years is Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’, which has become a giant pop culture sensation.
Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, the series is set in a small town in Indiana affected by a creepy parallel dimension that births weird creatures and affects the life of the families in the town.
The story focus on a group of young people who become directly involved in fighting back against the threats.
Levy, who has worked on the show since the beginning, has directed an episode or two every year, and he’s hopeful that despite a busy schedule, that he’ll back to help wrap the show by directing one from the fifth and final season.
Here’s what Levy had to say:
“I’ve been alongside Matt and Ross Duffer for all these years. I direct episodes every year. It’s a part of our brotherhood. It’s a part of my commitment and my love of the show, connecting with it as a director, as well as an executive producer, so I will go through hoops to figure out calendars to direct at least one episode.”
Of course, there is still the small matter of the strikes, which has shut down development of the final season while writing was initially underway.
And what of a project that is much more in the “vaporware” category, since it hadn’t even hit the writing stage yet.
What’s the status of the ‘Free Guy’ sequel?
Ryan Reynolds stars in ‘Free Guy.’
A big success for the director was 2021’s ‘Free Guy’ (which also starred Reynolds).
The story of a video game character who learns the truth about his existence earned $331.5 million at a time when audiences were worried about returning to theaters.
Naturally, Disney (which took over the movie when it bought 20th Century Fox), is eager for a sequel, and one has been in development for a while.
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Yet according to Levy, it has hit an unusual roadblock thanks to this year’s most successful movie –– ‘Barbie’:
“I think it is definitely not assured. We love ‘Free Guy’ and the love for ‘Free Guy’ that has kind of resonated in aftershocks, if you will, in the last couple of years. That’s been thrilling to Ryan and I. We are developing a sequel, but the truth is that you now have ‘Barbie’ that has obviously left a mark about a character in a fictional world who comes to self-awareness. So, we’re only gonna make ‘Free Guy 2’ if it’s different than the first movie and if it’s different from other movies.”
For now, Levy will mostly focus on promoting his current work and potentially overseeing what post-production work that can be completed on ‘Deadpool 3’ and figuring out the 500 other projects he might want to kick off once there are writers available to script them and actors to say the words.
Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine in Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’
Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine in Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’
Given how much of the ‘Deadpool’ movies have been written on the fly, you might have expected the latest –– ‘Deadpool 3’ to shut down when the Writers Guild of America went out on strike earlier this year. And yet… it kept going, with no official explanation other than the fact that the script had already been written.
But now, as SAG-AFTRA –– the union that represents actors –– joins the writers on the picket line, ‘Deadpool 3’ is among the productions shutting down.
The third ‘Deadpool’, which also features Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine, had been shooting in the UK, and it’s clear the strike is having a global impact as other productions, such as the ‘Mortal Kombat’ sequel, which had been filming in Australia, are also shutting down.
Many movies and shows had already been delayed by the writers’ strike, and the actors’ action promises to affect output even further. This represents the first time in decades that two branches of filmmaking unions have been on strike at the same time.
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What’s happening with the actors’ strike?
SAG-AFTRA on strike. Photo courtesy of SAG-AFTRA.
Much like the Writers’ Guild, the actors’ unions had been negotiating with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to secure a new contract. Actors have long been unhappy with reduced residuals brought about by streaming services and are displeased by studios claiming they can’t pay more while company CEOs earn millions.
Here’s SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher on the strike announcement:
“The gravity of this move is not lost on me or our negotiating committee or our board members who have voted unanimously to proceed with a strike. It’s a very serious thing that impacts thousands, if not millions, of people all across this country and around the world.”
Another key issue has been studios’ concerning efforts to bring in new technology to replace physical performers. When the strike was called yesterday, SAG-AFTRA revealed one pertinent detail of a studio offer –– digitizing the likeness of background players (or extras), paying them for one day’s work but then being able to use their image in perpetuity and however they please with no other payment.
The AMPTP replied to that with the following statement:
“The claim made today by SAG-AFTRA leadership that the digital replicas of background actors may be used in perpetuity with no consent or compensation is false. In fact, the current AMPTP proposal only permits a company to use the digital replica of a background actor in the motion picture for which the background actor is employed. Any other use requires the background actor’s consent and bargaining for the use, subject to a minimum payment.”
Loopholes
(L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
Not everything that had been shooting is shutting down, however –– some productions have been able to keep going through the writers’ strike (which started on May 2nd) because their scripts are complete. That includes HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off ‘House of the Dragon’, which is continuing to shoot through even through the actors’ strike as much of its cast is British and covered by the Equity actors’ union. And while some Equity members have promised to abide by the strike in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, they have no legal protection if they end up fined or fired by companies they’re working for.
Welcome, then, to the summer of strikes…
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds Instagram account.
If you liked the 2000s ‘X-Men’ movies but had an issue with the black leather costumes the team wore –– there was even a meta reference about it when Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine complained about them, to which James Marsden’s Cyclops responded, “What would you prefer? Yellow spandex?” –– prepare to be happy.
Getting ahead of more set pictures arriving showing him in it, the ‘Deadpool 3’ team (including star Ryan Reynolds) has posted an image of Reynolds in his newly modified Deadpool suit walking next to Jackman –– who is in the traditional yellow garb and spiky high hair.
It does seem a little incongruous to see Jackman in such comics faithful attire after years of black leather (or civvies), but the thought of the jokes to be had about it truly makes it worthwhile. And it would truly indicate that there’s either some compelling reason for him to wear that suit or confirmation that this is an alt-universe variant of ‘Logan.’
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Deadpool 3: What do we know so far?
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman discuss Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’ Photo courtesy of Ryan Reynolds YouTube channel.
‘Deadpool 3’ has been in the works for a while now, with Reynolds naturally driving development. Animation veterans Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin worked on the early drafts of the script, and more recently, regular ‘Deadpool’ writer duo Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick came aboard to help Reynolds get it into shooting shape. Because as we know, the screenplays for these movies are usually heavily reliant on the star and others riffing as well as established pages.
Levy has had the cameras rolling for a few weeks now, and of course pictures have begun to appear online. But, as filmmakers such as ‘Shazam’s David F. Sandberg learned, it’s better to get your own, properly lit and composed images is preferable to bad paparazzi pictures.
