(L to R) Temuera Morrison and Ming-Na Wen in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ on Disney+
Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and mercenary Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) must navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.
A hundred years before the rise of the Empire, the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic have prospered for centuries without war. During this time, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jee) against a dangerous warrior (Amanda Stenberg) from his past.
Ahsoka Tano in ‘Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi’. Photo: Disney+.
Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi from the prequel era – Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. Each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies.
During the reign of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), embarks on a crucial mission to confront allies turned enemies and face the wrath of the Empire.
In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) will discover the difference he can make in the struggle against the tyrannical Galactic Empire. He embarks on a path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+. Photo: Lucasfilm.
After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter (Pedro Pascal) makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.
Sigourney Weaver’s in talks for ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’.
Her role is a mystery for now.
Jon Favreau is directing the movie.
With ‘Star Wars’ seemingly ready to put that galaxy far, far away back on the big screen via a variety of movies in development, the big one leading the charge comes from the small screen: Jon Favreau’s ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’.
While much of the movie remains shrouded in secrecy, we do know –– via The InSneider –– that sci-fi stalwart Sigourney Weaver is in talks for a role.
The actor, a veteran of genre movies such as the ‘Alien’ franchise, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Avatar’ looks set to add ‘Star Wars’ to the list.
The big announcement of the movie offered up no details on what the plot will be, but you have to figure it’ll continue the story of the characters’ journey from the show –– including Mando’s ongoing struggle with his cultural legacy and Grogu’s increasing Force powers.
Plus there are plenty of dangling plot threads just waiting to be expanded or tied up in a big screen outing.
We don’t yet know who else is behind the movie, but surely Dave Filoni –– Favreau’s creative partner in all things ‘Star Wars’ –– has had a hand in the script.
Jon Favreau attends the panel for “The Mandalorian” series at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 28, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).
Here’s Favreau’s statement on the new movie:
“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created. The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”
“Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into ‘Star Wars’ two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen.”
What else is in development for big screen ‘Star Wars’?
(L to R) Dave Filoni, Daisy Ridley and director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
While it appears the Mando movie is flying into first position, we do know that Dave Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film, while one that continues the story of Rey (Daisy Ridley) is on the way from director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and writer Steven Knight, due in 2027.
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 was recently promoted 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’, which may well lead to his big screen outing.
When will ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ be in theaters?
Lucasfilm has yet to confirm a release date, but a 2024 shoot points to a potential return for ‘Star Wars’ Christmas premieres in 2025.
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 starring Pedro Pascal premieres March 1st on Disney+.
Carl Weathers is Greef Karga in ‘The Mandalorian,’ season two, exclusively on Disney+
Preview:
Carl Weathers has died at the age of 76.
He’s famous for the ‘Rocky’ movies, ‘Predator’ and more.
Tributes have already started to come in for the actor.
Sad news today as action and acting icon Carl Weathers has died at the age of 76.
Weathers, who made his name in the action-orientated likes of ‘Predator’ and the sports drama of the ‘Rocky’ movies, then segued into more comedic roles (often playing himself) and more recently became a key recurring performer on ‘Star Wars’ TV series ‘The Mandalorian.’
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Carl Weathers: Early Life and Career
Carl Weathers in ‘Action Jackson.’ Photo: Lorimar Film Entertainment.
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Carl Weathers’ initial career was much more focused on sports, specifically football, relying on athletic prowess to overcome adversity.
He played on teams at Long Beach City College, San Diego State (where he also studied theatre, a nod towards his future) and signed on with the Oakland Raiders in 1970, making a mark as a linebacker.
But after various injuries through his time on the gridiron, he decided in 1974 to focus on performance, pursuing a drama degree at San Francisco State University.
Weathers took a familiar route to screens, working on commercials and smaller roles in movies such as ‘The Candidate’ and ‘Magnum Force’.
(L to R) Carl Weathers and Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rocky II.’ Photo: United Artists.
He got a big break thanks to 1976’s ‘Rocky’, where his critiquing Sylvester Stallone’s acting during his audition won him the role of the cocky, ambitious Apollo Creed, a role he’d play three further times.
(L to R) Carl Weathers and Adam Sandler in ‘Happy Gilmore.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Some actors might be content with just that successful run, but Weathers took the chance to re-invent himself, often playing versions of himself and appearing in the likes of ‘Happy Gilmore’, ‘Little Nicky’ and as a voice in ‘Eight Crazy Nights’, all alongside Adam Sandler.
He enjoyed several episodes on ‘Arrested Development’ playing a spoof version of himself, who had become an acting tutor.
In addition to a long resume of TV guest credits, he added a whole new generation of fans via his work as Greef Karga, the mercenary wrangler-turned-official for ‘Star Wars’ TV series ‘The Mandalorian.
Weathers also stepped behind the camera as a director, shooting episodes of ‘The Mandalorian’ as well as ‘Law & Order’, ‘Chicago Med’, ‘FBI’ and more. He served on the Directors Guild of America board and various committees, helping others navigate the job.
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Carl Weathers remembered by his family
(Center) Carl Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987’s ‘Predator.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Weathers’ family announced his death with a statement:
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Weathers is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Ann, and their two sons.
(Left) Pedro Pascal in ‘The Last of Us.’ Photo: Warner Media. (Right) Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic from Marvel Comics. Photo: Marvel.
Preview:
Pedro Pascal appears to be headed to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He’s in talks to play Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four’.
‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman is attached to direct the movie.
Is there anything Pedro Pascal can’t do on the genre front? He’s already a firm part of the ‘Star Wars’ universe thanks to his role on ‘The Mandalorian’.
And he’s been at the forefront of the successful video game adaptation genre via the role of Joel in ‘The Last of Us’ on HBO, not to mention a previous role on the channel’s megahit ‘Game of Thrones’.
Now, it appears, he’s headed for possibly his most high-profile job of all: Pascal is, according to Deadline, in serious talks for the role of Reed Richards, AKA Mr. Fantastic in the MCU’s ‘Fantastic Four’.
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Who is Reed Richards?
Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic from Marvel Comics. Photo: Marvel.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for ‘Fantastic Four #1’, first published in 1961, Richards is a scientific genius and the leader of the Fantastic Four team.
When he and his colleagues were bombarded with cosmic radiation, Richards ended up with the ability to contort and stretch his body in different ways.
Along with Sue Storm (his main love interest, who has the power to generate forcefields and turn invisible, earning the name Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Sue’s cocky younger brother, who becomes a being of flame known as the Human Torch and can fly) and Ben Grimm (Reed’s best friend who ends up covered in a rocky substance, becoming near invincible and super strong, and is called The Thing), he battles various enemies and has been a key part of the Marvel Comics universe for decades.
In movie form, he’s been brought to screens a few times, including an authorized Roger Corman production. But in terms of official movies, Ioan Gruffudd played him in two films based on the characters directed by Tim Story in 2005 and 2007 and Miles Teller in a moodier, darker and ultimately unsuccessful reboot in 2015, all released by 20th Century Fox.
When Disney bought Fox, they inherited the company’s Marvel properties including the FF and the X-Men.
Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Photo courtesy of Pinterest.
At the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige announced, after fervent fan speculation, that the Four would be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a new movie, via another reboot.
The following August, MCU ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy director John Watts was announced as director, but stepped down in April 2022, deciding he needed a break from superhero movies (he’s since worked on a ‘Star Wars’ TV series).
Currently, ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman is on board as director, with Josh Friedman (who worked on the most recent ‘Avatar’ movie) writing the script.
“Fantastic Four is the foundation for everything that came after in the comics. There’s certainly been versions of it [on screen], but never inhabiting the storytelling of the MCU. And that’s something that is really exciting for us.”
While the caution is that a deal is far from done (the ever-busy Pascal has a packed schedule to work around, including finishing up ‘Gladiator 2’, the next season of ‘The Last of Us’ and Zach Cregger’s follow-up to ‘Barbarians’, ‘Weapons’.
If Pascal is indeed confirmed, expect the other casting to fall into place before too long.
When is ‘Fantastic Four’ due in theaters?
Assuming it keeps to its schedule, the movie should be released on May 2, 2025.
Quite a finale for ‘Ahsoka’, the latest ‘Star Wars’ spin-off series, eh? The show, which wrapped its first (and so far only; there has been no announcement of a second yet) season on Tuesday has already generated plenty of debate between those who found the ending a fun wrap up to the story (albeit with a tantalizing cliffhanger) and others who feel it left much to be desired.
But what if you were left mostly confused about certain elements –– what, for example, is Grand Admiral Thrawn’s (Lars Mikkelsen) plan now he has reached the planet Dathomir? What is that giant statue that Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) was standing on at the end? Where does Ahsoka go from here?
You have questions. We have… well, perhaps not answers, but certainly some compelling theories. Take a read!
What is Thrawn’s plan at the end of ‘Ahsoka’ Season 1?
Grand Admiral Thrawn managed to complete his plan and escape the planet Peridea with his Star Destroyer, his legions of Night Troopers, the Great Mothers of the witchy Nightsisters and… a whole lot of something in his cargo hold.
Exactly what is in those cargo containers remains to be seen, but unless Thrawn is particularly fond of Blue Milk or really needed lots of power converters to sell at Toshi Station, our best guess at this point is that it contains Nightsisters, either dead or in suspended animation.
After all, he’s back in the regular ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, (at the sisters’ home planet of Dathomir, no less) and if he hopes to crush the New Republic, he’s going to need troops and/or weapons. What better than powerful witches to help his crusade? Even if he’s ultimately doomed to fail.
Through the later episodes of the show, it became clear that former Jedi, now mercenary Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson, often one of the best things in the series) had his own plans once transported to the planet Peridea. He essentially ditched his apprentice, Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) and went off to find a giant statue.
It’s one of three statues that depict the Ones, a family of Force gods who dwell on the planet Mortis. As seen in a pivotal story arc on ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, these characters serve as living embodiments of the Force itself.
The Son (Sam Witwer) is the Dark Side. The Daughter (Adrienne Wilkinson) is the Light Side. The Father (Lloyd Sherr) represents the balance between the two.
Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan encountered these three beings when they traveled to Mortis, and Anakin was given a brief glimpse of the monster he later became.
And if you’re wondering, Skoll is standing on the statue of The Father. It’s all, apparently in aid of his idea to end the constant conflict between the Jedi and the Sith (though knowing what happens in the sequel trilogy, it doesn’t appear he’s successful.)
The most heartbreaking aspect of the Skoll story, of course, is the fact that Stevenson won’t be the one to continue it. The Northern Irish actor died in May, so assuming Dave Filoni and co. had a future plan in mind for Baylan other than looking like he’s exploring Middle-earth, the role will need to be re-cast.
Shin, meanwhile, who was also left on Peridea, appears to have ambitions as a warlord, gathering support from others on the planet. It seems assured that she and Sabine will meet –– and clash –– again.
Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Jedi training droid Huyang (voiced by David Tennant) are left stranded on Peridea at the end of Season 1. So, what happens next?
Right now, that question can only be answered by show boss Dave Filoni and whoever he has discussed it with.
But there are several possibilities –– we could well see a second season of ‘Ahsoka’, which has been a buzzy success for Disney+ ordered before too long.
Ahsoka’s story could be picked up in ‘The Mandalorian’, though that series is already carrying several plotlines of its own.
Filoni and Jon Favreau might be building to some connected big series that weaves the various shows’ plot strands together (after all, who doesn’t want to see Ahsoka Tano hanging out with Grogu again?)
And then there’s the movie that Filoni is developing, as originally confirmed at Star Wars Celebration this past April. Leaving Ahsoka, Sabine and Huyang stranded on Peridea opens up potential new storylines (albeit risky to have a movie kick off with characters that many fans may not be familiar with.
He may opt to have Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) freshly reunited with his other old ‘Star Wars Rebels’ comrade Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) force Thrawn back to Peridea where we could catch up with Ahsoka and co.
Because, cute as they are, a season of our heroes hanging around with the crab-meet-Ewok-like Noti doesn’t exactly hold the same appeal as a big space adventure full of thrilling battles, daring do and giant space whales (depending, of course, on how many of the poor Purrgil creatures are left after their unfortunate run-in with an Imperial mine field.)
Right now, we’re in a holding pattern until Disney and Lucasfilm choose to confirm the future plans for these characters on screens big or small. We were surprised no announcements were made about a new season or anything else but given the sheer number of projects either rumored or announced that have not come to pass, we’re not entirely shocked.
And that’s without the delays likely from the strikes. As Yoda might put it, “clouded this story’s future is…” But hopefully not for too long.
Spinning off from ‘The Mandalorian’ (and to an even greater degree, the animated ‘Star Wars Rebels’ series), ‘Ahsoka’ promises to be a thrilling adventure series that hews closer to the fun we’ve come to expect from Mando and co, compared to the listless yarn that was ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.
As played in live-action form by Rosario Dawson, the character made an impact on ‘Mandalorian’ and ‘Boba Fett’ and here gets her proper spotlight.
‘Ahsoka’ continues the characters story from both ‘Rebels’ and her live-action adventures. The Jedi warrior, who has effectively turned her back on the order (though still performing heroic deeds).
She’s on the hunt to find both Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi) a jedi in training who disappears at the end of the ‘Rebels’ series. And then there’s Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen, who also voiced the character on ‘Rebels’), who is making his own plans to become heir to the Empire and bring the baddies roaring back.
He’s aided by some dark associates including Baylan Skoll (the late Ray Stevenson) and Ivanna Sakhno’s Shin Hati.
Ahsoka reaches out to some old ‘Rebels’ accomplices, including heroic pilot Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) the latter of whom, it’s revealed here, was training to be a Jedi under Ahsoka –– before Tano walked away.
And we can expect to see Hayden Christensen show up, most likely in flashback, as Anakin Skywalker, who helped to train Ahsoka in the ways of the Jedi before… well, you know.
“She’s a wanderer at this point and is in a lot of ways wary of any organization as such because of the power that comes with it as a group. She walks a path that basically died out a long time ago. And there aren’t many like her left, if any. So that’s a lonely thing. What is that life like? If you are a loner, you have a very small circle of friends. What is it like, then, when you try to open back up?”
And he’s also clear about people embrace this character as she makes her full leap to the live-action world.
Filoni adds:
“The biggest challenge was, there’s a whole bunch of audience that know her, and a whole bunch that don’t. But there’s plenty of potential in that. She has one foot in the ‘Star Wars’ that a lot of people know because of her connection to Anakin, and yet she’s all new and can go in her own direction, in her own way. I think that makes her an interesting bridge between what came before and what’s really possible.”
‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ will launch on Disney+ with its first two episodes on August 23rd.
If you were wondering when the next chunk of small-screen ‘Star Wars’ might be on the way –– we can now offer you an exact date. Yes, following a vague announcement of August, Disney+ has announced that new series ‘Ahsoka’ (or to give it its full title: ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’) will debut on the streaming service on August 23rd.
Voiced in animated form by Ashley Eckstein, the character is played in live action by Rosario Dawson, who brings the former Jedi warrior to life with all the dual-lightsaber action you might be craving.
Set after the fall of the Empire, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. The character was co-created by George Lucas and Dave Filoni and made her debut as the Jedi apprentice and foil of Anakin Skywalker in the animated TV series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ and also starred in ‘Star Wars: Rebels’.
In her ‘Mandalorian’ debut, Ahsoka was the person who revealed to Mando (and the viewing audience) that Baby Yoda’s real name is Grogu, and that he was raised in a Jedi temple on the planet of Coruscant. When the Empire came to power following the Clone Wars, Grogu was spirited away into hiding.
Ahsoka refuses to train him as a Jedi but advises Mando that he take the Child to the planet Tython, where there were strong Jedi forces left from an ancient Jedi temple. It’s there that Grogu meets up with Luke Skywalker who trains him further.
When we last met Tano, she revealed that she was on a mission to track down the resurgent Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), the self-convinced heir to the Empire, and a dangerous threat who is rebuilding the former force.
And the show will also introduce live action versions of fan favorite ‘Rebels’ characters including Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla, plus Chopper the moody droid (voiced though electronic means by Filoni) and Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger, who disappeared on a mission in the animated series’ finale.
And as seen in the latest TV spot for the show, David Tennant –– or at least his voice –– is back playing Jedi droid tutor Huyang, introduced in ‘The Clone Wars’.
As mentioned at the start, ‘Ahsoka’ will debut on Disney+ on August 23rd, though Lucasfilm has yet to announce whether it’ll kick off with more than one episode.
Now available on digital, and available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD beginning May 16th is ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ which is the third film in the ‘Ant-Man’ franchise, and the first movie to be released in Marvel’s Phase 5.
What is the Plot of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania?’
Who is in the Cast of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania?’
The cast of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ includes returning MCU actors Paul Rudd (‘Avengers: Endgame’) as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly (‘Real Steel’) as Hope Van Dyne/Wasp, Michelle Pfeiffer (‘Batman Returns’) as Janet Van Dyne/Wasp, Michael Douglas (‘Basic Instinct’) as Dr. Hank Pym, and Randall Park (‘Aquaman’) as Jimmy Woo, as well as Kathryn Newton (‘Freaky’) joining the series as an older version of Cassie Lang, Jonathan Majors (‘Creed III’) as Kang the Conqueror – a variant of his ‘Loki’ character He Who Remains, Katy O’Brian (‘The Mandalorian’) as Jentorra, and Bill Murray (‘Ghostbusters’) as Krylar.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress Katy O’Brian about her work on ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ joining the MCU, creating her character, researching Jentorra in the comics, her deleted scene with Bill Murray, working with Paul Rudd, being directed by Peyton Reed, fighting Kang the Conqueror, and where in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Jentorra will appear next.
You can read the full transcript below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.
Moviefone: To begin with, you’ve appeared in a DC project with ‘Black Lightening,’ a ‘Star Wars’ project with ‘The Mandalorian,’ and even Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ but ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ marks your first time working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so what was it like for you to officially join the MCU with this movie?
Katy O’Brian: I wanted to be in a Marvel movie. I think a lot of actors, that’s like a big goal. So the fact that I even got an audition I was excited about and having booked it just seemed completely unreal. Every moment was awesome. It’s huge scenery, and a huge project. It’s the end of the world every time and it was great. I felt like everyone was really welcoming coming in the third part of the franchise. Paul was super great to work with, really welcoming, just really unassuming and lets you drop your guard really quickly. It was just Peyton Reed, the director, he’s phenomenal. He’s so sweet. So it really just felt like I was walking onto the set, walking into a family basically, and they welcome you with open arms.
MF: Can you talk about creating Jentorra? She only appeared in a few comics, but did you research her Marvel history to give you a better understanding of her backstory?
KO: I mean, when I’d spoken to Peyton, he pretty much said it’s not really going the comic route at all for Jentorra. Just by appearance alone, it was pretty obvious, you know? I’m not green, and I’m not blonde. They don’t really bring much of her magic into it or anything like that. So right off the bat he was saying more barbarian, like ‘Red Sonja’, having a really strong, powerful presence. What I love to add to characters is give them a little something that isn’t your super stereotypical warrior person. So I wanted also to have someone who deeply cared, genuinely cared, on an emotional level, and wasn’t afraid to be emotional with her people. Up until I saw the full hair, makeup, wardrobe, my staff, I was questioning how I’m supposed to play this character. I’m like the only straight character in a comedic world. So I felt like really out of place, and I was so worried I’d be boring and all these other things. But the second I saw the uniform, got covered in the dirt, grime, sweat and goo, and then got the magic staff in my hand, just everything clicked and it just felt right.
MF: There are a few deleted scenes on the Blu-ray and DVD, but I understand that you also shot a deleted scene with Bill Murray that did not make the home entertainment release. Can you talk about shooting that and what happens in the scene?
KO: We had a whole section of, basically, it would’ve added quite a bit of time to the movie. But he didn’t originally get killed or whatever happened. We had a whole spaceship pursuit with him, and he wound up with Kang and M.O.D.O.K. (Corey Stoll) and then was taken to a cell as well. So when I was freeing the rest of my people, he was there, had some witty quips, and then we all go off together. So I mean, that was pretty much the majority of that. Just some cool jail time and maybe not as much respect for my character as he was pretending to have for himself. Then just other things that might have gotten deleted on my end. I just think a couple little fight clips and stuff. We had a moment at the end where I was fighting and the ants show up, and I have a very brief interaction with the ants and I’m just like, what in the world’s going on? So just some little things like that that I’m sure were just cut for time. I mean in reality it is a bunch of really big beefy stunt dudes in green suit running around tackling people. So it was really fun to be a part of.
MF: Can you talk about working with Paul Rudd on set?
KO: It’s interesting that my interactions with him generally, it was pretty serious all in all. That’s where he started to realize the situation that he wound up in. So there was some offset jokes and every now and then he would just carry a scene after we were done, or if someone messed up, just keep going with that. But honestly, the person it was hardest to keep a straight face with was Kathryn Newton because her character was supposed to be, I guess, in awe of my character. So every time her mouth is wide open, her eyes are wide open and just looks so ridiculous that I couldn’t keep a straight face.
MF: What was it like being directed by Peyton Reed and walking on to the incredible Quantum Realm sets he created?
KO: He designed all of these wonderful sets, and it was like you didn’t really have to pretend you were transported into this world. Super small details were added. We had real dirt under our feet, and at certain times we had actual flames going up and had to dive around fire. It really felt larger than life and the set was massive. They’re just absolutely massive. So you had a lot of space to move around in, and I think Peyton did an amazing job bringing that world to life, but also showing how big it was, but just managing the time, using the space, taking the same space, and making it look completely different. It was awesome.
MF: Can you talk about Jentorra’s war against Kang the Conqueror?
KO: I don’t think that she acknowledges Kang as someone who runs the Quantum Realm. I think she acknowledges, he is basically using their energy source, their land and their people for his means, but against their best interests. I think it’s a pretty understandable point of view of you’ve destroyed my world, you’ve destroyed the world of all of these people and only for your specific gain. He has no friends. He has no equals. It’s a very, very selfish viewpoint. I don’t think they ever had a sit down and chat of like, “Hey, why are you doing this?” It was just very clearly, your reasons do not align with mine. So I think obviously he is a good villain in that sense that there’s no redemption to him. And you got M.O.D.O.K. who comes in and terrorizes the village. It’s funny because we had to be scared of him, but when you see him, he looks absolutely ridiculous. So I was just like, are you serious? I got to be afraid of this thing. But you think of something that just rolls through your village and kills half of them in one sweep. That’s pretty terrifying all in all. So she’s got a lot on her plate and a lot to overcome. But the thing with Jentorra, unlike Kang, is she’s got heart with her. She’s got people that actually care about the cause, their land, their friends and family. So I think she’s got a good backing because she’s not alone.
MF: Finally, where do you think Marvel fans will see Jentorra next?
KO: It’s so interesting because the thing about the Quantum Realm is that it is outside of space and time, so with the whole multiverse thing, I almost wonder the only way that she would really be able to interact is if they start pushing more people into the Quantum Realm, which she wouldn’t be too happy about and is probably now ruled by ants. Or maybe someone somehow pulled her out. Then I was joking on the internet that I think a great multiverse Jentorra would be Danny DeVito. I don’t know. I think it’d be really fun to see. But yeah, I just think anything’s possible. She could show up anywhere and I would love to see her come back again.
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ is produced by Marvel Studios, and Kevin Feige Productions. It is available now on digital, and available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD beginning May 16th.
Lest ‘Star Wars’ fans suffer from withdrawal in the wake of Disney+’s critically acclaimed first season of ‘Andor,’ the streamer recently premiered the second season of ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch.’ Continuing the adventures of the clone troopers introduced in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ as they travel the galaxy after the fall of the Republic.
Moviefone recently joined a group of journalists in chatting with the show’s executive producers Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett, as well as the voices of Bad Batch himself, Dee Bradley Baker, and new fan-favorite character Omega, Michelle Ang. Here’s what they had to say about the 16-episode second season, each episode of which arrives Wednesdays on Disney+.
(L-R) Carrie Beck, Brad Rau, Michelle Ang, Dee Bradley Baker, Jennifer Corbett, Matt Michnovetz and Dave Filoni attend the panel for “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” series at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 29, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney).
On featuring younger characters like Omega in ‘The Bad Batch’:
Brad Rau: We’ve seen these super soldiers in ‘The Clone Wars.’ We’ve seen them tackle all kinds of obstacles, and they’re the best at what they do. So, what are we going to give these guys that they haven’t dealt with before? A kid that they’re going to have to take care of. Now they’ve got to be dads. When we’re telling the story in this show, we try to balance that a lot. They’re not just this crack military team, but they’re a family. That’s a really big key. That’s very intentional for the narrative flow. Then, to have Michelle as Omega, it’s so great. Our amazing cast, it brings them all to life. We’re just so lucky.
Dee Bradley Baker: It’s really beautiful to have that personal story as a counterweight to the giant political mythology that’s playing out. You have both polarities of human concern playing out at the same time.
Michelle Ang: It’s a joy playing the naivete of Omega, because of the whys. When she asks why, there isn’t an agenda. Like, it’s genuinely a pause for these seasoned military characters to take a moment to take on that question. Like, “Why do we do this? Why do we choose this stance? Why do we take this mission? Why do we take this side?” Yeah, it’s a real joy to play that innocence but also be the one to question.
On helping younger viewers keep track of where ‘The Bad Batch’ falls on the ‘Star Wars’ timeline:
Jennifer Corbett: That’s where the character of Omega really serves us well. Because even if you’ve never seen ‘Clone Wars,’ neither has the character of Omega. So telling stories through her lens allows us to show an audience, “Okay, here’s the Cliff Notes version of what you need to know in terms of what has happened in the ‘Star Wars’ timeline.”
MA: Which is the same myself. I’m new into the ‘Star Wars’ world. I didn’t grow up with it. So, I feel like I am Omega in the sense that I’m learning about the wider universe, the wider legacy in real time.
DBB: Part of what’s exciting and fun for me is that everything from our show to ‘The Mandalorian,’ to the movies, to ‘Andor,’ they all fit together. When you watch them all, as an old ‘Star Wars’ fan myself, this all fits together in the same storyline. That’s part of the fun with it.
BR: If we’re doing our job right, you don’t have to know anything about ‘Star Wars’ and you’ll enjoy the episode. But if you do watch all the shows, like we do, then you’ll get something out of it too.
On upcoming episodes breaking from the show’s format like last week’s third episode focusing on the villainous Crosshair:
JC: Crosshair is a member of the Bad Batch. So even when we do focus on him, he’s on a very different path than the rest of Clone Force 99 is on right now. So we do have a lot of episodes in Season 2 that take a turn. We don’t want to give too much away, but we do continue with Crosshair’s journey as well as the rest of Omega and her space dads.
BR: Right. Space dads. The fans seem to be liking this latest episode, which is really incredible. If you like this episode, there are a couple more that I think you’re going to like as well.
JC: We have a political thriller, a two-parter, which is very exciting and a bit intense.
DBB: It’s like a Hitchcock thriller. It’s something else… Every episode is like a different kind of movie. You can see an episode [and] “Oh, this is like an ‘Alien‘ episode,” or “This is like an ‘Indiana Jones,’” or “This is a spaghetti western,” or “This is a Hitchcock political thriller.” Everyone is its own kind of reference to the evolution of entertainment and movies. It’s just part of the wonderful artistry of this show that if you’re a fan of entertainment, it’s quite fun to enjoy. I really love it.
JC: And there’s a ‘Goonies’ in there. I’ve been trying to get Brad to do a ‘Goonies’ episode for so long, and finally!
BR: That’s following the legacy of what was done in ‘The Clone Wars,’ where we would do exactly that.
JC: We are in the dark times in the ‘Star Wars’ era. So, while that is going on, we have to be aware that we need to tell other stories, because it’s a wide galaxy. So there are many adventures that our team can go on. Throughout season 2 there are some that are a bit grittier, but we do want to still have fun, because that’s where the team also shines. The next episode, from that bleak episode 3 to episode 4, is very fun. Hopefully fans will enjoy that change of pace.
DBB: There’s a lot of latitude in terms of everything from fun to dire and dramatic that was always contained in ‘Star Wars.’ It’s very accommodating to that sort of freedom of style and tone.
It’s fair to say that the news has gone quieter than news reports on Alderaan for the big screen ‘Star Wars’ side of things.
While the TV arm keeps flourishing with ‘The Mandalorian’, its various spin-offs and other shows such as ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, ‘Andor’ and upcoming animated series ‘Tales of the Jedi’, the movie side of Lucasfilm’s sprawling franchise hasn’t seen a release since 2019’s ‘The Rise of Skywalker’.
And despite financial success, it was a divisive title that didn’t garner a lot of love from critics.
Now, at least, according to Deadline, one of the projects in development at Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ assembly line is taking a tentative step forward, as the movie has hired ‘Ms. Marvel’s Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy as director.
Obaid-Chinoy, who handled two episodes of the peppy, enjoyable Marvel outing, is being brought in now to work with writer/producer Damon Lindelof, so that she’s part of the creative team from an early stage.
It’s no doubt to help avoid some of the director problems that Lucasfilm has faced in the past, including on ‘Solo’ and Colin Trevorrow stepping away from what became ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ under J.J. Abrams.
And Lindelof, of course, has plenty of writing experience, having worked on ‘Lost’, created shows such as ‘The Leftovers’ and ‘Watchmen’ and provided scripts for movies including ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ and ‘Alien’ prequel ‘Prometheus’.
Michael Fassbender as David in ‘Prometheus.’
Lindelof has been figuring this one out for a few months, but he hasn’t been working alone: what Deadline’s story doesn’t mention, but that The Hollywood Reporter’s Bothan spies whispered to it is that Lindelof is in fact co-writing the movie with rising star scribe Justin Britt-Gibson.
His resume includes time as an executive story editor on Guillermo del Toro’s vampire drama, ‘The Strain’ and wrote episodes of Starz’s ‘Counterpart’, the series about parallel dimensions that starred J.K. Simmons and was cruelly cancelled after two excellent seasons. Gibson has also worked on ‘Banshee’ and ‘Into the Badlands’.
Further, there is news that the movie’s basic story was hammered out, TV-style by a writers room convened over a two-week session in July.
Present to figure out the ideas behind the script were Patrick Somerville, (a veteran of Lindelof’s much-admired drama ‘Leftovers’ who went on to create ‘Station Eleven’, Rayna McClendon, a consulting producer from ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ who has also contributed to Lucasfilm’s upcoming ‘Willow’ sequel series; and ‘Briarpatch’ TV series creator Andy Greenwald. There’s also mention that Dave Filoni – the creative mastermind behind much of Lucasfilm’s animated ‘Star Wars’ series and who now works alongside Jon Favreau to shepherd the ‘Mandalorian’ set of shows – was also involved.
No concrete details have emerged about the script that Lindelof and Britt-Gibson are writing, though there is talk that it’ll be set after the events of ‘Rise of Skywalker’ and could potentially feature characters from the sequel trilogy that also includes ‘The Force Awakens’ and ‘The Last Jedi’. It’s very much a wait and see on that front, however – chances are Lindelof might be more interested in a story entirely unconnected to the recent movies (“somehow, Palpatine returned again… again.” Yeah… not loving the idea ourselves.)
The Reporter’s sources also mention that unlike recent developments aimed at figuring out trilogies in one go, this will be a stand-alone with potential for more if it succeeds.
And Lucasfilm could use a win, what with endless stories of big names including ‘The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and writer/director Taika Waititi talking up their plans, with little actual momentum to be found.
The most recent disappoint was Patty Jenkins’ ‘Rogue Squadron’, which had looked like it was headed for take-off, but has since been grounded, its release date off the books and no word on when it might be headed for production, let alone release.
Given that the Lindelof film is still in the scripting stage, we wouldn’t expect to see it much before 2025, but there will no doubt be 265 ‘Star Wars’ TV shows to fill the gap in the meantime.
(L to R) John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac star in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’
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