DC Director Drama – Matt Reeves Possibly Out Of ‘The Batman’, Mel Gibson For ‘Suicide Squad’ Sequel?
The drama over at Warner Bros. following Ben Affleck’s exit as director of the in-development Batman solo film is still going on – on Friday, it has been reported that negotiations between Matt Reeves – who appeared to be the favourite to replace Affleck – and the studio have broken down. While on the other side of the DC universe – Hacksaw Ridge director Mel Gibson has had a ‘first date’ with the studio about directing Suicide Squad 2 (the first film’s director David Ayer will be directing Skwad spin-off Gotham City Sirens with Margot Robbie producing and starring). [THR/ScreenRant]
BAFTA Film Award Winners Announced
BAFTA have handed out their film awards at the Royal Albert Hall exactly a week ago – with Oscars Best Picture frontrunner La La Land not winning a landslide of awards, walking away with 5 in total including Best Film. Other highlights of the night included Viola Davis winning Best Supporting Actress for Fences, I, Daniel Blake taking home the Best British Film award, and in a surprise – complete lack of wins for Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight. [The Guardian]
‘Logan’ Scores Rave Reviews Following Berlin Film Festival Premiere
James Mangold’s Logan held its world premiere at the Berlinale this Friday, and had its review embargo lifted following the screening – with critics hailing it the perfect swan song to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The film currently holds an impressive 97% and an average rating 8.2/10 on Rotten Tomatoes after 59 reviews, with critics highly praising the film’s grounded tone and a primarily dramatic as opposed to action-based story, as well as performances by Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and newcomer Dafne Keen who plays the young mutant Laura. (We’ve seen it as well, and fully agree) [The Independent]
Disney Live Action Remake News – Niki Caro In Talks To Direct ‘Mulan’, Donald Glover And James Earl Jones Cast In ‘The Lion King’
With Beauty and the Beast on the horizon, things are moving forward over at Disney with their live-action remakes. The Zookeeper’s Wife director Niki Caro is now in talks to direct Mulan, with the studio originally first approaching Ang Lee and then focusing on female filmmakers – with a shortlist including Patty Jenkins and Michelle MacLaren. And with The Lion King – Donald Glover (who is currently filming the Han Solo Star Wars spin-off) has been cast as the voice of Simba, with the legendary James Earl Jones reprising his role from the original as Mufasa. [Empire/THR]
Trailer Of The Week – Terrence Malick’s Song To Song
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