As the pandemic rages on, and we adjust to the new normal, so does Hollywood. With news that Wonder Woman 1984 will be coming to HBO Max on Christmas, the future of the theatre going experience becomes even more clouded. Meanwhile, David Fincher is in the press, promoting his latest streaming endeavor ‘Mank’, (and dropping some spicy takes!) fresh off signing a 4-year exclusive deal with Netflix of his own. We watch as the Hollywood landscape is remapped on the fly. But it’s not all doom and gloom! I mean, there’s a ‘Wedding Crashers’ sequel in the works, and a new Predator film coming from Dan Trachtenberg. So there’s SOME hope is all I’m saying. Julian, Dan, and Jeremy also touch on the latest from the Snyder Cut, and weigh in on the pressing subject of whether streaming services should let credits play uninterrupted (you know, the important stuff). All that, and so much more, on this week’s Tower of Babble Podcast.
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Show Notes
Movies
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are developing a sequel to Wedding Crasher
Wonder Woman 1984 is coming to HBO Max (for no extra charge) on Dec 25th. It will also premiere in theatres where it can.
Disney reports its first annual loss in over 40 years, suffering a loss of over $5 Billion USD in revenue as a direct result of COVID-19.
Chris Nolan is “shocked” when people complain about the sound in his movies.
Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boys) is set to direct a new ‘Predator’ film for 20th Century Studios/Disney.
Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II) is set to direct a new ‘Transformers’ film, scheduled for release on June 24, 2022, and will be set in the Bumblebee universe.
First trailer for the ‘Tom and Jerry’ movie.
The Rock is developing a reboot for ‘The Scorpion King’.
The director of the Mortal Kombat Movie, Todd Garner, says he won’t have a release date or trailer until theaters reopen.
Mads Mikkelsen in talks to replace Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’. (Has since been confirmed)
David Fincher signs a 4-year exclusive deal with Netflix. He wants to work with Netflix because Hollywood is only content making “Happy Meal” tentpole movies. He also made some pretty spicy comments about Todd Phillip’s ‘Joker’, cancel culture, and even Orson Welles, while out promoting his latest film ‘Mank’.
George Lucas reveals a few things about the prequels as well as what his sequels might have looked like, as well as saying that Fox was worried he would “destroy the franchise” by centering episode 1 on a 10 year old boy.
WandaVision will premiere on Disney+ on January 15th. Marking the first time since 2009 that there has not been any new Marvel content released.
Apparently ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ will feel like an Avengers sequel with such a full cast. This comes following news that Chris Pratt will appear as Star-Lord in the film.
Michael Giacchino is returning to score ‘Spider-man 3’.
‘Deadpool 3’ is back in the works with ‘Bobs Burgers’ writers, Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin.
Marvel says that they have no intention of bringing Iron Man back from the dead and promises not to use a digital double of Chadwick Boseman.
Sylvester Stallone will appear in James Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’.
‘Batman: soul of the Dragon’ trailer.
Zack Snyder says there will be 2 hours & 30 min of unseen footage in Justice League, though there will be only about 4 minutes of newly shot footage. He goes on to say that his ideal version of the movie would be in black and white and in IMAX, among other ‘Justice League’ news.
Agree or Disagree
Should streaming services cut off the credits on their platforms to suggest the next thing to watch? How much are the credits a part of the experience? We ask these pressing questions. Inspired by a tweet from Mike Birbiglia, a comedian and podcaster:
“Dear streaming platforms, Please play the credits. They're part of the movies. You should know this. Your company acquires the rights to movies. Don't you like movies? Sincerely, People Who Like Movies.”
He then added: “I was just talking to one of my favorite directors Adam Leon who pointed out that the credits on streaming platforms could easily be an “opt-out” instead of an “opt-in.” Anyway, that’s it. For my money that’s the best solution. That’s the tweet.”
TV
Terence Winter (Sopranos) has exited as showrunner for the HBO Max ‘The Batman’ spinoff, ‘GPDC’ series due to creative differences with Matt Reeves’, and other producers, vision.
Netflix is in the process of testing an audio only feature to compete with podcasts.
David S Goyer is developing a scripted ‘Batman’ podcast, exclusively for Spotify. Set to release in 2021. It will apparently feature Batman’s “more nightmarish” villains.
Netflix is also testing out a scheduled programming TV channel feature.
HBO has given a series order to ‘The Last of Us’ to ‘Chernobyl’ creator Craig Mazin.
CW’s ‘Black Lightning’ will be coming to an end after it’s upcoming 4th season.
After 10 years on TBS Conan O'Brien’s late night show will come to an end in June. He will then be hosting a weekly variety show on HBO Max.
‘Darkwing Duck’ may be getting a reboot at Disney+ with Seth Rogan producing.
‘Space Force’ renewed for S2 at Netflix.
Showtime has decided to recast Cortana for their live action ‘Halo’ series. They have decided to go with the original voice actor from the games, Jen Taylor.
What We’ve Been Watching
Aunty Donna’s Big Old House of Fun
Star Trek Discovery S3
