Tag Archives: Universal

The Mega-Blog

Universal’s Shared Monster Universe Now Called ‘Dark Universe,’ Bride of Frankenstein Film in the Works

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Universal has officialy renamed their shared Universal Monsters Cinematic Universe the “Dark Universe.” It’s a much catchier title, though a bit annoying for those of us who were already using that tag on their blogs for Justice League: Dark related materials. Universal has released a short teaser to promote the change, which is mostly a bunch of classic monster movie clips set to dramatic music.

The studio has also announced that Bill Condon will direct their next film, which is a remake of Bride of Frankenstein. That movie has now been given a release date of February 15, 2019 as well. Condon is best known, of course, for directing the live action Beauty and the Beast which came out this year, but he also notably directed Gods & Monsters back in 1998 about the director of the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.

Via Universal, Screenrant

The Mega-Blog

Tom Cruise is Cursed in the Latest Trailer for ‘The Mummy’

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Well, if the trailers are any indication, the upcoming Universal reboot of The Mummy is definitely the Tom Cruise-iest version of the film it could possibly be. Explosions on airplanes, lots of running, car chases and stunts normal actors would say no to.

In the latest (and likely final) trailer, we also get to find out that Tom Cruise’s character’s survival of the oft-featured plane crash is because he’s been “cursed” by the Mummy. So yeah, expect him to do some undead punching I guess? I mean, seriously, this movie looks like Mission Impossible with mummies, and I’m kind of okay with that.

The Mummy comes out June 9, 2017.

The Mega-Blog

M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Unbreakable’ Sequel ‘Glass’ Greenlit, Given Release Date

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Unbreakable is probably my favorite film made by M. Night Shyamalan, as it’s kind of a perfect, low key superhero origin story. Ever since it first came out, fans have wanted a proper follow up to the film to see what Bruce Willis’s David Dunn would do once he embraced his destiny. We had the set up, and now we wanted the follow through.

And it seems like that’s exactly what we’re about to get.

THR is reporting that M. Night Shyamalan will write and direct Glass, a formal sequel to Unbreakable. Stars of the first film, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson, are both signed on to appear in the film. This is, of course, not the first film to share a universe with Unbreakable, as (minor spoiler) Shyamalan’s Split was revealed to take place in the same world. Glass will also serve as a sequel to Split, with James McAvoy reprising his role as well. Universal has set a release date for January 18, 2019.

This is kind of amazing.

I’ll be honest, I chose not to see Split, as it seemed to perpetuate dangerous stereotypes about mental illness. I’m frankly a little wary about this film too, and I wouldn’t blame anyone for skipping it. But I think I can rationalize my way into seeing this film when it finally hits theaters.

I’m not a perfect person.

Via THR

The Mega-Blog

Jeff Goldblum Will Appear in the Sequel to ‘Jurassic World’

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We haven’t seen Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm since the second Jurassic Park film, but that’s apparently going to change. THR is reporting that Goldblum has joined the cast to the upcoming sequel to 2015’s Jurassic World.

The still untitled fifth film in the Jurassic Park franchise will also see the return of Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, and is being directed by J.A. Bayona. Goldblum’s Dr. Malcolm will only be the second character from the original trilogy to appear in the rebooted franchise, and marks the first major character to return. Since Malcolm is arguably the best character in the first film (and arguably the only reason the second film is watchable), this is pretty exciting.

The still untitled Jurassic World sequel will be released June 22, 2018.

Via THR

The Mega-Blog

The New Trailer For ‘The Mummy’ Wants to Paint it Black

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The first trailer for the newly rebooted version of The Mummy was full of Tom Cruise driven stunts and explosions. Now, with the second trailer, we actually get to find out a bit about the headlining villain/monster.

Throughout the trailer the central sitar riff of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” keeps playing, and while my brain desperately spent the whole time wanting the rest of the song to kick in, it sets the appropriate tone. That said — creepy shots set to creepy music (which likely won’t appear in the film) are not much of an indicator as to whether the film will be any good. But hey, it can’t be worse than Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

The Mummy comes out June 9, 2017.

The Mega-Blog

‘The Mummy’ Trailer is Everything You’d Expect From a Tom Cruise Mummy Movie

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When I say “a Mummy movie starring Tom Cruise,” the first thing you probably thought of was “A sarcophagus strapped down in an exploding airplane while Tom Cruise uses his mildly-panicked face.” It’s an image no other actor would summon, but once we knew Tom Cruise was involved, exploding airplanes were kind of expected.

Well, the trailer editors agreed with me at least, and that’s what you’ll see in this first trailer for Universal’s newest installment in their bizarre shared monster movie universe. There’s not a lot else to say here though, because frankly — I’m not sure how much this feels like a “Mummy” movie in the first place.

Still might be entertaining though.

The Mummy comes out June 9, 2017.

The Mega-Blog

Russell Crow Will Play Dr. Jekyll in ‘Mummy’ Reboot

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Look, I’m not against Universal’s shared monster-movie universe. I don’t think it’s actually necessary of course — but if the films are made well it could be fine. With that in mind, the reboot of The Mummy (starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alex Kurtzman) is expected next year to kick it off.

One of the elements of any shared universe, of course, are characters who carry over from one film to another. With that in mind, it’s now been confirmed that Australian actor Russell Crowe has been cast in the film as none other than the legendary Dr. Jekyll.

The part is expected to be small, but as Jekyll is such a legendary character (along with his alter ego Mr. Hyde), it’s easy to predict that eventually Universal is planning a stand alone Jekyll and Hyde film in the future. Y’know, if this first movie doesn’t flop hard or something.

The Mummy hits theaters on June 9, 2017.

Via /Film

The Mega-Blog

The Ring vs The Grudge Is Happening, And it Looks Amazing

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The Grudge/Juon series of films were probably the scariest things I’d ever seen when first I watched them a dozen years ago or so. The original Japanese version of The Ring was likewise one of the best horror films to find international success in the last twenty years. Well, those two great flavors are now coming together, just like if someone got their terrifying chocolate in my horrifying peanut butter.

After a fan mashup trailer went viral, the folks at both Kadokawa and NBC Universal Japan realized “Hey there’s money on the table here” and started production on the film. Sadako vs. Kayako (the actual name of the film) will pit the two phantoms together, and is set to come out later this year.

They’ve also released a poster and teaser trailer for the film.

sadako-vs-kayako-poster

Kōji Shiraishi is directing the film, with Mizuki Yamamoto starring. The film is expected to come out in June of this year.

Via Empire

The Nerd & Tie Podcast

Episode 67 – Deadpool and Destruction

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On this episode we talk about Deadpool‘s remarkable turn at the box office, Fox considering an R rating for Wolverine 3, the unfortunate continuation of the Battlestar Galactica reboot, Bryan Fuller taking the reigns of the upcoming Star Trek TV series, the final nail in TCE2‘s coffin, and how y’all really need to stop trashing convention hotels.

Seriously. Stop it.

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The Mega-Blog

‘Battlestar Galactica’ Reboot Still On, Michael De Luca Hired to Produce

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Way back in episode 19 of the podcast (y’know, before we started blogging) we talked about how Universal wants to reboot Battlestar Galactica as a new movie franchise. I mean, never mind that the last reboot (which was a very successful tv series you may have heard of) ended less than a decade ago — Universal sees space opera money on the table and they want it.

And they’re too lazy to come up with something new.

Well, the project had gone dormant for a while, so we had hoped it would just fade away like the Buffy remake or Billy Zane’s hairline*. But sadly, this is not the case, as Universal has apparently now hired Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Moneyball) to spearhead the film as Producer. Jack Paglen had already written a script last we heard, but who knows if that’s still being used.

God I hope this doesn’t keep going. Sometimes it’s okay to just leave things alone, y’know?

Via Den of Geek

* (that felt mean – I’m sorry Billy Zane. You know I unironically loved The Phantom. I’d “Slam Evil” with you any day… and yes I had that poster on my wall.)