News Around the Net
Wow — Wonder Woman 1984 will be released on HBO Max on Christmas Day! AND the film will also be showing in theaters. This is a very interesting strategy. I’m sure that most struggling theatre chains are happy to have this film showing theatrically — and I am overjoyed that I’ll be able to watch it, safe at home, on HBO Max. This is far preferable to having to wait another year.
Interesting news that Warner Brothers (and J.K. Rowling) have dropped Johnny Depp from the in-production third Fantastic Beasts film. I wasn’t happy when Mr. Depp appeared at the end of the first Fantastic Beasts film (as I noted in my original review). My objection at the time had nothing to do with Mr. Depp’s personal life; it’s just that the days of his being an actor whose choices interested me seemed long past. In my opinion, they should have replaced him before they made the second film. (These allegations in the dueling lawsuits with his ex-wife Amber Heard are not new.) It’s wild that they’re re-casting this major role right smack in the middle of the series. (In the original Harry Potter film series, they had to recast Dumbledore mid-series due to the passing of Richard Harris, and that series went on just fine.) I am extremely curious to see who steps into this major villain role as Grindelwald! (UPDATE: It might be Mads Mikkelsen!! What a perfect choice!! Oh, now I am excited…)
I’ve enjoyed several of the documentary series on Disney+, such as The Imagineering Story, Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian, and Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen II. I’m excited for this new series, Inside Pixar:
This is amazing: a trailer for a (still in-process) documentary on the making of the legendary (and legendarily terrible) Star Wars Holiday Special:
https://vimeo.com/476487442
That trailer is dynamite. (I love all the clips from the pop culture references to the Holiday Special, especially that great Robot Chicken sketch.) I can’t wait to see this, when it’s finished!
Here’s a new trailer for Zack Snyder’s “Snyder Cut” of Justice League:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIOU_k4mwDw&feature=emb_logo
That’s basically just a colorized version of the first teaser, but it’s fun to see. As I’ve stated before, I doubt this new version is going to suddenly erase all the flaws in the theatrical version, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what Mr. Snyder has cooked up. It’s cool to see Darkseid (though I’m not impressed by the CGI version of the character in that trailer). I’m more intrigued by all the other new footage and glimpses of stories and characters excised from the theatrical version. I can’t wait for this to arrive on HBO Max some time next year.
Click here for an interesting, in-depth interview with His Dark Materials star Ruth Wilson and executive producer Jane Tranter. I enjoyed season one and am looking forward to seeing season two.
I’m thrilled by the news that Chris Pratt has joined the cast of the upcoming fourth Thor film, Thor: Love and Thunder. I loved the pairing of Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Infinity War and I’m excited to see that continuing.
I was intrigued to read that Conan O’Brien is ending his late-night talk-show on TBS and moving to a weekly variety show on HBO Max. I wonder what that new show will be like! I love Conan and I have listened to every episode of his fantastic podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. But I haven’t watched his TBS show in years. It feels to me like the whole idea of late-night talk-shows is sort of over… but maybe it’s just that I’m too old for them? (Or not old enough??). I’m curious to see what Conan gets up to on HBO Max…
Click here for a terrific spotlight profile on The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah.
Jim Gaffigan and Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn have made a sci-fi comedy film?? Sign me up!
Do you need a little joy in your day today? Then allow me to leave you with this: Bill Hader’s spot-on impression of a dying Jabba the Hutt and a dying taunton:
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