MPAA Chief Agrees to Meet With Screening Room Execs Over $50 Home Movie Service
In what some might view as a surprise turn, Motion Picture Association of America chairman Chris Dodd will take a meeting with representatives of the Screening Room, Sean Parker’s controversial new venture that hopes to make new movies available in the home for $50. Dodd remains an ardent supporter of the big-screen experience, and earlier seemed to take a swipe at efforts to shorten theatrical windows at CinemaCon in his annual speech. (THR)
Sony Makes Its New Spider-Man Movie Official, With an Actual, Confirmed Title
Spider-Man: Homecoming will star Tom Holland and will hit theaters next summer, on July 7th, 2017. As previously announced, this Spider-Man will be fully integrated into the greater cinematic Marvel universe which Disney counts the bulk of. Jon Watts is directing Spider-Man: Homecoming and Marisa Tomei stars as Aunt May and Zendaya as Michelle. (DH)
What Was Rumor Is Now Fact: Warner Bros. Confirms Standalone ‘Batman’ Movie In the Works With Ben Affleck
To the surprise of no one, the studio has officially confirmed that the project is in development with Affleck. The announcement came during the studio’s panel at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. WB chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara touted that there are 10 DC movies planned over the next five years, adding “We’re excited to be working with Ben Affleck on a standalone Batman film.” (CB)
The ‘Kingsman’ Sequel, ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ Adds Elton John To Its Cast
Casting continues on Matthew Vaughn’s highly anticipated sequel, but the most recent addition is decidedly unexpected. Music legend Elton John is in negotiations to join the ensemble of the spy follow-up, marking his first onscreen feature film performance since 1997’s Spice World. Taron Egerton returns for the sequel, alongside new cast members Halle Berry and Julianne Moore, who will play the villain. (COL)
Max Landis’ Spec Script ‘Deeper’ Starring Bradley Cooper Lands at MGM
Studio has won the rights to the project, after the auction included several suitors, including Paramount and Odd Lot Entertainment, with MGM delivering the winning bid. White God helmer Kornel Mundruczo is also attached to the project. The spec was announced last November and involves a former astronaut hired to take a submersible to the lowest point in the ocean. As the submersible gets closer to its destination, supernatural events transpire. (VAR)
St. Vincent Is Making Her Directorial Debut in an All-Female-Helmed Horror Anthology
Singer, a.k.a. Annie Clark, will be making her directorial debut on Magnet Releasing’s upcoming horror anthology film XX. What’s more, all segments will be directed by women, and all will have female leads. Each director has full creative license to tell any story she chooses, as long as it revolves around a female protagonist and involves horror. Some of the other directors involved are Karyn Kusama, Jennifer Lynch, and Jovanka Vuckovic. (VUL)
Want To See AMC’s ‘Preacher’ Before It Actually Premieres? In Some Cities, You’ll Have That Chance
Super fans of the newest series on the cable net will now have an opportunity to host a special advanced screening of the show in the weeks leading up to its May 22nd premiere. The network announced a special social media contest in which, starting yesterday, fans can post on Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #PreacherFanScreenings, their most creative video or photos explaining why their hometown deserves to be one of four selected to screen the pilot. (IW)
Trailer Buzz, Part One: ‘The Secret Life Of Pets’
Universal Pictures has released the new look at the upcoming animated film, starring the voice talents of Louis C.K., Ellie Kemper, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin hart, lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Tara Strong, Steve Coogan and Albert Brooks. The film hits theaters July 8th. (EMP)
Trailer Buzz, Part Two: ‘Doctor Strange’
Disney and Marvel Entertainment have dropped the first look at the upcoming comic book adaptation, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme. Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong and Mads Mikkelsen also star in the film, due for release November 4th. (NR)
Screenwriters: ‘Fracture’
The 121-page screenplay by Dan Pyne, with revisions by Tom Pabst, Glenn Gers, E. Max Frye, Howard Franklin, Jeffrey Fiskin. Current Revisions by Glenn Gers. Script is dated January 6th, 2005. (DS)