-

On this episode of Collider Movie Talk (July 27, 2016) Kristian Harloff, Jon Schnepp, Mark Ellis and Ashley Mova discuss the following:

  • Jessica Chastain to join Jake Gyllenhaal in The Division video game adaptation
  • Joss Whedon would return to Marvel for a solo Black Widow movie
  • AMC Rewind
  • Mail Bag

suicide-squad-joker-social

A favorite fan theory regarding the Joker and his true identity has never gone away with a lot of DC fans. During the development and production period of Suicide Squad, speculation ran rampant about what the movie would and wouldn’t include, and how it might connect to the overall DC Extended Universe. As the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice inched closer, one theory that wouldn’t die hinged on the true identity of Jared Leto’s Joker. Many believed that The Joker in Suicide Squad is actually Jason Todd, Batman’s former Robin; who is killed by the Joker only to return as the Red Hood. Well, if you were a fan of this theory, Suicide Squad writer/director David Ayer doesn’t really care. Speaking with WSVN-TV about Suicide Squad, he addressed the theory head on and succinctly shut it down by pointing to the camera and saying: “It ain’t the case. He’s not.” As to who Jared Leto’s Joker really is (he's just the Joker) fans don’t have long to wait: Suicide Squad opens in theatres next week on August 5th.

Ryan Coogler didn’t reveal all that much about his latest movie, Black Panther, while he was on stage for Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con. However, newly cast Lupita Nyong’o did reveal the first plot details while making the rounds on the press line after the panel. At the Marvel presentation, we learned that The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira and Nyong’o play Okoye and Nakia, members of Wakanda’s elite special forces unite called the Dora Milaje. While chatting with marvel.com, Nyong’o also revealed that the story is that the Black Panther’s leadership is really threatened by two foes who come together, with Black Panther enlisting the help of the C.I.A. and the Dora Milaje in order to defeat the enemy. Michael B. Jordan was revealed to be one of these foes with fans wondering if the other is Ulysses Klaw; who was played by Andy Serkis in Avengers: Age of Ultron. For now, fans are left with only speculation until Black Panther opens on July 6th, 2018.

jessica-chastain-the-martian
Image via 20th Century Fox

Ubisoft continues putting together a feature film adaptation of their popular The Division series of video games, which began by enlisting Jake Gyllenhaal to star and produce. Now, add one more Oscar nominee to the line-up. According to a report from THR, Jessica Chastain is in talks to co-star opposite Gyllenhaal in the adaptation, which is based on Ubisoft’s fastest-selling game in history. Tom Clancy’s The Division was released on game consoles back in March and quickly became Ubisoft’s best-selling game ever, generating an estimated $330 million globally in just the first week of release. The game is set in New York City during the aftermath of a smallpox pandemic, with the player portraying an agent of the Strategic Homeland Division who is tasked with helping to rebuild the Division’s operations in a deserted and crime-riddled Manhattan. A release date has yet to be set.


BUY OR SELL

In the weeks leading up to the release of 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, interviews with Joss Whedon revealed that he was very happy to be getting out of the superhero movie game. During various set visit reports, Whedon was revealed to be exhausted and seemingly beat down by the process of making a $200 million spectacle. Soon after Ultron hit theatres, Whedon was saying that he’d never direct a superhero movie again. But there is one character he says could possibly pull him back into the Marvel fold: Black Widow played by Scarlet Johansson. Though there are currently no plans to make a Black Widow movie, Kevin Feige has hinted at a stand alone movie for quite some time now. Whedon discussed this potential with IGN recently, saying he thinks the character is really very interesting and very earthbound, so it’s the kind of action that he get's with somebody like Thor or The Vision. She has that kind of thing that's a  spy thriller.

bad-santa-movie-image
Image via Miramax Films

The first Bad Santa 2 teaser has made its way online and looks to not have strayed too far from the original R-rated comedy that captured audiences 13 years ago. Billy Bob Thornton returns as the beloved mall Santa who is the furthest thing from Father Christmas there is. The first preview shows the seasonal employee sleeping on the job, with the movie again following Thornton’s criminal character as he and his mom attempt to fraud a charity out of money. Bad Santa 2 is directed by Mean Girls director Mark Waters. It hits theatres this November 23rd.

It must be Christmas in July because another Christmas themed trailer dropped yesterday, this time for Office Christmas Party. Though there looks to be plenty of storylines being followed throughout the comedy from The Switch director’s Will Speck and Josh Gordon, the main focus is on the massive, chaotic holiday party that prompts several seemingly bored workers to lose their ever-loving minds. The movie stars Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, TJ Miller, Kate McKinnon and Courtney B. Vance. It arrives in theaters nationwide on December 9th. 

AMC REWIND

10 Years Ago – Miami Vice, John Tucker Must Die

20 Years Ago – Kingpin, Joe’s Apartment

MAIL BAG

Dre Espinosa writes:

Hey Collider Crew! As I’ve been thinking more about James Cameron’s Avatar, and how stunning its visual effects were in 2009, and how they contributed significantly to its box office. Do you guys believe that the Avatar sequel will have better, cutting edge visual effects that can captivate and attract audiences as significantly as the first movie did? Thanks for taking my question.

Jordan Handley writes:

Hey Collider Crew!

Been rocking this channel since the AMC days and watch religiously so keep up the great work! Question - Which movie is better... A movie that you rated 5/5 but would prob never re-watch (example Million Dollar Baby) – OR - A movie you rated 3/5, but seem to enjoy watching on a regular basis as a guilty pleasure (example Commando)? Cheers folks for answering my question & keep... On... Rocking!!

Kind regards,

Jordan Handley

LIVE TWITTER QUESTIONS

black-panther-logo