On this episode of Collider Movie Talk (July 14, 2016) Kristian Harloff, Jon Schnepp, Jason Inman and Natasha Martinez discuss the following:
- Ghostbusters banned in China due to obscure censorship rule
- Neill Blomkamp’s Aliens movie will finally provide ending for Ripley
- Chiwetel Ejiofor in talks to join Mary Magdalene
- First images released for Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
- First trailer released for Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash follow up La La Land
- The Founder movie relocates to Oscar season release
- Opening this week (Brought to you by AMC Theatres
- Mail Bag
According to a report from THR Ghostbusters has reportedly been banned in China by censors for a number of obscure reasons. Due to their official censorship guidelines, the China Film Bureau can turn down films that, in their eyes, “promote cults or superstition.” The country's regulators have been known to use this provision as rationale for turning down films that feature ghosts or supernatural beings in a semi-realistic way; as proven last year when they banned Guillermo Del Toro’s Crimson Peak, with Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest also suffering the same fate in 2006, thanks to its depictions of ghouls and cannibalism. However, in a report from Deadline, Sony commented that the film hasn’t even been submitted to the Chinese Film Bureau. With international sales a constant concern for Hollywood studios, especially in China, the difference really does matter here. It’s too soon to tell whether this loss will be a major blow for Ghostbusters, a film with a reported production budget of $144 million.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sigourney Weaver spoke a bit about the story director Neill Blomkamp cooked up for her Ripley character, in the as yet untiled Aliens sequel known simply as Aliens 5. Talking about the script and Ripley, Weaver said that it's a great story and it’s satisfying to give Ripley an ending. Since Fox opted to delay the project, Weaver and Blomkamp’s busy schedules meant they had to move on with other projects while Ridley Scott took on directing duties for Alien: Covenant. A release date for Aliens 5 still hasn’t been set.
According to Deadline, Doctor Strange and 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to join the production of Mary Magdalene, a film which sees Rooney Mara in the title role alongside Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus Christ. Ejiofor will play the role of Peter, Jesus’s main disciple and one of his 12 apostles. The story of Jesus’ crucifixion in The New Testament tells of Peter denying Jesus three times and later forgiven following the Resurrection of Christ. Garth Davis is directing the Biblical film, which is scheduled to begin production this summer for a release eyed for 2017.
BUY OR SELL
The first official images from Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword have been unveiled thanks to an article in Entertainment Weekly. The reveal shows Jude Law as the villainous Vortigern, the tyrannical uncle of Charlie Hunnam’s titular hero Arthur. In this version of the story, Arthur is spurred into action when Vortigern murders Arthur’s brother and dad, played by Eric Bana, therefore taking the throne. The King Arthur tale originated with screenwriter Joby Harold, whose initial pitch covered a series of King Arthur films that could extend for a very lengthy franchise. Director Ritchie came in and put his stamp on the screenplay alongside frequent collaborator Lionel Wigram. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword opens in theaters on March 24, 2017.
The first trailer for La La Land has been released online for Whiplash filmmaker Damien Chazelle’s highly anticipated follow-up film. The Los Angeles-set love story is a full-fledged musical that revolves around the love between a musician played by Ryan Gosling and a struggling actress played by Emma Stone. The film also stars John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott, and Josh Pence. La La Land will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 31st and then opens in limited release on December 9th, and wide on December 16th.
According to a report from Deadline, The Weinstein Company has high hopes for its Michael Keaton starrer, The Founder, and is pushing the release date to the Oscar friendly slot of December 16th, where it will then open wide later in January. Michael Keaton stars as Illinois salesman Ray Kroc, who transformed McDonald’s into a thriving fast-food empire. The actor is in the midst of a major comeback following his Golden Globe-winning, Oscar-nominated performance in Birdman, along with helping the director and cast of Spotlight snag last year’s Academy Award for Best Picture. This is the second time the studio pushed back The Founder which was initially scheduled to open in theaters August 5. Saving Mr. Banks director John Lee Hancock directs the film based on a screenplay by The Wrestler’s Robert D. Siegel. The cast also includes Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, Nick Offerman, Laura Dern, and B.J. Novak.
OPENING THIS WEEK (Brought to you by AMC)
The Infiltrator – In 1986, federal agent Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston) goes under cover to infiltrate the trafficking network of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Working with fellow agents Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger) and Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo), Mazur poses as a slick, money-laundering businessman named Bob Musella. Gaining the confidence of Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt), Escobar's top lieutenant, Mazur must navigate a vicious criminal underworld where one wrong move could cost him everything.
Café Society - Looking for an exciting career, young Bobby Dorfman leaves New York for the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood. After landing a job with his uncle, Bobby falls for Vonnie, a charming woman who happens to be his employer's mistress. Settling for friendship but ultimately heartbroken, Bobby returns to the Bronx and begins working in a nightclub. Everything falls into place when he finds romance with a beautiful socialite, until Vonnie walks back into his life and captures his heart once again.
MAIL BAG
Stewart Fletcher writes:
I recently rewatched 2014's Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and loved every second of it. Everything from the Oscar worthy performance by Andy Serkis, the stellar cinematography, the mind blowing action, and the deeply resonating themes were just perfect. I consider that movie a legitimate masterpiece and it should be hailed as an iconic sci-fi film and one of the greatest films on the last decade. But most people just think of it as a good, entertaining film instead of a tour de force epic that I think it is. This got me thinking, what's a film you consider an absolute masterpiece but others only praise as a "good" or just "great" film? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you [insert hostess here], you're my absolute favorite. Don't tell [insert other hosted here]
William Saturno writes
Hey Collider Crew, been listening every day for the last few months and your shows have become a part of my daily routine.
Some of the early reviews for the new Ghostbusters movie have said they were surprised by how funny Chris Hemsworth was despite being mostly known as an action star.
My question is can you think of any great performances by an actor or actress that is in a different genre of film from what they're typically known for? I personally would have to go with Zachary Galifianakis in Birdman or Robert De Niro in Meet the Parents.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
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