Generic – Page 28 – Movie Retakes

Liam Neeson’s The Marksman Targets Top of the Weekend Box Office

Liam Neeson’s The Marksman targets top of the weekend box office

As we near the end of the three-day weekend, Open Road Films is celebrating another box office victory with Liam Neeson as his latest action thriller The Marksman has taken the top spot in its opening weekend, dethroning Warner Bros.’ Wonder Woman 1984.

With the latest installment in the DC Extended Universe having been in both theaters and on HBO Max for a month now and seeing a decidedly-mixed response from critics and audiences, it’s no surprise that the film is no longer the box office victor. WB doesn’t have much too complain about from this drop, though, as it only saw a 13 percent decrease and is still bringing in an estimated $2.7 million in third place, bringing it to $141.7 million worldwide, even as more theaters continue to shutter and some have elected not to pay the studio the exhibition dues because of it.

Universal has revealed that their animated sequel adventure The Croods: A New Age, which was originally heading for third place, is coming in above expectations and seeing a 13 percent increase to edge out WW84 and take second place with an estimated $2.9 million domestically and $2.2 million internationally, bringing the DreamWorks Animation title to a cumulative worldwide $134.84 million gross in its eighth week. While the Tom Hanks-led Oscar hopeful News of the World has dropped 15 percent in its fourth week, it’s still bringing in $1.3 million for a total $8.7 million gross and is one of seven total Universal titles to land in the top 15 movies at the box office this weekend.

Sony/Screen Gems’ Monster Hunter continues to struggle to recoup the studios’ money in its fifth week of release, dropping another 17 percent to round out the top five with an estimated $920k to bring its total worldwide gross up to $19.6 million.

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Godzilla vs Kong Release Date Moves Up Two Months!

Godzilla vs Kong release date moves up two months!

After Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment struck a deal to keep Godzilla vs Kong as a day-and-date theatrical and HBO Max release on May 21, they have now moved the release date up! The new Godzilla vs Kong release date is March 26, 2021, where it will have zero competition. No Time to Die was expected to open the following week, but is now reportedly looking to vacate its April 2 release date.

Will you see the movie in theaters or on HBO Max? When would you like to finally see a trailer? Let us know in the comments below!

The epic action-adventure Godzilla vs Kong will pit two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another — the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong — with humanity caught in the balance.

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies, The Little Drummer Girl), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Rebecca Hall (Christine, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Widows), Shun Oguri (Gintama), Eiza González (Baby Driver), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), and Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2). Also starring in the highly-anticipated movie are Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street, Manchester by the Sea) and Demián Bichir (The Nun, The Hateful Eight).

The fourth installment in Warner Bros.’ Pictures and Legendary’s Monsterverse is directed by Adam Wingard from a script written by Oscar nominee Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean, Deja Vu, Shrek). The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, and Brian Rogers, with Kenji Okuhira, Yoshimitsu Banno, Jon Jashni and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers. Jay Ashenfelter, Jen Conroy and Tamara Kent are co-producers.

The most recent film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, hit theaters last summer. It ended with Godzilla taking his rightful place as the ruler of all Titans. Unfortunately, the movie was a financial disappointment, grossing only $385.9 million against a budget estimated to be as high as $200 million.

Godzilla vs. Kong was originally set to hit theaters in May 2020 (before the global pandemic) and then on November 20, 2020.

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Daredevil’s Charlie Cox Reportedly Seen on Set of Spider-Man 3!

After word excitingly first broke last month that Netflix Daredevil star Charlie Cox has reportedly signed on to reprise the role for the untitled third Tom Holland-fronted Spider-Man film, ComicBook.com has now brought word that the 38-year-old British actor has been spotted on set!

Cox’s casting came on the heels of the rumors brewing that both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield were in the works to come back to the world of webslinging, with the former still being in talks, as well as Kirsten Dunst’s Mary-Jane Watson, Jamie Foxx’s Electro and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus from both franchises and the latest news comes in the wake of Marvel head Kevin Feige addressing that all Marvel characters from the world of Netflix are now in play to make their way to the big screen.

While the villains have both been confirmed for the film, reports are still back-and-forth as to whether any of the former Spider-Men are confirmed and chances are no confirmation will be given by Marvel Studios until closer to the close of production on the project.

Click here to purchase Sony’s animated Spider-Verse crossover hit!

Cox’s Daredevil was the first Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Netflix and helped pave the way for spin-offs Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and The Punisher, the first three of which eventually culminated in the crossover limited series The Defenders. The series received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike across its three-season run and fans were initially disappointed when the streaming platform cancelled the series, but both Netflix and Marvel Studios promised the character would be seen in future MCU projects and Cox has continually expressed a sadness in the cancellation and a desire to reprise the role. All of the Netflix series had loose ties to the cinematic MCU, so his appearance in the film wouldn’t take much explanation.

Tom Holland will return for the untitled third Spider-Man film as the titular wall-crawler alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, going up against Jamie Foxx’s Electro. Given the ending of Far From Home, however, any number of his rogues’ gallery are also likely eager for a fight. The third installment to the MCU’s Spider-Man films will also feature the return of Zendaya (Euphoria, Dune) as MJ and Jacob Batalon as Ned.

While most of the original series cast are set to return for the threequel, Foxx’s casting further blurs the lines across Sony’s three web-slinging franchises, with the previous installment bringing back J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson from Sam Raimi’s trilogy and the studio’s Sony Universe of Marvel Characters led by Venom expected to crossover into the Marvel Cinematic Universe series soon.

Originally scheduled for a July 16, 2021 release, the untitled Spider-Man 3 was first pushed back to November 5 and will now bow on December 17, 2021.

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CS Video: Shyamalan on Servant Season 2, Devil & Night Chronicles

ComingSoon.net got the opportunity to chat with Oscar nominee M. Night Shyamalan to discuss his work on the second season of Apple TV+’s Servant as well as reflect on the tenth anniversary of the horror pic Devil and the state of his planned Night Chronicles trilogy. Our interview can be viewed in the player below!

Servant follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home. Following its suspenseful Season 1 finale, the second season of the thriller takes a supernatural turn. As Leanne (Nell Tiger Free) returns to the brownstone and her true nature is revealed, a darker future for all lies ahead.

The cast of the series including Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Toby Kebbell (Kong: Skull Island, Fantastic Four, Black Mirror), Nell Tiger Free (Game of Thrones), and Rupert Grint (Harry Potter franchise, Snatch) will all reprise their characters for the second season.

Upon its debut in November 2019, the series received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for its claustrophobic direction, chilling atmosphere and the performances from its cast, with Apple clearly having faith in the series as it renewed it for a second season ahead of its premiere.

The series is created by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominated executive producer and writer Tony Basgallop (To the Ends of the Earth). In addition to executive producers M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Basgallop, Servant is executive produced by Ashwin Rajan, Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black, and Steve Tisch. Taylor Latham and Patrick Markey serve as co-executive producers.

Both seasons of Servant are now available to stream on Apple TV+!

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Willy’s Wonderland Trailer Released for Nicolas Cage-Led Horror Thriller

Willy's Wonderland Trailer Released for Nicolas Cage-Led Horror Thriller

Willy’s Wonderland Trailer Released for Nicolas Cage-Led Horror Thriller

Screen Media Films has released the official Willy’s Wonderland trailer starring Nicolas Cage in the horror film, in theaters, On Demand, and on Digital on February 12 (via Bloody Disgusting). You can check out the trailer now in the player below!

Willy’s Wonderland (formerly titled as Wally’s Wonderworld) follows the story of a quiet drifter (Cage) who is tricked into a janitorial job at the now condemned amusement park called Wally’s Wonderland for its reopening. However, things turned for the worse as he finds himself fighting for his survival when he realizes that he’s trapped in a living nightmare populated by demonic-possessed animatronics.

In addition to Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, Mandy), the film is also set to star Emily Tosta (Party of Five, Mayans M.C.), Beth Grant (No Country for Old Men), Ric Reitz (The Resident) and Chris Warner (Machete).

Wally’s Wonderworld will be directed by Kevin Lewis (The Drop) on a script from G.O. Parsons. Landmark Studio Group has joined the project to produce alongside Landafar Entertainment, JD Entertainment, Saturn Films, and Screen Media Ventures, with Baffin Media Limited and Great Point Media also supporting.

Landmark’s CEO David Ozer (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Wynonna Earp), Grant Cramer (Lone Survivor) and Jeremy Davis (The Street Racer) are attached to produce the project alongside Cage and Mike Nilon, with Foresight chairman Mark Damon, Screen Media Ventures President David Fannon and SVP of Worldwide Acquisitions Seth Needle executive producing.

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One Night in Miami Review: A Complex, Powerful & Graceful Adaptation

Rating:

9.5/10

Cast:

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X

Eli Goree as Muhammad Ali

Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown

Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke

Joaquina Kalukango as Betty Shabaz

Nicolette Robinson as Barbara Cooke

Beau Bridges as Mr. Carlton

Lance Reddick as Brother Kareem

Michael Imperioli as Angelo Dundee

Jerome A. Wilson as Elijah Muhammad

Amondre D. Jackson as L.C. Cooke

Aaron D. Alexander as Sonny Liston

Click here to watch One Night in Miami!

One Night in Miami Review:

In just three years at trying his hand as a screenwriter on the hit CBS All Access series Star Trek: Discovery and Pixar’s latest acclaimed effort Soul, Kemp Powers has quickly established his voice as one of the most insightful and intelligent in Hollywood, especially in regards to looking to authentically capture the Black experience in America. Prior to becoming a screenwriter, Powers was a playwright and made his debut with the historically-inspired One Night in Miami and eight years later it has found its way to the screen with Regina King at the helm in her directorial debut and deftly illustrates she was exactly the right talent to translate the powerful material for film.

Set on the night of February 25, 1964, One Night in Miami follows a young Cassius Clay (before he became Muhammad Ali) as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach to celebrate the match, Clay – unable to stay on the island because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws – instead spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in one of Miami’s historically black neighborhoods celebrating with three of his closest friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the four men emerge determined to define a new world for themselves and their people.

While the titular night’s events may become fictional after Cassius’ victory over Liston, the character development and conversations shown over the course of the story’s hours nonetheless feels like a truly authentic and captivating glimpse at a point in history. Much like the works of Aaron Sorkin, the film remains crackling with energy and moving steadily in its pace thanks to the dialogue from Powers, who uses his experience as a playwright and his own source material to ensure that every scene, even if confined to one location, never feels dull. A roster of four main characters may not seem overly difficult to properly balance, especially with a runtime of nearly two hours, but even when it feels as though Malcolm X is threatening to outshine and outtalk his fellow Black icons, one of the three take their own command and illuminate their insightful natures.

Powers’ sharp script is only further elevated by the incredible performances on display from its four leads and the absolutely stunning direction from King in her feature debut. Though a film primarily set in a hotel room might sound easy (and cheap) enough to direct for a debut, but King doesn’t settle for a solely minimalist approach as she interweaves her sole-location narrative with a flashy concert flashback and personalized character introductions that show a firm grasp and appreciation for the film’s iconic central characters.

Being an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy winner herself and having worked with some of the best directors Hollywood has seen, from John Singleton to Cameron Crowe to Barry Jenkins, King demonstrates a clear understanding of where best to place a camera and sit back while her incredible cast go to work. Odom Jr.’s Sam and Ben-Adir’s Malcolm might occasionally outshine the other two with their constant bickering that’s wholly authentic and compelling, but that doesn’t prevent Goree and Hodge from delivering equally stellar performances that brings them to life in respectful fashions.

One Night in Miami‘s only real flaw lies in the occasionally repetitive arguments between Cooke and X, but thanks to its sharp writing full of powerful modern parallels, breathtaking direction from King and stellar performances from its four leads, this has already set the bar high for every 2021 film to follow.

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Heart of Stone: Netflix Wins Global Rights to Gal Gadot-Led Spy Thriller

Heart of Stone: Netflix Wins Globe Rights to Gal Gadot-Led Spy Thriller

Heart of Stone: Netflix Wins Global Rights to Gal Gadot-Led Spy Thriller

Following an intense bidding war against other streamers and studios, Deadline brings word that Netflix has successfully won the worldwide rights to Skydance Media’s upcoming female-led spy thriller film titled Heart of Stone which will be headlined by Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot. This marks writer Greg Rucka and Gadot’s second collaboration with Netflix, who have worked together on Charlize Theron’s The Old Guard and the upcoming action film Red Notice, respectively.

Heart of Stone will be written by Greg Rucka, who recently made his screenwriting film debut with the film adaptation of his popular fantasy graphic novel series The Old Guard. Plot details about the film are still being kept under wraps but the outlet’s sources described the project as something similar to blockbuster action franchises like James Bond and Mission: Impossible.

The film will be directed by Tom Harper (The Aeronauts) from a screenplay that will be co-written by Allison Schroeder. It will be produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger along with Gadot, Jaron Varsano, Bonnie Curtis, and Julie Lynn through their Pilot Wave banner. Skydance’s Don Granger and Dana Goldberg will be overseeing the film on behalf of the studio. Interestingly, Greg Rucka wrote a few Wonder Woman comics during the early 2000s up until 2017.

Gal Gadot will next be in seen in a number of high-profile projects including: Death on the Nile opposite Armie Hammer and Annette Bening; and Netflix’s Red Notice starring alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.

(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

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CS Video: One Night in Miami Interviews With Director & Stars!

CS Video: One Night in Miami interviews with director & stars!

Following its acclaimed select theatrical debut and ahead of its premiere on Amazon Prime Video, ComingSoon.net got the opportunity to chat with One Night in Miami director Regina King and stars Leslie Odom Jr., Aldis Hodge and Eli Goree to discuss the historical drama. Our interviews can be viewed in the player below!

Click here to watch One Night in Miami!

The cast for the film includes Kingsley Ben-Adir (High Fidelity) as Malcolm X, Goree (Riverdale) as Cassius Clay, Hodge (The Invisible Man) as Jim Brown, Odom Jr. (Hamilton) as Sam Cooke, Lance Reddick (Bosch) as Brother Kareem, Jasmine Cephas Jones (The Photograph) as Barbara Cooke, Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) as Angelo Dundee and Beau Bridges (Goliath) as Mr. Carlton.

One Night in Miami is directed by Oscar-winning actress Regina King from a screenplay written by Kemp Powers based on his 2013 play of the same name. The film has Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder (Blindspotting, Anomalisa) attached as producers via their Snoot Entertainment banner as well as Jody Klein (The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus) via ABKCO, King and Power.

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CS Soapbox: Avengers: Age of Ultron is the Most Important MCU Movie

On May 1, 2015 Marvel Studios unleashed Avengers: Age of Ultron, the sequel to their mammoth 2012 blockbuster Marvel’s The Avengers and a culmination of their Phase 2 film slate. Led by returning sextet Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson & Jeremy Renner, and helmed by returning writer/director Joss Whedon, the project had a budget projected above $300 million (although some reports put it in the neighborhood of $450 million). Expectations were off-the-charts, and though the Marvel Cinematic Universe installment was fairly well-reviewed (76% on Rotten Tomatoes) and performed spectacularly at the box office ($1.4 billion worldwide) it has been perceived at best as a fun disappointment and at worst the black sheep of the Avengers movies.

Click here to purchase Avengers: Age of Ultron!

Even the film’s director expressed a sense of regret at the resulting film, which even at an already overstuffed 141 minutes was subject to much editing, including the elimination of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, trimming a good deal of Thor material and the scuttling of planned appearances by Spider-Man and Captain Marvel.

“I sort of created a narrative wherein I had not quite accomplished it, and I think that did a disservice to the movie and to the studio and to myself,” Whedon said. “The fact that Marvel gave me that opportunity twice is so bonkers… and the fact that I came off of it feeling like a miserable failure is also bonkers, but not in a cute way.”

Despite the tug of war between Marvel and Whedon during production, and the subdued fan response to the final product, Avengers: Age of Ultron has generated an embarrassment of riches for the MCU in the ensuing years. So many of the threads created in the film paid off in future films in both small and large ways, with the ripple effect extending to the inaugural MCU series WandaVision debuting on Disney+ this week. In the first three episodes alone (which ComingSoon.net was privy to prior to broadcast) there are many nods to the events of Age of Ultron, not to mention the fact that the two title characters made their formal debut in the 2015 film.*

*Yes, Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) technically appeared for a few seconds in an end credits tag directed by Whedon for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Paul Bettany’s A.I. J.A.R.V.I.S. had been in the movies since Iron Man (2008).

The sheer number of important story points and characters introduced in Age of Ultron arguably surpasses any other single film in producer Kevin Feige’s intricately planned 23-movie Infinity Saga and beyond, and the evidence is overwhelming to suggest that it may in fact be the most important film in the MCU. Here are the biggest pieces of said evidence…

-Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch formally introduced, one of the most powerful beings in the MCU

-Vision created/introduced as an amalgam of J.A.R.V.I.S., Ultron, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner and the Mind Stone

-First hints of WandaVision romance, in full bloom by Infinity War and later explored in the Disney+ series

-Baron Wolfgang von Strucker formally introduced, whose presence (along with HYDRA) may be important to WandaVision in his “creation” of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver

-Scarlet Witch, Vision, Falcon and War Machine become official Avengers, with Captain America and Black Widow retained

-First direct mention of Wakanda and Vibranium

-Ulysses Klaue (Black Panther villain) introduced

-First direct look at the Black Widow training program, hugely important to the forthcoming Black Widow film

-Introduction of romance between Banner and Natasha, important to the undercurrent of both Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame

-First appearance of Veronica, the “Hulkbuster” armor later used by Banner in Infinity War

-Hulk escapes in Quinjet to space as prelude to Thor: Ragnarok, including a video of Natasha seen in that film

-First hints by Heimdall of Asgard’s forthcoming Ragnarok event

-First hints of Nick Fury’s post- S.H.I.E.L.D. organization S.W.O.R.D., later glimpsed at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home

-Tony Stark’s artificial intelligence F.R.I.D.A.Y. introduced, later heard in Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Infinity War and Endgame

-The ideological divide between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers deepens, laying further groundwork for Civil War

-First inklings of the thread of Captain America’s longing for “home” and to be back with Peggy, ultimately paid off in Endgame

-The first hint that Captain America can wield Mjölnir, as seen in Endgame

-Introduction of Laura Barton and Hawkeye’s family, hugely important in Endgame and presumably forthcoming Hawkeye series

-The destruction and mayhem unleashed on Sokovia was critical in the formation of the Sokovia Accords pivotal in Civil War, and was also mentioned in Ant-Man

-New Avengers HQ in upstate New York introduced, a crucial location for Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame

-First direct explanation of “intricate game” Thanos has been playing to get the Infinity Stones

-Thanos gets his Infinity Gauntlet in post-credits scene

There are also many thematic elements in Age of Ultron that are later carried over in future films, including Tony’s desire to create a suit of armor around the world to protect earth from cosmic threats, later mentioned regretfully in Endgame. Cap’s secret longing for the normal life he was finally able to achieve in Endgame is first exposed via his Wanda-induced WWII hallucination sequence with Peggy and later in the shot (borrowed from John Ford’s The Searchers) where he look’s longingly through the doorway to Clint’s family house, then turns his back on it. The much-maligned/misunderstood thread about Natasha’s Red Room hysterectomy (labeling herself a “monster” because she took away her ability to have children to be a more efficient killer) later factors into her decision in Endgame to sacrifice herself so Clint could be with his own family.

Some threads paid off less, as when Tony’s decision to “retire” and stop being Iron Man proved to be more than he could promise, leading to his breakup with Pepper mentioned in Civil War. Clint’s retirement was similarly short-lived, getting back in action in Civil War. Thor’s mission at the end of the Age of Ultron to find the other Infinity Stones was written off as a joke at the beginning of Thor: Ragnarok, stating he “didn’t find any.” Likewise, Bruce’s relationship with Natasha seemed to peter out once he returned to Earth in Infinity War and in the 5 years between that film and Endgame, although his specific failed attempt to bring her back when he utilized the Gauntlet carried extra tragic weight.

Even tiny details wound their way into future films, like this giant archery boss (target) seen in Clint’s barn in Age of Ultron that we see again at the opening of Endgame…

Although a lot of credit can be given to mastermind Feige as well as later MCU directors like The Russo Brothers and their writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely for being in charge of the payoff machine, Whedon deserves a lot of the credit for setting up these threads. Another thing which many do not credit Age of Ultron for is being a more complex, more visually thrilling and ultimately BETTER movie than 2012’s Avengers. While the first team-up movie is loads of fun and delivers lots of great banter, it has a generic look and fairly simplistic story. Age of Ultron takes more risks in that it leans into Tony Stark as near-villain, the Avengers themselves perceived as evil/fascistic by foreign countries (and Ultron himself), and the fact that every major character in the large ensemble has a strong arc, something rarely achieved in modern blockbusters. All the while it takes the piss out of films like then-recent Man of Steel for seemingly not caring about civilian casualties. At every turn in Whedon’s film the heroes do everything in their power to protect the sanctity of life, and that’s part of the point.

As Steve Rogers says, “Ultron thinks we’re monsters, that we’re what’s wrong with the world. This isn’t just about beating him, it’s about whether he’s right.”

For the continued ripple effect Avengers: Age of Ultron will have on the future of Marvel, one need only look to the WandaVision series, and the word that it will lead into Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wanda’s powers may not only crack open the multiverse (the potential of which could see new actors playing old heroes, as well as past iterations like Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man), but there has been a longstanding rumor that she could be responsible for ushering the mutant era of X-Men into the MCU.

Whatever may spring from the film in the future, it stands as one of the shining moments in the history of the MCU, deserving of reappraisal.

NOTE: This article is not meant to condone, defend or justify any of the current/past accusations against writer/director Joss Whedon. As with every other Marvel Studios film, Age of Ultron was a project with many creative voices in front of and behind the camera, and this is merely an examination of the film itself and not any one creator.

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Warner Bros. Unveils First New Mortal Kombat Movie Images!

BEGIN SLIDESHOW

Warner Bros. Unveils First Images From New Mortal Kombat Adaptation!

While fans eagerly await for the theatrical and streaming debut of the latest adaptation of the beloved Midway Games fighting franchise, Warner Bros. has finally unveiled the first images from the new Mortal Kombat film! The first-look photos can be viewed in the gallery below!

The diverse international cast reflects the global nature of the brand, with talent spanning the worlds of film, television and martial arts. The ensemble includes Joe Taslim as Sub Zero; Ludi Lin as Liu Kang; Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade; Josh Lawson as Kano; Tadanobu Asano as Raiden; Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Bridges; Chin Han as Shang Tsung; Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion; Max Huang as Kung Lao; Sisi Stringer as Mileena; and Lewis Tan.

James Wan (The Conjuring universe, Aquaman) and Todd Garner (Into the Storm, Tag) are producing. Larry Kasanoff, E. Bennett Walsh, Michael Clear and Jeremy Stein are serving as executive producers.

Bringing the hugely popular property to the big screen, director Simon McQuoid lead a team of Australian and U.S. filmmakers, including director of photography Germain McMicking (True Detective, Top of the Lake: China Girl), production designer Naaman Marshall (Underwater, Servant), editor Scott Gray (Top of the Lake, Daffodils), and costume designer Cappi Ireland (Lion, The Rover).

The first video game in the series was developed by Midway Games and released in 1992. The storyline sees a diverse range of fighters hailing from eighteen different realms become pitted against one another in an epic tournament. Quite a few sequels followed the original game with the most recent, Mortal Kombat 11, being released earlier this year.

Two Mortal Kombat movies were previously made. The first, simply titled Mortal Kombat, was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and was released in 1995. It was followed two years later with a sequel, Annihilation, which also paved the way for two television series: the animated Defenders of the Realm and the live-action Konquest. Two web series have been released based on the property as well from director Kevin Tancharoen.

Mortal Kombat is set to hit theaters and HBO Max simultaneously on April 16!