More Downton Abbey, New Elizabeth Banks Film, Lots of Star Wars Updates, New Superman, More

Netflix announced on Monday that it has signed a lease that will keep New York City’s historic Paris Theatre open for custom. The streaming giants will use the venue for special screenings of award contenders released under their banner, such as new Martin Scorsese movie The Irishman, keeping the one-screen venue – one of America’s oldest cinemas – open to the public.

THR – 25th Nov 2019


A sequel to Downton Abbey (2019) is in the works according to show and film producer Gareth Neame who said “we’re working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it. But it’s the same as the first time around: We have to try to get everyone back together again. And that was very challenging”. The 2019 adaptation of the popular ITV television show grossed approximately $180million from a budget of under $20million, making it a runaway box office hit.

THR – 26th Nov 2019


A remake of The Fugitive is currently being planned at Warner Bros. with Albert Hughes (Alpha) of The Hughes Brothers (The Book of Eli) set to direct.

Deadline – 26th Nov 2019


Universal and Blumhouse are setting up a spin-off to their upcoming The Invisible Man movie with The Invisible Woman, and have hired Charlie’s Angels and Pitch Perfect 2 director Elizabeth Banks to fulfil the roles of director and star.

THR – 26th Nov 2019


Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle actor Rhys Darby is set to re-team with director Taika Waititi following their collaborations on What We Do In the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople for Waititi’s latest film Next Goal Wins. More on that film here.

Deadline – 25th Nov 2019


Despite Man of Steel star Henry Cavill last week moving to confirm that he is still Warner Bros’ iconic superhero Superman, reports have surfaced that the studio have met with filmmaker J.J. Abrams and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan about resurrecting the franchise under new guidance, though the same report suggests that any such a project is at this stage unlikely.

Variety – 26th Nov 2019


Maya Hawke, Charlie Plummer and Andrea Riseborough have signed on to star in upcoming Amanda Kramer period drama Please Baby Please which is currently being handled by Paris Film Inc. and CAA Media Finance.

THR – 25th Nov 2019


Upcoming Warner Bros. monster sequel Godzilla Vs. Kong has had its release date pushed back from March 2020 to November 2020, the film set to be directed by Death Note director Adam Wingard now set for a 20th November 2020 release.

Empire – 26th Nov 2019


Edinburgh International Film Festival artistic director Mark Adams has stepped down from his role after five years. Rod White, the director of programming for EIFF’s parent charity CMI is set to fulfil his duties ahead of the 2020 festival set to take place 17th-28th June.

EIFF – 29th Nov 2019




Vue Cinemas and Showcase pulled new release Blue Story from being exhibited at their venues following a Machete attack by a group of young people at one of their cinemas, causing controversy when it was revealed that the children involved had bought tickets for Frozen II instead. Each company has since announced that they’ll be reinstating the films at their venues following an online backlash.

Empire – 25th Nov 2019


Frozen II broke records in its first weekend at the Box Office, landing the top spot in almost every territory and being the world number one. Full box office report here.


New Star Wars film The Rise of Skywalker is set to get a day-and-date release in China, marking a first for the franchise as well as Disney’s intention to make its opening weekend box office as large as possible.

Deadline – 28th Nov 2019


Rise of Skywalker star John Boyega revealed in an interview with ‘Good Morning America’ that his version of the final Skywalker Saga script was the mysterious one that made its way onto ebay, causing panic behind the scenes at Lucasfilm and Disney.


J.J. Abrams, the director of The Force Awakens and upcoming Star Wars film Rise of Skywalker, told television host Stephen Colbert on Monday’s episode of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ that Carrie Fisher had written in her autobiography “a special thanks to J.J. Abrams for putting up with me twice” despite the actress having only worked with Abrams on one film, The Force Awakens, before her death in 2016, and Abrams not being announced to direct the sequel until months later.


And finally…

Disney CEO Bob Iger facilitated an early screening of the studio’s upcoming blockbuster release Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker for a terminally ill child at Rowans Hospice in the UK following a plea from the hospital that time was not on the child’s side.


 

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