BRENDAN FRASER To Portray FIREFLY In Upcoming BATGIRL Movie

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, Film

While already making waves in the DC Universe as the voice of Cliff Steele aka Robotman on HBO Max’s DOOM PATROL, it seems that Brendan Fraser is expanding his reach in the world of DC Comics as he is set to join the upcoming HBO MAX movie, BATGIRL starring Leslie Grace. 

It has been reported via DEADLINE and their sources, that Fraser is set to take on the role of the supervillain Firefly in the pic.  BAD BOYS FOR LIFE directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are helming the film and Christina Hodson (BIRDS OF PREY) wrote the script.

Exact plot details on the film have yet to be released it is known that Lesile Grace will portray Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner Gordon,  behind the cape in this version. It is not confirmed if whether or not this Barbara Gordon is the daughter of Jim Gordon played by Jeffrey Wright in the upcoming THE BATMAN film starring Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz and directed by Matt Reeves. 

The character of Firefly is a supervillain whose real name is Garfield Lynns most often known for going against Batman and Robin, and sometimes Green Arrow. He is a pyromaniac who became horrendously scarred all over his body after a chemical explosion, leading him to wear a flame proof bodysuit during his crimes. The character was seen in the first season of ARROW on The CW and a female version of the character, Bridgit Pike  was introduced in the TV series Gotham.

The film will bow on HBO Max, marking one of the first major DC properties to debut exclusively on the streamer. No release date has been set.

Marvel Studios Taps Yassir Lester As Head Writer For Armor Wars

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

Marvel Studios just keeps the ball rolling with their Disney Plus shows. Following the success of WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Loki and now WHAT IF, they are continuing the trend of getting top talent to head their series. Marvel Studios has tapped Yassie Lester to be the head writer of  Armor Wars starring Don Cheadle. Cheadle will reprise his role of Col. James Rhodes aka War Machine. Plot details are vague other then the question being raised, what would happen if Tony Starks technology fell into the wrong hands?

Lester, had been bit of a leg up on other writers pitching for the job having already worked with Cheadle on his Showtime series Black Monday. It is being reported that Lester’s pitch excited execs as well as Cheadle for what he thought Armor Wars could be.

We seemingly got a small taste of how the plot could play out in Iron Man 2. For those who can recall we saw Justin Hammer played by Sam Rockwell, during a senate sub committee hearing was exposed for trying to create his own version of the Iron man armor. We also saw intercepted video that showed various countries attempting to make their own super powered suits all to fail. 

Now does this mean the Academy Award winner, Rockwell would be returning to reprise his role? Not sure we did see him be arrested towards the end of the Iron Man sequel so who knows. There also was an Armor Wars cartoon series that gave us many different Marvel villains so the possibility of this being included in the story is also present. But what is known is that Marvel Studios is on a role with their limited series and that train does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. 

BATGIRL Finds Its Lead In Leslie Grace

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, Film

After having it come down to four actresses to see who will step into the role of the crime fighting, Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl. It seems one has won the contest and soon will be donning her own cape and cowl to fight crime in Gotham City.Leslie Grace, has been tapped to play Barbara Gordon in the Warner Bros and DC film, BATGIRL. It is reported that studio was already super high on Grace following her breakout role in IN THE HEIGHTS, and sources say her audition sealed the deal as the choice. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will direct the film from a script by Christina Hodson (who also wrote the BIRDS OF PREY film). Kristin Burr is set to produce.  

BATGIRL is set to arrive exclusively on the HBO Max streaming platform. This along with other titles such as BLUE BEETLE directed by Angel Manuel Soto along with the upcoming STATIC SHOCK film are set to be solely on. HBO Max. 

Now the plot of the film is still under wraps, it is known that Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Commissioner Gordon, will be the character behind the cape in this version. Gordon is the most established version of the Batgirl character and was first introduced in 1961 as Betty Kane.

NAOMI From Ava DuVernay Has Found Its Lead Star

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

The upcoming DC Drama NAOMI from Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship has found its lead in Kaci Walfall. Walfall (Army Wives, Power, The Lion King on Broadway) will star in the title role as Naomi, an effortlessly cool and confident high school student who is the adopted daughter of doting parents. Popular with all the kids in her military town, Naomi is unafraid to embrace her AP-student, comic book–loving nerdiness. After a supernatural event leads to the discovery of her powers within, Naomi pursues her hidden destiny.

(L-R): Camila Moreno (Photo Credit: Idalmiz Lopez), Alexander Wraith (Photo Credit: Violeta Meyners), Kaci Walfall (Photo Credit: Stacia Walfall), Cranston Johnson (Photo Credit: Michael Lee Kimel)

Alexander Wraith (Orange Is the New Black, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) stars as Dee, the owner of a local tattoo parlor. When a strange event leaves the town in chaos, Dee hints that he knows more than he is willing to tell. 

Cranston Johnson (Filthy Rich, P-Valley, Hap and Leonard, Euphoria) stars as Zumbado, the mysterious owner of a local used car lot. Having heard troubling rumors about his past, Naomi actively tries to avoid him, but a tense encounter leaves her both shaken and curious.

Making her television debut, Camila Moreno will star as Lourdes, a young woman with a sarcastic sense of humor who works in a vintage collectibles shop. She has an unrequited crush on Naomi, and she shares her obsession with classic comics. She is also happy to join in on Naomi’s schemes.

NAOMI follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about our heroes. Based on the characters from DC.

The acclaimed NAOMI comic book series debuted in 2019 with Naomi: Season One, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell. The comic follows a remarkable young woman on her unique hero’s journey.

The CW Is Moving Forward With Three New Pilots, Including NAOMI From Ava Duvernay

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

The CW is further expanding its television lineup heading into the 2021-22 season with the announcement that they are moving forward with three pilots and one project heading straight to series.

Among the three pilots moving forward is the DC Comics project, NAOMI produced by Ava Duvernay’s ARRAY Filmworks in conjunction with Warner Bros Television and Jill Blankenship.

NAOMI follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about our heroes. Based on the characters from DC.

The acclaimed NAOMI comic book series debuted in 2019 with Naomi: Season One, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell. The comic follows a remarkable young woman on her unique hero’s journey.

Other shows being given pilot orders are: THE POWERPUFF GIRLS the story of three girls used to be America’s pint-sized superheroes, now they’re disillusioned twentysomethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime fighting. Will they agree to reunite now that the world needs them more than ever? Based on the original Cartoon Network animated series and characters created by Craig McCracken.  Heather Regnier and Diablo Cody will serve as writers and executive producers. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and David Madden will also executive produce and Erika Kennair will produce alongside.

Also give a pilot order is an UNTITLED URMAN/ROTHROCK/WEIR PROJECT (PILOT ORDER). A dramedy about two millennial nuns – a devout true believer, and a new arrival who has yet to take her final vows – who start as strangers and become sisters on a funny, spiritual journey to understand their own faith and place in the Catholic church. The project will have as its writers/executive producers: Claire Rothrock & Ryann Weir (“Basic Witch”) and produced by CBS Studios and Sutton St. Productions.

The network has also order THE 4400 straight to series. This series is about 4400 overlooked, undervalued, or otherwise marginalized people who vanished without a trace over the last hundred years are all returned in an instant, having not aged a day and with no memory of what happened to them. As the government races to analyze the potential threat and contain the story, the 4400 themselves must grapple with the fact that they’ve been returned with a few…upgrades, and the increasing likelihood that they were all brought back now for a specific reason. Based on the original TV series. It is written and executive produced by Ariana Jackson along with Anna Fricke, Laura Terry. It is also produced by CBS Studios.

Check Out The First Trailer For THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER

by jaywashington, posted in Comedy, Entertainment, TV

Today is SUPERBOWL LV and as expected we are going to receive a variety of highly anticipated commercials, teasers and trailers.

Well Marvel Studios gave us the first one many were excited for in the upcoming Disney Plus series THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan. 

Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of “Avengers: Endgame,” team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience. Directed by Kari Skogland with Malcolm Spellman serving as head writer, the series also stars Daniel Brühl as Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker. 

Check it out below and catch the next installment into Marvel Studios television when it debuts on March 19. 

Ethan Hawke To Be Main Villain In Marvel Studios MOON KNIGHT

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV
Ethan Hawke

In a major story just dropped by THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, it is being reported that Ethan Hawke ( TRAINING DAY, BOYHOOD, THE PURGE SERIES) has signed on to be the main antagonist for Marvel Studios MOON KNIGHT on Disney + starring Oscar Isaac.

It is not yet reported exactly who Hawke will be portraying in the series but in the comics Moon Knight’s archnemesis is considered a villain named Bushman, a fellow mercenary who turned on the hero when Egyptian gold came into the picture.

May Calamawy, who is perhaps best known for her work in Hulu’s Ramy, has also been added to the cast which is set to begin production in March in Budapest.

For those unfamiliar with the titular hero of the series, Moon Knight has had several incarnations over the decades since his debut in 1975, from being an ex-Marine-turned-mercenary with multiple alter egos to being a conduit to conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu, to most recently a dapper-dressed consultant. An aspect to the stories in the modern comics era has been tackling the mental illness of multiple personalities.

Mohamed Diab, the Egyptian helmer behind Middle Eastern drama CLASH,  and Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, indie genre filmmaking team behind sci-fi horror movies THE ENDLESS and SYNCHRONIC, are directing the show.

The Merc With A Mouth Is Coming To The MCU And Still Rated R

by jaywashington, posted in Comedy, Entertainment, Film

With the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by the house that the mouse built, along with eventual addition of the X-Men to the Marvel Cinematic Universe many were wondering about the fate of everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed sexy and scarred hero, Deadpool. Of course his two previous films were R-rated and fully embraced that rating. Well now thanks to Marvel Sudios president, Kevin Feige and an interview from COLLIDER, it has been confirmed that the rating will remain the same when Ryan Reynolds brings the character over to the MCU.

According to Feige, “It will be rated R and we are working on a script right now, and Ryan’s overseeing a script right now… It will not be [filming] this year. Ryan is a very busy, very successful actor. We’ve got a number of things we’ve already announced that we now have to make, but it’s exciting for it to have begun. Again, a very different type of character in the MCU, and Ryan is a force of nature, which is just awesome to see him bring that character to life.”

Now even though we are being told that a full DEADPOOL film won’t be happening for some time, there s nothing that says that we may not see Wade Wilson pop up sporadically in the MCU throughout its numerous TV shows and films. 

Alfred Molina Returing As Doctor Octopus For Tom Holland “SPIDER-MAN” Sequel

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, Film

The realization of a live action “Spider-Verse” film gets realer and realer by the moment. It has been announced that Alfred Molina  who portrayed the evil Doctor Octopus in Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” sequel, is reprising his role for the third installment of the Tom Holland-led superhero adventure.

SPIDER-MAN 2 directed by Sam Raimi was originally said to be one of the best SPIDER-MAN films until the arrival of SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDERVERSE (in this writers personal opinion), and Alfred Molina’s portrayal of Dr. Otto Octavius, a brilliant scientist who after a freak accident involving fusion energy causes his mechanical AI tentacles to become fused to his spine and caused him to turn to evil, played a major part in that both critical and fan success. 

This news added to that of Jamie Foxx reprising his THE AMAZING SPIDER MAN 2 role of electro has amped fans up about the “spider-verse”. The theory of the Multiverse within Tom Hollands, SPIDER-MAN world was introduced by Jake Gyllehaal’s Mysterio in SPIDER-MAN FAR FROM HOME. Sony Pictures also have set in motion plans for numerous other live action Spider-Man character based projects, such as Silk, Jackpot, Madame Webb and the upcoming VENOM LET THERE BE CARNAGE starring Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson. 

There has been no official word yet on if, Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield are signed on to join the upcoming Tom Holland sequel but we know that filming has begun and if there are any on-set sightings or official confirmations you will be able to find them all here. 

The Spider-Man sequel is set to hit theaters in 2021 from Sony Pictures in a partnership with Marvel Studios. 

NAOMI Coming to The CW From Ava Duvernay And ARRAY Filmworks

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

For the first time director, Ava Duvernay and her ARRAY Filmworks will partner up with The CW to bring NAOMI to the network.

The CW Network is developing a script for NAOMI, a new project from Ava DuVernay and Jill Blankenship produced by ARRAY Filmworks and Warner Bros TV, based on the DC character of the same name.Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes will also produce for ARRAY Filmworks.

NAOMI follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about our heroes.

For those unfamiliar with the comic, the acclaimed NAOMI comic book series debuted in 2019 with Naomi: Season One, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell. The comic follows a remarkable young woman on her unique hero’s journey.