Happy Hump Day, people! With just a few weeks left before Rogue One rocks our world, we’ve got perhaps the most intriguing news yet about the first Star Wars spinoff film in today’s Movie Morsels. Plus, the latest set video from Spider-Man: Homecoming, a shocking poster for Cars 3, a new photo of Power Rangers‘ Big Bad Rita Repulsa, and much more!
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Sorry, Star Wars fans, but according to Lucasfilm there won’t be a Rogue Two. In the latest issue of Empire, company president Kathleen Kennedy confirms that no matter how well the December 16th opener performs (and it’s already expected to earn more than $130 million when it opens), the prequel to A New Hope will not yield a follow-up film.
I’m actually ecstatic about this news. We know Darth Vader survives the film, as well as the Death Star, but damn near anything else can happen. I mean, all of its heroes could die! (This is, after all, a war movie.) Additionally, it means that the film’s creators were fully focused on making this the best damn Star Wars movie they could, without worrying about establishing mythology or saving anything for future installments. Love it or hate it, the same thing really couldn’t be said about The Force Awakens. Which is why Rogue One has at least the potential to be the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back.
[Variety]
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Oh, that Tom Holland… The once and future Peter Parker apparently likes clowning around almost as much as Spider-Man himself does, as he demonstrates in a new behind-the-scenes video from the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Director Jon Watts shares this footage of the actor performing facial capture work for his CG-enhanced performance as ol’ webhead…
Cars 3
After debuting a rather bleak teaser trailer, Cars 3 has now unveiled a poster that’s equally troubling. I’m not quite certain what Pixar is going for here. Cars is the studio’s most popular franchise with kids, generating countless tons of money in toy sales. So I’m sure John Lasseter and co. aren’t going to traumatize children across the globe by killing off Lightning McQueen. But to even hint at such a thing!
First poster for ‘Cars 3’ pic.twitter.com/OTxmq9J1g0
— Cartoon Brew (@cartoonbrew) November 29, 2016
[Twitter]
Power Rangers
Is it just me or does Elizabeth Banks’ Rita Repulsa costume look a little bit like one of David Bowie’s early ’70s concert outfits? Whether or not one feels the actress’ role in the upcoming Power Rangers reboot movie is yet another example of the unfortunate whitewashing trend we’ve seen in American movies lately, there’s no denying Banks has a striking look, as distinct in its way as the many outrageous get-ups she wore in the Hunger Games movies…
After eons locked away… I’m FREE! I have plans for your pitiful planet. Stay tuned. #RepulsaTakesOver pic.twitter.com/RhIkWEUAXa
— Power Rangers (@ThePowerRangers) November 28, 2016
[Twitter]
Hotel Artemis
Jodie Foster’s last science fiction movie Elysium (pictured above) didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but that was mostly the fault of its script rather than the usually reliable actress’ performance. So I’m happy to hear Foster is stepping back into the sci-fi ring for the “near-future crime thriller” Hotel Artemis. No word yet on what this film’s about, but it marks the directorial debut of Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation writer Drew Pearce.
[Variety]
Manchester by the Sea
Finally today, the first of this season’s big film awards has just been announced. The National Board of Review has named Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea as 2016’s Best Film of the Year. The drama, starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, also earned awards from the organization for Best Actor (for Affleck), Best Original Screenplay (for Lonergan), and Breakthrough Performance: Male for Lucas Hedges. Now I just need to summon up what strength I have to go see what many have called a thoroughly downbeat yet ultimately very satisfying tale about a man who returns to his hometown after the death of his brother in order to look after his nephew.
What do you think of today’s top stories? Let us know below!
Featured Image: Lucasfilm/Disney
Images: Lucasfilm/Disney, Columbia, Roadside Attractions
