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Jennifer Garner Says Ben Affleck Batman Costume “Unbelievably Cool”

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Sure, Jennifer Garner was walking the red carpet at the recent SAG Awards to promote her nominated film Dallas Buyers Club. But, what we all want to know was asked by Entertainment Tonight when their reporter inquired as to whether Garner had seen her husband Ben Affleck in the Batman costume as he readies to play the character in Batman vs. Superman.

Ben Affleck Batman T-Shirt

"I've seen the suit,” Garner gushed. “It's unbelievably cool. It's a total reinvention. It looks great."

And don’t get any ideas as to whether Garner will be fulfilling any superhero fantasies with her man coming home and uttering a deep-voice “I am Batman” as he shows up in the costume.

“I don’t think I can get him out of the suit,” Garner said and laughed. It certainly must take an entire team to get Affleck into that iconic superhero costume. One can only imagine what it would take to get it off!

On a side note, for those of you excited for the Man of Steel sequel, the Batman vs. Superman release date has been changed from summer 2015 to summer 2016.


Shailene Woodley Won't Be Mary Jane: Who Should Play Spider-Man Love?

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When we met The Amazing Spider-Man 2 producer Matt Tolmach, he told us exclusively why Shailene Woodley was cut as Mary Jane in the film. But, we held out hope that the starlet would return in The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and perhaps beyond as the woman who famously captures Peter Parker’s heart. Given Woodley’s busy schedule, that is looking less than likely.

Shailene Woodley is Tris in Divergent

"I don't know anything, but seeing as how they picked up the next two Divergent films, I don't know how I would keep my sanity with two big action films in one year. But anything can happen," Woodley told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival.

Divergent hits theaters in March and the YA page-to-screen effort is expected to do bofo business, thus why the subsequent two Divergent sequels have been green lit. One would think that those two movies would be filmed back-to-back, giving Woodley little time to do anything else -- especially given the fact that that is the period that we would expect The Amazing Spider-Man 3 to be filming.

So, who will be Mary Jane? Here are five choices we think could work. Have others? Let us know in the comment section below.

 

Entourage Movie Starts Shooting: First Photos & Video!

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It has been a long time coming, but fans of Entourage, the wait is over. The boys are back and filming on the Entourage movie has started! Several in the cast, including stars Adrian Grenier, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Dillon, have posted pics to their Instagram accounts, and although they don't tell us much about what the film is about... it sure is great to see the gang back together. 

Entourage Cast on Set

We do know one thing, Kate Upton has been cast as Vince's (Grenier) love interest and the film will take place "months" after the show ended. 

Cast of Entourage Movie

Our final photo is a nice photo bomb of a pic of Ferrara and Dillon, reunited! That finger in the background, why that's Kevin Connolly!

Jerry Ferrara Kevin Dillon Entourage Set

We'll keep you posted as Entourage keeps filming. No release date has been set yet. But, until then... we have an added bonus, a video made by Grenier of the cast on the first day on set!

The Spectacular Now DVD Review: Teen Movie Done Right

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It is a fantastic week for some of the best films of 2013 to land on DVD and Blu-Ray. After this week’s release of Enough Said and Fruitvale Station, today we have our look at The Spectacular Now DVD and Blu-Ray. Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller star in what has to be one of the best teen-centric films in some time. If you missed this instant classic when it landed in theaters, this is one film that has to be categorized as a “must see.”

The Spectcular Now DVD

As teased in The Spectacular Now trailer, Woodley is a teen who is firmly focused on the future and living with the always present thoughts that involve the question, "Where will I go to college?" Teller portrays a schoolmate of hers who seems more concerned with where the fun’s at, getting over a shocking break-up with his girlfriend and his realization that the future is coming whether he wants it to or not.

The Spectacular Now is a marvel of storytelling in how it treats its characters as full blown souls, and not shells of overused teen stereotypes. Both Woodley and Teller embody well-rounded kids who almost everyone can find something in each to relate to. Their chemistry is electric, deeply based in emotionally truth and a full blown announcement that these two are talents. They are so good together -- we can’t wait to see them re-team in Divergent!

Our theatrical The Spectacular Now review also noted that director James Ponsoldt has helmed an evenly paced drama that still brims with heart and moments of humor. He has an incredible script by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber to work with, that largely has to do with the film’s power.

The Spectacular Now DVD and Blu-Ray bonus features are just enough to add to the experience without being an overbearing tribute to a film that can speak for itself.

Given that the film is such a treat in terms of the talent of its director, the audio commentary track by Ponsoldt is fantastic and gives priceless insight into the choices the helmer made while making his heartfelt film. Upon watching the deleted scenes, one can see why they were cut. They don’t necessarily further enhance the drama, characterizations or add layers to the plot. But, after viewing the film as a whole, it is a fun experience to simply have more moments with this talented cast inhabiting roles that most actors would treasure to have the chance to portray.

The Spectacular Now Shailene Woodley Miles Teller

The four-part featurette on the making of the film, Now to Then: Making The Spectacular Now, begins with Inception – Defying Hollywood. For those of us that follow Tinsel Town, after witnessing The Spectacular Now, we’re reminded that it’s pretty rare that a film like this gets made. This first bonus feature explores how that is beyond true, and frankly how the film even got made.

Cast -- Finding the Voice, spotlights how whether this film works or not relies heavily on casting and how Teller and Woodley were integral into making this magical movie feel like magic. Aesthetic -- Authenticity Counts reinforces our feeling that this film is one of the rare teen-centric films that is powerful and deep lay in how filmmakers made it so, well, real. Lastly, the bonus feature Real -- Bringing It All to Life, hammers that point home.

Avengers Age of Ultron: Mark Ruffalo Promises Much for Bruce Banner

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After successfully making The Hulk an audience favorite after several failed previous tries for Marvel Studios, Mark Ruffalo became a fan favorite in The Avengers. The man who is both the green monster you don’t want to make mad and the scientist Bruce Banner, promises audiences will appreciate that his character has even more to do in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Mark Ruffalo Stars as The Hulk in The Avengers

Ruffalo admitted to MTV News that he “gets to do such great stuff” in the follow-up that will have a villain in James Spader as Ultron that already has fans abuzz. The star also reflected comments that Scarlett Johansson made earlier about the Joss Whedon script and this too should be music to Avengers fans' collective ears.

“I would say it’s better,” Ruffalo said of the Avengers: Age of Ultron script. “It’s cooler. It’s more awesomer. It’s a little bit darker, but also really has Joss Whedon’s incredible witty and sly sense of humor.”

Ruffalo also admitted that he could see a The Hulk stand-alone movie in the future, although there are currently no plans for it.

But, you can see Ruffalo as Banner/The Hulk when Avengers: Age of Ultron lands in theaters May 1, 2015. 

Fifty Shades of Grey Movie Without Sex?

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Although Fifty Shades of Grey is just about done filming those kinky sex scenes between leads Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, it appears that audiences might never get to see much of them. Reports are surfacing from the Canadian set that the studio wants desperately to get a younger audience into the theaters, thus likely sending up its box office profits. As it stands right now, there is no way the film mirrors the book and does not get the dreaded NC-17.

Dakota Johnson Jamie Dornan Photo

Even if it was cut back to an “R” rating, that would severely restrict the audience that could see the film based on the book series by E.L. James.

This could easily be a case of the film arriving in theaters for a mass audience with a PG-13 rating that pushes the boundaries, while many of the sex scenes are alluded to or discussed in dialogue rather than shown with visuals. Then, a “director’s cut” of the film could arrive on DVD and Blu-Ray to satisfy the legions of fans who want to see the story played out visually as James envisioned it on her pages.

At the end of the day, movie studios are in the business of making money. So, this move is hardly a surprise to us at Movie Fanatic.

Sometimes things can be even more sexy if they are simply alluded to, instead of thrown in your face. But, then again, that is not what Fifty Shades of Grey has been about. On paper, it had the potential to be the most sexually graphic film made in decades. But if you think about it, Hollywood doesn’t make those movies anymore. So, one could see that this story has some merits.

Stay tuned…

Would you see a toned down Fifty Shades of Grey

 

Star Wars Episode VII: Latest Rumor Has Judi Dench as Mon Mothma

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First of all, when it comes to Star Wars: Episode VII casting rumors, everything at this point has to be taken with a grain of salt. Now that J.J. Abrams’ script is done, we can start focusing on casting and we’re pretty sure we’ll hear more “officially” about that soon. But a new rumor emerged today that is intriguing to say the least. It has Judi Dench in talks to play the former rebel leader Mon Mothma.

Judi Dench as M

The Oscar winner, and current Oscar nominee for her work in Philomena, has shown a flair for performing in big sci-fi films, just look at her turn in The Chronicles of Riddick. She also is no stranger to blockbuster franchises with her work as M in the last several James Bond movies.  

But, where this rumor does not make a lot of sense is the fact that the original actress who played Mon Mothma, Caroline Blakiston, is not only still alive… but is a working actress in British television.

And given the fact that the Star Wars: Episode VII story appears, with the re-write of the script by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, to focus on Han, Luke and Leia before moving on to their children in subsequent episodes -- if you were going to use Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, why would you replace Blakiston if she is only a year older than Dench?

Sure, Dench has the name recognition, but this new trilogy is supposedly about getting Star Wars back to its core and nothing would go against that grain like replacing the actress who first played Mon Mothma in the first three Star Wars films.  

300 Rise of an Empire Banner: Xerxes Oversees His Masses

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Hot on the heels of yesterday’s 300: Rise of an Empire trailer, Warner Bros. has released a sensational new banner. The poster features Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes, overlooking his massive army who is ready to do battle and ensure that “Athens burns.”

300: Rise of An Empire Banner

The film picks up moments after 300 ended, with “the 300” killed in the defense of their beloved Athens. Lena Headey is compelled to seek revenge by her inner circle, and thus begins our war story. What’s interesting is that this film’s battle scenes will largely take place at sea, allowing director Noam Murro a whole new canvas on which to craft fight sequences that feel out of this world, much as 300 director Zack Snyder did with the original.

Look for 300: Rise of an Empire in theaters March 7. 


Captain Phillips DVD Review: Oscar Nominee Comes Home

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Tom Hanks is Captain Phillips in the harrowing true story that is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray. The film has earned six Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture and one for Supporting Actor for Barkhad Abdi. And now with its release on home video, it is a chance for those who have seen it to revisit the marvel that is director Paul Greengrass’ (The Bourne Ultimatum) brilliant work, but also for those who missed it… an opportunity to finally see one of the great films of the year.

Captain Phillips DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack

The 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates is the landscape for this thriller. But, that is merely the tip of the iceberg, as we report in our theatrical Captain Phillips review. It is also a story of perseverance, economic desperation and heroism.

The Captain Phillips trailer may tease the rescue of Phillips by Navy SEALs and the tense several days that were essentially a high-noon-type standoff between the pirates and U.S. forces. But Greengrass’ film delves deeper and allows us to see the roots of why the pirates had to do what they did, while also giving the viewer the background on Phillips and his crew to feel emotionally connected to them and to feel their pain, their triumphs and their utter fear.

There is so much more to the Captain Phillips story than was revealed in headlines, and as the film is based on the real captain’s book, A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, Greengrass and his filmmaking team are given unparalleled insight into the deeply personal horror that Phillips experienced, plus the fortitude that got him to coax the pirates into the rescue vessel and float off to sea, away from his crew and his ship.

Captain Phillips Stars Tom Hanks

This is Hanks’ film, through and through, although he is matched note for note by Abdi, who announces his talent like an explosion. The way that Hanks and Abdi duel, through a gun, and then words, is masterfully told through the helming of Greengrass. And it is for that reason that we cannot recommend enough checking out the Captain Phillips DVD and Blu-Ray with the director’s commentary at some point. If you are like Movie Fanatic and have been a long-time fan of the helmer, it is a true gift to hear his words over the action and drama to see how he put it together.

The other bonus feature is the Capturing Captain Phillips documentary, which is told in three parts. It is an in-depth and behind-the-scenes series of featurettes on the making of the film. This was a tough shoot as Greengrass shot much of it on the same rough ocean waters where the hijacking took place. Watching how Hollywood managed to recreate the terror on the high seas, sometimes at the expense of the cast and crew’s stomachs (!), is truly fascinating. For fans of politics, international intrigue, and good old-fashioned Tinseltown magic, it is a rare treat. 

Dumb and Dumber To First Still: Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels Are Horny!

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The Farrelly brothers have taken to their official Twitter feed and given the world what we’ve been waiting for, the first official photo from Dumb and Dumber To. And if it isn’t quintessential Lloyd and Harry, looking like hilarious idiots riding a metallic reindeer in a moment of ignorant and personal bliss. Something tells us those horns may impale one or both of them before this scene is over.

Dumb and Dumber To Jim Carrey Jeff Daniels

We’ve seen those Dumb and Dumber To set photos, released by the Farrelly brothers and Jim Carrey through their social media outlets, but this is the first true official still from the movie. Could a trailer for the sequel to Dumb and Dumber not be too far behind? Let’s hope so! And it better include Pretty Bird Billy!

Ride Along Star Ice Cube: Billion Dollar Box Office Star

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In the category of “how did this happen,” with Ride Along breaking January box office records that has it inching towards $50 million after the long MLK holiday weekend, its star has joined an elite club. Ice Cube has appeared in movies that have had a total gross of over $1 billion. Yeah, billion with a “b.”

Ride Along Ice Cube

Cube has gone from founding member of N.W.A. (what’s up with that N.W.A. movie?) to one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He has appeared in 20 films whose global box office receipts have totaled just over one billion dollars. Leading the way is 21 Jump Street in first place with $339 million, Anaconda takes second with just over $200 million in global ticket sales and Three Kings is third with $168 million.

With Ride Along looking like it will easily head north of $100 million before it’s done, that will make nine films that feature Cube that have crossed that coveted box office mark. And with 22 Jump Street hitting theaters this year and Cube truly only getting going on his Hollywood career, we would not be surprised if he hits the even rarer club of $2 billion in box office sales. 

Dark Tower: Aaron Paul as Eddie Dean?

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Although it may seem that a The Dark Tower movie might never happen, according to a recent interview with Aaron Paul… don’t believe the (lack of) hype. Ron Howard still owns the rights to the Stephen King legendary story that tells the tale of Eddie Dean and his epic adventures. The former Breaking Bad star reported that he has in fact, “had a ton of meetings on that.” Wait, what?!

Need for Speed Aaron Paul

Paul (soon to be seen in Need for Speed) has met with Howard about the possibility of taking on the role of Dean, and from the sounds of it, the word epic used before to describe Dean’s journey may be exactly right. 

“I just had a general sit down with Ron Howard, who is a huge fan of the show (Breaking Bad),” Paul said to Ain't it Cool News. “Which is such a crazy thing to even think that Ron Howard even knows who I am.”

According to Paul, “They’re definitely planning on making it.” To which, millions of The Dark Tower fans exhaled.

In terms of details of the Howard-led project, it sounds massive. “I’m excited. Their goal is to do three films, but also have a television element to it, which will be very interesting,” Paul said. “From what I hear, Eddie Dean is a pretty epic, iconic character.” 

Fast and Furious 7 Teaser Poster: This Is Where Roads Part

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Vin Diesel took to his Twitter account and posted our first look at the teaser poster for Fast and Furious 7. It appears that they have tweaked the script to reflect the decision to have Paul Walker’s character retire in light of his tragic death in November.

Fast Fast and Furious 7 Teaser Poster

“This is where roads part” is what the tag line says, and it seems to reflect how the story will have the two characters, played by Walker and Diesel, go their separate ways.

Fast and Furious 7 will also star Ronda Rousey, Tony Jaa, Kurt Russell, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Djimon Hounsou, Lucas Black and Nathalie Emmanuel. Look for it April 10, 2015. 

Blue Jasmine DVD Review: Cate Blanchett Blows Us Away

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Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine has made headlines as it is the Cate Blanchett show. The actress has been cleaning up this award season with her victories for Best Actress at the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes. Plus, she is considered a lock to win Best Actress at the Oscars. Joining her in securing an acting nomination for Blue Jasmine is her co-star Sally Hawkins. The two play sisters who could not be more different, and now millions more can discover the powerful and amazing film as it arrives on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Blue Jasmine DVD

Blanchett may be the star and may be in a majority of the scenes, but as is the case with most Allen movies, it is truly an ensemble. The film also stars Alec Baldwin, Louis C.K., Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Dice Clay and Peter Sarsgaard.

As teased in the Blue Jasmine trailer, Blanchett is a less than stable woman who is coming off a bad marriage (to Baldwin), and moves in with her sister. When her pompous ways prove too much, she and her sibling have one epic fight after another, that produces Blanchett running off with a man she just met (Sarsgaard). And by the end of things, her fragile psyche could have her wandering the streets of San Francisco aimlessly.

It is a performance by Blanchett that is a tour de force. She is astounding and is matched by every person in the ensemble.

Allen has always been a master of crafting roles for actresses that are among the best of each year, and Blue Jasmine is no different. Not only does Blanchett shine, but Hawkins has a role for the ages as well.

There isn’t much in terms of bonus features for the Blue Jasmine DVD and Blu-Ray, but this is a film that should be owned for the movie itself. In fact, Movie Fanatic plans on seeing it several more times before it settles into its place in our library!

Blue Jasmine Cate Blanchett Bobby Cannavale

The Notes From the Red Carpet bonus featurette is a series of interviews with the cast during the premiere, talking specifically about their characters and what each saw as their defining characteristics. The second bonus feature is much like the first, in that it is a press conference interview with Blanchett, Sarsgaard and Clay that further explores why they signed on to the project, their adoration for Allen and what they saw as the magic moments of Blue Jasmine.

For us, the entire Blue Jasmine DVD and Blu-Ray experience is up there with some of Allen’s best works… from Manhattan and Annie Hall to Hannah and Her Sisters and Midnight in Paris

Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight on Hold After Script Leaks

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We recently reported that Quentin Tarantino was looking at Christoph Waltz and Bruce Dern for lead roles in his next Western, The Hateful Eight. Sadly, that project will not come to fruition due to some shady moves by someone who has seen the script. It was leaked and now Tarantino has responded by saying he won’t make the movie and will be moving on to something else -- although, the script may be available in some other way.

Quentin Tarantino Oscar

"I'm not making this next. I'm going to publish it, and that's it for now,” Tarantino said. “I give it out to six people and if I can't trust them to that degree, then I have no desire to make it. I'll publish it. I'm done. I'll move on to the next thing. I've got ten more where that came from."

So, given the man is prolific, as he said in the above quote, he doesn’t seem too worried about what to do next. In fact, he has a mystery on his mind that looks like it will be the next Tarantino movie to replace The Hateful Eight. "The idea was, I was going to write two scripts. I wasn't going to shoot the Western until next winter and I have been full of piss and vinegar about the other one,” he said. “So now I'll do that one.”

We’re disappointed and hope that Tarantino makes another Western at some point. But, at the end of the day, Movie Fanatic just wants him to make another movie already! It's been too long since Django Unchained entertained us!


RoboCop IMAX Poster: Classified!

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Some talk in Hollywood lately about the lack of creativity in movie posters may have contributed to the originality that is the RoboCop IMAX poster. The one-sheet was just released to celebrate the reboot’s arrival on IMAX screens when the film is released February 12. It is eye-catching for sure, and reminds us of why we enjoyed movie posters in the first place.

RoboCop IMAX Poster

As teased in the RoboCop trailer, Joel Kinnaman is an average Detroit police officer who is almost killed by a car bomb. Inches from death, he is placed in a robotic suit and becomes… RoboCop! The city streets won’t know what hit them until justice is served!

But… as seen in the above RoboCop IMAX poster, there are several “Directives” for RoboCop. And given that that fourth one is “classified,” something appears to be afoot.

RoboCop also stars Abbie Cornish, Michael Keaton, Jackie Earle Haley and Samuel L. Jackson. 

Fantastic Four Script Done: Miles Teller, Kate Mara & Kit Harrington to Screen Test

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It has been a long time coming! That Fantastic Four script is done and now it’s time to cast this sucker! Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan have long been rumored to be attached to the superhero reboot over at Fox. And given what Teller told reporters at Sundance this week, the rumors are true. “Yeah, that should be happening in the next few weeks,” he said.

The Fantastic Four Comic

After producers must have gone nuts on him, he dialed it back and his rep said he was merely referring to screen tests in the upcoming weeks!

So, who else will be testing for Chronicle director Josh Trank’s next feature? Why, we know it will be Kate Mara, Kit Harrington (soon to be seen in Pompeii) and someone long rumored to be attached to this as well, Saoirse Ronan (who is also rumored to be a part of Star Wars: Episode VII).

The rumors have Teller reading for Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, Jordan auditioning for Johnny Storm -- Human Torch -- and Mara and Ronan will try to do their best to get the part of Sue Storm (Invisible Girl). No word on who could be auditioning for The Thing... might we suggest Jason Momoa? 

Fantastic Four is due June 19, 2015 and is Fox’s contribution to what is looking like the best summer ever

Muppets Most Wanted Poster: Tale of Two Kermits

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The crux of the latest Muppets movie, teased in the Muppets Most Wanted trailer, is that there is a Kermit doppelganger out there that is robbing Europe blind. At the same time, Kermit himself is on a European tour with The Muppets, and in a case of mistaken identities, our favorite green frog is taken into custody and arrested for the crimes of his look-alike. The latest Muppets Most Wanted poster has debuted online and reflects that storyline impeccably.

Muppets Most Wanted Poster

The Muppets sequel also has its entire cast fully represented including our favorite Muppets characters, as well as their human stars that are fully equipped to bring the funny: Tina Fey, Ty Burrell and Ricky Gervais.

Look for Muppets Most Wanted in theaters March 21.

Mockingjay Part 1 Teaser Poster: Bird on Fire

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The teaser poster for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 has arrived and it looks like that Mockingjay is ready to fly… or at least burn trying! The first chapter of the final two movies that conclude The Hunger Games hits theaters November 21, and anticipation could not be higher for seeing how filmmakers will close out Suzanne Collins’ blockbuster book series.

Mockingjay Teaser Poster

Recent Oscar nominee (for American Hustle) Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss, and at the end of (spoiler!) Catching Fire, she was on her way to meet fellow rebels. Now, if you’ve read the book, things don’t go quite as she thinks they will. That largely has to do with the character that Julianne Moore was recently cast to play!

As the war to determine the future of Panem becomes more and more real, Katniss must decide what role she can play… and more importantly, who she can trust. 

Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot Signed For Three Movies

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Gal Gadot has admitted that when she signed on to be Wonder Woman in Batman vs. Superman, that the contract was for three films. Does that mean a Batman vs. Superman, a Justice League movie and a solo Wonder Woman movie? That’s one way to look at it.

Wonder Woman Photo

But, as is so often the case when stars are signed on to big movie franchises, especially comic book based, it is almost always a given that they sign on to more than one at a time. So, don’t hold your breath, Wonder Woman fans, that this finally means a solo movie for the character. Let’s just take it one movie at a time.

And with the news that the Batman vs. Superman release date has been moved from 2015 to 2016 to get all the pieces together, one could argue that Warner Bros. and DC Comics are making sure they get it right as characters such as Ben Affleck’s Batman and Gadot’s Wonder Woman fit in well as they do lead up to a Justice League movie.

Stay tuned to Movie Fanatic as this story unfolds. Even though Batman vs. Superman isn’t due until 2016, it sure seems to be in the news a lot. So, we’re sure this is merely the beginning of a long set of chapters in the saga of bringing this movie, and DC Comics characters, to life. 

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