Ron Howard Is The New Director of Han Solo Movie

By Creative Media Times

Ron Howard by David Shankbone


It’s been somewhat of a tumultuous week for Star Wars fans. Just a few days ago, the shocking news surfaced that Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were removed of their directing duties due to “creative differences.” But today is a fresh start. According to Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm and Disney has found a director replacement for it’s untitled Han Solo movie: Ron Howard.

“I’m beyond grateful to add my voice to the Star Wars Universe after being a fan since 5/25/77,” Howard tweeted. “I hope to honor the great work already done & help deliver on the promise of a Han Solo film.”

Lucasfilm also posted their announcement on Starwars.com:

“At Lucasfilm, we believe the highest goal of each film is to delight, carrying forward the spirit of the saga that George Lucas began forty years ago,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “With that in mind, we’re thrilled to announce that Ron Howard will step in to direct the untitled Han Solo film. We have a wonderful script, an incredible cast and crew, and the absolute commitment to make a great movie. Filming will resume the 10th of July.”

Those familiar with Howard’s part work should know he’s a good fit. Besides being an Academy Award winning filmmaker (for 2001’s A Beautiful Mind), his work on 1995’s space adventure, Apollo 13, was both a critical and commercial success. He’s also previously directed a George Lucas production and story, the 1988 fantasy film Willow.

The untitled Han Solo film is still scheduled for release in May 2018.

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Focus Features Acquires Worldwide Rights To Coming-Of-Age Drama “Boy Erased”

Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Lucas Hedges to star with director Joel Edgerton in adaptation of Garrard Conley Memoir

LOS ANGELES, June 21st, 2017 – Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Boy Erased, the coming-of-age and coming-out drama from writer/director Joel Edgerton based on Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley. Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) will star opposite Academy Award winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman. The movie will be produced by Anonymous Content and will begin production this fall for a 2018 theatrical release. Focus chairman Peter Kujawski made the announcement today.

The film will tell the story of Jared (to be portrayed by Mr. Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Ms. Kidman and Mr. Crowe) at age 19. Jared is quickly pressured into attending a gay conversion therapy program – or else be shunned by his family, friends, and church. It is within the program that Jared comes into conflict with its head therapist (Mr. Edgerton).

“I’m excited to work with an ensemble of actors, seasoned and new, to bring Garrard’s story to the screen. I think Focus is the perfect partner on this, and I will always thank Garrard for trusting my passion for his life story. I can’t think of a better reason to get behind the camera again,” said Mr. Edgerton.
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New ‘Annabelle: Creation’ Trailer And Poster


By Creative Media Times

Warner Bros. unveils new poster and trailer for supernatural horror film Annabelle: Creation. Directed by David F. Sandberg, who’s directorial debut ‘Lights Out’ was one of last year’s boxoffice surprises, ‘Creation’ is an origin story of the seemingly innocent yet possessed Annabelle doll.

The story will center on a dollmaker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto), who’s daughter Annabelle died in a tragic accident. Later the couple welcome a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and several girls from an orphanage into their farmhouse, until Annabelle began her reign of terror.

‘Creation’ is the latest chapter in the rapidly expanding cinematic universe which began with The Conjuring’s surprise success back in 2013 and continued with Annabelle a year later, and last year’s The Conjuring 2. Another installment, The Nun, which a spin-off to the character featured in The Conjuring 2, is set for release next summer.

Audiences have embraced the franchise so far: from modest budgets, they collectively grossed almost a billion dollars worldwide, making it one of the most successful horror franchise ever, a feat it achieved in a short period of time.

That successful tradition will most likely continue. ‘Annabelle: Creation’ recently screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival, two months earlier to its release, and early reviews so far have been positive.

Written by Gary Dauberman and to be distributed by Warner Bros., ‘Annabelle: Creation’ comes out on August 11, 2017.

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Phil Lord and Christopher Miller Drops Out Of “Han Solo” Movie

By Creative Media Times

Chris Miller and Phil Lord by Gage Skidmore


It looks like the Star Wars spinoff might have lost its director, this according to THR. “Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project,” said a statement from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

This announcement is surprising considering the film has already been shooting since January 2017 at Pinewood Studios in London.

The currently untitled film, which centers on Hans Solo’s character, and supposedly set before the original 1977 film ‘War Wars’, will be the second movie in the Star Wars Anthology series following last December’s “Rogue One.”

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are the directors behind the hugely successful live-action comedy film 21 Jump Street (2012) and 22 Jump Street (2014), as well as the animated films Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) and The Lego Movie (2014).

Last year, Alden Ehrenreich was cast to play the legendary character originally played by Harrison Ford. Joining him are Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo.

Despite this major development, the film is still scheduled for release in May 2018.

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“Godzilla 2” Filming Starts. Casts Announced.

By Creative Media Times

Legendary Pictures


Filming of the third film in Warner Bros. and Legendary’s MonsterVerse has officially started. To be directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus), “Godzilla 2” is a sequel to 2014’s Godzilla.

The announcement however, makes no mention of any official title. For awhile, the movie was going by “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”, a clear nod to the 1956 Japanese-American kaiju film of the same title.

Confirmed cast include Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, Charles Dance, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Aisha Hinds and Zhang Ziyi. “Godzilla 2” is set to storm into cinemas on March 22, 2019.

Also confirmed on the release are the appearance of new giant monsters. Last March, if you had stayed at the very end of Kong: Skull Island, it teased on a set of photographs that some of these new monster beasts exist and could potentially be joining the MonsterVerse series.

To non-geeks who are wondering, ‘MonsterVerse’ is a series of films that centers on Godzilla and King Kong, and will supposedly culminate in a Godzilla vs. Kong matchup movie set for summer 2020 release.

Here is the film’s official synopsis via its website:

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

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Early Reactions From “War for the Planet of the Apes” Screening

By Creative Media Times

20th Century Fox


‘War for the Planet of the Apes, screened Thursday night and early reactions on social media seem very positive. Those who have seen the film are raving about the film’s emotional tension and special effects, some calling it one of the best movie trilogies ever.

Hollywood Elsewhere is praising the film’s “world-class filmmaking” while, AICN’s Harry Knowles described the film “magical” while praising the performances of both apes and human actors.

Following the successful critical and commercial performances of both ‘Rise’ and ‘Dawn’, this looks like another winner for 20th Century Fox. The film is being closely watched by fans and the industry after Warner Bros. announced last February that the director is set to helm “The Batman”, with Ben Affleck playing the titular character.

‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ a sequel to ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ (2014) and the third and final installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise which started with ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ (2011).

We will soon find out on July 14. Directed by Matt Reeves (who also directed ‘Dawn’), “War for the Planet of the Apes” stars Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

See more early reactions after the jump and the film’s official synopsis.

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Danny Elfman To Compose ‘Justice League’ Score

By Armando

Warner Bros. Pictures


Following Zack Snyder’s departure from his directorial duties in May 2017 and Joss Whedon’s involvement to the project, Justice League is getting another radical reorg: according to a report from Hollywood Reporter, Danny Elfman is set to score this November’s Justice League.

With Elfman previously having worked with Whedon on ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’, this news reinforce just how important the relationship and chemistry of a director and composer in creating the final product.

He is certainly not new to the genre, more specifically to DC Comics, having previously scored ‘Batman’ (1989) where he won a Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, as well as it’s sequel Batman Returns (1992). Elfman is a long-time collaborator of Tim Burton. In addition to Batman, they also worked together in Beetlejuice (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Planet of the Apes (2001) among others.

Among his other high-profile work include Mission: Impossible (1995), Men in Black (1997), Spider-Man (2002), and most recently this year in Fifty Shades Darker and The Circle.

This makeover means Elfman is replacing Antonius Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL), who himself replaced Hans Zimmer. Holkenborg was co-composer for “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” along with Zimmer, who stated last year that he is done composing for superhero films.

“As my mentor Hans Zimmer told me: you haven’t made it in Hollywood as a composer until you get replaced on a project,” said Holkenborg on a recent Twitter post. “So I guess I finally graduated this week. It pains me to leave the project, but a big thanks to Zack for asking me to be part of his vision, and I wish Danny, Joss, and Warner Bros. all the best with Justice League.”

This would be an interesting and significant shift of DCEU’s score in general, the tone of which began with Man of Steel and continued with Batman V Superman. Re-shoots and additional photography of Justice League is currently underway.

Justice League is scheduled to be released on November 17, 2017.

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Danai Gurira Joins “Avengers: Infinity War”

By Creative Media Times

Danai Gurira – aiphotoimaging.com

Danai Gurira must have made a really good impression on Marvel Studios. Gurira, who plays Okoye in Black Panther, will be joining the The Avengers team in the sequel “Avengers: Infinity War”, Deadline reports.

We don’t know the extent Gurira’s Okoye part will be in Infinity War yet, but judging from what we have seen of her in “Black Panther” trailer, plus the fact that Gurira has been slaying a ton of zombies on the small screen as Michonne on AMC television horror drama series The Walking Dead, we already know Gurira’s fighting skills are going to be pretty busy.

A follow-up to 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, Infinity War is supposed to be the culmination of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Panther hits cinemas on February 16, 2018, while the nineteenth film installment in MCU is scheduled for release a few months later on May 4, 2018.

The Tony-nominated playwright of Eclipse will next be on the big screen on June 16 in the Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez On Me” where she plays Tupac’s political activist mother Afeni Shakur.

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‘Flatliners’ First Trailer Shows Ellen Page Play With The Afterlife

By Creative Media Times

Columbia Pictures

“You haven’t lived until you’ve died.” That’s that the tagline of the new movie “Flatliner”, a follow-up to Joel Schumacher’s 1990 film of the same name. Today, Sony’s dropped the new trailer which features Ellen Page and Diego Luna pushing the envelope of life and death.

Also featured in the film are Nina Dobrev, James Norton, Kiersey Clemons, and Kiefer Sutherland, the only returning cast member from the original cult psychological horror, which also starred Julia Roberts, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon. That film was nominated for Best Sound Editing at the Oscars in 1990, so this new film has big shoes to fill.

There’s a lot of elements in the trailer that shares similar plot points to the original. In this new trailer, we see Page’s character encouraging other students in a dangerous experiment of stopping their heart and crossing the afterlife for a short period of time. In the original, the ringleader was Sutherland’s character, who flatlines before his classmates resuscitate him. During their short period of “death” in both films, they experience various sequences of the afterlife which later haunted them.

“Flatliners” is directed by Danish filmmaker Niels Arden Oplev, from a screenplay by Ben Ripley and story by Peter Filardi, and is scheduled for release in the U.S. on September 29.

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2 Live Crew Film Being Developed at Lionsgate

By Creative Media Times

by Luther Campbell (Author)


Lionsgate is developing the biopic of 2 Live Crew, The Book Of Luke, reports Deadline. The script will be an adaptation of ‘Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice and Liberty City’, an autobiography of the leader of the rap group Luther Campbell.

Campbell, who was once a concert promoter in Miami, ran Luke Skywalker Records (later Luke Records after Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas sued) in the mid 80s. He later served as The 2 Live Crew’s manager and lead vocalist, while also giving the group a record label.

The book itself is about Campbell’s beginnings in Miami and his eventual fame and fortune. The book tells the story of how he “invented Southern Hip-Hop, saved the First Amendment, and became a role model for his disenfranchised Miami neighborhood.”

According to Deadline, the film will be some sort of “Straight Outta Compton meets The People Vs. Larry Flynt”. Campbell was party to a landmark copyright law case related to one of 2 Live Crew’s songs which includes a parody of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman”. U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Campbell, establishing as a result that commercial parody can qualify as fair use.

RJ Cyler, who recently played Blue Ranger Billy in Power Rangers, will play Campbell in the film.

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