This week in news: Avatar 2 moves, Wonder Woman rebrands, the Justice League assembles, Jack Bauer bows out and John McClane returns (only younger and with more hair)
The Suicide Squad deliver a Bohemian crime rhapsody
Last year, it was Mad Max: Fury Road. This time around Suicide Squad looks like it might be the recipient of the year’s most buzz-unleashing trailer. Soundtracked by Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and flaunting the criminal talents of David Ayer’s motley crew, it was a midweek show-stopper. Suddenly a movie that had the internet's interest had its full attention. Jared Leto’s Joker demands nothing less.
Die Hard: the high-school years? Len Wiseman promises a young John McClane in Year One
In recent times the Die Hard franchise has seemed to be living up to its name, ploughing on from film to film with ever-decreasing returns. Looking to arrest that trend is Len Wiseman, the man behind the camera on Die Hard 6, AKA Year One, and he’s planning to do something radical with it. According to an interview this week, the reboot will be an origin story for the NYPD’s Zippo-carrying ’tec, John McClane. It is, we learnt, set in 1979 on New Year’s Eve. Who could play the younger Bruce Willis? Joseph Gordon-Levitt may have some experience in this area.
New Justice League image and Wonder Woman logo unveiled
When Batman and Superman have finished duking it out and Wonder Woman has bailed them out of the world of pain we witnessed in the most recent Batman Vs Superman trailer, the Justice League awaits. This week delivered a family portrait of Team JL together - The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) alongside Bats (Ben Affleck), Supes (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gadot) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) - and, because superheroes need to think about their IP in this day and age, a new logo for Wonder Woman. With the exception of the still-mysterious Green Lantern, they all landed online this week.
Star Wars VIII moves. Meanwhile, somewhere on Pandora…
Either someone forgot to sign for a delivery of JuJu beans or the shift of Star Wars: Episode VIII’s release date from May to December 2017 has people spooked, but Avatar 2 has officially moved from Christmas of that year to a so-far unannounced date. No-one is likely to accuse James Cameron of running scared from anything that isn’t a 600 pound gorilla, only, well, in movie terms Star Wars is a 600 pound gorilla.
Bau-ing out: 24: Legacy heads on without Jack
If you thought 24 was done and dusted and we could safely start the clear-up, think again. The word ‘legacy’ may have worrying connotations in a franchise context (see Tron and Bourne for proof) but the people behind 24: Legacy will be hoping that a Jack Bauer-less departure from the formula will steer away from potential pitfalls. There’s a new hero in town – Eric Carter, a twentysomething African-American army hero – with a new homeland terror threat to repel over one 24-hour period and a lot of foreign terrorists to kill. Okay, so not that different. This week brought news of these developments.
Another fine movie you’ve got us into
One of the week’s most surprising stories was its most intriguing. Filth* director Jon S. Baird has recruited Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly to play comic legends Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy for a new drama called *Stan & Ollie. It’s set during their final tour of Britain’s variety halls in the ‘50s and tackles the aftershocks of their global fame, Ollie’s ill-health and the odd wobbly ladder gag. The beloved pair will be in safe hands on the big screen. “Like so many others I grew up watching Laurel & Hardy and I’m therefore honoured to help bring this incredible true story of love, laughter and friendship to the big screen,” said Baird.