Sequel Buzz

The box-office success of musicals adapted for film has fluctuated over the last decade. The film adaptation of “Les Miserables” has grossed more than $148 million domestically, and more than $293 million in foreign theaters. Does the success of “Les Miserables” indicate a triumphant return to film for musicals, or is it just a fluke? By looking at some of Broadway's most-loved musicals and their success as films, we can try to predict the future of the once successful film genre.

The Producers (2005)
The stage version of “The Producers” is buoyed by crisp dialogue and the absurd boldness of making Hitler funny. In addition, the chemistry between Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick is palpable. “The Producers” swept up an astounding 12 awards of the 15 it was nominated for in the 2001 Tony Awards, and seemed perfect to adapt to film. According to The Numbers, the film adaptation of “The Producers” from 2005 cost $45 million dollars to produce, and in a sad but ironic twist, made le…

Declan O'Brien, best known for his directorial efforts on Wrong Turn 3, 4, 5, will be trying his hand at Joy Ride 3.  He'll be directing the sequel from a screenplay in which he wrote.
"I really enjoyed the original Joy Ride and its sequel," offered O'Brien. "It brought us the iconic character of 'Rusty Nail' and his menacing Big Black Semi. The truck is very much a character itself in my film. Killer trucks have a long history in cinema, one of them being Spielberg's Duel, and I enjoyed exploring this whole horror sub-genre's mixture of blood and oil."

Querying O'Brien as to the identity of the Kim Todd-produced third entry in the franchise (reboot, sequel, etc.), O'Brien stated, "Joy Ride 3 is a continuation of the series, and it refers directly back to the first film in some interesting ways. It's not overly referential, but there are some good tidbits for 'Rusty' fans."

Known for delivering grisly cinem…

Although Universal is denying the report, it seems that Matt Damon is interested in returning to the Bourne franchise -- only if director Paul Greengrass returns.

Now should Greengrass and Damon return it would/could pose an interesting question: Is there still room for Jeremy Renner to return as well?  Perhaps a team-up?
...the studio is in simultaneous negotiations with both Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass for both to return to the Bourne franchise. We're told Damon is only interested if Greengrass is directing so there are clearly a lot of moving parts here but if all comes together we could be seeing the return of the director and star of one of the strongest American action franchises of recent years. Source: Twitch

A new poster for the new Johnny Knoxville movie (and Jackass spinoff), Bad Grandpa, has been released.  Now just by judging by the previously released trailer, this new poster seems to sum it up just fine.

Mega-hot Jaime Pressly has joined the cast of the Marlon Wayans' post-Scary Movie horror spoof sequel A Haunted House 2.  Accompanying Pressly will be Gabriel Iglesias and Ashley Richards.
Jaime Pressly, Gabriel Iglesias and Ashley Rickards have joined Marlon Wayans’ spoof sequel “A Haunted House 2,” which goes into production Monday.A Haunted House 2 hits March 2014.

Source: Variety

Yes, you heard right. I believe Ben Affleck could actually be the perfect Bruce Wayne/Batman. If you have been living under a rock for the last couple months, then you probably do not know that when "Man of Steel 2" was announced that it also brought forth the surprise that Batman would be in the film as well. Furthermore, it was just recently announced that Ben Affleck would be playing the Caped Crusader.

Upon this news, there was a tremendous backlash of mixed emotions across the internet and media platforms of all kind; Mostly negative, but I guess that goes without saying. There are actually online petitions to have the role recast. This is nuts. Literally...nuts. Most fans just seem to think that Affleck just does not have the chops to pull off such a role. But let us take this back to 1989 when Michael Keaton was first announced that he would be playing Batman in the first of the two Tim Burton Bat flicks. There were mostly negative naysayers then, too. Keat…

The Wolverine is back as Hugh Jackman reprises the lead role of Logan in Marvel Comics’ X-Men series, predicted to be one of the top movies of the summer. You had better put this film on your movie calendar for the summer and fall. I’ll tell you why!

In the beginning of The Wolverine, we see our superhero living in isolation, committing himself to a peaceful existence in order to escape his painful past. After being forced to kill someone he cared about -- Jean Grey -- in The Last Stand movie, he just has to get away and lick his wounds. Yeah, right! Like this guy can stay away from violence. And of course that’s what makes The Wolverine one of the top movies of the summer of 2013. A must see for X-Men fans!

This movie gets off the ground quickly, as Logan won’t be left alone. Trying to hide from his healing powers and darn near immortality, which he sees as a curse, he would rather just stay to himself. But his super powers will play a role once again. When Yashida urges Logan to re…

This show is all about the Best four days in gaming and our best four interviews!

Which includes academy games and their Canadian invasion and general dropping of knowledge bombs related to the war of 1812.

We join the Vox Pupuli at the Plaid Hat games booth to interview Isaac Vega. He is designer behind Bioshock Infinite:The Siege of Columbia! Which we hope means Kind of Epic Show will soon be broadcasting via airship or dimensional tear.

We also have our first ever interview with talking sheep. Actually our first interview with talking animals of any kind. Those are our new friends at Mayfair Games great Bob and Angus Show.

And last but not least we talk to one of the designers of Cards Against Humanity! In which we work very hard to develop and even filthier sequel we have dubbed depends.

(disclaimer Depends is not a real game and for the love of all thats holy never will be)

As usual Keep it Epic Ladies and Gentleman! Follow us on twitter and facebook @kindofepicshow and welcome …

It appears that Joss Whedon's first choice to play The Scarlet Witch in The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Saoirse Ronan, has passed on the role -- next up to the plate: Elizabeth Olsen (yes, the other Olsen sister).
According to my sources, Saoirse Ronan has passed on the role of Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch, in The Avengers: Age of Ultron despite being, at some point or another, Joss Whedon‘s top pick for the role.

Unfazed, however, Whedon and Marvel then moved their attentions on to Elizabeth Olsen. Source: Bleeding Cool

Seth MacFarlane responded to a tweet that asked when we were getting Ted 2, and his answer was short and sweet, typical MacFarlane fashion: 2015 Passover.

If it is to be believed, then we'd be getting Ted 2 April 3, 2015.

RT @JohnnyMctardo: @SethMacFarlane when is Ted 2? // We're aiming for a 2015 Passover release date.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) August 14, 2013

It's well known by now that Chronicle creator and screenwriter Max Landis has been dropped from the sequel, as the studio felt his version, titled Martyr, was just too drastically different from the first that it loses almost all familiarity.  In Landis' case, the story would have been told entirely from a villain's perspective.  This kind of sucks, because, well...that sounds interesting!
In retrospect, I’m not even sure if fans of the first film wouldve been ready or eager for my second installment as originally written.

Gone was the aspirational ‘what would you do,’ gone were the pranks and bromance, gone were lovely tragic Andrew and hopeful, bright Steve.

In their place was a dark, frustratingly unblinking stare into a complicated world that posed the question is it worth it to be a hero… [t]old from the point of view of a heartbroken and insane woman who would martyr herself to the cause of being the world’s first villain.

It was, in my estimation, a sequel that ela…

Latin action hero Antonio Banderas has been confirmed for The Expendables 3.  This comes after the official confirmation that Mel Gibson would also be joining the film as the main baddie.

Source: TheWrap

Were you a fan of 2011's Muppets reboot?  No?  Then you might not be interested in this, either.  Originally titled The Muppets...Again, the sequel to that 2011 film is here...Muppets Most Wanted.

The trailer for Thor: The Dark World has been released.  I wasn't huge on the first flick, so I'll most likely let this one slide.

Sam Rockwell is in talks to join Rosemarie DeWitt in the Sam Raimi-produced Poltergeist reboot, playing the father.
After stealing every scene in "The Way Way Back," Sam Rockwell is in early talks to star opposite Rosemarie DeWitt in MGM and Fox 2000's "Poltergeist" reboot, TheWrap has learned. Source: TheWrap

Director Christopher McQuarrie sent out a tweet that was simple and to the point: "Mission: Accepted."  Hence, he will be directing Mission: Impossible 5.

M:I5 is shooting for a 2015 release.
Mission: Accepted
— ChristopherMcQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) August 5, 2013

James O'Barr, creator of The Crow, recently chatted with Total Film and went in to a little detail on the now-in-production reboot.

Here, he discusses how director F. Javier Gutiérrez wants to utilize every ounce of the source material.
“It was his idea to go right back to the source material and essentially shoot it shot-for-shot, as in the book, but with a little more backstory for some of the characters,” O’Barr told us.

“He wants to be as faithful as possible, even down to all the visual metaphors of trains and horses.”

“The producers showed me some shots of [Luke Evans] in the make-up and the tragedy really shows on his face, especially his eyes. He has a really commanding screen presence.” Source: Total Film

With The Conjuring being a mega-success at the box office, it's only natural that a sequel is in the works (nothing new for director James Wan).

Although the end of the film hints at possibly exploring some Amityville territory, a scooper over at AICN is saying otherwise...
Because of the hints dropped towards the end of the film some fans have thought the next Conjuring (and we know there’s going to be one… the movie’s made over $100 million now) will center around the Amityville case, but if this report is accurate then that’s not the case at all.

The case file they’re looking at occures in the late '70s and centers on two sisters in Enfield, England, who were allegedly possessed. Warren said she personally saw them levitate and even saw one of the sister dematerialize in front of her only to be found 20 minutes later stuffed into an oversized fuse box, contorted in such an unnatural way that they couldn't have replicated it if they tried. She also said that the demon …

The newest trailer for Robert Rodriguez's Machete Kills has just been released -- and wow, this thing is looking every bit of badass (in a super-cool Grindhouse sort of way).  Check out the trailer below!

Ever wanted to see an older Bruce Wayne/Batman on screen (besides George Clooney), like the ones that have been portrayed in so many comics and graphic novels?  Well, that might be the sort of Bats that we'll be seeing in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel sequel (currently untitled, but will most likely be Batman vs. Superman or visa versa).
According to several (more than 1, less than 10 *wink*) unrelated BOF sources, the new Batman that will appear in the MAN OF STEEL sequel, will be older. Like mid-40s older. One [very] interesting name that is being thrown around is Josh Brolin -- and I absolutely love the thought.

Another thought: maybe Michael Keaton?

Source: Batman-on-Film

David Yates, who directed the final four Harry Potter films is in final negotiations to helm the Scarface remake.  And for those counting, this'll actually be the second remake of Scarface (the first film came in 1932 and was remade/retold in 1983).
I’ve learned that the studio is in final talks with British director David Yates who directed the final four films in the Harry Potter film series (#s 5, 6, 7, and 8 from 2007-2011) – and in my opinion should have won some Oscar nominations for them as the franchise grew dark and interesting under his helming. Source: Deadline

The red band trailer for Curse of Chucky has been released.  It's not much different than the trailer we got a few weeks ago, but we do get a more moving Chucky.

Here is the official press release regarding the newly-announced Batman/Superman crossover film that was announced at the SDCC...
On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time—Batman and Superman—for the first time on the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The current hit, “Man of Steel,” has taken in more than $630 million at the worldwide box office to date, and climbing. Along with its star, Henry Cavill, the upcoming film brings back Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane. The new Batman has yet to be cast. Snyder is co-writing the story with David S. Goyer, who will then pen the screenplay. Production is expected to begin in 2014, with an anticipated release date in Summer 2015.

Silverman stated,…

One of Johnny Knoxville's more memorable skits from his Jackass days has been given its one feature-length treatment.  I give you the trailer for Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa...