Marvel announces release dates (but not actual films) through May 2019. Honestly, the only reason I’m noting this is that although they are claiming May 3 in 2019, there are no May dates for 2017 and 2018. Could Disney be keeping them clear for the return of Star Wars to our rightful month? I freely admit I’m grasping at straws, but for the moment we are still expecting Episode VIII in 2017 and a second standalone in 2018… Stay tuned.
What even the best blockbusters are still getting wrong about women
What even the best blockbusters are still getting wrong about women. “When I asked [Dawn of the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves] why there was so little for women to do in Dawn, he fell uncharacteristically silent. ‘It wasn’t a conscious decision. I don’t know,’ he finally admitted.” Why are we still making a big deal about this, re: Episode VII and other blockbusters? Because of answers like that.
Gee, catering to young dudes is actually harming Hollywood’s cash flow?
Gee, catering to young dudes is actually harming Hollywood’s cash flow? “Many male-skewing summer tentpoles are luring fewer females.” Imagine that.
No Disney film panel at SDCC, so don’t hold your breath for an Episode VII surprise
We already knew there would be no dedicated Episode VII panel at San Diego Comic Con, but it is something of a surprise that Disney won’t be featuring any other upcoming films – aside from Marvel, which has their own panel and is expected to drop plenty of news. But Disney has several other upcoming films, like Big Hero Six, Tomorrowland, and Pixar’s Inside Out… And it’s not like they have a D23 this year.
They’re not the only ones sitting it out either – also absent is Lionsgate, who has The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 coming out in January. Is SDCC just not worth the trouble for studios anymore, or are they simply ceding this ground to the superheroes?
What does this mean for us? Well, not much. Some folks were hoping that StarWars.com saying Episode VII wouldn’t be ‘featured’ wouldn’t rule out a few moments at a general Disney film panel. I still think it’s a bit much to expect a bombshell like the title – hell, at this point, they could save that for Celebration – but something like a second video set report, perhaps something celebrating the results of A Force For Change? Of course, we just got word that deadline has moved back, so that’s not quite as feasible as it would have been a week ago. (Now? I’d be surprised if that doesn’t happen pre-SDCC, for a final bit of publicity push… But LFL does as LFL does, and we can only guess and hope… Hope, not expect.)
In any case, when in comes to Star Wars, Disney (and presumably Lionsgate) know they don’t need a con to whip their fandoms up into a frenzy… Who needs Hall H when you have the internet? Let Marvel (and Batman and Superman and Wonder Woman) have this one.
Video: The Mockingjay teasers have begun
Since today has been refreshingly Star Wars news free thus far (which is fine, because yesterday was nuts) have this Mockingjay promo – err, address from President Snow. And friends.
And, since we’re on the subject, here’s the previous transmission:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 will be in theaters January 16.
Her Universe rolls out Transformers line
Her Universe rolls out new Transformers line. Four shirts, two dresses and a pair of leggings.
Pacific Rim is getting a sequel in 2017
Pacific Rim, the best giant robots fighting giant monsters film of 2013, is getting a sequel! Director Guillermo del Toro told Buzzfeed:
“The characters I love will return,” del Toro told BuzzFeed in an exclusive new statement. “Raleigh, Mako, Newt, Gottlieb and who knows, maybe even Hannibal Chau – but we are taking them into a fresh territory that will display amazing sights and battles. The first film set the stage and now we’re ready to have a blast.”
And, in a big sign that it’s aiming to be a full-blown franchise, there’s going to be an animated series as well. Here’s del Toro’s video announcement:
And the second new Her Universe licensee is… Transformers.
And the second new Her Universe licensee is… Transformers? Looks like we’ll get a closer look on Thursday. Does this one excite you at all? Because I feel a resounding sense of ‘meh.’
Infographic: Women directors in the studio system, from 2009-2013
Infographic: Women directors in the studio system, from 2009-2013. Twenty-two women out of 466 directors, total.
Speculation: When will we see a Episode VII trailer?
Speculation: When will we see a Episode VII trailer? /Film’s Peter Sciretta considers the rest of Disney’s slate.