A familiar Star Wars actor is confirmed for Episode VIII. Daniel Craig’s future with the Bond franchise is still up in the air. The men behind Game of Thrones probably won’t return if HBO makes a spinoff. Plus, a look at a weird new Russian alien invasion movie, and new images from Guillermo Del Toro’s new animated series. Spoilers!
Star Wars Episode VIII
Warwick Davis has confirmed to News.com.au that he has a role in the film:
Do you have a part in Episode VIII?
I do, yes. That’s all I can say.
James Bond
Daniel Craig is still the “first choice” to play Bond, according to producer Callum McDougall — despite months of rumours about the actor’s uncertain future with the franchise:
I wish I knew. We love Daniel. We would love Daniel to return as Bond. Without any question he is absolutely Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli’s first choice. I know they’re hoping for him to come back.
[Deadline]
Jurassic World 2
There’ll be more animatronic dinosaurs in the sequel, according to producer Colin Trevorrow:
We’ll follow the same general rule as all of the films in the franchise which is the animatronic dinosaurs are best used when standing still or moving at the hips or the neck. They can’t run or perform complex physical actions. And anything beyond that you go to animation. The same rules applied in Jurassic Park. I think the lack of animatronics in Jurassic World had more to do with the physicality of the Indominus, the way the animal moved. It was very fast and fluid, it ran a lot, and needed to move its arms and legs and neck and tail all at once. It wasn’t a lumbering creature. And we’ve written some opportunities for animatronics into this movie, because it has to start at the script level — and I can definitely tell you that [Sequel director J.A.] Bayona has the same priorities, he is all about going practical whenever possible.
Contrary to previous rumours, however, it will not be titled Jurassic War:
As a writer of the thing, I’m not that interested in militarised dinosaurs, at least not in practice. I liked it in theory as the pipe dream of a lunatic. When that idea was first presented to me as part of an earlier script, it was something that the character that ended up being Owen was for, that he supported, something that he was actively doing even at the beginning. Derek [Connolly] and I, one of our first reactions was ‘No if anyone’s gonna militarize raptors that’s what the bad guy does, he’s insane.’
[/Film]
Thor: Ragnarok
Taika Waititi has started teasing the return of Korg in the movie, a character who had a minor role in The Dark World, but had connections to the Planet Hulk storyline in the comics. Presumably, the bulky alien creature will be an ally of the Hulk in the gladiator pits, as he was in the comic storyline.
Justice League
Filming has wrapped, according to Jason Momoa:
Jumanji
Another update from the set, courtesy of Dwayne Johnson:
Attraction
Here’s a few new trailers, and a poster, for a weird-looking Russian alien invasion movie. [First Showing]
Arrow
Executive producer Wendy Mericle has more teases for the return of Laurel Lance to the show, hinting that the character’s return will be surprisingly permanent for someone who died last season — indicating that The Flash‘s reality-altering “Flashpoint” event plays a role in her return from the grave:
We’re so excited about getting to work with her again and her willingness to come back. It’s one of the fun parts of the show. People can leave and get killed and you can still find new and crazy ways for them to come back. I can definitely tell you that there’s a way we’re going to bring her back and she’s going to be alive and well. And Flashpoint might have a little bit to do with that.
[TV Guide]
Game of Thrones
HBO programming president Casey Bloys discussed the further possibility of what the network would do with a Thrones spinoff series:
There are so many properties and areas to go to… For us, it’s about finding the right take with the right writer.
Meanwhile, if there is a spinoff after the main series ends, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are unlikely to return, according to Benioff:
You might want to ask George [R.R. Martin] about that. It’s a great world George created and a very rich world… I’m sure there will be other series set in Westeros, but for us this is it.
[THR]
Trollhunters
EW has new pictures from Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming animated Netflix series, which follows a teenager (voiced by Anton Yelchin, in one of his final roles) tasked with defending a race of goodhearted trolls after discovering a magical amulet.
Supergirl
A synopsis for the second episode of season two, “Last Child of Krypton”, has been released.
CADMUS attacks National City with a kryptonite powered villain who ends up seriously hurting Supergirl (Melissa Benoist). Superman (guest star Tyler Hoechlin) blames Hank (David Harewood) because the kryptonite was stolen from the DEO. Meanwhile, Kara’s first day at her new job doesn’t go as planned after she meets her new boss, Snapper Carr (guest star Ian Gomez).
Ash vs Evil Dead
Finally, here’s a new synopsis for season two’s third episode, “Last Call”.
Local teens raise hell when they steal the Delta from Brock’s house. Ash and his best buddy Chet devise a plan to throw a party at the bar, lure the thieves in, and get the Delta and the Necronomicon back.
Additional reporting by Gordon Jackson. Banner art by Jim Cooke.