Fantastic Beasts Producer Defends Decision to Extend From 3 to 5 Movies
Fantastic Beasts producer David Heyman recently discussed the decision to extend the series to five movies from an initially planned trilogy.
In an interview with Collider, Heyman responded to a question about the extension, saying "It wasn’t a difficult conversation to have at the studio... it didn’t go from anybody speaking to Jo
and saying, 'You know what? Let’s milk this.' Both in fairness to the studio, but also to Jo. While it may look like it to some people, there is nothing cynical about this. This is all from her head."
"So she begins with three films, because she thinks that’s the story she wants to tell, and then as she digs deeper… and she hadn’t written anything when she said three. Then she wrote the first, and as she was writing the second, actually just before then, but as she says we working on the first, she began to realize there was a whole lot more, and she was trying to figure out, 'how the hell am I going to squeeze this into three?’"
Shantae Studio to Help Finish Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night developer ArtPlay has brought Shantae: Half-Genie Hero developer WayForward Technologies on board to help with development.
Announced through Bloodstained’s Kickstarter page, producer Koji Igarashi called WayForward a "top-tier" developer of side-scrolling action games, adding that he worked with one of WayForward's employees on a previous project. Igarashi said WayForward would help him to realize his vision for the game.
The producer added that WayForward has been "helping to improve the game and fix any bugs that pop up." There's one bug in particular that's currently making Bloodstained crash, but Igarashi said it'll be fixed with the new partner studio's help.
Avengers: Infinity War Director Confirms Loki Is Really Dead
During a screening of Avengers: Infinity War on Wednesday night, the directors of the film – the Russo brothers – confirmed that Loki did in fact die in Infinity War.
Peter Sciretta from Slash Film tweeted updates from a live Q&A after the screening.
"The Russo’s were asked about a fan theory that Bruce Banner is really Loki in disguise. They answered. That 'Loki is dead,'" Sciretta tweeted.
US Army Plans to Use Microsoft’s HoloLens for Combat Missions, Training
Microsoft has won a "$480 million contract to supply prototypes for augmented reality systems to the Army for use on combat missions and in training."
As reported by Bloomberg, this contract could lead to the US Army purchasing over 100,000 HoloLens headsets, intending to "increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide and engage before the enemy."
While the U.S. Army and Israeli military have been running training programs with Microsoft HoloLens, these next steps would prepare them in use for live combat.
While the Army will be using HoloLens devices, they will obviously be different than the consumer-grade products as they will look to "incorporate night vision and thermal sensing, measure vital signs like breathing and “readiness,” monitor for concussions and offer hearing protection."
BioWare Teases Dragon Age Announcement
BioWare General Manager Casey Hudson teased a Dragon Age announcement in a recent post on BioWare's official blog.
"If you’ve been following these blogs, or myself and Mark Darrah on Twitter, you know we’re also working on some secret Dragon Age stuff,” said Hudson. "Dragon Age is an incredibly important franchise in our studio, and we’re excited to continue its legacy. Look for more on this in the coming month (though I won’t tell you where to look…)."
While "Dragon Age stuff" doesn't necessarily mean BioWare is gearing up to announce the next entry in the role-playing franchise, the timing of this news is interesting. It’s possible this announcement could come during The Game Awards, which airs on December 6.
Hugh Jackman’s Big Surprise Wasn’t More Wolverine, But a One-Man Show
Hugh Jackman had a big surprise to reveal this morning, and while he didn't announce that he was returning as Wolverine, he did confirm that he will be reviving his one-man show for a multi-city tour around the world.
During The Today Show, Hugh Jackman announced his show, "The Man. The Music. The Show.", and that it would begin in 2019 and include songs from The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables, The Boy From Oz, and more.
Avengers 4 Director Says Chris Evans ‘Isn’t Done’ Playing Captain America
Though Chris Evans has suggested he’ll be hanging up Captain America’s shield following the next Avengers movie, one of its directors says otherwise.
In an interview with USA Today, Avengers 4 co-director Joe Russo referenced a tweet Evans sent out where he said goodbye to Captain America. Russo said, "I think it was more emotional for him than it was us only because he’s not done yet. And I won’t explain what that means, but the audience will soon understand what I’m talking about.”
Avengers 4 Director Says Chris Evans ‘Isn’t Done’ Playing Captain America
Though Chris Evans has suggested he’ll be hanging up Captain America’s shield following the next Avengers movie, one of its directors says otherwise.
In an interview with USA Today, Avengers 4 co-director Joe Russo referenced a tweet Evans sent out where he said goodbye to Captain America. Russo said, "I think it was more emotional for him than it was us only because he’s not done yet. And I won’t explain what that means, but the audience will soon understand what I’m talking about.”
Aquaman Opening Weekend Box Office Tracking Revealed
Aquaman is tracking for domestic opening weekend sales of at least $65 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The report cites Warner Bros. insiders for this high number, but if Aquaman crosses the $65 million mark during its opening weekend, the film could continue past $85 million by Christmas Day, with one major tracking service predicting it could near $100 million.
With Jason Momoa in the title role, Aquaman will debut the weekend of Dec. 21-23 and will go up against Mary Poppins Returns and Bumblebee. Of these three, Aquaman is expected to earn the most during this period.
Aquaman Opening Weekend Box Office Tracking Revealed
Aquaman is tracking for domestic opening weekend sales of at least $65 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The report cites Warner Bros. insiders for this high number, but if Aquaman crosses the $65 million mark during its opening weekend, the film could continue past $85 million by Christmas Day, with one major tracking service predicting it could near $100 million.
With Jason Momoa in the title role, Aquaman will debut the weekend of Dec. 21-23 and will go up against Mary Poppins Returns and Bumblebee. Of these three, Aquaman is expected to earn the most during this period.