News

Could Jason Blum Save Universal’s Dark Universe?

Published

7 years ago

November 8, 2017

The Dark Universe revival may be dead on arrival as the two main players who wanted to resurrect the classic movie monsters have departed from the project.

Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan have separated themselves from the franchise, leaving the fate of icons such as Frankenstein, The Wolfman and Jekyll and Hyde up in the air.

This move may be because of the dismal reception of the Tom Cruise disaster that was The Mummy this year. Unable to choose between an action film, horror film or lightweight comedy, the movie was bombed by critics leaving craters at the box office.

Kurtzman is turning his attention toward television, while Morgan would rather make more Fast and Furious movies; that says a lot.

But Universal is not giving up yet. There have been talks that Jason Blum has been offered the franchise. Speculation also surrounds how exactly the stories would continue. They might throw out the idea of an interconnected universe, and just make each film stand on its own.

“We’ve learned many lessons throughout the creative process on Dark Universe so far, and we are viewing these titles as filmmaker-driven vehicles, each with their own distinct vision,” says Universal president of production Peter Cramer. “We are not rushing to meet a release date and will move forward with these films when we feel they are the best versions of themselves.”

Of course, we would love to see these classic monsters come back to the big screen, but not if they are over-produced, dazzling action sequenced CGI monstrosities.

We want our Universal monsters to be realistic, scary, yes, but that realism in the originals was captured by the actors who gave life to their characters, not by fisticuffs and car chases, but with human emotions.

Although we would love to see Frankenstein on a motorcycle speeding through the streets of London, that is a different movie- I don’t want to see these classics Bruckheimered.

Universal would be wise to re-capture the gothic nature of the originals with huge sets, haunting cinematography and psychological horror, rather than grease up the stories with a slick disaster film narrative.

Jason Blum has a good eye for talent. If he’s offered the job he may be able to find someone who can do it right this time.

But I have a question: what’s Guillermo del Toro doing for the next 10 years?

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News

Travis Kelce Joins Cast on Ryan Murphy’s ‘Grotesquerie’

Published

15 mins ago

May 8, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Football star Travis Kelce is going Hollywood. At least that is what Dahmer Emmy award-winning star Niecy Nash-Betts announced on her Instagram page yesterday. She posted a video of herself on set of the new Ryan Murphy FX series Grotesquerie.

“This is what happens when WINNERS link up‼️ @killatrav Welcome to Grostequerie[sic]!” she wrote.

Standing just out of frame is Kelce who suddenly steps in to say, “Jumping into new territory with Niecy!” Nash-Betts appears to be in a hospital gown while Kelce is dressed as an orderly.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Niecy Nash (@niecynash1)

Not much is known about Grotesquerie, other than in literary terms it means a work filled with both science fiction and extreme horror elements. Think H.P. Lovecraft.

Back in February Murphy released an audio teaser for Grotesquerie on social media. In it, Nash-Betts says in part, “I don’t know when it started, I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s different now. There’s been a shift, like something’s opening up in the world — a kind of hole that descends into a nothingness…”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ryan Murphy Productions (@ryanmurphyproductions)

There hasn’t been an official synopsis released regarding Grotesquerie, but keep checking back to iHorror for further details.

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Movies

’47 Meters Down’ Getting Third Movie Called ‘The Wreck’

Published

19 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Deadline is reporting that a new 47 Meters Down installment is heading into production, making the shark series a trilogy.

“Series creator Johannes Roberts, and screenwriter Ernest Riera, who wrote the first two films, have co-written the third installment: 47 Meters Down: The Wreck.” Patrick Lussier (My Bloody Valentine) will direct.

The first two films were a moderate success, released in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The second film is titled 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.

^{47 Meters Down}

The plot for The Wreck is detailed by Deadline. They write that it involves a father and daughter trying to repair their relationship by spending time together scuba diving into a sunken ship, “But soon after their descent, their master diver has an accident leaving them alone and unprotected inside the labyrinth of the wreck. As tensions rise and oxygen dwindles, the pair must use their newfound bond to escape the wreck and the relentless barrage of bloodthirsty great white sharks.”

The filmmakers are hoping to present the pitch to the Cannes market with production starting in the fall.

“47 Meters Down: The Wreck is the perfect continuation of our shark-filled franchise,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “This film will once again have moviegoers terrified and on the edge of their seats.”

Johannes Roberts adds, “We can’t wait for audiences to be trapped underwater with us again. 47 Meters Down: The Wreck is going to be the biggest, most-intense film of this franchise.”

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News

‘Wednesday’ Season Two Drops New Teaser Video That Reveals Full Cast

Published

23 hours ago

May 7, 2024

Cameron McFarland

Netflix announced this morning that Wednesday season 2 is finally entering production. Fans have been waiting a long time for more of the creepy icon. Season one of Wednesday premiered in November of 2022.

In our new world of streaming entertainment, it isn’t uncommon for shows to take years to release a new season. If they release another one at all. Even though we will likely have to wait quite a while to see the show, any news is good news.

The new season of Wednesday looks to have an amazing cast. Jenna Ortega (Scream) will be reprising her iconic role as Wednesday. She will be joined by Billie Piper (Scoop), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Evie Templeton (Return to Silent Hill), Owen Painter (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Noah Taylor (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

We will also get to see some of the amazing cast from season one making a return. Wednesday season 2 will feature Catherine-Zeta Jones (Side Effects), Luis Guzman (Genie), Issac Ordonez (A Wrinkle in Time), and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo (Devs).

If all of that star power wasn’t enough, the legendary Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas) will be directing the series. As a cheeky nod from Netflix, this season of Wednesday will be titled Here We Woe Again.

Jenna Ortega Wednesday — Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams

We don’t know much about much about what Wednesday season two will entail. However, Ortega has stated that this season will be more horror focused. “We’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror. It’s really, really exciting because, all throughout the show, while Wednesday does need a little bit of an arc, she never really changes and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

That’s all the information that we have. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.