We’re deep in the dog days of summer, but summer movie season is hotter than ever. Even with the writers’ strike, and now the actors’ strike, Hollywood news isn’t slowing down. This week finds Barbenheimer dominating the box office, a film set being robbed of an iconic prop, Spider-Man rumors, and more.
As always, Atom Insider brings you a few hand-picked stories we think you’ll like. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Barbenheimer Dominates The Box Office
Barbie and Oppenheimer morphed into an internet phenomenon affectionately dubbed “Barbenheimer” by movie fans, but online buzz and meme-able marketing campaigns don’t always translate to box office success. Luckily, the opposite was the case for Barbenheimer, with box movies crushing the box office in their opening weekends and continuing to bring in money across the globe.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie nabbed $162 domestically during its opening weekend and it’s now up to a global total of $472.6 million through Tuesday on a budget of $145 million, more than making back its money and then some. As for Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s epic pulled in $82.5 domestically its opening weekend and is now up to $221 million worldwide. The budget was a relatively trim $100 and even with the marketing campaign doubling that number, anything Oppenheimer makes from here on out is just adding to the total. Neither appears to be running out of steam, and even with The Haunted Mansion opening this weekend, it’s certain that Barbenheimer will continue to ring up the box office.
The Beetlejuice 2 Film Set Was Robbed Of An Iconic Prop
Recently, the set of the long-gestating Beetlejuice 2 was burglarized, and fans of the 1988 original movie may very well recognize the prop that was stolen. In a Twitter post, the Vermont State Police account posted that the set had been burglarized and revealed that a famous statue had been stolen along with a few other things.
“We tried saying the name of this stolen statue three times, but it didn’t come back!” began the cheeky post. “We’re investigating the theft of this 150-pound sculpture from the “Beetlejuice 2″ set in E. Corinth, along with a lamppost topped with a pumpkin decoration.”
Fans of the original movie will immediately recognize the prop of one of Delia Deetz’s (Catherine O’Hara) sculptures, which later came to life and ended up trapping her against a wall. With or without the prop, the movie, which sees Michael Keaton returning to the iconic role, this time joined by Jenna Ortega, is slated to open on September 6, 2024, though that will likely change if the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue.
Those Sam Raimi Spider-Man 4 Rumors Are Swirling Again
Take this with a grain of salt, as there have been rumors swirling about a potential Spider-Man 4 from Sam Raimi for years, but it appears the talks might be picking up in earnest this time. This time, the rumors have made it al the way to one of the previous stars of Spider-Man 3. While speaking to ComicBook, Thomas Haden Church, who played Sandman in the third Raimi Spider-Man film, revealed that he had heard rumblings that a fourth movie might be in the works.
“There’s always been some kind of…I’ve heard rumors…that Sam Raimi was going to do another [Spider-Man movie] with Tobey [Maguire] and if that happens, I would probably campaign to maybe at least do a cameo,” he confessed.
If there were to be a fourth Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie, now is the time to do it. The return of Tobey Maguire to the role (along with Church) in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home reignited interest in seeing a fourth movie with Tobey Maguire, and a third movie with Andrew Garfield. Whether they’ll happen remains to be seen, but it would certainly not be a surprise to get a combination involving both Maguire and Garfield together. Fingers crossed it’s not just a baseless rumor this time, but word of actual traction being gained behind the scenes.
Christopher Nolan Is Down To Direct A Bond Film
On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Christopher Nolan gave perhaps the most Christopher Nolan answer ever when asked if he would ever consider doing a James Bond movie. It was both polite, yet vague, and deeply film nerdy.
“The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent. It would be an amazing privilege to do one. At the same time, when you take on a character like that you’re working with a particular set of constraints. It has to be the right moment in your creative life where you can express what you want to express and really burrow into something within the appropriate constraints because you would never want to take on something like that and do it wrong.
You wouldn’t want to take on a film without being fully committed to what you bring to the table creatively. So as a writer, casting, everything — it’s a full package. You’d have to be really needed and wanted in terms of bringing the totality of what you bring to a character. Otherwise, I’m very happy to be first in line to see whatever they do.”
This isn’t the first time that Nolan has mentioned directing Bond, even revealing in a 2017 Playboy interview that he’s kept in touch with the James Bond producers over the years. With the Daniel Craig era coming to a close in No Time to Die, perhaps it’s time for Nolan and the 007 team to reignite talks. If anyone can stoke excitement for the next phase of the James Bond franchise after the last great run, it’s Nolan. It may just be the perfect time for him to sit down in the director’s chair.
John Boyega Is Open To Returning To Star Wars
Star Wars actor John Boyega has been famously outspoken over the years about his displeasure with how his character arc was handled in Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. For those who don’t remember his candid conversation with GQ in 2020, here’s how it went:
“You get yourself involved in projects and you’re not necessarily going to like everything. [But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good. I’ll say it straight up.
When it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f*ck all. So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience…’ Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything.”
Harsh but fair.
In recent years, however, time and reflection seem to have mellowed Boyega out, and now his feelings regarding Star Wars have evolved. In a conversation earlier this year with The Times of London, Boyega revealed his more comfortable with his Star Wars experience and how it’s shaped him. “For me Star Wars has made the man, in a sense,” he said. “The experiences, the fun times, good times, ugly times, bad times — it makes you who you are as you navigate through the industry, and that has definitely been interesting.”
A recent interview with TechRadar saw him sharing his most open comments yet, however. When asked about his previous critical comments and if he would ever consider returning to the Star Wars franchise, Boyega was more reflective. “That was a few years ago, so they were the subject of that particular project,” he said of his comments. “But I’m open to all characters and scripts that are enjoyable, have a great cast attached and a terrific director. So yeah, I’m open to all opportunities.”
So there you have it. Could we see Boyega return alongside Daisy Ridley for her Star Wars film currently in development? It seems it’s a definite possibility.
Trailers & Clips of the Week
And now, your trailers and clips of the week!
The Exorcist: Believer – Official Trailer
Can David Gordon Green do for The Exorcist what he did for the Halloween franchise?
The Marvels – Official Trailer
Higher, further, faster, baby!
Gran Turismo – Official Trailer 2
Racing fans, buckle up.
