Some days, there are bits and bobs of news that don’t have quite enough meat on the bone for a full article. Still, they’re cool tidbits worth getting some love. We round them up for you in our Quick Hits column.

‘Constantine’ Movie Star Says Sequel Is In The Works

2005’s Constantine is a movie that fans have long wished to get a sequel. The Keanu Reeves-led dark comic book movie was a modest success, earning almost $231 million on a budget just shy of $100 million, but the timing was off. It came before the post-MCU comic book movie explosion and Warner Bros. never seemed to know what to do with the odd movie – they certainly weren’t going to sign off on an R-rated sequel, as the original creative team wanted. But with the success of the spinoff TV show starring Matt Ryan as Constantine, the resurgence of Keanu Reeves, and the launch of HBO Max, talk has been heating up about a sequel finally happening. Now, Peter Stormare, who played Satan in the original movie, seems to have confirmed a sequel is officially on the way. On Instagram, Stormare shared a screenshot of an article praising his performance as Satan, but the caption is what caught fans’ attention: “Sequel In The Works.”

Neither Warner Bros. nor DC have commented on it, but suffice it to say, it looks as though we’re one step closer to getting the sequel we’ve been hoping for for 15 years.

‘Short Circuit’ Reboot With A Latinx Twist On The Way

Everything 80s apparently comes around again. This time, it’s 1986’s Short Circuit, which is getting a remake courtesy of Spyglass. Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman have been tapped to write the script, which this time around will put a Latinx spin on the family movie. The original movie starred Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy and Fisher Stevens in a story about discovering Number 5, a hi-tech military robot that gained human-like intelligence when it was struck by lightning. With the help of a woman who became his friend, Number 5 had to convince his creator he had become human in order to escape reprogramming. No details about the new script have been released yet, but it wouldn’t be out of the question to think it will revolve around artificial intelligence. Number 5 is alive!

Jude Law Weighs In On ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Co-Star Johnny Depp Being Fired

The Fantastic Beasts franchise has undergone quite a bit of tumult in the last two weeks, with Johnny Depp first being asked to leave the franchise, then Mads Mikkelsen being announced as his likely replacement. Now, franchise star Jude Law, who plays young Albus Dumbledore in the movies, has weighed in on Depp’s firing. It’s a delicate situation and, unsurprisingly, Law gave an extremely diplomatic answer when asked about it by Entertainment Tonight. “It’s an enormous film, and there are many, many layers to it. It’s probably one of the biggest productions I’ve ever worked on. And in a situation like this, you defer to the studio. That’s all you can do. Because you have to turn up and play your part,” said Law, being careful to address the reality of the situation rather than his own personal feelings on the matter. “In a franchise like this, it’s the studio and the company that make the big decisions. And you have to go along with those, because we’re just a member of the team.” Nicely played, Law. Nicely played.

Michael Bay And Jake Gyllenhaal Are Teaming Up On A New Thriller

Michael Bay is at the point in his career where he can kick around various projects and weigh his options before deciding to commit. He has the luxury of being picky by now. And it seems he’s made his decision: Deadline reports his next project will be the action-thriller Ambulance. What’s more, Jake Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to star. Chris Fedak wrote the script, which is an adaptation of the Danish Film Ambulancen. Not much is known about the plot right now but sources say it’s a throwback movie to the action-thrillers of the ’90s, like Bay’s Bad Boys or Speed. The script had reportedly been bouncing around Hollywood for a few years until Bay read it and immediately wanted to direct it. Expect this one to happen fast – Bay likes the script so much that he’s fast-tracking the project and looking for other actors to round out the cast, with Universal currently close to closing a deal to distribute.

Amber Heard Is Returning For ‘Aquaman 2’

After a bit of uncertainty buzzing around the internet, it’s been confirmed that Amber Heard will return in the role of Mera in Warner Bros.’ Aquaman 2. Or rather, Heard herself confirmed it, though the sequel hasn’t actually been officially greenlit by the studio yet and no release date is set. Speaking to EW, Heard dismissed the internet speculation that she wouldn’t return for the sequel, saying, “I’m super excited about the amount of fan love and the amount of fan appreciation that Aquaman has acquired and that it has garnered so much excitement for Aquaman and Mera that it means we’ll be coming back,” she said. “I’m so excited to film that.” Her soft confirmation comes after more than a year of her and her ex, Johnny Depp, trading domestic abuse stories in the tabloids and lawsuits in the courts, with neither of them emerging looking particularly innocent. Last week, Warner Bros. made the decision to part ways with Depp in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, prompting a rush of speculation that they may do the same with Heard. For now, however, it would appear her job is safe and she will return.

Seth Rogen To Produce ’80s Throwback Slasher Movie For Lionsgate

Fans of the retro slasher movies of the ’80s, rejoice, for I bring you tidings of great joy: Seth Rogen is producing Video Nasty for Lionsgate. Variety reports the studio picked up the spec script by Chris Thomas Devlin (upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot), and Rogen’s Point Grey and Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures will produce. The title, Video Nasty, is a nod to the extreme VHS horror movies of the era, with the story revolving around three teenagers who rent a cursed videotape that sucks them into an ’80s slasher movie and are in danger of being trapped there forever – not necessarily a brand-new concept, but one that’s always fun. Naturally, Rogen’s longtime creative partner Evan Goldberg will also produce, along with Point Grey’s Josh Fagen and James Weaver. And while unconfirmed, it appears as though Jonathan Levine, with whom Rogen has worked before on Long Shot, 50/50, and The Night Before, will tackle director duties.

‘West Side Story’s Isaac Powell Joins ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Adaptation

The cast of Dear Evan Hansen, Universal’s feature film adaptation of the multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, has grown a little larger. Variety reports that Isaac Powell, who most recently starred in Ivo van Howe’s West Side Story Broadway revival this year, has joined the cast. Powell will reportedly play high school jock Rhys, joining a wildly talented cast that includes Tony winner Ben Platt, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Amandla Stenberg, Danny Pino, Nik Dodani, Colton Ryan, DeMarius Copes and Gerald Caesar. Stephen Chbosky (Wonder) is set to direct. Powell received rave reviews from critics and audiences for his performance as Tony in West Side Story, though, sadly, the COVID-19 shutdown of Broadway meant the musical wasn’t in theaters long enough to be considered eligible for any Tony nominations this year. At the moment, Dear Evan Hansen does not yet have a release date.

James Gunn Gives Some Updates On ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’

James Gunn went from having no work to being one of the busiest directors in Hollywood. Now that The Suicide Squad is wrapped for DC and in post-production, Gunn is heading into doing pre-production for spinoff series Peacemaker for HBO Max. Even so, he can turn more of his focus back to Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Recently, he hosted a quick Twitter Q&A session for his followers and dropped a few updates about the third GotG movie. First, he confirmed that the script is written and most of the production heads have been hired and a few moments later revealed that “very little” of the script has changed in the interim between when he was let go from the production and then rehired. Check it out:

He is a busy, busy man and we’re here for every minute of it.

Animated Feature ‘Fireheart’ Sets Main Voice Cast

A delightful new animated feature film is coming our way and it’s added a strong voice cast, reports Deadline. Kenneth Branagh, Olivia Cooke, William Shatner and Laurie Holden have all joined the cast of Anton’s Fireheart. Set in New York City at the height of the Roaring Twenties, it tells the story of a young girl who aspires to be the world’s first female firefighter and her determination to see her dream come true no matter the odds. Interestingly, the movie will feature modern pop songs rearranged in the style of 1920s music. Laurent Zeitoun and Yann Zenou are on directing duties, with Zeitoun also having co-written the script Daphne Ballon and Jennica Harper.

Chris Pratt To Star In Action-Comedy From The Russos

Chris Pratt is a busy man and his schedule is about to get busier. Since wrapping up Avengers: Endgame, Joe and Anthony Russo have been busy making movies with a handful of Marvel stars under their AGBO banner, including 21 Bridges with Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth-led Extraction and the upcoming Cherry with Tom Holland. Their next project will find them working with Chris Pratt in Universal’s remake of the 2016 Vietnamese movie Saigon Bodyguards. The action-comedy centers on two professional bodyguards who have to retrieve an important asset after he’s kidnapped on their watch. Wu Jing (Wolf Warrior movies) will star opposite Pratt, who will also produce. Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck (What Men Want, Veep are writing the script, but a director has not yet been tapped. This seems like the perfect vehicle for Pratt, no?

Gerard Butler To Return For Next Movie In The ‘Has Fallen’ Franchise

If you thought the Has Fallen franchise would stop with Angel Has Fallen, you’d be wrong. Millennium Films has confirmed a fourth movie is on the way titled Night Has Fallen. Once again, Gerard Butler will return to reprise his role of former Army Ranger-turned-Secret Service agent Mike Banning. Ric Roman Waugh is set to direct off a script by Robert Kamen. The previous film, Angel Has Fallen, found Banning framed for the attempted assassination of the President of the United States. The end of the movie found everything resolved and Banning accepting an appointment to be the new Director of the Secret Service. The story of the next movie is still under wraps, but Angel left the franchise a lot to play with. To date, the franchise has been very lucrative for Millennium, having grossed a total of $523 million worldwide on a combined budget of $170 million. Let’s see what trouble Mike Banning gets himself into now.

Aldis Hodge Talks About Getting The Call From Dwayne Johnson For ‘Black Adam’

When it was announced a few months ago that The Invisible Man star Aldis Hodge had snagged the role of Hawkman in DC’s Black Adam, star Dwayne Johnson shared a funny anecdote about Hodge not believing it was him on the phone at first. In a new interview with THR, Hodge explained what was going through his head when he got the call from Johnson, a call he assumed was a prank at first:

“There was some part of my brain that said, ‘He’s calling to tell me that I didn’t get the job.’ So I was preparing for that while I was in a state of disbelief. And when he said, ‘Welcome to Black Adam,’ it was literally like what I imagined winning the lottery to feel like. I had been very, very much looking forward to being a part of any kind of superhero universe. I didn’t care what it was for such a long time just because I had been such a fan. I grew up on graphic novels. I got into the business so I could earn money to buy Batman toys, you know? It was like 13 to 15 years of constantly going up to bat and getting told no. So it really was a validation of those last few years of pursuit, hustle and preparation.”

That’s a truly awesome thing to read. Hodge is one of the hardest-working actors in the industry and one whose star has been on the verge of blowing up for the last two years. It’s great to see him finally get his biggest break yet and one he’s dreamed of since he was a kid.

Jude Law Talks About What It Means To Be A Part Of The Harry Potter Universe

The Fantastic Beasts franchise has seen its fair share of controversy over the last year, from backlash over JK Rowling’s transphobic comments to the recent news that Johnny Depp will be stepping down from the role of Gellert Grindelwald. But one franchise star understands what the world and the characters still mean to people and why it’s such an honor to be part of it. Speaking to Dan Fogler, Jude Law, who plays the young Albus Dumbledore, explained how much being a part of the Harry Potter universe means to him. “I’m so happy to be in this company and I’m so happy to be playing this character. It feels like every day we make these films, it feels like such a blessing. And there’s also such a sense of well, it’s the reverence I suppose, because they hold such a special place in so many people,” explained Law. “Hold people’s hearts and lives. I’ve never really felt that the way I have on this job. The responsibility that comes with that. But it’s a beautiful thing, too. It’s like being given a really precious artifact or something that you have to look after, maybe clean up a bit. You know?” That’s a really lovely way to look at it. Hopefully, they can clean it up and repair it a bit, just as he says.

Emilio Estevez To Direct Disney+’s ‘Mighty Ducks’ Series

Quack, quack, quack, Mr. Ducksworth! Coach Bombay is back in the house. It was reported a while back that Disney+ is developing The Mighty Ducks, a TV series based on the wildly popular kids’ movies in the ’90s that spawned an entire trend of kids’ sports movies and launched an entire NHL franchise. Now, we get even better news: Not only is OG star Emilio Estevez back to reprise his role as Coach Gordon Bombay, but The Ronin reports he’ll also be stepping behind the camera for an episode or two. It’s a nice full-circle situation for Estevez, with the story for the series bringing Coach Bombay back to his roots. Almost 30 years after Coach Bombay whipped them into shape, the Mighty Ducks are no longer hapless underdogs, but an ultra-competitive, powerhouse youth hockey team. After 12-year-old Evan is cut from the team, he and his mom, Alex, set out to create their own scrappy team to challenge the win-at-all-costs, competitive nature of modern-day youth sports. With a little help from a familiar face in the form of Gordon Bombay, his kids quickly learn to play simply for the love of the game rather than putting another checkmark in the win column.

  • News
  • VIDEOS