News of the Week: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Drops Fantastic First Trailer

We’re into December, which means end-of-year holidays are just around the corner. The weather has grown colder and holiday decorations are out as Hollywood gears up for the big holiday movie season. This week brings news of Ghostbusters riding again, Bong Joon Ho’s next movie, James Cameron giving a surprising explanation, and more.

As always, Atom Insider brings you a few hand-picked stories we think you’ll like. Ready? Let’s dive in.

The First Eye-Popping Trailer For Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Is Out

When it dropped in 2018, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse revolutionized what we thought was possible in animated film. Audiences were introduced to Miles Morales, his world’s Spider-Man, and a host of other characters such as Spider-Gwen, Peter B. Parker, Spider-Ham, and more. After a production delay, the first trailer for its sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has finally dropped. If possible, it’s even more stunning than the first movie. Check it out.

Wow. Just…wow.

Currently, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is scheduled for release on June 2, 2023. You can bet we’ll have that one saved in our Watch List.

John Wick Spinoff Ballerina Adds Norman Reedus

It looks like longtime The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus is about to make the jump back to the big screen. Lionsgate has confirmed that the actor is set to join the cast of the John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, currently in production. While his role is yet to be disclosed, it’s been confirmed that he’ll star opposite Ana de Armas’ titular character. Previous John Wick stalwarts Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Anjelica Huston, and Keanu Reeves have already been confirmed to be returning for at least a cameo each. Underworld director Len Wiseman is set to direct. Ballerina producer Erica Lee said in a statement about Reedus’ casting, “We’re huge fans of Norman, and we’re confident that the fans will be just as excited as we are that he’s joining the Wick universe. He’ll make an incredible addition to Ballerina.” Very intriguing. Considering Reedus is no stranger to action-heavy roles, it would certainly be fun to see him as a fellow assassin.

Patty Jenkins Gives Update On Star Wars Rogue Squadron Movie

Now that it’s been confirmed that Wonder Woman 3 has been canceled, fans’ minds have turned to the possibility of director Patty Jenkins returning to her long-dormant Star Wars project, Rogue Squadron. For the past year, it’s seemed as though the Star Wars movie was dead in the water, with no movement on the development front. However, Jenkins recently put out a statement and confirmed that Rogue Squadron is, in fact, still moving forward and she’s working on it right now:

“Here are the facts: I originally left Rogue Squadron after a long and productive development process when it became clear it couldn’t happen soon enough and I did not want to delay WW3 any further. When I did, Lucasfilm asked me to consider coming back to RS after WW3, which I was honored to do, so I agreed. They made a new deal with me. In fact, I am still on it and that project has been in active development ever since. I don’t know if it will happen or not. We never do until the development process is complete, but I look forward to its potential ahead.”

As a reminder, here’s the announcement video that was released two years ago:

It’s great to see she’s still working on it. She seemed so passionate about the project that it’s sure to come through in the movie.

John Cena & Jason Momoa Are Finally Teaming Up For An Action-Comedy

It seems strange to think, but Jason Momoa and John Cena have never actually starred in a movie together before, and certainly not an action-comedy. That is now being remedied, with both of them signing on for Warner Bros.’ action-comedy “Killer Vacation.” Mark and Brian Gunn (Brightburn) penned the script, though details of it are being kept under wraps. Considering both men’s ability to handle beat-down action scenes, and their comedic chops (particularly Cena), we can only expect quite a bit of that action. Could it even be R-rated? Possibly. Either way, it will be a lot of fun to see the pair teaming up on screen.

Timotheé Chalamet Shares Photo From The Dune 2 Set

Denis Villeneuve’s eagerly anticipated Dune: Part Two has apparently officially wrapped. This news comes from none other than star Timotheé Chalamet, who shared the news in an excited Instagram post earlier this week.

“DUNE 2 WRAPPED (with desert dad !!)” the caption reads. For those wondering, that “desert dad” is his real dad, Marc Chalamet.

Production on the Dune sequel began in July, with the shoot going all around the world, including Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy. All characters surviving from the first movie and their actors are expected to return, including Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgård, and Stephen McKinley Henderson. The sequel has also added some big names to the cast: Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, Christopher Walken, and Souheila Yacoub.

The official synopsis for Dune: Part Two sets the stage:

“This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

Dune: Part Two is scheduled to hit theaters on November 2, 2023.