Highlights from San Diego Comic Con 2015
I've been to dozens of expos, conventions, festivals, and the like over the years, but my favorite type of events have always been comic book conventions. From the dozens of vendors selling unique items and hard-to-find collectibles to the amazingly talented cosplayers to meeting your favorite artists and writers, I've always enjoyed my time at the various comic book conventions I've attended. In recent years, they've become larger pop culture events in which film studios screen their latest films and trailers, cast members come out for intimate Q&As, and con attendees get their exclusive sneak peeks at everything the world will be talking about later that week.
San Diego Comic Con has grown to become the comic book convention to go to in the United States, and while I wasn't in attendance this past weekend (SDCC '17, my eyes are on you), I've compiled some of the weekend's best highlights. Whether you're a dedicated comic book fan waiting to hear what Marvel and DC have up their sleeves, a film fan excited for the first glimpses at 2016's top superhero films, or just really enjoy good cosplay, we have you covered! Also, check out the Suicide Squad footage if you haven't yet!
Official First Look at DC's Suicide Squad
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Over the weekend, fans attending San Diego Comic Con were treated with a special first-look at DC's upcoming film, Suicide Squad. Featuring a ridiculously talented cast that includes Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne, amongst others, and End of Watch's David Ayer helming, Suicide Squad is just one of DC's re-vitalized attempts at not only re-shaping their united DC film universe, but to also change the superhero film script up by featuring villains as the protagonists.
In the clip, which was leaked over the weekend following its closed doors reveal at San Diego Comic Con, each character is highlighted as the nexus of their formation is revealed. The big twist, however, is the surprise appearance by Jared Leto's oft-criticized Joker. As far as first looks go, this footage hits the right balance of showing off just enough to get fans more hyped while not spoiling the film outright.
As I mentioned previously, DC released the footage following a bootleg video of the Suicide Squad SDCC-exclusive clip. The studio had this to say, posted on the Suicide Squad Facebook:
"Warner Bros. Pictures and our anti-piracy team have worked tirelessly over the last 48 hours to contain the Suicide Squad footage that was pirated from Hall H on Saturday. We have been unable to achieve that goal. Today we will release the same footage that has been illegally circulating on the web, in the form it was created and high quality with which it was intended to be enjoyed. We regret this decision as it was our intention to keep the footage as a unique experience for the Comic Con crowd, but we cannot continue to allow the film to be represented by the poor quality of the pirated footage stolen from our presentation."
- Sue Kroll, President Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures
Suicide Squad will be in theaters in August 2016.
[The Weekly Swarm] 7/6 - 7/12
It's yet another rain-filled, gloomy Monday morning in Chicago. The forecast for the week isn't looking too good, and with Pitchfork later this weekend, all I can think of is how muddy and wet we're gonna be. Nevertheless, I'm finally excited for Pitchfork and for the clouds to open up and give us the proper summer we needed after this past winter's dreadful cold.
Last week was a great one here at Ruby Hornet. In case you missed any of our articles, check everything out below in The Weekly Swarm! Some of my personal highlights include Danielle's trip to a Russian bathhouse, Oswald's very personal essay on how The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air changed his life, Hubert's editorial on Cartel Land and how it illustrates the War on Drugs will never end, Angela's photos and recap from Weezer's set at the Taste of Chicago, and the triumphant return of BattleBots!
Warren Ellis To Write New James Bond 007 Comic Series
To Beat or Not to Beat: Sweating in a Russian Bathhouse
America and Japan Are Going to Have a Giant Robot Duel
How the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Spearheaded My Sexual Awakening
[Review] Terminator: Genisys
New Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Photos
Marisa Tomei Cast as Aunt May in Spider-Man Reboot
Ben Affleck Directing and Starring in Solo Batman Film Written by Geoff Johns
Cartel Land Shows Why the War on Drugs May Be Unwinnable
Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" Video is Bananas
[Playlist of the Week] 10 Songs for America
[RH Photos] Weezer Headlines at the 35th Annual Taste of Chicago
Harry Shearer Returns to The Simpsons
Did This Week's UnREAL Go Too Far?
Marvel's Daredevil Finds Its Elektra In Elodie Yung
[Review] MTV's Scream: Hello, Emma
Pure Mechanized Carnage: The Return of BattleBots
How the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Spearheaded My Sexual Awakening
Ben Affleck Directing and Starring in Solo Batman Film Written by Geoff Johns
Following this week's release of new photos of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice comes news that Ben Affleck will not only don the cape and cowl following 2016's Dawn of Justice and 2017's Justice League, but he'll also direct a solo Batman film co-written by legendary DC Comics writer and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns.
Johns has had his hand in shaping DC Comics' latest TV series, Arrow and The Flash, as well as having written for Smallville, co-produced and was a creative consultant for Green Lantern, is executive producing Dawn of Justice, and has written many, many DC titles over the years.
Considering the project is years away with two other films serving as buffers in the interim, there are no details on the script. Affleck's next project, a film adaptation of the novel Live By Night by Dennis Lehane, was greenlit by Warner Bros. just this week. However, considering the viability of a solo Batman film, there may be potential for Warner Bros. to switch the two film productions around.
We'll have more information on this rumored solo Batman film when more comes!
[via /Film]
Marisa Tomei Cast as Aunt May in Spider-Man Reboot
In a surprising (but delightful) move, Sony and Marvel have tapped the lovely Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, The Wrestler) to play Aunt May in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot opposite Tom Holland. While nothing official has been announced, Variety is reporting that the two studios offered the role to Tomei last week.
Aunt May has traditionally been depicted as the older, wise maternal figure in young Peter Parker's life. However, the Ultimate Spider-Man version of the character depicted her as a bit more "street smart" and not as fragile or naive as her counterpart. Ideally, Tomei's Aunt May will be more like the Ultimate Spider-Man version. Tomei doesn't necessarily fit what most are used to as the "Aunt May-type," as can be seen by the online backlash from the comic book community. However, as both a comic and film fanatic, I'd love to see what Tomei can bring to the role and for the Spider-Man reboot to shed the cobwebs (hurr hurr) off of what we've already grown accustomed to to establish a new status quo for this now third reboot of the Spider-Man film franchise.
This'll be an interesting career move for Tomei. The actress typically opts for dramatic roles, my favorite of which was Pam in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler. Depending on the writer Sony and Marvel find for the film (they haven't found/announced one just yet), this could be the best depiction of Spider-Man on the big screen yet.
[via Variety]
New Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Photos
The hype train for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is in full gear going into this year's San Diego Comic Con this weekend. As a build up to the country's largest pop culture convention, Entertainment Weekly has released a few new photos from the film.
The photos, which you can see below, feature Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor (complete with a full head of hair), Gal Gadot and Ben Affleck as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman and Bruce Wayne/Batman, respectively, Henry Cavill as Superman swarmed by what appears to be fans, a face-off shot of Batman and Superman staring each other down, and Batman standing next to the iconic Bat-Signal.
As San Diego Comic Con 2015 begins tomorrow, we're sure to have more news from the film later this week. For now, enjoy the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice photo gallery.
[Entertainment Weekly via /Film]
Harry Shearer Returns to The Simpsons
After a stressful two month period in which Harry Shearer, the voice of many characters on The Simpsons (including Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, etc.), didn't seem too keen on returning to the long-running animated sitcom, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Shearer will be rejoining the rest of The Simpsons cast through the series' two guaranteed seasons.
Shearer's contract, like the rest of the principal cast's, is for four seasons at more than $300,000 per episode, with Fox possessing the option for the final two seasons if The Simpsons gets renewed for two more seasons beyond the current guarantee. The Simpsons' official Twitter tweeted their excitement over the news below.
We are extremely pleased to announce that all principal cast members of #TheSimpsons have now been signed. Woo Hoo! pic.twitter.com/pRHW8WJ2oY
— The Simpsons (@TheSimpsons) July 7, 2015
It was a contentious two months for the show's fans, and while executives were adamant about re-casting the characters had Shearer not returned, it's good to know that this minor bump in the road has come to a happy conclusion. Now if only they can re-discover the charm that made them such an icon...
[via Entertainment Weekly]
[The Weekly Swarm] 6/29 - 7/5
Happy July, everybody. I hope everybody's 4th of July weekend was filled with family, friends, and fireworks! Despite the shortened week for the holiday, we still had an amazing array of content last week. Some highlights include the ongoing feud between Donald Trump and Univision, a plethora of film and TV trailers (Creed, Dragon Ball Super, I Am Chris Farley, etc.), a review of Thundercat's mini-album, The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam, a round-up of Q2 2015's best albums, and a review of MTV's Scream pilot. You can find all of this and more below in The Weekly Swarm.
Why Univision Dropping Miss USA is a Big Deal
Donald Trump is Suing Univision for $500 Million
Watch a Young Amy Winehouse Sing Happy Birthday
Remember Chris Farley in Trailer for I Am Chris Farley
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts Star in First Secret in Their Eyes Trailer
Frieza is Back in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Trailer
Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone Team Up in Trailer for Rocky Sequel, Creed
Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis Star in Sleeping With Other People Trailer
Watch Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs in New Trailer
[Weekly Netflix Fix] First July 2015 Update
Watch a Young Amy Winehouse Sing Happy Birthday
[Review] Thundercat: "The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam"
Second Quarter 2015 Album Round-up
Why Univision Dropping Miss USA is a Big Deal
Watch the First 8 Minutes of MTV's Scream TV Series
Donald Trump is Suing Univision for $500 Million
[Review] MTV's Scream: Pilot
[Weekly Netflix Fix] First July 2015 Update