Marvel and Sony Find Their Spider-Man Actor and Director
Well, color me surprised.
Three weeks after Marvel and Sony reportedly shortened their list of prospective Spider-Man stars and directors, the studios just released a joint statement naming Tom Holland and Jon Watts as their next Spider-Man lead and director, respectively. This comes months after a series of screen tests that included such names as Asa Butterfield (Ten Thousand Saints), Judah Lewis (Point Break), Matthew Lintz (Pixels), Charlie Plummer (Boardwalk Empire), and Charlie Rowe (Red Band Society), while the directors in consideration included Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies), Ted Melfi (St. Vincent), and the duo of John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein (Vacation).
Watts was a dark horse candidate that was added to the shortlist earlier this month despite after not being named in the first rumored short list. The new director is hot off the heels of his directorial debut, Cop Car, which received praise at this year's Sundance Film Festival where it premiered.
The selections are a bit surprising, considering Marvel Studios' penchant for signing big name actors and directors to their films. However, both Marvel and Sony are confident in growing with the two. Sony's Tom Rothman released a statement about the hirings, stating:
It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job. The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.
Spider-Man isn't scheduled to hit theaters until July 28, 2017, but he's rumored to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War, which will be coming to theaters on May 6, 2016.
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 Schedule Revealed
This post was originally published by our affiliate site, Chicago Music.
The schedule for this year's Pitchfork Music Festival has finally been released. Now to begin figuring out our plans and work around some of these schedule conflicts...
Check out the full schedule below!
Friday, July 17:
Gates at 3 p.m.
8:30 Wilco (Green)
8:15 Ought (Blue)
7:20 Chvrches (Red)
7:15 Iceage (Blue)
6:25 Panda Bear (Green)
6:15 Tobias Jesso Jr. (Blue)
5:30 Mac DeMarco (Red)
5:15 Steve Gunn (Blue)
4:35 iLoveMakonnen (Green)
4:15 Jessica Pratt (Blue)
3:30 Natalie Prass (Red)
3:20 Ryley Walker (Blue)
Saturday, July 18:
Gates open at 12 p.m.
8:45 Vic Mensa (Blue)
8:30 Sleater-Kinney (Green)
7:45 Sophie (Blue)
7:25 Future Islands (Red)
6:45 Shamir (Blue)
6:15 The New Pornographers (Green)
5:45 A$AP Ferg (Blue)
5:15 Parquet Courts (Red)
4:45 Ariel Pink (Blue)
4:15 Kurt Vile and the Violators (Green)
3:45 Vince Staples (Blue)
3:20 Ex Hex (Red)
2:50 Mr. Twin Sister (Blue)
2:30 Future Brown (Green)
1:55 Bully (Blue)
1:45 Protomartyr (Red)
1:00 Jimmy Whispers (Green)
Sunday, July 19
Gates open at 12 p.m.
8:30 Chance The Rapper (Green)
7:45 Todd Terje & The Olsens (Blue)
7:25 Run The Jewels (Red)
6:45 A. G. Cook (Blue)
6:15 Caribou (Green)
5:45 Clark (Blue)
5:15 Jamie xx (Red)
4:45 How To Dress Well (Blue)
4:15 Courtney Barnett (Green)
3:45 Perfume Genius (Blue)
3:20 Madlib & Freddie Gibbs (Red)
2:50 The Julie Ruin (Blue)
2:30 Waxahatchee (Green)
1:55 Mourn (Blue)
1:45 Viet Cong (Red)
1:00 Single Mothers (Blue)
1:00 Bitchin Bajas (Green)
Miles Morales Replaces Peter Parker as Spider-Man
Yesterday, news broke that Miles Morales will replace Peter Parker as Marvel Comics' official Spider-Man following the end of their current Secret Wars event in the adjective-less Spider-Man written by Miles co-creators Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli. This comes four years after Morales' debut alongside vocal communities calling for Miles to become the de facto Spider-Man across the board. However, this doesn't mean Peter will disappear entirely. While he'll be hanging up the webs for the foreseeable future, he'll still be a supporting character in the books, serving a mentor role to young Miles.
The importance of Miles, a bi-racial character with an African-American father and Puerto Rican mother, being elevated as THE Spider-Man in the Marvel Comics comes after a purported leak over the weekend that detailed film depictions of Peter Parker must maintain the status quo of him being a heterosexual caucasian male. However, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Comics have shared elements in their respective media, the Marvel Comics world has grown more and more diverse, as I detailed last summer following Sam Wilson being named Captain America. Bendis himself has praised the importance of having a person of color take the mantle of Marvel's most famous and popular character, telling the New York Daily News:
Our message has to be it’s not Spider-Man with an asterisk [...] It’s the real Spider-Man for kids of color, for adults of color and everybody else.
Before long, the long-standing image of superheroes as white, strong-jawed males will be replaced by people of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and Marvel's move to cement Miles as THE Spider-Man is just the next step towards accomplishing this goal. The decision also increases the chances of Miles Morales appearing in future Spider-Man films (assumedly not until after the next wave of Spider-Man films run their course).
Apple Music Will Pay Artists During Trial Periods Thanks to Taylor Swift
When Apple Music was unveiled earlier this month, many saw it as Spotify's starkest competition. After all, when a behemoth as large as Apple enters new territory, it will always be seen as one of the top dogs. However, the biggest complaint facing Apple Music's revelation was Apple's policy on not paying royalties to artists during trial periods. It's absurd to think a company as large as Apple would implement a terrible, anti-artist policy.
Yesterday, pop megastar Taylor Swift wrote an open letter to Apple detailing her reasoning behind not releasing her 1989 album on the service, stating:
I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
This is not about me [...] This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs [...]
But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Thankfully, Apple listened. Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services, responded to Swift's letter on Twitter by announcing the policy will be reversed, allowing all artists to be paid for their music:
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
When an artist of Taylor Swift's magnitude comes out denouncing your service, you listen. Cynics might point at the potential loss of revenue from artists like Swift as their main reasoning for reversing their policy. However, no matter what Apple's intentions may be, the fact that all artists of varying sizes will be compensated for their music is a much larger win for everybody.
Thanks, Taylor Swift.
[via USA Today]
Official Trailer for the Wonderful '80s-Inspired Turbo Kid
[youtube id="AFlZ6pVtnv0"]
On one spectrum lies Mad Max: Fury Road, a very realistic (albeit exaggerated) take on the dystopian/wasteland film (that its predecessor, Mad Max, practically established back in 1979). On the other end lies Turbo Kid, a dystopian/wasteland film that wears its influences on its sleeve while still holding itself up alongside the litany of films it found inspiration from.
Needless to say, Turbo Kid was my favorite film out of SXSW this year, and for a good reason. While countless other films have gone the '80s aesthetic route (Kung Fury being a recent notable film) that borderlines gimmicky, Turbo Kid is able to not only have fun with its tone, but also has a darker side that doesn't feel out of context.
With an official trailer finally released, larger audiences can catch a glimpse at what makes Turbo Kid so fun. Directors Anouk Whissell, François Simard, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, collectively known as RKSS, strike the right balance between homage and original. If watching the trailer piqued your interest for more Turbo Kid, I highly recommend checking out our video interview with RKSS for more insight.
Turbo Kid will be hitting theaters on August 28th.
[Weekly Netflix Fix] Champs, Orange is the New Black
It's been a week since the surprise early release of Orange is the New Black's third season on Netflix. I'm sure you've all binge-watched the entire 13 episode season, but if not - why haven't you? Our other main highlight for this new installment of Weekly Netflix Fix is the boxing documentary Champs. Keen readers will remember we not only reviewed the film back in March, but we also interviewed Champs director Bert Marcus. I highly recommend watching the documentary, then reading our review and interview!
You can find the full list of new Netflix Instant titles below.
Life of Crime
When Evening Falls on Bucharest or Metabolism
Life with Boys: Season 1
If I Had Wings
Champs
Orange Is the New Black: Season 3
The Cobbler
Austin to Boston
High Fidelity
Snap
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Vengeance of an Assassin
Antarctica: A Year on Ice
Grey's Anatomy: Season 11
Scandal: Season 4
Avengers Grimm
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Danger Mouse: Season 10
Danger Mouse: Season 9
Danger Mouse: Season 8
Danger Mouse: Season 7
Danger Mouse: Season 6
Danger Mouse: Season 5
Danger Mouse: Season 4
Danger Mouse: Season 3
Danger Mouse: Season 2
Danger Mouse: Season 1
Hawaizaada
Toby's Travelling Circus: Season 1
InuYasha: Season 2
Vecinos: Season 2
Vecinos: Season 1
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit: Season 1
Bite Size
Know How
Rita: Season 3
Rodney Carrington: Laughter’s Good
Wizards vs. Aliens: Season 1
Wizards vs. Aliens: Season 2
Wizards vs. Aliens: Season 3
Really Me: Season 1
Really Me: Season 2
Bindi's Bootcamp: Season 1
Team Toon: Season 1
Black Friday
Death Note
Paa
Nana / Season 1
Cuidado con el Angel
Teresa
Isa TKM
Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
Miss XV
Eastern Boys
3 Nights in the Desert
Vampire Knight: Season 1
Vampire Knight: Season 2
B.B. King: The Life of Riley
Leprechaun: Origins
Little White Lie
Gukjeshijang
Monster
Venus Talk
Curious George
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Backstreet Boys: Show 'Em What You're Made Of
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill to Grant Amnesty to Underage Drinkers Who Call 911
Despite many attempts to curb underage drinking, it's an inevitable fact that teenagers will find a way to get drunk. Hell, I've been drinking since I was 17, and looking back on the past 11 years makes me realize just how ridiculous my friends and I once were (let alone the fact that we've been drinking for a very long time).
I'm in no way glamorizing underage drinking, but simply relating to the information at hand - pending a signature from Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois may pass a bill that would pardon underage drinkers (and their friends) who call 911 for alcohol-related emergencies. However, it's up to the attending police officer to determine whether or not to grant amnesty.
The bill, officially referred to as HB1336, is meant to mirror similar legislation that intended for heroin overdose victims. As the Chicago Sun-Times notes, the purpose of the bill "signals to parents and young people that it’s safe to do the right thing," according to HB1336 supporter Rep. Kelly Cassidy.
However, if the bill is officially passed, it serves as a double-edged sword that will send mixed messages to Illinois teens: "Drinking underage is illegal, but if you get sick and are in need of medical assistance because of you breaking the law, we might give you a pass." I write this with my tongue in cheek, but that's basically what it represents. At the same time, it's progressive for Illinois lawmakers to recognize, acknowledge, and try to adapt with a problem that has been prevalent for years (and will continue to do so for many more) in a manner that will actually assist those who truly need help. I just fear that many teens will see this bill as a "free pass" for them to get drunk without facing legal consequences.
[via Chicago Sun-Times]
E3 2015: Highlights from Nintendo's Press Conference
After Microsoft and Sony's conferences both brought huge announcements, all eyes were looking toward Nintendo to see if they could match. While the overall conference was as fun as it was in years past thanks to Nintendo's increasingly weird digital events as this year brought puppets into the fold, it was an unfortunately light year. Light on huge announcements and only elaborating on video games we've heard about already, it felt a little lacking. We got some new footage of the newly titled Starfox Zero, and it looks great. Platinum Games has their work cut out for them as Starfox looks gorgeous, but ultimately seems to have all of the play style ideas (like different vehicle missions and such) from the canceled Star Fox 2. It's also got a stupid title. Miyamoto said he didn't wan't to number it or title it just "Starfox" since it's not a reboot or sequel, but zero is a number. Either way, the fact that the Wii U Gamepad gives a cockpit first person perspective is pretty neat.
Afterwards, Nintendo showed off a trailer for Fire Emblems Fates (the new two version game), some new Legend of Zelda games for the 3DS, a terrible looking Metroid spin-off, more amiibo stuff, and basically showed off extended trailers for games we knew existed.
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The biggest push for the show had to be for Super Mario Maker and Mario's 30th anniversary. There was nothing new here except the announcement of Nintendo's help for a charity, but that and Yoshi's Wooly World soaked up so much time. Don't get me wrong, I'll be happy to play these games whenever they release, but I look forward to E3 every year with the promise of new stuff to come. To hear about new Animal Crossing and Skylanders amiibo just rubs salt into the already wide amiibo wounds. There's no way I'd be able to buy these at launch thanks to Nintendo really messing up the stock domestically, and thanks to that, I'd never be able to find them ever. I feel for the poor kid who wants a Ness amiibo, or a new K.K. Slider amiibo, and can't get it because Nintendo's essentially only made one batch. amiibo used to be harmless fun, but as the newest Splatoon amiibo show, they're now a DLC delivery device that's actually holding back the progress of the games they are attached to.
Then again, there's a new Mario Tennis coming to Wii U so all is forgiven. Check out IGN for full Nintendo at E3 coverage!