Daredevil Season 2's Showrunner Writing Akira Remake Script
We all know the sad tale of the live-action Akira remake by now - it's gone through numerous rumors, delays, budgetary problems, and more since Warner Bros. acquired the rights back in 2002. The last we heard, Non-Stop director Jaume Collet-Serra was on board to direct the film and bring the project's budget down to the $60m - $70m range. Since then, production was cancelled (yet again), leaving the film in limbo once again.
Fast forward to this week when it was announced that Marvel's Daredevil's Season 2 showrunner, Marco J. Ramirez, has been hired by Warner Bros. to write a new script treatment for Akira. Ramirez served as a writer and producer for the first season of Marvel's Daredevil, and has also written for Sons of Anarchy, Da Vinci's Demons, and Orange is the New Black (for which he was nominated for three awards). There's no word on which volumes of Akira Ramirez will be adapting, or if Collet-Serra is still slated to direct.
At this point, it's hard to get excited for Akira remake news, given how many false starts fans have experienced over the past decade. Once again, the best course of action is to play the waiting game to see if Warner Bros. is confident enough in the script to finally move forward.
[via IGN]
New Powerpuff Girls Series Coming in 2016
Cartoon Network is getting in on the remake/reboot fun (following the very recent announcements of the ReBoot re-imagining and a new Mega Man cartoon series) with a new, revamped Powerpuff Girls series coming in 2016. The new series won't stray too much from the established story from the original Powerpuff Girls series, but there's no word or confirmation on whether the same stable of villains will be around.
Also of note is the re-casting of each girl's voice. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup will now be voiced by Amanda Leighton (The Fosters), Kristen Li (Monsters University), and Natalie Palamides, respectively, with Tom Kenny returning as the Narrator/Mayor of Townsville. The previous voice actresses (Catherine Cavadini, Tara Strong, and E.G. Daily) expressed both their support of the newer, younger actresses, but also their disappointment in not being contacted:
I wish the new girls well but Wow! does this hurt my heart:( https://t.co/OzchpdAXFR
— Catherine Cavadini (@CatCavadini) June 9, 2015
I have NO ILL FEELINGS 4 the actresses in the new #ppg, We were just beyond hurt we were NEVER asked..every role I breathe life into I love
— tara strong (@tarastrong) June 9, 2015
Owie! Rt in the kisser ! Hurts 😥Xxeg https://t.co/nq9xQQOvUs
— RealEGDaily (@RealEGDaily) June 8, 2015
I don't blame Cartoon Network for not contacting Cavadini, Strong, and Daily, wanting to go for a cleaner slate with younger actresses. Nevertheless, when the trio played such vital roles for one Cartoon Network's most popular and successful series, you'd at least think they'd be contacted.
[via IGN]
ReBoot Returning to TV as Live-Action/CG Series
As 80s nostalgia gives way to '90s nostalgia, it's been a great time to be a 90s kid like myself. Shows from our childhood are getting big screen adaptations, Full House is coming back for a sequel for some reason, and now one of the more asked for shows on the Internet is coming back in a big way. The semi popular computer animated series ReBoot (which ran from 1994 to 2001 on ABC very early in the morning, and that's why few folks remember it), is now getting a reboot itself as a live-action/CG hybrid show according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While the original series was a fully computer animated series (notably the first of its kind) that followed its main character Bob as he fought a being known as "The User" in the Mainframe, the sequel/reboot series titled Reboot: The Guardian Code will focus on four teens (Austin, Grey, Parker, and Tamra) who find out that they're next generations Guardians and have to travel into cyberspace to fight an evil hacker's (named "The Sorcerer") viruses.
The new series, produced Corus Entertainment, Rainmaker Entertainment, and TWC/Dimension Television, will intially run for 26 episodes, and apparently won't even look like the show we remember because kids these days use new technology. As series creator Michael Hefferson puts it:
Technology is ever-changing and Reboot: The Guardian Code will utilize the very technology inherent in the concept of the show—and prevalent in kids’ everyday lives—to drive a new type of relationship across multiple platforms...[ReBoot] will deliver mass appeal with a technology focus, empowering kids with the tools and confidence to chart their own course in a world that is increasingly dependent on and powered by technological knowledge.
Well, here's hoping the actual show isn't as bad as this sounds.
[via THR]
Apple Debuts New Streaming Service, Apple Music
It was just a year ago when we were all surprised and excited by Apple's purchase of Beats by Dre. As I speculated back then, the purchase wasn't exclusively for Beats by Dre's hardware, but the software within their streaming service, Beats Music. After a year of wondering, the curtain has finally been pulled back at this year's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.
Simply known as Apple Music, Apple's streaming service is scheduled for a June 30th release on Apple devices in more than 100 countries with an Android release scheduled sometime in the fall. Price plans for the service come in $9.99/month and $14.99/month for six-person family plan. A three-month subscription is also offered for free for new subscribers. While Apple Music boasts more than 30 million songs on the service, much of this library can be found on Spotify on other services.
Apple is banking on exclusive releases (similar to Tidal's offerings) to justify the price tag. Other features Apple Music has over Spotify is full functionality with Siri, "Connect," a social network aspect of the service that allows artists to directly release songs and interact with fans, and Beats 1, a 24/7 radio station broadcast from London, New York, and Los Angeles that will be curated by various artists.
It'll be hard to justify a subscription price when Spotify has a free version. Or, you know, we can go back to the days of actually playing music from our iTunes libraries. Nevertheless, shots have been fired as Apple does everything in their power to monopolize every nook and cranny of the entertainment industry. Are you on board with Apple Music, or will your blood forever bleed Spotify green?
Bart Simpson is Getting Killed Off This Season
After 25 years, Sideshow Bob is finally getting his revenge against Bart Simpson in the next season of The Simpsons. During a panel at this past weekend's ATX Festival in Austin, TX, The Simpsons producers revealed that Sideshow Bob will achieve his goal of killing Bart during this year's annual Treehouse of Horror episode. Of course, as is the nature of the Treehouse of Horror episodes, the death won't be permanent.
The Simpsons executive producer Al Jean explains why the team finally relented to Sideshow Bob's wishes by using classic Looney Tunes characters Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner as an analogy by stating, "I hated frustration comedy so we’ll scratch that itch." It appears that the true "horror" for the vignette will not stem from Bart's death, but from Bob's realization that he has nothing to live for following the accomplishment of his life's goal.
The producers were coy on the ongoing Harry Shearer situation, providing no update on whether Shearer would be replaced or brought back on board. For a show that's been running somewhat stagnant for several seasons now, an announcement such as Bart's death was meant to draw headlines, even if the move is only temporary. Still, what will it take to help elevate The Simpsons back to the top of primetime animated comedies? Only time can tell.
[via Entertainment Weekly]
Showtime's Streaming Service Sidesteps HBO Now's Subscription Prices
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In a move that will surprise no one, Showtime has just announced their plans to launch their own streaming service. The service, which will simply be referred to as Showtime, undercuts HBO Now's price of $14.99 by offering a monthly plan of $10.99. While Showtime does offer some amazing series like Shameless, Homeland, Dexter, the upcoming third season of Twin Peaks, and more, they don't carry the same gravitas as HBO's offerings like Game of Thrones, True Detective, Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and much, much more. However, what Showtime is offering that HBO doesn't is live broadcast streams from both East and West Coasts.
Showtime will launch on Apple devices next month, with many other devices and platforms to be announced at a later date. You can read the full press release below.
For the first time ever, SHOWTIME will be offered over the internet as a stand-alone streaming service launching in early July, with Apple as its first partner. The stand-alone service will be called SHOWTIME, a brand already embraced by consumers as the home for cutting-edge original programming, sports and movies. The launch of SHOWTIME will coincide with the new seasons of the critically-acclaimed, hit series RAY DONOVAN and MASTERS OF SEX, premiering on Sunday, July 12th. iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® and Apple TV® users will be able to subscribe to SHOWTIME as a stand-alone service on the SHOWTIME app anywhere in the U.S., for one monthly price ($10.99) to view on all Apple devices. Additional platforms and providers will be announced soon. To learn more about SHOWTIME, visit http://www.showtime.com.
Subscribers will have unlimited on demand access to every season of award-winning SHOWTIME original series, and hundreds of hours of movies, documentary and sports programming, as well as the live broadcast of the east and west coast feeds of SHOWTIME. Showtime will offer a 30-day free trial to new customers who sign up through Apple in July. Apple users simply need to go to the SHOWTIME app on their device to sign up and create a SHOWTIME account. Subscribers can use their SHOWTIME account to watch the service across all supported devices, as well as online at http://www.showtime.com.
Showtime and its acclaimed original programming continues to make its mark on the cultural landscape. The network is home to one of the most successful programming line-ups in all of television, with hits that include HOMELAND, RAY DONOVAN, THE AFFAIR, MASTERS OF SEX, PENNY DREADFUL, SHAMELESS, HOUSE OF LIES, NURSE JACKIE, HAPPYish, EPISODES, and the anticipated new series BILLIONS and the limited series TWIN PEAKS. Original series play a key part in the network’s programming mix, along with box office hits, comedy and music specials, provocative documentaries, and hard-hitting sports programming, including the flagship franchise SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® and the news magazine programs 60 MINUTES SPORTS and JIM ROME ON SHOWTIME. The network’s diverse slate of films includes Boyhood, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Philomena, St. Vincent, The Imitation Game and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.
[Weekly Netflix Fix] Hot Girls Wanted, The Aviator
A plethora of new films and TV shows were added over the past week, coinciding with Netflix's penchant to bring a large in flux of additions at the beginning of the month. Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio's The Aviator, Audrey Hepburn's Roman Candle, and Alfonso Cuaron's Y tu mama tambien are the biggest titles added in this initial June wave.
However, it's the Rashida Jones-produced documentary Hot Girls Wanted that has many talking. The doc, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, exposes the harsh reality that many amateur porn stars face. While it serves as a cautionary tale, it doesn't exactly share any new information to those that are already aware of the plight facing young women that turn to the industry. Nevertheless, it's a well-made documentary (albeit with an uneven tone) that should be seen.
You can find the full list of new Netflix Instant additions below.
Would You Rather
Bandslam
Between
Boy Meets Girl
Fishtronaut
Hot Girls Wanted
Kids from Shaolin
Middle of Nowhere
Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn
Fishtronaut: Season 1
Fishtronaut: Season 2
Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure: Season 3
Shaolin Temple
The Pope of Greenwich Village
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie...
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Beginnings
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Eternal
The Queens of Comedy
The Quiet American
R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly
R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour
Redemption: Kickboxer 5
Repo! The Genetic Opera
Revolución
Roman Holiday
The Rugrats Movie
Elias: Rescue Team Adventures: Season 1
La Suegra: Season 1
Los tiempos de Pablo Escobar: Season 1
Familia P. Luche: Season 1
SheZow: Season 1
Bleach: Season 2
TEDTalks: Life Lessons & Confessions: Season 2
Familia P. Luche: Season 2 2007
Bleach: Season 3
Familia P. Luche: Season 3
Chuggington: Season 4
Sex Ed
Shaq: All Star Comedy Jam: Atlanta
Shaq: All Star Comedy Jam: Orlando
Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All Star...
She Doesn't Want to Sleep Alone
SheZow
Something Wild
Stash House
Sucker Punch
Tear This Heart Out
Tetro
Transit
Troll
Troll 2
Una Familia de Diez
Used Parts
Virgingate
We Are the Giant
A Wonderful World
The Inbetweeners 2
Oh No! It's an Alien Invasion: Season 1
Oh No! It's an Alien Invasion: Season 2
Four Brothers
Further
Girl on a Bicycle
The Good Guy
Hammett
Heterosexual Jill
Hidden Kingdoms
The High and the Mighty
Higher
Hits
Iesodo: Believe
Innocent Voices
The Island of Dr. Moreau: Director's Cut
Kickboxer
Kickboxer 2
Kickboxer 3: The Art of War
Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor
Kidnapped
Kiss the Girls
La Suegra
La Vida Despues
Las magicas canciones de Plim Plim
Le voyage dans la lune
Le voyage dans la lune (Color)
Los tiempos de Pablo Escobar
México Pelágico
Maria de todos los Angeles
Metastasis
Mooz-Lum
Never on a Sunday
A Night at the Roxbury
Night Falls on Manhattan
Nine Months
On the Way to School
One from the Heart
The Others
Oveja Negra
Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal: Season 1
The Paper Chase
People Will Talk
The Perfect Dictatorship
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary 2
Philly Kid
Plan B: True
Best of Me
Hector and the Search for Happiness
The City
El Chapulin Colorado
Elias: Rescue Team Adventures
The Great Escape
La Rosa de Guadalupe
LI’L QUINQUIN
Nature's Weirdest Events
Out of the Dark
Purgatorio
Pretty Little Liars: Season 5
Y Tu Mamá También
009-1: The End of the Beginning
18 cigarrillos y medio
All Over the Guy
Amar
Amor Xtremo
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now Redux
The Aviator
Bad Habits
Big Muddy
The Black Power Mixtape
Bleach
Brian's Song
The Burbs
Celia's Lives
Cephalopod
Cochochi
Dead Snow
Deeper
Delivery
Dragon Eyes
Edge of the Earth
El Gringo
El informe Toledo
Employee of the Month
The Escape Artist
Expelled from Paradise
Familia P. Luche
Far From Home: Adventures of Yellow Dog
A Feast at Midnight
Fishtail
Furious 7 Director Tackling Both Aquaman and Robotech
Despite the troubles that faced Furious 7's pre-production, the film is currently 2015's highest-grossing film with a $1.5b worldwide gross and is poised to become Hollywood's third highest-grossing film of all time. A part of the film's success is due in part to director James Wan, who previously found success in the horror genre with the Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring franchises. Buoyed by the success of Furious 7, Wan was being courted for some high-profile projects, and finally word has come out that they've become official.
Yesterday, it was announced that Wan will be a huge part of re-shaping DC's film future by helming the Jason Momoa-led Aquaman, which is scheduled for a 2018 release. Before Wan tackles Aquaman, however, he'll be returning to the world of The Conjuring with production on The Conjuring 2 set to begin this fall for a 2016 release.
In addition, Wan is also on board with Sony's live-action adaptation of the '80s anime, Robotech. There's no further information on this project, but production won't start until after Aquaman is completed.
With so many scheduled projects, Wan is setting himself for back-to-back blockbusters over the next five years.
[via Collider]