Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth ‘drop out’ of “Star Trek IV”

Actors Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth have both dropped out of “#StarTrek IV”. While deals with other returning cast members (Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg and John Cho) are expected to close, sources say that negotiations between Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth and the companies making the new installment (Paramount Pictures and Skydance Media), have fallen apart. Both sides walking away from the table.

Both Pine & Hemsworth (who are both among Hollywood’s A-list when starring in DC or Marvel movies) are said to be asking the studios to stick to existing deals. But (according to insiders), Paramount contends that Star Trek is not like a Marvel or Star Wars movie and is trying to hold the line on a budget. In other words, Paramount is reneging on existing deals with Pine & Hemsworth by trying to force them into taking pay cuts as they try to budget a movie that is following the last film, which was a mediocre performer: Star Trek Beyond.

Chris Pine has played Captain James T. Kirk in the 3 movies since the “Star Trek” reboot began and Chris Hemsworth appeared briefly at the beginning of the first reboot as James Kirk’s father.

Chris Hemsworth & Chris Pine

While it’s unclear what is going to happen with “Star Trek IV”, Paramount and Skydance insiders say the movie remains a priority development and is not being put on hold. Whether that means they will try to recast Captain Kirk & Kirk’s father is to be seen.

References

• Star Trek 4: Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth ‘drop out’ of film
• Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth ‘Star Trek 4’ Future In Doubt as Talks Fall Through
• Simon Pegg Explains Why ‘Star Trek Beyond’ Failed at the Box Office

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Harry Potter Movies Hitting the Big Screen Again

All 8 #HarryPotter movies and “#FantasticBeasts and #WhereToFindThem” are being re-released in September for the big screen. The 9 films will be shown from Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, 2018 at all 141 Cinemark XD locations. Festival passes that allow viewing all 9 films will be available for $25.

Cinemark XD theaters can be found in 32 states. Please note that not all Cinemark theaters are XD. We strongly recommend that you confer with a desired location to make sure that it’s an XD theater before purchasing any tickets for these showing.

References

• Harry Potter series hitting the big screens once again
• Cinemark Transports Fans into the Wizarding World through Exclusive Cinemark XD Movie Festival
• See All 9 Wizarding World Films in Cinemark XD
• Cinemark Full Theatre List

New Trailer for “Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald”

#WarnerBrothers released a new trailer for “#FantasticBeasts 2: #TheCrimesOfGrindelwald” at #SDCC!

Disney Fired Director James Gunn from “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3”

#Disney has fired James Gunn from directing “#GuardiansOfTheGalaxy, Vol. 3” after a number of tweets he make nearly a decade ago in which he joked about pedophilia & molestation came to light.

Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, released the following statement:

“The offensive attitudes and statements discovered on James’ Twitter feed are indefensible and inconsistent with our studio’s values, and we have severed our business relationship with him.”

James Gunn then released the following statements:

“Many people who have followed my career know when I started, I viewed myself as a provocateur, making movies and telling jokes that were outrageous and taboo. As I have discussed publicly many times, as I’ve developed as a person, so has my work and my humor.”

“It’s not to say I’m better, but I am very, very different than I was a few years ago; today I try to root my work in love and connection and less in anger. My days saying something just because it’s shocking and trying to get a reaction are over.”

He went on say the following:

“For the record, when I made these shocking jokes, I wasn’t living them out. I know this is a weird statement to make, and seems obvious, but, still, here I am, saying it.”

James Gunn

How James Gunn was Fired

Two of the individuals most responsible for creating the firestorm regarding James Gunn’s old tweets were alt-right (white supremacist) figures Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec, both of whom had long been railing against Hollywood. Mike Cernovich (and helped by Jack Posobiec & other far-right individuals) is known for playing a key role in manipulating public opinion during the 2016 election with “Pizzagate“: a far-right, white supremacist conspiracy theory about a supposed satanic pedophilia ring run by prominent Democrats out of a D.C. pizzeria.

Online Petition to Rehire James Gunn

An online petition for Disney to rehire James Gunn has received over 50,000 signatures. Though it seems unlikely that Disney will relent.

References

• James Gunn fired as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 3’ director after ‘indefensible’ tweets resurface
• MARVEL’S RECKONING JUST HAPPENED—AT THE WORST TIME POSSIBLE
• How Pizzagate Pusher Mike Cernovich Keeps Getting People Fired
• 50,000 sign petition for Disney to rehire James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
• Petition to Rehire James Gunn

Billy Dee Williams is Returning to “Star Wars”

#StarWars news! Billy Dee Williams will be reprising his role as Lando Calrissian in #StarWarsIX!

News of his return came after the actor bowed out of appearing at a #SciFi & pop-culture convention, citing a scheduling conflict with an upcoming movie role.

Billy Dee Williams (Stock Image)

References:

• ‘Star Wars’: Billy Dee Williams Reprising Role as Lando Calrissian

LucasFilm Suspends More “Star Wars” Spin-off Films

In response to poor box office receipts for “#Solo: A #StarWars Movie”, #LucasFilm is suspending work on future “Star Wars” spin-off movies to focus instead on the core franchise movies like the upcoming #StarWarsIX.

This effectively means that there won’t be Obi-wan or Boba Fett spin-offs.

After 26 days since opening, “Solo: A Star Wars Movie” has only made $343-million worldwide, which is $196-million domestic + $147-million internationally. This is a far cry from the near $482-million that the previous spin-off, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”, made domestically in its first 26 days. And that $482-million domestic is $150-million more than what Solo made both domestically & internationally combined.

References:

• ‘Star Wars’ Spinoffs Suspended After Tepid ‘Solo’ Box Office
• Box Office Mojo
• Box Office Mojo: “Solo: A Star Wars Movie”

A Disappointing Opening Weekend for “Solo: A Star Wars Movie”

In spite of being No. 1 at the box office on its opening weekend (which is also Memorial Day weekend), “#Solo: A #StarWar Story” fell far short of monetary expectations by earning a meager $148.3-million globally ($83.3-million domestically & $65-million internationally). This is unfortunate given that it’s a fun movie that most fans of the franchise would enjoy seeing.

Some factors that may have worked against the film’s opening are as follows:

• There are 2 other recent blockbuster releases still playing in theaters: “#Avengers: #InfinityWar” & “#Deadpool 2”.
• #FranchiseFatigue: it’s only been 5 months since the release of “#StarWars VIII: #TheLastJedi”.
• Less than stellar reviews.
• Changing directors midway to Ron Howard.
• Mixed reactions to the most recent Star Wars movie: The Last Jedi.

Only time will tell if “Solo: A Star Wars Movie” can turn the tide and attract more fans to see the film. Overseas, the film has not yet opened in Japan until June 29, 2018.

References:

• ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ Bombs With $148M Global Debut
• ‘Solo’ isn’t Flying So High, Delivering Soft Memorial Day Weekend Debut
• Rotten Tomatoes: SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018)
• Ron Howard to Direct “Star Wars” Han Solo Movie
• Mixed Reactions to “Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi”