Britt Hayes is a writer, movie lover, and sensible sweater enthusiast living in Austin, Texas. She watches too much TV and never eats her vegetables.
Britt Hayes
New Movie Releases: July 2016
The summer movie season continues next month with new Ghostbusters, a big friendly giant, another Purge night and Star Trek Beyond, and that’s not even half of it. Those of you interested in something a little less blockbuster-y should definitely add Mike Birbiglia’s Don’t Think Twice to your must-see list, along with the James Wan-produced horror flick Lights Out. For details on all of these movies and more, read on for our complete guide to July’s new movie releases.
Francis Lawrence Eyes ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Movie From ‘Westworld’ Scribe
The Battlestar Galactica movie has been in the works for a long, long time, and it’s been quite a while since we received an update on the big screen version of the classic sci-fi series. But today brings some frakkin’ good news for BSG fans, as Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence is reportedly circling the project, which has tapped Westworld scribe Lisa Joy to pen a new draft of the screenplay.
Steven Spielberg Confirms John Williams to Score ‘Indiana Jones 5’ and ‘Star Wars: Episode 8’
Not that Lucasfilm would get anyone else to score new Star Wars and Indiana Jones sequels as long as John Williams is still around, but just in case there was any doubt, Steven Spielberg has officially confirmed the legendary composer’s return for both franchises. The director’s announcement appropriately took place during last night’s AFI tribute to Williams, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to cinema.
Professor X Does Not Look Okay in These New ‘Wolverine 3’ Set Photos
Following our first look at a scruffy, bearded Hugh Jackman, more new photos from the set of The Wolverine 3 have popped up online, giving us a peek at Patrick Stewart’s return as Professor Charles Xavier. To be honest, he doesn’t look like he’s feeling so good in these pics, which also feature Jackman and a mysterious kid co-star — which makes this look like Two and a Half X-Men.
Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter Join Female-Fronted ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Project
Gary Ross’ female-fronted Ocean’s Eleven sorta-sequel-spinoff-whatever has started picking up steam, and in addition to confirming Cate Blanchett’s casting, the latest update adds two more talented names to the ensemble: Mindy Kaling and Helena Bonham Carter. The trio join Sandra Bullock in the upcoming project, which is being produced by original Ocean’s trilogy director Steven Soderbergh.
‘Suicide Squad’ Officially Rated PG-13, Not That You’re Surprised
Warner Bros. execs made it pretty clear that Suicide Squad wasn’t aiming for an R-rating, though if any of their upcoming DC movies would be rated R, it’s the one that makes the most sense. Still, despite the success of Deadpool, WB has decided that Suicide Squad should be for everyone — well, everyone age 13 and up, and also probably a few clever kids who convince their parents that David Ayer’s rowdy comic book movie is an imperative exploration of complex morals in government relations, or something.
Michael Bay Reveals Bumblebee’s New Look in ‘Transformers: The Last Knight’
It looks like Bumblebee is getting a bit of a makeover for the new Transformers sequel — not that it’s the first time. The friendly Autobot capable of stealthily upgrading his wheels has traded in his 2014 Camaro for a newer model, though he’s still sporting his signature colors, of course. Michael Bay revealed Bumblebee’s new look over the weekend, and if you’re a fan of cars — or of Transformers — then you’ll probably want to take a look.
‘Ghostbusters’ Director Paul Feig Says the Sexist Backlash Has Been ‘Chilling’
It’s hard to believe that the great pop culture wars are being waged over something like female Ghostbusters, but here we are. In the year 2016, we’ve seen backlash over casting Idris Elba as the Gunslinger in The Dark Tower, accusations that critics were paid by Marvel to diss Batman v Superman, and, perhaps worst of all, outrage at Paul Feig for making a new Ghostbusters movie with women in the lead roles. You don’t have to look very far to find heinous comments about the reboot on the internet, but as you might imagine, Feig has seen some of the worst of it.
Stephen King’s ‘It’ Remake Finds Its Pennywise as Casting Begins
While we continue to mourn Cary Fukunaga’s adaptation of It that might have been, the remake of Stephen King’s classic horror story is still chugging right along with Mama director Andy Muschietti at the helm. Casting has begun for the long-developing project, which has officially locked down the role of Pennywise the terrifying clown, along with at least one of the young kids he’ll be tormenting.
‘Friday the 13th’ Reboot Will Show You a New Jason Voorhees Origin Story, Kind Of
By now, Jason Voorhees’ origin story has become as redundant and exhausting as the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. He was a kid with a physical abnormality who drowned because some careless teenage camp counselors were too busy gettin’ busy and smoking pot. We get it. But apparently we don’t get it enough because that long-developing Friday the 13th reboot is going to rehash Jason’s origins yet again — this time revealing even more needless information about the slasher boogeyman’s family history.
Dwayne Johnson to Star in New Action Flick Described as ‘Die Hard in China’
Dwayne Johnson continues to be the hardest working actor in Hollywood, seemingly immune to the flaws that plague mere mortals — like getting tired and needing a good nap. The actor has added yet another project to his ambitious pile, which already includes Fast 8, Jumanji, that recently announced Robert Ludlum cinematic universe, and (probably) Doc Savage. Basically, Dwayne Johnson is making you look lazy right now.
Mel Gibson Could Have Played Odin in the ‘Thor’ Movies
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is loaded with great actors in supporting roles, from Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Douglas to upcoming additions like Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. It’s names like those that help enrich the MCU; it’s harder to dismiss these movies as silly comic book fare when you have someone like Sir Anthony Hopkins playing Odin. As it turns out, that specific bit of casting wouldn’t have happened if Marvel went with an earlier choice: Mel Gibson.
Another ‘Austin Powers’ Sequel Could Still Swing Its Way Into Theaters
Unlike most comedy sequels, the Austin Powers franchise only became more successful at the box office with each additional outing (sorry, Neighbors 2), with Austin Powers in Goldmember generating $300 million worldwide. It’s been 14 years since Mike Myers last donned the mop-top and spouted a bunch of delightfully cheesy innuendoes, and though we may not be any closer to a fourth Austin Powers outing, director Jay Roach says it could still very much happen.
Netflix to Officially Begin Streaming New Disney Films in September
Way back in 2012 (or at least it feels way back), Netflix and Disney struck a deal for all of Disney’s movies — including Marvel, Pixar and Lucasfilm — to stream exclusively on Netflix Instant. According to the terms of their agreement, the deal wouldn’t kick in until 2016, which just so happens to be the year in which we are currently living. As announced today, Netflix will officially begin streaming Disney films in September, but that doesn’t mean the studio’s entire library will magically appear in your Instant browser.
Are You Ready For a ‘Benji’ Reboot? Good, Because You’re Getting One
If studio developments in recent years have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected when it comes to reboots and adaptations. From upcoming movies based on video games like Centipede and Tetris to the Jumanji reboot, it’s as if studios are plucking titles from the Least Likely pile (where is my Easy Bake Oven movie already?). The latest movie to get the unexpected reboot treatment is Benji — you know, the feel-good doggy adventure movie from 1974, which many of you probably remember best from its near-constant presence on The Disney Channel in the ’80s and early ’90s.
New HBO NOW Releases: June 2016
Game of Thrones Season 6 comes to an end in June (so soon!), but luckily HBO NOW has plenty of viewing options to help keep you occupied during your annual mourning period. Next month brings the premiere of HBO’s new weekly series Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons, hosted by the renowned sports analyst, author and ESPN vet. Cinephiles, meanwhile, will be thrilled to see the addition of Ridley Scott’s The Martian and (maybe) David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars. But more importantly, the epic Problem Child trilogy is coming to HBO NOW in June, giving you a chance to engage in a fierce familial debate over the finer points of Junior’s schemes — surely a more contentious topic than the resurrection of Jon Snow.