Latest news with #Illumination
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Taikia Waititi Will Direct The Next ‘Judge Dredd'
Barbie gets her first non-DTV animated movie for theaters, a breakout Strange New Worlds character enjoys more screen time, and Steve from Stranger Things picks up a humongous chainsaw. Thirsty for more? Spoilers, ahoy! THR reports Taika Waititi is attached to direct a new live-action Judge Dredd movie based on a script by Drew Pearce (Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation, The Fall Guy). Chris Kingsley, Jason Kingsley and Ben Smith of Rebellion Developments, Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment, Jeremy Platt, Natalie Viscuso and Pearce, himself, are attached to produce the project, which is currently looking for a studio. Deadline reports Gale Ann Hurd's Valhalla Entertainment has acquired the film rights to Yuletide, a yet-to-be-published comic book series at Oni Press from writer George Northy and artist Rachele Aragno. Described as 'a fast-paced family adventure in the tradition of The Goonies, Goosebumps, and Hocus Pocus with a horrifying holiday twist,' the story concerns 'ancient Norse creatures let loose upon an idyllic Northeastern town at the height of the gift-giving season — and the only three teenagers capable of holding them at bay with an ancient secret tied to the origins of the holiday itself.' Deadline also reports an animated Barbie movie is now in development at Illumination, Universal, and Mattel Studios. Unsurprisingly, Deadline confirms Willem Dafoe has also joined the cast of Robert Egger's Werwulf. Speaking with Bloody-Disgusting, The Purge creator James DeMonaco teased 'people's favorite character' may return in part 6. I just finished a script. My producer, Sébastien Lemercier, has read multiple drafts, given me notes. We just handed it to Jason [Blum]. I'm really happy with it. I hope they like it. I think it's cool and fun. We're hoping next year would be great to shoot, maybe the end of this year if timing works out. But now it's with the powers that be, so we'll see what happens. People's favorite character might be coming back, I can say without naming who that is; a couple of people who could be. But someone's coming back who I love and I think the audience loves. Then we create some real great female heroes in this one. There's some really amazing women. We've had some great women in the past, but real warrior women come forth here in a way that we haven't really explored on Purge night. It's been really fun to write. And I'm writing with my wife, so I'm getting a nice female perspective, and that's been really fun. A man becomes lost in a seemingly endless subway passage in the trailer for Exit 8. Elsewhere, a science-fiction writer begins to lose his grasp on reality after his first taste of success in the trailer for Terrestrial, starring Jermaine Fowler. According to Deadline, Leonardo DiCaprio is developing a live-action Captain Planet TV series at Netflix with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television. Former Mrs. Davis showrunner Tara Hernandez is attached to write the pilot. In conversation with /Film, Melissa Navia revealed the new season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was specifically written to include more screen time for Erica Ortegas. Yeah. I mean, I know for my part I didn't [push for more screen time] in particular, because I knew since season 1 our showrunners and our writers have been saying, 'We want to write more Ortegas into the show.' But when you have 10 episodes and you have this amazing ensemble cast, and you have legacy characters and new characters, the fact that we get as much out of all of them as we have gotten is a testament to the writers and what they're able to pack into these mini-movies that you guys get. But for Ortegas, after season 1, seeing the big fan response, that was so beautiful and heartwarming and everything you could ask for as an actor. And again, our showrunners are like, 'We know what the fans want, we're going to give it to them.' And then season 2, I was very excited with all the screen time she got, but the fans were not excited [laughs]. They were excited, but they were like, 'Not enough!' And I'm like, 'Ah!' So, season 3, it's a progression. And I'd love to see — I love our writers, I think they're all rock stars. I'd like to see where they see Ortegas going, and then I'll have my input as well. But a lot of this is them kind of doing what they do best, and I do what I do on my side of things. Spoiler TV has new images from the fifth season of Stranger Things. Click through to see the rest. The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time. Finally, the Smith family encourages Morty to let his son die in a hospital while they visit a restaurant with precognitive waiters in a clip from this Sunday's episode of Rick and Morty. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mattel And Illumination Join Hands To Produce Barbie Animated Movie For Theatres
This news came after director Greta Gerwig's 2023 Barbie movie, featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, turned out to be a massive hit. Two years after Margot Robbie's widely acclaimed live-action Barbie became a global hit at the box office, Mattel is reportedly in talks to produce the first-ever animated movie for the big screen. Previously, the iconic doll has appeared in 52 animated movies and streaming TV films since 2001 but has not yet been released to the big screen. As per Deadline, Mattel is joining hands with Illumination, the studio behind the Minions franchise, to produce the first-ever Barbie animated film for the theatres. However, representatives of both Mattel and Illumination have refrained from commenting on this report and have made no official statement so far. Deadline reports that the film will be released by Universal Pictures, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Illumination. No further details regarding the plot or creatives attached to the film have been revealed so far. This news came after director Greta Gerwig's 2023 Barbie movie, featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, turned out to be a massive hit. The film made historic waves at the box office, grossing over $1.3 billion at the global box office and becoming the highest-earning theatrical release of Warner Bros. Greta Gerwig's Barbie has also become the highest-grossing film helmed by a woman and was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Since 1959, Barbie has held down its position as the global category leader in dolls, with more than 100 dolls sold every minute, as per Deadline. Barbie's large scale influenced Mattel to produce more and more Barbie movies. Mattel Studios has reportedly two films slated for release in 2026 – a live-action Masters of the Universe, set to be released by Amazon MGM Studios, and a live-action Matchbox produced alongside Skydance and Apple. Chris Meledandri's Illumination has two films up for release through Universal Pictures. A sequel to the blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is scheduled to release on April 3, 2026, and Nintendo and Minions 3, which is set to hit the theatres on July 1, 2026. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Barbie' animated film in development at Illumination and Mattel Studios following live-action success
An animated Barbie feature is officially in the works from Illumination and Mattel Studios, marking the first time the doll will headline a theatrically released animated film. The project follows the massive global success of 2023's live-action Barbie, which grossed over $1.44 billion and earned eight Academy Award nominations and one win. While the new film has not yet been dated and plot details remain undisclosed, sources confirm that Universal Pictures will handle its release. Greta Gerwig's Barbie, released by Warner Bros., became a global cultural event and remains the highest-grossing film in the studio's history, as well as the most successful film ever directed by a woman. This move comes amid broader growth at Mattel Studios, which recently unified its television and film divisions. Alongside Barbie, the studio is developing multiple toy-based adaptations, including Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, and others such as UNO, Polly Pocket, and American Girl. Illumination, the studio behind hits like Minions and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has a proven record of box office performance and will next release sequels to both franchises in 2026.
The Verge
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
A Donkey Kong movie is a safe bet for Nintendo's growing entertainment empire
It's looking like Nintendo might have a DK-sized addition to its feature film lineup. The company has filed a copyright notice for a motion picture listed as an 'Untitled Donkey Kong Project.' And last month, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said in an investors call that the company was working on more movies, explaining that 'although we cannot discuss our plans beyond The Legend of Zelda movie at this time, we are working on various other projects.' So even though a Donkey Kong movie isn't official just yet, it seems likely — and it would make a whole lot of sense for Nintendo. Nintendo's current foray into film got off to a great start. It partnered with Universal for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which earned more than $1 billion and currently has a sequel in the works. It was a safe bet among a series of safe bets from Nintendo: taking one of the most iconic properties in games and adapting it alongside Universal's Illumination animation studio, the same team behind family-friendly blockbusters like Minions and Despicable Me. Nintendo used a similar tactic for its foray into theme parks, leading with Mario and the Mushroom Kingdom, and also partnering with Universal. Things will get trickier from there. While the Super Mario Bros. sequel seems like a fairly safe follow-up, the upcoming adaptation of The Legend of Zelda feels much riskier. Zelda games are as popular as they've ever been thanks to Switch-era releases Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but taking a beloved fantasy world and translating it into a live-action film is more complicated than an animated Mario movie crafted by an established studio. The casting of Link and Zelda alone will likely bring much more scrutiny than Chris Pratt's Mario voice. Zelda director Wes Ball has had some success in the past, most recently with last year's Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, but nothing to suggest that the live-action take on Hyrule will be a guaranteed box office success. (And that's not even factoring Nintendo's questionable history with live-action films.) Given how calculated Nintendo tends to be, balancing out a risky bet like Zelda with a safer one like Donkey Kong makes a lot of sense. And the company has been priming DK for his breakout moment for years now. Not only did the character have a major role in the first Mario Bros. film (voiced by Seth Rogen), but a DK-themed area was the first expansion for the Super Nintendo World theme park in Osaka. DK is also playing a major role in the launch of the Switch 2. Following the launch title Mario Kart World, this week's Donkey Kong Bananza — developed by the same team behind Super Mario Odyssey — will be the console's second significant Nintendo exclusive. So this really is Donkey Kong's moment. The original game from 1981 was a pivotal point as Nintendo cemented its space in video games, introducing Mario to the world and also providing a taste of what creator Shigeru Miyamoto had in store for the future. Now, a few decades later, DK is playing a different but no less pivotal role in the company's biggest expansions, whether it's a theme park or new console — and, just maybe, his own movie.
Tatler Asia
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Multi-billion superstar: how Scarlett Johansson became the undisputed queen of the box office
'The Avengers' movies (2012 to 2019) – US$7.7B Above The ensemble 'Avengers' films generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. The four core Avengers films represent the monumental bedrock of Scarlett Johansson's box office supremacy. From the groundbreaking original assembly in 2012 to the epic conclusion of Endgame in 2019, these ensemble blockbusters generated a combined US$7.7 billion worldwide. As one of the original six Avengers, Johansson's Black Widow served as the emotional anchor and pragmatic conscience of the team, making her indispensable to the franchise's success. 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014) – US$714M Above The spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. More than just another Marvel instalment, this critically acclaimed spy thriller elevated Johansson from supporting player to true co-lead. Her chemistry with Chris Evans's Captain America became a fan-favourite dynamic, while the film's gritty, 1970s-inspired aesthetic showcased her dramatic range. The US$714 million global gross proved that audiences were hungry for more Black Widow, fuelling demands for her solo film. 'Lucy' (2014) - US$457M Above 'Lucy' became a box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. This Luc Besson sci-fi thriller stands as the definitive proof of Scarlett Johansson's solo star power. Built around an original, R-rated concept with no pre-existing fanbase, Lucy became a genuine box office phenomenon, grossing over 11 times its US$40 million budget. Johansson's transformation from terrified student to omnipotent being captivated global audiences, demonstrating her ability to lead a blockbuster without franchise support. Don't miss: Female action heroes: 8 women who redefined courage long before 'Ballerina' pirouetted in 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) – US$1.15B Above In 'Captain America: Civil War', Johansson's Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family. This billion-dollar behemoth placed Johansson's character at the ideological centre of the Avengers's most personal conflict. As the team fractured along moral lines, Black Widow navigated the treacherous waters between her found family, showcasing the emotional intelligence that made her irreplaceable. 'The Jungle Book' (2016) – US$951M Above Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved bankable in 'The Jungle Book'. Johansson's distinctive, husky voice proved equally bankable as her physical presence in Disney's photorealistic adaptation. Voicing the hypnotic python Kaa, she brought menacing allure to the classic villain, contributing to the film's nearly US$1 billion global success. This performance showed that her appeal goes beyond traditional leading roles, extending her marketability into lucrative family films. 'Sing' (2016) – US$631M Above In this animated musical, Johansson voiced a prickly teenage porcupine. In Illumination's original animated musical, Johansson voiced Ash, a prickly teenage porcupine with punk-rock sensibilities. The film's US$631 million global success further proved her versatility and broad appeal beyond the MCU. Her ability to breathe life into animated characters showcased yet another dimension of her star power, appealing to audiences across all demographics. 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' (2025) – $322M and climbing Above The film's US$322 million global opening provided the push that crowned Johansson as the highest-grossing leading actor of all time. The coronation film that officially secured Scarlett Johansson's throne arrived with prehistoric force. Her decade-long pursuit of a role in the Jurassic franchise culminated in portraying Zora Bennett, an ex-military specialist. The film's massive US$322 million global opening provided the final push that crowned her the highest-grossing leading actor of all time, proving her lasting star power in Hollywood. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
