It was all about trailers this week in the world of movie news, with new looks at many of the big blockbusters still to come when the Avengers: Infinity War dust has finally settled in a few months’ time. We got another look at the curiously fascinating Solo: A Star Wars Story, as well as a first glimpse of the biggest shark ever in The Meg and, most notably, a full trailer for Pixar’s long-awaited sequel Incredibles 2.
Away from trailers, there was a flurry of news about the sequel to Andy Muschietti‘s horror smash hit It, with some insight as to who will be playing the adult versions of the characters from the first movie. There was also a suggestion as to who will be directing the upcoming Fast and Furious spin-off focusing on Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.
Here’s your movie news round-up…
Elastigirl kicks butt in full Incredibles 2 trailer
Everybody loves Pixar, but their sequels often disappoint. Fans have always clamoured for a sequel to The Incredibles and, now, that is finally becoming a reality. With that in mind, everyone will be hoping that this is something far more refreshing than the standard Pixar sequel. A new trailer this week suggested that the film will be very interesting, focusing on Elastigirl as the figurehead for a new movement to rehabilitate the reputation of superheroes, leaving Mr Incredible to turn homemaker and look after the kids, including Jack Jack and his assortment of randomly exploding powers.
This is a really refreshing trailer and it’s exciting to see Incredibles 2 moving towards a female-focused narrative. There’s also plenty of action involving the entire family, though, and a fun gag in which Samuel L Jackson returns as Frozone. All indications suggest that Brad Bird has put together something very exciting here that should be able to live up to the high expectations. Incredibles 2 will be released into UK cinemas in June 2018.
Lando steps forward in new Solo trailer
Has there ever been a more underwhelming marketing campaign, especially in a major franchise, than the one for Solo: A Star Wars Story? Every new image or trailer from the film has heightened the sense of apprehension around the movie, which Ron Howard has shepherded to the big screen after creative differences forced out the original directors. This week’s trailer was more of the same, with Alden Ehrenreich looking more and more out of his depth every time he appears on camera. The only bright spot is Donald Glover, who exudes charisma as the young Lando Calrissian.
This was another tired-looking trailer that suggests Solo is a karaoke version of Star Wars in the worst possible sense of that phrase. However, there is the nagging fact that Disney has booked the movie for a Cannes Film Festival premiere, suggesting they have a fair amount of faith in what Howard has managed to create. Solo: A Star Wars Story, whatever shape it’s in, is due to land in UK cinemas in May.
Hader and McAvoy line up to join It sequel cast
The sequel to It is set to go in front of cameras over the summer and, with that due to take place, we’ve finally got some more news about casting for the adult versions of the lead characters. Jessica Chastain is now confirmed to be playing the part of Beverly and, according to a report in Variety this week, there are two new names in the mix. Bill Hader is reportedly in talks to play Finn Wolfhard‘s character, Richie, while James McAvoy is circling the role of Losers Club leader Bill, portrayed by Jaeden Lieberher in the first movie. All of the original actors are set to return for flashback scenes.
The second half of the It story is considerably less interesting than the first, but all of the pieces director Andy Muschietti is assembling seem to be falling into the right place. Hader, McAvoy and Chastain all feel like suitable aged-up versions of the original child stars and there’s an A-list flavour to this casting that is seldom seen in the world of horror cinema – a mark of the first film’s success. It: Chapter Two will hit cinemas in September 2019.
Leitch in talks for Fast & Furious spin-off
One of the more strange, but exciting, projects currently percolating in the Hollywood firmament is the Fast & Furious spin-off that will team up Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw. This week, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that David Leitch, director of Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde, is in the frame to take the helm of the movie, which is set to be the next Fast movie out of the blocks.
Leitch is a perfect choice to direct this spin-off. He’s well known for his crunching action sequences, as well as his sense of comedy, which would seem to give him all of the ingredients to make this story work. The Hobbs/Shaw story, and particularly the killer chemistry between Johnson and Statham, cannot fail to make for a solid movie and one that will only increase the box office clout of this franchise. The currently untitled Hobbs/Shaw spin-off movie is set to be released in June 2019.
Schemes are assembled in Ocean’s 8 trailer
I can’t say I was massively excited to see Ocean’s 8 before this week. However, a new trailer debuted online for the movie, and it looks like fast-paced, kinetic fun with a killer cast. The trailer sells an enjoyably silly heist caper that seems far more aware of its own inherent sense of camp than the most recent trilogy of Ocean movies. Sandra Bullock looks as if she’s having a great time as Debbie Ocean, estranged sister of Danny, while the trailer also finds plenty of time for Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway.
Everything about this movie seems to radiate fun, alongside the same visual dynamism that propelled the previous films in the series. Director Gary Ross, best known for the first Hunger Games film, seems to have a real handle on what this movie needs to be, which bodes well for the finished product. Ocean’s 8 is set to open in June.
Statham versus shark in The Meg trailer
The prospect of an action hero fighting an enormous, prehistoric shark sounds like the stuff of a VOD crapfest rather than a major summer blockbuster. However, we are getting The Meg this summer, starring Jason Statham, and the first full trailer for the movie showed up online this week. It sees Statham as an expert diver hired to protect the crew of an ocean research vessel when a 75-foot fish shows up and starts causing considerable mischief with its massive jaws.
This looks like great fun and the entire project seems as if the feel they’re going for is Sharknado with a budget. I’m a sucker for movies about massive sharks – Jaws is my favourite film of all time – and so there’s very little chance of this film being a disappointment, particularly given Statham’s appearance in what could become a signature role in his filmography. The Meg will arrive in UK cinemas in August.
Krasinski to follow A Quiet Place with sci-fi
Despite years as a comedy performer, John Krasinski presented himself as a major voice in horror cinema with A Quiet Place, which is winning over both critics and audiences as we speak. He is set to team up with Paramount and Platinum Dunes once again, according to The Hollywood Reporter, for a new sci-fi thriller with a horror edge. Life on Mars will be an adaptation of a short story about a woman on a long-standing Mars colony who discovers that she can breathe air on the red planet, changing the way the colony works. Krasinski reportedly found the story and took it to his new colleagues.
It’s encouraging to see Krasinski taking up another genre movie for his next project, rather than retreating back into a comedy comfort zone. A Quiet Place is a movie that has established him as a voice worth watching on the darker side of the cinematic spectrum, so it’s good to see him operating again in that world. The story behind Life on Mars sounds like a compelling one, with plenty of room for Krasinski to once again conjure a tense, creepy atmosphere.
It’s a trailer party this week, but which of the rich selection on offer was your favourite? Do you think Hader and McAvoy are the right names for the It sequel? Let me know in the comments section and come back next Sunday for another news round-up.