The Wrap

TJ takes a look at a few highlights from the past week. Riddick was on top of the box office dog pile, although that’s not saying much given the lackluster offerings available right now. Vin Diesel would like to make more so we’ll see how that goes. ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ tickets will be available for pre-sale on October 1st! There’s more on the Cumberbatch and ‘Star Wars’ front plus we have a possible title for the upcoming ‘Star Wars’ film. Hugh Jackman says we’re going to be blown away with ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. Marvel has scheduled yet another film for 2015: ‘Ant-Man’. Disney is encouraging irresponsible movie watching with second screen experience for ‘The Little Mermaid’. We may have a possible director for the next ‘Star Trek’ film. And the big news this week comes on the ‘Harry Potter’ front. Tune in for that! And of course, TJ talks about your viewing options at the box office this weekend.

• Riddick Sees His Way to The Box Office
• More ‘Riddick’ On The Way?
• ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Tickets Available on October 1st
• On Cumberbatch and ‘Star Wars VII’
• Possible Title for ‘Star Wars VII’?
• Hugh Jackman Speaks About ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past (Video)
• Marvel Schedules ‘Ant Man’ for Summer 2015 Release
• Disney to Ruin ‘The Little Mermaid’ With “Second Screen”
• WB Announces ‘Harry Potter’ Spin-Off Series
• JJ Doesn’t Say Rupert Wyatt Won’t Direct Next ‘Star Trek’
• What to see: Weekend of September 13, 2013

TJ takes a look back at the box office glumness that was last weekend. He mentions the removing of Bob Peterson from the role of director on Pixar’s upcoming ‘The Good Dinosaur’, which is a little worrisome. Next TJ highly recommends you take the time to watch Kevin Spacey’s comments about Netflix, Pilots, and ‘House of Cards’. Of course there’s lots of rumors circulating about Benedict Cumberbatch being involved in ‘Star Wars VII’. His reps do, of course, deny all. Speaking of denials, Bryan Cranston has also denied all rumors about having been cast as Lex Luthor in the upcoming ‘Man of Steel’. TJ also reviewed the film ‘Closed Circuit’ this week and talked about it on The MovieByte Podcast with Chad. Neither of them liked the film very much. Also, apparently Batman needs a love interest for his upcoming appearance in ‘Man of Steel 2’. Will Smith might be in ‘Independence Day 2’ after all. And also, Roland Emmerich doesn’t care much about the ‘Stargate’ fans he might tick off in discarding all the history and world building of the ‘Stargate’ franchise since his initial film in 1994. And of course, TJ talks about what you might like to see this weekend.

• The Box Office Headed in “One Direction” - Box Office Report
• Pixar Removes Bob Peterson from ‘The Good Dinosaur’
• Netflix, Pilots, and ‘House of Cards’
• Benedict Cumberbatch Cast in ‘Star Wars VII’?
• More On Cumberbatch in ‘Star Wars’ - Probably Playing a Villain
• Cumberbatch’s Reps Deny All ‘Star Wars’ Rumors
• Bryan Cranston Says No Luthorcorp In His Future
• Closed Circuit (2013) - Review
• The MovieByte Podcast #59: They Got Away With It
• Batman Needs a Love Interest or Something
• ‘Independence Day 2’ Might Have Will Smith After All?
• Roland Emmerich to Stargate Fans: “Drop Dead”
• Are You Afraid of the Dark? - What to see this weekend

TJ chats with you about last weekend’s box office successes and faiures and which of those films deserved and/or didn’t deserve what it got. And there’s plenty of Marvel and Joss Whedon in the news. Kevin Feige over at Marvel seems to think we’ll be seeing more of The Hulk and Hawkeye around the Marvel universe. And we really want to know, will Joss Whedon kill off one of the Avengers? It’s a tricky proposition either way really, and TJ explains. The Chinese think that ‘Pacific Rim’ was nothing more than an American propaganda film. ‘Arrested Development’ is getting the silver screen treatment. TJ reviewed ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ and he did not like it! TJ also has a rumor that, if true, would be a fairly big spoiler for ‘Avengers 2’, make sure to listen for that! Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright have directed episodes of ‘House of Cards’ which will be airing next year. And of course, tune in to hear about what you might like to see this weekend!

• ‘The Butler’ Makes No Bones About It - Box Office, August 26, 2013
• More Hulk And Hawkeye On the Slate
• Will Joss Whedon Kill Off An Avenger?
• Chinese Military Official Calls ‘Pacific Rim’ “American Propaganda
• ‘Arrested Development’ Film
• The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
• The MovieByte Podcast #58: Shadow Hunter
• RUMOR: Possible Big Spoiler for ‘Avengers 2’
• James Spader Will Face Off Against The Avengers as Ultron!
• Kevin Spacey & Robin Wright Directed Episodes of ‘House of Cards’
• What to see: Weekend of August 30, 2013

After discussing how the various films did at the box office last weekend, TJ ponders the deep questions, like, should Ewan McGregor get a character film for Obi-Wan? It’s a tough question actually, because on the one hand he was one of the few good things about the prequels, but on the other, what story is there to tell? Speaking of ‘Star Wars’, David Prowse does not like those prequels much. There’s also the hilarious and awesome ‘Star Trek Into Darkness Honest Trailer’! You’ll want to catch that! TJ also wrote a review of the biopic ‘JOBS’, and discussed it with Joe Darnell on this week’s MovieByte Podcast. There’s also a live action ‘Cinderella’ underway, and Haley Atwell is invovled in some capacity. Big news this week: Ben Affleck is going to be playing Batman in the ‘Man of Steel’ sequel. TJ is not at all sure what to think about this news. And of course, you won’t want to miss out on what you might want to see this weekend!

• ‘The Butler’ Serves - Box Office Report for August 19
• Ewan McGregor To Reprise Obi-Wan Kenobi?
• David Prowse Does Not Like the Prequels
• Samuel L. Jackson Talks ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’
• ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Honest Trailer
• JOBS - Review
• The MovieByte Podcast #57: An Amazing Jobs
• Hayley Atwell Joins Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella
• Ben Affleck to Play Batman in ‘Man of Steel’ Sequel
• ‘Star Wars Episode VII’ Will Be Shot on Film
• What To See: Weekend of August 22, 2013

TJ takes a look at what’s popular in the box office from the last weekend and how the rankings went down, as well as offering some opinions and short analysis of Elysium. The the question is asked, is the 3D fad over? TJ wants the answer to be yes. ‘Now You See Me’ has another magic trick up its sleeve, and that is that there will be a sequel. This seems highly unwarranted, but there you have it. Was Christian Bale offered $50 Million to reprise Batman? TJ thinks not. Ian McDiarmid is rumored to be returning to play Emperor Palpatine in the upcoming ‘Star Wars Episode VII’. This seems like a mistake unless handled very carefully. Stephanie Meyer thinks critics punished ‘The Host’ because of the ‘Twilight’ series. That may be, but it doesn’t explain the ultra poor reception at the box office. Do ‘Star Trek’ fans hate ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’? If they do, TJ thinks they are stupid. Mark Wahlberg would like a shot at playing ‘Iron Man’. This thought greatly disturbs TJ. And Blomkamp’s next film will be what he’s calling a cross between ‘RoboCop’ and ‘E.T.’, to which TJ says, "no thanks". And of course, don’t miss what’s coming out in theaters this weekend!

• Rich, Strippers, Drugs, Crop Dusters — Box Office Report, Aug. 12
• The MovieByte Podcast #56: Blow Up Endor
• Is the 3D Fad Over? (Please say yes!)
• Elysium - Review
• ‘Now You See Me’ — The Next Trick is a Sequel
• Was Christian Bale Offered $50 Million To Reprise Batman?
• RUMOR! Ian McDiarmid to Reprise Palpatine in Episode VII?
• Natalie Portman’s Phrasing Could Have Possible ‘Thor’ Spoiler
• Meyer Says Critics Punished ‘The Host’ Because of ‘Twilight’
• ‘Trek’ Fans Hate ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’?
• Mark Wahlberg Would Like to Play Iron Man
• Blomkamp says ‘Chappie’ Will Be Hilarious Mix of RoboCop and ‘E.T.’
• Steve Jobs Comes to the Theater - What to See This Weekend

Take a look at which films were at the top of the box office this past weekend, and TJ’s opinion on them, including ‘2 Guns’, ‘The Wolerine’, and ‘The Smurfs 2’. Then James Cameron is upping the ‘Avatar’ sequel count to three, making four ‘Avatar’ films in total when it’s all said and done. It’s kind of a head scratcher really, is there that much momentum? Then it’s time to get Bourne Again (ugh)! And Christopher McQuarries mission, should he choose to accept it (which he has) is to make a great film of ‘Mission Impossible 5’. Tom Hiddleston confirms Loki will not be in ‘The Avengers: The Age of Ultron’. ‘2 Guns’ was reviewed in written form by TJ, then Chad and TJ talked about it on The MovieByte Podcast. The film can’t be recommended for reasons TJ goes in to. The threat of a 5th ‘Indiana Jones’ film is still looming overhead like a great storm cloud on the horizon. A strange looking film, and a strange trailer about a guy falling in love with his Operating System is on deck. But TJ is not completely willing to write it off. And of course, find out what to see this weekend!

• Guns and Claws — Box Office Report for August 5, 2013
• James Cameron Ups ‘Avatar’ Sequel Count to Three
• Bourne Again — More Bourne without, you know, Bourne
• Mission: Accepted - Christopher McQuarrie to Direct ‘MI:5’
• Tom Hiddleston Confirms Loki is not in ‘Avengers 2’
• 2 Guns - Review
• The MovieByte Podcast #55: I Didn’t Hate It
• The Threat of ‘Indiana Jones 5’ Still Looms
• ‘Her’ Trailer Staring Joaquin Phoenix, and Scarlett Johanson’s Voice
• Sea Full of Monsters - What to See This Weekend

In this episode TJ goes over the box office totals and top earners, and ‘The Wolverine’ is the clear winner here, even if ultimately it was a bit disappointing domestically. Jon M. Chu is talking about making more terribleness with ‘G.I. Joe 3’. And John Williams has been officially announced to return to the ‘Star Wars’ universe and score the new trilogy. Speaking of ‘Star Wars’, episode VII is apparently going to have a big focus on characters according to Kathleen Kennedy, which makes us all happy to hear anyway. The trailer for ‘Escape Plan’ staring Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger actually looks like it could be good (in other news, bacon has taken wing). And don’t miss Superman and Batman chatting it up about their upcoming film together. In the stupider news this week, ‘Sharknado is coming to theaters… yeah… Of course, ‘The Hobbit’ is getting an extended edition on Blu-ray and there’s a deleted scene clip floating around. ‘Despicable Me 2’ is Universal’s most profitable film, which strikes TJ as sad. ‘Pacific Rim’ is doing well in China and other parts of the globe, making a sequel much more likely than at first it seemed like. And new in theaters this weekend are ‘2 Guns’ and ‘Smurfs 2’. TJ gives you the run down on those and others you will still find in theaters.

• ‘The Wolverine’ Digs His Claws In — Box Office Report, July 29, 2013
• Jon M. Chu talks ‘G.I. Joe 3’ - Linked
• John Williams Officially Returning to Score New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy
• ‘Episode VII’ — Story and Character More Important Than Effects
• Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’ - I think I Just Died
• ‘Escape Plan’ Trailer
• ‘Super Cafe: Versus’
• ‘Sharknado’ Coming to Theaters
• ‘The Hobbit’ Deleted Scene - Extended Edition Blu-ray
• The MovieByte Podcast #54: The Quest for Adamantium
• ‘Despicable Me 2’ is Universal’s Most Profitable Film
• ‘Pacific Rim’ Does Well in China, Sequel Now Likely
• Get Your Guns Ready - What to see This Weekend!

TJ wraps up the week for you with a look at which films did well last weekend, including some of his disappointments regarding the box office shakedowns. And of course there was a lot of news coming out of the weekend from the San Diego Comic Con, including a new ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Theatrical Trailer, Joss Whedon revealed the title of the upcoming ‘Avengers’ film to be ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’, and Zack Snyder announced a ‘Superman’ ‘Batman’ crossover film. The sad news of course in TJ’s eyes is that it will yet again reboot the ‘Batman’ universe. Cobie Smulders will be appearing on the upcoming TV show ‘SHIELD’ set in the Marvel Cinematic universe. ‘Riddick’ gets a "red band" trailer. ‘Captain America 2’ will feature a significant shift in the Marvel Universe, plus, TJ is not too happy with the proposed cinematic style mentioned by the directors. And man, 2015 is looking like a crazy year for films! We also have an upcoming ‘Peanuts’ film based on the beloved comic strip by Charles Schulz, it’s going to be 3D and CGI. That doesn’t sound like a winner to TJ. And of course, you’ll want to tune in to hear about what you might like to see in theaters this weekend!

• Box Office Report for July 22, 2013
• ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ Theatrical Trailer
• ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’ — Joss Whedon Reveals the Sequel!
• SUPERBATMAN! — Zack Snyder to Direct Crossover Film
• Cobie Smulders joins ‘SHIELD’
• ‘Riddick’ Red Band Trailer
• ‘Captain America 2’ Features “Significant Shift” in Marvel Universe
• 2015 — Year of the Tentpoles
• The MovieByte Podcast #53: No Grasshopper
• ‘Peanuts’ Movie in 3D, CGI - Good Grief, Charlie Brown!
• Sharpen your Claws! - What to see This Weekend!

TJ recaps the highlights of the week, including the fact that for a second week in a row, the Anti-Villain League was unable to stop Gru from making off with the cash from the Box Office, as well as the complete run-down of the top eight films at last weekend’s box office. Then there’s the Pixar theory. Someone had way too much time on their hands, but it’s a lot of fun an you’ll want to check it out. J.J. Abrams is planning to direct the next ‘Star Trek’ films in spite of his commitments to ‘Star Wars’ which, really, seems like a bad idea. We should get some new blood! Also, you may like to know about how ‘Man of Steel’ should have ended. Of course the movie would only have been like 30 minutes, but it would have been much better. TJ released his ‘Pacific Rim’ review on Wednesday and then talked about it on ‘The MovieByte Podcast’. ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ has a Premiere date! WooHoo! ‘Wolverine’ (the first Wolverine film, not the one coming up) got an honest trailer, which was a lot of fun. And ‘The Fifth Estate’ trailer staring Benedict Cumberbatch as Jullian Assange has also been released. And of course, there are things you might like to see this weekend. TJ give you the full scoop!

• The AVL Can’t Stop Gru! - Box Office Report, July 14th
• The Pixar Theory
• J.J. May Direct Next ‘Star Trek’ Film After All?
• How ‘Man of Steel’ Should Have Ended
• Pacific Rim - Review
• ‘Agents of SHIELD’ Premiere Date!
• ‘Wolverine’ Honest Trailer
• The MovieByte Podcast #52: Punching Michael Bay In The Head
• ‘The Fifth Estate’ Trailer Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch
• What To See: Weekend of July 19, 2013

This weekend’s wrap up involves Gru stealing the box office cash box, and strange Mannequin Tonto telling a story to a little boy. Of course ‘Despicable Me 2’ took the top spot at the box office last wekend, with ‘The Lone Ranger’ flopping pretty miserably. David Chen did a comparison of ‘Superman The Movie’ and ‘Man of Steel’ scores, which was fun. Russell Crowe would be interested in a ‘Man of Steel’ prequel, and TJ thinks he "might" me as well. In the latest ‘The Wolverine’ train fight clip, TJ is a little concerned for the direction of the film, but is holding out some hope. Neill Blomkamp will not be directing the next ‘Star Trek’ film, at least according to him. CBS and Netflix are extending their licensing deal, which seems like good news for everyone. ‘Agents of SHIELD’ put out a new promo, which features some very Joss Whedon-y writing, this makes TJ happy. ‘The Jungle Book’ is headed to a new, live action production. Vin Diesel teases his involvement with ‘Avengers 2’. 3D has hit an all time low in ticket sales with ‘Despicable Me 2’. Sam Mendes is set to return for ‘Bond’ 24. Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are set to star in the upcoming film ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ as Walt Disney and P.L. Travers respectively. Negotiations are underway for ‘Arrested Development Season 5. And of course, TJ covers what you might like to see this weekend.

• Gru Steals the Box Office Cash Box - Box Office Report for July 8
• David Chen Compares ‘Superman’ and ‘Man of Steel’ Soundtracks
• Russell Crowe Would Do ‘Man of Steel’ Prequel
• ‘The Wolverine’ Train Fight Sequence (Video)
• Neill Blomkamp Won’t Direct Third ‘Star Trek’ Reboot Installment
• CBS and Netflix Extend Licensing Deal
• ‘Agents of SHIELD’ Promo — Grant Ward
• Franchise Necessities: Live Action ‘The Jungle Book’
• ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Home Video Release Dates
• Will Vin Diesel Be In ‘Avengers 2’?
• The MovieByte Podcast #51: Hi-Ho, Silver
• 3D Hits All Time Low with ‘Despicable Me 2’
• Confirmed: Sam Mendes Returns for ‘Bond’ 24
• ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ Trailer - Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson
• Negotiations for ‘Arrested Development’ Season 5 Underway
• Canceling the Apocalypse - What To See This Weekend