Mike Sampson is the Editor-in-Chief of ScreenCrush. He studied to become a lawyer and worked as an architectural planner after graduating college but neither of these professions afforded him the opportunity to watch movies and TV for a living. He previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com for 10 years. He lives in New Jersey and probably spends too much time playing video games and overthinking things.
Mike Sampson
Ben Affleck Reportedly Rewrote ‘Batman vs. Superman’ Script Every Day…in Costume
One of the stipulations when Ben Affleck signed on to star in Batman vs. Superman was that his Argo writer, Chris Terrio, would come aboard to help fix the script. Though Terrio was indeed brought in to rewrite the script (originally written by David Goyer), it seems Affleck still was not happy with it. According to a recent report, Affleck spent each day rewriting that day’s scenes until they were up to snuff. Oh, and he did it dressed as Batman.
‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ Hid Secret Images in Trailers Attached to ‘Deadpool’
If you saw Deadpool this weekend (and there’s a very, very good chance that you did), you likely saw the new trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane, the J.J. Abrams’ produced sorta-sequel to Cloverfield. What you may not have noticed, however, is a split-second flash of an image right after the film’s title...
‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ Cast Revealed, Kurt Russell and Elizabeth Debicki Join the Marvel Sequel
Though Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 has actually been filming for over a week or so (the cast and crew have been posting shots from the set, including that crew chair you see above), Marvel and Disney officially announced the start of production this morning. Yes, we already knew that, but they’ve also confirmed the film’s cast.
Hugh Jackman’s Final Wolverine Movie May Also Get an R Rating
The Deadpool Effect is now officially a thing. As many predicted and suspected following Deadpool’s surprising success at the box office this past weekend, movie studios would try to capitalize on the success of that film by making their superhero movies R-rated (ignoring the fact that that was just a very small part of why Deadpool was successful). Just this morning we brought you the news that the X-Force movie could be rated R and now comes word that Hugh Jackman’s still untitled final Wolverine movie (Wolverine 3? The Wolverine 2?) is being planned as an R-rated film.
‘X-Force’ Movie Could be R-Rated Thanks to ‘Deadpool’ Success
Just a few days after Deadpool’s record-breaking haul at the box-office (the biggest opening for a film released in February, the biggest opening for an R-rated film, the biggest opening weekend in 20th Century Fox history and the biggest opening of any X-Men film), studios are already adapting to the massive success of an R-rated superhero film and adjusting accordingly. X-Men and Deadpool producer Simon Kinberg has said that while he doesn’t see the X-Men universe changing much after Deadpool’s success, he said he could definitely see another mutant-oriented superhero film getting an R-rating.
‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Filming Has Officially Begun in London
The cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens barely got a few weeks to catch their breath after the whirlwind that surrounded that film’s massive success at the box office before they were called back to London’s Pinewood Studios to start it all over again. Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed this morning that Lucasfilm and director Rian Johnson have officially commenced principal photography on Star Wars: Episode 8.
The ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ Viral Marketing Just Kicked Into High Gear
Hidden web sites? Scrambled codes? Secret passwords? If that sounds like a J.J. Abrams viral marketing campaign to you, you win a prize. We told you last month that the viral campaign for 10 Cloverfield Lane had quietly started, but following the new ad that ran during the Super Bowl, things have considerably gotten more excited...
A Yoda Cameo Was Cut From ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Though Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place over 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, director J.J. Abrams still found a way to work on some classic characters who had long since passed on. Kylo Ren has a conversation with Darth Vader’s helmet. Obi-Wan speaks to Rey during her Force vision. And, there was one additional cameo that ultimately was cut from the film: Yoda.
New ‘Ghostbusters’ Photos Show Off the New Cast, First Look at Chris Hemsworth
Early this morning, Sony Pictures relaunched the official site for Ghostbusters, the home of the original two movies, the cartoons and the upcoming reboot. Along with the relaunch, we got five new photos from the film, each highlighting one of the main characters from the movie, including our first look at Chris Hemsworth as the new Ghostbusters secretary. Eat your heart out, Janine Melnitz!
Elizabeth Banks Set to Star as the Villain in ‘Power Rangers’ Movie
Like Ben Affleck, Elizabeth Banks is proving that just because you’re a successful director, doesn’t mean you can’t take on the occasional silly role in a superhero movie. Affleck went from winning an Oscar to Batman vs. Superman and now Banks is going from Pitch Perfect 2 to the live-action Power Rangers movie, where she’ll star as the villainous Rita Repulsa.
First Trailer For ‘Bourne 5’ to Premiere During 2016 Super Bowl
As the biggest television event of every year, the Super Bowl is always a popular landing spot for the latest movie trailers. Millions and millions of people are watching, so what better way to make a splash with your new trailer? This year will prove no different as we’ve already got confirmation on one of this year’s big films having its big debut. Universal will run the very first trailer for Bourne 5, Matt Damon’s return to the Jason Bourne franchise, as well as reveal the film’s top secret title.
Zach Galifianakis Says They Never Should’ve Made the ‘Hangover’ Sequels
The original The Hangover was a bonafide comedy sensation. The highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all-time made over $275 million. To put that in perspective, The Hangover in 2009 made more than Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The LEGO Movie and Star Trek...