Sherlock Holmes 3 Is Coming Way Later Than We Expected

Sherlock Holmes 3 Is Coming Way Later Than We Expected

It's been eight years since we saw Robert Downey Jr. take the role of the big screen Sherlock Holmes and it had been so long we began to wonder if we would ever see the character again. We now know that we will, but it turns out we'll have to wait a bit longer than previously announced. While the third Sherlock Holmes movie had been set for a Christmas 2020 release, the feature has now been pushed back a full year to December 2021.

Originally set for a Christmas Day release in 2020, THR has now revealed the film will instead open December 22, 2021.

While release date shuffling is nothing new, it rarely happens without a reason, though the reason for this decision is not immediately clear. No other major releases have been announced to hit in December 2020 that might have sent Sherlock Holmes 3 looking for a more protected release window.

The film was already going to be going up against Avatar 2 in 2020 and will now instead be going up against Avatar 3. That's probably a slightly better position. The second film in the franchise, being the first one in years, is likely to draw a larger audience than the third, which will only be the first one in a year. It's like going up against Star Wars: The Last Jedi at the box office instead of The Force Awakens. It's possible the decision making was as simple as that.

Although, the more likely reason was simply one of scheduling. Perhaps production of Sherlock Holmes 3 needed to be pushed back and that resulted in the delay for the release as well. It could be that Robert Downey Jr. or Jude Law had something change in their schedules which has made the delay necessary. It could be that the script from Chris Brancato is taking longer than anticipated to finish. Perhaps another writer is coming in to rewrite or polish it which will result in it taking longer than previously scheduled.

It's also possible that the issue could be one of who is going to direct. Guy Ritchie directed both of the previous two Sherlock Holmes films but he has never been officially announced as directing Sherlock Holmes 3. If Ritchie is looking to direct, it could be his schedule that made the release date move if he won't be available to go into production later this year, Alternatively, it could be that the production is still looking for a director and thus had to push things back in order to have more time to find one.

In order to hit the 2020 release date Sherlock Holmes 3 would have needed to go into production later this year. Now, the film has an additional 12 months of breathing space. If fans have waited this long, they can wait another year.

Read More

Netflix's Murder Mystery Trailer Reunites Adam Sandler And Jennifer Aniston

Netflix's Murder Mystery Trailer Reunites Adam Sandler And Jennifer Aniston

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston were last seen in a movie together in 2011’s romantic comedy Just Go With It. In that film, their characters got caught up in a web of lies while pretending to be married. It's a tough act to be sure, but nothing like what they will have to deal with in Murder Mystery. Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston reunite for the Netflix action-comedy, which has just dropped its first trailer. Check it out below:

First, it must be said that I didn’t know we needed Adam Sandler with a ridiculous cop mustache, but I’m here for it. Although we’ve only seen them together in one other movie, the Murder Mystery trailer reminds us that Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler have good chemistry and a fun dynamic. Here Aniston plays the frustrated wife completely exhausted with her husband, and him as the perpetually disappointing spouse who puts in the absolute minimum amount of effort ("The boat does all the work").

They are taking their honeymoon 15 years late to try and find a spark in their listless marriage, only for that spark to come in the form of the film’s titular murder mystery. And while they’re in over their heads, perhaps his detective skills and her love of mystery novels will see them through and provide more than a few laughs along the way.

The premise of Murder Mystery is nothing new; whodunits are tried and true, and that’s because they are effective. Here, after an offer to spend the weekend on a luxury yacht so generous some might call it suspicious, Nick and Audrey Spitz wind up being framed for a murder of a billionaire. But rather than confine the film entirely to the yacht as the true killer is rooted out, Murder Mystery takes the characters on the run, bringing some action to the proceedings.

That action provides some of the trailer’s funnier moments. The part where we see that Adam Sandler’s detective is missing horribly while firing at a would-be assassin and getting yelled at by his wife for it is great. He clearly trained at the Stormtrooper School of Marksmanship. Also, between this and the new trailer for Men in Black: International, it’s a good week for right-hand drive car humor.

Murder Mystery also seems to be doing a light bit of satire of the whodunit premise. The inspector is your classic European detective you find in these kinds of stories, a Hercule Poirot-type character who is both brilliant and ridiculous. Adam Sandler’s Nick even yells out his Magnum P.I. fantasy while racing to a get in a Ferrari and escape their pursuers.

I don’t think it’s unfair to say that some of Adam Sandler’s movies in recent years have been… not great. You might even call some stinkers or “a Devlin,” as Jennifer Aniston’s character in Just Go With It would say. But Murder Mystery looks like a lot of fun. It’s got a solid premise and while it’s obviously still a comedy, it doesn’t look as inane and full of hijinks as something like The Ridiculous 6.

Murder Mystery lands on Netflix on June 14. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see what’s headed to the big screen this summer and for all your movie news keep it locked to CinemaBlend.

Read More

Turns Out Justin Timberlake Was Considered For Rocketman's Elton John

Turns Out Justin Timberlake Was Considered For Rocketman's Elton John

This weekend’s Rocketman stars Taron Egerton as music legend Elton John in the musical fantasy film from director Dexter Fletcher. Egerton has already drawn rave reviews for his performance and how he completely becomes Elton John, right down to doing all the singing in the film. It sounds like it was a role Egerton was born to play and it would be hard to imagine anyone else in it. However, Taron Egerton wasn’t the only actor who could have played the flamboyant superstar.

It turns out that Justin Timberlake was once considered for Rocketman’s Elton John; the reason being that he already portrayed Elton John in the music video for Elton John’s 2001 song “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore.” That performance is why JT was among the names Elton John was looking at to play him in the film, but as Elton John’s husband and Rocketman producer David Furnish explained, the idea never got far:

But we never formerly approached Justin because we weren't ever at a stage where it was the right time to approach him. But he did an amazing job in the video. He put on a prosthetic nose, and it turned out to have been some really interesting acting work as well.

The video for “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” stars Justin Timberlake as Elton John at the height of his popularity in the 1970s and shows Elton John going through hair and makeup, making his ways through throngs of adoring fans and going to a lavish party. The former NSYNC singer wears a prosthetic nose in the video and looks nothing like the JT we are used to seeing.

Justin Timberlake’s appearance in that video is what inspired Elton John to consider him as a candidate to play him in Rocketman. The video was an inadvertent proof of concept for the casting and good enough that David Furnish and Elton John thought Justin Timberlake could portray Elton in a full feature. But as David Furnish told The Hollywood Reporter, despite thinking of him for the Rocketman role, they never actually approached Justin Timberlake about it.

So although Justin Timberlake was the first name on Elton John’s list to play him, JT was never offered the role in Rocketman. The reason for that seems to be that when the idea came up, it wasn’t the right time to reach out to Justin Timberlake. It’s not entirely clear what that means, but it sounds like the development of the film simply wasn’t far enough along where it would make sense to start any sort of casting.

Still, it provides another fascinatingly curious casting ‘what-if?’ much like what would Bohemian Rhapsody have looked like with Sacha Baron Cohen and not Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. You can get an idea of how Justin Timberlake might have been in Rocketman in the video for “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” below:

This music video and the obvious fact that Justin Timberlake has the requisite singing chops made him an obvious candidate to play Elton John in Rocketman, but he wasn’t the only name considered. Taron Egerton was offered the role only after actor Tom Hardy, who was first attached, dropped out.

Despite these interesting bits of ‘what-if?’ casting, it seems that the right person got the role. The reactions to Rocketman are hugely positive with a large amount of the praise going to Taron Egerton’s performance, where he proves you don’t have to be a former boybander to know how to sing.

Rocketman takes flight in theaters this weekend. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see all of the biggest movies you can look forward to this summer.

Read More

What's The Best Way To Make Solo 2 Happen?

What's The Best Way To Make Solo 2 Happen?

By the standards of Star Wars films, as well as most Disney releases of recent years, Solo: A Star Wars Story was a flop. Though it made a lot of money, it allegedly wasn't enough to recoup budget costs. Chalk it up to disgruntled fans, a late start in advertising, or a potential case of fatigue in celebrating all things Star Wars; however it happened, the film didn’t perform up to the standards that the Lucasfilm brass would have liked it to, which led to some dominoes falling in that particular universe.

Yet, if you take a look at the chatter on the internet, the buzz supporting Solo: A Star Wars Story only seems to be growing louder. Much like director Ron Howard saying a sequel’s best chances will be in the fan response, we’re seeing that exact thing happening all over Twitter.

Seeing as the movie’s currently on Netflix’s streaming library, and will probably move to the Disney+ library once that platform is up and running, increased access may have given this film the boost it needed. Especially considering how one of the latest Twitter campaigns to be featured in the news involves the call to #MakeSolo2Happen.

It all leads to that big question that’s the elephant in the room, right next to that wookie that has a thing for winning money in Holochess matches: What’s the best way to make Solo 2 happen? Well, from where I’m sitting, I think the best way to make Solo 2 into a reality is pretty simple; the project should be a Disney+ film, helping to cement the Star Wars galaxy’s presence on the platform.

Disney+ Is The Perfect Platform For Experimental Projects

Seeing as there are enough people that want a sequel to Solo: A Star Wars Story, but there might not be enough people to make such a prospect a gigantic theatrical hit, having an original film on the Disney branded streaming platform feels like a perfect business opportunity. It just would need the right budget this time.

Much like Disney's Lady and The Tramp remake, the project is an unknown quantity based off of a known brand. So, splitting the difference and designating the project a streaming original would help manage the expectations of the film’s success while also giving it a space to exist in without too much at stake.

Solo 2 Could Boost Disney+ Subscriptions By Its Mere Existence

While Solo 2 may not be a sure fire box office hit, you can bet that people would sign up for Disney+ subscriptions to watch a Solo sequel film. Those subscribers, once they’re through the door, will be more inclined to stay and enjoy all of the legacy catalog titles that will be included on the platform from day one.

Also, it would help to build the Disney+ library by having more recognizable original films, as the influx of Marvel and Star Wars series are already pretty well accounted for. With most of the original movies being remakes or new projects, original feature length content based off of one of Disney’s big ticket IP libraries would only further drive fans of Avengers: Endgame or Star Wars: The Last Jedi into the content rich arms of Disney+.

Disney+ Offers A More Cost Effective Path To Produce Solo 2

In that same vein, Solo 2 just might have to take a bit of a hit in the budgetary department, as its streaming exclusive status doesn’t exactly mean it needs the same $275 - $300 million budget that Solo: A Star Wars Story had. The positive side to the production of a sequel is that a lot of the same assets used in both the Star Wars movies and any upcoming prequel series could very easily be tied into the production resources for Solo 2.

Planets and characters created for Solo 2 could be used for either of those other corners of the storytelling universe, and vice versa, which builds the Star Wars universe in a more cost effective manner. So pleasing the fans with a sequel wouldn’t be for nothing, as it would just mean more resources would be available for the Star Wars galaxy on the whole to flourish. Just don't expect another expensive train sequence.

Solo 2 Could Tie Up Some Loose Ends, And Provide Material For More Disney+ Originals

Perhaps the greatest reason that Solo: A Star Wars Story should get a sequel is that, much like the budgetary reason we just addressed, the story that was originated in last summer’s would-be blockbuster has already opened some doors for future Star Wars projects to connect to. The saga of Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Qi’ra’s intertwined fates would help flesh out the criminal underworld that we’ve always heard about, but barely seen in the Star Wars universe.

With Solo 2 in place, the characters that are created and enhanced through the film’s events would be ripe for the picking, ready for any Disney+ series or film to use their stories to enhance their own. Not to mention, should Solo 2 actually be accounted for as a hit in the Disney+ space, there’s always the potential to give our favorite smugglers their own limited series to tie up their stories properly, and set up their continuities properly to fit in with both the classic and modern Star Wars movies.

Disney+ Allows The Company To Better Tune Into Its Fans

As Netflix takes the internet by storm with some of the most viral hits like The Perfection, Disney+ could become a part of the same sort of social media frenzy with a film like Solo 2. Should it succeed, Disney would have a new strategy of success for films that occupy that grey area between theatrical and streaming glory.

Should fans start a new hashtag that, hypothetically, pushed enough support for a Hocus Pocus sequel rather than a remake, Disney+ could always pivot to that point better and faster than if that petition was lobbied towards Disney’s big screen component. So if Disney+ is able to take on Solo: A Star Wars Story’s sequel, then there’s no telling what could other, fan-pleasing possibilities could be next.

Despite my excellent idea, It's still not super likely that Solo 2 will happen, unless Disney somehow takes the fact that director Ron Howard approves of this prospect and seems up for more, and decides to make room on its slate for the continuing adventures of Han, Lando, Chewie, and Qi’ra. But it wouldn’t hurt to consider how the brand new streaming platform could be best leveraged when it comes to keeping the online hype surrounding a project strong.

Disney+ is still in that phase where Disney can do pretty much anything in the name of strengthening the library and public profile. So if there’s any chance that Solo 2 could become a real project in the making, this feels like the best and most calculated way to make it happen.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is currently streaming on Netflix, with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker debuting in theaters on December 20th. And if you’re hyped up about Disney+ after reading all of this discussion, you can read more about what we know pertaining to that platform, as well as all of the new material expected to debut on Disney+, when it comes online on December 11th.

Read More

This Rotten Week: Predicting Us Reviews

This Rotten Week: Predicting Us Reviews

We’ve only got one movie on the docket this week, but it’s definitely an exciting one, as we are once again seeing writer/director Jordan Peele return to the horror genre following the Oscar-winning success of Get Out two years ago. Get ready to meet the doppelgangers of your nightmares in Us.

Just remember, I'm not reviewing these movies, but rather predicting where they'll end up on the Tomatometer. Let's take a look at This Rotten Week has to offer.

After taking the horror world by storm, combining legit creeps with a commentary about race in America in the award-winning Get Out (98%), Jordan Peele is back. And his latest one looks, well, pretty fucked up in all the right ways. The guy is taking over the genre, and Us looks like it is going to be another huge win for the filmmaker

As we've seen previously in the genre, what we have here is another family outing/get together gone horribly wrong - this time the story playing out in a beach town where the Tyler family is stalked by... well, the Tyler family (just a creepier version). Where Get Out had plenty of frights with a slightly tongue-in-cheek tone, Us looks like a full-out horror fest. Even from the trailer one can tell the visuals will keep you up at night. Critics thus far are all over this movie. Following its debut at the SXSW Film Festival, it’s currently sitting at 100% through more than 50 reviews. I doubt it slips much, if at all. It’s tough to ever predict a movie hitting the 100% mark, and I don’t think this one will end up at the top of the mountain - but it'll be damn close. We’ll have one or two negatives come in over the course of the week, but the sentiment will remain the same.

While only one of the movies fell within ten percent of my predictions last week, the other two came incredibly close to being called wins. When it’s all said and done, and a few more reviews come trickling in, this week could look a lot better. Captive State (Predicted: 48% Actual: 49%) was nearly right on the money, dipping down under the 50% mark from Saturday into Sunday. Critics fell mostly in line with what I suspected was the case: the movie had too many moving parts. While the central theme is intriguing, they tried to do too many things within the framework and it ended up being confusing.

Meanwhile, Five Feet Apart (Predicted: 39% Actual: 52%) was looking like a clear win until it ticked up over 50% in the last two days. Frankly, I’m kind of shocked it fell out of range. Of the three movies from last week, this prediction was my most confident. Critics seemed to mostly agree that the two leads carried the movie out of the sappy and cliched depths it could have ventured considering the subject matter.

And finally, Wonder Park(Predicted: 41% Actual: 30%) also just missed the mark. See what I mean with this week? This could easily be a three-for-three. This animated movie had critics incredibly un-enthused. The general theme of the reviews was the plot line was just way too sad for what should be a sort of joyous kids’ flick about imagination and, well, wonder.

Next time around we’ve got Dumbo. It’s gonna be a Rotten Week!

Read More

What Deadpool Would Think Of Ryan Reynolds Doing A Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Movie

What Deadpool Would Think Of Ryan Reynolds Doing A Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Movie

Next week, the very first live-action Pokemon movie, Detective Pikachu, will arrive in theaters. Ryan Reynolds is lending his voice to the title role, and the actor is, of course, known for another popular character: Deadpool. Which begs the question of what the often fourth-wall-breaking Deadpool would think of his actor being the star of a Pokemon movie. According to Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool would be cool with it.

He’d probably have a real problem with the absolute lack of four-letter words in the movie. But overall, Deadpool’s actually like a real softie. Deadpool likes the soft stuff… I could see him just losing himself into an episode of My Little Pony, so I think he would love Detective Pikachu.

You heard it here first: Pikachu never says a word that's exactly four letters.

Obviously, Ryan Reynolds is talking about a certain curse word here, and while I'm sure adult Pokemon fans are more than ready to hear Pikachu drop f-bombs all the live long day, I don't think that would play well with the younger crowds. People had a hard enough time learning that Pikachu was going to say "hell" in the movie.

But all-in-all, Deadpool would be totally okay with Ryan Reynolds going off to do a Pokemon movie. In fact, Reynolds told Jake Hamilton Deadpool would love Detective Pikachu. Deadpool may murder people for a living, but he has his softer side. Let's not forget that Deadpool is a big fan of unicorns.

Seeing as how the Deadpool movies love to make fun of Ryan Reynolds' career, I wonder if the next Deadpool movie will reference Detective Pikachu at all. Considering how much Green Lantern is torn apart, it would make sense for Deadpool to reference one of the most high-profile Ryan Reynolds movies. Pikachu sounds almost the exact same as Deadpool anyway, so there's your joke right there!

We don't know when the next Deadpool movie will be now that the franchise is firmly within Disney's grasp, but at least we don't have to wait very long for Detective Pikachu. The film follows Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), who must team-up with a sleuthing Pikachu that only he can understand to find his missing father. The film has lots of positive buzz, though reviews have pointed out the film might only really be enjoyable to Pokemon fans.

Regardless, you can see Detective Pikachu in theaters on May 10. There are lots of other big blockbuster movies coming soon, so for everything else coming to theaters this year, be sure to check out our 2019 movie release guide. For more movie news and updates, be sure to keep it right here at CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated with new information as soon as it's available.

Read More

Full Toy Story 4 Trailer Brings Back Bo Peep And Even Andy

Full Toy Story 4 Trailer Brings Back Bo Peep And Even Andy

After being introduced to a handful of new characters for the upcoming Toy Story 4, the only question remaining was exactly how they were all going to fit into whatever story the new movie was planning to tell. Now, with the first full trailer, we have our answers. We know how Woody and Bo Peep get reunited, and what the broader themes of the story will be. We meet even more new characters, and even get to see some old friends we didn't expect, like Andy himself. Check it out.

The trailer allows us to get to get to know the odd new toy of Forky a lot better. He's at the center of the story as Woody decides the craft project needs protection as Bonnie's favorite new toy. However, Forky doesn't feel like a toy and attempts to run away, which results in he and Woody getting separated from the rest of the group. From there we see Woody and Forky meet Bo Peep, and a collection of other interesting toys, while trying to get back to Bonnie.

Bo Peep appears to be found inside some sort of antique shop. Woody and Forky walk past her lamp and Woody instantly recognizes it. Although, the pawn shop is apparently the toy equivalent to a haunted hose, as the others toys inside it seem to be as scary as anything found inside Sid's house. Gabby Gabby is the name of the doll, voiced by Christina Hendricks. She appears to command a small army of ventriloquist dummies, which is just creepy.

What's potentially more interesting than some of the movie's new friends, is the return of a very special old one. The trailer contains a pair of flashback sequences that show Andy once again. One replays the moment from the end of Toy Story 3 where Andy gave his toys to Bonnie, but the other shows a scene of an even younger Andy playing with his toys. It's hard to tell if this part of a significant flashback sequence in Toy Story 4, but if it is, we might get to actually see some earlier events in the story that we never saw, like the loss of Bo Peep.

It wouldn't be a Pixar movie if it didn't bring the emotion and even this brief trailer has the potential to get you to feel something inside. The shot where Bonnie discovers her toys gone is already heartbreaking. I can't even imagine how I'm going to feel watching the entire film.

In addition to the new trailer, Toy Story 4 also released a new poster which brings all the characters, new and old, together. Check it out.

Ultimately, Toy Story 4 is a movie about self discovery. Forky doesn't understand what he is. He's a toy, but he feels like he's supposed to be something else. Bo Peep has been abandoned for years and no longer needs a child to define her purpose. Woody, it seems, will begin to question the things he's always believed about his own existence.

Many have questioned the decision to even make a Toy Story 4, with the ending of the third film being viewed by so many as a perfect cap on the trilogy. One really has to wonder just how Pixar believed it could top that. It apparently wasn't easy. There are certainly some directions this story could go that have the potential to be as emotionally impactful as Toy Story 3, though I'm not sure I want to think about them. It's too painful.

Read More