Launching a cinematic universe based around a toy franchise seems relatively normal in today’s film industry.Mattel is starting a new universebased on the success ofBarbie, and we’ve even seen studios launch cinematic universes based around Spider-Man’s villains or classic Universal monsters. But in 2012, Universal’s plan for aHasbro-based cinematic universewas ahead of its time. Though it shares its name with the infamous board game,Battleshipdoesn’t involve strategy. The filmbarely resembles its namesake, unless there’s another version ofBattleshipwhereRihannafights against alien invaders....

“Can there be joy where there has been no sorrow?” Oscar winnerPeter Finchbelts out these thought-provoking song lyrics in the musical adaptation of the James Hilton novel,Lost Horizon, and it’s probably safe to say there was very little joy and lots of sorrow on the set of this ill-fated film. In 1973, producerRoss Hunterhad the grand idea to turn the classic story of Shangri-La, first brought to the screen by directorFrank Caprain 1937, into a big-budget singing and dancing extravaganza with an all-star cast....

From creator, writer, and executive-producerPatrick Somerville(The Leftovers), Netflix’s limited seriesManiactells the story of two strangers who find themselves drawn into the late stages of a mysterious drug trial, and from there, things start to get really weird. The series starsEmma StoneandJonah Hill, and will be directed by the absolutely fantasticCary Fukunaga(Beasts of No Nation). The first full trailer shows a mind-bending trip that is, in some ways, reminiscent ofMichel Gondry’s surrealist filmThe Science of Sleep....

We may still be reeling from the events ofAvengers: Infinity War, but the folks at Marvel are ever looking toward the future, and it’s starting to seem likely that that future is going to include someEternals. PerTHR, Marvel studios has set their sights onEternalsas one of their next potential franchises and recruited screenwritersMatthewandRyan Firpoto adapt theJack Kirby-created comic book.The Firpos earned industry attention last year when their spec scriptRuinlanded on the 2017 Black List....

Welcome to the latest episode of Movie Review Talk with Scott Mantz! On this episode, Scott, Kevin McCarthy and Nikki Novak are discussing three new releases –Tag,Incredibles 2, andWon’t You Be My Neighbor? Tagis directed byJeff Tomsicand starsEd Helms. For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!...

In the early 1990s, it seemed likeJames L. Brookswas unimpeachable. Following a prolific career as a television writer and executive, Brooks burst out the gate as a feature filmmaker withTerms of Endearment, a surprise smash-hit and Best Picture winner, andBroadcast News, a highly influential romantic dramedy now viewed as his masterpiece. If that wasn’t enough, Brooks just happened to co-develop a little show you’ve probably heard of calledThe Simpsons. Now paired with a recently-cemented star and Sexiest Man of the Year inNick Nolte, Brooks' Hollywood satire,I’ll Do Anything, looked to be another surefire success in 1994....

The all-female cast of Warner Bros.Ocean’s Eightis starting to firm up ahead of the movie’s planned October start date in New York.Gary Ross(The Hunger Games) will direct the caper film that acts as a spin-off from the billion-dollar-plus-earningOcean’s Eleventrilogy starringGeorge ClooneyandBrad Pittwith their ensemble cast.Ocean’s Eight- orOcean’s 8, or possiblyOcean’s Ochoas it’s being called - looks to be just one cast member short of the octet as of this moment....

In just eight days,Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerhas managed to hit some nice, big targets while at the box office. The final installment in the Skywalker saga had the lowest opening of aStar Warsfilm in recent history with $177 million earned opening weekend. ButThe Rise of Skywalkerhas recovered nicely as it has gained momentum in the ensuing days. On Thursday, December 26, Disney delivered the lowdown onThe Rise of Skywalker’s Christmas Day performance....

Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine. It’s fair to say thatDeadpool & Wolverinemania has taken the world by storm. In just one week since its release, the movie has earned more than $824 million at theglobal box officeandMarvel’s Jesushas even knocked out the Bible’s Jesus (The Passion of the Christ) on the list of top-grossing R-rated films. With profits and hype soaring sky-high, many are wondering what’s next for the two best Bubs....

It was a sad night atSaturday Night Livewhen the realization set in thatCecily Strongwas leaving the hit sketch series. Now the longest-serving female cast member, Strong has been with the series for eleven seasons and has, personally, been a gift to the musical theatre fans out there. She constantly shared her love for theatre with the show that resulted in a hilarious take on the sketches and some of my own all-time favorites are ones with Strong in them....

The release ofStar Wars: The Force Awakensis justtwo days away, folks.The first reviews are onlineand, inevitably, the first spoilers will begin dripping out momentarily. But since we at Collider aren’t interested in ruining the moviegoing experience for you, how about some interesting trivia about the film instead? One could argue thatThe Force Awakenshad breakout characters before the film even hit theaters, and unmistakably BB-8 was one of them. Seriously, just look at the merchandise sales for the little guy—people wentnutsover this new droid based on only a few frames of footage....

Class in session, kids.MattandRoss Duffer, better known as the Duffer Brothers and creators of Netflix’s hit seriesStranger Things, have partnered withMasterClassonline to bring fans and aspiring television creators something special,Varietyreports. In a series of 18 videos, totaling over 5 hours, the Duffer Brothers are sitting down to intimately share their experience creating an original and successful television series. Fans and creators with an annual MasterClass membership will get one-of-a-kind advice and tips, as well as inside information on the creation ofStranger Things....

WhenChristopher Nolanannounced thatThe Dark Knight Riseswould be his final Batman movie, most assumed the character would be going into cinematic hibernation for a while. After all, how do you follow up a take on Batman as iconic as the Dark Knight trilogy? Well, we were wrong—consumerism won out in the end. Warner Bros. andZack Snyderannounced their intention to reinvent Batman merely one year afterDark Knight Riseshit theaters with an impendingBatman v Supermanmovie....