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
The Rock’s ‘Shazam!’ Movie Won’t Take Place in the ‘Justice League’ Universe
As 'Batman vs. Superman' very clearly teases the upcoming 'Justice League' crossover (the subtitle is 'Dawn of Justice' after all), we all sort of assumed that The Rock's long-teased 'Shazam!' movie would fit into that blueprint somehow. Even The Rock himself tweeted the art above of his character, Black Adam, fighting both Shazam and Superman. But, now it seems that 'Shazam!' will be operating independently from the rest of the other DC superheroes at Warner Bros.
Rumor Buster: Warner Bros. Registered New Domain Names for ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ Movies?
Yesterday, the internet got itself all excited with the news that Warner Bros. had registered a bunch of new DC Comics URLs including JusticeLeagueFilm.com, WonderWomanTheMovie.com, AquamanMovie.com and ShazamMovie.com, and that it must mean something exciting! Except, it's not really true.
Jessica Chastain Wants to Know Why Marvel Hasn’t Made a Scarlett Johansson ‘Black Widow’ Movie
The desire for (and subsequent lack of) a female-led superhero movie is a hot topic that continues to be debated. Actually, there really isn't much debate; we're all pretty much in agreement that there should be a female-led superhero movie. Well, you can add one more voice to the chorus of people shouting loudly for a female Marvel movie as two-time Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain took time out from her current promotional tour to support the notion of a Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow movie.
Will ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2′ Add Any New Superheroes to the Team?
While 'Guardians of the Galaxy' was able to pleasantly surprise people with how good it is, now all eyes are on 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' and whether it can live up to the original. One thing we've all wondered about the sequel is whether the Guardians would be introduced to any Earth-bound heroes, or vice versa. Could there be any new members of the Guardians of the Galaxy?
Don’t Expect a Disney Animated Movie Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Any Time Soon
When it was first announced that Disney was purchasing Marvel, the minds of many fans leapt immediately to the possibility of a Disney-Pixar animated Marvel movie. We're sorta getting that in November with 'Big Hero 6' but as that movie approaches, it's become very clear that it's not really much of Marvel movie at all, other than being loosely based on the obscure 90s comic. What fans really want to know is if we'll ever see a Disney or Pixar animated movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. John Lasseter, who runs both Disney Animation and Pixar, has your answer: no.
Steve Carell Attached to Star in Looney Tunes Spinoff Based on the Acme Corporation
Here's some news we never expect to report today... Warner Bros. is planning a spinoff of their classic Looney Tunes franchise that would be based on Acme Corp. - the company which Wile E. Coyote and others use to buy their anvils, dynamite and earthquake pills - and would Steve Carell. And, before you ask, no, there won't actually be any Looney Tunes characters in the movie. Huh?
Pixar Reveals First ‘Inside Out’ Footage Online!
2014 has been a long year. It's the first time since 2005 that we haven't had a Pixar movie and we're feeling a little withdrawal. The good news is that 2015 brings us two new Pixar movies, including 'Inside Out', the next film from Oscar-winning director Pete Docter ('Up'). While some were lucky enough to see the opening five minutes at a Pixar preview earlier this year, the first public release 'Inside Out' footage was made available today on the Disney Anywhere app. And, maybe it's the Pixar withdrawal speaking, but we're starting to get really excited.
What Would ‘The Avengers’ Look Like as a 70s TV Cop Show?
It's inevitable: one day there will be an 'Avengers' reboot. It's hard to think of now, as 'Avengers 2' hasn't even hit theaters and Phase 3 of Marvel's Cinematic Universe hasn't even begun yet. But, once Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner all play through their contracts, Marvel is going to have to start over. Now, we don't think Marvel would ever reboot 'The Avengers' as a 70s detective TV series, but if they did? It'd look a lot like this...
Jeremy Renner Says There Are “Rumblings” of a Major Hawkeye Role in ‘Captain America 3′
While many people ponder the potential of a Black Widow spinoff at Marvel, few have wondered when we're getting a 'Hawkeye' movie. That's not to say that we don't love Jeremy Renner's sharpshooter, it's just that he hasn't gotten much to do in the Marvel universe so far. That may change as Renner says there are "rumblings" of a major role for Hawkeye in 'Captain America 3'.
‘The Hateful Eight’ Trailer: Watch the Early Teaser For Quentin Tarantino’s Next Film
While 'The Hateful Eight' doesn't even begin filming until early next year (headed for a December 2015 release date), we got word last week that the first trailer would be attached to prints of 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For' in theaters this week. Which is cool! But, we also got word that the trailer wouldn't be appearing online. That's not so cool. If you can't wait until Friday for a sneak peek at Quentin Tarantino's next film, don't worry, it's popped up online anyway and you can watch it right now.