Sequel Bits: ‘Fast 7’, ‘Mission: Impossible 5’, ‘The Wolverine 2’, ‘Beetlejuice 2’
Today’s action-packed Sequel Bits contains news about spies, martial artists, giant alien robots, tortured mutants, and so much more. After the jump:
As such, there’s still no word on whether directorMichael Baycould return. Although the filmmaker previously stated thatTransformers: Dark of the Moonwould be his last for the franchise, Moore explained that they got him back forAge of Extinctionby giving him new challenges: the launch of a whole new storyline, plus the opportunity to shoot in China. If they come up with something equally intriguing forTransformers 5, maybe they could tempt him to come back yet again. [viaTFW2005]
X-Men fans were all abuzz over this month’s news thatJames MangoldandHugh Jackmanwould re-team forThe Wolverine 2, but the director cautions that the project is not so far along at this point.
“Well, pre-production – I would say I’m not there yet,” he said. “But I have taken finger to key. Let’s say that. There’s been typing. And ideas. And talking amongst all the principles.” Presumably that “typing” involves some of those"really cool ideas"he told Hugh Jackman about recently. [Collider]
Tim BurtonandMichael Keatonare probably on the verge of areunion, and now it seemsWinona Ryderis getting in on the fun too. The actress has said that she is “kind of sworn to secrecy” about theBeetlejuicesequel, “but it sounds like it might be happening.”
Though if those Burton and Keaton talks fall through, Ryder asserts that she’ll be out as well. “I would never go near [a sequel] if it was not Tim and Michael,” she said. “Because those guys, I love.”
Ryder also confirmed once again that the newSeth Grahame-Smith-scripted picture is not a remake, but a sequel. “It’s 27 years later. And I have to say, I love Lydia so much. She was such a huge part of me,” she said. “I would be really interested in what she is doing 27 years later.” [The Daily Beast]
Expect to seeSimon Peggbumbling across your screen next Christmas. The Brit star confirms that he will “absolutely” come back forMission: Impossible 5, which currently hasTom Cruiseand writerDrew Pearceattached.
In fact, Pegg explains, he’s started prepping for the role already. “I’ve already started eating one carrot a day in order to be in shape,” he joked. “Actually, that’s not good for you to do that. Don’t do that.“Mission: Impossible 5will openDecember 25, 2015. [MTV]
Ong-bakstarTony Jaais signing on for action sequels left and right. As he continues shootingFast & Furious 7, he has signed on to joinWu JingforSPL II, a sequel to 2005’sSaat po long(orKill Zoneas it’s known in the States).
Described as “an action/drama that should keep the audience very much on the edge of their seats,“SPL IIis being directed byTerrence Cheungalthough original helmerWilson Yip"remains very much involved,” according to the press release. Production will begin next spring. [Twitch]
Meanwhile, Jaa’sFast & Furious 7co-starDwayne Johnsonhas posted an explosive new pic from the set via Instagram. His lengthy, hashtag-heavy caption is below.
“I didn’t bring the cavalry.. I AM the cavalry” ~ #HobbsTheBeast On set. 4am. High on dirty thoughts & adrenaline as I wait for my director and partner in crime, James Wan (standing deep in the background) to yell “ACTION”. #FastAndFurious7 #SilverbackOfTheLaw #ThisIsHowIWalkIntoMyBedroom
Wan backed up Johnson’s comment,tweeting, “That’s me deep in the tunnel designing the shot!”
Though there was talk at one point that Brett Ratner’sHerculescould prevent Mr. Franchise Viagra from returning to theFast & Furiousfold, Johnson’s managed tomake it workby jumping from one film to the next with little rest in between.
The action-packed sequel opensJuly 11, 2014. Also starring are series regularsVin Diesel,Paul Walker, andMichelle Rodriguez, plus badass newcomersJason Statham,Kurt Russell,Djimon Hounsou, andRonda Rousey. [Dwayne Johnson’s Twitter]
Warner Bros. has five more posters to show you fromThe Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, featuring Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), and Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans). Add them to the big pile that already includes thesebanners, this even longerbanner, and thesecharacter posters.
And here’s another TV spot — the sixth, by Warner Bros.' count.
Are you pumped yet?Peter Jackson’sThe Hobbit: The Desolation of SmauglandsDecember 13. [Facebook]
