Willem Dafoe has joined Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux in Beetlejuice 2

It’s been a long wait, but director Tim Burton is finally heading into production on a sequel to his 1988 classic Beetlejuice (watch it HERE) – and he’s assembling a cast that looks to guarantee that Beetlejuice 2 is going to be worth the wait. Not only is Michael Keaton reprising the role of the titular ghoul and Winona Ryder returning to play the “strange and unusual” Lydia Deetz, with Catherine O’Hara back as Lydia’s stepmother Delia, but new additions include Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, and Justin Theroux in an unspecified role. Now The Hollywood Reporter has broken the news that Willem Dafoe has joined the cast and will be playing a law enforcement officer in the afterlife.

We’re still waiting to hear whether or not the rumor that Jean-Claude Van Damme is going to play a ghost in this movie will turn out to be true.

Beetlejuice 2 was in development hell for decades. In 1990, Jonathan Gems was hired to write a sequel that was going to be titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. Burton considered having Daniel Waters rewrite that script, Pamela Norris did rewrite it, and Warner Bros. offered Kevin Smith the chance to do another rewrite. He turned it down. Seth Grahame-Smith was hired to write and produce a new version of a sequel in 2011. Mike Vukadinovich was brought on to rewrite his script in 2017.

Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, co-creators and co-showrunners of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday (which stars Ortega as the title character), have written the screenplay for Beetlejuice 2 that is actually going to be filmed. Plot details are being kept under wraps.

Brad Pitt’s Plan B is producing the sequel, which will be filming in London this summer.

Written by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren from a story McDowell crafted with Larry Wilson, the original Beetlejuice has the following synopsis: What’s a yuppie ghost couple to do when their quaint New England home is overrun by trendy New Yorkers? They hire a freelance ‘bio-exorcist’ to spook the intruders. And everyone gets more than he, she or it bargained for! Director Tim Burton teams with Michael Keaton. The result? ‘Keaton’s Beetlejuice is one of the biggest, baddest wolves a ghost movie has ever unleashed, a polter-gas’ (The Village Voice). He’s a juggernaut of jokes, jolts and jive who hurls one-liners, spins into grotesque forms, gobbles insects and can’t leave ladies (living or dead) alone. So exorcise your right to fun. Say the ‘B’ word three times and have a wonderful Day-O! 

Beetlejuice 2 is heading toward a September 6, 2024 theatrical release. Are you looking forward to the film? What do you think of Willem Dafoe joining the cast? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

At the world premiere for Faxt X, Vin Diesel teased there could be another Fast X sequel in the works at Universal.

Fasten your seatbelts, folks! There could be another Fast & Furious sequel on the way! That’s right, grease monkeys! While attending Fast X‘s world premiere in Rome, Vin Diesel said the finale could expand into three films! Fast 12, baby! Let’s go!

The core Fast & Furious franchise finale is already a two-part event. Still, Universal might not be pulling an “ejecto seato” on the Fast family’s high-octane adventures yet.

“Going into making this movie, the studio asked if this could be a two-parter,” Diesel said. “And after the studio saw this one, they said, ‘Could you make “Fast X,” the finale, a trilogy?’”

“It’s three acts in any story,” Michelle Rodriguez added, who was walking the red carpet alongside Diesel.

When asked if they were confirming another Fast & Furious sequel, Diesel pumped the breaks by saying, “You’re gonna get me in trouble here.”

“Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever,” reads the official Fast X description. “In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante, witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.”

Fast X stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena, Scott Eastwood, Helen, Mirren, and Charlize Theron. The cast has expanded even more with the addition of Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Ritchson as Aimes, the new head of the agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor; Daniela Melchior as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto.

Rodriguez is doing her best not to spoil the events of Fast X. She wants fans to know they’ll be “shocked” by where the upcoming film cuts off, but wants everyone to know there’s a master plan for future events. “You’re going to feel so cheated in a way, but then so gratified and excited about what’s to come,” Rodriguez added.

Do you think Universal will green light Fast X – Part 3? Feel free to let us know in the comments section.

Fast X will hit theaters on May 19, with Fast X – Part 2 hitting in 2025.

Mel Gibson returns to the director’s chair for the first time since Hacksaw Ridge to direct Flight Risk, a thriller starring Mark Wahlberg.

It’s been seven years since Mel Gibson last helmed a feature film, but Deadline reports that he’ll be returning to the director’s chair with Flight Risk, a thriller starring Mark Wahlberg.

Flight Risk is being developed for Lionsgate, who released Mel Gibson’s last movie, Hacksaw Ridge. Plot details for Gibson’s new project are being kept under wraps, but it’s said that Mark Wahlberg will be playing a pilot who must transport a dangerous criminal for trial. Wahlberg and Gibson have worked together several times before, including on Daddy’s Home 2 and Father Stu.

“We love the undeniable electric pairing of Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg,” said Lionsgate movie chairman Joe Drake. “These world-class talents combining for this dynamic, character-driven film will make Flight Risk one of the most suspense-filled, must-see events of the year.“

Mel Gibson has only directed five movies throughout his long career. He made his directorial debut with The Man Without a Face, before receiving critical acclaim (and the Academy Award for Best Director) with Braveheart. He also directed The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto, and Hacksaw Ridge. In addition to Flight Risk, Gibson has a few other projects that he may direct, including Lethal Weapon 5 and the long-rumoured Passion of the Christ sequel.

Mark Wahlberg recently finished shooting The Union with Halle Berry. The action thriller follows a construction worker who is roped into the espionage world by his former high school girlfriend. It will be released on Netflix but doesn’t have an official release date yet. As for Mel Gibson, he will next be seen in the upcoming John Wick prequel series, The Continental. He plays Cormac, the current manager of the hotel. “The showrunner Kirk Ward and I talked in detail about it. Kirk is a massive action movie fan, and his references are 48 Hours, Lethal Weapon, The Warriors, stuff like that,” said director Albert Hughes. “With Mel, Kirk and I decided he should be a little shabby on the edges. His organization skills aren’t as tight as Winston’s are later on. It feels a little cheap. Then I started coming up with my own motivations for the character, that was a cross between Joel Silver and Donald Trump.“

Idris Elba will star in, produce, and direct Infernus, an action thriller in development for Millennium Media.

According to Deadline, Idris Elba is set to pull triple duty on Infernus. In addition to starring in the action thriller, Elba will also produce and direct the project for Millennium Media.

Idris Elba will star in Infernus as Donovan Kamara, “a U.N. human rights activist sent to investigate reports of refugees being illegally detained inside a U.S. black site prison. A seemingly simple task turns deadly when the world’s most dangerous inmates break free. Kamara must work to safely extricate the refugees, all while going head-to-head with a brilliant criminal mastermind.” Robert Mark Kamen wrote the screenplay based on a story by Tom Boyle. Production is expected to start in London on October 9th.

Idris Elba made his feature directorial debut with Yardie, a crime drama which debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. “I’m excited to be back in the director’s chair, partnering with Millennium Media. Infernus is a gripping thriller with a relevant and intimate human story at its core,” Elba said in a statement. “Thanks to the brilliant writing of Robert and Tom, we have some exceptional characters. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity both in front and behind the camera, filming across Europe, as well as bringing our production to Africa, which has an emerging film community that we are proud to be supporting.“

Jeffrey Greenstein, President at Millennium Media, added, “It’s with great pleasure that we have the opportunity to create an entertaining and action-packed film alongside Idris, who in addition to being incredibly talented, is such a genuine and profound individual. We look forward to delivering a high-octane popcorn film that has character and soul, as well as an underlying message about the call for higher standards for mankind.” Most of the filming on Infernus will take place in London, but the production will also shoot in Ghana at the new TD Akuna Studios which was developed by Idris Elba, Tony Tagoe, and Danny Damah.

Idris Elba was recently seen starring in Luther: The Fallen Sun on Netflix. He’s also set to reprise his role of Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off TV series as well as Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

The first reactions to Fast X hail Jason Momoa’s villainous Dante as the new MVP of the Fast & Furious franchise.

Fast X hits theaters next week and the first reactions to the beginning of the saga’s grand finale have emerged. If you’re not a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, it doesn’t sound as though Fast X will win you over at this point. But if you’re already on board, get ready for the same non-stop thrills and over-the-top action you’ve come to expect. There was also plenty of praise for Jason Momoa, who plays the latest villain of the series. Check out the Fast X first reactions below!

Fast X will lead into the grand finale of the Fast & Furious franchise, which Louis Leterrier will return to direct. It was also announced that Universal had tapped Christina Hodson (The Flash) and Oren Uziel (The Cloverfield Paradox) to write the script for Fast & Furious 11, as the studio wanted some “new voices” for the finale.

Fast X – Part 2 may not be the end of the franchise as Vin Diesel recently teased that it could be a three-part finale. “Going into making this movie, the studio asked if this could be a two-parter,” Diesel said. “And after the studio saw this one, they said, ‘Could you make “Fast X,” the finale, a trilogy?’“

“Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever,” reads the official Fast X description. “In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante, witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.“ Fast X will hit theaters on May 19th.

Mads Mikkelsen teases the villain of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and gushes over working with Harrison Ford.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will be the last time Harrison Ford suits up as the heroic archeologist, and Mads Mikkelsen is grateful that he was there for Indy’s last adventure.

Mads Mikkelsen told Entertainment Weekly that he grew up watching the Indiana Jones movies. “When I was a kid, I had no idea that you could end up becoming an actor,” Mikkelsen said. “I was just watching [these films] like everybody else. It’s always been part of me; it’s been with me always, so that is a special thing to be part of now, like 40-something years later.” The actor added that his first meeting with Harrison Ford was rather special.

Actually, I met Indiana Jones before I met Harrison Ford, because he stepped out of his trailer after he had a costume fitting. And he stepped out with the hat, the jacket, and the whip, which was fun.

Mads Mikkelsen plays Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi turned scientist and mathematician. He seeks the Dial of Destiny, which could have the power to change history. “I think the passion for what he does and passion for what he’s looking for, without giving too much away, and the passion for him knowing that this can make the world a better place — all that I can identify with,” Mikkelsen said. “[But] what does a better place look like? This is where it gets tricky. So I just have to leave that out, and then I can replace the end goal with something else [in my mind]. And then it’s recognizable, for me at least.“

As we know, the opening sequence of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny takes place in 1944, which is when Indy first meets Voller. “He’s a man who is very, very passionate about his job, the science of what he’s doing, and less so with the ideology of what he’s doing,” Mikkelsen said. “But if they can go hand in hand, that will be a good day for him.”

The chance to share the screen with Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones sequel was a wonderful experience for Mads Mikkelsen. “[Ford’s] just a fantastic actor,” Mikkelsen said. “He knows exactly what he’s doing wherever the camera is. And he doesn’t use enormous means to tell a story. For me, he’s like Buster Keaton, who kind of invented the close-up. He didn’t run to the camera, he made the camera come to him. And it’s wonderful to be that close to see him work. It was just a wonderful experience for me.” Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will hit theaters on June 30th, but will first premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18th.