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
Marvel Studios Skipping Comic-Con 2015 Says ‘Guardians’ Director James Gunn
Nobody — and we mean nobody — does Comic-Con quite like Marvel. In 2006 Marvel Studios held their first ever Comic-Con panel (announcing the Captain America and Thor movies) and has returned every year since. They've ruled the roost with dynamic, exciting presentations that mix showmanship with big announcements. But, that's all about to change. Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn confirmed last night that, for the first time in nine years, Marvel Studios is skipping Comic-Con.
‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ Star Mark Hamill on Fan Anticipation: “Just Relax!”
If you’re one of those people who can’t get enough ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ spoilers, first, might we recommend our weekly Wookieepedia ‘Star Wars’ round up? With that shameless plug out of the way, let us now offer you ‘Star Wars’ spoiler addicts some advice from Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. CHILL OUT.
‘Poltergeist’ Trailer: All Are Welcome (Unless You’re Scared of Clowns)
Pro-tip: if you're scared of clowns or creepy dolls, you might want to skip the new ‘Poltergeist’ trailer. If you're all good with evil clown dolls coming to life and attacking young children, what are you waiting for?! You can watch the new ‘Poltergeist’ trailer above.
Liam Neeson Seeks Revenge in Clash of Clans Super Bowl Ad
Liam Neeson may act like a total badass when he's in movies like ‘Taken’, but he's not above poking a little fun at his new tough guy persona. The actor appeared in a new Super Bowl commercial for Clash of Clans and delivered a monologue that sounds as if it were taken (no pun intended) from one of his shoot-em-up action movies.
Adam Sandler to Star in ‘Ridiculous 6′ With All His Same Old Friends
Back in October, Netflix announced that they had signed Adam Sandler to star in four original movies that would premiere exclusively on their streaming service. Today, we have news on Sandler’s first project under this partnership; a western-comedy titled ‘Ridiculous 6’ that stars such familiar Sandler faces as Rob Schneider, Nick Swardson, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz and Vanilla Ice as Mark Twain.
Whoopidy doo!
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ Passed ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to Become the Biggest Movie of 2014
Sorry, Star-Lord. Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ was just passed by ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ as the highest grossing film of 2014. And, making that feat all the more impressive: ‘Mockingjay’ reached that mark in just 62 days, without the help of 3D or IMAX.
Ben Affleck’s Batman Will Reportedly Appear in ‘Suicide Squad’
While the upcoming DC Comics movie ‘Suicide Squad’ may have lost a Tom Hardy, it may be gaining a Ben Affleck. A new report suggests that Ben Affleck's Batman, will make a cameo at the end of the movie, introducing him to the new Joker (Jared Leto) and setting up his future standalone movies.
Possible spoilers ahead...
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Visual Effects Reel Highlights Some Incredible CGI
Having visited the set of a few Marvel movies, we can say that there are a lot of fully-constructed sets and practical effects in use on their big superhero movies. But, watching this new highlight reel from ILM on the making of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ it’s pretty remarkable to see how they’re able to create full shots out of almost nothing.
James Gunn Says You Shouldn’t Expect the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers to Crossover
Everyone has assumed that, at some point towards the end of this current Marvel Cinematic Universe, the paths of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers would cross. Yes, one superhero team is busy protecting Earth, and the other occupied in outer space, it makes too much sense to not have them meet up in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ right? Never mind the “it makes sense” part, we just really want this to happen. Well, we might never happen according to ‘Guardians’ director James Gunn who warns fans about making such assumptions.
‘Frozen’ Short Film “Frozen Fever” to Debut in Theaters With ‘Cinderella’
Guess what, parents? You're going to see Disney's live-action 'Cinderella' remake in theaters. Possibly more than once. Because that is when you, and more importantly the kids in your life, will be able to see the next 'Frozen' adventure—the short film "Frozen Fever"—for the first time.
‘Avengers 2’ Cast Assembling For Reshoots; Possibly Filming the Post-Credits Scene
‘Avengers 2’ director is reassembling almost his entire cast for two weeks in January to film reshoots for ‘Age of Ultron’ and this, in and of itself, is not particularly interesting. It used to be that reshoots were indicative of a larger problem—”the movie isn’t working, so we need to go back and fix it”—but that simply isn’t the case anymore. Every big-budget blockbuster budgets time and money for reshoots into the original production schedule these days. But, what’s interesting in the case of ‘Avengers 2' isn’t that they’re filming something, it’s what they’re filming and who is involved.
‘Peanuts’ Trailer: Charlie Brown, Still a Blockhead
As Charlie Brown and Snoopy are perhaps best known for their classic holiday special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ it only makes sense that the new ‘Peanuts’ trailer debuts with a very Christmas-y feel. You have to wait until next Christmas to see the CGI ‘Peanuts’ movie, but you can get a taste of what it will look and feel like with this new trailer.