Hi everyone! Welcome to another film and TV news roundup — this particular installment will be covering US President Barack Obama’s taste in film, the new director of the upcoming standalone Batman flick, and more!
- Matt Reeves — best known for Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and the upcoming War for the Planet of the Apes — has been confirmed as the director of the upcoming Batman solo picture, still under working title “The Batman.” Reeves is “honored and excited” to be working on the film, because of course that’s what you say when you join up with a major film studio to work on an iconic property. This announcement follows news that the titular Batman, Ben Affleck, would be leaving the director’s chair, as well as unsubstantiated rumors that Affleck wants to leave behind the role altogether.
- In an interview with ScreenRant, Hugh Jackman said that a potential X-Men/Marvel Cinematic Universe team-up would have given him some pause regarding his decision to leave his iconic role as Wolverine. Those were his exact words — he did not say that he would definitely play Wolverine if he could pal around with Iron Man. He just found the idea compelling and probably would’ve given his decision some additional thought. Just…let’s all temper our expectations here.
- According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Obama family were big film buffs during their time in the White House. The President reportedly asked for multiple award screeners, including one for Best Picture frontrunner La La Land, as well as screeners for newer releases. Curiously, among those “new releases” was allegedly the kids film Monster Trucks. Now, that could’ve been a family decision, but it’s hard to not love the idea of Barack Obama getting excited about a literal monster hiding inside a truck. The family’s love of film has continued well into Obama’s post-Presidential life, with former First Daughter Malia interning at the Weinstein Company.
- Kotaku is reporting that Hayao Miyazaki will be coming out of retirement once again to make a full-length feature film. The news came from producer Toshio Suzuki, who confirmed Miyazaki’s return during a press tour for the Oscar-nominated short The Red Turtle. Miyazaki’s upcoming film will reportedly be based on a CG short called Kemushi no Boro that Miyazaki animated himself during his “retirement.” Currently, the film is set for release “before the 2020 Olympics.”
