Even Though Zac Efron's Ted Bundy Movie Is Heading To Netflix, It's Getting An R-Rating

Even Though Zac Efron's Ted Bundy Movie Is Heading To Netflix, It's Getting An R-Rating

Netflix has had a weird history with rating its original movies, but now we know for certain that one of its big upcoming movies will be Rated R. The movie in question is Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Given the serial killer subject matter of the upcoming Netflix flick, an R rating for the Ted Bundy-based flick makes sense.

The MPAA has given Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile an R-rating and, as you can probably guess, one of the reasons cited is for “disturbing” content. More specifically, the MPAA says:

Rated R for disturbing/violent content, some sexuality, nudity and language.

While the R rating is not a giant surprise (or at least shouldn’t be given the subject matter), what is interesting is that the film has been rated at all.

We’ve reported previously on Netflix’s inconsistencies with rating its movies. Some flicks in the past have been given TV-MA or similar TV guideline-based ratings while some have been given MPAA ratings. It hasn’t always been consistent regarding whether or not a project has gotten a brief theatrical release, either.

However, just a couple of weeks ago, Netflix joined the MPAA. Hopefully, this means that a larger percentage of movies will actually be getting the types of ratings people in the U.S. are familiar with. I know it probably doesn't seem like a big deal given that Netflix has been letting people know whether or not something is "mature" content, but to me the fact that some projects have been rated more like TV projects while others have been rated like real movies made it clear that Netflix didn't really know what space it was occupying in the business.

By signing on with the MPAA, Netflix has shown that it sees its movies as competing with other movies and not with the stuff that cable and network TV is putting out. It also means the MPAA is now showing more of a willingness to work with Netflix, which has often been at odds with the movie industry at large.

Extremely Wickedy, Shockingly Evil, and Vile has dealt with some press recently for casting Zac Efron as a “hot Ted Bundy,” especially given the serial killer nature of the movie. However, Ted Bundy was notorious for being a good-looking guy while on death row long before Zac Efron was ever cast in the role. Plus, Netflix has already reminded people that if they are really looking for "hot" characters, there are plenty of other options on the streaming service.

It’s certainly a unique choice for Zac Efron at this point in his career to tackle a serial killer period drama. However, he has taken projects with an R rating before, most notoriously with the Rated R version of Baywatch. (Although the movie went on to be panned, the cast defended the move.)

Hopefully, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile won’t suffer the same fate. Netflix, in fact, has had some struggles with producing critically-acclaimed content, although this past year’s Roma from Alfonso Cuaron was a notable exception.

Ultimately, 2019 should be an interesting year for the streaming service, and not just because it has joined the MPAA. You can catch Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile sometime soon on Netflix. While we wait for an official date be sure to check out what is coming this month on Netflix.

Should Wesley Snipes' Blade Really Return In The MCU?

Should Wesley Snipes' Blade Really Return In The MCU?

As Marvel's plans for Phase 4 officially remain under lock and key, rumors and speculation are running rampant about the brand's future plans for its current characters and plans for other characters who haven't been seen in a long time. The latest update on the latter alleges that Marvel has plans for a Blade return. This alleged film, which would be R-rated, is said to involve Wesley Snipes in some way.

Now there's a chance Marvel could have other plans for Wesley Snipes, but smart money says that if he's involved, it's probably so he can reprise his role as the title character. It's a bold choice given his inclusion would seemingly mean embracing the character's previous films and giving the world the fourth Blade film after over 15 years. Provided these discussions are currently underway, is bringing Wesley Snipes Blade to the MCU something that should happen?

To start, let's acknowledge that Wesley Snipes is in his mid 50s. Him being Blade now would look a lot different than when he first took on the role. Hell, it'd even look different than when he did Blade Trinity at 41. That's not to say he can't pull it off, but one would imagine if Marvel is seriously considering Snipes for Blade, it's because they aren't planning to have him back for long.

Because, let's face it, if Marvel was thinking about making a new Blade movie, it's a good bet it'd use a younger actor. Mahershala Ali already has a strong show of support from MCU fans, and is still in his early 40s. He's just one of the many popular actors that could take on the character, so it's not absolutely necessary that Wesley Snipes be tapped for this role.

Yet, there has been talk from Snipes and Kevin Feige both over the years, which does make it possible these talks are legitimate. Rumors are still just that, but the fact that Marvel Studios has supposedly shown some interest in bringing back Wesley Snipes to play Blade in the past does instill some confidence that there's a plan at play. If it's being discussed, surely there's an idea of how it would happen, right?

Which, in and of itself, is a strong supporting reason for why Snipes should return as Blade. Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios has had a strong track record to date in the MCU, so there's little reason to doubt they'd just up and drop the ball trying to do Blade with Wesley Snipes. After all, why search for another actor when you have the guy who played him in three films before ready and willing to make a comeback.

Well, there is one really big reason not to, and a lot of it is tied to Wesley Snipes on-set behavior during production on Blade: Trinity. There are multiple accounts of Snipes doing some wild stuff on set, one of which included requesting CGI being used to put him in scenes he didn't feel like doing.

Much wilder alleged stories can be found online, but it seemed clear to multiple people on set that Blade wasn't something Snipes wanted to be a part of anymore. People change, obviously, but it's a valid question whether there are those at Marvel who remember that whole incident and may have issues bringing the actor in and risking more behind-the-scenes drama on a high-budget feature.

One big strength in Snipes favor is that he's aged wonderfully, and it's not crazy to think an enhanced lifespan isn't a real-life super power he's capable of. Additionally, after seeing how Marvel de-aged Kurt Russell and Samuel L. Jackson, it's hard to believe what little work it would take to make Snipes look as close to how he looked the last time audiences saw the Dhampir in action.

Perhaps the question isn't why Marvel would want Wesley Snipes back as Blade, but more of a question as to what that would mean. Bringing Snipes back would presumably make Blade 1-3 canon in the MCU, which adds yet another franchise to marry to a very delicate ecosystem at the moment. Could the MCU weather bringing the first three Blade films into its shared universe without worrying about plot inconsistencies or other issues?

It also bears mention that while the character of Blade has been popular, the franchise thus far has not been a hit with critics. Blade II is seen as the high point, according to critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and Blade: Trinity's aggregate score makes X-Men: Apocalypse's score seem solid in comparison. None of the films have been critical successes, but the lowest point of this franchise has been pretty damn bad in the eyes of critics.

Absence can tend to make the heart grow fonder though, although it would be a question of why the Marvel universe has had zero mentions of vampires to this point if Blade has been around this whole time. Granted, that is changing as Sony just went into principal photography on Morbius pretty recently, although it remains to be seen how or if the character will be incorporated into the MCU.

If there was a time to make vampires a part of the MCU, Phase 4 seems like a time to do it. The future of the Asgardians and who will headline adventures related to them is potentially on the bubble if Chris Hemsworth exits, and Marvel has already shown a want to expand its universe more with the introduction of the Skrulls. Vampires would be a viable outlet, and wouldn't take a lot of work to incorporate.

There is one story element that Marvel Studios could be looking into, and it's one that admittedly feels like one that avoids a lot of the potential problems in bringing back Wesley Snipes' Blade. Snipes could be the supporting character in a feature that ultimately paves the way to introduce Fallon Grey, Blade's daughter, as the MCU's resident vampire hunter. It's a convenient way to sweep Blade's past under the rug, and also add more inclusivity to the MCU.

Ultimately the decision is Marvel Studios', and it will ultimately decide whether or not Wesley Snipes and the Blade franchise is worth incorporating into the MCU. Right now people probably have a lot of questions as to why, but many will ultimately trust Kevin Feige and those responsible if bringing the vampire hunter back is the right move.

Right now, all this Blade talk is just a rumor, but CinemaBlend will keep an eye out for updates and any developments especially as Marvel gears up to announce its plans for Phase 4 after Spider-Man: Far From Home. For more on Blade, read up on what recent superhero film director actually pitched an idea for a film not all that long ago.

New Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Image Reveals How Massive The Land Is

New Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Image Reveals How Massive The Land Is

Disney told us from the very beginning that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge was going to be the single largest land expansion in the history of Disneyland when it was finally here. However, Disney Parks are already so massive that it's difficult to get an idea of exactly what that means. Just how big is Galaxy's Edge?

While the land doesn't open to the general public (or more specifically, those with reservations) for a little over a week, Galaxy's Edge has been giving sneak peeks to some including press members recently, and it recently held a cast member event in the space. From that event has come one of the few official photos of the new land that has been released, that includes 1400 people surrounding the Millennium Falcon. Check it out.

While there's certainly a lot of people in this photo, the fact is that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is so much more than what you see in the picture, that it's going to clearly be able to hold an insane number of people due to its size. The other major E-ticket attraction, Rise of the Resistance, though it won't be open on May 31 with the rest of the land, isn't even visible in this picture. That means there's a lot of space left empty that thousands more people will be able to inhabit.

The picture, posted on Instagram by Disneyland President Josh D'Amaro, also shows just how big the Millennium Falcon actually is. For many, simply standing in the presence of a full sized replica of the iconic ship will be the ultimate Star Wars experience.

One can certainly imagine an aerial photo of Galaxy's Edge looking this packed most of the time if Disneyland actually lets enough people into the new land. Of course, it's not clear at this point exactly how many people will actually be getting to Galaxy's Edge when it opens.

Getting access to Galaxy's Edge for the first three weeks will require a reservation. All of the reservations made available to the general public in that time are already gone. The only way to be able to visit the planet of Batuu now is to book a reservation at a Disneyland Resort hotel, for which rooms are still available even now.

After the first three weeks, access to Galaxy's Edge will be handled through a digital queue system where guests will be notified on their smartphone when they can visit the land. One assumes this process will last until the crowds die down to a level where people will be able to enter and exit at their leisure, although, considering how popular the new land is going to be, it could be quite some time before that happens.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disneyland May 31 and an identical land will open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World August 29. A second phase including the second E-ticket attraction, Rise of the Resistance will open at an as yet undisclosed time in both parks later this year.

6 Unanswered Us Questions We Really Want Answered In An Us Sequel

6 Unanswered Us Questions We Really Want Answered In An Us Sequel

Warning! The following contains spoilers for Jordan Peele's latest horror opus. Read at your own risk!

Following Us' blockbuster opening weekend, audiences are still reeling, and Jordan Peele's suspenseful horror thriller has many wanting a second viewing to see all the tiny clues leading up to that big twist. Others, however, have moved past all that, and are curious as to when a second movie is coming that may explain some of the lingering mysteries, and cover what happens after. With that said, here's some of the questions I have that could be addressed if an Us 2 is made.

How Does Tethering Work?

In Us, it's revealed by Red that "The Tethered" were created to be puppets used by the U.S. Government in order to control people. The experiment is regarded a failure, and The Tethered are abandoned underground with nothing to do but mimic their counterparts. They're able to do this without physically seeing what their other selves are doing... but how does that work exactly? How are the Tethered tethered?

A sequel could introduce someone who was familiar with the Tethered project, and could explain the ins and outs of how they work. What drives them to mimic? Why did they need to kill their original selves? What happens when the Tethered become the only version of themselves? Surely there's someone out there with the answers, and if another movie happens, we need to hear their perspective.

How Did The Rest Of The World Respond To The Event?

As Red said, the Tethered are "Americans." The group united, and joined hands across the nation in a statement that ensured they would be seen and recognized. It's a statement that, one would assume, wasn't meant for their above ground doppelgangers considering how many were murdered throughout the film. The rest of the world bore witness to this event, but we have no idea how they responded.

Did the U.N. assemble and grant the Tethered protected status? I'd be more convinced they decided to firebomb the country after seeing what these underground creatures can do. Of course, there's also groups of Americans who may have survived, so will there be rescue efforts to extract those individuals? What if other countries have their own Tethered, but the experiment actually worked over there? There's a lot of potential with this question, and a lot of directions to take it.

Are The Tethered Evil?

Once it's revealed that Adelaide Wilson is actually a member of the Tethered in the story, it presents an interesting question for Us. Adelaide was a seemingly well-adjusted person after a time, but is she the rule or the exception? After all, living below ground warped Red even though she was a normal girl above ground. Are the Tethered truly evil, or are they just a victim of their environments?

Adelaide shows that it's possible for the Tethered to become well-adjusted members of society, but Red shows that living in the tunnels can make just about anyone crazy. Are these Tethered that came up from the tunnels too far gone, or will they eventually create a civilized society within time? A time jump of how things progress would be riveting to see, and it would be fascinating to see in what ways they change and remain the same.

Who Else Survived The Attack?

There were quite a few dead bodies scattered throughout Us, but it's hard to believe the Wilsons were the only family to survive this traumatic experience. After all, helicopters captured the Tethered's statement, so apparently there were some pilots that managed to survive the incident. I suppose it could've been pilots' doppelgangers flying, which could be the case considering their hanging around the Tethered and not flying the hell out of dodge.

Still, there had to be some combat ready families that were able to overpower their doppelgangers and escape without being seen by other Tethered. It would be neat to see how they handled things, and could present an entirely different sequel similar to how 10 Cloverfield Lane was compared to Cloverfield. Ideally this is just the start of Peele's film universe, and another movie reveals a connection between the events of it, Us, and Get Out.

What's With All The Rabbits?

The rabbits are seen at the beginning of Us without context, and then later are seen roaming freely throughout the tunnels. About all we know about these underground rabbits is that they're the Tethered's primary food source, and there's plenty of them to go around. In truth that may be the whole point, as rabbits and their excessive breeding habits somewhat explains how the Tethered always have something to eat underground.

That said, how are these rabbits surviving? Are they also a part of the U.S. government's failed experiment? Surely the goal wasn't to put these rabbits down there so that the Tethered have something to eat, right? There'd have to be a more effective method of feeding that many people that would be cheaper and less horrifying. Perhaps the rabbits were the precursor to the Tethered? We'll probably never know unless there's a sequel.

Can The Tethered Drown?

Remember when Gabe and Abraham fought on the boat? That boat drug Abraham for a very long time, and it's a wonder he didn't die of drowning throughout that whole sequence. Later we see the "Hands Across America" chain, and it looks as though there are members of the Tethered beneath the water joining hands. So, can these "Americans" breathe underwater, and that bit was just left out of the movie?

I'm not sure why it would be important to the plot for the Tethered to be unable to drown, but it definitely makes them 100x creepier. Imagine one just being able to sit underwater with that twisted smile for hours waiting for a chance to strike. This trait, provided it exists, would also open the door to another reason why the Tethered were created, that doesn't necessarily jive with the way Red's been led to understand this government project.

Do you have a question about Us that you'd love to see explored in another film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and see the film in theaters now. For more on the movie, check out some of the clues that tease the twist ending far ahead of the actual reveal.

Next Transformers Movie Aims To Fuse Bumblebee And Michael Bay Movies

Next Transformers Movie Aims To Fuse Bumblebee And Michael Bay Movies

The last Transformers movie, Bumblebee, was unlike anything we'd seen in the franchise before. The story let most of the explosions and destruction go in order to focus on a smaller character story. While the new direction worked for a lot of people, others were left wanting as they'd come to enjoy the massive destruction of the giant robot franchise. It seems that the next movie in the Transformers franchise will look to combine the best of both worlds, giving the story the heart of Bumblebee without sacrificing the epic action sequences of the main franchise. According to director Lorenzo di Bonaventura...

I know the next Transformer, our attempt anyway, is to sort of do a fusion of Bumblebee and the Bay movies…a little more Bayhem. And a little bit more of the character falling in love within the emotional dynamic of the movie. One of the things I want to do—and I hope we pull it off—is, we did it with Bumblebee because he’s so cute and he’s so accessible, but he can’t talk. I think the more human we can make these characters, the more people are going to like them.

The Transformers movies made by Michael Bay tended to be lambasted by critics, all while making billions at the box office.It's easy to be critical, but there was clearly a large crowd that loved the over-the-top explosive action that Michael Bay created in his Transformers movies.

However, for those that were looking for something a bit more grounded and relatable, Kubo and the Two Strings director Travis Knight brought us Bumblebee, a prequel/soft reboot of the Transformers franchise that gave us a bit less action but a lot more character. It did fine at the box office, but didn't quite hit Michael Bay levels of business.

Exactly what the future holds for this franchise is far from clear, but based on Lorenzo di Bonaventura's comments to Collider, regardless of what the plot is or which characters will be highlighted, the plan is to take the character story of Bumblebee and the action of a Michael Bay movie and fuse them together. Give everybody something that they want in a Transformers movie.

There's certainly the possibility for a really successful film if this idea works. If you make the giant robots a bit more relatable so that those looking for a stronger story are engaged, while still putting the massive action set pieces out there, then everybody buys a ticket and the new movie becomes huge. As one of those people who preferred Bumblebee to the standard Transformers films, I have no problem with massive, city destroying, action scenes, as long as they involve characters I'm actually engaged with.

Of course, exactly what's next from the Transformers franchise is anybody's guess. Plans for creating an entire Transformers cinematic universe appear to be on hold and the there is no next movie officially on the release schedule.Although, we can be sure that, one way or another, there absolutely will be another Transformers movie, and it might just be the one everybody has been waiting for.

Zac Efron Says The Greatest Showman Sequel Could Still Happen

Zac Efron Says The Greatest Showman Sequel Could Still Happen

Zac Efron is currently out and about promoting his Ted Bundy flick Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, but when it comes to Zafron, a lot of people still have The Greatest Showman tunes on the brain. On the bright side, according to the actor, a sequel to the popular movie could still be in play. He recently said on The Graham Norton Show:

The real answer is 'could be.’ I'm not sure. I'm being completely honest with you, there is talk of something going around but no one is really sure… But I think someone is working on a treatment for something... I know they are, they're working on a treatment for something.

Speaking on a couch with some other big name actors, including Matthew Broderick, Zac Efron explained what he knows about a potential sequel to the 2017 musical. It's honestly amazing that we could be talking about a sequel these days, given where the movie was when it first kicked off in theaters.

Honestly, when The Greatest Showman first premiered, it wasn’t to an auspicious start. The movie routinely was in third or fourth place at the box office in its first few weeks in theaters at the end of 2017, as it competed with the likes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Pitch Perfect 3. Then a funny thing started happening—people kept going to see it.

In fact, the movie remained in the Top 10 domestically through the weekend of March 2-4 in 2018, a weekend in which Black Panther was already out and dominating.

Clearly, there’s an appetite for more tunes set in the world of The Greatest Showman. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the music for the film, after gaining fame from creating original music for Smash and La La Land.

However, if you’ve seen the musical movie, you should already know that it covers a pretty large span of time in the life of the circus dreamer. We get to see P.T. Barnum’s early failures, his big dreams and his big successes. Toward the end –and spoilers--fictional character Phillip Carlyle (played by Zac Efron) ends up getting involved as a partner and takes over the open-air circus while Barnum takes a step back to spend more time with his family.

It’s hard to tell exactly where a sequel could go with the narrative, but Zac Efron also told Graham Norton that he would be game to work opposite Hugh Jackman and with the music and writing team again, noting though that scheduling could eventually be a problem.

Hugh (Jackman) is working on all sorts of things including a one man show. What’s next? I don’t know but I hope there is a sequel.

I think a lot of people hope there is a sequel. Although in real life, P.T. Barnum’s story wasn’t all about overcoming obstacles, the musical narrative really entranced people. It helps that circus set pieces and costumes are lovely and lively. It also helps that the music is so catchy, leading to group sing-a-long screenings.

It was a good holiday season at the movies the year The Greatest Showman came out, but in particular that movie had staying power because it became a cultural film that people could experience together in groups or with one or two of their friends. In turn, the soundtrack became a success and the music for the movie was everywhere.

Part of this could be because the whole thing was originally conceived as a Broadway musical, and there has been some talk about turning the movie into a stage production, as well. So, theoretically even if a sequel does not end up happening, the movie could branch out into other mediums.

Is The Cast On Board For A Greatest Showman Sequel?

Several other people related to the movie, from director Michael Gracey to Hugh Jackman himself, have expressed optimism about telling more of the story about the famed circus. Jackman previously revealed:

If a genuine opportunity came up where it felt like the right thing to do, then yep, I'd get the top hat back out. It's clear to me and to everyone that people love these characters. I loved this movie, I loved this character and it was one of the great joys of my life.

This was a passion project for all of the people involved. The movie was also seven years in the making, so it's no real surprise that people related to the movie might have enthusiasm toward doing more, whether that be Zac Efron or Hugh Jackman. Some time after Jackman made the above comment, Gracey also confirmed that discussions were underway about producing a script for another movie. Now, Efron has said something similar.

Talk is not the same as forward movement, unfortunately. It’s also probably worth pointing out that The Greatest Showman was a 20th Century Fox movie, so if this project were to move forward, it would have to nab the greenlight from parent company Disney these days. Disney actually recently cut a few Fox movies from its docket, and it's been hard to tell what the company has been championing in terms of projects and franchises from Fox so far.

That said, The Greatest Showman is in a lot of ways like many Disney movies. It’s fun, it’s mostly family-friendly and it has musical components (and dancing, don't forget the dancing). Most importantly, in a world that is chock full of PG-13 movies, The Greatest Showman was a rare PG outing that didn't feel as if it were just for kids. Clearly it's a likable property, but figuring out what a sequel would be about that would make sense given the historical premise could be a real challenge.

We’ll let you know if The Greatest Showman 2 ever gets an official script, but in the meantime take a look at what is hitting theaters in 2019 with our full guide to what's coming up and catch Zac Efron in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which is heading to Netflix starting on May 3.

Now for the real question? Would you like to see more from Zac Efron and company's "greatest show?" Or do you think the movie ended on a final note?

Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship

Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship

Bohemian Rhapsody is undeniably one of the biggest hits of the last year. Bryan Singer's Freddie Mercury biopic may have had some controversy surrounding it, but the musical blockbuster ultimately made a ton of money at the box office, and was an Awards Season favorite. Unfortunately, some controversy continues, especially as the project was brought to China for the first time.

In order for Bohemian Rhapsody to hit theaters for Chinese moviegoers, the movie was edited down, with scenes and dialogue regarding Freddie Mercury's sexuality cut. It's a change that drew criticism online, especially as certain moviegoers already thought the movie didn't focus on Mercury's queerness enough. And now film advocates in China are responding as well.

LGBT advocate and cinephiles Peng Yanzi recently spoke to the Associated Press about the choice to edit down Bohemian Rhapsody, and what it did to the movie. The report was:

The cut scenes really affect the movie. The film talks about how (Mercury) became himself, and his sexuality is an important part of becoming who he was.

Aside from ignoring an important aspect of the subject of Bohemian Rhapsody, it looks like these new edits may have affected the film overall. Freddie Mercury's journey in the biopic was about music and self-discovery. And cutting out his coming out process means that a big aspect of that narrative was absent from Bohemian Rhapsody.

Another Chinese moviegoer and LGBT advocate addressed the changes to Bohemian Rhapsody, and how the editing affected the quality of the overall movie. They said:

This kind of deletion weakens his gay identity. It’s a bit disrespectful to his real experience and makes the character superficial. There is no growth and innermost being of him.

Bohemian Rhapsody might not have been a gay love story, but Freddie Mercury's sexuality is the unspoken elephant in the room for most of the biopic. Still, there are a few extremely poignant scenes that occur later in the film, as Mercury's starpower is on the rise. His relationship with girlfriend Mary Austin was shown slowly dissolving, and eventually Lucy Boynton's character opens the dialogue about his sexuality. That scene is one of many to get the cut for the Chinese release, and it appears the movie is worse for it.

As a reminder, you can check out that scene below.

The above sequence is one of the most powerful and emotional in the entirety of Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, it's hard to even imagine a version of the film lacking this plot line, and this powerful moment between the two real-life figures.

It should be interesting to see how Bohemian Rhapsody ultimately performs overseas. There's obviously a ton of hype around the project, after taking so many trophies. But will the new edit ruin it? We'll have to see. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.