Why Shaft Is Changing The Relationship Between Samuel L. Jackson And Richard Roundtree's Characters

Why Shaft Is Changing The Relationship Between Samuel L. Jackson And Richard Roundtree's Characters

Back when Samuel L. Jackson first took up the mantle of Shaft in director John Singleton’s 2000 reboot, John Shaft II’s relationship with Richard Roundtree’s John Shaft was that of a nephew and an uncle. It may not have been what folks were expecting back then, as typically two generations of character would be assumed to follow a straight line of parent and child, but it’s what worked back in the days of that first reboot.

Now however, that relationship is about to assume the more traditional path, as director Tim Story’s Shaft reboot has retconned John and John II to be father and son. An interesting choice to make 19 years later, granted, but when CinemaBlend was on hand for a set visit early last year, the question was put into the room asking why that decision was made at this point in time.

The answer we got, courtesy of Samuel L. Jackson himself, was the following:

That choice is because they want three generations, in terms of grandfather, father, and son. And it’s not unusual, strangely enough, in black families for somebody to think their ‘uncle’ was their uncle.

With no further films existing between Shaft 2000 and Shaft 2019, there should thankfully be no issues involving continuity in the extended run of the franchise. That having been said, it’s a pretty interesting decision to make the previous two generations of John Shaft father and son. But looking at the story for Shaft on the whole, it makes total sense.

John Shaft II is trying to protect his son JJ (played by Jessie T. Usher), as well as teach him the ropes of the family’s private investigator game. After 25 years of being separated from his son and Maya, the woman who raised JJ and still holds a special place in John II’s heart (played by Regina Hall), he’s getting reacquainted with the family.

Bringing John Shaft I into the mix, and as John II’s father, only makes sense when you look at Shaft as an action comedy that literally brings the family together. During the set visit we took part in early last year, we saw a sizzle reel of footage that showed us bits and pieces of the film that gave us a taste of the tone the film was aiming for. The decision to bring in three generations of Shaft men is one that totally works, as the comic energy shown in both that reel, and the trailer for Shaft, confirms this team-up is a wise one.

Should Shaft’s latest reboot happen to do well enough, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if this family matter sparked another entry into this already legendary canon. In which case, it’ll be interesting to see if any other family members in the Shaft family tree find their way into this ever-growing picture.

Shaft is in theaters on June 14th, and we’ll have more coverage as we get closer to the film’s release date. So, be sure to stay tuned to us here at CinemaBlend.

All The Star Wars Movies Will Be Made Available On Disney+

All The Star Wars Movies Will Be Made Available On Disney+

Ever since the Lucasfilm purchase was finalized in 2012, the Star Wars franchise has been part of the Disney empire… I mean, family, with The Force Awakens being the first movie to kick off this new era. So when it was announced that Disney was launching its own streaming service, Disney+, it was expected that Star Wars would feature prominently. Now it’s been officially announced that along with all the original Star Wars programming already announced, all of the Star Wars movies will be made available on Disney+, including the pre-Disney ones.

In case you’re wondering why this is surprising, it’s because last summer, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that pre-2019 Star Wars movies would not be available on Disney+ at the beginning due to licensing rights. It was also reported around the same time that Turner Broadcasting System owning the TV rights to most of the Star Wars movies prevented Disney from folding them into Disney+, and since this deal didn’t expire until 2024, the Mouse House was working to buy those rights back.

Evidently the company succeeded, because all the Star Wars movies will be viewing options on Disney+. However, don’t expect all of them to be available right at launch. The first two Star Wars trilogies, The Force Awakens and Rogue One will be there on Day 1, with The Last Jedi, Solo and Episode IX coming within the first year.

Episode IX not being available at the get-go makes sense, as Disney+ will be launching before the movie even hits theaters. As for The Last Jedi and Solo, I suspect the delay getting them to Disney+ involves Disney letting its old deal with Netflix run out. Once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before these are added to the streaming service’s catalog.

Star Wars was always going to be one of the main Disney+ draws, so for those of you who had been hoping that you’d be able to watch all the movies set in a galaxy far, far away on the service, your wish has been granted. It’s also logical to assume that more upcoming Star Wars movies, like the Rian Johnson trilogy and the film series being worked on by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, will be thrown onto Disney+ after their theatrical runs have ended.

Of course, these movies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Disney+ Star Wars content. So far two live action original shows have been announced: The Mandalorian, which is set in the decades between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens and will be available on Day 1, and the officially-untitled Cassian Andor and K-2SO series, which sees Diego Luna and Alan Tudyk reprising their respective Rogue One roles.

On the animation side of things, along with housing the previous seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Disney+ will also debut the show’s seventh season, which will be comprised of 12 episodes. One would imagine that Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars Resistance will also be thrown onto the service eventually, but so far there’s no official word on those two shows.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the Star Wars franchise, which continues with the release of Episode IX on December 20. In the meantime, browse through our 2019 release schedule to learn what other movies are opening later this year.

12 Exciting Shots From The Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Trailer

12 Exciting Shots From The Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Trailer

We knew that Star Wars Celebration was going to have some surprises in store pertaining to Star Wars: Episode IX. Even after learning the official title of the film is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, thanks to a trailer showing the first footage from the film, we’re still stunned.

In particular, there are 12 moments in director J.J. Abrams’ new film that have caught our eyes and already planted themselves into our imaginations. Before we run through what we’ve noticed and why it’s exciting, take a look at the trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in case you haven’t already done so, or want to go again.

Now let’s dive into the most amazing pieces in this first look.

Rey Has Inherited Luke's Lightsaber

We open the trailer with a good look at Daisy Ridley's Rey, who definitely seems comfortable with the mantle of being the best hope for the future of Force users. And as if that wasn't apparent by her confident stance and new wardrobe, the fact that she's using Luke Skywalker's legendary lightsaber is the icing on the cake. While this particular historical relic was seen snapped in half during Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it is part of a Jedi's training to build their own lightsaber; so this basically qualifies Rey's usage of the weapon more than anything else. Of course, with new adventures come new obstacles and old foes to present them. And it looks like Rey has spotted one such threat in this early moment.

An Interesting Rematch Between Rey And Kylo

If you're still not convinced that the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi have given Rey the skills she needs to be the sort of hero the galaxy needs, then this next scene should be all you need to dispel those thoughts. Her training has brought her to a point where she's able to do one hell of a flip with a lightsaber ignited, and she's about to give Kylo Ren something to think about. He might feel safe in that TIE Silencer of his, but lightsabers make quick work of pretty much any metal known to the Star Wars galaxy.

An Ice, New Village

It could be the quickness of this rather weather-laden shot from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but it does look like it's snowing or icing pretty hard in this new location. While we don't have a name, we do have a look at this mountainous hideaway that looks like it's being approached by an A-Wing fighter. Wherever it is, we have a good feeling that we'll be meeting someone new in this location. The possibilities are as endless as the view, and just as breathtaking.

Kylo Ren Bodyslamming A Rando

The world has given Adam Driver's Star Wars villain Kylo Ren quite a hard time, as he sometimes comes off as a bit of a whiny fanboy to the Empire that came before The First Order. Well, it looks like people might want to start filing their apologies now, as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sees Kylo not only wielding his cross-hilted saber, but also slamming folks into the ground with it. And here we thought Star Wars: The Last Jedi might have calmed that temper just a little bit.

The Return Of Kylo Ren's Helmet

What would Star Wars be without a villainous headdress to strike fear into the folks at home? Apparently Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker thinks that it would be a boring place, as co-writer/director J.J. Abrams looks to have resurrected Kylo Ren's helmet from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With a rather furry pair of arms working hard on welding it together, it looks like the original pieces from Kylo's big blow-up in the previous film may have been used to bring his original look back into vogue.

The Boys Are Back In Town

Seeing John Boyega and Oscar Isaac clowning around on the Star Wars Celebration panel was enough to make us miss seeing Poe and Finn in action, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker looks like it knows that fact all too well. We not only got this awesome shot of the two friends/potential romantic partners standing out in the desert, but we also saw some pretty intense action involving what looks desert speeder bikes from the First Order chasing them through the sands of what could be Tatooine or Jakku. We can practically hear the quips already.

BB-8's Brand New Friend

We were introduced to BB-8's new friend at today's presentation for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and it wasn't a moment too soon as the new droid D-O was also seen in the film's teaser trailer. It's a simple moment, with both droids cocking their heads in interest, but it's absolutely adorable to watch. Of course, it wasn't too long ago that a new, rival droid for BB-8 was teased, only to show up for a paltry couple of minutes of screen time in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, so we're going to keep out hopes of seeing this little guy for too long in check. That being said, he's still adorable, and you're welcome for the BB-8/D-O desktop.

Lando's Back In The Falcon

The look on Lando Calrissian's face as he's piloting the Millennium Falcon is what any Star Wars fan probably looks like when a new trailer is released. With Billy Dee Williams returning to his iconic role in the ship that once belonged to him in an earlier era of series lore, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker looks ready to put that smile on fans faces throughout this third installment of the final trilogy to the Skywalker Saga. And seeing Lando back in action definitely helps the corners of our mouths pull up in joy.

A Perilous Sand Escape

So we'd like to talk a little more about that desert chase we saw in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's big teaser trailer. More importantly, with all of the laser blasts and explosions that we saw in this sequence, we also saw Finn and Poe joined by none other than C-3PO in this little journey. Knowing that the protocol droid is infamous for being 'a bit' of dramatic, as well as the fact that the two human characters involved are pretty funny whether they bicker or get along, has us thinking this could be one of the funniest scenes of the movie. But don't tell us the odds.

A Teary Reunion With General Leia

Ever since the decision was made to use previously shot footage of the late Carrie Fisher to finish out this Star Wars trilogy, we've been wondering how that prospect might look on screen. Without question, what we've seen in the trailer to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has us convinced that not only is General Leia Organa's return to the battlefield going to look convincing, it's definitely going to make us cry. Rey's tears in the frame after this are pretty much our tears, as this fitting goodbye to a legendary character promises to be respectful, while also rewarding.

The Wreck'd Star

The last actual shot of action we have in this rundown shows Rey staring down the wreckage of what looks like a Death Star. Now there are a lot of questions this sort of image raises, such as which Death Star could this wreck be a part of? Did parts of Starkiller Base survive being destroyed, only to crash into this planet our heroes are visiting? We're inclined to think that this is an earlier Death Star, considering the moment after this shot is a couple frames of darkness that are accompanied by the laughter of deceased Emperor Palpatine. Of course, as Luke taught us in The Last Jedi, no one's ever really gone; and that door looks like it opens both ways.

That Title Looks Beautiful

We finally have a damned title for this movie. After countless references to what was previously known as Star Wars: Episode IX, we can finally call this movie by its proper given name. From where we're standing, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker sounds a lot better, as it definitely fits into the pattern of titles in this trilogy, and it just sounds momentous. How will Skywalker rise now that Luke's dead? Is this now a title bestowed upon people in a new order of Force users? Is Rey's parentage going to be retconned to make her part of the family?

We may not have the answers to this questions just yet, but being able to ask fresh queries about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker feels almost as good; especially with images like this accompanying them. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will burn brightly in the name of the Resistance on December 20.

John Boyega Reveals Why He Was Pumped About Finn’s New Costume In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

John Boyega Reveals Why He Was Pumped About Finn’s New Costume In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker

Anybody who is a Star Wars fan is excited for The Rise of Skywalker. The first images we saw of the film in the first trailer during Star Wars Celebration have got fans talking and looking forward to when the movie finally releases in December. However, the viewers aren't the only ones excited by a new film. It turns out that John Boyega was also quite enthusiastic about going back to the galaxy far, far away, especially after seeing his new costume.

During the Star Wars Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration, Boyega revealed that due to Finn's character arc, his clothes in the two previous films didn't really help define him as a character, but he feels like that has changed with The Rise of Skywalker. According to Boyega...

I think the last two movies Finn couldn’t decide where he belonged. And in this film he’s a full-fledged Resistance sexy young man. At the beginning my big thing was costume. I always felt that Finn didn’t have his identity through his costume. And J.J. was like ‘You’re going to love this one.’ I saw the pre-packets coming out… and I was like, ‘I’m in Star Wars now!’ So, it’s been great.'

Finn's entire story has been about a man figuring out where he belonged. He starts the story as a Stormtrooper but quickly realizes that life is not for him. Throughout most of Star Wars: The Force Awakens he's mostly concerned with just getting the hell away from the First Order as quickly as possible. In The Last Jedi his goal is reuniting with his friend Rey.

Finn literally had no identity at the start of the trilogy, and part of his journey has been figuring out who he is an independent person. Most of us use our clothing as a way to show a piece of who we are to the world. Finn hasn't been able to really do that because he hasn't known that answer. It makes sense that John Boyega's costumes haven't shown Finn's identity, but clearly the actor is happy that Finn will finally find himself in the new film.

While we get a few different quick shots of Finn in the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, the best look at Finn's costume comes near the end as part of the group shot. Check it out below.

Everybody has new outfits in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and it will certainly be interesting to see how these costumes reflect the people inside them. How has the galaxy changed following the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi? We'll find out for sure when the movie finally arrives December 20.

When Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 May Finally Begin Filming

When Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 May Finally Begin Filming

Although Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was one of the first movies to be announced for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 (or whatever the next upcoming slate of movies is being called), the firing and eventual re-hiring of writer and director James Gunn complicated its release schedule. We won’t be seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as soon as was previously believed, but word’s come in that it could begin filming as soon as next year.

Back in March, it had been rumored that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wouldn’t start rolling cameras until early 2021, but THR is saying that production is actually set to begin sometime in 2020. It’s possible that the launch date is for late in 2020, thus being only a few months separated from the previously rumored date, but for Guardians of the Galaxy fans, the prospect of the team’s threequel coming sooner than previously expected is undoubtedly welcome.

When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was first unveiled, it was generally believed that it would be ready to go by summer 2020. Marvel never officially confirmed this, but after Disney fired James Gunn last July, any release date plans that might have been penciled in were erased, and the project was put on indefinite hiatus.

In between when James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and then re-hired in March, he boarded the DC Extended Universe to write and direct The Suicide Squad, and that’s still in play. Production on that sequel/relaunch is set to begin in September, and because it’s not coming out until August 2021, it’s possible Gunn could find himself in a situation where he’s directing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and still working on The Suicide Squad on the side.

Sean Gunn Knew In Advance About James Gunn’s Reinstatement As Guardians 3 Director

In any case, assuming that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does end up beginning production in 2020, there’s a slim chance it could be ready to go by November 5, 2021, which is one of the dates that Marvel has blocked off. However, given all the VFX work that goes into making these movies, I suspect that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 won’t arrive until 2022, presumably taking the May 6 date, as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 also opened in May.

Warning: SPOILERS for Avengers: Endgame are ahead!

While no official plot details have been revealed for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 have been revealed yet, the currently-playing Avengers: Endgame did hint at what might be coming up by showing Thor accompanying the Guardians back into space and Star-Lord looking for the past version of Gamora, who is now running around the present day MCU. Let’s also not forget that one of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s mid-credit scenes set the stage for Adam Warlock to eventually be brought into this universe.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on what’s happening with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and you can learn what else is in development for the MCU by looking through our handy guide.

Why Now Is The Best Time For Robert Pattinson's Batman

Why Now Is The Best Time For Robert Pattinson's Batman

Ever since news broke that Robert Pattinson may be DC's new movie Batman, the internet has been aflame with opinions. While the former Twilight actor has had many people defending the decision, it's safe to say the rumored casting has been very polarizing. Sure, Pattinson has done some great things outside of the films he's commonly known for, but is he really Batman material?

Whether he's the right man for the job or not, one thing both sides of this argument should agree on is that now is the best possible time for DC to roll the dice on casting Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne. For those who don't quite see that just yet, I'll break down exactly why we shouldn't be yanking our hair out and boycotting just because Edward Cullen may become the Caped Crusader.

Robert Pattinson Would Play Batman During DC's Experimental Phase

After its attempts to replicate what Marvel is doing with the MCU more or less failed, DC has been more focused on creating entertaining standalone movies and have put on less emphasis on making sure they're all a part of a connected universe. While there are downsides and have been some casualties because of this decision, the result has been a more creative and free cinematic universe.

Want to reboot Suicide Squad but still keep Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn? Not a problem. Want to fix up Jason Momoa's character after his initial appearance in Justice League? No problemo. Hell, you can even make a Joker origin movie that's disconnected entirely from the Joker seen only a few years back in Suicide Squad! It sounds like chaos, but really it's similar to what comics have always done.

That is to say DC is throwing a lot of concepts at a dartboard and going with what sticks. The beauty in this process is that it's a win-win for fans, particularly those who doubt Robert Pattinson's abilities as Batman. If he flops, then there's plenty of precedent that DC will drop him and try to take another shot at a Batman movie with another actor down the road, or he'll surprise skeptics and the formerly angry will be happy.

The World Is Hungry For A Solo Batman Film

As of this writing, it's been seven years since The Dark Knight Rises debuted in theaters. The world hasn't waited that long on a standalone Batman movie since the gap between Batman & Robin and Batman Begins, although the wait hasn't been quite as unbearable thanks to Ben Affleck's Batman in DC's ensemble features.

It's not for a lack of trying, as DC tried to get The Batman up and underway during Affleck's tenure, but it never seemed to work out. Instead, audiences were teased with flashes of what Affleck's Batman was capable of, which were packaged in commercially successful, but subpar in the eyes of critics and some fans. The Batman was going to have Affleck's Batman front and center, and it would be a chance for Batman to get the solo screen time fans had only been teased with before.

Now, we finally will get to see Batman in action, only he'll be played by someone else. Sure, it's not as satisfying, but even when considering casting issues, the world will be amped to see another Batman movie even if Robert Pattinson is the new Bruce Wayne. Provided the casting rumor is true, it doesn't seem likely fans will be worked up so much they'll actively boycott his first film and risk an even longer gap between Batman movies.

Robert Pattinson May Be The Perfect Batman For The Batman

Is Robert Pattinson different than past actors that have donned the cowl and cape? That depends on who you ask, but I think many would agree that Pattinson's public perception is different than other actors who have played the role. He's not a name the mainstream would associate with action movies, nor is he necessarily on a short list of actors one would describe as a "badass."

To be fair to Robert Pattinson, neither is another actor who's allegedly in contention for the role, Nicholas Hoult. Hoult's cred for the role of Batman is marginally better in that he's been in X-Men, but both are far more known for their works outside the world of superheroes and action movies. Put simply, it appears physicality will be a part of The Batman, but it doesn't appear to be the main thing Matt Reeves and crew are looking for.

We do know that Matt Reeves' vision for The Batman is a noir-driven story that focuses more on the detective abilities of Batman, and while there will almost certainly be some action, it appears the analytical side of Batman will take center stage. Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult may not be the most obvious choices for Batman to some, but that could be because this won't be the typical Batman movie everyone is used to.

DC Could Have More Than One Batman At The Same Time

Now, is it possible Robert Pattinson could continue to be a polarizing Batman even after one film? Sure, but if there are enough people on board and the box office numbers are in The Batman's favor, there's a good chance the young actor could get another film or two to further line the pockets of producers.

With that being said, is there a rule that there can only be one Batman in cinema at one time? It's never been done, but it's looking like there wil be at least two Bruce Wayne's co-existing provided The Batman doesn't have some yet-to-be-discovered tie-in to Joker. Provided both films are successful and have sequels, DC could potentially have two Batmen co-existing in two different eras.

It's not a novel concept, and while DC has typically been pretty protective of how many versions of its heroes are used throughout its media, that stance has seemingly been relaxed quite a bit as of late. In fact, this Batman may co-exist alongside Lego Batman and Titans' incoming Batman played by Iain Glen. Whether it happens with Joker or some other way, don't be surprised if DC doesn't try for another live-action Batman to share the stage with Robert Pattinson in his own set of movies.

The bottom line is this is the ideal time for DC to take a risk with an actor that the world may be iffy on as Batman, and those upset shouldn't be that worried considering the current era of DC movies. Whether the new Batman is Robert Pattinson or anyone else, let's always remember that the most unlikely of actors can deliver the best performances, and that DC is often quick to pivot when a plan doesn't come together.

Stick with CinemaBlend for more updates on The Batman (which comes out on June 25, 2021) and other big headlines in movies, television and pop culture.

Fanmade Godzilla Art Shows How Much He’s Grown Ahead Of King Of The Monsters

Fanmade Godzilla Art Shows How Much He’s Grown Ahead Of King Of The Monsters

Godzilla has been storming through big screens for 65 years now, and wow do they grow up fast! The legendary movie monster has always been portrayed as a menacing presence, but he towers much higher today then he did in his first appearance. Artist Noger Chen has shared a size chart of Godzilla over more than 20 film appearances. Take a look:

Starting from the left of the chart on this image shared on Twitter, the kaiju made his movie debut in 1954 at 50 meters (164 feet) and stayed at that relative height until 1975. He grew to 80 meters (262 feet) for 1984’s The Return of Godzilla after the franchise had been dormant for almost a decade. The monster also saw a growth spurt to 100 meters (328 feet) for much of the ‘90s.

When the first American iteration of Godzilla was made in 1998, the beast stood at 70 meters (229 feet) before 2014’s reboot brought him to a record-breaking height of 108 meters (354 feet). 2016’s Shin Godzilla took back the title to Japan when the monster’s final form was 118.5 meters (389 feet). But it looks like the upcoming version in Godzilla: King of Monsters will be the tallest of them all with a height of 119.8 meters (393 feet). In all, he has more than doubled his size since his first appearance, growing over 200 feet since the ‘50s.

It’s interesting to see how the iconic creature has changed over the years per this chart by the Taiwan-based illustrator. Filmmakers have continually tried to raise the stakes by making Godzilla taller and more frightening. As cities have grown since then, it only makes sense for the kaiju to also adapt, so they can terrify among the buildings, not hide behind them.

In the upcoming Godzilla: King of the Monsters, he will be going head-to-head with three famous threats from the franchise: Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah to become the “king of monsters.” The movie is a sequel to the 2014 film with Ken Wantanabe and Sally Hawkins reprising their roles and an exciting lineup of brand new characters, including Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown joining, along with Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler and Charles Dance.

The size of Godzilla has recently concerned audiences when it comes to the installment coming after King of Monsters, Godzilla Vs. Kong, which wrapped filming last month. Since the MonsterVerse's King Kong stands at a little over 100 feet tall, how will it be a fair fight against Godzilla’s almost 400 feet? The filmmakers have recently assured that the film will address this in the film. Maybe because Skull Island took place in the ‘70s, Kong since grown just as Godzilla has over the years?

You can see the kaiju next in Godzilla: King of Monsters on May 30, and then he’ll be returning on March 13, 2020 to face off against Kong.