It’s Batman versus Superman in debut ‘Dawn of Justice’ trailer

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Less than a day after leaking online, Warner Bros. shifted the release date of the first Batman v Superman teaser trailer from Monday to today. That’s right–merely one day after Disney dropped its splendid second teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, WB is jumping into the limelight with a first look at its upcoming high-profile flick.

The first half of the two minute and thirteen second teaser focuses on a statue of Superman; as we zoom in closer and closer to it, a barrage of moral, philosophical, and even religious questions and statements fill in as noise. In a world that was introduced to Superman in Man of Steel, the people are questioning his status: is he a hero, a villain…the devil? Listen carefully and you’ll recognize Jesse Eisenberg’s voice in the mix; as Lex Luthor he says, “We know better now, don’t we? Devil’s don’t come from Hell beneath us; no, they come from the sky.” An unseen angry mob starts chanting “Go home! Go home!” and bam: the next shot reveals that the chestplate on the Superman statue has been defiled with words in red shouting “FALSE GOD.”

Next, enter Jeremy Irons’s disembodied voice. As Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth he speaks, “That’s how it starts. The fever. The rage. The feeling of powerlessness. That turns good men, cruel.” And here’s our latest glimpse at Ben Affleck as Bruce, who is staring with intent at his suit; is he pondering whether or not to don it and take down the “false god” once and for all?

More shots of the Caped Crusader fly by, and we also get peeks at his Bat-vehicles. But the most striking image is saved for last. A close-up of Batman’s cowl in a dark rainstorm reveals his ominous, glowing eyes; so, so cool. Henry Cavill’s Superman floats above him in the sky. Batman growls, “Tell me. Do you bleed?” The man from Krypton anchors to the ground with powerful force and just as he’s about to meet Batman’s gaze, everything goes black. “You will,” snarls Batman. Superman’s emblem takes over, with Batman’s logo as the backdrop.

It’s all very dark and gritty, just the way director Zack Snyder likes it. The teaser is cut extremely well, reintroducing Superman into a chaotic world and unveiling Batman as a promising adversary. Plus, you must admit, Affleck wears the suit well (those glowing eyes are so cool!) and manages the Bat’s signature voice with finesse.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens March 25, 2016.

Update (4/20): To celebrate the trailer’s release, Zack Snyder tweeted out a grand look at his take on the famed Bat Suit. Jump after the break to see it in all its glory. Continue reading It’s Batman versus Superman in debut ‘Dawn of Justice’ trailer →

A memorable new teaser for ‘The Force Awakens’ arrives at Star Wars Celebration, plus new character details

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Today at the Star Wars Celebration convention in Anaheim, California, director J.J. Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy unveiled the latest teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Tons of fans present at the event exploded in excitement over the new one minute fifty-nine second teaser, and now you can too; go on, don’t hesitate, mash play above and let all of its glory wash over you! Done? Watch it again.

A few things to note. That is original Star Wars star Mark Hamill providing voice-over during the first half of the teaser; his lines are directly plucked from Return of the Jedi when he’s revealing to Leia that Darth Vader is his father. “The force is strong in my family,” says Hamill’s Luke Skywalker. “My father has it. I have it. My sister has it.” The line that comes next is new: “And you have the power, too.” We’re left to assume here that Luke is talking to a next-generation Skywalker in The Force Awakens, but neither Abrams nor Kennedy would confirm. Seeing Darth Vader’s utterly maligned helmet here is a striking image that I know will sit with me for some time.

What else? Referring to the desert world that made its debut in the first teaser, Abrams confirmed it is not Luke Skywalker’s home of Tattoine, but instead an entirely new world called Jakku. These expansive, beautiful sequences were filmed in the deserts of Abu Dhabi.

The latter half of the panel introduced new franchise stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. Respectively they play a scavenger named Rey, a Stormtrooper named Finn, and an X-Wing pilot named Poe Dameron. Though plot details are still being tightly kept under wraps, Abrams allowed each of them to briefly let some character details fly.

“We discover Rey on the desert planet Jakku,” Ridley shared with the crowd. “She is a scavenger in a ship graveyard. She’s completely self-sufficient and does everything for herself, until she meets another character and an adventure begins.” Boyega picks up and says, “When we find Finn, he’s in incredible danger. The way he decides to react changes his life and launches him into the Star Wars universe in a unique way.” Issac goes on to describe Dameron like this: “He’s the best fricking pilot in the galaxy, that’s who he is! He’s been sent on a mission by a certain princess. He comes across Mr. John Boyega’s character and their fates are forever intertwined.”

Making fun surprise appearances today were R2-D2 and the new droid BB-8. Though The Force Awakens admittedly uses lots of green screen for its special effects, Abrams reiterated his film’s reliance on practical effects and BB8 is a prime example of that. “We talked about how having a CGI BB-8 would be easier,” Abrams noted. “But we thought it would be better for the actors and the performances to have the real thing.” The director is taking a cue from Star Wars creator George Lucas’s playbook here; the original trilogy took advantage of robotics and advanced puppetry to pull off some of the most inventive and impressive stunts in cinematic history. Sounds like J.J. is on board with that, too. Watch BB-8 in action on stage right here.

The trailer ends with perhaps the most exciting bit yet: Han Solo and Chewbacca return in fleetingly grand fashion and ignite the nostalgic part of our collective brains. “Chewie, we’re home,” Han positively snarls, which is then followed by the lovable Wookiee’s signature roar. Though Han’s portrayer Harrison Ford wasn’t on hand at the event, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, and Peter Mayhew showed up to express their ultimate gratitude for the generations of passionate Star Wars fans. “I have a simple message: a simple thank you,” Hamill gushed. “If it weren’t for all the UPFs—Ultra Passionate Fans—we wouldn’t be here. It never ceases to amaze me.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens December 18.

[Via EW 1, 2]

Dennis Quaid’s on-set freak out remains hysterical even after learning its origins

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In case you missed this viral gem, veteran actor Dennis Quaid was caught on camera freaking out on a production set and naturally it was uploaded to YouTube for the world to see. In under a week it racked up over 2.1 million views. Why? Because it’s laced with all kinds of absurd obscenity of which the likes we haven’t seen spout from an actor’s lips since Christian Bale’s infamous meltdown. If you haven’t seen the Quaid clip yet, go on and watch it above. (Warning: This is being labeled NSFW due to language.)

After lingering on the Internet for days, murmurs about it being a prank were confirmed today when Funny or Die claimed complete responsibility for the ruse. And instead of simply making an announcement, they released “The Full Video” version of the faux-freak out which can be screened after the break. Turns out all of Quaid’s name-calling was quite literal, including poor old Dopey the Dick.

Were we duped? Yes, the majority of us were tricked into believing Dennis Quaid is a monster of a man. But our reward–Funny or Die’s absolutely hysterical follow-up–made the viral ride so well worth it. Continue reading Dennis Quaid’s on-set freak out remains hysterical even after learning its origins →

‘Revolution’ returns to provide closure, but not in the way you think

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Closure is coming! About a year after NBC cancelled Revolution, the cult J.J. Abrams sci-fi apocalyptic drama, it was announced today that series creator Eric Kripke and his entire creative team are reuniting to wrap up the dangling storylines left open at the end of the season two finale.

Alas, there is a slight catch: Revolution is not returning to television but in the form of a four-chapter digital comic book. Fans of the short-lived series may be disappointed to hear this, but at the end of the day, diehards should be elated that Kripke and co. are delivering the ending Revolution deserves–one imagined and written by the makers of the show. Plus, don’t hate on comic books; they’re just as fun to explore as any TV series!

So who’s working on the comic book, exactly? Well it’s Kripke, fellow executive producers J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Rockne S. O’Bannonm, and Jon Favreau (who directed the pilot), as well as the show’s other creative team members Paul Grellong, David Rambo, Trey Callaway, Anne Cofell Saunders, Ben Edlund, Matt Pitts, and Jim Barnes. Revolution writers David Reed and Ryan Parrott are penning all four installments and illustrations are drawn by DC Comics artist Angel Hernandez. See a group picture of select members from this group at work after the break; can you spot series co-star Tracy Spiridakos in the mix? Tagged with this picture is a sneak peek at Hernandez’s illustrations; striking hand-drawn versions of Charlie Matheson, Miles Matheson, and Sebastian Monroe are previewed.

To reiterate, the upcoming stories will be featured in digital comic books made exclusively available online; hard copies are not being produced at this time. The four chapters will debut at ComicBook.com beginning Monday, May 4. Chapters 2 through 4 will arrive May 18, June 1, and June 15, respectively. A week after landing at Comic Book’s site, they’ll be made available at Revolution‘s official Facebook page.

Over the course of 2 seasons and 42 episodes, Revolution had its ups and downs as it weaved an intricate adventure about family and alliances. A heavy mythology had viewers guessing all about why the damn lights went out and thankfully it didn’t take that long for answers. Still, by the time the season-turned-series finale rolled around last May, new questions arose that took viewers by surprise. By closing one chapter (remember that awesome trickery involving our heroes getting the “President” to confess his part in Carver’s death?), Revolution opened a new door of intrigue when the omnipresent nanotech started to manipulate a zombie-like army of sheeple. The digital comic book will surely reintroduce that cliffhanger and aim to resolve it. Also, is Miles the father of Charlie like we always suspected?!

Be sure to jump after the break to read Kripke’s heartfelt letter to fans of the series. In it he acknowledges the passionate #RelocateRevolution hashtag that went viral following the show’s rude cancellation, and he profusely thanks the fans for their loyalty. Revolution‘s showrunner is excited to “end the story. On our terms. Exactly the way we would have.” Continue reading ‘Revolution’ returns to provide closure, but not in the way you think →

Rock on: ‘Guitar Hero’ returns with all new ways to play

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Guitar Hero is dead. Long live Guitar Hero! More, long live the rhythm-based video game genre!

In March, Harmonix–the developers behind Guitar Hero (2005), its 2006 sequel, and spinoff Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s (2007)–announced the revival of Rock Band with the fourth iteration in that long-running game franchise. Today, Activision followed suit by unveiling an unapologetically bold take on Rock Band‘s competitor, Guitar Hero. That’s right–the title that started the rhythm-based revolution is coming to current-gen consoles and it’s packed with fresh songs, a retooled guitar peripheral, and most exciting, new forms of gameplay.

Jump after the break for all the juicy details. Continue reading Rock on: ‘Guitar Hero’ returns with all new ways to play →

‘Ant-Man’ flexes superpowers in new trailer, plus latest look at ‘Terminator: Genisys’ inside

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If the original Ant-Man teaser left you feeling twinges of excitement for Marvel’s next superhero movie, the first official trailer will have you beaming in adrenaline. This is our first major look at Paul Rudd as the poorly (?) named hero who can shrink down to the size of an insect at will. The clip features extended scenes showing Rudd’s Scott Lang utilizing the power of his suit, as well as the introduction to Corey Stoll’s villainous Yellowjacket. The special effects look breathtaking, and the thrilling adventure laid out here–sprinkled with Marvel’s signature humor, of course–comes off as more than promising.

Ant-Man hits theatres July 17.

Jump after the break to watch the latest trailer for Terminator: Genisys. Continue reading ‘Ant-Man’ flexes superpowers in new trailer, plus latest look at ‘Terminator: Genisys’ inside →

HBO renews ‘Veep’ & ‘Silicon Valley’, ‘Game of Thrones’ attracts record ratings

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Not even 24 hours passed after HBO aired the season premieres of Veep and Silicon Valley and yet the premium cable network announced pickups for two of its most high-profile comedies. The Julia Louis-Dreyfus vehicle and Mike Judge’s take on the tech world will return for a fifth and third season, respectively.

“Veep and Silicon Valley are terrific series, and I’m immensely proud that they will return to HBO next year,” HBO head Michael Lombardo said in a statement. “Along with Game of Thrones and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, both of which have already been renewed for 2016, they give HBO a stellar Sunday night like no other.”

When Veep returns next year, it will do so with its creator and showrunner on board. Armando Iannucci confirmed his exit from the show following the season currently being aired.

“‘Veep’ returns Sunday, HBO10.30pm.Our best season yet.Time for me to quit airports. I’m leaving on a high and kissing goodbye to jet-lag,” Iannucci tweeted on April 10.

The unfortunate departure is an amicable one, and the series will go on with new showrunner David Mandel. Per HBO:

“We have had conversations with Armando for some time about the challenges of maintaining his family life in
London and producing a show in the states. Armando is not replaceable, but we are confident that Veep will continue to be produced at the highest levels with new showrunner David Mandel.”

Mandel previously worked with Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld (where he was a writer), and again on Curb Your Enthusiasm (where he served as executive producer) along with Seinfeld creator Larry David. Like the network said, it’d be near impossible to replace Ianucci’s signature charm, but if anyone can try his shoes on for size, it sounds like Mandel is the guy to do it.

Moving on to Thrones, HBO had previously renewed the fantasy drama for a fifth and sixth season last April. New we can report today is that the season 5 premiere, which aired this past Sunday, attracted the series’ largest audience to date: a grand total of about 8 million people, according to Variety. “The Wars to Come” garnered about 800,000 more viewers than any other episode that came before it.

[Via THR; Variety]

Apple Watch preorders going live: here’s what you need to know

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The Apple Watch is coming. Are you ready?

Today, one day before pre-orders go live on Friday, April 10, Apple outed a press release detailing how the big launch is going to work. If you want a Watch anytime soon, be ready to preorder online tonight at midnight–specifically, Friday morning at 12:01am PDT. All three styles including the Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch, and Apple Watch Edition are bound to sell out faster than you can say Steve Jobs, so you’ll want your finger on the checkout button precisely at that time. After securing a preorder, customers can expect product delivery beginning Friday, April 24.

Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail and Online Stores, also mentions in the press release that the company “will be taking orders for Apple Watch exclusively online during the initial launch period.” I added the emphasis there because it’s important to note. At least at launch, you will not be able to walk into a store to buy the Watch; Apple is making it available for purchase solely at its online store for now.

However, that does not mean Apple Stores and select boutiques around the world won’t be showing off the newly minted timepieces. Visit a brick-and-mortar Apple Store “for a personalized session with a Specialist to try on, fit and size their band, and explore the amazing features of Apple Watch.” Though you won’t be walking out of the store with it, such a session will surely help you decide on which style and size are best, and then you make an informed buy online. Happy shopping, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Need something to do while you’re waiting for pre-ordering to go live tonight? Hop after the break to watch four recently uploaded official Guided Tours to learn your way around the Watch and its snazzy UI. A general overview, as well as focused looks at Messages, watch faces, and Digital Touch, will get you acclimated with Apple’s “most personal device.”

Is that not enough? There’s more. It’s not Watch-related, but it’s still something you should know. HBO NOW, the premium cable network’s standalone streaming service, has gone live across Apple devices including Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Get the app and get started with a free 30-day trial. Ready to dive in? Sign up for the $14.99 monthly subscription and you’re good to go. HBO releases its new streaming service just in time for the season premieres of Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, and Veep.

[Via Apple] Continue reading Apple Watch preorders going live: here’s what you need to know →

Seth Meyers invites Jon Snow to dinner, Sesame Street plays ‘Game of Chairs’ in latest ‘Game of Thrones’ parodies

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What would happen if you invited the bastard Jon Snow to a dinner party? Late Night with Seth Meyers answers that question in full in the latest high-profile Game of Thrones parody. Kit Harrington, Snow’ portrayer on HBO’s hit fantasy drama, is totally game here and the laughs are plentiful. But only if you’re properly educated–spoilers abound. As is the case with the best kind of parodies, I wouldn’t want to say any more than I already have for your enjoyment. So with that, have at it!

One more thing. Be sure to jump after the break to watch yet another recent Thrones parody, this one hailing from an unlikely source–Sesame Street! Then again, we all know by now the furry friends can pull off entertaining spoofs; see their previously released House of Cards treatment for proof.

Game of Thrones resumes this Sunday, April 12 on HBO.

Update: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele of Comedy Central’s Key & Peele are getting in on the fun with one outrageous “recap” video featuring the comedy duo’s famously over-excited valet characters. Embedded after the break! Continue reading Seth Meyers invites Jon Snow to dinner, Sesame Street plays ‘Game of Chairs’ in latest ‘Game of Thrones’ parodies →

‘True Detective’ season 2 gets teaser, description & premiere date [Update: New posters & trailer]

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Can creator Nic Pizzolatto top the dramatic darkness and cinematic captivation that was True Detective season 1? The jury is still out on that, but today we proceed one step closer to finding out if such a feat is possible.

HBO released the first teaser trailer for True Detective season 2, which features a brand new cast and story set in an entirely different location, Los Angeles. Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch are the leads and you explore their character descriptions in the just-released synopsis below. Jump into the gallery to view character portraits.

A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Colin Farrell is Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective in the all-industrial City of Vinci, LA County. Vince Vaughn plays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his life’s work, while his wife and closest ally (Kelly Reilly), struggles with his choices and her own. Rachel McAdams is Ani Bezzerides, a Ventura County Sheriff’s detective often at odds with the system she serves, while Taylor Kitsch plays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol who discovers a crime scene which triggers an investigation involving three law enforcement groups, multiple criminal collusions, and billions of dollars.

The 60-second teaser works even without any dialogue; empowering it are moody shots of the all-star cast in top form, as well as an original tune performed by Lera Lynn, co-written by Roseanne Cash, and produced by T. Bone Burnett (he’s the music man behind the powerful score that backed season 1). So far, so great.

True Detective premieres Sunday, June 21 on HBO.

Update: Eye the official key art below, and jump after the break to watch a new trailer–this time with dialogue!

Continue reading ‘True Detective’ season 2 gets teaser, description & premiere date [Update: New posters & trailer] →

‘Orange is the New Black’ returns this summer–are you ready for more crazy (Eyes)?

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Missing the ladies of Litchfield? Well, I’m happy to report that Netflix is raring to bring them all back to your screen of choice this summer when Orange is the New Black returns for its third season. Though the two-minute trailer embedded above and the following synopsis down below provide little in terms of upcoming plot lines, the outrageously addicting drama and humor you’ve come to know and love from OITNB remains.

With a crisis of faith and their beliefs and loyalties being tested, each character must decide what and who to believe in.

Mark your calendars for the next Great Binge; Piper, Red, Crazy Eyes, and the rest of the orange jumpsuit crew return June 12.

Preview Sundance breakout ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’

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Here’s the debut trailer for Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, a breakout hit from this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The story hails from author Jesse Andrews; he adapted his 2012 novel of the same name for the big screen. You may recognize its stars Thomas Mann and Olivia Cooke from Project X and TV’s Bates Motel, respectively. Also starring is Connie Britton (Nashville), Nick Offerman (Parks & Rec), Molly Shannon (SNL), Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead), and Ronald Cyler II. Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (American Horror Story) directs.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl (RJ Cyler), with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a ‘co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom (Connie Britton) insists he spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer – he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be.

Coming out of the festival it won the coveted Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, and critics were captivated. Positive word of mouth spread quickly, and now’s your chance to preview it in this trailer. Looks like a beautifully shot, emotional rollercoaster of a love story. What do you think?

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is out June 12.