All articles tagged with #james wan
Blumhouse has acquired a stake in the 'Saw' horror franchise from Twisted Pictures, bringing the series back to its original creator James Wan, with Lionsgate continuing distribution. The deal marks a significant step in revitalizing the franchise, which has generated over $1 billion globally, and involves collaboration with Content Partners. Wan and Leigh Whannell are expected to have creative input for future installments.
Blumhouse has acquired the rights to all future 'Saw' films and properties, reuniting with original director James Wan, while Lionsgate continues its partnership and retains a stake. The deal marks a return of the franchise to Wan and aims to push the legacy forward with new creative directions.
Blumhouse is in negotiations to acquire a stake in the Saw horror franchise from Twisted Pictures, potentially bringing the franchise back into the fold of creator James Wan, who directed the original film. The deal, which stalled earlier this year over pricing issues, could lead to new movies or series, and marks a trend of creatives gaining ownership of their creations. The Saw franchise, launched in 2004, has been highly profitable and expansive, with the latest film released in 2023.
NBCUniversal's Peacock has given straight-to-series orders for three new drama series, including an untitled espionage techno-thriller from James Wan starring Simu Liu, the limited series All Her Fault, and Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The projects feature a range of thrilling and suspenseful storylines, with notable creators and producers attached to each series.
"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" will be available for digital purchase and rental on January 23, 2024, and for physical media release on March 12, 2024, with exclusive extras and behind-the-scenes content. The home release will feature behind-the-scenes looks at the film's production, including the creation of new worlds and characters, as well as an original motion comic from DC. Additionally, the release will explore the bond between the actors and the themes of brotherhood in the movie.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to 2018's Aquaman, has one post-credits scene. The movie, which is expected to receive a negative response from critics, features returning cast members Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman. The plot involves Aquaman teaming up with his imprisoned brother Orm to defeat Black Manta and protect their kingdom from destruction. The film is set to release on December 22.
Warner Bros/DC's "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is projected to have a $50M-$60M opening weekend over the Christmas holiday, surpassing the first Aquaman's $67.8M opening. The film is expected to have a strong performance in the long run, similar to its predecessor, which became the highest-grossing Warner Bros DC movie of all time. With limited competition during the Christmas frame, Aquaman 2 is poised to dominate the box office alongside other Warner Bros releases like "Wonka" and "The Color Purple."
Director James Wan responded to Amber Heard's claims that her role as Mera in "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" was reduced due to her lawsuit against Johnny Depp. Wan stated that the sequel was always intended to focus on Aquaman and Orm, and not on Mera. Heard testified in court that she faced career setbacks and that Warner Bros. did not want to include her in the film. The ongoing Hollywood labor strikes have also affected the film's promotion. "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is set to premiere on December 20, 2023.
Filmmaker James Wan has shared a medical update on his Instagram account after being hospitalized for an undisclosed health issue. The post featured a photo of Wan in a hospital bed with an IV in his arm, expressing gratitude to the medical staff at Cedars Sinai. Wan is currently preparing for the release of Warner Bros.' Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, set to hit theaters on December 20. He is known for directing horror films such as Insidious and The Conjuring, as well as the 2015 film Furious 7.
Patrick Wilson makes his directorial debut with "Insidious: The Red Door," the fifth and supposedly final installment in the "Insidious" franchise. The movie delivers a reasonably satisfying wrap-up to the story of the Lambert family, with Wilson reprising his role as protective dad Josh Lambert. While the film has some effective scares in its first half, it ultimately falls short in exploring a rote theme of inherited trauma and mental illness. Wilson's direction stays faithful to the franchise's visual style, but the movie declines towards an underwhelming finale.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom director James Wan said that the DC Universe's reset has had little effect on his sequel's story, which catches up with Aquaman as he strives to protect Atlantis from a new threat. Wan also spoke to the standalone nature of Aquaman's journey, saying that the film is "pretty far removed from the rest of the world." The sequel will have a distinct tone and a more mature message, dealing with issues like climate change, while still being a fun action-fantasy movie.
Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth installment in the Insidious franchise, is a direct sequel to the first two movies and brings back the original cast, including Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne. Set 10 years later, the film follows the next big move for the Lambert family as Dalton heads off to college, but the demons from his past are not ready to leave him alone. The film marks the directorial debut of Patrick Wilson and the return of James Wan as an executive producer.
Universal Pictures, Atomic Monster, and Blumhouse's Night Swim, a supernatural thriller based on a 2014 short film, will now open on January 5, 2024, instead of January 19. The film stars Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon and centers on a hidden source of terror in a backyard swimming pool. Produced by James Wan and Jason Blum, the coveted horror movie release date was previously occupied by Blumhouse/Universal's M3GAN, which grossed $95M.