A great Star Wars idea
A great Star Wars idea
And Jen Lawrence's new comedy is icky AF
What to know
Lucasfilm is thinking about what’s after the sequel trilogy… Jon Favreau says there’s been “some discussion” and “exploration” of what happens in the galaxy far, far away after The Rise of Skywalker. I’d be very interested to see those stories — as they offer a lot of creative possibilities. Without the baggage of the Skywalkers and the Palpatines, nor the issues that come with prequels, Lucasfilm could really take the storytelling anywhere. This is why Visions felt so fresh, it had nothing to do with the “main” story. With a clean slated future, it feels like Lucasfilm could actually honor Rian Johnson’s broom boy gesture in The Last Jedi: Anyone could be called to greatness.
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THR’s final Oscar predictions… Another endless award season is finally coming to an end this Sunday. Scott Feinberg has long been my go-to for predictions, so check out his last round of calls before the big show. He’s going with Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett in the acting categories (though I personally want Fraser and Yeoh). And at this point if anything other than Everything, Everywhere takes Best Picture, it would be a huge upset. 🏆
Bob Iger news dump: Hulu fate up in the air, Marvel and Star Wars caution, and the parks got too expensive… Bob is saying what all the fans want to hear. Regarding, Star Wars, “we’re going to make sure when we make [a Star Wars movie], it’s the right one. So we’re being very careful there.” Check. Regarding, Marvel, he says the brand isn’t “off” but admits “What we have to look at at Marvel is not necessarily the volume of Marvel stories we’re telling, but how many times we go back to the well on certain characters. Sequels typically work well for us. Do you need a third and a fourth, for instance, or is it time to turn to other characters?” Check. (Also he’s definitely subtweeting Ant-Man 3). And regarding the theme parks, he admitted the pricing was too aggressive and that the brand needs to be “accessible.” Ding ding ding, we have a winner. And that is how you make fans happy, folks. Oh also, no decision has been made on Hulu, but Disney is studying its potential carefully. 🐭
SNL post-production editors will strike April 1 show if they don’t get a new contract… The editors are looking to rectify issues around pay inequities and health benefits. Do the right thing, NBC! It’s unclear what would happen if they went on strike. Would the April 1 show still happen? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. 🗽
Michael B. Jordan heading Creed-verse at Amazon… Makes sense and is a great idea considering how well III just did at the box office. Projects would span film and TV, and include a live-action series, something with the daughter character, and maybe even an anime series — because Michael B. is obsessed with anime. 🥊
Netflix will now let you adjust the size, font, and color of your captions on your TV… ThAnKs NeTFliX! 👍
Shrinking has been renewed for a second season at Apple… It’s doing whatever the opposite of shrinking is. 🤏
Yellowjackets plates up a season 2 trailer… Dig in. ⚽️
What’s new
History of the World Part II — Mar 6 | Hulu sketch comedy series | 🍅 66%
Rain Dogs — Mar 6 | HBO comedy series | 🍅 100%
A Spy Among Friends — Mar 10 | MGM+ drama miniseries | 🍅 91%
Unprisoned — Mar 10 | Hulu dramedy series | 🍅
Scream VI — Mar 10 | Horror film in theaters | 🍅 77%
65 — Mar 10 | Action sci-fi film in theaters | 🍅
The Oscars — Mar 12 | Award show on ABC
Returning: Perry Mason s2, You s4 part 2, Top Chef s20, Luther: The Fallen Sun movie
What to watch
Trailer: No Hard Feelings — June 23 in theaters
Directed by Gene Stupinsky, written by Gene Stupnitsky & John Phillips, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, and Matthew Broderick.
Yikes. When I heard Jennifer Lawrence was finally doing a proper comedy, I was optimistic as she’s proven time and again on late night she has the chops. Then when I heard it would be an R-rated studio comedy in theaters, I thought “Great! We get so few of those.” This, sadly, is not it. The concept in which Lawrence (actual age 32) has to sleep with an awkward 19-year-old boy in order to save her family’s house is kinda gross and feels like a male writer fantasy parading itself as female sexual empowerment. Everything about this movie feels like it emerged from a time capsule sealed in 2004 — and not in a good way. Regardless of the boy being 19, did no one pause to think about the optics of an adult woman trying to sleep with a teenager about to leave for college without his consent? That’s the premise of this movie. What was anyone thinking? Just age him up to be like 22! Maybe it’s the way that the trailer is cut? Perhaps it’s more sensitive and considerate of this issue in context. But man, this is icky. The trailer includes a scene in which the boy maces Jennifer Lawrence’s character — and I thought, yes that’s the proper reaction.
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!