TV & Movies (MCU, DCEU, Spider-Man, Netflix & more) news, interviews & fandom - Xfire https://www.xfire.com/tv-movies/ Video game, TV & movie, and wrestling news, guides, and fandom Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:57:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.xfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-icon-96x96.png TV & Movies (MCU, DCEU, Spider-Man, Netflix & more) news, interviews & fandom - Xfire https://www.xfire.com/tv-movies/ 32 32 Netflix drops new trailer for The Witcher Season 3 Volume 1 https://www.xfire.com/netflix-drops-new-trailer-for-the-witcher-season-3-volume-1/ https://www.xfire.com/netflix-drops-new-trailer-for-the-witcher-season-3-volume-1/#respond Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:57:55 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=297004 Geralt of Rivia is gearing up for his biggest test yet in the latest trailer for The Witcher Season 3, which sees him fight all kinds of monsters, mages, and elves.

In the just over a minute-long Volume 1 trailer, Geralt and Jaskier reunite and discuss the imminent danger they're up against, highlighting the measures Jaskier must take to stay alive.

Season 2 concluded with the Brotherhood and Northern monarchs placing a bounty on the heads of Ciri and her protectors, and the trailer reveals Geralt and Yennefer defending themselves against numerous assailants. Yet, Ciri's growth as a witcher-in-training is evident as she fearlessly battles the monsters that come her way.

With the trio now united, the upcoming season will delve into the group's complex dynamic. Geralt assumes the role of a father figure for Ciri, while Yennefer embarks on a journey to push her powers to new boundaries.

As for Ciri, she begins her own path as a witcher, and after witnessing Ciri's extraordinary abilities, Yennefer sets out on a quest to unlock the hidden potential within her at Aretuza.

Henry Cavill's departure from the beloved role of the legendary witcher will certainly be a bitter pill for his fans to swallow. As the upcoming season wraps up, the 40-year-old actor will bid farewell to the Netflix series, making way for Liam Hemsworth to take over in the fourth and recently renewed fifth seasons.

Netflix is splitting Season 3 into two volumes, with the first part releasing on June 29 and the thrilling conclusion arriving on July 27.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/netflix-drops-new-trailer-for-the-witcher-season-3-volume-1/feed/ 0
Max reveals the official logo for The Batman spin-off, The Penguin https://www.xfire.com/max-official-logo-the-batman-spin-off-the-penguin/ https://www.xfire.com/max-official-logo-the-batman-spin-off-the-penguin/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 22:04:43 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296983 The DC Universe's Elseworlds universe is about to grow further soon. After Joker and The Batman laid down their roots on the big screen, the first TV spin-off finally has a positive update - more than a year it was officially confirmed.

Collin Ferrell's performance as The Penguin in The Batman is a good sign for the spin-off.

Arguably the most anticipated TV show based on a DC Comics character in a while, The Penguin, sees Collin Farrell reprise his role as Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin.

Although the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike has put the series' production on hold indefinitely, Max, the newly-renamed platform set to host the series, has updated the landing page with the official logo for The Penguin.

By taking things slow, whatever Warner Bros. Discovery wants to call its The Batman-centric universe can guarantee the production quality of each project that's part of it.

Designed in the same stylish aesthetic as the logo for The Batman, it serves as a visual testament to the interconnectedness of these DC Comics projects. The decision to align The Penguin with the atmospheric and gritty world of The Batman, as per the visual similarities between the logos, underscores the series' ambitions. This move highlights how much the spinoff series will further explore the shadowy, red-soaked world of Gotham City, offering a fresh narrative canvas while remaining true to the original material.

"The only thing I had an idea was that I wasn't nearly getting to explore the character as much as I wanted to," Farrell told Variety in a recent interview. As such, the upcoming series is anticipated to serve as a thrilling platform for Farrell to delve deeper into the multifaceted character, Oswald Cobblepot, who he rendered unrecognizable in The Batman, thanks to his stellar performance and the transformative work of makeup artists Mike Marino and Mike Fontaine.

While plot details for the spinoff series remain tantalizingly vague, it is expected that the narrative will pick up a week after the events of The Batman, taking audiences deeper into the grimy, power-hungry world of Gotham City and its criminal underworld.

Fans can look forward to witnessing Cobblepot's rise to power as he ascends from a lowly crook to a criminal overlord.

While most of the spotlight has been on The Joker, The Penguin has been one of Batman's most iconic rivals for a long time.

Farrell's portrayal of The Penguin in The Batman garnered critical acclaim, with audiences and critics alike impressed by his unrecognizable transformation and captivating performance.

Despite production being halted due to the ongoing writer's strike, the excitement surrounding The Penguin series has not waned.

Indeed, with the new logo and its promise of coming soon, the series will likely maintain its grip on fans' anticipation as they eagerly wait for this new chapter of Gotham City's underworld to unfold.

Now, all that's left to do is for The Penguin to live up to the expectations.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/max-official-logo-the-batman-spin-off-the-penguin/feed/ 0
The Flash leaks on Twitter with over 1.7 million views https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-full-movie-leaked-on-twitter-nearly-2-million-views/ https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-full-movie-leaked-on-twitter-nearly-2-million-views/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:21:32 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296871 The Flash movie leaks on Twitter, with over 1.7 million views tracked before the post was taken down.

The-Flash-full-movie-leaked-on-Twitter-nearly-2-million-views-FEATURED
A full version of The Flash movie leaked on Twitter which had nearly 2 million views before it was taken down. (Images: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Discovery)

After a disappointing second weekend box office, this leak adds to the pile of woes The Flash film has suffered. Leaks of snippets from movies before and during their release are commonplace in the current era of the internet, despite the ethical and legal ramifications. But it is extremely rare for the full movie to be leaked, especially on a social media platform as large as Twitter.


The leak of The Flash circulated on Twitter on June 25 for around 8 hours, with a number of users sharing the link to the tweet.


While the tweet with the movie was removed and the account (@BriYoshFR) has been suspended as of 1PM ET on the same day, the number of views by that point had reached in excess of 1.7 million.

According to the users on Twitter who were able to watch the pirated version, they described the quality of the video attached to the tweet as possibly a camera rip of the movie.

The-Flash-full-movie-leaked-on-Twitter-nearly-2-million-views-MULTIVERSE
The full 2 hour 24 minute running time of The Flash was posted on Twitter for nearly 8 hours before it was taken down.

It should be noted that there are instances where leaks of the full film had a negligible effect on the box office. Earlier this year, Forbes reported that 9 million users were able to watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie in its entirety on Twitter while the video game adaptation was still in theaters. But that didn’t stop it from hitting $1.3 billion globally.

But can The Flash realistically have the same results as Nintendo's juggernaut? That is, unfortunately, unlikely. The Flash had a disappointing $55 million opening weekend which then nosedived by 73% on its second weekend box office. With the pirated leak via Twitter watched by nearly 2 million viewers for free, there is little chance of the DCEU film having legs to bounce back with repeat viewings.

Many issues plagued The Flash movie before, during, and after its production. Its main star Ezra Miller was involved in highly publicized and controversial behavior off-camera. Moreover, the announcement of new DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran that the DCEU would be rebooted had a negative impact on the interest of long-time fans. Multiple reshoots also led to cameos of Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill at the end of the movie being scrapped for a new, more open-ended conclusion.

The-Flash-full-movie-leaked-on-Twitter-nearly-2-million-views-EZRA
The leaked copy of The Flash on Twitter recorded 1.7 million views. With an already disappointing box office take, will the DCEU film head to streaming sooner than projected?

With The Flash experiencing a literal downward spiral at the box office, will it lead to its abrupt release to streaming? This occurred with previous DCEU films such as Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which were perceived as box office disappointments and quickly became available on the MAX (formerly HBO Max) streaming platform. Given the circumstances affecting The Flash, a similar move by Warner Bros. Discovery may be inevitable.

The Flash stars Ezra Miller, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Kiersey Clemons, Maribel Verdu, and Ron Livingston. Directed by Andy Muschietti, The Flash is running in theaters worldwide.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-full-movie-leaked-on-twitter-nearly-2-million-views/feed/ 0
Did Christian Bale say no to a cameo appearance in The Flash? https://www.xfire.com/did-christian-bale-say-no-cameo-appearance-the-flash/ https://www.xfire.com/did-christian-bale-say-no-cameo-appearance-the-flash/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:49:30 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296820 The latest word on the grapevine is that Christian Bale, not George Clooney, was supposed to appear as Bruce Wayne, also known as The Batman, at the end of The Flash.

Christian Bale is the most successful Batman actor to date with three big blockbbuster hits under his belt.

But, while many have picked up this rumor and believed that it's the truth, especially since it supposedly comes from Kevin Smith, the truth isn't as it seems.

Apparently, the reports are based on a portion of what Smith said, which he himself confirmed on Twitter.

The Flash, whose story charts a twisty path through a convoluted timeline that isn't unlike its tumultuous production, lands Barry Allen in a reality where Ben Affleck's Batman is replaced, initially, by Michael Keaton's, and eventually, a universe that sees George Clooney is the eccentric billionaire who likes to dress up as a bat at night.

During The Flash's final act, a key decision is made by the fastest man alive. He resolves to let the past take place, allowing the tragic murder of his mother to stand, thereby restoring his timeline. But, as a parting gift, he manages to exonerate his father, who was wrongfully accused of the crime. This decision, seemingly minute in the grand scheme of his time-altering exploits, creates a ripple effect. That ripple swaps Affleck's Batman for Clooney's, an unexpected turn that was not the initial concept.

Bale's return as Batman in The Flash wouldn't have worked as well since his version exists in a world without superpowers.

In the original drafts, the filmmakers had sought to replace Affleck's Batman with the one portrayed by Michael Keaton, an iteration adored by the fandom. However, behind the scenes, an even more thrilling prospect was initially pursued.

Many reports claim that Warner Bros. had spent several months attempting to convince Christian Bale to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne from The Dark Knight Trilogy. This casting would have been an incredible coup for DC, with the trilogy, which is helmed by Christopher Nolan, both fresher in the minds of the audience and a subject of immense affection.

Bale, however, remained steadfast in his refusal, expressing his decision to not play Batman again unless Nolan was at the helm, as per the reports.

Fans are just glad to have a chance to see Batfleck once last time in The Flash.

Bale's association with the character of Batman, which he brought to life in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises, holds a special place in the collective consciousness of the superhero fandom. The actor's portrayal, nuanced and intensely human, set a new standard for the representation of Batman on the big screen.

To fans, Bale's Batman is more than a vigilante in a cape and cowl; he's a beacon of perseverance and grit, a symbol of resilience - something that one of his successors, Robert Pattinson, can only hope to achieve.

Bale's steadfast refusal to reprise the role of Batman without Nolan only underscores the deep respect and admiration he holds for the director, whose visionary storytelling made the trilogy what it was. Nolan's intricate narratives, striking visuals, and masterful direction elevated the superhero genre, and his collaborations with Bale resulted in a portrayal of Batman that has left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Of course, this isn't exactly true, as Bale, as far as Kevin Smith is aware, wasn't approached nor planned to cameo in The Flash, despite the insistence of several rumor mongers.

Robert Pattinson has so far proven himself capable of handling the weight of expectations that come with being Batman.

At the end of the day, all of this speculation is rendered moot when The Flash likely isn't getting a sequel that would've introduced the Reverse Flash due to its lackluster box office numbers. We highly doubt Bale's inclusion, especially at the end, would've changed that.

Going forward, the DC Universe has massive plans for the Dark Knight, with Pattinson reprising his role as Batman in The Batman - II. On the other hand, Andrés Muschietti will link up with James Gunn to direct The Brave and The Bold, which is presumed to premiere after Gunn's Superman Legacy comes out in 2025.

It's unclear if Gunn is open to revisiting the multiverse concept in the future, but the ending of The Flash leaves the door open for such shenanigans.

Who knows? When that happens, Bale might be more lax with his Nolan-only requirement and be more willing to literally don the cape and cowl once more. After all, who would've thought that after three decades, Michael Keaton would return as Bruce Wayne on the big screen?

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/did-christian-bale-say-no-cameo-appearance-the-flash/feed/ 0
Is Disney and its live-action remake plans in danger after The Little Mermaid? https://www.xfire.com/disney-live-action-remake-plans-in-danger-the-little-mermaid/ https://www.xfire.com/disney-live-action-remake-plans-in-danger-the-little-mermaid/#comments Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:17:47 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296757 Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has made waves at the global box office, surpassing $500 million at the global box office. But, because this is Disney we're talking about, there are rumblings that the House of Mouse isn't happy with the performance.

Melissa McCarthy's performance as Ursula in The Little Mermaid was widely praised.

Amidst the success, Disney faces broader economic challenges, with losses on recent studio releases and a bevvy of missed opportunities in content licensing. The company is undergoing a strategic reorganization and cost-saving measures while navigating legal battles and adapting to the evolving entertainment landscape.

To be clear, The Little Mermaid remake has been a steady former over the course of the past four weeks. Despite falling way short in Asian markets like Japan, South Korea, and China, the film ranks as the fifth-biggest Hollywood release of the year worldwide. However, it remains to be seen if the movie can recoup its reported $250 million production budget with marketing likely costing as much, a benchmark typically required to break even for films of this scale.

If we're being honest, The Little Mermaid could've used more time being polished to make the CGI look better.

Disney hasn't had a live-action remake make over a billion since Aladdin in 2019 with Mulan infamously grossing only $70 million back in June 2020.

While Disney's most recent string of live-action outings faces different marketing dynamics, including a global pandemic, the numbers don't lie; Disney has bled nearly a billion as a result of its most recent endeavors.

One factor impacting the company's financial performance is the decision to exclusively stream content on Disney+ rather than pursuing licensing deals with third-party platforms. This approach has limited revenue potential and missed out on billions of dollars that could have been generated through licensing contracts. In response, Disney is undergoing a strategic reorganization, including job cuts and cost-saving measures, led by CEO Bob Iger to navigate the changing entertainment landscape.

We're hoping Disney's new emphasis on quality over quantity extends to its live-action remake plans.

Disney's challenges extend beyond the box office and streaming with a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over a controversial law hanging over its head. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions between Disney and the governor, as the company seeks to protect its theme park district in Disney World. Additionally, Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, is working to revive the streaming business while ensuring the stability of the company's theme parks amid the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting consumer preferences.

Despite the economic challenges, Disney continues to leverage its strengths across various sectors, striving to reestablish a strong footing in the evolving entertainment industry. 

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe recovers from a string of so-so performances with Star Wars' impending return forced push back and Avatar effectively going on hiatus, Disney is betting big on its incumbent lineup to help it weather the storm and remain a major player in the entertainment landscape. 

At the moment, Disney doesn't seem like it plans to slow down the live-action hype train anytime soon. After Ariel got her turn, Snow White and Mufasa are getting remade in live-action form on March 22, 2024, and July 5, 2024, respectively. Fans can also look forward to live-action adaptations of Moana, Lilo & Stitch, Hercules, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and a possible sequel to Aladdin.

Disney is a big enough of a boat that it won't sink just like that but a billion-dollar-sized hole isn't something that it can simply ignore.

So, while Disney might not have had the best time at the global box office, its embarrassment of literal riches affords it a financial cushion that allows the multi-billion company to soldier on.

Of course, this begs the question, what would it take for Disney to stop messing with its classic animated films?

At this point, the only way we'll find out is if Disney's live-action outings bomb one after the other, which isn't happening anytime soon.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/disney-live-action-remake-plans-in-danger-the-little-mermaid/feed/ 4
The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Episode 3: A knives out Ministry https://www.xfire.com/the-righteous-gemstones-season-3-episode-3-review/ https://www.xfire.com/the-righteous-gemstones-season-3-episode-3-review/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:26:49 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296680 Lo and behold the splendor of a new Monday morn, summoning us to regale you with the latest exploits of the Gemstone family. So get yourself a cup of joe, dude, and dive into our review of Episode 3: "For Their Nakedness Is Your Own Nakedness".

With two episodes of the third season already in the books, fans have been eagerly waiting to see what our beloved Gemstone uncle, Baby Billy, has been up to. And boy, did he deliver with an absolute showstopping performance of his hit song "There'll Come a Payday" to start off the episode.

The wholesome musical tone of The Righteous Gemstones has consistently been one of the series' standout qualities, and "There'll Come a Payday" proudly claims its spot among the show's greatest hits, which rivals the likes of Season 2's "Misbehavin'". Moreover, Walton Goggins continues to hit all the right notes with his pitch perfect portrayal of Baby Billy.

The show's composer, Joseph Stephens, produced the track "There'll Come a Payday".

Every time you believe he has delivered his best performance, he surprises us once again with another remarkable display of talent. True to his nature, Baby Billy is far from content with his current Zion gig. And with Auntie Tiffany expecting yet another Baby Billy baby (no, the irony is not lost on us), he's going to be desperate for that cash, now more than ever.

At the Gemstone Manor, everyone's staring at Chuck and Karl Montgomery, who are gobbling food down like a pair of zoo animals. Yet, one must sympathize with the duo, for their voracious appetite suggests a hunger so primal that they must have been living on scraps in Peter's Waco compound.

Judy, never one to hold back, fires off a quick retort, but Mama Montgomery isn't having none of her cheek, and proceeds to 'kungfu her larynx.' For a split second there, you can notice Eli grinning in the background. Despite all the fussing about having to now share their home with their cousins, Eli lays down the law that they must find a way to coexist peacefully under one roof.

Judy getting 'kungfu chopped' has been a long time coming.

Meanwhile, Amber is still trying to keep up the facade of a perfect family, which now includes preventing Judy's affair from turning into a full-blown scandal. With the megachurch facing a rapid decline in followers, the last thing the Gemstones need is Judy's dirty laundry getting any kind of publicity.

But at this point, it seems like everyone, except for poor BJ, is privy to the scandalous affair. Even when Baby Billy throws Judy a zinger about "running the church and running around" later in the episode, BJ joins in the laughter, completely oblivious to the fact that he's the unwitting punchline.

Tim Baltz's portrayal of BJ has consistently been the heart and soul of the show. His ability to seamlessly transition from a deeply tragic character to a dazzling husband sporting pink rompers is a testament to his exceptional acting prowess. Nothing gets to him, no matter how much flack he gets from the Gemstone siblings.

BJ works in an optometrist's office in a local grocery store.

The real standout moment of the episode, though, happens during cousin's night. Baby Billy steals the spotlight as he unexpectedly crashes the event, and gives Jesse and Judy an earful for not acknowledging baby Lionel (toilet baby) as their cousin. But the fun doesn't end there.

When his pitch for 'Baby Billy's Bible Bonkers' gets rejected (a clear ripoff of Family Feud), he ups the ante by pitting the eldest cousins against each other in a head-to-head game show battle. We always had a sense that Jesse wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but when he confidently answered that Joseph was locked up in prison with his cupbearer and butler, it was a whole new level of stupidity.

Chuck correctly answering the question only makes things worse, as Jesse pulls out a knife to defend his intelligence (whether there's much to defend is a whole other story). Luckily, Karl becomes an unlikely hero when he suddenly chokes on his food.

With his towering stature, it takes the collective efforts of all the Gemstone siblings to execute a successful Heimlich maneuver, resulting in a hilarious moment, including Keefe's unforgettable "lick his what?" remark.

Luke Haas portrays Chuck Montgomery, Peter and May-May's son, Eli's nephew, and cousin to the Gemstone siblings.

Danny McBride's unique approach of using moments of chaos and conflict to bring the Gemstones closer is truly remarkable. What appeared to be an episode brimming with tension ultimately culminates in a heartwarming and poignant reunion, where the cousins find common ground and Eli embarks on a path to mend his fractured relationship with his sister.

Yet, the lingering mystery of what transpired between Aimee-Leigh and May-May remains, and we can only hope that the show will delve into their story as the season progresses.

Drop a comment down below and let us know what your favorite moment from Episode 3 was!

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/the-righteous-gemstones-season-3-episode-3-review/feed/ 0
MrBeast was almost on that ill-fated trip to the Titanic https://www.xfire.com/mrbeast-was-almost-on-that-ill-fated-trip-to-the-titanic/ https://www.xfire.com/mrbeast-was-almost-on-that-ill-fated-trip-to-the-titanic/#comments Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:45:20 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296673 The internet was at a standstill for several days praying for positive news about an OceanGate vessel that went on a deep-sea expedition to the wreckage of the fabled ship Titanic. Unfortunately, when news did come, it wasn't what he all had hoped to hear.

MrBeast is the most popular creator on YouTube with 162 million subscribers.

On Thursday, the company that owned the vessel confirmed our worst fears – that the vessel had imploded and everybody on board had died.

As it so happens, popular YouTuber MrBeast was one decision away from boarding the submarine. On Sunday, he tweeted that he was invited to join the expedition but declined for reasons best known to him.

In his words, "I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it." Alongside the tweet, he shared a screenshot of the invitation, which read, "Also, I'm going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month. The team would be stoked to have you along."

MrBeast did not reveal who sent the message. He also did not clarify whether the person made the trip or they opted out.

Some Twitter users expressed disbelief at his statement, though. MrBeast is popular for using viral waves to his advantage.

MrBeast was invited on a trip to the Titanic wreckage but declined.

An excellent example happened in 2021 after Netflix's Squid Game stunned the world and became a global phenomenon. The YouTube star co-opted the show's game idea and put together a life version but without the gore and death that was in the series. The stunt, which cost him $446,000 in prize money alone, made him even more popular than he already was.

As the most subscribed individual YouTuber of all time, MrBeast certainly has no reason to lie about whether or not he was invited to go on the trip.

But, if he did humor the invitation, the world would've been singing a different tune as it mourned an individual that very well touched the lives of many, both on the internet and in real life.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/mrbeast-was-almost-on-that-ill-fated-trip-to-the-titanic/feed/ 2
The Flash box office stumbles as Across the Spider-Verse regains top spot https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental/ https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental/#respond Sun, 25 Jun 2023 20:16:13 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296549 Defying initial projections, The Flash loses the second weekend box office. On the other hand, Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse wins back the number one position.

the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental-FEATURED
The Flash plummets to a 73% second weekend box office drop as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse regains the number one spot. (Images: DC Studios/Warner Bros. and Sony)

Despite strong audience scores, The Flash has severely underperformed. Much of the negative feedback stems from fans unwilling to support the DC Extended Universe film with Ezra Miller in the lead, after the star’s public controversies. Other fans blame DC Studios CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran's announcement that the DCEU will be rebooted as the DC Universe, making it pointless to support any remaining films from the previous continuity.


Box Office Mojo shared its estimates for the major films in theaters over the weekend of June 23 to 25, 2023:


The DCEU’s penultimate entry The Flash suffered a massive drop on its second weekend with only an estimated $15.3 million haul dropping to a disappointing third place. Meanwhile, despite losing to The Flash the previous week, the second place goes to Pixar’s Elemental with an $18.5 million box office take.

But the biggest winner is Sony’s animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, re-taking the number one box office spot. It brought in $19.3 million for this weekend, but what makes it more significant is that the film is on its fourth week. Moreover, it is extremely rare for a movie to re-take the top box office position so late after its release.

With the second weekend box office numbers in, Box Office Mojo reports the domestic gross for The Flash goes up to $87.64 million and the international gross to $123.3 million, bringing the total global gross to $210.94 million.

the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental-BLACK-ADAM
Black Adam (2022) suffered only a 59% second weekend drop, compared to The Flash which dropped to 73% at the domestic box office.

For comparison, 2022’s Black Adam starring Dwayne Johnson only had a 59% second weekend drop. With the first weekend raking $67 million, the second weekend (October 28 to 30, 2022) saw Black Adam with an added domestic gross of $27.47 million. But although it apparently brought in a profit for Warner Bros. Discovery and Johnson’s own Seven Bucks Production, Black Adam was ultimately considered a box office failure.

Moviegoers who watched The Flash praised the performances of Michael Keaton (returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman from the Tim Burton films), Ben Affleck (as the DCEU Bruce Wayne/Batman), and Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl. And even Ezra Miller’s dual role as both present and past versions of Barry Allen received critical appreciation. However, The Flash had been mired with multiple issues, not the least of which is the CGI which fans compare to the Superman mouth from the Joss Whedon-helmed Justice League (2017).

On the other hand, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has been receiving universally positive feedback. Aside from building on the story of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), the inclusion of Miguel O’Hara (aka Spider-Man 2099) and the strong performance of Oscar Isaac voicing the character were highlights of the sequel. However, the third Spider-Verse film might be farther into the horizon, according to one of the animators.

the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental-MICHAEL-KEATON-OSCAR-ISAAC
Given the disappointing box office of The Flash, Michael Keaton's return in a Batman Beyond film may be shelved permanently. But a third Spider-Verse film might not be in production until after 2024.

Given the lackluster box office performance of The Flash, plans for Michael Keaton’s return in a Batman Beyond film may be dead in the water. Furthermore, it puts pressure on the DC Universe reboot headed by James Gunn to mount a comeback for DC Studios and its superhero film properties. And what does this bode for the Aquaman sequel starring Jason Momoa? Will The Flash’s box office woes have a detrimental effect on the upcoming Blue Beetle movie which will be the first entry in the rebooted DC Universe?

The Flash, Elemental, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are all currently running in theaters worldwide.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/the-flash-second-weekend-box-office-across-the-spider-verse-elemental/feed/ 0
Elemental poised for a spectacular second weekend at the box office https://www.xfire.com/elemental-second-weekend-at-the-box-office/ https://www.xfire.com/elemental-second-weekend-at-the-box-office/#respond Sun, 25 Jun 2023 16:21:03 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296514 Pixar's mesmerizing romantic comedy, Elemental, has defied initial box office disappointment and triumphantly rebounded with an impressive second-week box office performance.

According to a report from THR, early box office numbers show Sony's No Hard Feelings taking the lead into the weekend in domestic box office earnings. However, the film will enjoy a short-lived reign as either Sony's other blockbuster, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, or Elemental, is poised to claim the top spot over the weekend.

No Hard Feelings, a sex comedy featuring Jennifer Lawrence that follows the story of a struggling young woman who dates a shy 19-year-old, had already amassed $6.25 million by Friday. Industry projections estimate that it will bring in $15 million during its opening weekend.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swung into the weekend, securing the second spot after raking in $5.7 million and pushing its domestic earnings to an impressive $303.4 million. With just around $30 million shy of surpassing Spider-Man: Homecoming and $87 million behind Far from Home, it's only a matter of time before the animated film surpasses both milestones.

Spider-Man: Homecoming had the second-biggest global IMAX opening for a Sony film with $18 million.

Coming in at a strong third place is Elemental with $5.6 million, bringing its domestic earnings to a respectable $52.6 million. While Pixar's latest release initially seemed like a box office bomb with only $29.6 million in its opening weekend, Elemental has shown remarkable resilience throughout the week, with projections now indicating a successful weekend to bring its total to $65 million.

Unfortunately, The Flash hasn't fared as well at the box office with a meager opening weekend earning of $55.1 million, the DCU film is projected to experience a substantial 70% decline in its second weekend. Estimates suggest that The Flash will be in tough competition with No Hard Feelings, vying for the third spot with projected earnings ranging from $14 to $16 million.

The Flash's projected earnings for the opening weekend were $70-$75 million.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is once again bracing for an upsetting weekend. Currently holding the sixth position with a meager $3.2 million, the Paramount Pictures film has only managed to accumulate $114 million in domestic earnings.

Despite its global box office collection of $290 million, which is expected to cross the $300 million mark by the weekend's end, Rise of the Beasts remains the lowest-grossing installment in the Transformers franchise.

Asteroid City grossed $3.8 million on its first day of wide release, including $1.1 million from Thursday night previews.

Wes Anderson, however, will be brimming with joy following the stellar success of Asteroid City. The delightful dramedy's remarkable $853,382 from a mere six theaters during its opening weekend is nothing to scoff at. As it entered its second weekend, the film secured the fifth position, accumulating a decent $3.8 million. Projections now indicate a cumulative domestic gross of $9.6 million by the end of the weekend.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/elemental-second-weekend-at-the-box-office/feed/ 0
Todd Garner shares first image of Mortal Kombat 2 cast https://www.xfire.com/todd-garner-shares-first-image-of-mortal-kombat-2-cast/ https://www.xfire.com/todd-garner-shares-first-image-of-mortal-kombat-2-cast/#comments Sun, 25 Jun 2023 16:02:44 +0000 https://www.xfire.com/?p=296512 Earthrealm is gearing up for another battle against the savages of Outworld in the upcoming Mortal Kombat sequel, and we now have a first look at the talented cast who will bring this epic showdown to life.

As cameras roll in Australia, producer Todd Garner took to his Twitter account to treat fans to an image of the cast sharing a meal together at a local restaurant.

The photo not only confirms Karl Urban's casting as fan favorite Johnny Cage but also includes the returning stars Mehcad Brooks, Jessica McNamee, and Ludi Lin, along with new additions Ana Thu Nguyen, Tati Gabrielle, and Adeline Rudolph.

But interestingly, key actors from the first film, such as Hiroyuki Sanada, Joe Taslim, and Lewis Tan, along with the recently announced Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, were noticeably absent from the image. Earlier, Garner shared a picture on Twitter showing a lantern resembling the one seen on the pit bridge in the game, sparking a debate online about the film's plot.

Todd Garner has also made a firm commitment to deliver a superior sequel based on the valuable feedback he's received from fans. Nevertheless, he has made it crystal clear that he will not tolerate online trolls, stating that any form of abuse will result in immediate blocking.

Off we go! I’m thrilled to start & trust me, we’ve listened. We’ve learned from the mistakes & are committed to making the best MK2 possible. I, 100% support everyone’s right to their opinion, but I have the right not to be abused & will block you. So…let’s have an amazing ride!

As of writing, the release date for Mortal Kombat 2 is still under wraps. However, with filming set to conclude in September, it's likely that we can expect the highly anticipated sequel to hit theaters sometime in 2024.

Mortal Kombat 1 is set to be released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Speaking of Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios has made the bold decision to reboot the entire game franchise once again. The upcoming installment, aptly named Mortal Kombat 1, is slated for release on September 19, and according to a reliable leaker, we can expect a roster of 19 confirmed characters.

]]>
https://www.xfire.com/todd-garner-shares-first-image-of-mortal-kombat-2-cast/feed/ 3