Film News Roundup: 15

Three weeks ago Sony Pictures Entertainment Co-Chairman Amy Pascal hinted that the studio wanted to expand their “Spider-Man” film franchise by planning spin-off films based of Spider-Man supporting characters.

            Well, those indications came to fruition as Sony Pictures sent out a press release outlining the future plans for their “Spider-Man” movie universe. Deemed as the franchise “brain trust,” writers Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinker, Ed Solomon, and Drew Goddard will collaborate with producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, alongside current “Spider-Man” director Marc Webb to develop the new films.

Kurtzman, Orci and Pinker will be writing     the screenplay for “The Amazing Spider-Man 3,” which is set for a June 10, 2016 release. This past summer it was also announced that “The Amazing Spider-Man 4” will hit theaters on June 17, 2018.

However, the huge news is that two films are in development regarding Spider-Man villains: Venom and The Sinister Six.

The “Venom” film will be written by Krutzman, Orci and Solomon with Kurtzman directing,

Goddard will write and potentially direct “The Sinister Six,” concentrating on the villains that are being introduced in the “Spider-Man” films

This is a truly an ambitious move by Sony Pictures. Up to this point in comic book film history, the stars have been the eponymous superheroes. To have a film from the perspective of the villain is almost blasphemous, but truly exciting. Maybe this move will open the door for other film studios to give their villains a shot to make it big on their own. But let’s wait and see if these films pan out; I know I don’t go into a theater wanting to see a bad film.

In other news, the newly titled “Terminator: Genesis” has found its leading lady. Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) has signed on to play Sarah Connor in the “Terminator” reboot.

The role of Sarah Connor was famously portrayed by Linda Hamilton in James Cameron’s “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”

While part of me was hoping Brie Larson (“Short Term 12”) was cast in the role, I see no problem with Clarke. She’s a great actress who will certainly bring the same bravado to Connor as she does to Daenerys Targaryen on “Game of Thrones.”

Also, “Zero Dark Thirty’s” Jason Clarke (no relation to Emilia) is in negotiations to play John Connor, Sarah’s son. John is the leader of the rebel resistance against the Skynet (artificial intelligence that serves as the franchise’s main antagonist).

The film is still looking to cast an actor in the role of Kyle Reece, a young resistance fighter sent back in time by John Connor to protect his mother, who ultimately ends up fathering John in the past. Now, that’s what I call a mind bender.

“Terminator: Genesis” is scheduled for release on July 1, 2015.