Mike Sampson is the Editor-in-Chief of ScreenCrush. He studied to become a lawyer and worked as an architectural planner after graduating college but neither of these professions afforded him the opportunity to watch movies and TV for a living. He previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com for 10 years. He lives in New Jersey and probably spends too much time playing video games and overthinking things.
Mike Sampson
Report: Chris Pratt to Star in ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking’ Movie
Chris Pratt starred in the biggest (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’) and third-biggest (‘The LEGO Movie’) movies of the year. He’s starring in what will surely be one of the biggest movies of next year (‘Jurassic World’). He’s smart, funny, affable and attractive. Your mom loves him. Your grandma loves him. Everyone loves him. He’s got an amazing future in front of him and everyone anxiously awaits word on what his next project will be. Another mega-franchise? A high-profile drama? Wait, what’s that? He’s going to be starring in a movie called ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking’? Huh.
Who Will Play Cyclops and Jean Grey in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’?
With every new ‘X-Men’ movie comes new mutants (no, not the New Mutants) and ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ will be no exception. While some may say that the ‘X-Men’ films are perhaps a little too overstuffed with every mutant they can get their hands on (did we really need Sunspot or Blink?), it’s hard to deny to return of Cyclops and Jean Grey; major characters and core mutants who will make their long-awaited appearance in the new era of “young” ‘X-Men’ films. So, now that we know we’ll see these characters, it’s time to find out who is going to play them in the movie.
‘Peanuts’ Trailer: Charlie Brown, Still a Blockhead
As Charlie Brown and Snoopy are perhaps best known for their classic holiday special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ it only makes sense that the new ‘Peanuts’ trailer debuts with a very Christmas-y feel. You have to wait until next Christmas to see the CGI ‘Peanuts’ movie, but you can get a taste of what it will look and feel like with this new trailer.
‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ Trailer Description: What Will We See in the First Footage?
The ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ trailer is coming soon. Very soon. This much we know. The footage is edited and, according to reports, composer John Williams recorded the new music for the trailer this weekend. But, what we all want to know, is what the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ trailer will look like. And, now we have a pretty good idea.
Another Extended ‘Avengers 2′ Trailer Has Arrived With More New Footage
Thought we were done with new 'Avengers 2' footage, did you? Well, the onslaught continues as today brings us yet another new 'Avengers 2' trailer, this one a slightly extended version of the original trailer with new footage, new dialogue and new Ultrons.
‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ Being Crafted Around Magneto and Mystique, and Their Hot Mutant Love
While you'd think 'X-Men: Apocalypse' would focus the majority of its attention on its titular character, Fox and director have some different ideas. When you've got two of the hottest stars in Hollywood contractually obligated to star in your movie, you make them the center of the action. And, that's what is reportedly happening with the 'X-Men: Apocalypse' script, which is being developed around Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence and the burgeoning romance between Magneto and Mystique.
Margot Robbie to Star as Harley Quinn in DC’s ‘Suicide Squad’ Movie
Things got interesting with the upcoming 'Suicide Squad' movie when it was revealed that Jesse Eisenberg would be returning after 'Batman vs. Superman' to star as Lex Luthor. Then, things got really interesting when it was revealed that Jared Leto was in talks to star as The Joker, introducing Batman's greatest nemesis in the new era of 'Justice League' films. What was once thought to be a ragtag group of B-side villains is now shaping up to be a roster full of DC's evil A-list villains. And, now you can even more iconic villain to the lineup. What would any Joker appearance in 'Suicide Squad' be without Harley Quinn, who will be played by 'Wolf of Wall Street' star Margot Robbie.
‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ Official Title Announced: ‘The Force Awakens’
We thought that the 'Star Wars: Episode 7' title might get officially announced this past summer at Comic-Con, but that event came and went with no official reveal. So, what better way to announce the new title than a random Thursday in November? Just this morning on Twitter, Lucasfilm and the official 'Star Wars' Twitter account revealed the 'Star Wars: Episode 7' title: 'A Force Awakens'.
Marvel is Actively Hunting Down Whoever Leaked the ‘Avengers 2′ Trailer
When the 'Avengers 2' trailer leaked online almost a week ahead of its planned debut during an episode of 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.', Marvel made light of the issue, joked about Hydra being responsible and, wisely, just uploaded an HD copy and let the leak continue. But, that doesn't mean behind closed doors that Marvel wasn't very upset and very concerned. The studio is moving aggressively to track and catch the person responsible for the leak.
Idris Elba Says Working on Marvel Movies is “Torture”
Just yesterday, Joss Whedon hinted he might have to send a scolding e-mail to Idris Elba who, earlier this week, let it slip that he would be appearing in 'Avengers 2' alongside Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth. But, Idris Elba just don't care. In a new interview with The Telegraph, Elba again talked about filming 'Avengers 2' and said working on Marvel movies is "torture."
‘Avengers 2′ and ‘Ant-Man’ Footage Previewed During Marvel TV Special
For the past two weeks, there has been a deluge of 'Avengers 2' footage - clips, trailers, extended trailers, future trailers! - and we were promised one last reveal last night. While 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' had the night off, ABC ran the Marvel TV special 'From Pulp to Pop,' which looked at the history of Marvel and Marvel Studios. It was mostly a rah-rah, pat-yourself-on-the-back kinda deal, but if you stuck around to the end, we not only got a look at 'Avengers 2' but also our first look at 'Ant-Man' footage.
Christopher Nolan on Superhero Post-Credits Scenes: “A Real Movie Wouldn’t Do That”
Marvel has built their movie empire partially on anticipation and excitement among the core fanbase. Marvel has a tradition of post-credits scenes after their movies, ever since the first 'Iron Man' movie introduced Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and name-dropped the "Avengers Initiative." It's worked out quite well for Marvel. And, while DC and Warner Bros. are very eager to catch their competitors, don't expect them to follow suit. When Warner Bros. asked Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan to add a post-credits scene to the end of 'Man of Steel,' Nolan told them, "a real movie wouldn't do that."