Britt Hayes is a writer, movie lover, and sensible sweater enthusiast living in Austin, Texas. She watches too much TV and never eats her vegetables.
Britt Hayes
‘Annihilation’ Author Says Alex Garland’s Adaptation Is ‘Mind-Blowing’ and ‘Extremely Horrific’
Annihilation was one of our most anticipated films of 2017 — I say “was” because despite the overwhelmingly positive reactions to the sneak peek at CinemaCon, Paramount pushed the release back to 2018. The new film from Ex Machina director Alex Garland stars Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and has us pumped for so many reasons (like, all of the names just mentioned); if you’ve read the deeply unnerving sci-fi novel on which it’s based, then you’re probably twice as eager to see Garland’s adaptation. At least one person has already seen it: Annihilation author Jeff VanderMeer, and his reaction really isn’t making the wait for 2018 any easier.
Alamo Drafthouse Sets ‘Wonder Woman’ Women-Only Screening and Some Men Are Being Real Weenies About It
Ladies: Imagine going to see Wonder Woman in a movie theater filled with nothing but other women. Sounds fun, right? The Alamo Drafthouse certainly thinks so, which is why the geniuses behind our favorite theater chain organized a special women-only screening of the highly-anticipated superhero film at their downtown Austin location. Unfortunately (but predictably, which is just as unfortunate), a whole bunch of dudes are acting like big whiny weenies about it — hilariously oblivious to how their sexist attitudes further prove the need for this event.
‘Deadpool 2’ Enlists ‘The Strain’s Jack Kesy for Mysterious Villain Role
It looks like Josh Brolin’s Cable won’t be the only antagonist Ryan Reynolds’ Merc With a Mouth has to contend with in Deadpool 2. Another actor has joined the cast of the highly-anticipated sequel, though his name might not be one you immediately recognize: Jack Kesy, best known for his role on the FX horror series The Strain, has signed on to play a mysterious mutant villain.
Ava DuVernay Will Direct Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o in the Buddy Movie of Your Dreams
The photo that launched a meme that inspired a social media dream is now becoming a reality because sometimes the internet has some okay ideas (sometimes). Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o are teaming up to co-star in a buddy movie directed by Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Issa Rae — if that sounds too good to be true, that’s because it was…until it wasn’t.
Tom Hardy Is ‘Venom’ in Spider-Man Villain Film From ‘Zombieland’ Director
In news that clearly came from the farthest depths of left field, Tom Hardy has been cast as the lead in Venom, Sony’s upcoming film about the famous Spider-Man villain. That’s not all: Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer will direct the movie, which is reportedly not a spinoff from Spider-Man: Homecoming, but a standalone project of sorts. Oh, and that’s still not all: Sony has shared an official announcement photo featuring Hardy in one of his classic Hardy-selfie poses, sporting a Venom t-shirt — in case you missed the point.
A Man Is Suing His Date for Texting During ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’
It’s a story fit for a mediocre rom-com: A 37-year-old man from Austin, Texas is suing a woman for texting during a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. And not just some random stranger, either — she was his date. In what he describes as “a first date from hell,” the woman allegedly refused to put her phone away and continued to text until he finally suggested she take the conversation outside. She did just that, taking her phone out of the theater, through the lobby, and out to the parking lot, where she drove off and left her date without a ride home.
‘New Mutants’ Confirms Anya Taylor-Joy and Maisie Williams for ‘X-Men’ Spinoff
After more than a year of rumors, hints and reports, Anya Taylor-Joy and Maisie Williams have officially joined the cast of New Mutants, one of a few upcoming projects set within the X-Men universe. The Fault in Our Stars director Josh Boone has long been attached to helm the project, teasing the Game of Thrones star’s potential involvement as recently as February. It’s another big step forward for New Mutants, which joins X-Force and Channing Tatum’s on again / off again Gambit movie in Fox’s lineup of forthcoming mutant spinoffs.
Jeff Goldblum Teases Ian Malcolm’s ‘Saucy, Sassy’ Return in ‘Jurassic World 2’
Jeff Goldblum is a National Treasure (like, is Nicolas Cage looking for him, or what?), the latest evidence of which can be found in a charmingly off-kilter new interview, wherein the actor, jazz enthusiast and surprise sausage salesman talks about returning to the Jurassic Park franchise — or, as he likes to call it, “dino-entertainment.” And the series is about to get a whole lot more entertaining now that Dr. Ian Malcolm is back.
Matthew Vaughn Already Has a ‘Big Idea’ for ‘Kingsman 3’
There are several reasons to be excited for Kingsman: The Golden Circle (mostly every name on the cast list), not the least of which is that it’s the first time that Matthew Vaughn has returned to direct a sequel to one of his own films. After disappointing follow-ups to X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass, Vaughn’s involvement in The Golden Circle has us feeling far more optimistic about Eggsy’s next mission. And it looks as though Vaughn is feeling pretty good about it, too, because he’s already cooked up an idea for a third Kingsman movie.
‘Dunkirk’ Trailer: Christopher Nolan’s War Epic Looks Suitably Intense
It doesn’t take much to imagine what a Christopher Nolan war film might be like — epic, visually stunning, and supremely intense. Dunkirk seemingly checks off all of those boxes and then some in the first full-length trailer for Nolan’s highly-anticipated new film, a historical period drama that looks surprisingly claustrophobic given the open setting. Featuring an excellent ensemble of stars (including Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance), Dunkirk doesn’t feel like your average summer film, which has us all the more excited to see it in July.
‘Aquaman’ Unveils New Logo and First Set Photo as Production Officially Begins
There are a few standouts in the Justice League trailer (aside from Zack Snyder’s glaring obsession with making audiences feel like they’re trapped in a 2001 NuMetal music video): Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen / The Flash, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman — all of whom inject the trailer with enough personality to make up for Ben Affleck’s affectless Batman. Momoa’s humorously gruff take on Aquaman is a pleasant surprise, and it’s really piqued our interest in his upcoming solo film from director James Wan, which has officially begun production.
Rumor: ‘The Batman’ Eyeing Josh Gad to Play The Penguin
Today’s rumor is somewhat out of left field, and yet entire plausible once you consider it: According to a suspicious tweet posted by Josh Gad, the actor and recent star of Beauty and the Beast might be playing The Penguin in The Batman. And while an actor sharing a photo of a fictional character seemingly at random could mean just about anything, there is some additional evidence to support his potential involvement.