DC FanDome was a huge success for Warner Bros., generating millions of views in 24 hours and resulting in plenty of positive publicity for the studio and its slate of DC Comics movies, TV shows, and video games. Now, the hope among fans is that this could become a yearly occurrence. 

During an interview with Variety, Ann Sarnoff, head of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, reflected on the event’s enormous success. Initially revealing that “[after] Fandome we saw viewership of our DC movies pop on HBO Max,” she then indicated that Warner Bros. is looking at ways to continue that success, albeit by monetising the concept. 

“One of the big themes we’ve been talking about since the beginning is using our content and our IP in bigger and better ways,” Sarnoff explained. “It’s clear we have a very big fan base that wants to stay very connected to us. We’re going to keep doing it in the spirit of super-serving fans and then see if there’s a way to monetize it.”

That could be as simple as including adverts in the next DC FanDome…or as disappointing as asking fans to pay to access certain content and panels. That could backfire in a huge way. 

Clearly, it’s still early days, and there’s no reason to be concerned just yet. Ultimately, no one can blame Warner Bros. for looking to cash in on DC FanDome’s success, and it does make sense for them as a business (however, it’s still believed the event cost less than a Hall H panel at Comic-Con). 

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We’ve known for a while that Hugo Weaving wouldn’t be making his return as Agent Smith in The Matrix 4 due to scheduling conflicts, but the outspoken actor has now elaborated on what led to that decision being made.

In the original trilogy, Smith was essentially the lead villain and a great foe for Neo to face (their fight scenes were nothing short of extraordinary). Now, Weaving has explained that it was director Lana Wachowski who made the decision to “pull the plug” on his return as Agent Smith, explaining that he was even part of table read. 

“Lana Wachowski had rung me at the beginning of last year,” the actor told Coming Soon in a recent interview. “Lana was very keen for me to be involved in The Matrix. There was a reading with Keanu [Reeves], Carrie[-Anne Moss] and myself and a few others from the old family.”

It sounds like Weaving had reservations about returning for The Matrix 4, saying that he read the script and “loved a lot of it and wasn’t sure about other bits.” It turns out there was a clash with his commitments to the National Theatre, and even though a deal was worked out, “Lana decided she didn’t think it was going to work. So, she pulled the plug on the negotiations. That’s where it ended up. She basically didn’t feel that my commitment to the National Theatre was going to fit in with the dates that she had in mind for me.”

A number of cast members are returning, and there have been some impressive new additions as well. However, Laurence Fishburne’s absence has upset a lot of fans, while Wachowski’s track record is very hit-and-miss, meaning there’s always a chance The Matrix 4 might not be that great regardless of who does or doesn’t return.

We’ll have to wait and see.

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Amazon Studios, Skydance TV and Paramount TV Studios have announced today that Alan Ritchson (Titans; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Blue Mountain State; Smallville) will star as the title character in their upcoming Jack Reacher television series, which is based on Lee Child’s best-selling book series of the same name. 

Ritchson takes over the role from Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible; Top Gun: Maverick; Edge of Tomorrow), who first played the part in 2012 and then again in its 2016 sequel. However, unlike the 3x Academy Award-nominated megastar, the 6’2″ Ritchson is a lot closer to matching Reacher’s imposing physical description (6’5″; 250lbs) from the books, which should appease readers who didn’t think Cruise quite fit the bill.

While not confirmed, the series will presumably reboot the two movies, with the first season being primarily based on Child’s first Reacher novel The Killing Floor. Nick Santora (Scorpion; Prison Break; Punisher: War Zone) will serve as writer and executive producer on season one. 

Christopher McQuarrie, director of the well-received first Jack Reacher film, will also serve as an executive producer, but it doesn’t sound like Cruise will be involved in any capacity, which probably shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In addition to Reacher, Ritchson will continue with his series regular role on DC’s Titans, so don’t worry Hank Hall isn’t going anywhere. 

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Earlier today, we learned that work on The Batman is continuing despite Robert Pattinson reportedly testing positive for COVID-19. The news was understandably met with some criticism, especially as there were questions about exactly how safe that would be for other cast and crew members.

Well, despite sharing that initial story about work on the movie taking place minus its leading man, Variety now reveals that production is, in fact, still on pause. 

Studio insiders have denied that shooting is taking place with Pattinson, but note that “Crew members are still doing construction work on sets and props at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, UK.” Anyone who came into contact with the Bruce Wayne actor is quarantining, however, and it’s said to be “unlikely” that anything is shot until that two-week quarantine period ends. 

The trade explains that, “It is also unclear if Pattinson has symptoms of the disease or if he is asymptomatic. Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, did not confirm that the star had tested positive and would only say that a member of the production had coronavirus.”

Despite cases being on the rise, it’s still believed that shooting in the UK is safe. What’s happened with The Batman certainly leads us to somewhat question that, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.

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Jungle Cruise already has some serious star power thanks to leads Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, not to mention a supporting cast which includes names like Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti, and Èdgar Ramírez. However, it’s now been revealed that Metallica have been enlisted by Disney!

The iconic heavy metal band will be creating an orchestral version of “Nothing Else Matters” alongside composer James Newton Howard specifically for this big screen take on the classic ride. 

“It really goes back to [Disney production president] Sean Bailey, who is a lifelong rock fan,” Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich tells Collider, “and [who] is just all-around one of the greatest, most friendly, generous, warm, and embracing people you’ll find in the music business.” 

“We’ve gotten to know each other well,” he continued. “My wife and I are big Disney fans, so there’s a great friendship there, and he’s always looked for the right match where there was a way that Metallica could contribute to some project of theirs.” The drummer added that he believes Jungle Cruise is a good fit for the band, and shared his excitement to work with Howard. 

This is definitely a unique pairing, and it’s going to be very interesting seeing what this track turns out like and what sort of impact it makes in the movie itself. 

Jungle Cruise was delayed as a result of COVID-19 and is now set to be released in theaters next July.

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