Iwan Rheon and Isabelle Cornish star in Marvel’s Inhumans (Photos by Michael Muller / ABC)
ABC’s new comic book-inspired series Marvel’s Inhumans is set to premiere on September 29, 2017, but first it will have a special limited run of two episodes in IMAX theaters beginning on September 1st. The IMAX episodes will be versions of the series’ first two episodes, with additional material included when the show makes its debut on ABC.
Executive produced by Scott Buck, Jeph Loeb, and Jim Chory, the comic book series’ characters are brought to life by Anson Mount as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon as Maximus, Serinda Swan as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish as Crystal, and Ken Leung as Karnak. Rheon, best known for playing the evil Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, and Isabelle Cornish were paired up for roundtable interviews at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con to discuss their roles in ABC’s new fall series.
You’ve played villains before. Is Maximus a villain?
Iwan Rheon: “It depends on who’s really looking at it. If you listen to the ideas he has and the sort of political ideology that he’s proposing, you might agree with him. I don’t think he’s evil in any way at all. He feels that he’s part of a very archaic society with a caste system that is wrong. The people at the bottom live a terrible life digging in mines so that the Royal family can live in luxury. So, I think if you wrote it down, politically if you read that you’d probably agree with him.”
So he’s a bit of a revolutionary?
Iwan Rheon: “He is, yeah. He’s a forward-thinking guy and he sees that there’s great danger emerging that the humans are going to find him. He has a very opposing opinion to what Black Bolt has on how to move forward, which is where you get great conflict between the two brothers at the heart of the story.”
What’s the technical work of bringing your Inhumans powers to life?
Isabelle Cornish: “We used a lot of CGI which means we have a lot of creativity. Lockjaw is a big part of my character; Crystal, my character, is the keeper of Lockjaw. So he’s invisible when we shoot and then he’ll be CGI’ed in, and then all of my powers as well are all CGI.”
How did you become part of Inhumans?
Isabelle Cornish: “It was all very secretive at first. We knew we were auditioning for a Marvel shoot, and it was all really secretive. So, I just really loved my character. I loved my audition scene. I just felt a very strong connection with her. I wasn’t told until after my audition what character she was in the comic books. It was all very secretive. But it was just feeling the connection and feeling the Marvel family, and getting to talk to Jeph Loeb and talk to Scott (Buck). I’m just really excited to be a part of the show.”
Iwan Rheon: “For me it was very much about Jeph Loeb’s enthusiasm. He’s a very clever man. I was a little unsure about playing the role because I heard ‘Maximus’ and I thought I’ll check out this guy. ‘Oh, here we go, it’s another one of these.’ And I thought, ‘Oh, I’m just going to be playing the same role again.’ But the way that he described the character it was very much this young charismatic politician that wanted to change things. That felt very different to me. He managed to convince me and throughout the series he did deliver his promise and that’s exactly what I think Maximus has become. We wanted to give him a chance to grow and have an arc, a character arc. So, yeah, I just had to be involved.”
What’s it like participating in Comic-Con as part of a Marvel project?
Isabelle Cornish: “Really exciting for me because it’s not only my first time being a part of the Marvel universe but for me being an Australian and getting to work overseas in America on a show like this. And just being able to play a character who is from the comic books but to bring our show to life in a unique way. I’m really excited for fans to see what we’ve done with the show, the different aspect that we bring to it.”
Iwan Rheon: “We tend to spend a lot of time in elevators and back corridors of various hotels at Comic Cons. I haven’t really had a chance to walk the floor and stuff. It should be cool. We did a little bit today. We got to do a signing and meet the fans and stuff. It’s cool. I came here last year with a different show – I don’t think anyone’s heard about that. (Laughing) I think it’s gone now. They cancelled it. But this is a very different experience because we’re selling a brand new show. It’s great because these comic books and the stories that come out of them are exactly what Comic Con is all about. So to be able to bring a brand new show that the fans have never seen these characters brought to life in live-action, it’s really exciting. We just hope that the fans really enjoy it.”
Watch the full Iwan Rheon and Isabelle Cornish Inhumans interview:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
The Flash star Candice Patton is really happy about what’s in store for Iris West in season four of the comic book-inspired series. When The CW premieres season four on October 10, 2017, it will be with Patton’s Iris in charge of #TeamFlash. Talking about the upcoming season during our roundtable interview at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Patton also discussed the lighter tone of season four and why she believes The Flash needs its human characters in addition to its superheroes.
This upcoming season Iris is in charge of Team Flash. How’s she handling that?
Candice Patton: “I think she’s kind of forced into that role. Barry’s gone and so Team Flash has to figure out how to function. Without Barry, without Caitlin, we’re kind of a shell of our former selves and so Iris kind of had to step up and fill in some of the gaps. At the end of season three, Barry said to Iris, ‘Keep moving, keep running, keep going,’ and she took that very seriously. She’s dealing with her sadness and her depression of Barry not being there by focusing on work. She’s a very different Iris than we’ve seen in the past. She’s a little hardened, a little more like a general. She’s going to protect the city and she’s going to do what she’s got to do. It’s a way for her to not focus on Barry not being there.”
How is playing this new version of Iris?
Candice Patton: “It’s great. I think it’s nice to see Iris have agency, having a reason to be in S.T.A.R. Labs and to really have a contribution to the team. For me, it’s so fun to play.”
How does she share the leadership with Barry when he returns? Does she want to remain in a leadership role?
Candice Patton: “I think this season we’ll continue to see her be a leader for Team Flash. I don’t know, we haven’t gotten there yet so I don’t know what the plans are for season four. I’d like her to continue to have a lot of agency at S.T.A.R. Labs. I think the producers have said that that’s their plan. So, I don’t know. We’ll see. I think Barry will be more focused on the ground, doing work on the ground – more of like a coach of a team in S.T.A.R. Labs.”
Does that mean she’s put her earlier career behind her to focus on this, or is there a struggle between the two?
Candice Patton: “I think it’s safe to say for now that the reporter side of Iris is kind of on the back burner. She’s still a reporter, but where we focus our show is her work at S.T.A.R. Labs.”
Where do you want to see Iris go? Do you want her to continue to advance as a reporter?
Candice Patton: “It’s hard to say. I’ve always seen her as a reporter; it’s kind of iconically what she’s known for. I don’t think we’ve ever been able to figure out a way to work that into our show, our formula of the show. Not to say that it won’t be done maybe at the end of the season or into next season. But I think, however, it works whether she’s at Picture News or wherever, I just always wanted to see Iris have agency and be a big contributor to the team. We finally get that, so I’m happy with where she’s headed.”
Is it important to you that even when other characters get superhero suits and powers that she be the grounded, human part of the them?
Candice Patton: “Yes. Also, those suits are hot – they’re really hot. (Laughing) They’re often shooting at 3am in the snow while I’m on the studio lot sipping coffee in heels. I’m not very envious. I mean, I would like to do it for an episode or two. I think it would be really cool to see Iris as a villain. I’d love that, or a superhero. But I think it’s important to have humans on the show, otherwise it becomes a superhero team up like Legends. We’ve already done that, so it’s important to have the Joes and Irises to kind of keep the human element to this very superhuman show.”
Season three got really dark. Do you feel a shift toward lightness in season four?
Candice Patton: “I’m done crying. No, Todd (Helbing) our producer has said many times that that is the darkest we’re ever going to get on our show. We’ve done that. We’re moving forward. We’re going to get so much lighter. This episode we’re shooting now is probably my favorite since the pilot. It’s got that lightness that I think we’ve been missing the last couple of seasons. There’s going to be a lot more humor, a lot more just light material. I think the fans are really going to love it.”
A24’s released the first poster and trailer for The Florida Project from writer/director Sean Baker. Baker’s 2015 feature film Tangerine was nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards, winning one, and A24’s set to kick off The Florida Project‘s awards season run on October 6, 2017. Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Valeria Cotto, and Bria Vinaite star in Baker’s dramatic film.
The Plot: “Set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, The Florida Project follows six-year-old Moonee (Prince) and her rebellious mother Halley (Vinaite) over the course of a single summer. The two live week to week at “The Magic Castle,” a budget motel managed by Bobby (Dafoe), whose stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and compassion.
Despite her harsh surroundings, the precocious and ebullient Moonee has no trouble making each day a celebration of life, her endless afternoons overflowing with mischief and grand adventure as she and her ragtag playmates—including Jancey, a new arrival to the area who quickly becomes Moonee’s best friend—fearlessly explore the utterly unique world into which they’ve been thrown. Unbeknownst to Moonee, however, her delicate fantasy is supported by the toil and sacrifice of Halley, who is forced to explore increasingly dangerous possibilities in order to provide for her daughter.
With The Florida Project, Sean Baker gives life and a voice to a community rarely seen on screen. Through the winsome eyes and pained glances of Moonee, Halley, and Bobby, Baker has created a spellbinding and transformative portrait of contemporary lives lived in the margins that are otherwise too easily forgotten. The Florida Project declares, boldly and proudly, that anywhere can be a Magic Kingdom – it just depends on how you see it.”
BBC America’s Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency will return this fall for its second season, with Elijah Wood, Samuel Barnett, Mpho Koaho, Fiona Dourif, Jade Eshete, and Hannah Marks back in starring roles. In support of the upcoming second season of the critically acclaimed original series, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency cast took part in a Q&A with fans as well as roundtable interviews at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con. Koaho (‘Ken’) and Fiona Dourif (‘Bart’) teamed up to discuss season two, Ken and Bart’s evolving relationship, and Max Landis’ incredible scripts.
Do you think there was a specific moment when Ken and Bart’s relationship evolved into an actual friendship?
Fiona Dourif: “I think I was curious about from the pilot, really, because if he’s around me and I haven’t killed him that means the universe doesn’t want me to. And then I hadn’t been around a person for five years, so I think it was gestating from the beginning.”
Mpho Koaho: “That’s an interesting breakdown. I love how she said that. You can make the argument t she spared me from the beginning. You can make that argument, that’s what she did. She could have killed me right away. Knowing the scripts and watching the show, I still don’t even know why she didn’t kill me right away. Maybe I can get into why she didn’t later, but right away I don’t know. Regardless if she thought I was Dirk or not, that’s not enough for me considering what I saw of this character.
I just think that maybe she wanted to be different. I feel that maybe rubbed off on Ken as well to where maybe he started to see that. Ken’s a smart guy so maybe he started to see maybe her lowering her defenses a bit and then maybe that’s when Ken started to be less afraid, I guess. Maybe like the second time when she really didn’t kill me when we’re kind of on that stretch of road. I don’t know if Ken stopped being scared but I think he goes, ‘Okay, maybe I’m not going to die.’ And then I think maybe at that point it starts.”
Bart is one of the most original, crazy characters on television that we have seen in years. How much fun is it to just embody that and just go with it?
Fiona Dourif: “It took me a while to find her. I think I sent the tape in three weeks late or something when I auditioned for it just because I was like, ‘I know I have to commit.’ They kept pushing me. They were like, ‘Make strong choices,’ and I would kind of jump around my living room and be like, ‘Is this garbage? I can’t tell.’
But, I found something that felt emotionally true. I knew she needed to be grounded to then make her crazy. Why is she from Jersey? I don’t know, man. But I wanted this kind of dirty, kind of masculine quality. I don’t know. I’m really proud of it. I also think it’s really cool that a woman gets to play it because you dress up in heels and you manicure your hair and you go in and you’re sassy cop or sad wife. I was like, ‘Bart Curlish that was written for a man?’ And they were like, ‘No, it’s going to be a woman.’ I felt really lucky.”
There are regular scripts and there are Max Landis scripts. How does the way he looks at the world differ from some of the other scripts you get presented with?
Mpho Koaho: “Well to be fair, he is loco. I’m pretty damn crazy too so it’s a very happy marriage of sorts. I’ll tell you what. I feel like he has a better understanding of reality than a lot of scripts I’ve been a part of, shows I’ve been a part of, characters that have been written for me, Max’s understanding of reality I feel like is at a higher level than a lot of writers I’ve been around, a lot of shows I’ve done.
You meet the guy and it’s like, ‘Oh, okay,’ but then you read the stuff and you see the way he puts the characters together and the diversity of everything. I see a very realistic painting of the world, so that’s why I can say this man has a great conceptualization of reality while maybe coming off like he doesn’t. And that’s his brilliance; he’s a very brilliant man. I always say this, ‘Max gets it.’ Just look at the diversity of the show, the women in strong roles, you know what I mean? That’s a big deal. Max understands that’s the world; that’s not fantasy. That’s the way the world is amidst the craziness of what our show is. It’s a really cool dynamic.”
Fiona Dourif: “The characters have emotional depth to them. A fan put together this great 10-minute piece on YouTube that said, ‘Every character in Dirk Gently is a giant dork and it’s amazing.’ It is. It’s like all the characters are so flawed and insecure, even the strong women are neurotic. It’s just like everybody is complicated in the way that everybody is in life. Max is a smart man, and he’s an emotionally vulnerable guy which bleeds into his work which is terrific.”
Mpho Koaho: “It’s very realistic, too, being emotional vulnerable. Humans are that. We are that. We’re going to watch the show and not go, ‘I can handle all of this.’ You’re going to feel the emotion of whatever the situation is naturally, and Max puts that on the page somehow. He’s very good at that.”
Is there still going to be the teaming of Bart and Ken in season two?
Fiona Dourif: (Teasing) “We can’t tell you!”
Mpho Koaho: (Laughing) “I go to Krispy Kreme. Ken opens a Krispy Kreme in season two.”
Fiona Dourif: “Bart loves Ken.”
Mpho Koaho: (Laughing) “I’m just throwing that out there. I don’t think Ken’s ever been cared for at the level that Bart shows him, the love. I think that’s something Ken will hold onto. So, if they come together or not, they will always be one, you know what I mean? They will always be one, I feel like. There will always be that kinship. I feel like we’ve already established that relationship to where a lot of people who want to see Ken and Bart back together. So, you know, in a perfect world it works out. But, Ken gotta go get that Krispy Kreme business going. It’s that five-year plan.”
This show is so hard to describe or explain very quickly. What would you tell people who haven’t given season one a chance? Why should they watch it?
Fiona Dourif: “I’ve been trying to condense that one-liner also. I think it’s a truly unique show, right? I think there is a mystery involved, which kept me (interested). I just wanted to know how it all fits together. They write it so that everything pays off. I kept telling them when season one was airing I was like, ‘I promise you all that stuff is going to make sense at the end.’”
Mpho Koaho: “That’s Max again, just knowing what he’s doing and his ability to control the storylines.”
More than 63 million votes were cast to determine the winners of the Teen Choice 2017 awards held on August 13, 2017. Among this year’s big winners were Wonder Woman, which scored wins in categories including Choice Action Movie Actress and Choice Action Movie, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II which dominated the sci-fi movie categories. Finding Dory, Beauty and the Beast, and Spider-Man: Homecoming also took home multiple awards during the show which aired live on Fox.
Newcomer Riverdale proved popular with teen voters as did the final seasons of The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf. The Teen Choice 2017 awards show also honored Maroon 5 with the Decade Award, Bruno Mars with the Visionary Award, and Vanessa Hudgens with the first-ever #SeeHer award.
Choice Action Movie (#ChoiceActionMovie)
“Wonder Woman”
Choice Action Movie Actor (#ChoiceActionMovieActor)
Chris Pine – “Wonder Woman”
Choice Action Movie Actress (#ChoiceActionMovieActress)
Gal Gadot – “Wonder Woman”
Choice Sci-Fi Movie (#ChoiceSciFiMovie)
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor (#ChoiceSciFiMovieActor)
Chris Pratt – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”
Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actress (#ChoiceSciFiMovieActress)
Zoe Saldana – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”
Choice Fantasy Movie (#ChoiceFantasyMovie)
“Beauty and the Beast”
Choice Fantasy Movie Actor (#ChoiceFantasyMovieActor)
Dwayne Johnson – “Moana”
Choice Fantasy Movie Actress (#ChoiceFantasyMovieActress)
Emma Watson – “Beauty and the Beast”
Choice Drama Movie (#ChoiceDramaMovie)
“Everything, Everything”
Choice Drama Movie Actor (#ChoiceDramaMovieActor)
Kian Lawley – “Before I Fall”
Choice Drama Movie Actress (#ChoiceDramaMovieActress)
Emma Watson – “The Circle”
Choice Comedy Movie (#ChoiceComedyMovie)
“Finding Dory”
Choice Comedy Movie Actor (#ChoiceComedyMovieActor)
Zac Efron – “Baywatch”
Choice Comedy Movie Actress (#ChoiceComedyMovieActress)
Ellen DeGeneres – “Finding Dory”
Choice Summer Movie (#ChoiceSummerMovie)
“Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Choice Summer Movie Actor (#ChoiceSummerMovieActor)
Tom Holland – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Choice Summer Movie Actress (#ChoiceSummerMovieActress)
Zendaya – “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Choice Movie Villain (#ChoiceMovieVillain)
Luke Evans – “Beauty and the Beast”
Choice Breakout Movie Star (#ChoiceBreakoutMovieStar)
Auli’i Cravalho – “Moana”
Choice MovieShip (#ChoiceMovieShip)
Emma Watson & Dan Stevens – “Beauty and the Beast”
Choice Drama TV Show (#ChoiceDramaTVShow)
“Riverdale”
Choice Drama TV Actor (#ChoiceDramaTVActor)
Cole Sprouse – “Riverdale”
Choice Drama TV Actress (#ChoiceDramaTVActress)
Lucy Hale – “Pretty Little Liars”
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show (#ChoiceSciFiTVShow)
“The Vampire Diaries”
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor (#ChoiceSciFiTVActor)
Dylan O’Brien – “Teen Wolf”
Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress (#ChoiceSciFiTVActress)
Kat Graham – “The Vampire Diaries”
Choice Action TV Show (#ChoiceActionTVShow)
“The Flash”
Choice Action TV Actor (#ChoiceActionTVActor)
Grant Gustin – “The Flash”
Choice Action TV Actress (#ChoiceActionTVActress)
Melissa Benoist – “Supergirl”
Choice Comedy TV Show (#ChoiceComedyTVShow)
“Fuller House”
Choice Comedy TV Actor (#ChoiceComedyTVActor)
Jean-Luc Bilodeau – “Baby Daddy”
Kate Winslet and Idris Elba in ‘The Mountain Between Us’
Fall signals the beginning of awards season for Hollywood studios, with the majority of the major theatrical releases switching from summer’s superheroes to adult dramas. That doesn’t mean the final months of 2017 will be completely lacking in comic book-inspired movies, comedies, or horror films, but it does mean mature audiences looking for more serious, character-driven stories will have a less difficult time finding something worth checking out in theaters.
Among this fall’s most anticipated films are new entries in the Star Wars, Thor, Blade Runner, and Kingsman film franchises. The year-end offerings also include a sprinkling of animated movies aimed at the family crowd, and for horror fans the much-anticipated release of It, based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, helps kick off the fall season. But for the most part, the last months of the year belong to dramas starring A-list actors including Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Tom Cruise.
Here’s a look ahead at this fall’s most anticipated releases, listed in release date order.
September 2017
Home Again (September 8) starring Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen, and Lake Bell
The Plot:Home Again stars Reese Witherspoon as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband, (Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways.
Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. Home Again is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.
It (September 8) starring Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, and Wyatt Oleff
The Plot: When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.
American Assassin (September 15) starring Dylan O’Brien, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch, Michael Keaton, and Shiva Negar
The Plot:American Assassin follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (O’Brien), a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Kitsch) intent on starting a World War.
mother! (September 15) starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem
The Plot: A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. From filmmaker Darren Aronofsky, mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer in a psychological thriller about love, devotion and sacrifice.
Battle of the Sexes (September 22) starring Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, and Alan Cumming
The Plot: The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.
With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (September 22) starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Sir Elton John, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, and Jeff Bridges
The Plot:Kingsman: The Secret Service introduced the world to Kingsman – an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, our heroes face a new challenge. When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents’ strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that’s becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy…
The LEGO Ninjago Movie (September 22) featuring the voices of Jackie Chan, Justin Theroux, Dave Franco, and Olivia Munn
The Plot: In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu.
Stronger (September 22) starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, and Miranda Richardson
The Plot:Stronger is the inspiring true story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become the symbol of hope following the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff, a 27-year-old, working-class Boston man who was at the marathon to try and win back his ex-girlfriend Erin (Maslany). Waiting for her at the finish line when the blast occurs, he loses both his legs in the attack. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Jeff is able to help law enforcement identify one of the bombers, but his own battle has just begun. He tackles months of physical and emotional rehabilitation with the unwavering support of Erin and his family. It is Jeff’s deeply personal account of the heroic journey that tests a family’s bond, defines a community’s pride and inspires his inner courage to overcome devastating adversity. Filled with raw emotion, humanity and humor, Stronger is the inspirational real-life story of the man who became the living embodiment of “Boston Strong.”
American Made (September 29) starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, and Jesse Plemons
The Plot: Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman, in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of a hustler and pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history.
October 2017
Blade Runner 2049 (October 6) starring Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Lennie James, Dave Bautista, and Jared Leto
The Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
The Mountain Between Us (October 6) starring Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Dermot Mulroney, and Beau Bridges
The Plot: Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across hundreds of miles of wilderness, pushing one another to endure and discovering strength they never knew possible.
Goodbye Christopher Robin (October 13) starring Domhnall Gleeson, Will Tilston, Margot Robbie, and Kelly Macdonald
The Plot:Goodbye Christopher Robin gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin (Tilston), whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?
Marshall (October 13) starring Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Sterling K. Brown, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens, and James Cromwell
The Plot: Long before he sat on the United States Supreme Court or claimed victory in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that desegregated schools, Thurgood Marshall (Boseman) was a young rabble-rousing attorney for the NAACP. The new motion picture, Marshall, is the true story of his greatest challenge in those early days – a fight he fought alongside attorney Sam Friedman (Gad), a young lawyer with no experience in criminal law: the case of black chauffeur Joseph Spell (Brown), accused by his white employer, Eleanor Strubing (Hudson), of sexual assault and attempted murder.
Geostorm (October 20) starring Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Andy Garcia, Alexandra Maria Lara, Daniel Wu, and Ed Harris
The Plot: After an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet, the world’s leaders came together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. But now, something has gone wrong—the system built to protect the Earth is attacking it, and it’s a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a worldwide geostorm wipes out everything…and everyone along with it.
Butler stars as Jake, a scientist who, along with his brother, Max, played by Sturgess, is tasked with solving the satellite program’s malfunction. Cornish stars as Secret Service agent Sarah Wilson; Lara as Ute Fassbinder, the ISS astronaut who runs the space station; Wu as Cheng, the Hong Kong-based supervisor for the Dutch Boy Program; with Garcia as U.S. President Andrew Palma; and Harris as Secretary of State Leonard Dekkom.
Only the Brave (October 20) starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitsch, and James Badge Dale
The Plot: All men are created equal… then, a few become firefighters. Only the Brave, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, is the heroic story of one unit of local firefighters that through hope, determination, sacrifice, and the drive to protect families, communities, and our country become one of the most elite firefighting teams in the country. As most of us run from danger, they run toward it – they watch over our lives, our homes, everything we hold dear, as they forge a unique brotherhood that comes into focus with one fateful fire.
The Snowman (October 20) starring Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Val Kilmer, and J.K. Simmons
The Plot: When an elite crime squad’s lead detective (Fassbender) investigates the disappearance of a victim on the first snow of winter, he fears an elusive serial killer may be active again. With the help of a brilliant recruit (Ferguson), the cop must connect decades-old cold cases to the brutal new one if he hopes to outwit this unthinkable evil before the next snowfall.
All I See Is You (October 27) starring Blake Lively and Jason Clarke
The Plot:All I See Is You is the story of a blind woman (Lively) and her husband (Clarke). When her sight unexpectedly returns, she begins to discover the previously unseen and disturbing details about themselves, their marriage and their lives.
Jigsaw (October 27) starring Laura Vandervoort, Tobin Bell, Hannah Emily Anderson, Callum Keith Rennie, and Brittany Allen
The Plot: After a series of murders bearing all the markings of the Jigsaw killer, law enforcement find themselves chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade and embroiled in a new game that’s only just begun. Is John Kramer back from the dead to remind the world to be grateful for the gift of life? Or is this a trap set by a killer with designs of their own?
Suburbicon (October 27) starring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, and Oscar Isaac
The Plot: Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns…the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality, as husband and father Gardner Lodge (Damon) must navigate the town’s dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit, and violence. This is a tale of very flawed people making very bad choices. This is Suburbicon.
Thank You for Your Service (October 27) starring Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, and Keisha Castle-Hughes
The Plot:Thank You for Your Service follows a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq who struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.
Hugh Jackman (P.T. Barnum) and Zac Efron (Philip Carlisle) star in Twentieth Century Fox’s ‘The Greatest Showman’ (Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise)
November 2017
A Bad Moms Christmas (November 3) starring Milas Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn
The Plot:A Bad Moms Christmas follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers.
Roman Israel, Esq (November 3) starring Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, and Carmen Ejogo
The Plot:Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a dramatic thriller set in the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when a turbulent series of events challenge the activism that has defined his career. Colin Farrell costars as the ambitious, monied lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm.
Thor: Ragnarok (November 3) starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins
The Plot: In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!
Daddy’s Home 2 (November 10) starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, John Lithgow, and Mel Gibson
The Plot: Father and stepfather, Dusty (Wahlberg) and Brad (Ferrell), have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.
Murder on the Orient Express (November 10) starring Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley
The Plot: What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone’s a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.
The Star (November 10) featuring the voices of Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, and Oprah Winfrey
The Plot: In Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
The Plot:Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a darkly comic drama from Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh. After months have passed without a culprit in her daughter’s murder case, Mildred Hayes (McDormand) makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town with a controversial message directed at William Willoughby (Harrelson), the town’s revered chief of police. When his second-in-command Officer Dixon (Rockwell), an immature mother’s boy with a penchant for violence, gets involved, the battle between Mildred and Ebbing’s law enforcement is only exacerbated.
Justice League (November 17) starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Ray Fisher
The Plot: Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
Wonder (November 17) starring Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, and Daveed Diggs
The Plot:Wonder tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
Coco (November 22) featuring the voices of Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Jaime Camil, and Cheech Marin
The Plot: Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Darkest Hour (November 22) starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup, and Ben Mendelsohn
The Plot: A thrilling and inspiring true story begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.
Molly’s Game (November 22) starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, and Chris O’Dowd
The Plot:Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.
December 2017
The Disaster Artist (December 1) starring James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, and Josh Hutcherson
The Plot: Based on Greg Sestero’s best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy Wiseau’s cult–classic disaster piece The Room (“The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made”), The Disaster Artist is a hilarious and welcome reminder that there is more than one way to become a legend – and no limit to what you can achieve when you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.
Wonder Wheel (December 1) starring Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, and Justin Timberlake
The Plot: We’re in Coney Island in the 1950s. A lifeguard (Timberlake) tells us a story that just might be filtered through his vivid imagination: a middle-aged carousel operator (James Belushi) and his beleaguered wife (Winslet), who eke out a living on the boardwalk, are visited by his estranged daughter (Temple)—a situation from which layer upon layer of all-too-human complications develop.
All the Money in the World (December 8) starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, and Kevin Spacey
The Plot: Kevin Spacey stars as J. Paul Getty in this dramatic retelling of the John Paul Getty III kidnapping in 1973. Even though the senior Getty was one of the world’s richest men, he refused to pay the kidnappers for the release of his grandson.
The Shape of Water (December 8) starring Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer
The Plot: From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes The Shape of Water – an other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Hawkins) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (December 15) starring Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, and Domhnall Gleeson
The Plot: In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The Plot: In the brand new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji -Jumanji plays you. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever…
Bastards(December 22) starring Glenn Close, Ed Helms, and Owen Wilson
The Plot: Helms and Wilson play Peter and Kyle Reynolds, two brothers whose eccentric mother (Close) raised them to believe their father had died when they were young. When they discover this to be a lie, they set out to find their real father, learning more about their mother than they probably ever wanted to know.
Downsizing (December 22) starring Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, and Alec Baldwin
The Plot:Downsizing involves Norwegian scientists discovering a way to shrink humans down to mere inches as a means to combat over-population. Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig play a married couple who decide to take the leap and go small.
The Papers (December 22) starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep
The Plot: In June 1971 The New York Times, the Washington Post and the nation’s major newspapers took a brave stand for freedom of speech and reported on the Pentagon Papers, the massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned four decades and four US Presidents. At the time, the Post’s Katherine Graham (Streep) was still finding her footing as the country’s first female newspaper publisher, and Ben Bradlee (Hanks), the paper’s volatile, driven editor, was trying to enhance the stature of the struggling, local paper. Together, the two formed an unlikely team, as they were forced to come together and make the bold decision to support The New York Times and fight the Nixon Administration’s unprecedented attempt to restrict the first amendment.
Pitch Perfect 3 (December 22) starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Hana Mae Lee, Ester Dean, Alexis Knapp, Chrissie Fit, Kelley Jakle, Shelley Regner, Ruby Rose, John Lithgow, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks
The Plot: Now graduated from college and out in the real world where it takes more than a cappella to get by, the Bellas return in Pitch Perfect 3, the next chapter in the beloved series that has taken in more than $400 million at the global box office.
After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. But when they get the chance to reunite for an overseas USO tour, this group of awesome nerds will come together to make some music, and some questionable decisions, one last time.
The Greatest Showman (December 25) starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya
The Plot: Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 7 episode 5 (Photo: Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO)
Smoke fills the air in the distance as Bronn (Jerome Flynn) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) emerge gasping from the river in the opening moments of HBO’s Game of Thrones season seven episode five. Neither are injured but both are exhausted. Jaime admits he was aiming to kill Daenerys and didn’t consider the dragon. He’s definitely considering the dragon now, and the two other dragons she hasn’t yet used in battle. Bronn confesses he won’t stick around to watch the dragons spit fire on King’s Landing while Jaime says he has to inform Cersei of this development.
Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) walks the battlefield, looking at the dead. It’s apparent he’s distressed about the loss of life on both sides.
Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and her army gather the captured Lannister army with Drogon watching over his mother as she speaks. Daenerys tells the men she’s not there to murder or pillage and only wants to destroy the wheel that rolls over the rich and poor to benefit the Cerseis of the world. She tells them to bend the knee and join her or refuse and die.
Drogon snarls and most of the men who remain standing, kneel. Dickon Tarly (Tom Hopper) and Lord Tarly (James Faulkner) however do not, and Daenerys summons Lord Tarly to come before her. Tyrion reminds Lord Tarly he keeps changing alliances, but Lord Tarly insists he backs Cersei now since she was born in this land. Daenerys respects his decision, but Tyrion suggests they send him to the Wall as punishment rather than kill him. Lord Tarly refuses that option as Dickon joins his father and declares he will die alongside his dad. Tyrion nearly begs Dickon not to let House Tarly be wiped out and instead should bend the knee. Dickon refuses and Tyrion again asks Daenerys to place Dickon in chains and give him time to reconsider. Daenerys won’t be swayed and is firm in her decision.
Daenerys nods to her Dothraki soldiers who take Lord Tarly and Dickon to stand before Drogon. She sentences them to die and then calmly says, “Dracarys.” Drogon breathes fire and Dickon and Lord Tarly burn to death. The remainder of the men who failed to do so before now bend the knee.
Jaime makes it back to King’s Landing and informs Cersei (Lena Headey) about the loss of many of the men. She responds by saying she has money to buy mercenaries, but Jaime says the Dothraki will kill all their men. They’re better fighters, plus Daenerys has three dragons that can burn thousands of their fighters. Jaime’s certain they can’t win this war. Cersei reminds Jaime she sits on Daenerys’ father’s throne, a throne he helped take by murdering the Mad King, and then suggests maybe Tyrion can speak up for them. It’s at this point Jaime admits Olenna Tyrell was the one who killed Joffrey. Cersei doesn’t want to believe that, but Jaime patiently explains Margaery would have had a better shot at controlling Tommen than Joffrey. Undeterred, Cersei believes they should fight and die.
Back at Dragonstone, Drogon returns and lands right in front of Jon Snow (Kit Harington). Drogon snarls and then gets within feet of Jon. Drogon sniffs this stranger as Daenerys sits on his back. Jon Snow reaches out his ungloved hand and touches Drogon’s snout. Drogon and Jon Snow have a revealing moment while looking into each other’s eyes. Both are clearly moved while Daenerys looks on in wonder. The episode’s first huge reveal is that there’s an obvious connection between Jon Snow and Drogon. Daenerys cautions Jon Snow when he calls her dragons beasts. “They are my children.”
Daenerys tells Jon Snow she has fewer enemies today than yesterday, equating it to how many men his army killed taking back Winterfell. She asks about the knife in his heart that Sir Davos mentioned, but their talk is interrupted by the return of Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen). She’s pleased to see her old friend and introduces him to Jon Snow, who tells the now-healed Jorah that he served with his father who was an honorable man. Jorah informs his Queen he’s returned to serve her, and she says it’s her honor to have him back at her side.
Ravens soar into the sky as Bran Stark wargs into one of them and sees the approaching White Walkers. There are thousands and thousands of them following the Night King. Bran realizes he must send out ravens to alert Jon Snow.
Over at the Citadel, Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) listens as the Archmaester and the other maesters discuss the raven’s message regarding the White Walkers. Sam says he knows Bran Stark and actually led him through the Wall years ago, which means this boy survived out there on his own for years. They should listen to Bran, says Sam. He wants the Archmaester to confirm to everyone this threat is real and to look through all the books for details on the Long Night and how to defeat the armies of the dead.
Unfortunately, the Archmaester thinks this might be a trick engineered by Daenerys. Sam insists it’s real, but the Archmaester is only willing to send for more information from Winterfell. After Sam leaves the room, the Archmaester admits he hasn’t had the heart to tell Sam his brother and father were just burned alive.
Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) and Tyrion discuss the death of the Tarlys, and it’s not sitting well with Varys. He feels guilty about everyone he’s helped send to death over the years and believes Tyrion needs to make Daenerys listen to reason. Varys is holding a sealed scroll meant for Jon Snow, which, of course, he’s read.
Jon Snow reads the scroll and learns Arya and Bran are both alive. But, the news of the Night King marching toward Eastwatch is devastating. Jon Snow needs Daenerys’ help to fight, but she can’t leave any openings for Cersei to attack. Tyrion suggests Jon Snow bring the dead to Cersei to show the White Walkers are a real threat. Just one soldier is all they need for proof, says Tyrion. Bring one to King’s Landing and show her the truth. Varys wonders how they’ll do this without being killed, and Tyrion thinks he can get into King’s Landing with Davos’ help and talk to Jaime who will in turn talk to Cersei. But, they need to find a White Walker first. Jorah volunteers to find one and Jon Snow says the Free Folk will help them, but of course they won’t follow Jorah.
Davos (Liam Cunningham) reminds Jon Snow he can’t return to the Wall and fight with the Night’s Watch. But, Jon knows he’s the one who must lead this battle. Daenerys speaks up and says she hasn’t given him permission to leave. “With respect, Your Grace, I don’t need your permission. I am a King. I came here knowing that you could have your men behead me or your dragons burn me alive. I put my trust in you, a stranger, because I knew it was the best chance for my people – for all our people. Now I’m asking you to trust in a stranger because it’s our best chance,” says Jon Snow. Daenerys looks at Tyrion and then nods yes.
Back at Winterfell, the lords are discussing the King in the North remaining in the North. They seem to want Sansa (Sophie Turner) to remain in charge, but she says Jon’s doing what he believes is best.
Sansa and Arya (Maisie Williams) discuss the Northern lords and wind up in their mother and father’s chambers. Arya is a little taken aback Sansa is using the room. “You always liked nice things. It made you feel better than everyone,” chides Arya. Arya is also concerned because Sansa just listened and didn’t defend Jon Snow from the insults hurled toward him in his absence. Sansa reminds her all the Houses need to work together in the North, but then Arya indicates she knows Sansa is thinking about how she’ll need the men’s support to continue to rule if Jon doesn’t return. It’s as if Arya’s reading her mind but all Sansa says is, “I have work to do,” dismissing her sister.
Sir Davos delivers Tyrion to King’s Landing, showing him the secret path he needs to follow. Davos heads off to Flea Bottom, telling Tyrion to hurry back.
Bronn and Jaime train in the dungeons, and Jaime’s confused about why they’re training down there. It’s quickly revealed Bronn set up Jaime’s training as a ruse so Tyrion could meet with his brother. It’s not a happy reunion and Tyrion reminds his brother their father was going to execute him even while knowing he was innocent. Jaime doesn’t soften and demands to know what he wants. Tyrion assures his brother Daenerys will win the war but adds that she’s not her father. She’ll suspend hostilities if Cersei agrees to stop. Tyrion adds that Daenerys doesn’t want her to bend the knee; she has a more important request.
Davos walks through Flea Bottom until he finds Gendry. (Welcome back, Gendry!) He’s busy arming Lannisters in the Street of Steel and has been keeping safe right under the Queen’s nose. He barely needs to be asked if he wants to leave and he’s more than happy to stop making weapons for the family who killed his family. Gendry grabs a special hammer he’s made for himself and is ready to leave.
They make it back to the small boat just as two soldiers walk up. Davos offers them money to let them go on their way and they accept, but then they ask what’s in the boat. Davos invites them to check it out and shows them pots of fermented crab. He claims it’s for a brothel and is used as an aphrodisiac. Davos gives the gold cloaks a taste and tells them to hurry to a brothel since they’ll be getting hard soon.
Unfortunately, Tyrion arrives at exactly the wrong time. They ask where he got the scar and Gendry quickly kills them both so they can escape.
Jaime interrupts Qyburn’s meeting with Cersei and then admits to his own meeting with Tyrion. Daenerys wants to discuss an armistice because of the dead men marching on the Seven Kingdoms. Tyrion claims to have proof, and Cersei wants to know if Jaime will punish Bronn. She knew about the meeting and allowed it to happen. Cersei thinks they can only beat Daenerys by being smart, so they’ll have to accommodate her before ultimately defeating the Mother of Dragons.
And now we learn the second of the episode’s big reveals: Cersei’s pregnant and she’s going to tell everyone Jaime is the father. She doesn’t care what people say because the lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinions of the sheep. They hug while Cersei warns Jaime to never betray her again.
Sir Davos and his small group return to Dragonstone and he warns Gendry to hide his identity and say his name is Clovis and that he’s a simple smith – not the son of a dead king. Gendry immediately ignores Davos’ order and introduces himself to Jon Snow as Gendry, Robert Baratheon’s bastard son. They reveal they’ve met each other’s fathers, and Jon Snow actually smiles when he says he grew up on stories about their fathers. Gendry asks if he can please go with Jon Snow on whatever mission he’s about to undertake, adding that he prefers fighting with a hammer. Jon Snow agrees and although Davos doesn’t want him to go, Gendry says he can’t just sit out this war. “Nobody mind me. All I’ve ever done is live to a ripe old age,” says Davos.
As Jorah packs his boat to leave, Tyrion admits he missed him. He gives Jorah the coin the slaver gave them when they were freed, telling him to bring it back with him because Daenerys needs him. Daenerys is next up to say goodbye. Jorah kisses her hands as Jon Snow approaches. Jon sort of jokes that if he doesn’t return, at least she won’t have to deal with the King in the North anymore. He wishes her good fortune in the wars to come and then he, Jorah, Gendry, and the men set out.
John Bradley and Hannah Murray in ‘Game of Thrones’ season 7 episode 5 (Photo: Helen Sloan / Courtesy of HBO)
Gilly (Hannah Murray) and Sam are at home and Sam’s working while Gilly discusses what she’s been reading. She’s reading High Septon Maynard’s journal and asks Sam what annulment means. She then adds that she read Maynard issued an annulment to Rhaegar and immediately married him to someone at the same time! (The episode’s third huge reveal and one that Sam doesn’t listen to/understand the importance of.) Sam’s not paying any attention because he’s so furious about the task he’s been given. Frustrated, Sam takes off and heads back to the library. He returns and packs up Gilly and little Sam, declaring he’s done with the Citadel. “I’m tired of reading about the achievements of better men,” says Sam. (He’s still unaware that he’s now Lord Tarly following the death of his father and brother.)
Once more we go to Winterfell where Arya watches as Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) speaks to a woman and then hands her a coin. She keeps watching as he continues to meet with people, always whispering. She follows him to his chamber and listens as a man turns over the only copy of a message. He thanks the man for his service on behalf of Lady Stark. After the man leaves, Littlefinger leaves his room and locks the door behind him. Arya picks the lock and enters. She searches through his belongings and finds the note inside his mattress.
The note is old and from Sansa asking the Starks to swear loyalty to King Joffrey. As Arya leaves his room, Littlefinger watches from a darkened doorway nearby.
Jon Snow and the men arrive at Eastwatch and meet with Tormund (Kristofer Hivju). He asks how many Queens there are and if Jon Snow needs to convince the one with the dragons or the one who f*cks her brother. Jon Snow answers, “Both,” and then admits he only brought a few men. They want to know if Tormund’s men can help, and Tormund can’t believe Jon Snow wants to go out there again. And then Tormund surprises Jon Snow by adding, “You’re not the only ones.”
Tormund brings them to the dungeon where the Hound is locked up. Jon Snow recognizes him, and the Hound and the Brotherhood claim their lord told them to go to the Wall and fight the army of the dead. Gendry also recognizes them and is angry they sold him to the Red Witch to be killed. The Brotherhood recognize Jorah Mormont, and now it’s Tormund’s turn to be shocked he’s standing next to a Mormont, the son of the man who hunted the Free Folk like animals. However, it appears they’re all meant to fight the White Walkers together. Jon Snow agrees they’re on the same side because they’re all breathing. He opens the cells and this new motley crew head out through the gate and past the Wall with Jon Snow as their leader.
Fans of The CW’s Supergirl and of Chris Wood in particular don’t need to worry that Mon-El finished up his run on the series with the season two finale. Wood will be returning, however he was close-mouthed when it came to laying out the hows and whys during roundtable interviews at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con. You’ll have to wait until Supergirl season three premieres on October 9, 2017 for specific answers to Mon-El’s return.
Were you worried about the season finale or did they assure you you’d be coming back?
Chris Wood: “That sort of direction at the end of the season is sort of what they pitched when I first heard about the role and what I knew was happening. It was all the filler stuff…stuff with my mother coming to Earth and trying to conquer it, and my ultimately having to aid in her defeat…that was all the big story that they threw at me as Mon-El’s arc. He went from selfish to self-sacrifice. But what I didn’t know was what was going to come after that. I knew I was still involved but not what they were thinking – which I can say very little about, I’m sworn to secrecy. But Mon-El, his hypothetical return would probably bring some new dimensions to the show in ways the fans would probably be very satisfied with.”
You’ve previously mentioned Mon-El’s costume and how “bad-ass” it was. What happened?
Chris Wood: “So, there was a suit. We’ve had a suit since the third episode of last season and it just kept getting pushed back. (Laughing) I don’t write the show. I’m not in charge. I don’t call the shots although sometimes we all wish we did. But, there was a suit the whole time but it was one of those things where the character wasn’t ready for the suit. They kept on thinking that he was going to do this and do that, and they kept realizing that it was stronger to have that moment at the end right before he makes that sacrifice, to have that be the first moment he’s really clicked into hero mode.
You have to earn the cape. You can’t be a hero and still be selfish. You can have your moments; you can get it wrong. […]They thought he was going to evolve one way, but they pulled him a different way. I think it worked out for the best because now it gave us a really cool launching point to start from next season.”
What can you tell us about where he ended up? Do you think he does deserve the cape now?
Chris Wood: “To me, Mon-El started super flawed with a really small-minded perspective because of his background, and his wealth and his inability to relate to and connect with people. And only caring about himself and saving himself. He ended the season by being willing to die to save an entire people of a planet that is not his own, which is sort of the furthest he could have come. And I think what that shows is that instead of having an external force like Kara (Melissa Benoist) saying, ‘No, this is right. You want to become this.’ Him willing to do that and saying, ‘This is what I think we should do,’ shows that the change is now inside. I think once he’s crossed that line, he probably won’t come back. That’s when I think you’re allowed to have a suit, when it’s now inside of you as opposed to you’re doing it because someone’s telling you to.”
Do you think that down the line Mon-El might feel a responsibility to be with his own people?
Chris Wood: “That’s a really good question. In that episode before Rhea kills his father, you see a moment when he sort of talks his dad into, ‘Let’s reform our way of life. Let’s change this. Let’s not become the people that we were before again. Let’s become something new and better.’ I totally think with the Daxamites still out there floating around, there’s a chance he’d feel compelled to bring some of the love and humanity of what he’s learned back to his people. I don’t write the show, so I don’t know!”
Watch the full Chris Wood Supergirl interview:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
Fox’s The Orville cast and executive producers made their first voyage to the San Diego Comic Con on July 22, 2017 to promote the new sci-fi comedy set 400 years in the future. The series was created by and stars Seth MacFarlane as a first-time commander who discovers that his cheating ex-wife (played by Adrianne Palicki) has been assigned to his ship. In addition to introducing the series to potential viewers at the Con, the cast took part in roundtable interviews and provided a little insight into what’s in store for those who tune in and check The Orville out when it premieres on September 10, 2017.
Writer/director/executive producer Seth MacFarlane said he’s never had an easier or more enjoyable time writing a series than he has with The Orville. Although it’s his first sci-fi series, he felt immediately comfortable in the genre. Asked how he’d describe its tone and humor, MacFarlane explained, “The thing I like that makes me feel good about this show is that it’s hard to compare it…take the Star Trek element aside…tonally it’s hard for me to compare it to anything that’s been on the air. I don’t think a science fiction show of this type that walks this line has been attempted before. I mean, shows like M.A.S.H. have walked that line between comedy and drama beautifully. If we can have that kind of balance, that would be a major victory for us. But, it’s hard. I think we come pretty damn close, but that is for the audience to decide.”
Asked about creating a new universe for the series, MacFarlane replied, “We’ve shot 11 episodes so far and I think within those 11 there’s a lot of fun stuff. There’s a lot of really cool species. There’s a lot of awesome-looking ships. Look, I’m trying to do the show that I would want to watch. I like a lot of artistry in sci-fi. Our production design, our make-up artist Howard Berger, our costume designer Joseph Porro, there’s a team that has done work that to me, and I watch a lot of sci-fi, is unprecedented in television. You haven’t seen anything this extensive in TV in a sci-fi show of this type. They’re creating worlds every week and at the core of it, it is about these people. You never want to get into the quandary where you have amazing-looking visuals and there’s nothing at the core. It is about the people. We can do a show that takes place in a room with two characters and it should work because we have a phenomenal cast. But, yeah, for fans of exotic-looking creatures and fun worlds, there will be a lot of that.”
During the roundtable interviews at Comic Con, MacFarlane was teamed up with Adrianne Palicki who plays his ex-wife on the series. MacFarlane and Palicki were asked about the relationship between their characters and Palicki replied, “They had an out. They had a divorce ultimately before Ed gets his first ship and finds out that his First Officer happens to be his ex-wife who he despises at this point. It makes for a lot of fun drama and comedy, definitely in the pilot especially – and throughout. It’s the story of will they or won’t they.”
MacFarlane’s co-stars Halston Sage and Penny Johnson Jerald also answered questions about the new series during roundtable interviews. Halston Sage plays Alara Kitan, the Chief Security Officer on the Orville. Alara is inexperienced but since her planet’s gravitational pull is higher than Earth’s, she has super strength. “I get to kind of fit into the group and protect everyone, and hopefully kick some ass,” explained Sage.
Penny Johnson Jerald is Dr. Claire Finn, a medical doctor and psychiatrist. Johnson Jerald’s character is a human which means she doesn’t have the long make-up sessions some of her fellow cast members go through. Johnson Jerald also revealed her character has a very “watchful eye” and that unlike other crew members, Dr. Finn chose to be assigned to the Orville.
Although the series’ pilot is more comedic, Johnson Jerald describes The Orville as a dramedy. “What you should understand is that some episodes may be heavy on the comedy, and some are heavy on the drama but you will always find at least a sprinkle or two of funny,” said Johnson Jerald. “Because we’re dealing with so many different issues that are real, I think that dramedy would be the best way to really define what it is.”
Halston Sage said what she appreciated about the series is nothing was played for comedic laughs. “It’s my favorite kind of comedy in the sense that when things are funny, it’s because they’re really rooted in reality,” said Sage. “It’s kind of funny when you see this 5’5” girl running against a door and knocking it down, but I’m doing that so we can get the crew through the portal. So, it’s all rooted in purpose which I’m grateful to Seth for. It makes it a little easier. You don’t have to think about it as much.”
Penny Johnson Jerald describes her co-star and series creator Seth MacFarlane as both generous and a perfectionist. “But he’s not an irritant perfectionist,” said Johnson Jerald, laughing. “He loves fine tuning and the intricacies that come together to make something extraordinarily well thought out. That’s the brilliance in working with him.”
Since Johnson Jerald’s character is both a medical doctor and a psychiatrist, she was asked if it’s fair to call Dr. Finn the voice of reason in the series. “I think she is definitely the voice of reason. Seth even told me that,” said Johnson Jerald. “She’s the voice of reason but what I do enjoy about what he’s written with her is she truly is a total woman in every sense of the word.”
Fox’s Gotham season four will premiere on September 21, 2017, and when the comic book-inspired series returns it will be with Edward Nygma still in a frozen state thanks to Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy. During the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Gotham‘s Cory Michael Smith sat down for roundtable interviews to provide a sneak peek into what’s in store for season four, where we pick up with Edward Nygma, and Ed’s new partners in crime.
Ed was not in a great place at the end of last season.
Cory Michael Smith: “I mean, if you’re a polar bear it’s great, but I’m certainly not.”
Does that mean we won’t get to see you do much in the first few episodes or are you revived quickly?
Cory Michael Smith: “No, I don’t do much in the first few episodes. I’m frozen until someone gets me out.”
Did you still have to show up on set and just stand there?
Cory Michael Smith: “Yes. I, however, made a request that they have a stand-in for me so I didn’t always have to be there. I was working on two other projects as well, so I was finishing those while we were starting this season so I was able to do that.”
You mentioned in the panel that his body thaws out but his mind doesn’t. What kind of changes to his thought process will we see?
Cory Michael Smith: “You know, we play a lot with Edward having identity issues and so this is just another identity crisis for him. His mind isn’t functioning at the level that it was. Whether that can be cured or fixed, he doesn’t know. But, his computation is not as it was. So, what does that make him now? The thing that he had was his intelligence and his ability to trick people and outsmart people. He doesn’t have that anymore so what is there? So, he goes on a new quest.
I’m really happy because it allows for a little more comedy, some of the old comedy that we had with Ed. I think we get to find again some of his physical and mental ineptitude is back. I’m going to have fun with that.”
John Stephens mentioned Ed Nygma and Lee Thompkins are going to be in a relationship. Is this a romantic relationship?
Cory Michael Smith: “I don’t know. Maybe. I really don’t know.”
He said they’re building a different kind of family.
Cory Michael Smith: “Yeah. I’m very excited. You know, evil Lee or dark Lee is a new character and Solomon Grundy is certainly a new character so I get to meet two new people and interact with them, so I’m very excited about that. It’s like new beginnings. Every time Edward meets a new character and interacts with them and grows a new kinship with them, he changes significantly. And, so, I’m really excited to just see what happens when I’m dealing with the buffoon of Solomon Grundy, just like the physical power of the idiocy, and then someone like Lee who at this point is just an entirely different human being.
I’m such a fan of Morena (Baccarin). All the stuff that I’ve done with her in the past has been so fun that I’m really excited to work with her again. I just think she’s a really smart actress and I’m excited about that.”
Is it difficult that after Ed Nygma’s worked with the same group for a while, now he’s back to a rebuilding phase with different characters?
Cory Michael Smith: “No, it’s always fun to have something to work against. I think something that this show does that I enjoy so much is they make really bold choices that you just say as an actor, ‘I love it. I don’t know exactly where we’re going to go, and that’s cool.’ It’s been such a joy to be a different human from season one to season three. And it’s happened because we made a pact, ‘You give me events, and I will respond to them. You give me major events, and I will make major adjustments to a character.’ Allow them to be severely affected by their environments and by other characters, and then we end up discovering something new together.
They’re very great at adapting to what they see from the work. I know Kristen Kringle was initially meant to be a two-episode character, but my interaction with her was so magnetic and so interesting that they’re like, ‘Oh, this is the key. This is one of our keys.’ So, it’s very exciting to know that I haven’t even met Solomon Grundy yet or Lee Thompkins and I don’t know how I’m going to respond to them. When they start seeing those dailies come back, the actual filming of it, they’ll make adjustments. We’ll find that chemistry and that humor as we roll.”
Did you know early on last season that you were going to be put on ice?
Cory Michael Smith: “I was aware of it. They usually tell me these big things. When they said, ‘We’re going to freeze you,’ I was like, ‘So, should I start looking for other work? Is this like a six-month period where I’m available?’ They’re like, ‘No, no, no. Not that long.’ But it has been nice because I was able to do three other projects during hiatus because I had a late start, which was nice.”
Is revenge motivating Ed in season four?
Cory Michael Smith: “I think there is residual revenge with Penguin that I think will incite us finding each other physically. But the idea is not for season four to be…my story is not going to be mainly influenced or inspired by a revenge plot. That was so much of the latter half of season three that it’s over and now it’s tired. So, there’s the residual want to end him physically, but that’s really going to be an impetus to get us together. And then as things happen in Gotham, people have needs and wants and sometimes you find alliances and sometimes you don’t. Or sometimes you make pacts and you’re like, ‘Steer clear and I won’t hurt you.’ So, whatever that may be.”
What has been your favorite scene to shoot?
Cory Michael Smith: “There’s so many. The first time I killed someone it was really exciting because it felt like an unlocking for Edward. I really enjoyed shooting my scene with James Gordon in my apartment where he had the tape and we were cleaning the tape and I electrocute him in the chair – episode 17 of season two.”
What about the scene on the dock where Ed shot Penguin? That was a very powerful scene.
Cory Michael Smith: “Thank you. That was another one. Something that was amazing about that, the two big dock scenes that we have, if you look at them on screen you’re like, ‘Oh, they must have shot them on the same day,’ because the weather was the exact same. We didn’t CGI any of that stuff. Both days we showed up to shoot that scene were horrifically cold, overcast, and it was raining during the scenes. Both days. And the whole idea of that second time we go back is I wanted to recreate that day. And it just happened that the day we shot that scene, the weather was the exact same. I was like, ‘Yes! It’s just so perfect. It just was one of those things where you’re like, ‘Edward would celebrate this.’ Even the weather is the same.”
Watch the full Cory Michael Smith Gotham interview:
