Mike Sampson is the Editor-in-Chief of ScreenCrush. He studied to become a lawyer and worked as an architectural planner after graduating college but neither of these professions afforded him the opportunity to watch movies and TV for a living. He previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com for 10 years. He lives in New Jersey and probably spends too much time playing video games and overthinking things.
Mike Sampson
‘Wolverine 3’ Begins Filming, Confirmed to be Rated R
While Hugh Jackman and Wolverine make only a very brief appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse, the Oscar-nominated actor and his popular mutant alter ego are returning for Wolverine 3, the upcoming sequel that will serve as Jackman’s last. From the Apocalypse press day in London, we have some new details on the film including that filming has now begun and that, as rumored, Wolverine 3 will be rated R..
‘Magnificent Seven’ First Look: Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt Saddle Up
After the huge success of Guardians of the Galaxy, newly-minted A-list star Chris Pratt had his pick of projects. He quickly signed on to star in another franchise, Jurassic World, which somehow made him an even bigger star. Then came a more curious choice: a remake of The Magnificent Seven...
Willem Dafoe Joins the Cast of ‘Justice League’ in Mysterious New Role
The Batman vs. Superman follow-up, Justice League, quietly began filming in London last week, and while there wasn’t a big splashy announcement, we do have a new and interesting bit of casting. In addition to all the many known cast members both returning — Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams — and new — J...
Over 20,000 Goobers Sign Petition to Get Deadpool to Host SNL
Deadpool made a ton of money this past weekend. At 84% on Rotten Tomatoes it’s been a success with critics too. It’s already influencing multiple future blockbusters. People love Deadpool. Apparently people love Deadpool so much they want him to host SNL. No, not Ryan Reynolds, he already hosted back in 2009 with musical guest Lady Gaga. Over 20,000 fans and counting want the character himself to host a full episode of SNL.
Disney to Face Criminal Charges Over Harrison Ford’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Injury
Back in June of last year, Harrison Ford was injured on the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens when the door of the Millennium Falcon fell, dislocating his ankle and breaking his leg in two places. The production was put on hold for six months while Ford recuperated and director J.J. Abrams would later say of the incident, “Once we knew that Harrison was going to be okay, we all realized this was this greatest gift to the movie.” Abrams, and his bosses at Lucasfilm and Disney, may be disagreeing with that sentiment today as officials in London have brought four criminal charges against the Star Wars: The Force Awakens production company.
Chris Pratt Says ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ Will Be the Greatest Film of All-Time, May Be Exaggerating
Filming on Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 is set to begin next month, but star Chris Pratt is already getting himself ready for his return to space. The actor, already in Atlanta where the film is being shot, took a photo of himself in costume, listening to “Awesome Mix, Vol...
‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’ Looking to Cast Kurt Russell as Peter Quill’s Father
After Matthew McConaughey reportedly turned down a major role in Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Marvel and director James Gunn went back to the drawing board, looking to attract a big star for the upcoming sequel. It turns out they may have found their man...
Daniel Fleetwood, Terminally Ill ‘Star Wars’ Fan Behind #ForceForDaniel, Dies at Age 32
Back in October, Ashley Fleetwood, the wife of Daniel Fleetwood, a terminally ill Star Wars fan, started the #ForceForDaniel campaign to help her husband see Star Wars: The Force Awakens before he died. Daniel, a lifelong fan who camped out for tickets to see the prequel trilogy, was given only two months to live in July and both he and his wife knew he wasn’t going to be able to make it until opening day. On November 5, Disney, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams made Daniel’s dying wish come true by bringing Star Wars: The Force Awakens to his home in Spring, Texas.
Daniel Fleetwood died last night, just five days after his Star Wars screening, at the age of 32.
What’s Expiring on Netflix Instant: October 2015
Normally the lists of what is disappearing from Netflix in any given month isn’t that long. Last month it was 15 total titles. But, October is the Great Netflix Cleansing as a whopping 45 movies are expiring. And these aren’t just generic B-movies, these are legit classics like Annie Hall, This is Spinal Tap, The Big Lebowski, The Exorcist and Kangaroo Jack. Not you too, Kangaroo Jack!
‘The Revenant’ Trailer: Get Your Oscars Ready
If you’re already looking ahead and wondering what movies will wind up with Oscar nominations in early 2016, you should start paying close attention to The Revenant. The new trailer for the Leonardo DiCaprio wilderness revenge thriller has arrived and, wow, is it beautiful.
Wait, Is Vin Diesel Going to Direct ‘Fast and Furious 8’?
The Fast and Furious franchise wouldn’t be where it is now without Vin Diesel. The films didn’t even kick into high gear until Diesel returned for 2009’s Fast and Furious, and the box-office numbers have been climbing astronomically since then. To say Universal owes Vin Diesel a gigantic debt of gratitude is an understatement, but exactly how much do they owe him? Would they actually let Diesel, who has little experience directing a movie let alone directing a movie on the scale of a Fast and Furious film, behind the camera of Fast and Furious 8? According to a new report, this may be what Vin Diesel wants and Universal is terrified.
Disney Developing New ‘Mary Poppins’ Movie, Not a Sequel or Reboot
As they have grown rather fond of doing, Disney is looking back at one of their past hits in order to create some future success. After modern day versions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland (not to mention, upcoming versions of Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book), Disney has hired Rob Marshall (Chicago, Into the Woods) to direct a new Mary Poppins musical based on P.L. Travers’ original children’s books.