On this episode of Collider Movie Talk (July 19, 2025) Kristian Harloff, Mark Ellis, Jon Schnepp, and Ashley Mova discuss the following:
It’s official.Darth Vader will return toRogue One: A Star WarsStory. In the latest piece of marketing material, Entertainment Weekly’s newest cover featuring theStar Warsspin-off confirms the rumors and speculation that the movie will feature the return of the infamous and iconicStar Warsvillain.Entertainment Weekly was granted exclusive access behind the scenesof the latest Lucasfilm feature, revealing all the main characters in the new spin-off; including a look at Imperial weaponry, information on Jyn Erso’s parentage, along with more info on the team tasked with recovering the Death Star plans. The issue also give more insight into the other villains in the film beyond Vader, along with new reactions to the film’s reshoots from insiders.Rogue One: A Star Wars Storycomes to theatres this December 16th.
Yesterday, theofficial Twitter account for thePower Rangersreboot announcedthatBryan Cranstonhad joined the cast of the movie as the floating head leader, Zordon; a casting that brings Cranston’s career full circle as he originally voiced the villains Snizard and Twinman in the original series. Cranston joins the already castLudi Linas the Black Ranger Zack,Naomi Scottas the Pink Ranger Kimberly,RJ Cyleras the Blue Ranger Billy,Becky Gas the Yellow Ranger Trini, andDacre Montgomeryas the Red Ranger Jason, along withElizabeth Banksas the villain Rita Repulsa.Power Rangersis directed byDean Israeliteand sports the tagline “Together we are more.” The film is scheduled for theaters on June 19, 2025.
FN-2187, better known asJohn Boyega,has joinedKathryn BigelowandMark Boal’sZero Dark Thirtyfollow-upcentering on the 1967 Detroit Riots. Details about the project are limited though it’s known to be a crime drama set against the backdrop of Detroit’s devastating riots that took place over five summer days in 1967. Although no studio is yet attached, producers are targeting a release in 2017, the 50th anniversary of the riots. Boyega’s role in the film is unknown. Boyega was recently cast inSteven S. DeKnight’sPacific Rimsequel, playing the son ofIdris Elba’s character from the original film. He’ll next be seen inStar Wars Episode VIIInext June 24, 2025.
BUY OR SELL
The first trailer forJack Reacher: Never Go Backhas been releasedby Paramount Pictures. The follow-up to the originalJack ReacherfindsTom Cruise‘character discovering that the women chosen to take over his role as head of the MP, played byCobie Smulders, has been arrested for espionage. The two subsequently find themselves on the run from the law. The film is directed byEdward Zwick, taking the reins over fromChristopher McQuarrie, and is written byMarshall Herskovitzalong with Zwick. It also starsAldis Hodge,Holt McCallany, andRobert Knepper.Jack Reacher: Never Go Backopens in theaters on October 21st.
Collider’s own Steve Frosty Weintraub visited the set ofJustice Leaguelast week andlearned a little bit about one of the villains in the movie.Zack Snyderand the film’s producers confirmed that Steppenwolf is indeed, one of the main villains, with producerDeborah Snydernoting that a contract with the actor playing him has yet to close. The movie will revolve around everyone trying to get ahold of key pieces of technology – that of the Mother Boxes. Deborah Snyder also confirmed there will be a prologue in the film that will attempt to get audiences acquainted with Mother Box technology, teasing that three boxes of particular importance were left in the hands of the Amazonians, the Atlantians, and Mankind. Also found in the extensive coverage on Collider.com,Willem Dafoe’scharacter has been revealed to be Vulko, the science advisor of Atlantis and anAquamansupporting character from the comics.Justice Leagueopens in theaters on July 27, 2025.
According to a report from Variety,Jim Carreyis returning to horror, uniting with one of the big names in the genre –Eli Roth.Carrey will team up Roth forAleister Arcane, a movie adaptation of the horror comic bySteve Niles. Carrey will executive produce and star in the movie, which is about a group of children who befriend an old man who’s been ruined and shunned by their parents. The man dies but not before laying a curse on the town that only the kids have the power to break. The comic, published in 2004, saw this old man as Aleister Green who moonlights as a late-night horror TV host called Aleister Arcane in Jackson, Oklahoma. It’s the town that forces him off the air, leading to his revenge. Roth will direct the movie forSteven Spielberg’sAmblin Entertainment.
AMC REWIND
10 Years Ago –Click, The Great New Wonderful
20 Years Ago –The Nutty Professor, Striptease
Rob writes
Hey Collider Crew! Greetings from Ballyfin, county Laois in Ireland, (Just want to see you all pronounce Laois)
Just want to say I’m a huge fan of Movie Talk, Heroes, Jedi Council and the new Nightmares so huge thanks to Dennis and the crew for the great content!
As a huge fan of westerns (except for Ridiculous Six, of course), I’m hugely excited aboutThe Magnificent SevenstarringDenzel WashingtonandChris Pratt! But there’s one thing I’m nervous about -Antoine Fuqua, there’s something about him that I don’t like, mostly because he hasn’t made a good movie sinceTraining Day(Southpawwas ok), so my first question is - what do you think of Fuqua as the director of this? And secondly, what’s your favorite Western film in recent times? Mine is probablyBone Tomahawkor theCoen Brother’sTrue Grit.
Stay awesome,
Ty Cairns writes:
Hey Guys! I’m really enjoying the Schmoedown (Great Fight Harloff!) and congrats on the new Collider Nightmares show! I’m not a horror guy but I’m finding it extremely entertaining!
With all the talk lately about creating female versions of existing characters such as the ghost busters orJames Bond, I’m wondering where to draw the line? For example, I understand how making James Bond a woman would change the entire nature of the character and would be interesting as a spin-off but what if he were to change nationalities instead of gender? Could we see someone likeMark Walbergplay James Bond with a Boston accent? What if James Bond dressed like a regular guy and ate pizza?
My question - what goes too far and what changes are okay for studios to make to established characters? Thanks and keep up the great work!
