Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis is heading to the cinema and it looks fabulous to say the least. Following the career of the iconic musician the difference he made to the world. I personally can’t wait to see the movie, so I thought I would look into the cast and their early movies.
Austin Butler – Aliens in the Attic
Austin Butler is taking the leading role of Elvis and from just the trailers, he looks and sounds incredible. After spending his younger years going through the different television shows. ‘Aliens in the Attic’ is where Austin first appeared. One of the children in a family that needs to fight back against aliens they find in their attic, who are planning their own invasion. This being a family friendly movie, it does seem to have plenty of vibes that ‘Small Soldiers’ gave us in the past.
Olivia DeJonge – The Sisterhood of Night
Olivia DeJonge will be playing Priscilla Presley the wife of Elvis. The young Australian actress burst onto the scene in M Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Visit’ and followed that up with Christmas horror ‘Better Watch Out’. However, it was ‘The Sisterhood of Night’ she appeared in first. Which will follow a girl trying to expose a secret group of other girls who she believes are involved in witchcraft, leading to a modern day Salem witch trial for the locals in the town.
Dacre Montgomery – A Few Less Men
Dacre Montgomery became the big name thanks to ‘Stranger Things’ and funnily enough, he also starred in ‘Better Watch Out’ with Olivia DeJonge. The next earliest movie you can find him in is ‘A Few Less Men’. Following three hopeless Brits around Australia as they look to return the corpse of their best friend after an accident. This might well only be a small role, but they say you gotta start somewhere.
Luke Bracey – Monte Carlo
Luke Bracey is taking the role of Jerry Schilling the talent agent for Elvis. He like many Australian actors started off in one of the two major soaps, ‘Home and Away’. Before getting the role in the 2011 Selena Gomez starring ‘Monte Carlo’. Monte Carlo follows three friends who find one of them mistaken for a British heiress. Taking advantage of their chance to be away from the struggling life they are used to, finding love and making memories along the way.
David Wenham – Greenkeeping
David Wenham is playing Hank Snow one of the who helped give Elvis is first break in the industry. He has been in plenty of movies, including ‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy’. One of the first movies he did appear in, was a little Australian comedy ‘Greenkeeping’. Wenham doesn’t seem to have a big role in the movie. Greenkeeping looks like a fun little comedy about a man who maintains a bowling green to fund his partner’s marijuana supply.
Kodi Smit-McPhee – Romulus, My Father
Oscar nominated Kodi Smit-McPhee seems to have been around for years for such a young star. Appearing in the ‘X-Men’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise. A few years before he starred in the amazing ‘The Road’. Kodi starred opposite Eric Bana and Franka Potente in ‘Romulus, My Father’. As their son who is torn between where he is going to be forced to live in the future.
Tom Hanks – He Knows You’re Alone
Tom Hanks is the iconic legend in the acting world, where every time someone looks back at his first acting credit, they will turn to this movie. He Knows You’re Alone looks like a typical 1980s slasher. Using the idea that brides to be will be alone on the night before their wedding. Hanks might only have a supporting role, but the slasher sub-genre has opened the door for many a big name actor.
The Lightyear movie is coming out next weekend with a new voice behind the iconic space traveller Buzz Lightyear. With the movie coming out and a new cast I thought it would be fun to look at the cast and see what some of the forgotten or early roles are the stars had that not many people are talking about.
Chris Evans – The Newcomers
Chris Evans has gone onto become one of the biggest names in Hollywood and while I did see most of his high school/college era aged characters of ‘Not Another Teen Movies’ ‘Perfect Score’ and ‘Cellular’ it is ‘The Newcomers’ which is the one I think we could look back on and see what we had from the young starlet. The Newcomers does have an impressive cast of Kate Bosworth, Paul Dano, Josh Peck, Jeff Fahey and Matt McCoy. It might well look like a standard coming-of-age tale, but Chris Evans playing the love interest of the eldest daughter might bring us a few laughs along the way.
Keke Palmer – Akeelah and the Bee
Keke Palmer has had quite the career already, mixing acting with music, she is stepping into the Lightyear world, even though ‘Nope’ is the one I personally want to see the most. Back in 2006, Keke took the leading role in Akeelah and the Bee, where Akeelah takes on the National Spelling Bee with Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne taking the big-name positions in the movie.
Taika Waititi – Scarfies (Crime 101)
Taika Waititi has gone onto become one of the most popular directors and comedic actors in the industry, but before that he was going by the name Taika Cohen he starred in the movie Crime 101 when first release before getting the new name Scarfies in 1999. A movie that looks a lot like Danny Boyle’s ‘Shallow Grave’ with slick action and comedy in the chaos infused movie.
Efren Ramirez – Jury Duty
Efren Ramirez is most famous for his performance in Napoleon Dynamite and the best friend Pedro. In 1995 he starred in ‘Jury Duty’ the Pauly Shore comedy with Stanley Tucci and while he only has a small role as a private eye’s employee, we know the most Pauly Shore movies are down in cult status now, surely this will be the same?
James Brolin – Von Ryan’s Express
James Brolin has been in Hollywood for over half a decade now, a legend for the lack of a better world. His first credited role was in the Frank Sinatra starring Von Ryan’s Express about an American POW that leads an escape of British prisoners during World War II. This does look like a fun action-adventure movie, even if it does feel similar to The Great Escape.
Which other early roles do you remember from the careers of the actors above?
6 Toy Story Characters Who Could Have a Spin Off Movie
Lightyear is coming to the cinemas on the 17th of June 2022, where we get to see Buzz Lightyear going on his very own adventure. With a big twist on how this adventure unfolds, with what looks like it is within the world of where the toy is made from. Lightyear might not have had the greatest number of fans. When it was announced with a new voice in Chris Evans taking over, but after the first few trailers. People seem to have come around to what looks like a harmless animated movie.
Today, I am going to look at other characters in the Toy Story world that could have their own sequels and what they could involve.
Woody & Bo Peep
Bo Peep & Woody leave Toy Story 4 to have their own adventures. Woody finally moving away from his obsession of having an owner, be it Andy or Bonnie. He sees the adventures Bo Peep has been on having, and the two could have endless adventures. Helping other toys that find themselves lost, damaged or abandoned. This could take an even darker tone than we have seen before, see them using the forbidden idea of moving around humans. Having that be why they are being hunted down. A human sees them operating, wanting to prove toys are real. The other side to why this would work so well, is because throughout the films. The two have always had a unique bond with Bo being the only person that Woody ever truly talks to about his own insecurities.
Rex & Trixie
Rex is the T-Rex that has been in the franchise since the first film, he is the innocent figure of the collection. Often made fun off by the others while laughing it off most times, always the first to volunteer for adventures though. Trixie joins in Toy Story 3 as one of Bonnie’s toys that helps Woody lead the rescue of his friends from the day-care centre. With Trixie’s skills and Rex curiosity, we could have endless ideas for the pair to find themselves in trouble, away from the rest of the group.
Jessie
Jessie has one of the biggest heart-breaking moments in the whole franchise. When you see how she was abandoned by her owner after giving her all the love, warning Woody, this will happen to him. Woody argues not all kids are like her Emily. An easy option is to have Jessie take over from Woody with the rest of the gang. But we want to look at a more personal adventure for her. Where Jessie has the time before she was abandoned, we don’t need to go there. We could easily see some of the time between this, before Big Al adds her to the collection. Jessie could bring a new perspective to the world. As most of Toy Story has put a big point on male associated toys, while Jessie could build upon the female ones.
Andy
Andy might not be one of the toys, he has grown up over the years and wanted the best for his older toys. Passing them onto Bonnie before college. Turning the story onto Andy would be him taking the adult role. With his children wanting to see the toys he once grew up with. Especially with the more modern technology-based entertainment children have. The idea would be focused on searching for the favourites, going through garage sales, antique shops or even museum. Where Andy would tell a story about each toy and what he meant to him growing up.
Ducky & Bunny
Ducky & Bunny will bring us two of the new characters. This double act stuck together go on the wild adventures to escape. The pair have excellent chemistry, with the idea of them always getting into trouble. Their completely wacky ideas to escape coming to life. Which were some of the highlights from the movie when we saw the pair. This might well be the weakest of the ideas. With the right pair of hands, we could get plenty of laughs along the way.
Duke Caboom
Duke Caboom is the famous stunt man that helps Woody on the adventure. He likes taking risks with everything he does, he is like Buzz. Where he believes his own hype and completes the stunts without everything seeming possible. He could be teamed up with a host of other characters to bring his wild adventures or rescues of other toys to the big screen. We need more Keanu Reeves doing voice overs of a slick action star. This is everything we need to see more from.
Which Toy Story characters would you like to see have their own movie?
Alex Garland’s Men has just hit the cinemas. Men will follow a recently widowed woman Harper (Jessie Buckley) who is looking to have a getaway in a country home to refresh. Only for her to find herself dealing with a string of strange events, all surrounding the local Men. In what is a strange horror that will already divide the audience. I decided to see what are the best and worst things about ‘Men’.
This list is more for fun and will contain major spoilers for the movie.
Up 1 – Jessie Buckley
Jessie Buckley plays the leading lady Harper, the Oscar nominated actor brings this character to life. The two major sides to everything she is and has gone through. We see Harper in the abusive relationship as well as the Harper that is looking to find herself again. Looking to move on with life, the Harper that isn’t going to let men walk over her anymore. Jessie makes this such a strong character, one that isn’t going to back away from troubles anymore.
Down 1 – The Trailer
Men has a trailer that does give away way too much of the movie’s biggest moments. It needs to stop, the film has enough to pull us in. Without needing to rely on showing every single jump moments. The creepy figure, the tunnel sequence would have been perfect for the trailer, showing the relaxing getaway, taking a disturbing turn.
Up 2 – Geoffrey
Geoffrey is the man renting the house out to Harper. He comes off friendly but social awkward in how he approaches everyday conversation. Which will lead to some very funny lines in the movie. Geoffrey being like this works very well to lighten the mood of the meeting. Showing us early on this is going to be an odd village, without needing to show too much off.
Down 2 – The Humour
Geoffrey might well bring some much needed humour to ‘Men’, however the movie does rely too heavily on the humour. Most of the other interactions with the male characters bringing a laugh from the cinema audience. Be it the stranger in the woods, the schoolboy or the vicar, they all seem to bring humour to an insulting situation towards Harper. Putting them out there as a different time of threat that what the movie is looking to offer.
Up 3 – The Tension
Men does an excellent job at raising the tension for most of the movie. Be it the first walk through the woods to the tunnel, which will see Harper have a moment of enjoyment with the echoes. The figure in the background raising up and heading towards her. The tension continues through the film, with most of the final act being edge of your seat. Waiting to see where things could possibly go next. This is the strongest part of the movie.
Down 3 – The Ending
Men has an ending which will leave the audience confused. The full cinema I was attending, had plenty of people scratching their heads. Including myself who wasn’t sure if it was just a metaphor, or whether there was some form of deeper meaning behind the sequence leading up to the meeting. Men does feel like it gives us an ending we would need to re-watch to completely understand. Which is disappointing with the brilliantly built up parts of the movie.
9 of the Best Moments in the Jurassic Park Franchise
Jurassic World Dominion is out on the 10th June, we have five movies in this franchise now. With a range of different appeal, but most importantly. They all have dinosaurs in and that is the biggest draw to the franchise that launch a million movies fans journey into cinema, including my own.
Today I am going to be looking at the best moments in a franchise that has lasted nearly 30 years. A few of these are my personal favourites, others are the iconic moments in the cinema. Some filled with terror, others in awe. The list isn’t in any particular order, with these moments being the best.
Dr Grant First Sees a Dinosaur – Jurassic Park
Nothing in the Jurassic Park series would ever have prepared the audience for the amazing first look at the Brachiosaurus. Dr Grant’s expression of seeing the giant dinosaur harmlessly feeding in front of his very eyes reflected our own disbelief at what a beautiful creature this was. The first proper sight of a dinosaur, the impact it made on the screen, will be one that will never be forgotten.
Brachiosaurus Calls for Help – Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom
When Owen and Claire are trying to save the dinosaurs from the erupting volcano. Failing with the hunters taking certain off the island, as they escape. They look back and see a Brachiosaurus calling for help standing up on its back legs. As the smoke covers the area, we hear the cries die down, as the dinosaur is taken back to by the lava. This sequence is the biggest emotional moment the series ever achieved, leaving a tear in your eye, halfway through the movie.
Owen & Blue – Jurassic World & Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom
Owen has been training the raptors, which has given him a unique connection to one, Blue. From the first time we meet him controlling the raptors, to any interaction they pair have in the movie. We see this bond like no other the franchise is able to capture. This feels like a true double act, because Owen isn’t the most interesting character for the rest of the time in the movie. When the pair work together, they are leading an attack on the more dangerous predator. That both sides couldn’t handle alone, but together they can get the job done.
T-Rex First Appearance – Jurassic Park
When we first travel through Jurassic Park, the adventure seems like it is going to become tame. With the only dinosaurs we have seen being the herbivores, with any of the carnivores remaining hidden in their enclosures. That changes when the power cut hits, leaving the two vehicles trapped by the T-Rex enclosure. First, we get the shock of the goat leg hitting the car. Before we hear the fence getting ripped down and the T-Rex roars through. That first appearance will leave you with goosebumps and the action around what happens is equally as intense. This will create arguable the most memorable scene in the franchise. One of the most memorable in film history.
The Hunting Sequence – The Lost World
The Lost World will bring us one of the harder scenes to watch. It shows how the human factor of desire to hunt will take over. We see this with how the team led by Peter Ludlow hunts down the dinosaurs using their advanced weapons. Using vehicles in a ruthless manner, as Ian Malcolm and his side must watch on helplessly. This scene is a cruel one to watch, but reflects how selfish humans are even with a new species on the planet once again. The scene is shot very well too, showing the panic involved with dealing with certain dinosaurs that attack. Unlikely anything the hunters would have dealt with before.
T-Rex Defeated – Jurassic Park III
Jurassic Park III might well be the one most people like the least in the franchise. It loses the magic of the first one, but is still filled with dinosaur action. Mixed with an out and out rescue mission being used to drive the story. Where this movie goes in another big direction, is how the T-Rex is handled. The previous two movie quite often seeing the T-Rex coming in for a late rescue of our characters. It looks like that is about to happen with an early sequence here, only for the larger predator a Spinosaurus to kill the T-Rex with relative ease. Leaving us without the chance of a big dinosaur T-Rex rescue in the closing sequence.
Cliff Edge Rescue – The Lost World
When Sarah and Nick looks to help an injured baby T-Rex, they returning it to the caravan. They have been operating out of, on a cliff edge. As the baby starts to make more calls, it attracts the parents. Which will see them not being happy, leading to the vehicle hanging over the cliff. In an intense sequence which will see Sarah, Nick and Ian needing to survive the assault on the vehicle. While Eddie must try to keep them attached before they hit a watery grave. This is an intense sequence, looking to one up the previous big action set piece with T-Rex in Jurassic Park. leading to the moment both sides must learn to work together.
The Gyroscopes that the tourists get to explore the Jurassic World look amazing. Seeing how the people would be rolling next to the dinosaurs. Going further than the original idea of the driving tour that was put in place for the Jurassic Park. They are also used for an attack sequence, creating even more tension for the characters to go through.
Clever Girl – Jurassic Park
In what is one of the least played down characters in the film Muldoon. The man who keeps the dinosaurs in their enclosures has always been scared of the raptors. He has seen how they studied to escape, knows how intelligent they are and with the power down. It is his worst fears they will escape. In a sequence where he is leading Ellie to the power generators. He finds himself inside the trap set by the raptors, as he looks to get a head of them. Muldoon sees how he has been outsmarted, the fear he thought would happen. Uttering the chilling line ‘Clever Girl’ before getting attacked.
What are some of your favourite moments in the Jurassic Park Franchise?
5 Essential Jessie Buckley Performances to Watch Before ‘Men’
Jessie Buckley has made a major impact in the acting world over the past few years, being one of the brightest sparks in the acting industry. Jessie earnt her first Oscar nomination in 2022. Following with her three BAFTA’s which included missing out of the ‘EE Rising Star Award’ to Letitia Wright. Who was fresh off the back of Black Panther. The amazing list of talent including Barry Keoghan, Cynthia Erivo and LaKeith Stanfield. Outside of the smaller role in 2020’s ‘Dolittle’. Jessie has tended to stay away from the biggest blockbuster. Focusing on picking interesting and compelling characters, with ‘Men’ being her latest project.
Today, I am looking at the five best acting performances you should be checking out before watching ‘Men’, feel free to suggest others in the comments below.
Beast is one of the first movies Jessie Buckley starred in. One that got people talking about her abilities as an actress. Jessie plays Moll who falls in love with a newcomer in town. Finding herself needing to defend him as he becomes the prime suspect for a crime on the tiny island home. Beast is a beautiful mystery romance drama that is one that will keep you on edge. As we wait to learn the truth about what is going on within the story.
Wild Rose will see Jessie Buckley bring to life a troubled young Glaswegian woman Rose-Lynn. Who is trying to rebuild her life after being released from prison, getting her child back. Chasing her dreams of being a country singer. Wild Rose is the movie that firmly made every stop and pay attention to Jessie Buckley. One of the most popular films from 2018, one that everyone campaigned for award recognition. Wild Rose might still be her best performance. Best movie and one of the most uplifting movies about dreams and life needing a difficult balance.
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is one of the greatest mini-series ever made. Jessie plays Lyudmilla Ignatenko the wife of one of the victims of the first outbreak. Who ends up spending too much time around her husband, waiting for answers. Only learning the truth of what has been happening because of the disaster. Chernobyl has the best acting by an amazing cast. Jessie brings us a character that isn’t involved in the intense sequence, more the consequences. Bringing the character we see how their life will change forever.
Misbehaviour is a comedy drama following a group of women who are looking to disrupt the 1970 Miss World Beauty Competition. Jessie Buckley plays Jo Robinson who leads the rebellious group. Being a complete free spirit guiding Sally in her actions in what they want to change. The one that will lead actions, while Sally will bring the more political approach to dealing with the change.
The Lost Daughter
The Lost Daughter Jessie plays a younger version of Leda, with Olivia Colman taking the older version. Leda that Jessie plays is the one that will be around her growing daughters. The struggling mother, dealing with a professional career and her own love life woes. This is the performance that got her an Oscar nomination. With her supporting role having the emotional impact to what is happening to the later character.
Top Gun Maverick has bought Maverick and Iceman back to the big screen after 36 years. Top Gun Maverick is getting rave reviews from the audience who are delighted to return to find their need for speed one more time.
Having enjoyed Top Gun Maverick as the big cinematic experience. I did find myself asking a couple more questions by the end of the film. The question that are going to get looked out in this article.
This is done as a little bit of fun around movies. With the belief we can always find 3 good and 3 negative things about any movie. Even if we can enjoy them on different levels.
THERE WILL BE MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE BELOW.
Up 1 – Maverick
Maverick is the returning character played by Tom Cruise, after the 36 years. You can still see the regret, grief and pain he suffers through after the death of Goose in the first Top Gun. How this moment will make him care about the most important part of any mission. Bringing the pilots back, challenging everyone who doesn’t put this fact first. Maverick is filled the skills to make the best, better, flawless and will understand, prepare the pilots for the consequences if they don’t improve.
Down 1 – Penny
Penny might well be a welcome addition to the movie, giving Maverick a new love interest. Replacing Charlie from the original film. There is a lot of information that they were a former flame. With the need to do some research into the first Top Gun to learn that she is a former Admiral’s daughter Maverick once dated. None of this is filled in with the information given in the film. With certain parts of the film being seen as just a passing line to why she is still here.
Up 2 – Iceman’s Appearance
One of the more difficult returns in Top Gun Maverick was Val Kilmer’s Iceman. After we know the battle Val Kilmer has been through with cancer. he can’t perform the role of a fighter pilot, with even talking becoming difficult for the man. Iceman is kept with text messages with Maverick for the most part of the film. We do get one scene with the pair, one that is filled with emotion, one that will guide Maverick. Like any wingman in the air or in life. It is a fitting tribute to a man that was such an important part of the first Top Gun. Being the only other returning character, getting a touching send off.
Down 2 – Drone Competition
The opening sequence in the movie will follow Maverick dealing with the idea that pilots could get replaced by drones. with Radm. Chester ‘Hammer’ Cain wanting to get the drones in the skies, as pilot are being outsourced. He reassigns Maverick back to Top Gun to get rid of him from this latest research of achieving Mach 10. This is an interesting dynamic to bring to Maverick, which would reflect on how the workforce is getting replaced. Only we don’t even get a mention to this when it comes to this mission. It feels like this could have added an extra moment of conflict to making it happen. Even giving the younger pilots motivation to improve.
Up 3 – The Mission
The Mission, Maverick is assigned to prepare. Train, teach the importance of why they need to push things even further than they have ever done before. When it comes to watching the mission unfold, we get an amazingly intense action sequence. With a time-based mission, quick thinking manoeuvring and heart stopping dog fight. Showing the new skills the pilots have learned. As well as bringing an emotional impact to the sequences for both Maverick and Rooster.
Down 3 – Hangman
Hangman might well be one of the few of the cadets that stand out from the crowd. His arrogant approach, knowing he is the best in the fleet, with the personal ability. He lacks the teamwork abilities to remain in the team leader. He does clash with Rooster over what he believes is the role he should have. What this character does lack, is the reason why he doesn’t get picked. Once again, this does feel like a scene that could have easily had more to it, rather than only a disappointed look. This can be seen in two lights, the latest string of pilots respect orders over personal beliefs. Which then doesn’t seem to give enough to why we see such an impactful arrogant approach in the early meetings.
What do you think are some of the Ups & Downs from Top Gun Maverick?
Tom Cruise starring in the new Top Gun: Maverick is one of the longest gaps between original and sequels. Where Tom Cruise comes back just as strong as ever, being the hot shot pilot even after 30 years. In what is an enjoyable action movie. This leads to the question. What other Tom Cruise movies do you think we could have a sequel to, that we don’t already have one of? As we know Cruise has always go onto make breathtaking action movies, with his commitment to living on the edge.
Cage – Live Die Repeat and Repeat
Cage is the reluctantly hero in this story, where he must relive each day in the ongoing war against an alien invader. That always seems to know how to defeat humans in each battle. Cage has that advantage and leads the fight back. The movie is the most likely to happen of any on this list. Which is why this is one that we can look at as the one we could enjoy in the future.
Nick Morton – The Mummy
The Mummy (2017) might well go down as one of the most disappointing movies of Tom Cruise’s career. It also killed the Dark Universe idea the Warner Bros has spent decades planning for. Outside of the sloppy storytelling technique. We did get some amazing action sequences and with the twist of who Nick is in the final act. We were left waiting for the next moment. This would need to chop the budget down, but it could still have been saved with the right tone and character inclusion. Even if the Invisible Man has gone onto get his own movie, it could still be bought together in the end.
Jack – Oblivion
Oblivion is one of the most beautiful sci-fi movies, with a brilliant concept. That turns everything on its head by the end of the movie. It follows what turns out to be clones of Jack covering certain amounts of space on Earth for resources. Before they start questioning why they are here, learning of humans still on the planet fighting back against the aliens that have taken over the Earth. The movie might well end with a happy ending of Jack back with his lover Julia starting a new life on Earth. We don’t know how much further this world could go and what is waiting in different zones or when the aliens return for more.
Les Grossman – Tropic Thunder
Les Grossman might well be the most outrageous performance of Tom Cruise’s career. Only in the supporting role as the loud producer wanting to know what is happening to his movie. We could easily see this supporting character return. With another one of his movie productions going horribly wrong with a new cast of actors, playing actors. As long as Tom is let loose to do everything he wants with this outrageous character, we know we are going to have an excellent time.
Vincent – Collateral
Vincent is one of the few villainous roles that Tom Cruise has taken over his career. One where his character doesn’t make it out of the movie alive. This being said, what we would get would be a prequel. We know how skilled Vincent it during the film, he is open about how he has done this before. With this being a chance to see Vincent on one of his other overnight missions. This will give us a chance to see how the night goes past without anything going wrong.
Chief John Anderton – Minority Report
Minority Report follows a city that operates under the idea of Pre-crime. Where Chief John Anderton is one of the pre-crime officers who must go on the run. After he is seen as one of the murderers in the future. Uncovering a bigger conspiracy behind the system. This would see the division re-opened. The government doing whatever they want to try and stop crimes. John returning to need to prove why it doesn’t work. Even if the new creation would see this as an improvement on the previous system. We could have plenty of potential to where things could go next.
Jerry Maguire – Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire follows a sports agent that needs to rebuild his career. Where he fights for his one loyal client and one member of staff that leaves with him. Falling in love along the way. As Jerry learns more about what it means to be a loyal agent. Rather than one that is just flashy with fake promises. We could see him trying to turn the heads of new clients in the modern era. Taking a younger agent under his wing along the way, with his reputation being what carries how far his career has gone since the events.
Lt Daniel Kaffee – A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men follows a Navy lawyer Lt Daniel Kaffee that must investigate the death of a behind a marine. Where two marines are standing trial for that case. Kaffee was expected to take plea agreements as to why he has the highest success rate, with this being his first courtroom appearance. He is never seen as the professional, but by the end of the film, he shows what he is all about. We could easily watch another movie involving Daniel Kaffee in a courtroom. Defending a military crime. As long as Aaron Sorkin returns with the script, we should be getting a quality film.
Cole Trickle – Days of Thunder
Cole Trickle is the young hot-shot stock-car driver that finds himself racing at the top level, where he will need to take on the veterans of the sport to prove his worth. What is it we say about Tom Cruise and needing speed, well this could play out in reverse with a sequel, with Cole being the veteran, needing to deal with younger drivers with different attitudes towards the elder in the sport, mixing with some that give him respect, while others just want him off the road. I also know this sounds a lot like ‘Cars’, we can be honest here, Tom Cruise isn’t going to say no to a movie where he gets to do anything at extreme speeds.
What Tom Cruise movies would you like to see a sequel to?
Pitches for Sequels in the 28 Days/Weeks Later Franchise
28 Weeks Later was released in 2007, 15 years ago this year. The highly anticipated sequel gave us a breath-taking opening sequence that is still talked about being one of the best in horror movie history today. 28 Weeks Later does end with our survivors’ children Tammy and Andy escaping over the channel with helicopter pilot Flynn, with an end credits sneak peak of 28 Days Later with the infected roaming around Paris.
15 years have passed now, and we don’t seem to be much closer to getting any news of a sequel. We do always seen rumours come around whenever Danny Boyle or Alex Garland release a new movie, but sadly, we never get any clear news.
I have decided to put together a list of potential sequels in the franchise that I feel could work, some are only wild concepts, while others are meant to be more serious ideas that could become excellent addition to the franchise.
28 Months Later
28 Months Later is the most logically pick, it is also the title that is rumoured the most to happen. It picks up where the last movie ended, we could explore a different European city, showing how the rage virus has now escaped the quarantine of the British Isle into Europe. Where the borders will see the virus spread like wildfire. This story could pick up, would be showing how the scientists have started getting answers of Andy, trying to create the cure, meeting other carriers from around Europe.
The story could follow a new group of survivors, having Tammy return too, needing to work the settlement, rather than being studied. Where she must prove her worth to the scientific side to everything involved. This could also show Jim, Selena and Hannah return, depending on the end of 28 Days Later you follow up too. The story could go in many different, bring more drama to the story, moving away from the chaotic scenes of the infected. Putting focus on Jim and Stone clashing on what is the more important way to survive. Not using the same motives that Major West had in 28 Days Later, clashing on what is important to survive, exposing Stone’s behaviour in 28 Months Later. We could have a cameo from Scarlet (Rose Byrne) making contact with another scientist who she trusts to help find an answer with what is in Andy’s blood.
This would end up becoming a much bigger movie, taking us around Europe, potential having this as the journey movie that 28 Days Later is. It include a mix of a set base of operations, and others needing to travel to that location. There are plenty of different set pieces that could be used, be infected or human enemies along the way too.
28 Minutes Later
28 Minutes Later would be a prequel to what we have seen before, but that doesn’t stop it bringing an interesting concept to the time-based outbreak. This would be focused on the activist group that got attacks by the chimps in the opening of 28 Days Later. We could turn this into a real time idea, we did the chaotic opening, showing a couple more members of this group waiting outside, hearing the noises, trying to get out of the facility.
We might well know how it ends, with the virus escaping, turning the battle into a more contained environment, against a small number of enemies, that are slowly growing as the film roles on, ending the movie, with the infected first breaking into the wider world, as the military starts to arrive looking to contain the situation.
If we were to compare this to another zombie/infected people movie, it would be {Rec}, where the group are trapped in a building. We could have the idea the military are trying to contain, but this being would be too similar. I think if we see the activists trying to escape and warn people being the more interesting, as they would have to work with the people they are fighting back against, because of their experiments.
28 Hours Later
28 Hours Later could work in two directions, with the idea the facility that the experiments took part in being in a remote location, near a small village or town. One that will see them become swamped by the outbreak. We would follow a few residents along with the military arrive on the scene, looking to close down the threat.
On the first idea we could get the same trapped feeling that ’30 Days of Night’ operated with, showing the resident needing to work together to elude the infected. Which will end up being the friends, mixed with the waiting out for the military arrival. It would take over the second half of the film, explaining what is going on, trying to keep the peace, turning into a bigger battle.
The other idea would follow Major Henry West and his men being the ones that arrive on the screen. Introduce another military figure, one above him, who clashes with West, bring back some of the original soldiers as we see how one is conflicted about what is happening in 28 Days Later. So we can see both sides come together for the bigger picture. This would see them looking to close down the facility, rather than dealing with a town having the outbreak or having them trying to contain a town.
Either side of these stories could continue the chaos involved in the infection spreading. Bring the human conflict that both the other movies have had, bring a chance to learn how Major West and his men ended up thinking and acting the way they did in 28 Days Later.
28 Years Later
28 Years Later is another sequel that could go in different directions, it does feel like a too long of a gap, but let’s hear the ideas out.
First would be looking at a well-oiled island community that has remained well out of the way of the rage virus. They watch over how it has all unfolded, seeing the last remaining infected slowly dying off, which we saw from 28 Days Later, over a shorter period of time.
We can see how the infection had adapted to last longer. With the latest members starting to scout, seeing them die off. As they look to return to the mainland to start up a community or search for supplies. Part of this will look like the ‘Peninsula’ because you could have a deadly group of survivors who have adapted to the mainland or who have built a function community, but don’t want anyone else joining in.
The second one could be looking back in a different direction, seeing the people looking back on the events. Studying what went wrong and how everything went wrong. This could end up diving into plenty of smaller stories, that would look like the ‘World War Z’ book. Focusing on smaller moments of the outbreak and how people survived, searching for cures and risking everything for survival.
This is something that would take the franchise in a different direction, almost looking at a court case vision of the outbreak. Seeing how each country tackled the problem. Addressing what happened and how other countries would offer their own ideas for defence from the next potential outbreak.
The third way would show us how the world as managed to find a cure for the virus, looking at the consequences of what happened. Until it manages to mutate again, unleashing the virus in the people you thought were safe around you. It would create the chaotic sequence or two, but it would struggle to feel as flushed out as the other stories that could happen in this world. Where we would need to spend more time focusing on the past, where the chaotic moments would be a fast finished. Something that might not give the fans of the franchise the intense moments needed.
Selena: The Next 28 Days
Selena is one of the survivors in 28 Days Later and depending on which ending you saw, will define how this next chapter could go. The cinematic ending has a happier ending, with Selena, Jim and Hannah waiting for rescue with military aircraft seeing their sign. This ending has been mentioned before where they could return in other ideas.
The darker ending where Jim dies after Selena and Hannah try to save him after the gunshot he takes from West. This shows the pair walking out of the emergency room, to an unknown world as a new pairing. We could easily have a movie following the pair as they look at their next option in the world, finding more survivors. Ones from different enemies and target new safer locations. This would mean a recast of the younger character in Hannah, but we would be ready to explore more of the devastated British cities or countryside.
Selena: The First 28 Days
Selena has become a tough no nonsense woman in this world. We get to see this with how ruthlessly she deals with a new potential infection in her travelling companion Mark, even if it meant she would be travelling alone. There is a reported back story that we don’t get in the movie. Which would be seeing Selena needing to make the difficult decisions in the new world, how she never wanted to, but it was the only way to survive. We would see the transition she goes through during the film, from her happy life to the toughest character in this world.
Which one of these ideas would you most like to see if we were to get one?
