Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts is set to make his directorial debut with a sci-fi thriller unveiled at the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday. Indie studio Laika is producing the film about a woman investigating a mystery that took place during a week she cannot remember. Spaihts knows his way around sci-fi films. Besides Dune and Dune 2, his other movie writing credits include Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, co-written with Damon Lindelof, Passengers and Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Spaihts received an Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay for his work on Dune, whose script he co-wrote with director Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth. Aside from a possible Dune 3, Warner Bros. Discovery could tap Spaihts for additional duties if it was to expand the Dune universe beyond projects already announced. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Joel Kinnaman wants fans to know that he would never appear on HBO’s Peacemaker series. The actor played the role of Rick Flag Jr. in both iterations of the Suicide Squad films with his character dying in the most recent that was directed by James Gunn. It’s also the film that John Cena was introduced as Peacemaker and he is the one that killed Flag. Moving forward Gunn has cast Frank Grillo to play Rick Flag Sr and he will appear in the animated Creature Commandos, the live-action Superman and season 2 of Peacemaker. Earlier this year, the director of the second season, Peter Sollett, tagged Kinnaman in a show wrap post (later deleted), which made some believe that Rick Flag Jr. would show up somehow. Screen Rant asked Kinnaman about returning to the DC Universe: “I don’t know what to say. That’s ridiculous. I would never. I would never be on a show like that. It’s not what I do. It’s not what I do.” It almost sounds like he’s insulting the series. Could this be a cover to keep his appearance a secret or is there something more to it? 

Todd Phillips’ original Joker movie was a major hit, making over a billion dollars which is stunning for a R rated movie. He originally said there would be no sequel, but that changed and with the pairing of Lady Gaga with Joaquin Phoenix, Joker: Folie à Deux was born. The problem is this is a very different film from the first one. The term Jukebox Musical was mentioned a few months back and some fans started getting worried. It’s opening weekend and the film is on track to make about $47 million or less. That’s well shy of the $96 million opening of the 2019 original. What made the original do well was the word of mouth. People loved it and told their friends. Reactions to the sequel have been horrible. The film got a “D” Cinemascore, the lowest for any comic book movie. Post Traks had it at half a star and over on Rotten Tomatoes, both the critics and audience agree giving it a meager 32%. So how did this film happen? Why didn’t the studio stop it? Well, Phillips has a history with Warner Bros, bringing in $2.5 billion between the first Joker and the Hangover films. 

Teyana Taylor and Sasha Calle have joined the ensemble of the upcoming Netflix crime thriller RIP starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, with Joe Carnahan directing. Deadline first reported the news that the package had hit the market back in June, before Netflix scooped it up ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Carnahan also penned the script, with Affleck, Damon, Luciana Damon and Dani Bernfeld producing for Artists Equity. The plot follows a group of Miami cops whose trust begins to fray after they discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on. Michael Joe and Kevin Halloran of Artists Equity will executive produce.

Just in time for Halloween, the LA Opera has put together a spectacular treat for movie and music lovers: a screening of the rarely-seen 1931 Spanish-language Dracula, complete with a newly-commissioned score by two-time Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla. The music will be played live by the LA Opera Orchestra under the direction of resident conductor Lina González-Granados. The Argentine-born Santaolalla, 73, also will play electric guitar (but not his signature ronroco). Suitably, the screenings on Oct. 25, 26 and 27 will take place at the gothic United Theater — a 1,600-seat palace that first opened in 1927 — in downtown Los Angeles. There will be English subtitles, and the audience is invited to come in costume. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Warner Bros’ Todd Phillips-directed sequel Joker: Folie à Deux earned $7M in previews that began at 3 p.m. Thursday. The number indicates that the $190M+ movie could get to a $50M opening, particularly when comped against movies that exceeded that threshold in their starts such as Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One ($7M last year), No Time to Die ($6.3M in 2021) and John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum ($5.9M in 2019). Forget about the fact that Joker 2's previews are off by 47% from the first 2019 film’s $13.3M, which mushroomed to a $39.3M Friday and the biggest October domestic opening of all time with $96.2M. We knew that was going to happen. What’s not funny is the Comscore/Screen Engine PostTrak audience exits for Joker 2, which tell a different story. While many knew this Joaquin Phoenix-Lady Gaga combo would be challenged due to the fact that it’s a musical, the fanboys full-out seemed to reject the sequel last night on PostTrak with a 1/2 star and 40% positive. Holy guacamole, Batman! (via Deadline)

In their acclaimed run of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto have given Peter Parker the future he’s always dreamt of as he juggles being a web-slinging super hero with his duties as a husband and father. It’s a fresh take on Spidey that’s delighted readers and made ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN a smash hit! This November, fans can celebrate Marvel’s BEST family with an ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #11 variant cover by superstar artist Terry Dodson. With his secret double life out in the open, Spidey joins his wife and kids for a picturesque Thanksgiving feast. But don’t be fooled! The life of this Peter Parker is far from perfect, and with upcoming threats like Black Cat, Kraven the Hunter, and the Sinister Six—not to mention the impending return of the Maker, the deranged alternate universe Reed Richards behind the creation of this corrupt world—Peter will need the support of Mary Jane, May, and Richard Parker more than ever! Check out the cover and preorder it at your local comic shop today!

Fans can now step back into the wonderfully chaotic world of Gremlins in The Wild Batch, and ComicBook.com has dropped a clip to get you hyped for the big return! As you can see in the clip below, the lovable Mogwai Gizmo finds himself separated from his friends and in the hands of the Warden, who runs things on Alcatraz. The Warden (voiced by the brilliant Will Forte) is pretty excited at this development, but obviously, Gizmo isn't. You can watch the full clip in the video below. Gremlins: The Wild Batch is now streaming on Max.

Clip: https://youtu.be/83zLPZh1Sss

Denise Richards (The World Is Not Enough) and Guy Nardulli (Tulsa King) have signed-on to join Patrick Muldoon in indie action-thriller Dirty Hands. Dirty Hands kicks-off in the underbelly of Chicago when a routine drug deal goes bad for the Denton brothers, Richie (Muldoon) and Danny (Kevin Interdonato). Richie’s girlfriend, Sheila (Richards), struggles between her loyalties to Richie and his boss (Michael Beach), as rival leader, Rodney (Nardulli), and his gang are out for blood. With a kingpin’s son murdered, the brothers must fight for their lives if they’re going to survive until morning. Interdonato produces with Take No Prisoners Productions along with producer Nardulli under Safety24 Productions. Storyboard Media has come on-board to handle worldwide sales for the film from writer-director Kevin Interdonato (The Bastard Sons). The movie begins shooting in Chicago this month. (via Deadline)

An early look at issues #2 and #3 of cartoonist Maria Llovet’s new Image Comics vampire miniseries Violent Flowers reveals thrilling storytelling and gorgeously lush artwork with action-packed scenes from the erotic fantasy-horror comics. In Violent Flowers, Llovet—known for creating the fan-favorite Crave series—lures readers into a dark and sensual world full of vampires and other supernatural beings seeking revenge amidst the fashionable backdrop of a haunted Barcelona. The four-issue miniseries, which explores classic myth with a modern twist, continues with issue #2 debuting on October 30, just in time for Halloween. Violent Flowers follows an ancient clan of vampires reuniting after centuries apart. The Sentinel, a vampire who watches over all supernatural creatures, has been murdered. His erratic sister, Carnelia, will stop at nothing to get revenge, even when she’s charged with a mortal to take care of. In a world where the cult of youth and beauty rules, Carnelia has remained old and wrinkled for ages, abstaining from her vampire urges. But her addiction to blood may prove her resolution is not as firm as it seems. “The upcoming issues are full of magic, bloodlust and sensuality,” said Llovet. “Buried secrets surface along with ancient dangers, and our characters must prepare for a bloody and shocking finale amidst the beautiful art nouveau roofs of Barcelona. I’m thrilled for readers to see what’s in store!”

Violent Flowers #2 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 30. FOC for Violent Flowers #2 is October 7:

Cover A by Maria Llovet – Lunar Code 0824IM460

Cover B by Maria Llovet – Lunar Code 0824IM461

Cover C by Maria Llovet (1:10 Incentive) – Lunar Code 0824IM462

Cover D by Jesús Orellana – Lunar Code 0824IM463

Cover E by Maria Llovet (1:20 Incentive) – Lunar Code 0524IM978

Violent Flowers #3 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 27. FOC for Violent Flowers #3 is November 4:

Cover A by Maria Llovet – Lunar Code 0924IM426

Cover B by Maria Llovet – Lunar Code 0924IM427

Cover C by Maria Llovet (1:10 Incentive) – Lunar Code 0924IM426

Cover D by Jesús Orellana – Lunar Code 0924IM429

Violent Flowers will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Paddington is taking his adventures from Europe to Peru in the latest trailer for Paddington in Peru. Everyone's favorite adorable bear has been called upon by his Aunt Lucy from the Home of Retired Bears, sending Paddington on the journey of a lifetime. Thankfully, Paddington won't be going alone, as he'll have the Brown Family joining him to offer support. His search for Aunt Lucy also involves a search for Eldorado, aka the Lost City of Gold. Sit back and prepare to see Paddington like you've never seen him before in the new Paddington in Peru trailer. (via ComicBook.com)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/ELfvaByE9Rg