Can “Superman” surprise?
There is a lot of pressure on James Gunn to deliver a hit for WB’s revamped DC Studios. The new co-CEO has taken matters into his own hands by writing and directing a new “Superman.” The last solo Supes movie, “Man of Steel,” made $670 million in 2013. That was a significant improvement over “Superman Returns,” which lost money despite making $391 million in 2006. Now, there is a new Clark Kent (David Corenswet), a new Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and a very conventional-looking Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). There is no reported production budget (yet), but the movie is not cheap. It is, however, meant to kick off this new universe. So, expectations may be conservative for all involved. And if it can earn as much or maybe a bit more than “Steel,” that’s all the ammunition Gunn and Warner Bros. need moving forward. And if it makes significantly more? Even better. Gunn claims the trailer found 250 million views in its first 24 hours and that it was the most-watched preview in DC and WB history. In theory, it’s a good sign.
Will a new “Star Wars” movie get greenlit?
There has not been an original “Star Wars” movie in theaters since “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019. In theory, a new generation has grown up experiencing the franchise only on Disney+. That will change when “The Mandalorian & Grogu” arrives in May 2026, but it’s effectively a new chapter from a popular streaming series. In theory, there are at least four new movies in the works. However, all appear in development hell. Will the stand-alone Rey project with Daisy Ridley ever get off the ground? Patty Jenkins has been back on “Rogue Squadron” since March. Does that mean a go-ahead could happen sometime this year? Dave Filoni has a new feature beyond “Mandalorian” and outside of his television projects. Is that anywhere close to happening? James Mangold is writing a “Dawn of the Jedi” feature with Beau Willimon. Now that Mangold is finished with “A Complete Unknown” (it was delivered in November), is that his next project? And what about the Shawn Levy stand-alone being written by Jonathan Topper? Is that still a thing? Can Bob Iger get Kathleen Kennedy to move forward with any of these features?
What will Ariana Grande do next?
She was already one of the most famous people in the world. Whatever your thoughts on social media, 375 million Instagram followers can’t all be bots. Now, after the smashing success of “Wicked,” the millennial pop star wants to focus on movies. That’s right, Arianators, the likely Best Supporting Actress nominee, has no plans to tour her 2024 release “Eternal Sunshine.” In fact, Grande hasn’t toured since 2019. Instead, she’s looking to take more acting roles. There are rumors she may go in a more indie direction, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. What “Wicked” demonstrates is that whether it’s a romantic comedy, a thriller, or even an action movie (yes, we’re throwing it out there), Grande has enough talent and charisma to pull almost any role off. She’ll jump on something in the next few months, but what will it be? In the meantime, “Wicked: For Good” will arrive in theaters on Nov. 21.
Can Marvel Studios keep the mojo going?
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was the biggest Marvel Studios theatrical hit since “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and the first $1 billion-grosser since “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in 2021. Now, for the first time since 2023, Marvel will return to three new releases. First up is “Captain America: Brave New World,” which already has high awareness and Harrison Ford as a Red Hulk. It’s not screaming $1 billion, but it doesn’t seem like a “Quantumania” disappointment either (at least until the media begins focusing on its production budget). “Thunderbolts,” the anti-”Avengers,” lands in the first week of May, a traditional hot spot for summer openings, well, at least before COVID. It has more interesting star power in Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour. This is a movie that will have a fun social-media popping press tour. And, it has a long run before significant competition comes its way. Still, anything close to $700 million global would be a win. That leaves us with the potential breakout, “Fantastic Four.” The best part about the movie is that it has an aesthetic markedly different than any Marvel movie since “Eternals.” That can be a good thing. Moreover, it’s meant to set up 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday,” which should still be massive for Disney despite a minority of fans being upset over Robert Downey, Jr. playing Doctor Doom. Out of all the releases, it’s the one that seems to have the best shot at bringing some much-needed joy and urgency back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And it might be a movie even casual, non-Marvel moviegoers buy a ticket too.
What is the next sexual harassment scandal to drop?
If the election results were a flashback to the end of 2016, a slew of new sexual assault and harassment scandals were reminding many of the eruption of the#MeToo era in 2017. Jay-Z has been dragged into a two-decade-old underage civil case with P. Diddy, the “It Ends With Us” showdown between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni controversy is already headed for numerous legal complaints, and waiting in the wings is the fate of FX’s critically acclaimed “English Teacher” from its star and creator Brian Jordan Alvarez who is dealing with his own controversy. Are these just three isolated cases? Or are the floodgates about to open up again?
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Editor-at-Large Gregory Ellwood is one of the entertainment industry's most respected journalists and critics. Based in Los Angeles, he's the only current awards expert who previously worked on Oscar campaigns at a major movie studio. Over the years, he has written for the LA Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Vox, among others. He also co-founded the entertainment news site HitFix, which spawned a legion of influential Emmy and WGA Award-winning alumni.
