Movies: Warner Bros. Reels-Off 2018 With “Tomb Raider,” “Ready Player One,” “Fantastic Beasts” Sequel

MANILA, January 9, 2017 – Fantasy-adventure, action-thriller, outrageous comedy, horror-suspense and heart-wrenching drama – the genres are well-represented in Warner Bros. Pictures' line-up of films for 2018.

Fresh from crossing the $5 billion mark at the global box office last year, Warner is poised yet again for a smash, blockbusting 2018! Check out what's in store from the Studio below.

Tomb Raider. The action-adventure will set a young and resolute Lara Croft on a path toward becoming a global hero. Leaving everything she knows behind, Lara goes in search of her late father’s last-known destination: a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. The stakes couldn’t be higher for Lara, who must learn to push herself beyond her limits as she journeys into the unknown.

Ready Player One. From filmmaker Steven Spielberg comes the science fiction action adventure based on Ernest Cline’s bestseller. The film is set in 2045, with the world on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead.

Father Figures. Ed Helms and Owen Wilson play Peter and Kyle Reynolds, two brothers whose eccentric mother (Glenn Close) raised them to believe their father had died when they were young. When they discover this to be a lie, they set out to find their real father, learning more about their mother than they probably ever wanted to know.

Game Night. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game…right?

Rampage. Global megastar Dwayne Johnson headlines this action adventure about primatologist Davis Okoye who shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.

A Star is Born. Bradley Cooper directs and stars with Lady Gaga, in her first leading role in a major motion picture. In this new take on the tragic love story, he plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers—and falls in love with—struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer… until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

Oceans 8. The tide has turned and it’s a whole new “Ocean’s” when eight women plan and execute a heist in New York. Sandra Bullock stars in the title role, alongside Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, with Rihanna and Helena Bonham Carter.

The Nun. Filmmaker James Wan explores another dark corner of that universe with “The Nun.” When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret.

Movie News: Warner Bros. Pictures Surpasses $5-Billion At Worldwide Box Office

For the First Time Ever, Five Releases Each
Earned More Than $500 Million Worldwide

Burbank, CA, December 5, 2017 – Warner Bros. Pictures has crossed the $5 billion mark at the global box office this year—only the second time in its illustrious history that the Studio has crossed that tremendous milestone. It is also the eighth time in the last nine years that Warner Bros. has earned more than $4 billion in a single year, marking an industry record. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Additionally, setting a new Studio record in 2017, Warner Bros. had five of its feature film releases each take in more than $500 million worldwide (in order): Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ action adventure “Kong: Skull Island” (with Legendary Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures), starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson and John C. Reilly; Patty Jenkins’ action adventure “Wonder Woman,” starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine; Christopher Nolan’s sweeping epic “Dunkirk,” with an ensemble cast including Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and

Tom Hardy; New Line Cinema’s horror thriller “IT”; and, most recently, Zack Snyder’s “Justice League,” teaming Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Raymond Fisher, Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller, which stands at more than $574 million and still climbing. The year’s highlights also include three more releases crossing $250 million worldwide: the animated feature “The LEGO® Batman Movie” (with LEGO System A/S); New Line’s horror thriller “Annabelle: Creation”; and Alcon Entertainment’s dramatic thriller “Blade Runner 2049” (with Sony Pictures).

In making the announcement, Kroll stated, “We are thrilled to reach this extraordinary benchmark as we come to the end of an amazing, record-setting year. Surpassing five billion dollars in a single year can only happen with an incredible level of hard work across all theatrical divisions, as well as the invaluable contributions of the many talented filmmakers and actors with whom we are so fortunate to collaborate. Congratulations to everyone who shares in this success.”

MOVIES: “WONDER WOMAN,” JUSTICE LEAGUE” LEAD WARNER’S 2017 LINE-UP

Diana, princess of the Amazons, discovers what she's meant for. Metahumans team up to form the Justice League. Two legendary Kings – Arthur and Kong – will shock and inspire in spectacular origin stories. And Christopher Nolan makes a bold statement on heroism as takes audiences to Dunkirk.

These and more are what's in store for movie audiences this year from Warner Bros. Pictures. Take a peek at the studio’s line-up of potential megahits for 2017.

Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot returns as the title character in this epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. When an American pilot crashes on their sheltered island paradise and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, warrior princess Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny. (Opens June 01).

Justice League. Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions. (Opens Nov. 16)

My Rurouni Kenshin Journey

Got this Rurouni Kenshin Movie Poster coz of the blogging I did. :)
January 2013. 

My Rurouni Kenshin Movie Review (2012) here. 

I wouldn't say that I am the biggest Rurouni Kenshin fan (that would be so against Kenshin's principles) but what I know is that I am a true and genuine fan and let me demonstrate that through this essay/blog post - I can't promise that this is going to be a short one just because I have so much to say - okay so let's start with this - I'm 28 now and married; I've been a fan of Rurouni Kenshin since I was in High School and as our High School Batch President likes to remind us that was well over 10 years ago - so I've pretty much been a fan of Rurouni Kenshin for a good 13 years-and still counting! 

I remember watching the series (over and over again) on local TV - first the English dubbed version on Studio 23 then on AXN. Kids this was during a time where online streaming was not possible yet, everyone who wanted to watch a series, actually watched it in front of a TV. 

There have been so many late nights where in my siblings and I would stay up and talk about the latest Rurouni Kenshin episode. We'd make our own Shishio Makato impersonations (really bad ones) and do that scene were he bites Kenshin in the neck :P 

I remember that HBO even showed the first animated movie - and I watched that too. I cried over the OVA on DVD - ugly sobbing crying just because it was so damn heartbreaking.

My first jamming in a band was covering Judy and Mary's Sobakasu - if you are a true Rurouni Kenshin fan you'd know this song. Way back in High School, again about 13 years ago!  

Years may have come to pass but my love and admiration for the wandering samurai has always been there and it's not going anywhere! 

This is me during the DVD launch of Rurouni Kenshin in Odyssey.
Blog post here. March 2013.

When news of a live action movie version hit the Internet I took to the blog and wrote updates on the movie constantly. I wrote a blog post on Kenshin Himura's battle to get to Philippine Shores, practically documented the whole bit and I will go out and say it even if Warner Bros. Philippines were not the official distributor of the first film in the Philippines, they are definitely making it up to all the fans by bring the cast and director here. I mean never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that this would be possible. 

When you say Red Carpet Movie Premiere - you think Hollywood, Singapore but never, ever - Manila but now, scratch all that because we are having our own Rurouni Kenshin Red Carpet Movie Premiere in Manila! Woot! 

Like I said in a post before - this is a testament to the power of the fans, people didn't think that the Rurouni Kenshin movies would ever be shown here, so much so that people were already planning to resort to piracy but behold it has come to be the highest grossing Japanese film in the Philippines. When the first movie came out, lines were long, cinemas were full people had to wait for four hours for the next screening.    

Long story short it was a success story nobody predicted but deep down in the hearts of the fans, we all knew that it would be a big success and with all the buzz the second movie and the Manila premiere are creating and the fact that the actors are gonna be here! This is over the top crazy! 

It is history in the making and I want to be a part of that. 

This is me at the Warner Bros. Rurouni Kenshin display
during Toycon 2014.

Rurouni Kenshin Stars and Director to Attend Philippine Premiere

UP CLOSE: Fans will be seeing these amazing actors in the flesh. Takeru Sato (Kenshin Himura),  Emi Tanaka (Kaoru Kamiya),
Aoki Muneteka (Sanosuke Sagara) 

While every other fangirl is going gaga over the recently released Fifty Shades of Grey trailer (I'm not a fan-really) a whole different spectrum of fangirls and boys were going gaga over the confirmed news that the cast and director of Warner Bros. Pictures Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno will be attending the Philippine Premiere. 

Wait! What? Yes - boys and girls (or in my case, young adults) you have that right! Actors Takeru Sato (Kenshin Himura), actress Emi Tanaka (Kaoru Kamiya), actor Aoki Muneteka (Sanosuke Sagara) along with director Keishi Otomo will be attending the invitational red carpet premiere on August 6 at SM Megamall. There is also a scheduled Public Press conference with the media and fans on August 7 at the Glorieta Activity Center in Makati. 

I still think that Half Pinay/Half Japanese Maryjun Tanaka who will be playing Ayumi - Shishio Makoto's lady love should come as well - she did post on her Instagram account that she's been to Megamall often :P I think it would be a great homecoming for her. :) 

The announcement was made today by William Ireton, President & Representative Director of Warner Entertainment Japan Inc., and Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. Philippines. 

Now this is BIG news for fans and followers of the scarred wandering samurai who has always had a special place in the hearts of his Filipino fans. It's amazing to think that when the first Rurouni Kenshin film came out in 2012, it seemed that it would not even be shown locally but after four months from it's release in Japan, the movie was released in the Philippines and has become the largest grossing Japanese film in the Philippines. Looking back at my blog post/movie review here. I remember that there were sold out screenings and people had to wait 4-5 hours until the next screening. Fans watched the movie 2-3 times in the cinema and it was always a full house.   

During the big announcement Ireton also said that “We are thrilled to bring director Keishi Otomo and castmembers Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei and Munetaka Aoki to Manila so they can personally thank and engage with the loyal fans of `Rurouni Kenshin.' The Philippines is a very important market for the franchise as proven by the outstanding box-office success in Manila of the first `Rurouni Kenshin' film in 2013.”
  
Soliven also said: “Moviegoers in the Philippines have helped create a wave of anticipation and excitement for the `Rurouni Kenshin' sequels and the upcoming talent visit is a much welcome recognition of the fans' ardent support. 

I should say so there were so many online petitions to have the movie screened here the first time around, fans are just happy they didn't have to go through all that for the sequels.

If you have been reading the blog you would know that I have been blogging a lot about the Rurouni Kenshin films. So much so that I was actually given a movie poster of the first movie :P 

A Happy Me with my Rurouni Kenshin poster back in January of 2013. 

I guess the fact that Warner Bros. had a special exhibit of Rurouni Kenshin costumes used in the movie during Toycon was already a sign - a sign - that all of this would be possible.