Nowadays, you can create almost EVERYTHING in films with computers, making the process less remarkable. No, we prefer the past when filmmakers had to be far more innovative.

In Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), the landspeeder of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), in which he transports Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) to Mos Eisley, was a groundbreaking practical effect.

How Was It Done?

The crew mounted angled mirrors on the sides to reflect the Tatooine desert ground and thus mask the wheels. This ingenious technique created a convincing floating effect without CGI.

The illusion of the landspeeder showcased the creativity of the film industry from the last century. This practical solution, combined with clever camera angles, left audiences in awe and set the standard for future visual effects.

Relive The Moment Below

In short, while it’s fascinating what we can achieve digitally today, and AI may take it even further, we secretly appreciate the era when filmmakers were truly challenged to show us amazing things.

Earlier this month, the new Jurassic World film Jurassic World: Rebirth premiered in theaters. If you loved the movie and are looking for something else, you can check out an underrated sci-fi film by the same director.

In 2023, The Creator was released, a sci-fi action film conceived, directed, and produced by Gareth Edwards, who co-wrote the script with Chris Weitz. The leading roles are played by John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, and Allison Janney.

Story

The film is set in the year 2070, fifteen years after artificial intelligence (AI) caused a nuclear explosion in Los Angeles, leading to a war between humans and AI.

We follow Joshua Taylor (Washington), a former special forces agent recruited to track down and kill the "Creator", a mysterious figure who developed a weapon powerful enough to end the war.

Shaving Heads

Director Edwards wrote the main character specifically for Washington after seeing his performance in Monsters and Men (2018). Many of the supporting actors and extras were locals from the area where filming took place, which was Thailand.



In Nepal, people from a small village by a Buddhist temple were used as actors. "Some of the kids agreed to shave their heads and played robot monks," Edwards said. "It was a bit surreal. They were all really excited to be in a Hollywood film."

Filming On Location

Instead of filming in a studio with green screens and expensive computer effects to create sets and landscapes, Edwards decided it would be both more cost-effective and visually stunning to shoot on location in Asia.



The production visited eight different countries and meticulously selected each location based on the landscape and script requirements. "We picked the best spots: the volcanoes of Indonesia, Buddhist temples in the Himalayas, ruins in Cambodia, and floating villages," said Edwards, listing just a few of the many breathtaking locations in the film.

Positive Reviews

The Creator grossed $104.3 million worldwide and generally received positive reviews from critics. They praised the film as visually stunning, intelligent, and engaging, although some noted a forced third act and more predictable plot lines.

The film received two Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. Additionally, it was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Visual/Special Effects at the Saturn Awards.

Want To Watch?

Do you want to see The Creator? You can find it on Prime Video.

While James Gunn and Peter Safran have already filled a significant portion of their new DC universe (with roles for Superman, Supergirl, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, and even Lobo), one crucial hero is still missing: Batman. Perhaps the perfect actor for the role has now been found.

Although Robert Pattinson is returning as 'The Dark Knight' for The Batman Part II, this is separate from the DCU that Gunn is currently creating. So, a new Batman is needed, who will work alongside Wonder Woman and Superman in the future.

Reaction

Gunn was recently a guest on the well-known Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz. The director was asked about the fan-favorite casting of Alan Ritchson, the massive actor who is making waves in the Reacher series.

His response was telling: "I am a big fan of Alan Ritchson, both as an actor and a person. Let's just wait and see what happens..." Gunn replied, followed by a meaningful silence.

Batman Casting

Officially, the role of Batman has not been cast yet. Gunn emphasized that the script for The Brave and the Bold, where this new Batman will be introduced, is not advanced enough yet: "We have projects that are much further along than Batman, so most of the focus is currently on those".



"Batman is personally my biggest issue within DC right now. I'm not the writer of the script, but I work closely with the one who is to get it right. Batman and Wonder Woman are now my two priorities outside of my own projects". More information will undoubtedly follow soon.

Even though Sydney Sweeney has gained hordes of fans through her role in Euphoria, her character is not suitable for family members.

It's not surprising, as she portrays the most provocative 18+ scenes in that series and her family doesn't come from an acting background. When things got very intimate on screen, she shared about her father who still lives on a ranch without internet: "He turned it off and walked away."

A Big Adjustment

So it's quite an adjustment for her parents to see their daughter being nude for a film shoot. Her father works in the hospitality industry and her mother in law. In an interview with GQ, Sydney Sweeney mentioned how her home life differs from the film set.

She said: "When I go home, my family no longer understands me and my world. And then people in this industry live so differently than my family, who keeps me grounded. I live between these two worlds. Neither understands me."

Loyal Fans

Her mother and grandmother frequently visit her film sets, creating more understanding. They are her biggest fans, and her grandmother often becomes part of the audience in a film scene. This makes watching Anyone But You and Immaculate even more enjoyable. More about her upcoming film Echo Valley will follow on her Instagram.

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Sony Pictures and Fathom Entertainment are bringing back a beloved classic to the big screen this fall: Spider-Man 2, but in the so-called "2.1" version. This version includes extra scenes, more character development, and enhanced visual effects, and will be shown in theaters for the very first time.

The re-release is part of Fathom's Fan Favorites series, showcasing iconic films for a limited time. Alongside Spider-Man 2.1, Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 3 (2007) are also scheduled to be shown over three days at the end of September and beginning of October.

A New Opportunity For Old Fans

The re-release provides Tobey Maguire fans a unique chance to experience the original trilogy on the big screen. Especially Spider-Man 2, long considered one of the best superhero films ever, receives a new life with this extended "2.1" cut. This 4K remaster of the extended edition, which had previously appeared on DVD, has never before been released in theaters.

"The success of Spider-Man in 2002 marked the start of the modern superhero genre," says Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom. "Bringing this version to theaters is a gift to old fans and a journey of discovery for a new generation."

What Is Different?

In the "2.1" version, various scenes have been extended or added, including more dialogue between Peter Parker and Aunt May, additional action during the fight with Doc Ock, and several subtle additions that enhance the emotional impact of the story.



While it is not a completely new film, the extended cut offers a richer perspective on Sam Raimi's now-classic adaptation. The timing is perfect: with multiverse stories in the current MCU, Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man is being appreciated anew.

Fan Favorites On The Rise

The Spider-Man trilogy is not the only classic returning to the screen. Fathom's Fan Favorites series has previously brought back films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Clueless, with upcoming re-releases of Rocky IV, The Sound of Music, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on the agenda.

Good news for fans who have been waiting for the new season of Alice in Borderland: it won't be long now. Starting in September, you can watch the latest season of the series on Netflix.

Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller series created by Shinsuke Sato. The series is based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. The first season premiered in 2020, followed by the second season in 2022.

Dangerous Card Games

The series follows young man Ryōhei Arisu, who, along with his friends Daikichi Karube and Chōta Segawa, is suddenly transported to an abandoned and overrun version of Tokyo known as Borderland.

There, they discover that they must play deadly card games to survive. Each game is linked to a specific playing card, determining the type of challenge and its level. Along with a group of other players, alliances are formed while the games become increasingly treacherous.

Season 3

In the second season, it seems the characters have returned safely to the normal world, but the mysterious Joker hinted that the danger isn't over yet. In season 3, the players will face completely new challenges.



The series features Kento Yamazaki as Ryōhei Arisu, Tao Tsuchiya as Yuzuha Usagi, Nijirō Murakami as Shuntarō Chishiya, and Ayaka Miyoshi as Rizuna Ann. It is still unknown who will return for the third season.

September

Alice in Borderland received mostly positive reviews following its release, boasting a tomato score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience is even more enthusiastic, with a score of 91%.

For a long time, little was known about Alice in Borderland season 3. Details are still being kept well under wraps, but Netflix recently released the first trailer revealing the premiere date. Starting September 25th, you can catch the new season on Netflix.

He is back and this time he is completely unleashed. Dexter: Resurrection is officially the most popular series in the world according to IMDb, boasting a score of 9.1. This achievement leaves the previous installments behind, outperforming nearly all other series currently available.

Dexter: Resurrection follows the life of Dexter Morgan after the events of Dexter: New Blood. Without revealing too much: the series revisits old themes such as guilt, control, and moral decay, but does so with a fresh new energy. This time, the action is set in Los Angeles, where Dexter, under a new identity, struggles once again with who he is, what he does, and whether he can ever truly stop.

Most Watched Series In The World

The audience's enthusiasm is evident from the figures. According to IMDb, Dexter: Resurrection is currently the most followed series globally.

The tone of the series is darker than before, placing greater emphasis on psychological tension. Some familiar faces return, though not always in the way you might expect. Fans from the beginning will find rewards, but new viewers can also jump in without prior knowledge.

Dexter Is Alive Again

With Dexter: Resurrection, it seems they've achieved a rare feat: a successful second comeback of a series that had previously concluded. The series feels familiar yet sharper and more modern. With rave reviews and unprecedented viewing figures, it appears that Dexter Morgan is far from finished.

It often happens that film studios announce grand productions that never get off the ground. A prime example is the DC action film Deathstroke. The origin film about this iconic supervillain was announced in 2017, yet it never came to fruition.

Joe Manganiello debuted as Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in the post-credits scene of Justice League. There were many ambitious plans for this character, but Manganiello truly experienced bad luck.

Slade Wilson

Slade Wilson/Deathstroke was created in 1980 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez and debuted as an enemy of the Teen Titans. Slade is a mercenary and former military officer who gains enhanced physical and mental abilities through an experimental supersoldier serum. He is considered the deadliest assassin in the DC universe.

Deathstroke has appeared as a villain in several series, including Arrow, Titans, and Smallville. Additionally, he has featured in numerous animated projects and video games. It was just a matter of time before he stepped into the spotlight in the film world.

Solo Film, Batman, And Suicide Squad

None other than Gareth Evans, the mastermind behind the iconic The Raid films, was set to direct the Deathstroke solo film. He described the story as a "dark" and "relentless" origin tale, akin to Korean noir films. The project faced multiple delays before it was ultimately shelved.



Deathstroke was meant to be the primary antagonist in Ben Affleck's Batman film. This project transformed into The Batman by Matt Reeves, leaving Manganiello again without the opportunity to portray the character. Manganiello revealed that there were countless versions of the sequel to Suicide Squad featuring Deathstroke in a leading role. Ultimately, James Gunn decided to go in a different direction with The Suicide Squad.

Future In The DCU

Following numerous disappointments, Manganiello has stepped away from the role of Deathstroke. He got the chance to play the character one last time in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

The new DCU recently kicked off with Superman. Last year, news broke that Deathstroke and the Batman villain Bane would appear in a mysterious movie within the DCU. Matthew Orton is writing the script for this enigmatic Deathstroke/Bane film. Be sure to follow FilmTotaal for the latest updates regarding this project.