Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Begins Production in the UK

Director Guy Ritchie’s New King Arthur Movie Now in Production

Charlie Hunnam Stars as Arthur, joined by Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, with Jude Law and Eric Bana

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to an original King Arthur epic, a sweeping fantasy action adventure starring Charlie Hunnam (FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”), for Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures. Principal photography has begun at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, UK.

The bold new story introduces a streetwise young Arthur who runs the back alleys of Londonium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur—and with it, his future. Instantly challenged by the power of Excalibur, Arthur is forced to make some hard choices. Throwing in with the Resistance and a mysterious young woman named Guinevere, he must learn to master the sword, face down his demons and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern, who stole his crown and murdered his parents, and become King.

Starring with Hunnam is Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”) as Guinevere; Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond,” “In America”) as Resistance leader Bedivere; Aidan Gillen (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) as Goosefat Bill; Oscar nominee Jude Law (“Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley”) as Vortigern; and Eric Bana (“Star Trek”) as Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon.

Guy Ritchie (upcoming “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”) will direct from a screenplay by Joby Harold (“Awake”). Ritchie will also produce the film, alongside “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” producers Lionel Wigram and Steve Clark-Hall, Akiva Goldsman (“I Am Legend,” Oscar-winning screenwriter for “A Beautiful Mind”), Joby Harold, and Tory Tunnell (“Awake,” “Holy Rollers”). David Dobkin (“The Judge”) and Bruce Berman (“American Sniper”) will executive produce. Max Keene (first AD, the “Sherlock Holmes” movies) will serve as co-producer and James Herbert (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” the “Sherlock Holmes” movies) as associate producer.

The creative team joining Ritchie behind the scenes includes two-time Oscar-nominated director of photography John Mathieson (“Gladiator,” “The Phantom of the Opera”), Oscar-nominated production designer Gemma Jackson (“Finding Neverland”), editor James Herbert, costume designer Annie Symons (Masterpiece Theater’s “Great Expectations”), makeup and hair designer Christine Blundell (“Mr. Turner,” the “Sherlock Holmes” films), and Oscar-nominated VFX Supervisor Nick Davis (“The Dark Knight”).

The film will shoot primarily at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and on location in Wales and Scotland.

Slated for release on July 22, 2016, it will be distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

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Dark Horse Comics Announces "Midnight Society: The Black Lake" Miniseries

DREW EDWARD JOHNSON’S FIRST CREATOR-OWNED SERIES, ‘MIDNIGHT SOCIETY: THE BLACK LAKE,’ COMES TO DARK HORSE

MILWAUKIE, OR—In June, Drew Edward Johnson (Wonder Woman) makes his creator-owned debut, combining intrigue, secret agents, monsters, and more in Midnight Society: The Black Lake.

Forty years ago, England’s greatest adventurers cast aside their friendship, making a choice that would come to haunt humanity. Now, secret agent Matilda Finn will face the consequences of that choice as she aids in a frantic rescue operation at Scotland’s Loch Ness, where something terrible is waiting to draw her into the fight of her life!

“I began my career in comics working with Dark Horse on Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron,” Johnson told Comics Bulletin. “To bring my first creator-owned project to Dark Horse Comics is a great homecoming for me. Especially given the opportunity to work with my editor, Philip Simon, whom I had the good fortune of working with in the early days of my career. I’m thrilled and honored to join Dark Horse’s line of genre-bending horror-adventure books, like Hellboy, B.P.R.D., The Goon, and so many more, which have all influenced my work heavily over the years.”

For a first look at Drew Edward Johnson’s art and more of his thoughts on the series, head over to Comics Bulletin: http://comicsbulletin.com/exclusive-dark-horse-series-announcement-the-midnight-society-the-black-lake/.

Preorder a copy today at your local comics shop: http://www.comicshoplocator.com/Home/1/1/57/575.

Midnight Society: The Black Lake #1
Drew Edward Johnson (W/A/Cover), Ray Snyder (I), and Lizzy John (C)
On sale June 17
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries


About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, EVE Online, Halo, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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"Zoolander 2" Due February 2016

Zoolander 2 Announced at Paris Fashion Week

ZOOLANDER 2: In theaters February 12, 2016

Derek and Hansel are back where they belong: on the runway. Watch them take Paris Fashion Week by storm at today’s Valentino show.

Watch the walk now: http://youtu.be/JLjyvzMCQaY

#Zoolander2

A First Look at Archie Comics' "ARCHIE #665"

First Looks for March 11th, 2015: ARCHIE #665

Harper Lodge returns to Riverdale and she’s in the process of writing a new book.  She only shares details of the book with her cousin Veronica, but Veronica lets it be known that the book is semi-autobiographical. When it turns out to be a romance featuring someone inspired by one of the boys from Riverdale, everybody wonders who the male love interest is based on!  But the more the gang thinks they've got it figured out... the more wrong they realize they are! Who is Harper’s tale about? Will the gang solve the mystery? Find out in “Writer’s Blockheads”!

Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski
Cover: Dan Parent
Variant Cover: Sanford Greene
On Sale Date: 3/11
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

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Titanium Comics Announces That it Accepts BitCoin

BitCoin First Comes To Comics

Titanium Comics now process BitCoin and various other Digital Crypto Currencies

Titanium Comics announced that they are the first comic publisher that processes BitCoin on their all new revamped website (www.titaniumcomics.com) and Facebook store www.facebook.com/ti.comics. In addition, Titanium is now working with BitPay to handle receiving cryptocurrencies. Titanium is a growing line that offers comics for all genres as well as companion merchandise.

Business Manager Dion Wilson comments “Our fourth quarter releases had to be a bit delayed, but considering the growth potential we gained in the delay we are ok with it! Cryptoocurrencies allow anyone anywhere quiet literally to gain access to our line and we are excited to see the results.”

Arcane #2 is the next release and due to the new time table will hit stores June of 2015.

Written by J.Dominguez
Penciled and Inked by Paolo D' Antonio.
Colors by M. Pagnotta
Created by Don McLiam

Description: Phelan and the Books are now in the hands of the Demon Riders. Quinn is devastated. The Brothers realize they must get the boy back-not only out of love, but because his powers are growing daily and Lucifer's minions will turn him into a servant of darkness. The Arcane Brothers have now got a fight on their hands they never wanted, but definitely aren't prepared for.

Stay up to date on all Titanium Comics via social media links below

www.facebook.com/ti.comics

www.twitter.com/titaniumcomics

www.facegram.io/titaniumcomics

www.titaniumcomics.tumblr.com

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Valiant Entertainment Enters Deal to Take its Superheroes Worldwide

DMG and Valiant to Bring Largest Independent Superhero Universe to Movie Theaters Worldwide

The Nine-Figure Deal Establishes an Unprecedented Partnership for Feature Film Financing, Distribution and Licensing in China and Beyond

NEW YORK & BEIJING, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Valiant Entertainment – the award-winning comic book publisher with a library of more than 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong, and more – and DMG Entertainment, the Beijing-based leader in global entertainment, today announced a new partnership to span motion pictures, television, publishing, and licensing that will culminate in the big screen debut of Valiant’s universe of characters in theaters around the world.

    “We are excited by the opportunity to bring these incredibly engaging characters and their stories to the big screen.”

In conjunction with this new partnership, DMG has made an eight-figure (USD) series C round of equity investment into Valiant, which the company will use to further its efforts in international publishing, film, television, licensing and beyond. DMG has dedicated an additional nine-figures (USD) of film financing capital toward the production of theatrical films and television programs based on Valiant's library of iconic superhero characters.

In total, the new agreement is the first deal of its kind brokered between an internationally based entertainment company and a leading independent publisher of comic books and graphic novels. Utilizing DMG’s expertise in international film development, production, and distribution, Valiant will begin to establish its cinematic universe in the United States, China and beyond. Current Valiant feature films in development include the previously announced BLOODSHOT from Sony Pictures in partnership with Original Film; SHADOWMAN in partnership with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by J. Michael Straczynski; and ARCHER & ARMSTRONG, also with the Sean Daniel Company from a script by BenDavid Grabinski; among others. Valiant has also already begun development on several television projects.

The unprecedented partnership between Valiant and DMG offers both companies the ability to develop and co-produce tent-pole theatrical films for distribution and release simultaneously in the United States, China – the world’s fastest growing film market with more than $4.8 billion in box office receipts in 2014 – and the rest of the world.

“Global markets, like China, offer the greatest opportunities for monetization from merchandising, licensing, as well as revenues from film and television properties. Comic superheroes are the most lucrative and sought after IP for movie franchises, so taking a stake in the last independent massive comic universe is a strategic investment for DMG that will produce movies and TV that are both appealing and relevant to a global audience,” said DMG CEO Dan Mintz. “We are excited by the opportunity to bring these incredibly engaging characters and their stories to the big screen.”

Beyond film alone, DMG and Valiant will work in concert to form China-focused licensing partnerships for Valiant's stable of characters in areas such as Chinese language publishing, animation, online gaming, toys, apparel, live events, theme parks, and more, with a focus on bringing Valiant’s iconic heroes to new audiences in China and Asia-Pacific.

DMG Entertainment has a proven track record of introducing celebrated superheroes to the Chinese/international marketplace. In 2013, the Beijing-based studio and production company co-produced and co-financed Marvel Studios' IRON MAN 3 – the highest grossing foreign film of 2013 and sixth highest of all time in China. DMG is currently co-producing high-octane thriller AUTOBAHN, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Felicity Jones and Nicholas Hoult; and the extreme actioner POINT BREAK, directed by Ericson Core; both films will hit screens worldwide in 2015.

"Valiant's iconic stable of intellectual property and world class management team coupled with DMG's unmatched skill with entertainment brand building in China make a formidable partnership," said Valiant Chairman Peter Cuneo. "We will look forward to introducing some of the most popular superheroes of all time to the world's fastest growing market across all media forms.”

“Audiences in China and the rest of the world are hungry for heroic stories that they can more easily relate to…and with the international box office accounting for the biggest piece of the total gross, the time is right for a truly international superhero franchise. DMG will bring its unique global perspective to the task of transforming the Valiant Universe into the first international comic-movie universe,” said DMG President Wu Bing.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2015, Valiant is one of the most successful comic book publishing companies in the history of the medium with more than 81 million comics sold and a library of more than 2,000 distinct characters. Established by a brain trust of legendary comics creators – including former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter; seminal Iron Man writer and artist, Bob Layton; and the visionary writer and illustrator of Wolverine: Weapon X, Barry Windsor-Smith – Valiant's heroes and villains inhabit the largest independently owned superhero universe anywhere in comics.

Re-established in 2005 as Valiant Entertainment with a best-in-class management team that includes Chairman Peter Cuneo, CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani, COO & CFO Gavin Cuneo, President of Licensing, Promotions & Ad Sales Russell A. Brown, Publisher Fred Pierce and Vice Chairman Jason Kothari, the company returned to great commercial and critical success in 2012, winning a Diamond Gem Award for Publisher of the Year and numerous industry awards and accolades. To date, Valiant’s titles consistently rate among the best reviewed in comics.

"Today marks one of Valiant’s biggest milestones yet with a huge step towards bringing the Valiant characters to the big screen and forging the foundation of the first truly international cinematic universe,” said Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “By bringing Valiant’s biggest heroes to theaters around the world in concert with our new partners at DMG, we look forward to making Valiant not only an iconic name in comics, but global entertainment as well.”


About DMG
DMG is a global entertainment and media company with diverse international holdings across motion pictures, television, music, gaming, creative management and entertainment-themed properties, as well as offering advertising, marketing and brand communications services. DMG Entertainment, the company’s entertainment division, makes movies and television shows, along with music promotion, licensing and merchandising, cinemas and gaming with a focus on telling stories that appeal to global audiences with operations in North America/Hollywood and Asia/China. DMG Entertainment’s films include the record-setting blockbuster IRON MAN 3, the critically acclaimed sci-fi hit LOOPER, and the techno-thriller TRANSCENDENCE; along with some of China’s highest-grossing films including NO MAN’S LAND, FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC and GO LALA GO!. DMG Entertainment is currently working on the high-speed thriller AUTOBAHN, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley and Nicholas Hoult; and Point Break, directed by Ericson Core, for release in 2015.

DMG Entertainment China [SHZ: 002143] publicly traded on the Shenzhen stock exchange.

About Valiant Entertainment
Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer & Armstrong and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 81 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its summer 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, winning a 2012 Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year. Visit them online at ValiantUniverse.com.

Additional Executive Quotes
“DMG is a force in China. This partnership will bring Valiant’s iconic characters to the Chinese marketplace in a fashion unprecedented in the world of superheroes and comics to date. DMG will introduce Valiant’s universe to Chinese audiences and, in the process, enhance the appeal and relevance of our characters to the fastest growing marketplace for entertainment in the world,” said Gavin Cuneo, COO & CFO for Valiant Entertainment.

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Warner Bros.' New "Jungle Book" Movie Begins Filming

Filming is Underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ New Adventure, Based on the Classic The Jungle Book

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ new big-screen, 3D adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved classic The Jungle Book, marking the feature film directorial debut of Andy Serkis. Blending live action and performance capture, the film features an impressive roster of stars, including Oscar winners Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett and Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch.

The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.

The actors performing the roles of the story’s central animal characters are: Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”) as the tiger, Shere Khan; Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine,” “Cinderella”) as Kaa, the snake; Christian Bale (“The Fighter,” the “Dark Knight” Trilogy) as the panther, Bagheera; Andy Serkis (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy) as Baloo, the bear; Peter Mullan (“Hercules,” “War Horse”) as the leader of the wolf pack, Akela; Tom Hollander (the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, “Pride & Prejudice”) as the scavenging hyena, Tabaqui; Naomie Harris (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “Skyfall”) as Nisha, the female wolf, who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs; Eddie Marsan (“Snow White and the Huntsman,” “Sherlock Holmes”) as Nisha’s mate, Vihaan; and Jack Reynor (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”) as Mowgli’s Brother Wolf. On the human side, young actor Rohan Chand (“The Hundred-Foot Journey,” “Lone Survivor”) will play the boy raised by wolves, Mowgli.

The film is being produced by Steve Kloves, who wrote seven of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” films, and Jonathan Cavendish (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”), with Nikki Penny (“Gravity”) serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Callie Kloves, based on the stories by Kipling.

Among those collaborating with Serkis behind the scenes are production designer Gary Freeman (“Cinderella”), Oscar-winning editor Mark Sanger (“Gravity”) and Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age”).

The film is slated for release on October 6, 2017.

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