Tag Archives: universal pictures

Get a look at Yoshi in the latest Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer

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New galaxies. New friends. Yoshi joins the adventure. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is only in theaters April 1.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros., and follows The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was released in 2023 and earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. Both the 2023 film and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.

The film is co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo and will be released worldwide by Universal Pictures.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay by returning screenwriter Matthew Fogel, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score.

It stars Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Brie Larson.

Archie Comics, Universal, and Tom King team for a Live-Action Archie Movie

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Archie

In a competitive auction, Universal Pictures is developing a live-action film based on the iconic characters of Archie Comics, one of the comics industry’s longest-running publishers. Tom King will write the screenplay. Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Aditya Sood will produce the project through Lord Miller’s first look deal with Universal, along with Emma Watts, who brought the project to Lord Miller with King, and Archie Comics CEO and Publisher Jon Goldwater.

The news follows a string of highly successful live-action adaptations of Archie characters to screens, including the breakout seven-season CW television series Riverdale, the Netflix streaming series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and the smash-hit film The Archies, also for Netflix and directed by Zoya Akhtar. Archie’s storylines center around a core cast of teens in the small town of Riverdale, anchored by heartfelt interpersonal dynamics, humor, and lighthearted drama. King, known for his fan-favorite emotionally resonant revivals of classic superhero characters like The Omega Men, Adam Strange, and The Vision, explored the Archie dynamic with his signature philosophic insight in the bestselling one-shot comic book Archie: The Decision last year, drawn by longtime Archie mainstay Dan Parent. 

Archie has sold over three billion comics throughout its history, published in dozens of languages and read worldwide, most notably in Philippines, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, South America, Australia, UAE, and India; 100 million Archie comics have sold in India alone in the last 50 years. New Archie titles are continuously published monthly and are widely available in comic book stores, newsstand outlets, bookstores, libraries, and on the digital reading platforms comiXology and GlobalComix.

Senior Vice President of Production Development and Special Projects Britt Hennemuth and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio. Lord Miller is represented by UTA and JSSK. Watts is represented by CAA. Archie Comics is represented by CAA. King is represented by UTA.

BoxLunch Launches New Collection and Sweepstakes for How To Train Your Dragon

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BoxLunch, the pop culture retailer, is bringing high-flying adventure and Viking flair to fans everywhere with its all-new How to Train Your Dragon collection, available now in-store and online. Just in time for the theatrical release of Universal Picture’s live-action reimagining of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, the collection invites fans to rediscover the world of Berk—and the unbreakable bond between dragons and their riders.

This carefully curated selection of 30 exclusive items honors the How to Train Your Dragon franchise’s bravery, heart, and legacy through immersive lifestyle and fashion pieces. Fans will find apparel inspired by the iconic characters and landscapes of the films, along with themed accessories, home décor, and more.

In addition, BoxLunch has teamed up with Universal Studios for the “Soar and Sweep-stakes,” live now through June 30. One lucky grand prize winner will win a trip for four to experience the new Universal Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando Resort — plus two BoxLunch-exclusive mini backpacks, select items from the How to Train Your Dragon collection, and a $250 BoxLunch gift card.

Each purchase from the latest assortment contributes, as always, to a good cause. For every $10 spent online or in-store, BoxLunch will provide a meal to a person in need through its philanthropic partnership with Feeding America.

A Vicious Circle lands at Universal Pictures

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A Vicious Circle #1

Universal Pictures has landed the rights to A Vicious Circle, the genre-defining graphic storytelling event from legendary artist Lee Bermejo and acclaimed writer Mattson Tomlin, with Proximity Media and BOOM! Studios producing.

Mattson Tomlin is set to adapt the screenplay. Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler will produce through their Proximity Media. Rebecca Cho will executive produce and oversee the project for Proximity Media along with Zetra Evans for Proximity.

Stephen Christy serves as producer for BOOM! Studios, with Adam Yoelin as executive producer and Mette Norkjaer as co-producer. Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones will oversee the project for the studio.

Shawn Thacker is a trained assassin who seeks revenge on the only other man who shares his unique affliction—each life they take forces them both to travel through time between vastly different past and future eras. Spanning from 22nd century Tokyo to 1950s New Orleans to the Cretaceous period and beyond, these two mortal rivals find themselves locked in a battle of wills that spans millions of years, all to alter the course of history…

This announcement comes ahead of the publication of A Vicious Circle #3, the final part of the series, on-sale August 7, 2024.

New Dog Man comes to shops this December

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Dog Man

Some howling good news to readers and moviegoers alike. Scholastic has announced that a new book in the global publishing phenomenon Dog Man by Dav Pilkey will be published on December 3rd. DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures recently revealed that Dog Man, an animated feature film adaptation based on the blockbuster hit graphic novel series will be released in theaters worldwide in January 2025.    

Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, the thirteenth book in the series, explores the origin story of Pilkey’s beloved Dog Man characters, and will land in stores in time for the holiday season and weeks before the global theatrical release of the movie. The announcement comes on the heels of the success of Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder released in March of this year and seized the #1 spot as the bestselling book overall (adult and children’s books combined) for five straight weeks* in North America and topped bestseller lists around the world. Since the series launched to critical acclaim in August 2016, there are more than 60 million Dog Man books in print to date with translations in 47 languages.

With Dav Pilkey’s trademark humor and heart, the Dog Man series celebrates creativity and imagination and explores universally positive messages including the importance of doing good and striving to become a better version of one’s self, while it also tackles more complex themes including loss, redemption, and forgiveness. Most recently with Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder, Dav Pilkey delved into the world of artificial intelligence while making a gripping and comical commentary about the impact of social media.

Dog Man: Big Jim Begins,

The Super Mario Bros. Movie comes to digital to rent or buy this week

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Shattering box-office records and generating over a billion dollars worldwide, Nintendo and Illumination’s animated spectacular The Super Mario Bros. Movie blasts into homes tomorrow, May 16, 2023, exclusively on digital platforms nationwide where you can buy or rent movies – from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Showcasing an all-star lineup to voice the iconic pop culture characters, The Super Mario Bros. Movie stars Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogan, Jack Black and Fred Armisen.

The movie tells the story of two Brooklyn plumbers who are brothers and best friends: Mario, the brave one with the “let’s-a go” attitude, and the perpetually anxious Luigi, who would prefer to go nowhere. We open with the Super Mario Brothers reckoning with their struggling plumbing business, and wind up in a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom. Through their journey, we meet a cast of familiar, lovable characters, ultimately uniting together to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes what millions of gamers worldwide have loved for thirty-five years and levels it up to a new and breathtaking cinematic experience.

Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin’s Too Dead To Die picked up by Universal

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Another comic has been snatched to be turned into a film. Too Dead To Die from Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin has been grabbed by Universal.

Guggenheim will write the screenplay and executive produce the film. Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, and Guy Danella will also produce the film through 87North. Matt Reilly, executive VP of production, will oversee the project for Universal.

Too Dead To Die was released in late 2022 from Image Comics. The graphic novel was about the top super spy in the 1980s Simon Cross who discovers he has a daughter which sends him back out into the world for one last adventure.

Too Dead to Die cover

Win a Blu-ray copy of Violent Night

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We’re giving away a blu-ray copy of Violent Night starring David Harbour. When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound taking everyone inside hostage, they are not prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus. Harbour stars as St. Nick in the holiday romp, delivering some serious season’s beatings to save the family and the spirit of Christmas.

Violent Night, available to own with bonus features on Digital January 20, 2023 and on Blu-ray and DVD on January 24, 2023 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The collector’s edition includes over half an hour of never-before-seen bonus content including deleted and extended scenes, a feature commentary, and behind-the-scenes featurettes delivering more of the movie for your Christmas collection.

You can win a copy! Just enter using the widget below. The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada ages 18+.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halloween Ends Arrives On Digital 11/15 And On 4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD 12/27

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Halloween Ends

The saga comes to an END. Golden Globe and BAFTA winner Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, fighting for her life in the thrilling conclusion against the infamous masked killer, Michael Myers. Halloween Ends is available to own on Digital November 15, 2022, as well as on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 27, 2022 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Produced by Malek Akkad, Bill Block, and Jason Blum, Halloween Ends features over 30 minutes of never-before-seen bonus captivating content that includes deleted and extended scenes, featurettes with Jamie Lee Curtis and the cast and crew, a special gag reel, and feature commentary with co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Andi Matichak, and Rohan Campbell, and more.

The most acclaimed and revered horror franchise in film history reaches its epic, terrifying finale as Laurie Strode (Curtis) faces off for the last time against the embodiment of evil, Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney). Michael hasn’t been seen for four years after the events of Halloween Kills. Laurie lives with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and has chosen to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. When a young man is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, a cascade of violence and terror is ignited with a final confrontation between Laurie and Michael unlike any ever captured on screen. Only one of them will survive.

With the purchase of Halloween Ends on disc or digital, fans are eligible to earn points towards digital movies via the Universal All-Access Rewards program. Members can redeem their points for digital movies, swag and more!

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAYTM, DVD & DIGITAL:

  • Deleted and Extended Scenes
    • Michael Shakes Things Up
    • Joan’s Bunny Slam
    • Corey Reflects Upon Himself
    • Ronald’s Stuck at Work
    • Margo Gets the Boot
    • Joan’s Recipe for Disaster
  • Ending HALLOWEEN – HALLOWEEN could never truly end without a decisive showdown between Laurie and Michael. Explore the creative team’s approach to crafting the film’s final sequence.
  • Final Girl – The iconic Jamie Lee Curtis discusses the legacy of Laurie Strode and what playing the character has meant to her.
  • No Place Like Haddonfield – Filmmakers and cast reveal some of the secret ingredients that make HALLOWEEN productions so special and their personal feelings on being a part of such a classic franchise.
  • Gag Reel
  • A Different Threat – As Haddonfield evolves to a new era, we examine how the evil within has also evolved.
  • The Visions of Terror – See how various production departments came together to achieve the film’s unique visual style.
  • Twisted Deaths – An up-close look at some of the gruesome death scenes.
  • Feature Commentary with co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell, co-producer/first assistant director Atilla Salih Yücer, and production assistant Hugo Garza

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – 40th ANNIVERSARY 2XLP drops Wednesday

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The summer of 1982 saw the release of some of the most culture-defining films of our lifetime (STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, POLTERGEIST, TRON, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, THE THING, THE ROAD WARRIOR … just to name a few!)

But few have had nearly the same impact on film music as the legendary sixth collaboration between Steven Spielberg and John Williams: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL.

Mondo, along with Geffen Records and Universal Pictures, are celebrating forty years of E.T., with an all new re-issue of John Williams’ timeless, essential and period-defining score. This re-issue is pressed on 2x 180 Gram color vinyl, produced by Bruce Botnick and Mike Matessino, and features all new liner notes by Mike Duquette.

As always, all new Mondo music releases go on sale on Wednesdays at 12PM CT.

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