Justin Lin’s got a lot to celebrate and enjoy right now with the success of F9: The Fast Saga, but you know how it goes with these massive film franchises; we can’t help but be a little greedy and look to the future! It was recently announced that the next installment in the main saga, Fast and Furious 10, will make its way into theaters in the Spring of 2023, with Vin Diesel revealing that filming will begin in January of 2022.
While we don’t have a release date for the final film, Fast and Furious 11,Tyrese Gibson did reveal that the plan is to shoot these last two installments back to back. While I’d like to bet Lin and the folks at Universal know what they’re doing with this hugely successful franchise, filming two massive blockbusters one after the next is bound to feel like a bit of a marathon for Lin and the Fast family.
While celebrating the digital and Blu-ray release of the F9 director’s cut, I got the chance to catch up with Lin and asked him about the potential challenges that could come with filming Fast 10 and 11 back to back. He began:
“There’s an ambition of what we want to do and there’s also real world issues that we’re encountering. But I feel like, for me, I don’t want to be greedy. I want to do what’s best for the process.”
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Lin also took a moment to emphasize the importance of the story structure they’re rolling with for these final two films. Fast and Furious 10 and 11 won’t be two separate stories, but rather, one chapter told over the course of two films. Here’s how Lin put it:
“The idea of the last chapter being two films is correct. I have to say, I’m so glad — because I think when I first entered this franchise, a sequel was not a given. You had to earn it, you know? And so to be sitting here talking to you and go, ‘Oh yeah, there’s gonna be two more movies!’ I’m like, ‘Wow.’ It means a lot. So, every day when I wake up, I’m trying to reconfigure and make sure hopefully whatever we’re talking about process wise is gonna yield the best result. But I think having one chapter in two movies is correct. That’s where I sit today.”
Looking for even more from Lin? Be sure to check out our full chat at the top of this article to hear more about his priorities when putting a director’s cut together and also about his attention to detail as a creator. The F9 director’s cut will be available to own on digital, Blu-ray and 4K UHD on September 21st.
Well, it’s that time of the year again. You know, the one where we sit down and eat frightening food and scary drinks? Doesn’t ring any bells? Well, Universal Studios Hollywood is making sure that you can have your helping of their traditional Halloween-themed dishes at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.
Halloween Horror Nights is an event that, on selected dates, will serve frightening feasts, terrifying treats, and monstrous merchandise named after or inspired by some of Universal Studios’ most famous – and scariest – characters. These events run on selected nights all the way to October 31 – and Universal recommends parkgoers to buy their tickets in advance because Halloween Nights tend to sell out.
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Nothing says “family dinner” like a restaurant run by cannibals. If you are a fan of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre maze, the infamous Leatherface Texas Family BBQ will be waiting for you to die — I mean, dine with grilled favorites like:
BBQ Pork Ribs
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich served with crinkle-cut fries
Texas Chili & Cheese Nachos: Texas Chili with smoked brisket and chuck roast topped with cheese, pickled jalapeños and sour cream drizzle
Since we mentioned dying, you can make a pit-stop to celebrate the dead and toast the living at Plaza de los Muertos. Inspired by Los Angeles’ diverse culture, Little Cocina is set up with a choice of draft and canned beers, as well as handcrafted cocktails (Marigold Floral Crown, Smoked Margarita, and The Chamoy Fireball) served in a festive light-up skull mug. It also includes:
Beef Birria Tacos with Red Sauce
Green Chili & Cheese Tamale, served with salsa roja
Grilled Elote Corn brushed with a lime butter and topped with spices
Horchata Churro Bites
Chamoy Pineapple Spears
Just because it’s prehistoric doesn’t mean it’s not scary. Get ready to dine at the Terror Lab, in the shadow of Jurassic World – The Ride. Modeled after an experimental test lab gone bad, the Terror Lab’s menu features:
French Bread Pizzas: house-made hoagie roll topped with either cheese or pepperoni
Mixed Drinks on ice (Vodka Mule, Rum Mai Tai, Paloma, Margarita)
Specialty Cocktail, including one with an insect lollipop
Seasonal “Halloween Horror Nights” Beers
A French-themed bistro will be adjacent to the Universal Plaza. Classic horror fans will enjoy imbibing on a variety of wines or the signature Sangria along with French-inspired grab-and-go items such as assorted Quiche or ham and brie baguette sandwich and Halloween Horror Nights-themed cookies.
If you thought Minions would sit this one out, you thought wrong. The Minion Café will be dressed appropriately for Halloween, with Despicable decorations and limited release items, including a Seasonal Felonious Float and a collectible Minion Pumpkin Popcorn Bucket.
There’s a lot more to discover on Halloween Horror Nights, from special Dufftoberfest in Springfield, U.S.A. to Voodoo Doughnuts at Universal CityWalk and collectible souvenir items. You can plan your whole experience ahead on the Halloween Horror Nights website.
Halloween Horror Nights dates are September 17-19, 23-26, 30 and October 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31.
You can watch a short trailer for the event below:
Funimation has a lot of exciting anime planned for their fall lineup. More than 20 shows are expected to air, including returning anime favorites like Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon to brand new and exciting series such as Ranking of Kings, The Heike Story, and The Vampire Dies in No Time. All shows will have a subbed or dubbed version.
Sadly, one of the most anticipated anime of the season, Demon Slayer season 2 is not on the list yet, as it has not received a release date. We do know that the new season is expected this Fall, so hopefully, it will not take long for Funimation to specify a release date for it.
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New series viewers can look forward to are:
The Heiki Story, airing September 15 – Biwa who is taken by the powerful Taira Clan, also known as the Heike, after their leader sees her amazing psychic abilities. However, all Biwa sees is a hopeless future of bloodshed, violence, and civil war. This anime is based on the 12th-century epic, Heike Monogatari.
Selection Project, airing October 1 – Idols are all the rage with this one. Nine girls enter the 7th annual “Selection Project,” a tv show that helps the girls purse their dreams to become idols.
Mieruko-chan, airing October 3 – The plot is seemingly simple: Miko can see dead people, but she chooses to ignore them, which leads to a variety of interesting results.
The Vampire Dies in No Time, airing October 4 – The world’s weakest vampire, Draluc, unwillingly aids legendary vampire hunter Ronaldo in his hilarious adventures to take down vampires, axe-wielding editors, and more.
Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside, airing October 6 – The story follows Red, who is kicked out of his adventuring party. The title pretty much explains it all.
Taisho Otome Fairy Tale, airing October 8 – Shime Tamahiko, exiled due to his disability, meets his arranged bride who upends his lonely life.
Ranking of Kings, airing October 14 – Boji, a deaf prince and heir to the throne, looks forward to the future. He sets on an adventure with a friend to become the greatest king ever.
Rumble Garanndoll – This anime depicts a Japan where manga, anime, and idols are outlawed by alternate-world invaders who have taken over. The protagonist, Hosomichi joins a team of female freedom fighters made up of pilots and otakus.
Anime returning this season are:
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon-The Second Act, airing October 2 – lost twins reunite and together discover a dark secret about themselves.
Muschoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation 2nd cour – a story about an underachiever who is given a chance to start over when he gets reincarnated as an infant.
Included in the fall lineup are some anime that will continue airing from this summer, as well:
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2 – With Rimuru and the Jura Tempest Federation recovering from dark events that unfolded, the question is whether Demon Lord Clayman will finally be punished.
One Piece – Luffy continues on his adventure to claim the greatest treasure on Earth and become king of all Pirates.
Obey Me! – Lucifer and Satan, along with other five princes of hell attempt to manage their everyday lives at their demon academy.
Scarlet Nexus – Based in a future alternate reality and brain-based technology and society, this anime follows The Other Suppression Force, a team of people with supernatural abilities who have joined together to combat Earth’s enemies, mutants from the Extinction Belt. The game is based on the popular video game series of the same name.
KEEP READING: ‘Demon Slayer: Mugen Train’ Limited Edition Blu-ray Release Includes Audio Commentary and More
It looks like HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us will be relying more heavily on its video game origins than we originally thought. According to a new, updated production list from the Director’s Guild of Canada, Neil Druckmann — who served as writer and creative director on the original 2013 game — is listed as one of five directors for the upcoming series, currently shooting in Calgary.
Druckmann is listed with four other directors for the series, including co-writer and showrunner Craig Mazin, and Kantemir Balagov, who has already been confirmed to direct the show’s pilot, Peter Hoar and Jasmila Žbanić. Druckmann is already serving as co-writer and executive producer on the series, but now it looks like he’ll be wearing three hats over the course of the series, lending his creative vision to work behind the camera as well.
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It’s unclear whether Druckmann will direct a single episode or multiple, as the production list is not a complete breakdown, but having the person responsible for leading development on the PlayStation hit behind the camera is huge news for the series. With Druckmann serving as both writer and director, long-time fans of The Last of Us can certainly look forward to an adaptation that remains true to the spirit of the games that they fell in love with.
However, the DGC breakdown also confirms that production on the series is set to finish on June 8, 2022, meaning that, with no concrete release date, we have quite a long while to go before we see Joel and Ellie on our TV screens — played by Games of Thrones alums Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Also joining the cast are Gabriel Luna, Jeffrey Pierce, Anna Torv, and Merle Dandridge, reprising her role as Marlene, whom she voiced in the original game.
NBC’s new drama Ordinary Joe isn’t just one genre — it’s a lot of them. The series focuses on three different lives being lived by the same man in three different realities, thanks to one fateful choice that Joe (James Wolk) made on his college graduation day 10 years ago. Whether he’s working as a nurse on the late shift, doing the rounds as a New York City cop, or touring the world as a famous rock star, though, there’s always something he’s still in need of finding, whether it be happiness in his work or a second chance at love.
It’s a big high-concept premise reminiscent of NBC’s wildly popular award-winning drama This Is Us, but as showrunners Garrett Lerner and Russel Friend told Collider in this two-on-one interview, they adapted the original pilot script written by Matt Reeves to be very personal to their own lives. Here, they explain how they came to work on the series, what went into casting an actor with a pretty specific disability, why the first season won’t get particularly weird, and how many seasons they think the series could go.
Collider: So I will say that I really enjoyed the pilot, and realized while I was watching that it reminded me of the last time I watched a really interesting pilot that felt like a really good short film, where I’m not totally sure where the show is going — the first time I watched the This Is Us pilot.
GARRETT LERNER: We felt the same thing when we [first read it]. This was originated by Matt Reeves — he wrote a script somewhere in the mid-2000s, and we were looking to develop something, read it and thought like, wow, this feels like a perfect NBC show, this feels like a This Is Us successor, such a beautiful little piece. And the network, they saw our vision and bought it and wondered the same thing, like where does it go as a series? We just had confidence in these characters, in these paths, in these stories that were going forward and we’d just been running with it ever since. Every time we go to the network to say, “Here’s what’s coming up in the next five episodes,” they keep thankfully being like, “Oh, we were worried and now we’re not.” So it’s going some pretty exciting places. I would say.
What was that exact moment where you got the script like? Was it a situation where you were in a general meeting and somebody said, “By the way, we have this thing we haven’t ever been able to crack”?
LERNER: Yeah. Every pilot season, usually Russ and I will have our idea for a show in this particular year, I think it was 2018. We didn’t have one, so our agency sends us to the various studios and various production companies and people sort of say, “Here’s what we do. We’ve got this book, we’ve got this.” So we had a couple dozen submissions from the various studios and production companies. And when we picked up Matt’s script, I immediately called Russell and was like, forget everything else. This is the one we’re doing. He read it, immediately called me back. And we both were like, we’ve got to go meet Matt Reeves. We’ve got to do this.
RUSSEL FRIEND: Yeah. And it was funny too, because in the meeting, I remember the execs, they pitched, I think three or four things. And then they were like, “Oh, and maybe we’ll also mention this other thing, this Matt Reeves project we had.” Because it was 10 years old, it had been in and out of development, it was originally at Sony — it was a complicated sort of past. So yeah, they almost didn’t even pitch it to us, but luckily they did.
So from the original script you were working with, what were the biggest things you ended up adding?
LERNER: We put a lot of ourselves into it, per Matt Reeves’ encouragement. When he met with us, he said, “This was a really personal thing to me at the time when I wrote it over a decade ago, and for you to do it well, you should put yourselves into it and make it personal to you.” So we moved locations, was one of the first things — instead of Northern California, we moved it to New York, which Russ could talk a little bit more about. Joe’s son, we gave this disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which is the same thing that my son has. So, you know, the phrase is “bleed on the page” — to just open ourselves up and make it really honest and true to what our lives are. And hopefully, the best product comes out of that. Russ, do you want to talk about the New York part of it?
FRIEND: Yeah, totally. I grew up on Oyster Bay, Long Island. So it was Billy Joel central. We were just thinking, it might be cool to move it. Let’s set it in New York and you could maybe grow up in Queens. I have family who live in Flushing and it just felt like kind of the perfect location for this family whose dad was a cop. It just felt like the perfect location for him to grow up. And that’s where he met Eric and they were best friends. And then, from there it sort of just grew into everything else — sending them to Syracuse came out of that.
Also, a big part of the New York thing was that, for Cop Joe, we added the whole backstory that his father was killed in 9/11. And that became kind of a central focal point, obviously for his character, for all three characters, you know? So then New York became even more important. They were like, “Yeah, we’ll definitely keep it in New York.” So his dad was NYPD, he was on the scene that day and was killed. So that became a big part of the show and an important thing for us to do.
LERNER: And we changed two of the Joe’s career paths. Matt[‘s script] had a Lawyer Joe. And an English Teacher Joe — which we changed into Nurse Joe and Rock Star Joe, respectively, because we loved playing around with the idea. One of Matt’s characters, English Teacher Joe, was kind of a hopeful dreamer. And we thought, what if one of these Joes, instead of being a dreamer, has achieved those dreams, and how fun it would be to play around with that idea that, one choice could actually lead to full-on celebrity and stardom and then compare that to the other lives. And then, what is actual happiness? Is it, actual happiness to achieve what you think your dream is? Or can you find contrasting happiness?
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I want to ask about the casting of Joe’s son because, especially if you’re going out to cast an actor with a specific medical condition in mind, I’m curious what the process of that was like.
FRIEND: Yeah, the studio was great. The very first casting concept meeting, we brought up that it was important for us to cast it with proper representation, not to just cast some young actor out of Hollywood and teach them to use a wheelchair. We wanted to find a disabled actor and so we wrote up some sides and we just kind of did a national search by sending them to the SMA community that I’m a part of, to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. And the casting people went even further than that. Our consultant, Shane Burcaw, helped get the word out — he’s a disability advocate who has spinal muscular atrophy as well.
And the technology has made it such that people with this, their parents, it was just like, “Hey, point this at your child and have them read the thing and then email it to us. It’s that easy now.” And so we got dozens of submissions. Scores. It’s really from all over the country and all from people who had not acted before, including John Gluck who got the role and who is beyond amazing, beyond our wildest dreams, of how this could have worked out.
John does not have spinal muscular atrophy. He has congenital muscular dystrophy. But nevertheless, having the proper representation, getting to know him, getting to know his family has made it even that much more special.
So of course this is not a genre show. It’s set in the real world. But I feel like inherent in the premise is the potential for genre elements, so I’m very curious — should I shut down all hopes of that happening? Will things stay pretty much in the drama realm, or will things get a little weirder as they go?
LERNER: They’re not going to get particularly weird, certainly in Season 1. It’s a drama in Season 1, a drama about the road not taken and being able to see the road not taken. Whether or not those paths ever converge or, that might be something that interests us down the line. But right now we’re just examining each of those paths in the most grounded, honest way, and seeing where that takes us. And so far, it’s kept our interest as writers without going to that sort of sci-fi place.
FRIEND: Yeah. You never know though.
LERNER: You never know.
FRIEND: Yes, cause a lot of people have asked us that. Especially when we were first pitching it. Well, what’s the thing are we going to find out, it’s like, he’s dreaming all this or he’s in a coma? We don’t want to do any of that, but who knows? For now, yeah, we just want to examine these three different worlds, three different lives.
I mean, it helps that any one of these three shows could easily be its own show.
LERNER: Yeah. We would have a lot more cop story and a lot more medical story, if we had just done the one or the other. A lot more touring and concerts, if we have done that.
FRIEND: That was one of the things when we were casting, we really took a long time, but we got really super lucky with obviously all our casts, but especially our top four because we feel all of them could basically be the lead of their own show. Like you’re saying, so it’s like, we can have all these. It is like three different shows. And like we want to, in the future, branch out and give more story to Charlie and Natalie and Elizabeth. So it could be even a law show because since [Jenny’s] a lawyer. We could have that.
Is there the possibility for a breakout episode where it’s three different realities of, say, Charlie’s?
LERNER: Certainly down the line. We’re not currently planning yet in season one for that, but we do have episodes still within season one that focus more on Charlie or that focus more on Natalie or that focus more on Elizabeth. But we haven’t split off. I mean, they do each have three realities. Like every character lives in those three realities, but at least within season one, those realities are defined by the decision Joe made after college. And that’s what caused these three paths. Certainly in future seasons, yes, there could be a world in which Natalie made the three different choices or Elizabeth made the three different choices.
Sure. In terms of talking about the season versus the future, do you feel like you have a multi-year plan in place?
LERNER: Yeah, I think so. There is. And like any plan, you never know how much of it will survive. But we do have a very rough plan and luckily that’s the great thing about our writers’ room — we have just a great bunch of writers. And when we first started the room and kind of walked through where we think things could go and sort of the arc of the season, the great thing is, people have tons of ideas that can then be like, “Oh, well, that’s a better idea. Let’s do that.” And that can take us in a totally different direction. So we have a rough plan, but we’re open to that plan completely changing and evolving.
In that plan, do you know how many seasons are looking at?
LERNER: At least like 15 to 16? [laughs] At least. I don’t know. I guess in, in our heads, I think it was like five or six, cause I felt that’s what This Is Us is doing. But who knows?
Ordinary Joe premieres September 20 at 10 p.m. on NBC. New episodes will premiere Mondays.
