Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy!
Transformers One Trailer Debuts
Following a popular announcement last week at Cinemacon (you can read my coverage of the convention on last week’s installment of Did You Hear?), yesterday we were treated to the first trailer for the upcoming Transformers One animated film:
Transformers One | Official Trailer (2024) – Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson
Every Transformer has an origin. Watch the new trailer for #TransformersOne – only in theatres September 20. TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Our first look at Transformers One is introduced by star Bryan Tyree Henry (D-16), and Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax), who shares roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and now in the animated world of Transformers. MCU alumna Scarlett Johansson is also a castmember providing the voice of Elita – 1.
Transformers One falls into the trap of being both a prequel (as almost everything genre releasing this year seems to be …), which hasn’t worked for the franchise previously, a return to style with choices that evoke the 86 movies (arguably the only universally beloved Transformers movie), and somehow late to the animation game in the wake of the Spider-Verse series (for which Henry provides the voice of the best character – Jefferson Davis), and last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
In fairness, I could have written a very similar examination of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and it wound up being my favourite animated movie of 2023. I loved every single second of it and I am most excited for the sequel. My hope, in my heart of hearts, is that Transformers One does the same thing for the Transformers film brand.
Transformers One hit cinemas this coming September.
M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap Also Debuts a Trailer
Pivoting from sequel, prequels, and spinoffs, and not to be outdone by Paramount, Warner Brothers also dropped a trailer yesterday. Trap is the latest offering from divisive filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan:
Trap | Official Trailer
A new M. Night Shyamalan experience. #TrapMovie only in theaters this summer. Listen to original songs from Saleka as Lady Raven: www.ladyravenmusic.com Warner Bros. Pictures presents a new experience in the world of M. Night Shayamalan-“Trap” -featuring performances by rising music star Saleka Shyamalan.
Trap seems to expound on the existential dread of everyone who wasn’t excited about the Taylor Swift Eras tour. It’s slated for a summer release on August 9th, 2024.
Trap stars Josh Hartnett in the starring role – overwhelmed supportive father.
I know comic book fans are desperate to have Taylor Swift provide the voice of Dazzler in X-Men 97 or play the character in live action when mutant make their inevitable in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but if there were ever a more perfect movie for a Swiftie cameo I can’t think of one!
However, Trap isn’t the only offering from Shyamalan’s on the horizon … or rather the Shyamalan family. The filmmaker’s daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan, will make her directorial debut also at WB with The Watchers:
The Watchers | Official Teaser Trailer
Welcome to the show. #TheWatchers only in theaters June 7. https://www.areyouwatching.com/ #AreYouWatching From producer M. Night Shyamalan comes “The Watchers,” written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and based on the novel by A.M. Shine. The film follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist, who gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland.
… whose trailer dropped last month and is eyeing a June 7th, 2024 release.
The Watchers sports Dakota Fanning and Barbarian’s Georgina Campbell leading the cast.
Moviegoers have yet to discover if Ishana will share her father’s penchant for twists, surprise endings, and unrealities. There seems to be potential for it given the closeness The Watchers appears to have with all of M. Night’s most popular works from Signs to Knock at the Cabin. Ishana obviously had a helping hand from her father’s prestige and pedigree, but for horror in particular, she has a strong proving ground with potential audience members the world over.
I, personally, am very interested in how The Watchers turns out. I’m intrigued by the trailer itself, but nepotism as it relates to a new generation of Hollywood creatives is very much in the zeitgeist and discussion of the industry at the moment. This should make for compelling fodder no matter how the public and/or critics come down on the overall quality of the movie itself.
Neon Also Also Debuts New Trailer for Nic Cage Horror Movie, Long Legs
Neon, nipping at the heels of A24, has lined up a stellar cast for their upcoming Long Legs horror movie. It’s led by Nicholas Cage along with the princess of the horror genre, Maika Monroe (It Follows, Significant Other), leading the cast.
Yesterday they also got in on the trailer game dropping a second look at the upcoming Long Legs feature:
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Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to catch a killer. LONGLEGS 7.12 #longlegs #niccage #nicholascage #maikamonroe #horrorstory #movie #ozperkins #scary #film
Long Legs shares the summer horror attitude with a July 12th, 2024 cinema release.
Personally, I really enjoy what Neon has been throwing down since its 2017 debut. Long Legs follows in the recent horror movie tropes of silly titles from the upcoming Sting to last year’s Baghead. One could argue this has always been the cast (I see you, House of 1,000 Corpses), but I can put that aside because this trailers have been so fun to watch.
Be sure to comment below which movie YOU are most interested in watching, Spoilerites!
