More summer geek showbiz news has arrived, and it's time for a round-up!
Sony Pictures released the official trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife with a sneak peek at the ghosts and miniature Stay-Puft Men from the movie. The film was delayed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will finally be landing in theaters on a November 11 (see "Best in Shows - 2021").
The lawsuit against AMC by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd, Glen Mazzara and David Alpert has new life after a ruling this week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The suit was originally filed back in 2017 (see "Kirkman, Hurd, Alpert, and Mazzara Sue AMC"), but had an unfavorable ruling last year (see "Kirkman Loses on ‘TWD’ Ruling"). The judge is now allowing litigation to proceed using new legal theories and the potential for punitive damages, according to the report. AMC just settled its The Walking Dead litigation with Frank Darabont for $200 million (see "Darabont Gets $200M").
Warner Bros. is producing over ten films that will be released on HBO Max day and date with their theatrical release, CEO Jason Kilar said in the company’s conference call this week. The company employed a broader strategy in 2021, releasing the whole slate on HBO Max the same time the movies released in theaters (see "Warner Bros. To Release 2021 Slate on HBO Max"), and Kilar said he doesn't anticipate that movie distribution will return to having lengthy theatrical windows post-Covid.
Netflix is developing a Pokemon live-action series, according to Deadline. The show's writing corps will be helmed by showrunner Joe Henderson, who recently wrapped up the final season of Lucifer. Pokemon received an earlier live-action treatment in the Detective Pikachu feature film released in 2019 (see "'Detective Pikachu'").
Universal is dropping $400 million for three new Exorcist movies, according to Variety. The new trilogy will star Ellen Burstyn, Oscar-winner from the original 1973 film, in her role as Chris MacNeil, and Leslie Odom Jr. The director for this franchise will be David Gordon Green, and it will be produced by Blumhouse, which was responsible for The Purge. The first film will be released theatrically October 23, 2023; the second and third installments may be reserved for NBCUniversal streamer Peacock (see "Best in Shows – 2023").
Showtime released a trailer for the new Dexter series, Dexter: New Blood (see trailer below), which will premiere Sunday, November 7. Michael C. Hall returns as serial killer Dexter Morgan in a story set 10 years after Dexter disappeared in the middle of Hurricane Laura. The final season of the first Dexter series concluded back in 2013 (see "'Dexter'").