Hello Kitty: The family-friendly character Hello Kitty, created by Japanese consumer products company Sanrio in 1975, will star in a well-funded movie that is aiming for release in 2019. Reportedly, the budget is set somewhere between $160 million to $240 million, including marketing costs. The character is described as a friendly sort who lives in London with her family, including her twin sister. [Deadline]
Black Panther: Director Ava DuVernay (Selma) confirms that she met with Marvel executives about making Black Panther, but decided not to move forward. The movie will star Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, ruler of the fictional country of Wakanda. "I think I’ll just say we had different ideas about what the story would be," DuVernay commented. "In the end, it comes down to story and perspective. And we just didn't see eye to eye. Better for me to realize that now than cite creative differences later.” [Essence]
Deadpool: A new promotional photo for Deadpool shows the Marvel comic book character turning a murderous eye on a beloved childhood toy. Ryan Reynolds stars as wisecracking mercenary Wade Wilson, who seeks vengeance against the man who almost killed him. Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano and Ed Skrein also star; look for it in theaters on February 12, 2016. [Latino Review]
Ant-Man Trailer: Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) lays out the reasons why he needs con man and thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) to become Ant-Man, prompting our hero to suggest, instead, that it's time to call upon Earth's mightiest team of superheroes. The funny new Ant-Man trailer also features Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll and Michael Pena; the movie opens in theaters on July 17. [MovieClips]
