Mike Sampson is the Editor-in-Chief of ScreenCrush. He studied to become a lawyer and worked as an architectural planner after graduating college but neither of these professions afforded him the opportunity to watch movies and TV for a living. He previously served as the Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com for 10 years. He lives in New Jersey and probably spends too much time playing video games and overthinking things.
Mike Sampson
The Amazing ‘Star Wars’ Concept Art of Designer Ralph McQuarrie
Star Wars illustrator and designer Ralph McQuarrie is responsible for some of the most iconic imagery in the pop culture and the history of movies. McQuarrie designed the look of many of the Star Wars characters including Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the Stormtroopers, as well as locations like the Death Star and Tattooine. In fact, it was McQuarrie's artwork that eventually sold 20th Century Fox on the idea of letting George Lucas actually make a Star Wars movie.
‘Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ Trailer: A Higher Class of Hero
Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the popular 1960s NBC spy series ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ is very much a throwback to the classic spy movies. Whereas most modern spy movies, like ‘Skyfall’ or the upcoming ‘Kingsman’, do their best to distance themselves from the Roger Moore style, ‘U.N.C.L.E.’ actually embraces it. It’s even set in the 1960s. But, is there an audience for a good, old fashioned spy movie? Watch the new ‘U.N.C.L.E.’ trailer and see for yourself.
‘Spectre’ First Look: Daniel Craig is Back as Bond
‘Spectre’, the upcoming 24th James Bond movie, is currently filming in Austria where it is probably as cold and snowy as wherever you are right now (damn you, Polar Vortex!). The cast and crew took some time out to update 007 fans on the progress of the upcoming film with a video blog on what they're currently shooting, which they promise manages to top even ‘Skyfall’.
Watch Hugh Jackman’s Reaction When He Learns About the Marvel and Spider-Man Deal
We spoke to Hugh Jackman earlier today for his upcoming movie ‘Chappie’ (we’ll have much more on that movie soon), and as we were making small talk, we asked Mr. Jackman whether he had heard the news yet about Marvel and Sony Pictures coming to terms on an agreement that would allow Spider-Man to crossover into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He had not. He was very surprised.
‘Minions’ Trailer: Doesn’t It Feel So Good to Be Bad?
A ‘Minions’ movie shouldn't work. They were undoubtedly the best part of the ‘Despicable Me’ movies, and a very large part of why those films were successful. But, could they actually support their own movie? That would be like giving Kramer his own ‘Seinfeld’ spinoff. Yet, watching this new ‘Minions’ trailer has us totally hooked. This could actually work.
Liam Neeson Seeks Revenge in Clash of Clans Super Bowl Ad
Liam Neeson may act like a total badass when he's in movies like ‘Taken’, but he's not above poking a little fun at his new tough guy persona. The actor appeared in a new Super Bowl commercial for Clash of Clans and delivered a monologue that sounds as if it were taken (no pun intended) from one of his shoot-em-up action movies.
Meet the Cast of the All-Female ‘Ghostbusters’ Movie!
Since the news of an all-female 'Ghostbusters' was announced, we've all had lots of fun attempting to reverse-gender cast the film. Melissa McCarthy! Amy Poehler! Emma Stone!! All that speculation has come to an end. Director Paul Feig tweeted a picture of four women that serves as your an official reveal of the new 'Ghostbusters' cast.
Disney Reportedly Wants Chris Pratt to Star in the ‘Indiana Jones’ Reboot
Back when Disney paid $3 billion to purchase Lucasfilm, most focused on what they could and would do with the 'Star Wars' franchise. But, let's not forget about that other big Lucasfilm franchise: Indiana Jones. If Disney's dropping stacks on stacks for Lucasfilm, you better believe they're going to want their money's worth, and that includes a new series of Indiana Jones movies. Case in point: Disney has reportedly ready to focus on a reboot of the popular character and want 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star Chris Pratt to take over the whip from Harrison Ford.
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ Passed ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to Become the Biggest Movie of 2014
Sorry, Star-Lord. Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ was just passed by ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ as the highest grossing film of 2014. And, making that feat all the more impressive: ‘Mockingjay’ reached that mark in just 62 days, without the help of 3D or IMAX.
Anthony Mackie Calls ‘Captain America 3’ “Stupendous,” Wants to Star in Every Marvel Movie
There are some actors, like Idris Elba, who are weary of starring in big-budget superhero movies (“torture” was the specific word he used to describe the process). Anthony Mackie is not one of those actors. In fact, he couldn’t be more excited about his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only is he completely jacked up about starring in ‘Captain America 3’, he wants to star in every Marvel sequel. “Me and Groot can boogie!”
Ben Affleck’s Batman Will Reportedly Appear in ‘Suicide Squad’
While the upcoming DC Comics movie ‘Suicide Squad’ may have lost a Tom Hardy, it may be gaining a Ben Affleck. A new report suggests that Ben Affleck's Batman, will make a cameo at the end of the movie, introducing him to the new Joker (Jared Leto) and setting up his future standalone movies.
Possible spoilers ahead...
‘Gremlins’ Remake Likely Dead, World Rejoices
A lot of your favorite 80s classics have been rebooted or remade into not-so-classics. It's the unfortunate state of the movie business. But, today, we get one back. The proposed ‘Gremlins’ remake, that was on the “fast track” as recently as this past April, may be as dead as a Gremlin in a hot tub.