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
Worst Oscar-Nominated Movies of All Time
Every year, when the Oscar nominations are announced, a considerable amount of time is spent debating who was snubbed. But for every film that was expecting to get nominated and didn't, there's a film that no one was expecting to get nominated and did. This is the story of those films. The movies you'll look back on and wonder exactly how the heck it ever got nominated for an Oscar.
‘Gremlins’ Remake Unlikely
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.
James Cameron Says ‘Avatar 2’ Delayed Until 2017
Not long ago, we wondered aloud why James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ had been largely forgotten about only five years later, despite being the biggest movie of all-time. It doesn’t even seem like there is a lot of anticipation for ‘Avatar 2’, which Cameron is developing concurrently with Parts 3 & 4. Well, people will suddenly have a little more time to start getting excited for an ‘Avatar 2’, because Cameron announced today that the upcoming sequel has been pushed back a full year, to December 2017.
George Lucas Wanted to Direct ‘Star Wars: Episode 7′
Last month, George Lucas was asked if he had seen the ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ trailer, and what his reaction was. He said he hadn’t watched the ‘Force Awakens’ trailer, had no plans to and was “not really” interested in the movie. We made him sad, we wrote at the time. But, maybe it wasn’t us that made him sad. While out promoting his new animated movie ‘Strange Magic’, Lucas reveals that he himself wanted to direct ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’.
‘The Interview’ to Begin Streaming Online Starting Today; $6 to Rent, $15 to Buy
Just last week it seemed possible that 'The Interview' may never be seen anytime soon as Sony Pictures canceled the theatrical release and claimed they had no immediate plans for a VOD debut. But, following yesterday's news that 'The Interview' will run in select theaters on Christmas Day, comes more details on their plans to simultaneously stream the film online.
Meet Your New ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ Character: Captain Phasma
Last week saw the official announcement of some of the new 'Star Wars: Episode 7' characters' names. There was Kylo Ren, Finn, Rey, BB-8, and who could forget Poe Dameron. But, there's one more new 'Star Wars' character whose name has been revealed and if you thought "Kylo Ren" sounded silly, wait until you hear this: Captain Phasma.
James Gunn Says Don’t Expect ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and The Avengers to Crossover
Everyone has assumed that, at some point towards the end of this current Marvel Cinematic Universe, the paths of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers would cross. Yes, one superhero team is busy protecting Earth, and the other occupied in outer space, it makes too much sense to not have them meet up in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ right? Never mind the “it makes sense” part, we just really want this to happen. Well, we might never happen according to ‘Guardians’ director James Gunn who warns fans about making such assumptions.
‘Bond 24’ Officially Titled ‘Spectre’
After much speculation, the official title and cast of 'Bond 24' was announced earlier this morning in London by director Sam Mendes. New castmembers—joining returning stars Daniel Craig, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes—include Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, and Léa Seydoux. But, why read about this when you can watch it?
‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ Trailer Beats ‘Avengers 2’ Record
Much was made about how the ‘Avengers 2' trailer broke online viewing records for 2014, shattering the previous record by ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’. But, records were made to be broken and it took just over a month for the ‘Avengers 2’ trailer to be surpassed, not surprisingly by the ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ trailer, which, if it keeps up at its current pace, could set the all-time record for trailer views.
Next ‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ Trailer to Be Attached to ‘Avengers 2′
The ‘Star Wars: Episode 7’ trailer just premiered online last week, but if you’re already starved for new footage (and, who could blame you after that teaser), we’ve got word on when you can see the next ‘Star Wars’ trailer. The bad news is you’re going to have to wait a while. The good news is, you were going to see ‘Avengers 2’ anyway, so now you have the added bonus of seeing a new ‘Star Wars: Episode 7' trailer before Iron Man and Captain America start punching on some evil robots.
‘Peanuts’ Trailer: Charlie Brown, Still a Blockhead
As Charlie Brown and Snoopy are perhaps best known for their classic holiday special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ it only makes sense that the new ‘Peanuts’ trailer debuts with a very Christmas-y feel. You have to wait until next Christmas to see the CGI ‘Peanuts’ movie, but you can get a taste of what it will look and feel like with this new trailer.
Idris Elba Says Working on Marvel Movies is “Torture”
Just yesterday, Joss Whedon hinted he might have to send a scolding e-mail to Idris Elba who, earlier this week, let it slip that he would be appearing in 'Avengers 2' alongside Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth. But, Idris Elba just don't care. In a new interview with The Telegraph, Elba again talked about filming 'Avengers 2' and said working on Marvel movies is "torture."