Comic Years |
- Leonardo DiCaprio Is Producing A Remake Of Another Round And We Can’t Figure Out Why
- Review: Yasuke Is Faithful To Classic Samurai Stories While Successfully Blending Fantasy And Anime Tropes
- An Interview With Charlie Jane Anders, Author of Victories Greater Than Death
- Anakin Skywalker (And His Clone Wars Voice Actor) Is Returning To Star Wars
- Finn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner Coming to HBO Max
- Vincent Kartheiser Is Playing Scarecrow on Titans Season 3
| Leonardo DiCaprio Is Producing A Remake Of Another Round And We Can’t Figure Out Why Posted: 01 May 2021 09:42 AM PDT It has only been days since Another Round joined the 2021 Academy Award winners for Best International Feature Film. The win came as no shock. Though fans were pleasantly surprised to see the director, Thomas Vinterberg, included in the Best Directing category, too. Led with a brutally honest portrayal by Mads Mikkelsen, the film looks at the midlife crisis in a unique way. It’s already a film worth watching, but some people think it’s time to tell it again. This time, only more Americanized. Leonardo DiCaprio is producing (and starring in) a remake of Another Round. While we love Leo, we aren’t sure this is a project that we can get behind. Why Is Leonardo DiCaprio Producing An Another Round Remake?Another Round is a Danish dramedy that follows Martin (Mads Mikkelsen). Realizing that his life has gotten boring, he encourages his friend group to begin a challenge. They decide to start living their working hours with alcohol in their blood to see how it spices things up, ultimately realizing that not all consequences are worth the added fun. This film quickly became a hit due to its exciting storytelling, combined with the star power of Mads Mikkelsen. The Danish actor, best known for his titular role in NBC’s Hannibal, has quickly become a franchise star. With Star Wars and the MCU in his credits, he will soon join the Wizarding World and Indiana Jones. So, while he may not be a household name, he’s pretty darn close.  Hannibal himself. Image via NBC. By this point, it’s pretty clear that Another Round is a success story. It was nominated for two Academy Awards, winning one of them. It features a world-famous actor, a well-known Danish director, and a creative team with a fair share of success in Europe. Its story should end here, with plenty of people discovering the story after the big Oscars win, increasing its staying power. And enter Leonardo DiCaprio. Leonardo To Remake An Already Famous and Recent FilmAnother Round is a cool story with plenty of potential (that has already been reached!) We’re thrilled to see so many people taking away lessons from the film, and enjoying it, too. However, what we are puzzled to hear is that people think that it needs to be remade. Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce an English-language remake while also starring in the role that Mads Mikkelsen originally played. It has also been confirmed that Vinterberg will not be involved. He has provided some support for the film, adding that DiCaprio is the “finest actor you can get.” Other than Mads, of course. Right, Thomas?  Image via Warner Bros. Pictures Subtitles Don’t Mean We Can’t All Enjoy A MovieDirector Bong Joon Ho knows a thing or two about making movies. In addition to films like Snowpiercer and The Host, the South Korean director earned worldwide acclaim in 2019 for Parasite. The film quickly became the highest-grossing South Korean film in history and swept up everything come Awards season. Oh- and it was all in Korean. In accepting the award for Foreign Language Film at the 2020 Golden Globes, Boon Joon Ho reminded everybody about the universal beauty of filmmaking. “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” he said.
We’re all for well-made remakes. But the problem with Leonardo DiCaprio producing a remake of Another Round is that it is essentially a way of saying that American audiences don’t need to bother with non-English-language films. The film just came out, just won major awards, and is still being watched by new fans every day. It seems that the only logical reason for remaking it is to appeal to more Western fans and to give DiCaprio another chance to run around in front of a camera on substances (and we admit, he does it so well.) We Should Seek Out More International Films Instead of Letting Leonardo DiCaprio Remake Another RoundWatching an Oscar-winning subtitled film like Parasite or Another Round is great. It helps remind us that films are being made in places far beyond our borders. But only picking the ones that receive universal acclaim is not enough. We need to look at films not just for their ability to immediately connect to our cultural experiences, but as art that can teach us a thing or two about different places in the world. Readers, we want to hear your opinion on Leonardo DiCaprio and his remake of Another Round. Do you think that it’s necessary? Or is it just a way to encourage us not to bother with films if we have to *gasp* read a few subtitles? And while we’re at it, let’s share our favorite non-English-language films. Mine is Portrait of a Lady on Fire. What’s yours? Featured image via Samuel Goldwyn Films. Leonardo DiCaprio Is Producing A Remake Of Another Round And We Can’t Figure Out Why  |
| Posted: 01 May 2021 05:06 AM PDT From its marketing, Yasuke looked like your typical action-adventure anime. The Yasuke official trailer focused on the show's more fantastical and genre elements. Which were great. But this Yasuke anime series review will show how the series is more philosophical and pensive than that. Which is more in line with the classic Samurai stories or movies, than many fantasy anime. But there's a lot of anime elements to love here as well. So check out this spoiler-free Yasuke anime series review. Netflix's New Original Anime From A Real-Life Legend Image via Netflix. As I briefly touched upon the trailer's release, Yasuke is actually a story based on a true legend. While the specifics of the origins vary, the legend speaks of one of the first-ever Black men in Japan, indoctrinated into the ways of the Samurai thanks to an eccentric autocrat. The story of Yasuke follows how a powerful Lord, never having seen a Black man, takes an interest in Yasuke. Welcoming him into his clan, the Lord bestows the training and respect of a Samurai warrior onto Yasuke. History then can't agree on how Yasuke lived out the rest of his life, with multiple accounts from various sources. The legendary story is so popular, that the fan-favorite Afro Samurai series, also featuring a Black Samurai was directly inspired by the legend of Yasuke. Other mediums such as books and games have featured a character like Yasuke, but no medium has actually adapted the Yasuke story into its own film or TV content. And what's where this Yasuke anime series review of Netflix's new original series comes in. Yasuke Anime Series Review Has To Balance The Show’s Tone Image via Netflix. I'll preface this Yasuke anime series review with the disclaimer that the new show is less anime, and more along the lines of classic Samurai films, such as from Akira Kurosawa. The reason I mention this is because the focus of the show is more on the character-driven story of the titular Yasuke. It's less on the incredibly gorgeous and stunning action sequences and, even the highly intriguing world that they've built into the story. The Yasuke anime series is about the rise, fall and redemption of the titular character. The series is set in 1800's Feudal Japan and unfolds through present-day story and flashbacks to the past, 20 years apart. The story begins with a drunk and world-weary older Black boatsman, going about his mundane life in a small town. We get flashbacks of his past as a Samurai Warrior who was on the losing side of an incredible battle. The Story Makes Great Use Of An Existing Formula Image via Netflix. Sequestering himself away from the world, the boatsman gets a request to ferry a sick young girl through dangerous territory. What follows is how this man with a haunted past has to face his worst fears and return to the world he left behind, for the sake of an innocent life. It's very much the reluctant hero trope that we've seen a lot. But Yasuke is an incredible series because the story's focus is on that character development, and, and not using it as a framing for the larger, action-packed story. Each episode goes back and forth between the flashbacks and the present day, to better contextualize whatever obstacles Yasuke's dealing with in the present day. Yasuke's inner struggle is the main plot with everything serving as a device to drive him to redemption. Despite Its Substance, The Action Bits Are No Slouch Image via Netflix. Even without the emotional core of the series, it's still got a lot to keep general audiences interested. Some incredible anime-style action sequences accompany the soulful episodes. It's not that surprising given that the animation studio behind Yasuke is none other than the famed Mappa Studio. Mappa is responsible for such other anime like God Of High School and Attack On Titan. While another studio like Powerhouse Animation's action techniques seen in shows like Seis Manos and Castlevania are more real-world base movements, Mappa is more cinematic. Similarly, the action of Yasuke is high flying, huge in scope, and totally unrealistic in the best way possible. And given the number of interesting characters, that's not really too surprising. When a show has a smart-aleck giant robot, a bitter Shaman and a seemingly Russian, Amazon-looking mercenary that can turn into a huge bear on command, the action has to be good. Even more so when the giant battle sequences feature armies of regular Samurai, complimented by Sorcerers who make regular arrows into energy blasts. And even bigger mechanized robots at their flank. It's all too surreal to process, especially seeing how little exposition there is about all these things. But at the same time, Yasuke's inner story is what you're meant invest in, not how mechs can exist in a Feudal era with sorcerers. Those aspects are just set dressing; incredible set dressing at that, but still servicing the smaller story. And that's probably my only complaint. This Yasuke Anime Series Review Would've Been Perfect With More World BuildingImage via Netflix. While I understand that the series is aptly about Yasuke, and it's a personal story set against this massive world, I wanted more of the world. The mish-mash of ancient Japan, magic Shamans, and sorcerers along with advanced technological, and potentially sentient robots needed more explanation. Besides a throwaway line about the technology being acquired from conquest, Yasuke doesn't provide that. I would love to know how this fusion of mystical and machine came together. How old world met the new world to create this never-before-seen potpourri of awesome. Given that Yasuke is also a personal story, the pacing at times is lacking. While the show does a great job of blending the slow character moments with requisite action set pieces, there are still long stretches of quiet. Which doesn't sit too well against the more interesting backdrop; at least for this reviewer. The Voice Cast Is Top Notch Image via Netflix. Yasuke is voiced by LaKeith Stanfield who is incredible. Very rarely do voice actors really stand out unless it's an existing famous celebrity. Whereas Stanfield, through his voice acting alone, can portray two different versions of the same character from past to present. The older Yasuke is very much tired with the world, while the younger one is strong, idealistic and energized. Stanfield is able to play both through just voice alone, and it enhances the series so much more. Complimenting him is Ming-Na Wen in a significant role as Natsumaru. Yasuke is a commendable addition to Netflix's ever-expanding anime library. And it's truly one of a kind. It's an anime that is very loyal to the tone and atmosphere of old-world Japan, while still successfully blending more fantasy elements into that setting. The Yasuke anime series is now streaming on Netflix.How did you feel about this slower and more contemplative anime series from Netflix? Let me know in the comments below. Featured image via Netflix. Review: Yasuke Is Faithful To Classic Samurai Stories While Successfully Blending Fantasy And Anime Tropes  |
| An Interview With Charlie Jane Anders, Author of Victories Greater Than Death Posted: 01 May 2021 01:07 AM PDT Charlie Jane Anders is the author of several genre titles including All The Birds In The Sky and The City In The Middle of the Night. Now she takes the leap into YA genre fiction with the first book of her new series – Victories Greater Than Death. I recently did a little Q&A with Charlie Jane Anders to ask her about the new series, and what it’s like to jump into the world of YA genre fiction. Check out our interview below. And keep an eye out for a very special episode of the Comic Years Podcast in June when we will sit down for a longer conversation with the author.  Charlie Jane Anders | Photo by Sarah Deragon/Portraits to the People via the Author’s Website Victories Greater Than Death is your first YA novel. Why did you choose to jump into the realm of YA fiction?I’ve loved YA or as long as I can remember. And maybe five years ago I started noticing that there were a lot of YA books coming out that felt like straight-up escapist action-adventure storytelling. With emotionally complex protagonists going through fast-paced storylines full of heists, narrow escapes, battles and epic confrontations. I felt like I’d always wanted to write a novel that was more fast-paced and full of exciting set pieces, so this felt like a chance to do that. And I cannot underscore enough that I’ve always loved YA and was always dying to step into that lane. This is also the first novel in a trilogy. How was the process different writing the start of a series vs. your standalone books? Image via Tor Teen I had to do a lot more worldbuilding and planning to make sure I had a rich enough universe, with a fancy enough backstory, to support three whole books. When I sold Victories Greater Than Death to Tor Teen, I included a detailed outline of all three books (though the plan has changed a lot since then) and a super-detailed and lengthy document about all the different aliens and all the technologies in my universe, plus the whole history of the galaxy. And I’ve definitely found that writing the second and third books in a trilogy involves its own whole host of challenges — a bunch of stuff I set up in the first book pays off in the second book, and it’s like I wrote a bunch of checks that I now need to cash. It’s mostly been fun though! You've said that the book is perfect for fans of Doctor Who and Star Wars. But I also picked up some parallels to video games like Mass Effect. What other genre media influenced you while writing Victories Greater Than Death? A scene from Mass Effect? Or Victories Greater Than Death? Image via BioWare I would be so stoked if people thought my book was similar to Mass Effect! That would be unspeakably awesome. I discovered Steven Universe and She-Ra after I’d already been working on this book for a while. But those animated shows (plus Summer Camp Island) ended up being a huge influence on this trilogy. And tons of comics, including the ones Rachael name-checks in the book. The novel is extremely visual and feels like it would be perfectly suited to a graphic novel and/or on-screen adaptation. Do you have any plans to adapt it into another medium down the road?I can’t really say much yet, but I hope there will be an adaptation eventually!!!! There is a large ensemble cast in the book of humans and aliens alike. So here is an impossible question: do you have a favorite character?I really hate to pick favorites, because I love them all! But most days… it’s either Rachael or Elza.   Image via Tor Teen Gender and sexuality is a large part of the book, but none of the characters struggle with these issues (outside of not knowing how to pursue relationships). Why was it important to you to include these subjects as normal everyday experiences (rather than traumatic issues the characters have to grapple with)?I feel like we’ve all been overwhelmed with tragic, traumatic stories of people who suffer because of their gender or sexuality or other queer identities. I myself have written a couple of very scary stories in which trans people were put through hell in various ways, as a way of processing some of the fear and trauma of being a trans person in this horrible time we’re living through. And there are some scary things in the backstories of some of the characters in Victories (though those things don’t define any of these characters.) But I think it’s incredibly valuable and important to see queer people thriving — being powerful, chasing our dreams, being happy. Being heroes. We deserve to have excellent adventures, just like everyone else!  Image via Tor Teen The antagonists of the book are a group called the Compassion who are hell-bent on genocide against any non-humanoid race. How does this parallel real-world issues that concern you?I feel like the Compassion only got more relevant as time went by, sadly. I was definitely thinking of some fictional baddies, like the Daleks in Doctor Who, or the Borg in Star Trek — space opera is full of xenophobic, authoritarian monsters with a superiority complex. But it’s been tragic to see xenophobia and paranoia become so widespread here on Earth.  Image via BBC The main character Tina struggles with her sense of identity throughout the book, as the clone of a famous war hero. Why was depicting this struggle important to you and the story?I never wanted to lose sight of the escapist, wish-fulfillment aspects of Tina’s story. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be satisfying if claiming this legacy was too easy for Tina. And the more I worked on her story, the more I wanted her to struggle with the question of what kind of hero she wants to be — and whether this thing she’s dreamed of for years is really what she wants. Does she *really* want to be the second coming of Captain Fantastic, as Elza puts it? And I wanted to show the downside of the “chosen one” narrative.  Image via Tor teen What can we expect to see in future installments of the series?It’s actually the Unstoppable trilogy! I have no idea where that “Universal Expansion” thing came from, it was very random. Anyway, book two is basically done, and I cannot wait for everyone to read it. In the second book, we see everything that we only heard about in the first book. We get to see the palace, and the Queen, and Yatto the Monntha’s home planet, and a bunch of other stuff that I just dropped a bunch of hints about in the first book. We learn a lot more about the ancient threat that we glimpsed in the first book, and a whole lot of shoes drop. And then in the third book, it’s just a non-stop all-out race against time to stop a deadly threat before it’s too late. Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders is out now from Tor Teen. For more genre news and reviews, be sure to follow Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter today! An Interview With Charlie Jane Anders, Author of Victories Greater Than Death  |
| Anakin Skywalker (And His Clone Wars Voice Actor) Is Returning To Star Wars Posted: 30 Apr 2021 04:50 PM PDT On the heels of learning that Hayden Christensen will be part of the cast of the Obi Wan Kenobi live-action series, we get some more exciting Anakin-related news. Matt Lanter, the voice actor for Anakin Skywalker in the Clone Wars animated series, will be returning to reprise the role in some as-yet unnamed project for Lucasfilm Animation. Lanter played Anakin since the 2008 animated feature The Clone Wars. He’s also known for playing Wyatt on NBC’s Timeless. He played that hapless Republic Guard in the first season episode of The Mandalorian where Mando, Natalie Tena, Clancy Brown, Bill Burr, and Richard Ayoade broke into a prison.  Image via Lucasfilm What We KnowWe know we'll see Anakin in animation again. Lanter openly stated that he has "been part of some things [he] can't talk about yet. You'll see Anakin again," which is about as forthright as anyone has ever been about upcoming Star Wars projects. Lanter says he "never quite put Anakin down," which is an exciting sentiment he shares with Obi Wan. Whether this means we'll see more of Anakin's journey where The Clone Wars left off, where his arc ended in Revenge of the Sith, or if it will intersect with The Bad Batch remains to be seen, but it's exciting to hear that Lanter is as attached to the character as we all are.  Image via Lucasfilm The Clone Wars premiered only 3 years after Revenge of the Sith and built so much on the framework the prequel trilogy established. While the prequels have been validly critiqued, the characters they built were fascinating to follow, and the animated series built on them beautifully. After the seventh season concluded, it was obvious there was more left for Anakin to do, even if that "more" was to finish carrying out Order 66 and become a scourge to the galaxy. How Anakin Skywalker Might Be Returning And Which Voice Actor Will We Get?The Clone Wars gave us so much development for the prequel Star Wars universe, that one of the exciting things is how many places Anakin Skywalker (and Lanter as his voice actor) returning could go. We've already seen a wiser Ahsoka Tano appear in The Mandalorian season two, but when she faced Darth Vader in Star Wars: Rebels the voice actor for that was a guy we think is worth watching named (checks notes) James Earl Jones. (Though, Lanter did return to record a single line heard when Ahsoka damaged his mask.) There is also the possibility that, though Anakin is returning with the same voice actor, he won't have the same focal point he did in Clone Wars. One of the most memorable parts of Rogue One was Vader's brief appearance, and getting that level of menace in an animated series would be as emotional as it is awesome. We already got a taste of it in the series finale of The Clone Wars, and the prospect of Darth Vader returning in a similar fearful capacity is appealing. It will be interesting if we get something with both Lanter and Jones voicing both sides of the chosen one.  Image via Rogue One: A Star Wars Story We also know there is a wide, extended universe worth of stories that aren't canon anymore, and Disney seems intent on sifting through them and pulling in some of the fan favorite characters and plotlines. Maybe we'll see some of Vader's extended dealings with the Jedi remnants scattered across the galaxy, or maybe he'll just be a force of menace and fear for the main characters in another series. Whatever way it goes, we're excited to see Lanter is returning to the role. You can catch up with the Star Universe in The Bad Batch premiering on Disney+ May 4, 2021.What do you think? Are you excited that Anakin Skywalker is returning with his The Clone Wars voice actor? What story do you think they are going to tell? Let us know in the comments below, but make sure you have the high ground first. Anakin Skywalker (And His Clone Wars Voice Actor) Is Returning To Star Wars  |
| Finn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner Coming to HBO Max Posted: 30 Apr 2021 03:11 PM PDT For the longest time, fans speculated over who would play Hal Jordan, or John Stewart, or maybe even Kyle Rayner, in future DCeU Green Lantern productions. But as it turns out, we weren't even speculating over the right Green Lantern! HBO Max and Warner Bros have confirmed that American Horror Story's Finn Wittrock will star as Guy Gardner in an HBO Max Green Lantern series. But he's not the only Lantern showing up. Finn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner Isn't the Only Star of the Series Including this character is a pleasant surprise. (Image: DC Comics) Though the only casting announcement was that Finn Wittrock will suit up as Green Lantern Guy Gardner, the Hollywood Reporter also reports that the original, golden age Green Lantern will be a central character too. Also, alongside Gardner, we'll get an entirely new Lantern:
We don't know anything about Bree Jarta, but the way they're bringing in Alan Scott is wonderful. Seeing him navigate the spy world and outer space, all while dealing with hatred and bigotry for who he is? That's what comics do best. Talk about real world issues with a fantastical backdrop. As far as Green Lantern Guy Garder, we'll see Finn Wittrock as “a hulking mass of masculinity, and, as rendered in the comics, an embodiment of 1980s hyper-patriotism. And yet, Guy is somehow likable.” Um…Guy Garnder? That's an, um, Interesting Choice Please cast Yara Shahidi for this role. (Image: DC Comics) There are a lot of humans who wear Green Lantern rings. Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, Sojourner Mullein, Keli Quintela (kind of), and the classics, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner and Alan Scott. However, if you asked a group of 100 people who the best Lantern is, maybe three would say Garner. John Stewart and Kyle Raynor are generally the most popular, but Baz, Cruz, and – especially – Mullein are taking over. Loyalists love Hal Jordan despite that he's as interesting as a bowl of dry Fiber One cereal. And traditionalists love Scott. Gardner? That would be like saying the best player in the '96 Bulls was Dickey Simpkins, even though Rodman, Pippin, and Jordan were all on the team too. (And yes, I had to google "other members of the 1995 Chicago Bulls" to even find another name.) Hopefully we'll see more of the characters we love, but it's also cool that we'll see new characters. What do you think of Ginn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner? Good casting or "wait, why are they even casting for Gardner in the first place"? Tell us below! [Featured Images: DC Comics (left) and American Horror Story, FX (right)] Finn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner Coming to HBO Max  |
| Vincent Kartheiser Is Playing Scarecrow on Titans Season 3 Posted: 30 Apr 2021 12:11 PM PDT We've already known that Titans season 3 would be featuring some new characters. For instance, there will now be a Batgirl on Titans. But in addition to Batgirl and Red Hood, we found out during FanDome last year that another character would be joining the show. And now we know that Vincent Kartheiser will be playing Scarecrow, that other character. You Might Know Vincent Kartheiser from Such Roles As "Mad Men's Greatest Meme" image via AMC Kartheiser, a Minneapolis native, has been acting since he was a child. He had roles in movies like Alaska, for example, and uh, The Indian in the Cupboard. (Yikes on the bikes.) Then he was able to transition successfully to roles in teen comedies like All I Wanna Do and more adult fare, like Larry Clark's Another Day in Paradise. He also worked extensively in television. His first big role was as Connor on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off Angel. It was his next role, though, for which is he probably best known. From the show's beginning in 2007 to its end in 2015, Kartheiser played the role of Pete Campbell on Mad Men. Campbell could be a divisive character on the show. However, he was certainly a memorable one. Vulture, for instance, calls one of his lines "Mad Men's Greatest Meme." I can definitely say that it is the line that I, a person who has seen exactly one episode, quote the most. Anyway, most recently you might have seen him in the Netflix docudrama The Social Dilemma.
Vincent Kartheiser Will Be Playing Scarecrow in Titans Season 3Even if you’re not a die-hard DC Comics fan, then you still might recognize the character Scarecrow. Also known as Dr. Jonathan Crane, Cillian Murphy played the character in the Dark Knight film trilogy. In addition, Ozark‘s Charlie Tahan played a young version in the Fox series Gotham. And now, of course, Kartheiser is playing him on Titans. There are no details about Scarecrow’s storyline on the show at this time. Presumably, though, he’s doing the regular Just Scarecrow Things. You know, like being at Arkham, experimenting with his fear gas, being too shy to try out a bolder-colored burlap mask. I might have made one of those up. Anyway, as we’ve told you, you can expect season 3 later this year. And I’m sure we’ll find out more details soon. What do you think about this casting? Tell us on our social media or in these comments. featured image via DC Comics Vincent Kartheiser Is Playing Scarecrow on Titans Season 3  |
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