Greetings, earthlings. Welcome to another edition of The Monitor, WIRED’s entertainment news roundup. This time around we have news about a Labyrinth sequel (nearly 35 years later, but we’ll take it), a new pandemic-ready movie that was shot on an iPhone, and Tom Cruise’s plans to film in space. Here, let us explain.
So, Tom Cruise Really Is Shooting a Movie in Space
As you might recall, a few weeks ago we told you about some rumors flying around Hollywood suggesting that Tom Cruise wanted to shoot a movie in space with the help of NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Turns out, there was something to them after all. Per a report on Deadline, director Doug Liman, who directed Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow, is on board to helm a new action film that will enlist the help of NASA and SpaceX for at least some of the filming.
Little is known about the plot, but Deadline’s report notes that Liman wrote the first draft of the script and Cruise is a producer on the film. Given the current pandemic and the training Cruise and others will likely have to go through, there’s no telling exactly when the film could start production, but it looks like this one might actually happen. Let’s see if we can get #SendTomCruiseToSpace trending.
Labyrinth Is Getting a Sequel
Speaking of surprising news, Labyrinth is getting a sequel. Deadline is reporting that Scott Derrickson will direct the follow-up to the 1986 Jim Henson classic. The movie, which has the backing of the Jim Henson Company, will be written by Maggie Levin, who wrote and directed the “My Valentine” installment of Hulu’s Into the Dark. Derrickson recently stepped away from the sequel to his Marvel film Doctor Strange over creative differences.
iPhone-Shot Germaphobe Movie IWeirDo Will Open Far East Film Festival
If there’s one movie that encompasses Right Now, it might be IWeirDo. The rom-com and debut feature from Taiwan’s Liao Ming-Yi was filmed entirely using an iPhone XS and features two soulmates—a girl who is a germophobe and a guy who is almost constantly washing his hands. Oh, also you’ll be able to watch its premiere online due to the coronavirus. The film is opening the Far East Film Festival, which typically takes place in Udine, Italy, but this year is happening online as that country continues to deal with Covid-19. The festival will take place June 26 to July 4, and IWeirDo will premiere on Italian site MyMovies.
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