Reels of the Week -- More "Game of Thrones", reboots, sequels and "Legion"!

So much news, so little time... SO what are you waiting for? Get yourself a cup of coffee -- or tea, if that is what rocks your boat -- and get comfy, and feast your eyes on this week's cinema and TV news!   

New journeys to the Seven Kingdoms

The new "Game of Thrones" teaser is here! Do I need to say anything else?

 

Okay, then I will. Ed Sheeran is going to guest star in Season 7! Season 8 will consist of six episodes! (hey, just trying to soften the blow here). Yes, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have confirmed at an SXSW panel that the eighth season will be the show's last and that, while Season 7 will have seven episodes, the final one will have six. I have to say, those six episodes will be the shortest episodes of my life, but I am glad that this brilliant, sweeping, epic show will be going out with a bang. I cannot imagine not having it on television and.. sniffle... we shall cross that bridge when we get there.

I am happy to hear that Sheeran, a longtime fan of the show, is making an appearance. No word on the character yet, but we do know that many musicians -- such as members of Coldplay and Sigur Rós -- have had cameos, musical and otherwise, during the six seasons. 

More news for fellow fans. Variety reports that the Season 7 dragons will be the size of a Boeing. Daenerys will be so proud of her fire-spitting babies! Bigger dragons = more epic battles and possibly more territory conquered by House Targaryen.

Rolling Stone reports that George R.R. Martin is opening his own film studio, Stagecoach Productions. A non-profit foundation, it will be welcoming to veteran and novice filmmakers alike. It will be intriguing to see what genres Stagecoach helps produce.

Back to that delightful teaser. The dragon falls apart first, which I hope is not a sign of things to come for the much-maligned House Targaryen. Then those antlers see their demise... well, House Lannister is already in disarray, so I cannot tell what a possible confrontation will bring. At the end, we see that the entire melee is seen through the eyes of a White Walker, which does not spell good things for the Seven Kingdoms.

Season 7 premieres -- and winter comes! -- on July 16 on HBO. Four months minus one day...

Another Dragon Tattoo, coming right up

Yes, a sequel is finally in the works. Long-delayed due to script issues, the new film will now be based on the newest "Millennium" series entry, written by David Lagercrantz. Taking over from the late Stieg Larsson, capturing and further following his popular creations must have been a difficult and perhaps thankless job for Lagercrantz. However, the novel was hugely successful, having won over critics and audiences after being published in 2015. The word on the street is that neither Daniel Craig nor Rooney Mara will be returning, but nothing is set in stone, so we will have to wait for more news.
  
Origami, anyone? 

Edward James Olmos will be back in Blade Runner 2049! The philosophical replicant hunter Gaff, who summarized the human condition with merely one line in the original, is back and apparently pivotal to the story. One of my personal questions would definitely be regarding Gaff's awareness that Deckard was a replicant himself, as director Ridley Scott confirmed at one point. He is a cryptic, perceptive, interesting character, so I am really interested in seeing how he fares in the new film.

"Legion" expands its powers

Stevens and Plaza in FX's "Legion"

The trippiest new candy of a show will be back! FX's "Legion" has been renewed for Season 2. If you are not watching this show, you definitely should be. It is a truly original take on the superhero genre, as well as a rumination on mental illness, individuality and life's big questions. Dan Stevens is electrifying as the principal character, while Aubrey Plaza almost pops out of the screen with her energy and artistic choices. Find it and prepare to be amazed.

Superman accepts an impossible mission

Henry Cavill is joining Mission: Impossible 6. The news was revealed through an endearing Instagram exchange between Cavill and director Christopher McQuarrie. So many questions! Is Cavill playing a good guy or a villain? Will he have cool stunts? Who does not in this franchise? We do not know any story details or the ever important filming locales yet, but I will keep you posted. The film is going to be in cinemas in July 2018. 

The most cannot-in-my-wildest-dreams-believe-it moment of the week: We have a few, so come on in!

An Alabama theatre has canceled Beauty and the Beast screenings due to the gay character LeFou and LGBT content. Whoops... I did not get the memo notifying me that we were still living in 1955. This is a nonsensical, abhorrent and, above all, unnecessary boycott. It is a backward perspective on human sexuality and the arts, not to mention a missed opportunity to teach children about diversity. As far as other countries go, Malaysia is banning the film even after the content in question has been cut, and Russia is slapping an adults-only rating on it. I weep for humanity. At least China has no problem with the storyline, as I am learning today.

And in today's unnecessary reboot/sequel/whateverquel news, The Fly is getting a remake and The Matrix is getting a reboot. Erm... why and why? I have always considered David Cronenberg's 1986 The Fly to be one of cinema's great, tragic love stories wrapped up in the director's trademark body horror, while The Matrix was revolutionary with its mind-bending effects and viewpoints. There is no need to remake or retool these films in any way. *sigh*