Nearly thirty years old and comprising four films, the “Bad Boys” franchise, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, is still going strong. And despite the actor’s strikes that looked like it might delay it, the fourth film in the series, “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,” will be ready and will arrive this summer.

‘Ride Or Die’ is once again directed by filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who directed 2020’s “Bad Boys for Life.” Since then, their “Bad Boys” work has gained them the attention of the superhero world, and they directed episodes of “Ms.

Continue reading ‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’ Trailer: Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Reunite Again In July at The Playlist.

In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo brings back directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah to discuss the film “Rebel.” The dramatic musical thriller follows a Muslim Belgian family as they are slowly ripped apart by Islamic extremists through various devious radicalization techniques. The film stars Aboubakr Bensaihi, Lubna Azabal, Tara Abboud, Amir El Arbi, and more. 

READ MORE: ‘Rebel’ Review: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah’s Radicalization Drama Pulsates With Terrible Inevitability [Cannes]

During the interview, the filmmaking duo discuss how personal the film is to them as it mirrors many experiences they had growing up in Belgium. 

“It’s our most personal project ever,” El Arbi said.

Continue reading ‘Rebel’: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah On Their Musical Drama About Islamic Radicalization,’ Their ‘Batgirl’ Experience, ‘Ms. Marvel’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.

When people think of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah’s superhero work, they probably think of the “Batgirl” situation. But really, the filmmaking duo started working on superhero stuff well before then, as the directors of episodes of the acclaimed Marvel Studios series, “Ms. Marvel.” And since Iman Vellani’s popular character is set to return in the upcoming film, “The Marvels,” folks are starting to wonder if we’ll ever get a Season 2 of “Ms.

Continue reading Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Say ‘Ms. Marvel’ Season 2 Decision Is On Hold Until After ‘The Marvels’ at The Playlist.

Upon retrospect, the cancellation of “Batgirl” was just a precursor of the current era of streaming where companies are flat-out canceling projects before they’re given the chance to be released. TV shows are being canceled during production or before an episode airs. Films are being shipped off to other studios. And really, the situation with “Batgirl” was just the first major example of this new, cutthroat era of streaming. That said, for the filmmakers behind the unseen superhero film, the situation is still a massive disappointment that hurts. 

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Say Experience Is the “Biggest Disappointment” Of Their Careers & There’s No Secret Cut To Be Leaked at The Playlist.

How do you show range as a filmmaker? If you’re directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, you can make a “Bad Boys” movie (“Bad Boys for Life”) and then two disparate movies in one year: 2022’s superhero film, “Batgirl” and then the Cannes drama, “Rebel.” Of course, we all know what happened to “Batgirl.” It was totally scrapped by Warner Bros, but “Rebel,” which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year, is finally coming out this fall.

Continue reading ‘Rebel’ Trailer: The Batgirl Directors Finally Get To Release A 2023 Movie; Their Radicalization Cannes Drama at The Playlist.

Perhaps Will Smith and Martin Lawrence didn’t get the memo that Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios were going to unveil a massive slate of five films and five TV series because the duo picked maybe the worst time ever to announce the official beginning of preproduction on “Bad Boys 4.” 

READ MORE: Will Smith Explains His Mindset When He Slapped Chris Rock At The Oscars: “Hurt People Hurt People”

According to a post on social media (as well as a more detailed report on Deadline), Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are officially reuniting for “Bad Boys 4.” The video shared by Smith doesn’t really give much info other than the film is happening, followed by a lot of yelling, and the funny realization that the fourth film should have been called “Bad Boys 4 Life,” but they wasted that title on the third film, “Bad Boys For Life.” Oh well, you win some and you lose some. 

Continue reading Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Officially Returning For ‘Bad Boys 4’ at The Playlist.

Over the last decade, we’ve seen so many DC Comics projects come and go, from the big screen to the small screen, various reasons contributed to their demise. It’s sometimes hard to keep track of all the ones that were announced for development given that so many haven’t crossed the finish line as Warner Bros. has changed hands multiple times recently and not every film or series survives the new regime.

LISTEN: ‘Yellowstone’: Gil Birmingham Talks About His Long Relationship with Taylor Sheridan & His Unaired DC Comics Project [Yellowstoners Podcast]

“Yellowstone” actor Gil Birmingham recently spoke with The Playlist on the Yellowstoners podcast (listen below), where he reminded us about his previous involvement with WGN America‘s “Scalped.” A somewhat forgotten series adaptation of the DC Vertigo graphic novel that was being written by Doug Jung (“Banshee“) with directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi overseeing the pilot episode (directing duo has since worked on “Ms.

Continue reading ‘Scalped’: Gil Birmingham Discusses Aborted DC TV Series From ‘Reservation Dogs’ Creator Sterlin Harjo And ‘Batgirl’ Directors at The Playlist.

Even though it happened months ago, people still can’t get enough of the story regarding Warner Bros. Discovery’s shelving of “Batgirl” while the film was deep into post-production. Sure, films have been canceled and shelved before. But the idea of a nearly-$100 million superhero film getting locked away in a vault with so much fanfare is just so ridiculous to imagine. Yet, it is the reality that filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are living through right now.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Would Still Love To Work With Warner Bros. Discovery In The Future at The Playlist.

One of the biggest stories out of Hollywood this summer was Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav‘s cancellation of the HBO Max film “Batgirl” following the Discovery-WarnerMedia merger. Scrapping a $90 million movie in post-production is an unprecedented move, and those involved with the film are still reeling from Zaslav’s decision. Add Brendan Fraser, who played the villain in “Batgirl,” to that list.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’: Brendan Fraser Says Film’s “Tragic” Cancellation “Doesn’t Engender Trust” With Filmmakers at The Playlist.

“Batgirl” has been the talk of Hollywood since news broke on August 2 that new Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav canceled the film and several other DC Films and HBO Max-adjacent projects. And as per usual in Tinsel Town, the reason is money. Zaslav axed the film and other projects to take a tax write-down as he navigates his newly merged company toward a new future.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’: Cancelled Film To Get “Funeral Screenings” On Warner Bros. Lot This Week at The Playlist.

When you get fired from a job, you aren’t able to take your favorite stapler, your keyboard, or any other favorite supplies home with you. The company has every right to make sure its property doesn’t leave. Apparently, that also is the case when a film you were in the middle of working on is suddenly canceled, and you’re told to head home, which is the situation filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah found themselves in when they tried to take some “Batgirl” footage home with them. 

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Were Blocked From Grabbing Bootleg Footage On Their Phones After Film Was Canceled at The Playlist.

Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery made a drastic decision: axing a nearly completed “Batgirl” movie, shocking many fans and non-fans alike with the news that a $90 million-budgeted superhero pic would never see the light of day. Yep, you won’t see it on streaming or theatrically, ever, unless it somehow leaks, which is unprecedented. The decision really erupted on the internet, shocking and puzzling many people, including the “Batgirl” directors themselves, who were blindsided by it all.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Get Supportive Messages From Marvel’s Kevin Feige, James Gunn & Edgar Wright at The Playlist.

Most superhero film fans are confused, angry, and saddened by yesterday’s news that Warner Bros. Discovery has permanently canceled the release of “Batgirl,” a blockbuster film that was already shot and in the process of being finished. But the confusion, anger, and sadness felt by fans is nothing compared to the emotion felt by the filmmakers and cast involved in the superhero film, including directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Are “Saddened & Shocked” By The Film’s Abrupt Cancellation: “We Still Can’t Believe It” at The Playlist.

An unbelievable megaton bomb has gone off in the world of the DC Universe. Following a New York Post report that everyone assumed was false—their track record isn’t great, and they recently falsely reported that Johny Depp was returning as Captain Jack Sparrow in an enormous deal—the trades have weighed in, and the rumor is true: Warner Bros.’ “Batgirl” film is getting shelved and won’t be released theatrically or on HBO Max.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Movie Shelved: Warner Bros. Kills $90 Million Superhero Film & It Won’t Appear On Any Platform at The Playlist.

Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which seems to be on a shared path between all of its films and TV series, the folks at DC Films are a bit more scattered. There’s the stuff James Gunn is doing with his “Suicide Squad”/“Peacemaker” misfits, there’s whatever is going on with the “Shazam”/“Black Adam” worlds, which may or may not be connected to the larger DCEU, there’s the dark world of “Joker,” the recently launched world of “The Batman,” and let’s not get started on whatever is going on with “The Flash.” Needless to say, it’s a bit of a continuity mess.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Director Explains How The Film Is “A Spaghetti Of Multiverses” at The Playlist.

Essentially a YA show about a Pakistani teen, Kamala Khan, grappling with life in New Jersey under strict traditionalist parents who want her to be a good Muslim girl, Marvel’s “Ms. Marvel” is a charming and entertaining show merging coming-of-age tropes with coming-of-powers allegories.

Starring the exceptionally delightful Iman Vellani, a 19-year-old Pakistani-Canadian, perfectly cast, “Ms. Marvel” centers on a young girl grappling with newfound powers and entertaining the idea that she can become a superhero.

Continue reading ‘Ms. Marvel’ Review: An Animated Kamala Khan Lights Up The MCU In Charming Teen YA Series at The Playlist.

Batman fans already knew Michael Keaton would return to the DCEU as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming “The Flash.” And now the directing pair behind HBO Max‘s upcoming “Batgirl” movie officially confirms Keaton’s back for their take on Gotham City, too, though the rumors and set photos, yes, were in overdrive for a while now.

READ MORE: ‘Batgirl’: Leslie Grace Teases Early Discussions About Sequel

In an interview with Insider, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah decided to drop the news.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Confirm Michael Keaton As Batman In Upcoming HBO Max Film at The Playlist.

As a procedural drama centrally interested in the radicalization of a young Muslim boy in Belgium, Adil & Bilall’s “Rebel” pulsates with terrible inevitability. Falling behind at school, with an adored older brother already having made the trip to Syria and a trafficker whispering in his ear, it’s less a question of if Nassim (Amir El Arbi, another tremendous kid actor for Cannes ’22 to tick off) is going to find himself on the Jihadist frontline, but when.

Continue reading ‘Rebel’ Review: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah’s Radicalization Drama Pulsates With Terrible Inevitability [Cannes] at The Playlist.

This weekend, fans will get a taste of what’s in store for the greater DC Extended Universe at DC FanDome, a seemingly-now-annual streaming event, set for tomorrow (Saturday, October 16) that’s expected to tease many new upcoming DC/Warner Bros. films and HBO Max series. Director Matt Reeves already teased yesterday the new trailer for “The Batman,” and we’ll also likely get a first look at Michael Keaton as Batman again, the actor set to appear in “The Flash“—the first time the actor has portrayed the Caped Crusader since 1992’s “Batman Returns.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’ Directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah Tease Batman Appearance In The HBO Max Film at The Playlist.

Coming off the box office success of Sony‘s “Bad Boys For Life,” directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were scooped up by Marvel Studios for their “Ms. Marvel” series for Disney+ and would help the studio bring fangirl-turned-superhero Kamala Khan, to life. Now, Warner Bros., and DC Films have tapped the duo to bring another well-known female superhero to the big screen.

Continue reading ‘Batgirl’: Warner Bros. Hires ‘Ms. Marvel’ Directors Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah To Tackle HBO Max Superhero Movie at The Playlist.

Even though 2020 seems to be very light on MCU products thanks to the pandemic (sorry, but “Agents of SHIELD” doesn’t count because Kevin Feige clearly doesn’t think it does), Marvel Studios has quite a few things in development, with news coming relatively quickly over the past week regarding the various Disney+ series. Just recently, we learned that Tatiana Maslany is going to hulk out as the star of “She-Hulk” and we learned that Kat Coiro is going to direct the series.

Continue reading ‘Bad Boys For Life’ Directors & More To Helm Episodes Of The ‘Ms. Marvel’ Series On Disney+ at The Playlist.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are sludging through interesting points in their careers. Smith, who made his living on lone wolf or dueled action movies like “I Am Legend,” “Men in Black,” “I, Robot,” and more recently “Focus,” has been staying relevant through his Instagram page of more than 39 million followers and his YouTube vlogs.

Continue reading ‘Bad Boys For Life’ Trailer: Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Attempt To Revive Their Action Franchise at The Playlist.

It looks like Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will be reuniting for a new “Bad Boys” film, after all.

After what seems like years, and years, of false starts and delays, Variety is reporting that Sony is about to give the coveted greenlight to the upcoming “Bad Boys For Life.” While no plot details are given, the film would see the triumphant return of the two Miami Police Department officers played by Smith and Lawrence as they tackle a brand-new adventure.

Continue reading Will Smith & Martin Lawrence-Led ‘Bad Boys For Life’ To Film In Early 2019 For 2020 Release at The Playlist.

“I don’t think we’re going to get one, not the way everything’s turning out. Will [Smith] is off doing another movie, and I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Martin Lawerence lamented last summer about “Bad Boys 3” aka “Bad Boys For Life.” It’s easy to understand his perspective, given how long the project has been in development and delayed, with start dates and release dates continually missed and pushed back.

Continue reading ‘Bad Boys For Life’ Gets New Directors, Still Dreams Of Being Made at The Playlist.

For years and years, almost as long as The Playlist has been a thing, the rumors and chatter about “Beverly Hills Cop 4” have floated as a possibility. But the stars never aligned, Eddie Murphy continued to hold out for the right concept, and things seemed like they might be possible when he worked with Brett Ratner on “Tower Heist.” The duo got along famously, and talked about working together again on ‘Cop 4,’ but again, that didn’t happen.

Continue reading ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’ Starring Eddie Murphy Is Finally Happening at The Playlist.