Eric Heisserer is the Oscar-nominated writer of “Arrival,” but he’s also someone that is deeply familiar with the topic of world-building in cinema and TV. Now, he shows off those skills as the writer and showrunner of the new Netflix fantasy series, “Shadow & Bone.”

In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we got a chance to speak with Eric Heisserer, the man behind “Shadow & Bone,” as well as someone that has had his hands in a number of cinematic universes, including the failed Dark Universe and the current Valiant superhero film universe.

Continue reading Eric Heisserer Talks ‘Shadow & Bone,’ The Failure Of The Dark Universe & The Current State Of Valiant Superhero Films [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

When someone who works in the industry dies, we usually focus on the actors, writers, and directors — after all, so does the Academy’s In Memoriam segment. One role we generally don’t focus on so much are the cinematographers, and we just lost one of the greats. Allen Daviau, the 5-time Academy Award nominee cinematographer perhaps best known for his work with Steven Spielberg in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Empire of the Sun,” and “The Color Purple,” passed away earlier this week at the age of 77 from complications with the coronavirus.

Continue reading Steven Spielberg Pays Tribute To ‘E.T.’ Cinematographer Allen Daviau, Who Died Of COVID-19 at The Playlist.

Cinematic universes don’t get off to a rougher start than “The Mummy.” The first film in Universal‘s Dark Universe was critically panned and earned just $390 million worldwide. Those are good numbers, but not great, and certainly, there doesn’t seem to be any clamoring for more monster movies that are connected. Nonetheless, Universal are pressing forward, and their roster of A-list anchors which include Javier Bardem (Frankenstein), Russell Crowe (Dr.

Continue reading Channing Tatum Eyed To Join Dark Universe In ‘Van Helsing’ at The Playlist.

Yesterday, the Playlist laid out evidence indicating why Hollywood’s continued faith in remakes has been misguided at best. For the most part, remakes are financial sinkholes, and for every inspired new take on a story, there’s at least a half dozen more lacking a decent core idea or any feeling it has been made with any kind of passion. And one of the more increasingly dull trends in modern cinema is the idea that anything given a fresh coat of paint needs to be “dark.” But the industry isn’t willing to let go of that particular strategy quite yet— for instance, Universal is planning to give a classic character a grim and gritty makeover.

Continue reading Writer Says ‘Van Helsing’ Reboot Will Be Inspired By Mad Max at The Playlist.

Sorry Rex Reed, Universal Wants An 'Identity Thief' Sequel, Eyes Summer 2014 For 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'

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Rupert Sanders Might Direct Universal's 'Van Helsing' With Tom Cruise

Continue reading Rupert Sanders Might Direct Universal’s ‘Van Helsing’ With Tom Cruise at The Playlist.

Alex Kurtzman Wants To Do For 'Van Helsing' What Christopher Nolan Did For Batman

Continue reading Alex Kurtzman Wants To Do For ‘Van Helsing’ What Christopher Nolan Did For Batman at The Playlist.

Tom Cruise To Star In 'Van Helsing,' Will Co-Produce With Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci

Continue reading Tom Cruise To Star In ‘Van Helsing,’ Will Co-Produce With Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci at The Playlist.