u/mobpiecedunchaindan

>Vertigo Releasing has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna: The Band, The Show, The Movie.

>The distributor will release the film in cinemas on July 3, with previews from July 1.

> When it was first released in 1986, The Transformers: The Movie was a box office bomb. The worse and more lasting fate, however, was the (so-called) trauma thrust upon unsuspecting kid moviegoers thanks to the death of one of the lead characters.

> Now Hasbro, the toy company that owns the Transformers brand, and specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment have teamed up to theatrically rerelease the animated movie, which has since developed a cult following. The screening is timed to its 40th anniversary.

> Beginning Sept. 17, The Transformers: The Movie will roll out in theaters across the U.S. with a wide theatrical release through Sept. 21. The movie will be presented in 4K. Select international markets are expected to launch day-and-date with the U.S.

> "For decades, Transformers fans have carried this film with them, which is a testament to its storytelling and lasting cultural impact,” said Alyse D’Antuono, Hasbro’s vp, global brand & franchise strategy, action brands, in a statement. “Bringing it back to theaters is an opportunity for longtime fans to relive it together, and for new audiences to experience a defining chapter of Transformers history.”

> The Transformers: The Movie marked the toy brand’s first feature film and featured, as expected, the usual battles between the valiant Autobots and the villainous Decepticons. But it also creatively grasped for the stars and attempted something epic and unique, which alas, in the movie’s case meant killing off a slew of known characters, including Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, and one of the franchise’s most popular protagonists.

> Certain fans were upset and some children, in particular, were left in tears, to the chagrin of parents. There was even a letter writing campaign to complain. (That was on top of the film being decried as a 90-minute commercial to sell toys. Now, of course, audiences regularly enjoy two, even three, hour commercials that sell toys.)

> Hasbro this year leaned into the movie’s notoriety and nostalgia amongst fans and embarked on an “Apology Tour,” filled with special merch and new toy lines as is it seeks to atone for its sins. That, or just exploit any left-over trauma.

• PONYO • June 13-17
• MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO • July 11-15
• TALES FROM EARTHSEA 20th Anniversary • August 8 & 10
• ONLY YESTERDAY 35th Anniversary • August 9 & 11
• CASTLE IN THE SKY 40th Anniversary • August 22-26 P
• RINCESS MONONOKE • September 26-30
• SPIRITED AWAY 25th Anniversary • October 17-21

According to Matt on Twitter, the film hasn't officially entered production yet, but will be shopped around at Annecy for potential partners

>After bringing Michael Crichton‘s theme park vision to the screen scripting 1993’s Jurassic Park and two sequels, screenwriter David Koepp is looking to tackle another one. Deadline hears Koepp will revisit Westworld, the 1973 film written and directed by Crichton about an adult fantasy park that allows monied guests with a hankering for the Old West to go up against a coterie of robots wielding six-guns. The vacation turns nightmarish when a crack-shot robot malfunctions and starts drawing down on guests, for real.

>After releasing Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie stateside, Neon has nabbed the domestic rights to Matt Johnson’s next film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Johnson will direct the project, currently known as the Untitled Matt Johnson Film, with Finn Wolfhard set to star.

>The story is inspired by true events that saw a Vice Canada editor recruit drug mules for an international cocaine smuggling operation, including out of the media giant’s offices. Wolfhard will play the Canadian investigative journalist who helped break the story.