Movies

In this latest edition of King Beat, we’re covering three exciting topics: an interview with Jason Fuchs, co-showrunner of IT: Welcome to Derry, where he discusses another Stephen King story he’d like to adapt; an update on Mike Flanagan’s work on The Dark Tower; and the news that Netflix has cancelled plans for The Talisman series. Let’s jump right in and explore these developments!

Victor von Doom, also known as Doom, briefly appeared in a post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, kneeling before Franklin Richards four years after the film’s main story. Traditionally the Fantastic Four’s biggest enemy, a source claims Doom will surprisingly team up with them in Doomsday to combat the multiversal incursions. Apparently, this leads them to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe to warn the heroes, which fits with what happened in the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts*.

Stephen King’s 1988 short story presented a truly terrifying take on vampires, even more frightening than his novel Salem’s Lot. However, it was the 1997 film adaptation that really resonated with audiences, delivering a horrifying story and a visually striking, unforgettable vampire. Director Mike Flanagan, known for his successful King adaptations like Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and The Life of Chuck, considers The Night Flier to be “underappreciated,” and particularly praises its phenomenal ending.

Just a few months or weeks ago, Adam Sandler would have been a strong contender for that kind of praise. Many considered his performance in Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly to be a career high, and despite George Clooney being the lead, Sandler consistently received recognition – even winning the Matlin Modern Master Award – for his supporting role.

According to the official description, a man who says he’s from the future holds people hostage at a famous Los Angeles diner. He’s looking for a few unexpected people to help him save the world.

Actor Williams, who plays Shane Hollander in the series, recently discussed what fans can expect in the next season of the show during an appearance on The Tonight Show. He explained that the new season will focus on a different kind of conflict. While the first season dealt with internal struggles, season two will feature more external challenges and new villains.

Ever since his show, Heated Rivalry, became a hit, Williams has quickly gained a lot of attention. This was clear when he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. During the interview, he included a few nods to the show – like being offered ginger ale and appearing to wear the iconic glasses of the character Shane. Fans immediately noticed, and many shared their reactions on Twitter. Here’s one example:

Social media users are sharing screenshots of what they believe is actor Williams’s Letterboxd account, essentially revealing his private information and leading him to delete it. While people are sharing his posts for laughs, many are now using his movie preferences to criticize his acting and question his taste. People are overanalyzing his likes – does he need to enjoy certain films? Does his taste in movies somehow reflect on his work? It’s normal for actors to have unusual or unexpected tastes, and it rarely aligns with the films they star in. This intense scrutiny, especially when it turns into personal attacks, feels strange considering people often claim to want celebrities to be more authentic. Maybe we could just treat this like a normal, unimportant thing for once?

Following a string of successes, The Pitt continues to impress. The show was critically acclaimed upon its debut last year, quickly becoming a hit for HBO with an average of 10 million viewers per episode, and even winning an Emmy for Best Drama Series. The second season will once again be set during a single, 15-hour shift in the emergency room, but this time the action unfolds during Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July festivities.

Actress Marshall, known for her roles in HBO’s Sugar and Prime Video’s The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, recently explained why her character wasn’t involved in recent scenes. She suggested her recent skin cancer diagnosis might have been a factor, and shared this on Instagram earlier this week.