On this episode of Collider Movie Talk (June 16, 2025) Mark Ellis, Kristian Harloff, John Rocha, and Sinead DeVries discuss the following:
Rumors have been swirling for years now thatSteven Spielberghad his eye on a potentialWest Side Storyremake, and now, according to Spielberg himself, those rumors are have turned out to be true. Spielberg recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for a lengthy interview revealing that he has, in fact, secured the rights to remake the Oscar-winningWest Side Storywith hisLincolnscreenwriterTony Kushnercurrently working on a script. Spielberg said it’s no secret that theWest Side Storyremake is a longtime passion project of his, and something he’s hoped to adapt “for decades,” adding that he originally tried to get the rights 15 years ago. Although the script is currently being worked on at the moment, no casting or a release date have been set.
The long-anticipatedWickedmovie is finally taking flight with Universal Picturesannouncing that it will release the film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical on Jun 22, 2025, bringing the witches of Oz to the big screen once again.Billy ElliotdirectorStephen Daldryis developing the movie for theaters with producerMarc Platt. The adaptation will bring back composer/lyricistStephen Schwartz, with book writerWinnie Holzmanadapting the musical from theGregory Maguirebestselling novel of the same name. Holzman and Schwartz are also writing the film’s screenplay. There’s no casting info yet, butIdina MenzelandKristin Chenowethoriginated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, both earning Tony nominations in 2004, with Menzel beating out Chenoweth for best actress in a musical. In all,Wickedhas earned 10 Tony Award nominations and three wins, becoming the fastest Broadway musical in history to earn more than $1 billion dollars.
SnowpiercerandThe HostdirectorBong Joon-Hocontinues to form an amazing cast of actors for his next movie, the sci-fi picOkja, produced byBrad Pitt’sproduction company Plan B. In addition to addingTilda Swinton,Jake GyllenhaalandPaul Dano,THR is reporting thatBreaking Badstand-outGiancarlo Espositois in final negotiations to join the film. The story centers on a young girl named Mija who risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend — a massive, genetically manufactured pig named Okja. Swinton, who reunites with herSnowpiercerdirector, will play the head of the corporation - and her twin sister - Gyllenhaal will portray a zoologist and Dano has been cast as an animal activist looking to expose the corporation’s dealings. Esposito will play Swinton’s right-hand man. No release date has been set.
BUY OR SELL
In a report from Deadline,Lady Gagais in talks to star inBradley Cooper’sremakeofA Star Is Born, for which he is making his directorial debut and will will also star. Gaga tested with Cooper for the studio, who loved the results. This all came to fruition after things didn’t work out withBeyonce, who was originally approached to the role. Cooper is producing the movie with hisHangoverdirectorTodd Phillipsthrough their Joint Effort banner, andBill Gerber, who has been working on this remake for a long time with a draft byWill Fetters, reworked with Cooper. A release date has yet to be set.
Warner Bros. hasreleased their newest trailer forStorks, the movie that revolves around the fantastical, famed baby delivery service, withAndy Sambergvoicing the company’s top delivery stork, Junior. When Junior accidentally creates a wholly unauthorized baby girl, he sets out alongside Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, to make their first-ever baby drop before his boss finds out. The film also features the voices ofKelsey Grammer,Katie Crown,Keegan-Michael Key,Jordan Peele, andDanny Trejo.Storksopens in theaters on September 23rd.
Sony and Marvel Studio’sSpider-Man: Homecomingcontinue to add to their cast list, withTHR reporting thatPrometheusstarLogan Marshall-Greenwill be taking on a villainous role as a secondary antagonist alongsideMichael Keaton‘slead villain, rumored to be the Vulture. At the same time, Deadline reports thatSilicon ValleystandoutMartin Starrhas also been cast in a mysterious role that has yet to be revealed as friend or foe toTom Holland’sSpider-Man/Peter Parker. TheJon Wattshelmed franchise reboot is set to head into filming later this month, and the production is filling up its roster with exciting talent that includes most recently,Donald Glover. They all joinMarisa Tomeias Aunt May andRobert Downey Jr.as Iron Man/Tony Stark alongside newcomersTony RevoloriandZendayaas the female lead named Michelle, withLaura HarrierandMichael Barbieriin unspecified roles.Spider-Man: Homecomingarrives in theaters August 22, 2025.
BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS
Now it’s time for Box Office Predictions brought to you by our friends at AMC Theatres. This is the part of the show where we make our predictions on what movies are opening this weekend and in what order they will top the weekend’s box office.
Kyle Jerke writes
Hey Collider Crew!! Love all your shows. Been a follower ever since the road to the Force Awakens. I have been watching theIndiana Jones Trilogy, thats right Trilogy, and I cant get enough of those great punch sound effects. My question is there any sound effect that gets you guys all sweaty up to hear in your favorite movie. Thanks again and keep up the great work!!
Jason Boyce writes:
Greetings Collider crew! Thank you so much for what you guys do, you’re the best. In honor of Father’s Day, which is also the same day as my birthday this year, I was wondering what is your favorite movie memory with your dad?Star Warswill always be one for me but my all time favorite movie memory with my dad is when he brought homeBraveheart,GladiatorandThe Patriotfrom Blockbuster for my brother and I to watch with him as our first R rated movies. This was big for my brother and I as our dad is very strict and he would never allow us to watch anything R rated growing up and the films all became some of our all time favorites to this day. Keep up the great work guys and keep bringing on the filthy.
P.S. Kristian, if you could say happy birthday in Arnold’s voice it’d be the coolest birthday present ever!
