New ‘Da Vinci Code’ Sequel ‘Origin’ Will Hit Shelves in 2017

With next month’s Inferno, Ron Howard and Tom Hanks will have adapted three of the four existing novels in Dan Brown‘s Robert Langdon series, which hit peak popularity 2003’s The Da Vinci Code. But lest you worry they’ll run out of material, Brown has another Robert Langdon book is on the way. Origin, his fifth novel about Harvard symbologist Langdon, will hit shelves in fall 2017. 

Brown’s publisher Knopf Doubleday announced the new Da Vinci Code sequel novel in a statement released this week. The book will hit physical and digital shelves in the U.S. and Canada on September 26, 2017. The official description offers its own mystery, by which I mean it reveals basically nothing.

In keeping with his trademark style, Brown interweaves codes, science, religion, history, art and architecture into this new novel. Origin thrusts Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon into the dangerous intersection of humankind’s two most enduring questions, and the earth-shaking discovery that will answer them.

Codes, science, religion, history, art and architecture — yup, sounds like a Robert Langdon mystery, all right. But beyond that, the description is impossibly vague. So could the title hold some clues? Might Origin be an origin story? Or is the title perhaps referring to the origin of life? Until Brown and company reveal more, feel free to speculate about what it could all mean.

The Robert Langdon book series launched in 2000 with Angels & Demons, though it really took off with the second novel, 2003’s The Da Vinci Code. Those books were followed by The Lost Symbol in 2009 and Inferno in 2013. According to the publisher, Brown’s novels have been translated into 56 languages and sold over 200 million copies worldwide.

The first film adaptation based on the novels was 2006’s The Da Vinci Code, followed by 2009’s Angels & Demons. The latter was reworked to follow The Da Vinci Code in the film franchise chronology, even though the Angels & Demons book takes place before the Da Vinci Code book. Inferno opens this fall, making The Lost Symbol is the only book in the series that has not yet been adapted to film. Each of the films so far has been directed by Howard and starred Hanks.

There is no word yet on whether Imagine Entertainment (which produces the movies) and Columbia Pictures (which distributes them) plan to make movies based on The Lost Symbol and now Origin. Inferno has inspired a lot of “they’re still making those?” reactions, but clearly someone really liked the last couple installments — they have a combined global gross of $1.2 billion worldwide. If Inferno manages to escape the sequel curse that has felled so many big-budget pics this year, maybe an Origin movie won’t be far behind.

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What’s Going On With the ‘Portal’ & ‘Half-Life’ Movies at Bad Robot?

It’s been over three and a half years since filmmaker J.J. Abrams and video game producer Gabe Newell announced a forthcoming collaboration between their Bad Robot and Valve companies. While their conversations hinted at some kind of larger partnership, the most immediate excitement came from their discussions of developing film adaptations of Valve’s video game franchises Portal and Half-Life. But we haven’t heard anything regarding progress on either of those titles. So what’s going on?

J.J. Abrams is currently making the rounds promoting his upcoming series Westworld on HBO, and that means he’s getting questions about the other projects that may be kicking around over at Bad Robot. thankfully, someone asked about the development of both the Portal and Half-Life movies, and it sounds like the former is a little further along.

IGN caught up with Abrams on the red carpet for the premiere of Westworld where he confirmed that both Half-Life and Portal movies are “still very much in development.” That’s not much different from what Abrams said back in March this year, but then he offered this extra little nugget regarding the Portal movie:

We have a meeting coming up next week with Valve, we’re very active, I’m hoping that there will be a Portal announcement fairly soon.

There’s no telling what Abrams considers to be “fairly soon,” but since an upcoming meeting with Valve is on the schedule, that shows us it’s in active development right now. As for what that announcement might be, it could be a release date, a director attached to the project, or maybe just a studio getting involved with the property. Abrams added this regarding their approach to each property:

We are having some really interesting discussions with writers, many of whom…once you said you’re doing a movie or show about a specific thing that is a known quantity you start to find people who are rabid about these things. As someone who loves playing Half Life and Portal, what’s the movie of this, it’s incredible when you talk to someone who just ‘gets’ it, it’s like, oh my god, it’s really the seed for this incredible tree you’re growing.

The fact that Half-Life and Portal movies are even getting made is kind of a small miracle to begin with since Gabe Newell once said that if there were ever film adaptations of their games, they would be done in-house. But he and Abrams must have found a comfort level with each other to be able to collaborate on these projects.

Both Half-Life and Portal have the potential to become very cool film franchises. In fact, we’ve already seen how awesome the latter can be in film form thanks to friend of the site Dan Trachtenberg‘s short film Portal: No Escape. Coincidentally enough, he went to work on 10 Cloverfield Lane at Bad Robot (one of the best movies of the year, in my opinion), so maybe he’ll end up behind the camera for the feature length Portal movie.

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‘The Walking Dead’ Lawsuit: Frank Darabont Seeking $280 Million From AMC

The legal drama playing out behind the scenes of AMC’s The Walking Dead is getting almost as ugly as the bloody battles on the show itself. Back in 2011, original showrunner Frank Darabont was pushed out in the middle of production on the second season. Not long afterward, he sued AMC over the show’s profits. Now we’ve learned exactly how much he is seeking in damages: a jaw-dropping $280 million. 

Darabont was with The Walking Dead from the beginning, and was a huge part of its early success. But a few months before the second season debut — after work had already begun on the new season — Darabont was pushed out and replaced by Glenn Mazzara. (Mazzara himself dropped out after season three, and was succeeded by Scott M. Gimple who remains showrunner to this day.) Much back-and-forth ensued over why exactly Darabont had been fired, but the one thing that’s been crystal clear is that Darabont is still hopping mad about the whole debacle.

Darabont and his agents at CAA filed their lawsuit against AMC in 2013. Since then, the case has shuffled forward at a walker’s pace. Finally, this week, the plaintiffs officially indicated they were ready to go to trial and revealed they were seeking over $280 million from AMC. However, it’ll still be a while before the whole matter is settled. Even if the judge allows the case to move forward, she’s already said her 2017 calendar is full, and therefore that the earliest the trial can take place is 2018. Naturally, AMC maintains it’s done nothing wrong. “Plaintiffs’ damages claim has no basis in reality and we will continue to vigorously defend against this lawsuit,” they said in a statement to THR.

As for how Darabont and CAA reached that $280 million figure, here’s where we get a little technical. Darabont’s contract entitles him to up to 10% of certain Walking Dead profits. But the figure isn’t necessarily based on an assertion that The Walking Dead has raked in billions of dollars in pure profit. Rather, Darabont’s team is arguing that AMC Studios licensed The Walking Dead to its own network affiliate (i.e., AMC the channel) for well below market value in order to ensure that The Walking Dead would never make enough money to pay people like Darabont, who are owed a cut of the profits. AMC argues that it had the right to set that license fee.

Darabont is additionally arguing that AMC further reduced that payday by cutting him out of profits for the second season. Darabont maintains he worked on all of the episodes of The Walking Dead season two, but AMC is saying that doesn’t count because he had to be working full-time on The Walking Dead through the end of season two to be considered a profit participant for that season.

While Darabont is far from the first disgruntled TV producer to sue his former employer, the Walking Dead case is getting particular attention because of the massive amount of money at stake. The twists and turns of the lawsuit may be a little less viscerally satisfying than the spectacular kills carried out by Rick Grimes and company, but it’s an interesting peek at a side of the business we don’t tend to think about all that often.

Anyway, while all of this is happening The Walking Dead remains as lively as ever. The show’s seventh season premieres October 23.

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Cool Stuff: Amazingly Detailed Hot Toys ‘Rogue One’ Figures

Hot Toys have finally revealed a bunch of figures from their Rogue One: A Star Wars Story line of collectibles. The 1/6th scale figures include a Jedha Patrol Stormtrooper, a Shoretrooper, a Deathtrooper and of course, Darth Vader.

Get a closer look at the new Imperial Army in this first Star Wars anthology film, and also take a better view of Darth Vader’s design, which admittedly isn’t too different from A New Hope. I love the green glow from the Deathtrooper mask and have already fallen in love with the Shoretrooper design. Hit the jump to take a first look at these detailed collectible Rogue One figures and find out what they will include and when they will be released.

Shoretrooper Rogue One Hot Toys Figure

The Star Wars galaxy expands in size and scope as the story advances to new planets and locales never before seen on film. This December, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will introduce us to the secluded and heavily guarded tropical planet Scarif, where Imperial military installations are established and new specialist Stormtroopers known as the Shoretroopers are stationed to patrol the beaches and bunkers of the planetary facility.

The 1/6th scale collectible figure of the new Shoretrooper is a movie-accurate collectible figure specially crafted based on the image of the Shoretrooper in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Featuring a highly poseable new body with a distinctive helmet, all-new armor with weathering effects, a new blaster rifle, detailed utility belt with pouch and other accessories, plus a specially designed figure stand and backdrop.

When you pre-order now, you can also receive a specially designed Shoretrooper theme backdrop!

Hot Toys – MMS389 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 1/6th scale Shoretrooper Collectible Figure Specification

~ Movie Masterpiece Series ~

The 1/6th scale Shoretrooper Collectible Figure’s special features:
– Authentic and detailed likeness of Shoretrooper in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
– Approximately 30 cm tall
– Body with over 30 points of articulations
– Six (6) pieces of interchangeable gloved hands including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of relaxed hands
– One (1) pair of hands for holding weapons

Costume:
– One (1) newly designed and finely crafted Shoretrooper armor with blue breastplate
– One (1) pair of brown colored pants
– One (1) utility belt with pouch
– One (1) pair of armored boots

Weapon:
– One (1) blaster rifle

Accessory:
– Specially designed character theme figure stand and backdrop

Artists:
– Figure Painted by Lok Ho
– Figure Art Directed by JC. Hong

Release date: Q4, 2016 – Q1, 2017

Deathtrooper Rogue One Hot Toys Figure

One of the most striking new troopers from the film – the 1/6th scale Death Trooper (Specialist) collectible figure! The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Death Trooper in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It stands approximately 32.5cm tall featuring a finely crafted black colored armor, helmet with LED light-up function, highly detailed Death Trooper blaster rifle and pistol, and a specially designed figure stand!

This collectible figure will be first available on September 30 in selected markets.

Hot Toys – MMS385 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – 1/6th scale Death Trooper (Specialist) Collectible Figure Specification
~ Movie Masterpiece Series ~

The 1/6th scale Death Trooper (Specialist) Collectible Figure specially features:

– Authentic and detailed likeness of Death Trooper (Specialist) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
– Approximately 32.5 cm tall
– Newly developed body with over 30 points of articulations
– Finely sculpted Death Trooper helmet with LED light-up functions (green light, battery operated)
– Nine (9) pieces of interchangeable gloved hands including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of relaxed hands
– One (1) pair of hands for holding blaster rifle
– One (1) pair of hands for holding blaster pistol
– One (1) gesturing left hand

Costume:
– One (1) newly designed and meticulously crafted Death Trooper armor
– One (1) newly developed black under-suit
– One (1) black tactical vest
– One (1) black belt with pouches
– One (1) black pauldron
– One (1) pair of black boots

Weapons:
– One (1) Death Trooper blaster rifle with strap
– One (1) blaster pistol

Accessory:
– One (1) shoulder pouch
– Specially designed character theme figure stand

Release date: Q3 – Q4, 2016

**Prototype shown, final product may be slightly different
**Battery included for collectible figure, button cells are required
**Product details could be subjected to change without further notice

Stormtrooper Jedha Patrol Rogue One Hot Toys Figure

The Hot Toys 1/6th scale Stormtrooper Jedha Patrol collectible figure as an exclusive item only available in selected markets.

The highly accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of a specialized Stormtrooper patrolling the streets of planet Jedha in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featuring a completely new Stormtrooper helmet and armor, newly developed fabric under-suit, newly designed backpack, white colored pauldron, detailed weapons and accessories, and a specially designed figure stand!

Hot Toys – MMS386 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 1/6th scale Stormtrooper Jedha Patrol Collectible Figure (Hot Toys Exclusive) Specification
~ Movie Masterpiece Series ~

The 1/6th scale Stormtrooper Jedha Patrol Collectible Figure specially features:

– Authentic and detailed likeness of Stormtrooper Jedha Patrol in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
– Approximately 30 cm tall
– Body with over 30 points of articulations
– Eight (8) pieces of interchangeable gloved hands including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of relaxed hands
– One (1) pair of hands for holding weapons
– One (1) right hand for holding torch
– One (1) open left hand

Costume:
– One (1) newly designed and finely crafted Stormtrooper armor
– One (1) newly developed black fabric multi textured under-suit
– One (1) white colored pauldron
– One (1) white colored belt
– One (1) pair of white boots

Weapon:
– One (1) heavy blaster

Accessories:
– One (1) newly designed backpack
– One (1) torch
– Specially designed character theme figure stand with backdrop

Artists:
– Figure Painted by Lok Ho
– Figure Art Directed by JC. Hong

Release date: Q3 – Q4, 2016

Darth Vader Rogue One Hot Toys Figure

Darth Vader returns in force this year with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story! The epic space saga film takes place just before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, a time when the Galactic Empire is at the peak of its power, whereas the fledgling Rebel Alliance plots to thwart the Empire’s plan to build a moon-sized battle station. As the Emperor’s top enforcer and the symbol of the Empire’s reign of terror, Lord Vader will crush the Rebels by any means necessary.

The movie-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted featuring a newly developed body and armor, a new highly polished helmet sculpt, sophisticatedly tailored and delicately textured costume, a utility belt with LED lights, a lightsaber hilt.

When you pre-order now, you can also receive a specially designed Death Star theme double-sided backdrop!

Hot Toys – MMS388 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 1/6th scale Darth Vader Collectible Figure Specification
~ Movie Masterpiece Series ~

The 1/6th scale Darth Vader Collectible Figure’s special features:

– Authentic and detailed likeness of Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
– Approximately 35 cm tall
– New body with over 30 points of articulations
– Nine (9) pieces of interchangeable gloved hands including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of open palms
– One (1) pair of resting hands
– One (1) pair of hands for holding lightsaber
– One (1) gesturing right hand

Costume:
– One (1) newly designed and finely tailored Darth Vader armor and suit
– One (1) black cloak
– One (1) system function belt with LED light-up function (white light, battery operated)
– One (1) pair of armored black boots

Weapon:
– One (1) lightsaber hilt

Accessory:
– Specially designed character theme figure stand and double-sided Death Star theme backdrop

Release date: Q4, 2016 – Q1, 2017

**Prototype shown, final product may be slightly different
**Product details are subject to change without further notice

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