Each week, Lauren Gallaway brings you the best and most exciting pop culture news. Get ready for a fresh perspective on the week’s most buzzed-about stories in the business.

Batman v Superman Opens to Mixed Reviews

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been under tight scrutiny by the critics who screened the film earlier this month. While the film was praised by both Warner Bros. and DC Comics executives, it was met with frightening reviews by critics. I had the privilege of seeing the film earlier this week and really enjoyed it. Was it a boy scout film with two heroes singing and holding hands? Absolutely not. Director Zack Snyder has based his film on Frank Miller’s Batman comic “Dark Knight Returns” which shows Batman, Superman, and other heroes in a dark, dystopian future. This is definitely a film in the vein of Man of Steel and spends a lot of time showing Bruce Wayne’s mental state and motivations for wanting to challenge Superman. You can read my full thoughts on Batman v Superman here, and you can see and judge for yourselves this weekend.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens in theaters today.

Disney’s The Jungle Book Featurette Reveals Photo Realism

Director Jon Favreau narrates this behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming film, The Jungle Book. He explains how his version is able to update the original animated version because of all the amazing technology that is available today to film makers. He also introduces the emotional strengths of the film, which includes Mowgli’s relationship with his mother, Raksha, and his nemesis, Sher Khan.

The Jungle Book opens in theaters April 15, 2016.

First Trailer for The LEGO Batman Movie Lands

Will Arnett is back as everyone’s favorite small-sized caper crusader, LEGO Batman! Arnett made his Batman debut in the highly successful LEGO Movie in 2014, starring alongside Chris Pratt, who voiced Emmett, and Elizabeth Banks, who voiced Wyldstyle. This film, while not a direct sequel to The LEGO Movie will showcase Batman’s life and introduce classic characters such as Robin, Alfred, and Batgirl.

The LEGO Batman Movie climbs into theaters February 10, 2017.

Sir Paul McCartney Joins Pirates of the Caribbean 5

Despite having wrapped the film earlier this year, Pirates 5 resumed production this week to film a new scene featuring legendary Beatles performer, Sir Paul McCartney. McCartney’s role is being kept under wraps, but it’s possible his role will have an impact similar to fellow rocker and Rolling Stone, Keith Richards, who had a role in Pirates 4. McCartney joins Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Orlando Bloom in the film, which sets Jack Sparrow on a quest for the trident of King Triton.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales sails into theaters on May 26, 2017.

The Amazonians Take Center Stage in new Wonder Woman Photo

Gal Gadot is making her Wonder Woman debut today in Batman v Superman and we’re already getting images from her standalone film, which is currently in production. The image features Wonder Woman with her Amazonian lady squad: her mother Hippolyta, as played by Connie Nielsen, and her two aunts, General Antiope, played by Robin Wright, and Menalippe played by Lisa Loven Kongsli. The image is in stark contrast to the earlier images that were released that showed Diana in England in WWI. This must be the world she leaves, to go fight the war in Europe. So far Gadot’s Wonder Woman is getting the best response from Batman v Superman as audiences seem to be greatly looking forward to her standalone film.

Wonder Woman lassos her way into theaters on June 23, 2017.

Netflix Snags Jonah Hill & Emma Stone Comedy Series

Just a few days after announcing that Paramount TV and Anonymous Content were pitching Maniac, a new dark comedy series starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, Netflix has closed a deal for a 10 episode series order. The series reunites Hill and Stone, who first showed off their chemistry in 2007’s Superbad. True Detective helmer Cary Fukunaga will direct Maniac, which is based on the 2014 Norwegian series about a man who lives a fantasy life in his dreams, but in reality is locked up at an institution.

Read more about Jonah Hill and Emma Stone’s Maniac.

Gwendoline Christie Joins Top Of The Lake Season Two

Top of the Lake has tapped Game Of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie for season two of the acclaimed BBC drama series. Christie, who has appeared on HBO’s flagship series since 2012, most recently appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Captain Phasma. Joining her for Lake are returning cast members Elisabeth Moss, David Dencik, Alice Englert, and Ewen Leslie. Oscar-winning director Jane Campion is also returning to direct and co-write the mysterious miniseries, which centers around a detective (Moss) who investigates the disappearance of a pregnant 12 year-old girl.

Top of the Lake season two is set to start filming later this month.

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Entertainment journalist who’s passionate about science fiction, superheroes, and all things nerdy. Regular Comic Con attendee, co-founder of The Marvel Report and co-host of The Flash Podcast and the Peggy Carter Podcast. Assistant editor at CBR and contributing writer to HitFix and The Tracking Board. Obsessed with British accents, strong female characters, Sherlock, and Steve Rogers.
Follow her on Twitter @LaurenGallaway