The film industry is currently trying to bounce back from the ongoing pandemic. Productions of all sizes and budgets are now kicking into high gear under new COVID regulations. Jurassic World: Dominion just wrapped its shoot, marking it as the first blockbuster to complete the entirety of its principal photography under COVID. Many more studios are following suit (the untitled Spider-Man sequel and The Batman are currently shooting under similar protocols) and considering that so many tentpole titles have been delayed in only the last few months, pre-production on many of these projects is beginning to heat up once more.
Per the industry breathing new life, DiscussingFilm has received updated reports on some of the most anticipated projects. Since some of this news varies in size and area of production, we’ll collect them here for the benefit of our readers. These tidbits in particular exclusively deal with projects coming from Marvel Studios and Warner Bros/DC. Both brands are now venturing into television, with Marvel releasing their programs through Disney+ and DC through HBO Max. Marvel’s WandaVision debuts later this year with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel still on the way. On the other side, DC has just announced a slew of new shows, including a Peacemaker spin-off series from James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. We detail our exclusive knowledge from these projects and more below!
Aquaman 2
Per our sources, Aquaman 2 will be receiving a new costume designer. Kym Barrett, who served as the costume designer on the original film, is not expected to return for this sequel. Instead, Louise Frogley will step in to serve the major role.
Louise Frogley is no stranger to designing costumes for comic-book movies, having previously worked on Constantine, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Outside of the comic-book realm, she has served as costume designer on Contagion, Quantum of Solace, Unbroken, The Finest Hours, Lucy in the Sky, and El Camino.
Although some may be disappointed that Kym Barrett isn’t returning for this movie, it is important to note that Louise Frogley is a highly experienced costume designer who has worked in the industry for almost 40 years.
Aquaman 2 is expected to begin filming in early 2021 with James Wan set to direct. Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson are signed on to return for the sequel with a majority of the first film’s cast also expected to join them.
Moon Knight
We have learned that Gregory Middleton will serve as the cinematographer on the upcoming Disney+ Moon Knight series. He has previously served as cinematographer on movies such as Make Your Move, Final Girl, American Woman, and A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting. However, he is most known for his work on television. His credits include the pilot episodes of Misfits and Broken as well as episodes of Watchmen, Game of Thrones, and Fringe.
Stefania Cella will also serve as production designer on Moon Knight. Cella is no stranger to Marvel projects, having recently wrapped her work as production designer on the upcoming Morbius film, which is slated for release in March 2021.
Additionally, we have learned that Moon Knight will film in Budapest. Although it is likely that they will also shoot in other locations, we have heard that they will film a large portion of the show here. Oscar Isaac, who stars in the series, is no stranger to filming in Budapest, as the majority of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune was done in the capital city.
Moon Knight will begin filming in early 2021 after Oscar Isaac wraps HBO’s Scenes from A Marriage, a limited series which he will begin filming this month with Jessica Chastain. Jeremy Slater will serve as showrunner on Moon Knight with Mohamed Diab set to direct all 6 episodes.
Ms. Marvel
As filming begins on the Disney+ Ms. Marvel series, we have learned that Carmen Cabana will serve as cinematographer.
Cabana has previously served as cinematographer on shows such as Narcos, Vida, and most recently, Hulu’s High Fidelity starring Zoë Kravitz.
She also recently served as cinematographer on Nocturne, one of the four ‘Welcome to the Blumhouse’ films which were released on Amazon Prime Video in October. Nocturne was directed by Zu Quirke, stars Sydney Sweeney & Madison Iseman, and follows an incredibly gifted pianist who makes a Faustian bargain to overtake her older sister at a prestigious institution for classical musicians.
We also learned that Arjun Bhasin will work as the costume designer on the series. His recent credits include The Happytime Murders, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Can You Forgive Me?
Ms. Marvel is said to have already begun filming and will likely release in late 2021. Bisha K. Ali serves as showrunner on the series with Iman Vellani set to star as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, other cast details are currently unknown. Directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, coming off the success of Bad Boys For Life, will direct episodes alongside Meera Menon and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
Hawkeye
After production delays, the Disney+ Hawkeye series is about to begin filming and now we know who will in for the grand role of cinematographer.
Eric Steelberg will serve as cinematographer on Hawkeye. His work on television is still growing with only one episode credits on The Fix, The Good Doctor, and Billions, as well as second unit work on the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind.
However, his film credits are far more impressive, as he has served cinematographer duties on Juno, 500 Days of Summer, Baywatch, A Quiet Place (additional filming), and Dolemite Is My Name. His recent credits also include collaborating with director Jason Reitman on Tully, The Front Runner, and most recently Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which is set for release in June 2021.
Hawkeye will likely release in late 2021 – early 2022 with Jeremy Renner set to reprise his titular role. Hailer Steinfeld was in talks to play Kate Bishop but it is still unknown whether she signed on or not.
Jonathan Igla will serve as showrunner with directing duo Bert & Bertie set to direct episodes of the series alongside Rhys Thomas.
Peacemaker
We have learned that Lisa Soper will serve as production designer on James Gunn’s Peacemaker series for HBO Max.
She has served as a production designer on various shows in the past including The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Paranoid, The Five, as well as the pilot episode of Batwoman. The series will begin filming on January 11 and will wrap sometime in June. James Gunn has already arrived in Canada for his 2-week quarantine before starting pre-production on Peacemaker.
The series will explore the origins of the character that John Cena will play in The Suicide Squad, a man who believes in peace at any cost – no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. James Gunn will write and direct the series with John Cena, Steve Agee, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland, and Chris Conrad set to star.
Thor: Love & Thunder
As for updates on the God of Thunder’s fourth outing, Maryann Brandon will serve as the editor on Thor: Love & Thunder.
Maryann Brandon is a well-known film editor, having worked on How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Darkest Minds, and Venom. She is also a frequent collaborator with J.J. Abrams. They have worked together on Star Trek, Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission Impossible III, The Force Awakens, and The Rise of Skywalker.
The film is currently in pre-production with plans to begin filming in January 2021 in Australia. It is directed by Taika Waititi and stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi himself, and according to Vin Diesel, the cast of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
