Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for December 15
Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here.
Henry Cavill has reportedly landed in another new franchise — and he already loves it.
Cavill, who famously donned the red cape and brought Superman to life on the big screen, and then helmed Netflix’s "The Witcher" franchise as Geralt of Rivia, will now star and produce an Amazon-led adaptation for "Warhammer 40,000," according to a report.
On Friday, Amazon confirmed it finalized negotiations and acquired the rights from Games Workshop (GAW) to produce a series based on the popular science-fiction tabletop and video game franchise.
"Warhammer 40,000 has captured the imagination of fans of all ages, from all walks of life, and all over the world," said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios, in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We are excited to work with Henry, Vertigo Entertainment, and Games Workshop across our Amazon entertainment businesses on this brilliant, immersive franchise for our global customers to experience for years to come."
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Cavill, a self-described nerd who takes pride in building computers by hand, already enjoys the "Warhammer" franchise and has publicly shared that one of his hobbies includes purchasing "Warhammer" characters and pieces, then painting them by hand.
"I have loved Warhammer since I was a boy, making this moment truly special for me. The opportunity to shepherd this cinematic universe from its inception is quite the honour and the responsibility," Cavill said in a statement to Fox News Digital, courtesy of Amazon. "I couldn't be more grateful for all the hard work put in by Vertigo, Amazon Studios and Games Workshop to make this happen. One step closer to making a nigh-on lifelong dream come true."
In a previous interview, Cavill said he has been engaging with the franchise since he was about 10 years old.
"I’ve been involved in the ‘Warhammer’ world for 40,000 years. No, well, longer depending how you look at it," he joked during an interview with MTV’s Josh Horowitz in October. "But since I was probably 10. So long time."
With Cavill joining as a star and executive producer, he will get an opportunity to delve into the story-telling of the series, Amazon said.
"It's great news and we're absolutely thrilled; we're working with a fantastic triumvirate in Henry, Vertigo, and Amazon. Henry's well-known love of Warhammer 40,000—and his passion as a world-builder and storyteller—will serve us all well in the coming years. Finally, Warhammer will make it to the screen as the fans have hoped, and as they deserve. Exciting times!" said Andy Smillie, creative director of GAW.
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For those unfamiliar with "Warhammer 40,000," the setting takes place on Earth far off in the future, where humans unceasingly struggle in a war with fantastical beings, aliens, gods and demons.
"Warhammer 40,000 is set in the far future, where humanity stands at the edge of what might be its brightest future, or its darkest age. The threats to humankind’s empire are many — traitors driven by the fires of ambition, alien empires sworn to reclaim the stars, and the corruption of reality by malevolent gods," Amazon said.
"The humans make up the Imperium of Man, who are militaristic. A race of skeleton-like androids are known as the Necron; there is an elvish race known as Aeldari as well as Orks; Tyranids are nasty aliens; and the T’au is a blue-skinned alien race that may offer some hope," The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The board game involves players first purchasing and painting their own pieces, often humanistic characters, deviant aliens, celestial persons, tanks and types of machinery, and more and compiling each of the thousands of pieces onto an arena that spans several cubic feet.
Players take turns, through dice rolls, strategically moving their forces, utilizing each respective race’s benefits and skills to slowly eliminate and ultimately defeat their opponent.
The franchise also released several video game titles — "Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground," "Blood Bowl 2," "Warhammer: Vermintide 2," among many others — for PC that share the lore and allow players to experience their immersive story.
Cavill has also previously considered playing a role in an eventual "Warhammer" series but, as of 2021, did not decide on which he would want to portray.
"There are a lot of characters from the ‘Warhammer’ universe that I want to be. But I can only really be one, because once I’m one, then I can’t be others," he told IGN at the time. "So if it were to ever happen, if there were to be anything live-action, I would have to be very aware of that."
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After Cavill’s departure from The Witcher and Superman franchises, his supporters were left curious — and perhaps even worried — how long it would be before they saw him again.
While Cavill’s decision to leave Netflix's "The Witcher" was previously announced, Season three, which features Cavill, will air next year. Season four was also already announced, as well as a prequel, but neither will feature him.
More recently, Warner Bros and DC Studios announced they were also moving forward without the "Justice League" star.
Co-presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran met with Cavill, who has donned the red cape since 2013’s "Man of Steel," and shared their vision of a DC cinematic universe with a younger, different actor in the role.
"Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year," Gunn tweeted Wednesday.
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"Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill," he added. "But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future."
After initially announcing his return to the role this Fall, Cavill confirmed Wednesday that he would not be reprising it.
"It’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life," Cavill noted on Instagram. "I respect that James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes."
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Gunn teased there still could yet be a role for Cavill in the DC-verse — somewhere.
Cavill’s next projects include Matthew Vaughn's globe-trotting spy thriller "Argylle," the highly anticipated reboot of "Highlander," Guy Ritchie’s "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," and Season Three of "The Witcher."
Netflix’s "Witcher" Season three is expected to be released Summer 2023.
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