On this episode of Collider Movie Talk (April 6th, 2016) Kristian Harloff, Jon Schnepp and Mark Ellis (with Sinead) discuss the following:

Zack Snyder wants Ben Affleck to direct the solo Batman movie

Warner Bros. to make fewer films because of Batman v Superman

Martin Scorsese’s Silence to get awards season release

Cillian Murphy joins Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk

Uncharted movie questionable to make release date

New trailer released for Mel Gibson’s Blood Father

Rewind brought to you by AMC Theatres

Mail Bag

Though Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn’t connect with the critics and audience members, one performance that has been universally praised in spite of the reviews is Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight. Last week it was revealed that Affleck has penned a solo Batman movie, inciting the fans eager to see his take on the movie to ask when it will finally be green lit. Speaking with Joe.IE, Zack Snyder was asked if Affleck would officially step in to the director’s chair for a Batman movie, with Snyder saying he thinks he would and that it’s kind of a prerequisite for him actually doing the film.

The impact of Batman v Superman’s box office performance appears to have affected the current slate of movies not including DC Comics adaptations. The movie was far from the mega-hit Warner Bros. was needing and now, sources tell THR that Warner Bros will release fewer films that are “homegrown,” or movies developed from the ground up inside the studio. The studio will only focus on potential hitmakers like the DC movies, the LEGO movies, and the new Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. While some rumors point to Zack Snyder’s involvement in Justice League as doubtful, sources tell THR that Snyder is staying put and the movie will begin filming this Monday.

One of Martin Scorsese’s longest development passion projects has been the movie Silence. The story, about two Jesuit priests played by Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield, who go looking for their mentor played by Liam Neeson in 17th Century Japan, a time when outsiders, and especially Christians, were treated with disdain and mistrust. Filming wrapped almost a year ago in May 2015 but since, there hasn’t been an official release date announced. Thanks to a report at ScreenDaily, sources say Paramount is reportedly lining up a US release this November, just in time for awards buzz and Oscar consideration. While a release date hasn’t been targeted officially, it seems clear that Paramount is confident enough to hone in on the month of November, hoping for audiences to turn out with the Oscar buzz.

BUY OR SELL

Christopher Nolan’s World War II action-thriller Dunkirk, is almost ready for production and has now added one of his favorite, familiar faces. In a report by the The Wrap, Cillian Murphy will be re-teaming with Nolan for a fifth time with a supporting role in the movie, following roles in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, and Inception. Murphy joins Tom Hardy as the other Nolan regular in Dunkirk, Kenneth Branagh and Bridge of Spies Oscar-winner Mark Rylance. The film tells the story of the evacuation of Dunkirk during the British military operation that saved 330,000 lives as Allied soldiers were surrounded by German forces. While showcasing a list of veteran actors and favorites, Nolan also cast a number of newcomers with Fionn Whitehead, Jack Lowden and One Direction artist Harry Styles. The movie will begin filming this summer.

One of the more popular game-to-film adaptations by the fans has been the Sony adaptation of Uncharted, a movie that has seen active development for years now. Neil Druckmann, who served as writer and creative director for the game, was recently interviewed by IGN and the update he gives does not sound very promising. He goes on record, saying they keep presenting a script and the studio give their notes. Last he heard they have a new screenwriter coming on board. Seth Gordon was the latest director announced for the job with a release date set for June 10, 2016… but Gordon departed the project last June. Right now, Sony has the film scheduled for June 30, 2017 but based on the comments from Druckmann, it looks like the movie is far from seeing a green light.

Mel Gibson has been mostly absent for the past few years with the exception of popping in to Stallone’s Expendables 3 for a smallish part. But now he is back, taking a page out of Liam Neeson’s book and starring in the action movie Blood Father, with a trailer dropping for all to see. In the movie, Gibson plays John Link, an ex-convict who must protect his estranged daughter from violent drug dealers. The action thriller also stars William H. Macy, Thomas Mann, Elisabeth Rohm, Diego Luna and Michael Parks. The movie is scheduled for release by Lionsgate this summer.

REWIND (Brought to you by AMC Theatres)

10 YEARS AGO: The Benchwarmers, Friends With Money

20 YEARS AGO: Primal Fear, Faithful

HARDCORE HENRY CLIP

MAIL BAG

Matthew Gaastra writes:

Hi guys. MPG here. Do you think Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will not do as good due to it not having kid or teen main heroes? All the others had this and this one has adults main heroes. Will this hurt the film? Thanks.

Patrick Dempsey writes:

I just wanted to ask you guys why Hollywood is intent on continuously casting British actors for American roles? What I find is that while there are good ones, there is an abundance of bad American accents. Thanks guys, love the show. BABABOOEY!

LIVE TWITTER QUESTIONS