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Rewatching Mortal Kombat: Annihilation 27 years later reveals some hilarious truths about the worst Mortal Kombat movie, including some good ideas and decisions that ended up being wasted. Often listed as one of the worst video game movies of all time, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation came out on November 21, 1997, as a direct sequel to 1995s Mortal Kombat. With a new director and an almost entirely new cast, Annihilation little resembled its predecessor.

With Mortal Kombat 2 releasing in 2025 following the 2021 reboot, its interesting to look back at the franchises first live-action sequel. Mortal Kombat (1995) had been a solid hit, grossing over $122 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million. Unfortunately, Annihilation was worse than its predecessor in every way. The films disastrous critical reception killed its box office right after the opening weekend, with Annihilation only grossing $51.3 million on a $35 million budget. While its difficult to find redeemable qualities about Annihilation, the movie makes for a fun rewatch.

Lewis Tan hopes to see Night Wolf, Kenshi, and Smoke in a potential Mortal Kombat 3 movie, revealing his favorite unused characters. Mortal Kombat 2, set for release in 2025, will follow the original cast and new faces preparing for the epic tournament. Director Simon McQuoid will return for Mortal Kombat 2, hoping to build success for the franchise after the first movie's limited box office earnings.

Lewis Tan, star of Mortal Kombat 2, has a few different heroes that he would love to see in a potential sequel. It will be based on Ed Boon and John Tobias' video game franchise, which has become a worldwide hit. As Mortal Kombat 2 is expected to be released on October 24, 2025, marketing for the movie has already begun at San Diego Comic-Con. Director Simon McQuoid will be returning to the franchise after having directed Mortal Kombat (2021). The original movie earned $84.4 million at the...

STX Entertainment will remain an independent film studio as the private investment firm The Najafi Companies has now closed the deal to acquire Robert Simonds’ studio from Eros International, the companies announced Friday.

Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently the president, will become the new CEO.

Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the Motion Picture Group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue overseeing the international and acquisitions divisions for the motion picture group out of the company’s London office.

The studio behind “Bad Moms,” “Hustlers” and “Greenland” was sold to The Najafi Companies last December in a 173 million deal. However, it included a 45-day “go-shop” period in which Lionsgate explored a last minute acquisition of its own of STX. As previously reported by TheWrap, that deal fell through with an offer that was said to be below the 173 million offered by Najafi.

Hulu is taking adult animation fans down under with a series order for “Koala Man,” a new cartoon comedy from “Solar Opposites” and “Rick and Morty” co-creator Justin Roiland, the streaming service said Tuesday.

Here’s the official description for the eight-episode first season of the show: “An animated family comedy where the patriarch lives a not-so-secret identity of Koala Man, an Australian suburban superhero with no powers but a burning passion to snuff out petty crime and bring order to the community.”

Roiland is executive producing “Koala Man” alongside Michael Cusack, who created the series and voices Koala Man, and Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez, who are serving as showrunners on the project. Cusack, Samit and Hernandez will all write for the show.

The comedy hails from 20th Television Animation, a unit of Disney Television Studios, Princess Pictures and Bento Box. The series was put together by Bento Box...

Hulu has ordered the animated comedy “Koala Man” to series.

The series hails creator and executive producer Michael Cusack, with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez onboard as executive producers and showrunners. “Rick and Morty” and “Solar Opposites” co-creator Justin Roiland will also executive produce along with Princess Pictures and Bento Box. 20th Television Animation will serve as the studio. The series was put together by Bento Box and will be produced in LA and in Melbourne, where Princess Pictures and Bento Box’s newly launched Princess Bento Studio is based.

Hulu has ordered eight episodes of the family comedy, in which the patriarch (voiced by Cusack) lives a not-so-secret identity of Koala Man, an Australian suburban superhero with no powers but a burning passion to snuff out petty crime and bring order to the community.

This is not the first time Roiland and Cusack have worked together. Cusack’s viral...

Hulu is growing its adult animation slate with an eight-episode order to Koala Man, a family comedy about a powerless superhero in an Australian suburb created by and starring Aussie animator Michael Cusack and executive produced by Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland and Pokémon Detective Pikachu co-writers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. 20th Television Animation is the studio.

Written by Cusack, Samit and Hernandez, Koala Man follows a family patriarch (Cusack) who lives a not-so-secret identity as the titular hero who possesses a burning passion to snuff out petty crime and bring order the community.

Cusack executive produces alongside Samit and Hernandez — who serve as showrunners — Roiland, Australian production company Princess Pictures and Bento Box. The series is also produced in LA and in Melbourne, where Princess Pictures and Bento Box’s Princess Bento Studio is based.

Koala Man expands Hulu’s relationship with Justin Roiland and 20th Television Animation,...

Chernin Entertainment has brought on Sharla Sumpter Bridgett in the role of Senior Vice President of Film and Television, where she’ll produce projects for the company’s slate.

Sumpter Bridgett, who has over 15 years of experience in development and production, was previously Tim Story’s producing partner running The Story Company where projects in development include Lionsgate and Hasbro’s live-action feature Monopoly starring Kevin Hart, Universal Pictures’ musical comedy Praise This directed by Tina Gordon, and the STX Entertainment superhero comedy Night Wolf led by Hart.

Before this, Sumpter Bridgett produced television and film through her Sb&Co shingle, consulted for multiple companies, and cultivated a writer’s program. She’s also served as Partner and President of Production at Varsity Pictures, where she produced titles like The To-Do List, Blue Mountain State and Sonny with a Chance, as well as President of Film at Tollin/Robbins Productions where...

Quibi has released the first trailer for Die Hart. Much as the name implies, this is an action/comedy series that stars Kevin Hart, who is playing a version of himself that looks to become an action hero. Hart, in addition to his starring role, is producing the series. As we can see in the trailer, the transition from comedian to action star isn't going to be a smooth one. Also, it is extremely Nsfw. You have been warned.

The trailer kicks off with Kevin Hart explaining that he has wanted to be an action movie star his whole life. Yet, he ends up playing second fiddle to his friend and co-star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson time and time again. We then get to the heart of the matter, which sees Hart attending a school for action stars, which is headed up by none other than John Travolta. The footage is filled with stunts,...

Fantastic Four director Tim Story will return to the comic book movie genre once again for the superhero comedy Night Wolf. Thirteen years after his heavily criticized Marvel venture, Fantastic Four, Story will also be teaming up once again with frequent collaborator Kevin Hart.

Tim Story is currently negotiating to bring the upcoming comedy Night Wolf to the big screen. The movie is being described as "a Meet the Parents-esque encounter" where a man, played by Kevin Hart, meets his fianc&#233e's father for the first time. However, he soon discovers that his new in-law-to-be is actually the titular superhero, Night Wolf.

As this is a Kevin Hart vehicle, expect hilarious hijinks to ensue, as Hart no doubt attempts to impress his superhero father-in-law whilst flailing his arms around and squealing in that special way that only Kevin Hart can. Night Wolf is being written by Detective Pikachu screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit.

A decade before Josh Trank’s disastrous Fantastic Four film hit theaters, director Tim Story tackled Marvel’s First Family in a colorful, breezy, largely forgettable comic book movie. He directed a sequel two years later and has since been out of the superhero realm altogether, but now it looks like he’s found his re-entry point. Story […]

The post ‘Fantastic Four’ Director Tim Story to Return to Superhero Movies with ‘Night Wolf’, Starring Kevin Hart appeared first on /Film.

Last August, Collider reported that Kevin Hart was set to produce and star in a superhero comedy titled Night Wolf for Stx Entertainment, but the great mystery was who would direct. It turns out, the mystery wasn't too tough to solve, as Hart's frequent collaborator Tim Story is in negotiations to direct from a script by Detective Pikachu scribes Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. Story is a solid if unexciting choice for this studio movie, but he and Hart share a long history and likely have a strong shorthand by now, which can be helpful on a comedy …...

Tim Story is in talks to direct and produce Kevin Hart in “Night Wolf,” a high concept comic twist on the superhero genre, Adam Fogelson, Chairman of STXfilms Motion Picture Group announced on Monday.

“Night Wolf,” written by “Detective Pikachu” screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, follows a man (Hart) meeting his future father-in-law for the first time only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf. Hart will also produce through his banner HartBeat Productions. Story will also produce through his production company, The Story Company. Sharla Sumpter Bridgett will executive produce. Bryan Smiley is overseeing production for HartBeat and will produce along with Stx’s Evp of Production Drew Simon.

Tim Story is Hart’s longtime collaborator, having directed “Ride Along,” “Think Like a Man” and other stand-up comedy specials. Story is currently in post-production on “Tom & Jerry” for Warner Bros. Pictures, which will...

Todd Strauss-Schulson, the director of “Isn’t It Romantic” and “Final Girls,” is in negotiations to direct “Zombie Brother” at STXfilms and Tencent Pictures, STXfilms chairman of the motion picture group Adam Fogelson and Edward Cheng of Tencent announced Monday.

Channing Tatum is producing the live-action film adaptation of “Zombie Brother,” which is based on a series of digital comics and anime shorts from Tencent. The plot for the film is still under wraps, but the Chinese comic series involves a young man trying to escape from a city with his girlfriend after a virus outbreak. Alex Rubens wrote the screenplay with contributions by Ryan Engle.

Since 2011, the digital comic book has earned more than 24 billion views over 241 episodes, and its animated series has attracted more than 3.7 billion views across its first two seasons. The franchise has also been adapted into a stage play, which had a record-breaking run of sold-out shows across the region.

Kevin Hart was hospitalized Sunday after his vehicle crashed into the hills just south of Calabasas.

According to ABC7, the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. near Mulholland Highway and Cold Canyon Road after Hart’s classic 1970 Plymouth Barracuda swerved off the road and rolled down the embankment. Hart was one of two passengers in the car when the driver lost control.

Hart suffered serious back injuries and is being treated at the Northridge hospital although the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. The vehicle driver was also hospitalized, and the third passenger was injured but did not go to a hospital.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed to ABC7 that there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved, although the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The California Highway patrol did not immediately respond to a request for the incident report.

Recently, Kevin Hart announced...

Just when you thought the superhero genre had been done to death, Kevin Hart and his HartBeat Productions are coming through with a film that will supposedly bring a “new twist” to superhero movies. HartBeat Productions is teaming up with Stx Entertainment to develop Night Wolf, a superhero comedy in the style of Meet the Parents. STXfilms, a division […]

The post ‘Night Wolf’: Stx and Kevin Hart Will Bring Us A “New Twist on the Superhero Genre” appeared first on /Film.

After moving from stand-up specials to big-budget action flicks, Kevin Hart is ready to enter the superhero realm. Kind of. The Central Intelligence actor will star in and produce superhero comedy Night Wolf alongside STXfilms through his HartBeat productions. The script will come from Detective Pikachu writers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. The chairman of STXfilms Adam Fogelson announced the team-up this morning.

"After we acquired&#160Night Wolf, we submitted it to Kevin Hart and the Team at HartBeat hoping they would love it as much as we did. It is a big, broad comedy and the idea is great fun and perfectly matched with Kevin's comedic talent."

Hart's "comedic talent" will help bring the Meet the Parents-style superhero story together. Night Wolf follows a man (Hart}) as he meets his future father-in-law for the first time. Things take a turn when he discovers that his future in-law is actually...

Kevin Hart is set to star in the superhero comedy “Night Wolf.”

Hart will play an everyman meeting his future in-laws, a situation comedy films know all too well, but there’s a twist — the father in-law to be moonlights as the superhero Night Wolf.

Hart says he “instantly fell in love” with the pitch from “Detective Pikachu” screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit and hopped on board. STXFilms acquired the project, and Hart and his HartBeat Productions will produce the film.

Earlier this year, Stx Entertainment announced a partnership with HartBeat Productions to produce two comedy projects starring Hart. “Night Wolf” is the third Hart project in development with the studio after the previously announced films “Black Friday” and an untitled romantic comedy. In January, Hart starred in the Stx-distributed film “The Upside,” which grossed more than $100 million.

Hart also recently lent his voice to “The Secret Life of Pets 2...

Joseph Baxter Aug 15, 2019

The superhero movie genre is getting Kevin Hart comedy Night Wolf, which comes from the writers of Detective Pikachu.

Night Wolf is joining the seemingly-ceaseless deluge of superhero cinema, with Kevin Hart set to star-in and produce the comedic cinematic genre offering.

STXfilms announced its acquisition of the script to Night Wolf, which is being described as a “high concept comic superhero” offering. The early details of the plot describe a scenario that’s initially akin to Meet the Parents, in which a man (Hart) meets his prospective father-in-law, eventually discovering the secret that he’s the film’s eponymous superhero, the Night Wolf.

The Night Wolf project was pitched by writer Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, a duo who did some work on the screenplay for this past May’s live-action/animated hybrid film, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, as well as television comedy work on episodes of...

Superstar Kevin Hart is attached to produce and star in STXfilms’ “high concept comic twist” on the superhero movie, titled “Night Wolf,” which was acquired as a pitch from “Detective Pikachu” screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. The film will tell the story of a man (Hart) who meets his future father-in-law for the first time, in a “Meet the Parents”-esque encounter, only to find out he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf.

The project is the third that Hart is developing with STXfilms, a division of Robert Simonds’ Stx Entertainment. Earlier this year, Stx announced a partnership with Hart’s HartBeat Productions to develop two new comedies — “Black Friday” and an untitled romcom — which Hart would star in.

The HartBeat team will oversee production of all three projects with STXfilms’ Svp of Production Drew Simon.

“After we acquired Night Wolf, we submitted it to Kevin...

STXfilms has bought the high concept comic superhero pitch Night Wolf from Detective Pikachu scribes Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, a project that Kevin Hart will star in and produce via his HartBeat Productions. Night Wolf follows a Meet the Parents-esque encounter where a man (Hart) meets his future father-in-law for the first time only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf. Hart starred in The Upside, the $100 million grossing hit which Stx distributed back in January. Earlier this year, Stx Entertainment announced it would partner with HartBeat Productions to produce two new comedy projects which Hart would topline. Night Wolf is the third project Hart is developing with the studio. Stx previously announced Black Friday and an untitled romantic comedy. The HartBeat team will oversee production with STXfilms’ Svp of Production Drew Simon. “After we acquired Night Wolf, we submitted it to Kevin Hart...

Fresh off the success of STXfilms' The Upside, which grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office, Kevin Hart has signed on to produce and star in the studio's high-concept superhero comedy Night Wolf, Collider has learned. Stx acquired Night Wolf as a pitch from Detective Pikachu screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. The premise, which has drawn comparisons to Meet the Parents, finds Hart meeting his future father-in-law for the first time, only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf. That's a pretty clever pitch, as it'…...

Kevin Hart is set to star in and produce a twist on the superhero genre called “Night Wolf” at STXfilms, the studio’s chairman of the motion picture group Adam Fogelson announced Thursday.

STXfilms acquired the pitch for “Night Wolf” from “Pokemon Detective Pikachu” screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, who are developing the film as a cross between the superhero genre and “Meet the Parents.” In the film, Hart will play a man meeting his future father-in-law for the first time, only to discover his alter-ego is a superhero known as the Night Wolf.

Hart’s HartBeat Productions is also attached to produce “Night Wolf,” which is the third film of a previously announced deal that involved just two comedy projects. Hart is eyeing to star in both of those films, which include “Black Friday” and another untitled romantic comedy.

Kevin Hart and Stx are teaming for a superhero comedy from two of the writers behind Pokemon Detective Pikachu.

Hart is attached to star in and produce Night Wolf — a pitch that Stx acquired from Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit — which follows a man (Hart) as he meets his future father-in-law for the first time only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf.

HartBeat Productions will produce and oversee production with STXfilms' senior vp production Drew Simon.

Night Wolf is the latest project Hart has hopped on with Stx, which released Hart'...

Kevin Hart and Stx are teaming for a superhero comedy from two of the writers behind Pokemon Detective Pikachu.

Hart is attached to star in and produce Night Wolf — a pitch that Stx acquired from Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit — which follows a man (Hart) as he meets his future father-in-law for the first time only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf.

HartBeat Productions will produce and oversee production with STXfilms' senior vp production Drew Simon.

Night Wolf is the latest project Hart has hopped on with Stx, which released Hart'...

Demonic possession movie number 36,149 is getting ready to compel you into watching it! Read on for the first artwork and word on the upcoming flick Forbidden Girl! Look for it on DVD August 12th from Inception Media Group.

From the Press Release

A young man must resist the seductive lure of an ancient witch or be condemned to an eternal life on the dark side in The Forbidden Girl, possessing DVD August 12th from Inception Media Group.

Toby (Peter Gadiot; "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland," Night Wolf), a troubled young man who lost his girlfriend in a tragic accident, begins to put his life back together after spending years in a psychiatric institute. Upon his release, he takes a job tutoring a beautiful woman (Jytte-Merle Böhrnsen) who lives in her aunt’s lonely mansion.

When Toby suspects his student is possessed, his haunting memories return; and unexplainable, supernatural occurrences drive him from the house.

By Seth Metoyer, MoreHorror.com

Alright, it's officially Autumn and I think that calls for a giveaway! This time around we've got a blood-soaked horror comedy starring Robert Englund, a bunch of strippers and Werewolves.

We are giving away 3 DVD's of Strippers vs. Werewolves (yes, your read the title correctly). Stripping has never been so hairy, let me tell you. The film debuts on Blu-ray®, DVD and Digital September 25th

To enter, follow the simple instructions. Email your full name and physical address to svzgiveaway[at]morehorror.com with the subject line Stippers vs. Zombies Giveaway. Only Us residents please and no Po Boxes.

**This contest is now closed. Winners should receive product within 2-4 weeks. Stay tuned for more giveaway's from MoreHorror.com.

That's it. Winners will be chosen randomly. Good luck!

About Strippers vs. Werewolves

Legendary horror film star Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street franchise) joins Billy Murray...

It’s a big weekend for vets of the Harry Potter series! Emma Watson’s new movie Perks of Being A Wallflower opened yesterday, and today Tom Felton turns 25! The little toe-headed kids we knew as evil Draco Malfoy has grown up into quite the handsome dude, showing up to red carpet events looking like a walking GQ cover. His latest film The Apparition scared the crap out of us in theaters last August, and it looks like his next movie Night Wolf will definitely do the same. What is it with this guy and freaky flicks, huh? Too many years hanging around with he-who-shall-not-be-named, we guess.

On top of his acting skills, Tom’s also a musician and songwriter. In 2010 he released a collection of original songs called In Good Hands. He’s also flexed his comedy muscle with appearances in Get Him To The Greek and British sketches alongside Justin Bieber,...

'Welcome to Volume One of 'The Full Moon Double Feature Review' wherein I review Two werewolf movies until there's none left' Volume One - Night Wolf/13 Hrs (2010) and Bad Moon (1996) : : : : : : 13 Hrs./Night Wolf (2010) Lets not go any further without addressing the first problem we encounter with this movie. Any title thats a number followed by a unit of measurement is dog shit. Even when you heap meaning onto it, such as in the case…...

Well Go USA just checked in with a quick home video update regarding Strippers vs. Werewolves! Pretty soon you, too, will be able to witness the mayhem of what happens when hot chicks begin beating off furry creatures of the night.

From the Press Release

Legendary horror film star Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street franchise) joins Billy Murray (Stalker), Martin Kemp (Jack Falls) and Steven Berkoff (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, TV’s “The Borgias”) in director Jonathan Glendening’s (Night Wolf) British horror-comedy Strippers vs. Werewolves, debuting on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital September 25th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film also stars Adele Silva (Doghouse), Ali Bastian (TV’s “The Bill”) and Barbara Nedeljakova (Hostel, Hostel: Part II) as a trio of high-class strippers who must defend their club against a lawless, revenge-seeking pack of werewolves.

Synopsis

A war between strippers and werewolves ensues when a...

Directed by: Jonathan Glendening

Written by: Adam Phillips

Featuring: Isabella Calthorpe, Tom Felton, Gemma Atkinson

In Night Wolf, young student Sarah Tyler (Isabella Calthorpe) returns home from the United States to her dysfunctional family home in the English countryside. Sarah returns home to a father that seems isolated, a missing mother and gang of brothers that are all messed up in one way or another. While at home, she meets up with her brothers and a group of her old friends hanging out while a wild storm rages outside. The group notices some strange movements throughout the house that soon turn into a bloody rampage by this mysterious creature. Over the next 13 hours, Sarah and her friends are on the run within the house trying to survive the night.

It should be noted that Night Wolf is actually a British film called 13 Hrs from 2010 that has been repackaged for the North American market.

Title: Night Wolf Directed by: Jonathan Glendening Starring: Isabella Calthorpe, Tom Felton, Joshua Bowman and Gemma Atkinson Running time: 85/minutes, Rated R Sarah returns to her parents home in the English countryside from her stint at an American university to find the house in disrepair and her brothers are having a get together in the barn. A storm falls upon them, driving them inside for the night. They soon discover that some rabid creature is loose inside, picking them off one by one. If you’re only watching this film because you’re a fan of Harry Potter’s Tom Felton, go ahead and shut this off after 25 minutes. The rest of [ Read More ]...

*here be spoilers. Director: Jonathan Glendening. Writers: Adam Phillips. Cast: Gemma Atkinson, Tom Felton, Joshua Bowman and Isabella Calthorpe Tagline: "A deadly secret is coming home." It is always strange to see a pin-up model headlining a film. Gemma Atkinson's film career can be summed up in six titles. Moving over to the crew, Jonathan Glendening is familiar to this reviewer for his terrible outing titled S.N.U.B. (reviewed here). Glendening also directed Strippers vs. Werewolves. With this type of pedigree, one might think they are entering amateur hour at the theatre. They or you would be right to think this. Night Wolf, previously titled 13 Hrs, is a werewolf film with many annoying characters. This is the same problem that plagued Glendening's S.N.U.B.. It is hard to enjoy a horror film when you just want all of the characters to fall off the face of the Earth.

★★☆☆☆ It's probably unwise to analyse films like Strippers vs Werewolves (2012) too closely. Peel away the gimmicky editing (which is effective in a naive comic-book way), and what's left of this British produced horror-comedy from director Jonathan Glendening (responsible for the recent horror release Night Wolf (2012)) lacks any real guts. Starring Robert Englund, Steven Berkoff and newcomer Martin Compston, the presence of such stalwarts is really all that's of interest in this amateur tale of Lycanthrope activities in London's clubland.

Read more »...