Hollywood is bringing out the big guns, making some unexpected casting choices, and delivering a few surprises along the way!

Happy Wednesday, movie lovers!

We’ve got some seriously exciting movie news today!

Denzel Washington is joining forces with one of Hollywood’s biggest action directors. Keanu Reeves could be entering the world of Korean crime thrillers. And a certain King of Pop is finding out that even Michael Jackson can’t always get what he wants!

Meanwhile, a beautiful animated romance is preparing to break our hearts, a wonderfully bizarre love story is making its way into theaters, and Quentin Tarantino apparently wrote enough material for TWO movies!

Grab that coffee, movie lovers!

Let’s talk movies!

DENZEL WASHINGTON TEAMS UP WITH MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE DIRECTOR!

NOW THIS IS A HOLLYWOOD DREAM TEAM!

Denzel Washington is returning to the thriller genre!

The two-time Oscar winner is attached to a new, currently untitled film directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the filmmaker behind several Mission: Impossible movies.

The project has received the green light from Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists.

And here’s the premise.

Washington plays a former police detective serving a life sentence who discovers he has terminal brain cancer.

He’s granted compassionate release and given approximately six months to live.

His goal? Reconnect with his estranged daughter and the grandson he never knew.

Unfortunately, his violent past isn’t ready to let him go.

The screenplay comes from Scott Barkan and Gregg Zehentner.

The movie is scheduled to open in theaters October 1, 2027.

MANNY’S TAKE: Denzel Washington and Christopher McQuarrie?

SOLD!

What excites me most is the combination of emotional drama and suspense.

Washington is extraordinary at portraying morally complicated characters, and McQuarrie knows how to construct a thrilling cinematic experience.

If they can balance the action with the emotional consequences of a father trying to reconnect with his family, this could be something special.

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

KEANU REEVES MAY JOIN A KOREAN CRIME THRILLER REMAKE!

JOHN WICK MEETS KOREAN CINEMA? YES, PLEASE!

Keanu Reeves could be heading into dangerous new territory!

The actor is reportedly in negotiations to star in an American reimagining of the acclaimed South Korean crime thriller The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.

And here’s where things get interesting.

Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, is attached to reprise his role from the original film.

Directing the remake will be James Wan, the filmmaker behind The Conjuring, Saw, and Aquaman.

The original 2019 film follows an unlikely alliance between a police detective and a gangster who join forces to capture a serial killer.

Naturally, neither man completely trusts the other.

And that’s what makes the story so deliciously entertaining!

IMPORTANT: Reeves is reportedly in talks. His casting has not been finalized.

MANNY’S TAKE: Keanu Reeves. Don Lee. James Wan.

What more could an action-movie fan want?

I love the original Korean film because its characters inhabit a morally ambiguous world where the supposed good guys aren’t necessarily good, and the bad guys sometimes become unlikely heroes.

The challenge will be preserving that complexity rather than simply turning it into another Hollywood action spectacle.

But with Wan directing?

I’m definitely interested!

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

IN WAVES UNVEILS ITS BEAUTIFUL NEW TRAILER — PLUS MY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS!

GET THOSE TISSUES READY, MOVIE LOVERS!

This next story is especially close to my heart.

Netflix has released the official trailer for In Waves, the animated romance based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Filipino-American author and illustrator AJ Dungo.

Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, the film tells the story of AJ and Kristen, two young people who discover love against the beautiful backdrop of Southern California’s surfing culture.

Will Sharpe voices AJ, while Stephanie Hsu plays Kristen.

What begins as a story about young love gradually becomes something much more profound.

It’s about memory, loss, grief, and the extraordinary ways love continues to shape our lives.

The animation uses a delicate, painterly style that captures both the beauty of the ocean and the emotional experiences of its characters.

Theatrical release: November 27, 2026.

Netflix premiere: December 11, 2026.

MANNY’S TAKE: I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to interview director Phuong Mai Nguyen, graphic novelist AJ Dungo, and voice stars Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu about this beautiful film.

What makes In Waves so affecting is its emotional honesty.

The story understands that love isn’t simply about finding someone.

It’s also about what happens when the person who transforms your life is no longer physically beside you.

And the animation gives those emotions a visual language that’s both intimate and extraordinary.

I cannot wait for more audiences to discover this movie.

WATCH MY EXCLUSIVE IN WAVES INTERVIEWS!

INTERVIEW #1: DIRECTOR PHUONG MAI NGUYEN AND GRAPHIC NOVELIST AJ DUNGO

I sat down with director Phuong Mai Nguyen and graphic novelist AJ Dungo to explore the deeply personal inspiration behind In Waves.

We talked about transforming AJ’s autobiographical story into an animated feature, capturing the beauty of surfing, and finding a visual language for love, memory, and grief.

And for AJ, there’s something especially meaningful about seeing his story reach audiences around the world.

INTERVIEW #2: VOICE STARS WILL SHARPE AND STEPHANIE HSU

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu, who bring AJ and Kristen to life.

We explored the emotional intimacy of their performances, the unique challenges of voice acting, and what makes this love story so profoundly human.

Sometimes the quietest moments in a movie speak the loudest.

And In Waves understands that beautifully.

MICHAEL JACKSON’S BIOPIC GETS REJECTED BY THE GOLDEN GLOBES!

THE KING OF POP IS HEADING INTO THE DRAMA CATEGORY!

Here’s an unexpected awards-season development!

Michael, the biopic about Michael Jackson, will not be allowed to compete in the Golden Globes’ comedy or musical categories under the current ruling.

Distributor Lionsgate had submitted the film for consideration as a musical.

But the Golden Globes committee rejected that classification.

Why?

Under the organization’s rules, songs must play a meaningful role in advancing the story for a film to qualify as a musical.

The committee determined that the movie’s musical performances didn’t satisfy that requirement.

That means the film, starring Jaafar Jackson as his famous uncle, will compete in the drama categories unless the decision is overturned.

Lionsgate reportedly has until October 31 to appeal.

MANNY’S TAKE: Now THIS is interesting!

A movie about one of the greatest musical performers in history can’t compete as a musical?

But here’s the distinction.

A movie featuring musical performances isn’t necessarily a musical in the traditional storytelling sense.

Remember, Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis also competed as dramas.

Still, this decision could significantly affect the film’s awards prospects.

And with the competition already looking fierce, Michael Jackson may be facing his toughest performance yet!

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD’S WICKER COSTUME TOOK 18 MONTHS TO CREATE!

NO CGI? NO PROBLEM!

One of the year’s most wonderfully unusual romantic fantasies is finally making its way into theaters!

Wicker stars Olivia Colman as a lonely fisherwoman who commissions a basket weaver to create her ideal husband.

That husband is played by Alexander Skarsgård.

And yes, he’s literally made of wicker!

But here’s something fascinating.

According to a Reuters interview, the extraordinary costume was created by New Zealand’s Wētā Workshop.

The design process took approximately 18 months.

Skarsgård emphasized that the elaborate costume was a practical creation rather than simply a computer-generated character.

The costume and makeup initially required hours to apply, although the production team eventually reduced the process to less than two hours.

The film also stars Peter Dinklage and Elizabeth Debicki.

Its U.S. theatrical release is scheduled for October 23.

MANNY’S TAKE: I’ve seen Wicker, and I’m giving it 3½ out of 4 KISSES! 💋

It’s a fantastical fairy tale filled with equal parts weirdness and wonder.

Romantic, bizarre, funny, and unexpectedly touching!

I also recently interviewed directors Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer about bringing this wonderfully strange world to life.

What I particularly admire is the film’s commitment to creating something genuinely original.

In a cinematic landscape filled with familiar franchises, Wicker dares to be different.

And sometimes, different is exactly what we need!

SOURCE: Reuters, October 20, 2026

TARANTINO WROTE ENOUGH MATERIAL FOR TWO CLIFF BOOTH MOVIES!

SOMEBODY GET QUENTIN AN EDITOR!

Apparently, Quentin Tarantino doesn’t believe in doing anything halfway.

According to an interview with Empire, his original screenplay for The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth was a whopping 230 pages long!

Director David Fincher revealed that the first draft was essentially enough material for two movies.

Fincher reportedly removed approximately 60 pages while developing the film.

The movie brings back Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, the character who earned him an Academy Award for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Set in 1977, the story follows Cliff as he navigates the darker corners of the Hollywood entertainment industry.

And Tarantino says audiences shouldn’t expect another leisurely Hollywood hangout movie.

Instead, the new film reportedly has the atmosphere of a gritty crime novel.

Reported IMAX theatrical release: November 25, 2026.

Reported Netflix premiere: December 23, 2026.

MANNY’S TAKE: David Fincher directing a Quentin Tarantino screenplay?

That’s almost too much cinematic talent for one movie!

I love that Fincher apparently approached the material with his characteristic precision while preserving Tarantino’s unmistakable voice.

And Brad Pitt returning as Cliff Booth?

Count me in!

Now I just want to know what happened to those missing 60 pages.

Maybe there’s another movie hiding in there!

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

ELIZABETH HOLMES DOCUMENTARY BEATS STREET FIGHTER AT THE BOX OFFICE!

A DOCUMENTARY JUST DEFEATED A VIDEO-GAME BLOCKBUSTER!

Talk about an unexpected Hollywood upset!

You Can See Everything, the documentary about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, reportedly became the number-one movie at the domestic box office on Monday.

The film earned approximately $2.57 million.

Meanwhile, Street Fighter collected approximately $2 million.

What’s remarkable is that the documentary accomplished this while playing in just 855 theaters.

Street Fighter had opened at number one over the weekend with approximately $31 million.

The documentary, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, has generated considerable attention for its unconventional approach to the Holmes story.

MANNY’S TAKE: This is one of my favorite box-office developments of the year!

A documentary outperforming a major Hollywood action movie?

Who would have predicted that?

It’s another reminder that audiences are hungry for unusual, provocative, conversation-starting films.

And I love seeing a documentary become a genuine theatrical event.

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

NETFLIX SAYS ITS THEATRICAL STRATEGY IS EVOLVING!

COULD THE STREAMING GIANT BE FALLING IN LOVE WITH MOVIE THEATERS?

Following this week’s reported leadership shake-up, Netflix is offering new insight into its theatrical-release strategy.

During the company’s October 20 earnings call, co-CEO Ted Sarandos acknowledged that Netflix’s approach to theatrical distribution has evolved.

The company reportedly expects to release approximately 30 films theatrically in 2026.

However, Sarandos emphasized that Netflix remains primarily focused on streaming.

The company considers each movie individually when determining how it should reach audiences.

Family-oriented films may receive wider theatrical releases, while other projects could continue receiving limited engagements.

MANNY’S TAKE: I’ve always believed that movie theaters and streaming services can coexist.

Some movies demand the communal experience of a darkened theater.

Others find their audiences through streaming.

The important thing is giving filmmakers the opportunity to tell their stories in the best possible way.

And if Netflix is becoming more open to theatrical exhibition?

That’s certainly a development worth celebrating.

SOURCE: TheWrap, October 20, 2026.

LOOK BACK GETS A NEW TRAILER AND U.S. RELEASE DATES!

GET READY FOR ANOTHER EMOTIONAL CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE!

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is preparing to bring another deeply human story to American audiences.

His live-action adaptation of Look Back has received a new North American trailer and reported theatrical-release dates.

Based on the manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the story follows two young girls who develop an extraordinary friendship through their shared love of drawing comics.

Their creative relationship becomes a powerful exploration of friendship, ambition, grief, and artistic expression.

The film previously received an animated adaptation in 2024.

Reported limited theatrical release: December 30, 2026.

Reported nationwide expansion: January 15, 2027.

MANNY’S TAKE: Kore-eda is one of my favorite filmmakers working today.

His ability to find extraordinary emotional depth in seemingly ordinary human experiences is remarkable.

From Shoplifters to Monster, his movies understand the complicated nature of family, love, and belonging.

And this story seems perfectly suited to his filmmaking sensibility.

Bring the tissues!

THAT’S YOUR HOLLYWOOD ROUNDUP!

What a fascinating Wednesday at the movies!

Denzel Washington is preparing for another intense dramatic thriller. Keanu Reeves may be stepping into a dangerous Korean crime story. Michael Jackson’s biopic is facing an unexpected awards-season challenge.

And two beautiful films, In Waves and Wicker, remind us that cinema can still surprise us with stories about love, imagination, and the extraordinary complexities of being human.

That’s what I love about the movies!

They can make us laugh, cry, scream, think, and occasionally wonder why a handsome man is made entirely of wicker.

And sometimes, all in the same week!

NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Are you excited about Denzel Washington’s new thriller?

Would you watch Keanu Reeves and Don Lee face off in a crime movie?

And what do you think about Michael competing as a drama rather than a musical?

Let’s talk movies!

For more exclusive celebrity interviews, original movie reviews, and the latest entertainment headlines, keep visiting MannyTheMovieGuy.com.

Hollywood moves fast. Manny moves faster!

I’m Manny the Movie Guy, and I’ll see you at the movies!