Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will host World Premieres on all three days of Wonder-Con 2018 ), putting the spotlight on Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay, Batman Ninja and LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay will open the weekend as Friday night’s featured premiere in the Arena, followed by Batman Ninja on Saturday morning, also in the Arena. Both panels will include a panel discussion amongst filmmakers and voice cast members.
LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High will premiere on Sunday at 10:45am with a screening (only) in room North 200A.
In addition, WBHE is hosting autograph signings for both Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay and Batman Ninja in the DC Entertainment booth.
Here are the complete panel descriptions, including all confirmed panelists (in BOLD) for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment at WonderCon (additional panelists will be announced as confirmed):
Friday – 7:00-9:00pm – World Premiere Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay—Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation celebrate a decade of WonderCon World Premieres with the debut of the latest DC Universe Movie, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay. The all-new animated film finds Amanda Waller’s top secret “Task Force X” – Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Killer Frost, Captain Boomerang, Harley Quinn and Copperhead – on a mission to retrieve a mystical object so powerful that they’re willing to risk their own lives to steal it. But the Suicide Squad isn’t the only group of villains seeking to possess the object. The race is on for the golden prize … and, to stay alive, second place isn’t an option. Confirmed to appear on the special pre-screening panel are actors Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: War of the Damned, The Flash) as Captain Boomerang, Kristin Bauer van Straten (True Blood, Once Upon a Time) as Killer Frost, Gideon Emery (Teen Wolf) as Copperhead, Julie Nathanson (The Zeta Project, Beverly Hills 90210) as Silver Banshee, and Greg Grunberg (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Heroes) as Steel Maxum, in addition to executive producer James Tucker (Batman vs. Two-Face, Justice League Dark), co-producer/screenwriter Alan Burnett (Justice League vs. Teen Titans) and character designer Phil Bourassa (Young Justice). The all-star cast also includes Christian Slater (Mr. Robot, Archer, True Romance) in his DC Universe Movies debut as the voice of Deadshot, who heads “Task Force X” alongside Billy Brown (How To Get Away With Murder) as Bronze Tiger, Tara Strong (Batman: The Killing Joke) as Harley Quinn and their “boss,” Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) as Amanda Waller. Villainous forces in the film include C. Thomas Howell (Outcast, The Outsiders, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) as Zoom, Dania Ramirez (Devious Maids, Heroes, Once Upon a Time) as Scandal Savage, James Urbaniak (Difficult People, The Venture Bros.) as Professor Pyg, and Jim Pirri (Injustice 2) as Vandal Savage & Vertigo. The feature-length animated film arrives on Digital starting March 27, 2018, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD April 10, 2018. Arena
Saturday – 10:00am-12:00pm – World Premiere of Batman Ninja—Witness the Dark Knight as you’ve never seen him before at the first public screening of the highly-anticipated anime film. Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports many of Batman’s worst enemies to feudal Japan – along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies – including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family – to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City. The visually stunning Batman Ninja will be discussed following the screening by the creative team of director Jumpei Mizusaki (Opening animation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), original screenwriter Kazuki Nakashima (Gurren Lagann), and character designer Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai) and English-language screenwriters Leo Chu and Eric Garcia (Supah Ninjas, Afro Samurai) alongside several of the film’s actors, including the voice of Batman, Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins), Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development) as the Joker, Fred Tatasciore (Family Guy) as Gorilla Grodd & Deathstroke, Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10: Omniverse) as Robin & Red Hood, Adam Croasdell (Reign) as Nightwing & Alfred, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Penguin and Eric Bauza (The Adventures of Puss in Boots) as Two-Face. Warner Bros. Japan, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment bring Batman Ninja to Digital starting April 24, 2018, and Blu-ray Steelbook, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on May 8, 2018. Arena
Sunday – 10:45am-12:00pm – World Premiere LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Super Villain High—Be amongst the first audience to see the all-new animated film, LEGO® DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High. After a mysterious school opens across the street, the students of Super Hero High find themselves up against a new threat. Now, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl and the rest of the DC Super Hero Girls not only have to worry about the well-being of their grades, but the safety and security of friends, family and the rest of civilization. The girls must figure out how to put a stop to this evil, new cross-town rival and save the world once again! Anais Fairweather, the voice of Supergirl, will give a special introduction to the film. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and The LEGO Group, the film – a continuation in the worldwide DC Super Hero Girls franchise phenomenon – will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on May 1, 2018 on Digital, and May 15, 2018 on DVD. North 200A
Sunday – 2:00-3:15pm – Encore Presentation of Batman Ninja – Arena
directed by Prashanth Neel, brings a bold and gritty spectacle to the big screen, marking a triumphant return for Prabhas in an action-heavy role. Known for his high-energy, raw style (seen in KGF), Neel continues his signature approach here, blending intense action scenes with grandiose settings reminiscent of epic sagas like Game of Thrones. The film revolves around Deva (Prabhas), a powerful yet calm figure with a complex past, and his involvement in a politically charged power struggle with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character Varadha. This layered storyline introduces us to the fictitious city of Khansar, where betrayals and power dynamics keep viewers on edge.
Critics generally appreciate Prabhas’s magnetic performance, noting that he captures the larger-than-life heroism he’s celebrated for since Baahubali. His portrayal, paired with intense fight choreography, keeps the audience engaged, particularly during standout sequences that elevate the film’s dramatic intensity. Prithviraj’s character as Deva’s friend adds an intriguing dynamic, though Shruti Haasan’s role feels underused. While fans of action-packed cinema and Prabhas’s iconic style will enjoy the exhilarating visuals and powerful cinematography, some critics feel the plot loses momentum in the second half, with multiple subplots that dilute its emotional depth. The story is intentionally left open-ended, setting the stage for Salaar: Part 2.
Overall, Salaar is an ambitious action film that will satisfy fans of Prabhas and high-octane spectacles. However, those seeking a tight narrative or deep emotional connections might find it lacking. I’d rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars—a solid experience for action enthusiasts, with room for a more focused storyline in its sequel.
Review of Kalki 2898 AD on Netflix
Rating: (4/5)
Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a visually ambitious sci-fi film featuring an ensemble of Indian cinema legends, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone. The film is set in a dystopian future with a storyline that weaves mythology and science fiction, creating a unique cinematic experience for viewers.
The film’s narrative unfolds in a futuristic society where technology and ancient themes intersect. It begins with an immersive setup that introduces us to Prabhas’ character, Bhairava, who grapples with complex moral and existential questions in a world marked by political and ethical turmoil. Although the pacing can feel slow in parts, especially as it establishes the mythological underpinnings, the intensity and scope build significantly as the story progresses.
One of the most captivating aspects is the stunning visual effects. The production team, with a budget reportedly over 400 crore INR, utilized advanced CGI to craft expansive landscapes, dramatic space battles, and futuristic cityscapes that resemble scenes from Hollywood sci-fi giants. The action sequences, particularly those featuring Bachchan, stand out with their thrilling choreography and careful dramatic build-up. These sequences balance between traditional Indian cinema stylings and Hollywood’s polished sci-fi tropes.
While Kalki 2898 AD relies heavily on genre conventions, it manages to bring a fresh twist by blending mythological symbolism with modern sci-fi elements. However, some may find the film’s narrative occasionally predictable, and the focus on visual spectacle occasionally overshadows character development. Yet, the powerhouse performances from the lead cast, particularly Bachchan and Padukone, provide the emotional depth needed to keep audiences engaged.
In summary, Kalki 2898 AD is an impressive venture into the sci-fi genre for Indian cinema, successfully balancing myth with high-tech fantasy. While not without flaws, it’s an enjoyable and bold cinematic experience that’s worth a watch for fans of both Indian mythology and science fiction.
Gladiator 2 builds on the legacy of its predecessor, delivering a captivating story that honors the original while forging a compelling new path. The cast shines in their roles, with Paul Mescal delivering a powerhouse performance as Lucius, the now-grown son of Maximus. Mescal captures a blend of vulnerability and strength, embodying a character driven by both honor and revenge. Alongside him, Denzel Washington commands the screen, adding gravitas and depth to a key supporting role
The screenplay is a triumph, keeping the audience engaged at every turn. While the overarching story gives you a sense of where it’s headed, the journey remains unpredictable, and packed with twists. The film balances themes of legacy, vengeance, and redemption, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative.
Action sequences, particularly the gladiatorial combat, are visually pleasing. The fights are brutal and visceral, with just enough gore to feel authentic without veering into excess. Visually, Gladiator 2 is stunning. The production design, cinematography, and score come together to create a visceral and immersive experience.
As a follow-up to a beloved classic, Gladiator 2 meets expectations, proving to be both a thrilling spectacle and a worthy successor. It’s a 9/10—a tale of honor and legacy.
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