By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (AP) --Sam Raimi, the director of the original "Spider-Man" movie trilogy, is giving a passing grade to Marvel and Sony for sending the next cinematic rendition of the web-slinger back to high school.
"It's cool that we'll get to see another incarnation," Raimi said in an interview Saturday at Comic-Con. "I think it's a good choice for Marvel to go with high school Peter Parker. It's really interesting. That's where I loved it the most, when he's in high school, struggling to keep his grades up and being bullied by Flash Thompson. It's filled with angst."
Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures announced last month that 19-year-old actor Tom Holland would be taking over the role of Peter Parker in the next Spidey film, set to be directed by Jon Watts and hit theaters July 28, 2017.
Raimi is attending Comic-Con to hype "Ash vs. Evil Dead," an upcoming Starz series starring Bruce Campbell. The campy horror show, which premieres Oct. 31, is set after Raimi's original "Evil Dead" movie trilogy and features Campbell's chainsaw-wielding, trash-talking Ash battling bloody things that go bump in the night.
The "Evil Dead" writer-director, who is serving as executive producer on the 10-part series and is directing the first episode, is pumped for fans of the cult classic to witness Ash's return.
"The situation with this character is so interesting and different," said Raimi. "It's 30 years later. He's not in the cabin anymore. He's not back in time. He's in 2015. Ash is now a middle-aged man who has to fight the Evil Dead."
Besides showing off the latest chapter of the "Evil Dead" series, the Comic-Con veteran is most excited about the rise of attendees sporting costumes at this year's four-day celebration of pop culture.
"I love these people who are really into their makeup and wardrobe," he said. "All they want to do is pose for a picture in character. They're like the best actors in the world. All they really want is the true art of becoming a character. It's not for money or recognition. They just love the art. I love them."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More