Movies

Mikey Madison Reportedly Passes on ‘Star Wars’

BBG News

Following numerous delays, the upcoming “Star Wars” film will be titled “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” a cinematic extension of the Disney+ series. Subsequently, the details beyond this are unclear. However, a project that appears to be gathering steam is an as-yet-untitled production being developed by Shawn Levy, director of “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” with Ryan Gosling set to star in it.

It’s worth noting that some well-known figures are involved, but according to Variety, there were discussions about inviting another individual into the project. Sources suggest that Mikey Madison, a recent Academy Award winner, was given an opportunity in the production, but talks between her and the team behind Anora have since ceased as she declined the role.

Madison is well-acquainted with Hollywood franchises, having previously featured as a main character in the 2022 sequel to the Scream series, before her Academy Award-winning role in Anora. She didn’t reappear in Scream VI. Additionally, she lent her voice to The Addams Family animated film in 2019.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the fascinating world of Star Wars, where even renowned actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, Gary Oldman, and Rooney Mara have declined the opportunity to join the galaxy far, far away. If Levy’s Star Wars project actually materializes (a questionable prospect given the tumultuous history of Star Wars film production over the past five years), it would be intriguing to observe who will embody the female lead and what she’ll look like on screen. I can only imagine how captivating Madison could be in that role, adding her unique charm to the iconic Star Wars universe.

The upcoming film featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026. Excitingly, another Star Wars movie is just around the corner, arriving next year!

The Worst Mockbuster Ripoffs of Beloved Animated Movies

Tangled Up (1990)

You may be wondering how this film, which appears to be a copy of Disney’s Tangled from 2010, could have been made as early as 1990. However, this movie is more recognized as part of the direct-to-video series Britannica’s Tales from Around the World, consisting of animated shorts based on traditional stories from various countries. This series was distributed in the US and UK during the 1990s on tapes and later DVDs. Interestingly, one of the DVDs featuring the Rapunzel story was re-released as “Tangled Up,” with a cover design that closely resembles Tangled’s, even though the content is completely different. In response to this, The Walt Disney Company accused Brightspark Entertainment of deceiving consumers after they released an apparent ripoff of Brave titled “Braver” in 2012.

Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle (1994)

I’ve seen the movie “Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle,” which, despite sharing the same animal protagonists as Disney’s “The Lion King,” is quite distinct. In this film, the king lion is arrogant and mean to his subjects, a stark contrast from the original tale. However, when a young cub pleads with him to rescue its mother from poachers, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and change. He learns that apologizing for past mistakes and treating others with kindness are essential. It may not be Shakespearean drama like “Hamlet,” but it does deliver an important message about bullying.

Bug Bites: An Ant’s Life (1998)

Trying to capitalize on the success of films like A Bug’s Life and Antz, which were themselves rivals when released in 1998, Bug Bites: An Ant’s Life is the first-ever 3D movie that mirrors these blockbusters. However, this novelty wears off quickly as you watch it and notice the appalling animation quality. The film itself is just 25 minutes long, often paired with other shorts to make it a more attractive purchase for home viewing. In terms of plot, it doesn’t deviate much from either of the movies it emulates. Three ant sisters and their caterpillar friend help their queen construct a new anthill while avoiding malicious geckos. Unfortunately, understanding this simple plot is challenging because your eyes are constantly shielded to avoid the terrifying ants that appear on screen.

A Car’s Life: Sparky’s Big Adventure (2006)

In a world where Pixar’s “Cars” took a bizarre turn, you’ll find “A Car’s Life: Sparky’s Big Adventure.” This movie, from my perspective as a fan, is a mind-bending, frustrating tale set in an automobile universe. The protagonist, Sparky, is a rather grating car-child yearning for freedom from his overly concerned car-father.

Sparky’s life takes a turn for the worse when he meets a mysterious car-woman, who, strangely enough, was the widow of his father’s deceased brother??? It’s a web of circumstances that should never have found their way into a children’s movie, let alone an animated mockbuster.

Just like “Cars,” Sparky’s chaotic escapades continue in the sequels, “Car’s Life 2” and “Car’s Life 3: The Royal Heist.

Ratatoing (2007)

One infamous and laughably shameless Disney imitation is called “Ratatoing,” which shares similarities with “Ratatouille.” This Brazilian production tells the story of a renowned rat chef, Marcell Toing, who covertly pilfers food from human restaurants until he’s caught by a competing gang of rat chefs. The movie is generally dreadful, but the most memorable moment might be when a troupe of rats emerge from beneath a table and perform a synchronized dance, exclaiming “Ha! Ha” and emitting eerie noises. If you’ve seen it, consider yourself warned – Ratatoing is a film that you should avoid watching in its entirety.

What’s Up – Balloon to the Rescue (2009)

Soaring High – The Balloon’s Daring Adventure”

In “Soaring High – The Balloon’s Daring Adventure,” a family of monster hunters inadvertently disclose the code for a stone that enables their house to float, and an evil Frenchman plans to seize it to mesmerize the world. In the ensuing chaos, the stone goes missing and the family must attach a hot air balloon to their house instead. And yes, this film also includes monsters in its plot.

Chop Kick Panda (2011)

The remarkable achievement and creativity displayed in the film “Kung Fu Panda” led to numerous imitations. One of the most disappointing is “Chop Kick Panda”, a 2D animated movie that follows a lethargic panda who uses a mystical talisman to vanquish an evil tiger aiming to conquer the kingdom. Unlike many other films in this category, “Chop Kick Panda” closely mirrors its original source material, though it is approximately one hour shorter. If you’re in search of a truly unsettling experience, we suggest checking out another imitator with similarities, “The Little Panda Fighter”, whose character designs resemble the singing robots from “Five Nights at Freddy’s”.

Tappy Toes (2011)

Instead of being satisfied with a tale about a juvenile penguin mastering tap-dancing using only his webbed feet, Gaiam Americas’ previous imitation was “Tappy Toes”, a 40-minute 2D replica of “Happy Feet”. This movie revolves around a penguin discovering a pair of tap shoes hidden inside an old steamer trunk. Indeed, this concept is more comprehensible than Mumble from “Happy Feet”‘s innate awareness of tap dancing. Moreover, the visual of a tiny penguin in oversized human-sized shoes is quite endearing.

Cinderella 3D (2012)

In a different phrasing, the 3D movie titled “Cinderella 3D,” also recognized as “Cendrillon au Far West” and “Cinderella: Once Upon a Time in the West,” isn’t a remake of any particular “Cinderella” film. Instead, it aims to rekindle the enchantment of the cherished animated film “Rango.” This movie, “Cendrillon au Far West,” is essentially a Cinderella-inspired tale, where a young deer residing in a small Western town dreams of winning over Prince Vladimir, a Cocker Spaniel. The animation style, with its intricate details and uncanny realism, mirrors that of “Rango,” although the villain this time is a gorilla rather than a rattlesnake.

Planes With Brains (2018)

One of several films that sought to cash in on the popularity of the “Planes” series (a spinoff based on the “Cars” movies), “Planes With Branks” is arguably home to one of the most unsettling anthropomorphized aircraft designs in animation. The planes in “Planes with Branks” possess round, squashed faces reminiscent of Thomas the Tank Engine, featuring nothing but eyes and mouths, creating a disturbing likeness to a grotesque Mr. Potato Head figure. The storyline of the film, involving two aircraft embarking on adventures with the Plane Air Scouts, is virtually insignificant when compared to the discomfort induced by these frightening beings. It’s likely to discourage you from ever wanting to watch another talking vehicle movie again.

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2025-04-17 18:24

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