Avengers: Age of Ultron

Jack Reacher 2: Cobie Smulders, who starred in the television sitcom How I Met Your Mother for years before breaking out as an action performer as Maria Hill in the Avengers movies, is now in early talks to join Tom Cruise in the sequel to Jack Reacher. If things work out, Smulders would play the female lead; the sequel is based on Never Go Back, the 18th novel in a long-running series by Lee Child. The movie version is scheduled for release in late 2016. [The Wrap]

 

RED 2

RED: Two movies have been inspired so far by RED, a three-issue comic book series by writer Warren Ellis and artist Cully Hamner, and now a television series from NBC is on its way. Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber, who wrote the two movies, are writing the series, which will retain the "core concept" of retired secret agents who return to action, but will be set "in a more grounded and authentic world." [Deadline]

 

Oculus

Ouija 2: Released last fall, horror movie Ouija became an unexpected hit worldwide, grossing more than $100 million at the box office, so it was not a surprise when a sequel was announced a few months later. Now comes word that Mike Flanagan (Oculus), who is writing the sequel script with Jeff Howard, will also direct, and that Annalise Basso, who appeared in Oculus (above), will play one of the female lead roles. The sequel will haunt theaters starting on October 21, 2016. [Heat Vision]

 

The Peanuts Movie

The Peanuts Movie: A new video provides assurance that the folks making The Peanuts Movie hold Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip close to their hearts. The video features footage of the animated movie along with excerpts of interviews with the filmmakers, who hail from all over the world, talking about their love of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang. The movie will open in theaters on November 6. [Movieclips]