Taron Egerton finds himself in “a bit of a save-the-world situation” in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Let’s talk about the top stories in Hollywood this week.

Blockbuster films such as Dunkirk and festival breakouts including The Shape of Water are all part of the conversation for what could be “the most exciting Oscar race in years.” (Variety)

It is climbing up the horror charts at a terrifying pace. The highest-grossing September film in box office history is on pace to eclipse The Exorcist as the highest-grossing horror movie of all time with a projected $232.9 million.

Rising tides lift all boats. The smash success of It combined with glowing projections for Kingsman: Golden Circle and The LEGO Ninjago Movie could put overall box office figures for September at $700 million, “easily an all-time high for the first month of autumn.” (Deadline)

Linda Hamilton confirmed a return to the world of Terminator to reprise her iconic role as Sarah Connor. Hamilton will reunite with co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger and director James Cameron over 25 years after the release of Terminator 2: Judgement Day. (Deadline)

The first trailer for Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander has finally been released. Unlike the 2001 and 2003 adaptations of the video game adventurer, 2018’s Tomb Raider explains Lara Croft’s origin story. (Entertainment Weekly)

Josh Brolin gets Deadpool fans talking with a new picture of his character, Cable, that he posted to Instagram. The time-travelling character will appear in Deadpool 2, in theaters June 1, 2018. (Hollywood Reporter)

Those who enjoyed Tulip Fever and are looking forward to Victoria and Abdul may get to see a lot more of Judi Dench soon. Dench is currently in talks to join Disney’s Artemis Fowl film, slated for release in 2019. (Variety)

Matt Damon has been making the rounds of the festival circuit, promoting films from Suburbicon to Downsizing. Now, Damon is set to star as John R. Brinkley, a real-life con artist, in Charlatan. (Variety)

The Thor franchise got a boost of color in a new IMAX poster for Thor: Ragnarok, in theaters November 3. (ScreenRant)

The new trailer for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle reveals a modern twist in which the concept of video games plays a significant role in the overall plot. (CinemaBlend)

Don’t forget to catch the new films opening this weekend!

• Kingsman: The Golden Circle: When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.
• The LEGO Ninjago Movie: Six young ninjas Lloyd, Jay, Kai, Cole, Zane and Nya are tasked with defending their island home, called Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors, using their skills and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy: high school.
• Battle of the Sexes: The true story of the 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.
• Friend Request: A popular college student graciously accepts a social outcast’s online friend request, but soon finds herself fighting a demonic presence that wants to make her lonely by killing her closest friends.

Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem in the psycho-thriller Mother!

Fear not, Star Wars fans: Episode IX’s director vacancy has been filled! The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams will return to the storied Disney franchise. (Hollywood Reporter)

It not only topped the box office, but the Stephen King horror film shattered all expectations with $123.1 million during opening weekend, becoming the biggest horror movie debut in history. (Hollywood Reporter)

Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water took home the Venice Film Festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion. Del Toro is the first Mexican director to win the festival’s top honor. (Deadline)

Disney Studios will bring more magic to theaters with the recently-announced Christopher Robin, Artemis Fowl and live-action Aladdin films. (ComingSoon)

Patty Jenkins will become the highest-paid female filmmaker in history when she begins production on Wonder Woman 2, set for release in 2019. (Hollywood Reporter)

Gavin O’Connor will step into “one of the biz’s most highly-touted gigs” as writer and director of Suicide Squad 2. (Variety)

Taken star Liam Neeson is retiring from action films. At the Toronto Film Festival, Neeson referenced his age as a factor, stating, “audiences are eventually going to go: ‘come on.’” Fortunately, his “particular set of skills” will continue to be put to good use in other genres. (Sky News)

If you’ve been waiting for some Tomb Raider news, Empire has an exclusive new look at Alicia Vikander taking on the role of fictional adventurer Lara Croft. (Empire)

Louis C.K., known for self-distributing his films and stand-up appearances, made it clear at Toronto International Film Festival that he wants his “secret” film I Love You, Daddy to be seen in theaters first. (Hollywood Reporter)

Mike Myers made Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody famous for a new generation by rocking out to the tune in Wayne’s World. With a Freddy Mercury biopic featuring Rami Malek in the works, Myers is now negotiating for a role of his own. (Deadline)

Don’t forget to catch the new films opening this weekend!

• Mother!: A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.
• American Assassin: A story centered on counterterrorism agent Mitch Rapp.
• Brad’s Status: A father takes his son to tour colleges on the East Coast and meets up with an old friend who makes him feel inferior about his life’s choices.

Let’s talk about the top stories in Hollywood this week:

Pennywise the Clown will be scaring up box offices in It.

It screams past 2011’s Paranormal Activity 3 to become the top horror film pre-seller in history. The Stephen King adaptation is projected to make $60 million during opening weekend. (Variety)

On what would have been Freddie Mercury’s 71^st birthday, we got our first look at Rami Malek portraying the iconic Queen front-man in Bohemian Rhapsody, due Christmas Day 2018. (Entertainment Weekly)

From Eminem-produced Bodied to I, Tonya starring Margot Robbie, get a sneak peek at 11 of the most notable films at the Toronto International Film Festival. (Hollywood Reporter)

Warner Bros. has new competition for the right to the James Bond brand as Apple and Amazon have thrown their hats into the ring. (Hollywood Reporter)

Tina Fey is bringing Mean Girls back, but this time on Broadway. The theatrical adaptation of the 2004 teen comedy opens April 8 with previews beginning March 12. (Variety)

Not so fast, Thor. Mark Ruffalo favors The Hulk in “the fight of the century” when Thor: Ragnarok smashes into theaters November 3. (ScreenRant)

Harry Potter fans shared the hashtag #19YearsLater across social media on September 1 to celebrate the date Harry’s son, Albus Severus Potter, goes to the wizarding school for the first time. This momentous occasion was written into the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (Entertainment Weekly)

If you have more than $45,000, you could be the next owner of Marty McFly’s famous Nike shoes from Back to the Future II. The auction will take place on September 26 in London, and people can place bids via phone, online or in-person. (Yahoo! Movies)

The search is on to replace Colin Trevorrow, who will no longer be directing Star Wars: Episode IX. (Hollywood Reporter)

Casey Afleck will bring “the greatest American Novel you’ve never heard of” to life as the lead actor in Stoner. (Deadline)

Don’t forget to catch the new films opening this weekend!

• It: A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.
• Home Again: Life for a single mom in Los Angeles takes an unexpected turn when she allows three young guys to move in with her.

Catching you up on some of our favorite things to come out of Hollywood this week:

Channing Tatum, Katie Holmes and Adam Driver star in Logan Lucky.

Have you recently had a close encounter? Steven Spielberg’s landmark film Close Encounters of the Third Kind is returning to theaters for its 40^th anniversary beginning September 1^st. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Warner Bros. has released a 6-minute film that sheds light on the events that took placebetween the first Blade Runner film set in 2019 and the sequel due October 6^th that takes place in 2049. (Collider)

Can you spare £250,000? James Bond’s original AMC Hornet X, made famous by a one-take river jump stunt for the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun, is going on sale. (The Sun)

The big screen knockout Mayweather vs. McGregor broke into last weekend’s box office top ten with $2.6 million in live theater showings. (Deadline)

Crazy, Stupid, Love filmmakers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa will bring Joker and Harley Quinn back to the big screen with “an insane and twisted love story.” So, more crazy, more love. (The Hollywood Reporter)

A star is born! Pulse Films assistant Josh L. Gordon can now call himself a screenwriter, as his first script, a sci-fi thriller, has been picked up by Warner Bros. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Check out the teaser trailer for Downsizing, a new comedy opening the Venice Film Festival that stars Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig as a couple who choose to shrink themselves in the hopes of alleviating the stress of their daily lives. (IndieWire)

It is almost here! , A new compilation of behind-the-scenes footage from the Stephen King adaptation was just released that includes a few new looks at Pennywise the Clown. (IndieWire)

If you can’t get enough Afflecks in your life, Ben and Casey Affleck are in early talks to direct and star in the lead role of Sony’s Red Platoon.(Tracking Board)

Evangeline Lilly tweeted the first photo of herself wearing the Wasp’s costume in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp film. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Opening this Labor Day Weekend:

• Tulip Fever – An artist falls for a young married woman while he’s commissioned to paint her portrait during the Tulip mania of 17^th century Amsterdam.
• Hazlo Como Hombre – Raúl, Eduardo and Santiago have led a happy and “straight” life since their childhood, until, one day, Santiago confesses to them that he is gay.
• Unlocked – A CIA interrogator is lured into a ruse that puts London at risk of a biological attack.