1. Class is in session for The Academy, looks rather more diverse

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finished licking envelopes and applying novelty stamps to the latest batch of invitations to prospective Academy members. Coming partly in response to criticism around the whole lack of diversity thing that surfaced this February, and fairly regularly in the previous 89 years, there is certainly change afoot in the class of 2016. In the official announcement, which you can check out here, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs addressed the “683 distinguished filmmakers, artists and executives who represent the best in our global film community”, noting that acceptance is of a “mission and not just a membership”.

What’s notable about this bolstered intake is that 46% of the recipients are female (a demographic making up just 25% of current members) while 41% of invitees are people of colour (a marked difference to the current 8% mark). There really are too many to go into here but eyebrow-raisers include relative newcomer John Boyega, relative latecomer Mark Rylance and relative relatives The Wayans Bros. Will.i.am has also received an invite.

2. Wreck-It Ralph is getting a sequel

It fair to say that Disney are on something of a winning streak. Since Tangled perfected the Pixar-cum-Disney look of their more recent offerings they have moved from strength to strength both critically and commercially – Frozen and Zootropolis have each earned over $1billion at the global box office. Wreck-It Ralph, the story of a videogame villain who dreams of being a hero, is perhaps one of the odder entries into their recent line-up, but is nevertheless one of the most enduring. Well, Disney has announced a sequel set to arrive sometime in 2018 (via Variety). Although that is currently all we know, you should except John C. Reilly to return as the titular, erm, hero.

3. Miles Teller bleeds for Bleed For This

As the old prophecy says, “whomever stars in Fantastic Four must star in a boxing movie”. Michael B. Jordan had Creed, Jamie Bell managed to trade in the sport for friggin’ Ballet, and Kate Mara presumably has something in the pipeline – you can never tell with Kate. Miles Teller has donned the gloves as the boxer Vinny Pazienza, a former junior-middleweight champion whose toughest fight came outside the ring (as is the style) in the wake of a horrific car crash. Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal and Ciarán Hinds also star in the claret-heavy drama due in UK cinemas this November.

4. Cinemark faces boycott after demanding legal fees from Aurora victims

In May this year, theatre chain Cinemark were found to be not liable for the 2012 shooting in which a deranged gunman killed 12 people and injured a further 70 during an opening showing of The Dark Knight Rises (via Deadline). Well, it the style of American legal lunacy, the attorneys acting on behalf of Cinemark have now demanded that the victims and their families cough up the $700K legal fees (again, via Deadline). As one might imagine this has been met with strong but fair uproar and a twitter campaign (#boycottcinemark) has begun.

5. Roland Emmerich wants to make Independence Day 3 – in spaaace

Though a thus far disappointing box office suggests he may not get the chance, Roland Emmerich really wants to make a third Independence Day. And why wouldn’t he? Jeff Goldblum seems like a nice fella, while that Brent Spiner probably has Patrick Stewart’s mobile number or something. In an interview with Empire this week, Emmerich spelt out some of his plans, which involved humanity “going into space”, even though “it has to be about Earth”. The affable German expanded on this idea, saying that “I want to maintain this group of people… and Jeff and Brent will take part in it” – see, told ya – “will I definitely direct it? Oh yes. I’d never, ever let someone else do it.” Of course, Roland. Of course.

6. Andrea Arnold’s American Honey gets a lovely trailer

Andrea Arnold’s American Honey was one of the films to watch at Cannes 2016, our man on the ground thought so, as did the majority of others who saw it. Well Andrea Arnold’s American road movie has finally got a trailer. After the brilliance of Red Road and Fish Tank make sure that this is placed right at the top of your must-see lists.

7. Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman Ultimate Edition released, world rejoices

Boasting an extra thirty minutes of caped crusading, the Ultimate Edition of Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman opus has been released this week and the word is… good. According to so-called “critics”, anyway. Ben Kendrick of Screenrant reports that the revised edition “injects a considerable amount of quality character drama and plot development” while Mark Hughes of Forbes states “I think the consensus will favor this extended cut by a wide margin and rehabilitate the film’s reputation going forward.” All in all, it’s almost like the good word has us rethinking everything we thought we once knew about a powerful, misunderstood hero (Zack Snyder). Right, Martha?

8. Tom Hanks looks predictably great in Sully

Tom Hanks has two Oscars (for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump), but he could quite realistically have acquired a few more over the years – the fact that he wasn’t even nominated for Captain Philips remains a travesty. Well, it seems that he is back in Oscar territory as he takes on the role of Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger, otherwise known as Sully, other otherwise known as the infamous pilot who landed a plane on the Hudson river. The film pairs Hanks with fellow Academy darling Clint Eastwood in a biopic that has Oscar fodder written all over it.

9. Minecraft adaptation builds towards a release date

Warner Bros have revealed the identity of one of their upcoming “event titles” according to a report by Deadline. Nestled amongst Justice League, Aquaman and the like, it looks like we’ll soon be queuing up to see Minecraft, directed by It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s Rob McElhenney. Warner Bros acquired the rights to the incredibly popular craft ‘em up back in February 2014 but there are pretty much no further details on the project, save for the release date of May 24, 2019. So… we’ll just end the article here.

10. Mad Max: Fury Road is set to return… in black and white

Thought you’d had just about all you could take of George Miller’s Oscar winning action epic? Well, it turns out you definitely haven’t. Accompanying a new boxset of what might just about be one of the greatest franchises of all time is a brand new black and white version of Fury Road (via Empire Online). The set is set for release in Germany with a US and UK release date forthcoming. We cannot wait to, erm, witness it.

• SON & EF