Movie News
The Sydney Sweeney-led “Barbarella” film is taking shape, with Edgar Wright in talks to direct the picture for Sony. Jane Goldman and Honey Ross are in talks to pen the script.
Wright, best known for making the satiric zombie film “Shaun of the Dead,” is next set to direct Glen Powell in an adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Running Man.” Wright’s other directorial credits include “Last Night in Soho,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver.”
The project also marks another step in Sweeney’s continued relationship with Sony Pictures — she’s most recently starred in “Anyone but You” and “Madame Web” for the studio. While “Madame Web” was largely panned by critics, Sweeney says her involvement in the film was a “strategic business decision” that’s since paid off.
“To me, that film was a building block, it’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony,...
Wright, best known for making the satiric zombie film “Shaun of the Dead,” is next set to direct Glen Powell in an adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Running Man.” Wright’s other directorial credits include “Last Night in Soho,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver.”
The project also marks another step in Sweeney’s continued relationship with Sony Pictures — she’s most recently starred in “Anyone but You” and “Madame Web” for the studio. While “Madame Web” was largely panned by critics, Sweeney says her involvement in the film was a “strategic business decision” that’s since paid off.
“To me, that film was a building block, it’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Disney and 20th Century’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” climbed to $72.5 million at the international box office in its first weekend of release.
The newest film in the long-running “Apes” series also notched No. 1 in North America with $58.5 million, bringing its initial global tally to a promising $131 million. Those ticket sales were above Sunday’s projections of $56.5 million domestically and $129 million worldwide. Like its predecessors, the $160 million-budgeted “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is projected to earn the bulk of its revenues at the international box office.
Overseas, the movie enjoyed the biggest start in China with $11.4 million (a lackluster debut for the territory), France with $7.1 million, Mexico with $6.4 million and the United Kingdom with $4.8 million. Other top markets were Korea ($3.2 million), Australia ($2.7 million), Brazil ($2.6 million), Germany (2.2 million) and Spain ($2.2 million).
Audiences opted to watch the film in the best possible quality as premium formats represented 41% of global box office revenues.
The newest film in the long-running “Apes” series also notched No. 1 in North America with $58.5 million, bringing its initial global tally to a promising $131 million. Those ticket sales were above Sunday’s projections of $56.5 million domestically and $129 million worldwide. Like its predecessors, the $160 million-budgeted “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is projected to earn the bulk of its revenues at the international box office.
Overseas, the movie enjoyed the biggest start in China with $11.4 million (a lackluster debut for the territory), France with $7.1 million, Mexico with $6.4 million and the United Kingdom with $4.8 million. Other top markets were Korea ($3.2 million), Australia ($2.7 million), Brazil ($2.6 million), Germany (2.2 million) and Spain ($2.2 million).
Audiences opted to watch the film in the best possible quality as premium formats represented 41% of global box office revenues.
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Legendary B-movie king Roger Corman, who directed and produced hundreds of low-budget films and discovered such future industry stars as Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, has died. He was 98.
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures,...
Corman died May 9 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., surrounded by family members, the family confirmed to Variety.
“His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, and captured the spirit of an age. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that,'” the family said in a statement.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations, including New World Pictures,...
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Jason Cloth, a Canadian financier with credits on dozens of films including “Babylon” and “Joker,” was hit with a $19.6 million verdict last week after failing to appear at a fraud trial in West Palm Beach, Fla.
A seven-member jury found that Cloth defrauded an investor on “The Pathway,” a TNT docuseries about the NBA draft, out of $6.6 million. The jury also awarded $13 million in punitive damages.
Cloth is also facing a class action suit in Chicago, where is accused of defrauding investors on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Monkey Man” and other films out of more than $80 million.
“He’s made a career of telling people whatever they want to hear in order to get what he wants,” said attorney David Jonelis, who represented the plaintiff in the Florida case.
At the two-day trial, Jonelis presented evidence that Cloth had solicited the investment on “The Pathway” by claiming that it had been greenlit for five seasons.
A seven-member jury found that Cloth defrauded an investor on “The Pathway,” a TNT docuseries about the NBA draft, out of $6.6 million. The jury also awarded $13 million in punitive damages.
Cloth is also facing a class action suit in Chicago, where is accused of defrauding investors on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Monkey Man” and other films out of more than $80 million.
“He’s made a career of telling people whatever they want to hear in order to get what he wants,” said attorney David Jonelis, who represented the plaintiff in the Florida case.
At the two-day trial, Jonelis presented evidence that Cloth had solicited the investment on “The Pathway” by claiming that it had been greenlit for five seasons.
- 5/13/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
I spent the first 37 years of my life on the East Coast, and even there, I knew who Sam Rubin was.
The beloved Ktla Los Angeles entertainment reporter, who died May 10 at age 64, was a Hollywood fixture for over 30 years, beloved, trusted and respected. Drawing heartfelt tributes ranging from industry veterans like Tom Hanks and Henry Winkler and rising stars like Charmaine Bingwa, I’ve never seen such an outpouring for an entertainment journalist since perhaps Roger Ebert in 2013. Sam greeted everyone with the same infectious enthusiasm and genuine curiosity, whether they were industry stalwarts or nervous newcomers. He was synonymous with Los Angeles but he was also known well outside of Southern California through his reporting for ITV and Australia’s 9 Network.
I was fortunate to spend time with Sam off-camera, serving with him on the board of the Critics Choice organization. On my first trip to Los...
The beloved Ktla Los Angeles entertainment reporter, who died May 10 at age 64, was a Hollywood fixture for over 30 years, beloved, trusted and respected. Drawing heartfelt tributes ranging from industry veterans like Tom Hanks and Henry Winkler and rising stars like Charmaine Bingwa, I’ve never seen such an outpouring for an entertainment journalist since perhaps Roger Ebert in 2013. Sam greeted everyone with the same infectious enthusiasm and genuine curiosity, whether they were industry stalwarts or nervous newcomers. He was synonymous with Los Angeles but he was also known well outside of Southern California through his reporting for ITV and Australia’s 9 Network.
I was fortunate to spend time with Sam off-camera, serving with him on the board of the Critics Choice organization. On my first trip to Los...
- 5/13/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - Film News
Edgar Wright is doubling down on iconic-film remakes, potentially directing “Barbarella,” starring executive producer Sydney Sweeney.
IndieWire can confirm that Wright is in talks to direct the reimagining of the 1968 cult film that originally starred Jane Fonda as an astronaut looking to defeat an intergalactic evil force. “X-Men: First Class” screenwriters Jane Goldman and Honey Ross are also in negotiations to write the Sony film.
Deadline first reported that Wright is in the running to direct.
And speaking of running, Wright was recently announced to be writing and directing his long-awaited “Running Man” remake with Sweeney’s “Anyone But You” co-star Glen Powell in the lead. The Paramount feature has been in the works with Wright since 2017, and is based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel and later the 1987 feature starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Barbarella” is based on Jean-Claude Forest’s comic series, which was published as a serialized strip for V...
IndieWire can confirm that Wright is in talks to direct the reimagining of the 1968 cult film that originally starred Jane Fonda as an astronaut looking to defeat an intergalactic evil force. “X-Men: First Class” screenwriters Jane Goldman and Honey Ross are also in negotiations to write the Sony film.
Deadline first reported that Wright is in the running to direct.
And speaking of running, Wright was recently announced to be writing and directing his long-awaited “Running Man” remake with Sweeney’s “Anyone But You” co-star Glen Powell in the lead. The Paramount feature has been in the works with Wright since 2017, and is based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel and later the 1987 feature starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Barbarella” is based on Jean-Claude Forest’s comic series, which was published as a serialized strip for V...
- 5/13/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has unveiled its programming for summer 2024, which includes public events, education programs and four new limited film series. Special guests for the summer season include Gregg Araki, Julie Benz, Lawrence Carter-Long, Peaches Christ, Rebecca Gayheart, Judy Greer, Ricki Lake and more.
Along with the Weekend Short Cuts and Summer Spotlight screenings, the Academy Museum will launch the Summer in the City: Los Angeles, Block by Block film series, which includes 30 films celebrating dozens of neighborhoods around the Southland. The series debuts June 1 with “Boogie Nights” in 70mm and ends Aug. 31 with “Escape from L.A” in 4K.
The other limited series include Full of Pleasure: The Beginnings of New Queer Cinema, which kicks off June 15 with “Go Fish” in 4K, Damas de la Pantalla: The Women of Mexico’s Época de Oro, which begins June 28 with “María Candelaria” and Tellers of Tales: The Films of Powell & Pressburger,...
Along with the Weekend Short Cuts and Summer Spotlight screenings, the Academy Museum will launch the Summer in the City: Los Angeles, Block by Block film series, which includes 30 films celebrating dozens of neighborhoods around the Southland. The series debuts June 1 with “Boogie Nights” in 70mm and ends Aug. 31 with “Escape from L.A” in 4K.
The other limited series include Full of Pleasure: The Beginnings of New Queer Cinema, which kicks off June 15 with “Go Fish” in 4K, Damas de la Pantalla: The Women of Mexico’s Época de Oro, which begins June 28 with “María Candelaria” and Tellers of Tales: The Films of Powell & Pressburger,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety - Film News
It’s been almost a year and a half since “Yellowstone” fans have been able to watch a new episode of Taylor Sheridan’s neo-Western family drama. And in the time since, a lot of the blame for the delay has been heaped upon the show’s lead, Kevin Costner.
When the show returned for Season 5 in 2022, it was announced that the season would be split in two and labeled 5A and 5B. But despite the initial batch airing in November 2022, the second half still has yet to be filmed. Once Costner began production on his own Western opus “Horizon: An American Saga,” the prospect of him returning to finish the series became more and more tenuous and rumors began to circulate about the show’s fate. Speculation ranged from Matthew McConaughey potentially taking over as a new lead to Costner only being willing to commit to one week of...
When the show returned for Season 5 in 2022, it was announced that the season would be split in two and labeled 5A and 5B. But despite the initial batch airing in November 2022, the second half still has yet to be filmed. Once Costner began production on his own Western opus “Horizon: An American Saga,” the prospect of him returning to finish the series became more and more tenuous and rumors began to circulate about the show’s fate. Speculation ranged from Matthew McConaughey potentially taking over as a new lead to Costner only being willing to commit to one week of...
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
The first ‘Downton Abbey’ film (released in 2019) more than doubled the worldwide box office of the second film, ‘A New Era’ (released in 2022), but that isn’t stopping Focus Features from going back for a third time. And for the third ‘Downton Abbey’ film, it looks like some major names are joining the cast. Focus Features has announced “Downton Abbey 3” is on the horizon.
Continue reading Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson & Alessandro Nivola Join The Cast of Forthcoming ‘Downton Abbey 3’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson & Alessandro Nivola Join The Cast of Forthcoming ‘Downton Abbey 3’ at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Did anyone expect “The Beekeeper” to do as well at the box office as it’s doing? The mid-budget action film has earned more than $152 million worldwide. You have to assume a lot of that success rests on the shoulders of star Jason Statham, who has been solid at the box office for years now. And fresh off the success of “The Beekeeper,” Statham continues to add to his schedule of future films.
Continue reading Jason Statham To Star in Baltasar Kormákur’s New Action Film at The Playlist.
Continue reading Jason Statham To Star in Baltasar Kormákur’s New Action Film at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Forth Eorlingas!
Just days after Warner Bros. announced “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for a Gollum” as a new live-action film for 2026, Rohan has mustered its forces for an epic first look at “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” We finally have a taste of the animation style of the Warner Bros. feature, directed by anime filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama, in images released in advance of the presentation for the film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. See the images below.
The anime film will be set 261 years before the events of the live-action “The Lord of the Rings” movies, and it does not have the involvement of Peter Jackson, though his producing partner Philippa Boyens will be part of the presentation at Annecy. “War of the Rohirrim” will concern itself with an event where the villainous Wulf, a lord of Dunland, seeks revenge...
Just days after Warner Bros. announced “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for a Gollum” as a new live-action film for 2026, Rohan has mustered its forces for an epic first look at “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” We finally have a taste of the animation style of the Warner Bros. feature, directed by anime filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama, in images released in advance of the presentation for the film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. See the images below.
The anime film will be set 261 years before the events of the live-action “The Lord of the Rings” movies, and it does not have the involvement of Peter Jackson, though his producing partner Philippa Boyens will be part of the presentation at Annecy. “War of the Rohirrim” will concern itself with an event where the villainous Wulf, a lord of Dunland, seeks revenge...
- 5/13/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
It’s been recently reported that Marvel Studios is going after a leaker on social media by trying to get Meta to give personal information about an anonymous account. They’re mad that this person is seemingly sharing copyrighted information early. But what about when Marvel Studios does it on its own? That seems to be the case with a recently deleted Twitter/X post about the forthcoming ‘Agatha’ TV series.
Read More: Chris Hemsworth Is Bothered By Directors Criticizing Superhero Films: “Tell That To the Billions Who Watch Them”
Earlier today, Marvel Studios’ official Twitter profile shared an image of a new logo for the upcoming ‘Agatha’ series that has been in the works for literal years now.
Continue reading Deleted Marvel Post Seems To Reveal New Title For Upcoming ‘Agatha’ Series at The Playlist.
Read More: Chris Hemsworth Is Bothered By Directors Criticizing Superhero Films: “Tell That To the Billions Who Watch Them”
Earlier today, Marvel Studios’ official Twitter profile shared an image of a new logo for the upcoming ‘Agatha’ series that has been in the works for literal years now.
Continue reading Deleted Marvel Post Seems To Reveal New Title For Upcoming ‘Agatha’ Series at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Pathe has boarded “The Unknown,” the highly anticipated next movie from “Anatomy of a Fall” co-writer Arthur Harari, starring Léa Seydoux. “Anatomy of a Fall,” which Harari co-wrote with director Justine Triet, won an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA and the Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Rolling off “Dune: Part Two,” Seydoux is set to headline the fantasy movie. The actor, whose career spans Hollywood and European productions, recently starred in Bertrand Bonello’s sci-fi romance “The Beast.”
“The Unknown” is produced by Paris-based Bathysphere and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026. Pathé is co-producing, and will introduce the package to buyers at the Cannes Market. The banner will also distribute the movie in France.
While the plot remains under wraps, Harari teased that the project is “a mix of realistic urban chronicle, fantasy film, investigation, melodrama and daydream.”
“[It] will continually metamorphose before our eyes,...
Rolling off “Dune: Part Two,” Seydoux is set to headline the fantasy movie. The actor, whose career spans Hollywood and European productions, recently starred in Bertrand Bonello’s sci-fi romance “The Beast.”
“The Unknown” is produced by Paris-based Bathysphere and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026. Pathé is co-producing, and will introduce the package to buyers at the Cannes Market. The banner will also distribute the movie in France.
While the plot remains under wraps, Harari teased that the project is “a mix of realistic urban chronicle, fantasy film, investigation, melodrama and daydream.”
“[It] will continually metamorphose before our eyes,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Filmmaker/actor Kevin Costner is about to unleash his epic passion project, Civil War-era set, “Horizons: An American Saga,” at the Cannes Film Festival this month. ‘Part One,’ which is over 3 hours (181 minutes in total), will open in theaters in July, and ‘Part Two’ is scheduled for August, both by Warner Bros, taking a big bet on the Academy Award-winning director. But what’s going on with all the ongoing “Yellowstone” drama?
Continue reading ‘Yellowstone’: Kevin Costner Says He’s Taken “A F*cking Beating” & Hold Hope For “Maybe” A Sixth Season at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Yellowstone’: Kevin Costner Says He’s Taken “A F*cking Beating” & Hold Hope For “Maybe” A Sixth Season at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Studiocanal has unveiled the first clip of Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Most Precious of Cargoes,” an allegorical hand-drawn animated feature which is competing at the Cannes Film Festival. The first animated film to vie for a Palme d’Or since Ari Folman’s “Waltz With Bashir” in 2008, “The Most Precious of Cargoes” is adapted from Jean-Claude Grumberg’s bestselling novel of the same name.
Set during World War II against the backdrop of the Holocaust,” the film has been developed by Hazanavicius, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind “The Artist,” for many years.Hazanavicius penned the script with Grumberg and created the drawings, with Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat providing the score.
The drama intertwines the fate of a Jewish family, including newborn twins, deported to Auschwitz, with that of a poor and childless woodcutter couple living deep in a Polish forest. On the train to the death camp, the young father wraps...
Set during World War II against the backdrop of the Holocaust,” the film has been developed by Hazanavicius, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind “The Artist,” for many years.Hazanavicius penned the script with Grumberg and created the drawings, with Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat providing the score.
The drama intertwines the fate of a Jewish family, including newborn twins, deported to Auschwitz, with that of a poor and childless woodcutter couple living deep in a Polish forest. On the train to the death camp, the young father wraps...
- 5/13/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Before later movies characterized by their muddy CGI and digital collage of actors, the Marvel Cinematic Universe actually pulled off some cool filmmaking tricks with the help of special effects. Case in point: the puny, pre-serum version of Steve Rogers fans of the then-new series saw in 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger." According to The Wrap, the movie achieved Steve's original look via a combination of strategies, and scenes set before his transformation into the Cap we know were actually shot three times.
In one version of the scene, Chris Evans would stand in place and deliver his lines. In another, a scrawnier stand-in — "Atonement" and "Merlin" actor Leander Deeny — would perform in his place. In a third variation, the scene was reportedly filmed without any actor. This gave the effects team tons of footage to work their magic on. While productions typically shoot out of order, The Wrap...
In one version of the scene, Chris Evans would stand in place and deliver his lines. In another, a scrawnier stand-in — "Atonement" and "Merlin" actor Leander Deeny — would perform in his place. In a third variation, the scene was reportedly filmed without any actor. This gave the effects team tons of footage to work their magic on. While productions typically shoot out of order, The Wrap...
- 5/13/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
It’s been a long time coming, as the musical is one of the most beloved in recent decades, but “Wicked” is finally hitting the big screen this fall. Split into two parts, the first part of “Wicked” is set to showcase the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, as they grow into the “Wizard of Oz” characters that we know and love.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the new featurette, we get a behind-the-scenes look at “Wicked,” specifically focusing on the two leads in the film, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Continue reading ‘Wicked’ Featurette: Get A Peek Behind The Scenes Of Highly Anticipated Film From Director Jon M. Chu at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the new featurette, we get a behind-the-scenes look at “Wicked,” specifically focusing on the two leads in the film, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Continue reading ‘Wicked’ Featurette: Get A Peek Behind The Scenes Of Highly Anticipated Film From Director Jon M. Chu at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
“I’m so happy,” producer Park Tae-joon said at the Jeonju Cinema Project awards, one of the ceremonies indicating the festival was drawing to a close. “Every day I drank […] festival drinking.” Park’s admission was funny and honest, the kind of thing no one on-stage at an American festival would say even/especially if it were true (bad optics). But in fact, Jeonju was one of the most temperate festivals I’ve ever attended, with official parties ending by 10:30 or 11 and many choosing to go back and sleep after that. They could, if they liked, go to Soseul, unofficially dubbed […]
The post Jeonju 2024: Walker, A Chronicle in Spirals, Puan first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Jeonju 2024: Walker, A Chronicle in Spirals, Puan first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/13/2024
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
WME has hired Julie Haffner as its head of motion picture business affairs. In the new role, she will oversee motion picture client deals and serve as an advisor to WME agents, executives and clients on structuring and negotiating motion picture and talent deals, in addition to advising on overall strategies for navigating the ever-changing media landscape.
Prior to WME, Haffner served as senior director of business and legal affairs at Netflix, where she negotiated high-level deals for the original studio film group’s slate of motion pictures, and was responsible for projects including “Hillbilly Elegy,” “Yes Day,” “The Christmas Chronicles,” “Lift” and the upcoming projects “The Union” and “Back in Action.”
She also negotiated and managed overall deals for producers including 21 Laps (Shawn Levy), Hartbeat (Kevin Hart), Archewell (Harry and Meghan) and Wonderland (McG).
Haffner previously worked in the motion picture group at Paramount Pictures, and was VP of...
Prior to WME, Haffner served as senior director of business and legal affairs at Netflix, where she negotiated high-level deals for the original studio film group’s slate of motion pictures, and was responsible for projects including “Hillbilly Elegy,” “Yes Day,” “The Christmas Chronicles,” “Lift” and the upcoming projects “The Union” and “Back in Action.”
She also negotiated and managed overall deals for producers including 21 Laps (Shawn Levy), Hartbeat (Kevin Hart), Archewell (Harry and Meghan) and Wonderland (McG).
Haffner previously worked in the motion picture group at Paramount Pictures, and was VP of...
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Doug Belgrad, a former Sony Pictures executive and the founder of 2.0 Entertainment, is joining Netflix as vice president of film. The hire comes as Dan Lin, the streaming service’s newly mint film chief, is shaking up the division, which has been seen as producing too few buzzy films despite spending vast sums of money. Lin, the producer of hits like “The Lego Movie” and “It,” was hired by Netflix in the spring to replace former film chief Scott Stuber, who stepped down in January, and he’s been putting his imprint on the business.
As Belgrad joins Netflix, 2.0 Entertainment will be overseen by Sophie Cassidy and Zack Conroy, two top executives at the company. Belgrad founded 2.0 Entertainment, a film and television production and financing company that is based at Sony Pictures, in 2016. Their films include “Gran Turismo,” “The Pope’s Exorcist” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which is set for release this summer.
As Belgrad joins Netflix, 2.0 Entertainment will be overseen by Sophie Cassidy and Zack Conroy, two top executives at the company. Belgrad founded 2.0 Entertainment, a film and television production and financing company that is based at Sony Pictures, in 2016. Their films include “Gran Turismo,” “The Pope’s Exorcist” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which is set for release this summer.
- 5/13/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Dearest readers: It’s Bridgerton Week at IndieWire, and we’re celebrating the new season by diving deep on one of the best romance shows on TV.
By now, you know the score. “Squid Game” is Netflix’s most-watched original series ever. “Stranger Things” has two seasons in the Top 10, and “Wednesday” surged into third place with its debut season. Only these three shows have eclipsed 1 billion hours viewed on Netflix in their first 28 days of release.
Such figures are impressive, and indeed, “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” and “Wednesday” are extremely valuable franchises for Netflix. In addition to their mass appeal, “Squid Game” has remarkable international demand. “Stranger Things” has been the face of Netflix for nearly a decade, hooking a broad fanbase of kids and adults alike. “Wednesday” soared on the wings of its Gen Z star, Jenna Ortega, and there’s no telling how many generations will be...
By now, you know the score. “Squid Game” is Netflix’s most-watched original series ever. “Stranger Things” has two seasons in the Top 10, and “Wednesday” surged into third place with its debut season. Only these three shows have eclipsed 1 billion hours viewed on Netflix in their first 28 days of release.
Such figures are impressive, and indeed, “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things,” and “Wednesday” are extremely valuable franchises for Netflix. In addition to their mass appeal, “Squid Game” has remarkable international demand. “Stranger Things” has been the face of Netflix for nearly a decade, hooking a broad fanbase of kids and adults alike. “Wednesday” soared on the wings of its Gen Z star, Jenna Ortega, and there’s no telling how many generations will be...
- 5/13/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Lacey Chabert is starring in another Christmas film, this time for Netflix. The actor, best known for her roles in “Mean Girls,” “Party of Five” and over 30 Hallmark films, will lead “Hot Frosty” for the streamer.
The film will also star Dustin Milligan, Joe Lo Truglio (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Katy Mixon (“American Housewife”), Lauren Holly (“Dumb and Dumber”) and Chrishell Stause (“Selling Sunset”).
The film’s official logline reads, “Two years after losing her husband, Cathy magically brings a handsome snowman to life! Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Cathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays…and before he melts.”
Jerry Ciccoritti will direct from a script by Russell Hainline.
Producers include Joel S. Rice and Michael Barbuto for Muse Entertainment, while Aren Prupas and Jonas Prupas will executive produce.
“Hot Frosty” joins Netflix’s 2024 holiday slate,...
The film will also star Dustin Milligan, Joe Lo Truglio (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Katy Mixon (“American Housewife”), Lauren Holly (“Dumb and Dumber”) and Chrishell Stause (“Selling Sunset”).
The film’s official logline reads, “Two years after losing her husband, Cathy magically brings a handsome snowman to life! Through his naïveté, the snowman helps Cathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays…and before he melts.”
Jerry Ciccoritti will direct from a script by Russell Hainline.
Producers include Joel S. Rice and Michael Barbuto for Muse Entertainment, while Aren Prupas and Jonas Prupas will executive produce.
“Hot Frosty” joins Netflix’s 2024 holiday slate,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Focus Features and the UK’s Carnival Films have announced the start of production on a third Downton Abbey feature, with Paul Giamatti among new cast members and Simon Curtis once again directing.
Giamatti, recently Oscar-nominated for The Holdovers, will reprise the role he played in an episode of the fourth season of the Downton Abbey TV series. Also joining the cast for the new film are Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan. Returning cast members include Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan.
Like the first two feature spin-offs from the hugely successful series,...
Giamatti, recently Oscar-nominated for The Holdovers, will reprise the role he played in an episode of the fourth season of the Downton Abbey TV series. Also joining the cast for the new film are Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan. Returning cast members include Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan.
Like the first two feature spin-offs from the hugely successful series,...
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Argentina’s Eo Media, led by CEO Ezequiel Olzanski, has teamed up with Nicolas Aznarez’s Uruguay-based El Camino Films (“Blindness”) to co-produce murder mystery “Punta Blanca” (a working title) with a stellar cast led by Natalia Oreiro, star of Disney’s “Santa Evita” and Prime Video’s “Iosi, the Regretful Spy.”
The six-episode limited series is created by up-and-coming writer-producer Joaquin Romero Vercellino and penned by writers behind the hit Argentine series streaming on Netflix, “El Marginal”: Silvina Olschansky and Guillermo Salmerón, as well as Alejandro Aimetta (“Maradona: Blessed Dream”). Eo Media will also handle international sales.
Described by the producers as a “thrilling whodunit that takes place in the glamorous coast of ‘90s Punta del Este, Uruguay,” it’s inspired by such pics as “Knives Out“ or “Murder on the Orient Express” “where the identity of the killer remains a mystery until the very end and includes...
The six-episode limited series is created by up-and-coming writer-producer Joaquin Romero Vercellino and penned by writers behind the hit Argentine series streaming on Netflix, “El Marginal”: Silvina Olschansky and Guillermo Salmerón, as well as Alejandro Aimetta (“Maradona: Blessed Dream”). Eo Media will also handle international sales.
Described by the producers as a “thrilling whodunit that takes place in the glamorous coast of ‘90s Punta del Este, Uruguay,” it’s inspired by such pics as “Knives Out“ or “Murder on the Orient Express” “where the identity of the killer remains a mystery until the very end and includes...
- 5/13/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety - Film News
Long before he confused the heck out of all of us with "Tenet," Christopher Nolan was producing scripts so perplexing that even veterans like Leonardo DiCaprio and Guy Pearce didn't understand them. Tom Hardy has admitted to taking a leap on the script for "Inception," which he claimed was a "bit complicated," and Nolan even confused himself by including a famous line in "The Dark Knight" that he didn't understand.
So, even if you're a Nolan fan, you're likely used to being befuddled by the director's efforts. But the man basically announced his arrival in Hollywood as a filmmaker with a penchant for the perplexing. After self-financing his first film, "Following," which contained several Nolan trademarks including a non-linear narrative, the director found himself with a modest budget for his studio debut, "Memento." Rather than dispose of any complex filmmaking techniques for this film, however, Nolan refused to dumb things down,...
So, even if you're a Nolan fan, you're likely used to being befuddled by the director's efforts. But the man basically announced his arrival in Hollywood as a filmmaker with a penchant for the perplexing. After self-financing his first film, "Following," which contained several Nolan trademarks including a non-linear narrative, the director found himself with a modest budget for his studio debut, "Memento." Rather than dispose of any complex filmmaking techniques for this film, however, Nolan refused to dumb things down,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Molly Gordon is set to direct “Small Parts,” a new take on the 1987 comedy “Outrageous Fortune,” for Searchlight Pictures.
In the script, co-written by Gordon and Allie Levitan, two actresses who clash on a scrappy indie film set accidentally find themselves entangled in a game of cat-and-mouse more outrageous than any movie.
Gordon recently co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in the 2023 Searchlight film “Theater Camp.” In addition to being awarded the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble and one of 2023’s Top Ten Independent Films by the National Board of Review, Gordon and her co-writers were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best first screenplay.
She can currently be seen starring as Claire in the second season of FX/Hulu’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series “The Bear,” opposite Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri. Gordon was part of the Screen Actors Guild Award-winning ensemble in the series,...
In the script, co-written by Gordon and Allie Levitan, two actresses who clash on a scrappy indie film set accidentally find themselves entangled in a game of cat-and-mouse more outrageous than any movie.
Gordon recently co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in the 2023 Searchlight film “Theater Camp.” In addition to being awarded the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble and one of 2023’s Top Ten Independent Films by the National Board of Review, Gordon and her co-writers were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best first screenplay.
She can currently be seen starring as Claire in the second season of FX/Hulu’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series “The Bear,” opposite Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri. Gordon was part of the Screen Actors Guild Award-winning ensemble in the series,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Guy Ritchie has another film in the works that doubles down on the British upper class.
The prolific director — already behind this year’s Netflix hit “The Gentlemen” and WWII action thriller “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” — has unveiled his 18th feature film, “Wife and Dog,” with Black Bear launching sales in Cannes.
Plot details and cast are currently being kept under wraps, but Variety hears that with the film, Ritchie will return to the colorful, back-stabbing world of British aristocracy that he explored in both “The Gentlemen” Netflix series and 2019 feature. “Wife and Dog” will shoot in October, with an A-list cast reportedly in negotiations to star.
Ritchie wrote the screenplay and produces alongside long-time producing partner Ivan Atkinson and Black Bear’s John Friedberg. Executive producers include Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler for Black Bear.
Ritchie is on a filmmaking streak at the moment, with four feature released in the last three years,...
The prolific director — already behind this year’s Netflix hit “The Gentlemen” and WWII action thriller “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” — has unveiled his 18th feature film, “Wife and Dog,” with Black Bear launching sales in Cannes.
Plot details and cast are currently being kept under wraps, but Variety hears that with the film, Ritchie will return to the colorful, back-stabbing world of British aristocracy that he explored in both “The Gentlemen” Netflix series and 2019 feature. “Wife and Dog” will shoot in October, with an A-list cast reportedly in negotiations to star.
Ritchie wrote the screenplay and produces alongside long-time producing partner Ivan Atkinson and Black Bear’s John Friedberg. Executive producers include Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler for Black Bear.
Ritchie is on a filmmaking streak at the moment, with four feature released in the last three years,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment has selected its latest class for its New Writers Fellowship, which trains emerging writers to succeed in Hollywood.
The fellowship entails in-person and virtual masterclasses, panels, workshops, and table reads. The 2024 class of television writers were paired up with high-level writing mentors to revise their scripts and worked with creative executive mentors for pitch workshops. Program speakers included writers Charles Yu (“Interior Chinatown”), Angela Kang (“The Walking Dead”), Chris Collins, literary managers Peter McHugh (Gotham Group), Daniel Vang (3 Arts), Vivek Kolli (Link Entertainment), executives Nathan Kitada and more.
Featuring top industry writers, producers, agents and executives, the Fellowship was co-founded and is co-chaired by Leo Chu, showrunner and executive producer for “Ultra Violet” and “Black Scorpion,” and Steve Tao, veteran TV executive and producer previously at The CW, ABC and Bad Robot.
“I am very proud of this class. The Fellows are entering the business during unprecedented uncertainty,...
The fellowship entails in-person and virtual masterclasses, panels, workshops, and table reads. The 2024 class of television writers were paired up with high-level writing mentors to revise their scripts and worked with creative executive mentors for pitch workshops. Program speakers included writers Charles Yu (“Interior Chinatown”), Angela Kang (“The Walking Dead”), Chris Collins, literary managers Peter McHugh (Gotham Group), Daniel Vang (3 Arts), Vivek Kolli (Link Entertainment), executives Nathan Kitada and more.
Featuring top industry writers, producers, agents and executives, the Fellowship was co-founded and is co-chaired by Leo Chu, showrunner and executive producer for “Ultra Violet” and “Black Scorpion,” and Steve Tao, veteran TV executive and producer previously at The CW, ABC and Bad Robot.
“I am very proud of this class. The Fellows are entering the business during unprecedented uncertainty,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - Film News
Screen International can reveal the critics participating in this year’s jury grid at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (May 14-25).
Joining Screen’s reviewing team will be critics from 11 international outlets to give their verdict on the 22 films in Competition this year for the Palme d’Or.
This year’s critics are all returners to the jury grid with the exception of Nt Binh who replaces Michel Ciment for France’s Positif. Ciment passed away in November last year at 85 and was a long-time contributor to the jury grid.
The selection also includes Justin Chang for The New Yorker who...
Joining Screen’s reviewing team will be critics from 11 international outlets to give their verdict on the 22 films in Competition this year for the Palme d’Or.
This year’s critics are all returners to the jury grid with the exception of Nt Binh who replaces Michel Ciment for France’s Positif. Ciment passed away in November last year at 85 and was a long-time contributor to the jury grid.
The selection also includes Justin Chang for The New Yorker who...
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Seth Meyers had a relatively short set at Monday’s NBCUniversal upfront, but he still got his shots in. Like this one on NBCU competitor Paramount: “I found $20 on the street this morning,” Meyers said. “Long story short, I’m one of the two finalists [to buy] Paramount.”
We’re not sure the Paramount Global special committee is going to take that offer seriously — kind of like Byron Allen’s. See? We’ve got jokes too.
For real though, the two entities playing tug-of-war with Paramount are 1) David Ellison’s Skydance and 2) a Sony/Apollo Global Management contingent.
Meyers had a few punchlines chambered for his employer. Like this one, on NBCU streaming service Peacock: “Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to spend eight [billion].”
Peacock is not only (still) losing a ton of money, it has yet to reveal a profitable-by date; even Paramount+ has one of those.
We’re not sure the Paramount Global special committee is going to take that offer seriously — kind of like Byron Allen’s. See? We’ve got jokes too.
For real though, the two entities playing tug-of-war with Paramount are 1) David Ellison’s Skydance and 2) a Sony/Apollo Global Management contingent.
Meyers had a few punchlines chambered for his employer. Like this one, on NBCU streaming service Peacock: “Peacock continues to prove that the easiest way to make a billion dollars is to spend eight [billion].”
Peacock is not only (still) losing a ton of money, it has yet to reveal a profitable-by date; even Paramount+ has one of those.
- 5/13/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Matt Dillon is taking on the legacy of Marlon Brando for a biopic about the making of Bernardo Bertolucci’s controversial “Last Tango in Paris.”
Dillon portrays Brando alongside Anamaria Vartolomei as Maria Schneider for Jessica Palud’s upcoming “Maria,” which is set to debut at Cannes later this week in the Cannes Premiere section. “Maria” follows Schneider’s life after starring in “Last Tango in Paris” at age 19, during which she filmed an unsimulated rape scene with Brando in 1973 at director Bertolucci’s (Giuseppe Maggio) instruction. The film is based on Vanessa Schneider’s 2018 memoir “My Cousin Maria Schneider,” which was translated by Molly Ringwald.
Per the memoir, Bertolucci did not tell Schneider the full extent of the film’s plot until right before production. Schneider allegedly was unaware of the pivotal scene in which Brando’s character anally rapes her character using a stick of butter as lubricant.
Dillon portrays Brando alongside Anamaria Vartolomei as Maria Schneider for Jessica Palud’s upcoming “Maria,” which is set to debut at Cannes later this week in the Cannes Premiere section. “Maria” follows Schneider’s life after starring in “Last Tango in Paris” at age 19, during which she filmed an unsimulated rape scene with Brando in 1973 at director Bertolucci’s (Giuseppe Maggio) instruction. The film is based on Vanessa Schneider’s 2018 memoir “My Cousin Maria Schneider,” which was translated by Molly Ringwald.
Per the memoir, Bertolucci did not tell Schneider the full extent of the film’s plot until right before production. Schneider allegedly was unaware of the pivotal scene in which Brando’s character anally rapes her character using a stick of butter as lubricant.
- 5/13/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
It’s odd to see Netflix start marketing a TV series months in advance. Most of the time, you just get a trailer several weeks before the series debuts. Well, this goes to show you how much confidence the streamer has in “Heartstopper,” as it has just released a teaser for Season 3 of the series, which isn’t even going to debut for another five months.
Read More: Summer TV Preview: Over 35 Must-See Series To Watch
As seen in the teaser, which is just a quick scene from the series, Charlie is frantic about the idea of saying “I love you” to his partner, Nick.
Continue reading ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3 Teaser: Charlie Wants To Profess His Love In Netflix’s Teen Romance at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer TV Preview: Over 35 Must-See Series To Watch
As seen in the teaser, which is just a quick scene from the series, Charlie is frantic about the idea of saying “I love you” to his partner, Nick.
Continue reading ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3 Teaser: Charlie Wants To Profess His Love In Netflix’s Teen Romance at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Thierry Fremaux skirted politically charged questions and tried to shift the focus back to the films amid an onslaught of questions from global media about looming festival worker strikes and #MeToo rumours on the eve of Cannes’ kickoff on Monday afternoon.
“Before, we only talked about cinema. Our biggest concern was the films – will they be loved or will they be hated?” Cannes’ general delegate recalled.
While he hinted at the backlash over the selection of Maiwenn’s Jeanne Du Barry starring Johnny Depp to open last year’s festival – “Last year it’s no secret there were controversies” – he explained that this year,...
“Before, we only talked about cinema. Our biggest concern was the films – will they be loved or will they be hated?” Cannes’ general delegate recalled.
While he hinted at the backlash over the selection of Maiwenn’s Jeanne Du Barry starring Johnny Depp to open last year’s festival – “Last year it’s no secret there were controversies” – he explained that this year,...
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
I love it when Nicolas Cage goes for the gusto. My family constantly quoted his "Moonstruck" meltdown when I was growing up ("I lost my hand! I lost my bride!") and I'll take any excuse I can get to yell "Not the bees!" or "I'm a vampire!" in my everyday life. But I will also take Cage doing the kind of restrained, internal, and otherwise non-flashy acting that tends to get ignored by the Oscars over a movie that calls on him to dial things up to 11 in a calculated bid at future viral success every day of the week.
Michael Sarnoski's "Pig" -- which the Academy tellingly snubbed -- is one such film. The low-budget 2021 drama casts Cage as Robin "Rob" Feld, a formerly distinguished chef who's forced to abandon his solitary existence foraging for truffles in the woods when his beloved truffle-sniffing pig is kidnapped. Fortunately, as...
Michael Sarnoski's "Pig" -- which the Academy tellingly snubbed -- is one such film. The low-budget 2021 drama casts Cage as Robin "Rob" Feld, a formerly distinguished chef who's forced to abandon his solitary existence foraging for truffles in the woods when his beloved truffle-sniffing pig is kidnapped. Fortunately, as...
- 5/13/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Cannes isn’t Sundance. The movies on offer aren’t generally genre horror box office surprises or heartwarming indie dramedies, and sometimes they’re not even sure-fire Oscar hopefuls.
But as several sales agents and distributors told us, Cannes is slowly shifting back to being a home for discovery. With the audience now unbothered by subtitles, distributors aren’t just looking for the next “May December” but the next “Anatomy of a Fall.” And when it comes to the package titles on the Marché du Film, buyers are demanding more than the latest Nicolas Cage shark movie.
The sources IndieWire spoke to believe there’s more quality than quantity among this year’s official competition sales titles and the packages being shopped to distributors. And that’s a good thing, even though there are still plenty of hot packages trickling in by the day and buyers already scooping up competition...
But as several sales agents and distributors told us, Cannes is slowly shifting back to being a home for discovery. With the audience now unbothered by subtitles, distributors aren’t just looking for the next “May December” but the next “Anatomy of a Fall.” And when it comes to the package titles on the Marché du Film, buyers are demanding more than the latest Nicolas Cage shark movie.
The sources IndieWire spoke to believe there’s more quality than quantity among this year’s official competition sales titles and the packages being shopped to distributors. And that’s a good thing, even though there are still plenty of hot packages trickling in by the day and buyers already scooping up competition...
- 5/13/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Cannes – About 20 minutes after the global press left Thierry Frémaux‘s press conference, they received a news release that Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof had left his country without permission following confirmation of an eight-year prison sentence. Rasoulof’s latest movie, “The Seed of A Sacred Pig,” is in competition at Cannes this year. Less than an hour before this news broke, Frémaux repeated numerous times that he hoped for a festival “without polemics”.
Continue reading Cannes Head Thierry Frémaux Tackles Iran, #MeToo, A Potential Strike & The Threat Of “Polemics” at The Playlist.
Continue reading Cannes Head Thierry Frémaux Tackles Iran, #MeToo, A Potential Strike & The Threat Of “Polemics” at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
While Jon Watts likely doesn’t have the long, beloved career of Sam Raimi, he does have one thing the iconic filmmaker doesn’t – a beloved “Spider-Man” trilogy. And as the director with the most successful ‘Spidey’ run, Watts’ advice to the next person who will take the helm isn’t exactly what you might expect.
Read More: Kirsten Dunst Admits She’d Do A Superhero Movie Again Because It Pays, But Recalls Being Undermined On ‘Spider-Man’
Speaking to Collider, Jon Watts was asked what his advice would be for the next person to tackle a ‘Spider-Man’ film.
Continue reading Jon Watts’ Advice To New ‘Spider-Man’ Filmmaker – Don’t Bother With Practical Swinging Effects at The Playlist.
Read More: Kirsten Dunst Admits She’d Do A Superhero Movie Again Because It Pays, But Recalls Being Undermined On ‘Spider-Man’
Speaking to Collider, Jon Watts was asked what his advice would be for the next person to tackle a ‘Spider-Man’ film.
Continue reading Jon Watts’ Advice To New ‘Spider-Man’ Filmmaker – Don’t Bother With Practical Swinging Effects at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Marvel alleges an Instagram user illegally posted an image from the unreleased “Captain America: Brave New World” movie — and it has gone to court to try to make Instagram disclose the identity of the account’s operator.
Marvel filed a subpoena request May 7 in U.S. District Court California Northern District in San Jose, asking the court to order Instagram to identify the person or people behind @canwegetsometoast. Marvel alleged that the account “published a copyrighted image from an upcoming Marvel Studios motion picture, ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ without authorization.” The Disney-owned studio is seeking the subpoena pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Reps for Instagram, which is owned by Meta, did not respond to a request for comment.
In a supporting statement for the subpoena request filed with the court, Matthew Slatoff, VP of global security and content protection at Marvel Studios, said that on April 30 a...
Marvel filed a subpoena request May 7 in U.S. District Court California Northern District in San Jose, asking the court to order Instagram to identify the person or people behind @canwegetsometoast. Marvel alleged that the account “published a copyrighted image from an upcoming Marvel Studios motion picture, ‘Captain America: Brave New World,’ without authorization.” The Disney-owned studio is seeking the subpoena pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Reps for Instagram, which is owned by Meta, did not respond to a request for comment.
In a supporting statement for the subpoena request filed with the court, Matthew Slatoff, VP of global security and content protection at Marvel Studios, said that on April 30 a...
- 5/13/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - Film News
The behind-the-scenes drama of “Mad Max: Fury Road” is legendary, at this point. There have been so many interviews about how Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy were very contentious. Stories about how difficult it can be to work with George Miller, as he is a bit of a perfectionist. On and on and on again. And judging by a new interview with Anya Taylor-Joy, the star of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the production of the newest entry in the franchise was still incredibly difficult.
Continue reading ‘Furiosa’ Star Anya Taylor-Joy Talks Difficulty Behind The Scenes: “I’ve Never Been More Alone” at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Furiosa’ Star Anya Taylor-Joy Talks Difficulty Behind The Scenes: “I’ve Never Been More Alone” at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
When James Gunn took over as co-ceo of DC Studios, he made it very clear that he would like to bring some of his Marvel Studios actor friends over to the new universe he is crafting. One such person who is seemingly ready, willing, and able to join DC Studios is Chris Pratt. When he’s not voicing animated films, he’s seemingly always attached to some massive franchise.
Continue reading Chris Pratt Says He’s “100%” Returning As Star-Lord & Showing Up In James Gunn’s DC Universe at The Playlist.
Continue reading Chris Pratt Says He’s “100%” Returning As Star-Lord & Showing Up In James Gunn’s DC Universe at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
With his “Mad Max: Fury Road” prequel movie “Furiosa” gearing up for both its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and its theatrical release later this month, director George Miller recently spoke to The Telegraph and reflected on the notorious feud that broke out between stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron during the grueling “Fury Road” production. Miller said at the center of the feud was the simple fact that “they were just two very different performers.”
“Tom has a damage to him but also a brilliance that comes with it, and whatever was going on with him at the time, he had to be coaxed out of his trailer,” Miller said, more or less confirming reports that Hardy’s tardiness drew a wedge between him and his co-star. “Whereas Charlize was incredibly disciplined – a dancer by training, which told in the precision of her performance – and always the first one on set.
“Tom has a damage to him but also a brilliance that comes with it, and whatever was going on with him at the time, he had to be coaxed out of his trailer,” Miller said, more or less confirming reports that Hardy’s tardiness drew a wedge between him and his co-star. “Whereas Charlize was incredibly disciplined – a dancer by training, which told in the precision of her performance – and always the first one on set.
- 5/13/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Mohammad Rasoulof has fled Iran less than a week after his home country sentenced him to eight years in prison and flogging. The Iranian filmmaker, who won the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival for “There Is No Evil,” has a film in competition at Cannes this year for the first time: “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It’s set to premiere next week toward the end of the festival, with the director’s attendance still unknown. The film, made in secret, was added to the lineup last month. Rasoulof’s fleeing raises the question of whether he will actually be able to attend the festival after all.
In a press statement issued from an undisclosed location, Rasoulof described the repression of his team in Iran while asking the international film community for “effective support.” See the full statement, dated May 12, below.
In addition to the eight-year prison sentence and flogging,...
In a press statement issued from an undisclosed location, Rasoulof described the repression of his team in Iran while asking the international film community for “effective support.” See the full statement, dated May 12, below.
In addition to the eight-year prison sentence and flogging,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Ed Harris — recently seen starring alongside Kristen Stewart in “Love Lies Bleeding” — is getting back behind the camera to direct his own adaptation of Kim Zupan’s acclaimed novel “The Ploughmen.” Owen Teague, currently playing the lead in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” Nick Nolte and Bill Murray have come on board to star in the neo-noir crime thriller, which will go into production in Montana this Fall. Amy Madigan and Lily Harris are also set for the film.
“The Ploughmen” will mark Harris’ third feature as director after his Western “Appaloosa” and multi-Oscar nominated “Pollock.” Described being in the vein of “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River,” the film is set in the wilderness of Montana, where a strange friendship develops between a haunted young deputy sheriff and a notorious old murderer. John Gload (Nolte) is a killer so adept at his job that only now has he been apprehended.
“The Ploughmen” will mark Harris’ third feature as director after his Western “Appaloosa” and multi-Oscar nominated “Pollock.” Described being in the vein of “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River,” the film is set in the wilderness of Montana, where a strange friendship develops between a haunted young deputy sheriff and a notorious old murderer. John Gload (Nolte) is a killer so adept at his job that only now has he been apprehended.
- 5/13/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
A good "Omen" prequel? Alright, which one of you jokers made a deal with the devil? Director Richard Donner's original 1976 horror classic has spawned no shortage of film sequels, plus a failed TV pilot, a sequel TV series, and a 2006 remake featuring an utterly bizarre screenwriting credit. However, director and co-writer Arkasha Stevenson's "The First Omen" is the first entry to be widely heralded as a worthy continuation. In his review for /Film, Witney Seibold described the picture as "thoughtfully menacing, uniquely stylish, deathfully intense, and utterly terrifying" before crowning it "the best horror movie of the year so far."
Sadly, early 2024 hasn't been kind to horror at the box office, and Stevenson's film was no exception. On the other hand, Disney had initially planned on punting the movie straight to Hulu before sending it to theaters, so "The First Omen" was never under pressure to become a huge hit.
Sadly, early 2024 hasn't been kind to horror at the box office, and Stevenson's film was no exception. On the other hand, Disney had initially planned on punting the movie straight to Hulu before sending it to theaters, so "The First Omen" was never under pressure to become a huge hit.
- 5/13/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has left Iran and traveled to Europe clandestinely after being sentenced to eight years in prison by the country’s authorities, who pressured him to pull his latest work “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” from the Cannes Film Festival and harassed the film’s producers and actors.
“We are very happy and much relieved that Mohammad has safely arrived in Europe after a dangerous journey,” said Jean-Christophe Simon, CEO of Films Boutique and Parallel45, who are distributing the film. “We hope he will be able to attend the Cannes premiere of ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ in spite of all attempts to prevent him from being there in person.”
However, it remains unclear whether Rasoulof will be able to attend the Cannes world premiere of “Sacred Fig” on May 24, his Cannes publicist and French distributor also noted.
Rasoulov is among Iran’s most prominent...
“We are very happy and much relieved that Mohammad has safely arrived in Europe after a dangerous journey,” said Jean-Christophe Simon, CEO of Films Boutique and Parallel45, who are distributing the film. “We hope he will be able to attend the Cannes premiere of ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ in spite of all attempts to prevent him from being there in person.”
However, it remains unclear whether Rasoulof will be able to attend the Cannes world premiere of “Sacred Fig” on May 24, his Cannes publicist and French distributor also noted.
Rasoulov is among Iran’s most prominent...
- 5/13/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
In director Roland Emmerich's 1994 sci-fi thriller "Stargate," a mysterious metal ring, about nine feet wide, is discovered in the remote ruins of Egypt. The ring is found to be a mysterious technology that, when arranged properly, can open a doorway to a distant planet. Actors like James Spader and Kurt Russell pass through the Stargate and find themselves on a distant alien world called Abydos. Everything in Abydos looks like ancient Egypt, and we soon learn that the Abydosians once used the Stargate to visit Earth, enslave humans, and set up ancient Egyptian culture. The villain of the film is Ra (Jaye Davidson), an ancient alien who uses human bodies to extend his life.
There's a lot of cool design and slick special effects in "Stargate," but the alien mythology isn't explored thoroughly enough. Like most of Emmerich's films, it makes big swings visually yet never emerges from the realm of corny melodrama.
There's a lot of cool design and slick special effects in "Stargate," but the alien mythology isn't explored thoroughly enough. Like most of Emmerich's films, it makes big swings visually yet never emerges from the realm of corny melodrama.
- 5/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Writer/director/producer Corey Sherman helmed an ode to his own coming-of-age and coming out story, while honoring both his “big” feelings and physicality.
Sherman’s indie comedy “Big Boys” centers on teenage boy Jamie’s (Isaac Krasner) unexpected crush during a camping trip. While Jamie is elated to spend time with his cousin (Dora Madison), he really only has eyes for her boyfriend and fellow “big boy” Dan (David Johnson III).
Emily Deschanel, Taj Cross, Marion Van Cuyck, Emma Broz, and Jack De Sanz co-star.
Sherman writes, directs, and edits, as well as serves as a producer alongside Allison Tate.
“We made a film about a young man’s unrequited crush to shed light on this extremely common, yet under-examined aspect of queer life,” Sherman said in a press statement. “In most romantic stories, the object of the protagonist’s love eventually returns their affection. However, for many queer people like myself,...
Sherman’s indie comedy “Big Boys” centers on teenage boy Jamie’s (Isaac Krasner) unexpected crush during a camping trip. While Jamie is elated to spend time with his cousin (Dora Madison), he really only has eyes for her boyfriend and fellow “big boy” Dan (David Johnson III).
Emily Deschanel, Taj Cross, Marion Van Cuyck, Emma Broz, and Jack De Sanz co-star.
Sherman writes, directs, and edits, as well as serves as a producer alongside Allison Tate.
“We made a film about a young man’s unrequited crush to shed light on this extremely common, yet under-examined aspect of queer life,” Sherman said in a press statement. “In most romantic stories, the object of the protagonist’s love eventually returns their affection. However, for many queer people like myself,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
A Cannes 2024 acquisitions title already picking up buzz out of the Un Certain Regard lineup is Hiroshi Okuyama’s “My Sunshine,” which IndieWire shares an exclusive clip of below. Writer/director Okuyama won the top prize in the New Directors competition at the 2018 San Sebastian Film Festival for his debut feature, “Jesus,” at just 22 years old and now makes his Cannes debut. The moving coming-of-age drama set in rural Japan premieres later this week, centering on the bond between an ice figure-skating coach and his young pupils who take a particular interest in him — and with life-defining consequences.
Here’s the official synopsis: “On a Japanese island, life revolves around the changing seasons. Winter is time for ice hockey at school, but Takuya isn’t too thrilled about it. His real interest lies in Sakura, a figure skating rising star from Tokyo, for whom he starts to develop a genuine fascination.
Here’s the official synopsis: “On a Japanese island, life revolves around the changing seasons. Winter is time for ice hockey at school, but Takuya isn’t too thrilled about it. His real interest lies in Sakura, a figure skating rising star from Tokyo, for whom he starts to develop a genuine fascination.
- 5/13/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Ed Harris is lining up his third directorial outing and will adapt Kim Zupan’s neo-noir novel crime thriller The Ploughmen to star Owen Teague, Nick Nolte, and Bill Murray.
Concourse Media will introduce the project to international buyers in Cannes this week.
Production is scheduled to begin in Montana in autumn, with Amy Madigan and Lily Harris also on the cast.
Harris, Ginger Sledge, Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures, and Robert Knott are producing, while Matthew Shreder and Grant Mohrman serve as executive producers.
In the vein of Hell Or High Water and Wind River,...
Concourse Media will introduce the project to international buyers in Cannes this week.
Production is scheduled to begin in Montana in autumn, with Amy Madigan and Lily Harris also on the cast.
Harris, Ginger Sledge, Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures, and Robert Knott are producing, while Matthew Shreder and Grant Mohrman serve as executive producers.
In the vein of Hell Or High Water and Wind River,...
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Dissident filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has fled Iran after receiving a hefty prison sentence and called for support from the international film community, ahead of the premiere of his latest feature in Competition at Cannes.
The Iranian auteur has issued a statement for the first time since receiving a sentence of eight years in prison, flogging, a fine and confiscation of his property. The sentence was imposed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court for public statements, films and documentaries made by Rasoulof, which it considers “examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country’s security”.
It...
The Iranian auteur has issued a statement for the first time since receiving a sentence of eight years in prison, flogging, a fine and confiscation of his property. The sentence was imposed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court for public statements, films and documentaries made by Rasoulof, which it considers “examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country’s security”.
It...
- 5/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
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