Movie News
Ryan Gosling is back at the box office, but he’s ditching his “Barbie” fur coat for a stuntman’s jumpsuit.
His latest movie, “The Fall Guy,” has arrived in theaters and made $3.15 million in Thursday previews at the box office.
The film is expected to open around $30 million this weekend, with some estimates as high as $35 million or $40 million. It will need to hit hard at the box office and carry good word-of-mouth, because it carries a budget of $130 million.
Gosling stars as seasoned stuntman Colt Seavers in Universal’s “The Fall Guy,” which is based on the ’80s TV show of the same name that starred Lee Majors as a stuntman turned bounty hunter. After a grisly accident, Colt retires from the stunt life and breaks up with his girlfriend and camera operator Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). However, when Jody makes her directorial debut starring world-famous actor Tom Ryder...
His latest movie, “The Fall Guy,” has arrived in theaters and made $3.15 million in Thursday previews at the box office.
The film is expected to open around $30 million this weekend, with some estimates as high as $35 million or $40 million. It will need to hit hard at the box office and carry good word-of-mouth, because it carries a budget of $130 million.
Gosling stars as seasoned stuntman Colt Seavers in Universal’s “The Fall Guy,” which is based on the ’80s TV show of the same name that starred Lee Majors as a stuntman turned bounty hunter. After a grisly accident, Colt retires from the stunt life and breaks up with his girlfriend and camera operator Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). However, when Jody makes her directorial debut starring world-famous actor Tom Ryder...
- 5/3/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
Back in March, Florence Pugh announced that cameras were officially rolling on Thunderbolts by sharing a video from the set to her Instagram page.
The brief clip highlighted Pugh's updated outfit, a first look at Yelena Belova taking aim on one of the monitors, and the movie's official logo on the back of a chair, which appeared to reveal the addition of an asterisk to the title.
Marvel Studios later shared the video, confirming that the supervillain movie will now officially be known as Thunderbolts*.
What does this signify? There are several theories, the most popular of which speculates that Thunderbolts* is actually going to be a Dark Avengers movie. Kevin Feige did address the title change during CinemaCon last month, but said we'd have to wait until the film was in theaters to find out what it means.
Olga Kurylenko - who will reprise her Black Widow role as...
The brief clip highlighted Pugh's updated outfit, a first look at Yelena Belova taking aim on one of the monitors, and the movie's official logo on the back of a chair, which appeared to reveal the addition of an asterisk to the title.
Marvel Studios later shared the video, confirming that the supervillain movie will now officially be known as Thunderbolts*.
What does this signify? There are several theories, the most popular of which speculates that Thunderbolts* is actually going to be a Dark Avengers movie. Kevin Feige did address the title change during CinemaCon last month, but said we'd have to wait until the film was in theaters to find out what it means.
Olga Kurylenko - who will reprise her Black Widow role as...
- 5/2/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Universal Pictures has found its director for the high-priority Leonardo da Vinci film. “All of Us Strangers” helmer Andrew Haigh has signed on to direct and adapt Walter Isaacson’s acclaimed biography of the Renaissance man.
Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Isaacson’s book became one of the hottest literary properties when it hit the market in 2017. At the time, Universal was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio for years before putting it in turnaround. Universal quietly picked it up last year. The runaway bestseller connects da Vinci’s transcendent art, which includes the Mona Lisa painting hanging in the Louvre, to his trailblazing science — and shows how his genius was driven by an insatiable curiosity, careful observation and a whimsical imagination. The Italian icon lived from 1452-1519 during the height of the Renaissance,...
Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Isaacson’s book became one of the hottest literary properties when it hit the market in 2017. At the time, Universal was outbid by Paramount, which developed the project with Leonardo DiCaprio for years before putting it in turnaround. Universal quietly picked it up last year. The runaway bestseller connects da Vinci’s transcendent art, which includes the Mona Lisa painting hanging in the Louvre, to his trailblazing science — and shows how his genius was driven by an insatiable curiosity, careful observation and a whimsical imagination. The Italian icon lived from 1452-1519 during the height of the Renaissance,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Following the success of “The Curse,” Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder and A24 are teaming up again to take on the cutthroat world of chess.
The studio has won the rights to the hot feature package “Checkmate,” based on a book proposal by author Ben Mezrich, whose works were adapted into “The Social Network” and “Dumb Money.”
The story centers on what has been described as the “biggest scandal in the history of chess,” following the controversial 2022 head-to-head match between Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, then world champion, and Hans Niemann, during which the latter was accused of cheating.
After a competitive situation in which multiple studios and streamers showed interest in the project, A24 nabbed the rights thanks to a reported seven-figure offer. The deals are still in the works, but Fielder is currently attached to direct, with Stone on board to produce with her husband and partner Dave McCary under their Fruit Tree banner.
The studio has won the rights to the hot feature package “Checkmate,” based on a book proposal by author Ben Mezrich, whose works were adapted into “The Social Network” and “Dumb Money.”
The story centers on what has been described as the “biggest scandal in the history of chess,” following the controversial 2022 head-to-head match between Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, then world champion, and Hans Niemann, during which the latter was accused of cheating.
After a competitive situation in which multiple studios and streamers showed interest in the project, A24 nabbed the rights thanks to a reported seven-figure offer. The deals are still in the works, but Fielder is currently attached to direct, with Stone on board to produce with her husband and partner Dave McCary under their Fruit Tree banner.
- 5/2/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
The long-awaited live-action “Masters of the Universe” movie is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films dating the project for worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2026.
Travis Knight is on board to direct the film adaptation of the popular franchise, with Chris Butler writing the screenplay, following initial drafts written by David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee. Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing.
According to its official synopsis, “Masters of the Universe” introduces a 10-year-old Prince Adam, who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword — the only link to his home on Eternia.
“After tracking it down almost two decades later,” the synopsis explains, “Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain,...
Travis Knight is on board to direct the film adaptation of the popular franchise, with Chris Butler writing the screenplay, following initial drafts written by David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee. Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing.
According to its official synopsis, “Masters of the Universe” introduces a 10-year-old Prince Adam, who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword — the only link to his home on Eternia.
“After tracking it down almost two decades later,” the synopsis explains, “Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four” cast just got more fantastic with the addition of Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser.
Joining the MCU marks the latest in a string of high-profile projects for Hauser, who is set to play Chris Farley in the upcoming biopic directed by Josh Gad and landed a prime role in “The Naked Gun” reboot, which boasts an ensemble led by Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.
With “The Fantastic Four,” he’ll appear opposite Marvel’s First Family, the first characters created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The superhero quartet will be played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).
Matt Shakman will direct “The Fantastic Four,” from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer.
Joining the MCU marks the latest in a string of high-profile projects for Hauser, who is set to play Chris Farley in the upcoming biopic directed by Josh Gad and landed a prime role in “The Naked Gun” reboot, which boasts an ensemble led by Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.
With “The Fantastic Four,” he’ll appear opposite Marvel’s First Family, the first characters created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The superhero quartet will be played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).
Matt Shakman will direct “The Fantastic Four,” from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer.
- 5/2/2024
- by Adam B. Vary and Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Janelle Monáe is set to join the cast of Universal Pictures’ untitled Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry musical project.
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
The singer and actor joins Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry and Missy Elliott in the film.
The project is described as a coming-of-age musical set during the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, inspired by the Atlantis Apartments, Williams’ childhood neighborhood.
Gondry is set to direct the project based on a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Williams and Mimi Valdés will produce through i am Other and Gil Netter will produce through Gil Netter Productions.
Universal’s Senior VP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.
Monáe’s film credits include “Moonlight,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Harriet,” “The Glorias” and “Antebellum.”
For her role in 2017’s “Hidden Figures,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Louis Leterrier (Fast X) will direct and produce 11817, a sci-fi horror film scripted by Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying) that is being presented to buyers at Cannes by Rocket Science.
The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…
Casting is currently underway on the pic to be produced by Leterrier’s Carrousel Studios, Rocket Science, Thank You Studios, Chernin Entertainment (A North Road Company) and 3 Arts Entertainment. Producers include Leterrier, Thomas Benski and Omar Sy for Carrousel Studios, Lars Sylvest for Thank You Studios, Kori Adelson for Chernin Entertainment, Oly Obst of 3 Arts Entertainment, Thorsten Schumacher for Rocket Science, and Joe Neurauter. Cecile Gaget is exec producing for Carrousel Studios.
The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…
Casting is currently underway on the pic to be produced by Leterrier’s Carrousel Studios, Rocket Science, Thank You Studios, Chernin Entertainment (A North Road Company) and 3 Arts Entertainment. Producers include Leterrier, Thomas Benski and Omar Sy for Carrousel Studios, Lars Sylvest for Thank You Studios, Kori Adelson for Chernin Entertainment, Oly Obst of 3 Arts Entertainment, Thorsten Schumacher for Rocket Science, and Joe Neurauter. Cecile Gaget is exec producing for Carrousel Studios.
- 5/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Last year, New Line Cinema went all-in on a partnership with Barbarian writer/director Zach Cregger and the film’s producers at BoulderLight Pictures. New Line came out the winner in a bidding war over Cregger’s next film, a mysterious horror project called Weapons… which was, at one point, set to star Pedro Pascal of The Last of Us and Renate Reinsve of The Worst Person in the World. Pascal and Reinsve have both had to drop out of the project (Pascal so he can star in the Fantastic Four instead), but now we know the names of several cast members who will be on set when the film goes into production. We’ve previously heard that Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), Julia Garner (Ozark), and Alden Ehrenreich (Solo) are in the cast. Now Deadline reveals that they’re joined by Benedict Wong (Doctor...
- 5/2/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A film adaptation of author Colleen Hoover’s bestselling romantic thriller “Verity” is in development at Amazon MGM Studios.
Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script. Eat the Cat’s Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund will produce.
“Verity” follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling thriller author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series that his wife is unable to finish after a mysterious accident.
Upon arrival at the lavish Crawford estate, Lowen slowly learns that things are not exactly as they seem with the discovery of a secret, unfinished manuscript that may divulge chilling admissions about the family’s past. As Lowen ingratiates herself with Jeremy and his young son Crew, she must discern if Verity’s writings are merely lurid works of...
Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script. Eat the Cat’s Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund will produce.
“Verity” follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling thriller author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series that his wife is unable to finish after a mysterious accident.
Upon arrival at the lavish Crawford estate, Lowen slowly learns that things are not exactly as they seem with the discovery of a secret, unfinished manuscript that may divulge chilling admissions about the family’s past. As Lowen ingratiates herself with Jeremy and his young son Crew, she must discern if Verity’s writings are merely lurid works of...
- 5/1/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Paul Walter Hauser is ready to fight crime alongside Liam Neeson in the reboot of the Naked Gun franchise.
Hauser is set to play Captain Ed in director Akiva Schaffer’s untitled new Naked Gun film that Paramount Pictures plans to release July 18, 2025. George Kennedy previously played the role in the original film trilogy that kicked off with the 1988 comedy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Dan Gregor and Doug Mand penned the new movie’s script with Schaffer. The two scribes previously wrote the director’s Emmy-winning Disney+ feature Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door produce the project that is based on the Naked Gun film franchise and the television series Police Squad! from Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. Daniel M. Stillman serves as executive producer.
Hauser joins the cast that includes Neeson and Pamela Anderson. While plot details are under wraps,...
Hauser is set to play Captain Ed in director Akiva Schaffer’s untitled new Naked Gun film that Paramount Pictures plans to release July 18, 2025. George Kennedy previously played the role in the original film trilogy that kicked off with the 1988 comedy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Dan Gregor and Doug Mand penned the new movie’s script with Schaffer. The two scribes previously wrote the director’s Emmy-winning Disney+ feature Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins of Fuzzy Door produce the project that is based on the Naked Gun film franchise and the television series Police Squad! from Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. Daniel M. Stillman serves as executive producer.
Hauser joins the cast that includes Neeson and Pamela Anderson. While plot details are under wraps,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Anthony Hopkins is taking on yet another iconic figure, this time from the world of music.
The stage and screen legend — a two-time Academy Award winner — is attached to star as George Frideric Handel in “The King of Covent Garden,” set during the period the famed opera composer worked on his choral masterpiece “Messiah.” Embankment Films has launched global pre-sales on the project, which is scheduled for a late fall 2025 release.
Andrew Levitas (“Minimata”) will direct “The King of Covent Garden” from a script by Tim Slover, with the filmmakers pitching the feature as “a powerfully majestic celebration of genius breaking all the rules to create an anthem inspiring the popular imagination of global audiences.” Dan Lupovitz (“Death Defying Acts,” “Simpatico”) and Kevan Van Thompson (“Ballerina,” “Jojo Rabbit”) will produce.
Global operatic mezzo-soprano star Katherine Jenkins joins Peter Touche (“Military Wives,” “Blinded by the Light”) as executive producer, adding her musical performance,...
The stage and screen legend — a two-time Academy Award winner — is attached to star as George Frideric Handel in “The King of Covent Garden,” set during the period the famed opera composer worked on his choral masterpiece “Messiah.” Embankment Films has launched global pre-sales on the project, which is scheduled for a late fall 2025 release.
Andrew Levitas (“Minimata”) will direct “The King of Covent Garden” from a script by Tim Slover, with the filmmakers pitching the feature as “a powerfully majestic celebration of genius breaking all the rules to create an anthem inspiring the popular imagination of global audiences.” Dan Lupovitz (“Death Defying Acts,” “Simpatico”) and Kevan Van Thompson (“Ballerina,” “Jojo Rabbit”) will produce.
Global operatic mezzo-soprano star Katherine Jenkins joins Peter Touche (“Military Wives,” “Blinded by the Light”) as executive producer, adding her musical performance,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Iranian authorities are exerting heavy pressure on director Mohammad Rasoulof to pull his latest work “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” from the Cannes Film Festival by harassing the film’s producers and actors who have been summoned for questioning and banned from leaving the country.
Human rights lawyer Babak Paknia, who is Rasoulof’s lawyer, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that several unspecified actors and producers on “Sacred Fig” were summoned and questioned last week by authorities. He added that Iran’s authorities also pressured them to convince Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the festival.
Furthermore, “Some of the film’s actors have been banned from leaving, and according to their statements, after several hours of interrogation, they were asked to ask the director to remove the film from the Cannes festival,” Paknia said in the X post on Tuesday.
Rasoulof’s lawyer...
Human rights lawyer Babak Paknia, who is Rasoulof’s lawyer, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that several unspecified actors and producers on “Sacred Fig” were summoned and questioned last week by authorities. He added that Iran’s authorities also pressured them to convince Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the festival.
Furthermore, “Some of the film’s actors have been banned from leaving, and according to their statements, after several hours of interrogation, they were asked to ask the director to remove the film from the Cannes festival,” Paknia said in the X post on Tuesday.
Rasoulof’s lawyer...
- 5/2/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
Simon Curtis has lined up a quartet of stars for upcoming comedy “Encore” from “Twilight” banner Temple Hill Entertainment.
The film — announced by Protagonist Pictures, which is launching worldwide sales ahead of Cannes — will reunite eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close with Oscar winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit “Reversal of Fortune.” Henry Winkler and Don Johnson round out the ensemble cast.
Written by Academy Award nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”), “Encore” follows a group of retired actors as they attempt to reignite their passion for life. Former Broadway icons Marie (Close) and Nigel (Irons) are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents. Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theater and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present. This production will be their encore.
The film — announced by Protagonist Pictures, which is launching worldwide sales ahead of Cannes — will reunite eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close with Oscar winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit “Reversal of Fortune.” Henry Winkler and Don Johnson round out the ensemble cast.
Written by Academy Award nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”), “Encore” follows a group of retired actors as they attempt to reignite their passion for life. Former Broadway icons Marie (Close) and Nigel (Irons) are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents. Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theater and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present. This production will be their encore.
- 5/2/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
A line of dialogue in The Fall Guy is already causing discourse among some viewers, prior to it opening in theaters.
In the David Leitch-directed action-comedy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham’s character, Gail Meyer, at one point makes a reference to Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s turbulent relationship.
In the scene, Waddingham, who plays an executive producer in the movie, reportedly walks into a trailer while looking disheveled and tells director Jody Moreno (Blunt), “It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here.”
Some viewers have since taken to social media to criticize the line, with one user writing on X (formerly Twitter), “‘The Fall Guy’ made a distasteful “joke” about the domestic abuse amber suffered at the hands of johnny. it’s 2024, why are we writing these kinds of lines into movies? nasty work.”
Another social media user wrote that the film...
In the David Leitch-directed action-comedy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham’s character, Gail Meyer, at one point makes a reference to Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s turbulent relationship.
In the scene, Waddingham, who plays an executive producer in the movie, reportedly walks into a trailer while looking disheveled and tells director Jody Moreno (Blunt), “It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here.”
Some viewers have since taken to social media to criticize the line, with one user writing on X (formerly Twitter), “‘The Fall Guy’ made a distasteful “joke” about the domestic abuse amber suffered at the hands of johnny. it’s 2024, why are we writing these kinds of lines into movies? nasty work.”
Another social media user wrote that the film...
- 5/2/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nishta Jain’s “Farming the Revolution” has won Hot Docs’ Best International Feature Documentary Award, it was announced Friday at the festival’s awards ceremony, held in Toronto at the Centre for Social Innovation–Annex.
Produced by Jain (Raintree Films) and Valérie Montmartin (Little Big Story) and co-directed by cinematographer Akash Basumatari, the film follows the massive year-long gathering of Indian farmers protesting unjust new farm laws that they felt would impact their markets.
The jury said, “‘Farming the Revolution’ spotlights the power of ordinary people with an enduring cinematic sophistication and an indomitable lyrical presence.” The award comes with a Cnd. $10,000 cash prize.
The film, a co-production between India and Norway, now automatically qualifies for consideration in the Academy’s Best Documentary Feature category without the standard theatrical run, providing it complies with Academy rules. It is distributed by Cinephil.
Pablo Álvarez-Mesa’s “The Soldier’s Lagoon”—which traces...
Produced by Jain (Raintree Films) and Valérie Montmartin (Little Big Story) and co-directed by cinematographer Akash Basumatari, the film follows the massive year-long gathering of Indian farmers protesting unjust new farm laws that they felt would impact their markets.
The jury said, “‘Farming the Revolution’ spotlights the power of ordinary people with an enduring cinematic sophistication and an indomitable lyrical presence.” The award comes with a Cnd. $10,000 cash prize.
The film, a co-production between India and Norway, now automatically qualifies for consideration in the Academy’s Best Documentary Feature category without the standard theatrical run, providing it complies with Academy rules. It is distributed by Cinephil.
Pablo Álvarez-Mesa’s “The Soldier’s Lagoon”—which traces...
- 5/4/2024
- by Jennie Punter
- Variety - Film News
Elaine Epstein says that winning Hot Docs Forum’s top First Look prize of Can $20,000 cash for her film “Arrest the Midwife” is a “game changer.”
The project, which has been on a close to year-long hiatus, will now finally be able to resume due to the award.
“The last money we raised was 10 months ago,” Epstein said. “So it’s been a while. We raised money and then things stopped.”
“Arrest the Midwife” was one of 20 projects presented to key funders and decision-makers as well as filmmakers, producers and other observers at the 25th edition of the two-day Forum pitch event.
Produced through Epstein’s Underdog Films (U.S.), with producer Robin Hessman and executive producer Ruth Ann Harnisch, the doc chronicles the arrest of three midwives serving Amish and Mennonite communities. When a Mennonite baby died after being attended to by a homebirth midwife, an unprecedented legal drama ensued.
The project, which has been on a close to year-long hiatus, will now finally be able to resume due to the award.
“The last money we raised was 10 months ago,” Epstein said. “So it’s been a while. We raised money and then things stopped.”
“Arrest the Midwife” was one of 20 projects presented to key funders and decision-makers as well as filmmakers, producers and other observers at the 25th edition of the two-day Forum pitch event.
Produced through Epstein’s Underdog Films (U.S.), with producer Robin Hessman and executive producer Ruth Ann Harnisch, the doc chronicles the arrest of three midwives serving Amish and Mennonite communities. When a Mennonite baby died after being attended to by a homebirth midwife, an unprecedented legal drama ensued.
- 5/4/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
What will you ask the brilliant actor, author, cake decorator and star of new film A Family Affair?
Jane Asher has been on our screens for almost 73 years – her first role was aged five, in Mandy, and she turns 78 on 5 May. But it was aged 17 she really shot to big screen prominence, opposite Vincent Pryce in The Masque of the Red Death.
Then, two years later, in 1966, came Alfie, in which she plays a hitchhiker who becomes the latest in Michael Caine’s litany of conquests; in 1970 she was the lead in Jerzy Skolimowski’s suburban psychodrama Deep End.
Jane Asher has been on our screens for almost 73 years – her first role was aged five, in Mandy, and she turns 78 on 5 May. But it was aged 17 she really shot to big screen prominence, opposite Vincent Pryce in The Masque of the Red Death.
Then, two years later, in 1966, came Alfie, in which she plays a hitchhiker who becomes the latest in Michael Caine’s litany of conquests; in 1970 she was the lead in Jerzy Skolimowski’s suburban psychodrama Deep End.
- 5/4/2024
- by Guardian Film
- The Guardian - Film News
During a Distribution Advocates podcast recording at Hot Docs, producer/director Amy Hobby announced a new documentary $200,000 grant called The Marketing Innovations Fund, which will go to independent distributors.
Hobby co-founded Distribution Advocates in 2020 alongside Abby Sun, Avril Speaks, Carlos Gutierrez and Karin Chien. The organization “works to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.”
The Marketing Innovations Fund launches in August and will provide grants between $5,000 and $50,000. That money will go to independent distributors working with film teams to supercharge audience growth for a wide range of docus. The grants are aimed at encouraging experimentation and innovation in reaching ticket buyers. The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications. This year Fund money will help between four and 15 releases.
“Our goal is to inject much needed capital and resources into an anemic marketplace and ultimately to inspire...
Hobby co-founded Distribution Advocates in 2020 alongside Abby Sun, Avril Speaks, Carlos Gutierrez and Karin Chien. The organization “works to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.”
The Marketing Innovations Fund launches in August and will provide grants between $5,000 and $50,000. That money will go to independent distributors working with film teams to supercharge audience growth for a wide range of docus. The grants are aimed at encouraging experimentation and innovation in reaching ticket buyers. The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications. This year Fund money will help between four and 15 releases.
“Our goal is to inject much needed capital and resources into an anemic marketplace and ultimately to inspire...
- 5/4/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
As his dazzling debut, Shallow Grave, gets a 30th anniversary rerelease, here’s to an extraordinary career that ranges from Trainspotting to Slumdog Millionaire and that unforgettable London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony
Lancashire-born film-maker Danny Boyle holds a special place in the nation’s heart, having been responsible for not one but three defining moments in our recent pop-culture history. In 1996, his daringly inventive adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting changed the face of young British cinema, with star-making performances from the likes of Ewan McGregor, Kelly Macdonald and Robert Carlyle, and a magpie soundtrack that out-hipped Pulp Fiction. I was co-hosting Radio 1’s film programme when Trainspotting hit UK cinemas, and Mary Anne Hobbs and I immediately ditched our opening station jingles in favour of the thumping drum intro to Lust for Life, which remained the show’s theme tune in perpetuity.
A decade later, Slumdog Millionaire (2008) scooped eight Oscars,...
Lancashire-born film-maker Danny Boyle holds a special place in the nation’s heart, having been responsible for not one but three defining moments in our recent pop-culture history. In 1996, his daringly inventive adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting changed the face of young British cinema, with star-making performances from the likes of Ewan McGregor, Kelly Macdonald and Robert Carlyle, and a magpie soundtrack that out-hipped Pulp Fiction. I was co-hosting Radio 1’s film programme when Trainspotting hit UK cinemas, and Mary Anne Hobbs and I immediately ditched our opening station jingles in favour of the thumping drum intro to Lust for Life, which remained the show’s theme tune in perpetuity.
A decade later, Slumdog Millionaire (2008) scooped eight Oscars,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
Pauly Shore once again addressed his in-development Richard Simmons biopic that has become a hot topic.
“I’m also gonna be starring in the Richard Simmons biopic…whether he likes it or not, Richard,” Shore said at his Netflix Is a Joke show at the Comedy Store Friday night in Los Angeles. “Just another fucking bump in my fucking road.”
Shore’s hour-and-a-half comedy set recounted his life story with a particular focus on growing up in Los Angeles with parents Sammy Shore and Mitzi Shore who co-founded the Comedy Store.
While the bulk of the set detailed his childhood through to the time he spent on MTV and even at the Playboy Mansion, at the very end he jumped to the present to talk about his current life stage and achievements and to briefly address the ongoing biopic situation.
The comment comes after a string of social media back-and-forths...
“I’m also gonna be starring in the Richard Simmons biopic…whether he likes it or not, Richard,” Shore said at his Netflix Is a Joke show at the Comedy Store Friday night in Los Angeles. “Just another fucking bump in my fucking road.”
Shore’s hour-and-a-half comedy set recounted his life story with a particular focus on growing up in Los Angeles with parents Sammy Shore and Mitzi Shore who co-founded the Comedy Store.
While the bulk of the set detailed his childhood through to the time he spent on MTV and even at the Playboy Mansion, at the very end he jumped to the present to talk about his current life stage and achievements and to briefly address the ongoing biopic situation.
The comment comes after a string of social media back-and-forths...
- 5/4/2024
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety - Film News
On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Justice for Lori Petty!
One of cinema’s greatest action heroes is a fiercely feminist freedom fighter captured by an oppressive regime controlling the water supply of a post-apocalyptic landscape. Seeking revenge after her family was ripped from her, the heroine escapes the grasp of the army by stealing a vehicle of war, and ventures across the vast post-punk deserts of Australia with the ultimate goal of eventually slaying the white-haired tyrant who ruined her life.
No, I’m not talking about Furiosa, Charlize Theron’s iconic badass in “Mad Max: Fury Road.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Justice for Lori Petty!
One of cinema’s greatest action heroes is a fiercely feminist freedom fighter captured by an oppressive regime controlling the water supply of a post-apocalyptic landscape. Seeking revenge after her family was ripped from her, the heroine escapes the grasp of the army by stealing a vehicle of war, and ventures across the vast post-punk deserts of Australia with the ultimate goal of eventually slaying the white-haired tyrant who ruined her life.
No, I’m not talking about Furiosa, Charlize Theron’s iconic badass in “Mad Max: Fury Road.
- 5/4/2024
- by Wilson Chapman and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees ended its first week of “general” negotiations on a new contract on Friday, and will resume next week.
The union spent most of the week focused on its benefit plans, which are facing a $670 million shortfall over the next three years.
The Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans extended health coverage to members who were out of work due to last year’s strikes, leaving an unusually large funding gap.
The union provided a brief update to its membership on Friday evening, but gave no indication of how the talks are progressing.
IATSE represents about 50,000 film and TV workers under its Basic Agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The agreement includes 13 locals covering camera operators, hairstylists, grips, and many other crafts primarily in Los Angeles. The contract is set to expire on July 31.
Among the union’s top...
The union spent most of the week focused on its benefit plans, which are facing a $670 million shortfall over the next three years.
The Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans extended health coverage to members who were out of work due to last year’s strikes, leaving an unusually large funding gap.
The union provided a brief update to its membership on Friday evening, but gave no indication of how the talks are progressing.
IATSE represents about 50,000 film and TV workers under its Basic Agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The agreement includes 13 locals covering camera operators, hairstylists, grips, and many other crafts primarily in Los Angeles. The contract is set to expire on July 31.
Among the union’s top...
- 5/4/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
Hollywood’s next bidding war is about to erupt. “Eruption,” the much-discussed upcoming volcano disaster novel from the late Michael Crichton and James Patterson, is about to be brought to auction, attracting a large group of suitors keen on landing the sought-after film rights.
The auction, being conducted by Shane Salerno at the Story Factory and CAA, will begin within the next two weeks, and could kick off as early as next week, Variety can exclusively reveal.
The project has drawn interest from most major studios, streamers and networks, as well as high-profile directors who have shared that they’d leap at the chance to helm a Crichton project. Projects created by the author or adapted from his work include the “Jurassic Park” franchise, “Twister” and “Westworld.” Crichton was also the creator of “ER,” which Variety is told brought in over $3.2 billion for Warner Bros.
Several A-list actors have reached out regarding the novel,...
The auction, being conducted by Shane Salerno at the Story Factory and CAA, will begin within the next two weeks, and could kick off as early as next week, Variety can exclusively reveal.
The project has drawn interest from most major studios, streamers and networks, as well as high-profile directors who have shared that they’d leap at the chance to helm a Crichton project. Projects created by the author or adapted from his work include the “Jurassic Park” franchise, “Twister” and “Westworld.” Crichton was also the creator of “ER,” which Variety is told brought in over $3.2 billion for Warner Bros.
Several A-list actors have reached out regarding the novel,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
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It's Star Wars Day weekend! May the Fourth be with you! As has become customary when this date rolls around, Disney and Lucasfilm celebrate the "Star Wars" franchise with loads of new merchandise inspired by a galaxy far, far away. But since there are so many pieces of "Star Wars" memorabilia out there, including specially branded blue milk in dairy fridges right now, we've hand-picked some of our favorite items from across the universe.
From new "Star Wars" action figures that honor "The Phantom Menace" as the prequel celebrates its 25th anniversary to prop replicas and animatronics that will let you worship at the altar of Darth Vader, there's something for everyone. Do you like "Star Wars" Lego sets? Get ready to build some of the coolest vehicles from the saga. Want to wear your fandom on your sleeve literally?...
It's Star Wars Day weekend! May the Fourth be with you! As has become customary when this date rolls around, Disney and Lucasfilm celebrate the "Star Wars" franchise with loads of new merchandise inspired by a galaxy far, far away. But since there are so many pieces of "Star Wars" memorabilia out there, including specially branded blue milk in dairy fridges right now, we've hand-picked some of our favorite items from across the universe.
From new "Star Wars" action figures that honor "The Phantom Menace" as the prequel celebrates its 25th anniversary to prop replicas and animatronics that will let you worship at the altar of Darth Vader, there's something for everyone. Do you like "Star Wars" Lego sets? Get ready to build some of the coolest vehicles from the saga. Want to wear your fandom on your sleeve literally?...
- 5/4/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Romance is complicated. The meshing together of two or more people isn’t designed to be a smooth process and art has reflected that for generations, most recently in the new Amazon MGM rom-com “The Idea of You”. In honor of the film dropping on Prime Video, IndieWire has compiled a list of the best age-gap romance films to enjoy after watching Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine’s jaunt within the genre. From the best-selling novel by Robinne Lee, “The Idea of You” follows a 40-year-old gallery owner and divorceé, who, after escorting her daughter to Coachella, ends up in a whirlwind romance with the 24-year-old lead singer of a famous boy band. The book was adapted for the screen by Michael Showalter, as well as Jennifer Westfeldt, who’s dabbled in complicated romances in the past with films like “Kissing Jessica Stein” and “Friends With Kids”.
In terms of...
In terms of...
- 5/3/2024
- by Harrison Richlin and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Spoiler Alert: This story discusses plot elements from “The Fall Guy,” now playing in theaters.
Long before Taylor Swift embarked on the Eras Tour, director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick had the idea to use “All Too Well” as a key moment in “The Fall Guy.”
McCormick, a self-professed Swiftie, and Leitch were trying to find a fresh and contemporary song to fit into a particular scene.
In the film, Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, one of Hollywood’s top stuntmen. After experiencing an on-set accident, he falls off the grid for 18 months, ghosting aspiring director Jody (Emily Blunt), someone he also happens to be dating. The two awkwardly reunite on the set of her directorial debut, and when they wrap their first day, Colt retreats to his pickup truck reflecting on happier times with Jody.
McCormick thought a Swift song would be perfect for that scene, and even Gosling agreed.
Long before Taylor Swift embarked on the Eras Tour, director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick had the idea to use “All Too Well” as a key moment in “The Fall Guy.”
McCormick, a self-professed Swiftie, and Leitch were trying to find a fresh and contemporary song to fit into a particular scene.
In the film, Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, one of Hollywood’s top stuntmen. After experiencing an on-set accident, he falls off the grid for 18 months, ghosting aspiring director Jody (Emily Blunt), someone he also happens to be dating. The two awkwardly reunite on the set of her directorial debut, and when they wrap their first day, Colt retreats to his pickup truck reflecting on happier times with Jody.
McCormick thought a Swift song would be perfect for that scene, and even Gosling agreed.
- 5/3/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay and Meredith Woerner
- Variety - Film News
Chris Pine felt like more than a million bucks after being cast in “Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” — he felt like $50 million, to be exact. Not that he made anywhere near that sum.
During an upcoming appearance on NBC News’ “Sunday Today with Willie Geist,” Pine recalled how joining the 2004 sequel film proved to be a pivotal point in his career. Pine played Prince Nicholas Devereaux who tries to woo Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) in her ancestral home country of Genovia.
“It was the height of summer and I was getting off at Magnolia. I was on my little Verizon tiny little flip phone, my silver one, and I got a call from my agents that I booked the job,” Pine said. “I pulled over onto the side of the freeway and they said, ‘You’re getting paid $65,000,’ and it was like they had just told me I’d made $50 million.
During an upcoming appearance on NBC News’ “Sunday Today with Willie Geist,” Pine recalled how joining the 2004 sequel film proved to be a pivotal point in his career. Pine played Prince Nicholas Devereaux who tries to woo Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) in her ancestral home country of Genovia.
“It was the height of summer and I was getting off at Magnolia. I was on my little Verizon tiny little flip phone, my silver one, and I got a call from my agents that I booked the job,” Pine said. “I pulled over onto the side of the freeway and they said, ‘You’re getting paid $65,000,’ and it was like they had just told me I’d made $50 million.
- 5/3/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated drama “Io Capitano,” about the odyssey of two young African men who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe, and Paola Cortellesi’s feminist dramedy “There’s Still Tomorrow” were both the big winners at Italy’s 69th David di Donatello Awards.
“Io Capitano” won Davids for best picture, director, producers, editor, and cinematographer, among other prizes, while “Still Tomorrow,” which is about the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome and had 19 nominations scored six statuettes, including best directorial debut, actress, non supporting actress, screenplay, and audience award.
“Still Tomorrow,” which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, who also stars, is shot in black-and-white and riffs on Italy’s neorealist past, albeit with a contemporary female empowerment angle.
“I made this debut at the brink of menopause,” Cortellesi, who is 50, said while accepting the statuette for best debuting director. “I hope...
“Io Capitano” won Davids for best picture, director, producers, editor, and cinematographer, among other prizes, while “Still Tomorrow,” which is about the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome and had 19 nominations scored six statuettes, including best directorial debut, actress, non supporting actress, screenplay, and audience award.
“Still Tomorrow,” which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, who also stars, is shot in black-and-white and riffs on Italy’s neorealist past, albeit with a contemporary female empowerment angle.
“I made this debut at the brink of menopause,” Cortellesi, who is 50, said while accepting the statuette for best debuting director. “I hope...
- 5/3/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
There are few genre films of any kind quite as respected as 1954's "Godzilla." Directed by Ishiro Honda, the film was an examination of post-World War II Japan, a nation that had experienced the horrors of the atomic bomb. The now-iconic monster was a narrative device used to reckon with those horrors, and even though some 70 years later the movie has secured its place in cinema history, it wasn't always a sure thing. So much so that composer Akira Ifukube was advised to back out of doing the project by his peers for fear that it would ruin his career.
In the 2019 book "Life Godzilla," it's explained that production company Toho was not confident in the film ahead of its release. "Godzilla" was a movie that could have ended a great many careers. "We couldn't reassure them," said assistant director Koji Kajita. "There was still no soundtrack and without it the film looked stupid.
In the 2019 book "Life Godzilla," it's explained that production company Toho was not confident in the film ahead of its release. "Godzilla" was a movie that could have ended a great many careers. "We couldn't reassure them," said assistant director Koji Kajita. "There was still no soundtrack and without it the film looked stupid.
- 5/3/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Actor brings force of Hollywood to trumpet Biden’s legislative record in briefing that both delighted and bemused journalists
“You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” But enough about Washington. The Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who once saw off gangsters at a fictional spaceport, came to the US capital on Friday for a meeting with Joe Biden.
Quite why he was in the Oval Office, and what was talked about, remained something of a mystery. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Biden was riding high in the opinion polls but now, perhaps, he is in need of added star power.
“You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” But enough about Washington. The Star Wars actor Mark Hamill, who once saw off gangsters at a fictional spaceport, came to the US capital on Friday for a meeting with Joe Biden.
Quite why he was in the Oval Office, and what was talked about, remained something of a mystery. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Biden was riding high in the opinion polls but now, perhaps, he is in need of added star power.
- 5/3/2024
- by David Smith in Washington
- The Guardian - Film News
Asexuality is rare enough on screen that a film that does acknowledge its existence can build an entire storyline out of it. But the scant few depictions of it in popular media that do exist — mostly in progressive teen shows like Netflix’s “Sex Education” or “Heartbreak High” — generally present storylines about the orientation in an instructive manner for general audiences. Their supporting asexual characters are typically young, confused teens, and their journeys to understand and accept their orientation are highlighted by arcs that pit them with love interests who struggle with the unconventional shape their relationship takes.
“Slow,” the second feature from Lithuanian director Marija Kavtar, offers a somewhat different type of asexual character. Dovydas (Kęstutis Cicėnas) certainly talks about his difficulties coming to terms with his asexuality as a child, but when the audience first meets him he’s decidedly not an awkward teenager. He’s a grown...
“Slow,” the second feature from Lithuanian director Marija Kavtar, offers a somewhat different type of asexual character. Dovydas (Kęstutis Cicėnas) certainly talks about his difficulties coming to terms with his asexuality as a child, but when the audience first meets him he’s decidedly not an awkward teenager. He’s a grown...
- 5/3/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
There's a case to be made that Chris Hemsworth is the most talented of the Marvel Studios Chrises. He's got great comedic energy and leaned into that with his later performances as Thor (even if he admittedly went overboard in "Thor: Love and Thunder"). His vengeance-driven God of Thunder is the highlight of "Infinity War" too.
He's also making interesting career choices. I'm a Captain America fan, but Chris Evans has not challenged himself as an actor since "Snowpiercer." ("Knives Out" was just him dusting off his pre-Cap screen persona of a cocky a-hole.) Chris Pratt has waltzed his way into being Hollywood's leading voice actor despite his anonymous performances in "The Super Mario Brothers" and soon, "The Garfield Movie." Hemsworth takes paycheck gigs (see: "Extraction" and his voice acting turn as young Optimus Prime in "Transformers: One" this coming Summer), but he shows ambition too. In 2017, during Marvel's cultural dominance,...
He's also making interesting career choices. I'm a Captain America fan, but Chris Evans has not challenged himself as an actor since "Snowpiercer." ("Knives Out" was just him dusting off his pre-Cap screen persona of a cocky a-hole.) Chris Pratt has waltzed his way into being Hollywood's leading voice actor despite his anonymous performances in "The Super Mario Brothers" and soon, "The Garfield Movie." Hemsworth takes paycheck gigs (see: "Extraction" and his voice acting turn as young Optimus Prime in "Transformers: One" this coming Summer), but he shows ambition too. In 2017, during Marvel's cultural dominance,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Longtime Vanity Fair editor Britt Hennemuth is departing his role as the publication’s West coast director to join Universal Pictures.
Hennemuth has been named senior vice president of production development and special projects at the studio, where he will work with Universal’s creative team to “develop and oversee production on projects, foster connections with talent, and draw upon his extensive media expertise to advise other departments.” He will report directly to Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer, who announced the new hire on Friday.
“Britt is a true cinephile, and through his stellar work at Vanity Fair, he has been a leader in telling stories that help shape culture and amplify new voices,” stated Cramer. “His well-respected skills and experience will be the perfect complement to our team at Universal Pictures as we continue to bring a wide range of innovative films to global theatrical audiences.”
Added Hennemuth: “It...
Hennemuth has been named senior vice president of production development and special projects at the studio, where he will work with Universal’s creative team to “develop and oversee production on projects, foster connections with talent, and draw upon his extensive media expertise to advise other departments.” He will report directly to Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer, who announced the new hire on Friday.
“Britt is a true cinephile, and through his stellar work at Vanity Fair, he has been a leader in telling stories that help shape culture and amplify new voices,” stated Cramer. “His well-respected skills and experience will be the perfect complement to our team at Universal Pictures as we continue to bring a wide range of innovative films to global theatrical audiences.”
Added Hennemuth: “It...
- 5/3/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
“I knew daredevils — and I ain’t got nothing against ‘em — it’s just they’re all dead.”
So says the titular character of “The Stunt Man” to his trainer the first time his desire for mortality is put into question. The theme of death is a constant one in this 1980 film. It’s what propels the main character, Vietnam-Vet Cameron, to go on the run — the state in which we meet him at the beginning of the film. It’s what draws him to a movie set near the beach where dozens of bodies are ripped apart, sporting soldier’s uniforms from World War I, and buried across the sand. It’s what fascinates the film’s director, Eli Cross, whose need to draw reality out of a production that’s drowning in artifice places Cameron in the precarious position of both stuntman and muse. What begins as a...
So says the titular character of “The Stunt Man” to his trainer the first time his desire for mortality is put into question. The theme of death is a constant one in this 1980 film. It’s what propels the main character, Vietnam-Vet Cameron, to go on the run — the state in which we meet him at the beginning of the film. It’s what draws him to a movie set near the beach where dozens of bodies are ripped apart, sporting soldier’s uniforms from World War I, and buried across the sand. It’s what fascinates the film’s director, Eli Cross, whose need to draw reality out of a production that’s drowning in artifice places Cameron in the precarious position of both stuntman and muse. What begins as a...
- 5/3/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Fiona Apple is the go-to songwriter for exorcising your romantic demons, ruing the ones you loved, the ones who didn’t love you back, the ones you pushed away amid yet another freefall of your own design. She’s also the go-to singer for three studio comedy auteurs: Michael Showalter, Judd Apatow, and Paul Feig.
Apple’s songs have featured in three of their films — Apple wrote the original song “Dull Tool” for Apatow’s “This Is 40,” capturing a decades-long marriage at its breaking point. Elsewhere, her epic ball of romantic resignation “Cosmonauts,” off the 2020 album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” was also originally meant for that film. Meanwhile, her classic cabaret-inspired love song “Paper Bag,” about having too much emotional baggage to enter into a new relationship she wants “so bad, oh it kills,” featured in Feig’s “Bridesmaids” in a montage of Annie (Kristen Wiig) making cupcakes as...
Apple’s songs have featured in three of their films — Apple wrote the original song “Dull Tool” for Apatow’s “This Is 40,” capturing a decades-long marriage at its breaking point. Elsewhere, her epic ball of romantic resignation “Cosmonauts,” off the 2020 album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” was also originally meant for that film. Meanwhile, her classic cabaret-inspired love song “Paper Bag,” about having too much emotional baggage to enter into a new relationship she wants “so bad, oh it kills,” featured in Feig’s “Bridesmaids” in a montage of Annie (Kristen Wiig) making cupcakes as...
- 5/3/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
A muse, a mother, a fashionista, an actor, a rock ‘n’ roll icon — it’s hard to describe exactly why Anita Pallenberg remains such a compelling figure more than a half-century after the captivating blonde sang backing vocals on the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and starred in movies like “Performance” and “Barbarella.”
The new documentary “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg” delves into both the beautiful and tragic moments of her eventful life with the help of a treasure trove of home movies and interviews, as well as an unpublished memoir penned by Pallenberg and narrated by Scarlett Johansson. The footage is coupled with interviews of the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, with whom she had a significant relationship, their children Marlon and Angela Richards, director Volker Schlondorff, who cast her in some of his films, and her former friends and associates.
“I’ve been called a witch,...
The new documentary “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg” delves into both the beautiful and tragic moments of her eventful life with the help of a treasure trove of home movies and interviews, as well as an unpublished memoir penned by Pallenberg and narrated by Scarlett Johansson. The footage is coupled with interviews of the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, with whom she had a significant relationship, their children Marlon and Angela Richards, director Volker Schlondorff, who cast her in some of his films, and her former friends and associates.
“I’ve been called a witch,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
Spain’s Latido Films has boarded international sales on Carlos Marques-Marcet’s musical They Will Be Dust (Polvo serán). Elástica Films will handle distribution in Spain.
It tells the story of a woman, Claudia (Angela Molina) diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour who takes a last trip to Switzerland to decide how and when to end her life with the help of an assisted dying association. Her partner (Alfredo Castro), and daughter (Mònica Almirall) must work out where they fit in.
The screenplay is by long-time co-writer Clara Roquet, director of 2021 Cannes Critics Week title Libertad, who wrote Marques-Marcet’s previous film Long Distance.
It tells the story of a woman, Claudia (Angela Molina) diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour who takes a last trip to Switzerland to decide how and when to end her life with the help of an assisted dying association. Her partner (Alfredo Castro), and daughter (Mònica Almirall) must work out where they fit in.
The screenplay is by long-time co-writer Clara Roquet, director of 2021 Cannes Critics Week title Libertad, who wrote Marques-Marcet’s previous film Long Distance.
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired worldwide rights to the documentary film “Somm: Cup of Salvation,” an exploration into the world of wine.
“Cup of Salvation” is the fourth film in the “Somm” documentary series. It follows a father and daughter on a mission to resurrect the forgotten grapes of their Armenian homeland. Their journey brings them to navigate through wrecked infrastructure and wartime farming, moving from the Caucus Mountains to secret vineyards in Iran.
This week, “Somm: Cup of Salvation” was nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award in the long form visual media category. The film is directed by Jason Wise, who also serves as writer and producer for the feature alongside Christina Wise. Jackson Myers, Eric Esrailian and Armen Kachaturian also produce.
“I am thrilled to continue our relationship with Samuel Goldwyn Films on the ‘Somm’ series. ‘Cup of Salvation’ is a very personal and dangerous film and there...
“Cup of Salvation” is the fourth film in the “Somm” documentary series. It follows a father and daughter on a mission to resurrect the forgotten grapes of their Armenian homeland. Their journey brings them to navigate through wrecked infrastructure and wartime farming, moving from the Caucus Mountains to secret vineyards in Iran.
This week, “Somm: Cup of Salvation” was nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award in the long form visual media category. The film is directed by Jason Wise, who also serves as writer and producer for the feature alongside Christina Wise. Jackson Myers, Eric Esrailian and Armen Kachaturian also produce.
“I am thrilled to continue our relationship with Samuel Goldwyn Films on the ‘Somm’ series. ‘Cup of Salvation’ is a very personal and dangerous film and there...
- 5/3/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
[Editor’s note: The following interview contains spoilers for “Unfrosted.”]
The Pop-Tarts were heated up and soon to pop — if Kellogg’s only had a name for its new toaster treat. For that, Jerry Seinfeld went to the best 1960s ad men he, or anyone, could find: Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Roger Sterling (John Slattery) of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce — and of AMC’s “Mad Men.”
Who would have thought that Netflix’s “Unfrosted” — a Pop-Tarts faux origin story — would be what got those two back in their single-vented suits? A fantastical (and fantastic) cinematic universe was created, almost by accident. Here’s the not-fake origin story of the film-stealing scene.
“We would take breaks when we were writing this movie and watch ‘Mad Men’ scenes,” the film’s cowriter Spike Feresten told IndieWire. “Jerry had just rewatched the entire [series] again and said, ‘You’ve gotta see this scene.’ And it would play in our meetings like a comedy.
The Pop-Tarts were heated up and soon to pop — if Kellogg’s only had a name for its new toaster treat. For that, Jerry Seinfeld went to the best 1960s ad men he, or anyone, could find: Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and Roger Sterling (John Slattery) of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce — and of AMC’s “Mad Men.”
Who would have thought that Netflix’s “Unfrosted” — a Pop-Tarts faux origin story — would be what got those two back in their single-vented suits? A fantastical (and fantastic) cinematic universe was created, almost by accident. Here’s the not-fake origin story of the film-stealing scene.
“We would take breaks when we were writing this movie and watch ‘Mad Men’ scenes,” the film’s cowriter Spike Feresten told IndieWire. “Jerry had just rewatched the entire [series] again and said, ‘You’ve gotta see this scene.’ And it would play in our meetings like a comedy.
- 5/3/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
As you are likely well aware, the Walt Disney Company bought 20th Century Fox back in 2019, just one year after “Deadpool 2” hit theaters, and in the process, became the owners of all of Fox’s Marvel properties, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, and the Deadpool franchise. But if you’re wondering why it took so long for a third ‘Deadpool’ movie to happen, six years after the second film, well, we finally have answers.
Continue reading Marvel’s Kevin Feige Admits He Turned Down Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Pitch At First at The Playlist.
Continue reading Marvel’s Kevin Feige Admits He Turned Down Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Pitch At First at The Playlist.
- 5/3/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Fledgling US distributor and international sales agency The Forge, led by longtime producer and Vashon Island Film Festival director Mark Mathias Sayre, is heading to Cannes with a slate including Civil War epic Freedom’s Path.
Brett Smith’s drama stars Gerran Howell, Rj Cyler, and Ewen Bremner and centres on a Union solider who flees battle and is rescued by a free Black man operating a section of the Underground Railroad.
The roster includes Matthew Mishory’s documentary Fioretta, which will open in the US through Gravitas Ventures and profiles lawyer and philanthropist Randy Schoenberg’s search for his oldest recorded ancestor.
Brett Smith’s drama stars Gerran Howell, Rj Cyler, and Ewen Bremner and centres on a Union solider who flees battle and is rescued by a free Black man operating a section of the Underground Railroad.
The roster includes Matthew Mishory’s documentary Fioretta, which will open in the US through Gravitas Ventures and profiles lawyer and philanthropist Randy Schoenberg’s search for his oldest recorded ancestor.
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
Variety held their annual Power of Women event Thursday, May 2 at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in New York City. Honorees included Anitta, Mariska Hargitay, Shonda Rhimes, and Amy Schumer, along with presenters that included Glenn Close, Bela Bajaria, Bruna Marquezine, and Sascha Seinfeld.
IndieWire caught up with Francesca Scorsese, who’s featured as an “Up Next” talent in Variety’s issue, on the event’s red carpet, where she reflected on working with Luca Guadagnino in HBO’s 2020 limited series “We Are Who We Are.” “He’s the most amazing, sweetest guy. Very eccentric, but that’s the best part about him,” Scorsese said. “It was really cool because I got to experience another filmmaker. You know what I mean? I grew up being on my dad’s film sets and seeing his directing style and just like literally just like living in that world.”
“I saw similarities but...
IndieWire caught up with Francesca Scorsese, who’s featured as an “Up Next” talent in Variety’s issue, on the event’s red carpet, where she reflected on working with Luca Guadagnino in HBO’s 2020 limited series “We Are Who We Are.” “He’s the most amazing, sweetest guy. Very eccentric, but that’s the best part about him,” Scorsese said. “It was really cool because I got to experience another filmmaker. You know what I mean? I grew up being on my dad’s film sets and seeing his directing style and just like literally just like living in that world.”
“I saw similarities but...
- 5/3/2024
- by Vincent Perella
- Indiewire
The child actors from “Mrs. Doubtfire” recently reunited nearly 31 years after the movie’s release for a joint interview on the “Brotherly Love” podcast, where Lisa Jakub revealed that Robin Williams wrote a letter to her school principal when she got expelled for taking time off to star in the blockbuster comedy film (via Entertainment Weekly). Jakub starred in the movie as Lydia Hillard, the eldest daughter of Williams and Sally Field’s characters.
“I got thrown out of high school on ‘Doubtfire,'” Jakub told her costars Matthew Lawrence (who played middle child Christopher) and Mara Wilson. “I’m Canadian. I was attending high school in Canada, then I left for four months to film the movie. We were going to set up this system, pre-internet, where I’d mail my school work back and forth to the school. We did that for a while.”
“As Matt well remembers,...
“I got thrown out of high school on ‘Doubtfire,'” Jakub told her costars Matthew Lawrence (who played middle child Christopher) and Mara Wilson. “I’m Canadian. I was attending high school in Canada, then I left for four months to film the movie. We were going to set up this system, pre-internet, where I’d mail my school work back and forth to the school. We did that for a while.”
“As Matt well remembers,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
It’s already been a busy week for the upcoming Cannes film market, with new films from Julia Ducournau, Romain Gavras, and Panos Cosmatos entering the fray. But what about something lighter than those three, which, considering their directors, will all be audacious in their own ways? “Takes One To Know One” may fit the bill there, as Deadline reports that CAA Media Finance and Cornerstone have the upcoming romance ready for sales on the Croisette once the Cannes Film Festival gets underway in eleven days.
Continue reading ‘Takes One To Know One’: Olivia Cooke & Jamie Bell To Star In Upcoming Italy-Set Romance at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Takes One To Know One’: Olivia Cooke & Jamie Bell To Star In Upcoming Italy-Set Romance at The Playlist.
- 5/3/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
With highly anticipated titles “The Fall Guy” and “I Saw the TV Glow” hitting theaters this weekend and a slew of studio blockbusters following in the coming weeks, the summer movie season is officially upon us. But studio slates look thinner this year than in the past, as strikes prevented many titles from wrapping production in 2023. But streaming services remain a reliable content source for anyone with a movie itch that the latest releases just aren’t scratching. And this month’s additions to the Netflix film library are no exception.
The streaming giant is rolling out Jerry Seinfeld’s long-awaited Pop-Tarts movie “Unfrosted” as its highest-profile release of the month. The comedy is flanked by a robust collection of repertory titles that should satisfy a variety of film tastes.
Keep reading for seven new movies hitting Netflix in May 2024.
The streaming giant is rolling out Jerry Seinfeld’s long-awaited Pop-Tarts movie “Unfrosted” as its highest-profile release of the month. The comedy is flanked by a robust collection of repertory titles that should satisfy a variety of film tastes.
Keep reading for seven new movies hitting Netflix in May 2024.
- 5/3/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster “Captain America: Brave New World” isn’t due in theaters until February 2024, but as you may have noticed by now, companies like McDonald’s are already advertising the film, and various pieces of marketing have revealed some early spoilers. The issue, it seems, is that “Captain America: Brave New World” was initially scheduled for release this summer, with a date that once included May 3, 2024, and a subsequent date for July 26, 2024.
Continue reading New ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ First Look May Explain Why Some Spoilers Are Out Super Early at The Playlist.
Continue reading New ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ First Look May Explain Why Some Spoilers Are Out Super Early at The Playlist.
- 5/3/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Brian De Palma apparently was less than enthused by Pauline Kael’s scathing “Body Double” review. The legendary critic didn’t seem to grasp what De Palma was attempting with his 1984 meta noir send-up of Hollywood.
The auteur’s take on “Rear Window” centered on a struggling actor (Craig Wasson) who seems to witness a murder while housesitting for his friend’s (Gregg Henry) pal. His relationship with a rising young porn actress (Melanie Griffith) leads to him investigating whether or not his voyeurism could solve a crime.
“Body Double,” which is receiving a theatrical re-release as part of Netflix’s Milestone Movies program in honor of its 40th anniversary, was received “harshly” by critics, according to actor Henry, who reunited with writer/director/producer De Palma after having a single yet memorable line in “Scarface.” Henry went on to work with De Palma for six more films.
“You always...
The auteur’s take on “Rear Window” centered on a struggling actor (Craig Wasson) who seems to witness a murder while housesitting for his friend’s (Gregg Henry) pal. His relationship with a rising young porn actress (Melanie Griffith) leads to him investigating whether or not his voyeurism could solve a crime.
“Body Double,” which is receiving a theatrical re-release as part of Netflix’s Milestone Movies program in honor of its 40th anniversary, was received “harshly” by critics, according to actor Henry, who reunited with writer/director/producer De Palma after having a single yet memorable line in “Scarface.” Henry went on to work with De Palma for six more films.
“You always...
- 5/3/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The 2024 blockbuster season kicks off in earnest this weekend with David Leitch‘s “The Fall Guy” now in theaters. But their latest film wasn’t the only thing Leitch and his wife and creative partner Kelly McCormick spoke about while on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast this week. They also had to dodge questions about Leitch’s brief tenure as the director of the upcoming “Jurassic World” reboot.
Continue reading David Leitch Talks Around Bailing On The ‘Jurassic Park’ Reboot & Having “Creative Freedom” at The Playlist.
Continue reading David Leitch Talks Around Bailing On The ‘Jurassic Park’ Reboot & Having “Creative Freedom” at The Playlist.
- 5/3/2024
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Upadted: After months of M&a talks, Paramount Global and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone might be going it alone after all — for now.
Insiders tell Variety that the expectation at the company is that neither of the two offers in play — Skydance Media-RedBird Capital Partners and Sony Pictures Entertainment-Apollo Global Management — will come to fruition. And Redstone is said to have reluctantly concluded that a deal with David Ellison’s Skydance, a longtime partner of Paramount Pictures, will not be possible.
As of Friday morning, the special committee established by Paramount Global’s board to evaluate M&a proposals had not notified Skydance one way or the other about its best and final offer, which would involve Skydance acquiring Redstone’s National Amusements Inc. and merging Skydance and Paramount Global, per a source familiar with the talks. The exclusive 30-day negotiating window between Skydance and the Paramount Global...
Insiders tell Variety that the expectation at the company is that neither of the two offers in play — Skydance Media-RedBird Capital Partners and Sony Pictures Entertainment-Apollo Global Management — will come to fruition. And Redstone is said to have reluctantly concluded that a deal with David Ellison’s Skydance, a longtime partner of Paramount Pictures, will not be possible.
As of Friday morning, the special committee established by Paramount Global’s board to evaluate M&a proposals had not notified Skydance one way or the other about its best and final offer, which would involve Skydance acquiring Redstone’s National Amusements Inc. and merging Skydance and Paramount Global, per a source familiar with the talks. The exclusive 30-day negotiating window between Skydance and the Paramount Global...
- 5/3/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - Film News
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