Some cancellations hit harder than others, and the cancellation of Canadian hit Kim's Convenience is one of those. The fifth season of the comedy about a Korean-Canadian family running a convenience store just hit Netflix in the U.S. on June 2, and fans might be surprised to know that it's also the last season, despite the fact that the show was originally renewed through season six. The creators of the show, Ins Choi and Kevin White, decided to leave after the fifth season, and the production company, Thunderbird Films, chose not to continue with the series. However, the world of Kim's Convenience is not going away. Choi and White are now focusing on a spinoff called Strays, which focuses...
- 6/2/2021
- E! Online
Kim’s Convenience has closed for good — and co-star Simu Liu is not open to coming back for a proposed spinoff.
The actor, who played Jung on the CBC/Netflix comedy, spoke out in a lengthy Facebook post on Wednesday, the same day that the fifth and final season hit Netflix. Liu has previously said he wanted the show to continue, adding that “we deserved better,” and in his latest post, he took direct aim at the upcoming Kim’s spinoff Strays, which will see cast member Nicole Power returning as Shannon.
More from TVLineKim's Convenience Star Simu Liu 'Heartbroken'...
The actor, who played Jung on the CBC/Netflix comedy, spoke out in a lengthy Facebook post on Wednesday, the same day that the fifth and final season hit Netflix. Liu has previously said he wanted the show to continue, adding that “we deserved better,” and in his latest post, he took direct aim at the upcoming Kim’s spinoff Strays, which will see cast member Nicole Power returning as Shannon.
More from TVLineKim's Convenience Star Simu Liu 'Heartbroken'...
- 6/2/2021
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
“Kim’s Convenience” star Simu Liu has spoken out about the CBC series’ abrupt ending, behind-the-scenes conflicts and “overwhelmingly white” producers who decided to finish the show, also streaming on Netflix, despite unfinished storylines.
With the debut of the fifth and final season of the series on Netflix today, Liu wrote a long statement on Facebook about the producers’ decision to not continue the series after the departure of two showrunners.
“The show can’t be ‘saved,'” Liu wrote. “It was not ‘cancelled’ in a traditional manner, i.e. by a network after poor ratings.”
Liu, who plays Jung Kim on the series, also said he is “resentful of all of the circumstances that led to the one non-Asian character getting her own show,” alluding to the spinoff series “Strays,” based on Nicole Power’s character Shannon, that the “Kim’s Convenience” producers are currently developing.
“I love and am proud of Nicole,...
With the debut of the fifth and final season of the series on Netflix today, Liu wrote a long statement on Facebook about the producers’ decision to not continue the series after the departure of two showrunners.
“The show can’t be ‘saved,'” Liu wrote. “It was not ‘cancelled’ in a traditional manner, i.e. by a network after poor ratings.”
Liu, who plays Jung Kim on the series, also said he is “resentful of all of the circumstances that led to the one non-Asian character getting her own show,” alluding to the spinoff series “Strays,” based on Nicole Power’s character Shannon, that the “Kim’s Convenience” producers are currently developing.
“I love and am proud of Nicole,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Phil Lord and Chris Miller are continuing their path to producing dominance with Strays, a live-action comedy that’s just been picked up by Universal Pictures. Based on an original pitch from writer Dan Perrault, the film will follow a dog looking to enact revenge against the human that abandoned it, and that’s the kind of premise I […]
The post Lord and Miller Producing ‘Strays’, a Live-Action Comedy About an Abandoned Dog Seeking Revenge appeared first on /Film.
The post Lord and Miller Producing ‘Strays’, a Live-Action Comedy About an Abandoned Dog Seeking Revenge appeared first on /Film.
- 5/27/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Universal Pictures has preemptively nabbed a live action project from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, to be produced with Erik Feig’s Picturestart.
Titled “Strays,” the film is an adult comedy and original pitch from writer Dan Perrault (“American Vandal”), about an abandoned dog who teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.
The project will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who just made his narrative directorial debut with Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.” Greenbaum is an Emmy winner who hails from the unscripted space.
Picturestart packaged and developed Perrault’s script for Greenbaum, Lord and Miller and their label’s film president Aditya Sood, and producer Louis Leterrier who will join via his Rabbit Hole Productions banner. Feig will produce for Picturestart.
The movie falls under Lord and Miller’s first-look deal with the Donna Langley-led Universal,...
Titled “Strays,” the film is an adult comedy and original pitch from writer Dan Perrault (“American Vandal”), about an abandoned dog who teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.
The project will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, who just made his narrative directorial debut with Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.” Greenbaum is an Emmy winner who hails from the unscripted space.
Picturestart packaged and developed Perrault’s script for Greenbaum, Lord and Miller and their label’s film president Aditya Sood, and producer Louis Leterrier who will join via his Rabbit Hole Productions banner. Feig will produce for Picturestart.
The movie falls under Lord and Miller’s first-look deal with the Donna Langley-led Universal,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for Saving Private Ryan.
Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan (1998) is known for a number of things: the gut-wrenching, visceral terror of its battle scenes (especially the opening landing at Omaha Beach), the shocking way in which bodies are torn to pieces during the course of those battles, the attention to period detail, and a powerful performance by Tom Hanks that rates as one of his finest.
But one thing that the film may not be as widely recognized for is the lineup of young actors who played members of Capt. John Miller’s (Hanks) squad, or soldiers they met along the way as they searched throughout Normandy for the missing Pvt. James Francis Ryan. From Matt Damon to Vin Diesel, Spielberg recruited relatively new faces who were all, in one way or another, either launching their careers outright or just starting to make their mark on Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan (1998) is known for a number of things: the gut-wrenching, visceral terror of its battle scenes (especially the opening landing at Omaha Beach), the shocking way in which bodies are torn to pieces during the course of those battles, the attention to period detail, and a powerful performance by Tom Hanks that rates as one of his finest.
But one thing that the film may not be as widely recognized for is the lineup of young actors who played members of Capt. John Miller’s (Hanks) squad, or soldiers they met along the way as they searched throughout Normandy for the missing Pvt. James Francis Ryan. From Matt Damon to Vin Diesel, Spielberg recruited relatively new faces who were all, in one way or another, either launching their careers outright or just starting to make their mark on Hollywood.
- 4/21/2021
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
It’s been a long journey for The CW to snatch that Kung Fu pebble from the master’s (Warner Bros.) hand, but the new reboot of Kung Fu could not have come at a better time.
Issues of diversity and representation have been at the forefront of our cultural conversations for years now. The rise in Asian hate crimes – nearly a 150% increase in 2020 – has made #StopAsianHate a frequent trending topic on social media. For The CW to launch a show with a Chinese leading actress and a largely Asian cast right now makes a bold statement for inclusivity that lives up to the network’s longstanding slogan “Dare to Defy.”
What’s more, Kung Fu is promoting itself as an Asian family drama which could fill a newly opened gap. Two wildly successful Asian family sitcoms just went off the air – ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat ended its...
Issues of diversity and representation have been at the forefront of our cultural conversations for years now. The rise in Asian hate crimes – nearly a 150% increase in 2020 – has made #StopAsianHate a frequent trending topic on social media. For The CW to launch a show with a Chinese leading actress and a largely Asian cast right now makes a bold statement for inclusivity that lives up to the network’s longstanding slogan “Dare to Defy.”
What’s more, Kung Fu is promoting itself as an Asian family drama which could fill a newly opened gap. Two wildly successful Asian family sitcoms just went off the air – ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat ended its...
- 4/6/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
A continuation of Kim's Convenience is on the way. CBC has ordered a spin-off of the comedy series titled Strays. The new comedy will follow Kim's Shannon Ross (Nicole Power) as she embarks on a new career in Hamilton, Ontario.
CBC has also ordered Run the Burbs, a new sitcom about a bold Canadian family living their lives to the fullest in the suburbs. It's been created by comedian, writer, and actor Andrew Phung who played Kimchee on Kim's Convenience.
Both shows will debut on CBC as part of the 2021-22 television season. It's unclear if either Canadian show will be released in the United States. Netflix has aired four seasons of Kim's Convenience and has not yet revealed a launch date for season five. It was recently revealed that the family comedy was ending with season...
CBC has also ordered Run the Burbs, a new sitcom about a bold Canadian family living their lives to the fullest in the suburbs. It's been created by comedian, writer, and actor Andrew Phung who played Kimchee on Kim's Convenience.
Both shows will debut on CBC as part of the 2021-22 television season. It's unclear if either Canadian show will be released in the United States. Netflix has aired four seasons of Kim's Convenience and has not yet revealed a launch date for season five. It was recently revealed that the family comedy was ending with season...
- 3/27/2021
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Kim’s Convenience stars Andrew Phung and Nicole Power have landed their next projects at Canada’s CBC, less than a month after the comedy’s producers said the series would end with its fifth season. Their latest titles will launch during the upcoming 2021-22 broadcast season.
Phung, who appears in the Korean Canadian family comedy as Kimchee, has teamed with The Secret Marathon‘s Scott Townsend to create Run the Burbs. The original series will focus a young, bold Canadian family taking a different approach to living life to the fullest in the suburbs. Phung will star as a stay-at-home dad with an entrepreneur wife and two kids. The series has been in development since May 2020 and is produced by Pier 21 Films, with additional details to be announced later this spring.
Power will reprise her Kim’s Convenience character Shannon Ross for Strays. After her time at Handy Car Rental,...
Phung, who appears in the Korean Canadian family comedy as Kimchee, has teamed with The Secret Marathon‘s Scott Townsend to create Run the Burbs. The original series will focus a young, bold Canadian family taking a different approach to living life to the fullest in the suburbs. Phung will star as a stay-at-home dad with an entrepreneur wife and two kids. The series has been in development since May 2020 and is produced by Pier 21 Films, with additional details to be announced later this spring.
Power will reprise her Kim’s Convenience character Shannon Ross for Strays. After her time at Handy Car Rental,...
- 3/26/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Most people know Vin Diesel as the bald-headed action hero that tends to take himself very seriously on the big screen and enjoys wearing tank tops, mumbling about family and almost exclusively starring in franchises, but there are many more strings to his bow. As well as acting as the creative driving force behind the Fast and Furious series, the 52 year-old also produces the vast majority of his output through his One Race Films company, founded both the Racetrack Records label and video game developers Tigon Studios, and is also a lifelong fan of Dungeons & Dragons.
After years of struggling to break into the movie business during the early years of his career, Diesel managed to get his foot in the Hollywood door by writing, directing and producing the low budget short Multi-Facial in 1995 and the feature length Strays in 1997. These independent projects caught the eye of Steven Spielberg,...
After years of struggling to break into the movie business during the early years of his career, Diesel managed to get his foot in the Hollywood door by writing, directing and producing the low budget short Multi-Facial in 1995 and the feature length Strays in 1997. These independent projects caught the eye of Steven Spielberg,...
- 3/27/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Vin Diesel is looking to get back into the director’s chair, and he says Steven Spielberg is encouraging him to do so.
In a recent interview with The National, the actor said Spielberg — who directed Diesel in 1998’s Saving Private Ryan — told him his lack of directing credits “is a crime of cinema.”
“Speaking of Steven Spielberg, I saw him recently, and he had said to me, ‘When I wrote the role for you in Saving Private Ryan, I was obviously employing the actor, but I was also secretly championing the director in you, and you have not directed enough.
In a recent interview with The National, the actor said Spielberg — who directed Diesel in 1998’s Saving Private Ryan — told him his lack of directing credits “is a crime of cinema.”
“Speaking of Steven Spielberg, I saw him recently, and he had said to me, ‘When I wrote the role for you in Saving Private Ryan, I was obviously employing the actor, but I was also secretly championing the director in you, and you have not directed enough.
- 3/18/2020
- by Ally Mauch
- PEOPLE.com
Did you know Vin Diesel once directed a feature film? It’s true! The Fast and Furious star made his feature directorial debut with the 1997 flick Strays. And while he’s directed a couple of shorts and a TV episode since then, we have yet to see the return of Vin Diesel: Filmmaker. And according to Steven Spielberg, […]
The post Vin Diesel Says Steven Spielberg Told Him to Direct Again or Else It Would Be a “Crime of Cinema” appeared first on /Film.
The post Vin Diesel Says Steven Spielberg Told Him to Direct Again or Else It Would Be a “Crime of Cinema” appeared first on /Film.
- 3/18/2020
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Vin Diesel is one of the most recognizable and bankable actors in the world thanks to his involvement with the “Fast and Furious” franchise, but directing movies could be in the actor’s future. Diesel already has filmmaking credits to his name as the director of the 1997 Sundance entry “Strays,” which he also wrote, produced, and starred in as a drug dealer looking to find a better life. Prior to his 1997 feature directorial debut, Diesel helmed and starred in the 1995 short film “Multi-Facial,” which caught the eye of Steven Spielberg and led the director to cast Diesel in a supporting role in the 1998 war epic “Saving Private Ryan.” Diesel tells The National that Spielberg recently encouraged him to pick up the camera again.
“Speaking of Steven Spielberg, I saw him recently, and he had said to me, ‘When I wrote the role for you in “Saving Private Ryan,” I was obviously employing the actor,...
“Speaking of Steven Spielberg, I saw him recently, and he had said to me, ‘When I wrote the role for you in “Saving Private Ryan,” I was obviously employing the actor,...
- 3/17/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
“Babyteeth” director Shannon Murphy has just been confirmed as the director of the television adaptation of the novel “The Strays” – a psycho-sexual drama, set against the hedonistic art world of 1930s Sydney, and 1970s London during the rise of the feminist movement. Murphy has also just finished shooting episodes 5 and 6 of season 3 of “Killing Eve.” “Babyteeth” is competing for the Etoile d’Or at Marrakech Film Festival, and Murphy spoke in a round-table interview about “The Strays,” “Killing Eve,” and the dominant influences that have shaped her approach to filmmaking, including her childhood in Hong Kong.
What attracted you to “The Strays”?
It’s still in a very early stage, and they’re still writing, so I’ll be involved in that. We also have to confirm whether I’ll be helming all episodes. I loved the idea of a story that is an Australian and a U.K. coproduction...
What attracted you to “The Strays”?
It’s still in a very early stage, and they’re still writing, so I’ll be involved in that. We also have to confirm whether I’ll be helming all episodes. I loved the idea of a story that is an Australian and a U.K. coproduction...
- 12/1/2019
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Beatrix Christian; Shannon Murphy (Photo: Rupert Reid).
Shannon Murphy is attached to direct and Beatrix Christian to write a series adaptation of the Emily Bitto novel The Strays for See Pictures and the UK-based Apogee Pictures.
Inspired by the Heide Circle, the novel, which won the 2015 Stella Prize, explores what happens when a violent act in the past of a subversive group of artists is linked to the death of a young woman in the present. One of those involved must decide whether to expose a now influential member of the establishment in order to prevent further tragedy.
The co-production will be produced by Sonia Borella for See Pictures and Jo Monk for Apogee Pictures. Both will attend Content London next week to meet with potential partners.
Christian will be the lead writer, with the series intended as a 6 x 1 hour. The attachment of Murphy as director comes after her...
Shannon Murphy is attached to direct and Beatrix Christian to write a series adaptation of the Emily Bitto novel The Strays for See Pictures and the UK-based Apogee Pictures.
Inspired by the Heide Circle, the novel, which won the 2015 Stella Prize, explores what happens when a violent act in the past of a subversive group of artists is linked to the death of a young woman in the present. One of those involved must decide whether to expose a now influential member of the establishment in order to prevent further tragedy.
The co-production will be produced by Sonia Borella for See Pictures and Jo Monk for Apogee Pictures. Both will attend Content London next week to meet with potential partners.
Christian will be the lead writer, with the series intended as a 6 x 1 hour. The attachment of Murphy as director comes after her...
- 11/27/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
We’ve got another exciting batch of home entertainment releases coming our way, and if you’re something of a Fulci-phile, it’s going to be an exceptionally good week for you, as Scorpion Releasing is giving both Murder-Rock and The Psychic the Special Edition treatment this Tuesday. Arrow Video has dug up the cult classic The Chill Factor for their Special Edition release, and Scream Factory is showing Strays some love this Tuesday as well.
Duncan Jones’ Moon is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a brand new 4K release that you can pick up this week, and for those of you DC fans out there, Shazam! hits multiple formats as well.
Other Blu-ray and DVD releases for July 16th include Head Count, Space: 1999 – The Complete Series, Last Rites of the Dead, Blood Paradise, Frankenthug, Satanis: The Devil’s Mass, and Bong of the Living Dead.
The Chill Factor:...
Duncan Jones’ Moon is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a brand new 4K release that you can pick up this week, and for those of you DC fans out there, Shazam! hits multiple formats as well.
Other Blu-ray and DVD releases for July 16th include Head Count, Space: 1999 – The Complete Series, Last Rites of the Dead, Blood Paradise, Frankenthug, Satanis: The Devil’s Mass, and Bong of the Living Dead.
The Chill Factor:...
- 7/16/2019
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Rebecca Clough Oct 24, 2018
Here's our pick of the most terrifying sea monsters, snakes and, er, sheep...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Animals have been our companions for millennia, but what happens when nature… goes bad? Some of cinema’s scariest moments come from creatures who have become freakishly intelligent, aggressive, or large, normally as a result of human experimentation. Other times, it’s simply that our reckless disregard for the natural order means a clash between man and beast; a fair fight only if we have guns, fireballs, and industrial-strength pesticides.
While the likes of Jaws and Arachnophobia create hauntingly iconic scenes that spring to mind at inopportune moments in your life, glorious counterparts to these classics are to be found in the cinematic bargain bin. Sometimes a straight-up thriller becomes a B-movie simply with the passage of time, as the animatronic monster becomes less terrifying and more ludicrous.
Here's our pick of the most terrifying sea monsters, snakes and, er, sheep...
This article comes from Den of Geek UK.
Animals have been our companions for millennia, but what happens when nature… goes bad? Some of cinema’s scariest moments come from creatures who have become freakishly intelligent, aggressive, or large, normally as a result of human experimentation. Other times, it’s simply that our reckless disregard for the natural order means a clash between man and beast; a fair fight only if we have guns, fireballs, and industrial-strength pesticides.
While the likes of Jaws and Arachnophobia create hauntingly iconic scenes that spring to mind at inopportune moments in your life, glorious counterparts to these classics are to be found in the cinematic bargain bin. Sometimes a straight-up thriller becomes a B-movie simply with the passage of time, as the animatronic monster becomes less terrifying and more ludicrous.
- 10/24/2018
- Den of Geek
He just announced to the world the new release date for Fast & Furious 7 in the wake of the passing of his close friend and co-star, Paul Walker. Here are five things you may not know about Vin Diesel.
1. Born Mark Sinclair Vincent on July 18, 1967 -- he was raised along with his twin brother Paul by his astrologer/psychologist mother and adoptive father in an artist's housing development in New York's Greenwich Village.
Pics: Stars Get in the Holiday Spirit
2. While first pursuing acting he worked in telemarketing, a skill that later helped him raise nearly $50,000 to fund his first feature, Strays (1997).
3. Told Late Night host Conan O'Brien that he changed his name to Vin Diesel while working as a bouncer at the New York City nightclub Tunnel.
Video: Vin Diesel Comforts Paul Walker Fans At Crash Site
4. Was offered the role of Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the 2003 action movie Daredevil that ended up going to Ben Affleck.
5. Is...
1. Born Mark Sinclair Vincent on July 18, 1967 -- he was raised along with his twin brother Paul by his astrologer/psychologist mother and adoptive father in an artist's housing development in New York's Greenwich Village.
Pics: Stars Get in the Holiday Spirit
2. While first pursuing acting he worked in telemarketing, a skill that later helped him raise nearly $50,000 to fund his first feature, Strays (1997).
3. Told Late Night host Conan O'Brien that he changed his name to Vin Diesel while working as a bouncer at the New York City nightclub Tunnel.
Video: Vin Diesel Comforts Paul Walker Fans At Crash Site
4. Was offered the role of Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the 2003 action movie Daredevil that ended up going to Ben Affleck.
5. Is...
- 12/23/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
Joey Dedio is a veteran of film, stage and television. As a youngster, Dedio appeared in After School Specials and on the NBC soap opera Another World; portrayed the title role in the NBC Series “The Karate Kid”; and served as the voice of “Wheeler” on the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” As an adult, Dedio has worked as a regular in the serial “Sunset Beach”; guest-starred on such dramas as “Law and Order” and “Chicago Hope”; originated the role of Angel in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play “Skin”; and appeared in more than 15 films, including the Sundance competition drama Strays. Taking on additional roles, the multitalented Dedio wrote, produced, and starred in Downtown: A Street Tale and produced the award-winning documentary “The Providence Effect.” Dedio plays the title role in Tio Papi, which he co-wrote and produced.
Joey will be in St. Louis to screen Tio Papi as part of The St.
Joey will be in St. Louis to screen Tio Papi as part of The St.
- 11/18/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It's back to basics for Vin Diesel and his favorite Furyan warrior, Riddick. After surviving a horde of predatory creatures in "Pitch Black" and the religious zealot Necromongers in "The Chronicles of Riddick," the interplanetary killer has once again been dumped on a barren planet in the latest instalment, "Riddick." And he's not alone. The wastelands are crawling with a nasty alien race referred to as "mud demons," which are more lethal than anything Riddick has ever encountered. Throw in a dozen or so mercenaries looking to claim the bounty on his head and it's action-packed pandemonium.
It's all happening on a massive Montreal set in March, 2012. On the day Moviefone is on-set, the intimidating Riddick is slowly emerging from a rusty outpost in which he and the mercenaries have holed up. Earlier gunfire suggests they're under attack. Torrential downpours and the nighttime darkness have fully impaired normal vision. No matter for Riddick,...
It's all happening on a massive Montreal set in March, 2012. On the day Moviefone is on-set, the intimidating Riddick is slowly emerging from a rusty outpost in which he and the mercenaries have holed up. Earlier gunfire suggests they're under attack. Torrential downpours and the nighttime darkness have fully impaired normal vision. No matter for Riddick,...
- 9/6/2013
- by Bryan Cairns
- Moviefone
You know Vin Diesel as the pumped-up, deep-voiced action star who headlines high-octane movies like "Fast & Furious 6" and "XXX," but there's much more to the actor than meets the eye.
We bet you'd be surprised to know the "Riddick" star got his start in theater or that he once appeared in a very funny instructional video for a very '80s dance phenomenon.
Intrigued? Read on to find out 15 tidbits you probably didn't know about Diesel.
1. His mother was an astrologist/psychologist.
2. His real name is Mark Sinclair Vincent; he changed it after he started bouncing at New York City clubs at age 17.
3. As a teen he appeared in an instructional breakdancing video called "Breakin' in the USA." Seriously. Here it is:
4. He studied English at Hunter College in New York City, but dropped out after three years to move to L.A. and pursue acting.
5. He has a...
We bet you'd be surprised to know the "Riddick" star got his start in theater or that he once appeared in a very funny instructional video for a very '80s dance phenomenon.
Intrigued? Read on to find out 15 tidbits you probably didn't know about Diesel.
1. His mother was an astrologist/psychologist.
2. His real name is Mark Sinclair Vincent; he changed it after he started bouncing at New York City clubs at age 17.
3. As a teen he appeared in an instructional breakdancing video called "Breakin' in the USA." Seriously. Here it is:
4. He studied English at Hunter College in New York City, but dropped out after three years to move to L.A. and pursue acting.
5. He has a...
- 9/6/2013
- by Dana Taddeo
- Moviefone
In the 90s, Vin Diesel pulled himself up from bootstraps in order to finance bootstraps to pull himself up from. First it was his short film Multi-Facial, and then it was Strays, the hard knock movie that he wrote, directed, produced and starred in. It was a potent move that got the attention of Steven Spielberg who cast the young actor in Saving Private Ryan. That’s where the story starts. Obviously Diesel is no stranger to Gsd (Getting Shit Done), so it’s not totally surprising that he risked his own wealth to make sure Riddick happened, and to make sure that it was rated R (as the character deserves). “I had to leverage my house. If we didn’t finish the film, I would be homeless.” Getting a reverse mortgage or a home-equity line of credit is another bold where-your-mouth-is tactic that brings the self-financing full circle. It’s commendable. No...
- 9/2/2013
- by Scott Beggs
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Universal City, Calif. -- Thump. Thump.
That's the sound the golf cart makes each time it strikes the uneven pavement as it transports Vin Diesel across the Universal Studios backlot. He's traveling from his bungalow office to a screening room where "Riddick" crew members have gathered to watch the third installment of the sci-fi series starring the 46-year-old actor-producer as an extraterrestrial ex-con.
"It's such a victory that this movie is going to be in theaters," he says in his signature growly tone.
Indeed, when it comes to "Riddick," Diesel is all too familiar with hitting bumps in the road. It took the "Fast & Furious" star nearly a decade (and millions of dollars in fundraising) to bring his see-in-the-dark anti-hero back to the big screen. Universal had jettisoned a possible third edition after 2004's "Chronicles of Riddick" didn't soar at the box office.
Despite the fact "Chronicles of Riddick" and its 2000 predecessor "Pitch Black,...
That's the sound the golf cart makes each time it strikes the uneven pavement as it transports Vin Diesel across the Universal Studios backlot. He's traveling from his bungalow office to a screening room where "Riddick" crew members have gathered to watch the third installment of the sci-fi series starring the 46-year-old actor-producer as an extraterrestrial ex-con.
"It's such a victory that this movie is going to be in theaters," he says in his signature growly tone.
Indeed, when it comes to "Riddick," Diesel is all too familiar with hitting bumps in the road. It took the "Fast & Furious" star nearly a decade (and millions of dollars in fundraising) to bring his see-in-the-dark anti-hero back to the big screen. Universal had jettisoned a possible third edition after 2004's "Chronicles of Riddick" didn't soar at the box office.
Despite the fact "Chronicles of Riddick" and its 2000 predecessor "Pitch Black,...
- 8/28/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Interview Conducted by Tom Stockman July 24th, 2013
Joey Dedio is a veteran of film, stage and television. As a youngster, Dedio appeared in After School Specials and on the NBC soap opera Another World; portrayed the title role in the NBC Series “The Karate Kid”; and served as the voice of “Wheeler” on the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” As an adult, Dedio has worked as a regular in the serial “Sunset Beach”; guest-starred on such dramas as “Law and Order” and “Chicago Hope”; originated the role of Angel in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play “Skin”; and appeared in more than 15 films, including the Sundance competition drama Strays. Taking on additional roles, the multitalented Dedio wrote, produced, and starred in Downtown: A Street Tale and produced the award-winning documentary “The Providence Effect.” Dedio plays the title role in Tio Papi, which he co-wrote and produced.
Joey will be in St.
Joey Dedio is a veteran of film, stage and television. As a youngster, Dedio appeared in After School Specials and on the NBC soap opera Another World; portrayed the title role in the NBC Series “The Karate Kid”; and served as the voice of “Wheeler” on the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” As an adult, Dedio has worked as a regular in the serial “Sunset Beach”; guest-starred on such dramas as “Law and Order” and “Chicago Hope”; originated the role of Angel in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play “Skin”; and appeared in more than 15 films, including the Sundance competition drama Strays. Taking on additional roles, the multitalented Dedio wrote, produced, and starred in Downtown: A Street Tale and produced the award-winning documentary “The Providence Effect.” Dedio plays the title role in Tio Papi, which he co-wrote and produced.
Joey will be in St.
- 7/25/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Cinema St. Louis introduces Sliff/Kids, the First Annual St. Louis International Children’s Film Festival, presented by Pnc Arts Alive. With a half-dozen presenting partners, Csl will offer film programs, camps, and a workshop as part of Sliff/Kids, which is held from July 26-Aug. 4, 2013. A total of 14 film programs will be screened on the fest’s two weekends (July 26-28 and Aug. 2-4) at Webster University, the St. Louis Public Library, the Missouri History Museum, Washington University, Lindenwood University, and the Wildey Theatre. With the participation of both Lindenwood and Webster universities, filmmaking camps on live action and animation will be held at the St. Louis Public Library’s Creative Experience on the fest’s weekdays (July 29-Aug. 2). And on Aug. 3, a full-day animation workshop will be held at the Saint Louis Art Museum. The Sliff/Kids film programs and camps will be offered free of charge; a...
- 7/23/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Vin Diesel: an action star and a gentleman. After showing off his vocal range with a cover of Rihanna's "Stay" on Friday, The Fast and the Furious star is revealing the inspiration behind his touching performance (and his re-cut clip, below). After seeing Rihanna perform the song at the Grammy Awards, Diesel, 45, decided to record himself singing the tune and dedicate it to his longtime girlfriend, Paloma Jimenez, in lieu of a traditional Valentine's Day card. With the help of his daughter, Diesel obtained a mic and an amp while Jimenez was on a flight and "the rest is history,...
- 2/19/2013
- by Maggie Coughlan
- PEOPLE.com
A collection of film, TV and entertainment related links from across the web.
Got a link? Send it our way!
Dwayne Johnson will star in Brett Ratner’s Hercules, holy hell. [variety] Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston, Esq.) says the script for Bill & Ted 3 is finished. [twitter] The producer of Paranormal Activity back to work on Ouija movie. [deadline] TCM presents a theatrical re-release of Casablanca on March 21 for the 70th Anniversary. [theaters and showtimes] [TCM press release] Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master could be released in October, producers, Megan Ellison says. [twitter] Fox canceled series Terra Nova, and now it’s being shopped to other networks. [ign]
Vin Diesel hasn’t directed since Strays, but has gone back behind the camera for the beginning of the web series The Ropes, take a look:...
Got a link? Send it our way!
Dwayne Johnson will star in Brett Ratner’s Hercules, holy hell. [variety] Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston, Esq.) says the script for Bill & Ted 3 is finished. [twitter] The producer of Paranormal Activity back to work on Ouija movie. [deadline] TCM presents a theatrical re-release of Casablanca on March 21 for the 70th Anniversary. [theaters and showtimes] [TCM press release] Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master could be released in October, producers, Megan Ellison says. [twitter] Fox canceled series Terra Nova, and now it’s being shopped to other networks. [ign]
Vin Diesel hasn’t directed since Strays, but has gone back behind the camera for the beginning of the web series The Ropes, take a look:...
- 3/6/2012
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
A couple of weeks ago, we brought you a new photo of Vin Diesel as Richard B. Riddick in some Necro-style armor and goggles on the set of director David Twohy‘s forthcoming installment in the Riddick franchise.
Now, not only do we have a new image of Riddick during production, we also have a full press release announcing the start of production that includes a full synopsis for the film and details on the now fleshed out cast. Check it all out below!
Press Release:
Universal Pictures And One Race Films Begin Principal Photography On The Sci-fi Thriller Riddick, Starring Vin Diesel Long-Awaited Third Chapter in the Saga Starts Production in Montreal
Montreal, Feb. 3, 2012 – Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller Riddick. The shoot will take place in Montreal.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga...
Now, not only do we have a new image of Riddick during production, we also have a full press release announcing the start of production that includes a full synopsis for the film and details on the now fleshed out cast. Check it all out below!
Press Release:
Universal Pictures And One Race Films Begin Principal Photography On The Sci-fi Thriller Riddick, Starring Vin Diesel Long-Awaited Third Chapter in the Saga Starts Production in Montreal
Montreal, Feb. 3, 2012 – Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller Riddick. The shoot will take place in Montreal.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga...
- 2/6/2012
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller Riddick. The shoot will take place in Montreal.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000′s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004′s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway, The Fugitive) and star Vin Diesel (the Fast and Furious franchise, xXx). Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000′s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004′s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway, The Fugitive) and star Vin Diesel (the Fast and Furious franchise, xXx). Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
- 2/3/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Universal Pictures has officially announced that principal photography has begun on Riddick. Included in the press release is an updated plot synopsis and confirmation of the main cast:
Montreal, Feb. 3, 2012: Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller Riddick. The shoot will take place in Montreal.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000′s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004′s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway, The Fugitive) and star Vin Diesel (the Fast and Furious franchise, xXx). Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators...
Montreal, Feb. 3, 2012: Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller Riddick. The shoot will take place in Montreal.
The latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000′s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004′s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway, The Fugitive) and star Vin Diesel (the Fast and Furious franchise, xXx). Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators...
- 2/3/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Are these the backstories of future indie moguls? In the '90s, Gordon Bijelonic was a New York theater actor and Vin Diesel was staying on his couch. Diesel asked Bijelonic to produce his first film, "Strays," which debuted at Sundance 1997. Meanwhile, Datari Turner got his break as a model for Bruce Weber's infamous Abercrombie & Fitch catalogs. After becoming the face of Sean John, Turner left modeling to pursue a career in creating reality television shows. Bijelonic and Turner met in 1999 but it wasn't until recently that they worked together on a film, "Video Girl," which Turner wrote, produced and stars in opposite Meagan Good. It wasn't the kind of film that goes on the festival circuit; it received a very limited release this year. And from this hodgepodge of humble beginnings, the duo has gone on to produce seven films in the last 18 months with a film in...
- 12/16/2011
- Indiewire
Los Angeles, CA – May 19, 2011 . MGM announced today that Vin Diesel will star in and also produce through his One Race Films, the action-comedy The Machine, based on an original script by Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Night At The Museum, Night At The Museum: Battle For The Smithsonian, The Pacifier), who are also producing. Production is scheduled to start in the fall.
Vin Diesel stars as a human-like machine created in secrecy by the Pentagon as the world’s first true ultimate weapon. Twenty years after the project was buried and decommissioned for reasons unknown, The Machine is discovered by a kid who befriends him. When the government learns it has been reactivated, the Machine must protect the family harboring him.
MGM’s Jonathan Glickman, President of the Motion Picture Group, says “We could not be happier to be partnering with Vin again, especially on a film with...
Vin Diesel stars as a human-like machine created in secrecy by the Pentagon as the world’s first true ultimate weapon. Twenty years after the project was buried and decommissioned for reasons unknown, The Machine is discovered by a kid who befriends him. When the government learns it has been reactivated, the Machine must protect the family harboring him.
MGM’s Jonathan Glickman, President of the Motion Picture Group, says “We could not be happier to be partnering with Vin again, especially on a film with...
- 5/20/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Subject: Vin Diesel, 43-year old American actor, director, and producer
Date of Assessment: April 27, 2011
Positive Buzzwords: Franchise, franchise, franchise
Negative Buzzwords: Lack of range, directing, writing
The Case: It's hard to hate on someone who's made quite a lot of use out of very limited talent, and damn if Vin Diesel hasn't done just that in a very roundabout way. Back in 1994, Mark Vincent began his career as a writer and director of a short film called Multi-Facial (sadly, not a porn flick), in which he also starred. The short, which was a semi-autobiographical take on the life of a multi-racial actor, screened for the Cannes Film Festival but failed to make an impact with critics, distributors, or anywhere of even trivial importance. A few years later, Vincent made another lackluster attempt at cinematic triple duty with the feature-length Strays. At that point, someone in his life wisely encouraged him to just stick with acting,...
Date of Assessment: April 27, 2011
Positive Buzzwords: Franchise, franchise, franchise
Negative Buzzwords: Lack of range, directing, writing
The Case: It's hard to hate on someone who's made quite a lot of use out of very limited talent, and damn if Vin Diesel hasn't done just that in a very roundabout way. Back in 1994, Mark Vincent began his career as a writer and director of a short film called Multi-Facial (sadly, not a porn flick), in which he also starred. The short, which was a semi-autobiographical take on the life of a multi-racial actor, screened for the Cannes Film Festival but failed to make an impact with critics, distributors, or anywhere of even trivial importance. A few years later, Vincent made another lackluster attempt at cinematic triple duty with the feature-length Strays. At that point, someone in his life wisely encouraged him to just stick with acting,...
- 4/27/2011
- by Agent Bedhead
It’s relatively little known, but before starring in low testosterone saturated action films, Vin Diesel was a writer/director whose first film short called Multi-Facial- an existential portrait of a young multi-racial actor- debuted at Cannes in 1994. Despite receiving little notice in France, a little under three years later, Mark Sinclair Vincent wrote starred and directed in his first feature, Strays, which wasn’t tonally or thematically dissimilar from his short and met with little more success.
Since then, of couse, the renamed “Vin Diesel’s” story is well known. And after a decade of moderately lucrative action and fantasy films somewhere from fair to awful, the muscle bound star is once again to turn creator with the web series The Ropes, according to Variety.
Drawing on his own experiences in nightclub security, the eighteen part series will be a co-production between Diesel’s own “One Race Films” and Fox Digital.
Since then, of couse, the renamed “Vin Diesel’s” story is well known. And after a decade of moderately lucrative action and fantasy films somewhere from fair to awful, the muscle bound star is once again to turn creator with the web series The Ropes, according to Variety.
Drawing on his own experiences in nightclub security, the eighteen part series will be a co-production between Diesel’s own “One Race Films” and Fox Digital.
- 2/23/2011
- by Ben Szwediuk
- Obsessed with Film
Filed under: Action, Universal, Movie Marketing, Remakes and Sequels
Were you out there feeling like there were still just too many unanswered questions in The Fast and the Furious franchise? Okay, probably not, because that's like asking for CliffsNotes for an episode of The Hills. But, I guess somebody out there felt there was some explaining to do, because Coming Soon reports that Vin Diesel (who plays muscle car driver extraordinaire, Dominic Torretto) will be directing a 20-minute prequel to the upcoming Fast and Furious.
There aren't many details on the short, but starring alongside Diesel will be Michelle Rodriguez, who will reprise her role as Letty, and Sung Kang will also be returning as Han. Diesel did not provide any details about the story for the short, but for those of you who are well versed in the world of Fast and Furious, you can probably guess that it...
Were you out there feeling like there were still just too many unanswered questions in The Fast and the Furious franchise? Okay, probably not, because that's like asking for CliffsNotes for an episode of The Hills. But, I guess somebody out there felt there was some explaining to do, because Coming Soon reports that Vin Diesel (who plays muscle car driver extraordinaire, Dominic Torretto) will be directing a 20-minute prequel to the upcoming Fast and Furious.
There aren't many details on the short, but starring alongside Diesel will be Michelle Rodriguez, who will reprise her role as Letty, and Sung Kang will also be returning as Han. Diesel did not provide any details about the story for the short, but for those of you who are well versed in the world of Fast and Furious, you can probably guess that it...
- 8/20/2008
- by Jessica Barnes
- Cinematical
The folks over at ComingSoon.net learned Tuesday that Vin Diesel is directing a 20-minute prequel to his upcoming action flick "Fast and Furious." Trust me, I was surprised too when I first read it.
Although not much is known about the short, Diesel he would star alongside Michelle Rodriguez and Sung Kang. Rodriguez starred in the first film of the series and will reprise her role in the fourth installment, which opens June 5, 2009. Kang starred in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokio Drift."
Diesel didn't comment on how and when the prequel would premiere once it's ready.
In the upcoming big-screen sequel, Diesel and Paul Walker team up to take down a common enemy. Justin Lin si directing. Diesel will next star in Mathieu Kassovitz's action flick "Babylon A.D."
Did you know? This is not the first time Diesel moves behind the camera, and it also won't be the last.
Although not much is known about the short, Diesel he would star alongside Michelle Rodriguez and Sung Kang. Rodriguez starred in the first film of the series and will reprise her role in the fourth installment, which opens June 5, 2009. Kang starred in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokio Drift."
Diesel didn't comment on how and when the prequel would premiere once it's ready.
In the upcoming big-screen sequel, Diesel and Paul Walker team up to take down a common enemy. Justin Lin si directing. Diesel will next star in Mathieu Kassovitz's action flick "Babylon A.D."
Did you know? This is not the first time Diesel moves behind the camera, and it also won't be the last.
- 8/19/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
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