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
David Wnendt, the German director behind controversial coming-of-age movie “Wetlands,” Hitler satire “Look Who’s Back” and teen crime drama “Sun and Concrete,” is once again pushing boundaries with his next feature film project.
Backed by distributor-producer Constantin Film and with Seven Elephants lead producing, Wnendt has embarked on the feature film adaptation of the award-winning novel “Athos 2643” by Nils Westerboer.
Wnendt, who will both write the screenplay and direct the theatrical film, promises an “emotional and spectacular experience that will take the audience into the vastness of outer space,” according to a press statement.
“Athos 2643” has been described as “‘The Name of the Rose’ in Space.” In the distant future, a mysterious crime unfolds on the lonely Neptune moon of Athos. An artificial intelligence responsible for life support is suspected of murder. An inquisitor specializing in artificial intelligence is sent to solve the case.
In addition to sci-fi elements, the...
Backed by distributor-producer Constantin Film and with Seven Elephants lead producing, Wnendt has embarked on the feature film adaptation of the award-winning novel “Athos 2643” by Nils Westerboer.
Wnendt, who will both write the screenplay and direct the theatrical film, promises an “emotional and spectacular experience that will take the audience into the vastness of outer space,” according to a press statement.
“Athos 2643” has been described as “‘The Name of the Rose’ in Space.” In the distant future, a mysterious crime unfolds on the lonely Neptune moon of Athos. An artificial intelligence responsible for life support is suspected of murder. An inquisitor specializing in artificial intelligence is sent to solve the case.
In addition to sci-fi elements, the...
- 5/2/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
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 + TV
Pop history is littered with prolific partnerships, but the artist-producer pairing is arguably one of the most indispensable. Not only can an intrepid knob-twirler coax the best out of an artist, the most fruitful of these collaborations are often reciprocal. Think George Martin and the Beatles; Timbaland and Missy Elliott; or Jam & Lewis and Janet Jackson. Taylor Swift and former Fun guitarist-drummer Jack Antonoff have both achieved commercial and critical success outside of their work together, but their alliance over the last several years has, more often than not, resulted in pop magic.
The duo first worked together over a decade ago, on the unassuming “Sweeter Than Fiction,” a song from the British-American film One Chance. The following year, Antonoff co-wrote and co-produced three tracks for Swift’s blockbuster album 1989, the success of which propelled him to the top of every A&r exec’s wish list, helming tracks for Pink,...
The duo first worked together over a decade ago, on the unassuming “Sweeter Than Fiction,” a song from the British-American film One Chance. The following year, Antonoff co-wrote and co-produced three tracks for Swift’s blockbuster album 1989, the success of which propelled him to the top of every A&r exec’s wish list, helming tracks for Pink,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
There’s a nice trio of specialty films to highlight this weekend from Joanna Arnow, Uberto Pasolini and Caitlin Cronenberg’s feature directorial debut.
Joanna Arnow’s micro-budget comedy The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed world premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. It follows a thirtysomething New York woman as time passes in her long-term casual Bdsm relationship, low-level corporate job, and quarrelsome Jewish family. Arnow writes, directs and stars. And that’s Bdsm, as in bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.
The helmer is thrilled to see her feature (after 2017’s i hate myself :), and a handful of well-received shorts) launch a theatrical run, with Magnolia distributing. “That’s how I dream of my movies being seen,” Arnow tells Deadline. “It’s also so important to see comedies (on the big screen) Shared laughter with strangers is quite beautiful and healing in a way.
Joanna Arnow’s micro-budget comedy The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed world premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. It follows a thirtysomething New York woman as time passes in her long-term casual Bdsm relationship, low-level corporate job, and quarrelsome Jewish family. Arnow writes, directs and stars. And that’s Bdsm, as in bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.
The helmer is thrilled to see her feature (after 2017’s i hate myself :), and a handful of well-received shorts) launch a theatrical run, with Magnolia distributing. “That’s how I dream of my movies being seen,” Arnow tells Deadline. “It’s also so important to see comedies (on the big screen) Shared laughter with strangers is quite beautiful and healing in a way.
- 4/26/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Meg Stalter is taking the lead in her latest feature “Cora Bora.”
The comedy, which premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival, stars the “Hacks” breakout actress as the titular musician who goes home to win back her girlfriend only to realize it’s much more than her love life that needs salvaging.
Hannah Pearl Utt directs the comedy from a script by Rhianon Jones. The cast includes Jojo T. Gibbs, Manny Jacinto, Ayden Mayeri, Thomas Mann, Chrissie Fit, Andre Hyland, Margaret Cho, Chelsea Peretti, and Darrell Hammond. The film features original music and a score composed by indie artist Miya Folick.
“I’m thrilled for audiences to get to see Meg in a leading role and to fall for her character the way I have,” director Utt said in a press statement.
The IndieWire review called Stalter a “whirlwind and a universe unto herself” who boasts “her unique brand of uncomfortably confident loser” onscreen.
The comedy, which premiered at the 2023 SXSW Festival, stars the “Hacks” breakout actress as the titular musician who goes home to win back her girlfriend only to realize it’s much more than her love life that needs salvaging.
Hannah Pearl Utt directs the comedy from a script by Rhianon Jones. The cast includes Jojo T. Gibbs, Manny Jacinto, Ayden Mayeri, Thomas Mann, Chrissie Fit, Andre Hyland, Margaret Cho, Chelsea Peretti, and Darrell Hammond. The film features original music and a score composed by indie artist Miya Folick.
“I’m thrilled for audiences to get to see Meg in a leading role and to fall for her character the way I have,” director Utt said in a press statement.
The IndieWire review called Stalter a “whirlwind and a universe unto herself” who boasts “her unique brand of uncomfortably confident loser” onscreen.
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
It took Richard Shepard years to get out of “movie jail” after he made “The Linguini Incident,” the nearly-forgotten 1991 crime comedy starring David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette. But now the film is getting a second chance, with a series of screenings and an upcoming Blu-ray release.
Just about everything went wrong with the production that could go wrong, Shepard recalls. “I made this movie when I was 25 — and I was no genius at 25,” admits the director, who went on to helm features including “The Perfection” as well as TV series like Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy “Girls.”
Unlike Dunham, who was “in complete control of her artistic self” at that age, “I was not,” says Shepard.
But when his original co-producer, Sarah Jackson, suggested he try to rerelease a director’s cut of the scrappy indie caper about two restaurant employees who decide to rob their bosses, Shepard jumped at...
Just about everything went wrong with the production that could go wrong, Shepard recalls. “I made this movie when I was 25 — and I was no genius at 25,” admits the director, who went on to helm features including “The Perfection” as well as TV series like Lena Dunham’s HBO comedy “Girls.”
Unlike Dunham, who was “in complete control of her artistic self” at that age, “I was not,” says Shepard.
But when his original co-producer, Sarah Jackson, suggested he try to rerelease a director’s cut of the scrappy indie caper about two restaurant employees who decide to rob their bosses, Shepard jumped at...
- 4/23/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Legendary Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright David Mamet said that his children aren’t nepo babies and that they have achieved their success due to their talent. His daughter Zosia Mamet is best known for starring on “Girls” alongside news anchor Brian Williams’ daughter Allison Williams, Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke’s daughter Jemima Kirke and creator Lena Dunham, daughter of a pair of New York City artists.
Promoting his memoir “Everywhere an Oink Oink” over the weekend at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, David conceded that his daughters — including Zosia’s sister Clara Mamet — learned from spending time on set with their father, according to the L.A. Times. He noted that he felt gratified by that.
Speaking particularly of the successful Zosia, Mamet argued that his daughters haven’t benefited from any form of privilege. “They earned it by merit,” he said.
“Nobody ever gave my kids...
Promoting his memoir “Everywhere an Oink Oink” over the weekend at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, David conceded that his daughters — including Zosia’s sister Clara Mamet — learned from spending time on set with their father, according to the L.A. Times. He noted that he felt gratified by that.
Speaking particularly of the successful Zosia, Mamet argued that his daughters haven’t benefited from any form of privilege. “They earned it by merit,” he said.
“Nobody ever gave my kids...
- 4/22/2024
- by Mike Roe
- The Wrap
Taking place June 5-16, the 2024 Tribeca Festival has unveiled its features lineup, featuring a selection of narrative, documentary, and animated films. World premiere highlights include Joel Potrykus’ Vulcanizadora, Michael Angarano’s Sacramento starring Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart, Jazzy, the latest collaboration between The Unknown Country director Morrisa Maltz and star Lily Gladstone.
Films that have premiered at prior festivals that are set for Tribeca include Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples, Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, Daddio starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, Kneecap, the Sundance winner In the Summers, Treasure starring Lena Dunham, Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz’s The Devil’s Bath, Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger, Skywalkers: A Love Story, and more.
Explore the lineup below.
2024 Tribeca Festival Feature Film Selection
Opening Night Gala
Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, (United States) – World Premiere. Child of a Holocaust survivor, Princess by marriage, and founder of a fashion empire,...
Films that have premiered at prior festivals that are set for Tribeca include Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples, Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, Daddio starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn, Kneecap, the Sundance winner In the Summers, Treasure starring Lena Dunham, Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz’s The Devil’s Bath, Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger, Skywalkers: A Love Story, and more.
Explore the lineup below.
2024 Tribeca Festival Feature Film Selection
Opening Night Gala
Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, (United States) – World Premiere. Child of a Holocaust survivor, Princess by marriage, and founder of a fashion empire,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Pierce Brosnan will star with Amir El-Masry in the sports drama “Giant,” based on the true-life story of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed and his rags to riches ascent to a world championship under the tutelage of his Irish-born boxing trainer Brendan Ingle.
El-Masry will play Naz and Brosnan is set to portray Ingle. The film will be written and directed by Rowan Athale, and produced by Mark Lane of Tea Shop Productions and Kevin Sampson of White Star Productions. AGC chairman and CEO Stuart Ford will also produce.
AGC Studios and BondIt Media Capital are financing the film.
On board to executive produce are Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood of Balboa Productions, AGC Studios’ Miguel Palos, Zach Garrett and Anant Tamirisa, BondIt’s Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor and Tyler Gould, Michael Ewing and True Brit’s Zygi Kamasa.
Kamasa’s True Brit Entertainment has taken U.K. distribution...
El-Masry will play Naz and Brosnan is set to portray Ingle. The film will be written and directed by Rowan Athale, and produced by Mark Lane of Tea Shop Productions and Kevin Sampson of White Star Productions. AGC chairman and CEO Stuart Ford will also produce.
AGC Studios and BondIt Media Capital are financing the film.
On board to executive produce are Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood of Balboa Productions, AGC Studios’ Miguel Palos, Zach Garrett and Anant Tamirisa, BondIt’s Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor and Tyler Gould, Michael Ewing and True Brit’s Zygi Kamasa.
Kamasa’s True Brit Entertainment has taken U.K. distribution...
- 4/15/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Bleecker Street has unveiled a reel showcasing both where the company has been and where it’s headed, unveiling never-before-seen footage from numerous upcoming titles.
Titles nearest on the horizon that are teased include Nathan and David Zellner’s acclaimed Sundance pic Sasquatch Sunset, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough, which opens in select theaters April 12, and Tony Goldwyn’s family dramedy Ezra, out May 31. Others include Julia von Heinz’s Treasure (June 14), starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry; Jocelyn Moorhouse’s comedy The Fabulous Four (July 26), starring Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph; Mikael Håfström’s sci-fi pic Slingshot (August 23), starring Casey Affleck, Laurence Fishbourne and Emily Beecham; and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths (October 18), starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
Then, there’s Uberto Pasolini’s The Return, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Charlie Plummer, and the film Rumours with Cate Blanchett,...
Titles nearest on the horizon that are teased include Nathan and David Zellner’s acclaimed Sundance pic Sasquatch Sunset, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough, which opens in select theaters April 12, and Tony Goldwyn’s family dramedy Ezra, out May 31. Others include Julia von Heinz’s Treasure (June 14), starring Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry; Jocelyn Moorhouse’s comedy The Fabulous Four (July 26), starring Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph; Mikael Håfström’s sci-fi pic Slingshot (August 23), starring Casey Affleck, Laurence Fishbourne and Emily Beecham; and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths (October 18), starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
Then, there’s Uberto Pasolini’s The Return, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Charlie Plummer, and the film Rumours with Cate Blanchett,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Maude Apatow and Olivia Rosenbloom have partnered to launch Jewelbox Pictures, a film and television production company with an eye towards bold and complex human stories, which already has three films in development.
As the duo tells Deadline, they came to launch a shingle together as best friends who have been working together since high school. “We have both always been drawn to flawed and complicated characters and using comedy as a tool to tell their stories,” Apatow and Rosenbloom stated. “We are so excited to launch Jewelbox and hope it can be a home for artists with distinct voices and perspectives to develop compelling original ideas.”
First up for development on Jewelbox’s slate is Poetic License, which will mark Apatow’s feature directorial debut. Written by Raffi Donatich, the film watches as two inseparable best friends, Sam and Ari, start to unravel as they compete for the affection of Liz,...
As the duo tells Deadline, they came to launch a shingle together as best friends who have been working together since high school. “We have both always been drawn to flawed and complicated characters and using comedy as a tool to tell their stories,” Apatow and Rosenbloom stated. “We are so excited to launch Jewelbox and hope it can be a home for artists with distinct voices and perspectives to develop compelling original ideas.”
First up for development on Jewelbox’s slate is Poetic License, which will mark Apatow’s feature directorial debut. Written by Raffi Donatich, the film watches as two inseparable best friends, Sam and Ari, start to unravel as they compete for the affection of Liz,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran Hollywood actor Michael Douglas was shocked after discovering he is related to star Scarlett Johansson.
The 79-year-old star appeared on a series ‘Finding Your Roots’ to delve into his ancestry, and he was stunned to find out that Johansson, who he appeared alongside in 2019’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’, is a “DNA cousin” of his.
When told the news on the show, Douglas said: “Are you kidding? Oh, that’s amazing. All right. This is cool. This is so cool.”
‘Finding Your Roots’ presenter Henry Louis Gates Jr shared the news to Douglas. He told him that he and the 39-year-old actress “share identical branches of DNA on four different chromosomes”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
The presenter added that the branches of DNA “appear on Scarlett’s maternal lines, which stretch back to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe”.
Douglas said it was “incredible” to find out he and the actress were related,...
The 79-year-old star appeared on a series ‘Finding Your Roots’ to delve into his ancestry, and he was stunned to find out that Johansson, who he appeared alongside in 2019’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’, is a “DNA cousin” of his.
When told the news on the show, Douglas said: “Are you kidding? Oh, that’s amazing. All right. This is cool. This is so cool.”
‘Finding Your Roots’ presenter Henry Louis Gates Jr shared the news to Douglas. He told him that he and the 39-year-old actress “share identical branches of DNA on four different chromosomes”, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
The presenter added that the branches of DNA “appear on Scarlett’s maternal lines, which stretch back to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe”.
Douglas said it was “incredible” to find out he and the actress were related,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Finding Your Roots, Season 10, “In the Blood.”] There are always gems to uncover when it comes to PBS‘s Finding Your Roots, and in the latest episode “In the Blood,” Girls star and creator Lena Dunham discovered a rather funny family connection. In the installment’s final moments, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. presents guests with any famous connections they may have with past featured celebrities. When it was time to unveil Dunhams, she turned the page to find none other than Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s Larry David. “No! My husband’s gonna freak out,” Dunham exclaimed. “It’s Larry David! The other Ld… This is the hottest information I could have gotten,” Dunham continued to rejoice. PBS “Larry shares multiple long identical segments of DNA with you and your mother. This means that you share at least one common ancestor, somewhere on your mother’s side of your family tree,” Gates Jr. ...
- 4/3/2024
- TV Insider
It’s probably an overstatement to call writer-director Ryan Martin Brown’s feature debut, Free Time, a “generation-defining movie.” Shot in 10 days with a cast of relative unknowns, the micro-budget comedy has more or less passed under the radar, premiering at a bunch of midlevel festivals and receiving a limited release in select U.S. cities. (It’s currently playing the Quad in N.Y. and the Landmark Westwood in L.A.)
And yet there’s something very much of the now in this cleverly concocted and occasionally hilarious tale of Generation Z malaise, which follows a disgruntled 20-something office worker who quits his job to join the post-pandemic great resignation, only to realize he has no idea what to do with himself once he’s out of work. Clocking in at a breezy 78 minutes, it’s the kind of down-and-dirty NYC indie we see less and less of nowadays,...
And yet there’s something very much of the now in this cleverly concocted and occasionally hilarious tale of Generation Z malaise, which follows a disgruntled 20-something office worker who quits his job to join the post-pandemic great resignation, only to realize he has no idea what to do with himself once he’s out of work. Clocking in at a breezy 78 minutes, it’s the kind of down-and-dirty NYC indie we see less and less of nowadays,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Jordan Mintzer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Finding Your Roots is delving into the ancestry of Michael Douglas and Lena Dunham in its April 2 episode, “In the Blood,” and we have an exclusive first look at Douglas’ emotional journey with host Henry Louis Gates Jr. In the sneak peek clip, above, Douglas opens up about his Jewish roots and feeling a profound connection to his ancestors’ struggles as well as their triumphs. He also gets emotional talking about his father, the late legendary actor Kirk Douglas. Sitting with Gates Jr., Douglas says, “The overall feeling right now is feeling my Judea roots. I feel a deep sense of my relatives and what’s happened, and the history.” Kirk and Michael Douglas in 2011 (Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images) But it’s deeper than that as Douglas goes on to add, that he’s “feeling it personally” and by digging deeper into his family’s history, he’s “understanding...
- 3/29/2024
- TV Insider
In its landmark 10th season, Finding Your Roots has shown no signs of slowing down, hosting all manner of Hollywood luminaries along with viewers like you. Next up are Michael Douglas and Lena Dunham, who will unpack some family history with Henry Louis Gates Jr. on April 2.
The past was on the Girls creator mind as she worked on her latest film Treasure, Julia Heinz’s adaptation of the Lily Brett novel Too Many Men. In it, Dunham plays a journalist named Ruth who ventures to Poland with her father (played by Stephen Fry), who is a Holocaust survivor, to dig into their family’s traumatic past. Dunham’s appearance in next week’s Finding Your Roots is not as harrowing, but, as you can see in this exclusive clip, it has the potential to be just as illuminating.
The past was on the Girls creator mind as she worked on her latest film Treasure, Julia Heinz’s adaptation of the Lily Brett novel Too Many Men. In it, Dunham plays a journalist named Ruth who ventures to Poland with her father (played by Stephen Fry), who is a Holocaust survivor, to dig into their family’s traumatic past. Dunham’s appearance in next week’s Finding Your Roots is not as harrowing, but, as you can see in this exclusive clip, it has the potential to be just as illuminating.
- 3/29/2024
- by Danette Chavez
- Primetimer
Get ready for an insightful journey into the past as “Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” returns with Season 10 Episode 9. Tune in to PBS at 8:00 Pm on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, for an episode titled “In the Blood.” This installment delves deep into the family histories of renowned actor Michael Douglas and acclaimed writer/director Lena Dunham.
Audiences can expect to be captivated as Gates uncovers fascinating details about Douglas and Dunham’s ancestors, tracing their lineage back through generations. From surprising discoveries to poignant revelations, this episode promises to shed light on the rich tapestry of their family histories.
Join Gates as he guides viewers on a compelling journey of genealogical exploration, revealing the connections that bind Douglas and Dunham to their past. Discover the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped their identities and influenced their lives. Don’t miss this enlightening and emotionally resonant episode of “Finding Your Roots.
Audiences can expect to be captivated as Gates uncovers fascinating details about Douglas and Dunham’s ancestors, tracing their lineage back through generations. From surprising discoveries to poignant revelations, this episode promises to shed light on the rich tapestry of their family histories.
Join Gates as he guides viewers on a compelling journey of genealogical exploration, revealing the connections that bind Douglas and Dunham to their past. Discover the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped their identities and influenced their lives. Don’t miss this enlightening and emotionally resonant episode of “Finding Your Roots.
- 3/26/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Exclusive: Once the Hollywood strikes were over, Fifth Season, run by co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor, moved in to get production on six series up and running by January, including The Savant, starring and executive produced by Jessica Chastain.
The new limited series for Apple TV+ is the first production under a first-look deal Fifth Season Television has made with Chastain’s Freckle Films (George & Tammy), run by President Kelly Carmichael, to develop and produce projects.
In addition to The Savant, which marks Fifth Season’s seventh series at Apple TV+, other series that ramped up quickly after the strikes include Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Severance and the upcoming The Chief Of War starring Jason Momoa and Lady In the Lake (in post-production) with Natalie Portman — all on Apple TV+ — Season 2 of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman and Australian series The Last Anniversary, which Kidman produces.
The new limited series for Apple TV+ is the first production under a first-look deal Fifth Season Television has made with Chastain’s Freckle Films (George & Tammy), run by President Kelly Carmichael, to develop and produce projects.
In addition to The Savant, which marks Fifth Season’s seventh series at Apple TV+, other series that ramped up quickly after the strikes include Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Severance and the upcoming The Chief Of War starring Jason Momoa and Lady In the Lake (in post-production) with Natalie Portman — all on Apple TV+ — Season 2 of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman and Australian series The Last Anniversary, which Kidman produces.
- 3/22/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO is betting on another fresh female comedy voice, giving a pilot order to a half-hour starring, written and executive produced by Rachel Sennott.
In the untitled project, a codependent friend group reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition and new relationships have changed them.
Sennott, who is executive producing alongside Barry alums Emma Barrie and Aida Rodgers, is looking to follow in the footsteps of Lena Dunham (Girls) and Issa Rae’s (Insecure), two other rising female comedy creators/performers whose pilots about twentysomethings navigating life and relationships became hit HBO series.
A 2017 alumna of Tisch School of the Arts, Sennott got off to a hot start, when a student film she starred in, Shiva Baby, got a feature adaptation with her reprising her starring role and executive producing. That led to starring roles in the comedy horror movie Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and teen comedy Bottoms,...
In the untitled project, a codependent friend group reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition and new relationships have changed them.
Sennott, who is executive producing alongside Barry alums Emma Barrie and Aida Rodgers, is looking to follow in the footsteps of Lena Dunham (Girls) and Issa Rae’s (Insecure), two other rising female comedy creators/performers whose pilots about twentysomethings navigating life and relationships became hit HBO series.
A 2017 alumna of Tisch School of the Arts, Sennott got off to a hot start, when a student film she starred in, Shiva Baby, got a feature adaptation with her reprising her starring role and executive producing. That led to starring roles in the comedy horror movie Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and teen comedy Bottoms,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed comedian, writer and actor Leo Reich (Too Much) for representation in all areas.
Reich is perhaps best known for his debut live show, Literally Who Cares?!, a New York Times Critics’ Pick, which earned him nominations for Best Newcomer at the Dave Comedy Awards, and Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Buzz around the show culminated in a sold-out performance at the London theatre EartH Hackney, which was filmed as an HBO special by A24.
Currently, Reich is filming a role alongside Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe and more in Netflix’s romantic comedy series Too Much from Girls creator Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber. Set in London, the show follows Jessica (Stalter), a New York workaholic in her mid-30s who is reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block...
Reich is perhaps best known for his debut live show, Literally Who Cares?!, a New York Times Critics’ Pick, which earned him nominations for Best Newcomer at the Dave Comedy Awards, and Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Buzz around the show culminated in a sold-out performance at the London theatre EartH Hackney, which was filmed as an HBO special by A24.
Currently, Reich is filming a role alongside Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe and more in Netflix’s romantic comedy series Too Much from Girls creator Lena Dunham and husband Luis Felber. Set in London, the show follows Jessica (Stalter), a New York workaholic in her mid-30s who is reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block...
- 3/18/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When Ben DeBacker (Corey Fogelmanis), the nonbinary protagonist of Tommy Dorfman’s charming directorial debut I Wish You All the Best, decides to come out to their parents, the results are disastrous.
The conversation is rendered in flashes, adding a suspenseful layer to the melancholic moment. We see Ben reviewing notes on an index card; we watch them shuffle nervously to the kitchen. Before we know it, Ben is calling his estranged sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario) for help. The North Carolina teen is crouched in a corner of a gas station grocery store with no shoes and holes in their socks. It’s only when Hannah shows up — worried and out of breath — that the gravity of the situation sets in.
Premiering at SXSW, I Wish You All the Best follows Ben as they recover from the emotional trauma of coming out to their parents and adjust to a new...
The conversation is rendered in flashes, adding a suspenseful layer to the melancholic moment. We see Ben reviewing notes on an index card; we watch them shuffle nervously to the kitchen. Before we know it, Ben is calling his estranged sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario) for help. The North Carolina teen is crouched in a corner of a gas station grocery store with no shoes and holes in their socks. It’s only when Hannah shows up — worried and out of breath — that the gravity of the situation sets in.
Premiering at SXSW, I Wish You All the Best follows Ben as they recover from the emotional trauma of coming out to their parents and adjust to a new...
- 3/15/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A first look teaser clip at the upcoming movie adaptation I Wish You All the Best has been revealed!
The new film marks the directorial debut for Tommy Dorfman and is based on the book of the same name by Mason Deaver.
Ahead of it’s release, a teaser clip featuring Lena Dunham and star Corey Fogelmanis has been released.
Learn more and watch the clip inside…
The upcoming movie follows Ben DeBacker (Fogelmanis), a non-binary teen who is thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and her husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse). Struggling with anxiety, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their art teacher, Ms. Lyons (Dunham), while trying to keep a low profile at their new school. Ben’s attempts to survive junior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), a funny and charismatic student,...
The new film marks the directorial debut for Tommy Dorfman and is based on the book of the same name by Mason Deaver.
Ahead of it’s release, a teaser clip featuring Lena Dunham and star Corey Fogelmanis has been released.
Learn more and watch the clip inside…
The upcoming movie follows Ben DeBacker (Fogelmanis), a non-binary teen who is thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and her husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse). Struggling with anxiety, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their art teacher, Ms. Lyons (Dunham), while trying to keep a low profile at their new school. Ben’s attempts to survive junior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), a funny and charismatic student,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Director/actress Joanna Arnow bares all for Bdsm millennial dramedy “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.”
The filmmaker directs and stars in the feature that follows 30-something New Yorker Ann (Arnow) as she navigates casual Bdsm relationships, a mindless corporate job, and her overbearing Jewish family. The trailer shows Arnow seeking purpose through ball gags and pig costumes as she dates a slew of neurotic men who have ever-increasing eccentric erotic desires.
“The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed” debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight program, and went on to screen at TIFF and NYFF. The feature is executive produced by “Red Rocket” auteur Sean Baker, and co-stars Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti, Alysia Reiner, Peter Vack, and Parish Bradley.
Arnow also edited “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.” The feature is her follow-up to 2013’s...
The filmmaker directs and stars in the feature that follows 30-something New Yorker Ann (Arnow) as she navigates casual Bdsm relationships, a mindless corporate job, and her overbearing Jewish family. The trailer shows Arnow seeking purpose through ball gags and pig costumes as she dates a slew of neurotic men who have ever-increasing eccentric erotic desires.
“The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed” debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight program, and went on to screen at TIFF and NYFF. The feature is executive produced by “Red Rocket” auteur Sean Baker, and co-stars Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti, Alysia Reiner, Peter Vack, and Parish Bradley.
Arnow also edited “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.” The feature is her follow-up to 2013’s...
- 3/12/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
If asked to summarize Ilana Glazer’s cultural impact with one moment from her decade in the limelight, most fans wouldn’t hesitate to pick the “Broad City” scene where she dismisses the idea of settling down in her late 20s. “Marriage?” Glazer says with astonishment in a much quoted exchange. “I’m only 27! What am I, a child bride?”
The line has long been a rallying cry for young women who feel unfairly pressured by the traditional milestones of adulthood, and its enduring appeal speaks to the unique niche Glazer carved out for herself. She rose to stardom during the heyday of Lena Dunham’s “Girls,” when a new wave of female comics built loyal fanbases by sharing graphic details about their financial struggles, bodily functions, sex lives, and the general feeling of unpreparedness they all felt for adult responsibilities. Through five seasons of “Broad City” and roles in films like “Rough Night,...
The line has long been a rallying cry for young women who feel unfairly pressured by the traditional milestones of adulthood, and its enduring appeal speaks to the unique niche Glazer carved out for herself. She rose to stardom during the heyday of Lena Dunham’s “Girls,” when a new wave of female comics built loyal fanbases by sharing graphic details about their financial struggles, bodily functions, sex lives, and the general feeling of unpreparedness they all felt for adult responsibilities. Through five seasons of “Broad City” and roles in films like “Rough Night,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Joshua Jackson is headed back to the big screen!
The 45-year-old Dr. Death actor has booked what is being described as a starring role in the next Karate Kid movie.
Keep reading to find out more…
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news and confirmed that he’d be sharing the screen with franchise stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio.
The new movie will also introduce Ben Wang as the young protagonist. Fans will remember the star from Disney+’s American Born Chinese.
It isn’t clear who Joshua will play in the movie, but it will be set on the East Coast.
The actor’s last film role was in 2015 when he shared the screen with Diane Kruger, Norman Reedus, Lena Dunham and more in Sky.
We’ll update you as we learn more about the Karate Kid movie.
If you missed it, Joshua‘s ex Jodie Turner-Smith recently opened up about their divorce.
The 45-year-old Dr. Death actor has booked what is being described as a starring role in the next Karate Kid movie.
Keep reading to find out more…
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news and confirmed that he’d be sharing the screen with franchise stars Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio.
The new movie will also introduce Ben Wang as the young protagonist. Fans will remember the star from Disney+’s American Born Chinese.
It isn’t clear who Joshua will play in the movie, but it will be set on the East Coast.
The actor’s last film role was in 2015 when he shared the screen with Diane Kruger, Norman Reedus, Lena Dunham and more in Sky.
We’ll update you as we learn more about the Karate Kid movie.
If you missed it, Joshua‘s ex Jodie Turner-Smith recently opened up about their divorce.
- 3/1/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
“The Last Animal,” the award-winning bestselling novel from Ramona Ausubel, has been snatched up for film adaptation by production companies Walden Media and Big Beach.
Ry Russo-Young has been set to direct the feature based on the emotionally resonant story. Published in April 2023 by Riverhead Books at Penguin Random House, Ausubel’s work was named best book of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews and Oprah Daily, among others. A distributor has not yet been set.
“Last Animal” follows teenaged sisters Eve and Vera, unexpectedly spending summer vacation on their mother’s scientific expedition. Fooling around in the permafrost, the sisters accidentally uncover a perfectly preserved, four-thousand-year-old baby mammoth. The discovery sends mother and daughters from the slopes of Siberia to the shores of Iceland to an exotic animal farm in Italy, resulting in the birth of a creature that could change the world — or at least their family.
“I...
Ry Russo-Young has been set to direct the feature based on the emotionally resonant story. Published in April 2023 by Riverhead Books at Penguin Random House, Ausubel’s work was named best book of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews and Oprah Daily, among others. A distributor has not yet been set.
“Last Animal” follows teenaged sisters Eve and Vera, unexpectedly spending summer vacation on their mother’s scientific expedition. Fooling around in the permafrost, the sisters accidentally uncover a perfectly preserved, four-thousand-year-old baby mammoth. The discovery sends mother and daughters from the slopes of Siberia to the shores of Iceland to an exotic animal farm in Italy, resulting in the birth of a creature that could change the world — or at least their family.
“I...
- 3/1/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Stephen Fry, Richard E. Grant, Adele Exarchopoulos and more are set to join Lena Dunham’s new Netflix series, Too Much.
In December, we reported that Lena Dunham set her next TV project at Netflix. Titled Too Much, the comedy show had attached Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe as the two leads.
Variety now reports that a plethora of actors have joined the project. Here comes the list of the acting talent who will be joining Stalter and Sharpe in the series: Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Michael Zegen, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, Leo Reich, Adele Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Kaori Momoi, Emily Ratajkowski and Prasanna Puwanarajah.
Here’s a synopsis for the upcoming Netflix comedy series: “Jessica (Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When...
In December, we reported that Lena Dunham set her next TV project at Netflix. Titled Too Much, the comedy show had attached Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe as the two leads.
Variety now reports that a plethora of actors have joined the project. Here comes the list of the acting talent who will be joining Stalter and Sharpe in the series: Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Michael Zegen, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, Leo Reich, Adele Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Kaori Momoi, Emily Ratajkowski and Prasanna Puwanarajah.
Here’s a synopsis for the upcoming Netflix comedy series: “Jessica (Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When...
- 3/1/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Lena Dunham’s Netflix comedy series “Too Much” has filled out its cast with a star-studded lineup, Variety has learned exclusively.
Joining previously announced series leads Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe will be: Richard E. Grant (“Saltburn”), Stephen Fry (“The Dropout”), Janicza Bravo (“Sharp Stick”), Michael Zegen (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”), Rita Wilson (“Sleepless in Seattle”), Leo Reich (“Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!”), Adele Exarchopoulos (“Passages”), Adwoa Aboah (“Top Boy”), Daisy Bevan (“The Alienist”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Kaori Momoi (“The Brightest Roof in the Universe”) and Prasanna Puwanarajah (“The Crown”). It is also confirmed that Emily Ratajkowski will appear in the series after Variety exclusively reported she was in final talks to join in early February.
The official description of the series states:
“Jessica (Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows.
Joining previously announced series leads Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe will be: Richard E. Grant (“Saltburn”), Stephen Fry (“The Dropout”), Janicza Bravo (“Sharp Stick”), Michael Zegen (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Rhea Perlman (“Cheers”), Rita Wilson (“Sleepless in Seattle”), Leo Reich (“Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!”), Adele Exarchopoulos (“Passages”), Adwoa Aboah (“Top Boy”), Daisy Bevan (“The Alienist”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“1917”), Kaori Momoi (“The Brightest Roof in the Universe”) and Prasanna Puwanarajah (“The Crown”). It is also confirmed that Emily Ratajkowski will appear in the series after Variety exclusively reported she was in final talks to join in early February.
The official description of the series states:
“Jessica (Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows.
- 3/1/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Call your girls (and every other pal you have) — Lena Dunham is coming back to TV. Dunham’s next project is Too Much, a romantic comedy series she’s fittingly co-creating with her husband Luis Felber. The ten-episode show follows Jessica, portrayed by comedian Megan Stalter, a New Yorker who heads to London in the wake of a painful breakup. There, she meets Felix, played by White Lotus’ Will Sharpe. The pair build a connection that surprises Jessica… but is impossible to ignore.
“This is a show that is very close to my heart — created with my husband Luis, cast with my favorite actors — the geniuses that are Meg and Will, along with a bevy of friends — and partnering again with Working Title, who are behind the romantic comedies that formed me,” Dunham told Netflix in December 2023. “Netflix has been so deeply supportive of the vision, which...
“This is a show that is very close to my heart — created with my husband Luis, cast with my favorite actors — the geniuses that are Meg and Will, along with a bevy of friends — and partnering again with Working Title, who are behind the romantic comedies that formed me,” Dunham told Netflix in December 2023. “Netflix has been so deeply supportive of the vision, which...
- 3/1/2024
- by Ariana Romero
- Tudum - Netflix
Scott Speedman is set as a lead opposite Yvonne Strahovski in Peacock’s upcoming horror thriller series Teacup (fka Unt. Ian McCulloch Project) from writer Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone), Atomic Monster’s James Wan (The Conjuring Universe) and UCP, Deadline has confirmed.
Inspired by the bestselling novel Stinger by Robert McCammon, the series follows a disparate group of people on a ranch who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat.
Speedman will play James Chenoweth opposite Strahovski’s character Maggie Chenoweth.
Atomic Monster’s James Wan, Michael Clear and Rob Hackett executive produce alongside writer / executive producer Ian McCulloch, director (101) / executive producer E.L. Katz, executive producer/author Robert McCammon, Francisca X. Hu and Kevin Tancharoen. Danielle Bozzone oversees for Atomic Monster. The studio is UCP,...
Inspired by the bestselling novel Stinger by Robert McCammon, the series follows a disparate group of people on a ranch who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat.
Speedman will play James Chenoweth opposite Strahovski’s character Maggie Chenoweth.
Atomic Monster’s James Wan, Michael Clear and Rob Hackett executive produce alongside writer / executive producer Ian McCulloch, director (101) / executive producer E.L. Katz, executive producer/author Robert McCammon, Francisca X. Hu and Kevin Tancharoen. Danielle Bozzone oversees for Atomic Monster. The studio is UCP,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Jennifer Lawrence has been very expressive about equal pay in Hollywood, and she is not afraid to call out companies or even fellow actors. Starring alongside A-listers is an honor, but if she gets paid less than her male co-stars for doing the same amount of work, that’s already an issue.
Jennifer Lawrence
The actress did not hold back when she penned an open letter after discovering through the Sony leak that she was paid less than Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, and Christian Bale in 2013’s American Hustle.
Suggested“You made me look like a freak”: Jennifer Lawrence’s Plan to Dazzle Jennifer Lopez Went Seriously Wrong Due to Jimmy Fallon
Sony Leak Revealed Jennifer Lawrence Received Lower Pay Than Male Co-Stars
Jennifer Lawrence wrote a short essay in Lena Dunham’s newsletter via The Atlantic addressing the gender pay gap in Hollywood and how she was only...
Jennifer Lawrence
The actress did not hold back when she penned an open letter after discovering through the Sony leak that she was paid less than Jeremy Renner, Bradley Cooper, and Christian Bale in 2013’s American Hustle.
Suggested“You made me look like a freak”: Jennifer Lawrence’s Plan to Dazzle Jennifer Lopez Went Seriously Wrong Due to Jimmy Fallon
Sony Leak Revealed Jennifer Lawrence Received Lower Pay Than Male Co-Stars
Jennifer Lawrence wrote a short essay in Lena Dunham’s newsletter via The Atlantic addressing the gender pay gap in Hollywood and how she was only...
- 2/24/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
When film and TV talents collide on the Santa Monica beach at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, anything can happen. Just ask “American Fiction” nominee Jeffrey Wright.
“The year I was nominated for ‘Basquiat,’ our producer Jon Kilik said, ‘Hey, do you want to meet Muhammad Ali?’” recalls Wright, up for the debut performance trophy at the 1997 ceremony, while the boxing champ was there with his doc “When We Were Kings.” “I pretty much skipped over a series of tables to say hello to him. Ali was an absolute personal hero and meeting him blew my mind. That was the beginning of a really gratifying relationship, because I ended up [playing photographer Howard Bingham] in the movie ‘Ali.’”
Wright, who had already won a Tony Award at that point, went on to more acclaim and glory in film and TV roles, this year receiving his first Oscar nomination for his performance in “American Fiction.
“The year I was nominated for ‘Basquiat,’ our producer Jon Kilik said, ‘Hey, do you want to meet Muhammad Ali?’” recalls Wright, up for the debut performance trophy at the 1997 ceremony, while the boxing champ was there with his doc “When We Were Kings.” “I pretty much skipped over a series of tables to say hello to him. Ali was an absolute personal hero and meeting him blew my mind. That was the beginning of a really gratifying relationship, because I ended up [playing photographer Howard Bingham] in the movie ‘Ali.’”
Wright, who had already won a Tony Award at that point, went on to more acclaim and glory in film and TV roles, this year receiving his first Oscar nomination for his performance in “American Fiction.
- 2/22/2024
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
Sebastian Stan, whose “A Different Man” screens in the Berlin Film Festival, Christoph Waltz and Tom Wlaschiha, the “Faceless Man” in “Game of Thrones,” were among the guests at Studio Babelsberg Night, the historic Berlin film studios’ party at Soho House Berlin held to celebrate the 74th edition of the festival. The event was supported by Mexican tequila brand Don Julio, the Motion Picture Assn. and Little Moons. Variety was the media partner.
Among the leading filmmakers welcomed by Babelsberg were Fatih Akin, who won Berlin’s Golden Bear in 2004, Julia von Heinz, whose film “Treasure,” starring Lena Dunham, plays at the Berlinale, and Tom Tykwer, who shot series “Babylon Berlin” at Babelsberg and recently shot feature film “The Light” there.
Christoph Waltz
Other directors and writers at the party included “Dark” creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, who shot Netflix’s “1899” at Babelsberg, Lars Kraume, Detlev Buck and David Wnendt.
Among the leading filmmakers welcomed by Babelsberg were Fatih Akin, who won Berlin’s Golden Bear in 2004, Julia von Heinz, whose film “Treasure,” starring Lena Dunham, plays at the Berlinale, and Tom Tykwer, who shot series “Babylon Berlin” at Babelsberg and recently shot feature film “The Light” there.
Christoph Waltz
Other directors and writers at the party included “Dark” creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, who shot Netflix’s “1899” at Babelsberg, Lars Kraume, Detlev Buck and David Wnendt.
- 2/22/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
We’ll be seeing more of Kayla and Jimmy in the upcoming third season of Hacks. Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who have recurred as the characters since Season 1, have been promoted to series regulars for the upcoming season set for premiere this spring.
Downs, who serves as co-creator, co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director of Hacks, portrays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr. and Stalter plays his assisant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have recurred on the Max series since Season 1.
Per the Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo also star in the new season.
Hacks is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs and Aniello...
Downs, who serves as co-creator, co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director of Hacks, portrays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr. and Stalter plays his assisant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have recurred on the Max series since Season 1.
Per the Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo also star in the new season.
Hacks is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs and Aniello...
- 2/22/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Hacks” has promoted both Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs to series regular status for Season 3, Variety has learned exclusively.
Downs plays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr., while Stalter plays Jimmy’s assistant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have appeared on the show since Season 1 of the Max comedy series.
The promotion expands Downs’ role in front of the camera on the show, while he is already a massive presence behind the camera. Downs serves as the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Hacks” in addition to being an executive producer, writer, and director. Aside from “Hacks,” he is also known for starring in the Comedy Central series “Broad City” while also working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and executive producer. His other credits include starring in and co-writing the film “Rough Night” and co-starring in the Netflix comedy “Like Father.”
He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment,...
Downs plays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr., while Stalter plays Jimmy’s assistant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have appeared on the show since Season 1 of the Max comedy series.
The promotion expands Downs’ role in front of the camera on the show, while he is already a massive presence behind the camera. Downs serves as the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Hacks” in addition to being an executive producer, writer, and director. Aside from “Hacks,” he is also known for starring in the Comedy Central series “Broad City” while also working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and executive producer. His other credits include starring in and co-writing the film “Rough Night” and co-starring in the Netflix comedy “Like Father.”
He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sky has found its Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
White Lotus star Will Sharpe will play the lead role in Amadeus, Joe Barton’s playful TV series reimagining of the life of the musical genius, which was revealed at development stage by Deadline in late 2022.
Sharpe will reunite with Giri/Haji writer Barton and director Julian Farino for the show that comes from Patrick Melrose producer Two Cities Television in association with Sky Studios.
Adapted from Peter Shaffer’s stage play, Amadeus is set within the musical hub of bustling Vienna at the end of the 18th century, as the 25-year-old titular character arrives in the city no longer a child and determined to carve his own path. Recently unemployed and without the management of his father, Amadeus finds an unlikely ally in a young singer who will become his wife, the fiery Constanze Weber Mozart. Her connections help bring him...
White Lotus star Will Sharpe will play the lead role in Amadeus, Joe Barton’s playful TV series reimagining of the life of the musical genius, which was revealed at development stage by Deadline in late 2022.
Sharpe will reunite with Giri/Haji writer Barton and director Julian Farino for the show that comes from Patrick Melrose producer Two Cities Television in association with Sky Studios.
Adapted from Peter Shaffer’s stage play, Amadeus is set within the musical hub of bustling Vienna at the end of the 18th century, as the 25-year-old titular character arrives in the city no longer a child and determined to carve his own path. Recently unemployed and without the management of his father, Amadeus finds an unlikely ally in a young singer who will become his wife, the fiery Constanze Weber Mozart. Her connections help bring him...
- 2/20/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirsten Niehuus, head of German film fund Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, is confident that the changes to film funding proposed by the German government recently will have a “very positive effect on the production scene in Berlin-Brandenburg.”
The proposed changes to the funding system were presented last week to German lawmakers in the Bundestag by commissioner for culture and media Claudia Roth (see here).
Kirsten Niehuus, Martin Moszkowicz
Speaking to Variety Saturday at a party Medienboard hosted at Berlin’s Holzmarkt, Niehuus said the changes “will mean that we would have a tax system in place that could compete, for instance, with Budapest or Prague, so that not so many German productions would go and shoot somewhere else, and more foreign productions would come and shoot in Germany.”
Looking at the media landscape across Germany she notes that one major challenge is the decision by high-end outlets such as Paramount+, HBO and Sky to cancel local productions,...
The proposed changes to the funding system were presented last week to German lawmakers in the Bundestag by commissioner for culture and media Claudia Roth (see here).
Kirsten Niehuus, Martin Moszkowicz
Speaking to Variety Saturday at a party Medienboard hosted at Berlin’s Holzmarkt, Niehuus said the changes “will mean that we would have a tax system in place that could compete, for instance, with Budapest or Prague, so that not so many German productions would go and shoot somewhere else, and more foreign productions would come and shoot in Germany.”
Looking at the media landscape across Germany she notes that one major challenge is the decision by high-end outlets such as Paramount+, HBO and Sky to cancel local productions,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
There's yet another interesting set of twin films in 2024 - two films that are remarkably similar in so many ways even though they're entirely independent, unrelated productions. The first film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in January titled A Real Pain, written, directed by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, and it won the Screenwriting Award at that festival (here's my full review). The second film is premiering now at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival in February titled Treasure, directed by German filmmaker Julia von Heinz, and starring actors Stephen Fry & Lena Dunham as father & daughter. Both films involve Americans traveling to Poland, flying into Warsaw, from where they embark upon a "heritage" road trip tour around Poland to find an old home where someone they know once lived in many years ago before fleeing Poland. Both also feature annoying characters, jokes about tourists visiting Poland, and trips to a Jewish graveyard...
- 2/18/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One month ago, heading into the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the most anticipated title for buyers was not necessarily the action-adventure anthology with Pedro Pascal (Freaky Tales) or the Kristen Stewart-fronted post-apocalyptic love story (Love Me). It was Dídi, a coming-of-age film about a 13-year-old in the Bay Area from a first-time feature director with no notable U.S. stars. It quickly landed a deal with Focus Features, while films with shinier stars and higher concepts are still in negotiations for deals.
The U.S. has long been known as the great arbiter of “bigger is better.” But being risk-averse, given current economic conditions and industry trends back home (Disney, Paramount Global, Amazon MGM, and others are currently undergoing layoffs), may, says one U.S. buyer, “no longer mean getting a massive star or big director — it means costing less.” Yet, internationally, the mandate seems to be business as usual,...
The U.S. has long been known as the great arbiter of “bigger is better.” But being risk-averse, given current economic conditions and industry trends back home (Disney, Paramount Global, Amazon MGM, and others are currently undergoing layoffs), may, says one U.S. buyer, “no longer mean getting a massive star or big director — it means costing less.” Yet, internationally, the mandate seems to be business as usual,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Scott Roxborough and Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Australian writer Lily Brett published her novel Too Many Men in 2001, critics marvelled at the light, comic tone she had managed to strike in a novel about the lasting impact of the Holocaust, passed down from one generation to the next. Families have their customary jokes; they squabble over the dinner table; they may be funny characters but, underneath it all, there is a consciousness of pain. That’s not an easy balance to strike, as a writer or as an actor.
So when Julia Von Heinz came to adapt Too Many Men as a film – now called Treasure – she found an ostensible dream team in Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham, playing camp survivor Edek Rothwax and his wisecracking adult daughter Ruth on a homecoming trip to Poland. Here are two actors who are equally at home in comedy and drama, two actors who are also accomplished writers and...
So when Julia Von Heinz came to adapt Too Many Men as a film – now called Treasure – she found an ostensible dream team in Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham, playing camp survivor Edek Rothwax and his wisecracking adult daughter Ruth on a homecoming trip to Poland. Here are two actors who are equally at home in comedy and drama, two actors who are also accomplished writers and...
- 2/17/2024
- by Stephanie Bunbury
- Deadline Film + TV
After several years working in German TV and locally-oriented film projects, Julia von Heinz had a significant breakthrough with “And Tomorrow the Entire World” — a taut, punchy political thriller with a youthful spirit of anti-fascist revolt, vigorous enough to land a Venice competition slot. Its success evidently raised the status of the director’s long-held passion project, an adaptation of Australian novelist Lily Brett’s semi-autobiographical 2001 title “Too Many Men,” which reckoned thoughtfully with her parents’ experience as Auschwitz survivors, and the hereditary nature of trauma. It emerges here, in somewhat simplified form, as “Treasure,” a watchably meandering vehicle for Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry to wrestle out father-daughter conflicts both trivially universal and hauntingly specific to history. The urgency and dynamism that marked von Heinz’s last feature are largely absent; for a story of such particular and searing sorrow, it feels rather mild.
Premiering in an out-of-competition Berlinale slot,...
Premiering in an out-of-competition Berlinale slot,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Set in 1991, not long after it suddenly became much easier for Holocaust survivors and their descendants to visit sites like Auschwitz-Birkenau, German-French co-production Treasure follows a father and daughter (played by Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham) making exactly this kind of voyage of remembrance. It’s adapted from the comic-tragic novel Too Many Men by Australian Lily Brett, and directed by German director Julia von Heinz, whose well-regarded previous two films (Nothing Else Matters and And Tomorrow the Entire World) also explore the aftermath of the Holocaust on later generations. So, as a package, Treasure would seem gifted with the raw material needed to make a compelling, inherently interesting work.
Alas, the film is an inept, ill-made mess — or as my grandmother would call it, a mishegoss, so muddled and misbegotten it’s hard to perform an evidential postmortem, based strictly on one viewing, of where it all goes wrong.
Alas, the film is an inept, ill-made mess — or as my grandmother would call it, a mishegoss, so muddled and misbegotten it’s hard to perform an evidential postmortem, based strictly on one viewing, of where it all goes wrong.
- 2/17/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry joined filmmaker Julia von Heinz for a press conference for new tragic comedy Treasure, which debuts this weekend in the Special Gala section at the Berlin Film Festival.
As well as Dunham and Fry, the drama stars Zbigniew Zamachowski and is based on the bestselling book Too Many Men by Lily Brett. Treasure is set in 1990 following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Music journalist Ruth (played by Dunham) and her father Edek (played by Fry), a Holocaust survivor, go on a tour of his homeland of Poland. Their journey takes them to Warsaw, Łódź, Krakow and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Ruth wants to explore her family’s history while Edek accompanies his daughter primarily to keep an eye on her. Only when the two visit the family’s former home and meet the Polish family who now live there does Edek’s attitude start to change.
As well as Dunham and Fry, the drama stars Zbigniew Zamachowski and is based on the bestselling book Too Many Men by Lily Brett. Treasure is set in 1990 following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Music journalist Ruth (played by Dunham) and her father Edek (played by Fry), a Holocaust survivor, go on a tour of his homeland of Poland. Their journey takes them to Warsaw, Łódź, Krakow and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Ruth wants to explore her family’s history while Edek accompanies his daughter primarily to keep an eye on her. Only when the two visit the family’s former home and meet the Polish family who now live there does Edek’s attitude start to change.
- 2/17/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
When Lena Dunham first read the script for Julia von Heinz’s “Treasure,” it hit home.
The “Girls” creator’s grandmother had just died at 96, and Dunham found herself thinking a lot about her heritage. “Treasure,” based on the 1999 novel “Too Many Men” by Lily Brett, follows Ruth (Dunham), a journalist who travels to Poland with her Holocaust survivor father (Stephen Fry) to confront their family’s tragic past. Not only did Dunham agree to star in the film, but her production company, Good Thing Going, signed on as well.
Both Dunham and her producing partner, Michael P. Cohen, are Jewish and found the story “incredibly resonant for both of our families,” Dunham tells Variety at Berlin Film Festival, where “Treasure” debuts on Saturday night.
“We both looked at each other after we read the script and went like, ‘This is something we’re going to be proud to tell our children that we made.
The “Girls” creator’s grandmother had just died at 96, and Dunham found herself thinking a lot about her heritage. “Treasure,” based on the 1999 novel “Too Many Men” by Lily Brett, follows Ruth (Dunham), a journalist who travels to Poland with her Holocaust survivor father (Stephen Fry) to confront their family’s tragic past. Not only did Dunham agree to star in the film, but her production company, Good Thing Going, signed on as well.
Both Dunham and her producing partner, Michael P. Cohen, are Jewish and found the story “incredibly resonant for both of our families,” Dunham tells Variety at Berlin Film Festival, where “Treasure” debuts on Saturday night.
“We both looked at each other after we read the script and went like, ‘This is something we’re going to be proud to tell our children that we made.
- 2/17/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
With Covid lockdowns and shuttered cinemas and the dual wallop of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, it’s been a rough few years for independent movies. But the end of strike action last November has triggered a rebound in the indie market. After a strong showing in Sundance, buyers and sellers are looking to Berlin’s European Film Market to provide proof this recovery has legs.
Early signs are promising, with a flood of new projects across all budgets and genres. CAA Media Finance alone has half a dozen finished films on sale and around 20 big packages, including sci-fi actioner Afterburn with Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson attached, selling together with Black Bear; the drama A Big Bold Beautiful Journey from After Yang and Pachinko director Kogonada, featuring Colin Farrell and a post-Barbie Margot Robbie, that 30West and Neon International are jointly handling, and the Michelle Yeoh action thriller The Mother alongside AGC International.
Early signs are promising, with a flood of new projects across all budgets and genres. CAA Media Finance alone has half a dozen finished films on sale and around 20 big packages, including sci-fi actioner Afterburn with Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson attached, selling together with Black Bear; the drama A Big Bold Beautiful Journey from After Yang and Pachinko director Kogonada, featuring Colin Farrell and a post-Barbie Margot Robbie, that 30West and Neon International are jointly handling, and the Michelle Yeoh action thriller The Mother alongside AGC International.
- 2/16/2024
- by Scott Roxborough and Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Clint Eastwood is credited with the “one for me, one for you” rule of directing, the model of alternating between mainstream commercial productions, sometimes as an actor, and helming more personal or political fare. No one would confuse Julia von Heinz’s more commercial work with Eastwood’s Spaghetti Western performances, but the German director has taken a roughly similar path in her career, moving between popular German family films — kids’ adventure film Hanni and Nanni 2 (2012), coming-of-age comedy I’m Off Then (2015) — and more serious subjects where the subtext is politics, specifically German history and the legacy of the Holocaust.
Her 2013 feature Hanna’s Journey follows a German girl who travels to Israel and is confronted with her grandparents’ past during World War II. In And Tomorrow the Entire World, which premiered in competition in Venice in 2020 and was Germany’s official Oscar contender for best international feature, a young...
Her 2013 feature Hanna’s Journey follows a German girl who travels to Israel and is confronted with her grandparents’ past during World War II. In And Tomorrow the Entire World, which premiered in competition in Venice in 2020 and was Germany’s official Oscar contender for best international feature, a young...
- 2/16/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Barbie” is a cultural phenomenon, grossing nearly $1.5 billion and racking up eight Oscar nominations, all while launching scores of catchphrases and memes.
So it’s understandable that Mattel, the company behind the iconic doll, is looking to capitalize on its cinematic success by developing dozens of movies based on its games and toys. Moviegoers can look forward to Barney, Bob the Builder and He-Man hitting the big screen in the not-so-distant future.
But as Hollywood raids toy store shelves to feed its insatiable hunger for IP, it’s worth noting that when it comes to this type of film, for every “Barbie”-sized smash there’s a “Battleship”-like bomb. With that in mind, here are some of the movies that Mattel has in the works.
Barney
Key creative: Daniel Kaluuya (producer and star)
Another Barbie? You may think you know Barney. But Kaluuya is here to say the purple...
So it’s understandable that Mattel, the company behind the iconic doll, is looking to capitalize on its cinematic success by developing dozens of movies based on its games and toys. Moviegoers can look forward to Barney, Bob the Builder and He-Man hitting the big screen in the not-so-distant future.
But as Hollywood raids toy store shelves to feed its insatiable hunger for IP, it’s worth noting that when it comes to this type of film, for every “Barbie”-sized smash there’s a “Battleship”-like bomb. With that in mind, here are some of the movies that Mattel has in the works.
Barney
Key creative: Daniel Kaluuya (producer and star)
Another Barbie? You may think you know Barney. But Kaluuya is here to say the purple...
- 2/15/2024
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Marvel‘s first family has finally assembled. Marvel Studios has now officially announced the performers that will be playing The Fantastic Four in the 2025 film of the same name.
Reflecting the importance of this superhero team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are some big names involved including Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. Slightly lesser known but no less interesting are Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Ben Grimm.
We’ve got a ways to go before The Fantastic Four premieres on July 25, 2025 so let’s spend some of that time delving deeper into an unheralded member of the film’s cast. We’re speaking, of course, about Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Though he just won his first Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Richie Jerimovich in FX’s brilliant The Bear, this Massachusetts-born actor has been putting...
Reflecting the importance of this superhero team to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are some big names involved including Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm. Slightly lesser known but no less interesting are Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Ben Grimm.
We’ve got a ways to go before The Fantastic Four premieres on July 25, 2025 so let’s spend some of that time delving deeper into an unheralded member of the film’s cast. We’re speaking, of course, about Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Though he just won his first Primetime Emmy Award for his role as Richie Jerimovich in FX’s brilliant The Bear, this Massachusetts-born actor has been putting...
- 2/14/2024
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Bleecker Street has picked up U.S. rights to Mikael Håfström’s sci-fi thriller Slingshot, starring Casey Affleck, Laurence Fishburne and Emily Beecham. Additional cast includes Fauda star Tomer Capone and The Walking Dead’s David Morrissey.
The film, which is written by R. Scott Adams and Nathan Parker (Moon), follows an astronaut who struggles to maintain his grip on reality aboard a possibly fatally compromised mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan.
Bleecker Street is planning a 2024 nationwide theatrical release for the film.
Slingshot is an Astral Pictures production in association with Bluestone Entertainment, Széchenyi Funds Ltd., and Filmsquad. The film was produced by Richard Saperstein, Istvan Major, and Beau Turpin, with executive producers including Ivett Havasi, Shara Kay, Michael Hollingsworth, Tom Nohstadt, Ron Cundy, Nikolett Barabás, Jonathan Krauss, Brooklyn Weaver, and Joanna Plafsky.
The deal was negotiated by Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street with...
The film, which is written by R. Scott Adams and Nathan Parker (Moon), follows an astronaut who struggles to maintain his grip on reality aboard a possibly fatally compromised mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan.
Bleecker Street is planning a 2024 nationwide theatrical release for the film.
Slingshot is an Astral Pictures production in association with Bluestone Entertainment, Széchenyi Funds Ltd., and Filmsquad. The film was produced by Richard Saperstein, Istvan Major, and Beau Turpin, with executive producers including Ivett Havasi, Shara Kay, Michael Hollingsworth, Tom Nohstadt, Ron Cundy, Nikolett Barabás, Jonathan Krauss, Brooklyn Weaver, and Joanna Plafsky.
The deal was negotiated by Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street with...
- 2/14/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
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