Damien Chazelle's raucous, sprawling Hollywood epic "Babylon" may not have performed as well at the box office as everyone hoped, but it's the type of film you can't help but admire for the way it fully commits to its approach and tries to give audiences the most bombastic, energetic possible version of its story. I loved the movie -- so much that even though I spoke with the writer/director for the movie's initial release, I leapt at the chance to talk with him again in support of its impending home entertainment release. (It's currently available on Digital.) This is undoubtedly a divisive movie, but the "Babylon" hive is strong, and I consider myself an enthusiastic member.
In this discussion with Chazelle, we spoke about filming that nightmarish Tobey Maguire sequence, his early days in Hollywood writing genre films, avoiding shooting coverage, and more.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
In this discussion with Chazelle, we spoke about filming that nightmarish Tobey Maguire sequence, his early days in Hollywood writing genre films, avoiding shooting coverage, and more.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
- 2/13/2023
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
The following post contains spoilers for "Babylon."
In 2009, Damien Chazelle made his feature directorial debut with the little-seen indie "Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench." That same year, he pitched a producer the idea for "Babylon," a sprawling period piece which would show the darker side of Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies. At the time, the producer considered it an "impossible" movie to make, so it was put on the back burner. Chazelle went on to write and direct "Whiplash," "La La Land," and "First Man" and earned the distinction of becoming the youngest person to win an Academy Award for Best Director. With his newfound clout, he was finally able to convince Paramount to let him make the movie, and the result is a raunchy, relentless, no-holds-barred look at a period that has often been glamorized beyond recognition. "Babylon" has proven to be somewhat divisive among critics,...
In 2009, Damien Chazelle made his feature directorial debut with the little-seen indie "Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench." That same year, he pitched a producer the idea for "Babylon," a sprawling period piece which would show the darker side of Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies. At the time, the producer considered it an "impossible" movie to make, so it was put on the back burner. Chazelle went on to write and direct "Whiplash," "La La Land," and "First Man" and earned the distinction of becoming the youngest person to win an Academy Award for Best Director. With his newfound clout, he was finally able to convince Paramount to let him make the movie, and the result is a raunchy, relentless, no-holds-barred look at a period that has often been glamorized beyond recognition. "Babylon" has proven to be somewhat divisive among critics,...
- 12/23/2022
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Saturday Night Live‘s Chloe Fineman, Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s Jeff Garlin and The Middle‘s Troy Metcalf have joined Damien Chazelle’s 1920s Hollywood epic ensemble Babylon for Paramount.
The trio join Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire and Jean Smart in the pic.
Oscar winner Chazelle is directing and also wrote the script, and Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are executive producing. Babylon is shooting in Santa Clarita, CA, and will hit theaters on December 24, 2022 and expand nationwide on January 6, 2023.
Fineman is a Groundlings alum who has been a featured player on Saturday Night Live since September 2019, known for her precise impersonations of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman,...
The trio join Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire and Jean Smart in the pic.
Oscar winner Chazelle is directing and also wrote the script, and Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are executive producing. Babylon is shooting in Santa Clarita, CA, and will hit theaters on December 24, 2022 and expand nationwide on January 6, 2023.
Fineman is a Groundlings alum who has been a featured player on Saturday Night Live since September 2019, known for her precise impersonations of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman,...
- 8/2/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
It truly is the year of Jean Smart. The “Hacks” and “Mare of Easttown” star has joined the already staggering cast of “Babylon,” Damien Chazelle’s Old Hollywood epic that stars Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Plot details for “Babylon” are still being kept under wraps, as are Smart’s character details, but THR is noting that Smart is expected to play a Hollywood journalist and film critic with the power to make or break careers.
Paramount’s “Babylon” is shooting now in Los Angeles, and the film last month rounded out its cast with an impressive lineup that includes Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin and Tobey Maguire.
Chazelle is directing and wrote the script as his follow-up to...
Plot details for “Babylon” are still being kept under wraps, as are Smart’s character details, but THR is noting that Smart is expected to play a Hollywood journalist and film critic with the power to make or break careers.
Paramount’s “Babylon” is shooting now in Los Angeles, and the film last month rounded out its cast with an impressive lineup that includes Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin and Tobey Maguire.
Chazelle is directing and wrote the script as his follow-up to...
- 7/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Damien Chazelle has fleshed out the cast of his Old Hollywood period drama “Babylon” with an impressive group that includes Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin and Tobey Maguire.
They all join a cast that’s led by Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva. The film is set to go into production next week.
“La La Land” director Chazelle wrote the script and is directing the film at Paramount, which is described as an ensemble film set in late 1920s Hollywood. No character details for any of the new cast or the previously announced cast have been revealed, and it’s unclear whether any or all of them are playing fictional characters or historical figures.
Also among the “Babylon” cast are Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne and Damon Gupton.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing the film, with Tobey Maguire,...
They all join a cast that’s led by Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva. The film is set to go into production next week.
“La La Land” director Chazelle wrote the script and is directing the film at Paramount, which is described as an ensemble film set in late 1920s Hollywood. No character details for any of the new cast or the previously announced cast have been revealed, and it’s unclear whether any or all of them are playing fictional characters or historical figures.
Also among the “Babylon” cast are Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne and Damon Gupton.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing the film, with Tobey Maguire,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Samara Weaving, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas Flea, Rory Scovel, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne and Damon Gupton have all been added to Damien Chazelle’s movie industry homage movie ‘Babylon’.
The newly announced cast members will join the already announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Katherine Waterston.
Described as “The Great Gatsby on steroids” the project is set in the late 1920s during the movie industry’s transition from silent films to talkies, it will explore the rise and fall of multiple characters and will feature both fictional and historical characters.
Also in news – First look images drop for BBC One mini-series ‘Ridley Road’
Roles are currently being kept under wraps but it is assumed that Minghella MGM’s head of production in the 1920s and 1930s, Irving Thalberg.
Written and directed by Chazelle, Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing.
The newly announced cast members will join the already announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Katherine Waterston.
Described as “The Great Gatsby on steroids” the project is set in the late 1920s during the movie industry’s transition from silent films to talkies, it will explore the rise and fall of multiple characters and will feature both fictional and historical characters.
Also in news – First look images drop for BBC One mini-series ‘Ridley Road’
Roles are currently being kept under wraps but it is assumed that Minghella MGM’s head of production in the 1920s and 1930s, Irving Thalberg.
Written and directed by Chazelle, Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing.
- 6/3/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne and Damon Gupton round out the cast of Damien Chazelle’s Old Hollywood epic “Babylon” at Paramount Pictures, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The group joins the cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Katherine Waterston who were previously announced.
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, the film is reportedly a period drama set in the late 1920s and early ’30s in Hollywood at the turn in the movie industry between silents and talkies.
Chazelle wrote the script and will direct “Babylon.”
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire.
“Babylon” is Chazelle’s follow-up to his feature “First Man,” which starred Ryan Gosling in a biopic about the first man on the moon Neil Armstrong.
Minghella...
The group joins the cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Katherine Waterston who were previously announced.
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, the film is reportedly a period drama set in the late 1920s and early ’30s in Hollywood at the turn in the movie industry between silents and talkies.
Chazelle wrote the script and will direct “Babylon.”
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire.
“Babylon” is Chazelle’s follow-up to his feature “First Man,” which starred Ryan Gosling in a biopic about the first man on the moon Neil Armstrong.
Minghella...
- 6/2/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Damien Chazelle’s 1920s Hollywood-set movie Babylon has rounded out a bulk of what is expected to be its final casting. Of those set to head back in time are Max Minghella, Flea, Samara Weaving, Rory Scovel, Lukas Haas, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne and Damon Gupton.
All of them join the previously announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and as we first told you today, Katherine Waterston.
All parts and storylines for the next movie from the Oscar-winning La La Land director are under wraps. As we told you, the Paramount movie is R-rated and set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the motion picture industry turned from silent film to talkies.
Chazelle in addition to directing, wrote the script. Babylon hits theaters on Christmas Day 2022 in a limited release with a wide break on Jan. 6, 2023.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing.
All of them join the previously announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and as we first told you today, Katherine Waterston.
All parts and storylines for the next movie from the Oscar-winning La La Land director are under wraps. As we told you, the Paramount movie is R-rated and set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the motion picture industry turned from silent film to talkies.
Chazelle in addition to directing, wrote the script. Babylon hits theaters on Christmas Day 2022 in a limited release with a wide break on Jan. 6, 2023.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing.
- 6/2/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Katherine Waterston is boarding Damien Chazelle’s Paramount movie Babylon which is set in late 1920s Hollywood, we can tell you first.
All of the role descriptions and the plotline are being kept under wraps in the Oscar winning filmmaker’s next ensemble movie. What we know is that it’s an R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies.
Waterston joins the previously announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. Chazelle in addition to directing, wrote the script. Babylon hits theaters on Christmas Day 2022 in a limited release with a wide break on Jan. 6, 2023.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are EPs.
Waterston recently starred in Bleecker Street’s period romance The World to Come opposite Casey Affleck and Vanessa Kirby,...
All of the role descriptions and the plotline are being kept under wraps in the Oscar winning filmmaker’s next ensemble movie. What we know is that it’s an R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies.
Waterston joins the previously announced cast of Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li. Chazelle in addition to directing, wrote the script. Babylon hits theaters on Christmas Day 2022 in a limited release with a wide break on Jan. 6, 2023.
Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are EPs.
Waterston recently starred in Bleecker Street’s period romance The World to Come opposite Casey Affleck and Vanessa Kirby,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Mexican actor Diego Calva will join the ensemble cast of Damien Chazelle’s Hollywood period Paramount feature Babylon.
Calva joins the previously announced cast which includes Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li.
The project, which is set for a Christmas Day 2022 release and a Jan. 6, 2023 expansion, is an R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies. The film will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt.
In addition, Calva has inked with WME.
The Mexico City native has starred in the Netflix series Unstoppable and will appear in the upcoming season of the streamer’s Narcos: Mexico.
He previously starred in I Promise You Anarchy, which was screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The feature from Julio Hernández Cordón won several awards at such festivals as Mix Brasil,...
Calva joins the previously announced cast which includes Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li.
The project, which is set for a Christmas Day 2022 release and a Jan. 6, 2023 expansion, is an R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies. The film will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt.
In addition, Calva has inked with WME.
The Mexico City native has starred in the Netflix series Unstoppable and will appear in the upcoming season of the streamer’s Narcos: Mexico.
He previously starred in I Promise You Anarchy, which was screened at the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The feature from Julio Hernández Cordón won several awards at such festivals as Mix Brasil,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jovan Adepo is set to join Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt in Paramount Pictures Period Hollywood drama Babylon, with La La Land’s Damien Chazelle writing and directing. Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, and Marc Platt will produce. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel will executive produce.
The film is is an ensemble pic set in late 1920s Hollywood. It is unknown who Adepo will be playing. Paramount acquired the worldwide rights at the end of 2019 but the pandemic forced production to push but the plan is now to get things under way this spring. The film is set to premiere on Christmas 2022, with plans for a full-on award season push.
Paramount and Adepo have a strong relationship going back to when the studio and Denzel Washington handpicked him to play his son in Washington’s adaptation of Fences. The studio was so impressed Adepo was then tapped to...
The film is is an ensemble pic set in late 1920s Hollywood. It is unknown who Adepo will be playing. Paramount acquired the worldwide rights at the end of 2019 but the pandemic forced production to push but the plan is now to get things under way this spring. The film is set to premiere on Christmas 2022, with plans for a full-on award season push.
Paramount and Adepo have a strong relationship going back to when the studio and Denzel Washington handpicked him to play his son in Washington’s adaptation of Fences. The studio was so impressed Adepo was then tapped to...
- 3/3/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the films most anticipated for this year was always going to be Damien Chazelle’s follow-up to the Oscar winning La La Land. The flick in question is Babylon, a look at Old Hollywood that initially was going to reunite Chazelle with Emma Stone, who won an Academy Award for their first collaboration. Well, that’s not going to happen, for two reasons. One, Stone won’t be a part of the movie, but more on that later. The other reason? That has to do with Paramount moving the film to 2022. Read on for more, and set aside your disappointment, since we’re still a long way off, regardless. Deadline is reporting that Paramount has moved Babylon to Christmas Day of next year, and it makes sense. With Covid-19 stopping production on so many movies, it’s clear that this one never got started on filming. Plus, there...
- 1/7/2021
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Paramount made it official tonight that Lee Daniels’ The United States vs. Billie Holiday is off their theatrical release schedule. We first told you on Christmas Eve that the movie was headed over to Hulu, however, it wasn’t clear at that time whether Paramount would still wind up handling theatrical. Doesn’t look that way, and I hear the studio was far down the road in cutting trailers and printing marketing materials. Earlier today, notes to journalists were sent around about the pic being officially pushed by Hulu for the current awards season. Paramount was planning a Feb. 26 release.
New Slate Ventures, the financier of Billie Holiday, was in need of monetizing the film, and a Hulu sale was the better option for them versus a theatrical release via Paramount since 60% of domestic exhibition is closed down. CAA Media Finance brokered the deal for The United States vs. Billie Holiday move to Hulu,...
New Slate Ventures, the financier of Billie Holiday, was in need of monetizing the film, and a Hulu sale was the better option for them versus a theatrical release via Paramount since 60% of domestic exhibition is closed down. CAA Media Finance brokered the deal for The United States vs. Billie Holiday move to Hulu,...
- 1/7/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Margot Robbie is in early talks to replace Emma Stone in Damien Chazelle’s period drama “Babylon” for Paramount, Variety has confirmed.
Stone exited the film, which would have reunited her with Chazelle after working together on “La La Land,” due to scheduling issues. She and Brad Pitt were attached to “Babylon” a year ago when Paramount landed the rights to the project, which will take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters. The film has a Christmas Day 2021 release date planned.
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire. In November 2019, the California Film Commission awarded the project a $17.5 million tax credit allocation for shooting the period drama in the Golden State. The commission estimated that “Babylon” will generate $83.4 million in “qualified spending” — defined as below-the-line wages to California workers and payments...
Stone exited the film, which would have reunited her with Chazelle after working together on “La La Land,” due to scheduling issues. She and Brad Pitt were attached to “Babylon” a year ago when Paramount landed the rights to the project, which will take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters. The film has a Christmas Day 2021 release date planned.
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire. In November 2019, the California Film Commission awarded the project a $17.5 million tax credit allocation for shooting the period drama in the Golden State. The commission estimated that “Babylon” will generate $83.4 million in “qualified spending” — defined as below-the-line wages to California workers and payments...
- 12/2/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Emma Stone has exited the cast of Damien Chazelle’s Old Hollywood epic “Babylon” at Paramount Pictures, and Margot Robbie is in early discussions to replace Stone in the film, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Robbie would reunite with her co-star from “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” Brad Pitt on the film, who remains attached as the film is still moving forward.
Stone exited “Babylon” due to a scheduling conflict.
Paramount currently has the film slated for a Christmas Day release in 2021, but the film was meant to shoot in Los Angeles prior to the Covid-19 pandemic so it’s unclear whether that date will hold.
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, the film is reportedly a period drama set in the late 1920s and early ’30s in Hollywood at the turn in the movie industry between silents and talkies.
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton,...
Robbie would reunite with her co-star from “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” Brad Pitt on the film, who remains attached as the film is still moving forward.
Stone exited “Babylon” due to a scheduling conflict.
Paramount currently has the film slated for a Christmas Day release in 2021, but the film was meant to shoot in Los Angeles prior to the Covid-19 pandemic so it’s unclear whether that date will hold.
While plot details are still being kept under wraps, the film is reportedly a period drama set in the late 1920s and early ’30s in Hollywood at the turn in the movie industry between silents and talkies.
“Babylon” will be produced by Olivia Hamilton,...
- 12/2/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: In a major development on Babylon, Emma Stone won’t be reuniting after all with La La Land director Damien Chazelle. But the picture remains on strong footing: Margot Robbie is in early talks to have a re-team in this film with Brad Pitt, her Once Upon a Time in Hollywood co-star.
Sources said Stone is exiting the film for scheduling reasons, and that Paramount Pictures and Chazelle are right now in early discussions with Robbie to take the female lead role.
The film is a period, R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies. When Paramount acquired the picture in late 2019, it set a Christmas Day 2021 awards-qualifying release, with a wide berth January 7. This was before the pandemic and obviously subject to change because the expectation is it will shoot at least in part in Los Angeles. The...
Sources said Stone is exiting the film for scheduling reasons, and that Paramount Pictures and Chazelle are right now in early discussions with Robbie to take the female lead role.
The film is a period, R-rated drama, set in the shifting moment in Hollywood when the industry turned from silent film to talkies. When Paramount acquired the picture in late 2019, it set a Christmas Day 2021 awards-qualifying release, with a wide berth January 7. This was before the pandemic and obviously subject to change because the expectation is it will shoot at least in part in Los Angeles. The...
- 12/2/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Pictures has landed the worldwide rights to Damien Chazelle’s next feature film “Babylon,” sources tell Variety.
Insiders add the studio has dated the film for a Dec. 25, 2021 limited release, with plans to go wide on Jan. 7. The release date puts in prime position for another awards season run for Chazelle, who won a best director Oscar for “La La Land.”
The project first came on the market over the summer, and insiders say Paramount was competing with Lionsgate to land the distribution rights. Emma Stone and Brad Pitt are in talks to star but sources add deals have not closed for either Stone or Pitt.
Plot details are vague, but “Babylon” is said take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and will feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters, similar to Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” While the exact budget is still to be determined,...
Insiders add the studio has dated the film for a Dec. 25, 2021 limited release, with plans to go wide on Jan. 7. The release date puts in prime position for another awards season run for Chazelle, who won a best director Oscar for “La La Land.”
The project first came on the market over the summer, and insiders say Paramount was competing with Lionsgate to land the distribution rights. Emma Stone and Brad Pitt are in talks to star but sources add deals have not closed for either Stone or Pitt.
Plot details are vague, but “Babylon” is said take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and will feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters, similar to Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” While the exact budget is still to be determined,...
- 11/12/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Breaking: Paramount has acquired world rights for Babylon, a script that Damien Chazelle has written to direct as his next film. His La La Land star Emma Stone is circling to star with Brad Pitt. The actor deals aren’t yet done, but the plan is for them to team in an original R-rated drama that is set in a shifting moment in Hollywood, when the business was turning from silent films to talkies. Studio has dated it for Xmas Day, 2021 for limited release, broadening January 7. That is an Oscar-bait slot so the aspirations are large here.
The film will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire.
The project was first shopped in July, when Pitt was about to open opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and before Stone was readying the Ruben Fleischer-directed...
The film will be produced by Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe, Marc Platt and Tobey Maguire.
The project was first shopped in July, when Pitt was about to open opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and before Stone was readying the Ruben Fleischer-directed...
- 11/12/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive Update: I can add that Brad Pitt also is circling Babylon, the early-Hollywood period drama that is likely to reteam La La Land filmmaker Damien Chazelle with Emma Stone. Sources confirm that Pitt also is in the mix, though neither he nor Stone has made a commitment. I’ve also heard that Babylon is a drama that mixes real and fictional characters and is solidly in the R-rated category. Pitt is about to open opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie in the Quentin Tarantino-directed Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s one of the most impressive screen turns for Pitt in a long time.
Earlier Exclusive, 7:45 Am Pst: Several studios are lining up for Babylon, a script that Damien Chazelle has written to direct as his next film. I’m told that Lionsgate, which distributed the 14 Oscar-nominated La La Land, is considered the front-runner to land...
Earlier Exclusive, 7:45 Am Pst: Several studios are lining up for Babylon, a script that Damien Chazelle has written to direct as his next film. I’m told that Lionsgate, which distributed the 14 Oscar-nominated La La Land, is considered the front-runner to land...
- 7/15/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Joseph Baxter Jul 16, 2019
Emma Stone could headline La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s new movie, Babylon.
Babylon, the developing would-be film from Oscar-winning La La Land director Damien Chazelle, is already making plenty of industry waves as he currently considers would-be studios for the project. Moreover, the project’s value has just increased significantly with the latest report, which indicates that the film could facilitate a reunion between the director and the co-star of his Oscar-earning effort in Emma Stone. Additionally, a subsequent update reveals that Brad Pitt is also in the mix.
With La La Land distributor Lionsgate reportedly a front-runner for Chazelle’s next written/directorial turn, Babylon, it appears that Emma Stone – whose performance in the former earned a Best Lead Actress Oscar win in 2017 – is circling the starring role in the new film, leading what will become a large ensemble of high-profile names, according to Deadline.
Emma Stone could headline La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s new movie, Babylon.
Babylon, the developing would-be film from Oscar-winning La La Land director Damien Chazelle, is already making plenty of industry waves as he currently considers would-be studios for the project. Moreover, the project’s value has just increased significantly with the latest report, which indicates that the film could facilitate a reunion between the director and the co-star of his Oscar-earning effort in Emma Stone. Additionally, a subsequent update reveals that Brad Pitt is also in the mix.
With La La Land distributor Lionsgate reportedly a front-runner for Chazelle’s next written/directorial turn, Babylon, it appears that Emma Stone – whose performance in the former earned a Best Lead Actress Oscar win in 2017 – is circling the starring role in the new film, leading what will become a large ensemble of high-profile names, according to Deadline.
- 7/15/2019
- Den of Geek
“La La Land” director Damien Chazelle is heading back to Hollywood for his next feature film “Babylon,” and Emma Stone is in early talks star.
Sources say Chazelle has met with a handful of suitors over the past couple weeks, and Paramount and Lionsgate are both vying to land the project. While Chazelle previously worked with Lionsgate for “La La Land,” one insider added Paramount may have a slight edge in acquiring it given the scope of the film and the budget it would require to undertake it. “Babylon” is a period piece set in the 1920s Hollywood, and Chazelle is looking for an A-list ensemble to make this film his largest production to date.
Precise plot details are vague, but sources say the film will take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and will feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters, similar to Quentin Tarantino...
Sources say Chazelle has met with a handful of suitors over the past couple weeks, and Paramount and Lionsgate are both vying to land the project. While Chazelle previously worked with Lionsgate for “La La Land,” one insider added Paramount may have a slight edge in acquiring it given the scope of the film and the budget it would require to undertake it. “Babylon” is a period piece set in the 1920s Hollywood, and Chazelle is looking for an A-list ensemble to make this film his largest production to date.
Precise plot details are vague, but sources say the film will take place during the transition from silent films to talkies and will feature a mix of real-life and fictional characters, similar to Quentin Tarantino...
- 7/15/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Update (5:40pm Et): According to Deadline, Brad Pitt is also circling a role in Damien Chazelle’s new movie.
Earlier: Damien Chazelle is in production on his Netflix music drama series “The Eddy,” but he’s also gearing up for a return to the big screen in the near future. An exclusive report from Deadline says numerous studios are bidding for “Babylon,” a Hollywood period drama that Chazelle wrote as his next feature directorial effort. Lionsgate is reportedly the frontrunner to land the picture after successfully releasing Chazelle’s “La La Land” to the tune of $446 million worldwide and 14 Oscar nominations.
Plot details for “Babylon” are remaining under wraps. Deadline reports the film is not a musical but is “a bold auteur piece with a significant budget.” According to Variety, the film is set in Hollywood during the 1920s as the industry transitions from silent films to talkies.
Earlier: Damien Chazelle is in production on his Netflix music drama series “The Eddy,” but he’s also gearing up for a return to the big screen in the near future. An exclusive report from Deadline says numerous studios are bidding for “Babylon,” a Hollywood period drama that Chazelle wrote as his next feature directorial effort. Lionsgate is reportedly the frontrunner to land the picture after successfully releasing Chazelle’s “La La Land” to the tune of $446 million worldwide and 14 Oscar nominations.
Plot details for “Babylon” are remaining under wraps. Deadline reports the film is not a musical but is “a bold auteur piece with a significant budget.” According to Variety, the film is set in Hollywood during the 1920s as the industry transitions from silent films to talkies.
- 7/15/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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