Movie News
“If,” a fantasy-comedy from director John Krasinski and star Ryan Reynolds, looks to collect a promising $40 million in its box office debut.
Based on projections, “If” — short for imaginary friends — is tracking to land at least $35 million and as much as $45 million from 4,000 North American theaters. At the higher end of estimates, those ticket sales would mark a solid start for a live-action PG family film that’s not based on an existing property. But the movie cost $110 million, so it’ll need to resonate globally to justify its price tag. Ahead of its domestic release, “If” opened last weekend in two overseas markets, France and Belgium, where it’s earned $3.7 million to date. It lands this week in 56 additional international territories.
Krasinski wrote, directed and stars in “If,” which follows neighbors Cal and Bea (Reynolds and Cailey Fleming) with the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends. While...
Based on projections, “If” — short for imaginary friends — is tracking to land at least $35 million and as much as $45 million from 4,000 North American theaters. At the higher end of estimates, those ticket sales would mark a solid start for a live-action PG family film that’s not based on an existing property. But the movie cost $110 million, so it’ll need to resonate globally to justify its price tag. Ahead of its domestic release, “If” opened last weekend in two overseas markets, France and Belgium, where it’s earned $3.7 million to date. It lands this week in 56 additional international territories.
Krasinski wrote, directed and stars in “If,” which follows neighbors Cal and Bea (Reynolds and Cailey Fleming) with the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends. While...
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
DC Studios is wasting no time in setting a release date for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow now that the movie has found its director.
The high-profile movie will fly into cinemas on June 26, 2026, DC and Warner Bros. announced Tuesday. It is the second film to receive a release date since James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought in to overhaul DC under the new banner DC Studios. The first was Superman, which Gunn is currently shooting for a July 2025 release date.
Flimmaker Craig Gillespie was tapped by Gunn and Safran to shepherd Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon). She’ll play Superman’s Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. The feature film, from a script by Ana Nogueira, is inspired by the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic, and will depart from the earnest take on the character seen on the CW Supergirl series.
The plan is...
The high-profile movie will fly into cinemas on June 26, 2026, DC and Warner Bros. announced Tuesday. It is the second film to receive a release date since James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought in to overhaul DC under the new banner DC Studios. The first was Superman, which Gunn is currently shooting for a July 2025 release date.
Flimmaker Craig Gillespie was tapped by Gunn and Safran to shepherd Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon). She’ll play Superman’s Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. The feature film, from a script by Ana Nogueira, is inspired by the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic, and will depart from the earnest take on the character seen on the CW Supergirl series.
The plan is...
- 5/14/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. is aiming for a flawless victory, dating “Mortal Kombat 2” for an IMAX release on Oct. 24, 2025.
The New Line sequel, first announced in January 2022, will be written by Jeremy Slater, best known for the Disney Plus Marvel series “Moon Knight.” Simon McQuoid, who directed “Mortal Kombat,” returns to direct the follow-up. Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Damon Herriman, Tati Gabrielle and Martyn Ford star, with Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada. Todd Garner, James Wan, Simon McQuoid, E. Bennett Walsh and Toby Emmerich are producing.
The first “Mortal Kombat,” a martial arts-inspired adaptation of the popular video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, opened in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021, earning $42 million domestically and $83 million worldwide.
In a 2021 interview with Variety, McQuoid hinted at characters he’d be interested in including in a potential sequel.
The New Line sequel, first announced in January 2022, will be written by Jeremy Slater, best known for the Disney Plus Marvel series “Moon Knight.” Simon McQuoid, who directed “Mortal Kombat,” returns to direct the follow-up. Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Damon Herriman, Tati Gabrielle and Martyn Ford star, with Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada. Todd Garner, James Wan, Simon McQuoid, E. Bennett Walsh and Toby Emmerich are producing.
The first “Mortal Kombat,” a martial arts-inspired adaptation of the popular video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, opened in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021, earning $42 million domestically and $83 million worldwide.
In a 2021 interview with Variety, McQuoid hinted at characters he’d be interested in including in a potential sequel.
- 5/14/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
The Sydney Sweeney-led “Barbarella” film is taking shape, with Edgar Wright in talks to direct the picture for Sony. Jane Goldman and Honey Ross are in talks to pen the script.
Wright, best known for making the satiric zombie film “Shaun of the Dead,” is next set to direct Glen Powell in an adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Running Man.” Wright’s other directorial credits include “Last Night in Soho,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver.”
The project also marks another step in Sweeney’s continued relationship with Sony Pictures — she’s most recently starred in “Anyone but You” and “Madame Web” for the studio. While “Madame Web” was largely panned by critics, Sweeney says her involvement in the film was a “strategic business decision” that’s since paid off.
“To me, that film was a building block, it’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony,...
Wright, best known for making the satiric zombie film “Shaun of the Dead,” is next set to direct Glen Powell in an adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Running Man.” Wright’s other directorial credits include “Last Night in Soho,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver.”
The project also marks another step in Sweeney’s continued relationship with Sony Pictures — she’s most recently starred in “Anyone but You” and “Madame Web” for the studio. While “Madame Web” was largely panned by critics, Sweeney says her involvement in the film was a “strategic business decision” that’s since paid off.
“To me, that film was a building block, it’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Alex Garland’s critically-acclaimed “Civil War” has confirmed a theatrical release in mainland China. Marking the first A24 production to be released in China, it will arrive in cinemas from June 7.
Huahua Media took rights to the film for China. Tech and entertainment giant Alibaba will also be partnering with Huahua throughout the release.
Depicting a dystopian future America, the film’s story follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Academy-Award nominee Kirsten Dunst, and including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson, and Wagner Moura.
Founded in 2014 by veteran producer Wang Kefei, Huahua is one of the most active Chinese companies in overseas film investment and production. It has production credits including “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Transformers: The Last Knight,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Star Trek.
Huahua Media took rights to the film for China. Tech and entertainment giant Alibaba will also be partnering with Huahua throughout the release.
Depicting a dystopian future America, the film’s story follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Academy-Award nominee Kirsten Dunst, and including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson, and Wagner Moura.
Founded in 2014 by veteran producer Wang Kefei, Huahua is one of the most active Chinese companies in overseas film investment and production. It has production credits including “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Transformers: The Last Knight,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Star Trek.
- 5/16/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
If time is a river, as the oft-repeated phrase echoes through the second season of Prime Video’s mysterious, existential Western and metaphysical sci-fi series, the “Outer Range,” then the unrelenting flow of time is also an unforgivable force that stops for no man. Weirder and darker than ever, and yet somehow streamlined and more ruggedly focused, thanks to the series’ new veteran showrunner Charles Murray, “Outer Range” continues to grip and mesmerize with its mind-bending, enigmatic blend of family anxieties, crisis-of-faith dilemmas, impending land rivalries, and the burden of keeping secrets.
Continue reading ‘The Outer Range’ Review: Time Is A River For Josh Brolin In Still Weird, Existentially Compelling Season 2 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Outer Range’ Review: Time Is A River For Josh Brolin In Still Weird, Existentially Compelling Season 2 at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Unlike Cannes’ industry-catered competition section, the festival’s independent sidebar Directors’ Fortnight defines itself around audience outreach.
Headquartered halfway down the Croisette, equidistant from the Palais des Festivals, where the official selection screens for an industry-only crowd, Fortnight embraces the sprawl. The 56th edition programs 21 features and another eight shorts from May 15-25 (starting with Sophie Fillières’ posthumous “This Life of Mine”) while bringing select titles to many theaters far from the main drag.
That same selection will also offer the easiest point of access for so many locals, for whom Fortnight is often synonymous with Cannes, and who can always count on a 30-minute Q&a after each screening. Further afield, however, that clarity of identity begins to fade.
For one thing, the showcase doesn’t have a recognizable pitchman. In the time since Thierry Frémaux took over the official selection in 2004, Directors’ Fortnight has seen four artistic directors come and go,...
Headquartered halfway down the Croisette, equidistant from the Palais des Festivals, where the official selection screens for an industry-only crowd, Fortnight embraces the sprawl. The 56th edition programs 21 features and another eight shorts from May 15-25 (starting with Sophie Fillières’ posthumous “This Life of Mine”) while bringing select titles to many theaters far from the main drag.
That same selection will also offer the easiest point of access for so many locals, for whom Fortnight is often synonymous with Cannes, and who can always count on a 30-minute Q&a after each screening. Further afield, however, that clarity of identity begins to fade.
For one thing, the showcase doesn’t have a recognizable pitchman. In the time since Thierry Frémaux took over the official selection in 2004, Directors’ Fortnight has seen four artistic directors come and go,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Indiewire
Animated feature “Flow,” selected for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, has debuted an exclusive image and it’s purr-fect.
In the dialogue-free film, a flood is coming, quickly devouring everything on its way: including Cat’s home. There is no human in sight, but luckily, he finds refuge on a boat full of other animals. Together, they silently sail through the cat-astrophe.
Directed by Latvia’s Gints Zilbalodis, “Flow” is produced by Sacrebleu Productions, Dream Well Studio and Take Five. Charades handles sales.
“All the films I’ve made before didn’t have any dialogues either. I think it’s my strength: telling stories through images rather than words,” said the man in question, admitting that “Flow” was always supposed to be “visually driven.”
“All the characters are animals and we wanted them to behave like animals, to keep it grounded this way. It’s not a Disney film. I can...
In the dialogue-free film, a flood is coming, quickly devouring everything on its way: including Cat’s home. There is no human in sight, but luckily, he finds refuge on a boat full of other animals. Together, they silently sail through the cat-astrophe.
Directed by Latvia’s Gints Zilbalodis, “Flow” is produced by Sacrebleu Productions, Dream Well Studio and Take Five. Charades handles sales.
“All the films I’ve made before didn’t have any dialogues either. I think it’s my strength: telling stories through images rather than words,” said the man in question, admitting that “Flow” was always supposed to be “visually driven.”
“All the characters are animals and we wanted them to behave like animals, to keep it grounded this way. It’s not a Disney film. I can...
- 5/15/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety - Film News
France’s Les Films du Losange, the iconic distribution company owned by producer Charles Gillibert (“Annette”), has acquired Palmeraie et Desert,” the production company founded by celebrated filmmaker Raymond Depardon.
Les Films du Losange, which was bought by Gillibert from longtime manager Margaret Menegoz in 2021, has been dedicated to preserving and promoting cinematic heritage since its inception. It will now be responsible for the editorial management and global promotion of Depardon’s films.
This year’s Cannes Film Festival is unveiling the 4K restoration of “The Declic Years” as part of Cannes Classics which marks the beginning of the company’s work on their entire body of work. This will be articulated through four cycles covering all the feature films: Reporter, Africa, Citizen, and Peasant.
“Raymond Depardon is one of the greatest contemporary directors and photographers,” said Charles Gillibert, CEO of Les Films du Losange.
“Depardon always followed his intimate...
Les Films du Losange, which was bought by Gillibert from longtime manager Margaret Menegoz in 2021, has been dedicated to preserving and promoting cinematic heritage since its inception. It will now be responsible for the editorial management and global promotion of Depardon’s films.
This year’s Cannes Film Festival is unveiling the 4K restoration of “The Declic Years” as part of Cannes Classics which marks the beginning of the company’s work on their entire body of work. This will be articulated through four cycles covering all the feature films: Reporter, Africa, Citizen, and Peasant.
“Raymond Depardon is one of the greatest contemporary directors and photographers,” said Charles Gillibert, CEO of Les Films du Losange.
“Depardon always followed his intimate...
- 5/15/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
After two Palme d’Or wins, it feels like Ruben Östlund can make a movie about whatever the hell he wants with whatever actors he chooses. And for his new film, “The Entertainment System is Down,” it appears he’s doing just that. Plus, he bought a plane.
Read More: ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’: Keanu Reeves In Talks To Star In Ruben Östlund’s Upcoming Airplane Disaster Film
Deadline is reporting that Kirsten Dunst and Daniel Brühl are the latest actors to join Ruben Östlund’s ensemble cast for the satirical film, “The Entertainment System is Down.” The film tells the story of a long airplane flight where the onboard entertainment system goes down.
Continue reading ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’: Kirsten Dunst & Daniel Brühl Join Ruben Östlund’s Next Film at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’: Keanu Reeves In Talks To Star In Ruben Östlund’s Upcoming Airplane Disaster Film
Deadline is reporting that Kirsten Dunst and Daniel Brühl are the latest actors to join Ruben Östlund’s ensemble cast for the satirical film, “The Entertainment System is Down.” The film tells the story of a long airplane flight where the onboard entertainment system goes down.
Continue reading ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’: Kirsten Dunst & Daniel Brühl Join Ruben Östlund’s Next Film at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Neon Promotes Elissa Federoff to Chief Distribution Officer, Ryan Friscia to Chief Financial Officer
Neon, the indie studio behind “Anatomy of a Fall” and “Parasite,” has made a pair of key promotions.
Elissa Federoff has been named chief distribution officer, having previously served as president of distribution, while Ryan Friscia has been upped to chief financial officer, having previously served as the company’s EVP of finance and business development.
Federoff has been with Neon since its inception in 2017. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the company’s release strategy across all its titles. Recent Neon releases include Michael Mohan’s “Immaculate,” starring Sydney Sweeney, which has grossed more than $16 million; Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” which earned an Oscar nomination for best international feature; and “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards and won the Oscar for original screenplay.
Friscia joined Neon in 2020, helping to guide the company’s financial and operational strategy, which...
Elissa Federoff has been named chief distribution officer, having previously served as president of distribution, while Ryan Friscia has been upped to chief financial officer, having previously served as the company’s EVP of finance and business development.
Federoff has been with Neon since its inception in 2017. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the company’s release strategy across all its titles. Recent Neon releases include Michael Mohan’s “Immaculate,” starring Sydney Sweeney, which has grossed more than $16 million; Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days,” which earned an Oscar nomination for best international feature; and “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards and won the Oscar for original screenplay.
Friscia joined Neon in 2020, helping to guide the company’s financial and operational strategy, which...
- 5/15/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
The State of the Race
To be fair, and to not be a downer all the time about the variety series categories, the move to create a new Outstanding Scripted Variety Series category did re-energize this particular awards race a bit by putting “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and “Saturday Night Live” — two shows on huge Emmy-winning streaks — against each other for the first time ever.
The State of the Race
To be fair, and to not be a downer all the time about the variety series categories, the move to create a new Outstanding Scripted Variety Series category did re-energize this particular awards race a bit by putting “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” and “Saturday Night Live” — two shows on huge Emmy-winning streaks — against each other for the first time ever.
- 5/15/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Cannes film festival
First-time actor Agathe Riedinger is a wannabe influencer from the wrong side of the tracks in this forthright and fluent film
Feature first-timer Agathe Riedinger is bringing the TikTok energy for this story of a wannabe Insta influencer-princess from the wrong side of the tracks – but the director is also bringing some pretty old school social realism, exerting its downward gravitational pull. The result is forthright and fluent and fiercely acted by a newcomer lead who, in the time-honoured style of movies like this, is defiant, vulnerable and front and centre of almost every shot. But it also sometimes treads water in terms of narrative, running out of ideas before the end, and its final ambiguity about an ultimate success that is there to be hallucinated rather than achieved feels anticlimactic.
Liane, played by Malou Khebizi, is a 19-year-old with a French and Italian background living in...
First-time actor Agathe Riedinger is a wannabe influencer from the wrong side of the tracks in this forthright and fluent film
Feature first-timer Agathe Riedinger is bringing the TikTok energy for this story of a wannabe Insta influencer-princess from the wrong side of the tracks – but the director is also bringing some pretty old school social realism, exerting its downward gravitational pull. The result is forthright and fluent and fiercely acted by a newcomer lead who, in the time-honoured style of movies like this, is defiant, vulnerable and front and centre of almost every shot. But it also sometimes treads water in terms of narrative, running out of ideas before the end, and its final ambiguity about an ultimate success that is there to be hallucinated rather than achieved feels anticlimactic.
Liane, played by Malou Khebizi, is a 19-year-old with a French and Italian background living in...
- 5/15/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Amidst wi-fi and cellular outages, a threatened workers’ strike, and dialogue around the #MeToo movement in France, the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is underway. For Filmmaker, Vadim Rizov and Blake Williams are both back with on-the-ground reports and Critics Notebooks, and we begin with this list of 15 films that might be sliding under your radar. You don’t need us to recommend Coppola’s Megalopolis, Schrader’s Oh Canada, Cronenberg’s The Shrouds or any of the other titles from the higher-profile auteurs. Instead, we’ve focused here on debuting directors, U.S. independents, and arthouse auteurs who have dazzled us with […]
The post 15 Films Not to Miss at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post 15 Films Not to Miss at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/15/2024
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
‘Wicked’ Trailer: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Lead Jon M. Chu’s Adaptation Of The Broadway Musical
“The Wizard of Oz” is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time. And though we tend to poopoo any talk of prequels and sequels to treasured classics, there’s no denying everyone’s excitement for “Wicked.” The two-part film debuts its first half later this year and is expected to have the potential of being a major blockbuster.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer for “Wicked,” the film is based on the acclaimed Broadway musical and tells the story of Glinda and Elphaba, two budding witches as they go to the Shiz University to help grow their craft.
Continue reading ‘Wicked’ Trailer: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Lead Jon M. Chu’s Adaptation Of The Broadway Musical at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer for “Wicked,” the film is based on the acclaimed Broadway musical and tells the story of Glinda and Elphaba, two budding witches as they go to the Shiz University to help grow their craft.
Continue reading ‘Wicked’ Trailer: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Lead Jon M. Chu’s Adaptation Of The Broadway Musical at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
The idea of bringing back a beloved '90s cartoon like "X-Men: The Animated Series" after 30 years sounds quite like a cash grab meant to exploit nostalgic grown-up fans, but it quickly became clear "X-Men '97" was more than the nostalgia-bait the premiere led us to believe.
Indeed, this is a thoughtful follow-up to the already exquisite '90s show, one that takes advantage of the streaming era's embrace of serialization and grittier stories to deliver a bleak yet still hopeful story about loss, grief, and family. The turning point came during the Genosha genocide episode, which made the story and the characters lose their innocence and open their eyes to the reality of their world. This is a season of television that has delivered some poignant character drama and some thrilling superheroics, all while telling a story with big consequences for mutantkind, but also the larger Marvel universe. Make no mistake,...
Indeed, this is a thoughtful follow-up to the already exquisite '90s show, one that takes advantage of the streaming era's embrace of serialization and grittier stories to deliver a bleak yet still hopeful story about loss, grief, and family. The turning point came during the Genosha genocide episode, which made the story and the characters lose their innocence and open their eyes to the reality of their world. This is a season of television that has delivered some poignant character drama and some thrilling superheroics, all while telling a story with big consequences for mutantkind, but also the larger Marvel universe. Make no mistake,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Neon has promoted Elissa Federoff from president of distribution to chief distribution officer and Ryan Friscia from EVP, finance & business development to chief financial officer.
Federoff has been with the company since its inception in January 2017 and will continue to oversee the company’s release strategy.
The executive has steered Neon to one of its most successful periods at the box office since inception, with Sydney Sweeney starrer Immaculate earning more than $16m, 2023 Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall taking more than $5m to become the highest-grossing specialised foreign-language release post-Covid, and Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days on more than $3.7m.
Federoff has been with the company since its inception in January 2017 and will continue to oversee the company’s release strategy.
The executive has steered Neon to one of its most successful periods at the box office since inception, with Sydney Sweeney starrer Immaculate earning more than $16m, 2023 Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall taking more than $5m to become the highest-grossing specialised foreign-language release post-Covid, and Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days on more than $3.7m.
- 5/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ariana Grande is returning to her child-star roots to play Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked.”
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) as she and Glinda (Grande) befriend one another in college only to later both fall for the same classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) against the political turmoil in the land of Oz, run by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Adam James, Keala Settle, Bronwyn James, Ethan Slater, and Colin Michael Carmichael.
“In the Heights” and “Crazy Rich Asians” director Chu helms the two-part musical, written by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman. “Wicked” will debut in two parts, with respective holiday releases in 2024 and 2025.
Chu made the announcement of the split in a 2022 Instagram post, writing, “We decided to give...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Ozians are putting aside their panic for this one day, to celebrate!
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
The cause for commotion? Universal finally unveiled the first full-length trailer for its adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The dazzling, more than three-minute-long footage finally captures Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba singing two of the show’s anthems, “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
A prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” recounts the events that happened before Dorothy followed that iconic yellow brick road and Elphaba, ostracized for her green skin, became the Wicked Witch of the West. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship (turned rivalry) of Elphaba and Glinda, who first met as classmates at Shiz University, and asks a central question: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
In the glittering trailer, Elphaba meets her (blonde!) roommate Glinda and gets gifted her signature black witch hat.
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
The State of the Race
It is hard to not find the situation with Outstanding Talk Series to be pretty bleak. For over two decades anything related to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” has won. More recently “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was winning the previous iteration of the category so much that the Television Academy changed the rules to move...
The State of the Race
It is hard to not find the situation with Outstanding Talk Series to be pretty bleak. For over two decades anything related to “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” has won. More recently “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was winning the previous iteration of the category so much that the Television Academy changed the rules to move...
- 5/15/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
We've seen David Lynch's psychedelic take on the first "Dune" novel in his 1984 film, we witnessed the precipitous rise of Paul Atreides through director Denis Villeneuve's two epic and complex blockbusters, but we've never seen anything quite like this. Amid all the wars and politicking and worm-riding, the mysterious sect of women pulling the strings behind the curtain known as the Bene Gesserit have hardly received the spotlight that they probably deserve. Until "Part Two" introduced us to Léa Seydoux's Lady Margot Fenring, Rebecca Ferguson's Lady Jessica and Charlotte Rampling's Reverend Mother were the only two members of this religious order that viewers ever actually met.
That finally changes in a big way with the upcoming spin-off series slated to debut on Max, initially known as "Dune: The Sisterhood" but since rebranded as "Dune: Prophecy." (Max sadly turned down my own personal pitches for the title: "Space...
That finally changes in a big way with the upcoming spin-off series slated to debut on Max, initially known as "Dune: The Sisterhood" but since rebranded as "Dune: Prophecy." (Max sadly turned down my own personal pitches for the title: "Space...
- 5/15/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
I hope you're happy, "Wicked" fans. The "Wizard of Oz" musical, itself based on the fanciful, world building-dense Gregory Maguire novel that re-imagines the characters and stories from L. Frank Baum's "Oz" books, has been slow to make the leap from stage to screen. On the way, it also went from a single film to two, which is a bit disconcerting for a work that clocks in at a tightly-paced two and a half hours in its original form. The movie features new songs and script material by returning "Wicked" lyricist Stephen Schwartz and writer Winnie Holzman, but will that be enough to justify the split? Or should we be concerned that something bad is happening in Oz?
(Also yes, for those who are wondering, I will be making "Wicked" puns for the rest of this article because I'm nothing if not committed to the bit.)
Both "Wicked" films...
(Also yes, for those who are wondering, I will be making "Wicked" puns for the rest of this article because I'm nothing if not committed to the bit.)
Both "Wicked" films...
- 5/15/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Of all the shows to debut last year, you could argue that HBO’s “The Last of Us” was the biggest breakout. Not only was it a faithful adaptation of the Playstation video game series, but it also won over casual viewers as a must-see event. Now, everyone is eagerly anticipating the return of the series for Season 2.
Read More: ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘Dead Ringers,’ ‘The Bear’ Among 2024 Peabody Awards Nominees
While we’re still pretty far away from the release of Season 2, HBO has released first-look images of the new batch of episodes, highlighting the two biggest returning names, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, as Joel and Ellie, respectively.
Continue reading ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2 First Look: HBO Releases Images From The New Season Coming In 2025 at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘Dead Ringers,’ ‘The Bear’ Among 2024 Peabody Awards Nominees
While we’re still pretty far away from the release of Season 2, HBO has released first-look images of the new batch of episodes, highlighting the two biggest returning names, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, as Joel and Ellie, respectively.
Continue reading ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2 First Look: HBO Releases Images From The New Season Coming In 2025 at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Adapted from Bill Bennett’s memoir, this film about his time hiking the 800km trail celebrates life’s simplest pleasures: walking, talking, imbibing
If the objective behind this modestly enjoyable film about walking the Camino de Santiago was to get us in the mood for travelling on foot through a foreign country, taking intermittent wine breaks, then I certainly found it successful: open the Pinot and pass me a hiking pole!
Adapted by Bill Bennett from his 2013 memoir of the same name, The Way, My Way charts the Australian film-maker’s 800-kilometre journey through Spain to the tomb of St James, a journey undertaken by countless pilgrims over the years.
If the objective behind this modestly enjoyable film about walking the Camino de Santiago was to get us in the mood for travelling on foot through a foreign country, taking intermittent wine breaks, then I certainly found it successful: open the Pinot and pass me a hiking pole!
Adapted by Bill Bennett from his 2013 memoir of the same name, The Way, My Way charts the Australian film-maker’s 800-kilometre journey through Spain to the tomb of St James, a journey undertaken by countless pilgrims over the years.
- 5/15/2024
- by Luke Buckmaster
- The Guardian - Film News
We've been hearing for years about the death of DVD and Blu-ray. The physical media market is not what it once was, with hardcore collectors driving new business and impressive new 4K releases of classics and new movies aimed at a small but loyal section of consumers. Sales of DVD and Blu-ray discs were down 25% in 2023, even though home entertainment -- driven in large part by VOD -- was up 16.8% to $43 billion. Heck, even Disney is shutting down the Disney Movie Club this year while handing its physical media business to Sony. But the death of DVD has been greatly exaggerated, at least according to Oscar-winning "Dances With Wolves" director Kevin Costner.
The acclaimed actor and filmmaker is gearing up to release the first part of his ambitious, four-part Western "Horizon: An American Saga" this summer. During a recent interview with Deadline, the filmmaker was asked about risking $100 million (likely...
The acclaimed actor and filmmaker is gearing up to release the first part of his ambitious, four-part Western "Horizon: An American Saga" this summer. During a recent interview with Deadline, the filmmaker was asked about risking $100 million (likely...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Dawn Porter’s documentary about R&b icon Luther Vandross, “Luther: Never Too Much,” has been acquired by CNN Films in partnership with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), IndieWire can reveal exclusively.
The documentary film, which first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, will debut in 2025 first on television on CNN and OWN before it lands on Max.
The acquisition is encouraging news for CNN Films, which back in 2022 under former boss Chris Licht scaled back on its original documentary films. The brand moved away from acquisitions or commissioning projects and opted instead for newsy, quick turnaround docs produced in-house.
But CNN Films also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios on this fall’s release of “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” so the two acquisitions, both from this year’s Sundance, is a positive step forward for the documentary brand.
“Luther: Never Too Much” chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso,...
The documentary film, which first premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, will debut in 2025 first on television on CNN and OWN before it lands on Max.
The acquisition is encouraging news for CNN Films, which back in 2022 under former boss Chris Licht scaled back on its original documentary films. The brand moved away from acquisitions or commissioning projects and opted instead for newsy, quick turnaround docs produced in-house.
But CNN Films also partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios on this fall’s release of “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” so the two acquisitions, both from this year’s Sundance, is a positive step forward for the documentary brand.
“Luther: Never Too Much” chronicles the story of a vocal virtuoso,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
She sprays her sets with scent made from sweat, saliva, blood and sperm – and her unearthly debut about a hoarding mother is bagging awards and acclaim. We meet the wildly talented young director whose next film will be ‘an anti-man manifesto’
To reach Luna Carmoon, who is at the other end of a banquet table tucking into her vegetable pie, I have to shuffle sideways along the narrow gap between the seating and the wall. This means 10 seconds elapse between us spotting one another in the London pie-and-mash shop and finally greeting each other across the table. Then I have to shuffle all the way out again to order at the counter. The 26-year-old film-maker, who has thick, frizzy orange hair, might have engineered the whole situation for maximum cringe. “I always make things weird,” she says with a naughty smile.
The proof is in the pie: her debut feature,...
To reach Luna Carmoon, who is at the other end of a banquet table tucking into her vegetable pie, I have to shuffle sideways along the narrow gap between the seating and the wall. This means 10 seconds elapse between us spotting one another in the London pie-and-mash shop and finally greeting each other across the table. Then I have to shuffle all the way out again to order at the counter. The 26-year-old film-maker, who has thick, frizzy orange hair, might have engineered the whole situation for maximum cringe. “I always make things weird,” she says with a naughty smile.
The proof is in the pie: her debut feature,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
Cannes Film Festival president Iris Knobloch kicked off her mandate last year with a banner edition that saw the premieres of Oscar-winners “The Zone of Interest” and “Anatomy of a Fall.”
Ever since, Knobloch — who is the former boss of WarnerMedia France and Germany — has been discreetly collaborating with festival director Thierry Frémaux to lure U.S. studios and talent on the Croisette. And while the film business’ state of mind is rather gloomy, Cannes opened on a vibrant note Tuesday night with a tribute to Meryl Streep, who hadn’t been at Cannes since “A Cry in the Dark,” for which she won best actress in 1989. The ceremony also celebrated “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig, who is presiding over the competition jury.
In an interview with Variety at the start of the festival, a cheerful Knobloch said the presence of Gerwig, Streep and “Call My Agent!” star Camille Cottin (who...
Ever since, Knobloch — who is the former boss of WarnerMedia France and Germany — has been discreetly collaborating with festival director Thierry Frémaux to lure U.S. studios and talent on the Croisette. And while the film business’ state of mind is rather gloomy, Cannes opened on a vibrant note Tuesday night with a tribute to Meryl Streep, who hadn’t been at Cannes since “A Cry in the Dark,” for which she won best actress in 1989. The ceremony also celebrated “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig, who is presiding over the competition jury.
In an interview with Variety at the start of the festival, a cheerful Knobloch said the presence of Gerwig, Streep and “Call My Agent!” star Camille Cottin (who...
- 5/15/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
Working class representation within the UK’s film, TV and radio industries is at its lowest level for over a decade, according to research revealed by Channel 4 News.
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre research shows that just over 8% of creatives in these industries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland come from working class backgrounds.
More widely, 60% of arts, culture and heritage workers grew up in a household where the main income earner was in a ‘managerial or professional’ role, compared to the equivalent figure for the whole workforce of 43%.
The research comes despite myriad diversity policies and...
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre research shows that just over 8% of creatives in these industries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland come from working class backgrounds.
More widely, 60% of arts, culture and heritage workers grew up in a household where the main income earner was in a ‘managerial or professional’ role, compared to the equivalent figure for the whole workforce of 43%.
The research comes despite myriad diversity policies and...
- 5/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Rene Russo’s big break in “Major League” came with a minor problem.
The “Major League” writer/director David S. Ward recalled during the “Hollywood Gold” podcast (via Entertainment Weekly) that Russo was “so nervous” both in the audition and on set that she kept using her hands too much in scenes. As a result, Ward opted to “tie down” her hands so Russo could temper her gestures. “Major League” marked Russo’s first role.
“The only problem we had with her was she’s Italian, and when she gets going there’s a lot of the hands, a lot of the talking with the hands, you know?” Ward said. “And they would be flying across her face.”
While filming the 1989 baseball comedy that co-starred Charlie Sheen, Ward told Russo to keep her hands out of her own face.
“I said, ‘Rene, you’ve got to keep the hands down,...
The “Major League” writer/director David S. Ward recalled during the “Hollywood Gold” podcast (via Entertainment Weekly) that Russo was “so nervous” both in the audition and on set that she kept using her hands too much in scenes. As a result, Ward opted to “tie down” her hands so Russo could temper her gestures. “Major League” marked Russo’s first role.
“The only problem we had with her was she’s Italian, and when she gets going there’s a lot of the hands, a lot of the talking with the hands, you know?” Ward said. “And they would be flying across her face.”
While filming the 1989 baseball comedy that co-starred Charlie Sheen, Ward told Russo to keep her hands out of her own face.
“I said, ‘Rene, you’ve got to keep the hands down,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
The State of the Race
This year, Outstanding Animated Program is arguably the most competitive of the more recognizable Emmys categories. As proven by last year, with “The Simpsons” winning for its 34th season, it is one of the only categories where multiple shows that have been on the air for decades remain super competitive year-to-year
In addition to the aforementioned longest-running Fox...
The State of the Race
This year, Outstanding Animated Program is arguably the most competitive of the more recognizable Emmys categories. As proven by last year, with “The Simpsons” winning for its 34th season, it is one of the only categories where multiple shows that have been on the air for decades remain super competitive year-to-year
In addition to the aforementioned longest-running Fox...
- 5/15/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Alex Garland's "Civil War" seems destined to be remembered as one of the movies of the year, for better and worse. The film about war photographers capturing the carnage of a divided, brutally violent future America has proven polarizing among audiences and critics, with many praising it as a powerful work while others criticize it as hollow. Issues related to its use of AI in promotional materials and the inclusion of archival footage from nefarious sources make one's decision to sit with this movie even more fraught, yet it's also proved a hit. In addition to enjoying a bigger box office opening than any other A24 film to date, "Civil War" is now only the studio's second movie to reach the $100 million mark.
/Film's Jacob Hall called the film "terrifying" in his positive review out of South By Southwest, but ultimately, "Civil War" seems to be a war drama...
/Film's Jacob Hall called the film "terrifying" in his positive review out of South By Southwest, but ultimately, "Civil War" seems to be a war drama...
- 5/15/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Dearest readers: It’s Bridgerton Week at IndieWire. We’re celebrating the new season by diving deep on one of the best romance shows on TV.
Lady Whistledown’s innovation among the scandal sheets is that she uses people’s names to dish about marriage-mart gossip. But the “Bridgerton” costume department has had quite a novel innovation on an old form, too, and one we deem worthy of celebration.
How we feel about old-timey clothes is influenced by an intuitive set of conventions that reflect our contemporary fashion tastes. A costume designer’s choice of color, silhouette (the outline or shape of a garment), fabric, and texture all work to tell us who is conceited, who is shy, and who is, as Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) would put it, a sparkler.
But if one looks at costumes from Regency romances 10 or 15 years before “Bridgerton” first aired in 2020 — your “Pride & Prejudice...
Lady Whistledown’s innovation among the scandal sheets is that she uses people’s names to dish about marriage-mart gossip. But the “Bridgerton” costume department has had quite a novel innovation on an old form, too, and one we deem worthy of celebration.
How we feel about old-timey clothes is influenced by an intuitive set of conventions that reflect our contemporary fashion tastes. A costume designer’s choice of color, silhouette (the outline or shape of a garment), fabric, and texture all work to tell us who is conceited, who is shy, and who is, as Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) would put it, a sparkler.
But if one looks at costumes from Regency romances 10 or 15 years before “Bridgerton” first aired in 2020 — your “Pride & Prejudice...
- 5/15/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
There’s no denying that “Dune” is a hot franchise, at the moment. Thanks to two incredible films, retelling the story of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel, there are more fans of “Dune” than ever before. Sounds like a good time to expand that franchise, huh?
Read More: Summer TV Preview: Over 35 Must-See Series To Watch
As seen in the teaser for “Dune: Prophecy,” the first spinoff goes back in time 10,000 years to showcase the birth of the Bene Gesserit.
Continue reading ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Trailer: Witness The Creation Of The Bene Gesserit In Max’s Spinoff Series at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer TV Preview: Over 35 Must-See Series To Watch
As seen in the teaser for “Dune: Prophecy,” the first spinoff goes back in time 10,000 years to showcase the birth of the Bene Gesserit.
Continue reading ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Trailer: Witness The Creation Of The Bene Gesserit In Max’s Spinoff Series at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Put Ilana Glazer in a comedy set in New York City and we’ll be sat, no questions asked. For “Babes,” Glazer teamed up to co-write, produce, and star in Pamela Adlon‘s feature directorial debut, a laugh-out-loud coming-of-age buddy comedy following life-long best friends (Glazer and Michelle Buteau) as they navigate different phases of adulthood through the lens of pregnancy. IndieWire caught up with the team and stars behind the film at its New York City premiere on Tuesday, May 14.
Glazer, who co-wrote the film with “Broad City” alum Josh Rabinowitz, reflected on how their creative relationship has evolved since Glazer started comedy at 19 years old and Rabinowitz was just getting out of college. “Growing in comedy with Josh has been such a privilege,” Glazer told IndieWire. “I [was] a few years in and we were just knuckleheads together, like absolute knuckleheads. Just trying our best being on stage and...
Glazer, who co-wrote the film with “Broad City” alum Josh Rabinowitz, reflected on how their creative relationship has evolved since Glazer started comedy at 19 years old and Rabinowitz was just getting out of college. “Growing in comedy with Josh has been such a privilege,” Glazer told IndieWire. “I [was] a few years in and we were just knuckleheads together, like absolute knuckleheads. Just trying our best being on stage and...
- 5/15/2024
- by Vincent Perella
- Indiewire
It’ll just be a little longer until audiences get more “The Last of Us.”
Season 2 of the hit HBO series will premiere in 2025, but today, fans can get a glimpse at the new cast members joining Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
During the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content Casey Bloys unveiled the first look at “The Last of Us” Season 2. As previously announced, new cast members include Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, and Danny Ramirez as Manny. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars.
Returning actors in addition to Pascal and Ramsey are Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria.
“The Last of Us” is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television...
Season 2 of the hit HBO series will premiere in 2025, but today, fans can get a glimpse at the new cast members joining Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
During the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content Casey Bloys unveiled the first look at “The Last of Us” Season 2. As previously announced, new cast members include Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, and Danny Ramirez as Manny. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars.
Returning actors in addition to Pascal and Ramsey are Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria.
“The Last of Us” is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The “Dune” universe is expanding once more.
After the massively successful release of “Dune: Part Two” and the teasing of a third film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the literary franchise has landed a TV adaptation with “Dune: Prophecy.” The Max series is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel “Sisterhood of Dune” — a teaser was revealed during the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation, with the six-episode season set to debut this fall on streamer Max.
The official synopsis reads: From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), “Dune: Prophecy” follows two Harkonnen sisters (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The ensemble cast includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong,...
After the massively successful release of “Dune: Part Two” and the teasing of a third film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the literary franchise has landed a TV adaptation with “Dune: Prophecy.” The Max series is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel “Sisterhood of Dune” — a teaser was revealed during the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation, with the six-episode season set to debut this fall on streamer Max.
The official synopsis reads: From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), “Dune: Prophecy” follows two Harkonnen sisters (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The ensemble cast includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The Golden Horse Film Festival, which operates the premier awards in the Chinese-language film industry, has teamed up with Cannes’ Marché du Film to showcase a handful of new films and projects under the banner Golden Horse Goes to Cannes.
To be presented May 16, the five films comprise new works from directors Chen Yu-hsun, Yang Ya-che, Huang Xi, Giddens Ko and John Hsu, with such high-profile producers as Lee Lieh, Sylvia Chang, Aileen Li, Jeffrey Chan and Hou Hsiao-hsien.
Yang Ya-che, known for Golden Horse-winning “The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful,” and for shaping the careers of several actors, returns behind the camera with “The Chronicles of Libidoists.”
It was a standout at the Golden Horse project market, while at the production stage, the scandalous nature of its erotic take on “The Little Mermaid” tale meant that the names of the cast had to be kept secret.
They are...
To be presented May 16, the five films comprise new works from directors Chen Yu-hsun, Yang Ya-che, Huang Xi, Giddens Ko and John Hsu, with such high-profile producers as Lee Lieh, Sylvia Chang, Aileen Li, Jeffrey Chan and Hou Hsiao-hsien.
Yang Ya-che, known for Golden Horse-winning “The Bold, the Corrupt and the Beautiful,” and for shaping the careers of several actors, returns behind the camera with “The Chronicles of Libidoists.”
It was a standout at the Golden Horse project market, while at the production stage, the scandalous nature of its erotic take on “The Little Mermaid” tale meant that the names of the cast had to be kept secret.
They are...
- 5/15/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
A wedding is an incredibly stressful, but exciting event. Typically, if you’re getting married, then you have the unwavering support of your family and close friends. But what if the people closest to you are trying to talk you out of it? That’s the problem at the heart of “The Young Wife.”
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer, “The Young Wife” tells the story of a young woman who is excited to be marrying her fiance.
Continue reading ‘The Young Wife’ Trailer: Kiersey Clemons & Leon Bridges Are Getting Married In Tayarisha Poe’s Stylish Drama at The Playlist.
Read More: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
As seen in the trailer, “The Young Wife” tells the story of a young woman who is excited to be marrying her fiance.
Continue reading ‘The Young Wife’ Trailer: Kiersey Clemons & Leon Bridges Are Getting Married In Tayarisha Poe’s Stylish Drama at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
Reflecting on her illustrious career at Cannes Film Festival, Oscar winner Meryl Streep opened up about one of her most iconic on-screen moments — the shampoo scene from “Out of Africa.”
The 1986 Sydney Pollack film starred Streep and Robert Redford as a baroness and a big game hunter who fall in love in a lush desert romance. In what is considered one of the most intimate moments in movie history, Redford gives Streep a steamy salon scrub in a South African river. The actress went so far as to call the moment a sex scene.
“It’s a sex scene in a way, because it’s so intimate. We’ve seen so many scenes of people fucking, but we don’t see that loving touch, that care,” Streep said to big applause during a conversation at Cannes’ Théâtre Debussy.
In an interesting wrinkle, Redford needed some coaching on precisely how to...
The 1986 Sydney Pollack film starred Streep and Robert Redford as a baroness and a big game hunter who fall in love in a lush desert romance. In what is considered one of the most intimate moments in movie history, Redford gives Streep a steamy salon scrub in a South African river. The actress went so far as to call the moment a sex scene.
“It’s a sex scene in a way, because it’s so intimate. We’ve seen so many scenes of people fucking, but we don’t see that loving touch, that care,” Streep said to big applause during a conversation at Cannes’ Théâtre Debussy.
In an interesting wrinkle, Redford needed some coaching on precisely how to...
- 5/15/2024
- by Matt Donnelly and Ellise Shafer
- Variety - Film News
It took playing a stunt actor for Oscar-nominated star Ryan Gosling to realize his own phobias mid-stunt scene.
While leading “The Fall Guy” as stunt actor Colt, Gosling revealed to WSJ Magazine that he can now understand the physical toll of performing action sequences.
“You can’t breathe or the wind is knocked out of you, or you’re seeing stars or you’re kind of blacking out,” Gosling said. There was even one moment while filming his drop from a ledge into an atrium where Gosling almost couldn’t move.
“My body turns to stone,” he recalled of the moment on set. “I think it’s happened when I had kids — really, you start to be way more conscious of everything you do and everything you’ve ever done and everything you will do if you get a chance to do it.”
Yet that doesn’t mean that Gosling...
While leading “The Fall Guy” as stunt actor Colt, Gosling revealed to WSJ Magazine that he can now understand the physical toll of performing action sequences.
“You can’t breathe or the wind is knocked out of you, or you’re seeing stars or you’re kind of blacking out,” Gosling said. There was even one moment while filming his drop from a ledge into an atrium where Gosling almost couldn’t move.
“My body turns to stone,” he recalled of the moment on set. “I think it’s happened when I had kids — really, you start to be way more conscious of everything you do and everything you’ve ever done and everything you will do if you get a chance to do it.”
Yet that doesn’t mean that Gosling...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
This year’s Cannes is set to be the most activist-heavy yet. As well as potential protests around #MeToo and the Israel-Hamas war — not to mention a potential workers strike – animal rights activists are also hoping to make a splash during the festival.
“Orca – Black & White Gold,” a documentary about the international trade of endangered orcas, is set to screen next week as part of the Marché du Film. The screening, which is being organized with the help of non-profit organization The Blue Water Institute on May 20, will be followed by a Q&a with the film’s director and producer Sarah Nörenberg and Muriel Arnal, president of French animal rights Ngo OneVoice.
Variety understands part of the reason for screening the film in Cannes is to highlight the plight of three captive orcas at the Marineland animal park in nearby Antibes, which is just a 40 minute drive from the Palais des Festivals.
“Orca – Black & White Gold,” a documentary about the international trade of endangered orcas, is set to screen next week as part of the Marché du Film. The screening, which is being organized with the help of non-profit organization The Blue Water Institute on May 20, will be followed by a Q&a with the film’s director and producer Sarah Nörenberg and Muriel Arnal, president of French animal rights Ngo OneVoice.
Variety understands part of the reason for screening the film in Cannes is to highlight the plight of three captive orcas at the Marineland animal park in nearby Antibes, which is just a 40 minute drive from the Palais des Festivals.
- 5/15/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - Film News
Denis Villeneuve has worked some cinematic magic by making not one but two successful "Dune" movies, especially since for years people considered Frank Herbert's sci-fi tome to be unadaptable. Villeneuve broke Herbert's book in half, starting off with "Dune" released in 2021, and then continuing things with this year's "Dune: Part Two" (you can read our review right here). While Villeneuve always intended to make two films (the first movie's title card proclaimed it to be "Dune: Part One" before a second film was even officially given the green light in the public), he didn't shoot the movies back to back — there was a bit of a gap between productions.
But as it turns out, that wasn't the original plan. According to Villeneuve himself, his initial goal was to shoot "Dune" and "Dune: Part Two" back-to-back, similar to what Peter Jackson did with his glorious "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
But as it turns out, that wasn't the original plan. According to Villeneuve himself, his initial goal was to shoot "Dune" and "Dune: Part Two" back-to-back, similar to what Peter Jackson did with his glorious "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
- 5/15/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Baltimore filmmakers and audiences commingled in and around the historic Parkway Theater at the physical center and symbolic heart of the city from May 2 – 5 for the 25th anniversary edition of the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF). When MdFF announced in 2022 that they would be ceasing operations the following year, including all screening activity at the Parkway (its home since the renovations finished in 2017), I thought the fest could go the way of so many things in the city’s arts district, Station North: quiet abandonment and disrepair. It is a testament to the institutional strength of the […]
The post Festival Report: The 2024 Maryland Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Festival Report: The 2024 Maryland Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/15/2024
- by Alex Lei
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Film Mode has acquired international sales rights to the action adventure Decade Of The Dead which received its market screening debut in Cannes this week.
Sean Patrick Thomas, Shane Johnson, Jenna Leigh Green, Corsica Wilson, and Marissa Merrill star in the story, set 10 years after the apocalypse as a group of bounty hunters seek refuge on a tropical island ruled by a deranged cult leader.
Adam Deyoe and Fairai Branscombe Richmond directed Decade Of The Dead from a screenplay Loren Semmens and Adam Deyoe. Semmens, Bryan Spicer, and Joel Michaely produced.
Clay Epstein and his team are showing a promo reel to buyers.
Sean Patrick Thomas, Shane Johnson, Jenna Leigh Green, Corsica Wilson, and Marissa Merrill star in the story, set 10 years after the apocalypse as a group of bounty hunters seek refuge on a tropical island ruled by a deranged cult leader.
Adam Deyoe and Fairai Branscombe Richmond directed Decade Of The Dead from a screenplay Loren Semmens and Adam Deyoe. Semmens, Bryan Spicer, and Joel Michaely produced.
Clay Epstein and his team are showing a promo reel to buyers.
- 5/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Karim Aïnouz is harnessing the sweaty desire of corruption for his latest erotic thriller “Motel Destino.”
The Brazilian filmmaker returns to his native country for the feature, which was shot entirely in Aïnouz’s homeland of Ceará. “Motel Destino” stars Iago Xavier and Nataly Rocha, who were selected from an extensive casting process, and renowned Brazilian actor Fabio Assunção.
Per the official synopsis, neon-hued Motel Destino is a roadside sex hotel under the burning blue skies of the Northeastern coast of Brazil, run by the boorish Elias and his frustrated, beautiful wife Dayana. When 21-year-old Heraldo finds himself at the motel, after messing up a hit and going on the run from both the police and the gang he let down, Dayana finds herself intrigued and lets him stay. As the two navigate a dance of power, desire and liberation, a dangerous plan for freedom emerges. In this tropical noir,...
The Brazilian filmmaker returns to his native country for the feature, which was shot entirely in Aïnouz’s homeland of Ceará. “Motel Destino” stars Iago Xavier and Nataly Rocha, who were selected from an extensive casting process, and renowned Brazilian actor Fabio Assunção.
Per the official synopsis, neon-hued Motel Destino is a roadside sex hotel under the burning blue skies of the Northeastern coast of Brazil, run by the boorish Elias and his frustrated, beautiful wife Dayana. When 21-year-old Heraldo finds himself at the motel, after messing up a hit and going on the run from both the police and the gang he let down, Dayana finds herself intrigued and lets him stay. As the two navigate a dance of power, desire and liberation, a dangerous plan for freedom emerges. In this tropical noir,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Ethan Hawke is an actor who always chooses interesting projects. Sure, sometimes he’ll jump on a Marvel project or a horror film, but he will also lend his talents for an indie thriller such as the forthcoming “The Last of the Tribe.”
Read More: ‘The Sensitive Kind’: Ethan Hawke To Star In Sterlin Harjo’s New FX Drama Series
As reported by Variety, Ethan Hawke is set to star in Claudio Borrelli’s new film, “The Last of the Tribe.” In the film, Hawke plays an ex-Chicago cop who is now a corporate gun-for-hire.
Continue reading ‘The Last Of The Tribe’: Ethan Hawke To Star In Claudio Borrelli’s Thriller at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘The Sensitive Kind’: Ethan Hawke To Star In Sterlin Harjo’s New FX Drama Series
As reported by Variety, Ethan Hawke is set to star in Claudio Borrelli’s new film, “The Last of the Tribe.” In the film, Hawke plays an ex-Chicago cop who is now a corporate gun-for-hire.
Continue reading ‘The Last Of The Tribe’: Ethan Hawke To Star In Claudio Borrelli’s Thriller at The Playlist.
- 5/15/2024
- by Martin Miller
- The Playlist
“Civil War,” Alex Garland’s film about journalists navigating a fractured United States, has set a digital release date.
The A24 film, which inspired plenty of critical debate, is set to debut on VOD on May 24. It will be available to rent/purchase on both Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Nick Offerman, the film set an A24 record with a $25 million opening weekend.
When speaking with Variety in a cover story about the film, Dunst said the work is intentionally meant to spark debate.
“The whole movie is open to interpretation,” Dunst said. “For me, there were things I just accepted that were unexplained. It allows the audience to fill in their own feelings about what they’re watching.”
Garland agreed it was best for him not to connect too many dots.
“I have my own answers to these questions.
The A24 film, which inspired plenty of critical debate, is set to debut on VOD on May 24. It will be available to rent/purchase on both Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Nick Offerman, the film set an A24 record with a $25 million opening weekend.
When speaking with Variety in a cover story about the film, Dunst said the work is intentionally meant to spark debate.
“The whole movie is open to interpretation,” Dunst said. “For me, there were things I just accepted that were unexplained. It allows the audience to fill in their own feelings about what they’re watching.”
Garland agreed it was best for him not to connect too many dots.
“I have my own answers to these questions.
- 5/15/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety - Film News
Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired all rights for North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Benelux and Southeast Asia excluding Japan to documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin.
Directed by Bernard MacMahon and written by MacMahon and producer Allison McGourty, the film explores the origin and rise of seventies rock giant Led Zeppelin. Paradise Pictures produced in association with Big Beach, and Michael Clark, Alex Turtletaub, Duke Erikson, Cynthia Heusing, David Kistenbroker, Simon Moran and Ged Doherty served as executive producers.
According to SPC, Becoming Led Zeppelin is the first officially sanctioned film on the group (though the band’s 1973 concert...
Directed by Bernard MacMahon and written by MacMahon and producer Allison McGourty, the film explores the origin and rise of seventies rock giant Led Zeppelin. Paradise Pictures produced in association with Big Beach, and Michael Clark, Alex Turtletaub, Duke Erikson, Cynthia Heusing, David Kistenbroker, Simon Moran and Ged Doherty served as executive producers.
According to SPC, Becoming Led Zeppelin is the first officially sanctioned film on the group (though the band’s 1973 concert...
- 5/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
When Netflix launched "The Witcher" back in 2019, it was the streamer's attempt to kickoff a big fantasy franchise on the level with "Game of Thrones" or "Lord of the Rings." The move made sense. After all, not only are the "Witcher" video games very popular, but the Andrzej Sapkowski books they're based on offer a unique and different perspective on fantasy than other mainstream titles thanks to their Slavic mythology influence. This means the "Witcher" TV series and its spinoffs have a lot of rich source material to take inspiration from and change as they deem fit (something the main "Witcher" show has done a lot in the past). Netflix's "The Witcher" was also a huge hit, with the first season gifting us a viral hit song in "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher."
Like every modern fantasy property, "The Witcher" has since expanded into a shared universe, including a...
Like every modern fantasy property, "The Witcher" has since expanded into a shared universe, including a...
- 5/15/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
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