Movie News
Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning Join Star-Studded Cast for ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ Film Adaptation
Baby Reindeer breakout star Jessica Gunning and Bridgerton frontwoman Nicola Coughlan are the latest additions to the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance announced the news on Thursday following the casting of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly (Foy) and Tim Thompson (Garfield) and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. “There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants,” a plot synopsis reads.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan, who has been cast as woodland fairy Silky, and Nonso Anozie (Sweet Tooth, Ted Lasso) as group leader Moonface. Gunning will star as...
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance announced the news on Thursday following the casting of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly (Foy) and Tim Thompson (Garfield) and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. “There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants,” a plot synopsis reads.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan, who has been cast as woodland fairy Silky, and Nonso Anozie (Sweet Tooth, Ted Lasso) as group leader Moonface. Gunning will star as...
- 6/6/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tyler Perry will write and direct Netflix’s upcoming movie “Straw,” a tense drama starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor.
The film follows a single mother who faces a series of unfortunate events that leads her down an unexpected path. According to the logline, “she becomes entangled in a situation she never imagined and finds herself at the center of suspicion in a world that seems indifferent to her existence.”
Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar and Mike Merrill (“The Black Hamptons”) will round out the cast. Perry is also producing the movie with Angi Bones and Tony Strickland.
“Straw” is the latest project from Perry and Netflix’s film creative partnership that will have the filmmaker write, direct and produce features under a mult-year, first-look deal. The prolific director has several projects in the works at the streamer, such as “The Six Triple Eight,” starring Kerry Washington,...
The film follows a single mother who faces a series of unfortunate events that leads her down an unexpected path. According to the logline, “she becomes entangled in a situation she never imagined and finds herself at the center of suspicion in a world that seems indifferent to her existence.”
Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar and Mike Merrill (“The Black Hamptons”) will round out the cast. Perry is also producing the movie with Angi Bones and Tony Strickland.
“Straw” is the latest project from Perry and Netflix’s film creative partnership that will have the filmmaker write, direct and produce features under a mult-year, first-look deal. The prolific director has several projects in the works at the streamer, such as “The Six Triple Eight,” starring Kerry Washington,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Universal is enrolling in Mattel’s Monster High, with the studio and the toy brand teaming up on a feature that will be produced by Akiva Goldsman.
The Monster High toy line debuted in 2010 and centered on the teenage children of monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman as they grow up and deal with the trials and tribulations of high school. This is the latest in a flurry of deals between Mattel and Hollywood studios as it continues to exploit its IP following the $1.446 billion success of last year’s Barbie.
“Monster High helps fans discover the great beauty in being true to yourself and celebrates the unique sensibilities at the core of who we are as individuals. We’re proud to partner with Universal Pictures and the brilliant Akiva Goldsman to usher this important message to audiences worldwide,” said Mattell Films boss Robbie Brenner.
No director or...
The Monster High toy line debuted in 2010 and centered on the teenage children of monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman as they grow up and deal with the trials and tribulations of high school. This is the latest in a flurry of deals between Mattel and Hollywood studios as it continues to exploit its IP following the $1.446 billion success of last year’s Barbie.
“Monster High helps fans discover the great beauty in being true to yourself and celebrates the unique sensibilities at the core of who we are as individuals. We’re proud to partner with Universal Pictures and the brilliant Akiva Goldsman to usher this important message to audiences worldwide,” said Mattell Films boss Robbie Brenner.
No director or...
- 6/5/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film financier, producer and distributor Sky Original Film has acquired U.K. rights to upcoming action-thriller “Mutiny,” starring Jason Statham.
“Mutiny” follows Statham as Cole, an ex-Special Forces and New York cop who was kicked off the force and now works in private security for Thai shipping tycoon and friend, Tibu. Cole is framed for the murder of Tibu at the hands of corrupt cops, forcing him to escape through Tibu’s freight ships, where Cole discovers that the corruption is deeper and more sinister than ever expected.
Principal photography on the film, directed by Jean-Francois Richet, will commence at U.K. locations in September. The film is written by J.P. Davis (“Plane”) and Lindsay Michel (“Sandpiper”).
Statham will produce “Mutiny” under his production company Punch Palace Productions alongside Marc Butan for MadRiver Pictures. Sky Original Film will release “Mutiny” on Sky Cinema and theatrically, alongside Lionsgate which recently picked up North American rights.
“Mutiny” follows Statham as Cole, an ex-Special Forces and New York cop who was kicked off the force and now works in private security for Thai shipping tycoon and friend, Tibu. Cole is framed for the murder of Tibu at the hands of corrupt cops, forcing him to escape through Tibu’s freight ships, where Cole discovers that the corruption is deeper and more sinister than ever expected.
Principal photography on the film, directed by Jean-Francois Richet, will commence at U.K. locations in September. The film is written by J.P. Davis (“Plane”) and Lindsay Michel (“Sandpiper”).
Statham will produce “Mutiny” under his production company Punch Palace Productions alongside Marc Butan for MadRiver Pictures. Sky Original Film will release “Mutiny” on Sky Cinema and theatrically, alongside Lionsgate which recently picked up North American rights.
- 6/6/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
Feathers McGraw is back!
The dastardly penguin supervillain is following in the stop-motion footsteps of fellow animation antagonist Mrs. Tweedy and making a grand return to screens, this time in the latest “Wallace and Gromit” feature. Whereas Tweedy, arch-nemesis in Aardman’s 2000 hit “Chicken Run” came back for last year’s sequel “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” McGraw is returning almost 40 years after he was seen in 1993’s Oscar-winning short “Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trouser” for “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.”
Details of the new Aardman film — which was first announced in 2022 — have now been revealed, as has a teaser showing McGraw in all his evil glory.
“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” will premiere this Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Outside of the U.K., the film will be available globally on Netflix.
Landing 16 years after the last Wallace and Gromit movie, “A Matter of Loaf and Death,...
The dastardly penguin supervillain is following in the stop-motion footsteps of fellow animation antagonist Mrs. Tweedy and making a grand return to screens, this time in the latest “Wallace and Gromit” feature. Whereas Tweedy, arch-nemesis in Aardman’s 2000 hit “Chicken Run” came back for last year’s sequel “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” McGraw is returning almost 40 years after he was seen in 1993’s Oscar-winning short “Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trouser” for “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.”
Details of the new Aardman film — which was first announced in 2022 — have now been revealed, as has a teaser showing McGraw in all his evil glory.
“Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” will premiere this Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Outside of the U.K., the film will be available globally on Netflix.
Landing 16 years after the last Wallace and Gromit movie, “A Matter of Loaf and Death,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Remember how we used to catapult birds into fortresses run by evil pigs? Yeah, the Angry Birds video game was one of the most popular ones by far and no one was surprised when Sony released a movie adaptation that went on to become one of the more popular animated movies of that year. A sequel was released in 2019, also to mostly positive reviews and since then… nothing. Well, at least not until today! Namely, today, producer John Cohen released a short teaser video featuring Red, which confirmed that The Angry Birds Movie 3 was in production, which made many fans happy!
Not much is known about the upcoming project, but we know that Sony won’t be involved with the third movie, and that Dneg Animation and Rovio’s new parent company, Sega Sammy Group are producing the upcoming sequel to the 2019’s hit film.
Now, as we have stated,...
Not much is known about the upcoming project, but we know that Sony won’t be involved with the third movie, and that Dneg Animation and Rovio’s new parent company, Sega Sammy Group are producing the upcoming sequel to the 2019’s hit film.
Now, as we have stated,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
More panda-monium is coming to Peacock.
This year’s family friendly adventure movie “Kung Fu Panda 4” is arriving on Peacock on June 21.
Along with the latest movie, Peacock will exclusively stream the original “Kung Fu Panda” beginning on June 6, plus “Kung Fu Panda 3” on June 26.
DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda 4” opened in theaters back in March with an impressive $58 million. It has gone on to gross $540 million worldwide to date, pushing the animated karate franchise to more than $2 billion in total.
Jack Black returned as Po, the fluffy Dragon Warrior and kung fu master, in the fourth movie. The cast also included Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan and more.
In his review, Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “When the original ‘Kung Fu Panda’ was released in 2008, it was built around a great joke: that Po, incarnated by...
This year’s family friendly adventure movie “Kung Fu Panda 4” is arriving on Peacock on June 21.
Along with the latest movie, Peacock will exclusively stream the original “Kung Fu Panda” beginning on June 6, plus “Kung Fu Panda 3” on June 26.
DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda 4” opened in theaters back in March with an impressive $58 million. It has gone on to gross $540 million worldwide to date, pushing the animated karate franchise to more than $2 billion in total.
Jack Black returned as Po, the fluffy Dragon Warrior and kung fu master, in the fourth movie. The cast also included Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan and more.
In his review, Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman wrote, “When the original ‘Kung Fu Panda’ was released in 2008, it was built around a great joke: that Po, incarnated by...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
In the wake of last year’s prequel movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Lionsgate has announced and dated the next installment in the hit movie franchise today.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters November 20, 2026, an adaptation of the just-announced novel that Suzanne Collins will release next year.
Frequent Hunger Games filmmaker Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct.
Deadline details, “While The Hungers: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was set 64 years before the events of the original trilogy, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before that trio of Jennifer Lawrence films in the world of Panem, commencing on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.”
The website’s report continues, “Those games are an important event in the canon as the victor was Haymitch Abernathy, the only...
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters November 20, 2026, an adaptation of the just-announced novel that Suzanne Collins will release next year.
Frequent Hunger Games filmmaker Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct.
Deadline details, “While The Hungers: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was set 64 years before the events of the original trilogy, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before that trio of Jennifer Lawrence films in the world of Panem, commencing on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.”
The website’s report continues, “Those games are an important event in the canon as the victor was Haymitch Abernathy, the only...
- 6/6/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
“SNL” alum Beck Bennett is the latest actor to join the cast of James Gunn’s “Superman,” which is currently in production.
Details about Bennett’s role are being kept under wraps.
“Superman” is the inaugural DC Studios film and is part of “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” of the relaunch of the new DC Universe.
The “Superman” cast features Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel. Other cast members include Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. Additionally, Skyler Gisondo joined the cast as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher. Wendell Pierce is playing Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White. Recently Pruitt Taylor Vince joined the cast as Jonathan Kent with Neva Howell playing Martha Kent.
Bennett...
Details about Bennett’s role are being kept under wraps.
“Superman” is the inaugural DC Studios film and is part of “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” of the relaunch of the new DC Universe.
The “Superman” cast features Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel. Other cast members include Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho. Additionally, Skyler Gisondo joined the cast as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher. Wendell Pierce is playing Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White. Recently Pruitt Taylor Vince joined the cast as Jonathan Kent with Neva Howell playing Martha Kent.
Bennett...
- 6/5/2024
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Michael B. Jordan recently told People that the script for “I Am Legend 2” is still being written and he’s currently not privy to any filming start date at this time. A sequel to Will Smith’s 2007 blockbuster was first announced in March 2022, with Smith set to return opposite new cast member Jordan. Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote “I Am Legend” with Mark Protosevich, was back to pen the sequel’s script.
“We’re still working on the script and getting that up to par,” Jordan told People. “It doesn’t have a release date or anything like that. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going to be filming that one, but I’m really excited to get in front of the camera with him. Being somebody that I’ve looked up to for a really long time, to be able to work with Will is something I’m really looking forward to.
“We’re still working on the script and getting that up to par,” Jordan told People. “It doesn’t have a release date or anything like that. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going to be filming that one, but I’m really excited to get in front of the camera with him. Being somebody that I’ve looked up to for a really long time, to be able to work with Will is something I’m really looking forward to.
- 6/5/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
In a big show of confidence about the hopes for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” set to hit theaters in July and maybe save summer 2024 from the box-office doldrums, its director Shawn Levy (“Free Guy”) is apparently the first in line to be offered “Avengers 5,” formerly known as “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.” According to Deadline, Levy has emerged as the top choice for the director’s chair, and apparently ‘Avengers 5” screenwriter Michael Waldron (“Loki”) has given him the latest version of the script for his eyes only.
Continue reading ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Filmmaker Shawn Levy Enters The Mix To Possibly Direct ‘Avengers 5’ For Marvel at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Filmmaker Shawn Levy Enters The Mix To Possibly Direct ‘Avengers 5’ For Marvel at The Playlist.
- 6/4/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Akira Kurosawa’s classic epic “Seven Samurai” is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a 4K restoration and theatrical re-release.
“Seven Samurai” centers on 16th-century Japanese warriors who protect their village from invaders. Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura lead the three-hour feature hailing from legendary auteur Kurosawa. “Seven Samurai” was his third film following “Rashomon” and “Ikiru.” “Seven Samurai” famously debuted at the 1954 Venice Film Festival, where Kurosawa won the Silver Lion for Best Director.
The 70th anniversary 4K restoration was made possible by Toho Co. Ltd, which released the original film. The restored film debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival; the festival further honored Kurosawa’s contributions to cinema by incorporating a still of “Rhapsody in August” in the official Cannes poster.
The restoration of “Seven Samurai” will be released in the U.S. by Janus Films. Deadline debuted the trailer.
“Seven Samurai” infamously quadrupled its budget during production, with...
“Seven Samurai” centers on 16th-century Japanese warriors who protect their village from invaders. Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura lead the three-hour feature hailing from legendary auteur Kurosawa. “Seven Samurai” was his third film following “Rashomon” and “Ikiru.” “Seven Samurai” famously debuted at the 1954 Venice Film Festival, where Kurosawa won the Silver Lion for Best Director.
The 70th anniversary 4K restoration was made possible by Toho Co. Ltd, which released the original film. The restored film debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival; the festival further honored Kurosawa’s contributions to cinema by incorporating a still of “Rhapsody in August” in the official Cannes poster.
The restoration of “Seven Samurai” will be released in the U.S. by Janus Films. Deadline debuted the trailer.
“Seven Samurai” infamously quadrupled its budget during production, with...
- 6/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
While Max Duncan and Xinyan Yu’s Made in Ethiopia takes place in the titular country, it in many ways echoes last year’s Central African Republic-set Eat Bitter, co-directed by Ningyi Sun and Pascale Appora-Gnekindy, which similarly explored China’s capitalist push throughout the continent; and specifically from the Pov of the shared personal toll it’s taking on individuals from very unalike cultures. In this case we’re introduced to an inexhaustibly optimistic woman named Motto, the upbeat Chinese head of a mega industrial park in a rural Ethiopian town. She’s also a true believer that the Chinese dream can be exported to […]
The post “I Don’t Think We Ever Expected To See a Carbon Copy of China’s Industrial Experience [in Ethiopia], and We Certainly Didn’t”: Max Duncan and Xinyan Yu on Their Tribeca-Debuting Made in Ethiopia first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Don’t Think We Ever Expected To See a Carbon Copy of China’s Industrial Experience [in Ethiopia], and We Certainly Didn’t”: Max Duncan and Xinyan Yu on Their Tribeca-Debuting Made in Ethiopia first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 6/6/2024
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“It’s just a thrill a minute,” filmmaker Chris Nash is quick to joke of his debut feature, “In a Violent Nature.”
“We made this movie with an audience of maybe five people in mind. So having anybody like it and endure the walking and just the pace of the film, it’s been a testament to the patience of an audience,” he said.
Nash cuts himself short — a metaphor made more apt when you’ve seen just how creative the filmmaker can be with a paralyzed victim and a well-placed log splitter. The extra gutsy first-time feature writer/director and his star Ry Barrett spoke with IndieWire in April at The Overlook Film Festival. That’s an annual horror event in Louisiana, where Nash’s spellbinding slasher deconstruction for IFC Films and Shudder screened for the second time after making its world premiere at Sundance. “In a Violent Nature...
“We made this movie with an audience of maybe five people in mind. So having anybody like it and endure the walking and just the pace of the film, it’s been a testament to the patience of an audience,” he said.
Nash cuts himself short — a metaphor made more apt when you’ve seen just how creative the filmmaker can be with a paralyzed victim and a well-placed log splitter. The extra gutsy first-time feature writer/director and his star Ry Barrett spoke with IndieWire in April at The Overlook Film Festival. That’s an annual horror event in Louisiana, where Nash’s spellbinding slasher deconstruction for IFC Films and Shudder screened for the second time after making its world premiere at Sundance. “In a Violent Nature...
- 6/6/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Jan de Bont's "Twister" might be regarded nowadays as one of the most thrilling blockbusters of the 1990s, but when it hit theaters on May 10, 1996, the first, heavily-hyped summer tentpole out of the gate that year, it felt like a bit of a miss. Responses varied, mostly because you really needed to see the film on a massive screen in a theater outfitted with top-grade sound –- this way, the visual/aural sensation concocted by de Bont and the best of the best at Ilm and Skywalker Sound could blow you up, up and out of the cineplex, thus distracting you from the bland characters and preposterously thin plot. (Helen Hunt's character needs to face and survive an F5 tornado to exorcize her childhood demons.)
Actually, there's a world in which this is an awesomely preposterous plot, but "Twister" offers only mechanical blockbuster storytelling. The film –- from...
Actually, there's a world in which this is an awesomely preposterous plot, but "Twister" offers only mechanical blockbuster storytelling. The film –- from...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
In the summer of 1990, screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin became an overnight success with the release of “Ghost,” a romantic thriller that would go on to become the top-grossing film of the year and earn Rubin an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. At least that’s how it seemed from the outside; the truth is that the 47-year-old filmmaker had been kicking around the industry for decades, working as a TV news editor, film museum curator, and writer-for-hire before “Ghost” (and then “Jacob’s Ladder” a few months later) established him as one of the most original voices in Hollywood cinema.
Rubin tells the story of everything that led up to “Ghost” — and everything that came after — in “It’s Only a Movie,” a book that’s half-show business memoir, half spiritual inquiry detailing his lifelong quest for enlightenment. That quest informs Rubin’s best films — “Brainstorm,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Ghost,” “My...
Rubin tells the story of everything that led up to “Ghost” — and everything that came after — in “It’s Only a Movie,” a book that’s half-show business memoir, half spiritual inquiry detailing his lifelong quest for enlightenment. That quest informs Rubin’s best films — “Brainstorm,” “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Ghost,” “My...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
A prominent Hollywood marketing and branding guru has raised eyebrows by telling staffers that they should refrain from working with anyone who is “posting against Israel.”
Ashlee Margolis, founder of the Beverly Hills firm The A List, wrote an email to her staff about a new mandate to hit “pause on working with any celebrity or influencer or tastemaker posting against Israel.” The company, which is a fixture on red carpets and is at the forefront of brand integration with celebrities, works with such companies as CAA, UTA, Lede Company and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations.
In the email, Margolis stressed that there was a distinction between what she deemed acceptable and unacceptable social media posts about the country and its current military operations in Gaza. “Anyone saying Israel is committing a ‘genocide’ is someone we will pause on working with, as that is simply not true,” the veteran marketing executive wrote.
Ashlee Margolis, founder of the Beverly Hills firm The A List, wrote an email to her staff about a new mandate to hit “pause on working with any celebrity or influencer or tastemaker posting against Israel.” The company, which is a fixture on red carpets and is at the forefront of brand integration with celebrities, works with such companies as CAA, UTA, Lede Company and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations.
In the email, Margolis stressed that there was a distinction between what she deemed acceptable and unacceptable social media posts about the country and its current military operations in Gaza. “Anyone saying Israel is committing a ‘genocide’ is someone we will pause on working with, as that is simply not true,” the veteran marketing executive wrote.
- 6/6/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety - Film News
Netflix Animation held its first slate preview event June 6 at the Tudum in L.A., as a lead-up to the Annecy Animation Festival (June 9-15), where it will premiere Shannon Tindle’s “Ultraman: Rising” (streaming June 14) and tout some of its upcoming works in 2024 and 2025.
Hosted by Christopher Sean (the voice star of “Ultraman: Rising”), attendees were treated to exclusive presentations, previews, and special announcements. The biggest announcement was the full title of Aardman’s next stop-motion feature, “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” which will have an Oscar-qualifying run this winter before streaming in 2025.
Directed by franchise creator Nick Park and creative director Merlin Crossingham, who offered a pre-recorded introduction, “Vengeance Most Fowl” marks the return of the villainous penguin, Feathers McGraw, from the Oscar-winning short “The Wrong Trousers.” The film is a cautionary tale of high-tech gone wrong involving an out-of-control “smart gnome” with a mind of its own.
Hosted by Christopher Sean (the voice star of “Ultraman: Rising”), attendees were treated to exclusive presentations, previews, and special announcements. The biggest announcement was the full title of Aardman’s next stop-motion feature, “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,” which will have an Oscar-qualifying run this winter before streaming in 2025.
Directed by franchise creator Nick Park and creative director Merlin Crossingham, who offered a pre-recorded introduction, “Vengeance Most Fowl” marks the return of the villainous penguin, Feathers McGraw, from the Oscar-winning short “The Wrong Trousers.” The film is a cautionary tale of high-tech gone wrong involving an out-of-control “smart gnome” with a mind of its own.
- 6/6/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
We're just a few days away from the premiere of "Ultraman: Rising" on Netflix, the latest addition to the ever-growing animation library of the streamer. Animation has been on shaky ground for the last few years, with the animation guild growing stronger to fight for fair contractions as creatives continue to battle against the dystopian threat of artificial intelligence. Fortunately, animation is still as popular and well-loved as ever, and Netflix has been absolutely crushing it as of late. Not only did the streamer pull in an Academy Award for Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio" in 2022, but shows like "Blue Eye Samurai," "Arcane," "Love, Death, & Robots," and movies like "Wendell & Wild," "The Sea Beast," and "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" are some of the best releases of original animation, period.
Today I was in attendance at the Next on Netflix: Animation event to preview their upcoming slate of animation,...
Today I was in attendance at the Next on Netflix: Animation event to preview their upcoming slate of animation,...
- 6/6/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
There are endless challenges to getting an indie feature-length animated film made: Lack of money, not enough time, fruitless rewrites, a vision that can’t get across the finish line. When asked what the biggest challenge was while making their upcoming comedy “Mars,” co-writers and voice actors Sam Brown and Zach Cregger can’t help but riff an answer to a question that inelegantly ignores the elephant in the room.
“Well, Trevor died,” Brown says.
“Trevor died, that was a toughie,” Cregger says. “I guess it was getting it funded — that was bigger than Trevor dying. No, no, no, no, no. Also, Covid was annoying. So let’s go Covid, funding, Trevor dying.”
Trevor is Trevor Moore, the de facto leader of Whitest Kids U’Know, the five-person sketch group — consisting of Moore, Brown, Cregger, Timmy Williams and Darren Trumeter — behind “Mars.” The group, which began as a club at...
“Well, Trevor died,” Brown says.
“Trevor died, that was a toughie,” Cregger says. “I guess it was getting it funded — that was bigger than Trevor dying. No, no, no, no, no. Also, Covid was annoying. So let’s go Covid, funding, Trevor dying.”
Trevor is Trevor Moore, the de facto leader of Whitest Kids U’Know, the five-person sketch group — consisting of Moore, Brown, Cregger, Timmy Williams and Darren Trumeter — behind “Mars.” The group, which began as a club at...
- 6/6/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety - Film News
Variety hosted its inaugural Indigenous Storytelling in Entertainment Breakfast on June 5 in Los Angeles. The event included insightful conversations with Indigenous and Native creators, talent, and industry executives such as “Reservation Dogs” showrunner Sterlin Harjo, Bird Runningwater from “Fancy Dance,” Kali Reis from “True Detective” (who was joined by co-star Isabella Star Lablanc and showrunner Issa López) and many more. The program highlighted Indigenous storytelling and the achievements of Indigenous communities in film and TV and even included a surprise message from director James Cameron.
The event also explored how the industry is faring in creating opportunities for Indigenous talent on and off-screen. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Indigenous Native Americans becoming U.S. citizens, as President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, inspired by the high rate of American Indian enlistment during World War I.
Indigenous Storytelling Breakthroughs
The first panel of the day highlighted...
The event also explored how the industry is faring in creating opportunities for Indigenous talent on and off-screen. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Indigenous Native Americans becoming U.S. citizens, as President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, inspired by the high rate of American Indian enlistment during World War I.
Indigenous Storytelling Breakthroughs
The first panel of the day highlighted...
- 6/6/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - Film News
Netflix invited members of the press to their impressive Tudum Theater in Hollywood this morning to preview some of their new animated series and feature films. While some of the news was embargoed (including a very funny Nick Kroll reminding everyone of this fact as Lola from “Big Mouth”), the streaming giant does have some things to share. Notably, the Adam Sandler animated Sony Pictures feature franchise “Hotel Transylvania” is being turned into a new animated Netflix series, “Motel Transylvania,” the Skydance animated feature “Spellbound” will hit the service on Nov.
Continue reading Netflix Teases ‘Minecraft,’ ‘Motel Transylvania,’ ‘Twilight Of The Gods,’ ‘Spellbound’ & More at The Playlist.
Continue reading Netflix Teases ‘Minecraft,’ ‘Motel Transylvania,’ ‘Twilight Of The Gods,’ ‘Spellbound’ & More at The Playlist.
- 6/6/2024
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
The last film Tim Burton directed, 2019's live-action "Dumbo" remake, became something of an accidental metaphor for his career. For its first half, the movie sticks fairly close to Disney's original 1941 animated feature, as the titular elephant with unusually large ears is abused and treated with disdain by the customers at the traveling circus where he resides. When Dumbo's newfound ability to fly makes him the show's star attraction (the point at which the animated film ends), he and his fellow performers are recruited by a greedy and unscrupulous businessman (Michael Keaton) who exploits them at his gaudy amusement park. It's up to Dumbo and his pals to escape the park in search of greener pastures.
It's not a one-to-one analogy, but you can see why, upon reflection, Burton said Disney was a "horrible big circus" and he was its Dumbo. After decades of collaborating, the once visionary filmmaker...
It's not a one-to-one analogy, but you can see why, upon reflection, Burton said Disney was a "horrible big circus" and he was its Dumbo. After decades of collaborating, the once visionary filmmaker...
- 6/6/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
For many viewers, the scenes hardest to take in viral streaming cringefest “Baby Reindeer” weren’t the ones of overt stalking or abuse, but those depicting the Doa stand-up comedy of Richard Gadd’s alter ego — moments whose flop-sweating public failure seemed to stretch into tortuous infinity. Canadian feature “I Used to Be Funny” likewise hinges on a paralyzing intersection between stand-up, anxiety and depression. Mercifully, however, here it’s not the protagonist’s stage act that is the cause of massive self-doubt. Instead, it’s a host of external problems that conspire to make her incapable of performing …as well as eating, sleeping and leaving her apartment.
Ally Pankiw’s big-screen debut recalls such prior indie features as “The Big Sick,” “Sleepwalk With Me” and “Obvious Child” in successfully using a comedy milieu to place a leavening frame around some very serious issues. In this case, an aspiring comedian...
Ally Pankiw’s big-screen debut recalls such prior indie features as “The Big Sick,” “Sleepwalk With Me” and “Obvious Child” in successfully using a comedy milieu to place a leavening frame around some very serious issues. In this case, an aspiring comedian...
- 6/6/2024
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety - Film News
When directors Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs worked on the 2022 docuseries “House of Hammer,” one of the many things that fascinated them was the role social media played in the public unraveling of actor Armie Hammer’s reputation. “We were very intrigued by how social media had a huge influence on that story, and a huge influence on the women who came forward,” Hakami told IndieWire. “So we wanted to explore what other kinds of stories there were to tell in the social media universe.” The result of Hakami and Hobbs’ curiosity is “Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders,” a new series from Investigation Discovery that takes a wide-ranging look at murders committed in the world of social media — and uses the visual and aural language of social media itself as a filmmaking tool to find new ways of approaching the true crime genre.
“After doing ‘House of Hammer,...
“After doing ‘House of Hammer,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
The first season of Max’s “Tokyo Vice” introduced audiences to Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort), an American crime reporter working in Japan who gets a crash course in both local journalistic practices and the complicated relationship between the police and the yakuza. The filmmakers immersed the viewer in the world of ’90s Tokyo just as Jake was immersed in it, creating a highly kinetic and involving character study that was also a study of a specific time and place. Season 2 retained those qualities but broadened the show’s perspective to provide a more ensemble-oriented look at its world, deepening its exploration of the cops, criminals, reporters, and nightclub hostesses whose lives intersect with or run parallel to Jake’s.
The result was a second season that not only delivered on but surpassed the promise of Season 1, a visually and aurally dense series in which the craft is so thoroughly integrated...
The result was a second season that not only delivered on but surpassed the promise of Season 1, a visually and aurally dense series in which the craft is so thoroughly integrated...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Fiona Harvey, known colloquially as the real “Martha” from Netflix’s hit limited series “Baby Reindeer,” has made good on a vow to sue Netflix. Harvey and her attorneys believe Netflix did not live up to a standard of care in protecting her identity. Further, Harvey says many plot points in “Baby Reindeer” are defamatory and simply untrue. She is suing for $170 million.
“Baby Reindeer” was created by Richard Gadd, who stars in the series as a version of himself. The Netflix program is an adaptation of Gadd’s one-man stage show of the same name. The title is derived from a nickname Martha (Fiona in real life) is said to have given Gadd, whose on-screen character is named Donny. In the stage show and the series, Martha stalks Donny, sexually and physically assaults him, and physically assaults his girlfriend. Martha also has a criminal record for stalking others.
Harvey,...
“Baby Reindeer” was created by Richard Gadd, who stars in the series as a version of himself. The Netflix program is an adaptation of Gadd’s one-man stage show of the same name. The title is derived from a nickname Martha (Fiona in real life) is said to have given Gadd, whose on-screen character is named Donny. In the stage show and the series, Martha stalks Donny, sexually and physically assaults him, and physically assaults his girlfriend. Martha also has a criminal record for stalking others.
Harvey,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
With 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Steven Spielberg and George Lucas reimagined the pulp heroes of the 1930s and '40s and introduced the world to their version in the form of Indiana Jones. Their archeologist adventurer could handle himself in a fight (although he always managed to barely scrape by as opposed to dominating every brawl in which he found himself), was a romantic at heart, and seemed to be perpetually on the hunt for cool artifacts, a combination of character traits that I'm shocked was not blatantly ripped off more frequently by a film industry constantly scrambling to repeat successful formulas. Five years later, that particular formula found its way to Hong Kong when Jackie Chan co-wrote, directed, and starred in "Armour of God," an adventure flick that allowed him to put his own martial arts-infused spin on the concept.
Chan plays Jackie, also known as "Asian Hawk,...
Chan plays Jackie, also known as "Asian Hawk,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Francis Ford Coppola hit the Cannes Film Festival last month to triumphantly celebrate the completion of his epic film “Megalopolis,” which he has been working on for nearly 40 years.
The celebrations were somewhat compromised, however, by mixed reviews for the film itself, as well as a Guardian report that alleged “chaotic behavior” on the set of “Megalopolis,” including the “Godfather” director reportedly “pulling women to sit on his lap” and “trying to kiss some of the topless and scantily-clad female extras.”
New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis interviewed Coppola in Cannes, and did not hesitate to raise the topic of the accusations. Coppola responded in a “rambling fashion,” Dargis wrote in an interview published Thursday. The filmmaker responded by first mentioning his mother Italia, who he said resembled Hedy Lamarr. “My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and...
The celebrations were somewhat compromised, however, by mixed reviews for the film itself, as well as a Guardian report that alleged “chaotic behavior” on the set of “Megalopolis,” including the “Godfather” director reportedly “pulling women to sit on his lap” and “trying to kiss some of the topless and scantily-clad female extras.”
New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis interviewed Coppola in Cannes, and did not hesitate to raise the topic of the accusations. Coppola responded in a “rambling fashion,” Dargis wrote in an interview published Thursday. The filmmaker responded by first mentioning his mother Italia, who he said resembled Hedy Lamarr. “My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and...
- 6/6/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety - Film News
“Queer Planet” may seem like the kind of Pride Month programming that gets trotted out every June — “Oooh, look at the cute lil’ gay penguins!” — but this new 90-minute documentary has a lot more on its mind.
“[That] most forms of life do not reproduce strictly heterosexually like we do, is quite a staggering thing to realize,” “Queer Planet” producer and director Ed Watkins told Indiewire. Also staggering is how centuries of research into same-sex behavior in the animal kingdom was hidden or ignored. What “Queer Planet” celebrates should not be news to anyone. But the doc is something of a revelation.
Ably aided by narration from Andrew Rannells that marks this as a very gay time indeed, “Queer Planet” is as smart as it is silly and as important as it is celebratory. Now streaming on Peacock, IndieWire spoke to Watkins over email about the filmmaking process, why he’s tough on Charles Darwin,...
“[That] most forms of life do not reproduce strictly heterosexually like we do, is quite a staggering thing to realize,” “Queer Planet” producer and director Ed Watkins told Indiewire. Also staggering is how centuries of research into same-sex behavior in the animal kingdom was hidden or ignored. What “Queer Planet” celebrates should not be news to anyone. But the doc is something of a revelation.
Ably aided by narration from Andrew Rannells that marks this as a very gay time indeed, “Queer Planet” is as smart as it is silly and as important as it is celebratory. Now streaming on Peacock, IndieWire spoke to Watkins over email about the filmmaking process, why he’s tough on Charles Darwin,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
"House of the Dragon" was always going to live in the shadow of "Game of Thrones." The big question was how effectively it could operate in that shadow, and if it could carve out its own identity while weathering constant comparisons to the series that spawned it. The show's first season was an often remarkable proof of concept — yes, this was another show set in author George R.R. Martin's fantasy kingdom of Westeros, but it had its own flavor, its own tone. Spanning decades (and recasting several key characters halfway through the season as they aged up), it was a show operating at a sprint, hungry to prove itself, and hungry to prove itself entirely self-reliant, that it is its own show.
The funny thing about the long-awaited second season of "House of the Dragon," after all that grand distance established in the first outing, is how much it feels like "Game of Thrones.
The funny thing about the long-awaited second season of "House of the Dragon," after all that grand distance established in the first outing, is how much it feels like "Game of Thrones.
- 6/6/2024
- by Jacob Hall
- Slash Film
BendFilm, the Oregon-based independent cinema organization which organizes the Bend Film Festival in addition to its year-round activities, has announced a new immersive retreat. From the press release: BendFilm, the nonprofit independent cinema organization, has announced BendFilm: Basecamp, a three-day immersive retreat for emerging creatives and their industry counterparts to connect, learn and collaborate. BendFilm: Basecamp will take place at Caldera Arts outside Sisters, Oregon, from October 7-10, 2024, and flow directly into the 21st annual Bend Film Festival. BendFilm: Basecamp’s inaugural year is made possible, in part, […]
The post BendFilm Announces BendFilm: Basecamp, a Three-Day Immersive Retreat first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post BendFilm Announces BendFilm: Basecamp, a Three-Day Immersive Retreat first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 6/6/2024
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The opening lines of “House of the Dragon” Season 2 stem from a character I’m not meant to name speaking of things that have no real bearing in the “Game of Thrones” universe. “Duty is sacrifice,” the man says. (I hope I can say he’s a man.) “It eclipses all things, even blood. All men of honor must pay its price.” Sorry to interrupt, good sir, but who are these “men of honor” you speak of? Are they hiding? Is HBO saving them for the next spinoff? Some are certainly dead, given the body count on which George R.R. Martin has built his brutal world, but there are scant few in “HotD” who fit the description. To be fair, the narrating man qualifies, and his colleagues also appear to be living a principled existence. But having seen nine seasons of heartless betrayals and maniacal power grabs, simply recognizing one...
- 6/6/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Almost 20 years later, and Will Smith is still happiest with his performance in “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
The critically acclaimed 2006 film is based on the true story of an unhoused San Francisco-based single father who rises up in the ranks of a tech company, beginning with door-to-door sales. Smith recently said during an episode of First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” series that “The Pursuit of Happyness” is the “best movie” of his career.
“I think the individual best movie, all around, that I’ve ever made is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,'” Smith said. “Right behind that is the first ‘Men In Black.’ The direction, cinematography, and music…”
Smith later reunited with “The Pursuit of Happyness” director Gabriele Muccino for drama “Seven Pounds.”
The actor, who won the Oscar for “King Richard,” added to “Hot Ones” that he also has some beloved franchise installments.
“I think among the most...
The critically acclaimed 2006 film is based on the true story of an unhoused San Francisco-based single father who rises up in the ranks of a tech company, beginning with door-to-door sales. Smith recently said during an episode of First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” series that “The Pursuit of Happyness” is the “best movie” of his career.
“I think the individual best movie, all around, that I’ve ever made is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,'” Smith said. “Right behind that is the first ‘Men In Black.’ The direction, cinematography, and music…”
Smith later reunited with “The Pursuit of Happyness” director Gabriele Muccino for drama “Seven Pounds.”
The actor, who won the Oscar for “King Richard,” added to “Hot Ones” that he also has some beloved franchise installments.
“I think among the most...
- 6/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
An ever-upholding vanity project portrait of a dyed-in-the-annals sartorial icon, “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge” is an engaging enough documentary for the small screen but not big enough to merit anything more. That’s appropriate, as the movie heads to Hulu two and a half weeks after its Tribeca Festival premiere in a New York theater. Directors Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton’s film is a hagiographic survey of the life and career of the Jewish girl born in Belgium who married into German royalty, became a princess, and started a fashion empire that included the invention of the now-ubiquitous wrap dress. With talking heads including Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, the documentary emerges more as agitprop for feminist galvanizing in the months up toward an election in which women’s rights are on the slab.
Though certainly spikier and with a zero-fucks-given, indecorous lack of platitudes is talking head Fran Lebowitz,...
Though certainly spikier and with a zero-fucks-given, indecorous lack of platitudes is talking head Fran Lebowitz,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The press tour for “The Fall Guy” had its stars championing the film’s crew, particularly its stuntpeople, for helping create jaw-dropping spectacle in Doug Leitch‘s latest. But Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt & co. also called for the AMPAS and the Oscars to recognize the feats of stuntmen and women, too: with a stunt category at the annual awards series.
Continue reading AMPAS Reportedly Considering Adding A Stunt Category For The Oscars at The Playlist.
Continue reading AMPAS Reportedly Considering Adding A Stunt Category For The Oscars at The Playlist.
- 6/6/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Five Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and a sixth in Minnesota are closing their doors, effective immediately. The company that franchised the six cinemas — Two is One, One is None LLC — is seeking Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
The closures come as summer movie season is under way, but the usually robust period is off to a very slow start. May had a total domestic gross of $570 million that saw underperformance by five potential blockbusters. June will be better, though perhaps not by much.
More than 600 employees at all six locations, including the Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, and Denton theaters, are being let go, as are those at a location in Woodbury, Minnesota. The company said it attempted to contact all impacted employees before the news became public.
The loss of six theaters joins a slow drip of similar closures across the country. National Amusements closed its theater in the Bronx,...
The closures come as summer movie season is under way, but the usually robust period is off to a very slow start. May had a total domestic gross of $570 million that saw underperformance by five potential blockbusters. June will be better, though perhaps not by much.
More than 600 employees at all six locations, including the Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, and Denton theaters, are being let go, as are those at a location in Woodbury, Minnesota. The company said it attempted to contact all impacted employees before the news became public.
The loss of six theaters joins a slow drip of similar closures across the country. National Amusements closed its theater in the Bronx,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Tribeca-selected short film “Bite,” written and directed by filmmaker Jorey Worb, is a reclamation of sorts. The 15-minute short is lush, well-acted by breakout lead Troian Bellisario, and captures a story known all too well by too many people, including writer/director Worb.
“Bite” centers on a woman who seeks treatment for jaw pain, or Tmj, and is assaulted by her dentist (Evan Arnold). The encounter leads to a reexamination of lingering Ptsd and a faux Marie Antoinette-esque courtroom scene that plays out as she debates whether or not to go to the authorities. With its poppy set design, reminiscent of “Promising Young Woman,” mixed with a “Girls” kind of millennial dialogue and Wes Anderson-inspired production design, “Bite” tells a #MeToo tale in a completely new and fresh way. The film is one of the many star-studded shorts premiering at Tribeca Festival.
“Having ‘bite’ means standing up for oneself,...
“Bite” centers on a woman who seeks treatment for jaw pain, or Tmj, and is assaulted by her dentist (Evan Arnold). The encounter leads to a reexamination of lingering Ptsd and a faux Marie Antoinette-esque courtroom scene that plays out as she debates whether or not to go to the authorities. With its poppy set design, reminiscent of “Promising Young Woman,” mixed with a “Girls” kind of millennial dialogue and Wes Anderson-inspired production design, “Bite” tells a #MeToo tale in a completely new and fresh way. The film is one of the many star-studded shorts premiering at Tribeca Festival.
“Having ‘bite’ means standing up for oneself,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Abel Ferrara has said, “In movie making, money is no excuse. It doesn’t cost anything to set up a cool looking shot.” In a Violent Nature is the embodiment of that credo. A deconstruction of the slasher genre, the movie tells a familiar story from an unfamiliar point of view as the camera stays with its undead killer Johnny (adorned in a vintage fireman’s mask and armed with a pair of logging hooks) as he traipses through the forest from victim to victim. The film poses the question, as director Chris Nash puts it, “What if Gus Van Sant directed a […]
The post From 2nd Unit to Second Shoot: Dp Pierce Derks on In a Violent Nature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post From 2nd Unit to Second Shoot: Dp Pierce Derks on In a Violent Nature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 6/6/2024
- by Matt Mulcahey
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Before Wes Anderson skipped this year’s Oscars to film “The Phoenician Scheme” in Germany, fans already knew which actors would be at the heart of the director’s latest ensemble. Benecio del Toro and Mia Threapleton star as a father and daughter whose family business leads them into a dark espionage tale, with Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, and Anderson regular Bill Murray also starring.
Continue reading ‘The Phoenician Scheme’: Wes Anderson’s Espionage Flick Reportedly Also Stars Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe & More at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Phoenician Scheme’: Wes Anderson’s Espionage Flick Reportedly Also Stars Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe & More at The Playlist.
- 6/6/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Francis Ford Coppola has addressed the allegations that he made advances with actresses on the set of “Megalopolis.”
In a report last month by The Guardian, multiple anonymous crew members said Coppola behaved inappropriately amid production. Now, during an hour-long interview Coppola gave to Manohla Dargis of the The New York Times during the Cannes Film Festival, the filmmaker denied the allegations in a roundabout way. In part, Coppola pointed to how he was raised and the morals he learned from his mother, Italia Coppola.
“My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and the girls I had crushes on, I certainly didn’t disrespect them,” Coppola said.
As the New York Times wrote, “Pressed further, he added that there was a photo of one of the ‘girls’ he kissed on the cheek that had been taken by her father.
In a report last month by The Guardian, multiple anonymous crew members said Coppola behaved inappropriately amid production. Now, during an hour-long interview Coppola gave to Manohla Dargis of the The New York Times during the Cannes Film Festival, the filmmaker denied the allegations in a roundabout way. In part, Coppola pointed to how he was raised and the morals he learned from his mother, Italia Coppola.
“My mother told me that if you make an advance toward a woman, it means you disrespect her, and the girls I had crushes on, I certainly didn’t disrespect them,” Coppola said.
As the New York Times wrote, “Pressed further, he added that there was a photo of one of the ‘girls’ he kissed on the cheek that had been taken by her father.
- 6/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Dda has hired two new executives as it launches a new office in New York. The marketing and communications agency already operates out of dual London and Los Angeles headquarters.
Dan Salerno has been hired to lead the Big Apple team as the inaugural senior director of strategy and operations. Laura Hernando will serve as head of social in London, overseeing the entertainment and consumer brands social teams.
Salerno joins from his previous role at creative agency Ralph as New York production lead. He will be joined in Gotham by consultant Rachel Effendy, who started the boutique agency StrawberryWasabi and will contribute to Dda’s growth on the east coast as well as internationally.
Hernando previously worked at Jellyfish, where she was VP of creative social after the company bought her previous agency, Social Life. Her 15 years of industry experience include stops at We Are Social, M&c Saatchi and Akqa.
Dan Salerno has been hired to lead the Big Apple team as the inaugural senior director of strategy and operations. Laura Hernando will serve as head of social in London, overseeing the entertainment and consumer brands social teams.
Salerno joins from his previous role at creative agency Ralph as New York production lead. He will be joined in Gotham by consultant Rachel Effendy, who started the boutique agency StrawberryWasabi and will contribute to Dda’s growth on the east coast as well as internationally.
Hernando previously worked at Jellyfish, where she was VP of creative social after the company bought her previous agency, Social Life. Her 15 years of industry experience include stops at We Are Social, M&c Saatchi and Akqa.
- 6/6/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
CAA’s seventh annual Amplify summit, a day dedicated to convening artists, brands and leaders of color, has set its lineup of speakers and attendees, led by none other than the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.
Obama, also co-founder of Higher Ground productions, will be joined on the bill by top talents like Oscar and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and director, Regina King; NBA Hall of Famer, activist and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade (who returns after sitting for a keynote conversation with his fellow NBA legend Chris Paul in 2023); and Grammy-winning artist actor and activist Ricky Martin.
The invitation-only event kicks off on June 10th, in Ojai, Calif. and is organized by a diverse cross-section of CAA agents and executives to discuss ways to “accelerate transformational change in rooms of leadership and popular culture” via business opportunities, social justice initiatives and other various forms of collaboration.
“Our super...
Obama, also co-founder of Higher Ground productions, will be joined on the bill by top talents like Oscar and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and director, Regina King; NBA Hall of Famer, activist and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade (who returns after sitting for a keynote conversation with his fellow NBA legend Chris Paul in 2023); and Grammy-winning artist actor and activist Ricky Martin.
The invitation-only event kicks off on June 10th, in Ojai, Calif. and is organized by a diverse cross-section of CAA agents and executives to discuss ways to “accelerate transformational change in rooms of leadership and popular culture” via business opportunities, social justice initiatives and other various forms of collaboration.
“Our super...
- 6/6/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Audiences will thankfully have to wait even longer to savor the last of “The Last of Us.”
Series co-creators, executive producers, showrunners, and directors Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann confirmed to Deadline that they are slating at least four seasons for the HBO series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Season 2 of “The Last of Us” will premiere in 2025, with a newly released episode count of just seven installments.
But that doesn’t mean that “The Last of Us” is almost out of storylines. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
“We don’t think that we’re going to be able to tell the story even within two seasons [2 and 3] because we’re taking our time and go down interesting pathways which we did a little bit in Season 1 too,” Mazin said. “We feel like it’s almost assuredly going to be the case that — as long as people keep...
Series co-creators, executive producers, showrunners, and directors Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann confirmed to Deadline that they are slating at least four seasons for the HBO series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Season 2 of “The Last of Us” will premiere in 2025, with a newly released episode count of just seven installments.
But that doesn’t mean that “The Last of Us” is almost out of storylines. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
“We don’t think that we’re going to be able to tell the story even within two seasons [2 and 3] because we’re taking our time and go down interesting pathways which we did a little bit in Season 1 too,” Mazin said. “We feel like it’s almost assuredly going to be the case that — as long as people keep...
- 6/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Six Alamo Drafthouse franchised locations are closing abruptly after their owner filed for bankruptcy.
The venues include five Texas locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as a Minnesota venue in Woodbury. The theaters are operated by Two is One, One is None, LLC, which is filing for Chapter 7. The closure is effective immediately and staff has been informed that their employment has been terminated. In a message from the franchisee to employees that was circulating on social media, the owners said they lost “over $1 million” in 2023. The Texas theaters are located in Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, and Denton.
The closures come as the summer box office is suffering a steep decline, with major films such as “The Fall Guy” and “Furiosa” failing to connect with audiences. Hollywood has also struggled to release as many films theatrically, after enduring production shutdowns during Covid and the 2023 actors and writers strikes.
The venues include five Texas locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as a Minnesota venue in Woodbury. The theaters are operated by Two is One, One is None, LLC, which is filing for Chapter 7. The closure is effective immediately and staff has been informed that their employment has been terminated. In a message from the franchisee to employees that was circulating on social media, the owners said they lost “over $1 million” in 2023. The Texas theaters are located in Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, and Denton.
The closures come as the summer box office is suffering a steep decline, with major films such as “The Fall Guy” and “Furiosa” failing to connect with audiences. Hollywood has also struggled to release as many films theatrically, after enduring production shutdowns during Covid and the 2023 actors and writers strikes.
- 6/6/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
Six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas sites have been closed and have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Operator Two is One, One is None LLC made the announcement on Thursday after the cinemas had run for more than 13 years. Five are in North Texas and one is in Minnesota.
The news appeared to take Alamo Drafthouse by surprise. The company said it was ”working as quickly as possible to get Alamo Drafthouse Cinema back up and running” in the affected cities.
Franchisee Two Is One, One Is None cited reasons for the closures including post-Covid audience drops compounded by lower supply after the Hollywood strikes,...
Operator Two is One, One is None LLC made the announcement on Thursday after the cinemas had run for more than 13 years. Five are in North Texas and one is in Minnesota.
The news appeared to take Alamo Drafthouse by surprise. The company said it was ”working as quickly as possible to get Alamo Drafthouse Cinema back up and running” in the affected cities.
Franchisee Two Is One, One Is None cited reasons for the closures including post-Covid audience drops compounded by lower supply after the Hollywood strikes,...
- 6/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
Negotiations on a new IATSE contract went deep into the night on Wednesday, but the two sides were unable to bridge their differences and wrapped without a deal.
More talks are expected to be added to the schedule, possibly as soon as late next week.
The two sides are said to have reached a compromise on several significant issues including, most notably, artificial intelligence. But the talks have yet to produce an agreement on overall wage increases or on how to close a $670 million shortfall in the health and pension plans over the next three years.
In a message to members on Thursday morning, IATSE struck an optimistic note, and emphasized that talks remain ongoing.
“Thus far negotiations have largely been productive, with the Basic Negotiating Committee and the studios reaching consensus on a number of issues,” the union said.
Matt Loeb, the international president, reiterated that he is “hopeful...
More talks are expected to be added to the schedule, possibly as soon as late next week.
The two sides are said to have reached a compromise on several significant issues including, most notably, artificial intelligence. But the talks have yet to produce an agreement on overall wage increases or on how to close a $670 million shortfall in the health and pension plans over the next three years.
In a message to members on Thursday morning, IATSE struck an optimistic note, and emphasized that talks remain ongoing.
“Thus far negotiations have largely been productive, with the Basic Negotiating Committee and the studios reaching consensus on a number of issues,” the union said.
Matt Loeb, the international president, reiterated that he is “hopeful...
- 6/6/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
Things have gotten a bit more complicated with labor negotiations for IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, ahead of the crafts union’s contract expiring on July 31.
The national branch of IATSE told members on Thursday, June 6 that it still has not reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP on a new contract for the Basic Agreement, which covers roughly 50,000 crew members working in Hollywood as part of 13 West Coast Locals. More talks are being scheduled for as early as next week.
But after a late-night bargaining session on June 5, the clock has run out on the negotiation window that was scheduled for IATSE in advance. Talks for the Basic Agreement were already paused once as IATSE shifted to focus on the Area Standards Agreement (Asa), which covers workers everywhere outside of Hollywood. Talks also ended on June 1 for that contract without a deal.
IATSE hoped to have...
The national branch of IATSE told members on Thursday, June 6 that it still has not reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP on a new contract for the Basic Agreement, which covers roughly 50,000 crew members working in Hollywood as part of 13 West Coast Locals. More talks are being scheduled for as early as next week.
But after a late-night bargaining session on June 5, the clock has run out on the negotiation window that was scheduled for IATSE in advance. Talks for the Basic Agreement were already paused once as IATSE shifted to focus on the Area Standards Agreement (Asa), which covers workers everywhere outside of Hollywood. Talks also ended on June 1 for that contract without a deal.
IATSE hoped to have...
- 6/6/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Lee Gabler, a talent agent and former co-chairman and managing partner at Creative Artists Agency, died June 3 in Los Angeles after suffering a brain injury. He was 84.
After earning his stripes in the 1960s at the mailroom of Ashley Steiner Famous Artists in New York, Gabler was soon promoted to talent agency under the mentorship of agency founder, Ted Ashley. The agency eventually evolved into International Creative Management, and by 1970, Gabler was promoted to executive vice president. He then transferred to the Los Angeles office and became head of the worldwide Television Department. He represented clients such as Weinberger-Daniels-Brooks, Mtm and Bruce Paltrow.
In 1982, CAA recruited Gabler to bolster its television arm, and by 1989 he was head of the division. He was made co-chairman and managing partner in 1996. Gabler and his division represented Aaron Spelling, for whom he negotiated deals for “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place;” Paul Junger Witt,...
After earning his stripes in the 1960s at the mailroom of Ashley Steiner Famous Artists in New York, Gabler was soon promoted to talent agency under the mentorship of agency founder, Ted Ashley. The agency eventually evolved into International Creative Management, and by 1970, Gabler was promoted to executive vice president. He then transferred to the Los Angeles office and became head of the worldwide Television Department. He represented clients such as Weinberger-Daniels-Brooks, Mtm and Bruce Paltrow.
In 1982, CAA recruited Gabler to bolster its television arm, and by 1989 he was head of the division. He was made co-chairman and managing partner in 1996. Gabler and his division represented Aaron Spelling, for whom he negotiated deals for “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place;” Paul Junger Witt,...
- 6/6/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
UFO (Untitled Filmmaker Org) announced today the three filmmakers who have been selected for the latest edition of its Short Film Lab. At the Lab, which begins this month, Emily May Jampel, Arielle Knight, and Samuel Wright Smith will develop new scripted, documentary, and animated nonfiction projects, respectively. As announced in a press release, filmmakers Tahiel Jimenez Medina, Brydie O’Connor, Bren Wyona, and Kevin Xian Ming Yu from the inaugural cohort will continue in the program through December to develop new projects across nonfiction and scripted approaches, as part of the Lab’s staggered enrollment model. From the press release: The […]
The post UFO (Untitled Filmmaker Org) Announces Spring 2024 Short Film Lab Cohort first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post UFO (Untitled Filmmaker Org) Announces Spring 2024 Short Film Lab Cohort first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 6/6/2024
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
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