“The Witcher” Season 4 has cast Sharlto Copley, James Purefoy, and Danny Woodburn, Variety has learned exclusively.
Copley will play the infamous bounty hunter Leo Bonhart from “The Witcher” novels. Purefoy will play Skellen, a high-ranking spy and court advisor to Emhyr who is also a prominent figure in the novels. Woodburn will play Zoltan, a fan favorite dwarf character from the novels and “Witcher” video games.
The trio join previously announced cast members Liam Hemsworth, who takes over the lead role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill, as well as Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Joey Batey, and Laurence Fishburne.
Copley is best known for his breakout role in the sci-fi film “District 9.” He has since starred in features such as “The A-Team,” “Elysium,” “Chappie,” and “Hardcore Henry.” He also stars in Dev Patel’s upcoming film “Monkey Man” and appeared in multiple episodes of the Netflix series “Russian Doll.
Copley will play the infamous bounty hunter Leo Bonhart from “The Witcher” novels. Purefoy will play Skellen, a high-ranking spy and court advisor to Emhyr who is also a prominent figure in the novels. Woodburn will play Zoltan, a fan favorite dwarf character from the novels and “Witcher” video games.
The trio join previously announced cast members Liam Hemsworth, who takes over the lead role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill, as well as Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Joey Batey, and Laurence Fishburne.
Copley is best known for his breakout role in the sci-fi film “District 9.” He has since starred in features such as “The A-Team,” “Elysium,” “Chappie,” and “Hardcore Henry.” He also stars in Dev Patel’s upcoming film “Monkey Man” and appeared in multiple episodes of the Netflix series “Russian Doll.
- 4/3/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
‘Pay the Piper’ – Daniel Kraus’ New Horror Novel Completes an Unfinished George A. Romero Manuscript
New supernatural horror novel Pay the Piper, set in a cursed Louisiana bayou, is heading our way later this year, and it hails from the minds of legendary director George A. Romero and bestselling author Daniel Kraus.
With 2020’s The Living Dead, New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus took on the Herculean task of bringing George A. Romero’s unfinished zombie novel to completion. Now, Kraus embarks on a final collaboration with Pay the Piper, in which the author worked closely with Romero’s estate to bring the horror master’s unfinished novel to light.
While sifting through University of Pittsburgh Library’s System’s George A. Romero Archival Collection in 2020, Daniel Kraus turned up a surprise: a half-finished novel called Pay the Piper, a project few had ever heard of. It marked the beginning of the author’s second and final collaboration with Romero’s work.
Pay the...
With 2020’s The Living Dead, New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus took on the Herculean task of bringing George A. Romero’s unfinished zombie novel to completion. Now, Kraus embarks on a final collaboration with Pay the Piper, in which the author worked closely with Romero’s estate to bring the horror master’s unfinished novel to light.
While sifting through University of Pittsburgh Library’s System’s George A. Romero Archival Collection in 2020, Daniel Kraus turned up a surprise: a half-finished novel called Pay the Piper, a project few had ever heard of. It marked the beginning of the author’s second and final collaboration with Romero’s work.
Pay the...
- 3/4/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
There will be spoilers ahead for "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" season 3, episode 2, "Paths Unknown."
"Star Wars: The Bad Batch," the animated series that followed the popular show "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," enters its third and final season today. Throughout the show, we've been treated to incredible cameos and recurring characters familiar to fans of movies and television. One of the biggest came in the form of Rhea Perlman of "Cheers" fame, who took on the role of the Trandoshan Cid during the first two seasons. Wanda Sykes has appeared repeatedly as a treasure hunting scoundrel named Phee Genoa. Héctor Elizondo voiced a one-off character in the first season named Romar Adell. Ernie Hudson made an appearance, as did Taran Killam and Ben Schwartz. There has been no shortage of star power coming to the world of "Star Wars," but in the three-episode premiere of the third season of "The Bad Batch,...
"Star Wars: The Bad Batch," the animated series that followed the popular show "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," enters its third and final season today. Throughout the show, we've been treated to incredible cameos and recurring characters familiar to fans of movies and television. One of the biggest came in the form of Rhea Perlman of "Cheers" fame, who took on the role of the Trandoshan Cid during the first two seasons. Wanda Sykes has appeared repeatedly as a treasure hunting scoundrel named Phee Genoa. Héctor Elizondo voiced a one-off character in the first season named Romar Adell. Ernie Hudson made an appearance, as did Taran Killam and Ben Schwartz. There has been no shortage of star power coming to the world of "Star Wars," but in the three-episode premiere of the third season of "The Bad Batch,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Bryan Young
- Slash Film
Back in March 2023, the news broke that filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was in the midst of casting a new film version of "Frankenstein" that he was slated to write and direct. At the time, it was said that Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth were set to star and that Andrew Garfield was to play the Monster. According to actor Doug Jones (who has worked with del Toro on several feature films), the director had long been at work on a "Frankenstein" movie that was meant to visually resemble Bernie Wrightson's "Frankenstein," a heavily illustrated printing of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel made by Marvel Comics back in 1983. At the time of Jones' comments, however, he was slated to play the Monster himself, as the actor commented on what "my look" would have been. That Wrightson-inspired version eventually evolved into the version mentioned above, which is being produced for Netflix.
Entertainment Weekly...
Entertainment Weekly...
- 1/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Netflix is bringing Frankenstein to the popular streaming service.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro will adapt Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) and Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) join Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth in Frankenstein. Lars Mikkelsen (The Witcher), David Bradley (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio) and Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) also join the ensemble.
Frankenstein continues Netflix’s partnership with del Toro, including the Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature Film, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, the anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and the animated films Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans and Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro will adapt Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) and Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) join Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth in Frankenstein. Lars Mikkelsen (The Witcher), David Bradley (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio) and Christian Convery (Sweet Tooth) also join the ensemble.
Frankenstein continues Netflix’s partnership with del Toro, including the Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature Film, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, the anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and the animated films Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans and Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.
- 1/8/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Jacob Elordi is alive! The actor will portray Frankenstein in director Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the classic monster tale.
Elordi is taking over the role from Andrew Garfield, who departed the Netflix project due to strike-related scheduling conflicts. He will join the previously announced ensemble of Oscar Isaac, who is portraying Victor Frankenstein, as well as Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz.
Del Toro, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of “The Shape of Water,” is writing, directing and producing “Frankenstein.” It’s based on Mary Shelley’s novel about the brilliant but egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein, who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment.
“Frankenstein” continues Netflix’s partnership with del Toro, including the Academy Award-winning “Pinocchio,” the anthology series “Cabinet of Curiosities,” and the animated films “Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans” and “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.”
More to come…...
Elordi is taking over the role from Andrew Garfield, who departed the Netflix project due to strike-related scheduling conflicts. He will join the previously announced ensemble of Oscar Isaac, who is portraying Victor Frankenstein, as well as Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz.
Del Toro, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of “The Shape of Water,” is writing, directing and producing “Frankenstein.” It’s based on Mary Shelley’s novel about the brilliant but egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein, who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment.
“Frankenstein” continues Netflix’s partnership with del Toro, including the Academy Award-winning “Pinocchio,” the anthology series “Cabinet of Curiosities,” and the animated films “Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans” and “Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia.”
More to come…...
- 1/8/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Jacob Elordi is expanding his auteur collaborations and will star in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming “Frankenstein” as the titular monster.
After starring in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn,” and Paul Schrader’s new film “Oh, Canada,” Elordi is replacing Andrew Garfield in del Toro’s Netflix movie, as Netflix announced and IndieWire confirmed.
Garfield was originally cast; due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the star exited the project following scheduling conflicts.
Oscar Isaac is set to play scientist Victor Frankenstein, with Mia Goth, Christoph Watlz, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Christian Convery rounding out the cast.
Academy Award winner del Toro is writing, directing, and producing “Frankenstein,” along with producer J. Miles Dale. The official logline reads: “Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment...
After starring in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn,” and Paul Schrader’s new film “Oh, Canada,” Elordi is replacing Andrew Garfield in del Toro’s Netflix movie, as Netflix announced and IndieWire confirmed.
Garfield was originally cast; due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the star exited the project following scheduling conflicts.
Oscar Isaac is set to play scientist Victor Frankenstein, with Mia Goth, Christoph Watlz, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Christian Convery rounding out the cast.
Academy Award winner del Toro is writing, directing, and producing “Frankenstein,” along with producer J. Miles Dale. The official logline reads: “Guillermo del Toro adapts Mary Shelley’s classic tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment...
- 1/8/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
From “Cheers” to “Frasier,” Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane was a mainstay of comedy TV for 20 years, from the ’80s to the early-aughts. Now, after an equal amount of time off the air, Grammer is back in the role for Paramount+’s “Frasier.”
The streaming series is a revival-meets-reboot that once again spins off Grammer’s character with a new cast of colorful characters. Some original “Frasier” stars will return to guest star. However, David Hyde Pierce won’t return as Niles and John Mahoney, who played their father Martin, passed away in 2018.
That means Frasier – along with “Frasier” fans – will be surrounded by new faces. With that in mind, here’s a handy guide to the new “Frasier” cast and characters, including where you might have the actors before.
Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane (Chris Haston/Paramount+)
Everyone’s favorite tender-hearted egoist is back for more silly snobbery: Grammer...
The streaming series is a revival-meets-reboot that once again spins off Grammer’s character with a new cast of colorful characters. Some original “Frasier” stars will return to guest star. However, David Hyde Pierce won’t return as Niles and John Mahoney, who played their father Martin, passed away in 2018.
That means Frasier – along with “Frasier” fans – will be surrounded by new faces. With that in mind, here’s a handy guide to the new “Frasier” cast and characters, including where you might have the actors before.
Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane (Chris Haston/Paramount+)
Everyone’s favorite tender-hearted egoist is back for more silly snobbery: Grammer...
- 11/16/2023
- by Haleigh Foutch
- The Wrap
Merry Christmas to all. Netflix announced it will release all 20 episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy Season 1 on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. The streamer made the announcement during its annual Geeked Week.
It was announced last month that Netflix had picked up the animated series for the U.S. and most international territories in a deal with CBS Studios. The move came after Paramount+ announced in June that it would be removing a number of originals, including Star Trek: Prodigy, from the platform in a cost-cutting content write-down and not to proceed with the previously commissioned second season of the animated show. The second season now will debut on Netflix in 2024.
Star Trek: Prodigy follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search of a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered...
It was announced last month that Netflix had picked up the animated series for the U.S. and most international territories in a deal with CBS Studios. The move came after Paramount+ announced in June that it would be removing a number of originals, including Star Trek: Prodigy, from the platform in a cost-cutting content write-down and not to proceed with the previously commissioned second season of the animated show. The second season now will debut on Netflix in 2024.
Star Trek: Prodigy follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search of a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered...
- 11/9/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Sometimes in order to do a lot of bad, you have to do a little good. That’s the premise behind “The Bad Guys” upcoming holiday special, “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday.” The 22-minute installment will land on Netflix November 30.
Set prior to the events of the 2022 movie, the special follows the Bad Guys just ahead of their favorite day of the year: Christmas morning. While everyone’s opening presents, it’s the perfect time for a city-wide holiday heist. But that can’t happen when Christmas is unexpectedly cancelled. Faced with the possibility of potentially not committing mass crimes, this crew of baddies has to do the unthinkable and save Christmas by becoming stand-in Santas.
“Let’s go do some good so we can be bad,” Wolf (Michael Godere) says in the trailer.
The 22-minute special is directed by Bret Haaland, who previously worked on other DreamWorks...
Set prior to the events of the 2022 movie, the special follows the Bad Guys just ahead of their favorite day of the year: Christmas morning. While everyone’s opening presents, it’s the perfect time for a city-wide holiday heist. But that can’t happen when Christmas is unexpectedly cancelled. Faced with the possibility of potentially not committing mass crimes, this crew of baddies has to do the unthinkable and save Christmas by becoming stand-in Santas.
“Let’s go do some good so we can be bad,” Wolf (Michael Godere) says in the trailer.
The 22-minute special is directed by Bret Haaland, who previously worked on other DreamWorks...
- 11/1/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Ozi: Voice of the Forest, the star-studded animated feature produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, has been picked up by Signature Entertainment for the U.K. and Ireland.
The film, produced by Gci Film and Appian Way, features the vocal talents of Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Dean Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small).
Directed by Tim Harper (Roary the Racing Car) from a screenplay by Ricky Roxburgh (Tangled) and with animation by French studio Mikros, the feature follows a young orangutan who’s separated from her parents. Growing up in an animal sanctuary, she uses her influencer skills to save her parents and home from deforestation. The movie will carry the Climate Change Stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins and Reading University, designed to visualize climate change and spark conversation.
The film, produced by Gci Film and Appian Way, features the vocal talents of Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Dean Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small).
Directed by Tim Harper (Roary the Racing Car) from a screenplay by Ricky Roxburgh (Tangled) and with animation by French studio Mikros, the feature follows a young orangutan who’s separated from her parents. Growing up in an animal sanctuary, she uses her influencer skills to save her parents and home from deforestation. The movie will carry the Climate Change Stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins and Reading University, designed to visualize climate change and spark conversation.
- 10/31/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gkids has announced the acquisition of the North American rights for the upcoming French sci-fi animation film “Mars Express,” directed by Jérémie Perin in his feature debut.
The film’s synopsis reads: “In 2200, private detective Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera are hired by a wealthy businessman to track down a notorious hacker. On Mars, they descend deep into the underbelly of the planet’s capital city where they uncover a darker story of brain farms, corruption, and a missing girl who holds a secret about the robots that threatens to change the face of the universe.”
Perin’s debut was part of the official selection at the Cannes and Annecy film festivals this year.
“Mars Express’ is a film we have been excited about for years, since we saw the very first footage,” said Gkids president David Jesteadt. “This is a timely and provocative story set in...
The film’s synopsis reads: “In 2200, private detective Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera are hired by a wealthy businessman to track down a notorious hacker. On Mars, they descend deep into the underbelly of the planet’s capital city where they uncover a darker story of brain farms, corruption, and a missing girl who holds a secret about the robots that threatens to change the face of the universe.”
Perin’s debut was part of the official selection at the Cannes and Annecy film festivals this year.
“Mars Express’ is a film we have been excited about for years, since we saw the very first footage,” said Gkids president David Jesteadt. “This is a timely and provocative story set in...
- 10/26/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Caroline Brew and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Laika, the groundbreaking Portland, Oregon-based animation studio, has brought in new filmmakers in the form of director Pete Candeland and Victor Maldonado and Alfredo Torres, the duo known as Headless, TheWrap has confirmed.
Candeland and Headless will be developing new animated features, although details on those features have yet to be revealed.
Maldonado and Torres won an Annie for an episode of the Guillermo del Toro DreamWorks Animation series “Trollhunters” and have also directed three episodes of Netflix’s adult animated series “Love, Death & Robots.” Maldonado also directed and co-wrote “Nocturna,” a 2007 animated feature. Torres also worked on “Nocturna” as production designer, which won the Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards. They also worked on the animated sequences from J.A. Bayona’s “A Monster Calls” and were in development at Skydance Animation, which recently moved its feature output from Apple TV+ to Netflix.
Candeland is best known for directing music videos for Gorillaz,...
Candeland and Headless will be developing new animated features, although details on those features have yet to be revealed.
Maldonado and Torres won an Annie for an episode of the Guillermo del Toro DreamWorks Animation series “Trollhunters” and have also directed three episodes of Netflix’s adult animated series “Love, Death & Robots.” Maldonado also directed and co-wrote “Nocturna,” a 2007 animated feature. Torres also worked on “Nocturna” as production designer, which won the Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards. They also worked on the animated sequences from J.A. Bayona’s “A Monster Calls” and were in development at Skydance Animation, which recently moved its feature output from Apple TV+ to Netflix.
Candeland is best known for directing music videos for Gorillaz,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Oregon studio Laika has brought in new talent, hiring director Pete Candeland, along with Victor Maldonado & Alfredo Torres, the Annie Award-winning duo together known as Headless, to develop new animated features.
The appointments are effective immediately, though there’s no word yet on what the projects are.
Maldonado and Torres are an L.A.-based team that landed their Annie for the helming of “Win, Lose or Draal,” an episode of the Guillermo del Toro series Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, produced by DreamWorks Animation and Double Dare You Productions. The duo also directed three episodes of the Emmy-winning Netflix animated series Love, Death & Robots, additionally partnering on the 2007 fantasy Nocturna which won Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards, Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars. Maldonado directed that title alongside Adrià García, with Torres serving as production designer and tackling numerous other creative responsibilities.
Maldonado and Torres also...
The appointments are effective immediately, though there’s no word yet on what the projects are.
Maldonado and Torres are an L.A.-based team that landed their Annie for the helming of “Win, Lose or Draal,” an episode of the Guillermo del Toro series Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, produced by DreamWorks Animation and Double Dare You Productions. The duo also directed three episodes of the Emmy-winning Netflix animated series Love, Death & Robots, additionally partnering on the 2007 fantasy Nocturna which won Best Animated Feature at the Goya Awards, Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars. Maldonado directed that title alongside Adrià García, with Torres serving as production designer and tackling numerous other creative responsibilities.
Maldonado and Torres also...
- 10/25/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
After a break, the Star Trek franchise is returning to Netflix. The global streamer has picked up the animated kids series Star Trek: Prodigy for the U.S. and most international territories in a deal with CBS Studios.
It follows Paramount+’s decision in June to remove a number of originals, including Star Trek: Prodigy, from the platform in a cost-cutting content write-down and not to proceed with the previously commissioned second season of the animated show.
Season 1 of Star Trek: Prodigy, which was previously available on Paramount+, will be released on Netflix later in 2023. The second season, currently in production, will debut on Netflix in 2024. Excluded from the deal are Canada, where Prodigy is carried by CTV.ca and the CTV App, and in SkyShowtime’s European territories: the Nordics, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe.
The series that launched the current Star Trek universe on Paramount...
It follows Paramount+’s decision in June to remove a number of originals, including Star Trek: Prodigy, from the platform in a cost-cutting content write-down and not to proceed with the previously commissioned second season of the animated show.
Season 1 of Star Trek: Prodigy, which was previously available on Paramount+, will be released on Netflix later in 2023. The second season, currently in production, will debut on Netflix in 2024. Excluded from the deal are Canada, where Prodigy is carried by CTV.ca and the CTV App, and in SkyShowtime’s European territories: the Nordics, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe.
The series that launched the current Star Trek universe on Paramount...
- 10/11/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
After being canceled and removed from Paramount+, “Star Trek Prodigy” has found a new streaming home: Netflix.
The series will debut on the streamer later in 2023. Additionally, a second season of the series is currently in production and is slated to debut on Netflix in 2024.
“Thank you to our incredible ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ fans, who championed not just a show, but a community that’s always been connected by the belief that we build a better future together,” executive producer Alex Kurtzman and co-showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman said in a press release. “We set out to inspire you, but you inspired us. The team is still hard at work on the second season, and we can’t wait to share it with the amazing fans around the world.”
“I’ve always held that the ‘Star Trek’ fan base is among the strongest and most intelligent in the world. They have shown their collective passion,...
The series will debut on the streamer later in 2023. Additionally, a second season of the series is currently in production and is slated to debut on Netflix in 2024.
“Thank you to our incredible ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ fans, who championed not just a show, but a community that’s always been connected by the belief that we build a better future together,” executive producer Alex Kurtzman and co-showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman said in a press release. “We set out to inspire you, but you inspired us. The team is still hard at work on the second season, and we can’t wait to share it with the amazing fans around the world.”
“I’ve always held that the ‘Star Trek’ fan base is among the strongest and most intelligent in the world. They have shown their collective passion,...
- 10/11/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
There isn’t another filmmaker quite like Guillermo del Toro.
While he’s been working since 1993, he’s only made 12 films. But each one of those films is so singularly well-crafted and emotionally resonant, that they stand out as being unlike any other films being made today (or really at any other time). Del Toro stuffs these bejeweled treasures, made with clockwork intricacy, full of ghosts and ghouls and phantasmagorical creatures. But they are also populated with human characters who sport actual and psychic scars, made whole or irreparably damaged by their encounter with the unknown. Whether in English or Spanish, with the tiniest budget or the most expansive, del Toro maintains his creative vision through it all.
It’s with this in mind that we look back at his entire filmography, from the least to most mind-altering.
Photo credit: Photo: Dimension
12. “Mimic” (1997)
Del Toro himself would probably admit that this was his worst film,...
While he’s been working since 1993, he’s only made 12 films. But each one of those films is so singularly well-crafted and emotionally resonant, that they stand out as being unlike any other films being made today (or really at any other time). Del Toro stuffs these bejeweled treasures, made with clockwork intricacy, full of ghosts and ghouls and phantasmagorical creatures. But they are also populated with human characters who sport actual and psychic scars, made whole or irreparably damaged by their encounter with the unknown. Whether in English or Spanish, with the tiniest budget or the most expansive, del Toro maintains his creative vision through it all.
It’s with this in mind that we look back at his entire filmography, from the least to most mind-altering.
Photo credit: Photo: Dimension
12. “Mimic” (1997)
Del Toro himself would probably admit that this was his worst film,...
- 10/9/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Guillermo del Toro, the acclaimed director of The Shape of Water, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Hellboy, has revealed that he was once in talks to direct a Star Wars movie written by David Goyer, the screenwriter of The Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel, and Blade1. The project, however, never came to fruition, and del Toro has since moved on to other ventures.
Now there are reports that this collaboration might happen in the near future.
Del Toro’s Star Wars movie was not part of the main saga, but rather a standalone spin-off film that would focus on one of the most iconic and notorious characters in the galaxy: Jabba the Hutt. Del Toro had envisioned a Godfather-like saga that would explore Jabba’s rise to power as a crime lord and his complex relationships with his family, rivals, and allies2.
Del Toro first mentioned his idea for a Jabba...
Now there are reports that this collaboration might happen in the near future.
Del Toro’s Star Wars movie was not part of the main saga, but rather a standalone spin-off film that would focus on one of the most iconic and notorious characters in the galaxy: Jabba the Hutt. Del Toro had envisioned a Godfather-like saga that would explore Jabba’s rise to power as a crime lord and his complex relationships with his family, rivals, and allies2.
Del Toro first mentioned his idea for a Jabba...
- 9/21/2023
- by CineArticles Editorial Team
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Japan’s legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki wasn’t at the Toronto Film Festival for the international premiere of his movie ‘The Boy and the Heron’, but three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro was. Del Toro surprised the crowd for the movie’s gala presentation tonight and received rapturous applause at Roy Thomson Hall, reports Deadline.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey introduced del Toro as “Miyazaki’s most passionate fan.”
“He knows what makes my fat butt move!” quipped del Toro after Bailey asked him to introduce the film.
“This is the first audience to watch this movie outside of Japan,” beamed del Toro to great cheers.
“This is the world, god-damn premiere! Animation is film, and tonight’s film goes beyond that. Animation is hard,” said del Toro.
He further mentioned, quoted by Deadline, “We are privileged enough to be living in a time where Mozart is composing symphonies”, said del Toro.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey introduced del Toro as “Miyazaki’s most passionate fan.”
“He knows what makes my fat butt move!” quipped del Toro after Bailey asked him to introduce the film.
“This is the first audience to watch this movie outside of Japan,” beamed del Toro to great cheers.
“This is the world, god-damn premiere! Animation is film, and tonight’s film goes beyond that. Animation is hard,” said del Toro.
He further mentioned, quoted by Deadline, “We are privileged enough to be living in a time where Mozart is composing symphonies”, said del Toro.
- 9/8/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Hayao Miyazaki wasn’t at the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday for the international premiere of his movie The Boy and the Heron, but three-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro was.
Del Toro surprised the crowd for the movie’s gala presentation tonight and received rapturous applause at Roy Thomson Hall.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey introduced del Toro as “Miyazaki’s most passionate fan.”
“He knows what makes my fat butt move!” quipped del Toro after Bailey asked him to introduce the film.
“This is the first audience to watch this movie outside of Japan,” beamed del Toro to great cheers. “This is the world, god-damn premiere!”
“Animation is film, and tonight’s film goes beyond that. Animation is hard,” said del Toro.
“We are privileged enough to be living in a time where Mozart is composing symphonies,” said del Toro. “Miyazaki san is a master of that stature, and...
Del Toro surprised the crowd for the movie’s gala presentation tonight and received rapturous applause at Roy Thomson Hall.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey introduced del Toro as “Miyazaki’s most passionate fan.”
“He knows what makes my fat butt move!” quipped del Toro after Bailey asked him to introduce the film.
“This is the first audience to watch this movie outside of Japan,” beamed del Toro to great cheers. “This is the world, god-damn premiere!”
“Animation is film, and tonight’s film goes beyond that. Animation is hard,” said del Toro.
“We are privileged enough to be living in a time where Mozart is composing symphonies,” said del Toro. “Miyazaki san is a master of that stature, and...
- 9/8/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniel Kraus has worked with Guillermo del Toro on the novel Trollhunters, which inspired the Netflix animated series, and the novelization of The Shape of Water. When George A. Romero left behind an unfinished novel called The Living Dead, Kraus was the writer chosen to finish it. He has contributed a couple stories to the Shudder series Creepshow, a TV expansion of the Creepshow film Romero made with Stephen King. Now Deadline reports that Imagine Entertainment has picked up the film rights to Kraus’s novel Whalefall, which won’t even be on store shelves until August 8th. (You can pre-order a copy at This Link.)
Since the writers guild is currently on strike (along with the Screen Actors Guild), Deadline notes that “the idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will...
Since the writers guild is currently on strike (along with the Screen Actors Guild), Deadline notes that “the idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will...
- 8/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment has struck a pre-emptive film rights deal for Whalefall, the next anticipated novel from best-selling author Daniel Kraus. The deal for the book option was reached ahead of its August 8 publication by MTV Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
Agreements of the sort are not frequently come upon these days, amid the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA strikes. The idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will be done and no writing services will be rendered here until new guild contracts are struck.
Already generating critical acclaim from early readers and immense buzz within the world of publishing, the book is described as The Martian meets 127 Hours. The story follows a scuba diver in search of his deceased father’s remains who gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm...
Agreements of the sort are not frequently come upon these days, amid the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA strikes. The idea here is, of course, to develop Whalefall for the big screen, at the point when Hollywood is again back up and running. No development will be done and no writing services will be rendered here until new guild contracts are struck.
Already generating critical acclaim from early readers and immense buzz within the world of publishing, the book is described as The Martian meets 127 Hours. The story follows a scuba diver in search of his deceased father’s remains who gets swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm...
- 8/1/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
In February 2013, Dreamworks Animation Television teamed with Netflix on its first-ever children’s and family series, Turbo Fast. Just four months later, the studio and streamer would unveil a multiyear content deal — 300 hours of exclusive original, first-run content.
The pact was the official beginning of the television animation studio and at that time, the largest content deal in the streamer’s history. One of the most significant signs of the rise and permanence of the streaming era, the deal heralded a new age for the kids and family content industry.
Dreamworks Animation TV and current Dwa president Margie Cohn’s team would spend the next decade steering the studio through that and an NBC Universal acquisition, producing more than 2,100 episodes of animated programming across 43 series and partnering with Netflix, Apple TV+, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon and free-to-air broadcasters around the globe.
“The whole thing started on the back of the biggest order of television in history,...
The pact was the official beginning of the television animation studio and at that time, the largest content deal in the streamer’s history. One of the most significant signs of the rise and permanence of the streaming era, the deal heralded a new age for the kids and family content industry.
Dreamworks Animation TV and current Dwa president Margie Cohn’s team would spend the next decade steering the studio through that and an NBC Universal acquisition, producing more than 2,100 episodes of animated programming across 43 series and partnering with Netflix, Apple TV+, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon and free-to-air broadcasters around the globe.
“The whole thing started on the back of the biggest order of television in history,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney+’s acclaimed “Star Wars: Visions” anthology series from Lucasfilm moves beyond anime with “Volume 2.” The nine shorts in this second season tout a broader range of styles and techniques while showcasing the Star Wars franchise’s cultural impact throughout the world.
“We believed in this potential from the start when we expanded out more globally,” executive producer James Waugh told IndieWire. “We really thought we could show the world just incredible animation that’s being done out there and incredible cultural voices out there from different countries. Each one of these creators had something they wanted to say. They are such masters of their craft. And then we got to see the fun of watching all their different animation techniques and styles brought to life in ‘Star Wars’ in ways we never quite experienced before.”
The studios tapped by executive producers Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, and Josh Rimes include Aardman from Bristol,...
“We believed in this potential from the start when we expanded out more globally,” executive producer James Waugh told IndieWire. “We really thought we could show the world just incredible animation that’s being done out there and incredible cultural voices out there from different countries. Each one of these creators had something they wanted to say. They are such masters of their craft. And then we got to see the fun of watching all their different animation techniques and styles brought to life in ‘Star Wars’ in ways we never quite experienced before.”
The studios tapped by executive producers Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, and Josh Rimes include Aardman from Bristol,...
- 5/4/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
[Editor’s Note: The following interview contains light spoilers for “Barry” Season 4, Episode 3, “you’re charming.”]
When NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) needs to hire a hitman to kill Barry Berkman (Bill Hader), he texts Toro.
When Bill Hader needs to hire an actor to play the yet-unseen handler, he texts Guillermo Del Toro.
Who else?
“Guillermo sent me a funny text [asking], ‘Could I be in ‘Barry’?” Hader said, explaining how the three-time Oscar winner came to be in Episode 3, “you’re charming,” of the HBO black comedy’s final season. Del Toro has long been a fan of the series — expressing his enthusiasm on Twitter from the very beginning — but Hader wasn’t sure how serious the “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Pinocchio” director was about joining the ensemble.
“I think he didn’t think I would [ask him],” Hader said. “People say [they want to be in the show] sometimes, and it never happens. But then I thought, ‘Actually, there’s a part that he’d be really good in.’ I called him and said, ‘Yeah,...
When NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) needs to hire a hitman to kill Barry Berkman (Bill Hader), he texts Toro.
When Bill Hader needs to hire an actor to play the yet-unseen handler, he texts Guillermo Del Toro.
Who else?
“Guillermo sent me a funny text [asking], ‘Could I be in ‘Barry’?” Hader said, explaining how the three-time Oscar winner came to be in Episode 3, “you’re charming,” of the HBO black comedy’s final season. Del Toro has long been a fan of the series — expressing his enthusiasm on Twitter from the very beginning — but Hader wasn’t sure how serious the “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Pinocchio” director was about joining the ensemble.
“I think he didn’t think I would [ask him],” Hader said. “People say [they want to be in the show] sometimes, and it never happens. But then I thought, ‘Actually, there’s a part that he’d be really good in.’ I called him and said, ‘Yeah,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Unlike the Japan-centric first, the second season of "Star Wars: Visions" features animation studios from all over the world. One of these studios is El Guiri, co-founded in Madrid by creative director Rodrigo Blaas. Blaas has an impressive resume -- his contributions to "Ice Age," the first feature film produced by Blue Sky Studios, were impressive enough that he was scooped up by Pixar.
In the following years, he toiled behind the scenes of "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." But then Blaas stepped away from Pixar to make "Alma," a 2009 horror short that earned "special mention" at Fantastic Fest that year. "Alma" caught the eye of Guillermo del Toro, who asked that Blaas come and direct a movie with him. That film became the Netflix TV series "Trollhunters" and its extended "Tales of Arcadia" universe. Now Blaas has returned to the short format with "Sith," produced by El Guiri co-founder...
In the following years, he toiled behind the scenes of "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." But then Blaas stepped away from Pixar to make "Alma," a 2009 horror short that earned "special mention" at Fantastic Fest that year. "Alma" caught the eye of Guillermo del Toro, who asked that Blaas come and direct a movie with him. That film became the Netflix TV series "Trollhunters" and its extended "Tales of Arcadia" universe. Now Blaas has returned to the short format with "Sith," produced by El Guiri co-founder...
- 4/14/2023
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
The Star Wars Celebration convention is still taking place in London and offering up a whole selection of treats, including the new trailer (watch below) for Season 2 of Star Wars: Visions, the popular Disney+ animated anthology series. Set to debut on May 4 (aka Star Wars Day), the second season will see nine different animation studios bringing nine separate stories to life, from claymation epics to CGI light saber battles to anime-style adventures. The animation studios that worked on Season 2 are El Guiri (Alma), the five-time Oscar-nominated Cartoon Saloon (Wolfmakers), Punkrobot (The Magical Night of Gaspar), Aardman (Wallace and Gromit), Studio Mir (Harley Quinn), Studio La Cachette (Primal), 88 Pictures (Trollhunters), D’Art Shtajio with Lucasfilm (Tephlon Funk), and Triggerfish (Snail and the Whale). According to Variety, the episode titles for the second season are “Sith,” “Screecher’s Reach,” “In the Stars,” “I Am Your Mother,” “Journey to the Dark Head,...
- 4/10/2023
- TV Insider
The Netflix series “Beef” is being hailed as one of the best TV shows of 2023 so far, with standout performances in particular from stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun. This story of how a road rage encounter festers and unites two strangers in a twisted way is packed with fresh talent, with one particular standout performer making his acting debut while being a well-known artist in his own right. Created by Lee Sung Jin, “Beef” vacillates between comedy, drama and thriller, always keeping viewers on their toes.
But if you’re wondering where you know some of the actors from, we’ve got a complete “Beef” cast and character guide to help you keep things straight.
Steven Yeun as Danny
Yeun plays Danny Cho, a temperamental contractor who can’t seem to catch a break. Yeun first came to prominence playing Glenn on “The Walking Dead,” and earned acclaim for...
But if you’re wondering where you know some of the actors from, we’ve got a complete “Beef” cast and character guide to help you keep things straight.
Steven Yeun as Danny
Yeun plays Danny Cho, a temperamental contractor who can’t seem to catch a break. Yeun first came to prominence playing Glenn on “The Walking Dead,” and earned acclaim for...
- 4/9/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Lauren Tom (The Joy Luck Club) has joined the cast of Hulu’s Interior Chinatown from 20th Television and creator/executive producer Charles Yu, who wrote the 2020 bestseller of the same name.
Tom will recur as Betty, a successful real estate agent with a sharp suit and sharper tongue. When her assistant drags her out to look at an abandoned laundromat in Chinatown, Betty is clearly irritated, but her attitude changes when she sees her old friend (and new rival), Lily Wu.
Based on the National Book Award-winning book of the same name, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history.
Tom’s credits include Andi Mack, Trollhunters and Goliath. She...
Tom will recur as Betty, a successful real estate agent with a sharp suit and sharper tongue. When her assistant drags her out to look at an abandoned laundromat in Chinatown, Betty is clearly irritated, but her attitude changes when she sees her old friend (and new rival), Lily Wu.
Based on the National Book Award-winning book of the same name, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history.
Tom’s credits include Andi Mack, Trollhunters and Goliath. She...
- 2/28/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Today, Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced that the second volume of the animated anthology series “Star Wars: Visions” will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2023. Following on the Emmy Award®-nominated success of “Star Wars: Visions,” the newest volume will continue to push the boundaries of “Star Wars” storytelling, with nine new shorts from 9 studios from around the globe. Employing the most captivating animation styles from a variety of countries and cultures, the second volume offers a dynamic new perspective on the storied mythos of Star Wars.
Title Treatment Available Here: https://wdsprod.box.com/s/iu695c3glvbmhije79ik0zudas4rcqm0
The shorts included in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 2 were created by the following international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D’Art Shtajio’s...
Title Treatment Available Here: https://wdsprod.box.com/s/iu695c3glvbmhije79ik0zudas4rcqm0
The shorts included in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 2 were created by the following international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D’Art Shtajio’s...
- 2/4/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
The animated world of “Star Wars” is growing.
On Thursday, Disney+ announced “Star Wars: Visions” volume 2 will debut on Star Wars Day, May 4, and shared the incredible lineup of animated shorts in store for fans.
Read More: Christian Bale Still Wants To Do A ‘Star Wars’ Movie: ‘What A Delight That Would Be’
Films for volume 2 are being produced by acclaimed filmmakers and studios from around the world, including Aardman, best known for the “Wallace & Gromit” series, as well as Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon, South Africa’s Triggerfish, Japan’s D’art Shtajio, India’s 88 Pictures and more.
“The reaction to the first volume of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ blew us away. We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people,” said James Waugh, “Star Wars: Visions” executive producer.
“We always saw ‘Star Wars: Visions’ as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today.
On Thursday, Disney+ announced “Star Wars: Visions” volume 2 will debut on Star Wars Day, May 4, and shared the incredible lineup of animated shorts in store for fans.
Read More: Christian Bale Still Wants To Do A ‘Star Wars’ Movie: ‘What A Delight That Would Be’
Films for volume 2 are being produced by acclaimed filmmakers and studios from around the world, including Aardman, best known for the “Wallace & Gromit” series, as well as Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon, South Africa’s Triggerfish, Japan’s D’art Shtajio, India’s 88 Pictures and more.
“The reaction to the first volume of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ blew us away. We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people,” said James Waugh, “Star Wars: Visions” executive producer.
“We always saw ‘Star Wars: Visions’ as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today.
- 2/2/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Ready your lightsabers because Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced the release date, animation studios, filmmakers, and episode descriptions for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2! The animated anthology will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2023. The newest volume presents a masterclass in animation, with stories prepped to push the boundaries of Star Wars storytelling and more shorts from nine studios around the globe. Featuring animation styles inspired by various countries and cultures, Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 takes the beloved franchise beyond the stars and back again.
Per the official press release for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2:
The shorts included in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 2 were created by the following international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D’Art Shtajio’s short was created in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd.
Per the official press release for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2:
The shorts included in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 2 were created by the following international animation studios: El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea) Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan), and Triggerfish (South Africa). D’Art Shtajio’s short was created in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd.
- 2/2/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
When “Star Wars: Visions” debuted back in 2021, it was just what the doctor ordered. A collection of gorgeously animated shorts by some of Japan’s leading animation studios, the shorts offered up new sensibilities and visual styles that existed outside the comparatively stodgy realms of the live-action “Star Wars” franchise.
Fortunately, “Star Wars: Visions” is coming back on May 4 with a second volume of all-new studios from around the world.
Instead of exclusively Japanese studios, the second volume of “Visions” canvasses our world, with shorts from El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (the United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea), Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan) and Triggerfish (South Africa). This is truly an international affair!
Also Read:
‘Devotion’ Filmmaker J.D. Dillard No Longer Developing ‘Star Wars’ Movie for Lucasfilm (Exclusive)
“The reaction to the first volume of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ blew us away.
Fortunately, “Star Wars: Visions” is coming back on May 4 with a second volume of all-new studios from around the world.
Instead of exclusively Japanese studios, the second volume of “Visions” canvasses our world, with shorts from El Guiri (Spain), Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Punkrobot (Chile), Aardman (the United Kingdom), Studio Mir (South Korea), Studio La Cachette (France), 88 Pictures (India), D’art Shtajio (Japan) and Triggerfish (South Africa). This is truly an international affair!
Also Read:
‘Devotion’ Filmmaker J.D. Dillard No Longer Developing ‘Star Wars’ Movie for Lucasfilm (Exclusive)
“The reaction to the first volume of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ blew us away.
- 2/2/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
During Guillermo del Toro’s time as an animation producer at DreamWorks, he earned a certain reputation around the studio. “Jeffrey Katzenberg called me ‘The Harbinger of Death’ because a lot of my solutions to a character conflict was to kill them.” del Toro recalled, with a laugh, during a recent interview with IndieWire. It was the early 2010s, when DreamWorks movies were starting to become darker and more daring, and del Toro wanted to push directors to try riskier, wilder things. “When I consulted on ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ they were debating what to do with the father character,” del Toro explained. “I said, ‘Kill him. That will give the entire movie a lot more gravitas.’” Likewise, “Puss in Boots” offed its villain, one of the heroes died halfway through “Rise of the Guardians”, and “Kung Fu Panda” included a panda massacre as a plot line.
“The first...
“The first...
- 12/10/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Indiewire
Guillermo del Toro spent decades dreaming up his stop-motion version of “Pinocchio.” Now that he’s finally made his animated debut, he has no plans to slow down. Unlike many auteur passion projects given the greenlight by Netflix, this one could open the floodgates for a director keen on making up for lost time.
Over 30 years ago, del Toro was a young makeup and special effects artist in Guadalajara, Mexico, preparing to direct his first feature. The project was a wild, stop-motion animated sci-fi story called “Omnivore,” and the premise read like a rough audition for the revisionist genre epics he would make years later. He was inspired by Mexican stop-motion sculptor Marcel Delgado, whose credits include “King Kong,” to make a very different kind of monster movie.
“It was a very late teens, early 20s, underground comix type of story,” the 58-year-old filmmaker recalled in a recent interview with IndieWire.
Over 30 years ago, del Toro was a young makeup and special effects artist in Guadalajara, Mexico, preparing to direct his first feature. The project was a wild, stop-motion animated sci-fi story called “Omnivore,” and the premise read like a rough audition for the revisionist genre epics he would make years later. He was inspired by Mexican stop-motion sculptor Marcel Delgado, whose credits include “King Kong,” to make a very different kind of monster movie.
“It was a very late teens, early 20s, underground comix type of story,” the 58-year-old filmmaker recalled in a recent interview with IndieWire.
- 11/30/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
One cannot discuss the legacy of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" without talking about Stephen Gammell. The illustrator's original artwork for writer Alvin Schwartz's short kids' horror stories is evocative, visceral, and often disgusting. His black ink drawings depict horrors like a skull-headed monster with runny eyeballs, a grinning corpse with a veiny neck, and howling specters that evoke Edvard Munch's "The Scream." Perhaps most notorious of all is his sketch for "The Red Spot," which shows baby spiders pouring from the burst pouch on a young girl's face.
Much to the disappointment of weirdo kids who grew up fawning over Gammell's drawings (like yours truly), later editions of the "Scary Stories" collections replaced his work with art from Brett Helquist at the behest of alarmed parents. However, when it came time to bring the books to the big screen, director André Øvredal and co-writer and...
Much to the disappointment of weirdo kids who grew up fawning over Gammell's drawings (like yours truly), later editions of the "Scary Stories" collections replaced his work with art from Brett Helquist at the behest of alarmed parents. However, when it came time to bring the books to the big screen, director André Øvredal and co-writer and...
- 11/28/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
It marks Cinesite’s first Asian acquisition.
UK-Canadian visual effects studio Cinesite has made its first move into Asia by acquiring a majority stake in Assemblage, a CGI animation studio based in Mumbai, India.
Assemblage will continue to service its clients independently under founder Ak Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
It was founded in 2013 and provides 3D animation and visual effects services to major Hollywood studios and independent companies across the globe. Credits include Lionsgate’s Norm Of The North, Netflix’s Trollhunters and Disney’s Miraculous Ladybug.
Cinesite’s previous acquisitions of studios include Image Engine in 2015, Trixter in...
UK-Canadian visual effects studio Cinesite has made its first move into Asia by acquiring a majority stake in Assemblage, a CGI animation studio based in Mumbai, India.
Assemblage will continue to service its clients independently under founder Ak Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
It was founded in 2013 and provides 3D animation and visual effects services to major Hollywood studios and independent companies across the globe. Credits include Lionsgate’s Norm Of The North, Netflix’s Trollhunters and Disney’s Miraculous Ladybug.
Cinesite’s previous acquisitions of studios include Image Engine in 2015, Trixter in...
- 11/21/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
UK and Canada-based VFX firm Cinesite has made its first foray into Asia, acquiring a majority stake in rising CGI animation and VFX studio Assemblage, based in Mumbai, India.
Under the terms of the deal, Assemblage will continue to service its global clientele independently under the management of founder Ak Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
Founded in 2013 by Madhavan, affectionately known in the industry as Madmax, Assemblage has worked on wide range of US studio and independent films and series, including Disney’s Miraculous Ladybug, Sony’s Swan Princess, Lionsgate’s Norm Of The North, Entertainment Studios’ Artic Dogs and France TV’s Enchanted Village Of Pinocchio.
The studio has also worked regularly with Netflix, on productions including Trollhunters, Chico Bon Bon and Word Party, and with AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime on Puffins and Puffins Impossible.
Cinesite has become increasingly acquisitive during the global production boom, recently acquiring Canadian animation...
Under the terms of the deal, Assemblage will continue to service its global clientele independently under the management of founder Ak Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
Founded in 2013 by Madhavan, affectionately known in the industry as Madmax, Assemblage has worked on wide range of US studio and independent films and series, including Disney’s Miraculous Ladybug, Sony’s Swan Princess, Lionsgate’s Norm Of The North, Entertainment Studios’ Artic Dogs and France TV’s Enchanted Village Of Pinocchio.
The studio has also worked regularly with Netflix, on productions including Trollhunters, Chico Bon Bon and Word Party, and with AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime on Puffins and Puffins Impossible.
Cinesite has become increasingly acquisitive during the global production boom, recently acquiring Canadian animation...
- 11/21/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. animation and VFX company Cinesite has acquired a majority stake in Indian CGI animation studio Assemblage.
Founded by A.K. Madhavan in 2013, Assemblage’s portfolio includes “Norm of the North” (Lionsgate), “Trollhunters” (Netflix), “Arctic Dogs” (Entertainment Studios), “Chico Bon Bon” (Netflix) and “Miraculous Ladybug” (Disney).
Under the terms of the deal, Assemblage will continue to service its global clientele independently under Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
Cinesite previously acquired Image Engine in 2015, Trixter in 2018, and more recently, Balkan VFX studio FX3X as well as Canadian animation studios L’Atelier Animation and Squeeze. The group’s recent credits include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Marvel) and “Matilda” (Netflix).
Cinesite CEO Antony Hunt said: “Assemblage is an undisputed CGI animation industry leader in Asia and knows the market, the culture and the landscape better than any other company. To produce the quality
of content that we are aiming for to serve the market demand in the future,...
Founded by A.K. Madhavan in 2013, Assemblage’s portfolio includes “Norm of the North” (Lionsgate), “Trollhunters” (Netflix), “Arctic Dogs” (Entertainment Studios), “Chico Bon Bon” (Netflix) and “Miraculous Ladybug” (Disney).
Under the terms of the deal, Assemblage will continue to service its global clientele independently under Madhavan and CEO Arjun Madhavan.
Cinesite previously acquired Image Engine in 2015, Trixter in 2018, and more recently, Balkan VFX studio FX3X as well as Canadian animation studios L’Atelier Animation and Squeeze. The group’s recent credits include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Marvel) and “Matilda” (Netflix).
Cinesite CEO Antony Hunt said: “Assemblage is an undisputed CGI animation industry leader in Asia and knows the market, the culture and the landscape better than any other company. To produce the quality
of content that we are aiming for to serve the market demand in the future,...
- 11/21/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
No one knew what to expect when Paramount+ announced its partnership with Nickelodeon to create an animated Star Trek series aimed at kids. It had literally never been done before.
And by any measure, Star Trek: Prodigy's inaugural ten episodes exceeded anything anyone could have imagined. Premiering on October 28, 2021, it impressed viewers, both young and... er, classic, with its action, artistry, and emotional depth.
Its own creators, Dan and Kevin Hageman, the writers behind the Emmy award-winning Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, have been deservedly delighted by its success.
Speaking with TV Fanatic via Zoom, the Hageman Brothers talk about how the production has measured up to the goals and expectations they had set for themselves.
Kevin answers first without hesitation. "Oh, above. Above and beyond. It's such a joy because we are so ambitious.
"After doing Trollhunters, we weren't interested in doing another animated show because we were like,...
And by any measure, Star Trek: Prodigy's inaugural ten episodes exceeded anything anyone could have imagined. Premiering on October 28, 2021, it impressed viewers, both young and... er, classic, with its action, artistry, and emotional depth.
Its own creators, Dan and Kevin Hageman, the writers behind the Emmy award-winning Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, have been deservedly delighted by its success.
Speaking with TV Fanatic via Zoom, the Hageman Brothers talk about how the production has measured up to the goals and expectations they had set for themselves.
Kevin answers first without hesitation. "Oh, above. Above and beyond. It's such a joy because we are so ambitious.
"After doing Trollhunters, we weren't interested in doing another animated show because we were like,...
- 10/26/2022
- by Diana Keng
- TVfanatic
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has been making a home for himself and his various projects at Netflix with a string of CGI animated shows such as “Trollhunters,” “3Below,” and “Wizards.” Continuing that passion for animation, del Toro has teamed with “Fantastic Mr. Fox” animation director Mark Gustafson for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.” The project will bring to life these classic fairy tale characters via stop-motion animation and will separate itself from the Disney incarnations with a darker tone and aesthetic.
Continue reading ‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’: Watch Whimsical BTS Video From Animated Film at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’: Watch Whimsical BTS Video From Animated Film at The Playlist.
- 9/24/2022
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Click here to read the full article.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro promises that his stop-motion spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio will be “particularly beautiful” in a new look at the making of the film.
In a nearly two-minute behind-the-scenes video released as part of Netflix’s Tudum event on Saturday, the Pinocchio helmer celebrates the art of stop-motion while promising that his incarnation is a tribute to a fable close to his heart.
“To me, there’s a valuable difference between stop-motion as an art form and digital,” the award-winning filmmaker behind films like The Shape of Water and the animated series Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia. “Stop-motion in the early days where you had the flicker of fur and fabric, even the atmospheric dust on the sets — and the imperfection of it was totally gorgeous to look at because it told you how the thing was done.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro promises that his stop-motion spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio will be “particularly beautiful” in a new look at the making of the film.
In a nearly two-minute behind-the-scenes video released as part of Netflix’s Tudum event on Saturday, the Pinocchio helmer celebrates the art of stop-motion while promising that his incarnation is a tribute to a fable close to his heart.
“To me, there’s a valuable difference between stop-motion as an art form and digital,” the award-winning filmmaker behind films like The Shape of Water and the animated series Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia. “Stop-motion in the early days where you had the flicker of fur and fabric, even the atmospheric dust on the sets — and the imperfection of it was totally gorgeous to look at because it told you how the thing was done.
- 9/24/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There's a strange thing that happens in Hollywood more often than one might imagine. Two projects get greenlit that aren't just similar, but pull from nearly the same source material. Though this often happens in early stages of projects, like when a wild story suddenly becomes a hot commodity, it's rare that both versions actually end up being born into the world at the same time.
Yet there are times when years of brainstorming, production, and post-production somehow ultimately align, leading to near-simultaneous releases that look intentionally competitive, even if they're not. This is what seems to be happening with "Pinocchio," a classic story that's somehow receiving two very distinct adaptations this fall. While one will debut in September and remake a family film we know and love, the other hits theaters in November and pull inspiration from the darker Italian novel of the same name. Let's dig into the...
Yet there are times when years of brainstorming, production, and post-production somehow ultimately align, leading to near-simultaneous releases that look intentionally competitive, even if they're not. This is what seems to be happening with "Pinocchio," a classic story that's somehow receiving two very distinct adaptations this fall. While one will debut in September and remake a family film we know and love, the other hits theaters in November and pull inspiration from the darker Italian novel of the same name. Let's dig into the...
- 9/1/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Marc Guggenheim has signed with CAA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively.
Guggenheim continues to be represented by attorney Wendy Kirk at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole Llp as well as by manager Cliff Roberts at Syndicate Entertainment.
Guggenheim is perhaps best known for his work in The CW’s so-called Arrowverse — its collection of shows based on DC Comics characters. He co-created the first of those shows, “Arrow,” along with Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg. The show ultimately aired for eight seasons and 170 episodes. Guggenheim, Berlanti, and Kreisberg, along with Phil Klemmer, then went on to create the DC show “Legends of Tomorrow,” which ran for seven seasons and 110 episodes. He also developed the animated DC series “Vixen” and served as a writer and executive producer on “Supergirl.”
Beyond his work in the Arrowverse, Guggenheim and Berlanti co-created the ABC series “Eli Stone.” His other TV credits include “Law & Order,...
Guggenheim continues to be represented by attorney Wendy Kirk at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole Llp as well as by manager Cliff Roberts at Syndicate Entertainment.
Guggenheim is perhaps best known for his work in The CW’s so-called Arrowverse — its collection of shows based on DC Comics characters. He co-created the first of those shows, “Arrow,” along with Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg. The show ultimately aired for eight seasons and 170 episodes. Guggenheim, Berlanti, and Kreisberg, along with Phil Klemmer, then went on to create the DC show “Legends of Tomorrow,” which ran for seven seasons and 110 episodes. He also developed the animated DC series “Vixen” and served as a writer and executive producer on “Supergirl.”
Beyond his work in the Arrowverse, Guggenheim and Berlanti co-created the ABC series “Eli Stone.” His other TV credits include “Law & Order,...
- 8/15/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Pinocchio is coming to life. A new trailer for director Guillermo del Toro’s animated film version of the classic tale has been released by Netflix.
“From my many wanderings on this earth, I had so much to say about imperfect fathers and imperfect sons,” Ewan McGregor’s Sebastian J. Cricket narrates at the start of the trailer. “I want to tell you a story. It’s a story you may think you know, but you don’t — the story of the wooden boy.”
The trailer, which follows the first teaser footage from January, reveals footage of lonely woodcutter Geppetto’s (David Bradley) creation of Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) and the puppet boy’s adventures alongside his creator.
The film marks del Toro’s first feature animated effort, bringing his protective love of features’ creatures to the classic fable. The film relocates the tale to the time period of the 1930s,...
“From my many wanderings on this earth, I had so much to say about imperfect fathers and imperfect sons,” Ewan McGregor’s Sebastian J. Cricket narrates at the start of the trailer. “I want to tell you a story. It’s a story you may think you know, but you don’t — the story of the wooden boy.”
The trailer, which follows the first teaser footage from January, reveals footage of lonely woodcutter Geppetto’s (David Bradley) creation of Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) and the puppet boy’s adventures alongside his creator.
The film marks del Toro’s first feature animated effort, bringing his protective love of features’ creatures to the classic fable. The film relocates the tale to the time period of the 1930s,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
The search for the next big fantasy show rages on, with every network desperate for their own "Game of Thrones." But while everyone has been focusing on the live-action shows competing to be king, the real fantasy streaming war is happening right under most people's noses: in animation.
Epic fantasy has been a growing subgenre of Western animation in recent years. While Amazon has "The Legend of Vox Machina," Netflix has conquered the high fantasy animation corner with gems like "Trollhunters," "Arcane," "Maya and the Three," "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" and "The Dragon Prince."
Keeping with the dragon theme, Netflix has announced they are bringing one of...
The post Dragon Age: Absolution Trailer: The Classic Video Game Series is Now a Netflix Show appeared first on /Film.
Epic fantasy has been a growing subgenre of Western animation in recent years. While Amazon has "The Legend of Vox Machina," Netflix has conquered the high fantasy animation corner with gems like "Trollhunters," "Arcane," "Maya and the Three," "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" and "The Dragon Prince."
Keeping with the dragon theme, Netflix has announced they are bringing one of...
The post Dragon Age: Absolution Trailer: The Classic Video Game Series is Now a Netflix Show appeared first on /Film.
- 6/10/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Guillermo del Toro fans had to wait four years in between his best picture winner “The Shape of Water” and his newest release “Nightmare Alley.” The wait for his next project won’t be as long. Netflix has announced the director’s stop-motion, musical adaptation of “Pinocchio” is set for release in December 2022. Del Toro co-directs this long-in-the-works passion project with Mark Gustafson. To mark the date announcement, Netflix unveiled a brief teaser with the first footage of Ewan McGregor voicing Cricket.
Starring opposite McGregor in “Pinocchio” is David Bradley as Geppetto, Gregory Mann as Pinocchio, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Burn Gorman, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton. Del Toro’s adaptation is set in Italy during the 1930s, a time when fascism is on the rise and Benito Mussolini is consolidating control of the country.
“No art form has influenced my life and...
Starring opposite McGregor in “Pinocchio” is David Bradley as Geppetto, Gregory Mann as Pinocchio, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Ron Perlman, Tim Blake Nelson, Burn Gorman, Christoph Waltz and Tilda Swinton. Del Toro’s adaptation is set in Italy during the 1930s, a time when fascism is on the rise and Benito Mussolini is consolidating control of the country.
“No art form has influenced my life and...
- 1/24/2022
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
On October 28, Paramount+, in partnership with Nickelodeon, will launch Star Trek: Prodigy, the first Trek series created specifically for a target audience of young people.
This is a show that comes to the table with an exceptional pedigree in creativity. Creators Dan and Kevin Hageman are a powerhouse brother duo with writing credentials for long-running popular animated series such as Netflix's Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.
At New York Comic-Con, they were joined by director Ben Hibon who brings experience in animation direction and design to the team. Together, the team spoke virtually with a roundtable of press members about the inspiration and aspirations of their fledgling series.
Not a children's show but also not in the vein of juvenile-yet-adult cartoons like Bojack Horseman and South Park, Star Trek: Prodigy harkens back to the epic adventure animated series like The Pirates of Dark Water and -- dare we mention it?...
This is a show that comes to the table with an exceptional pedigree in creativity. Creators Dan and Kevin Hageman are a powerhouse brother duo with writing credentials for long-running popular animated series such as Netflix's Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.
At New York Comic-Con, they were joined by director Ben Hibon who brings experience in animation direction and design to the team. Together, the team spoke virtually with a roundtable of press members about the inspiration and aspirations of their fledgling series.
Not a children's show but also not in the vein of juvenile-yet-adult cartoons like Bojack Horseman and South Park, Star Trek: Prodigy harkens back to the epic adventure animated series like The Pirates of Dark Water and -- dare we mention it?...
- 10/27/2021
- by Diana Keng
- TVfanatic
The Star Trek franchise is among the most venerable of all 20th century entertainment properties. Having already birthed nine TV series and 13 feature films since its initially short-lived debut run in the 1960s, the thinking person’s space opera has mapped out the furthest reaches of the galaxy and all points in between. But now, it is prepared to boldly breach a demographic that it has not specifically attempted to tap before: kids.
Driven by showrunners Kevin Hageman and Dan Hageman, as well as director Ben Hibon, Nickelodeon’s animated “Star Trek: Prodigy” will introduce a fresh cast of protagonists, as well as animated versions of legacy characters, in particular the “Star Trek: Voyager” fan favorite Kathryn Janeway, voiced by returning actor Kate Mulgrew. “Star Trek: Prodigy” will first roll out on Paramount Plus later this month, before heading into Nickelodeon’s regular programming.
Centered around an entirely non-human primary cast of characters,...
Driven by showrunners Kevin Hageman and Dan Hageman, as well as director Ben Hibon, Nickelodeon’s animated “Star Trek: Prodigy” will introduce a fresh cast of protagonists, as well as animated versions of legacy characters, in particular the “Star Trek: Voyager” fan favorite Kathryn Janeway, voiced by returning actor Kate Mulgrew. “Star Trek: Prodigy” will first roll out on Paramount Plus later this month, before heading into Nickelodeon’s regular programming.
Centered around an entirely non-human primary cast of characters,...
- 10/13/2021
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
The new Star Trek: Prodigy has added Daveed Diggs, Jameela Jamil, Jason Alexander and Robert Beltran to its voice casting for the show, which premieres on Oct. 28 on Paramount+.
The series, produced by Nickelodeon and CBS Studios’ Eye Animation Productions, showcased a first-look clip from the series at New York Comic Con. It features a hologram of iconic Captain Kathryn Janeway (voiced by Kate Mulgrew).
In addition, it was revealed that Diggs will voice Commander Tysess, Jamil will voice Ensign Asencia, Alexander will voice Doctor Noum, and Beltran will reprise his “Star Trek: Voyager” role as Captain Chakotay.
The series will bow with a one-hour episode titled Lost & Found. In it, a group of lawless teens, exiled on a mining colony outside Federation space, discover a derelict Starfleet ship. Dal must gather an unlikely crew for their newfound ship if they are going to escape Tars Lamora, but the...
The series, produced by Nickelodeon and CBS Studios’ Eye Animation Productions, showcased a first-look clip from the series at New York Comic Con. It features a hologram of iconic Captain Kathryn Janeway (voiced by Kate Mulgrew).
In addition, it was revealed that Diggs will voice Commander Tysess, Jamil will voice Ensign Asencia, Alexander will voice Doctor Noum, and Beltran will reprise his “Star Trek: Voyager” role as Captain Chakotay.
The series will bow with a one-hour episode titled Lost & Found. In it, a group of lawless teens, exiled on a mining colony outside Federation space, discover a derelict Starfleet ship. Dal must gather an unlikely crew for their newfound ship if they are going to escape Tars Lamora, but the...
- 10/10/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
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