Top Gun: Maverick came more than three decades after the release of the first film starring Tom Cruise in the lead, and yet, it was as much of a resounding success as the original film from 1986. However, unlike a lot of stuff and people that were brought back from the first movie in this 2022 one, legendary filmmaker Tony Scott wasn’t one because of his devastating demise in 2012.
Top Gun: Maverick. | Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Since the younger Scott wasn’t there, Cruise reportedly decided to approach the older and equally legendary Scott brother, Ridley Scott, to helm the second movie in his Aviation film series. However, he was surprisingly not only met with a declined request by the iconic director, with the movie going to Joseph Kosinski instead, but was even met with his film being considered mediocre by Ridley!
Tom Cruise Reportedly Approached Ridley Scott for Top Gun:...
Top Gun: Maverick. | Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Since the younger Scott wasn’t there, Cruise reportedly decided to approach the older and equally legendary Scott brother, Ridley Scott, to helm the second movie in his Aviation film series. However, he was surprisingly not only met with a declined request by the iconic director, with the movie going to Joseph Kosinski instead, but was even met with his film being considered mediocre by Ridley!
Tom Cruise Reportedly Approached Ridley Scott for Top Gun:...
- 5/29/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Simon West is directing an action film that will see Aaron Eckhart step into the polished dress shoes of the President of the United States. More on Raider below.
Another day, another deliciously lucrative action film set in the Oval Office. This time, it’s Aaron Eckhart playing the President of the United States in Raider, a new film by director Simon West.
According to Deadline, Raider will follow Eckhart’s president who wins the election by a landslide, but discovers that the White has been controlled by a shadow organisation. Danny Huston plays the head of the Secret Service and Eckhart’s president has no intention of complying with their demands. Instead, he begins to investigate the clues left by previous presidents in order to not just free his family, but the whole country.
“Our lead is a classy and honorable man who puts country first, despite the risks and impossible odds.
Another day, another deliciously lucrative action film set in the Oval Office. This time, it’s Aaron Eckhart playing the President of the United States in Raider, a new film by director Simon West.
According to Deadline, Raider will follow Eckhart’s president who wins the election by a landslide, but discovers that the White has been controlled by a shadow organisation. Danny Huston plays the head of the Secret Service and Eckhart’s president has no intention of complying with their demands. Instead, he begins to investigate the clues left by previous presidents in order to not just free his family, but the whole country.
“Our lead is a classy and honorable man who puts country first, despite the risks and impossible odds.
- 5/21/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
After Daddy’s Home 2 and Father Stu, Mark Wahlberg is once again joining hands with Mel Gibson for Flight Risk which will hit theatres later this year. Clearly, Mel Gibson is completely focused on rebuilding his name in the industry after being in the dead center of many controversies in the late 2000s.
Father Stu (2022) | Columbia Pictures
While he has starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the last couple of films, Flight Risk will have him sitting behind the camera lens and on the director’s chair. The upcoming film’s storyline sure seems promising; however, it looks like they have taken a page out of the script of Nicolas Cage’s iconic 1997 action thriller, Con Air.
Did Con Air Inspire Mark Wahlberg’s Next Film? Nicolas Cage in a still from Con Air (1997) | Touchstone Pictures
After 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson finally returned to direct his next feature, Flight Risk,...
Father Stu (2022) | Columbia Pictures
While he has starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the last couple of films, Flight Risk will have him sitting behind the camera lens and on the director’s chair. The upcoming film’s storyline sure seems promising; however, it looks like they have taken a page out of the script of Nicolas Cage’s iconic 1997 action thriller, Con Air.
Did Con Air Inspire Mark Wahlberg’s Next Film? Nicolas Cage in a still from Con Air (1997) | Touchstone Pictures
After 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson finally returned to direct his next feature, Flight Risk,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire
In 2006, Camilla Belle starred as Jill Johnson in When a Stranger Calls, an American psychological horror film directed by Simon West and written by Jake Wade Wall.
Camilla Belle in her pivotal role as Jill Johnson in the suspenseful thriller ‘When a Stranger Calls’ (2006) (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
The film is not based on a true story. It is a remake of Fred Walton’s 1979 horror film, which Walton wrote and directed, and Steve Feke co-wrote.
Rejection and Acceptance: How Camilla Belle Came to Star in the Film
After Evan Rachel Wood turned down the part, Camilla Belle accepted it despite her dislike for horror films.
“There’s really no script that a female character so young is able to play and to carry a film. There’s really no roles like that around, it’s very rare. So I wanted to take on that opportunity and see if I could pull it off,...
Camilla Belle in her pivotal role as Jill Johnson in the suspenseful thriller ‘When a Stranger Calls’ (2006) (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)
The film is not based on a true story. It is a remake of Fred Walton’s 1979 horror film, which Walton wrote and directed, and Steve Feke co-wrote.
Rejection and Acceptance: How Camilla Belle Came to Star in the Film
After Evan Rachel Wood turned down the part, Camilla Belle accepted it despite her dislike for horror films.
“There’s really no script that a female character so young is able to play and to carry a film. There’s really no roles like that around, it’s very rare. So I wanted to take on that opportunity and see if I could pull it off,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Jan Stromsodd
- Your Next Shoes
The first twenty minutes of the 1979 horror film When a Stranger Calls (watch it Here) really creeped out movie-goers. It stuck in their heads, earning the movie cult classic status. The rest of the running time, viewers don’t often remember so clearly. So when Screen Gems gave the greenlight to a remake, they decided to expand those first twenty minutes to feature length, stretching out the thrills and suspense for as long as possible. It was a clever idea that was brought to the screen in an entertaining way. And if you haven’t seen the When a Stranger Calls remake, this is the best horror movie you never saw. (You can watch that one Here.)
To properly tell the story of this 2006 release, we first have to rewind thirty years. That’s when college friends Fred Walton and Steve Feke sat down to write the script for a...
To properly tell the story of this 2006 release, we first have to rewind thirty years. That’s when college friends Fred Walton and Steve Feke sat down to write the script for a...
- 4/9/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Back in 1958, director Irvin Yeaworth brought the world a really fun creature feature called The Blob, which was followed by Larry Hagman’s late-to-the-party sequel Beware! The Blob (a.k.a. Son of Blob) in 1972 and an awesome remake directed by Chuck Russell – which ranks as one of the best remakes ever made – in 1988. We’ve been hearing rumblings of another Blob remake for over a decade now. Rob Zombie was attached to write and direct a new version of The Blob for a brief period of time, and commissioned some concept art before leaving the project. The Conjuring writers Chad and Carey Hayes wrote a draft of the script that reimagined the titular being as the B.L.O.B., which stood for Biological Lethal Organic Bomb. Their script was scrapped. Later, Con Air director Simon West was going to be helming the film, with Samuel L. Jackson signed...
- 4/4/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The Avenue has landed North American rights to the action comedy “Old Guy,” starring Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu and Cooper Hoffman.
Simon West directed the film, while “The Last Son” scribe Greg Johnson penned the script.
The film follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field — but it’s only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s true motive: removing the old guard in a full takeover. However, The Company didn’t anticipate that Danny’s experience, coupled with Wihlbord’s brilliance, could enable them...
Simon West directed the film, while “The Last Son” scribe Greg Johnson penned the script.
The film follows aging contract killer Danny Dolinski (Waltz), who still believes he’s the best at what he does. Stuck at a dead end but vying for the love of club manager Anata (Liu), Danny is thrilled when The Company pulls him back in the field — but it’s only to train Gen Z newcomer Wihlborg (Hoffman), a prodigy assassin with an attitude. The mismatched pair is asked to eliminate top members of a competing crime syndicate and, in the process, uncover their employer’s true motive: removing the old guard in a full takeover. However, The Company didn’t anticipate that Danny’s experience, coupled with Wihlbord’s brilliance, could enable them...
- 3/12/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
The ‘very male-gazed orientation’ of the 1980s version of Red Sonja will be a thing of the past in the remake, says Matilda Lutz.
Fantasy adventure Red Sonja emerged in 1985, three years after 1982’s Conan The Barbarian and around the time of the unexpectedly daft Conan The Destroyer. Red Sonja, directed by Destroyer’s Richard Fleischer, cashed in on that series’ popularity and also featured its star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, alongside 80s icon Brigitte Nielsen who starred as the titular female warrior.
There has been talk of a reboot of the movie for years, but it seems to be a project that has taken forever to bring to the screen – and we’re not just talking about the hold-ups caused by strikes and pandemics. For well over a decade, various attempts have been made to get the film up and running, with creative talent such as Robert Rodriguez, Rose McGowan, Simon West,...
Fantasy adventure Red Sonja emerged in 1985, three years after 1982’s Conan The Barbarian and around the time of the unexpectedly daft Conan The Destroyer. Red Sonja, directed by Destroyer’s Richard Fleischer, cashed in on that series’ popularity and also featured its star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, alongside 80s icon Brigitte Nielsen who starred as the titular female warrior.
There has been talk of a reboot of the movie for years, but it seems to be a project that has taken forever to bring to the screen – and we’re not just talking about the hold-ups caused by strikes and pandemics. For well over a decade, various attempts have been made to get the film up and running, with creative talent such as Robert Rodriguez, Rose McGowan, Simon West,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
A reboot of Red Sonja spent nearly fifteen years in development hell before going into production in 2022 with director M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane) at the helm. Before Bassett signed on, the project had passed through the hands of directors Robert Rodriguez, Simon West, Bryan Singer, and Joey Soloway, with Hannah John-Kamen, Rose McGowan, and Amber Heard being considered for the lead role. Matilda Lutz ended up starring in the film, and while we still don’t know when we’ll get to see her version of the title character in action, she did talk about the making of the film (and the metal bikini she had to wear in it) during an interview with Collider.
Lutz said she had a great experience working on Red Sonja, getting the chance to do stunts and horseback riding, to work with Bassett. She added, “What I think is different from what we know...
Lutz said she had a great experience working on Red Sonja, getting the chance to do stunts and horseback riding, to work with Bassett. She added, “What I think is different from what we know...
- 3/11/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Angelina Jolie has been known for doing quite a few stunts in her action films. But after becoming a mother, she wondered if she was better off leaving the stunts to the professionals.
Angelina Jolie wanted to remain healthy for her family Angelina Jolie | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Jolie was well known for being a bit of a daredevil. The action star felt it was important to perform her own stunts in feature films. But as the years went on, Jolie eventually found herself becoming a mother. Afterwards, the actor didn’t get the same thrills doing action scenes that she used to.
“I did have a moment where I thought about my life. I had the babies about a year before filming and then I took 12 months off. This action scene was part of my big return. I was hanging off that ledge thinking, ‘What am I doing up here?...
Angelina Jolie wanted to remain healthy for her family Angelina Jolie | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Jolie was well known for being a bit of a daredevil. The action star felt it was important to perform her own stunts in feature films. But as the years went on, Jolie eventually found herself becoming a mother. Afterwards, the actor didn’t get the same thrills doing action scenes that she used to.
“I did have a moment where I thought about my life. I had the babies about a year before filming and then I took 12 months off. This action scene was part of my big return. I was hanging off that ledge thinking, ‘What am I doing up here?...
- 3/6/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Highland Film Group has locked key territory deals for sci-fi thriller “The Astronaut” from “A Quiet Place” producer Brad Fuller Pic stars Kate Mara (“A Teacher”), Laurence Fishburne (“John Wick” films) and Gabriel Luna (“Terminator: Dark Fate”). The film wrapped shooting late last year in Ireland.
“The Astronaut” has sold to Signature Entertainment for the U.K., Capelight Pictures for Germany, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, DeAPlaneta for Spain, Spentzos Film for Greece, Cinemania Group for former Yugoslavia, Shoval Film Production for Israel, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Filmfinity for South Africa and Roadshow Films for Australia and New Zealand.
Jess Varley’s directorial debut, “The Astronaut” is produced by Fuller Media, the company behind Paramount’s “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II,” and Cameron Fuller, alongside Wonder Company’s Eric B. Fleischman (J.D. Dillard’s “Sleight”) and Chris Abernathy (“Barbarian”).
Highland Film Group,...
“The Astronaut” has sold to Signature Entertainment for the U.K., Capelight Pictures for Germany, Blue Swan Entertainment for Italy, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais for Portugal, DeAPlaneta for Spain, Spentzos Film for Greece, Cinemania Group for former Yugoslavia, Shoval Film Production for Israel, Falcon Films for the Middle East, Filmfinity for South Africa and Roadshow Films for Australia and New Zealand.
Jess Varley’s directorial debut, “The Astronaut” is produced by Fuller Media, the company behind Paramount’s “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II,” and Cameron Fuller, alongside Wonder Company’s Eric B. Fleischman (J.D. Dillard’s “Sleight”) and Chris Abernathy (“Barbarian”).
Highland Film Group,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UK industry veterans Richard Kondal and Patrick Fischer, founders of financier Creativity Capital, have formed a new co-production company dubbed Big Safari.
The banner marks the latest edition to the duo’s portfolio, which also includes shareholdings in sales agent Architect, VFX house Koala FX as well as Creativity Capital.
Big Safari was born off the back of the Simon West-directed 2022 television series Boundless, which Kondal and Fischer produced while at Fulwell 73 with Mono Films and Amazon. The strategy for the new outfit, said the duo, is to set up co-productions that help close finance for international producers, whether through accessing soft money in European co-productions as they did for Svalta or finding a cost-effective co-producer further afield like they did with UK-Philippines co-production The Bayou. It will also look to help European films access UK talent and locations.
Since its launch last year, Big Safari has...
The banner marks the latest edition to the duo’s portfolio, which also includes shareholdings in sales agent Architect, VFX house Koala FX as well as Creativity Capital.
Big Safari was born off the back of the Simon West-directed 2022 television series Boundless, which Kondal and Fischer produced while at Fulwell 73 with Mono Films and Amazon. The strategy for the new outfit, said the duo, is to set up co-productions that help close finance for international producers, whether through accessing soft money in European co-productions as they did for Svalta or finding a cost-effective co-producer further afield like they did with UK-Philippines co-production The Bayou. It will also look to help European films access UK talent and locations.
Since its launch last year, Big Safari has...
- 1/31/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
When Nicolas Cage won the Best Actor Oscar in 1995 for his devastating portrayal of a heartbroken alcoholic with a death wish in Mike Figgis' "Leaving Las Vegas," he was 31 years old and soaring into the prime of an already impressive career. He had access to the best screenplays in town and the interest of just about every A-list director. So Cage did what any reasonable movie star would do: he made three of the decade's zaniest blockbuster action movies.
For those of us who fell in love with Cage as the good-hearted punk Randy in Martha Coolidge's lovable 1983 film "Valley Girl," he kind of owed us. Though he's utterly brilliant in "Leaving Las Vegas," Figgis' grimy drama makes "The Lost Weekend" look like "Arthur." It's a brutal, frankly unrewarding ordeal. For close to two hours, we watch Cage's financially/personally ruined screenwriter grimly follow through on his promise to speedily drink himself to death.
For those of us who fell in love with Cage as the good-hearted punk Randy in Martha Coolidge's lovable 1983 film "Valley Girl," he kind of owed us. Though he's utterly brilliant in "Leaving Las Vegas," Figgis' grimy drama makes "The Lost Weekend" look like "Arthur." It's a brutal, frankly unrewarding ordeal. For close to two hours, we watch Cage's financially/personally ruined screenwriter grimly follow through on his promise to speedily drink himself to death.
- 1/21/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Directed and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables was a hit when it was released in 2010, drawing in viewers who wanted to see an old school action movie that allowed Stallone to share the screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis for the first time. Two years later, The Expendables 2 was even more successful, and many fans feel that film is where the concept really reached its potential. Mistakes were made on 2014’s The Expendables 3 that could have been easily fixed with a fourth film, which should have come along after a couple years. Instead, it took nine years for Expend4bles to happen… and when it did, with Scott Waugh at the helm, Stallone not only didn’t have a writing credit, but he was barely even in the movie. Expend4bles was a box office failure. But franchise cast member Dolph Lundgren thinks we might still see The Expendables 5 someday.
- 1/16/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
David Bruckner – who previously remade Hellraiser – is to write and direct a new take on The Blob for Warner Bros.
Over 60 years after a bunch of devout Christians changed cinema history by making The Blob, there’s a new take on the oozing sci-fi horror classic in the works at Warner Bros.
As first reported by The Wrap, the remake will be written and directed by David Bruckner, who previously made the 2022 remake of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and, among other things, The Night House (2020) and The Ritual (2017).
Like Hellraiser and The Night House, the new Blob will be produced by David S Goyer and Keith Levine via their company, Phantom Four Productions. The Wrap also reports that Judith Harris – widow of Jack H Harris, the film distributor who brought the 1958 and 1988 versions of the movie to the screen – will be credited as executive producer.
The original Blob was directed...
Over 60 years after a bunch of devout Christians changed cinema history by making The Blob, there’s a new take on the oozing sci-fi horror classic in the works at Warner Bros.
As first reported by The Wrap, the remake will be written and directed by David Bruckner, who previously made the 2022 remake of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and, among other things, The Night House (2020) and The Ritual (2017).
Like Hellraiser and The Night House, the new Blob will be produced by David S Goyer and Keith Levine via their company, Phantom Four Productions. The Wrap also reports that Judith Harris – widow of Jack H Harris, the film distributor who brought the 1958 and 1988 versions of the movie to the screen – will be credited as executive producer.
The original Blob was directed...
- 1/10/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
A brand new take on The Blob is taking shape at Warner Bros. Discovery, and The Wrap reports tonight that David Bruckner is on board to both write and direct the reimagining of the classic horror story.
The Wrap notes in their exclusive report tonight, “Plot details about the reimagining are being kept under wraps. The original 1958 The Blob tells the story of an amorphous alien lifeform that descends upon a rural Pennsylvania town and begins consuming anyone it comes into contact with. The alien, an expanding mass of red gelatinous material, grows as it eats and is strong enough to pull human victims into itself from all directions.”
David Goyer and Keith Levine of Phantom Four are attached to produce David Bruckner’s fresh new take on The Blob, with Judith Harris serving as executive producer.
The Blob was first introduced with the Steve McQueen starring horror classic back...
The Wrap notes in their exclusive report tonight, “Plot details about the reimagining are being kept under wraps. The original 1958 The Blob tells the story of an amorphous alien lifeform that descends upon a rural Pennsylvania town and begins consuming anyone it comes into contact with. The alien, an expanding mass of red gelatinous material, grows as it eats and is strong enough to pull human victims into itself from all directions.”
David Goyer and Keith Levine of Phantom Four are attached to produce David Bruckner’s fresh new take on The Blob, with Judith Harris serving as executive producer.
The Blob was first introduced with the Steve McQueen starring horror classic back...
- 1/9/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
According to The Wrap, David Bruckner has signed on to write and direct a remake of The Blob for Warner Bros. Discovery.
The original 1958 movie starred a young Steve McQueen, in his first leading role, and revolved around a carnivorous amoeboidal alien that crashed in a small Pennsylvania town and began consuming everyone and everything in its path. Plot details for this latest remake of The Blob remain under wraps, but… I’m sure you can use your imagination.
The original film was followed by a 1972 sequel, Beware! The Blob, directed by Larry Hagman of all people. Chuck Russell directed the first remake of The Blob in 1988, which featured much more gruesome effects. Although it was a box office failure at the time, the film has developed a strong following.
Related Best Horror Movies on Max Right Now
David Bruckner is best known for helming The Ritual, The Night House,...
The original 1958 movie starred a young Steve McQueen, in his first leading role, and revolved around a carnivorous amoeboidal alien that crashed in a small Pennsylvania town and began consuming everyone and everything in its path. Plot details for this latest remake of The Blob remain under wraps, but… I’m sure you can use your imagination.
The original film was followed by a 1972 sequel, Beware! The Blob, directed by Larry Hagman of all people. Chuck Russell directed the first remake of The Blob in 1988, which featured much more gruesome effects. Although it was a box office failure at the time, the film has developed a strong following.
Related Best Horror Movies on Max Right Now
David Bruckner is best known for helming The Ritual, The Night House,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The Expendables” franchise is an action-packed delight that stands unmatched in its intensity and adrenaline rush ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
“The Expendables” is one of Hollywood’s most famous and successful action franchises ever. It is known for its very dynamic action sequences and a star-studded ensemble cast with actors renowned for their roles in action movies, with a hint of comic relief woven into the mix. The most exciting part about this franchise is that it is directed by the man of action.
Sylvester Stallone created this whole franchise to pay homage to the action films of ‘his time.’ And to prove that, he assembled nearly every prominent actor associated with the action genre. The movies consist of, of course, Sylvester Stallone, in addition to Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Randy Couture in the titular roles. While many other actors come in...
“The Expendables” is one of Hollywood’s most famous and successful action franchises ever. It is known for its very dynamic action sequences and a star-studded ensemble cast with actors renowned for their roles in action movies, with a hint of comic relief woven into the mix. The most exciting part about this franchise is that it is directed by the man of action.
Sylvester Stallone created this whole franchise to pay homage to the action films of ‘his time.’ And to prove that, he assembled nearly every prominent actor associated with the action genre. The movies consist of, of course, Sylvester Stallone, in addition to Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Randy Couture in the titular roles. While many other actors come in...
- 1/4/2024
- by Safwan Azeem
- KoiMoi
Transformers actor Josh Duhamel is re-teaming with Canadian director Allan Ungar for the new action comedy London Calling, joined in the cast by Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen, It actor Jeremy Ray Taylor and Rick Hoffman (Showtime’s Billions, USA Network’s Suits).
Duhamel, who starred in Ungar’s 2022 crime thriller Bandit, alongside Elisha Cuthbert and Mel Gibson, will play Tommy Ward, a mediocre hitman who accidentally kills a relative of London’s biggest crime boss (Aidan Gillen), forcing him to go on the run and landing him in L.A., far away from his London-based son. To get back, Tommy makes a deal with his new employer (Rick Hoffman): In exchange for safe passage, he agrees to teach his socially awkward teenage son Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor) to be a man. But Tommy’s teachable moments include taking Julian to work, including on his latest contract killing of a renowned assassin.
Duhamel, who starred in Ungar’s 2022 crime thriller Bandit, alongside Elisha Cuthbert and Mel Gibson, will play Tommy Ward, a mediocre hitman who accidentally kills a relative of London’s biggest crime boss (Aidan Gillen), forcing him to go on the run and landing him in L.A., far away from his London-based son. To get back, Tommy makes a deal with his new employer (Rick Hoffman): In exchange for safe passage, he agrees to teach his socially awkward teenage son Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor) to be a man. But Tommy’s teachable moments include taking Julian to work, including on his latest contract killing of a renowned assassin.
- 12/13/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Salma Hayek produced romantic comedy which played TIFF, Morelia festivals.
Highland Film Group has boarded international sales for AFM on the ViX Original romantic comedy, Toronto and Morelia selection A Taste Of Christmas (aka El Sabor de la Navidad) produced by Salma Hayek.
Mariana Treviño from A Man Called Otto and Andrés Almeida from Bardo star in the Spanish-language story of three personal stories which come together to make the magic of Christmas happen.
A lonely chef is unexpectedly drawn to her kitchen aide while preparing holiday feasts, an estranged daughter returns to her fractured family for the holidays, and...
Highland Film Group has boarded international sales for AFM on the ViX Original romantic comedy, Toronto and Morelia selection A Taste Of Christmas (aka El Sabor de la Navidad) produced by Salma Hayek.
Mariana Treviño from A Man Called Otto and Andrés Almeida from Bardo star in the Spanish-language story of three personal stories which come together to make the magic of Christmas happen.
A lonely chef is unexpectedly drawn to her kitchen aide while preparing holiday feasts, an estranged daughter returns to her fractured family for the holidays, and...
- 11/2/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Middle East and North Africa-focused distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Saudi Arabia-based producer Al Sarid Films have launched the trailer for the Saudi Arabian epic Within Sand, the first Saudi film to be shot in Neom, the region of the country set to be home to a proposed $500 billion megacity.
The film is set to be released wide across Saudi cinemas on Nov. 9 via Front Row Arabia, the joint venture between Front Row Filmed Entertainment and leading Saudi exhibitor Muvi Cinemas, and later around the Middle East. At the start of 2023, Front Row Arabia scored a major hit with the Saudi family comedy Sattar, which became the biggest local film of all time.
Backed by the Saudi Film Commission, Neom and Riyadh-based production company AlSarid Films, Within Sand is written and directed by first-time filmmaker Moe Alatawi and produced by Reem Alatawi and Jana Dahlawi.
It features an all-Saudi cast led by Ra’ed Alshammari,...
The film is set to be released wide across Saudi cinemas on Nov. 9 via Front Row Arabia, the joint venture between Front Row Filmed Entertainment and leading Saudi exhibitor Muvi Cinemas, and later around the Middle East. At the start of 2023, Front Row Arabia scored a major hit with the Saudi family comedy Sattar, which became the biggest local film of all time.
Backed by the Saudi Film Commission, Neom and Riyadh-based production company AlSarid Films, Within Sand is written and directed by first-time filmmaker Moe Alatawi and produced by Reem Alatawi and Jana Dahlawi.
It features an all-Saudi cast led by Ra’ed Alshammari,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Expanded to four full days, Madrid’s Iberseries & Platino Industria, a joint venture of the Fundación Secuoya and Egeda, Spain’s large rights collection society, opens its doors for its third edition on Tuesday Oct. 3, running all week at Madrid’s Matadero.
I & IP is a market, thanks to its Iberscreenings showcase, and ever more a co-pro forum as well as a massive financing emporium with 149 (sic) projects being pitched behind closed doors at Platforms, Producers Pitch sessions.
The event takes place post-peak TV, however, with a new sense of realism and calculation flooding the world’s TV and film industries. A now robust conference strand looks set to debate key issues and market trends.
Tow weeks out from the event, Variety sat down with Iberseries director Samuel Castro of the Grupo Secuoya and Adriana Castillo, who heads up Egeda’s office in Mexico, to check out their take on...
I & IP is a market, thanks to its Iberscreenings showcase, and ever more a co-pro forum as well as a massive financing emporium with 149 (sic) projects being pitched behind closed doors at Platforms, Producers Pitch sessions.
The event takes place post-peak TV, however, with a new sense of realism and calculation flooding the world’s TV and film industries. A now robust conference strand looks set to debate key issues and market trends.
Tow weeks out from the event, Variety sat down with Iberseries director Samuel Castro of the Grupo Secuoya and Adriana Castillo, who heads up Egeda’s office in Mexico, to check out their take on...
- 10/2/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
”I adore his cinema,” said festival director José Luis Rebordinos of Hayao Miyazaki. ”He is in my list of all-time favourite directors.”
The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival opened September 22 with the Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki’s latest feature: The Boy And The Heron. The film screened in the official section out of competition at the Spanish festival, which has registered a 10% increase in industry professionals in its growing market activities.
At the ceremony, conducted mainly in Spanish and Basque, festival director José Luis Rebordinos paid homage to Miyazaki, recipient of one of the two Donostia...
The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival opened September 22 with the Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki’s latest feature: The Boy And The Heron. The film screened in the official section out of competition at the Spanish festival, which has registered a 10% increase in industry professionals in its growing market activities.
At the ceremony, conducted mainly in Spanish and Basque, festival director José Luis Rebordinos paid homage to Miyazaki, recipient of one of the two Donostia...
- 9/23/2023
- by Elisabet Cabeza
- ScreenDaily
The on-screen figures in the "Expendables" movies aren't so much characters as they are human-shaped bundles of toxically masculine clichés and blind, violent impulses wrapped in skull-emblazoned kevlar. They lurch about on-screen like Frankensteinian monsters, living piles of jock straps and congealed taurine drinks, belching out monosyllabic action flick catchphrases in between Don Julio-instigated brawls and violent, bullet-riddled missions in other countries. These characters have no thoughts, no humanity, no sense of morals or righteousness. They have no desires other than a distant lizard-brain perception that soldiers in other countries probably need to blow up. "G.I. Joe" is more sophisticated.
With Scott Waugh's "Expend4bles" we are now four films deep into this series, and the franchise's original saleable gimmick has been abandoned. One might recall that Sylvester Stallone's "The Expendables" and Simon West's "The Expendables 2" existed merely to unite a cadre of ultra-macho, well-worn badass...
With Scott Waugh's "Expend4bles" we are now four films deep into this series, and the franchise's original saleable gimmick has been abandoned. One might recall that Sylvester Stallone's "The Expendables" and Simon West's "The Expendables 2" existed merely to unite a cadre of ultra-macho, well-worn badass...
- 9/21/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On another sleepy autumn weekend at the box office when actors can’t promote their movies due to the strikes, Millennium Media and Lionsgate are rolling out the latest in their long-in-the-tooth Sylvester Stallone-Jason Statham franchise, Expendables 4, to a weekend take between $15 million-$17 million.
That range is right around where 2014’s Expendables 3 opened –$15.8M– and not far from where Stallone’s last Rambo film resided pre-pandemic, 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood, which bowed to $18.8M. Expendables 3 ended its stateside run at $39.3M while Rambo: Last Blood finaled at $44.8M.
Guys over 25 are the grab with the fourth movie about over-the-hill action heroes booked in 3,400 theaters. The R-rated movie is also playing at 700 Plf screens including Xd, Rpx, Dolby and D Box. Previews start at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Similar to other Lionsgate pics with Millennium, the former is handling North America and UK. Again, all these meat-and-potatoes...
That range is right around where 2014’s Expendables 3 opened –$15.8M– and not far from where Stallone’s last Rambo film resided pre-pandemic, 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood, which bowed to $18.8M. Expendables 3 ended its stateside run at $39.3M while Rambo: Last Blood finaled at $44.8M.
Guys over 25 are the grab with the fourth movie about over-the-hill action heroes booked in 3,400 theaters. The R-rated movie is also playing at 700 Plf screens including Xd, Rpx, Dolby and D Box. Previews start at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Similar to other Lionsgate pics with Millennium, the former is handling North America and UK. Again, all these meat-and-potatoes...
- 9/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Synopsis
Black Hawk Down
From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (The Martian) and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor) comes the gripping true story about bravery, camaraderie, and the complex reality of war.
Black Hawk Down stars an exceptional cast including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana. In 1993, an elite group of American Rangers and Delta Force soldiers are sent to Somalia on a critical mission to capture a violent warlord whose corrupt regime has led to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. When the mission goes quickly and terribly wrong, the men find themselves outnumbered and literally fighting for their lives.
The Guns Of Navarone
Academy Award®-winners Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn star as a team of Allied military specialists recruited for a dangerous but imperative mission: to infiltrate a Nazi-occupied fortress and disable two long-range field guns so that 2,000 trapped British soldiers may be rescued.
Black Hawk Down
From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (The Martian) and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor) comes the gripping true story about bravery, camaraderie, and the complex reality of war.
Black Hawk Down stars an exceptional cast including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana. In 1993, an elite group of American Rangers and Delta Force soldiers are sent to Somalia on a critical mission to capture a violent warlord whose corrupt regime has led to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. When the mission goes quickly and terribly wrong, the men find themselves outnumbered and literally fighting for their lives.
The Guns Of Navarone
Academy Award®-winners Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn star as a team of Allied military specialists recruited for a dangerous but imperative mission: to infiltrate a Nazi-occupied fortress and disable two long-range field guns so that 2,000 trapped British soldiers may be rescued.
- 9/17/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
This article contains spoilers
Con Air is one of the greatest movies of the last 30 years. Starring Nicolas Cage at the peak of his action career and directed by Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Con Air is an audacious, wildly entertaining thrill ride that has few cinematic peers, and that’s what we’re here to discuss today.
It’s time to face facts: not every film can be Con Air. In fact, only one film is Con Air, and that’s Con Air. As a result, we can deduce that all the other movies in the world are not Con Air.
Here are ten of the best films that nonetheless aren’t Con Air…
10. Star Wars
In George’s Lucas’ seminal 1977 space opera Star Wars, later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, The Imperial Forces capture Princess Leia in an effort to stop a rising rebellion against the Galactic Empire,...
Con Air is one of the greatest movies of the last 30 years. Starring Nicolas Cage at the peak of his action career and directed by Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), Con Air is an audacious, wildly entertaining thrill ride that has few cinematic peers, and that’s what we’re here to discuss today.
It’s time to face facts: not every film can be Con Air. In fact, only one film is Con Air, and that’s Con Air. As a result, we can deduce that all the other movies in the world are not Con Air.
Here are ten of the best films that nonetheless aren’t Con Air…
10. Star Wars
In George’s Lucas’ seminal 1977 space opera Star Wars, later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, The Imperial Forces capture Princess Leia in an effort to stop a rising rebellion against the Galactic Empire,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Signature Entertainment has acquired U.K. and Ireland rights to action comedy “Bride Hard,” starring Rebel Wilson (The Pitch Perfect franchise).
In the film, badass secret agent Sam is tasked with one of her hardest missions to date – being maid of honor for her childhood best friend. Out of her comfort zone, and with fellow bridesmaids judging her every move, she struggles to maintain her cover. But when a team of mercenaries take the uber-wealthy guests hostage, it’s up to Sam to do what none of the other bridesmaids can – wage war on anyone who would ruin the most important day of her best friend’s life.
The film is directed by Simon West. The cast also includes Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect”), Stephen Dorff (“Blade”), Justin Hartley (“This is Us”), Anna Chlumsky (“Veep”), Gigi Zumbado (“Pitch Perfect 2”) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Idol”).
It is produced by Joel David Moore...
In the film, badass secret agent Sam is tasked with one of her hardest missions to date – being maid of honor for her childhood best friend. Out of her comfort zone, and with fellow bridesmaids judging her every move, she struggles to maintain her cover. But when a team of mercenaries take the uber-wealthy guests hostage, it’s up to Sam to do what none of the other bridesmaids can – wage war on anyone who would ruin the most important day of her best friend’s life.
The film is directed by Simon West. The cast also includes Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect”), Stephen Dorff (“Blade”), Justin Hartley (“This is Us”), Anna Chlumsky (“Veep”), Gigi Zumbado (“Pitch Perfect 2”) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Idol”).
It is produced by Joel David Moore...
- 9/12/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Primetime Emmy nominee Kate Mara has joined Laurence Fishburne in the sci-fi thriller, The Astronaut. Terminator: Dark Fate actor Gabriel Luna has also joined the cast.
Jess Varley (Phobias) makes her solo writing and directorial debut.
Cameras are set to roll this October in Ireland under an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement.
The Astronaut is produced by Fuller Media’s Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller, alongside Wonder Company’s Eric B. Fleischman (J.D. Dillard’s Sleight) and Chris Abernathy (Barbarian).
Highland Film Group is repping foreign rights to the pic here at TIFF. CAA Media Finance and the UTA Independent Film Group are co-repping domestic rights.
Gabriel Luna
In the pic, astronaut Sam Walker (Mara) returns from her first space mission. She’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Jess Varley (Phobias) makes her solo writing and directorial debut.
Cameras are set to roll this October in Ireland under an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement.
The Astronaut is produced by Fuller Media’s Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller, alongside Wonder Company’s Eric B. Fleischman (J.D. Dillard’s Sleight) and Chris Abernathy (Barbarian).
Highland Film Group is repping foreign rights to the pic here at TIFF. CAA Media Finance and the UTA Independent Film Group are co-repping domestic rights.
Gabriel Luna
In the pic, astronaut Sam Walker (Mara) returns from her first space mission. She’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
- 9/10/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Zachary Levi from Shazam! , Josh Duhamel star in real-life story.
Highland Film Group has announced at TIFF a raft of territory sales on Joe Carnahan’s real-life survival thriller Not Without Hope starring Zachary Levi from Shazam! and Josh Duhamel.
Levi plays Nick Schuyler, who goes on a fishing trip with friends Will Bleakley and NFL American Football players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith only to become stranded when their boat capsizes in a storm 70 miles off the coast of Florida, triggering a US Coast Guard rescue operation.
Deals have locked in Germany (SquareOne), Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution...
Highland Film Group has announced at TIFF a raft of territory sales on Joe Carnahan’s real-life survival thriller Not Without Hope starring Zachary Levi from Shazam! and Josh Duhamel.
Levi plays Nick Schuyler, who goes on a fishing trip with friends Will Bleakley and NFL American Football players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith only to become stranded when their boat capsizes in a storm 70 miles off the coast of Florida, triggering a US Coast Guard rescue operation.
Deals have locked in Germany (SquareOne), Australia and New Zealand (Rialto Distribution...
- 9/9/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Opening is part of strategy focusing on international expansion and new opportunities for Saudi films worldwide.
Leading Saudi Arabian distributor CineWaves Films has opened an office in China as part of a strategy focusing on international expansion and opening up opportunities for Saudi films worldwide.
CineWaves Film said the new office – in Suzhou, a city west of Shanghai – was the first to be opened by an Arab cultural entity in China.
The announcement came during the Arab-Chinese Animation Forum last week. The Forum aims to foster cooperation between China and Arab countries in IP rights, talent training and the joint...
Leading Saudi Arabian distributor CineWaves Films has opened an office in China as part of a strategy focusing on international expansion and opening up opportunities for Saudi films worldwide.
CineWaves Film said the new office – in Suzhou, a city west of Shanghai – was the first to be opened by an Arab cultural entity in China.
The announcement came during the Arab-Chinese Animation Forum last week. The Forum aims to foster cooperation between China and Arab countries in IP rights, talent training and the joint...
- 9/5/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Deals announced today at Mip Africa preview of streamer’s programming in Cape Town.
Netflix has unveiled several multi-title partnerships with South African filmmakers and production houses at a Mip Africa preview in Cape Town.
It included feature film Heart Of The Hunter from South African filmmaker Mandla Dube which will play on the streamer in the first quarter of 2024.
Initially announced in 2022 and the first deal of its kind with a South African filmmaker, Dube has a three-picture deal with Netflix. He previously directed the Netflix film, Silverton Siege and has also directed several episodes of the Netflix South Africa series,...
Netflix has unveiled several multi-title partnerships with South African filmmakers and production houses at a Mip Africa preview in Cape Town.
It included feature film Heart Of The Hunter from South African filmmaker Mandla Dube which will play on the streamer in the first quarter of 2024.
Initially announced in 2022 and the first deal of its kind with a South African filmmaker, Dube has a three-picture deal with Netflix. He previously directed the Netflix film, Silverton Siege and has also directed several episodes of the Netflix South Africa series,...
- 9/4/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Emma Seligman’s Bottoms breaks into top 10 in second weekend.
Talk To Me from Australia’s Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou has become A24’s highest grossing horror release at the North American box office, earning $44.6m to date.
‘Talk To Me’: Sundance Review
The film about a group of youngsters who attempt to contact the spirit world has been a buzz title ever since it premiered at Sundance at the start of the year and has not disappointed at the box office.
Playing in 1,075 cinemas it added $1.8m over the Friday to Sunday portion and $2.2m over the four-day holiday weekend,...
Talk To Me from Australia’s Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou has become A24’s highest grossing horror release at the North American box office, earning $44.6m to date.
‘Talk To Me’: Sundance Review
The film about a group of youngsters who attempt to contact the spirit world has been a buzz title ever since it premiered at Sundance at the start of the year and has not disappointed at the box office.
Playing in 1,075 cinemas it added $1.8m over the Friday to Sunday portion and $2.2m over the four-day holiday weekend,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Emma Seligman’s Bottoms breaks into top 10 in second weekend.
Talk To Me from Australia’s Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou has become A24’s highest grossing horror release at the North American box office, earning $44.6m to date.
‘Talk To Me’: Sundance Review
The film about a group of youngsters who attempt to contact the spirit world has been a buzz title ever since it premiered at Sundance at the start of the year and has not disappointed at the box office.
Playing in 1,075 cinemas it added $1.8m over the Friday to Sunday portion and $2.2m over the four-day holiday weekend,...
Talk To Me from Australia’s Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou has become A24’s highest grossing horror release at the North American box office, earning $44.6m to date.
‘Talk To Me’: Sundance Review
The film about a group of youngsters who attempt to contact the spirit world has been a buzz title ever since it premiered at Sundance at the start of the year and has not disappointed at the box office.
Playing in 1,075 cinemas it added $1.8m over the Friday to Sunday portion and $2.2m over the four-day holiday weekend,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Director Simon West, best known for his work in the action film ‘Con Air’ will be shooting his upcoming historical drama ‘Antara’ in Saudi Arabia in the country’s growing production hub of Neom, a futuristic city being built in Saudi Arabia. The movie will be based on Arab history, and is the tale of Antara ibn Shaddad, a slave warrior who was propelled to mythical status in the sixth century after winning his freedom and becoming a beloved knight and a widely celebrated Bedouin poet in the region.
West, whose credits also include ‘The General’s Daughter’ and The ‘Expendables 2’, said: “The life of Antara is one of those relatively little-known true stories that prove that fact can be so much stranger than fiction.”
“The opportunity to film in the homeland of the Banu Abs tribe means we will keep true to the piece whilst helping to grow the emerging film industry in the region,...
West, whose credits also include ‘The General’s Daughter’ and The ‘Expendables 2’, said: “The life of Antara is one of those relatively little-known true stories that prove that fact can be so much stranger than fiction.”
“The opportunity to film in the homeland of the Banu Abs tribe means we will keep true to the piece whilst helping to grow the emerging film industry in the region,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The feature will tell the story of a legendary Arabian warrior and celebrated poet.
Simon West, the UK director of Con Air and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, is set to film historic drama Antara in Saudi Arabia’s Neom.
Based on a true story, the feature centres on Antara ibn Shaddad, an imprisoned warrior who won his freedom to become a knight and one of the most celebrated poets in Arabian history.
The film is co-produced by Irish writer and producer Alexander Amartei. Celtic Films Entertainment CEO Stuart Sutherland is also a co-producer through his Jeddah-based production company Celtic Arabia.
Simon West, the UK director of Con Air and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, is set to film historic drama Antara in Saudi Arabia’s Neom.
Based on a true story, the feature centres on Antara ibn Shaddad, an imprisoned warrior who won his freedom to become a knight and one of the most celebrated poets in Arabian history.
The film is co-produced by Irish writer and producer Alexander Amartei. Celtic Films Entertainment CEO Stuart Sutherland is also a co-producer through his Jeddah-based production company Celtic Arabia.
- 9/3/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
British director Simon West is set to direct Saudi Arabia-set epic “Antara” that will be shot in Neom, the sprawling production hub in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern corner.
The English-language blockbuster, based on Arab history, is the tale of Antara ibn Shaddad, a slave warrior who was propelled to mythical status in the sixth century after winning his freedom and becoming a beloved knight and a widely celebrated Bedouin poet in the region.
“Antara,” which was announced during the Venice Film Festival — where there is a strong Saudi industry presence — is co-produced by Irish entrepreneur, writer and producer Alexander Amartei. British producer Stuart Sutherland, CEO of Celtic Films Entertainment, is co-producing through his Celtic Arabia shingle. Sutherland, whose credits include “Killing Eve” and Saudi-set “Born a King,” co-produced recently released action thriller “Kandahar,” starring Gerard Butler, which was also shot in the kingdom.
The budget on “Antara,” which is bound to be substantial,...
The English-language blockbuster, based on Arab history, is the tale of Antara ibn Shaddad, a slave warrior who was propelled to mythical status in the sixth century after winning his freedom and becoming a beloved knight and a widely celebrated Bedouin poet in the region.
“Antara,” which was announced during the Venice Film Festival — where there is a strong Saudi industry presence — is co-produced by Irish entrepreneur, writer and producer Alexander Amartei. British producer Stuart Sutherland, CEO of Celtic Films Entertainment, is co-producing through his Celtic Arabia shingle. Sutherland, whose credits include “Killing Eve” and Saudi-set “Born a King,” co-produced recently released action thriller “Kandahar,” starring Gerard Butler, which was also shot in the kingdom.
The budget on “Antara,” which is bound to be substantial,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Con-Air and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider director Simon West will shoot his upcoming historic drama Antara in Saudi Arabia in the country’s growing production hub of Neom.
Based on a true story, the film revolves around Antara ibn Shaddad, an imprisoned warrior who was propelled to stardom in the sixth century, both as a knight and a poet.
The film is co-produced by writer and producer Alexander Amartei and producer Stuart Sutherland. Sutherland has experience of working in Saudi Arabia, having been a co-producer on the Gerard Butler-starring action picture Kandahar, which also shot in the country.
The production is scheduled to spend 12 weeks at Neom in northwest Saudi Arabia from early 2024.
The film will tap into Neom’s 40% cash rebate for feature films, TV dramas, reality shows, documentaries and commercials. It will be based at Neom...
Based on a true story, the film revolves around Antara ibn Shaddad, an imprisoned warrior who was propelled to stardom in the sixth century, both as a knight and a poet.
The film is co-produced by writer and producer Alexander Amartei and producer Stuart Sutherland. Sutherland has experience of working in Saudi Arabia, having been a co-producer on the Gerard Butler-starring action picture Kandahar, which also shot in the country.
The production is scheduled to spend 12 weeks at Neom in northwest Saudi Arabia from early 2024.
The film will tap into Neom’s 40% cash rebate for feature films, TV dramas, reality shows, documentaries and commercials. It will be based at Neom...
- 9/3/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Simon West, the director of Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The Expendables 2, has set his next movie.
Based on a true story, swords-and-sandals epic Antara will follow Antara ibn Shaddad, a slave in the sixth century who won his freedom and became a knight and one of the most famous poets in ancient Arabia. The film will be set against the backdrop of the Neom region in northwest Saudi Arabia and is co-produced by writer and producer Alexander Amartei. Celtic Arabia’s Stuart Sutherland (Killing Eve, Born A King, The Man Who Fell To Earth), is also a co-producer and recently co-produced Kandahar, starring Gerard Butler, in the Kingdom.
Production in Neom, home to a proposed $500 billion megacity, is scheduled for 12 weeks to commence in early 2024, based at Bajdah Studios and tapping into the region’s 40 percent cash rebate program.
“Bringing the story of Antara ibn Shaddad...
Based on a true story, swords-and-sandals epic Antara will follow Antara ibn Shaddad, a slave in the sixth century who won his freedom and became a knight and one of the most famous poets in ancient Arabia. The film will be set against the backdrop of the Neom region in northwest Saudi Arabia and is co-produced by writer and producer Alexander Amartei. Celtic Arabia’s Stuart Sutherland (Killing Eve, Born A King, The Man Who Fell To Earth), is also a co-producer and recently co-produced Kandahar, starring Gerard Butler, in the Kingdom.
Production in Neom, home to a proposed $500 billion megacity, is scheduled for 12 weeks to commence in early 2024, based at Bajdah Studios and tapping into the region’s 40 percent cash rebate program.
“Bringing the story of Antara ibn Shaddad...
- 9/3/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As anyone who pays attention to the movie industry knows, SAG-AFTRA is on indefinite strike. And that, combined with the now months-long WGA strike, means that all film and TV productions involving SAG actors, from Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” sequel to the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” film, have halted until the labor dispute concludes.
Well, almost all productions. Unlike the WGA strike, which has been fairly hard-line, some SAG actors are still allowed to work — provided their productions receive permission from the union. Since July 18, SAG-AFTRA has been providing select independent films with “interim agreements,” which allow them and the SAG-represented actors in them to continue production during the work stoppage. The main requirement for an agreement is that the film must be truly independent — with no ties to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents over 350 American and film production companies in their collective bargaining agreements with SAG.
Well, almost all productions. Unlike the WGA strike, which has been fairly hard-line, some SAG actors are still allowed to work — provided their productions receive permission from the union. Since July 18, SAG-AFTRA has been providing select independent films with “interim agreements,” which allow them and the SAG-represented actors in them to continue production during the work stoppage. The main requirement for an agreement is that the film must be truly independent — with no ties to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents over 350 American and film production companies in their collective bargaining agreements with SAG.
- 9/2/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Exclusive: The Rebel Wilson feature Bride Hard, directed by Simon West, has rounded out its cast that includes Anna Camp, Justin Hartley, Anna Chlumsky, Stephen Dorff, Gigi Zumbado and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
In addition, the pic also features Sam Huntington, Sherry Cola and Michael O’Neill.
Bride Hard stars Wilson as a badass secret agent who is a force to be reckoned with as a mercenary group takes hostage her best friend’s lavish wedding. The indie feature was cleared for a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement.
The pic was written by Shaina Steinberg from a story by Steinberg and CeCe Pleasants.
Bride Hard just wrapped production in Savannah, Ga.
Joel David Moore and Max Osswald are producing for Balcony 9 along with Cassian Elwes (Mudbound), Colleen Camp (Father Stu) and Jason Ross Jallet (Die in a Gunfight). WME Independent is handling worldwide sales; production financing is provided by East West Bank.
In addition, the pic also features Sam Huntington, Sherry Cola and Michael O’Neill.
Bride Hard stars Wilson as a badass secret agent who is a force to be reckoned with as a mercenary group takes hostage her best friend’s lavish wedding. The indie feature was cleared for a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement.
The pic was written by Shaina Steinberg from a story by Steinberg and CeCe Pleasants.
Bride Hard just wrapped production in Savannah, Ga.
Joel David Moore and Max Osswald are producing for Balcony 9 along with Cassian Elwes (Mudbound), Colleen Camp (Father Stu) and Jason Ross Jallet (Die in a Gunfight). WME Independent is handling worldwide sales; production financing is provided by East West Bank.
- 8/30/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Rebel Wilson took to social media to share that she suffered an accident while filming Bride Hard and had to have stitches.
The Pitch Perfect alum took to her Instagram Stories to show off her face after getting stitches following an incident on the set of her movie currently filming in Savannah, Georgia.
“Not the way I wanted to end this movie!” she captioned the post in an expired Instagram Story shared on Thursday. “3 stitches and in hospital last night after a stunt accident at 4am.”
Rebel Wilson shares photo after “stunt accident”
Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, Bride Hard continued to film as it was granted an Interim Agreement due to it being an independent production.
“The Interim Agreement gives many of our journeyman performers and crews the opportunity to pay their rent and feed their families. This approach maintains our strength, solidarity and upper hand with the AMPTP...
The Pitch Perfect alum took to her Instagram Stories to show off her face after getting stitches following an incident on the set of her movie currently filming in Savannah, Georgia.
“Not the way I wanted to end this movie!” she captioned the post in an expired Instagram Story shared on Thursday. “3 stitches and in hospital last night after a stunt accident at 4am.”
Rebel Wilson shares photo after “stunt accident”
Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, Bride Hard continued to film as it was granted an Interim Agreement due to it being an independent production.
“The Interim Agreement gives many of our journeyman performers and crews the opportunity to pay their rent and feed their families. This approach maintains our strength, solidarity and upper hand with the AMPTP...
- 8/6/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Rebel Wilson needed stitches after a stunt went wrong on the set of her movie “Bride Hard,” an indie film that was granted a waiver to film during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The “Pitch Perfect” actress shared a photo of herself with a bloodied nose to her Instagram story, which was screencapped by Entertainment Tonight. She wrote in the caption, “Not the way I wanted to end this movie! 3 stitches and in hospital last night after a stunt accident at 4am.”
While most Hollywood production has been shut down, independent company Balcony 9 Productions was granted a strike waiver by SAG-AFTRA for the Simon West-directed action comedy.
The movie is set at a wedding where the bridal party is taken hostage by mercenaries, who have no idea that the maid of honor (Wilson) is actually a secret agent, who’s “ready to rain hell-fire upon anyone who would ruin...
The “Pitch Perfect” actress shared a photo of herself with a bloodied nose to her Instagram story, which was screencapped by Entertainment Tonight. She wrote in the caption, “Not the way I wanted to end this movie! 3 stitches and in hospital last night after a stunt accident at 4am.”
While most Hollywood production has been shut down, independent company Balcony 9 Productions was granted a strike waiver by SAG-AFTRA for the Simon West-directed action comedy.
The movie is set at a wedding where the bridal party is taken hostage by mercenaries, who have no idea that the maid of honor (Wilson) is actually a secret agent, who’s “ready to rain hell-fire upon anyone who would ruin...
- 8/4/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
While critics may not love them, audiences love the adventures of Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross, Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas, and the rest of the gang.The Expendables 4 (which is actually called Expend4bles) recently got it’s first full, official trailer (embedded above), which is pretty last minute considering the movie is set for a September 22, 2023 release date. Given how soon it’s coming out, we figured it’s time to try to assemble everything we know about the fourth movie in the Expendables series.
The Release Date
The fourth film, created and produced by Millennium Media and Campbell Grobman Films, as well as being distributed by Lionsgate, has been through quite a bit of development hell over the past decade. As previously stated, the last movie was released in 2014 with the sequel being released in 2012 and the original premiering back in 2010. Following this pattern, the fourth movie...
The Release Date
The fourth film, created and produced by Millennium Media and Campbell Grobman Films, as well as being distributed by Lionsgate, has been through quite a bit of development hell over the past decade. As previously stated, the last movie was released in 2014 with the sequel being released in 2012 and the original premiering back in 2010. Following this pattern, the fourth movie...
- 8/4/2023
- by Jon Meschutt
- JoBlo.com
There aren't a lot of cameras rolling in Hollywood right now. A strike by the Writers Guild of America began on May 2, 2023, shutting down 80 percent of productions, and writers were joined by actors on June 14 when trade association AMPTP failed to reach a deal with the union for actors and performers, SAG-AFTRA. This means that actors on any production shooting under an agreement with SAG-AFTRA -- which means the vast majority of movies and TV shows produced by American studios -- are currently on strike from both acting in and promoting struck projects.
There are a few exceptions to that category. Some projects filming overseas are instead produced under agreements with local actors' unions, like the United Kingdom's Equity. In cases like this, SAG-AFTRA members have no legal protection if they choose to strike, even in solidarity. Per Equity's guidance, SAG-AFTRA members working under Equity contracts in the UK...
...should...
There are a few exceptions to that category. Some projects filming overseas are instead produced under agreements with local actors' unions, like the United Kingdom's Equity. In cases like this, SAG-AFTRA members have no legal protection if they choose to strike, even in solidarity. Per Equity's guidance, SAG-AFTRA members working under Equity contracts in the UK...
...should...
- 7/25/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Guild publishes list less than one week into strike.
SAG-AFTRA on Tuesday published its first list of independent films which have signed an interim agreement allowing production to resume and it includes several titles from A24 and Lionsgate.
Among the 39-strong roster is A24’s Mother Mary, which sees David Lowery direct Anne Hathaway and Hunter Schafer in the tale of the relationship between a fictional musician and a fashion designer.
A24 also has the Paul Rudd and Jenny Ortega project Death Of A Unicorn scheduled to shoot in Hungary.
Lionsgate titles are the thriller Flight Risk, which sees Mel Gibson direct Mark Wahlberg,...
SAG-AFTRA on Tuesday published its first list of independent films which have signed an interim agreement allowing production to resume and it includes several titles from A24 and Lionsgate.
Among the 39-strong roster is A24’s Mother Mary, which sees David Lowery direct Anne Hathaway and Hunter Schafer in the tale of the relationship between a fictional musician and a fashion designer.
A24 also has the Paul Rudd and Jenny Ortega project Death Of A Unicorn scheduled to shoot in Hungary.
Lionsgate titles are the thriller Flight Risk, which sees Mel Gibson direct Mark Wahlberg,...
- 7/18/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Guild expected to start providing interim agreements for truly independent productions within days.
With SAG-AFTRA expected to start providing waivers for independent productions any day now, at least one feature involving Guild actors has resumed in the US, with several more believed to be active in Europe.
After starting its strike on Friday (July 14) the Guild is said to be reviewing numerous applications from independent producers and is preparing waivers / interim agreements to allow qualifying productions to start or continue with their shoots.
In the meantime the first few productions back up are proceeding under what sources said were “handshake” agreements with the Guild.
With SAG-AFTRA expected to start providing waivers for independent productions any day now, at least one feature involving Guild actors has resumed in the US, with several more believed to be active in Europe.
After starting its strike on Friday (July 14) the Guild is said to be reviewing numerous applications from independent producers and is preparing waivers / interim agreements to allow qualifying productions to start or continue with their shoots.
In the meantime the first few productions back up are proceeding under what sources said were “handshake” agreements with the Guild.
- 7/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The prayers of The Chosen fans have been answered with news that season four of the popular Jesus of Nazareth series has been granted a waiver from SAG to continue filming amid the strike.
The series’ official Twitter account tweeted yesterday afternoon Pst: “Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday.”
The Utah-shot series barely missed a beat, only having to film a day or two without cast. The series includes multiple SAG actors, including star Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus.
Update: Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday.
— The Chosen (@thechosentv) July 16, 2023
A recent Instagram post by creator Dallas Jenkins implored SAG for an exemption: “We’ve submitted all the requested paperwork immediately. We fit all qualifications for an exemption.
The series’ official Twitter account tweeted yesterday afternoon Pst: “Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday.”
The Utah-shot series barely missed a beat, only having to film a day or two without cast. The series includes multiple SAG actors, including star Jonathan Roumie who plays Jesus.
Update: Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday.
— The Chosen (@thechosentv) July 16, 2023
A recent Instagram post by creator Dallas Jenkins implored SAG for an exemption: “We’ve submitted all the requested paperwork immediately. We fit all qualifications for an exemption.
- 7/17/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: As indie producers and financiers in Hollywood and beyond wait on tenterhooks for waivers from SAG-AFTRA — letting them continue with their projects despite the strike — some are starting to get a green-light.
One confirmation letter sent out in lieu of an actual waiver, which aren’t quiet ready yet, notes that the “interim agreement” will include the terms of the last SAG-AFTRA counter in negotiations — including an 11% wage increase to the minimum rates from the 2020 Theatrical/Television Agreement [we hear it could be less than 11% under low budget film agreements].
Upcoming indie film Bride Hard, due to star Rebel Wilson, and at least a half dozen other movies now have permission to move ahead [waivers largely apply to film, given that most U.S. series involve a studio], and the flow of so-called “non-interference agreements”, and ultimately waivers/interim agreements, is set to intensify in coming weeks for projects with no connection to a studio or streamer.
It’s been a complex process, many say. There’s little recent precedent for a waiver template given...
One confirmation letter sent out in lieu of an actual waiver, which aren’t quiet ready yet, notes that the “interim agreement” will include the terms of the last SAG-AFTRA counter in negotiations — including an 11% wage increase to the minimum rates from the 2020 Theatrical/Television Agreement [we hear it could be less than 11% under low budget film agreements].
Upcoming indie film Bride Hard, due to star Rebel Wilson, and at least a half dozen other movies now have permission to move ahead [waivers largely apply to film, given that most U.S. series involve a studio], and the flow of so-called “non-interference agreements”, and ultimately waivers/interim agreements, is set to intensify in coming weeks for projects with no connection to a studio or streamer.
It’s been a complex process, many say. There’s little recent precedent for a waiver template given...
- 7/16/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Josh Duhamel will join the ensemble of the survival thriller “Not Without Hope,” an adaptation of Nick Schuyler and Jere Longman’s best-selling book that will be written and directed by Joe Carnahan. Also joining the cast are JoBeth Williams, Quentin Plair, Terrence Terrell and Marshall Cook.
As previously announced, Zachary Levi (“Shazam!”) is starring in the film, which tells the real-life story of a tragic 2009 boating accident involving Schuyler, his friends Will Bleakley (Cook) and NFL players Marquis Cooper (Plair) and Corey Smith (Terrell). Levi will play Schuyler.
The search-and rescue-operation captivated national attention. Duhamel will portray U.S. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close, who oversaw a crew that cut through the ocean to try to find the friends who went missing. Carnahan has some experience orchestrating survival tales, having previously directed “The Grey,” which found Liam Neeson battling very hungry wolves after a plane crash stranded his character in a snowy mountain range.
As previously announced, Zachary Levi (“Shazam!”) is starring in the film, which tells the real-life story of a tragic 2009 boating accident involving Schuyler, his friends Will Bleakley (Cook) and NFL players Marquis Cooper (Plair) and Corey Smith (Terrell). Levi will play Schuyler.
The search-and rescue-operation captivated national attention. Duhamel will portray U.S. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Close, who oversaw a crew that cut through the ocean to try to find the friends who went missing. Carnahan has some experience orchestrating survival tales, having previously directed “The Grey,” which found Liam Neeson battling very hungry wolves after a plane crash stranded his character in a snowy mountain range.
- 6/15/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.