The Matrix and Sense8 mastermind Lilly Wachowski is here to take out the trash for her next film, Trash Mountain. The project finds Wachowski teaming up with comedian Caleb Hearon for what Collider says is an emotional comedy about closure through sorting the belongings of a hoarder. Casting for the film is underway, with Colin Trevorrow producing alongside Eddie Vaisman and Julia Lebedev of Sight Unseen.
Caleb Hearon, a rising comedian, wrote the script with Ruby Caster. The comedian also stars in the project, which sounds like part tearjerker and part knee-slapper. According to Collider‘s exclusive report, Trash Mountain “follows a gay Chicago man in his 20s who must return to rural Missouri to deal with the death of his father — an obsessive hoarder who has left a house full of items, some valuable and some not so, to pick through.”
The report indicates that Lilly Wachowski and Colin...
Caleb Hearon, a rising comedian, wrote the script with Ruby Caster. The comedian also stars in the project, which sounds like part tearjerker and part knee-slapper. According to Collider‘s exclusive report, Trash Mountain “follows a gay Chicago man in his 20s who must return to rural Missouri to deal with the death of his father — an obsessive hoarder who has left a house full of items, some valuable and some not so, to pick through.”
The report indicates that Lilly Wachowski and Colin...
- 2/12/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
It's difficult to encapsulate the importance of Lana and Lilly Wachowski as directors. While the queer crime thriller "Bound" marked the sisters' directorial debut, it was their 1999 hit "The Matrix" that completely changed the landscape of science-fiction cinema forever. In 2021, the franchise's fourth installment, "The Maxtrix Resurrections" was released, but the film was a solo directorial venture from Lana Wachowski. Lilly has not directed a film since 2015's "Jupiter Ascending," but spent time directing season 1 of "Sense 8" and serving as the showrunner for "Work in Progress." The former was yet another sci-fi epic, but the latter is a sweet, semi-autobiographical queer dramedy starring Abby McEnany. It seems that working on this series must have inspired Lilly to continue similar creative ventures because according to a report from Collider, her next feature film is "Trash Mountain" starring Caleb Hearon.
Hearon co-wrote the film with Ruby Caster ("Bleeding Love"), and the...
Hearon co-wrote the film with Ruby Caster ("Bleeding Love"), and the...
- 2/12/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Production is about to begin for the Prime Video original movie ‘Deep Cover’. The cast has been announced and it includes Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings), Sean Bean (Game of Thrones), Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Ian McShane (John Wick), Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon), and Sonoya Mizuno.
The film sees three improv actors hired by the police to help stage low-level stings. Their instinct to “always say yes” without breaking character leads them deep inside the London criminal underworld.
“We’re delighted to be bringing this new action comedy to our customers”, said Tushar Jindal, Head of Content, UK for Prime Video. “With an incredible cast, a top-class creative team, and a fantastic script we know it’s going to be a hit.”
Also in news – Nia Long cast as Michael Jackson’s mother in biopic
Based on an original script by...
The film sees three improv actors hired by the police to help stage low-level stings. Their instinct to “always say yes” without breaking character leads them deep inside the London criminal underworld.
“We’re delighted to be bringing this new action comedy to our customers”, said Tushar Jindal, Head of Content, UK for Prime Video. “With an incredible cast, a top-class creative team, and a fantastic script we know it’s going to be a hit.”
Also in news – Nia Long cast as Michael Jackson’s mother in biopic
Based on an original script by...
- 2/1/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Amazon has ordered Deep Cover, a U.K. original action comedy movie starring Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World), Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings), Sean Bean (Game of Thrones), Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Ian McShane (John Wick), Paddy Considine (House of the Dragon) and Sonoya Mizuno (Maniac, House of the Dragon).
The Prime Video film sees three improv actors hired by the police to help stage low-level stings. “Their instinct to ‘always say yes’ without breaking character leads them deep inside the London criminal underworld,” according to a plot description.
Production begins Feb. 5 in London. Deep Cover will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide as part of the Prime subscription.
Based on an original script by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, Safety Not Guaranteed) with British improv duo Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen, the film will be produced by Trevorrow via his Metronome Film Co.
The Prime Video film sees three improv actors hired by the police to help stage low-level stings. “Their instinct to ‘always say yes’ without breaking character leads them deep inside the London criminal underworld,” according to a plot description.
Production begins Feb. 5 in London. Deep Cover will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide as part of the Prime subscription.
Based on an original script by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, Safety Not Guaranteed) with British improv duo Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen, the film will be produced by Trevorrow via his Metronome Film Co.
- 2/1/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Producers Peter Saraf and Eddie Rubin, who are in Park City to premiere the Sundance buzz titles Out of My Mind and Winner, have joined forces to create Optimistic Pictures, to develop and produce film and TV properties with an independent sensibility.
Saraf is the co-founder of Big Beach, the producer/financier responsible for one of the greatest successes to break at Sundance, the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine. After a massive bidding battle that was won by Fox Searchlight ($10.5 million and 10% gross), the film got four Oscar noms including Best Picture, won two Oscars and grossed $101 million, on an $8 million production budget.
After their first teaming on The Farewell, Saraf and Rubin are reuniting with that indie hit’s star Awkwafina. She’ll produce and star in an adaptation of G, the Ling Ma short story which is included in her National Book Critics Circle Award winning collection, Bliss Montage.
Saraf is the co-founder of Big Beach, the producer/financier responsible for one of the greatest successes to break at Sundance, the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine. After a massive bidding battle that was won by Fox Searchlight ($10.5 million and 10% gross), the film got four Oscar noms including Best Picture, won two Oscars and grossed $101 million, on an $8 million production budget.
After their first teaming on The Farewell, Saraf and Rubin are reuniting with that indie hit’s star Awkwafina. She’ll produce and star in an adaptation of G, the Ling Ma short story which is included in her National Book Critics Circle Award winning collection, Bliss Montage.
- 1/19/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon is developing Halcyon, a sci-fi thriller drama series for Prime Video, based on Christopher Long’s graphic novel Hiding In Time, from Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow and his Metronome Film Company and Andrew Mittman’s 1.21. MGM Television, where Mittman is under an overall deal, is the studio. Trevorrow directs the pilot.
Created by Richard Smith, who penned the pilot, Halcyon is a paranoid sci-fi thriller in which the Witness Protection Program relocates families to various eras in time. The series unravels a conspiracy that emerges when this seemingly infallible system is breached.
Davey Holmes will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Smith will executive produce along with Trevorrow via Metronome, Mittman for 1.21, and Lloyd Braun.
Trevorrow made his directing debut with Sundance hit Safety Not Guaranteed. Handpicked by Steven Spielberg, Trevorrow went on to relaunch the Jurassic Park franchise with Jurassic World in 2015, which...
Created by Richard Smith, who penned the pilot, Halcyon is a paranoid sci-fi thriller in which the Witness Protection Program relocates families to various eras in time. The series unravels a conspiracy that emerges when this seemingly infallible system is breached.
Davey Holmes will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Smith will executive produce along with Trevorrow via Metronome, Mittman for 1.21, and Lloyd Braun.
Trevorrow made his directing debut with Sundance hit Safety Not Guaranteed. Handpicked by Steven Spielberg, Trevorrow went on to relaunch the Jurassic Park franchise with Jurassic World in 2015, which...
- 12/15/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“You never know if they like you for who you are or what you are,” Anna Nicole Smith once said before she passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2007. The endearing model, actress, and television personality often found herself a subject of misinterpretation and ridicule when she wanted to taste life, be loved, and make people smile. Thankfully, a new biopic, Hurricanna, is now filming and aims to show the sweeter side of the beloved blonde bombshell. A first look at Sylvia Hoeks as Smith is here, prompting fans to double-take before venturing into the Uncanny Valley.
Hoeks stars as Anna Nicole Smith in the upcoming biopic, with Holly Hunter, Mark Duplass, and Nicholas Hamilton. Francesca Gregorini directs from a script by Rachel Sarnoff and Matt Sarnoff, with the story focusing on Smith’s final days before her untimely death at 39. Smith was a model, Playboy magazine centerfold star,...
Hoeks stars as Anna Nicole Smith in the upcoming biopic, with Holly Hunter, Mark Duplass, and Nicholas Hamilton. Francesca Gregorini directs from a script by Rachel Sarnoff and Matt Sarnoff, with the story focusing on Smith’s final days before her untimely death at 39. Smith was a model, Playboy magazine centerfold star,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Jake Johnson’s feature directorial debut, titled “Self Reliance,” is coming to Hulu on Sept. 8. The streamer will launch the comedy thriller, written and starring the “Minx” and “New Girl” star, as a Hulu original.
Hulu acquired the film in a deal with MRC and Paramount Global Distribution after fierce competition following its debut at the SXSW Film Festival in March. The logline for the film reads: “When a man is offered a million dollars to play a game in which hunters try to kill him, he thinks he has found the perfect loophole: they can only attack when he’s alone. His only problem is that none of his friends or family believe the game is real.”
Along with Johnson, the film stars Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Andy Samberg, GaTa (“Dave”), Emily Hampshire (“Schitt’s Creek”), Mary Holland, Boban Marjanović, Christopher Lloyd and Wayne Brady.
Also Read:
‘Minx’ Star Jake...
Hulu acquired the film in a deal with MRC and Paramount Global Distribution after fierce competition following its debut at the SXSW Film Festival in March. The logline for the film reads: “When a man is offered a million dollars to play a game in which hunters try to kill him, he thinks he has found the perfect loophole: they can only attack when he’s alone. His only problem is that none of his friends or family believe the game is real.”
Along with Johnson, the film stars Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Andy Samberg, GaTa (“Dave”), Emily Hampshire (“Schitt’s Creek”), Mary Holland, Boban Marjanović, Christopher Lloyd and Wayne Brady.
Also Read:
‘Minx’ Star Jake...
- 6/29/2023
- by Jose Alejandro Bastidas
- The Wrap
Some names, once viewed on a marquee or YouTube ad, tend to draw a specific audience ranging from real fans to, “Oh yes, that guy.“ I could put the Duplass brothers, Mark and Jay, into both of these categories, with a lengthy filmography largely encompassing projects their company Duplass Brothers Productions has spearheaded, such as 2010’s “Cyrus” and “Jeff, Who Lives at Home”; Mark, in particular, has emerged as the higher profile of the two, consistently delivering as an actor in diverse roles ranging from horror (“Creep”) to TV comedy (“The League”) offbeat humor and more. “The Long Long Night,” another Mark Duplass vehicle, would likely fall into the latter category; originating from show creator/co-star Barret O’Brien, the six-episode series depicts the falling out between two former best friends, Pete (Duplass) and Carroll (O’Brien) and the night that kicked it off, told through black and white footage of...
- 6/13/2023
- by Brian Farvour
- The Playlist
Mark Duplass and Sterling K. Brown have survived the apocalypse. Now what?
The “Safety Not Guaranteed” star and “This Is Us” alum actor play the two last men on Earth who must adapt and evolve to save humanity in Mel Eslyn’s debut feature “Biosphere.” The film premiered at 2022 TIFF and is executive produced by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass.
Per the official synopsis, Billy (Duplass) and Ray (Brown) are lifelong best friends, brothers from another mother —they also happen to be the last two men on Earth. Their survival is largely due to Ray, a brilliant scientist who designed the custom biosphere they call home, outfitting it with both creature comforts and the necessities to sustain life on a doomed planet. When the population of their fishpond — which supplies essential protein — begins waning, the men find themselves facing an ominous future. But life may yet find a way…
Director...
The “Safety Not Guaranteed” star and “This Is Us” alum actor play the two last men on Earth who must adapt and evolve to save humanity in Mel Eslyn’s debut feature “Biosphere.” The film premiered at 2022 TIFF and is executive produced by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass.
Per the official synopsis, Billy (Duplass) and Ray (Brown) are lifelong best friends, brothers from another mother —they also happen to be the last two men on Earth. Their survival is largely due to Ray, a brilliant scientist who designed the custom biosphere they call home, outfitting it with both creature comforts and the necessities to sustain life on a doomed planet. When the population of their fishpond — which supplies essential protein — begins waning, the men find themselves facing an ominous future. But life may yet find a way…
Director...
- 3/27/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In Self Reliance, Jake Johnson’s Thomas, still reeling from a two-year-old break-up and generally disillusioned with life, agrees to participate in a reality television show for the dark web where, for 30 days, people will try to murder him. The loophole that Thomas gloms on to is that he can’t be murdered when he is in close proximity to someone else. What follows is 90 minutes of Thomas trying to convince family, friends, and strangers that, one, this show is real and, two, that they need to stay with him 24/7. The feature also stars Anna Kendrick.
For Johnson, who is best known for his work in front of the camera on series like New Girl and in indies like Safety Not Guaranteed, inspiration came in the form of surreal Japanese reality shows and the pandemic where, as he puts it, reality became increasingly subjective.
Ahead of the movie’s debut at the SXSW film festival,...
For Johnson, who is best known for his work in front of the camera on series like New Girl and in indies like Safety Not Guaranteed, inspiration came in the form of surreal Japanese reality shows and the pandemic where, as he puts it, reality became increasingly subjective.
Ahead of the movie’s debut at the SXSW film festival,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There are movies made during the pandemic, and movies made because the pandemic, and though debuting director Jake Johnson had been kicking around the idea for “Self Reliance” for years, it took Covid to motivate him to make it. Why? Because the “New Girl” actor’s absurdist concept — about a sad-sack bored enough with his life that he agrees to risk it in a “Most Dangerous Game”-style reality show — assumed both profundity and relevance as soon as the species went into lockdown. Coming up for connection, Johnson delivers a silly and frequently surprising why-we-need-people parable that leans on laughs in lieu of peril.
The helmer plays Tommy, who’s been a passive bystander in his own life for as long as he can remember, until one day famous dude Andy Samberg (also among the film’s producers) randomly pulls up in a stretch limo and offers Tommy a ride.
The helmer plays Tommy, who’s been a passive bystander in his own life for as long as he can remember, until one day famous dude Andy Samberg (also among the film’s producers) randomly pulls up in a stretch limo and offers Tommy a ride.
- 3/12/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
The director of “Jurassic World” and one of the writers and co-executive producers on “House of the Dragon” are teaming up for a big-budget sci-fi fantasy for Sundance. Director Colin Trevorrow and writer Charmaine DeGraté’s “Atlantis,” which was previously in development at Universal, concerns the fabled civilization that allegedly sank into the sea and was lost due to divine intervention of wrathful gods.
Trevorrow, who also helmed “Safety Not Guaranteed” and “The Book of Henry,” will produce via his Metronome Film Company alongside David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger’s Skydance. Trevorrow is coming off “Jurassic World Dominion,” which earned just over 1 billion worldwide, including 375 million domestically and 159 million in China, last summer.
Also Read:
Superheroes Are Finally Losing Their Grasp on Moviegoers – and That’s Good for the Box Office
“Jurassic World” was an even bigger hit in 2015, earning decent reviews and grossing 652 million domestically and 1.671 billion worldwide.
Trevorrow, who also helmed “Safety Not Guaranteed” and “The Book of Henry,” will produce via his Metronome Film Company alongside David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger’s Skydance. Trevorrow is coming off “Jurassic World Dominion,” which earned just over 1 billion worldwide, including 375 million domestically and 159 million in China, last summer.
Also Read:
Superheroes Are Finally Losing Their Grasp on Moviegoers – and That’s Good for the Box Office
“Jurassic World” was an even bigger hit in 2015, earning decent reviews and grossing 652 million domestically and 1.671 billion worldwide.
- 2/4/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
“Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out” is one of those great long titles that rarely ends up connected to a great movie, long or otherwise. For every “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain” (genuinely good) there’s always a handful of “The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies” (genuinely bad) ruining the loquacious fun for everybody.
“Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out” is the latest film from director Jake Van Wagoner, starring Emma Tremblay (“Supergirl”) as Itsy Levan, one of those teenagers in movies who moves from the big city to the small town while wearing headphones in the backseat of her parents car because, like, “life,” you know? Dang it.
Itsy’s got the prerequisite annoying brother, Evan, who farts and loves maps, and the pre-requisite dippy parents (Matt Biedel...
“Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out” is the latest film from director Jake Van Wagoner, starring Emma Tremblay (“Supergirl”) as Itsy Levan, one of those teenagers in movies who moves from the big city to the small town while wearing headphones in the backseat of her parents car because, like, “life,” you know? Dang it.
Itsy’s got the prerequisite annoying brother, Evan, who farts and loves maps, and the pre-requisite dippy parents (Matt Biedel...
- 1/21/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Sundance is kicking into high gear in Park City, Utah this week, and as it does, the rest of the world is getting a first look at the lineup as trailers for a few of the films included in the festival begin to drop. Among them is "Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out," a family-friendly movie with a title that's both a total mouthful and immediately intriguing.
"Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out" is set to premiere at the festival as one of a small handful of films in the kid-friendly section, but it doesn't look so much like a kids' movie as it does like a sweet coming-of-age indie film with a sci-fi twist. The trailer opens with a bespectacled boy stargazing with his dad (Will Forte), who tells him that an alien family could be out there looking at them right now.
"Aliens Abducted My Parents And Now I Feel Kinda Left Out" is set to premiere at the festival as one of a small handful of films in the kid-friendly section, but it doesn't look so much like a kids' movie as it does like a sweet coming-of-age indie film with a sci-fi twist. The trailer opens with a bespectacled boy stargazing with his dad (Will Forte), who tells him that an alien family could be out there looking at them right now.
- 1/21/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
So…what is sci-fi? It’s not the easiest question to answer when “sci-fi elements” permeate so many of the biggest blockbusters: thought-provoking genre concepts flattened into one-size-fits-all franchise fodder that make countless titles “feel” and, on occasion, even look the same.
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived this year, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
Simply put: In...
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived this year, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
Simply put: In...
- 7/28/2022
- by Kate Erbland, Chris O'Falt and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Known by most for her memorable deadpan comedic delivery and sardonic attitude, comedian and actor Aubrey Plaza has a truly fascinating filmography.
Her breakthrough performance as April Ludgate on "Parks and Recreation" made her a household name, leading her to roles in comedy films like "Mystery Team," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," "Safety Not Guaranteed," "The To Do List," "Life After Beth," "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," and even providing the voice as the titular star of "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever." Despite her comedic roots, Plaza has been traversing across genres as of late, starring in edgy or downright scary projects like...
The post The Terrifying Aubrey Plaza Scene That Still Gives Us Nightmares appeared first on /Film.
Her breakthrough performance as April Ludgate on "Parks and Recreation" made her a household name, leading her to roles in comedy films like "Mystery Team," "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World," "Safety Not Guaranteed," "The To Do List," "Life After Beth," "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," and even providing the voice as the titular star of "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever." Despite her comedic roots, Plaza has been traversing across genres as of late, starring in edgy or downright scary projects like...
The post The Terrifying Aubrey Plaza Scene That Still Gives Us Nightmares appeared first on /Film.
- 6/17/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
"We saw the dinosaurs as our heroes. Even the ones that were scary and wanted to eat you — they were icons..." Now playing in theaters is Jurassic World Dominion, the sixth (and supposedly final) movie in the epic Jurassic Park franchise that began all the way back in 1993. Jurassic World Dominion is the second of these dinosaur movies directed by Colin Trevorrow, a filmmaker originally born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland, who worked his way into Hollywood with his indie sci-fi film Safety Not Guaranteed that premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. He went from that indie film, which starred Mark Duplass & Aubrey Plaza, to spearheading the reboot of the Jurassic Park franchise by introducing us to Jurassic World in 2015. I am lucky to get a chance to chat with Colin Trevorrow this year, talking about Jurassic World Dominion and his place as a franchise director / producer working in Hollywood.
- 6/13/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This past weekend saw the release of Colin Trevorrow’s final chapter in the “Jurassic World” trilogy. While the film earned nearly 150 million at the domestic box office this weekend, reviews weren’t kind (including IndieWire’s own) and the film currently sits at a dismal 30 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (the lowest of any film in this trilogy or the previous one). While the return of the original trilogy’s core trio delighted plenty of audience members, fans and critics alike balked at the film’s convoluted story, its resistance to digging into more dino-centric action, and a truly bizarre choice to make some other creepy animal its main baddie.
Both IndieWire executive editor and VP of editorial strategy Eric Kohn and executive editor, film Kate Erbland emerged from the latest jaunt to the underworld of dino DNA gone wild feeling increasingly worried about the current state of blockbusters. But...
Both IndieWire executive editor and VP of editorial strategy Eric Kohn and executive editor, film Kate Erbland emerged from the latest jaunt to the underworld of dino DNA gone wild feeling increasingly worried about the current state of blockbusters. But...
- 6/13/2022
- by Kate Erbland and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
This weekend’s release of “Jurassic World: Dominion” is another reminder that Hollywood is not in the business of nurturing talent so much as jamming it into preexisting machinery. The film is a failure on many levels, but it’s also a reminder that director Colin Trevorrow was a genuine Sundance breakout 10 years ago with “Safety Not Guaranteed.” He scored this franchise as a result, but it did not exactly sustain that first feature’s ingenuity.
Filmmakers are not the only ones who feel the pinch of Hollywood’s gears. With the Tony Awards on Sunday, it’s worth looking at how the film and TV industries can benefit from investing in playwrights, and avoid the pratfalls of absorbing their talent instead of giving it room to grow. The entertainment industry needs originality to survive, and the theater community has a talent pool that’s a de facto pipeline, so...
Filmmakers are not the only ones who feel the pinch of Hollywood’s gears. With the Tony Awards on Sunday, it’s worth looking at how the film and TV industries can benefit from investing in playwrights, and avoid the pratfalls of absorbing their talent instead of giving it room to grow. The entertainment industry needs originality to survive, and the theater community has a talent pool that’s a de facto pipeline, so...
- 6/11/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
While the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted many parts of Hollywood’s movie-making apparatus, from closed theaters to delayed (or even outright canceled) productions, a number of much-hyped blockbusters forged right ahead. One of the biggies: Colin Trevorrow’s “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which endured both production delays and rejiggered release dates, and now finally arrives in theaters more than a year after its original release date.
As Trevorrow’s trilogy-capper readies for a massive theatrical release, the filmmaker admits to being both pleased for this film, and a little worried about the theatrical landscape in general. For a guy who got his start with a popular indie feature that debuted at Sundance and rocketed him to stardom, those concerns seem both well-founded and very personal indeed.
“Universal really wanted to make sure that we held the movie for the moment that theaters came back, and we did,” Trevorrow...
As Trevorrow’s trilogy-capper readies for a massive theatrical release, the filmmaker admits to being both pleased for this film, and a little worried about the theatrical landscape in general. For a guy who got his start with a popular indie feature that debuted at Sundance and rocketed him to stardom, those concerns seem both well-founded and very personal indeed.
“Universal really wanted to make sure that we held the movie for the moment that theaters came back, and we did,” Trevorrow...
- 6/9/2022
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
After an astounding kick-off for the June box office with Tom Cruise and “Top Gun: Maverick” continuing to dominate, Universal is hoping to have its own summer 2022 blockbuster smash with “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The latest dinosaur flick continues the franchise that began way back in 1993 with Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.” Read on for our weekend box office preview.
Spielberg stepped away from directing the franchise after 1997’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” which held onto its opening weekend record for quite a few years, but he remained on as an exec. producer and was involved with selecting “Safety Not Guaranteed” director Colin Trevorrow to helm “Jurassic World” in 2015. That would be the first new movie in the series since 2003’s “Jurassic Park III,” but it also became the only installment of the “Jurassic” franchise to open over 200 million. Its 1.7 billion made worldwide clinched Universal’s decision to keep the franchise going.
Spielberg stepped away from directing the franchise after 1997’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” which held onto its opening weekend record for quite a few years, but he remained on as an exec. producer and was involved with selecting “Safety Not Guaranteed” director Colin Trevorrow to helm “Jurassic World” in 2015. That would be the first new movie in the series since 2003’s “Jurassic Park III,” but it also became the only installment of the “Jurassic” franchise to open over 200 million. Its 1.7 billion made worldwide clinched Universal’s decision to keep the franchise going.
- 6/8/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
“Jurassic World: Dominion” is finally here and for director Colin Trevorrow marks the end of a very long saga that began with the original “Jurassic World” back in 2015 (only his second narrative film as a director following his Sundance smash “Safety Not Guaranteed”).
It was that early film that introduced the heroes of this new trilogy, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), who in the latest installment join forces with the legacy characters from “Jurassic Park” – Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern). This is the big, boisterous, “Jurassic Park” bouillabaisse fans have been anxiously waiting for.
TheWrap got to talk to Trevorrow about wrapping up this new trilogy, whether or not he’d be down for more and how Dodgson got that shaving cream can out of the muck from the original “Jurassic Park.”
Mild spoilers...
It was that early film that introduced the heroes of this new trilogy, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), who in the latest installment join forces with the legacy characters from “Jurassic Park” – Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern). This is the big, boisterous, “Jurassic Park” bouillabaisse fans have been anxiously waiting for.
TheWrap got to talk to Trevorrow about wrapping up this new trilogy, whether or not he’d be down for more and how Dodgson got that shaving cream can out of the muck from the original “Jurassic Park.”
Mild spoilers...
- 6/8/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
While queer comedians have been the hottest thing in stand-up for the last decade, it’s no secret that Hollywood is always the last one to get the joke.
As the likes of Kate McKinnon, Billy Eichner, and Bowen Yang ascended from New York’s musty improv theaters to the casts of “Saturday Night Live” and Disney remakes, the last decade has brought a remarkable shift in not only queer visibility but something far more substantial — queer influence. Queer TV shows like “The Other Two,” “Search Party,” and “Schitt’s Creek” reflect this sea change, but so far movies have been much slower on the uptake.
That all changes this year, with the release of two mainstream comedy movies from gay writers who also star in their projects. While Eichner’s major studio rom-com “Bros” is set to hit theaters in September, Joel Kim Booster’s “Fire Island” opens Pride month...
As the likes of Kate McKinnon, Billy Eichner, and Bowen Yang ascended from New York’s musty improv theaters to the casts of “Saturday Night Live” and Disney remakes, the last decade has brought a remarkable shift in not only queer visibility but something far more substantial — queer influence. Queer TV shows like “The Other Two,” “Search Party,” and “Schitt’s Creek” reflect this sea change, but so far movies have been much slower on the uptake.
That all changes this year, with the release of two mainstream comedy movies from gay writers who also star in their projects. While Eichner’s major studio rom-com “Bros” is set to hit theaters in September, Joel Kim Booster’s “Fire Island” opens Pride month...
- 6/1/2022
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
‘7 Days,’ Written and Directed by a Doctor, Is a Touching Pandemic Rom-Com That Actually Shows Covid
Most movies about the pandemic have not directly addressed the actual illness of Covid-19, but most movies aren’t written and directed by real-life doctors. Over the last two years, independent filmmakers have risen to the challenges presented by smaller crews and daily testing, producing inventive takes on remote learning like “Language Lessons,” or provocative livestream thrillers like “Deadstream” and “Dashcam.”
But few have managed to show a character suffering from the effects of Covid, much less in a romantic comedy. Shot in a single location with a two-person cast and set during the first week of the pandemic, “7 Days” is a snappy and scrappy rom-com that doesn’t shy away from the human cost of Covid.
That’s entirely due to director and co-writer Roshan Sethi, who moonlights as an oncologist at one of the country’s top hospitals for nine weeks out of the year.
“It was...
But few have managed to show a character suffering from the effects of Covid, much less in a romantic comedy. Shot in a single location with a two-person cast and set during the first week of the pandemic, “7 Days” is a snappy and scrappy rom-com that doesn’t shy away from the human cost of Covid.
That’s entirely due to director and co-writer Roshan Sethi, who moonlights as an oncologist at one of the country’s top hospitals for nine weeks out of the year.
“It was...
- 3/25/2022
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Big Beach, the production label behind Awkwafina starrer “The Farewell” and Tom Hanks’ “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” has abruptly closed its New York headquarters and parted ways with a significant number of staff, sources tell Variety.
The cuts are a sign of the increasingly difficult challenges facing independent film shops, even those with awards pedigree and decades of survival in the industry.
Though an exact number is unknown, staffers from the assistant level up to heads of film and TV verticals have been served pink slips, two insiders familiar with the company said. Many Los Angeles-based employees have been dismissed as well. The cuts come almost a year after one of the company’s principals, “Little Miss Sunshine” producer Peter Saraf, quietly exited the company.
A representative for Big Beach declined to comment on the matter. Another source close to the operation said new heads of film and TV will be announced imminently,...
The cuts are a sign of the increasingly difficult challenges facing independent film shops, even those with awards pedigree and decades of survival in the industry.
Though an exact number is unknown, staffers from the assistant level up to heads of film and TV verticals have been served pink slips, two insiders familiar with the company said. Many Los Angeles-based employees have been dismissed as well. The cuts come almost a year after one of the company’s principals, “Little Miss Sunshine” producer Peter Saraf, quietly exited the company.
A representative for Big Beach declined to comment on the matter. Another source close to the operation said new heads of film and TV will be announced imminently,...
- 2/17/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Harvey Keitel won best actor for his role in local production ‘Blood On The Crown’
Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow were among the honorary winners at the inaugural Malta Film Awards on Saturday night (Jan 29).
The event, hosted by UK comedian and actor David Walliams, was held at at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta and broadcast live on Television Malta. Local politicians and leading figures from the Maltese arts and film sectors were in attendance.
It was a lavish show, full of music and dance interludes and flashy lighting effects. Local media reported that...
Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow were among the honorary winners at the inaugural Malta Film Awards on Saturday night (Jan 29).
The event, hosted by UK comedian and actor David Walliams, was held at at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta and broadcast live on Television Malta. Local politicians and leading figures from the Maltese arts and film sectors were in attendance.
It was a lavish show, full of music and dance interludes and flashy lighting effects. Local media reported that...
- 1/31/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
For a decade now, Aubrey Plaza has been the star of several of the buzziest movies to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Her streak started with 2012’s “Safety Not Guaranteed” and continued every couple years with 2014’s “Life After Beth,” 2017’s “Ingrid Goes West,” and 2020’s “Black Bear.”
Plaza is back at the virtual 2022 fest with “Emily the Criminal,” a debut feature film from writer-director John Patton Ford. For Plaza, who has explored troubled characters before, such as in “Ingrid Goes West,” the film marks a bold step into the thriller realm. She spoke about that along with her director, joined by the film’s co-stars Megalyn Echikunwoke and Theo Rossi, for a conversation in TheWrap’s Sundance studio.
Ford touched upon the plot of the film. “It’s about a young woman who has a lot of student debt, who decides to become a criminal to pay her student loans,...
Plaza is back at the virtual 2022 fest with “Emily the Criminal,” a debut feature film from writer-director John Patton Ford. For Plaza, who has explored troubled characters before, such as in “Ingrid Goes West,” the film marks a bold step into the thriller realm. She spoke about that along with her director, joined by the film’s co-stars Megalyn Echikunwoke and Theo Rossi, for a conversation in TheWrap’s Sundance studio.
Ford touched upon the plot of the film. “It’s about a young woman who has a lot of student debt, who decides to become a criminal to pay her student loans,...
- 1/27/2022
- by Joe McGovern
- The Wrap
Emmy winners Sterling K. Brown and Mark Duplass have teamed up for a new sci-fi movie titled “Biosphere,” directed by Mel Eslyn.
The mysterious movie marks Eslyn’s feature directorial debut. Production on “Biosphere” — written by Eslyn and Duplass — has wrapped, with details of the project’s plot being kept secret.
The new movie is produced by Duplass Brothers Productions and Zackary Drucker, who previously co-directed the Duplass Brothers-produced docuseries “The Lady and the Dale.” ICM Partners is handling worldwide sales for the project.
Eslyn, who was named president of Duplass Brothers Productions in 2017, is the veteran producer behind movies and television series that include “The One I Love,” “Outside In” and “Paddleton.” She also directed three episode of the HBO anthology show “Room 104” and produced the series in its entirety.
Brown is a two-time Emmy winner, best known for his work on NBC’s “This Is Us,” for...
The mysterious movie marks Eslyn’s feature directorial debut. Production on “Biosphere” — written by Eslyn and Duplass — has wrapped, with details of the project’s plot being kept secret.
The new movie is produced by Duplass Brothers Productions and Zackary Drucker, who previously co-directed the Duplass Brothers-produced docuseries “The Lady and the Dale.” ICM Partners is handling worldwide sales for the project.
Eslyn, who was named president of Duplass Brothers Productions in 2017, is the veteran producer behind movies and television series that include “The One I Love,” “Outside In” and “Paddleton.” She also directed three episode of the HBO anthology show “Room 104” and produced the series in its entirety.
Brown is a two-time Emmy winner, best known for his work on NBC’s “This Is Us,” for...
- 8/25/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Haunted Mansion is the latest iconic property to get a Muppet parody, and this time Kermit and Miss Piggy are swapping costumes.
“The Muppets have taken on New York City, space, and the wonderful world of Oz — and now, thanks to Disney+, they’ll be braving the Haunted Mansion this fall. Entertainment Weekly has released our first look at Muppets Haunted Mansion, a new special featuring everyone’s favorite Jim Henson creatures interacting with one of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions, promising plenty of spooks and some rather spectacular Halloween looks.”
Read more at Collider
Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow made an independent time travel flick called Safety Not Guaranteed that you need to watch it before it leaves Netflix.
“Remembered as the movie that put Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow on the map, Safety Not Guaranteed also happens to be a picture-perfect example of a dying breed: that...
“The Muppets have taken on New York City, space, and the wonderful world of Oz — and now, thanks to Disney+, they’ll be braving the Haunted Mansion this fall. Entertainment Weekly has released our first look at Muppets Haunted Mansion, a new special featuring everyone’s favorite Jim Henson creatures interacting with one of Disneyland’s most beloved attractions, promising plenty of spooks and some rather spectacular Halloween looks.”
Read more at Collider
Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow made an independent time travel flick called Safety Not Guaranteed that you need to watch it before it leaves Netflix.
“Remembered as the movie that put Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow on the map, Safety Not Guaranteed also happens to be a picture-perfect example of a dying breed: that...
- 8/10/2021
- by Lee Parham
- Den of Geek
Saturday Night Live‘s Chloe Fineman, Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s Jeff Garlin and The Middle‘s Troy Metcalf have joined Damien Chazelle’s 1920s Hollywood epic ensemble Babylon for Paramount.
The trio join Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire and Jean Smart in the pic.
Oscar winner Chazelle is directing and also wrote the script, and Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are executive producing. Babylon is shooting in Santa Clarita, CA, and will hit theaters on December 24, 2022 and expand nationwide on January 6, 2023.
Fineman is a Groundlings alum who has been a featured player on Saturday Night Live since September 2019, known for her precise impersonations of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman,...
The trio join Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, P.J. Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire and Jean Smart in the pic.
Oscar winner Chazelle is directing and also wrote the script, and Olivia Hamilton, Matt Plouffe and Marc Platt are producing. Tobey Maguire, Helen Estabrook and Adam Siegel are executive producing. Babylon is shooting in Santa Clarita, CA, and will hit theaters on December 24, 2022 and expand nationwide on January 6, 2023.
Fineman is a Groundlings alum who has been a featured player on Saturday Night Live since September 2019, known for her precise impersonations of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman,...
- 8/2/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Decal will release theatrically in US.
Myriad Pictures has acquired international sales rights to Ride The Eagle and will premiere the indie comedy starring Jake Johnson, Susan Sarandon, and J.K. Simmons at the pre-Cannes screenings in late June.
Decal holds North American rights to the film about a man who can only inherit his mother’s picturesque Yosemite cabin if he completes an elaborate to-do list designed by his mother while she was alive as a way of making amends from beyond the grave.
Trent O’Donnell directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Johnson. The cast includes D’Arcy Carden.
Producers are O’Donnell,...
Myriad Pictures has acquired international sales rights to Ride The Eagle and will premiere the indie comedy starring Jake Johnson, Susan Sarandon, and J.K. Simmons at the pre-Cannes screenings in late June.
Decal holds North American rights to the film about a man who can only inherit his mother’s picturesque Yosemite cabin if he completes an elaborate to-do list designed by his mother while she was alive as a way of making amends from beyond the grave.
Trent O’Donnell directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Johnson. The cast includes D’Arcy Carden.
Producers are O’Donnell,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
When filmmaker Lawrence Michael Levine gave the script for “Black Bear” to Aubrey Plaza, it included one hell of a direction in its final act: the leading lady “breaks down and gives the best performance that anyone has ever seen ever.” No pressure.
“I had this moment before we started shooting, where I just felt like, ‘This is going to be really hard and fucked up,'” Plaza said during a recent interview with IndieWire. “But there was something in me that felt like I needed to dive off the deep end. If the movie had been about anything else, I don’t know if I would have been able to put myself through that. It was too much for me to pass up. I just had to do it.”
While she’s best known for charmingly sardonic roles like April Ludgate in NBC’s beloved series “Parks and Recreation...
“I had this moment before we started shooting, where I just felt like, ‘This is going to be really hard and fucked up,'” Plaza said during a recent interview with IndieWire. “But there was something in me that felt like I needed to dive off the deep end. If the movie had been about anything else, I don’t know if I would have been able to put myself through that. It was too much for me to pass up. I just had to do it.”
While she’s best known for charmingly sardonic roles like April Ludgate in NBC’s beloved series “Parks and Recreation...
- 12/3/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Since bringing her signature deadpan sizzle to turns in “Ingrid Goes West,” “The Little Hours,” and “Safety Not Guaranteed,” Aubrey Plaza has succeeded in becoming a one-woman mini-genre unto herself. Because of her discerning choices of roles, her name indicates something about the tone, quality, and artistic ambitions of the films to which she lends her talents. From the intriguing new trailer for “Black Bear,” which premiered in the forward-looking Next section of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, it looks as if Plaza has done it yet again.
Describing the film as “an intriguing and unexpected comedic thriller,” the official synopsis goes on to explain: “At a remote lake house in the Adirondack Mountains, a couple entertains an out-of-town guest looking for inspiration in her filmmaking. The group quickly falls into a calculated game of desire, manipulation, and jealousy, unaware of how dangerously convoluted their lives will soon become...
Describing the film as “an intriguing and unexpected comedic thriller,” the official synopsis goes on to explain: “At a remote lake house in the Adirondack Mountains, a couple entertains an out-of-town guest looking for inspiration in her filmmaking. The group quickly falls into a calculated game of desire, manipulation, and jealousy, unaware of how dangerously convoluted their lives will soon become...
- 10/6/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Today marks the beginning of the weekend, and there’s nothing most of us would rather do than put the week behind us and watch a movie or TV series. Thankfully, as always, Netflix has got you covered with plenty to catch up on in August. You can binge the third and final season of The Rain, have a Jurassic Park marathon with the entire trilogy, or dive into some of the quirkier movies on the service, such as the mind-bending Being John Malkovich and underrated indie romance Safety Not Guaranteed.
If that’s not enough for you, though, then rest assured that today marks a big content drop just in time for weekend binging, and there are at least a handful of highly-anticipated additions you’ll want to take a look at.
Most notably, Part 1 of the fifth season of Lucifer is now available. This extremely popular series about...
If that’s not enough for you, though, then rest assured that today marks a big content drop just in time for weekend binging, and there are at least a handful of highly-anticipated additions you’ll want to take a look at.
Most notably, Part 1 of the fifth season of Lucifer is now available. This extremely popular series about...
- 8/21/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you’re probably still knocking out the last few episodes of the recently-added second season of The Umbrella Academy or catching up on all of the other awesome stuff the platform added last month. But rest assured that when you’re done with that, August’s content drops will have you covered with plenty more to add to your list. So far this month, we’ve already seen the addition of all three of the excellent Jurassic Park films, 1993’s adorable live-action Dennis the Menace, and Jim Carrey’s strange and dramatic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
August still has some big hitters coming, too, like Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s superhero flick Project Power on the 14th and part one of Lucifer‘s fifth season. So, you may not have a lot of time to watch everything you’d like to.
August still has some big hitters coming, too, like Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s superhero flick Project Power on the 14th and part one of Lucifer‘s fifth season. So, you may not have a lot of time to watch everything you’d like to.
- 8/13/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
Before the major haul that’s landing tomorrow to see you through the weekend, Netflix has added two new movies this Thursday which you may wish to check out. Though very different films, they’re both critically acclaimed and well worth a watch. Specifically, they’re a French coming-of-age drama and a sci-fi indie flick.
First of all, An Easy Girl (Une fille facile) stars Mina Farid as Naima, a 16-year-old girl figuring out her path in life who’s drawn into her free-spirited cousin Sofia’s (Zahia Dehar) wild lifestyle despite the warnings of her family and friends. As directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, it won the Best French-language Film gong at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It was released in France earlier this year and is now being distributed overseas by Netflix.
Secondly, there’s 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed, which is notable for being the directorial debut of Colin Trevorrow,...
First of all, An Easy Girl (Une fille facile) stars Mina Farid as Naima, a 16-year-old girl figuring out her path in life who’s drawn into her free-spirited cousin Sofia’s (Zahia Dehar) wild lifestyle despite the warnings of her family and friends. As directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, it won the Best French-language Film gong at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It was released in France earlier this year and is now being distributed overseas by Netflix.
Secondly, there’s 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed, which is notable for being the directorial debut of Colin Trevorrow,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
Building on a busy month for library expansions, Netflix are now planning to put up a number of new titles this week. In terms of what’s coming from August 10th to August 16th, highlights include four seasons of The Legend of Korra, original movie Project Power, and critical favorites such as Nightcrawler. What, then, can we expect from the streamer in the next few days?
Well, the aforementioned Project Power has been gradually generating buzz over its concept, wherein a drug lord provides users with a product that can temporarily grant superpowers. Set in New Orleans, the Netflix picture stars Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with directing duties falling to Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. You can catch the trailer for this one up above, with the film arriving on August 14th.
Netflix Reveals First Look Images For Jamie Foxx Superhero Movie Project Power 1 of 9
Click to skip
More...
Well, the aforementioned Project Power has been gradually generating buzz over its concept, wherein a drug lord provides users with a product that can temporarily grant superpowers. Set in New Orleans, the Netflix picture stars Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with directing duties falling to Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman. You can catch the trailer for this one up above, with the film arriving on August 14th.
Netflix Reveals First Look Images For Jamie Foxx Superhero Movie Project Power 1 of 9
Click to skip
More...
- 8/9/2020
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
In today’s film news roundup, three projects — “The Culling,” “Atlantis” and “A Savannah Haunting” — are unveiled; “Transhood” wins the Audience Award at AFI Docs; the WGA East announces 15 candidates; and the Visual Effects Society honors five members.
Project Launches
Universal Pictures is developing the thriller “Atlantis with “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow and his Metronome Film Co. with Trevorrow directing and producing.
The project is based on a story about the mythical city of Atlantis by Trevorrow and Matt Charman. Dante Harper, who wrote the original spec script that became Tom Cruise’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” will write the script for “Atlantis.”
Metronome and Universal are also collaborating on “Space Opera,” a musical with producer Marc Platt based on Catherynne Valente’s book.
Treverrow’s directing credits include “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The Book of Henry” and the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Project Launches
Universal Pictures is developing the thriller “Atlantis with “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow and his Metronome Film Co. with Trevorrow directing and producing.
The project is based on a story about the mythical city of Atlantis by Trevorrow and Matt Charman. Dante Harper, who wrote the original spec script that became Tom Cruise’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” will write the script for “Atlantis.”
Metronome and Universal are also collaborating on “Space Opera,” a musical with producer Marc Platt based on Catherynne Valente’s book.
Treverrow’s directing credits include “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The Book of Henry” and the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
- 6/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Humanistic, life-affirming stories don’t sound like a Hollywood business plan, but for the last 15 years it’s worked for financier Big Beach. On paper, partners Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf produce titles that may not seem overtly commercial — but they have a knack for finding concepts that connect with audiences.
For 2019, they backed Lulu Wang’s 2019 Mandarin-language drama “The Farewell,” which is nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe as well as Best Actress Musical or Comedy for frontrunner Awkwafina, as well as Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” which has Tom Hanks vying for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Fred Rogers.
“We have very specific taste,” said Turtletaub. “People want to see stories that touch their heart. That’s hard to define.”
These have ranged from “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) and “Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012) to “The Purists,” a 2019 play that Billy Porter directed in Boston,...
For 2019, they backed Lulu Wang’s 2019 Mandarin-language drama “The Farewell,” which is nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe as well as Best Actress Musical or Comedy for frontrunner Awkwafina, as well as Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” which has Tom Hanks vying for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Fred Rogers.
“We have very specific taste,” said Turtletaub. “People want to see stories that touch their heart. That’s hard to define.”
These have ranged from “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) and “Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012) to “The Purists,” a 2019 play that Billy Porter directed in Boston,...
- 1/2/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Humanistic, life-affirming stories don’t sound like a Hollywood business plan, but for the last 15 years it’s worked for financier Big Beach. On paper, partners Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf produce titles that may not seem overtly commercial — but they have a knack for finding concepts that connect with audiences.
For 2019, they backed Lulu Wang’s 2019 Mandarin-language drama “The Farewell,” which is nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe as well as Best Actress Musical or Comedy for frontrunner Awkwafina, as well as Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” which has Tom Hanks vying for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Fred Rogers.
“We have very specific taste,” said Turtletaub. “People want to see stories that touch their heart. That’s hard to define.”
These have ranged from “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) and “Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012) to “The Purists,” a 2019 play that Billy Porter directed in Boston,...
For 2019, they backed Lulu Wang’s 2019 Mandarin-language drama “The Farewell,” which is nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe as well as Best Actress Musical or Comedy for frontrunner Awkwafina, as well as Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” which has Tom Hanks vying for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Fred Rogers.
“We have very specific taste,” said Turtletaub. “People want to see stories that touch their heart. That’s hard to define.”
These have ranged from “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) and “Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012) to “The Purists,” a 2019 play that Billy Porter directed in Boston,...
- 1/2/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Aubrey Plaza will return to the white tent on Santa Monica beach to host the Film Independent Spirit Awards for the second consecutive year.
Now in its 35th year, the ceremony honoring the year’s best independent cinema will be held on Feb. 8. The 2020 celebration will broadcast live on IFC.
“Like all great independent film performances, this one deserves a sequel,” Plaza said in a statement. “The people have spoken. Bow down to your host!”
Film Independent president Josh Welsh added, “At a time when the world is so bitterly divided and civil discourse is almost impossible, it’s nice we can all agree that Aubrey Plaza is the greatest host in the history of hosting. We are thrilled to have her back. Today is also the last day to join Film Independent as a member to get access to the nominated films and vote on the winners.”
Past Spirit...
Now in its 35th year, the ceremony honoring the year’s best independent cinema will be held on Feb. 8. The 2020 celebration will broadcast live on IFC.
“Like all great independent film performances, this one deserves a sequel,” Plaza said in a statement. “The people have spoken. Bow down to your host!”
Film Independent president Josh Welsh added, “At a time when the world is so bitterly divided and civil discourse is almost impossible, it’s nice we can all agree that Aubrey Plaza is the greatest host in the history of hosting. We are thrilled to have her back. Today is also the last day to join Film Independent as a member to get access to the nominated films and vote on the winners.”
Past Spirit...
- 12/5/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Aubrey Plaza is joining Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine in Lina Roessler’s feature directorial debut Best Sellers.
The story follows a has-been author, played by Caine, who is on a wild book tour with a young editor, Plaza, trying to save her father’s boutique publishing house. Caine’s miserable and sharp-witted author just wants to live out his days in peace with a bottle of scotch, a cigar, and his orange Tabby cat, but Plaza’s hopeful editor pulls him out of his reclusion.
The project is based on Anthony Grieco’s original screenplay which won a 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting award, and will be an official Canada-uk co-production, produced by Arielle Elwes (Braid), Cassian Elwes, Petr Jákl and Wayne Marc Godfrey on the UK side and Jonathan Vanger (Wishing Tree Productions: Miss Sloane) and Pierre Even on the Canadian side. EPs include Martin Barab, Jere Hausfater, and Mark Damon. Adam Goldworm is also an Executive Producer
Foresight Unlimited handled foreign sales, while Elwes will handle the domestic sale. Cameras roll this month.
Roessler is a Canadian actor, writer and director. Her previous short films Little Whispers: The Vow and Winter have won several awards and screened at prestigious festivals around the globe. Her feature script, The Rescuer, recently placed in top selections across a number of Canadian competitions and is one of ten scripts selected to partake in the 2019 Tiff Writers’ Studio.
Plaza recently wrapped production on the feature, Black Bear, a suspenseful meta-drama, which she produced and stars in opposite Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. Also upcoming for Plaza is the Netflix feature Hope from New Zealand duo Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami. The Parks and Recreation actress’ other feature film credits include: this past summer’s Child’s Play, Matt Spicer’s critically acclaimed, Ingrid Goes West (which she produced and received a 2018 Film Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature), Jeff Baena’s The Little Hours (also producer), Hal Hartley’s Ned Rifle, Colin Trevorrow’s Safety Not Guaranteed, Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Judd Apatow’s Funny People, among others. On television, Plaza most recently starred in Noah Hawley’s Legion on FX. Additionally, she hosted the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Plaza is repped by CAA, Mgmt Entertainment, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham Llp.
The story follows a has-been author, played by Caine, who is on a wild book tour with a young editor, Plaza, trying to save her father’s boutique publishing house. Caine’s miserable and sharp-witted author just wants to live out his days in peace with a bottle of scotch, a cigar, and his orange Tabby cat, but Plaza’s hopeful editor pulls him out of his reclusion.
The project is based on Anthony Grieco’s original screenplay which won a 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting award, and will be an official Canada-uk co-production, produced by Arielle Elwes (Braid), Cassian Elwes, Petr Jákl and Wayne Marc Godfrey on the UK side and Jonathan Vanger (Wishing Tree Productions: Miss Sloane) and Pierre Even on the Canadian side. EPs include Martin Barab, Jere Hausfater, and Mark Damon. Adam Goldworm is also an Executive Producer
Foresight Unlimited handled foreign sales, while Elwes will handle the domestic sale. Cameras roll this month.
Roessler is a Canadian actor, writer and director. Her previous short films Little Whispers: The Vow and Winter have won several awards and screened at prestigious festivals around the globe. Her feature script, The Rescuer, recently placed in top selections across a number of Canadian competitions and is one of ten scripts selected to partake in the 2019 Tiff Writers’ Studio.
Plaza recently wrapped production on the feature, Black Bear, a suspenseful meta-drama, which she produced and stars in opposite Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon. Also upcoming for Plaza is the Netflix feature Hope from New Zealand duo Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami. The Parks and Recreation actress’ other feature film credits include: this past summer’s Child’s Play, Matt Spicer’s critically acclaimed, Ingrid Goes West (which she produced and received a 2018 Film Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature), Jeff Baena’s The Little Hours (also producer), Hal Hartley’s Ned Rifle, Colin Trevorrow’s Safety Not Guaranteed, Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Judd Apatow’s Funny People, among others. On television, Plaza most recently starred in Noah Hawley’s Legion on FX. Additionally, she hosted the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Plaza is repped by CAA, Mgmt Entertainment, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham Llp.
- 11/5/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
After his breakout directorial effort, “Safety Not Guaranteed,” it appeared that Colin Trevorrow had his pick of future projects. And though he hadn’t previously worked on blockbusters, the filmmaker quickly landed “Jurassic World” and then “Star Wars: Episode IX.” But well before those massive franchise films, the director was approached by Marvel Studios for a now-famous superhero project.
According to an interview with the Empire Film podcast, Trevorrow revealed that well before he began work on “Jurassic World,” he actually had a meeting with Marvel Studios and its president Kevin Feige about one of the studios’ future projects, “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Read More: The Full ‘Jurassic World’ Short ‘Battle At Big Rock’ Featuring Andre Holland Is Available Now
“I did,” Trevorrow revealed.
Continue reading Colin Trevorrow Says He Met With Marvel About ‘Guardians’ But Didn’t Move Forward Because He Wasn’t “A Comic Book Kid” at The Playlist.
According to an interview with the Empire Film podcast, Trevorrow revealed that well before he began work on “Jurassic World,” he actually had a meeting with Marvel Studios and its president Kevin Feige about one of the studios’ future projects, “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Read More: The Full ‘Jurassic World’ Short ‘Battle At Big Rock’ Featuring Andre Holland Is Available Now
“I did,” Trevorrow revealed.
Continue reading Colin Trevorrow Says He Met With Marvel About ‘Guardians’ But Didn’t Move Forward Because He Wasn’t “A Comic Book Kid” at The Playlist.
- 9/17/2019
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Take a look at new images of "Legion" actress Aubrey Plaza, wearing Lisa Marie Fernandez swimwear in the July 2019 issue of "Cosmopolitan" magazine, photographed by Peggy Sirota:
Plaza is noted for her role as 'April Ludgate' on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation". After appearing in supporting roles in several feature films, Plaza had her first leading role as 'Darius Britt' in the 2012 film "Safety Not Guaranteed". Since 2017, she has starred as 'Lenny Busker' in the 'FX' drama series "Legion".
Plaza began her career performing improv and sketch comedy. She later appeared in films including "Mystery Team" (2008), "Funny People" (2009), "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" (2010), "Monsters University" (2013), "Life After Beth" (2014)...
..."Dirty Grandpa" (2016), "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" (2016), "The Little Hours" (2017), and Ingrid Goes West (2017), the latter two of which she also produced.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Aubrey Plaza...
Plaza is noted for her role as 'April Ludgate' on the NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation". After appearing in supporting roles in several feature films, Plaza had her first leading role as 'Darius Britt' in the 2012 film "Safety Not Guaranteed". Since 2017, she has starred as 'Lenny Busker' in the 'FX' drama series "Legion".
Plaza began her career performing improv and sketch comedy. She later appeared in films including "Mystery Team" (2008), "Funny People" (2009), "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" (2010), "Monsters University" (2013), "Life After Beth" (2014)...
..."Dirty Grandpa" (2016), "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" (2016), "The Little Hours" (2017), and Ingrid Goes West (2017), the latter two of which she also produced.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Aubrey Plaza...
- 6/23/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Back when J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens hit cinemas, Disney spelt out their plans for their Sequel Trilogy. Episodes VIII and IX were set to be directed by two well-regarded young talents who’d proven their worth in indie cinema. Rian Johnson had directed the excellent Brick and would go on to prove his blockbuster credentials with Looper, while Colin Trevorrow had directed oddball comedy Safety Not Guaranteed and mega-hit revival Jurassic World.
It sounded like a pretty ironclad plan… and then Trevorrow decided to squeeze in a little passion project before entering pre-production on Star Wars: Episode IX. That was The Book of Henry, a film so incredibly terrible that it got him quickly and unceremoniously fired.
Disney and Lucasfilm needed a replacement fast, and there was one obvious candidate: J.J. Abrams. Having stewarded the return of the franchise, he’d proven his credentials, but the only problem...
It sounded like a pretty ironclad plan… and then Trevorrow decided to squeeze in a little passion project before entering pre-production on Star Wars: Episode IX. That was The Book of Henry, a film so incredibly terrible that it got him quickly and unceremoniously fired.
Disney and Lucasfilm needed a replacement fast, and there was one obvious candidate: J.J. Abrams. Having stewarded the return of the franchise, he’d proven his credentials, but the only problem...
- 4/9/2019
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
The Netflix millennial coming-of-age dramedy sets Brie Larson as a storyteller to watch both in front of and behind the camera.
Brie Larson's directorial debut, Unicorn Store, is a coming-of-age film for a generation that is "coming of age" later and for longer than generations before. It is a sympathetic exploration of the "Peter Pan Syndrome" firmly placed in the millennial experience, and without the judgmental undertones (and sometimes overtones) of films with a similar subject matter but far less empathy for the contemporary young adult experience.
While The Verge calls Unicorn Store "an odd companion piece to Captain Marvel," in part because of the Brie Larson/Samuel L. Jackson reunion, the Netflix film pairs much better with 2012's indie Safety Not Guaranteed or 2004's 13 Going On 30, aka coming-of-age dramedies with a magical surrealist bend. If you're looking to make an event of it, Unicorn Store also pairs well with Pop Tarts,...
Brie Larson's directorial debut, Unicorn Store, is a coming-of-age film for a generation that is "coming of age" later and for longer than generations before. It is a sympathetic exploration of the "Peter Pan Syndrome" firmly placed in the millennial experience, and without the judgmental undertones (and sometimes overtones) of films with a similar subject matter but far less empathy for the contemporary young adult experience.
While The Verge calls Unicorn Store "an odd companion piece to Captain Marvel," in part because of the Brie Larson/Samuel L. Jackson reunion, the Netflix film pairs much better with 2012's indie Safety Not Guaranteed or 2004's 13 Going On 30, aka coming-of-age dramedies with a magical surrealist bend. If you're looking to make an event of it, Unicorn Store also pairs well with Pop Tarts,...
- 4/5/2019
- Den of Geek
Hourglass Escapes, known for its impressive escape rooms in Seattle, has announced that they're working with a team of talented industry professionals to design an official Evil Dead 2 escape room. As expected, the plan is to lock participants in the infamous cabin for 60 minutes, where your group must figure out how to destroy the Necronomicon. With the tease of the chained cellar door, deadite surprises, and a chainsaw, it sounds like I need to start planning my trip to Seattle this summer...
It's your chance to escape the evil dead before they swallow your soul in the first officially licensed escape room, granted by Studiocanal S.A.S., based on Sam Raimi’s classic horror/comedy Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn™.
Hourglass Escapes, LLC creates challenging and fun escape rooms known for superior production values and immersive storylines. Their games (including Rise of the Mad Pharaoh and The Ghostly Galleon...
It's your chance to escape the evil dead before they swallow your soul in the first officially licensed escape room, granted by Studiocanal S.A.S., based on Sam Raimi’s classic horror/comedy Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn™.
Hourglass Escapes, LLC creates challenging and fun escape rooms known for superior production values and immersive storylines. Their games (including Rise of the Mad Pharaoh and The Ghostly Galleon...
- 2/13/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Over the course of two hit sitcoms, a couple of best-selling books and some scene-stealing turns in Hollywood blockbusters such as “Ocean’s 8” and “Inside Out,” Mindy Kaling has cultivated an image as a kinder, gentler and more relatable star than most. On Instagram or Twitter, where she routinely shares parenting anecdotes and restaurant recommendations, she comes across as a celebrity you could easily spend a day with shopping at the mall or hanging out on the couch watching Netflix.
“I’ll never be this very glamorous person who people see from a distance … frosty and remote,” says Kaling. “I’ve never been demure or mysterious. People always tell me they feel like I could be their friend.”
That kind of relatability has its drawbacks. An hour before she was supposed to sit down for an interview with Variety, Kaling was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park.
“I’ll never be this very glamorous person who people see from a distance … frosty and remote,” says Kaling. “I’ve never been demure or mysterious. People always tell me they feel like I could be their friend.”
That kind of relatability has its drawbacks. An hour before she was supposed to sit down for an interview with Variety, Kaling was involved in a car crash in Los Angeles’ Hancock Park.
- 1/23/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
MGM’s new indie arm Orion Classics acquired the North American and Latin American rights to “Maine,” a drama featuring “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” star Thomas Mann.
“Maine” made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival back in April, where it was nominated for Best Narrative Feature. It’s directed, written by and stars Matthew Brown (“In the Treetops”), alongside Mann and Laia Costa of “Life Itself.”
Orion Classics will release the film in theaters on Dec. 13 and on VOD and Digital HD on Dec. 14.
Also Read: Ben Mendelsohn Takes a Welcome Break From Playing Bad Guys in 'The Land of Steady Habits' (Video)
The plot involves a married Spanish woman named Bluebird (Costa) who attempts to hike the entire Appalachian Trail solo to find clarity; but her solitude is interrupted by a young American hiker (Mann). Even though the pair develops an emotional...
“Maine” made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival back in April, where it was nominated for Best Narrative Feature. It’s directed, written by and stars Matthew Brown (“In the Treetops”), alongside Mann and Laia Costa of “Life Itself.”
Orion Classics will release the film in theaters on Dec. 13 and on VOD and Digital HD on Dec. 14.
Also Read: Ben Mendelsohn Takes a Welcome Break From Playing Bad Guys in 'The Land of Steady Habits' (Video)
The plot involves a married Spanish woman named Bluebird (Costa) who attempts to hike the entire Appalachian Trail solo to find clarity; but her solitude is interrupted by a young American hiker (Mann). Even though the pair develops an emotional...
- 10/9/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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.