Top News
Natasha Lyonne is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The actor, best known for the TV shows “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face,” has been cast in Disney’s upcoming “The Fantastic Four” reboot. It’s not clear who Lyonne will portray in the comic book adventure.
Created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, “The Fantastic Four” centers around Marvel’s First Family. This iteration of the superhero quartet will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). Other already-announced cast members include Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Paul Walter-Hauser and John Malkovich.
Matt Shakman, whose credits include “WandaVision,” is directing “The Fantastic Four” from a script by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Eric Pearson and Ian Springer. Production is expected...
The actor, best known for the TV shows “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face,” has been cast in Disney’s upcoming “The Fantastic Four” reboot. It’s not clear who Lyonne will portray in the comic book adventure.
Created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, “The Fantastic Four” centers around Marvel’s First Family. This iteration of the superhero quartet will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). Other already-announced cast members include Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Paul Walter-Hauser and John Malkovich.
Matt Shakman, whose credits include “WandaVision,” is directing “The Fantastic Four” from a script by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Eric Pearson and Ian Springer. Production is expected...
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The travel series “Conan O’Brien Must Go” has been renewed for Season 2 at Max.
The announcement was made as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Wednesday. The second season of the series will consist of six episodes, whereas the first season was four.
“This latest travel show has been so fun and rewarding that I suspected it was all a cruel prank. My apologies in advance to the next six countries,” O’Brien said in a statement.
In Season 1, O’Brien travels to Norway, Thailand, Argentina, and Ireland, surprising people he met through his podcast,...
The announcement was made as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Wednesday. The second season of the series will consist of six episodes, whereas the first season was four.
“This latest travel show has been so fun and rewarding that I suspected it was all a cruel prank. My apologies in advance to the next six countries,” O’Brien said in a statement.
In Season 1, O’Brien travels to Norway, Thailand, Argentina, and Ireland, surprising people he met through his podcast,...
- 5/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
“If,” a fantasy-comedy from director John Krasinski and star Ryan Reynolds, looks to collect a promising $40 million in its box office debut.
Based on projections, “If” — short for imaginary friends — is tracking to land at least $35 million and as much as $45 million from 4,000 North American theaters. At the higher end of estimates, those ticket sales would mark a solid start for a live-action PG family film that’s not based on an existing property. But the movie cost $110 million, so it’ll need to resonate globally to justify its price tag. Ahead of its domestic release, “If” opened last weekend in two overseas markets, France and Belgium, where it’s earned $3.7 million to date. It lands this week in 56 additional international territories.
Krasinski wrote, directed and stars in “If,” which follows neighbors Cal and Bea (Reynolds and Cailey Fleming) with the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends. While...
Based on projections, “If” — short for imaginary friends — is tracking to land at least $35 million and as much as $45 million from 4,000 North American theaters. At the higher end of estimates, those ticket sales would mark a solid start for a live-action PG family film that’s not based on an existing property. But the movie cost $110 million, so it’ll need to resonate globally to justify its price tag. Ahead of its domestic release, “If” opened last weekend in two overseas markets, France and Belgium, where it’s earned $3.7 million to date. It lands this week in 56 additional international territories.
Krasinski wrote, directed and stars in “If,” which follows neighbors Cal and Bea (Reynolds and Cailey Fleming) with the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends. While...
- 5/15/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
DC Studios is wasting no time in setting a release date for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow now that the movie has found its director.
The high-profile movie will fly into cinemas on June 26, 2026, DC and Warner Bros. announced Tuesday. It is the second film to receive a release date since James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought in to overhaul DC under the new banner DC Studios. The first was Superman, which Gunn is currently shooting for a July 2025 release date.
Flimmaker Craig Gillespie was tapped by Gunn and Safran to shepherd Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon). She’ll play Superman’s Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. The feature film, from a script by Ana Nogueira, is inspired by the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic, and will depart from the earnest take on the character seen on the CW Supergirl series.
The plan is...
The high-profile movie will fly into cinemas on June 26, 2026, DC and Warner Bros. announced Tuesday. It is the second film to receive a release date since James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought in to overhaul DC under the new banner DC Studios. The first was Superman, which Gunn is currently shooting for a July 2025 release date.
Flimmaker Craig Gillespie was tapped by Gunn and Safran to shepherd Supergirl, which stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon). She’ll play Superman’s Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. The feature film, from a script by Ana Nogueira, is inspired by the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic, and will depart from the earnest take on the character seen on the CW Supergirl series.
The plan is...
- 5/14/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. is aiming for a flawless victory, dating “Mortal Kombat 2” for an IMAX release on Oct. 24, 2025.
The New Line sequel, first announced in January 2022, will be written by Jeremy Slater, best known for the Disney Plus Marvel series “Moon Knight.” Simon McQuoid, who directed “Mortal Kombat,” returns to direct the follow-up. Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Damon Herriman, Tati Gabrielle Martyn Ford, Max Huang and Ana Thu Nguyen star, with Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada. Todd Garner, James Wan, Simon McQuoid, E. Bennett Walsh and Toby Emmerich are producing.
The first “Mortal Kombat,” a martial arts-inspired adaptation of the popular video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, opened in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021, earning $42 million domestically and $83 million worldwide.
In a 2021 interview with Variety, McQuoid hinted at characters he’d...
The New Line sequel, first announced in January 2022, will be written by Jeremy Slater, best known for the Disney Plus Marvel series “Moon Knight.” Simon McQuoid, who directed “Mortal Kombat,” returns to direct the follow-up. Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Damon Herriman, Tati Gabrielle Martyn Ford, Max Huang and Ana Thu Nguyen star, with Chin Han, Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sanada. Todd Garner, James Wan, Simon McQuoid, E. Bennett Walsh and Toby Emmerich are producing.
The first “Mortal Kombat,” a martial arts-inspired adaptation of the popular video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, opened in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021, earning $42 million domestically and $83 million worldwide.
In a 2021 interview with Variety, McQuoid hinted at characters he’d...
- 5/14/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
The “WandaVision” spinoff “Agatha All Along” has set its Disney+ premiere date.
The series will debut with two episodes on Sept.. 18. The announcement was made during the Disney upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Tuesday.
Series star Kathryn Hahn took the stage with co-stars Joe Locke and Patti LuPone, who confirmed the series’ title after a number of changes. The show was first called “Agatha: House of Harkness.” The title appeared to change to “Agatha: Coven of Chaos” by July 2022, and then to “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries” in September 2023.
Related Content: Upfronts 2024 Full Coverage
Variety exclusively reported that the...
The series will debut with two episodes on Sept.. 18. The announcement was made during the Disney upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Tuesday.
Series star Kathryn Hahn took the stage with co-stars Joe Locke and Patti LuPone, who confirmed the series’ title after a number of changes. The show was first called “Agatha: House of Harkness.” The title appeared to change to “Agatha: Coven of Chaos” by July 2022, and then to “Agatha: Darkhold Diaries” in September 2023.
Related Content: Upfronts 2024 Full Coverage
Variety exclusively reported that the...
- 5/14/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
Reese Witherspoon is bringing a Legally Blonde series to Amazon’s Prime Video.
What, like it’s hard?
Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke, Witherspoon — and Bruiser the dog — announced a series order for the show Tuesday at Amazon’s first-ever upfront presentation. The show, titled Elle, will tell the origin story of Elle Woods as a 1990s high schooler. It has been in the works since early April. Witherspoon will executive produce via her Hello Sunshine banner along with series creator and showrunner Laura Kittrell (Insecure, Amazon Freevee’s High School), Hello Sunshine’s Lauren Neustadter and Lauren Kisilevsky, and Marc Platt, producer of the Legally Blonde films.
The logline for the series reads, “Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.”
“I...
What, like it’s hard?
Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke, Witherspoon — and Bruiser the dog — announced a series order for the show Tuesday at Amazon’s first-ever upfront presentation. The show, titled Elle, will tell the origin story of Elle Woods as a 1990s high schooler. It has been in the works since early April. Witherspoon will executive produce via her Hello Sunshine banner along with series creator and showrunner Laura Kittrell (Insecure, Amazon Freevee’s High School), Hello Sunshine’s Lauren Neustadter and Lauren Kisilevsky, and Marc Platt, producer of the Legally Blonde films.
The logline for the series reads, “Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.”
“I...
- 5/14/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Tomb Raider TV series is moving forward at Amazon.
A year and change after The Hollywood Reporter exclusively revealed Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge was writing and producing an adaptation of the popular video game turned action movie Tomb Raider, the retail giant/streamer has handed out a series order for the live-action series. A worldwide casting search will begin soon for an actress to play Lara Croft in the series from Legendary Television.
The surprise announcement was made Tuesday during Amazon’s first trip to woo Madison Avenue ad buyers at TV’s upfront week in New York, with the news arriving after another video game adaptation, Fallout, has become a breakout hit for the service.
Waller-Bridge is writing the scripts for Tomb Raider. The Fleabag grad does not plan to star in the TV adaptation of the property, which spawned 2001 and 2018 film adaptations starring Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander,...
A year and change after The Hollywood Reporter exclusively revealed Emmy winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge was writing and producing an adaptation of the popular video game turned action movie Tomb Raider, the retail giant/streamer has handed out a series order for the live-action series. A worldwide casting search will begin soon for an actress to play Lara Croft in the series from Legendary Television.
The surprise announcement was made Tuesday during Amazon’s first trip to woo Madison Avenue ad buyers at TV’s upfront week in New York, with the news arriving after another video game adaptation, Fallout, has become a breakout hit for the service.
Waller-Bridge is writing the scripts for Tomb Raider. The Fleabag grad does not plan to star in the TV adaptation of the property, which spawned 2001 and 2018 film adaptations starring Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicolas Cage will once again play Spider-Man Noir, but this time in a live-action series.
Cage is set to star in the live-action show “Noir,” which has been ordered to series at MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video. The series will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel followed by a global launch on Prime Video. Variety exclusively reported the series was in development in February 2023, though Cage was not attached at that time.
The announcement was made ahead of Amazon’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Tuesday.
“Expanding the Marvel universe with ‘Noir’ is a uniquely special...
Cage is set to star in the live-action show “Noir,” which has been ordered to series at MGM+ and Amazon Prime Video. The series will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel followed by a global launch on Prime Video. Variety exclusively reported the series was in development in February 2023, though Cage was not attached at that time.
The announcement was made ahead of Amazon’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Tuesday.
“Expanding the Marvel universe with ‘Noir’ is a uniquely special...
- 5/14/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News
“The Boys” has been picked up for a fifth season at Amazon Prime Video.
Season 4 of the raunchy superhero show will debut June 13. “The Boys” Season 4 will launch with its first three of eight total episodes, rolling out the remaining installments on a weekly basis. The finale will stream July 18.
The series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit and Cameron Crovetti.
Upfronts 2024: Full Coverage @ Variety.Com
“The Boys” is executive produced by showrunner Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver,...
Season 4 of the raunchy superhero show will debut June 13. “The Boys” Season 4 will launch with its first three of eight total episodes, rolling out the remaining installments on a weekly basis. The finale will stream July 18.
The series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit and Cameron Crovetti.
Upfronts 2024: Full Coverage @ Variety.Com
“The Boys” is executive produced by showrunner Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety - TV News
All eyes at this year’s Cannes Film Festival will be on the hotly anticipated premiere of Francis Ford Coppola’s self-funded epic Megalopolis. Laurence Fishburne is part of the ensemble cast and is no stranger to debuting a pricey, high-profile project at Cannes.
In 2003, Fishburne hit the Croisette for the Wachowskis’ action sequel The Matrix Reloaded, in which he reprised his role as Morpheus after originating the character in the 1999 sci-fi smash. Also in attendance was Fishburne’s then-wife Gina Torres, who played Cas in the sequels.
After The Matrix introduced viewers to Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker who discovers that humans have been enslaved in a simulation engineered by AI machines, Reloaded catches up six months later with Neo’s journey alongside Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus as they battle the Machine Army. THR’s review was lukewarm but noted that Fishburne “handles well the transition to...
In 2003, Fishburne hit the Croisette for the Wachowskis’ action sequel The Matrix Reloaded, in which he reprised his role as Morpheus after originating the character in the 1999 sci-fi smash. Also in attendance was Fishburne’s then-wife Gina Torres, who played Cas in the sequels.
After The Matrix introduced viewers to Neo (Keanu Reeves), a computer hacker who discovers that humans have been enslaved in a simulation engineered by AI machines, Reloaded catches up six months later with Neo’s journey alongside Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus as they battle the Machine Army. THR’s review was lukewarm but noted that Fishburne “handles well the transition to...
- 5/16/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chinese video streamer iQiyi reported increased profits in the first quarter of the year, derived from lower revenue.
The company, which is Nasdaq-listed but majority owned by Chinese tech giant Baidu, said that net income attributable to iQiyi grew to RMB655 million ($90.8 million), compared to RMB618 million in the same period in 2023. Revenues were RMB7.9 billion ($1.1 billion), a decrease of 5% year-on-year.
“We have been generating positive operating cash flow for eight consecutive quarters, and our balance sheet continued to improve,” said Wang Jun, the company’s chief financial officer.
Performance transparency, however, has recently been reduced. The company has ceased to disclose subscriber numbers,...
The company, which is Nasdaq-listed but majority owned by Chinese tech giant Baidu, said that net income attributable to iQiyi grew to RMB655 million ($90.8 million), compared to RMB618 million in the same period in 2023. Revenues were RMB7.9 billion ($1.1 billion), a decrease of 5% year-on-year.
“We have been generating positive operating cash flow for eight consecutive quarters, and our balance sheet continued to improve,” said Wang Jun, the company’s chief financial officer.
Performance transparency, however, has recently been reduced. The company has ceased to disclose subscriber numbers,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - TV News
George Miller had to grind the pedal to get “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” finished in time for its global release next week.
Appearing at press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, auteur Miller discussed the tight deadline sitting beside his cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke.
“We only finished the film two and a half weeks ago,” Miller told global reporters.” It hits theaters on May 24. Taylor-Joy gushed about the incredible group of artisans — a team of 1,300 people — many of whom have worked on four other “Mad Max” films with Miller.
“People came out of retirement to work with George,” Taylor-Joy said. Her director piped in, saying, “I came out of retirement to work on this film.”
Australian pride was a major theme of the conference, as Miller fully embraced Australian accents on the production. Miller said his inspiration for the entire film series came from an analog childhood in Queensland.
Appearing at press conference at the Cannes Film Festival, auteur Miller discussed the tight deadline sitting beside his cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke.
“We only finished the film two and a half weeks ago,” Miller told global reporters.” It hits theaters on May 24. Taylor-Joy gushed about the incredible group of artisans — a team of 1,300 people — many of whom have worked on four other “Mad Max” films with Miller.
“People came out of retirement to work with George,” Taylor-Joy said. Her director piped in, saying, “I came out of retirement to work on this film.”
Australian pride was a major theme of the conference, as Miller fully embraced Australian accents on the production. Miller said his inspiration for the entire film series came from an analog childhood in Queensland.
- 5/16/2024
- by Matt Donnelly and Ellise Shafer
- Variety - Film News
Set during the Civil War, a long way from the front lines, Roberto Minervini’s “The Damned” continues the Italian helmer’s career-long examination of the rifts and affinities between overlooked segments of American society. Apart from one long, destabilizing battle with an unseen adversary, the portrayal is a relatively peaceful one, following a group of Union soldiers assigned to scout the Northwestern frontier in 1862. While the country is divided, this assignment brings together men of different backgrounds, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect.
This is the first period piece from the director of such unvarnished depictions of contemporary Southern life as “Stop the Pounding Heart” and “The Other Side,” and yet the quiet, occasionally poetic film feels like a natural extension of the themes and approach of Minervini’s earlier work. Even within the art-house sphere, it’s a bit too thin and plotless for most audiences. Still, “The Damned...
This is the first period piece from the director of such unvarnished depictions of contemporary Southern life as “Stop the Pounding Heart” and “The Other Side,” and yet the quiet, occasionally poetic film feels like a natural extension of the themes and approach of Minervini’s earlier work. Even within the art-house sphere, it’s a bit too thin and plotless for most audiences. Still, “The Damned...
- 5/16/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety - Film News
Italian filmmaker Roberto Minervini’s artfully crafted movies, which include such works as Stop the Pounding Heart, The Other Side and What You Gonna Do When the World’s on Fire?, have always sat in a murky gray zone separating fiction from documentary.
Nonprofessional actors play themselves, or versions of themselves, in narratives that seem to have been crafted out of their own lives. And while the locations are always real places, with an emphasis on swaths of the American South — as his name suggests, Minervini is Italian, but he’s lived in the U.S. since 2000 — the director transforms them into sublime backdrops for his gritty tales of poverty and abandon.
His latest film, The Damned, is not technically a documentary: It’s set in 1862 at the height of the Civil War and follows a pack of Union soldiers treacherously exploring unmapped territories in the West. And yet, if...
Nonprofessional actors play themselves, or versions of themselves, in narratives that seem to have been crafted out of their own lives. And while the locations are always real places, with an emphasis on swaths of the American South — as his name suggests, Minervini is Italian, but he’s lived in the U.S. since 2000 — the director transforms them into sublime backdrops for his gritty tales of poverty and abandon.
His latest film, The Damned, is not technically a documentary: It’s set in 1862 at the height of the Civil War and follows a pack of Union soldiers treacherously exploring unmapped territories in the West. And yet, if...
- 5/16/2024
- by Jordan Mintzer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The dust was just beginning to settle and the smell of guzzolene was still in the air after Wednesday night’s high-octane Cannes premiere of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. But after more than a decade of development and a grueling shoot, the work was not done for filmmaker George Miller and stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, who faced the international press during a lively conference to discuss the long journey to their Fury Road prequel.
Australian filmmaker Miller has now made five Mad Max films over 45 years, but none have been as anticipated as Furiosa. That’s thanks to the pedigree of Fury Road, Miller’s 2015 film that introduced the world to Imperator Furiosa, played in that feature by Charlize Theron. It is considered one of the greatest action movies of all time and became a surprise awards season juggernaut that won six Oscars.
Miller and his team...
Australian filmmaker Miller has now made five Mad Max films over 45 years, but none have been as anticipated as Furiosa. That’s thanks to the pedigree of Fury Road, Miller’s 2015 film that introduced the world to Imperator Furiosa, played in that feature by Charlize Theron. It is considered one of the greatest action movies of all time and became a surprise awards season juggernaut that won six Oscars.
Miller and his team...
- 5/16/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Belgian-Congolese rapper and film director Baloji is back on the Croisette for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
The director of 2023 Un Certain Regard entry Omen this year is a member of the Caméra d’Or, or Golden Camera, jury.
Before heading to Cannes, he shared with THR some tips and insights into his experience at the festival.
What makes Cannes unique?
You can have specialists in South Korean art house movies, next to people signing film deals, right beside TikTok influencers reporting on red carpet stars and the next bling bling. Bringing all these worlds together is what makes Cannes so special.
Favorite “only in Cannes” moment?
My favorite moment was, of course, screening Omen at the Debussy Theatre. But the strangest “only in Cannes” moment was doing the red carpet. Because we didn’t have a red carpet for our film, the crew and I got to walk the red...
The director of 2023 Un Certain Regard entry Omen this year is a member of the Caméra d’Or, or Golden Camera, jury.
Before heading to Cannes, he shared with THR some tips and insights into his experience at the festival.
What makes Cannes unique?
You can have specialists in South Korean art house movies, next to people signing film deals, right beside TikTok influencers reporting on red carpet stars and the next bling bling. Bringing all these worlds together is what makes Cannes so special.
Favorite “only in Cannes” moment?
My favorite moment was, of course, screening Omen at the Debussy Theatre. But the strangest “only in Cannes” moment was doing the red carpet. Because we didn’t have a red carpet for our film, the crew and I got to walk the red...
- 5/16/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Sas: Red Notice,” the action thriller from director Laurence Malkin that became a hit for U.K. platform Sky Cinema in 2021, is getting a sequel.
Creative details are currently under wraps, but development funding for the sequel was provided by Sky Original Films. The film will be executive produced by Sky’s director of original film, Julia Stuart. Sky will co-finance and take all rights for the U.K. and Ireland. Production financing will come from Ashland Hill Media Finance, led by Joe Simpson, Simon Williams, and Jonathan Bross.
“The global success of the first film inspired me to amplify the Sas universe and deepen our understanding of covert operations,” said Malkin. “The use of psychopaths, both good and bad, was something we touched upon in the first film. This time we’ll get inside the minds of these unique operators and deliver even more visceral action sequences, elevating everything to a whole other level.
Creative details are currently under wraps, but development funding for the sequel was provided by Sky Original Films. The film will be executive produced by Sky’s director of original film, Julia Stuart. Sky will co-finance and take all rights for the U.K. and Ireland. Production financing will come from Ashland Hill Media Finance, led by Joe Simpson, Simon Williams, and Jonathan Bross.
“The global success of the first film inspired me to amplify the Sas universe and deepen our understanding of covert operations,” said Malkin. “The use of psychopaths, both good and bad, was something we touched upon in the first film. This time we’ll get inside the minds of these unique operators and deliver even more visceral action sequences, elevating everything to a whole other level.
- 5/16/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Scam Season Threepeat
Streamer SonyLIV, filmmaker Hansal Mehta and studio Applause Entertainment have combined again for “Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga.” Based on the book “Sahara: the Untold Story” by Tamal Bandyopadhyay the series will tell the story of businessman Subrata Roy of the Sahara India Pariwar that operates in the financial services, construction, real estate, sports, manufacturing, hospitality, media and life insurance sectors. In the early 2000s, Roy was accused of several financial misdemeanors, leading to his arrest in 2014. He died in 2023.
“Scam 2010” is the third in a franchise about Indian financial scandals that began with “Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story...
Streamer SonyLIV, filmmaker Hansal Mehta and studio Applause Entertainment have combined again for “Scam 2010: The Subrata Roy Saga.” Based on the book “Sahara: the Untold Story” by Tamal Bandyopadhyay the series will tell the story of businessman Subrata Roy of the Sahara India Pariwar that operates in the financial services, construction, real estate, sports, manufacturing, hospitality, media and life insurance sectors. In the early 2000s, Roy was accused of several financial misdemeanors, leading to his arrest in 2014. He died in 2023.
“Scam 2010” is the third in a franchise about Indian financial scandals that began with “Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story...
- 5/16/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - TV News
Beta Cinema has arrived in Cannes with a slew of sales on its resistance epic William Tell.
Currently in post-production, screenwriter Nick Hamm’s adaptation for the big screen of Friedrich Schiller’s play stars Danish actor Claes Bang (The Square), Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson), Connor Swindells (Barbie, Sex Education), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid, The Tattooist of Auschwitz) and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List, Iron Man).
The story takes place in the 14th century, “amidst the waning days of the Holy Roman Empire where Europe’s nations fiercely vie for supremacy and the ambitious Austrians, desiring more land, encroach upon Switzerland, a serene and pastoral nation.” William Tell, a formerly peaceful hunter, finds himself forced to take action as his family and homeland come under threat from the oppressive Austrian king and his ruthless warlords.
The film’s ensemble cast also includes Ellie Bamber (Moss & Freud, Nocturnal Animals), Rafe Spall (Life of Pi,...
Currently in post-production, screenwriter Nick Hamm’s adaptation for the big screen of Friedrich Schiller’s play stars Danish actor Claes Bang (The Square), Golshifteh Farahani (Paterson), Connor Swindells (Barbie, Sex Education), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid, The Tattooist of Auschwitz) and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List, Iron Man).
The story takes place in the 14th century, “amidst the waning days of the Holy Roman Empire where Europe’s nations fiercely vie for supremacy and the ambitious Austrians, desiring more land, encroach upon Switzerland, a serene and pastoral nation.” William Tell, a formerly peaceful hunter, finds himself forced to take action as his family and homeland come under threat from the oppressive Austrian king and his ruthless warlords.
The film’s ensemble cast also includes Ellie Bamber (Moss & Freud, Nocturnal Animals), Rafe Spall (Life of Pi,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Details on Jim Jarmusch‘s surprise new film project have finally been revealed, and it’s a family affair.
Paparazzi photos from the set made the rounds in January, showing Cate Blanchett filming an outdoor scene with Vicky Krieps (in a pink wig) but little was known about the project at the time as Jarmusch tends to keep things closely guarded. However, on Thursday in Cannes the Match Factory confirmed that it had boarded the project and will handle international sales during the film festival while Jarmusch completes postproduction back in New York.
The film is titled Father Mother Sister Brother and features some of his trusted collaborators. The cast includes Blanchett, Krieps, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat. Per official intel received by The Hollywood Reporter, Father Mother Sister Brother is described as “a feature film in the form of a triptych.
Paparazzi photos from the set made the rounds in January, showing Cate Blanchett filming an outdoor scene with Vicky Krieps (in a pink wig) but little was known about the project at the time as Jarmusch tends to keep things closely guarded. However, on Thursday in Cannes the Match Factory confirmed that it had boarded the project and will handle international sales during the film festival while Jarmusch completes postproduction back in New York.
The film is titled Father Mother Sister Brother and features some of his trusted collaborators. The cast includes Blanchett, Krieps, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat. Per official intel received by The Hollywood Reporter, Father Mother Sister Brother is described as “a feature film in the form of a triptych.
- 5/16/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi star in Paul Schrader’s latest, highly anticipated film ‘Oh, Canada,’ which premieres at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday.
Based on the late Russell Banks’ 2021 novel “Foregone,” the film centers on Gere’s Leonard Fife, an acclaimed filmmaker and “one of 60,000 draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam” who “shares all his secrets to de-mythologize his mythologized life.” Elordi plays the younger version of Leonard.
In this first-look clip, Gere’s Leonard speeds up to someone’s home, gets out of a car and walks toward the gate. “Amanda was a jazz pianist,” his voiceover begins. “She said she was the mistress of Gerry Mulligan, but he was always on the road.” Then, the footage displays the film’s magic trick, as Elordi’s younger Leonard appears, pushing open the home’s gate and peering in the window,...
Based on the late Russell Banks’ 2021 novel “Foregone,” the film centers on Gere’s Leonard Fife, an acclaimed filmmaker and “one of 60,000 draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam” who “shares all his secrets to de-mythologize his mythologized life.” Elordi plays the younger version of Leonard.
In this first-look clip, Gere’s Leonard speeds up to someone’s home, gets out of a car and walks toward the gate. “Amanda was a jazz pianist,” his voiceover begins. “She said she was the mistress of Gerry Mulligan, but he was always on the road.” Then, the footage displays the film’s magic trick, as Elordi’s younger Leonard appears, pushing open the home’s gate and peering in the window,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Sophomore slump? Not for Saint Laurent Productions.
One year after a high-profile splash with its debut film project — Pedro Almodóvar’s gay cowboy Western Strange Way of Life — the luxury house’s production division returns to the Cannes Film Festival with three starry films in the main competition: Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds and Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope.
Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello is credited as a producer on the pics, and he and his team delivered cast wardrobes. Emilia Perez stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Édgar Ramírez in the story of a lawyer who receives an unexpected offer to help a feared cartel boss disappear by becoming the woman he’s always dreamed of being.
The Shrouds stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt, and follows a businessman who, after the death of his wife, copes by inventing a...
One year after a high-profile splash with its debut film project — Pedro Almodóvar’s gay cowboy Western Strange Way of Life — the luxury house’s production division returns to the Cannes Film Festival with three starry films in the main competition: Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds and Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope.
Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello is credited as a producer on the pics, and he and his team delivered cast wardrobes. Emilia Perez stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Édgar Ramírez in the story of a lawyer who receives an unexpected offer to help a feared cartel boss disappear by becoming the woman he’s always dreamed of being.
The Shrouds stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt, and follows a businessman who, after the death of his wife, copes by inventing a...
- 5/16/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What is poignant about “This Life of Mine” — the final film by French writer-director Sophie Fillières — is all but impossible to extract from the beleaguered circumstances of its creation. Aged just 58, Fillières died last summer, shortly after completing the shoot of this wistful, somewhat autofictional study of midlife feminine crisis. Postproduction was supervised by her children, the actors Agathe and Adam Bonitzer, with the guidance of notes Fillières made in hospital, when it became clear to her that she’d never complete the project herself. What emerges from this process is a suitably elegiac testament to Fillières’ curious comic voice, centered on a fragile alter ego — played with a game lack of vanity by Agnès Jaoui — fearful that her life is passing her by. As filmmaking, however, it wants for shape and drive, and the intuitive editorial decision-making that only an author can bring to her work.
Heavy on wordplay and loose conversational drift,...
Heavy on wordplay and loose conversational drift,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety - Film News
“Half the time I was directing, I also had a glove on my hand,” says filmmaker Carson Lund of making his feature directorial debut with the Cannes title Eephus.
The film, which is premiering in Directors’ Fortnight and is being sold worldwide by Film Constellation, follows a men’s recreational New England baseball team as they play their final game on their longtime field before its planned demolition.
From Pride of the Yankees to Bull Durham to Moneyball, baseball has a long and varied onscreen tradition. For his part, Lund wanted to take a different approach. “No baseball film, I feel, has ever really captured the rhythms of the game and what it feels like to actually play it,” says the director. “A lot of these films are ultimately about single characters, protagonists who are undergoing some sort of transformation and self-enlightenment over the course of a narrative. It’s...
The film, which is premiering in Directors’ Fortnight and is being sold worldwide by Film Constellation, follows a men’s recreational New England baseball team as they play their final game on their longtime field before its planned demolition.
From Pride of the Yankees to Bull Durham to Moneyball, baseball has a long and varied onscreen tradition. For his part, Lund wanted to take a different approach. “No baseball film, I feel, has ever really captured the rhythms of the game and what it feels like to actually play it,” says the director. “A lot of these films are ultimately about single characters, protagonists who are undergoing some sort of transformation and self-enlightenment over the course of a narrative. It’s...
- 5/16/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Buenos Aires-based production, sales, and distribution outfit FilmSharks is hosting a pair of market screenings for David Bisbano’s animated feature “Dalia and the Red Book” at this year’s Marché du Film, and Variety has been given exclusive access to the first English-language trailer for the film.
“Dalia” will screen twice at this year’s market, on Thursday, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Palais E and on Friday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Palais I.
With a unique aesthetic inspired by modern favorites such as “Corpse Bride” and “Paranorman,” the haunting kids and family feature tells the story of Dalia, the 12-year-old daughter of a recently deceased author. After her father’s death, Dalia takes on the job of finishing the man’s final book. To do so, she must become part of the story and come face-to-face with its characters, all fighting to be the story’s lead.
“Dalia” will screen twice at this year’s market, on Thursday, May 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Palais E and on Friday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. in Palais I.
With a unique aesthetic inspired by modern favorites such as “Corpse Bride” and “Paranorman,” the haunting kids and family feature tells the story of Dalia, the 12-year-old daughter of a recently deceased author. After her father’s death, Dalia takes on the job of finishing the man’s final book. To do so, she must become part of the story and come face-to-face with its characters, all fighting to be the story’s lead.
- 5/16/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety - Film News
Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat have joined the cast of Jim Jarmusch’s anticipated next film, “Father Mother Sister Brother.”
They’re joining Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, who were previously rumored to be starring after being photographed on set. “Father Mother Sister Brother” recently wrapped production in Paris following shoots in Dublin, Ireland and in the Northeastern U.S. Post-production has begun New York, and the film is expected to be finished later this year.
“Father Mother Sister Brother” is a triptych, following three separate stories set in different countries and revolving around relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parents and each other. The first part, “Father,” is set in the east coast in Northeastern U.S., “Mother” in Dublin, Ireland, and “Sister Brother” in Paris, France.
Possibly one of Jarmusch’s most personal films, “Father Mother Sister Brother” is...
They’re joining Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, who were previously rumored to be starring after being photographed on set. “Father Mother Sister Brother” recently wrapped production in Paris following shoots in Dublin, Ireland and in the Northeastern U.S. Post-production has begun New York, and the film is expected to be finished later this year.
“Father Mother Sister Brother” is a triptych, following three separate stories set in different countries and revolving around relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parents and each other. The first part, “Father,” is set in the east coast in Northeastern U.S., “Mother” in Dublin, Ireland, and “Sister Brother” in Paris, France.
Possibly one of Jarmusch’s most personal films, “Father Mother Sister Brother” is...
- 5/16/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Falling for a TV show is not exactly like falling for a romantic relationship. But it’s not unlike it, either. There’s the initial flirtation, when you sample an episode or two to see how it strikes you. If all goes well, there’s the moment of commitment, when you decide to stick around to see the story play out. Then there’s the long haul: With each successive season, the series has the opportunity to deepen and mature — or to stagnate.
With its third outing (fourth if you count the spinoff Queen Charlotte), Netflix’s Bridgerton is no longer in the early days of its courtship with us, and unfortunately, it’s starting to show. While the latest chapter faithfully delivers on everything we’ve come to expect from this world — virginal heroine, rakish hero, high-society scandal, instrumental pop covers — it’s also the first in which the...
With its third outing (fourth if you count the spinoff Queen Charlotte), Netflix’s Bridgerton is no longer in the early days of its courtship with us, and unfortunately, it’s starting to show. While the latest chapter faithfully delivers on everything we’ve come to expect from this world — virginal heroine, rakish hero, high-society scandal, instrumental pop covers — it’s also the first in which the...
- 5/16/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
StudioCanal on Thursday unveiled the acquisition of Ali Abbasi’s Cannes competition entry The Apprentice for the U.K. and Ireland, with a release planned for later this year. The film is an exploration of Donald Trump’s rise to power in 1980s America.
Directed by Abbasi and written by Gabe Sherman, the film stars Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominee and Berlin Silver Bear winner Sebastian Stan (Pam & Tommy) as Trump, Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Jeremy Strong (Succession) as his firebrand mentor Roy Cohn, Martin Donovan (Tenet) as Fred Trump Sr., and Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) as Ivana Trump.
The Apprentice is “a dive into the underbelly of the American empire,” according to a plot description. “It charts a young Donald Trump’s ascent to power through a Faustian deal with the influential right-wing lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn.
Directed by Abbasi and written by Gabe Sherman, the film stars Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominee and Berlin Silver Bear winner Sebastian Stan (Pam & Tommy) as Trump, Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Jeremy Strong (Succession) as his firebrand mentor Roy Cohn, Martin Donovan (Tenet) as Fred Trump Sr., and Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) as Ivana Trump.
The Apprentice is “a dive into the underbelly of the American empire,” according to a plot description. “It charts a young Donald Trump’s ascent to power through a Faustian deal with the influential right-wing lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn.
- 5/16/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth film in Sony’s action franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, had its first public screenings on Wednesday night, and the first reactions have already hit social media.
At a fan screening at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles, Smith and Lawrence made a surprise appearance. There were also screenings in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
The plot to Bad Boys 4 is driven by corruption within the Miami Pd, with Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) accused of working with the drug cartels for years. Detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) put together a team to clear Howard’s name but become outlaws in the process.
As well as Smith and Lawrence, the cast includes Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane and Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd. Franchise regulars Joe Pantoliano as Captain Conrad...
At a fan screening at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles, Smith and Lawrence made a surprise appearance. There were also screenings in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.
The plot to Bad Boys 4 is driven by corruption within the Miami Pd, with Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) accused of working with the drug cartels for years. Detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) put together a team to clear Howard’s name but become outlaws in the process.
As well as Smith and Lawrence, the cast includes Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Eric Dane and Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd. Franchise regulars Joe Pantoliano as Captain Conrad...
- 5/16/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
China officially arrives back at Cannes this year intent on showcasing its hits, while promoting the opportunities for international collaborations the country’s film industry leaders are increasingly keen to explore.
There are more than 60 film companies from the nation involved at the China Film Pavilion — situated at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and organized by the China Film Co-Production Corporation (Cfcc) under the guidance of the China Film Administration — and visitors can learn all about more than 180 Chinese films.
“We hope to promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries through the China Film Pavilion and help Chinese films go global,” a Cfcc spokesperson says. “Through the pavilion and film as a medium, mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign filmmakers can be deepened to further foster communication and cooperation for mutual development. The China Film Pavilion will continue to explore a broader platform for Chinese and foreign film exchange.
There are more than 60 film companies from the nation involved at the China Film Pavilion — situated at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès and organized by the China Film Co-Production Corporation (Cfcc) under the guidance of the China Film Administration — and visitors can learn all about more than 180 Chinese films.
“We hope to promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries through the China Film Pavilion and help Chinese films go global,” a Cfcc spokesperson says. “Through the pavilion and film as a medium, mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign filmmakers can be deepened to further foster communication and cooperation for mutual development. The China Film Pavilion will continue to explore a broader platform for Chinese and foreign film exchange.
- 5/16/2024
- by Mathew Scott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Judi Dench is skeptical about the need for trigger warnings in theater.
In an interview with Radio Times magazine, Dench was asked about her opinion on content advisories before watching a stage production.
“Do they do that? My God, it must be a pretty long trigger warning before ‘King Lear’ or ‘Titus Andronicus’!” she said. “Crikey, is that really what happens now?”
Dench, whose career on stage spans more than five decades, is one of the most celebrated British theater performers. She has worked for the National Theatre Company and Royal Shakespeare Company, and has garnered several accolades, including a Tony Award and seven Olivier Awards.
“I can see why they exist, and it is preparing people, I suppose, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater, because you could be very shocked,” Dench said of trigger warnings. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?...
In an interview with Radio Times magazine, Dench was asked about her opinion on content advisories before watching a stage production.
“Do they do that? My God, it must be a pretty long trigger warning before ‘King Lear’ or ‘Titus Andronicus’!” she said. “Crikey, is that really what happens now?”
Dench, whose career on stage spans more than five decades, is one of the most celebrated British theater performers. She has worked for the National Theatre Company and Royal Shakespeare Company, and has garnered several accolades, including a Tony Award and seven Olivier Awards.
“I can see why they exist, and it is preparing people, I suppose, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater, because you could be very shocked,” Dench said of trigger warnings. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?...
- 5/16/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
Travis Kelce is feeling very grateful for his role in Ryan Murphy’s FX horror series Grotesquerie.
While Kelce knows his way around a football field, a filming set is a new territory. But he opened up in a recent episode of his New Heights podcast about his experience on set so far, starring opposite Niecy Nash-Betts.
“It’s been so much fun,” the three-time Super Bowl champion said. “Ryan Murphy is [an] unbelievable writer, director, producer, all of the above, man. He’s just — there’s nothing he can’t do and everybody’s just been so helpful in making me feel comfortable.”
He continued, “Even on top of that, just giving me kinda the direction I need and the coaching I need to portray this part that I’m in.”
Although most details surrounding the series have been kept under wraps, Nash-Betts confirmed Kelce’s involvement earlier this month in an Instagram video.
While Kelce knows his way around a football field, a filming set is a new territory. But he opened up in a recent episode of his New Heights podcast about his experience on set so far, starring opposite Niecy Nash-Betts.
“It’s been so much fun,” the three-time Super Bowl champion said. “Ryan Murphy is [an] unbelievable writer, director, producer, all of the above, man. He’s just — there’s nothing he can’t do and everybody’s just been so helpful in making me feel comfortable.”
He continued, “Even on top of that, just giving me kinda the direction I need and the coaching I need to portray this part that I’m in.”
Although most details surrounding the series have been kept under wraps, Nash-Betts confirmed Kelce’s involvement earlier this month in an Instagram video.
- 5/16/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a different world, had she not been readying her long-awaited sophomore feature, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” for its Cannes premiere, Rungano Nyoni might have spent the past few weeks preparing her family for its upcoming move to Zambia, the southern African nation where the director was born and spent part of her childhood. Instead, it was a mad dash to get the film across the finish line.
“It’s been long hours, non-stop for weeks,” Nyoni says on the eve of the French fest’s opening night. The frenzy isn’t likely to let up anytime soon: The director and her family plan to move house and fly to Zambia not long after the whirlwind of her Cannes premiere. Even those rare moments of calm on the Croisette between photo calls and press junkets aren’t likely to offer much relief. “I brought my toddler for good measure,...
“It’s been long hours, non-stop for weeks,” Nyoni says on the eve of the French fest’s opening night. The frenzy isn’t likely to let up anytime soon: The director and her family plan to move house and fly to Zambia not long after the whirlwind of her Cannes premiere. Even those rare moments of calm on the Croisette between photo calls and press junkets aren’t likely to offer much relief. “I brought my toddler for good measure,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety - Film News
Based out of Chile and Los Angeles, Quijote Films, behind Cannes 2023 Un Certain Regard Fipresci Prize winner “The Settlers,” has tied down a powerful alliance of international partners on “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” the first feature of 2018 Cannes Cinéfondation top winner Diego Céspedes.
Quijote Films’ biggest budgeted title to date, said its head Giancarlo Nasi, “The Mysterious Gaze” goes into production on May 20.
An LGBTQ-themed drama, “The Mysterious Gaze” is set in a mining town where a strange illness is said to be transmitted between men who fall in love with each other.
Produced by Quijote Films and France’s Les Valseurs, “The Mysterious Gaze” has now added new partners in Germany’s Weydemann Bros Film, Spain’s Irusoin, Wrong Men in Belgium and Arte France Cinema.
Quijote Films has also added Mexico’s Varios Lobos as a co-production partner on Theo Court’s “Three Dark Nights.” Produced...
Quijote Films’ biggest budgeted title to date, said its head Giancarlo Nasi, “The Mysterious Gaze” goes into production on May 20.
An LGBTQ-themed drama, “The Mysterious Gaze” is set in a mining town where a strange illness is said to be transmitted between men who fall in love with each other.
Produced by Quijote Films and France’s Les Valseurs, “The Mysterious Gaze” has now added new partners in Germany’s Weydemann Bros Film, Spain’s Irusoin, Wrong Men in Belgium and Arte France Cinema.
Quijote Films has also added Mexico’s Varios Lobos as a co-production partner on Theo Court’s “Three Dark Nights.” Produced...
- 5/16/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety - Film News
Following “The Zone of Interest,” Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” and Berlinale offering “Treasure,” about a Holocaust survivor, the latter starring Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham, Poland might be welcoming more foreign shoots in the future.
“I would always be willing to return and shoot in Poland,” says “Treasure” director Julia von Heinz.
“Our co-producer Mariusz Włodarski from Lava Films realized that during the tenure of the Law and Justice [PiS] government, there was no chance of obtaining public funding for a story where Polish people are portrayed not just as victims and heroes, but as complex human beings. Now, our film is embraced there.”
General director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, was dismissed in April, after parliamentary elections ended the domination of the right-wing party. Kamila Dorbach will be temporarily taking over his duties.
“This restriction limited us to eight days in Poland, but we were...
“I would always be willing to return and shoot in Poland,” says “Treasure” director Julia von Heinz.
“Our co-producer Mariusz Włodarski from Lava Films realized that during the tenure of the Law and Justice [PiS] government, there was no chance of obtaining public funding for a story where Polish people are portrayed not just as victims and heroes, but as complex human beings. Now, our film is embraced there.”
General director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, was dismissed in April, after parliamentary elections ended the domination of the right-wing party. Kamila Dorbach will be temporarily taking over his duties.
“This restriction limited us to eight days in Poland, but we were...
- 5/16/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety - Film News
Peter Webber, who helmed the Oscar-nominated “Girl With the Pearl Earring,” is to direct a film about the family behind the Leica camera brand, who helped many Jewish people escape Germany during World War II.
Webber has teamed up with Red Panda Films’ Martin Serene and Franziska Morai, also the film’s screenwriter, Christine Guenther of Fireglory Pictures and Birgit Gernboeck to produce the film, with Versa Studios attached as a partner.
Leica was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869 as a manufacturer of microscopic lenses, but in the 1930s Ernst Leitz II took the risk of mass producing the first 35mm compact camera, an invention that optical engineer Oskar Barnack had worked on for over two decades. The camera was revered by photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson.
“However, the revolution of the Leica camera is only half of the story,” Webber said. “Hardly anyone is aware that Ernst Leitz II,...
Webber has teamed up with Red Panda Films’ Martin Serene and Franziska Morai, also the film’s screenwriter, Christine Guenther of Fireglory Pictures and Birgit Gernboeck to produce the film, with Versa Studios attached as a partner.
Leica was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869 as a manufacturer of microscopic lenses, but in the 1930s Ernst Leitz II took the risk of mass producing the first 35mm compact camera, an invention that optical engineer Oskar Barnack had worked on for over two decades. The camera was revered by photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson.
“However, the revolution of the Leica camera is only half of the story,” Webber said. “Hardly anyone is aware that Ernst Leitz II,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety - Film News
For horror fans, Late Night With the Devil marked one of the year’s most anticipated releases. Embracing an analog film filter, the found-footage flick starring David Dastmalchian reaped praise for its top-notch production design by leaning into a ’70s-era grindhouse aesthetic reminiscent of Dawn of the Dead or Death Race 2000. Following a late-night talk show host airing a Halloween special in 1977, it had all the makings of a cult hit.
But the movie may be remembered more for the controversy surrounding its use of cutaway graphics created by generative artificial intelligence tools. One image of a dancing skeleton in particular incensed some theatergoers. Leading up to its theatrical debut in March, it faced the prospect of a boycott, though that never materialized.
The movie’s directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes defended the AI usage, explaining the art was touched up by human hands. In a statement, they said, “We...
But the movie may be remembered more for the controversy surrounding its use of cutaway graphics created by generative artificial intelligence tools. One image of a dancing skeleton in particular incensed some theatergoers. Leading up to its theatrical debut in March, it faced the prospect of a boycott, though that never materialized.
The movie’s directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes defended the AI usage, explaining the art was touched up by human hands. In a statement, they said, “We...
- 5/16/2024
- by Winston Cho and Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s been more than four decades since Paul Schrader and Richard Gere worked together on the seminal American Gigolo. Some 40 years after they impressed upon audiences the power of a well-tailored Giorgio Armani suit, the director and star have reteamed for Oh, Canada.
The film, which is premiering in the Cannes Film Festival competition and is being sold out of the fest by Arclight Films and WME Independent, sees Gere play Leonard Fife, a renowned muckraking documentarian who, as he is dealing with a terminal illness, decides to sit for a documentary to tell the truth about his own life story while his wife and longtime filmmaking partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), listens in the wings. The story flashes back to his younger, unmoored self (Jacob Elordi) who stumbles into a career as a documentarian and travels to Canada under the auspices of dodging the Vietnam draft but is revealed...
The film, which is premiering in the Cannes Film Festival competition and is being sold out of the fest by Arclight Films and WME Independent, sees Gere play Leonard Fife, a renowned muckraking documentarian who, as he is dealing with a terminal illness, decides to sit for a documentary to tell the truth about his own life story while his wife and longtime filmmaking partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), listens in the wings. The story flashes back to his younger, unmoored self (Jacob Elordi) who stumbles into a career as a documentarian and travels to Canada under the auspices of dodging the Vietnam draft but is revealed...
- 5/16/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Drake Bell, Josh Peck, Kenan Thompson and Victoria Justice are among numerous former Nickelodeon stars who have spoken out following the harrowing allegations revealed in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
Investigation Discovery’s five-part docuseries outlines allegations of abuse, sexism, racism and inappropriate behavior involving underage stars and crewmembers on Nickelodeon TV show sets run by Dan Schneider. Some of the programs mentioned included The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious and Sam & Cat.
In the series, former creatives and crewmembers detailed their experiences behind the camera, claiming they endured toxic workplaces. Amanda Bynes, who was a prominent young figure on Nickelodeon in the 1990s and early 2000s, starring in The Amanda Show and All That, was also frequently mentioned throughout, although she did not participate in the docuseries.
Below, The Hollywood Reporter has compiled comments made by former Nickelodeon actors following the release of Quiet on Set.
Investigation Discovery’s five-part docuseries outlines allegations of abuse, sexism, racism and inappropriate behavior involving underage stars and crewmembers on Nickelodeon TV show sets run by Dan Schneider. Some of the programs mentioned included The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, iCarly, Victorious and Sam & Cat.
In the series, former creatives and crewmembers detailed their experiences behind the camera, claiming they endured toxic workplaces. Amanda Bynes, who was a prominent young figure on Nickelodeon in the 1990s and early 2000s, starring in The Amanda Show and All That, was also frequently mentioned throughout, although she did not participate in the docuseries.
Below, The Hollywood Reporter has compiled comments made by former Nickelodeon actors following the release of Quiet on Set.
- 5/16/2024
- by Carly Thomas, Tatiana Tenreyro and Zoe G Phillips
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alex Garland’s hit dystopian thriller Civil War has landed a potentially lucrative theatrical release in China. Chinese company Huahua Media acquired the local rights to the film and will distribute it in partnership with Alibaba Pictures on June 7. The plans mark a significant milestone for the tastemaking mini-major A24. It’s the influential studio’s very first theatrical opening in China, the world’s second-largest film market.
Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, Civil War has earned $65 million in North America and $108 million worldwide.
Depicting a journey across a dystopian future America, Civil War follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Oscar-nominee Kirsten Dunst, including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson and Wagner Moura.
Coming during a U.S. election year,...
Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, Civil War has earned $65 million in North America and $108 million worldwide.
Depicting a journey across a dystopian future America, Civil War follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Oscar-nominee Kirsten Dunst, including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson and Wagner Moura.
Coming during a U.S. election year,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alex Garland’s critically-acclaimed “Civil War” has confirmed a theatrical release in mainland China. Marking the first A24 production to be released in China, it will arrive in cinemas from June 7.
Huahua Media took rights to the film for China. Tech and entertainment giant Alibaba will also be partnering with Huahua throughout the release.
Depicting a dystopian future America, the film’s story follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Academy-Award nominee Kirsten Dunst, and including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson, and Wagner Moura.
Founded in 2014 by veteran producer Wang Kefei, Huahua is one of the most active Chinese companies in overseas film investment and production. It has production credits including “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Transformers: The Last Knight,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Star Trek.
Huahua Media took rights to the film for China. Tech and entertainment giant Alibaba will also be partnering with Huahua throughout the release.
Depicting a dystopian future America, the film’s story follows a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The film features an ensemble cast led by Academy-Award nominee Kirsten Dunst, and including Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Stephen Henderson, and Wagner Moura.
Founded in 2014 by veteran producer Wang Kefei, Huahua is one of the most active Chinese companies in overseas film investment and production. It has production credits including “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Transformers: The Last Knight,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Star Trek.
- 5/16/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
The NFL’s annual schedule release, which features enticing playoff rematches, made waves with the announcement that its Christmas Day doubleheader will be streamed live on Netflix, marking the company’s biggest foray into live sports.
The league only has two games on the docket Christmas Day compared to its tripleheader last year—the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens head to Houston to face the Texans. Also, since Christmas falls on a Wednesday, that means that there will be NFL games on that day of the week for only the third time since 1946.
Clearly,...
The league only has two games on the docket Christmas Day compared to its tripleheader last year—the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens head to Houston to face the Texans. Also, since Christmas falls on a Wednesday, that means that there will be NFL games on that day of the week for only the third time since 1946.
Clearly,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Jason Clinkscales
- Variety - TV News
If there has been a consistent message from YouTube over the past couple of years, it has been built around its vast ecosystem of creators. More recently, that has been joined by artificial intelligence, with the Google-owned video platform rolling out generative AI tools for creators, and for advertising partners.
So it is no shock that creators and AI were two hot topics of conversation at YouTube’s annual Brandcast upfront event Wednesday evening.
And while there were plenty of other surprises (performances from Billie Eilish and Finneas, and K-pop stars Stray Kids; a deal to stream WNBA games on YouTube TV; and a surprise appearance from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell), the creators, as usual, were the focus of the show.
Billie Eilish and Finneas perform "What Was I Made For?" at YouTube Brandcast pic.twitter.com/9MNviT4cdp
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 16, 2024
To that end, YouTube announced...
So it is no shock that creators and AI were two hot topics of conversation at YouTube’s annual Brandcast upfront event Wednesday evening.
And while there were plenty of other surprises (performances from Billie Eilish and Finneas, and K-pop stars Stray Kids; a deal to stream WNBA games on YouTube TV; and a surprise appearance from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell), the creators, as usual, were the focus of the show.
Billie Eilish and Finneas perform "What Was I Made For?" at YouTube Brandcast pic.twitter.com/9MNviT4cdp
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 16, 2024
To that end, YouTube announced...
- 5/16/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
John Krasinski is recalling an emotional moment between him and Steve Carell, his former co-star on The Office, when they reunited on the set of his new animated movie If.
The Quiet Place star, who wrote and directed the family-friendly movie about imaginary friends, recently opened up to People magazine about the moment Carell made him cry.
“When he came in, I thought I would have the best time ever, and I did,” Krasinski said. “But the first thing he did was make me cry, which sounds sad but it was amazing.”
The duo worked together on The Office, NBC’s Emmy-winning comedy series, from 2005 to 2011, playing Michael Scott and Jim Halpert, respectively.
Though they’ve kept in touch, they hadn’t seen each other in several years, which made the reunion even more special. When Carell came in to do voiceover work for If, Krasinski said the actor gave...
The Quiet Place star, who wrote and directed the family-friendly movie about imaginary friends, recently opened up to People magazine about the moment Carell made him cry.
“When he came in, I thought I would have the best time ever, and I did,” Krasinski said. “But the first thing he did was make me cry, which sounds sad but it was amazing.”
The duo worked together on The Office, NBC’s Emmy-winning comedy series, from 2005 to 2011, playing Michael Scott and Jim Halpert, respectively.
Though they’ve kept in touch, they hadn’t seen each other in several years, which made the reunion even more special. When Carell came in to do voiceover work for If, Krasinski said the actor gave...
- 5/16/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal” is filled with tears, confessions and betrayal.
The Netflix docuseries, which premiered on May 15, revolves around the online dating site Ashley Madison, the slogan of which was “Life is Short. Have an Affair.” It was used by millions of married people who were looking to cheat on their partners. However, in July 2015, the website was hacked, and users’ information was exposed. The hack caused marriages to explode, ruined lives — and even ended some.
“Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal” spotlights a number of couples’ stories who were affected by the hack, but much of...
The Netflix docuseries, which premiered on May 15, revolves around the online dating site Ashley Madison, the slogan of which was “Life is Short. Have an Affair.” It was used by millions of married people who were looking to cheat on their partners. However, in July 2015, the website was hacked, and users’ information was exposed. The hack caused marriages to explode, ruined lives — and even ended some.
“Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal” spotlights a number of couples’ stories who were affected by the hack, but much of...
- 5/16/2024
- by Lexi Carson
- Variety - TV News
Religion, Karl Marx said, is the opiate of the masses. Today, he would likely say that the opiate of the masses is fame — the desire for it, the things you have to do to get it, the fragmentary nature of it, and everything it’s supposed to bring you. The new fame, the lusty fickle kind bred by social media, is at the center of “Wild Diamond,” a startlingly bold and true French drama that premiered today at Cannes.
It tells the story of Liane (Malou Khebizi), a 19-year-old glam trainwreck who lives with her mother and kid sister in the town of Fréjus in Southern France. Liane’s entire existence is driven by her compulsion to connect with the up-from-nowhere apparatus of fame, the kind that transforms people on Instagram and TikTok — and, the subject of “Wild Diamond,” reality TV — into overnight spangly vessels of adoration.
In the first scene,...
It tells the story of Liane (Malou Khebizi), a 19-year-old glam trainwreck who lives with her mother and kid sister in the town of Fréjus in Southern France. Liane’s entire existence is driven by her compulsion to connect with the up-from-nowhere apparatus of fame, the kind that transforms people on Instagram and TikTok — and, the subject of “Wild Diamond,” reality TV — into overnight spangly vessels of adoration.
In the first scene,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety - Film News
It’s safe to say Judi Dench isn’t much of an advocate for trigger warnings in the theater.
During an interview with Radio Times magazine, the Oscar winner recently joined the debate surrounding notices at the beginning of a production, alerting viewers that the content contains potentially distressing material.
“Do they do that? My God, it must be a pretty long trigger warning before King Lear or Titus Andronicus!” the Notes on a Scandal star said. “Crikey, is that really what happens now?
Although Dench understands the need for warnings under certain circumstances, she also feels it can impact the viewer’s experience while watching a stage production.
“I can see why they exist, and it is preparing people, I suppose, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater, because you could be very shocked,” she explained. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?...
During an interview with Radio Times magazine, the Oscar winner recently joined the debate surrounding notices at the beginning of a production, alerting viewers that the content contains potentially distressing material.
“Do they do that? My God, it must be a pretty long trigger warning before King Lear or Titus Andronicus!” the Notes on a Scandal star said. “Crikey, is that really what happens now?
Although Dench understands the need for warnings under certain circumstances, she also feels it can impact the viewer’s experience while watching a stage production.
“I can see why they exist, and it is preparing people, I suppose, but if you’re that sensitive, don’t go to the theater, because you could be very shocked,” she explained. “Where is the surprise of seeing and understanding it in your own way?...
- 5/16/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Independent filmmaking is no easy task — even if you’re Steven Spielberg’s daughter.
Destry Allyn Spielberg is set to make her feature directorial debut with “Please Don’t Feed the Children,” a low-budget thriller, which was filmed last year in Santa Fe, N.M.
But the film has endured significant financing problems, shutting down just before production was to begin. Production later restarted and wrapped around Thanksgiving, but the project still owes numerous vendors about $200,000, according to emails and interviews.
“All the vendors and crew did everything we could to make this film possible,” the film’s transportation coordinator, Mike Garcia, wrote in an email to Spielberg and the producers in January. “To not pay for their services in return is unacceptable.”
Jason Dubin, the film’s lead producer, said in an interview on Wednesday that the production has recently obtained funding from a new investor in Seattle that will...
Destry Allyn Spielberg is set to make her feature directorial debut with “Please Don’t Feed the Children,” a low-budget thriller, which was filmed last year in Santa Fe, N.M.
But the film has endured significant financing problems, shutting down just before production was to begin. Production later restarted and wrapped around Thanksgiving, but the project still owes numerous vendors about $200,000, according to emails and interviews.
“All the vendors and crew did everything we could to make this film possible,” the film’s transportation coordinator, Mike Garcia, wrote in an email to Spielberg and the producers in January. “To not pay for their services in return is unacceptable.”
Jason Dubin, the film’s lead producer, said in an interview on Wednesday that the production has recently obtained funding from a new investor in Seattle that will...
- 5/15/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
YouTube’s message to Madison Avenue: The video giant isn’t like traditional TV — it’s bigger, with literally billions of viewers, and better at targeting relevant audiences.
At its annual Brandcast event, held Wednesday during the TV biz’s upfronts week, YouTube drilled home massive scale. On average, viewers watch more than 1 billion hours of content on TV screens daily. According to Nielsen’s total TV and streaming report for the U.S., YouTube has had the No. 1 share in streaming watch-time every month on American TVs since February 2023.
“We’re redefining what TV looks like, helping creators reach...
At its annual Brandcast event, held Wednesday during the TV biz’s upfronts week, YouTube drilled home massive scale. On average, viewers watch more than 1 billion hours of content on TV screens daily. According to Nielsen’s total TV and streaming report for the U.S., YouTube has had the No. 1 share in streaming watch-time every month on American TVs since February 2023.
“We’re redefining what TV looks like, helping creators reach...
- 5/15/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety - TV News
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