It’s a familiar arc in movies: The person who doesn’t want the job is the best candidate for it. And so it was with Dan Lin, the producer and founder of Rideback, who this week starts his tenure as Netflix’s film head.
Lin was not looking for a new job, but then came an incoming call in early February from Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria. According to two people familiar with the meeting that followed, Lin was blunt in his assessment of Netflix’s output: The movies were not great and the financials didn’t add up. Bajaria appreciated the honesty and, shortly after, she asked Lin if he would be open to leaving Rideback, the company the producer had spent the better part of two decades building.
Lin had been down this path before, being courted for a top studio post at a division...
Lin was not looking for a new job, but then came an incoming call in early February from Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria. According to two people familiar with the meeting that followed, Lin was blunt in his assessment of Netflix’s output: The movies were not great and the financials didn’t add up. Bajaria appreciated the honesty and, shortly after, she asked Lin if he would be open to leaving Rideback, the company the producer had spent the better part of two decades building.
Lin had been down this path before, being courted for a top studio post at a division...
- 4/1/2024
- by Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix has named Dan Lin, the producer of “The Lego Movie” and Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” live-action adaptation, as the new Chairman of Film to replace Scott Stuber, the company announced Wednesday.
The film industry veteran will begin on April 1 and report to Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. Stuber, who announced his exit last month and that he would step down in March, was with the streamer seven years.
“Dan’s experience as both an executive and a producer is marked by a consistent ability to draw in exceptional filmmakers,” content chief Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “But what really got my attention was his creation of Rideback, a dynamic community for filmmakers, fostering collaborative and creative environments. His visionary approach has led to the establishment of incubators and residencies, propelling the careers of extraordinary talent, as well as a steady slate of blockbuster films.
The film industry veteran will begin on April 1 and report to Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. Stuber, who announced his exit last month and that he would step down in March, was with the streamer seven years.
“Dan’s experience as both an executive and a producer is marked by a consistent ability to draw in exceptional filmmakers,” content chief Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “But what really got my attention was his creation of Rideback, a dynamic community for filmmakers, fostering collaborative and creative environments. His visionary approach has led to the establishment of incubators and residencies, propelling the careers of extraordinary talent, as well as a steady slate of blockbuster films.
- 2/28/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Jo Koy probably won’t be back as Golden Globes host in 2025, but whatever his future may hold, good luck hiring writers after Sunday’s staff was thrown under the Greyhound.
With the Golden Globes still recovering from scandal, Koy faced an uphill battle. The wounds are so fresh that some winners thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association; the HFPA was disbanded over a lack of diversity. The Globes didn’t even have a real ceremony in 2022, but returned to TV last year.
Koy’s opening monologue was weak. (IndieWire TV critic Ben Travers called it “a catastrophe;” our Proma Khosla went with “lukewarm.”) Even weaker were his multiple attempts to save face.
From the start, it was clear that Koy was out of his element. Comics who sell out theaters, like Koy, are used to performing for people who specifically paid to see them. This room was not that.
With the Golden Globes still recovering from scandal, Koy faced an uphill battle. The wounds are so fresh that some winners thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association; the HFPA was disbanded over a lack of diversity. The Globes didn’t even have a real ceremony in 2022, but returned to TV last year.
Koy’s opening monologue was weak. (IndieWire TV critic Ben Travers called it “a catastrophe;” our Proma Khosla went with “lukewarm.”) Even weaker were his multiple attempts to save face.
From the start, it was clear that Koy was out of his element. Comics who sell out theaters, like Koy, are used to performing for people who specifically paid to see them. This room was not that.
- 1/8/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Jo Koy kicked off his first-ever Golden Globes hosting gig Sunday with a monologue that referenced the size of “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan’s penis and weight-loss drug Ozempic in front of top Hollywood talent, drawing a mixed response for his jokes.
“Some I wrote, some other people wrote,” the standup comedian said after one of his lines fell a little flat. “Yes, I got the gig 10 days ago! You want a perfect monologue? Yo, shut up. You’re kidding me right? Slow down, I wrote some of these and they are the ones you are laughing at.”
Koy was announced as this year’s host on Dec. 21, just down to the wire at less than a month out from the Jan. 7 airdate of the awards show on CBS.
One laugh for Koy came when he joked about “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan’s lengthy nude dancing scene in the Emerald Fennell...
“Some I wrote, some other people wrote,” the standup comedian said after one of his lines fell a little flat. “Yes, I got the gig 10 days ago! You want a perfect monologue? Yo, shut up. You’re kidding me right? Slow down, I wrote some of these and they are the ones you are laughing at.”
Koy was announced as this year’s host on Dec. 21, just down to the wire at less than a month out from the Jan. 7 airdate of the awards show on CBS.
One laugh for Koy came when he joked about “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan’s lengthy nude dancing scene in the Emerald Fennell...
- 1/8/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
One year after Jerrod Carmichael earned an “F” grade by Gold Derby users for hosting the 2023 Golden Globes on NBC, this year’s producers went back to the drawing board and tapped a little-known comedian to host the CBS ceremony: Jo Koy. Even though Koy may not have a household name, he has had a successful career for decades, including four Netflix stand-up specials, the feature film “Easter Sunday,” and the late-night talk show “Chelsea Lately.” So how did Jo Koy do as the 2024 Golden Globes host? Grade his performance in our poll below.
This year’s kudos took place at The Beverly Hilton on Sunday, January 7 and honored the best in film and television for the 2023 calendar year. See the Golden Globes winners list and take a peek at the best and worst red carpet arrivals.
SEEJay Penske’s ‘Golden Eve’ party brings out Hollywood stars, Globe nominees
During his monologue on Sunday night,...
This year’s kudos took place at The Beverly Hilton on Sunday, January 7 and honored the best in film and television for the 2023 calendar year. See the Golden Globes winners list and take a peek at the best and worst red carpet arrivals.
SEEJay Penske’s ‘Golden Eve’ party brings out Hollywood stars, Globe nominees
During his monologue on Sunday night,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Jo Koy is hosting the 81st Golden Globe Awards, but who is he? The 52-year-old is stand-up comedian and actor. He has delivered several comedy specials featured on both Comedy Central and Netflix. Additionally, Koy plays the lead role in the film Easter Sunday, a story inspired by his own life. He has made over 140 appearances as a roundtable guest on Chelsea Handler‘s show Chelsea Lately. And in 2018, he was honored with the title “Stand-Up Comedian Of The Year” at the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. Below, find out five fun facts about the upcoming Golden Globes host. His Stage Name Is Actually a Nickname Born Joseph Glenn Herbert, he grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and later adopted the stage name Jo Koy, which is a nickname bestowed upon him by his family during his upbringing. In a 2019 stand-up routine, he shared the endearing backstory, recounting a moment...
- 1/5/2024
- TV Insider
It isn’t that Jo Koy is a total unknown to the masses. He’s had a thriving stand-up comedy career for years, including four Netflix specials. He starred in the Universal film “Easter Sunday.” He worked on Chelsea Handler’s late-night talk show “Chelsea Lately” for years and dated the host exclusively for nearly a year. But when the 52-year-old was announced as the host of Sunday’s 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, there was a lot of “Jo Who?” But the fact he’s had basically two weeks to pull everything together – a gig that typically takes months to prep – means he hasn’t had time to worry about stuff like being in the hot glare of this major awards show spotlight for the first time.
As Koy met the media on a blustery Thursday morning during a red carpet rollout and press preview at the Beverly Hilton,...
As Koy met the media on a blustery Thursday morning during a red carpet rollout and press preview at the Beverly Hilton,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
When Jo Koy was announced as Golden Globes host on Dec. 21, it was just a little over two weeks to air. “When they asked me, it was an immediate yes, I couldn’t believe this was happening,” Koy tells Variety. “And then I woke up and went, ‘wait a minute. I have two weeks to write jokes!
“Actually, I think I had less than two weeks because I didn’t get my writers until five days later,” he adds. “When Tina [Fey] and all those other hosts got the gig, they had months to prepare. I’m literally looking at just days! It’s been a crash course in hosting.”
But Koy is relishing this moment. The comedian, who recently sealed a deal to bring his next two stand-up comedy specials to Netflix (his fifth and sixth for the streamer), says he’s aware of the symbolism behind hosting a major awards show ceremony.
“Actually, I think I had less than two weeks because I didn’t get my writers until five days later,” he adds. “When Tina [Fey] and all those other hosts got the gig, they had months to prepare. I’m literally looking at just days! It’s been a crash course in hosting.”
But Koy is relishing this moment. The comedian, who recently sealed a deal to bring his next two stand-up comedy specials to Netflix (his fifth and sixth for the streamer), says he’s aware of the symbolism behind hosting a major awards show ceremony.
- 1/3/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
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Quick Answer: The Golden Globes can be streamed on Paramount+, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu.
Stream Golden Globes w. Paramount+
The 2024 Golden Globes are right around the corner, meaning the year is starting out in style. Marking the prestigious event’s 81st annual ceremony, the show will kick off on January 7th and will be hosted by comedian Jo Koy.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is this year’s most-nominated film with nine nods,...
Quick Answer: The Golden Globes can be streamed on Paramount+, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu.
Stream Golden Globes w. Paramount+
The 2024 Golden Globes are right around the corner, meaning the year is starting out in style. Marking the prestigious event’s 81st annual ceremony, the show will kick off on January 7th and will be hosted by comedian Jo Koy.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is this year’s most-nominated film with nine nods,...
- 1/3/2024
- by Kyle Lamar Rice, Oscar Hartzog and Tim Chan
- Rollingstone.com
Jo Koy will host the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, marking the comedian’s first-ever appearance as a host for a major awards show.
“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience,” said Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne in a statement. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.”
“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” said Koy. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita (Google it)!”
“Mahal kita” means “I love you” in Filipino. In...
“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience,” said Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne in a statement. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.”
“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” said Koy. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita (Google it)!”
“Mahal kita” means “I love you” in Filipino. In...
- 12/21/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Preeminent comedian Jo Koy has been set to host the 81st Golden Globe Awards, in what will be his first outing in that capacity at a major awards show.
He comes to the role of Globes host after breaking sales records on his “Funny Is Funny World Tour,” which came in as one of the highest grossing of the year according to Pollstar, at a gross of $29.4 million for 88 performances in arenas and theaters around the world.
While the Golden Globes are almost always hosted by comedians these days, the introduction of Koy to the stage is particularly appropriate in a year that’s seen the ceremony introduce a category recognizing Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, alongside one for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Inaugural nominees in the former include Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Trevor Noah, Sarah Silverman, Ricky Gervais and Amy Schumer.
This year’s Golden Globes Awards...
He comes to the role of Globes host after breaking sales records on his “Funny Is Funny World Tour,” which came in as one of the highest grossing of the year according to Pollstar, at a gross of $29.4 million for 88 performances in arenas and theaters around the world.
While the Golden Globes are almost always hosted by comedians these days, the introduction of Koy to the stage is particularly appropriate in a year that’s seen the ceremony introduce a category recognizing Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, alongside one for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Inaugural nominees in the former include Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, Trevor Noah, Sarah Silverman, Ricky Gervais and Amy Schumer.
This year’s Golden Globes Awards...
- 12/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The comedy community is just grateful to be nominated.
Top professional funny people have weighed in on this week’s news that the annual Golden Globe awards have introduced two new categories, one of which will honor best performance in stand-up comedy on television.
Comedy is a notoriously tough sell when it comes to awards season, though the Globes have always shown love in the form of a dedicated category for comedies and musicals in the best picture space. The live special format has reached global saturation and popularity thanks to streaming platforms, YouTube and social media. Six solo comics, or a breakout member of a troupe or ensemble, will duke it out for the prize for the first time on the Jan. 7 telecast.
“I’m thrilled about the Golden Globes acknowledging the outstanding contributions of my fellow comedians in the world of stand-up comedy. I have a deep passion for this beautiful art form,...
Top professional funny people have weighed in on this week’s news that the annual Golden Globe awards have introduced two new categories, one of which will honor best performance in stand-up comedy on television.
Comedy is a notoriously tough sell when it comes to awards season, though the Globes have always shown love in the form of a dedicated category for comedies and musicals in the best picture space. The live special format has reached global saturation and popularity thanks to streaming platforms, YouTube and social media. Six solo comics, or a breakout member of a troupe or ensemble, will duke it out for the prize for the first time on the Jan. 7 telecast.
“I’m thrilled about the Golden Globes acknowledging the outstanding contributions of my fellow comedians in the world of stand-up comedy. I have a deep passion for this beautiful art form,...
- 9/30/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Jo Koy is extending his relationship with Netflix, signing a deal to bring his next two stand-up comedy specials to the streamer. The specials will mark Koy’s fifth and sixth with Netflix; first up, the next one will tape at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on November 10 and 11, with an expected 2024 premiere. Art & Industry is producing that special.
The first of the two new specials, produced by Art & Industry, will tape at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY on November 10 and 11. The special will premiere in 2024.
Koy is currently on his “Jo Koy World Tour,” performing three sold-out shows this weekend (with a fourth just added) on Guam. His most recent Netflix special, “Jo Koy: Live At The Los Angeles Forum,” premiered in September 2022. His June 2020 Netflix special “Jo Koy: In His Elements,” was shot in Manila and featured local culture, as well as Filipino-American comedians, DJs and B-boys.
The first of the two new specials, produced by Art & Industry, will tape at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, NY on November 10 and 11. The special will premiere in 2024.
Koy is currently on his “Jo Koy World Tour,” performing three sold-out shows this weekend (with a fourth just added) on Guam. His most recent Netflix special, “Jo Koy: Live At The Los Angeles Forum,” premiered in September 2022. His June 2020 Netflix special “Jo Koy: In His Elements,” was shot in Manila and featured local culture, as well as Filipino-American comedians, DJs and B-boys.
- 8/14/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
“The Last Voyage of the Demeter” sank without a trace over its opening weekend, going to a watery grave with just $6.5 million. The period horror film, which centers on one chapter of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” namely the bit where his coffin gets transported from Transylvania to England, was distributed by Universal. It’s the studio’s second stab at reviving the world’s most famous vampire, with last spring’s “Renfield,” a campy take on the bloodsucker, also collapsing at the box office.
With audiences steering clear of “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” relegating it to a fifth-place finish, “Barbie” continued to rule the world. The Warner Bros. release earned $33.7 million to capture first place for the fourth week in a row. That brings its total to a glittering $526.3 million.
In second place, Universal’s “Oppenheimer” earned $18.8 million for the weekend, bringing domestic ticket sales for Christopher Nolan...
With audiences steering clear of “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” relegating it to a fifth-place finish, “Barbie” continued to rule the world. The Warner Bros. release earned $33.7 million to capture first place for the fourth week in a row. That brings its total to a glittering $526.3 million.
In second place, Universal’s “Oppenheimer” earned $18.8 million for the weekend, bringing domestic ticket sales for Christopher Nolan...
- 8/13/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Universal is getting deeper into the Steven Spielberg business and will be carrying more of the weight of the movies he produces.
Universal and Spielberg’s Amblin Partners are forging a new pact under a multi-year deal, but as part of the new arrangement, Amblin Partners will no longer fully finance its own movies that it produces for Universal, and Universal Pictures will be providing some of the backing for Amblin Partners movies made under the deal.
Amblin will continue to produce other movies with rival studios, such as “West Side Story” at 20th Century or “Ready Player One” at Warner Bros., but Universal will have first-look status on all of Amblin’s theatrical projects.
The idea is to give the company “more creative and financial flexibility,” according to the press release announcing the deal. That should mean more opportunities for grown-up oriented projects, like “Green Book” and “1917” that were both released by Universal,...
Universal and Spielberg’s Amblin Partners are forging a new pact under a multi-year deal, but as part of the new arrangement, Amblin Partners will no longer fully finance its own movies that it produces for Universal, and Universal Pictures will be providing some of the backing for Amblin Partners movies made under the deal.
Amblin will continue to produce other movies with rival studios, such as “West Side Story” at 20th Century or “Ready Player One” at Warner Bros., but Universal will have first-look status on all of Amblin’s theatrical projects.
The idea is to give the company “more creative and financial flexibility,” according to the press release announcing the deal. That should mean more opportunities for grown-up oriented projects, like “Green Book” and “1917” that were both released by Universal,...
- 7/11/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners and Universal Pictures have changed the terms of their partnership as part of a new multi-year deal. Under the new pact, Amblin will no longer fully finance its own films, as it has in the past. Instead, Universal will provide backing for any Amblin movie it opts to produce.
There will be a handful of job cuts through a mix of layoffs and some contracts not being renewed associated with the transition.
The new relationship seems to be an acknowledgment of the challenges of finding financial partners for movies aimed at adults or that don’t fit into pre-existing franchises — in short, the kind of movies that Amblin, which produced the likes of “Green Book,” “The Post” and “First Man,” tends to make. Compounding issues, some of Amblin’s more recent releases such as “Easter Sunday” with Jo Koy and Spielberg’s autobiographical “The Fabelmans” stumbled at the box office.
There will be a handful of job cuts through a mix of layoffs and some contracts not being renewed associated with the transition.
The new relationship seems to be an acknowledgment of the challenges of finding financial partners for movies aimed at adults or that don’t fit into pre-existing franchises — in short, the kind of movies that Amblin, which produced the likes of “Green Book,” “The Post” and “First Man,” tends to make. Compounding issues, some of Amblin’s more recent releases such as “Easter Sunday” with Jo Koy and Spielberg’s autobiographical “The Fabelmans” stumbled at the box office.
- 7/11/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sony/Screen Gems/Blumhouse’s “Insidious: The Red Door” is beating both “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and its own box office projections to take the No. 1 spot at the box office, earning $15 million from 3,188 theaters on its opening day as industry estimates now have it earning $31 million this weekend.
Earlier this week, independent projections had the fifth “Insidious” film earning a $22-24 million opening. Instead, “The Red Door” — a film that marks the directorial debut of series star Patrick Wilson and concludes the story of his character, Josh Lambert — is set to pass the $29.5 million opening of “Insidious: The Last Key” in 2018 to set a new high for the horror franchise. It is just above the $30.4 million opening of fellow Blumhouse production “M3GAN” earlier this year.
Like the rest of Hollywood, the famously thrifty Blumhouse has not been able to avoid the toll of inflation on production...
Earlier this week, independent projections had the fifth “Insidious” film earning a $22-24 million opening. Instead, “The Red Door” — a film that marks the directorial debut of series star Patrick Wilson and concludes the story of his character, Josh Lambert — is set to pass the $29.5 million opening of “Insidious: The Last Key” in 2018 to set a new high for the horror franchise. It is just above the $30.4 million opening of fellow Blumhouse production “M3GAN” earlier this year.
Like the rest of Hollywood, the famously thrifty Blumhouse has not been able to avoid the toll of inflation on production...
- 7/8/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Update, 2:20Pm: Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny officially wins Tuesday with $11.698M over Sound of Freedom‘s reported $11.5M. Monday revised on Dial of Destiny was $11.7M, which means business was even on July 4th; and that’s solid for any tentpole on that holiday. 5-day on Dial of Destiny is $83.7M.
Previous: Angels Studios’ Jim Caviezel thriller Sound of Freedom, came on strong Tuesday and gave Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny a run for its money at the domestic box office. However, until actuals are reported, it remains to be seen who won on July 4th, with both distributors reporting $11.5 million.
Rival distributors off their own calculations see Sound of Freedom as a clear No. 2 in its opening yesterday with $11M at 2,634 theaters, with Indy winning the day.
Nonetheless, all industry eyes are watching the anomaly of this...
Previous: Angels Studios’ Jim Caviezel thriller Sound of Freedom, came on strong Tuesday and gave Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny a run for its money at the domestic box office. However, until actuals are reported, it remains to be seen who won on July 4th, with both distributors reporting $11.5 million.
Rival distributors off their own calculations see Sound of Freedom as a clear No. 2 in its opening yesterday with $11M at 2,634 theaters, with Indy winning the day.
Nonetheless, all industry eyes are watching the anomaly of this...
- 7/5/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“No Hard Feelings” came out on top of the domestic box office on its opening day, bedding $6.25 million in Friday and Thursday preview screenings from 3,208 venues. Meanwhile, the top spot for the weekend is a battle between animated adventures; both “Elemental” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” are staying above “The Flash,” which looks to be collapsing in its second outing.
Heading into the weekend, Sony and Columbia’s “No Hard Feelings” was projected to launch with a mild $12 million. The raunchy R-rated Jennifer Lawrence vehicle is already outrunning those estimates, now forecasting a debut of $15 million or so.
“No Hard Feelings” may lose pace to holdovers as the weekend unfolds, but box-office-king-for-a-day is certainly a higher honor than most studio comedies have achieved of late. The once-prolific genre has fallen far from theatrical relevance in recent years, with the past few months containing an expansive slate of box office disappointments and failures,...
Heading into the weekend, Sony and Columbia’s “No Hard Feelings” was projected to launch with a mild $12 million. The raunchy R-rated Jennifer Lawrence vehicle is already outrunning those estimates, now forecasting a debut of $15 million or so.
“No Hard Feelings” may lose pace to holdovers as the weekend unfolds, but box-office-king-for-a-day is certainly a higher honor than most studio comedies have achieved of late. The once-prolific genre has fallen far from theatrical relevance in recent years, with the past few months containing an expansive slate of box office disappointments and failures,...
- 6/24/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Lawrence’s new R-rated comedy, “No Hard Feelings,” hits theaters this weekend and made $2.15 million in previews at the box office.
The raunchy comedy from Sony is predicted to open with a soft $12 million in its opening weekend, which may not bode well considering its $45 million budget. It’s been a tough time for R-rated comedies at the box office lately, with the once profitable genre nearly going extinct. Besides this year’s “Cocaine Bear,” which made $87 million worldwide, the last few comedies, like Sony and Bert Kreischer’s “The Machine,” Billy Eichner’s “Bros,” Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro’s “About My Father” and Jo Koy’s “Easter Sunday,” haven’t not found much box office success.
Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver facing bankruptcy after her car is repossessed, in “No Hard Feelings.” But her luck changes when she accepts an odd Craigslist ad from...
The raunchy comedy from Sony is predicted to open with a soft $12 million in its opening weekend, which may not bode well considering its $45 million budget. It’s been a tough time for R-rated comedies at the box office lately, with the once profitable genre nearly going extinct. Besides this year’s “Cocaine Bear,” which made $87 million worldwide, the last few comedies, like Sony and Bert Kreischer’s “The Machine,” Billy Eichner’s “Bros,” Sebastian Maniscalco and Robert De Niro’s “About My Father” and Jo Koy’s “Easter Sunday,” haven’t not found much box office success.
Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver facing bankruptcy after her car is repossessed, in “No Hard Feelings.” But her luck changes when she accepts an odd Craigslist ad from...
- 6/23/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Can an R-rated comedy that draws big laughs still bring in outsized ticket sales at the box office?
Jennifer Lawrence’s “No Hard Feelings” will put that question to the test as the raunchy funny film opens over the weekend in 3,000 North American theaters, where it’s expected to earn a tepid $12 million in its debut.
That’s not a terrible result at a time in which theatrical comedies, especially of the R-rated variety, have become something of endangered species. But it also wouldn’t be a great start considering its star power, $45 million budget and prime June release date. Earlier this year, Universal’s wild R-rated “Cocaine Bear” opened to $23.2 million — and (with all due respect to the drugged-up grizzly) that film wasn’t headlined by one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Attendance at the domestic box office will be crucial for “No Hard Feelings” because broad comedies...
Jennifer Lawrence’s “No Hard Feelings” will put that question to the test as the raunchy funny film opens over the weekend in 3,000 North American theaters, where it’s expected to earn a tepid $12 million in its debut.
That’s not a terrible result at a time in which theatrical comedies, especially of the R-rated variety, have become something of endangered species. But it also wouldn’t be a great start considering its star power, $45 million budget and prime June release date. Earlier this year, Universal’s wild R-rated “Cocaine Bear” opened to $23.2 million — and (with all due respect to the drugged-up grizzly) that film wasn’t headlined by one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Attendance at the domestic box office will be crucial for “No Hard Feelings” because broad comedies...
- 6/21/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
May kicks off the annual summer movie season where studios will release some of their biggest “tentpole” flicks, with this summer being particularly important for the full recovery of the box office. And yet, oddly, there are only three prospective blockbusters this month with many smaller films padding things out. Read on for Gold Derby’s May 2023 box office preview.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel/Disney) – May 5
James Gunn marks the finale of his MCU trilogy with the group he introduced in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldañha, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Joining the finale is Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji (“Peacemaker”) as The High Evolutionary, two major Marvel Comics cosmic characters, although it feels like this will be a standalone finale, rather than tying into the rest of the MCU.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Marvel/Disney) – May 5
James Gunn marks the finale of his MCU trilogy with the group he introduced in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” featuring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldañha, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Joining the finale is Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji (“Peacemaker”) as The High Evolutionary, two major Marvel Comics cosmic characters, although it feels like this will be a standalone finale, rather than tying into the rest of the MCU.
- 4/28/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Soon we’ll be wheels up to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for CinemaCon 2023, a whirlwind of meetings, panels, screenings, parties, and presentations from the major studios: Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Universal (and Focus), Paramount, and Lionsgate. We’ve already got both our luggage and our schedule packed for four days in the desert; below are 10 things we hope to learn and see at (and around) Caesar’s Palace.
Tom Cruise Nearly Killing Himself for Our Pleasure
The highlight of CinemaCon 2022 may not have been the first screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” — it may have been the Tom Cruise video introducing the “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning — Part One” teaser (the jaw-dropping motorcycle stunt video wasn’t released until nearly a year later), which led into the “Top Gun: Maverick” debut. Given the bar set by the “Cocktail” star last year, and the fact that “M:I7” features what...
Tom Cruise Nearly Killing Himself for Our Pleasure
The highlight of CinemaCon 2022 may not have been the first screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” — it may have been the Tom Cruise video introducing the “Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning — Part One” teaser (the jaw-dropping motorcycle stunt video wasn’t released until nearly a year later), which led into the “Top Gun: Maverick” debut. Given the bar set by the “Cocktail” star last year, and the fact that “M:I7” features what...
- 4/24/2023
- by Tony Maglio and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Ken Cheng — the writer behind comedy Easter Sunday — is reteaming with Amblin Partners on an original comedy called Princes. The feature pitch is described as a “cross-cultural buddy comedy.”
Amblin and Cheng previously worked together on Universal and Rideback’s Easter Sunday, which starred comedian Jo Koy as a man returning home to celebrate Easter with his overbearing family. The feature debuted theatrically in August and was from filmmaker Jay Chandrasekhar.
Upcoming for Cheng is The Great Chinese Art Heist, a Warner Bros. project based on a GQ magazine article of the same name. Condé Nast is set to produce and Jon M. Chu is attached to direct. He is also producing and writing a feature adaptation of the New York magazine article “Chateau Sucker” for Bound Entertainment.
Cheng — who is a co-founder of the production company and creative incubator Crab Club, alongside Jessica Gao and Jimmy O. Yang — is...
Amblin and Cheng previously worked together on Universal and Rideback’s Easter Sunday, which starred comedian Jo Koy as a man returning home to celebrate Easter with his overbearing family. The feature debuted theatrically in August and was from filmmaker Jay Chandrasekhar.
Upcoming for Cheng is The Great Chinese Art Heist, a Warner Bros. project based on a GQ magazine article of the same name. Condé Nast is set to produce and Jon M. Chu is attached to direct. He is also producing and writing a feature adaptation of the New York magazine article “Chateau Sucker” for Bound Entertainment.
Cheng — who is a co-founder of the production company and creative incubator Crab Club, alongside Jessica Gao and Jimmy O. Yang — is...
- 2/23/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Esther Povitsky (Dollface), Bobby Lee (Reservation Dogs) and Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vacation) are among the notable comedic talents set for Drugstone June — a new feature that Utopia, All Things Comedy, and Shout! Studios have partnered to produce for world sales.
Others set to appear in the film directed by Nicholaus Goossen (Grandma’s Boy) include James Remar (Sex and the City), Brandon Wardell (Easter Sunday), Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga), Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show), Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly), Al Madrigal (Morbius), Haley Joel Osment (The Kominsky Method), Matt Walsh (Veep), Jackie Sandler (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!), Nick Rutherford (Rick and Morty), Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Trevor Wallace (Add-tv), Bhad Bhabie (Lights Out with David Spade), Steph Tolev (Old Dads), Jon Gabrus and Bill Burr (The King of Staten Island).
Drugstore June follows a...
Others set to appear in the film directed by Nicholaus Goossen (Grandma’s Boy) include James Remar (Sex and the City), Brandon Wardell (Easter Sunday), Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga), Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show), Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly), Al Madrigal (Morbius), Haley Joel Osment (The Kominsky Method), Matt Walsh (Veep), Jackie Sandler (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!), Nick Rutherford (Rick and Morty), Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Trevor Wallace (Add-tv), Bhad Bhabie (Lights Out with David Spade), Steph Tolev (Old Dads), Jon Gabrus and Bill Burr (The King of Staten Island).
Drugstore June follows a...
- 12/6/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
New Release Wall
“Bodies Bodies Bodies” (Lionsgate): A band of post-adolescent rich kids turn on each other, with violent consequences, in this wildly comic murder mystery. What’s perhaps most wickedly delightful about Halina Reijn’s satire with a body count is the way it plays out like a Gen Z Twitter fights, in real time, with weapons, proving that you can poke at internet culture even in a house where a thunderstorm has knocked out the WiFi.
Also available:
“Bullet Train” (Sony) Assassin Brad Pitt meets many, many other assassins and ne’er-do-wells on a bullet train, and they try to kill each other quickly.
“Beast” (Universal): Man-vs-Nature thriller with Idris Elba trying to protect his daughters from a very large lion intent on protecting his own territory.
“Breaking” (Decal/Bleeker) John Boyega resurrects the spirit of “Dog Day Afternoon” in this true-life bank-robbery drama from Abi Damaris Corbin and Kwame Kwei-Armah.
“Bodies Bodies Bodies” (Lionsgate): A band of post-adolescent rich kids turn on each other, with violent consequences, in this wildly comic murder mystery. What’s perhaps most wickedly delightful about Halina Reijn’s satire with a body count is the way it plays out like a Gen Z Twitter fights, in real time, with weapons, proving that you can poke at internet culture even in a house where a thunderstorm has knocked out the WiFi.
Also available:
“Bullet Train” (Sony) Assassin Brad Pitt meets many, many other assassins and ne’er-do-wells on a bullet train, and they try to kill each other quickly.
“Beast” (Universal): Man-vs-Nature thriller with Idris Elba trying to protect his daughters from a very large lion intent on protecting his own territory.
“Breaking” (Decal/Bleeker) John Boyega resurrects the spirit of “Dog Day Afternoon” in this true-life bank-robbery drama from Abi Damaris Corbin and Kwame Kwei-Armah.
- 10/20/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Before projects like "Crazy Rich Asians," "Fresh Off The Boat," or "Everything Everywhere All At Once" rose to prominence in Hollywood, Asian Americans were rarely represented in a big way in American film or television. Despite being the third highest group of Asians represented in the United States, Filipinos are among the least represented in the country's media. It wasn't until The CW's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" from 2015 and 2022's "Easter Sunday" that Filipino families were truly put in the spotlight on American screens.
Luckily, YouTube offered an opportunity for Asian American creators to shine the spotlight on themselves. Wong Fu Productions, National Film Society, HappySlip, and many others gained prominence on the internet in the 2000s and 2010s by creating videos and cultivating a community that supported Asian American media. Many Asian Americans have since graduated to larger roles in the entertainment industry, such as Lilly Singh. She started out on...
Luckily, YouTube offered an opportunity for Asian American creators to shine the spotlight on themselves. Wong Fu Productions, National Film Society, HappySlip, and many others gained prominence on the internet in the 2000s and 2010s by creating videos and cultivating a community that supported Asian American media. Many Asian Americans have since graduated to larger roles in the entertainment industry, such as Lilly Singh. She started out on...
- 10/19/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Charles Yu’s “Interior Chinatown” is headed to the small screen as a 10-part series with the author acting as showrunner and executive producer alongside Taika Waititi, who will direct the pilot episode for Hulu.
“Silicon Valley” and “Crazy Rich Asians” actor Jimmy O. Yang is set to star.
Winner of the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, “Interior Chinatown” tells the story of Willis Wu (Yang), an extra on a procedural cop show called “Black & White” who dreams of rising through the ranks to become a leading man. When he witnesses a crime, Willis begins to look deeper into a criminal web in Chinatown, uncovering secrets about the world and his family’s history in the process.
The Hulu drama from 20th Television will also be executive produced by Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, and Elsie Choi for Rideback; Jeff Skoll and Miura Kite for Participant; and Garrett Basch for Dive.
“Silicon Valley” and “Crazy Rich Asians” actor Jimmy O. Yang is set to star.
Winner of the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, “Interior Chinatown” tells the story of Willis Wu (Yang), an extra on a procedural cop show called “Black & White” who dreams of rising through the ranks to become a leading man. When he witnesses a crime, Willis begins to look deeper into a criminal web in Chinatown, uncovering secrets about the world and his family’s history in the process.
The Hulu drama from 20th Television will also be executive produced by Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, and Elsie Choi for Rideback; Jeff Skoll and Miura Kite for Participant; and Garrett Basch for Dive.
- 10/13/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Billy Eichner’s Universal-backed comedy “Bros” flopped at the box office during its opening weekend with a 4.8 million bow, about half of the 8 million to 10 million that the studio projected. Eichner, in a now viral tweet, claimed that straight people not showing up to an LGBTQ comedy was a driving force behind “Bros” underperformance.
“Even with glowing reviews, great Rotten Tomatoes scores, an A CinemaScore, etc., straight people, especially in certain parts of the country, just didn’t show up for ‘Bros,'” Eichner wrote. “And that’s disappointing but it is what it is.”
Eichner is certainly correct that some straight moviegoers weren’t interested in the material, while homophobia about two men falling in love also likely figured in. During a recent trip to a multiplex in Georgia, for instance, this writer saw a group of men being openly homophobic by mocking the “Bros” poster for featuring...
“Even with glowing reviews, great Rotten Tomatoes scores, an A CinemaScore, etc., straight people, especially in certain parts of the country, just didn’t show up for ‘Bros,'” Eichner wrote. “And that’s disappointing but it is what it is.”
Eichner is certainly correct that some straight moviegoers weren’t interested in the material, while homophobia about two men falling in love also likely figured in. During a recent trip to a multiplex in Georgia, for instance, this writer saw a group of men being openly homophobic by mocking the “Bros” poster for featuring...
- 10/3/2022
- by Zack Sharf and William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount’s cleverly promoted horror film Smile may be full of terror and trauma, but it is the sole bright spot in the box office this weekend, opening to 22 million and coming in first place by a huge margin. The 17 million budgeted scarefest nabbed the best opening since Bullet Train nearly two months ago, beating out bigger budget and more hyped titles such as The Woman King and Don't Worry Darling. This is all from a film that was once planned to go straight to Paramount+, only changing direction and ultimately getting a 3,645 theater launch after a strong response from test audiences. Time will tell if it has the legs that The Black Phone had (grossing 89.9 million from a 23.6 million opening) and Barbarian is having, but this is a great opening even if it it plays like a more typically frontloaded horror film from here. The better than expected hold...
- 10/2/2022
- by Sam Mendelsohn <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
As the dreary fall box office continues, two new contenders have entered the fray. And though we're only halfway through the weekend, a clear winner has emerged, proving that spooky season has truly arrived.
Fresh off the heels of one horror title injecting some life into the box office comes another. The Wrap reports that "Smile," an unsettling tale of murder and contagious grins, earned 8.2 million on Friday from 3,645 locations. The film is now on its way up with an estimated 19 million opening. Come Monday morning, Paramount execs will be grinning from ear to ear (hopefully in the least creepy way possible) because this puts Parker Finn's debut film on track to turn a solid profit, considering it's modest 17 million production budget.
This stands in contrast to the debut of Universal's "Bros," a romantic comedy with an all-lgbtq+ cast that is expected to underperform. Original projections saw the...
Fresh off the heels of one horror title injecting some life into the box office comes another. The Wrap reports that "Smile," an unsettling tale of murder and contagious grins, earned 8.2 million on Friday from 3,645 locations. The film is now on its way up with an estimated 19 million opening. Come Monday morning, Paramount execs will be grinning from ear to ear (hopefully in the least creepy way possible) because this puts Parker Finn's debut film on track to turn a solid profit, considering it's modest 17 million production budget.
This stands in contrast to the debut of Universal's "Bros," a romantic comedy with an all-lgbtq+ cast that is expected to underperform. Original projections saw the...
- 10/1/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
September has been notoriously more off-kilter than normal with no movie opening north of 20 million – at least, so far. The month isn’t over, and two movies opening wide this weekend will make an effort to keep film lovers satisfied until some of the bigger holiday and awards fare. This will be a particularly interesting week since both new flicks will open in north of 3,000 theaters, and they’re so different from each other, business could essentially be split between them. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Comedian Billy Eichner made a name for himself with his “Billy on the Street” videos, first on YouTube and then on cable, where he would go up to some unassuming people on the street and yell things at them. (Maybe it’s a little more clever than that.) Eichner has come a long way, and with his new movie “Bros,...
Comedian Billy Eichner made a name for himself with his “Billy on the Street” videos, first on YouTube and then on cable, where he would go up to some unassuming people on the street and yell things at them. (Maybe it’s a little more clever than that.) Eichner has come a long way, and with his new movie “Bros,...
- 9/28/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Who doesn't love a good team-up? From the Avengers and the Justice League to Dominic Torretto's family and the Expendables, action movies tend to feature some seriously badass collections of people that unite to take down the bad guys. We may even see them team up in some pretty major ways from time to time like in "The Suicide Squad" or "Spider-Man: No Way Home." But most recently, we've seen it happen in the latest season of "Cobra Kai."
Long after they were pitted against Daniel Larusso in the first two "Karate Kid" movies, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto) have joined Daniel-san's fight against Terry Silver's new iteration of Cobra Kai in the fifth chapter of Netflix's sequel series to the beloved 1980s martial arts films. In the episode titled "Ouroboros," Johnny and Chozen march right up to the new and improved Cobra Kai dojo...
Long after they were pitted against Daniel Larusso in the first two "Karate Kid" movies, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto) have joined Daniel-san's fight against Terry Silver's new iteration of Cobra Kai in the fifth chapter of Netflix's sequel series to the beloved 1980s martial arts films. In the episode titled "Ouroboros," Johnny and Chozen march right up to the new and improved Cobra Kai dojo...
- 9/23/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Eugene Cordero, who plays Time Variance Authority employee Casey / Hunter K-5E in Disney+’s Loki, has been upped to series regular for the upcoming second season. The news was first reported by Deadline, although Marvel has yet to officially comment. Cordero appeared in three episodes of the Tom Hiddleston-led superhero series and quickly won over fans with his comedic hijinx, such as using infinity stones as paperweights and not understanding what a fish is. Cordero is known for his comedic roles, having starred as a series regular in the comedies such as Other Space and Bajillion Dollar Propertie, and more recently, Tacoma Fd and Star Trek: Lower Decks. He’s also appeared in the likes of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Grace and Frankie, The Good Place, Veep, Wrecked, and Central Park. Most recently, he starred in the 2022 comedy film Easter Sunday, about a Filipino American family. While Cordero’s part...
- 9/20/2022
- TV Insider
Exclusive: Eugene Cordero is being upped to series regular for Season 2 of the Disney+ series Loki, Deadline has learned.
Marvel declined to comment.
Cordero plays the Time Variance Authority employee “Casey” in Season 1 of the Tom Hiddleston-led series. His Tva character broke out because of his genuine confusion over what is a fish and how he uses infinity stones as paperweights. He’s in the Season 1 finale credits as “Hunter K-5E” instead of Casey.
The Filipino American actor, and comedian recently starred in Amblin Partners/Rideback’s comedy feature film Easter Sunday opposite Jo Koy. Additionally, he is a series regular on the Broken Lizard’s TruTV series Tacoma Fd.
Other notable recent spots include a role as villager “Stokez’ in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, NBC’s The Good Place, the Focus Features’ dramedy The High Note, starring Dakota Johnson and directed by Nisha Ganatra, and the SXSW film Golden Arm,...
Marvel declined to comment.
Cordero plays the Time Variance Authority employee “Casey” in Season 1 of the Tom Hiddleston-led series. His Tva character broke out because of his genuine confusion over what is a fish and how he uses infinity stones as paperweights. He’s in the Season 1 finale credits as “Hunter K-5E” instead of Casey.
The Filipino American actor, and comedian recently starred in Amblin Partners/Rideback’s comedy feature film Easter Sunday opposite Jo Koy. Additionally, he is a series regular on the Broken Lizard’s TruTV series Tacoma Fd.
Other notable recent spots include a role as villager “Stokez’ in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, NBC’s The Good Place, the Focus Features’ dramedy The High Note, starring Dakota Johnson and directed by Nisha Ganatra, and the SXSW film Golden Arm,...
- 9/19/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s Labor Day weekend, more than three months after “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount) rose to #1 in theaters over Memorial Day weekend, and it’s #1 again thanks to no competition and the September 5 boost of 3 tickets for National Cinema Day.
As for those who didn’t go to theaters, plenty of them selected “Maverick” at 19.99 to download and view at home. It spent the second of what will be likely many weeks atop all VOD charts.
Five of this weekend’s box office top 10 titles are also available on VOD. Also arriving this week are box-office leaders “Beast” (Universal) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” (Disney). “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (Sony), now available as as a lower-cost title, didn’t pop up.
Apart from “Maverick,” the charts again prove a big get for Universal. They own 14 of the 30 slots, including five of the #2 and #3 positions. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (now...
As for those who didn’t go to theaters, plenty of them selected “Maverick” at 19.99 to download and view at home. It spent the second of what will be likely many weeks atop all VOD charts.
Five of this weekend’s box office top 10 titles are also available on VOD. Also arriving this week are box-office leaders “Beast” (Universal) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” (Disney). “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (Sony), now available as as a lower-cost title, didn’t pop up.
Apart from “Maverick,” the charts again prove a big get for Universal. They own 14 of the 30 slots, including five of the #2 and #3 positions. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (now...
- 9/5/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Lengthy running times have largely confined the films of Filipino director Lav Diaz to the festival circuit: His breakthrough “Evolution of a Filipino Family” was shot over 10 years and clocked in at over 10 hours, and subsequent features like “Melancholia” and “Norte, the End of History” followed suit. Diaz has been categorized as a practitioner of “slow cinema,” and this has made his work sound even more forbidding outside hardcore cinephile circles.
But “When the Waves Are Gone,” his current feature, is surprisingly approachable and engrossing, especially in its dynamic first third when we are introduced to our two protagonists: Hermes (John Lloyd Cruz), a cop and instructor at a police academy, and Primo (Ronnie Lazaro), a former cop who has just gotten out of jail after 10 years and is seeking vengeance against Hermes for helping to get him sentenced.
Hermes is known as a master investigator, and he has a...
But “When the Waves Are Gone,” his current feature, is surprisingly approachable and engrossing, especially in its dynamic first third when we are introduced to our two protagonists: Hermes (John Lloyd Cruz), a cop and instructor at a police academy, and Primo (Ronnie Lazaro), a former cop who has just gotten out of jail after 10 years and is seeking vengeance against Hermes for helping to get him sentenced.
Hermes is known as a master investigator, and he has a...
- 9/5/2022
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
Of course, “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount/19.99) is the #1 film on all VOD charts its first week and probably will be for a good while — but it wasn’t the only success. As theatrical attendance hit new lows with no new product and aging summer hits, this might have been the biggest revenue weekend ever for home viewing platforms.
The VOD sites are now benefiting from the theatrical play summer hits including “Maverick,” “Nope” (Universal/19.99), and “DC League of Super-Pets” (Wbd). among debuting releases — none of which are available on the studios’ streaming sites. Meanwhile, Netflix seems to be counter-programming with a heavily original lineup that includes titles that may have once been intended for theaters.
Of note — “Maverick” is for sale as a digital download initially, not just a 48 hour rental. At this point after release, this would be normally, but usually after an earlier period of rental only. “Spider-Man: No Way Home...
The VOD sites are now benefiting from the theatrical play summer hits including “Maverick,” “Nope” (Universal/19.99), and “DC League of Super-Pets” (Wbd). among debuting releases — none of which are available on the studios’ streaming sites. Meanwhile, Netflix seems to be counter-programming with a heavily original lineup that includes titles that may have once been intended for theaters.
Of note — “Maverick” is for sale as a digital download initially, not just a 48 hour rental. At this point after release, this would be normally, but usually after an earlier period of rental only. “Spider-Man: No Way Home...
- 8/29/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Has the new head of DC has been found?
Dan Lin, the executive-turned-producer who counts hits such as the live-action Aladdin, The Lego Movie, and the It horror movies among his credits, is in talks to take the role of DC chief, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
The role would encompass overseeing not just film but television as well, with Lin reporting directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, according to sources.
The proposed structure would bypass three separate division heads — Warner Bros. Pictures’ heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, HBO/HBO Max chief Casey Bloys, and Warner Bros. TV chair Channing Dungey — and put control of DC in the hands of one person.
Walter Hamada, the current head of DC Films, would transition out of the role, according to sources. A Warners insider says that no negotiations are taking place and no official offer has been made,...
Dan Lin, the executive-turned-producer who counts hits such as the live-action Aladdin, The Lego Movie, and the It horror movies among his credits, is in talks to take the role of DC chief, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
The role would encompass overseeing not just film but television as well, with Lin reporting directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, according to sources.
The proposed structure would bypass three separate division heads — Warner Bros. Pictures’ heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, HBO/HBO Max chief Casey Bloys, and Warner Bros. TV chair Channing Dungey — and put control of DC in the hands of one person.
Walter Hamada, the current head of DC Films, would transition out of the role, according to sources. A Warners insider says that no negotiations are taking place and no official offer has been made,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
When Easter Sunday writer Ken Cheng recalls how the Universal film got to the big screen, the story feels oddly similar to the movie itself: celebrity cameos, narrative turns and lots of food.
“The movie’s origin story starts at a very Asian place — around food. Jo Koy and Dan Lin, the primary producer on the movie, just randomly met at a sushi bar, struck up a conversation and decided they would love to work together,” Cheng tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Sort of simultaneous to that, Steven Spielberg while on break from shooting West Side Story, is just hanging out in his trailer and turns on Jo Koy’s Netflix comedy special and falls in love with it.”
The screenwriter says that soon after, Spielberg emailed the entire Amblin partners and family entertainment staff, expressing his desire to work with Koy, resulting in a meeting between the three.
When Easter Sunday writer Ken Cheng recalls how the Universal film got to the big screen, the story feels oddly similar to the movie itself: celebrity cameos, narrative turns and lots of food.
“The movie’s origin story starts at a very Asian place — around food. Jo Koy and Dan Lin, the primary producer on the movie, just randomly met at a sushi bar, struck up a conversation and decided they would love to work together,” Cheng tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Sort of simultaneous to that, Steven Spielberg while on break from shooting West Side Story, is just hanging out in his trailer and turns on Jo Koy’s Netflix comedy special and falls in love with it.”
The screenwriter says that soon after, Spielberg emailed the entire Amblin partners and family entertainment staff, expressing his desire to work with Koy, resulting in a meeting between the three.
- 8/20/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kcet, the Los Angeles public broadcaster, announced the student finalists and eight industry judges who will take part of the 23rd Fine Cut Festival of Films. The festival will broadcast as a series of six one-hour episodes starting Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10 p.m. on Kcet in Southern California and on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11 p.m. Et/Pt on Link TV nationwide.
In addition to the student films making their broadcast debut, all winners will have their short films screened as part of a student showcase at the 2022 Newport Beach Film Festival on Oct. 20. Three winners in the categories of Documentary, Animation and Narrative short films will receive a variety of prize packages valued to be over 30,000, and the Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award will recognize one student winner’s strength as a storyteller.
An industry panel of eight esteemed experts determined the finalists and winners, including director and producer Lynne Southerland,...
In addition to the student films making their broadcast debut, all winners will have their short films screened as part of a student showcase at the 2022 Newport Beach Film Festival on Oct. 20. Three winners in the categories of Documentary, Animation and Narrative short films will receive a variety of prize packages valued to be over 30,000, and the Jack Larson Southern California Student Filmmaker Award will recognize one student winner’s strength as a storyteller.
An industry panel of eight esteemed experts determined the finalists and winners, including director and producer Lynne Southerland,...
- 8/18/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
If you don’t build it, they won’t come. With no new major titles this week, audiences chose to stay home this weekend — and for the next two months, that could be our new normal. “Bullet Train” (Sony) dropped 55 percent in its second week, but led the top 10 with a gross of 13.4 million — the lowest figure for a #1 film in over six months. Similarly, the 65 million weekend total for all films is the worst showing since early February.
Over the last four months, when studios release major films theaters respond with encouraging results — sometime spectacular, in the case of “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount). Five films passed 300 million domestic, similar to 2019 (although today’s higher ticket prices made it easier).
Grosses for the year to date are about two thirds of 2019 through the same date, but that result could prove to be the high water mark for some time — and...
Over the last four months, when studios release major films theaters respond with encouraging results — sometime spectacular, in the case of “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount). Five films passed 300 million domestic, similar to 2019 (although today’s higher ticket prices made it easier).
Grosses for the year to date are about two thirds of 2019 through the same date, but that result could prove to be the high water mark for some time — and...
- 8/14/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Sunday Am Writethru after Saturday Pm Update: Sony’s Bullet Train will have a softer second weekend ease than expected at -55 with 13.4M at No 1 in a low wattage August frame that is around 66.8M for all movies. That’s the lowest grossing weekend to date this summer, the previous low being the May 20-22 frame when Downton Abbey opened to 16M and saw all movies 75.6M. Bullet Train‘s second weekend hold is a bit better than director David Leitch’s previous summer hit, Hobbs & Shaw, which was down -58.
This weekend is also +3 from the same mid August period a year ago. Again, it’s not that nobody wants to go to the movies. It’s because there isn’t a movie that’s intriguing enough which merits a trip to the cinema.
A24 opted to go wider, but not super wide on Bodies Bodies Bodies which...
This weekend is also +3 from the same mid August period a year ago. Again, it’s not that nobody wants to go to the movies. It’s because there isn’t a movie that’s intriguing enough which merits a trip to the cinema.
A24 opted to go wider, but not super wide on Bodies Bodies Bodies which...
- 8/14/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
On Aug. 2, hours after Janet Yang was elected as the new president of the Film Academy — becoming the first Asian person to hold the position — Universal hosted the premiere for Jo Koy’s Filipino American family comedy, Easter Sunday, where insiders cheered the historic news.
“I’m so proud of her,” producer Dan Lin told THR of his friend, who was honored at the Academy Museum with a pillar dedication in June. “It is historic on so many levels, but I think she’s a fantastic choice given all of the turmoil that the Academy’s gone through. She’s the leader we need.”
Yang, whose producing credits include The Joy Luck Club and The People vs. Larry Flynt, is known as a godmother to Asian Americans working in Hollywood. Easter Sunday writer and EP Ken Cheng reported that he experienced it firsthand.
On Aug. 2, hours after Janet Yang was elected as the new president of the Film Academy — becoming the first Asian person to hold the position — Universal hosted the premiere for Jo Koy’s Filipino American family comedy, Easter Sunday, where insiders cheered the historic news.
“I’m so proud of her,” producer Dan Lin told THR of his friend, who was honored at the Academy Museum with a pillar dedication in June. “It is historic on so many levels, but I think she’s a fantastic choice given all of the turmoil that the Academy’s gone through. She’s the leader we need.”
Yang, whose producing credits include The Joy Luck Club and The People vs. Larry Flynt, is known as a godmother to Asian Americans working in Hollywood. Easter Sunday writer and EP Ken Cheng reported that he experienced it firsthand.
- 8/11/2022
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Even though "Easter Sunday" is the first mainstream Hollywood movie to prominently feature a Filipino family in a starring role, Filipinos have been around the entertainment industry in America for a long time. In addition to literally laying the foundation of Hollywood brick by brick alongside other immigrants, Filipino performers have been appearing in film, television, and theater for decades. People like Lea Salonga of "Aladdin" and "Mulan" fame and "Hook" star Dante Basco are among those Filipinos that have been grinding for years, but there are plenty more out there.
"Easter Sunday" features a number of Filipino American acting legends....
The post Easter Sunday Stars Tia Carrere and Lydia Gaston on Improv, Filipino Food, and More [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
"Easter Sunday" features a number of Filipino American acting legends....
The post Easter Sunday Stars Tia Carrere and Lydia Gaston on Improv, Filipino Food, and More [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 8/8/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Variety Film Chatter Chart debuted on Twitter on Monday, with “Bullet Train,” “Prey” and “Don’t Worry Darling” topping this week’s list of the most tweeted about movies.
Variety Film Chatter Chart, powered by Twitter, tracks the week’s top five trending titles in the world of cinema and the most buzzed about movies based on Twitter engagement. The charts also provide expert analysis of the week-to-week movement of the top films as well as a heat-map that tracks conversations around the country, and allow fans to stay up-to-date on the most newsworthy and popular movies of the season.
Other films that rose to the top of this week’s chart include “Blonde,” “Easter Sunday” and “Bodies Bodies Bodies.”
“We’re excited to build on Variety’s hugely successful partnership with Twitter by connecting with movie fans and stirring chatter around today’s biggest blockbusters,” said Dea Lawrence, Chief Operating and Marketing Officer of Variety.
Variety Film Chatter Chart, powered by Twitter, tracks the week’s top five trending titles in the world of cinema and the most buzzed about movies based on Twitter engagement. The charts also provide expert analysis of the week-to-week movement of the top films as well as a heat-map that tracks conversations around the country, and allow fans to stay up-to-date on the most newsworthy and popular movies of the season.
Other films that rose to the top of this week’s chart include “Blonde,” “Easter Sunday” and “Bodies Bodies Bodies.”
“We’re excited to build on Variety’s hugely successful partnership with Twitter by connecting with movie fans and stirring chatter around today’s biggest blockbusters,” said Dea Lawrence, Chief Operating and Marketing Officer of Variety.
- 8/8/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Another newcomer assumed the top spot of the box-office weekend as Bullet Train debuted at number one, besting the second-place film by 18.9 million.
The action/comedy/thriller starring Brad Pitt, Bullet Train debuted on top of the box-office weekend with 30.1 million. This easily sent last weekend’s number one film, DC League of Super-Pets to a distant second-place with 11.2 million. But, fear not, the super critters still have a two-week total of 45.1 million to show for their troubles. Meanwhile, Nope was relegated to third place with 8.5 million and a three-week tally of 98.0 million. Also falling a spot to finish in fourth place was Thor: Love and Thunder which added 7.6 million over the weekend to raise its five-week total to 316.1 million. Rounding out the top five was last weekend’s fourth-place film, Minions: The Rise of Gru, which managed to bring in 7.1 million over the weekend, lifting its six-week total to 334.6 million.
The action/comedy/thriller starring Brad Pitt, Bullet Train debuted on top of the box-office weekend with 30.1 million. This easily sent last weekend’s number one film, DC League of Super-Pets to a distant second-place with 11.2 million. But, fear not, the super critters still have a two-week total of 45.1 million to show for their troubles. Meanwhile, Nope was relegated to third place with 8.5 million and a three-week tally of 98.0 million. Also falling a spot to finish in fourth place was Thor: Love and Thunder which added 7.6 million over the weekend to raise its five-week total to 316.1 million. Rounding out the top five was last weekend’s fourth-place film, Minions: The Rise of Gru, which managed to bring in 7.1 million over the weekend, lifting its six-week total to 334.6 million.
- 8/8/2022
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Easter Sunday Star And EP Jimmy O. Yang On Getting The Green Light From Steven Spielberg [Interview]
Since landing his breakout role on "Silicon Valley" in 2015, Jimmy O. Yang has been on the rise. The actor, writer, and stand-up comedian from Hong Kong has appeared in a number of shows and movies over the years in various roles, including his latest cameo in "Easter Sunday." But now he's also added a new role to his repertoire: executive producer. Along with his partners at the production company Crab Club, Yang was one of the people that got the ball rolling on the dysfunctional family comedy based on the material of Filipino funny man Jo Koy.
Ahead of...
The post Easter Sunday Star And EP Jimmy O. Yang On Getting the Green Light From Steven Spielberg [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
Ahead of...
The post Easter Sunday Star And EP Jimmy O. Yang On Getting the Green Light From Steven Spielberg [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 8/7/2022
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Box office: Brad Pitt’s ‘Bullet Train’ leads with 30 million, while Jo Koy’s ‘Easter Sunday’ falters
This being the first weekend of August, we’re still in the normally lucrative summer box office season, except that the first weekend of the month, where we usually might have a strong blockbuster, we instead got a movie that continued the run of underperforming movies in late July.
Brad Pitt returned to theaters with his second movie appearance of the year, after guesting in the Sandra Bullock–Channing Tatum adventure-comedy “The Lost City” in March. Directed by David Leitch (“Deadpool 2”), Pitt’s action-comedy “Bullet Train” began its run with 4.6 million in Thursday and earlier previews, then ended up making an estimated 30.1 million in 4,357 theaters, roughly where it was projected to end up. Based on Sunday estimates, it opened with 300,000 less than his previous appearance in “The Lost City.” Bullock ended up taking a small but important role in “Bullet Train,” with the ensemble cast filled out by Aaron Taylor-Johnson,...
Brad Pitt returned to theaters with his second movie appearance of the year, after guesting in the Sandra Bullock–Channing Tatum adventure-comedy “The Lost City” in March. Directed by David Leitch (“Deadpool 2”), Pitt’s action-comedy “Bullet Train” began its run with 4.6 million in Thursday and earlier previews, then ended up making an estimated 30.1 million in 4,357 theaters, roughly where it was projected to end up. Based on Sunday estimates, it opened with 300,000 less than his previous appearance in “The Lost City.” Bullock ended up taking a small but important role in “Bullet Train,” with the ensemble cast filled out by Aaron Taylor-Johnson,...
- 8/7/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
August is the month when schools reopen and the doldrums of September loom; the further we go into the August, the smaller the box office becomes. Even so, it usually brings in about two-thirds of July, which is often the biggest month of the year. So when “Bullet Train” (Sony) opens to 30 million domestic, it’s cause for concern — especially since the next film with similar potential is likely Warner Bros. Discovery’s “Black Adam,” which opens October 21.
“Bullet Train,” budgeted at 90 million pre-marketing, will need a strong multiple to support profitability as well as exhibitors’ hopes; otherwise, this month will likely be the lowest grosser since March. After that bottoming out we’ve seen grosses increase to the point that July achieved 90 percent of the 2019 take. The hope is August openings show signs of lingering momentum.
Next weekend, we’ll know if that’s the case for “Bullet Train.
“Bullet Train,” budgeted at 90 million pre-marketing, will need a strong multiple to support profitability as well as exhibitors’ hopes; otherwise, this month will likely be the lowest grosser since March. After that bottoming out we’ve seen grosses increase to the point that July achieved 90 percent of the 2019 take. The hope is August openings show signs of lingering momentum.
Next weekend, we’ll know if that’s the case for “Bullet Train.
- 8/7/2022
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
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