Movie News
Paramount has delayed “Aang: The Last Airbender” to 2026 and moved “Transformers One” back by one week.
The animated “Avatar: The Last Airbender” spinoff was previously set for Oct. 10, 2025, and will now open on Jan. 20, 2026. Dave Bautista and Eric Nam are headlining the voice cast for the film, which is in development at Paramount and Nickelodeon Studios. Plot details haven’t been revealed, but Bautista will voice a villain character.
Lauren Montgomery, who worked on the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” television show, is directing the project with William Mata. Series creators Michael Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko are serving as executive producers alongside Eric Coleman.
Elsewhere on Paramount’s release calendar, “Transformers One” will debut on Sept. 20, 2024, instead of Sept. 13. On its new date, the animated “Transformers” adventure will play in Imax and open in theaters on the same day as Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.”
Chris Hemsworth...
The animated “Avatar: The Last Airbender” spinoff was previously set for Oct. 10, 2025, and will now open on Jan. 20, 2026. Dave Bautista and Eric Nam are headlining the voice cast for the film, which is in development at Paramount and Nickelodeon Studios. Plot details haven’t been revealed, but Bautista will voice a villain character.
Lauren Montgomery, who worked on the original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” television show, is directing the project with William Mata. Series creators Michael Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko are serving as executive producers alongside Eric Coleman.
Elsewhere on Paramount’s release calendar, “Transformers One” will debut on Sept. 20, 2024, instead of Sept. 13. On its new date, the animated “Transformers” adventure will play in Imax and open in theaters on the same day as Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.”
Chris Hemsworth...
- 4/18/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Well, this is an interesting about-face, and so much for the rumors about the recent start dates. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has decided to scrap “The Movie Critic” as his final film. He’s changed his mind; he won’t make it, and what he will substitute for his supposed tenth and final film is unclear.
According to Deadline, the rumors are true that Brad Pitt was going to star, and apparently, many of the previous members of Tarantino’s repertory company were eyeing roles, but it’s all moot now, and the film has been scrapped.
Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Scraps ’The Movie Critic’; Brad Pitt Would Have Reprised Cliff Booth Role From ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ at The Playlist.
According to Deadline, the rumors are true that Brad Pitt was going to star, and apparently, many of the previous members of Tarantino’s repertory company were eyeing roles, but it’s all moot now, and the film has been scrapped.
Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Scraps ’The Movie Critic’; Brad Pitt Would Have Reprised Cliff Booth Role From ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ at The Playlist.
- 4/17/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Coming off the massive critical success of “Killers of The Flower Moon,” Martin Scorsese is reexamining his next potential options. While it briefly seemed like Scorsese’s next movie would be an adaptation of the high seas pic “The Wager” with current muse Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) attached to star, a long-developing project from years ago seems to have circled back to his main interest.
Continue reading Martin Scorsese’s Long-Gestating ‘Sinatra’ Film With Leonardo DiCaprio Adds Jennifer Lawrence at The Playlist.
Continue reading Martin Scorsese’s Long-Gestating ‘Sinatra’ Film With Leonardo DiCaprio Adds Jennifer Lawrence at The Playlist.
- 4/17/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Steven Spielberg is one of the most influential and celebrated directors of all time. He helped define the blockbuster, established the look and feel of '80s genre fare, and gave us the best (and possibly only well-shot) big-budget studio musical of the last decade. But despite getting his start in science fiction, Spielberg has mostly distanced himself from the genre in the past decade or so.
Still, Spielberg has remained an ardent fan of the genre, praising recent gems such as "Godzilla Minus One" and proclaiming his fandom for Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two." Perhaps this has rekindled a passion for sci-fi in 77-year-old Spielberg, seeing as he's now getting ready to return to one of his favorite subjects — aliens.
According to Variety, Spielberg is likely going to "make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea." David Koepp is writing the screenplay, according to the outlet's sources.
Still, Spielberg has remained an ardent fan of the genre, praising recent gems such as "Godzilla Minus One" and proclaiming his fandom for Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two." Perhaps this has rekindled a passion for sci-fi in 77-year-old Spielberg, seeing as he's now getting ready to return to one of his favorite subjects — aliens.
According to Variety, Spielberg is likely going to "make his next project a UFO film based on his own original idea." David Koepp is writing the screenplay, according to the outlet's sources.
- 4/17/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
The Sundance Film Festival may kick the snow off its boots once and for all.
The annual celebration of independent film announced on Wednesday that it is open for pitches from cities across the United States on becoming the new permanent home of the festival starting in 2027.
Sundance has taken place in the luxury mountain haven of Park City, Utah since 1981 (except for two virtual years during the pandemic). It started off as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival in Salt Lake City in 1978. It will remain the host and headquarters of Sundance for two more years, at which point Park City’s contract with the Sundance Institute is up for renewal. Utah will remain in the mix as a continued home for Sundance.
“We are in a unique moment for our festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to...
The annual celebration of independent film announced on Wednesday that it is open for pitches from cities across the United States on becoming the new permanent home of the festival starting in 2027.
Sundance has taken place in the luxury mountain haven of Park City, Utah since 1981 (except for two virtual years during the pandemic). It started off as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival in Salt Lake City in 1978. It will remain the host and headquarters of Sundance for two more years, at which point Park City’s contract with the Sundance Institute is up for renewal. Utah will remain in the mix as a continued home for Sundance.
“We are in a unique moment for our festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to...
- 4/17/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety - Film News
Tribeca Festival has revealed its feature film lineup for its 2024 festival, which includes films from actors Lily Gladstone and Michael Cera and documentaries featuring Prince, Carlos Santana and Dolly Parton.
The opening night film is documentary “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge,” directed by Tribeca alumna Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton.
This year’s festival, which runs from June 5-16 in New York City, has a program of 103 feature films from 114 filmmakers spanning 48 countries. The lineup features 86 world premieres, two international premieres, six North American premieres and eight New York premieres.
The final selections were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 13,016 submissions. Half of the films in competition are directed by women and 35% (36) of all feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers. There are 30 films directed by first-time filmmakers and 25 directors are making their return to the annual New York film festival.
“In a year of record high submissions, despite industry-wide challenges,...
The opening night film is documentary “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge,” directed by Tribeca alumna Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton.
This year’s festival, which runs from June 5-16 in New York City, has a program of 103 feature films from 114 filmmakers spanning 48 countries. The lineup features 86 world premieres, two international premieres, six North American premieres and eight New York premieres.
The final selections were chosen from a record-breaking pool of 13,016 submissions. Half of the films in competition are directed by women and 35% (36) of all feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers. There are 30 films directed by first-time filmmakers and 25 directors are making their return to the annual New York film festival.
“In a year of record high submissions, despite industry-wide challenges,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
The documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is set to premiere globally on June 18 on Netflix. The feature-length documentary, the first of its kind to address this topic, examines the history of queer stand-up comedy as — according to its logline — “an instrument for social change over the past five decades, actively reflecting and challenging cultural norms and values.”
The film combines stand-up performances and talking head interviews, as well as archival materials featuring LGBTQ+ comedians, and includes Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Suzy Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Bob The Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel.
Historians interviewed for the documentary include Dave Holmes, Roger Mason, Shar Jossell, Susan Stryker and Kate Aurthur, Variety‘s Editor-at-Large.
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. “I’m excited for the film to premiere, particularly at this time, because comedy has the power to unite, and...
The film combines stand-up performances and talking head interviews, as well as archival materials featuring LGBTQ+ comedians, and includes Lily Tomlin, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Suzy Izzard, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Bob The Drag Queen and Trixie Mattel.
Historians interviewed for the documentary include Dave Holmes, Roger Mason, Shar Jossell, Susan Stryker and Kate Aurthur, Variety‘s Editor-at-Large.
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. “I’m excited for the film to premiere, particularly at this time, because comedy has the power to unite, and...
- 4/17/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - Film News
The Cannes Film Festival will award legendary Japanese anime house Studio Ghibli with its honorary Palme d’Or this year, the first time Cannes has given its highest award to a company instead of an individual.
“For the first time in our history, it’s not a person but an institution that we have chosen to celebrate,” said Cannes Festival president Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Frémaux, announcing the honor on Wednesday. They praised Ghibli’s animated features as filled with characters who “populate our imaginations with prolific, colorful universes and sensitive, engaging narrations. With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity.”
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Studio Ghibli has in the past 40 years, “achieved what seemed to be an impossible feat: Independently producing pure masterpieces and conquering the mass market,” the festival said.
“For the first time in our history, it’s not a person but an institution that we have chosen to celebrate,” said Cannes Festival president Iris Knobloch and general delegate Thierry Frémaux, announcing the honor on Wednesday. They praised Ghibli’s animated features as filled with characters who “populate our imaginations with prolific, colorful universes and sensitive, engaging narrations. With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity.”
Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Studio Ghibli has in the past 40 years, “achieved what seemed to be an impossible feat: Independently producing pure masterpieces and conquering the mass market,” the festival said.
- 4/17/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Talk about nepotism. “Abigail,” a blood-sucking thriller about the daughter of Dracula, arguably the most famous vampire in history, is poised to lead at the domestic box office.
The R-rated movie, from Universal Pictures, is aiming for $12 million to $15 million from 3,300 North American theaters in its first weekend of release. But “Abigail” first has to fend off last weekend’s champion, A24’s “Civil War,” before taking the box office crown. The provocative thriller debuted last weekend with $25.8 million and looks to bring in $10 million to $12 million in its sophomore outing.
Based on projections, “Abigail” will, however, dance circles around two fellow newcomers, director Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” and Crunchyroll’s anime adventure “Spy x Family Code: White.” Those films are targeting $5 million to $6 million, though rivals have pegged ticket sales ever-so-slightly higher at $8 million.
“Abigail” is based on Universal’s classic 1936 monster film “Dracula’s Daughter...
The R-rated movie, from Universal Pictures, is aiming for $12 million to $15 million from 3,300 North American theaters in its first weekend of release. But “Abigail” first has to fend off last weekend’s champion, A24’s “Civil War,” before taking the box office crown. The provocative thriller debuted last weekend with $25.8 million and looks to bring in $10 million to $12 million in its sophomore outing.
Based on projections, “Abigail” will, however, dance circles around two fellow newcomers, director Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” and Crunchyroll’s anime adventure “Spy x Family Code: White.” Those films are targeting $5 million to $6 million, though rivals have pegged ticket sales ever-so-slightly higher at $8 million.
“Abigail” is based on Universal’s classic 1936 monster film “Dracula’s Daughter...
- 4/17/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
There’s something about a doppelganger that feels uniquely cinematic. A person who looks like you, thinks like you, and maybe even lives like you has always been a subject of fascination and dread in literature and philosophy, a concept that raises questions about individuality and the collective. But on the screen, seeing the effect of one person mimicked and duplicated proves all the more uncanny and unnerving. Science fiction, horror, and a multitude of other genres have used duality as a means to terrify, unsettle, and provoke.
And then, of course, there’s the acting challenge. For an experienced actor or an up-and-comer alike, playing dual roles is the ultimate flex, a way to show your range in a single project. Whether playing twins or identical strangers, an actor who takes on a dual role has to manage the trick of being both an individual and a duo, of...
And then, of course, there’s the acting challenge. For an experienced actor or an up-and-comer alike, playing dual roles is the ultimate flex, a way to show your range in a single project. Whether playing twins or identical strangers, an actor who takes on a dual role has to manage the trick of being both an individual and a duo, of...
- 4/19/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
The intrigue surrounding the fate of Paramount deepened on Thursday after it emerged that Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management were said to be discussing whether to make a bid for the studio.
While exclusive negotiations are ongoing between David Ellison’s Skydance Media, Redbird Capital and Paramount Global majority shareholder National Amusements, The New York Times reported on the Sony development.
It is understood no bid has been submitted, but the Times said Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra held talks with Apollo last week as they weigh up an all-cash offer for Paramount’s outstanding stock that would effectively take the studio private.
While exclusive negotiations are ongoing between David Ellison’s Skydance Media, Redbird Capital and Paramount Global majority shareholder National Amusements, The New York Times reported on the Sony development.
It is understood no bid has been submitted, but the Times said Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra held talks with Apollo last week as they weigh up an all-cash offer for Paramount’s outstanding stock that would effectively take the studio private.
- 4/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
End of an era, end of a business model, end of a gravy train, end of the world. There were plenty of mixed emotions this week in response to the closure of Oscar-winning production company Participant, and at the very least the industry has agreed something has come to an end.
When Variety broke the news Tuesday that billionaire Jeff Skoll’s 20-year-old company will shut down — after fetching 21 Oscars and introducing a business model that prioritized social impact a bit more than profits – many in the industry were rattled. Not just that mid-level, standalone financier and producer had left the market, but what that means for the viability of movies and TV shows that ask vital questions about justice and the humanity’s future.
“The end of Participant Media is devastating news to anyone who cares about documentaries,” director Julie Cohen wrote bluntly on X. She’s the co-director...
When Variety broke the news Tuesday that billionaire Jeff Skoll’s 20-year-old company will shut down — after fetching 21 Oscars and introducing a business model that prioritized social impact a bit more than profits – many in the industry were rattled. Not just that mid-level, standalone financier and producer had left the market, but what that means for the viability of movies and TV shows that ask vital questions about justice and the humanity’s future.
“The end of Participant Media is devastating news to anyone who cares about documentaries,” director Julie Cohen wrote bluntly on X. She’s the co-director...
- 4/19/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety - Film News
For readers of Alexandre Dumas’ novel, extravagant French adaptation “The Three Musketeers – Part II: Milady” packs its share of surprises: killing off important characters, sparing others and reimagining allegiances that have stood for nearly two centuries. For viewers of “Part I: D’Artagnan,” however, this swashbuckling sequel feels totally in keeping with what came before. Even the twists track, paying off what amounts to a nearly four-hour investment (not counting however many months audiences may have waited to see how the story ends).
Loyalty — to the crown, to one another, but not necessarily to the source material — remains the driving theme of director Martin Bourboulon’s blockbuster treatment, which tapped French megastars Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï and Romain Duris as titular trio Athos, Porthos and Aramis. The second film opens with fourth musketeer D’Artagnan (François Civil) in a coffin, though he’s not dead, merely captured by traitors who...
Loyalty — to the crown, to one another, but not necessarily to the source material — remains the driving theme of director Martin Bourboulon’s blockbuster treatment, which tapped French megastars Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï and Romain Duris as titular trio Athos, Porthos and Aramis. The second film opens with fourth musketeer D’Artagnan (François Civil) in a coffin, though he’s not dead, merely captured by traitors who...
- 4/19/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety - Film News
Universal Studios Hollywood will host a new live show, “The Fall Guy Stuntacular Pre-Show,” inspired by 87North’s new film “The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. The live show, a part of the theme park’s Waterworld attraction, will open April 27 and end May 19.
The entertainment performance features an original storyline that provides a peek behind the curtain of how stunt performances are designed and brought to life and will use the existing Waterworld set.
In a promotional video shared Thursday, “Fall Guy” actor Hannah Waddingham presents the live-show idea as a pitch to Gosling, Blunt and David Leitch, the director of the movie and a former stuntman. Leitch says “I smell a live show!” after seeing the still of Blunt and Gosling riding a motorcycle next to a shark and a bus full of Universal Studio goers.
The show is produced by 87North Productions, a production...
The entertainment performance features an original storyline that provides a peek behind the curtain of how stunt performances are designed and brought to life and will use the existing Waterworld set.
In a promotional video shared Thursday, “Fall Guy” actor Hannah Waddingham presents the live-show idea as a pitch to Gosling, Blunt and David Leitch, the director of the movie and a former stuntman. Leitch says “I smell a live show!” after seeing the still of Blunt and Gosling riding a motorcycle next to a shark and a bus full of Universal Studio goers.
The show is produced by 87North Productions, a production...
- 4/19/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - Film News
Amblin’s film adaptation of Richard Osman’s novel “The Thursday Murder Club” is finally taking shape, with “Harry Potter” and “Home Alone” filmmaker Chris Columbus set to direct.
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley are being eyed for three of the four lead roles in the project.
The book, released in 2020, tells the story of four septuagenarian friends who live in a retirement community and solve cold cases for fun. When a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live crime.
Publishing rights for the book were sold in the biggest debut novel deal for a decade. Amblin Partners scored worldwide rights to the film after a competitive auction that attracted interest from 14 studios.
It’s been a strong year for Amblin, whose series “Masters of the Air” launched with more viewers in its opening weekend than any Apple...
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley are being eyed for three of the four lead roles in the project.
The book, released in 2020, tells the story of four septuagenarian friends who live in a retirement community and solve cold cases for fun. When a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live crime.
Publishing rights for the book were sold in the biggest debut novel deal for a decade. Amblin Partners scored worldwide rights to the film after a competitive auction that attracted interest from 14 studios.
It’s been a strong year for Amblin, whose series “Masters of the Air” launched with more viewers in its opening weekend than any Apple...
- 4/19/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
What do you do if you're making a true crime documentary for Netflix, but you don't have enough good-quality photos of the murderer? Well, you can shoot re-enactment footage with an actor (with text to make it clear that it's a re-enactment). You can use illustrations or even animation. What you probably shouldn't do is use AI to plug the gaps, resulting in photos of the killer with nightmarish teeth and hands from the fourth dimension.
Unfortunately, that's exactly what the filmmakers behind "What Jennifer Did," a 90-minute documentary about Jennifer Pan's kill-for-hire attack on her own parents, decided to do. The results, as seen above and below, were disturbing, to say the least. While it's been widely speculated that the images are entirely AI-generated, it's also possible that an AI photo enhancer like Remini or VanceAI was used on poor-quality photos to try and restore them, resulting in...
Unfortunately, that's exactly what the filmmakers behind "What Jennifer Did," a 90-minute documentary about Jennifer Pan's kill-for-hire attack on her own parents, decided to do. The results, as seen above and below, were disturbing, to say the least. While it's been widely speculated that the images are entirely AI-generated, it's also possible that an AI photo enhancer like Remini or VanceAI was used on poor-quality photos to try and restore them, resulting in...
- 4/18/2024
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
This article contains massive spoilers for "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare."
With hindsight being 20/20 and all, it's ironic that the cultural nickname for World War I was "The Great War," given the existence of World War II. While no war in history has ever been "great" in the truest sense of the word, WWII's seemingly evergreen impact on just about every aspect of modern life, not to mention art, makes it the clear cultural victor. To wit, not only are films, television shows, books, and other works related to that war being produced today, but they remain incredibly popular — after all, a WWII-set movie just won Best Picture at this year's Oscars.
What's perhaps extra wild is that not only is WWII-themed art still viable, but there are corners of the war's history that remain largely unexplored. One of these corners is Operation Postmaster, the British special operation undertaken on...
With hindsight being 20/20 and all, it's ironic that the cultural nickname for World War I was "The Great War," given the existence of World War II. While no war in history has ever been "great" in the truest sense of the word, WWII's seemingly evergreen impact on just about every aspect of modern life, not to mention art, makes it the clear cultural victor. To wit, not only are films, television shows, books, and other works related to that war being produced today, but they remain incredibly popular — after all, a WWII-set movie just won Best Picture at this year's Oscars.
What's perhaps extra wild is that not only is WWII-themed art still viable, but there are corners of the war's history that remain largely unexplored. One of these corners is Operation Postmaster, the British special operation undertaken on...
- 4/18/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos has pushed back against a recent press report and said Netflix would not be reducing the number or quality of its features under new film head Dan Lin.
“There is no appetite to make fewer films,” Sarandos told a first quarter earnings call after an analyst asked about a recent article in The New York Times which said Lin would make “better, cheaper and less frequent” films.
The executive noted neither Lin nor any Netflix executive had taken part in the article, adding: “ut there is an unlimited appetite to make better films, always, even though...
“There is no appetite to make fewer films,” Sarandos told a first quarter earnings call after an analyst asked about a recent article in The New York Times which said Lin would make “better, cheaper and less frequent” films.
The executive noted neither Lin nor any Netflix executive had taken part in the article, adding: “ut there is an unlimited appetite to make better films, always, even though...
- 4/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
It’s season finale time for networks, but Netflix, naturally, still has plenty of brand new TV and shows coming in May.
Jeff Daniels makes his TV return in the David E. Kelley series “A Man in Full.” That six-episode series is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Tom Wolfe. Per a press release: “When Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker faces sudden bankruptcy, political and business interests collide as Charlie defends his empire from those attempting to capitalize on his fall from grace.” The series will also star Tom Pelphrey, Diane Lane, Lucy Liu, William Jackson Harper, Aml Ameen, Sarah Jones, Jon Michael Hill and Chanté Adams.
Additionally, comedy fans can get excited for a new special series from John Mulaney. The comedian is hosting a multi-night event, “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA,” that looks to be part interview show and part man-on-the-street hijinks.
Jeff Daniels makes his TV return in the David E. Kelley series “A Man in Full.” That six-episode series is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Tom Wolfe. Per a press release: “When Atlanta real estate mogul Charlie Croker faces sudden bankruptcy, political and business interests collide as Charlie defends his empire from those attempting to capitalize on his fall from grace.” The series will also star Tom Pelphrey, Diane Lane, Lucy Liu, William Jackson Harper, Aml Ameen, Sarah Jones, Jon Michael Hill and Chanté Adams.
Additionally, comedy fans can get excited for a new special series from John Mulaney. The comedian is hosting a multi-night event, “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA,” that looks to be part interview show and part man-on-the-street hijinks.
- 4/18/2024
- by Erin Strecker
- Indiewire
As Netflix’s new film chief, Dan Lin’s mandate is to focus on quality — and quantity.
Netflix’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos shed light on Lin’s strategy as the producer takes over film duties from Scott Stuber, who announced in January he was leaving the streamer.
“There is no appetite to make fewer films, but there is an unlimited appetite to make better films, always,” Sarandos said during the company’s Q1 earnings call. “Even though we have made, and we are making, great films. We want to make them better, of course.”
He was responding to a recent New York Times article, which reported that Lin aims to “improve the quality of the movies and produce a wider spectrum of films — at different budget levels — the better to appeal to the varied interests of Netflix’s 260 million subscribers.”
Though Sarandos mostly echoed those sentiments, he made a point...
Netflix’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos shed light on Lin’s strategy as the producer takes over film duties from Scott Stuber, who announced in January he was leaving the streamer.
“There is no appetite to make fewer films, but there is an unlimited appetite to make better films, always,” Sarandos said during the company’s Q1 earnings call. “Even though we have made, and we are making, great films. We want to make them better, of course.”
He was responding to a recent New York Times article, which reported that Lin aims to “improve the quality of the movies and produce a wider spectrum of films — at different budget levels — the better to appeal to the varied interests of Netflix’s 260 million subscribers.”
Though Sarandos mostly echoed those sentiments, he made a point...
- 4/18/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
In the spirit of springtime renewal, the Durham, North Carolina-based Full Frame Documentary Film Festival returned to in-person mode for the first time since 2019. And while Full Frame presented virtual versions from 2020 through 2022, the festival was canceled altogether last year, due in large part to fiscal struggles undermining its parent, the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. An April 2023 report in Duke’s The Chronicle indicated that the university would undertake a review of the Center. Members of the festival’s Advisory Committee circulated a petition on social media, helping to assure the festival’s return and, a […]
The post “…With the Giddy Feel of a College Reunion”: The Fun Frame Documentary Film Festival Returns first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “…With the Giddy Feel of a College Reunion”: The Fun Frame Documentary Film Festival Returns first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/18/2024
- by Tom White
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Film Independent has set the date of Saturday, Feb. 22 for the 40th Spirit Awards. The awards come a few weeks ahead of the March 2 Oscars date.
“For 40 years, the Spirit Awards have been the beacon for bold and original independent storytelling,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “As we commemorate this significant milestone, we look forward to celebrating with the independent creative community on February 22nd.”
The Spirit Awards nominee brunch will take place on Jan. 4.
Seattle Film Festival Sets Lineup, Opening With ‘Thelma’
The Seattle International Film Festival has revealed its lineup for the 50th edition, which takes place May 9–19 at venues across Seattle and followed by a week of select virtual screenings on the Siff Channel May 20–27. The program includes 261 films representing 84 countries and regions, including 92 features, 47 documentaries, five archival features, two special tributes, two secret screenings and 115 short films.
The festival will open with Josh Margolin...
“For 40 years, the Spirit Awards have been the beacon for bold and original independent storytelling,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “As we commemorate this significant milestone, we look forward to celebrating with the independent creative community on February 22nd.”
The Spirit Awards nominee brunch will take place on Jan. 4.
Seattle Film Festival Sets Lineup, Opening With ‘Thelma’
The Seattle International Film Festival has revealed its lineup for the 50th edition, which takes place May 9–19 at venues across Seattle and followed by a week of select virtual screenings on the Siff Channel May 20–27. The program includes 261 films representing 84 countries and regions, including 92 features, 47 documentaries, five archival features, two special tributes, two secret screenings and 115 short films.
The festival will open with Josh Margolin...
- 4/18/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Selena Kuznikov and Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
2023 may yet be remembered as the year the superhero movie died. Peyton Reed's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" was released in February 2023 and was the first notable comic book-based bomb of the year. The film was notoriously re-jiggered throughout its production, with massive and expensive SFX being finalized up to the last minute. The official budget ballooned to $200 million, although separate reports have pegged the price tag as being closer to that of Disney's notorious box office misfire "John Carter" (which cost $263 million to make). "Quantumania" still grossed $464 million, but that's considered low for a Marvel movie.
Throughout 2023, more bombs dropped as superhero movies either lost money or were considered disappointments. "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," "The Flash," "Blue Beetle," "The Marvels," and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" all tanked, and while many went to see "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3," it felt like the last kick in a closing series.
Throughout 2023, more bombs dropped as superhero movies either lost money or were considered disappointments. "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," "The Flash," "Blue Beetle," "The Marvels," and "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" all tanked, and while many went to see "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3," it felt like the last kick in a closing series.
- 4/18/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
If the most terrifying horror monsters are the ones that most reflect real-life terror, then cinematic cannibals might be the most terrifying monsters of all. Unlike vampires, werewolves, or ghosts, cannibals on film are fully flesh-and-blood humans — just with a taste for the flesh and blood of other humans. The garishness of the act makes cannibalism a perfect subject for shock horror, and the cannibal film fully came alive in the ’70s and ’80s via low-budget splatter triumphs like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Cannibal Holocaust,” which pitted their protagonists against horrific waves of flesh eaters.
In recent years, cannibalism has had a bit of a “moment” — on film, at least. As The New York Times pointed out in 2022, a wave of movies, TV shows, and books exploring cannibalism has emerged in popular culture, from “Yellowjackets” to “Bones and All” to “Fresh.” Many of these projects use the practice as...
In recent years, cannibalism has had a bit of a “moment” — on film, at least. As The New York Times pointed out in 2022, a wave of movies, TV shows, and books exploring cannibalism has emerged in popular culture, from “Yellowjackets” to “Bones and All” to “Fresh.” Many of these projects use the practice as...
- 4/18/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos says “there’s no appetite to make fewer films” at the streamer under the new film chief Dan Lin, disputing a recent New York Times article that said Netflix would move forward valuing quality over quantity and audience engagement over auteurs.
Sarandos on Thursday’s Netflix Q1 earnings call responded to a piece this week in the New York Times that said “the aim is to make Netflix’s movies better, cheaper and less frequent.”
“That was not a quote from Dan, and I would say that nor did we participate in that article. There is no appetite to make fewer films,” Sarandos responded. “But there is an unlimited appetite to make better films always, even though we have made and are making great films, we want to make them better of course.”
Lin joined Netflix at the start of April to replace Scott Stuber, who...
Sarandos on Thursday’s Netflix Q1 earnings call responded to a piece this week in the New York Times that said “the aim is to make Netflix’s movies better, cheaper and less frequent.”
“That was not a quote from Dan, and I would say that nor did we participate in that article. There is no appetite to make fewer films,” Sarandos responded. “But there is an unlimited appetite to make better films always, even though we have made and are making great films, we want to make them better of course.”
Lin joined Netflix at the start of April to replace Scott Stuber, who...
- 4/18/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Kevin Hart and his global entertainment company Hartbeat have signed with WME for representation in all areas.
Hart will continue to develop, star in and produce feature films, television, commercials, and podcasts via Hartbeat. Hart was represented by WME for comedy touring, and is now expanding his relationship with the agency. The move to WME comes as Hart and Hartbeat continue to expand their portfolio of multi-platform IP.
Hart, who was named by Billboard as the highest grossing comedian in 2023, recently announced his “Acting My Age” tour.
Last month, he received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy, as the 25th recipient and the youngest honoree to date. Hart has received multiple Grammy and Emmy award nominations over his decades-spanning career and is also a two-time New York Times best selling author.
A successful entrepreneur, Hart is chairman of Hartbeat, which develops, creates, distributes, and markets...
Hart will continue to develop, star in and produce feature films, television, commercials, and podcasts via Hartbeat. Hart was represented by WME for comedy touring, and is now expanding his relationship with the agency. The move to WME comes as Hart and Hartbeat continue to expand their portfolio of multi-platform IP.
Hart, who was named by Billboard as the highest grossing comedian in 2023, recently announced his “Acting My Age” tour.
Last month, he received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy, as the 25th recipient and the youngest honoree to date. Hart has received multiple Grammy and Emmy award nominations over his decades-spanning career and is also a two-time New York Times best selling author.
A successful entrepreneur, Hart is chairman of Hartbeat, which develops, creates, distributes, and markets...
- 4/18/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Represent Justice, the organization that began as an impact campaign for Destin Daniel Cretton’s wrongful-conviction drama, Just Mercy, announced today via press release a three-year strategic plan, “a roadmap for building narrative power and infrastructure around people impacted by incarceration and creating a justice system that is focused on healing, rather than punishment.” New this year is the Speakers Bureau, which will represent “the extraordinary ecosystem of system-impacted movement leaders, exonerees, artists, campaign leaders, filmmakers, and film participants who work in partnership with Represent Justice to transform the legal system. The Represent Justice Speakers Bureau will be a full-service bureau […]
The post Represent Justice Announces New Speakers Bureau, Strategic Plan and Impact Campaign Around Clemency for Women Impacted by Mandatory Minimum Sentences first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Represent Justice Announces New Speakers Bureau, Strategic Plan and Impact Campaign Around Clemency for Women Impacted by Mandatory Minimum Sentences first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/18/2024
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Netflix’s global membership climbed by 9.3m to 269.6m in the first quarter of 2024 and revenue increased 14.8% year-on-year to $9.4bn, beating analysts’ expectations on both counts.
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics” like revenue, operating income, profit, earnings per share, and free cash flow.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, causing stock to fall more than 5% after closing to $581.
However Q1 numbers were strong. Operating income grew by 54% from $1.7bn in Q1 2023 to $2.6bn, and operating margin...
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics” like revenue, operating income, profit, earnings per share, and free cash flow.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, causing stock to fall more than 5% after closing to $581.
However Q1 numbers were strong. Operating income grew by 54% from $1.7bn in Q1 2023 to $2.6bn, and operating margin...
- 4/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Netflix’s global membership climbed by 9.33m to 269.6m in the first quarter of 2024 and revenue increased 14.8% year-on-year to $9.4bn, beating analysts’ expectations on both counts.
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics” like revenue, operating income, profit, earnings per share, and free cash flow.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, causing stock to fall more than 5% after closing to $581.
However Q1 numbers were strong. Operating income grew by 54% from $1.7bn in Q1 2023 to $2.6bn, and operating margin...
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics” like revenue, operating income, profit, earnings per share, and free cash flow.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, causing stock to fall more than 5% after closing to $581.
However Q1 numbers were strong. Operating income grew by 54% from $1.7bn in Q1 2023 to $2.6bn, and operating margin...
- 4/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Netflix’s global membership climbed by 9.33m to 269.6m in the first quarter of 2024 and revenue increased 14.8% year-on-year to $9.4bn, beating analysts’ expectations on both counts.
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics”: revenue and operating margin, as well as engagement.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, leading stock to fall after closing.
The company noted that with more than two people per household on average, its global audience is now close to half a billion.
Operating...
The streamer said starting in Q1 2025 it will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and average revenue per member and focus on its “primary financial metrics”: revenue and operating margin, as well as engagement.
Q2 revenue guidance of $9.49bn was below Wall Street estimates, leading stock to fall after closing.
The company noted that with more than two people per household on average, its global audience is now close to half a billion.
Operating...
- 4/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
"Abigail" is hitting theaters this weekend, bringing audiences a new vampire film to sink their teeth into. With that in mind, we're turning to the granddaddy of all vampires, Dracula! There are a lot of Dracula movies. Too many to Count, in fact (pun intended). Dracula has been to space ("Dracula 3000"). Dracula has turned out to be Judas Iscariot ("Dracula 2000"). Dracula has been to the Old West ("Billy the Kid Versus Dracula").
Hell, Dracula has been with us more or less since horror movies began (with the unauthorized adaptation "Nosferatu"). With that in mind, it's probably impossible to make a comprehensive list of every Dracula movie. So we're not even going to try to do that. Instead, we're going to list the five best Dracula movies, ranked. With so many Drac-centric flicks out there, any list like this is bound to be controversial. If your personal favorite Dracula movie didn't make the list,...
Hell, Dracula has been with us more or less since horror movies began (with the unauthorized adaptation "Nosferatu"). With that in mind, it's probably impossible to make a comprehensive list of every Dracula movie. So we're not even going to try to do that. Instead, we're going to list the five best Dracula movies, ranked. With so many Drac-centric flicks out there, any list like this is bound to be controversial. If your personal favorite Dracula movie didn't make the list,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
The shocking news that Participant, a leading producer of specialized/independent features with a socially relevant interest as well many top documentaries, is shutting down immediately hit the industry hard Tuesday. With a profile of co-produced films over the last 20 years that rivals any other company’s slate, this was devastating news.
Founder and owner Jeff Skoll’s decision to shut down his company will impact the production of a certain kind of specialized film, particularly in the documentary field. Never a distributor, and most often collaborating with other production companies, Participant was still a significant force for most of its two decades.
But what’s the real impact of this move? Jonathan Dana, a veteran distribution executive and producer, commented, “It didn’t fail. It just ran its course.” That typifies much of the insider reaction, which relates to the specific purpose and goals of the company.
‘Spotlight’ © Open...
Founder and owner Jeff Skoll’s decision to shut down his company will impact the production of a certain kind of specialized film, particularly in the documentary field. Never a distributor, and most often collaborating with other production companies, Participant was still a significant force for most of its two decades.
But what’s the real impact of this move? Jonathan Dana, a veteran distribution executive and producer, commented, “It didn’t fail. It just ran its course.” That typifies much of the insider reaction, which relates to the specific purpose and goals of the company.
‘Spotlight’ © Open...
- 4/18/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Martin Scorsese fans might have experienced a bit of deja vu after Variety exclusively reported that a Frank Sinatra biopic is one of two films the Oscar-winning director is planning to shoot back to back. The other is a movie about Jesus, the director’s second after 1988’s “The Last Temptation of Christ.” But it’s the Sinatra biopic that has long been a white whale of sorts for Scorsese.
Per Variety’s report, Scorsese’s Sinatra movie is eyeing his longtime muse Leonardo DiCaprio to star as the crooner — and the actor’s “Don’t Look Up” co-star Jennifer Lawrence to play his second wife, the famous Hollywood actress Ava Gardner (who factored into Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and was played by Kate Beckinsale). Sony is reportedly the frontrunner to nab the project, which Scorsese once tried and failed to get off the ground several years ago.
Back during his...
Per Variety’s report, Scorsese’s Sinatra movie is eyeing his longtime muse Leonardo DiCaprio to star as the crooner — and the actor’s “Don’t Look Up” co-star Jennifer Lawrence to play his second wife, the famous Hollywood actress Ava Gardner (who factored into Scorsese’s “The Aviator” and was played by Kate Beckinsale). Sony is reportedly the frontrunner to nab the project, which Scorsese once tried and failed to get off the ground several years ago.
Back during his...
- 4/18/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Netflix added a whopping 9.33 million subscribers in the first quarter of the year, an impressive figure that blew away Wall Street’s expectations. We now know it has just shy of 270 million subscribers worldwide.
Well, don’t get used to it. 2024 is the last year Netflix will share publicly how many subscribers it added or lost in a given quarter during its quarterly earnings reports, the company announced on Thursday to kick off its fiscal 2024.
The streamer writes that beginning in Q1 2025, Netflix will “stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and Arm,” which stands for “average revenue per membership.” So not only will we not know each quarter how many subscribers Netflix has at a given moment, we also won’t know how much revenue it made off each of those subscribers.
The company explains it’s now focused on revenue, operating margins, and engagement (time spent on Netflix) as its main barometers for success.
Well, don’t get used to it. 2024 is the last year Netflix will share publicly how many subscribers it added or lost in a given quarter during its quarterly earnings reports, the company announced on Thursday to kick off its fiscal 2024.
The streamer writes that beginning in Q1 2025, Netflix will “stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and Arm,” which stands for “average revenue per membership.” So not only will we not know each quarter how many subscribers Netflix has at a given moment, we also won’t know how much revenue it made off each of those subscribers.
The company explains it’s now focused on revenue, operating margins, and engagement (time spent on Netflix) as its main barometers for success.
- 4/18/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Netflix added 9.33 million subscribers in the first quarter of 2024, for which Wall Street had anticipated 4.9 million net adds. That’s a legit wow, as is Netflix’s new grand total of 269.60 million global paid subscribers.
Sure, Netflix added more than 13 million subs in the prior quarter, but in the last Q1, the company added fewer than 2 million subscribers. Things have been going very well for Netflix as of late. A year ago, shares in Netflix (Nflx) traded around $331; today, they closed at $611.15. After hours, the Nflx share price declined due to the company’s Q2 earnings forecasts not burning as bright.
And perhaps this also didn’t help: Next year, Netflix is making some major changes to how it reports its membership. The company said in today’s shareholder letter it will no longer report its subscriber tally on a quarterly basis, rather it will just announce “major subscriber milestones” as it crosses them.
Sure, Netflix added more than 13 million subs in the prior quarter, but in the last Q1, the company added fewer than 2 million subscribers. Things have been going very well for Netflix as of late. A year ago, shares in Netflix (Nflx) traded around $331; today, they closed at $611.15. After hours, the Nflx share price declined due to the company’s Q2 earnings forecasts not burning as bright.
And perhaps this also didn’t help: Next year, Netflix is making some major changes to how it reports its membership. The company said in today’s shareholder letter it will no longer report its subscriber tally on a quarterly basis, rather it will just announce “major subscriber milestones” as it crosses them.
- 4/18/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
When Wattpad Webtoon Studios was preparing to release the drama “Float” this year, author Kate Marchant asked for a little help from her fans. The Lionsgate film was based on her story, and now she presented three movie posters to her followers, asking them to pick their favorite.
“I can feel your readers shifting in their seats,” Aron Levitz, president of Wattpad Webtoon Studios, says with a laugh. “All those creative execs are going, ‘Wait a minute, people knew about it before it went out? Are you sure that’s Ok?’”
For Levitz, the answer is a resounding yes. His company is shaking up the traditional approach to creating film and TV adaptations by putting the power in the hands of fans.
Just last month, the third movie in the “Through My Window” series, adapted from Wattpad author Ariana Godoy’s webnovels, dominated the Netflix film charts, amassing 14 million views...
“I can feel your readers shifting in their seats,” Aron Levitz, president of Wattpad Webtoon Studios, says with a laugh. “All those creative execs are going, ‘Wait a minute, people knew about it before it went out? Are you sure that’s Ok?’”
For Levitz, the answer is a resounding yes. His company is shaking up the traditional approach to creating film and TV adaptations by putting the power in the hands of fans.
Just last month, the third movie in the “Through My Window” series, adapted from Wattpad author Ariana Godoy’s webnovels, dominated the Netflix film charts, amassing 14 million views...
- 4/18/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Based on the marketing, you might think “Challengers” is at its core, a tennis movie and, well, it sort of is. The film is certainly set in the world of tennis, you can’t deny that, and at one point, Zendaya’s character Tashi Duncan remarks, “We’re always talking about tennis.” The sport is at the center of her life. But despite everyone involved’s best efforts, the serves and volleys in this movie are nowhere near as important as the decade-long love triangle between Tashi and one-time BFFs, Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson, played by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, respectively.
Continue reading ‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya Rules This Love Triangle at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya Rules This Love Triangle at The Playlist.
- 4/18/2024
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Melissa Etheridge and Danny Trejo are among the co-chairs of this year’s Mobilize Recovery initiative.
Kicking off from Los Angeles on Sept. 20, Mobilize Recovery Across America 2024 will depart on a cross-country bus tour, stopping in 15 cities during September and October. At each stop, community members, partners, and volunteers will offer community trainings, listening sessions, overdose response supports, and they will engage local policymakers and communities on issues that matter to the recovery movement.
“Building community is at the heart of the recovery movement,” Mobilize Recovery executive director Ryan Hampton said in a statement Thursday. “This tour will help center the voices, experiences and hard work of local communities across the country who are on the frontlines of America’s addiction and mental health crisis. Each person’s recovery journey is unique and should be celebrated. Through this unifying experience, we hope to shine a light on their stories — and...
Kicking off from Los Angeles on Sept. 20, Mobilize Recovery Across America 2024 will depart on a cross-country bus tour, stopping in 15 cities during September and October. At each stop, community members, partners, and volunteers will offer community trainings, listening sessions, overdose response supports, and they will engage local policymakers and communities on issues that matter to the recovery movement.
“Building community is at the heart of the recovery movement,” Mobilize Recovery executive director Ryan Hampton said in a statement Thursday. “This tour will help center the voices, experiences and hard work of local communities across the country who are on the frontlines of America’s addiction and mental health crisis. Each person’s recovery journey is unique and should be celebrated. Through this unifying experience, we hope to shine a light on their stories — and...
- 4/18/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety - Film News
Los Angeles film and TV production has begun to rebound from last year’s strikes, but still remains well below pre-strike levels, according to data released Thursday by FilmLA.
Total location shoot days increased to 6,823 in the first quarter of 2024, up 23% from the fourth quarter of 2023. But the level remained below the same quarter in 2023, and 20% below the five-year average for the period.
Production levels were declining even before the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA went on strike last summer, shutting down the lion’s share of scripted production nationwide. And though the strikes have been over for five months, the return to work has been gradual.
“There was a really delayed return to production,” said Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA. “We knew could take six to eight weeks for TV, and for feature films it might be a little longer.”
FilmLA issues permits for location shoots across the Los Angeles area.
Total location shoot days increased to 6,823 in the first quarter of 2024, up 23% from the fourth quarter of 2023. But the level remained below the same quarter in 2023, and 20% below the five-year average for the period.
Production levels were declining even before the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA went on strike last summer, shutting down the lion’s share of scripted production nationwide. And though the strikes have been over for five months, the return to work has been gradual.
“There was a really delayed return to production,” said Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA. “We knew could take six to eight weeks for TV, and for feature films it might be a little longer.”
FilmLA issues permits for location shoots across the Los Angeles area.
- 4/18/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety - Film News
Through the lens of 2024, “Dogfight” plays like a subtle, personal film you would expect from indie director Nancy Savoca (“Household Saints”), but that’s not what Warner Bros. thought they were making.
“They were thinking ‘Porky’s.’ They thought it was a comedy,” said director Nancy Savoca while on IndieWire’s Toolkit podcast to discuss “Dogfight,” which is entering the Criterion Collection on April 30.
At the end of the 1980s headed into the early ’90s, when Warners was developing Bob Comfort’s “Dogfight” screenplay, teen comedies were big business for the studios. Alongside the wild success of the classic slate of teen comedies John Hughes wrote, directed, or produced, the “Porky’s” trilogy came to define the sex comedies of the era. It’s through this lens the studio saw the dogfight competition in Comfort’s script: A group of young soldiers pick up the “ugliest” woman they can find, bring her to a bar,...
“They were thinking ‘Porky’s.’ They thought it was a comedy,” said director Nancy Savoca while on IndieWire’s Toolkit podcast to discuss “Dogfight,” which is entering the Criterion Collection on April 30.
At the end of the 1980s headed into the early ’90s, when Warners was developing Bob Comfort’s “Dogfight” screenplay, teen comedies were big business for the studios. Alongside the wild success of the classic slate of teen comedies John Hughes wrote, directed, or produced, the “Porky’s” trilogy came to define the sex comedies of the era. It’s through this lens the studio saw the dogfight competition in Comfort’s script: A group of young soldiers pick up the “ugliest” woman they can find, bring her to a bar,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
Get ready to return to the South Side of Chicago. Earlier today, Paramount+ with Showtime released the first official trailer and key art for the second half of season six of their acclaimed original drama series “The Chi,” which is set to return on May 10, 2024. The new episodes will be released on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers prior to its premiere on television on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m.
Continue reading ‘The Chi’ Season 6 Trailer: New Season Debuts May 10 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Chi’ Season 6 Trailer: New Season Debuts May 10 at The Playlist.
- 4/18/2024
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Zack Snyder revealed on the latest episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that he spoke to Leonardo DiCaprio about playing Lex Luthor in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The role was ultimately played by Jesse Eisenberg. Snyder confirmed a rumor that he had a phone discussion with Adam Driver about Lex, but then dropped the scoop that he also courted DiCaprio.
Was DiCaprio intrigued? “I think so,” Snyder said. “He had a lot of great ideas actually, just in the meeting. I think in the end, he was like ‘Eh, I don’t know.’ But he was really smart about the material and really smart about the character.”
“He was the one that mentioned to me the idea about Superman fighting the Justice League at some point,” Snyder added, noting that it was a plot point he’d incorporate into his DC Universe in “Justice League.” “I was like,...
Was DiCaprio intrigued? “I think so,” Snyder said. “He had a lot of great ideas actually, just in the meeting. I think in the end, he was like ‘Eh, I don’t know.’ But he was really smart about the material and really smart about the character.”
“He was the one that mentioned to me the idea about Superman fighting the Justice League at some point,” Snyder added, noting that it was a plot point he’d incorporate into his DC Universe in “Justice League.” “I was like,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
There’s some low-stakes pleasure to be had in the first half of the gory new film from the team behind Ready or Not and Scream but things fall apart disastrously
Last year’s handsome gothic horror The Last Voyage of the Demeter and bombastic Nic Cage comedy Renfield allowed Universal the opportunity to present known IP as something fresh, at least on the surface, stories involving Dracula but told in ways we hadn’t seen before. They represented a nifty marketing strategy for a back catalogue of classic monster movies but both worked better as loglines than finished films – Dracula on a boat, Dracula as a bad boss – and audiences proved as uninterested as critics, the stench of old property distracting from the promise of something new.
As the studio preps a new take on The Wolf Man with next year’s Christopher Abbott-led Wolfman and Robert Eggers’ remake of the Dracula-inspired Nosferatu,...
Last year’s handsome gothic horror The Last Voyage of the Demeter and bombastic Nic Cage comedy Renfield allowed Universal the opportunity to present known IP as something fresh, at least on the surface, stories involving Dracula but told in ways we hadn’t seen before. They represented a nifty marketing strategy for a back catalogue of classic monster movies but both worked better as loglines than finished films – Dracula on a boat, Dracula as a bad boss – and audiences proved as uninterested as critics, the stench of old property distracting from the promise of something new.
As the studio preps a new take on The Wolf Man with next year’s Christopher Abbott-led Wolfman and Robert Eggers’ remake of the Dracula-inspired Nosferatu,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
As if there wasn’t enough debate surrounding A24’s “Civil War,” the movie sparked a new round of backlash over some movie posters seemingly generated by AI.
On Wednesday, April 17, A24 posted a series of five movie posters for “Civil War” on its Instagram. Each depicts a different U.S. city ravaged by war. Las Vegas and the already iconic Sphere are seen as a smoking wreck. A gunned patrol boat is seen in a Los Angeles pond. Chicago’s Marina Towers are set ablaze. And iconic locations in both San Francisco and Miami are under siege.
Not only are these images not scenes depicted in the movie itself, but Instagram commenters felt there were some dead giveaways that the images were generated by AI (the posters don’t clearly say one way or another). The Los Angeles one in particular shows a massive swan, which presumably is meant...
On Wednesday, April 17, A24 posted a series of five movie posters for “Civil War” on its Instagram. Each depicts a different U.S. city ravaged by war. Las Vegas and the already iconic Sphere are seen as a smoking wreck. A gunned patrol boat is seen in a Los Angeles pond. Chicago’s Marina Towers are set ablaze. And iconic locations in both San Francisco and Miami are under siege.
Not only are these images not scenes depicted in the movie itself, but Instagram commenters felt there were some dead giveaways that the images were generated by AI (the posters don’t clearly say one way or another). The Los Angeles one in particular shows a massive swan, which presumably is meant...
- 4/18/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Martin Scorsese's non-profit Film Foundation was first founded in 1990 as a means to restore and archive films that stood on the brink of being lost. Scorsese, one of the world's preeminent cineastes, was aghast to learn that only about 10% of the films made before 1929 still survive and that more than half of the films made before 1950 were lost forever. The Film Foundation is run by a consortium of famous filmmakers who raise money for extensive restoration efforts. To date, the Foundation has restored over 1,000 movies. Many of the films can be watched online on the Fest Foundation's website. The Foundation also provides educational materials for teachers who might want to show some of these movies to their students. Scorsese wants to make sure that audiences have a chance to see some of the greatest films of all time.
His efforts expanded in 2007 when the director founded the World Cinema Project,...
His efforts expanded in 2007 when the director founded the World Cinema Project,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Tribeca Film Festival has actually been known as the Tribeca Festival for four years now, but perhaps the name change and evolution of the festival has never been more evident than with the announcement of its robust and impressive 2024 TV slate.
The 2024 Tribeca Festival, which takes place June 5-16, announced an exciting showcase of highly anticipated world premieres of new and returning programs from networks and streamers such as Apple TV+, AMC, HBO, Hulu, Paramount+, and more.
Continue reading Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Presumed Innocent’ Mini-Series Leads Tribeca Festival’s 2024 TV Line-Up at The Playlist.
The 2024 Tribeca Festival, which takes place June 5-16, announced an exciting showcase of highly anticipated world premieres of new and returning programs from networks and streamers such as Apple TV+, AMC, HBO, Hulu, Paramount+, and more.
Continue reading Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Presumed Innocent’ Mini-Series Leads Tribeca Festival’s 2024 TV Line-Up at The Playlist.
- 4/18/2024
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
Glen Powell and Richard Linklater may be long-time collaborators and friends — and now, with the imminent release of their “Hit Man,” credited co-writers — but these two can still surprise each other.
Case in point: for the fact-based and very fun “Hit Man,” Powell stars as Gary Johnson, a seemingly regular dude who ends up moonlighting for the New Orleans Police Department as a fake assassin, tasked with snagging people who are attempting to employ a hitman to off certain people in their lives. The film, based on a Texas Monthly story, follows Gary as he tries on all sorts of personas — redneck hitman, Russian hitman, the list goes on and on — while also romancing a potential client (Adria Arjona) under the guise of smooth-talking hitman Ron. But all those other personas? Powell-original creations!
During an event held on Wednesday evening in New York City, Powell was on hand for a post-screening chat,...
Case in point: for the fact-based and very fun “Hit Man,” Powell stars as Gary Johnson, a seemingly regular dude who ends up moonlighting for the New Orleans Police Department as a fake assassin, tasked with snagging people who are attempting to employ a hitman to off certain people in their lives. The film, based on a Texas Monthly story, follows Gary as he tries on all sorts of personas — redneck hitman, Russian hitman, the list goes on and on — while also romancing a potential client (Adria Arjona) under the guise of smooth-talking hitman Ron. But all those other personas? Powell-original creations!
During an event held on Wednesday evening in New York City, Powell was on hand for a post-screening chat,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Melissa Barrera may have been fired from the “Scream” series, but she’s still very much a part of the franchise’s “family.”
Several “Scream” actors, including Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich, attended the Los Angeles premiere of Barrera’s new horror movie, “Abigail” Wednesday night. “Abigail” is helmed by “Scream” (2022) and “Scream 6” co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence.
“Even after the project is over, we still have our chat,” Barrera told me. “They were all invited here and a lot of them from ‘Scream’ came and I think it says a lot. It says a lot about how true the love is. No one can ever take that away from us.”
David Arquette at the Los Angeles premiere of “Abigail”
Her “Scream 7” role fell apart in November when star Barrera was fired by Spyglass, the film’s producer,...
Several “Scream” actors, including Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich, attended the Los Angeles premiere of Barrera’s new horror movie, “Abigail” Wednesday night. “Abigail” is helmed by “Scream” (2022) and “Scream 6” co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence.
“Even after the project is over, we still have our chat,” Barrera told me. “They were all invited here and a lot of them from ‘Scream’ came and I think it says a lot. It says a lot about how true the love is. No one can ever take that away from us.”
David Arquette at the Los Angeles premiere of “Abigail”
Her “Scream 7” role fell apart in November when star Barrera was fired by Spyglass, the film’s producer,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety - Film News
Last night, Quentin Tarantino fans were hit with a shocking bolt from out of the blue. The American auteur, known for his sometimes unpredictable moves, decided to scrap his “Movie Critic” film as his tenth and final film. This decision, unlike his previous one with “The Hateful Eight,” which was leaked and he eventually reversed, seems to be much more permanent.
While THR reported on the news last night, further details have come to light.
Continue reading Tarantino’s ‘Movie Critic’ Became A Separate ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ Spin-Off Film, But Both Are Now Scrapped at The Playlist.
While THR reported on the news last night, further details have come to light.
Continue reading Tarantino’s ‘Movie Critic’ Became A Separate ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ Spin-Off Film, But Both Are Now Scrapped at The Playlist.
- 4/18/2024
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Chairman Luis Fernandez is spearheading an executive shuffle and a restructuring of Telemundo Studios in a bid to amp up the company’s scripted content for both linear and streaming platforms.
“At a time when Telemundo is the most-watched network in prime time, we are super-charging our scripted content production under one strong brand: Telemundo Studios,” said Fernandez who returned in December to Telemundo where he was previously head of the news division for six years before taking a hiatus.
“For almost two decades, Telemundo has led in the production of Spanish-language content made by Hispanics for Hispanics. With this streamlined structure, we are doubling down on our commitment to serve the Latino community with the best scripted content across all platforms for years to come,” he added.
As part of the restructure, he has promoted entertainment and content strategy head Ronald Day to president of entertainment...
“At a time when Telemundo is the most-watched network in prime time, we are super-charging our scripted content production under one strong brand: Telemundo Studios,” said Fernandez who returned in December to Telemundo where he was previously head of the news division for six years before taking a hiatus.
“For almost two decades, Telemundo has led in the production of Spanish-language content made by Hispanics for Hispanics. With this streamlined structure, we are doubling down on our commitment to serve the Latino community with the best scripted content across all platforms for years to come,” he added.
As part of the restructure, he has promoted entertainment and content strategy head Ronald Day to president of entertainment...
- 4/18/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety - Film News
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