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Quick LinksThorin's Short Beard Was an Act of SolidarityDwarves Were More Important in The Hobbit Than in The Lord of the Rings

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy established what the Dwarves of Middle-earth looked like. Those present in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and at the Council of Elrond were all similar in appearance to Gimli; they had long hair, exaggerated facial features achieved through the use of prosthetic makeup, and most famously, large, bushy beards. They represented the classic, stereotypical image of fantasy Dwarves. Yet when Jackson returned almost a decade later for The Hobbit trilogy, he and the artists at Wētā Workshop broke the typical Dwarven mold. Some members of Thorin's Company, such as Balin and Glóin, would have fit right in alongside The Lord of the Rings' Dwarves, but others looked quite unusual by Dwarven standards.

The Lord of the Rings movies are best known for their world-building and epic lore, but like any good high fantasy series, they also have plenty of action. The original trilogy by Peter Jackson follows the source material by J.R.R. Tolkien fairly closely and delivers on the visuals and immersive storytelling throughout each installment. When Jackson followed up his successful adaptation with a trilogy based on The Hobbit, he had to expand the original story and take some liberties with the text. Though The Hobbit movies are not as well regarded, they still have plenty of exciting sequences.

Watching The Lord of the Rings movies in order means beginning with The Hobbit movies since Bilbo's epic journey came before Frodo ever set out for Mount Doom. However, even though the events of Lotr couldn't have happened without The Hobbit, it's universally acknowledged that the escalation of action in Lotr is more intense.

Thanks in large part to auteur directors such as Ridley Scott, Francis Ford Coppola, James Cameron, and yes, even Zack Snyder, whenever a Director's Cut of a new film comes along, people tend to get excited about the prospect of a fresh coat of paint to improve upon an already great film or to fix a movie broken from the beginning. More often than not, the Director's Cut offers some semblance of improvement at the very least, but not all the time.

While the evolution of the home media market from DVDs to Blu-rays to streaming services has afforded filmmakers the chance to revisit and provide "definitive" versions of movies they have previously released, sometimes these good intentions turn misguided, especially in those circumstances where the alterations to the movie are largely cosmetic more than anything else.

Related 10 Best Director's Cuts in Cinematic History, Ranked

Several films have had Director's...

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Dear Child is a mystery crime drama series written and directed by Isabel Kleefeld. The Netflix series is based on an international bestselling novel Liebes Kind by Romy Hausmann. Dear Child revolves around a 13-year-old missing persons case which is reopened after an unknown woman is struck by a car in a German forest and the girl who accompanies her is being interviewed by the police. The Netflix series is a claustrophobic and dark experience with plenty of twists and turns. So, if you loved the thrilling mystery, intensely dark story, and compelling characters in Dear Child here are some similar movies you should check out next.

The Sinner (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – USA Network

The Sinner is a police procedural mystery crime thriller drama anthology series created by Derek Simonds. Based on the 1999 novel of...

Richard Rankin gives an incredible performance in Viaplay's Rebus -- but it wasn't a role he was looking to play. The Outlander fan-favorite stars in a new TV version of the Inspector Rebus novels as iconic Scottish sleuth John Rebus, and he's one of the primary reasons why it's such a smashing book-to-screen adaptation. Yet Rankin, who's not related to Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, had no interest in playing another detective.

In a wide-ranging interview with Cbr, Rankin explained why he wasn't searching for a part in the crime drama genre, and what about Gregory Burke's version of Rebus made him change his mind. He also discussed his take on the character compared to his predecessors John Hannah and Ken Stott, and whether or not he'd seen the previous British television series beforehand. Plus, did his years playing the memorable Roger Wakefield on Outlander brace him for doing another high-profile book adaptation?...

The following contains minor spoilers for Rebus, now streaming on Viaplay.

The third adaptation of Rebus might not be its absolute best -- but it's not far off. Sir Ian Rankin's beloved Inspector Rebus novels are on TV screens again, this time with Richard Rankin in the title role. It's just good sense to ask why, because audiences have already done this before with mixed results, twice if one counts that the role of Rebus has been played by two previous actors. But the Rebus of 2024 is a far cry from the Rebus inhabited by John Hannah and Ken Stott, and that makes all the difference.

Fans of British television will gravitate toward Rebus, which was produced for Nordic streaming service Viaplay and originally screened on BBC One in the summer, because the six-episode drama has the sensibilities of the great British crime dramas. And given that John Rebus...

Outlander fans may be drawn to the Scottish crime drama Rebus thanks to its star, Richard Rankin. But after the very first scene, they might ask themselves: “Roger who?”

Indeed, the Viaplay series’ opening moments introduce Rankin as brooding Det. John Rebus, a man capable of violence and prone to making bad decisions. The character is a far cry from the much gentler role of Roger Wakefield MacKenzie, whom Rankin plays in Starz’s time-traveling romance.

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Cineflix Rights has closed several deals for “Irvine Welsh’s Crime,” starring Dougray Scott in his International Emmy award-winning lead role.

The series has been acquired by Telefonica’s pay TV platform Movistar Plus+ (Spain), Sbs (Australia), Rte (Ireland), Blue Entertainment (Switzerland), and Canal+ for viewers in Luxembourg, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

“Irvine Welsh’s Crime” was commissioned by Itvx and BritBox in the U.K.

The show follows Detective Inspector Ray Lennox (Scott), a man engaged in his own disturbing battle while undertaking serious crime investigations in a city on the edge of the abyss.

The series, adapted by “Trainspotting” author Welsh from his own novel, also stars John Simm, Joanna Vanderham, Angela Griffin, Ken Stott, and Jamie Sives.

Tim Mutimer, CEO of Cineflix Rights, said: “The combination of Irvine Welsh’s own adaptation of his best-selling novels, together with Dougray Scott’s powerful, award-winning performance has...

Fantasy books, movies, and TV shows are often spun into franchises because of the expansive worlds that the writers and creators of the series develop. While some spinoffs and sequels don't live up to previous books or screen iterations, these franchises have never disappointed me. Returning to the fantastical worlds that lie within the pages or dazzling visuals of these franchises has provided comfort, escape, and thrilling adventures at every turn. Whether it's through additional books, spinoffs, or multiple sequels, these fantasy stories have the potential to go on for a long time.

While there are some movies and fantasy TV shows that go on for too long, there are other franchises that are ever-expanding. World-building is a considerable factor in whether or not a fantasy series has the longevity to continue for many years. Of course, every audience is biased, as my favorite fictional universes that have captured my...

Given that they were the heroes of The Hobbit movies, many fans wonder where the dwarves were during The Lord of the Rings. The prequel trilogy of Hobbit movies followed Bilbo Baggins on his first adventure out of The Shire as he joined a band of dwarves looking to reclaim their lost fortune. Given their history with the previous ring-bearer Bilbo Baggins, it may seem odd that none of The Hobbit dwarves lend Frodo a hand in The Lord of the Rings.

The dwarves are shown to be one of the prominent races in Middle-earth as they receive the Rings of Power alongside the elves and the race of man. However, Gimli is the only representation of the dwarves in the Lord of the Rings movies. Some of the heroes die during the journey in The Hobbit, but there are a lot of questions about what becomes to the ones...

Quick Links Gandalf Didn't Want Smaug To Fight For The Enemy Gandalf Knew That Erebor Was A Strategic Location Gandalf Saw A War Coming Long Before Anyone Else

The Lord of the Rings franchise is returning with all-new films, including the animated War of the Rohirrim and the upcoming live-action project The Hunt for Gollum. As fans anxiously wait to return to Peter Jackson's beloved adaptation of Middle-earth, now is the perfect time to revisit the fantastical stories of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Hobbit films. During the events of The Hobbit, Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan) goes out of his way to help the Dwarf-prince Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) reclaim his people's ancestral kingdom of Erebor, which was seized by a mighty dragon named Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). After a long and perilous journey, Smaug is defeated and the Dwarves settle in Erebor once more.

After Peter Jackson redefined fantasy cinema with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he returned to try and make lightning strike twice with The Hobbit. However, Jackson didn't always intend to direct the sequel trilogy, as Guillermo del Toro was once attached to the director's chair. Cate Blanchett, who appeared in both trilogies as the elf Galadriel, remembers when del Toro was in charge of the project and wonders what the unique director would have brought to the franchise. The horror auteur behind Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone, Cronos, and Blade II would have brought his fantastical gothic vision to the Lord of the Rings franchise.

Cate Blanchett spoke to GQ to look back at her most iconic characters throughout her career. While discussing her vital role in The Lord of the Rings, the actress was asked about her time appearing in The Hobbit and if she ever worked with...

Russell Crowe reveals why he turned down a role in The Lord of the Rings. Serving as adaptations of the books by J.R.R. Tolkien director Peter Jackson's hit fantasy trilogy was released from 2001 to 2003, chronicling Frodo's (Elijah Wood) epic quest to destroy the One Ring. The Lord of the Rings cast is a major reason why the movies work so well, but it's become common knowledge in the decades since the films' release that various other actors were almost cast for key roles, including Crowe as Aragorn, a role that eventually went to Viggo Mortensen.

In a recent segment for British GQ, Crowe is asked on social media whether he regrets turning down The Lord of the Rings.

Crowe makes clear that it's not a decision he regrets, and explains that he didn't take the job because he had a feeling he wasn't Jackson's top choice. Check out...

Fathom Events is re-releasing the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 4K extended editions throughout June. The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers have both landed in the domestic box office Top 10 for the weekend. The movies are performing well, though they have hardly made a dent in the box office totals of their original runs.

Two Lord of the Rings movies have landed in the domestic box office Top 10. The trilogy, which was adapted from the iconic fantasy novels of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien, was released between 2001 and 2003 to overwhelming critical and commercial success. They were followed by a trilogy of live-action movies adapting Tokien's prequel The Hobbit between 2012 and 2014. In recent years, the Lord of the Rings franchise has picked up steam once more with the 2022 premiere of Prime Video's The Rings of Power and the upcoming 2024 animated movie The War of the Rohirrim.

Warner Bros. is working on a new Lord of the Rings movie that could arrive in 2026. The project is currently in the early script stage. More recent Lord of the Rings projects have struggled to recapture the magic of Peter Jackson's original trilogy.

Warner Bros. has a new Lord of the Rings movie in the works, and it already has a tentative release window. Adapting J. R. R. Tolkien's beloved fantasy novel series, Peter Jackson's first acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy was released from 2001 to 2003. The filmmaker would subsequently return to the world of Middle-earth with his more divisive Hobbit trilogy in the 2010s. Since then, new projects in the franchise have included The Rings of Power on Prime Video and an upcoming anime movie, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Now, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav reveals during a recent earnings...

Obnoxious flatmates Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston and Kerry Fox get way more than they bargained for with the arrival of enigmatic Keith Allen and a suitcase full of cash

Rereleased for its 30th anniversary, the macabre black-comic crime caper is from screenwriter John Hodge with Danny Boyle making his feature-directing debut, giving us a hint of the turbocharged showmanship that always marked his style and which he was to crank up another notch a few years later with the zeitgeisty 90s hit Trainspotting. Shallow Grave is a bizarre Edinburgh noir, centring on cover-ups, disloyalty and incompetent corpse-management in the approximate spirit of Ealing, with touches of Hitchcock’s The Trouble With Harry and Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane. It’s also a kind of 90s young person flatshare entertainment, but closer to the BBC’s This Life than Friends.

We get an embarrassment of riches in the cast, with Peter Mullan,...

The BBC adaptation of Ian Rankin’s Rebus will premiere on the 18th May, with Richard Rankin (no relation) in the lead role.

A new adaptation of Ian Rankin’s detective novels, Rebus, is set to air later this month. Gregory Burke, who previously wrote Scottish drama Six Four, wrote all six episodes, which were directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton.

The new series of Rebus will be a prequel which focuses on the detective in his younger years, as he rises up the ranks in Edinburgh.

Richard Rankin (no relation to author Ian) stars as Rebus, alongside Lucie Shorthouse, Brian Ferguson, Amy Manson, Neshla Caplan, Noof Ousellam, Stuart Bowman, Caroline Lee Johnson, Sean Buchanan, Thoren Ferguson and Michelle Duncan.

The synopsis reads as follows:

Set in Edinburgh, the six-part series reimagines John Rebus as a younger Detective Sergeant drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael,...

Quick Links The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Marks The Start Of The Quest For Erebor The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Prepares Middle Earth For War The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Brings An End To An Era Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, setting up the latter's War of the Ring. Each film in The Hobbit trilogy escalates the conflict between Middle Earth's races by introducing new groups and major antagonists. Although less well-received than The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit Jtrilogy does justice to Tolkien's work, capturing the spirit of Middle Earth.

When it comes to the fantasy genre, no franchise is more well-known than J.R.R. Tolkien's flagship work, The Lord of the Rings. This iconic trilogy, originally published in 1954 & 1955, created many of the genre's most well-known tropes, and even 80 years after its initial release,...

Ian Rankin’s iconic detective Rebus is heading back to the small screen. Here’s what we know about the new series…

Ian Rankin’s Rebus is one of the most successful characters in contemporary fiction. Appearing in over 24 novels since 1987, with the 25th, Midnight & Blue, set to be published in October, and over a dozen short stories, Rankin’s dour detective has made an indelible impression on readers the world over.

It wasn’t long before he made his way to the screen. The first iteration starred John Hannah, who played the role for one series in 2000 to 2001. Hannah was unpopular with fans of the books, and he quit the role soon after.

For three series, Ken Stott stepped into the role of the detective. His portrayal was extremely popular, and he became inextricably linked with the role, so much so it has taken well over a decade for...

Michelle Forbes excels at portraying complex, vulnerable characters in iconic TV shows, showcasing her acting prowess and emotional depth. Forbes turned down a lead role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to pursue diverse acting opportunities, proving her versatility and commitment to her craft. Ro Laren's impactful return in Star Trek: Picard season 3 highlights Forbes' ability to embody older characters with experience and weariness, adding depth to the narrative.

Michelle Forbes played one of Star Trek: The Next Generation's best-loved recurring characters, but Ensign Ro Laren is just one entry on an impressive list of film and TV credits. The character of Ensign Ro in Tng was so popular that Michelle Forbes was offered the chance to join Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as one of the leads. However, Forbes turned this down to pursue other acting roles, which in retrospect feels like the right choice for her as...

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies are two of the most beloved and highest-grossing movie franchises in history. Both trilogies were developed from the novels created by J.R.R Tolkien and have grown massively since The Fellowship of the Ring was first released to theaters. The Lord of the Rings trilogy followed Frodo's journey to destroy the titular ring, as well as the battles that raged across Middle-earth, while The Hobbit went back in time, telling the story of how Bilbo Baggins first came to possess the Ring.

With new entries in the Lotr canon arriving lately, such as The Rings of Power and The War of the Rohirrim, it's always the perfect time to revisit the original trilogies. But that brings us back to the age-old question: should you watch the series in chronological or release order? The good news is, whatever your preference, we've got you covered.

Backstories of beloved characters are often described through prequel narratives. Although the term itself is relatively new to storytelling, the idea has existed since the Homeric era in Ancient Greece. Some academic scholars consider The Silmarillion a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, especially after Christopher Tolkien suggested that his father had coined the term.

Movie prequels became more common during the 1980s and 1990s, with the Star Wars prequel trilogy popularizing the concept in mainstream media on a global scale. Some of the greatest movies ever made are prequels, but this doesn't make every single prequel worth watching.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on February 4, 2024: Prequels tend to be a hit-or-miss category in Hollywood, often proving to be quite controversial among respective fandoms. While not every prequel manages to please audiences, some serve to bolster the original film, making it even better than before.

The Hobbit...

Netflix's TV adaptation of One Day has a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, while the movie version has only 35%. The series follows the same premise as the 2011 movie, with strong performances from Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. The show's episode count allows for a deeper investment in the central relationship, resulting in a memorable romance drama.

The new Netflix romantic drama One Day is getting much stronger reviews than the Anne Hathaway movie version. Released in 2011 and based on the book of the same name by David Nicholls, the One Day movie adaptation centers on Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Hathaway) meeting on the same day for over 20 years. Nicholls also wrote the screenplay, with Lone Scherfig as the director. The rest of the cast included Patricia Clarkson, Ken Stott, and Romola Garai.

Netflix's television show adaptation of One Day, led by The White Lotus season 2 star Leo Woodall...

David Nicholls’ romance One Day has been adapted for the screen for a second time, this time on Netflix: here’s the trailer.

Novelist David Nicholls has had considerable success as a screenwriter, from penning episodes of Cold Feet and BBC dramas The 7:39 and Aftersun to adapting his own novels Starter For Ten and Us.

His most well known novel, One Day, was previously adapted into a 2011 film by Nicholls himself. Directed by Lobe Scherfig, it saw Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess take on the central roles of Emma and Dexter, alongside Patricia Clarkson, Ken Stott and Romola Garai. It received middling reviews which particularly criticized Hathaway’s Yorkshire accent.

A new adaptation is heading to Netflix, this time as a limited series. The synopsis reads as follows:

Netflix’s adaptation of One Day tells the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew who, on July 15th 1988, the night of their graduation,...

Netflix is adapting the forgotten Anne Hathaway movie, One Day, into a 14-episode series. The series follows Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) on the night of their graduation and explores their complicated and evolving relationship. The trailer showcases the highs and lows of the romance between the two main characters.

Netflix's next romantic drama, One Day, is a TV adaptation of a forgotten Anne Hathaway movie. Released in 2011 and based on the book of the same name by David Nicholls, the One Day movie followed Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess) and Emma Morley (Hathaway) on the same day for over 20 years. Nicholls also wrote the screenplay, with Lone Scherfig directing. The rest of the cast included Patricia Clarkson, Ken Stott, and Romola Garai.

Netflix has now debuted the trailer for its One Day adaptation, which consists of 14 episodes and debuts in February. Check out the trailer below:

Leo Woodall,...

Get ready for a new month at BritBox! While the British streamer is only adding a handful of new titles this month ahead of more additions in February like Sir Lenny Henry’s “Three Little Birds,” its new picks, which includes psychological thriller mini-series “The Ex-Wife” and Season 2 of a popular Scottish crime series, are not to be missed.

Find out what’s coming to BritBox in January!

7-Day Free Trial $8.99+ / month BritBox.com What Shows and Movies Are Coming to BritBox in January 2024? “The Ex-Wife” | Thursday, Jan. 11

Initially released on Paramount+ in the United States, the psychological thriller based on Jess Ryder’s novel of the same name and adapted by “Downton” Abbey actor Catherine Steadman follows Tasha, a young woman living an idyllic life with a perfect house, a loving husband, and a beautiful daughter. However, her husband’s ex-wife will not leave their family alone, intent on staying in the picture,...

Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh has said that he wrote a transgender character into Season 2 of Crime to show how people are struggling with their identity in the modern world.

The Dougray Scott drama will stream in the UK on Itvx next month and follows detective Ray Lennox as he returns to crime fighting in Edinburgh following a breakdown.

Lennox quickly becomes embroiled in a case about vengeance, identity, and social justice after one of his former colleagues is attacked.

Produced by Buccaneer Media, Crime Season 2 has cast Boy Meets Girl star Rebecca Root as a transgender character who is navigating a world that has not fully accepted her identity.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Welsh said he wanted to be “sensitive” to gender identity issues in the show, which engaged a trans advisor during filming.

He argued that the end of capitalism has sparked an identity crisis for many,...

First Look At Nicola Coughlan & Lydia West In ‘Big Mood’

UK network Channel 4 has released a first-look image of Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan and It’s a Sin‘s Lydia West in upcoming comedy series Big Mood (working title). The series is set to explore the nuances of female friendship when threatened by serious mental illness. Coughlan and West, whose previous Channel 4 shows have been among the network’s biggest hits of recent years, play best friends at a pivotal point in their lives. Niamh Cusack (The Virtues), Eamon Farren (The Witcher), Luke Fetherston (Flowers in the Attic: The Origin), Kate Fleetwood (Wheel of Time), Rob Gilbert (Big Boys), Rebecca Lowman (Prime Suspect), Sally Phillips (Veep), Ukweli Roach (Wolf) and Amalia Vitale (Willow) are also attached to the ensemble cast. Joanna Page will guest star as herself. Written by Camilla Whitehill, Big Mood is from Dancing Ledge Productions.

On the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, we will be posting one full movie every other day throughout the week, giving viewers the chance to watch them entirely free of charge. The Free Movie of the Day we have for you today is the comedy Toast, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore. You can watch it over on the YouTube channel linked above, or you can just watch it in the embed at the top of this article.

Directed by S.J. Clarkson from a screenplay by Lee Hall, Toast is based on the memoir by Nigel Slater. The film has the following synopsis: Wolverhampton,1967: nine year old Nigel Slater loves his mother though she is a hopeless cook, her finest offering being toast whilst he has great culinary aspirations. When she dies of asthma Nigel is left with a distant father but worse is to come when the ‘common’ Mrs.

Scottish actor Richard Rankin (Outlander, The Last Kingdom) is set to play Edinburgh detective John Rebus in a new six-part series based on the acclaimed crime novels by Ian Rankin that will go out on Scandinavian streamer Viaplay, which recently launched in the U.S.

Screenwriter Gregory Burke (Entebbe, ’71) will adapt Rankin’s work for the screen. Eleventh Hour Films is producing the series for Viaplay. Niall MacCormick (Wallander) will direct the series, which starts shooting in Scotland next month and will stream on Viaplay in 2024. The show marks Viaplay’s first U.K. drama commission.

Rankin, best known for his role as Roger Wakefield in Starz’s long-running Outlander, also appeared in thrillers Trust Me and The Replacement; the drama series Thirteen and The Syndicate; and as a guest star in political thriller American Odyssey.

The Rebus novels have been adapted for TV before, with four seasons of Rebus...

Viaplay has found its Inspector Rebus and author Sir Ian Rankin is keeping it in the name.

Outlander star Richard Rankin – no relation to the source material’s scribe – will play the lead in the Nordic streamer’s debut UK original Rebus. He follows in the footsteps of fellow Scottish actors John Hannah and Ken Stott, who led the ITV version 20 years ago.

Viaplay’s reboot, which is planned as a returning series and will soon unveil more cast, follows 40-year-old Inspector John Rebus at a psychological crossroads following an altercation with an infamous Edinburgh gangster. At odds with a job increasingly driven by technocrats, involved in a toxic affair he knows he needs to end, and all but supplanted in his daughter’s life by his ex-wife’s wealthy new husband, Rebus begins to wonder if he still has a role to play – either as a family man or a police officer.

Sir Ian Rankin’s Rebus detective novels are to be reimagined for Nordic streamer Viaplay, the group’s debut UK drama commission and the first Rebus TV adaptation for nearly 15 years.

The six-parter sets down a marker for Viaplay’s ambitions in the UK, having launched in the nation earlier this week.

Rankin’s Rebus, which aired for four seasons on ITV in the early noughties helmed by John Hannah and then Ken Stott, will be in his 30s, recently divorced and demoted to Detective Sergeant. He has a new colleague, Detective Constable Siobhan Clarke, and is struggling to deal with the changes in his personal and professional life. At the same time, Rebus’s daughter, Sammy, and ex-wife, Rhona, are enjoying an affluent existence with Rhona’s new partner.

Eleventh Hour Films is producing and 71 scribe Gregory Burke is writing. Cast will be unveiled shortly and filming will start next year,...

Boxing has always transferred well to the screen because it is an individual sport with individual stories. Boxers may have family, friends, managers, and a training corner, but aside from ringside yells of "cover-up!" and "go to the body!" these fighters are on their own. This isn't tennis or golf, and the stakes are higher than returning your opponent's serve or knocking a small white ball into a hole. This is boxing, a game of rules-based violence that sanitizes aggression into a test of speed, power, tactics, and strategy.

It is not just the ring that's fertile dramatic ground, either. Much of the intensity comes from these fighters' lives, which are often marked by crime, poverty, and hardship. It is no wonder that cinema has seen so many boxing films in its 120+ year history, producing a great deal of wheat but also a fair amount of chaff. To help you navigate this broad oeuvre,...

Exclusive: In an eye-catching acquisition, 42 has bought respected UK talent and literary agency Dalzell and Beresford, we can reveal.

Veteran British agent Simon Beresford has joined the LA and London-based management and production company as a Partner and Manager and his roster is moving over with him.

Clients include Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Ciarán Hinds, Indira Varma, Lindsay Duncan, Giles Terera, Ken Stott, Patrick Marber, Leslie Caron, Jamie Campbell Bower, Nathaniel Parker, Simon Callow, Jim Norton, Matthew McNulty, Julian Clary, Dame Siân Phillips, Fra Fee, Nigel Havers, Sinéad Cusack and Andrei Konchalovsky.

Beresford’s team will also be joining him at 42, including Vicki Oliver as a Manager and Kitty Johnson. Kara Fitzpatrick, who runs Dalzell and Beresford’s literary department, brings with her clients including Roy Williams, Tanika Gupta, Dawn Sievewright, Paddy Campbell and John Donnelly.

Dalzell and Beresford was set up in 1966 by the legendary UK rep Larry Dalzell.

Beyond Rights and Insight TV Team Up for New Branded Block

Beyond Rights and top millennial-targeted digital channels provider Insight TV have struck a new alliance, which will see the launch of Beyond branded blocks on Insight TV’s science and technology-centered InWonder channel. The Beyond branded blocks will initially play on primetime weekends in North America, drawing from Beyond Rights’s extensive catalogue of science and engineering programming with such titles as “How Hacks Work” and “Wicked Inventions.” “We will work closely together over the coming months to measure the audience response, looking to build towards a range of branded Fast channels,” said David Smyth, CEO of Beyond Rights.

Prime Entertainment Group Boosts Docu Slate with Zona Mixta Acquisitions

Paris-based documentary producer and distributor Prime Entertainment Group has picked up some historical documentaries from Spanish production shingle Zona Mixta in a bid to diversify its catalog of high-end documentaries.

A quick methadone hit for anyone still experiencing Merchant-Ivory withdrawal symptoms, The Dig (streaming on Netflix starting January 29th) is a throwback to a bygone era in more ways than one. The year is 1939, the countryside is English, the upper lips are most definitely stiff. Britain stands on the verge of war, as the Raf planes constantly buzzing past can attest. Behind a large manor in Suffolk, there are a number of jutting, earthen mounds that suggest the possibility of ancient artifacts buried beneath the soil. Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan...

When Simon Stone’s The Dig begins with Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) towing his bicycle across the water in a boat towards Sutton Hoo, it’s natural to align our expectations with an archeological adventure. Because he’s labeled “difficult” by the museum that more or less told Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) her desire to excavate the mounds present on her land isn’t worth their effort with war looming, the two prove themselves to be a perfect pair of underestimated and ignored figures on the cusp of finding something great. The first whiff of the treasure she always believed was there and he expertly deciphers the whereabouts of finally turns the heads of those who initially turned their backs and we settle in for a conflict amidst the dirt.

While Moira Buffini’s script (as adapted from John Preston’s novel) does include that inevitable struggle (Does ownership of...

The excavations at Sutton Hoo, the site of Dark Age-era Anglo-Saxon burial mounds located in Suffolk, East Anglia, are considered England's greatest archeological find of the 20th century. Mere months before England entered the second World War, the story captivated British consciousness, as well as the attentions of budding archeologists the world over, and not only for the spectacular treasures discovered within the graves.

The people involved, from the wealthy widowed landowner whose estate the mounds were discovered on, to the self-taught archeologist who first broke ground, to the British Museum officials who wrested control of the dig away from the local scientists - all set against the backdrop of England on the eve of WWII - seem perfectly suited for cinema. Sure enough, Netflix has a new film, The Dig, based on the true story, starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, and Lily James. Get inspired for your viewing by...

Johnny Flynn’s star has been on the rise in recent years, and will be propelled a little higher on Jan. 29 with the release of period drama “The Dig” on Netflix, in which he appears alongside Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James. Flynn most recently drew acclaim for his performances as Mr. Knightly in “Emma,” and as a young David Bowie in “Stardust.” Variety spoke to the British actor and musician about his choice of roles, and how he approached these films.

Flynn broke through in 2017 playing a charming psychopath in the BAFTA-nominated psychological thriller “Beast,” and as the young Albert Einstein in National Geographic’s anthology “Genius,” for which he was nominated for a Critics Choice Award. Other television credits include “Vanity Fair,” “Les Miserables” and “Lovesick.”

He was seen in three movies last year, playing opposite Anya Taylor-Joy in the comedy drama “Emma,” in noir thriller “Cordelia,...

The IFC Films documentary MLK/FBI from filmmaker Sam Pollard makes its debut in select theaters today as well as on demand. The release aligns with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18 and it is super relevant to America’s wild inequity and racist treatment of the Black community — specifically Black activists.

MLK/FBI made its world premiere last year at the Toronto International Film Festival and went on to play at the New York Film Festival. The riveting docu exposes J. Edgar Hoover and the U.S. government’s surveillance and harassment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was labeled by the FBI as the “most dangerous” Black person in America.

Based on newly discovered and declassified files, as well as revelatory restored footage, the documentary explores the government’s history of targeting Black activists. Considering the insurrection that took place last...

Word of this week’s new movie release, all about archeology, may have quickened the pulses of many action film fans. Perhaps visions of a daring, rugged adventurer escaping insidious death traps, battling vicious rivals and their burly henchmen, rescuing damsels in dire distress, and snatching up mystical riches swirled in their fevered brains. Or perhaps of heroes facing peril from an ancient evil, released from the tomb to cause havoc and horror may come to mind for many. Well, maybe the word that this is based on an actual event puts the brakes on those expectations of Indiana Jones and monstrous mummies. Turns out it’s tedious and filthy work with dirt in your boots and embedded under fingernails. Ah, but despite that, along with power politics, there’s still the thrill of discovery. That may be the biggest “find” in the new “docudrama The Dig.

The story doesn...

It started with a hunch. Edith Pretty and her husband bought a house at Sutton Hoo, the estate of which contained several large mounds of earth. For years, there had been theories about what might lie beneath — buried treasure, Roman graves or even a Viking ship — but it was not until after Pretty’s husband died that the widow finally followed up on that feeling of hers and resolved to excavate these small human-made hills. What she found was perhaps the most significant archaeological discovery on English soil and the subject of “The Dig,” a period piece that Australian director Simon Stone has approached in Merchant Ivory mode.

An homage to such films as “Howards End,” this gentle and almost painfully polite British drama takes place in 1939 on the cusp of World War II, and it rather poetically places the turbulence of the then-present conflict within the perspective of the...

Ravishing World War II period piece alert: The new film from director Simon Stone, “The Dig,” is coming to Netflix and some theaters next month. Oscar nominees Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes play archaeologists who dig up a surprising discovery that has ramifications for the past, and fate, of Britain.

Here’s Netflix’s official synopsis: “As WWII looms, a wealthy widow (Carey Mulligan) hires an amateur archaeologist (Ralph Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of its uncertain future‎.”

Along with Mulligan and Fiennes, the cast includes Lily James (star of Netflix period piece “Rebecca”), Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, and Monica Dolan. “The Dig” is based on a book by John Preston, published in 2007 and set in the context of the 1939 Anglo-Saxon ship burial excavation at Sutton Hoo,...

"Do you think there's something beneath?" Of course there is! Netflix has unveiled an official trailer for The Dig, an indie drama from actor / director Simon Stone. The film is set in the late 1930s just before World War II in England. A wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate, leading to the historic discovery of Sutton Hoo and an undisturbed ship burial. The site is important in understanding the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia & the early Anglo-Saxon period, as it illuminates a period that lacks historical documentation. The Dig stars Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, along with Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, and Monica Dolan. This looks quite good, and all those Raf planes roaring overhead make it that much more gripping. View below. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Simon Stone's The Dig, direct from Netflix's...

The Dig Trailer — Simon Stone‘s The Dig (2021) movie trailer has been released by Netflix and stars Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, Ken Stott, Ben Chaplin, Monica Dolan, Arsher Ali, Joe Hurst, Chris Wilson, Eileen Davies, Jane Fowler, James Dryden, and Ellie Piercy. Crew Moira Buffini wrote the [...]

Continue reading: The Dig (2021) Movie Trailer: Carey Mulligan & Ralph Fiennes make an Historic Discovery as WWII Looms...

'The Dig' trailer has been released and it's one of Netflix's first original movies of 2021.

The streaming giant dropped the first trailer for 'The Dig', the upcoming drama film starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes in the lead.

Based on a true story, the film is an adaptation of John Preston's novel of the same name and tells the story of the famous excavation in Sutton Hoo that led to the greatest historical discovery.

Set shortly before the events of WW2, 'The Dig' centers on a wealthy widower (Mulligan) who hires an amateur archaeologist named Basil Brown (Fiennes) to excavate her vast estate in the hope of finding treasure, reports Digitalspy.

When they finally make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain's past resonate in the face of its uncertain future as World War II looms.

Directed by Simon Stone, the archaeology drama film also features Lily James,...

Netflix has debuted the first trailer for the British based drama ‘The Dig’ featuring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.

As WWII looms, a wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of its uncertain future‎.

Based on the novel by John Preston the story is set against the intense backdrop of a Britain on the eve of war, the story channels class tensions, love and loss through the eyes of those affected by the dig and its treasures, including Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) the widowed landowner of the state the burial mounds are on and Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) the amateur archaeologist she hires to excavate their secrets.

Directed by Simon Stone, the film stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott,...

Netflix has launched a host of first look images for the original film ‘The Dig’ featuring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.

Based on the Novel By John Preston, the story centres on a wealthy widow as WWII looms and hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of its uncertain future‎.

Lily James as Peggy Preston. Cr. Larry Horricks/Netflix © 2021 Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown. Cr. Larry Horricks/Netflix © 2021 (L-r): Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty, Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown. Cr. Larry Horricks/Netflix © 2021

Directed by Simon Stone, the film stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott and Monica Dolan.

Also in news – Matt Damon and Steven Soderbergh to reunite once more for ‘No Sudden Move’

A release date is yet to be announced.

Finally, Patrick Dempsey has made a triumphant return to series TV in this stylish thriller.

Those accustomed to Grey's Anatomy's McDreamy were in for a shock at Dempsey's very different role on Devils Season 1 Episode 1.

Dempsey's character, Dominic Morgan, the CEO at investment bank Nyl, circa 2011, could most kindly be described as cunning.

Dominic appeared to be a personable leader, rallying his troops with a folksy fable in praise of Massimo Ruggero, his head of trading and the actual protagonist of this European production.

But it was clear that, while Massimo is his favored, scrappy protege, Dominic had no compulsion about balancing Massimo's opportunity to rise against the racist whims of the stuffed shirts at the London bank.

To hear Dominic's bitter wife Nina tell it, his desire for an heir to follow him at the bank drove away their son John, who ended up getting killed in combat in Iraq.

Exclusive: Johnny Flynn (Stardust), Ben Chaplin (The Nevers), Ken Stott (The Hobbit) and Monica Dolan (Eye In The Sky) are joining Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James in UK period feature The Dig.

Production is now underway in the UK on the drama, which is being financed and distributed by Netflix.

Set on the eve of WWII, The Dig follows a wealthy widow (Mulligan) who hires an amateur archaeologist (Fiennes) to excavate the burial mounds on her Sutton Hoo estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of it’s uncertain future‎.

Simon Stone (The Daughter), director of recent London stage hit Yerma with Billie Piper, is directing the movie from Philomena and The Duchess producer Gabrielle Tana. Ellie Wood, Clerkenwell Films’ Murray Ferguson and Carolyn Marks Blackwood are producing alongside Tana.

Moira Buffini (Harlots) adapted the screenplay based on John Preston’s book.