Movie News
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” a comic book adventure that pairs two of Marvel’s most popular characters, is turbocharging the box office.
Disney’s superhero sequel has collected $205 million in its opening weekend, ranking as the eighth-best debut of all time ahead of 2018’s “Black Panther” ($202 million) and behind 2015’s “Jurassic World” ($208 million) and 2012’s “The Avengers” ($207 million). Only nine films in Hollywood history have crossed the $200 million milestone in their opening weekends. Ticket sales also easily surpassed 2016’s “Deadpool” ($132 million) to set the record for the biggest R-rated opening weekend ever. The 2018 sequel, “Deadpool 2,” now stands as the third-biggest R-rated debut with $125 million. Among the newest installment’s many benchmarks, “Deadpool & Wolverine” landed by far the biggest start of the year, overtaking another Disney movie: the Pixar sequel “Inside Out 2” ($155 million debut).
Internationally, “Deadpool & Wolverine” captured $233.3 million for a staggering global tally of $438 million. After three days of release,...
Disney’s superhero sequel has collected $205 million in its opening weekend, ranking as the eighth-best debut of all time ahead of 2018’s “Black Panther” ($202 million) and behind 2015’s “Jurassic World” ($208 million) and 2012’s “The Avengers” ($207 million). Only nine films in Hollywood history have crossed the $200 million milestone in their opening weekends. Ticket sales also easily surpassed 2016’s “Deadpool” ($132 million) to set the record for the biggest R-rated opening weekend ever. The 2018 sequel, “Deadpool 2,” now stands as the third-biggest R-rated debut with $125 million. Among the newest installment’s many benchmarks, “Deadpool & Wolverine” landed by far the biggest start of the year, overtaking another Disney movie: the Pixar sequel “Inside Out 2” ($155 million debut).
Internationally, “Deadpool & Wolverine” captured $233.3 million for a staggering global tally of $438 million. After three days of release,...
- 7/28/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
“Longlegs” has some long legs at the box office. After three weeks of release, the occult-tilted thriller has collected a stellar $58.6 million in North America, enough to become the highest-grossing indie horror film of the last decade.
“Longlegs” surpassed A24’s “Talk to Me” ($48 million domestically) to achieve the milestone. “Talk to Me” has a bigger global tally with $92.1 million, whereas “Longlegs” has earned $62 million globally to date.
The film also ranks as Neon’s highest-grossing film of all time, outperforming the Oscar-winning “Parasite” with $53.36 million in North America. (Neon is a domestic distributor and typically doesn’t control all of the international markets for its films.)
“Longlegs” opened earlier in July and became a sleeper hit, earning $22.6 million in its first weekend and setting a new box office record for Neon in the process. Sydney Sweeney’s religious horror film “Immaculate” previously ranked as the indie company’s biggest start with $5.3 million in March.
“Longlegs” surpassed A24’s “Talk to Me” ($48 million domestically) to achieve the milestone. “Talk to Me” has a bigger global tally with $92.1 million, whereas “Longlegs” has earned $62 million globally to date.
The film also ranks as Neon’s highest-grossing film of all time, outperforming the Oscar-winning “Parasite” with $53.36 million in North America. (Neon is a domestic distributor and typically doesn’t control all of the international markets for its films.)
“Longlegs” opened earlier in July and became a sleeper hit, earning $22.6 million in its first weekend and setting a new box office record for Neon in the process. Sydney Sweeney’s religious horror film “Immaculate” previously ranked as the indie company’s biggest start with $5.3 million in March.
- 7/28/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
After a bruising year, Marvel is returning to the very things that worked in the past. That means reuniting with franchise crown jewel Robert Downey Jr. as well as the Russo brothers, who directed the two most successful movies for the studio with “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
But bringing back key members of the old gang won’t come cheap. Sources say Marvel is plunking down $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “significantly more” for Downey to tackle uber-villain Doctor Doom in the two tentpoles. The Russos’ deal doesn’t include back-end compensation, but it does contain performance escalators that kick in at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds. The brothers also will produce the two films via their Agbo banner. That marks something of a departure for Marvel, which typically doesn’t work with outside producers, preferring to keep the team in house.
But bringing back key members of the old gang won’t come cheap. Sources say Marvel is plunking down $80 million for Anthony and Joe Russo to direct “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” and “significantly more” for Downey to tackle uber-villain Doctor Doom in the two tentpoles. The Russos’ deal doesn’t include back-end compensation, but it does contain performance escalators that kick in at the $750 million and $1 billion thresholds. The brothers also will produce the two films via their Agbo banner. That marks something of a departure for Marvel, which typically doesn’t work with outside producers, preferring to keep the team in house.
- 7/30/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety - Film News
Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney have both passed on the job of hosting the next Oscars on March 2, Variety has confirmed.
Kimmel, a four-time Oscar host, reportedly turned down the gig earlier this summer. Mulaney, whose presenting routine was one of the highlights of this year’s show and who also hosted the Governors Awards, has a busy schedule with several projects coming up. His talk show “Everybody’s in L.A.” could also get renewed by Netflix, according to Puck, which first reported the hosting news.
The Academy declined to comment.
A four-time emcee for the annual ceremony, Kimmel is currently tied for the fourth most hosting duties with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon. He sits behind Johnny Carson (5), Billy Crystal (9) and Bob Hope (19).
Mulaney, who hosted the Governors Awards in January and presented at the 96th Academy Awards, had become a favorite among awards enthusiasts to take up the mantle.
Kimmel, a four-time Oscar host, reportedly turned down the gig earlier this summer. Mulaney, whose presenting routine was one of the highlights of this year’s show and who also hosted the Governors Awards, has a busy schedule with several projects coming up. His talk show “Everybody’s in L.A.” could also get renewed by Netflix, according to Puck, which first reported the hosting news.
The Academy declined to comment.
A four-time emcee for the annual ceremony, Kimmel is currently tied for the fourth most hosting duties with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon. He sits behind Johnny Carson (5), Billy Crystal (9) and Bob Hope (19).
Mulaney, who hosted the Governors Awards in January and presented at the 96th Academy Awards, had become a favorite among awards enthusiasts to take up the mantle.
- 7/30/2024
- by Pat Saperstein and Clayton Davis
- Variety - Film News
If you're a big fan of trashy, popular airport mystery paperbacks, you probably know who James Patterson and Alex Cross are. Patterson is a highly successful author (he's the first person to ever sell one million e-books), and while these days he seems to let other people write for him and then just slaps his name on the cover and cashes a check, his early books were authored solo. And when he wrote those early books, he created Alex Cross, a character who has appeared in several books now. Cross is a brilliant Metropolitan Police Department detective who often hunts down twisted serial killers. He's the type of ready-for-the-screen character that people love to watch, so it makes sense that there have been multiple Alex Cross movies — and there's a new Alex Cross TV series on the way, too, headed to Prime Video.
For now, we're just going to focus on the movies.
For now, we're just going to focus on the movies.
- 7/30/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Jeff Bridges, J.J. Abrams and Mark Hamill are among the Hollywood figures who joined Monday night’s “White Dudes for Harris” Zoom fundraising and organizing rally.
The event, which is being broadcast on YouTube, has currently raised more than $3 million for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
“I qualify, man. I’m white, I’m a dude, and I’m for Harris,” said Bridges, who played the the uber-laid-back character “The Dude” in the Coen brothers’ 1998 film “The Big Lebowski.”
“I’m excited, man!” Bridges added.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Abrams promised during the call to match $50,000 raised from attendees.
More than 140,000 signed up for the gathering, which featured appearances from actors including Hamill, Sean Astin, Josh Groban, Josh Gad, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bradley Whitford.
Democratic officials who participated include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Illinois Gov. Jb Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, all of whom have...
The event, which is being broadcast on YouTube, has currently raised more than $3 million for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
“I qualify, man. I’m white, I’m a dude, and I’m for Harris,” said Bridges, who played the the uber-laid-back character “The Dude” in the Coen brothers’ 1998 film “The Big Lebowski.”
“I’m excited, man!” Bridges added.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Abrams promised during the call to match $50,000 raised from attendees.
More than 140,000 signed up for the gathering, which featured appearances from actors including Hamill, Sean Astin, Josh Groban, Josh Gad, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bradley Whitford.
Democratic officials who participated include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Illinois Gov. Jb Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, all of whom have...
- 7/30/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
After "Star Trek" was canceled in 1969, show creator Gene Roddenberry was dismayed. The series was hard-fought, but the ratings were never stellar during its initial run. Indeed, CBS was going to cancel the show at the end of its second season, but a massive letter-writing campaign kept it going for another year. "Star Trek," as most Trekkies know, didn't really its massive audience for a few years, after the series had been put into eternal syndication. Only then did fans start flocking to the show in earnest. It wouldn't be until 1972 that the first "Star Trek" convention would be held.
Roddenberry wasn't content to rest on his growing laurels, however, and tried out a few projects in the early 1970s, hoping to further explore his sci-fi interests. He loved to preach a philosophy of pacifism, as well as larger sci-fi themes about humanity's place in the cosmos. In 1973, he created "Genesis II,...
Roddenberry wasn't content to rest on his growing laurels, however, and tried out a few projects in the early 1970s, hoping to further explore his sci-fi interests. He loved to preach a philosophy of pacifism, as well as larger sci-fi themes about humanity's place in the cosmos. In 1973, he created "Genesis II,...
- 7/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in November 2022 and has since been updated.]
It’s an election year in the United States. So, uh, how you doing, buddy?
Even in a world as spectacularly screwed up as ours [insert long list of alarming, urgent problems we have no practical solutions for, ending with some half-assed joke about the planet being on fire that you’ve definitely heard before!], the American political landscape is especially rocky terrain. In a post-Trump-presidency U.S., democracy is on the ballot and faith in both our electoral system and fellow humans is at an all-time low.
But, you knew that. And as the 2024 election cycle has taken it’s many twists and turns, it’s difficult not to feel fatigued by the circular nature of our political landscape and the lack of real progress made on a number of major crises boiling over at this very moment. Even international bystanders are probably dreading the death march to Election Day this year, and the sea to shining shit storm it will likely be. So to keep your head above water as we head into election season, IndieWire staffers have...
It’s an election year in the United States. So, uh, how you doing, buddy?
Even in a world as spectacularly screwed up as ours [insert long list of alarming, urgent problems we have no practical solutions for, ending with some half-assed joke about the planet being on fire that you’ve definitely heard before!], the American political landscape is especially rocky terrain. In a post-Trump-presidency U.S., democracy is on the ballot and faith in both our electoral system and fellow humans is at an all-time low.
But, you knew that. And as the 2024 election cycle has taken it’s many twists and turns, it’s difficult not to feel fatigued by the circular nature of our political landscape and the lack of real progress made on a number of major crises boiling over at this very moment. Even international bystanders are probably dreading the death march to Election Day this year, and the sea to shining shit storm it will likely be. So to keep your head above water as we head into election season, IndieWire staffers have...
- 7/30/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
“Deadpool & Wolverine” can add another name to its list of cameos.
Stunt coordinator and second unit director George Cottle revealed Monday on Instagram that Tom Holland’s brother, Harry Holland, was a part of the “Deadpool & Wolverine” stunt team.
“When [Shawn Levy] and [Ryan Reynolds] set the bar so f’ing high, even the stunt team needed a special guest star!!” Cottle wrote on his Instagram story. “It may not [be] the Holland the world wanted, but it was the Holland we all needed!!”
Cottle also shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Harry Holland, who played a Deadpool variant in the superhero threequel. “You smashed it my friend,” he wrote directly to Harry Holland, along with the hashtag #Haroldpool.
Harry Holland’s role came as a surprise to many — even Ryan Reynolds himself.
The Deadpool actor shared Cottle’s post on his own Instagram story, adding the message: “This is how I find out?...
Stunt coordinator and second unit director George Cottle revealed Monday on Instagram that Tom Holland’s brother, Harry Holland, was a part of the “Deadpool & Wolverine” stunt team.
“When [Shawn Levy] and [Ryan Reynolds] set the bar so f’ing high, even the stunt team needed a special guest star!!” Cottle wrote on his Instagram story. “It may not [be] the Holland the world wanted, but it was the Holland we all needed!!”
Cottle also shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Harry Holland, who played a Deadpool variant in the superhero threequel. “You smashed it my friend,” he wrote directly to Harry Holland, along with the hashtag #Haroldpool.
Harry Holland’s role came as a surprise to many — even Ryan Reynolds himself.
The Deadpool actor shared Cottle’s post on his own Instagram story, adding the message: “This is how I find out?...
- 7/30/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
After a tough few years that forced Comic-Con to cancel in 2020, go virtual in 2021, and present an actor-less edition last year due to the Hollywood strikes, the fan favourite event returned in style over the weekend.
Screen looks at some of this year’s key talking points. The event ran at San Diego Convention Center from July 25.28.
Everything looking rosy at Marvel Studios, for now
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige pulled a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday in a typically rambunctious Comic-Con panel at Hall H. Having fired Jonathan Majors, the intended star of the studio’s 2026 tentpole...
Screen looks at some of this year’s key talking points. The event ran at San Diego Convention Center from July 25.28.
Everything looking rosy at Marvel Studios, for now
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige pulled a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday in a typically rambunctious Comic-Con panel at Hall H. Having fired Jonathan Majors, the intended star of the studio’s 2026 tentpole...
- 7/30/2024
- ScreenDaily
A slew of classic action flicks are coming to Tubi in August, including “Air Force One,” “Big Trouble in Little China,” “Predator” and “Spartacus.”
All six “Bring it On” films, as well as the first two “Ghostbuster” movies hit Tubi in August. Other comedies coming to the streamer include “Blue Streak,” “The Mask,” “Big Momma’s House” and “Stripes.”
As for originals, Tubi will premiere a number of thriller films in August, including “Blood, Becah, Betrayal,” “On the Run,” “Fit for Murder” and “Secret Life of a Dominatrix.”
Here are all the new titles coming to Tubi in August:
Tubi Orignal Documentaries
Defying Death: Natural Disasters, Defying Death: Wild Animal Attacks, Defying Death: Crashes (8/7):
Survivors of wild animal attacks, natural disasters, and catastrophic crashes share their first-hand accounts of bravery in the face of death.
Tubi Orginal Dramas
Aisha (8/16):
Aisha, a young Nigerian woman seeking asylum in Ireland, struggles...
All six “Bring it On” films, as well as the first two “Ghostbuster” movies hit Tubi in August. Other comedies coming to the streamer include “Blue Streak,” “The Mask,” “Big Momma’s House” and “Stripes.”
As for originals, Tubi will premiere a number of thriller films in August, including “Blood, Becah, Betrayal,” “On the Run,” “Fit for Murder” and “Secret Life of a Dominatrix.”
Here are all the new titles coming to Tubi in August:
Tubi Orignal Documentaries
Defying Death: Natural Disasters, Defying Death: Wild Animal Attacks, Defying Death: Crashes (8/7):
Survivors of wild animal attacks, natural disasters, and catastrophic crashes share their first-hand accounts of bravery in the face of death.
Tubi Orginal Dramas
Aisha (8/16):
Aisha, a young Nigerian woman seeking asylum in Ireland, struggles...
- 7/30/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety - Film News
Rotten Tomatoes is a truly fascinating thing. Though it simply works by aggregating other critics' reviews, the site itself has become, whether we like it or not, somewhat of a tastemaker for the masses. It's odd to think that a site which doesn't actually review movies itself has taken on this role as a kind of cultural arbiter, yet here we are in 2024 when AI movies will soon be a thing and Kevin Hart's "Lift" tops the Netflix most-watched charts. But before we start lamenting the cultural landscape of the moment, here's a question for you — do you know how Rotten Tomatoes works?
Everyone pretty much knows that Rt collects reviews for a film or TV show and spits out a percentage score based on how many of those reviews are positive. But how does Rotten Tomatoes judge a review to be positive? What is a "good" review? Does...
Everyone pretty much knows that Rt collects reviews for a film or TV show and spits out a percentage score based on how many of those reviews are positive. But how does Rotten Tomatoes judge a review to be positive? What is a "good" review? Does...
- 7/30/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
There are very few events in human history as relentlessly documented and recorded as the Olympic Games. From 1912 onwards, the International Olympics Council produced over 40 documentaries chronicling the pinnacle of sports and athletics, as a way to document and preserve the highlights of the thousands of competitors who compete for the gold every year. While those often straightforward, paint-by-numbers documentaries largely fell out of fashion with the rise of television — and now, there are likely more people keeping up with the games via social media than there are consistent cable watchers tuning in — films made about the games from more independent sources remain key touchstone classics to this day.
It’s no surprise why the Olympics would draw filmmakers and documentarians. As the highest platform of athleticism on the planet, the games features human beings at their absolute peaks, and many of the participants are the types of physical specimens...
It’s no surprise why the Olympics would draw filmmakers and documentarians. As the highest platform of athleticism on the planet, the games features human beings at their absolute peaks, and many of the participants are the types of physical specimens...
- 7/29/2024
- by Wilson Chapman and Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
There have been a lot of questions surrounding HBO's upcoming "The Penguin" series. The show will see Colin Farrell step into the spotlight after he wowed everyone with his performance as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot a.k.a. the Penguin in Matt Reeves' "The Batman." Playing a cross between Joe Pesci's Tommy DeVito in "Goodfellas" and Bob Hoskins' Harold Shand in "The Long Good Friday," Farrell was almost unrecognizable in the role. The actor had "unbridled fun" with the character, disappearing behind the extensive prosthetics to bring us a version of the infamous Batman rogue that was much more of a wise guy/crime boss and less of a "hideous penguin man of the sewer" (to borrow a phrase used to describe Danny DeVito's Penguin in "Batman Returns").
But while Farrell was undeniably one of the best things about "The Batman," whether he can sustain an entire premium drama remains to be seen.
But while Farrell was undeniably one of the best things about "The Batman," whether he can sustain an entire premium drama remains to be seen.
- 7/29/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Ridley Scott has delivered some epic battle scenes in his films, from the Battle of Kerak in 2005’s “Kingdom of Heaven” to the Battle of Austerlitz in 2023’s “Napoleon.” But his upcoming sequel to “Gladiator” features an action sequence that’s larger than anything he’s done in the past, according to the legendary filmmaker.
“We begin the film with probably the biggest action sequence I’ve ever done,” Scott told Empire in a recent interview. “Probably bigger than anything in ‘Napoleon.’”
“Gladiator 2” stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus, the original film’s antagonist played by Joaquin Phoenix. Set years after 2000’s “Gladiator,” the sequel sees Lucius living as a young adult in the northern African region of Numidia, where he was sent by his mother as a child. Events bring Lucius back to Rome as a gladiator, where he...
“We begin the film with probably the biggest action sequence I’ve ever done,” Scott told Empire in a recent interview. “Probably bigger than anything in ‘Napoleon.’”
“Gladiator 2” stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and nephew of Commodus, the original film’s antagonist played by Joaquin Phoenix. Set years after 2000’s “Gladiator,” the sequel sees Lucius living as a young adult in the northern African region of Numidia, where he was sent by his mother as a child. Events bring Lucius back to Rome as a gladiator, where he...
- 7/29/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety - Film News
It’s easy to forget with this season’s high kill count — including several dozen Targaryen bastards just as of Episode 7 — but “House of the Dragon” Season 2 opened with a moment of ancient power. Not just Jace (Harry Collett) and Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) visiting the Wall, already centuries old at the time of our story. The “House Stark” theme, which composer Ramin Djawadi wrote all the way back in 2011, makes its return to the world of Westeros. The strings are as aching (and heroic) as they’ve ever been, but the music feels heavier, more poignant, for all the years that we as viewers have lived with Djawadi’s variations of it.
It’s quite something to see — well, to hear — that return of one of “Game of Thrones” core musical identities and know that that’s the amount of oomph Djawadi will have imbued into his variations...
It’s quite something to see — well, to hear — that return of one of “Game of Thrones” core musical identities and know that that’s the amount of oomph Djawadi will have imbued into his variations...
- 7/29/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
In the opening frames of Matt Creed’s “Mary Heilmann: Waves, Roads, & Hallucinations,” an abstract painting sells for nearly a million dollars in an auction. The work was painted by Mary Heilmann, a fixture of America’s abstract art community for more than half a century who is still hard at work at 84 years old — and doesn’t quite know how to feel about the financial windfall. Her attempts to rectify her anti-consumerist ideals that were forged in the 1960s with modern market realities amount to little more than a shrug of acceptance.
“You never thought about selling art,” she said of the ethos that prevailed during her formative years as a young artist. “And now, with the new art world, a new art culture in the world, you’re producing a marketable commodity. Which is something we were just grossed out by.”
That tension between ’60s counterculture and 21st...
“You never thought about selling art,” she said of the ethos that prevailed during her formative years as a young artist. “And now, with the new art world, a new art culture in the world, you’re producing a marketable commodity. Which is something we were just grossed out by.”
That tension between ’60s counterculture and 21st...
- 7/29/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
There are a lot of ways one can look at Apple TV+’s upcoming Matt Damon and Casey Affleck two-hander “The Instigators.” From one angle, it’s a heist film, another, a buddy comedy. As it picks up, it becomes both an ensemble crime piece and a political satire before ultimately descending into an action caper replete with car chases, shootouts, and multiple buildings being blown up. There’s even a touch of human tragedy as Damon and Affleck’s characters Rory and Cobby carry with them ineptitude, but also a desperate desire to move forward. For many directors, this would seem like a lot to take on, but for Doug Liman, it was just another day at the office.
“I know people watch ‘Instigators’ and it looks like we’re having a lot of fun making the movie, but the reality is, it’s a lot of work,” Liman...
“I know people watch ‘Instigators’ and it looks like we’re having a lot of fun making the movie, but the reality is, it’s a lot of work,” Liman...
- 7/29/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Sony is already ahead of the game without having invested hundreds of millions of dollars into its own streaming platform. This week, once again, results show this is no barrier to Sony’s success in reaching home viewers while generating strong revenues.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” premiered on VOD for a $19.99 rental last Tuesday, 47 days after its theatrical release. It remains in the box office top 10 at #7, with a $192 million domestic gross so far. Both iTunes (ranking by transaction) and Fandango (which calculates by revenue) rank it #1.
Meantime, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is the latest of Sony’s films to transition to initial streaming on Netflix about four months after release (and a strong VOD run). It took first place there immediately when it debuted last Tuesday, staying atop all week.
Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” (Warner Bros.) was displaced from the top spot on both charts.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” premiered on VOD for a $19.99 rental last Tuesday, 47 days after its theatrical release. It remains in the box office top 10 at #7, with a $192 million domestic gross so far. Both iTunes (ranking by transaction) and Fandango (which calculates by revenue) rank it #1.
Meantime, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is the latest of Sony’s films to transition to initial streaming on Netflix about four months after release (and a strong VOD run). It took first place there immediately when it debuted last Tuesday, staying atop all week.
Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” (Warner Bros.) was displaced from the top spot on both charts.
- 7/29/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Ryan Reynolds may cultivate an air of impishness and irreverence, but now that he's taken greater control of his career by developing and producing many of his projects, you can be certain that he is, at a certain level, very serious about the buffoonery he perpetrates for our entertainment.
He is, of course, especially committed to Deadpool. Getting the Rob Liefeld/Fabian Nicieza-created Marvel character right for the big screen became a point of pride for the actor when his first outing as the "Merc with a Mouth" was considered by fans to be a shocking betrayal of Marvel vigilante's very essence. After knocking out three blockbuster "Deadpool" films over the last nine years, the sins of 2009's."X-Men Origins: Wolverine" haven't just been forgiven, they've been all but forgotten. This is a relief for Reynolds and a balm for the Marvel Cinematic Universe faithful. Both parties survived that atrocity together,...
He is, of course, especially committed to Deadpool. Getting the Rob Liefeld/Fabian Nicieza-created Marvel character right for the big screen became a point of pride for the actor when his first outing as the "Merc with a Mouth" was considered by fans to be a shocking betrayal of Marvel vigilante's very essence. After knocking out three blockbuster "Deadpool" films over the last nine years, the sins of 2009's."X-Men Origins: Wolverine" haven't just been forgiven, they've been all but forgotten. This is a relief for Reynolds and a balm for the Marvel Cinematic Universe faithful. Both parties survived that atrocity together,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
‘The Mouse Trap’ Trailer: Mickey Mouse Is a Serial Killer in an Inevitable Public Domain Horror Film
Well, we all knew this was coming: Disney has gone dark thanks to “Steamboat Willie” now being in the public domain.
The earliest version of the conglomerate’s iconic Mickey Mouse character is now up for grabs — and the team behind the upcoming horror film “The Mouse Trap” wasted no time reimagining Mickey as a murderer.
Jamie Bailey directs the twisted take on the mouse with Simon Phillips playing the serial killer version of Mickey. The teaser trailer was released January 1 to announce the project just as the character entered the public domain and legally could be incorporated in Disney-less films.
The official synopsis reads: “It’s Alex’s 21st Birthday, but she’s stuck at the amusement arcade on a late shift so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to play a game of his own with them which she must survive.
The earliest version of the conglomerate’s iconic Mickey Mouse character is now up for grabs — and the team behind the upcoming horror film “The Mouse Trap” wasted no time reimagining Mickey as a murderer.
Jamie Bailey directs the twisted take on the mouse with Simon Phillips playing the serial killer version of Mickey. The teaser trailer was released January 1 to announce the project just as the character entered the public domain and legally could be incorporated in Disney-less films.
The official synopsis reads: “It’s Alex’s 21st Birthday, but she’s stuck at the amusement arcade on a late shift so her friends decide to surprise her, but a masked killer dressed as Mickey Mouse decides to play a game of his own with them which she must survive.
- 7/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Zach Braff told The Ringer as part of a recent oral history on the iconic soundtrack to his 2004 comedy-drama “Garden State” that Quentin Tarantino approached him and jokingly cursed him off when Braff’s film won the Grammy Award for best compilation soundtrack for visual media over Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 2.”
“I was up against Quentin Tarantino. I certainly didn’t think there would ever be a chance where I would beat Quentin Tarantino at anything,” Braff said. “My father wanted to come, and I was like, ‘Dad, there’s no way I’m gonna win a Grammy. Tarantino is winning the Grammy, and you’re wasting your trip from Jersey out here.’ And then we fucking won! I couldn’t believe it.”
Braff continued, “Tarantino jokingly said, ‘You stole my fucking Grammy, man!’ and then gave me a big smile and a hug. He was super sweet and supportive.
“I was up against Quentin Tarantino. I certainly didn’t think there would ever be a chance where I would beat Quentin Tarantino at anything,” Braff said. “My father wanted to come, and I was like, ‘Dad, there’s no way I’m gonna win a Grammy. Tarantino is winning the Grammy, and you’re wasting your trip from Jersey out here.’ And then we fucking won! I couldn’t believe it.”
Braff continued, “Tarantino jokingly said, ‘You stole my fucking Grammy, man!’ and then gave me a big smile and a hug. He was super sweet and supportive.
- 7/29/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Anyone with an active internet feed of some kind -- not just those who are obsessed with superheroes -- is likely very aware that "Deadpool & Wolverine" hit theaters over the weekend. That's because the R-rated comic book team-up opened to a record-shattering $211 million domestically at the box office, giving it literally one of the biggest opening weekends of all time. While there are many reasons for the movie's success in the early going, the primary reason is right there in the title: People really wanted to see Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool get a proper team-up with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. It's certainly not the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe has employed such a tactic to drum up interest in a movie, but this gargantuan success also ensures it's definitely not going to be the last.
Even going back to earliest days of the MCU when there were references in...
Even going back to earliest days of the MCU when there were references in...
- 7/29/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Warning: this article contains spoilers for the end of "Deadpool & Wolverine."
Well, Kevin Feige should be happy. "Deadpool & Wolverine" has cameoed its way to an astonishing $200 million opening weekend. In fact, the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-starring blockbuster managed the sixth-biggest opening weekend in box office history, with a domestic total of $211 million and a worldwide total of $444.3 million.
Yes, the Merc with the Mouth has seemingly done the impossible and saved the Marvel Cinematic Universe from itself. Following a frankly bewildering cavalcade of MCU "content" over the past few years, the franchise almost managed to kill itself off. Now, Deadpool and his new buddy have at least shown there's life left in the saga yet — even if it did take a similarly bewildering series of cameos and unabashed fan service to do so.
It's no secret that "Deadpool & Wolverine" is packed with cameos. Much like "Spiderman: No Way Home,...
Well, Kevin Feige should be happy. "Deadpool & Wolverine" has cameoed its way to an astonishing $200 million opening weekend. In fact, the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-starring blockbuster managed the sixth-biggest opening weekend in box office history, with a domestic total of $211 million and a worldwide total of $444.3 million.
Yes, the Merc with the Mouth has seemingly done the impossible and saved the Marvel Cinematic Universe from itself. Following a frankly bewildering cavalcade of MCU "content" over the past few years, the franchise almost managed to kill itself off. Now, Deadpool and his new buddy have at least shown there's life left in the saga yet — even if it did take a similarly bewildering series of cameos and unabashed fan service to do so.
It's no secret that "Deadpool & Wolverine" is packed with cameos. Much like "Spiderman: No Way Home,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
“A fart joke is easy.”
This may be, but executed by Mel Brooks, it can get a crowd going more than anything on view at this summer’s Paris Olympics. So was the case this past weekend at a 50th anniversary screening of his western comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles,” which played at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was followed by a Q&a with the 98 year-old filmmaker himself. Moderated by Brooksfilms producer Kevin Salter, Brooks dazzled and enraptured the audience with tidbits on the making of the film and stories from his colorful past. One such story involved his hard-to-believe Oscar win for his first film, “The Producers.”
“I didn’t have a speech because Stanley Kubrick was in the same category for ‘2001,’” Brooks said of being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. “There was a brilliant director called Pontecorvo who did ‘The Battle of Algiers,’ a great picture...
This may be, but executed by Mel Brooks, it can get a crowd going more than anything on view at this summer’s Paris Olympics. So was the case this past weekend at a 50th anniversary screening of his western comedy classic, “Blazing Saddles,” which played at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was followed by a Q&a with the 98 year-old filmmaker himself. Moderated by Brooksfilms producer Kevin Salter, Brooks dazzled and enraptured the audience with tidbits on the making of the film and stories from his colorful past. One such story involved his hard-to-believe Oscar win for his first film, “The Producers.”
“I didn’t have a speech because Stanley Kubrick was in the same category for ‘2001,’” Brooks said of being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. “There was a brilliant director called Pontecorvo who did ‘The Battle of Algiers,’ a great picture...
- 7/29/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Spoiler Alert: This story contains spoilers for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is now playing in theaters
Wesley Snipes opened up to Entertainment Weekly about what it was like reprising Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” He was one of the film’s big cameos and even attended San Diego Comic-Con last week to surprise fans after a screening of the Marvel blockbuster with the movie’s other cameo actors.
“Over the years, we’ve had very interesting conversations, some of them very substantive and some of them not,” Snipes told EW about bringing his iteration of Blade back for a fourth go-around. “So I kind of resided that I was moving on from them, which is okay. I did three of them, and I thought they turned out pretty good. Not so bad… So we move on to other things, and bigger and better things, as well.”
Snipes debuted as Blade...
Wesley Snipes opened up to Entertainment Weekly about what it was like reprising Blade in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” He was one of the film’s big cameos and even attended San Diego Comic-Con last week to surprise fans after a screening of the Marvel blockbuster with the movie’s other cameo actors.
“Over the years, we’ve had very interesting conversations, some of them very substantive and some of them not,” Snipes told EW about bringing his iteration of Blade back for a fourth go-around. “So I kind of resided that I was moving on from them, which is okay. I did three of them, and I thought they turned out pretty good. Not so bad… So we move on to other things, and bigger and better things, as well.”
Snipes debuted as Blade...
- 7/29/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of "House of the Dragon."
Both "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon" have cultivated fascinating relationships with their respective source material. The former infamously outpaced the publication of author George R.R. Martin's fantasy series titled "A Song of Ice and Fire," flying off a cliff like Wile E. Coyote once it exhausted the books at its disposal and forced to build the rest of its runway in midair flight ... and, yeah, you remember how that ended. The latter, meanwhile, came with the baggage of a thoroughly unconventional book to adapt. "Fire & Blood" is the furthest thing from a traditional novel, instead chronicling the feats of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros from the perspective of an in-universe historian. Reliant on fictional secondhand sources and a mix of conjecture and personal bias, the author paints a broad portrait of historical events centuries after the fact.
Both "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon" have cultivated fascinating relationships with their respective source material. The former infamously outpaced the publication of author George R.R. Martin's fantasy series titled "A Song of Ice and Fire," flying off a cliff like Wile E. Coyote once it exhausted the books at its disposal and forced to build the rest of its runway in midair flight ... and, yeah, you remember how that ended. The latter, meanwhile, came with the baggage of a thoroughly unconventional book to adapt. "Fire & Blood" is the furthest thing from a traditional novel, instead chronicling the feats of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros from the perspective of an in-universe historian. Reliant on fictional secondhand sources and a mix of conjecture and personal bias, the author paints a broad portrait of historical events centuries after the fact.
- 7/29/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
When IndieWire recently ranked the 25 best films of Alfred Hitchcock, it was probably no surprise to anyone that “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” the director’s sole attempt at a light romantic comedy, didn’t make the cut. Even Hitchcock himself tended to underrate the film, as when he told interviewer François Truffaut that “since I didn’t really understand the type of people who were portrayed in the film, all I did was photograph the scenes as written.” From a filmmaker who regularly dismissed movies he considered uncinematic as mere “photographs of people talking,” this was the ultimate self-directed insult.
Yet even a casual reappraisal of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” newly available in an exquisite Blu-ray special edition from Warner Archive, undermines Hitchcock’s claims about his own movie. While it would be a bridge too far to declare the film a masterpiece on a par with “Psycho” or “Rear Window,...
Yet even a casual reappraisal of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” newly available in an exquisite Blu-ray special edition from Warner Archive, undermines Hitchcock’s claims about his own movie. While it would be a bridge too far to declare the film a masterpiece on a par with “Psycho” or “Rear Window,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Seen any good TV lately? Better yet: See any good TV businesses lately?
It is no newsflash to report that linear television has been sinking into a financial quicksand pit as streamers hoard the best content for themselves, accelerating cord-cutting. Meanwhile, the same streaming services are either unprofitable or have far-slimmer profit margins than broadcast and cable. This is not exactly the financial future that media companies — and the analysts who study them — banked on.
In 2021, the media analysts at MoffettNathanson forecasted that, by 2024, linear TV would account for $78 billion of a total $149 billion in consumer-spend on video (which also includes box office and home video). If this was “The Price Is Right,” they’d be eliminated for going over — twice.
On July 22, 2024, they acknowledged they were high by 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively. An expected compound annual growth rate (Cagr) of 1.2 percent turned out to be just 0.3 percent. And don...
It is no newsflash to report that linear television has been sinking into a financial quicksand pit as streamers hoard the best content for themselves, accelerating cord-cutting. Meanwhile, the same streaming services are either unprofitable or have far-slimmer profit margins than broadcast and cable. This is not exactly the financial future that media companies — and the analysts who study them — banked on.
In 2021, the media analysts at MoffettNathanson forecasted that, by 2024, linear TV would account for $78 billion of a total $149 billion in consumer-spend on video (which also includes box office and home video). If this was “The Price Is Right,” they’d be eliminated for going over — twice.
On July 22, 2024, they acknowledged they were high by 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively. An expected compound annual growth rate (Cagr) of 1.2 percent turned out to be just 0.3 percent. And don...
- 7/29/2024
- by Tony Maglio and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Josh Hartnett recently spoke to The Guardian about his decision to leave Hollywood at a time when his career was thriving following major roles in “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down,” “40 Days and 40 Nights” and more. Although Hartnett only stopped working for 18 months, he left Los Angeles and moved back home to Montana and drastically changed the kinds of movies he wanted to star in. This was also a period where Hartnett passed on Superman twice.
“I just didn’t want my life to be swallowed up by my work,” Hartnett said. “And there was a notion at that time you just kind of give it all up. And you saw what happened to some people back then. They got obliterated by it. I didn’t want that for myself.”
But there was an other reason why Hartnett left Hollywood, and it was much darker. The actor revealed that he became...
“I just didn’t want my life to be swallowed up by my work,” Hartnett said. “And there was a notion at that time you just kind of give it all up. And you saw what happened to some people back then. They got obliterated by it. I didn’t want that for myself.”
But there was an other reason why Hartnett left Hollywood, and it was much darker. The actor revealed that he became...
- 7/29/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Ridley Scott is leaning into the future of filmmaking — or at least the future of rhino fight scenes.
The auteur behind the upomcing “Gladiator 2” told Empire that he believes Hollywood has to “embrace” AI, especially given how necessary the technology has become in post-production and special effects. For a particular scene in “Gladiator 2” where Paul Mescal’s character battles a rhino, Scott said his team built an “eight-wheeled, digitally driven” rhino that is plastic and practical. Mescal, per Empire, was even able to climb aboard, and the beast down to its skin and shape looks terrific.
“Computerization and AI — you have to embrace it,” Scott said. “I can have a computer read every molecule and wrinkle on a rhino and then cut it on a thick piece of plastic, absolutely as a rhino’s body, which is then tailored to a skeleton shape.”
Scott didn’t elaborate as...
The auteur behind the upomcing “Gladiator 2” told Empire that he believes Hollywood has to “embrace” AI, especially given how necessary the technology has become in post-production and special effects. For a particular scene in “Gladiator 2” where Paul Mescal’s character battles a rhino, Scott said his team built an “eight-wheeled, digitally driven” rhino that is plastic and practical. Mescal, per Empire, was even able to climb aboard, and the beast down to its skin and shape looks terrific.
“Computerization and AI — you have to embrace it,” Scott said. “I can have a computer read every molecule and wrinkle on a rhino and then cut it on a thick piece of plastic, absolutely as a rhino’s body, which is then tailored to a skeleton shape.”
Scott didn’t elaborate as...
- 7/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Fresh off of its record-breaking debut weekend at the box office (during which it shattered the record for biggest domestic opening weekend ever for an R-rated movie), "Deadpool & Wolverine" has moviegoers quoting scads of profane dialogue while recounting its myriad of outrageous surprises. Plot twists! Cameos! A Jimmy Durante needle-drop! There's so much going on in Deadpool's latest adventure that Marvel die-hards will be lining up repeat viewings throughout the rest of the summer and, considering that solid "A" Cinemascore, well into the fall (though /Film's Chris Evangelista wasn't quite so enthusiastic in his review).
One bit of business Deadpoolers might want to examine is the hero's stunningly deft dance moves to Nsync's "Bye Bye Bye" over the opening credits. Who knew Wade Wilson had moves like Justin Timberlake? Does this mean star Ryan Reynolds can get down like a demon on the dancefloor, too? According to the 47-year-old actor ... no,...
One bit of business Deadpoolers might want to examine is the hero's stunningly deft dance moves to Nsync's "Bye Bye Bye" over the opening credits. Who knew Wade Wilson had moves like Justin Timberlake? Does this mean star Ryan Reynolds can get down like a demon on the dancefloor, too? According to the 47-year-old actor ... no,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
During this year’s San Diego Comic-Con panel, it was revealed that “The Boys” is getting another live-action spinoff, titled “Vought Rising.” With the massive success of both “The Boys” and its first spinoff, “Gen V,” it was no shock that Prime Video would want more. And hearing the showrunner talk about it, it sounds as if “Vought Rising” could be something special. Especially if you like noir tales.
Continue reading ‘Vought Rising’: ‘The Boys’ Showrunner Calls New Spinoff “‘L.A. Confidential’ With Superheroes” at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Vought Rising’: ‘The Boys’ Showrunner Calls New Spinoff “‘L.A. Confidential’ With Superheroes” at The Playlist.
- 7/29/2024
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
If you’re a Marvel fan who self-identifies as tired, you remember the exact moment that the tides shifted.
For me it was 2023’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” a film whose staggering lack of imagination and commitment to CGI drudgery left me exiting the theater feeling not only disappointed, but offended. My loyalty had been taken for granted, and the bar for holding on to it lowered to unrecognizable new depths.
There have been ups and downs since then. I adored “Ms. Marvel,” and enjoyed “Echo,” two Disney+ series minimally burdened by the multiverse, and while I agree with the critiques of “Deadpool & Wolverine” my early-2000s X-Men heart was cackling and clapping throughout. But not much of the post-“Avengers: Endgame” repertoire has compelled me to watch and rewatch and theorize and get excited in the way that I did before.
For the execs at Marvel, that’s a problem.
For me it was 2023’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” a film whose staggering lack of imagination and commitment to CGI drudgery left me exiting the theater feeling not only disappointed, but offended. My loyalty had been taken for granted, and the bar for holding on to it lowered to unrecognizable new depths.
There have been ups and downs since then. I adored “Ms. Marvel,” and enjoyed “Echo,” two Disney+ series minimally burdened by the multiverse, and while I agree with the critiques of “Deadpool & Wolverine” my early-2000s X-Men heart was cackling and clapping throughout. But not much of the post-“Avengers: Endgame” repertoire has compelled me to watch and rewatch and theorize and get excited in the way that I did before.
For the execs at Marvel, that’s a problem.
- 7/29/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
If it worked with Spider-Man, then why can’t it work with the Fantastic Four? That’s the question you have to assume was asked during the development of the upcoming “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” You see, much like what Marvel Studios did with the ‘Spider-Man’ franchise almost a decade ago, the studio is apparently ready to skip the origin story for the Fantastic Four in ‘First Steps.’
Speaking to EW after the massive Marvel Studios San Diego Comic-Con panel, filmmaker Matt Shakman talked about his upcoming film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Specifically, he explained why Marvel is forgoing a regular origin story film.
Continue reading ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director Says The Film Is Not An Origin Story at The Playlist.
Speaking to EW after the massive Marvel Studios San Diego Comic-Con panel, filmmaker Matt Shakman talked about his upcoming film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Specifically, he explained why Marvel is forgoing a regular origin story film.
Continue reading ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director Says The Film Is Not An Origin Story at The Playlist.
- 7/29/2024
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is assuring fans that Vice President Kamala Harris loves the “Veep” resurgence after announcing her presidential campaign.
Louis-Dreyfus, who starred as a fictional first female Vice President in the Emmy-winning HBO series from 2012 to 2019, told Entertainment Weekly that she is “delighted” by how the show has become even more relevant amid the 2024 election.
“It’s been a wild thing to witness. Viewership went up something insane like 350 percent,” Louis-Dreyfus said while promoting her MCU installment “Thunderbolts” at Comic-Con. “I’m delighted. I’m happy people are getting a kick out of it. And I know that Kamala Harris is — big time.”
Season 1 of “Veep” got a 353 percent increase in viewership on Monday, July 22, according to Luminate. The Max streaming records reflect a boost after President Biden announced he was stepping out of the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Louis-Dreyfus already knew that...
Louis-Dreyfus, who starred as a fictional first female Vice President in the Emmy-winning HBO series from 2012 to 2019, told Entertainment Weekly that she is “delighted” by how the show has become even more relevant amid the 2024 election.
“It’s been a wild thing to witness. Viewership went up something insane like 350 percent,” Louis-Dreyfus said while promoting her MCU installment “Thunderbolts” at Comic-Con. “I’m delighted. I’m happy people are getting a kick out of it. And I know that Kamala Harris is — big time.”
Season 1 of “Veep” got a 353 percent increase in viewership on Monday, July 22, according to Luminate. The Max streaming records reflect a boost after President Biden announced he was stepping out of the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Harris for the Democratic nomination.
Louis-Dreyfus already knew that...
- 7/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
This post contains spoilers for "House of the Dragon."
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) finds herself in an impossible position at the moment. Forced to become a child bride and assume royal responsibilities before she could verbalize her innermost instincts, Alicent has been duty-bound from the get-go, at the cost of completely alienating herself. The first wedge between her and Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) snowballed into a storm of jealous resentment, fueling her decisions to carve out her authority at the Red Keep and oppose Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. It has been years since she had worn her green dress to declare the start of an impending war — a decision with lasting repercussions, both deliberate and unintended — but now she feels discarded by the same people she had sworn to protect. In "House of the Dragon" season 2, episode 7, "The Red Sowing," Alicent retreats in an attempt to hold on to frayed autonomy,...
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) finds herself in an impossible position at the moment. Forced to become a child bride and assume royal responsibilities before she could verbalize her innermost instincts, Alicent has been duty-bound from the get-go, at the cost of completely alienating herself. The first wedge between her and Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) snowballed into a storm of jealous resentment, fueling her decisions to carve out her authority at the Red Keep and oppose Rhaenyra's claim to the throne. It has been years since she had worn her green dress to declare the start of an impending war — a decision with lasting repercussions, both deliberate and unintended — but now she feels discarded by the same people she had sworn to protect. In "House of the Dragon" season 2, episode 7, "The Red Sowing," Alicent retreats in an attempt to hold on to frayed autonomy,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
Kevin Smith’s Semi-Autobiographical ‘The 4:30 Movie’ Centers on ’80s Teen Cinephiles — Watch Trailer
Kevin Smith has often blurred the lines between documentary and fiction. With semi-autobiographical film “The 4:30 Movie”, the writer/director is tapping into his New Jersey teen years.
Smith wrote and directed the feature that is billed as his “most personal film to date.” The coming-of-age story stars “Clerks 3” actor Austin Zajur as Brian David, a teen cinephile (and Smith surrogate) who regularly sneaks into movie theaters.
The official synopsis for “The 4:30 Movie” reads: “Three sixteen-year-old friends who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local cineplex. When one of the guys invites the girl of his dreams to see an R-rated film, all hilarity breaks loose, as a self-important theater manager (Ken Jeong) and teen rivalries interfere with his best-laid plans.”
The film takes place in the summer of 1986, and includes cameos from former Smith collaborators Justin Long, Rosario Dawson, Jason Biggs, Jason Mewes, Jason Lee (all the Jasons), and more.
Smith wrote and directed the feature that is billed as his “most personal film to date.” The coming-of-age story stars “Clerks 3” actor Austin Zajur as Brian David, a teen cinephile (and Smith surrogate) who regularly sneaks into movie theaters.
The official synopsis for “The 4:30 Movie” reads: “Three sixteen-year-old friends who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local cineplex. When one of the guys invites the girl of his dreams to see an R-rated film, all hilarity breaks loose, as a self-important theater manager (Ken Jeong) and teen rivalries interfere with his best-laid plans.”
The film takes place in the summer of 1986, and includes cameos from former Smith collaborators Justin Long, Rosario Dawson, Jason Biggs, Jason Mewes, Jason Lee (all the Jasons), and more.
- 7/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
As Deadpool might say, let's f***ing go. After six years away from the silver screen, the Merc with a Mouth returned in a big, bad way with Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine." As the title makes very clear, Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson brought some company with him this time in the form of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. That combination proved to be absolutely irresistible for moviegoers, as the superhero team-up absolutely obliterated the competition at the box office, shattering records along the way.
Coming in above the already-ridiculous $200 million estimates over the weekend, director Shawn Levy's "Deadpool & Wolverine" pulled in an astonishing $211 million domestically in its debut, representing the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated movie ever. The original "Deadpool" ($132.4 million) was the previous record holder, so we're firmly in record-shattering territory here, well beyond record-breaking. It also represents the sixth-biggest opening weekend of all time behind only...
Coming in above the already-ridiculous $200 million estimates over the weekend, director Shawn Levy's "Deadpool & Wolverine" pulled in an astonishing $211 million domestically in its debut, representing the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated movie ever. The original "Deadpool" ($132.4 million) was the previous record holder, so we're firmly in record-shattering territory here, well beyond record-breaking. It also represents the sixth-biggest opening weekend of all time behind only...
- 7/29/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
You could argue that, even with three previous films (including one reboot), that we have yet to see a comic book accurate “Hellboy” film. That doesn’t mean the previous ones are terrible–there is serious love for Guillermo del Toro’s first two–but it looks like “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” might be our first attempt at what a comic book-accurate ‘Hellboy’ film would look like.
Read More: The Best Films Of 2024 So Far: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Civil War,’ ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ & More
As seen in the trailer, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” takes place in the ‘50s and follows the story of the Bprd as they’re tasked with taking on a supernatural evil known as the Crooked Man.
Continue reading ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Trailer: Jack Kesy Takes Over The Franchise With Brian Taylor Directing at The Playlist.
Read More: The Best Films Of 2024 So Far: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Civil War,’ ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ & More
As seen in the trailer, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” takes place in the ‘50s and follows the story of the Bprd as they’re tasked with taking on a supernatural evil known as the Crooked Man.
Continue reading ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Trailer: Jack Kesy Takes Over The Franchise With Brian Taylor Directing at The Playlist.
- 7/29/2024
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Filmmaker Ridley Scott has never shied away from filming a massive action sequence. He’s done plenty of action-heavy epics in his time. However, according to the filmmaker, all of it pales in comparison to what people will see in the opening scene of “Gladiator II.”
Read More: Ridley Scott Was Never Asked To Direct ‘Alien’ Sequel After The First Film: “You Can Imagine I Wasn’t Happy”
Speaking to Empire, Ridley Scott talked about his upcoming film, “Gladiator II.” Apparently, the highly-anticipated sequel is going to begin with what the filmmaker is calling his biggest action sequence yet.
Continue reading ‘Gladiator II’: Ridley Scott Says The Film Opens With “The Biggest Action Sequence” He’s Ever Done at The Playlist.
Read More: Ridley Scott Was Never Asked To Direct ‘Alien’ Sequel After The First Film: “You Can Imagine I Wasn’t Happy”
Speaking to Empire, Ridley Scott talked about his upcoming film, “Gladiator II.” Apparently, the highly-anticipated sequel is going to begin with what the filmmaker is calling his biggest action sequence yet.
Continue reading ‘Gladiator II’: Ridley Scott Says The Film Opens With “The Biggest Action Sequence” He’s Ever Done at The Playlist.
- 7/29/2024
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
If you happened to open up Twitter (only Thanos calls it "X") on the evening of Saturday, July 27, 2024, you may have noticed the social media platform blowing up with posts about Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con panel. Taking to the stage in Hall H, Marvel boss Kevin Feige revealed that Robert Downey Jr. would be making his much-ballyhooed return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as rumored, though not as the late Tony Stark. Instead, the actor will be celebrating his recent Oscar win for "Oppenheimer" by playing an alternate universe version of the fabled "Fantastic Four" villain Victor von "Doctor" Doom.
This announcement was swiftly met with what Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) in "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" might charitably refer to as "mixed reviews." A Reddit user was quick to publish a message on the r/CharacterRant subreddit with the self-explanatory title, "I unironically think Robert Downey Jr as...
This announcement was swiftly met with what Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) in "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" might charitably refer to as "mixed reviews." A Reddit user was quick to publish a message on the r/CharacterRant subreddit with the self-explanatory title, "I unironically think Robert Downey Jr as...
- 7/29/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke are set to star in Saipan, about the infamous 2002 World Cup dispute between Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane.
The project is scheduled to begin production in Ireland and Saipan later this summer.
It is directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, whose credits include Ordinary Love, from a script by Dead Man’s Shoes co-writer Paul Fraser.
It follows the relationship between the footballing star (Hardwicke) and manager (Coogan) during the buildup to the 2002 Japan World Cup, chronicling their infamous dispute which divided a nation.
The incident caused a huge controversy over who was to blame.
The project is scheduled to begin production in Ireland and Saipan later this summer.
It is directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, whose credits include Ordinary Love, from a script by Dead Man’s Shoes co-writer Paul Fraser.
It follows the relationship between the footballing star (Hardwicke) and manager (Coogan) during the buildup to the 2002 Japan World Cup, chronicling their infamous dispute which divided a nation.
The incident caused a huge controversy over who was to blame.
- 7/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
In 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien created the epic fantasy world of Middle-earth for "The Hobbit" and filled it with magical creatures such as dragons, elves, and -- of course -- hobbits. He followed it up with the 1,137-page saga "The Lord of the Rings," which chronicles the Dark Lord Sauron's threat to take over Middle-earth with the hypnotic power of The One Ring. His son, Christopher Tolkien, took over forty years to put together and posthumously publish "The Silmarillion" and the 12-volume series "The History of Middle-earth," which contain vast accounts of Middle-earth's intricate lore.
Tolkien's ability to develop an enchanted realm with its own mythology, language, and extensive history was the work of a genius. "The Lord of the Rings" and its associated stories are a miracle of fantasy writing and artistry, and their monumental scope made them seem unfilmable. The medium of animation helped director Ralph Bakshi overcome the...
Tolkien's ability to develop an enchanted realm with its own mythology, language, and extensive history was the work of a genius. "The Lord of the Rings" and its associated stories are a miracle of fantasy writing and artistry, and their monumental scope made them seem unfilmable. The medium of animation helped director Ralph Bakshi overcome the...
- 7/29/2024
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
Fresh off a recent turn in “The Hunger Games” universe at the end of last year and a cameo in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness” earlier this summer, Hunter Schafer is quickly returning back to the silver screen with “Luz” filmmaker Tilman Singer’s “Cuckoo.” The film centers on 17-year-old Gretchen (Schafer), who is forced to leave her American home to live with her father in a resort in the German Alps with his new wife and family, before things very quickly spin out of control into a surreal horror nightmare.
Three months after the Season 2 finale of “Euphoria” aired, Schafer flew to Germany to star in her very first feature film. “Looking back on the experience overall, the biggest difference is that I started ‘Euphoria’ in 2019 and it’s still going now. And then with something like ‘Cuckoo,’ with this experience, it lives solely in those three months [of production], at...
Three months after the Season 2 finale of “Euphoria” aired, Schafer flew to Germany to star in her very first feature film. “Looking back on the experience overall, the biggest difference is that I started ‘Euphoria’ in 2019 and it’s still going now. And then with something like ‘Cuckoo,’ with this experience, it lives solely in those three months [of production], at...
- 7/29/2024
- by Vincent Perella
- Indiewire
Spoiler Alert: This story contains spoilers for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is now playing in theaters
Jennifer Garner attended her first Comic-Con over the weekend and it turned into an unforgettable event after she got stuck in an elevator for more than an hour. She documented the incident in a video post published to her Instagram. After two minutes of being stuck, Garner told the camera: “I could use a Wolverine, I could use a Deadpool. I could use someone. Yeah, we’re looking for stairs.”
After 35 minutes, Garner decided to sit down and explained: “I think I heard on an episode of ‘The Office’ or ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ or something that you’re supposed to sit, so we’re sitting.”
It wasn’t until one hour and 11 minutes that firefighters were able to pry open the door and let Garner and her team out of the elevator. The group decided...
Jennifer Garner attended her first Comic-Con over the weekend and it turned into an unforgettable event after she got stuck in an elevator for more than an hour. She documented the incident in a video post published to her Instagram. After two minutes of being stuck, Garner told the camera: “I could use a Wolverine, I could use a Deadpool. I could use someone. Yeah, we’re looking for stairs.”
After 35 minutes, Garner decided to sit down and explained: “I think I heard on an episode of ‘The Office’ or ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ or something that you’re supposed to sit, so we’re sitting.”
It wasn’t until one hour and 11 minutes that firefighters were able to pry open the door and let Garner and her team out of the elevator. The group decided...
- 7/29/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
It’s hard to think of an actor managing his career after leaving a franchise better than has Robert Downey Jr. And that makes his announced return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe — in which he’ll be playing the villainous character Dr. Doom in forthcoming “Avengers” sequels, as announced this weekend — come as a surprise.
Downey’s “Iron Man” kicked off of the MCU in 2008, and his character Tony Stark’s death, in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” was a climax of sorts. “Endgame” represented a culmination of all Marvel storytelling to that point: Downey’s definitive departure meant that this particular set of stories, in which wisecracking defense contractor sat at the emotional center, was done.
What immediately followed his departure was a major hiccup, with his film “Dolittle” bombing critically and commercially in early 2020. It was an attempted franchise-starter, and a cynical one: Downey has said since that he was...
Downey’s “Iron Man” kicked off of the MCU in 2008, and his character Tony Stark’s death, in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” was a climax of sorts. “Endgame” represented a culmination of all Marvel storytelling to that point: Downey’s definitive departure meant that this particular set of stories, in which wisecracking defense contractor sat at the emotional center, was done.
What immediately followed his departure was a major hiccup, with his film “Dolittle” bombing critically and commercially in early 2020. It was an attempted franchise-starter, and a cynical one: Downey has said since that he was...
- 7/29/2024
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety - Film News
Dan Aykroyd ain’t afraid to change his mind on the infamous 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot.
The original “Ghostbusters” actor and screenwriter of the 1984 film told People that while he was “mad” at the 2016 production at the time, he is “proud” of the franchise installment — despite the film being a commercial and critical flop.
Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones led the franchise reimagining directed by Paul Feig. The film endured backlash prior to its release, with the trailer being one of the most disliked film trailer posts in YouTube history at the time.
“I liked the movie [director] Paul Feig made with those spectacular women,” Aykroyd, who produced the 2016 film, said. “I was mad at them at the time because I was supposed to be a producer on there and I didn’t do my job and I didn’t argue about costs. And it cost perhaps more than it should,...
The original “Ghostbusters” actor and screenwriter of the 1984 film told People that while he was “mad” at the 2016 production at the time, he is “proud” of the franchise installment — despite the film being a commercial and critical flop.
Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones led the franchise reimagining directed by Paul Feig. The film endured backlash prior to its release, with the trailer being one of the most disliked film trailer posts in YouTube history at the time.
“I liked the movie [director] Paul Feig made with those spectacular women,” Aykroyd, who produced the 2016 film, said. “I was mad at them at the time because I was supposed to be a producer on there and I didn’t do my job and I didn’t argue about costs. And it cost perhaps more than it should,...
- 7/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Giulio Base’s religious drama Judas’ Gospel, which stars Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, John Savage and Abel Ferrara, has started filming in Italy.
The film sees Judas, about to die, reflect on his life and his relationship with Jesus and the disciples.
Vincenzo Galluzzo, Darko Perić and Tomasz Kot round out the cast, with filming set to last for four weeks in Calabria, Italy.
Base, who is the artistic director of Turin Film Festival, has film credits including 2018’s The Anarchist Banker.
His wife, Tiziana Rocca, who heads up Agnus Dei Production, produces. Minerva Pictures and Agresywna Banda also produce in association with Rai Cinema.
The film sees Judas, about to die, reflect on his life and his relationship with Jesus and the disciples.
Vincenzo Galluzzo, Darko Perić and Tomasz Kot round out the cast, with filming set to last for four weeks in Calabria, Italy.
Base, who is the artistic director of Turin Film Festival, has film credits including 2018’s The Anarchist Banker.
His wife, Tiziana Rocca, who heads up Agnus Dei Production, produces. Minerva Pictures and Agresywna Banda also produce in association with Rai Cinema.
- 7/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Warning: This article discusses major spoilers for the latest episode of "House of the Dragon," the book "Fire & Blood," and potentially future episodes of the series. Seriously. Here are more bold words to warn you about spoilers.
You may have noticed that season 2 of "House of the Dragon" has been something of a slow burn thus far, slowly ramping up the tension between different factions of House Targaryen until everyone's hit their breaking point -- or simply become exceedingly desperate. Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and the rest of Team Black have officially reached their limit in that regard, answering Team Green's superior numbers and strength on the field by flying headfirst into one of the most dangerous and ill-advised gambits the Seven Kingdoms have ever seen. The dragon riders storyline has been carefully set up over the last few episodes, positioning various contenders across the continent who might happen to possess...
You may have noticed that season 2 of "House of the Dragon" has been something of a slow burn thus far, slowly ramping up the tension between different factions of House Targaryen until everyone's hit their breaking point -- or simply become exceedingly desperate. Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and the rest of Team Black have officially reached their limit in that regard, answering Team Green's superior numbers and strength on the field by flying headfirst into one of the most dangerous and ill-advised gambits the Seven Kingdoms have ever seen. The dragon riders storyline has been carefully set up over the last few episodes, positioning various contenders across the continent who might happen to possess...
- 7/29/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
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