Category: Industry News

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The Cast For Disney’s Upcoming ‘Strange World’ Has Just Expanded

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Disney is bringing out all the stars for their latest animated adventure flick, Strange World. It was announced this week that Dennis Quaid, Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu will showcase their voice work in the film.

They’ll be joining a cast that already includes Jake Gyllenhaal. ‘Strange World’ is being directed by Don Hall, who worked on the Big Hero 6 film, as well as the 2021 film, Raya and the Last Dragon.

Strange World follows three generations of the Clade family, legendary explorers, who arrive at a dazzling land full of mysterious phenomena – shoals of flying fish, walking rock columns, and octopus-looking monsters. Narrated in a retro visual style of ‘50s sci-fi B movies, ‘Strange World’ will have granddad Jaeger Clade voiced by Quaid.

This project has been described as a throwback tale of sorts, inspired by the works of Jules Verne and Edgar Rice Burroughs.

The full voice cast was announced at a Walt Disney Animation Studios showcase at France’s Annecy Animation Festival, which began with the award of an honorary Annecy Cristal to Jennifer Lee, WDAS chief creature officer best known as writer-director of ‘Frozen,’ which won her an Academy Award, and ‘Frozen II.’

Strange World is expected to hit theaters on November 23, just in time for the Thanksgiving box office.

Check out the teaser below…

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Zac Efron Is Set To Star In Upcoming A24 Film ‘The Iron Claw’

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Damn. Zac Efron is making moves! Earlier this week, it was announced that he’d be starring in an upcoming untitled Netflix rom-com alongside Nicole Kidman and Joey King.

And now, just two days later, we’re learning he’s set to star in another movie, this one coming from A24. He just signed on to star in ‘The Iron Claw’ from writer-director Sean Durkin.

Based on the true story of the Von Erichs, the film follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.

Durkin’s previous film, The Nest, which featured Jude Law and Carrie Coon, performed well with critics, scoring a solid 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.

A24 will produce and finance this flick, with Durkin on writing and directing duty. This could be a career-changing opportunity for Efron. He hasn’t received a lot of dramatic roles. It’s mostly been comedies/rom-coms, or maybe slightly dramatic roles in family films.

So this is a huge deal for Efron, and if he nails the performance, it might be a brand new career for him.

No word on when this movie is expected to be released, but we’re assuming it’ll find a place in theaters sometime in 2023. We’ll keep you posted.

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Watch Ana De Armas Star As Marilyn Monroe In Netflix’s NC-17 Drama ‘Blonde’

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Not many films earn the “NC-17” rating anymore, because most studios can’t afford to take that risk and lose out on ticket sales at the box office.

But streamers can take that risk because their success doesn’t depend on ticket sales. And that’s probably why Netflix is “okay” with the fact that their upcoming Marilyn Monroe drama, Blonde, earned the provocative rating.

Blonde stars Ana De Armas as Monroe, in what is being described as a reimagining of the life of the Hollywood icon.

[The film] boldly reimagines the life of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons, Marilyn Monroe. From her volatile childhood as Norma Jeane, through her rise to stardom and romantic entanglements, ‘Blonde’ blurs the lines of fact and fiction to explore the widening split between her public and private selves.

The story is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Joyce Oates. The book was released in 2000 and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

In addition Armas, this film co-stars Bobby Cannavale, Adrien Brody, and Julian Nicholson. And by the way, the writer/director of the film, Andrew Dominik, doesn’t really give a f**k if you like it or not.

Blonde is a demanding movie. If the audience doesn’t like it, that’s the f–king audience’s problem. It’s not running for public office.

Check out the trailer below. It’s set to hit Netflix on September 23, 2022.

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A Whole Host Of Stars Join Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix Comedy About The Invention Of The Pop-Tart

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When Jerry Seinfeld asks you to be in a movie, you apparently have to say yes. The 68-year-old actor/comedian has managed to put together a star-studded cast for his upcoming Netflix comedy film, Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.

Seinfeld’s hands are all over this project. Not only is he directing, but he also co-wrote the script and will co-star in the movie.

Joining him will be Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Hugh Grant, James Marsden, Tom Lennon, Max Greenfield, Bobby Moynihan and Christian Slater.

That’s an impressive cast. The story will focus on the race between Kellogg’s and Post to unleash the Pop-Tart on the world.

Unfrosted is set in 1963 Michigan. It will watch as sworn cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post race to create a pastry that will change the face of breakfast forever. Information on the roles to be played by Seinfeld and the newly introduced members of his ensemble has not been disclosed.

Netflix won the rights to this film in a very competitive bidding situation last year. Of course, they probably already had the upper hand, thanks in large part to Seinfeld’s relationship with them. He signed a $100 million deal with the streaming giant in 2017, which included the rights to his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series and two stand-up specials.

No word on when the movie is scheduled to be released, but we’ll keep you posted.

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The First Image Of Ryan Gosling As Ken In Upcoming ‘Barbie’ Movie Has Been Released

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If you somehow missed the news, Ryan Gosling is starring in Greta Gerwig’s take on the ‘Barbie‘ toy franchise. He will be playing Ken, obviously.

And the studio was nice enough to release the first look of him as the iconic doll. Warner Bros released the photo on their Twitter account…

He certainly looks Kenish. Gosling is universally liked by women, and while a lot of that comes from his body/face, he also has a charming personality. We’re not sure how much of that will be on display as Ken. I’ve always thought of Ken as super dull, so it’ll be interesting to see Greta’s take.

Gerwig co-wrote the ‘Barbie’ script with her partner and ‘Frances Ha’ collaborator Noah Baumbach. Production on the film is currently underway.

Margot Robbie stars as the titular character in the film. In addition to Gosling and Robbie, the movie will star Will Ferrell, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, America Ferrera and Simu Liu.

‘Barbie’ will hit theaters July 21, 2023.

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Patricia Heaton Slams Pixar, Claims They Ruined The Legend Of Buzz Lightyear By Not Casting Tim Allen

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Well, we haven’t heard from Patricia Heaton in a while. You’ll remember she starred in the hit series Everybody Loves Raymond for several years. She then went on to star in another hit series, The Middle, which came to an end in 2018.

For the most part, the TV star stays out of the headlines, but she’s all over them today, thanks to her criticism of Pixar.

She went on her Twitter account to talk about how Pixar ruined Buzz Lightyear’s legacy by not casting Tim Allen in the upcoming film, Lightyear.

Saw the trailer for Buzz Lightyear and all I can say is Disney/Pixar made a HUGE mistake in not casting my pal Tim Allen in the role that he originated. Tim IS Buzz! Why would they completely castrate this iconic, beloved character?

The tweet got a lot of attention, obviously. Some people backed up her criticism, others made fun of her for being so passionate, and then some made it clear that no one should feel bad for Tim Allen, because he’s doing very well in life.

Another factor in this is that casting Allen in this ‘Lightyear’ flick wouldn’t have made a lot of sense, because it’s not about the toy. It’s about the man who inspired the toy. So it wouldn’t make sense for Allen to voice both the toy and the human man.

Galyn Susman, a producer on the movie, had this to say about the decision:

We weren’t making a ‘Toy Story’ movie. We’re making Buzz Lightyear’s movie. And so first and foremost, we just needed a different person playing that Lightyear, separate from the toy.

‘Lightyear’ is scheduled to hit theaters on June 17, 2022. The early reaction from critics seems to be a mixed-to-positive response. Certainly not the glowing reviews Pixar is used to.

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Watch John Cho In Official Trailer For Road Trip Dramedy ‘Don’t Make Me Go’

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Are you prepared for an emotional road trip dramedy? John Cho, Mia Isaac and Kaya Scodelario star in the upcoming Amazon Prime film, Don’t Make Me Go.

The movie, which was directed by Hannah Marks, follows a father and daughter on a road trip across the country. But it’s more than just a road trip. It’s a last ride for Cho’s character.

When single father Max discovers he has a terminal disease, he decides to try and cram all the years of love and support he will miss with his teenage daughter Wally into the time he has left with her. With the promise of long-awaited driving lessons, he convinces Wally to accompany him on a road trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion, where he secretly hopes to reunite her with her mother who left them long ago.

Vera Herbert wrote the screenplay, and Herbert was a writer on ‘This Is Us‘ so you know this movie will probably make you cry.

Don’t Make Me Go had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this month. It’s scheduled to be released on Amazon Prime Video on July 15, 2022.

Check out the trailer below…

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Anders Danielsen Lie And Josh Charles Joining Anne Hathaway In Thriller ‘Mothers Instinct’

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Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway are starring in an upcoming psychological thriller titled ‘Mothers Instinct’ which kicked off filming in the States earlier this month.

And the movie added two late additions to the cast. It was reported this week that Anders Danielsen Lie and Josh Charles have officially joined the cast.

‘Mothers Instinct‘ is based on Barbara Abel’s novel, Derrière la Haine.

It tells the story of Alice (Chastain) and Celine (Hathaway), two best friends and mothers living an outwardly idyllic life a stone’s throw from each other in 1960s America. But the manicured lawns and successful husbands fade into the background when a tragic accident unravels their bond and gives way to guilt, suspicion and paranoia.

The film was recently acquired by Neon for U.S. distribution, which certainly seems like a good indication that it’s a solid story. Neon is right up there with A24 when it comes to putting out legit bangers.

In addition to starring in the flick, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway will both serve as producers.

No word on a potential release date.

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Pixar’s Upcoming ‘Lightyear’ Film Will Be Banned In Saudi Arabia And Malaysia Over Same-Sex Kiss

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If you didn’t know, the upcoming Pixar film ‘Lightyear’ will feature a same-sex kiss between two female characters. The controversial scene was originally cut by Disney, but then it was reinstated when Pixar animators spoke out in an open letter.

In the letter obtained by Variety, saying that Disney had demanded cuts, censoring ‘overtly gay affection’ and in protest against Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s handling of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.

So the scene is back in, which means the movie is out from certain parts of the world. According to the reports, ‘Lightyear’ will not be playing in Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E, Kuwait, Malaysia or Indonesia.

In the West Asia region movies concerning or containing sex, homosexuality and religious issues are routinely cut to comply with censorship rules. In this case Disney was either unwilling or unable make edits requested by local censors. It has also been confirmed that the film will also not release in Malaysia, the Southeast Asian country that is becoming less aligned with western values.

And even though Disney won’t admit it, we’re sure they’re pissed at those Pixar animators for writing the open letter. Disney is global, and they want to be everywhere, so if they could have cut the same-sex kiss without anyone knowing, they would have done it with a smile on their face.

In any case, ‘Lightyear’ will hit theaters on June 17, 2022. Check out the trailer below…

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‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Grabs Number One Spot At Box Office With Over $140 Million

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I’ll be completely honest. The trailer for ‘Jurassic World: Dominion‘ made me laugh every single time I saw it at the theaters. It looked completely ridiculous. I thought, “No way anyone wants to watch this, right?” but lots of people did.

And despite the terrible reviews, the film had an incredible opening weekend. The sixth film in the Jurassic Park universe brought in $143 million this past weekend, which was more than enough to grab the top spot.

In 2018, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, opened to $148 million, so this third film isn’t too far off. Although, both sequels fail to compare to the 2015 Jurassic World film, which brought in a ridiculous $208 million during its opening weekend.

Overseas, this latest ‘Jurassic World’ film brought in $245 million, which means its global total stands at just under $400 million.

Meanwhile, in its third weekend inside theaters, ‘Top Gun: Maverick‘ came in second with an impressive $50 million. Heck, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘ made $56 million in its third weekend, so Top Gun is essentially keeping pace with superhero films.

And get this, the film has made a total of $747 million across the globe. It worked with a $170 million budget, so you know, they’re making a decent amount of change from this flick.

Safe to say, the theater experience is back… at least for now.