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Viggo Mortensen played Aragorn to perfection in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, but can he be convinced to return for The Hunt for Gollum? The upcoming movie does feature a prominent role for Aragorn, and Philippa Boyens, who wrote the trilogy alongside Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, told The Playlist that they really want the actor to come back.

“Honestly, that’s entirely going to be up to Viggo, collaboratively and we are at a very early stage,” she said. “I’ve spoken to Viggo, Andy [Serkis] has spoken to him, Peter [Jackson] has spoken to him, we’ve all spoken to each other and honestly, I cannot imagine anyone else playing Aragorn, but it will be completely and entirely up to Viggo.“

As The Hunt for Gollum takes place during the same time period as The Fellowship of the Ring, some digital trickery would likely be employed...

The 21st Marrakech International Film Festival launches tonight, promising nine days of cinematic exploration that bridges the West with Asian, African and North African cultures, celebrates artistic innovation, and showcases emerging talent from around the world.

Read More: 2024 Fall Film Preview: 50 Movies To Watch

With a stellar lineup of international talent that make the trek here without remuneration, thanks to the efforts of festival director, Melita Toscan du Plantier, and a distinguished jury led by Italian director Luca Guadagnino, this year’s festival promises to be another highlight on the annual film festival calendar.

Continue reading The 21st Marrakech Film Festival: A Global Cinematic Journey Of Storytelling at The Playlist.

“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” released in limited theaters on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, so now is the perfect time to check out some of its glowing critics’ reviews.

First up, a bit of a primer. This Persian language political thriller comes from Iranian writer-director Mohammad Rasoulof, but it’s actually Germany’s Oscars submission for Best International Feature because Rasoulof has fled political persecution in his native country. The plot follows an investigating judge (Missagh Zareh) who grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun disappears, he suspects his wife (Soheila Golestani) and daughters, and imposes fearful measures that strain family ties all while societal rules crumble.

During the Cannes Film Festival, Rasoulof discussed the government’s targeting of him and his films in an interview with The Guardian, saying, “Like any other dictatorship or totalitarian system, they want absolute control over images they don’t like...

Jon M. Chu appears to have pulled off a rare feat. He’s shepherded a beloved Broadway stage musical to the screen in an adaptation that actually lives up to its predecessor. Judging by critical and public reaction on opening weekend, at least, “Wicked” is now on a short list of movies including “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” “Hedwig and the Angry Itch” and the recent remake of “West Side Story” that have successfully made that transition this century.

Continue reading Jon M. Chu On The Surprising Cameos That Are More Than Cameos In ‘Wicked’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

Who’s joining Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega on J.J. Abrams‘ first film since 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker“? THR has the scoop there, and it’s an intriguing twosome. Samuel L. Jackson is the latest addition to the cast sheet, which comes days after “Sex Education” star Emma Mackey also joined the project.

Read More: Glen Powell Being Eyed For Role In J.J.

Continue reading Emma Mackey & Samuel L. Jackson Join Glen Powell & Jenna Ortega On J.J. Abrams’ Mystery Project At Warner Bros. at The Playlist.

Like a rolling stone, James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” has officially entered the Oscar race. Last night at the Zanuck Theater on the Fox Lot in Los Angeles, the film screened for the first time in front of an audience with Mangold, as well as stars Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and production designer François Audouy all in attendance.

Throughout the screening, the crowd was enlivened by Mangold and team’s carefully crafted recreation of 1960s Greenwich Village, as well as the Newport Folk Festival held in Newport, Rhode Island. Following the screening, critics were quick to share their admiration via social media, highlighting Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Dylan, both acting and singing, as a major standout in this year’s awards race.

IndieWire’s own Anne Thompson offered her thoughts via Threads, writing, “James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown leans...

With the holiday season upon us, anticipation builds for the release of ‘A Complete Unknown,’ the latest biopic that chronicles Bob Dylan’s enigmatic journey through the 1960s folk scene of Greenwich Village.

Directed by James Mangold, known for ‘Walk the Line,’ this film promises to delve into the layers that compose the legendary musician, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet.

The story captures a pivotal moment in music history—Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a move that stunned fans and altered the course of folk music.

The film is based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book ‘Dylan Goes Electric!’ and features a dynamic ensemble cast, including Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and Edward Norton as Pete Seeger.

Chalamet’s transformation into Dylan has been a focal point of attention. His performance is poised to offer a deep dive into the intricacies of Dylan’s persona,...

To be frank, when the interview confirmations came through we were a bit disappointed we didn’t get to speak to “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo or Ariana Grande. And we’re still scratching our heads as to why Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh were unavailable when we could literally snag them for any other project. But as the box office is forecasting, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical looks like it will be a massive, massive hit.

Continue reading Ethan Slater & Marissa Bode Reflect On Their Wonderful Journey To ‘Wicked’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

"Yellowstone," the improbable cultural phenomenon seemingly no one (but your dad) is talking about yet everyone in America is watching, is finally back for the second half of season 5, which kicked off with a shocking character death that's making fans furious..

Created by Taylor Sheridan, "Yellowstone" follows the Duttons, a dynasty that owns the largest ranch in America, as they deal with threats to their property, particularly tensions with the nearby Broken Rock Indian Reservation, the Yellowstone National Park, and developers working the land around the ranch. With season 5 soon coming to an end, many fans are wondering if this will, in fact, be the end of the Duttons for real. With no official word on a sixth season for the time being, Paramount has instead announced a new "Yellowstone" spinoff starring Kurt Russell and Michelle Pfeiffer.

As we wait to see how the rest of season 5B plays without Kevin Costner,...

The thriller Rebel Ridge was announced back in 2019, but took five years to make its way out into the world because the production was delayed by the pandemic lockdowns, then by the departure of lead actor John Boyega a few weeks into filming, reportedly due to “family reasons.” Saulnier has said that the making of Rebel Ridge saw him “slamming right into the Hollywood I’ve tried to avoid,” and, “We came back three years in a row to make that movie.” But the troubles were worth it, because the finished film was well-received (you can read our 8/10 review Here) and a success on Netflix. Now, Saulnier is looking forward to his next movie – and he’s going back to his roots to tell a fun Halloween story.

Saulnier’s previous credits include Murder Party, Blue Ruin, Green Room, Hold the Dark, and episodes of True Detective season 3. During an interview on The Playlist podcast,...

The Penguin launched on HBO/Max last week, but the original plan was for The Batman to get a spin-off revolving around a corrupt cop in Gotham P.D. during the Dark Knight's first year in the city.

Boardwalk Empire's Terence Winter was attached to develop the project, though he'd later leave due to creative differences. Joe Barton came on board to replace him, only to run into similar issues before the series was reconfigured into a story set in Arkham Asylum...which also failed to materialise (attempts were made to make it part of the Dcu before it was scrapped).

The Playlist's Bingeworthy podcast recently had Winter as a guest and he elaborated on where things went wrong for him and "The Batman Epic Crime Saga" architect Matt Reeves.

"The idea was that we were going to do a 1970s cop show - something that felt like...

In this week’s episode of Bingeworthy, our TV and streaming podcast host Mike DeAngelo pops in his earbuds and hits the audiobooks to discuss the Audible Original, “The Best Man’s Ghostwriter.” The audible original podcast follows a speechwriter who makes a living ghostwriting best-man speeches and gets entangled in the often ridiculous world of male friendship. The Audible Original stars Glen Powell, Nicholas Braun, Ashley Park, D’Arcy Carden, Lance Bass, Lukas Gage, Alex Wolff, Debra Messing, George Takei, Jack McBrayer, Nicole Byer, Jason Mantzoukas, and more.

Continue reading Glen Powell Talks Audible Original Comedy Podcast ‘The Best Man’s Ghostwriter,’ Superhero Roles, ‘Twisters’ & More [Bingeworthy Podcast] at The Playlist.

It appears Shailene Woodley is trying to do something that many people have tried and failed to do previously—bring Janis Joplin’s life to the big screen.

According to a report from Variety, Shailene Woodley is set to star in a Janis Joplin biopic that will shoot in California. The report isn’t so much about the film itself than it is about the tax credits the film is going to receive to shoot on the west coast.

Continue reading Shailene Woodley To Star In New Janis Joplin Biopic at The Playlist.

Amazon MGM Studios‘ “Masters Of The Universe” film has found one of its villains. Deadline reports that Alison Brie will star in the live-action take on the hit ’80s title as sorceress Evil-Lyn, one of arch-bad guy Skeletor’s most trusted allies. Brie joins previously announced cast members Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes in the picture, which hits theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026.

Continue reading ‘Masters Of The Universe’: Alison Brie Will Play Villain Evil-Lyn In Amazon MGM’s Upcoming Blockbuster at The Playlist.

"Django Unchained" is a surprisingly important movie in Quentin Tarantino's filmography. It was his first Western, it marked his first collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio, and it earned Christoph Waltz his second Oscar in a row while working with the director following his win for "Inglourious Basterds." The film arguably boasts one of the more impressive ensemble casts that Tarantino's ever assembled, and that's truly saying something. As it turns out, though, the cast could have been even more impressive -- as Kurt Russell was supposed to be in it before dropping out late in the game.

By that point, Russell had already worked with Tarantino on his half of the double feature "Grindhouse," resulting in 2007's "Death Proof." They enjoyed the collaboration and intended to work together again on "Django." Unfortunately, Russell and Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat") dropped out in May of 2012. The Guardian suggested that the project...

One of Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist's producers has confirmed the official status of the fan-favorite NBC series, and the odds for more don't look great.

The show followed Jane Levy’s Zoe Clarke, a programmer who suddenly got the ability to hear people’s inner thoughts in the form of musical numbers playing out in front of her.

The show ran for two seasons before being canceled by NBC in 2021. Fans were thrilled when, a few months later, Roku announced that it was saving the series to do a Christmas movie continuation.

Read full article on The Direct.

Glen Powell's star is on the rise. After wowing moviegoers with Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, the actor recently did the same with Hit Man and Twisters. Surely a superhero role is next?

While not every actor in Hollywood is eager to join a major Marvel or DC franchise, Powell tells The Playlist that he's a fan of both worlds. The actor admittedly stopped short of revealing whether he'd suit up as a hero or villain, but it at least seems he's open to the idea.

"You know, I've never gotten a call from DC or Marvel," Powell stated, confirming he's yet to be approached for a comic book movie role, "but I'm a fan of everything they do."

"I just saw Deadpool & Wolverine. I freaking had a blast. I think what Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds did with that is extraordinary and just such a fun flavor for audiences.

Nine Inch Nails will score the upcoming Tron movie, Tron: Ares, Disney announced during its D23 presentation on Friday.

Nin members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have become among the most celebrated composers in the film industry over the past 15 years, winning two Academy Awards and numerous other accolades. However, Tron: Ares is the first film score specifically attributed to Nine Inch Nails. It also marks the first project from Nin since the release of their ambient instrumental music collections, Ghosts V: Together and Ghosts VI: Locusts, in 2020.

In an interview earlier this year, Reznor and Ross revealed that they had several projects in the works, including a TV show with The Bear creator Christopher Storer; a film with horror director Mike Flanagan; a clothing line called Memory Fades; and a collaboration with Epic Games involving the Uefn ecosystem Epic has built around Fortnite. The duo also said they were...

Nine Inch Nails will score the upcoming Tron movie, Tron: Ares, Disney announced during its D23 presentation on Friday.

Nin members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have become among the most celebrated composers in the film industry over the past 15 years, winning two Academy Awards and numerous other accolades. However, Tron: Ares is the first film score specifically attributed to Nine Inch Nails. It also marks the first project from Nin since the release of their ambient instrumental music collections, Ghosts V: Together and Ghosts VI: Locusts, in 2020.

In an interview earlier this year, Reznor and Ross revealed that they had several projects in the works, including a TV show with The Bear creator Christopher Storer; a film with horror director Mike Flanagan; a clothing line called Memory Fades; and a collaboration with Epic Games involving the Uefn ecosystem Epic has built around Fortnite. The duo also said they were...

Yesterday, film fans around the world were sad to learn that health concerns were preventing the legendary filmmaker David Lynch from pursuing a new film or TV project. Effectively, if you believed what he was saying, he was forced into retirement. Well, shortly after that, Lynch took to social media to deny he was actually retiring.

In a post on Twitter, David Lynch shared a statement that confirmed that his health issues are very real—a consequence to his cigarette smoking—but he isn’t retiring.

Continue reading David Lynch Clarifies Health Status & Says He’s Not Retiring at The Playlist.

Comedy icon Tim Allen is revving back up for his return to ABC, the network that launched his legendary TV career in the 1990s. The alphabet network has given a series order to the multi-camera sitcom “Shifting Gears,” which will star Allen and rising star Kat Dennings.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tim Allen back where it all started with ‘Home Improvement,'” said ABC president Craig Erwich. “His signature blend of humor and heart is exactly what we’re hoping ‘Shifting Gears’ captures.”

In “Shifting Gears,” Allen will play Matt, a recently widowed gearhead who owns a classic car restoration shop. His orderly world is turned upside down when his estranged daughter Riley (Dennings) and her two teenagers temporarily move back in. As Riley and the kids bring modern chaos to Matt’s garage, they all might finally shift into a higher gear as a family.

Joining the show...

It appears Jimmy Kimmel will not be hosting the Academy Awards for the fifth time this March. Granted, the door is no doubt open for the host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to return down the road, but his next go around will not be in 2025. That’s according to an initial report by Puck News confirmed by various outlets.

Read More: Oscars New Rules: Original Song, Cannes, BAFTA and a new voting weekend tradition?

Continue reading Jimmy Kimmel Will Not Return To Host The 2025 Oscars at The Playlist.

Despite having made his name off small independent movies, especially with the intimate and subtle Oscar-nominated film “Minari,” filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung has proven with this weekend’s “Twisters” movie that he’s a versatile director and can handle blockbusters, action, and scale (read our review).

We recently had Chung on The Playlist Podcast to talk with host Charles Barfield about all things “Twisters.” But, as the show noted, the filmmaker got his feet wet and blockbuster chops ready by directing two different “Star Wars” series, “The Mandalorian” and some upcoming episodes of the forthcoming series, “Skeleton Crew” (rumored to be arriving in December).

Continue reading Lee Isaac Chung Says He’s “Big ‘Star Wars’ Nerd” & Would Love To Direct A Lucasfilm Feature at The Playlist.

The Taylor Sheridan Paramount+ train keeps rolling. The Hollywood Reporter reveals his newest, Landman, will be premiering on the streaming platform this fall on November 17. Jon Hamm joins Billy Bob Thornton as a primary cast member for the contemporary oil rig drama. Based on the 11-part podcast Boomtown, Landman is “an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.”

“Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of oil rigs,” says the official Paramount+ press release. “Based on the notable 11-part podcast “Boomtown,” the series is an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, it’s reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics.”

Jon Hamm plays Monty Miller in Sheridan’s Landman, a goliath in the Texas oil...

With Andor season 2 set to bring the story right up to the beginning of Rogue One, it stands to reason that we should see a few familiar characters from the movie, including Ben Mendelsohn as Imperial Director Orson Krennic.

As Krennic is one of the main architects of the Death Star, it would make sense for him to appear in Andor season 2, but Mendelsohn had previously suggested that he would not return for the series. “As for being contacted by Lucasfilm for a new project, I can tell you that no, I have not been approached for something like this,” the actor said earlier this year. However, Andor season 2 director Alonso Ruizpalacios may have let it slip to The Playlist that the actor will be returning after all.

The director, who will be helming the last three episodes of the 12-episode series, told the outlet, “directing episodes of the series was a treat,...

Fresh off his trilogy of ‘Spider-Man’ films, it appears filmmaker Jon Watts isn’t slowing down. We already are eagerly anticipating his next film, the George Clooney and Brad Pitt vehicle, “Wolfs,” but it appears the filmmaker has already found his next project after that, “Murder 101.”

Read More: ‘Wolfs’ Trailer: Brad Pitt & George Clooney Star As Illiterate Fixers For Director Jon Watts In September

According to Deadline, Jon Watts is set to direct a new crime thriller, “Murder 101.” The film is based on the podcast of the same name that follows the true-crime story of a group of high school students and their teacher as they profile a serial killer, and ultimately, find the person responsible.

As mentioned, Watts is probably best known for his work on the three ‘Spider-Man’ films for Marvel Studios.

Continue reading ‘Murder 101’: Jon Watts To Direct Thriller Based On True-Crime Podcast at The Playlist.

It would appear that nothing is going to stop Apple from continuing to finance and distribute A-lister films. In a world where Netflix and other streaming services are tightening their purse strings, Apple is out there making mega deals left, right, and center. And that’s good news for folks like Jennifer Lawrence.

According to Deadline, Jennifer Lawrence is set to star in and produce a new murder mystery film, “The Wives.” And yes, it’s being picked up by Apple Studios.

Continue reading ‘The Wives’: Jennifer Lawrence To Star In A Murder Mystery Inspired By ‘Real Housewives’ Series at The Playlist.

Jude Law turned down Superman in the early 2000s because “it just felt off,” which he knows sounds ridiculous considering he would later agree to star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and to play Dumbledore in the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise. The actor confirmed he was courted to play the Man of Steel in Brett Ratner’s failed Superman project, which was announced in 2002 and based on an iteration of J.J. Abrams’ “Superman: Flyby” script.

“So this is true. Yeah. And there was a process of flirtation going on,” Law said on The Playlist’s “Discourse” podcast. “And I always resisted because it just felt like [off]. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yonn-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ It just felt like a step too far.”

“It was when Brett Ratner was going to direct, I think. And they didn’t have a script, if I remember rightly,” Law continued.

With a premise about young love, two charismatic leads and a title like Winter Spring Summer or Fall, Tiffany Paulsen’s feature is likely to draw vague comparisons to Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (and sequels). But while it’s highly unlikely to attain that canonical status, this film edges into distinctive enough territory thanks to Wednesday stars Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White. Their genuine chemistry and grounded performances give the feathery story a needed touch of weight.

Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, Winter Spring Summer or Fall aims to gift Gen Z the kind of rooting-for-them romance on offer for every generation: the unlikely match-up at the center of A Walk to Remember; the music-driven pairing of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist; and, as mentioned, the more emotionally risky and formally adventurous Before movies.

The film follows Remi (Ortega) and Barnes (White), two New Jersey teens who...

Ernest Cole, the first Black freelance photographer in South Africa, is known today for his contribution to documenting the Apartheid in the 1960s and racial attitudes in America in the 1970s. Born in 1940, he grew up in segregated South Africa before moving to the United States in his youth to evade persecution for his work. He died in 1990 in New York City, in a state of near homelessness, vagrancy, and ignominy.

Continue reading ‘Ernest Cole: Lost and Found’ Review: An Engrossing Portrait Of A Norm-Shattering Photographer [Cannes] at The Playlist.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen has been a part of many franchises. The actor played the role of Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s Hannibal, featured in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Galen Erso, and took over from Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. He even recently joined the Indiana Jones franchise as Dr Jürgen Voller.

However, one of his most memorable roles has been his appearance as Kaecillius in Doctor Strange. The actor played the antagonist in the film which starred Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular. Mikkelsen was reportedly convinced by filmmaker Scott Derrickson to join the film without even reading the script with three magical words.

Doctor Strange Director Won Over Mads Mikkelsen With Just Three Words Mads Mikkelsen in Doctor Strange

Actor Mads Mikkelsen played the role of Kaecillius in Doctor Strange. The character was the film’s main antagonist, an...

Jennifer Connelly is an iconic actress who is known for voicing the character of Karen in the 2017 MCU film Spider-Man: Homecoming. Alongside the role, Connelly also portrayed the role of Betty Ross in Edward Norton’s 2003 film Hulk.

Having such a connection to the MCU, it stands to reason that Connelly wanted to return to the world of Marvel superheroes and villains. In a recent interview, Jennifer Connelly revealed that she would “absolutely” return to the MCU if this Avenger got another film!

Jennifer Connelly in a still from Top Gun: Maverick

Jennifer Connelly Wants To Return To The MCU!

And why wouldn’t she? Portraying an iconic role as Betty Ross and voicing the character of Karen in two Marvel films, Connelly is already familiar with the MCU. Plus, the actress is the wife of Paul Bettany, who portrays the role of Vision in the MCU!

Jennifer Connelly in...

Update: Disney has shared an image of Jeff Bridges taking a look at the Tron: Ares script, and that can be seen at the bottom of this article.

The original article follows:

The long-awaited third entry in the Tron franchise is finally in production. Six years after it was first announced that Jared Leto was in talks to star in a Tron project called Tron: Ares, the movie was all set to start filming last August – but then it had to wait out the writers and actors strikes. With those strikes over, filming is finally underway. Earlier today, we heard a quote from cast member Cameron Monaghan (Gotham), who said this film will “really push forward what can be done, from a visual perspective.” Now, we have another quote about the movie – and this is the one that every Tron fan has been waiting to hear. A quote that confirms...

Fasten those seatbelts because Netflix is ready to deliver an new exhilarating sports racing series, “Senna,” directed by Vicente Amorim and Júlia Rezende. Brazilian Formula One-winning racing driver Ayrton Senna‘s historic victory at the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos marked the driver’s first victory in his hometown of Sao Paulo after a difficult race in which he was mostly stuck in sixth gear.

Continue reading ‘Senna’ Trailer: Gabriel Leone Stars In Netflix’s Upcoming F1 Racing Series at The Playlist.

French director Bertrand Bonello is rightly back in the imaginations of U.S. cinephiles, as his new film “The Beast” is now playing stateside. The time-hopping sci-fi romantic drama starring Léa Seydoux and George MacKay as would-be lovers across centuries had the biggest opening weekend yet for distributor Sideshow/Janus Films earlier this month. Now, Bertrand Bonello’s previously undistributed 2022 film “Coma” is finally joining “The Beast” at theaters beginning in May from Film Movement. Watch the trailer for “Coma,” an IndieWire exclusive, below.

Combining live-action and animation, “Coma” centers on a teenage girl in lockdown amid a global health crisis (cough cough) who develops a disturbing relationship with a YouTuber. The cast features Louise Labèque, Julia Faure, Gaspard Ulliel, Laetitia Casta, Vincent Lacoste, Louis Garrel, and Anaïs Demoustier. This was the last film Ulliel worked on before he died in January 2022 after a skiing accident. Ulliel was meant to...

Tom Ripley is getting another chance on the awards circuit. The sinister con artist, created by author Patricia Highsmith in a series of novels, is played by Andrew Scott in the new limited series “Ripley” from Netflix. A quarter-century ago a variation of the same story was told in Anthony Minghella‘s film “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” but while that iteration received five Oscar nomination, it was snubbed for Best Picture, and star Matt Damon was left out of Best Actor. Can Scott make up for that with a nom for Best Movie/Limited Actor?

Damon’s portrayal of Tom Ripley had more warmth to it, a sense of longing (“I always thought it would be better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody”). He was a tragic monster who trapped himself in a web of lies and murder. Scott’s performance suggests someone more methodical and calculating.

Las Vegas – First, for those who care, CinemaCon has witnessed the first sneak of Antoine Fuqua‘s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” and if you’re a hardcore fan, you will be quite happy with the results so far. Jaafar Jackson is at his best on stage playing his uncle and, truth be told, his dance moves are uncanny. Nia Long has a moment as Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson and there is a brief glimpse of Colman Domingo as the notorious family patriarch Joe Jackson.

Continue reading Lionsgate Teases ‘Michael,’ ‘Borderlands’ & ‘Good Fortune’ At CinemaCon at The Playlist.

As a champion freediver, Jessea Lu describes in the early minutes of her own documentary, “7 Beats Per Minute,” the film’s title reflects the heart rate a freediver should target to ensure success during a competitive diving event. There’s no question such a sport sits as one of the world’s most dangerous, the act of holding one’s breath for a protracted length of time while engaging in any number of underwater activities.

Continue reading ‘7 Beats Per Minute’ Review: A Freediver’s Near Tragedy Gets The Drawn-Out Documentary Treatment [SXSW] at The Playlist.

Happy with their arrangement, Netflix continues to stay in the Adam Sandler business as the streaming giant is developing a sequel to his 1990s golf comedy “Happy Gilmore.” Christopher McDonald, who played the original film’s villain, Shooter McGavin, and recently appeared in projects like “Hacks” and Marvel’s “Secret Invasion,” revealed on the Audacy radio show 92.3 The Fan that a sequel to the sports comedy is in the works.

Continue reading ‘Happy Gilmore’ Sequel In Development At Netflix at The Playlist.

Actor Walton Goggins collaborated with Quentin Tarantino for the 2015 feature The Hateful Eight. And although he had a good time on set, Goggins asserted that the experience could be a bit nerve-racking due to who he worked with.

How Walton Goggins felt about working alongside his ‘Hateful Eight’ co-stars Walton Goggins | Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Goggins and Tarantino already collaborated before the 2015 movie The Hateful Eight. The pair worked together on Django Unchained, where the pair became familiar with each other on set. But beyond Django, Tarantino was also a fan of Goggins’ work on Justified. Given how much he enjoyed the actor’s performance, there was little wonder as to why Tarantino would recruit Goggins again for The Hateful Eight.

But Hateful Eight would have Goggins act alongside even more star-power than Django Unchained did. And Goggins admitted that could be overwhelming at times.

“I wasn’t comfortable with Kurt Russell,...

Look, let’s be honest. From the opening seconds of its debut trailer, we all knew that Alex Garland’s “Civil War” would not be a pill that went down easily. Garland may have built his career around challenging visions of the future, but a film about a second American Civil War—in an election year, no less—is the kind of thing that gives even professional discourse writers a headache.

So, if it helps, I have both good news and bad news.

Continue reading ‘Civil War’ Review: Alex Garland’s Latest Is Both Unforgettable & Challenging As Hell [SXSW] at The Playlist.

Adopting a baby can often be a long and grueling process. Finding a child up for adoption or an expecting mother who feels she’s a match is not for the faint of heart. So, when we first meet Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), it’s hard not to have sympathy for them. Celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, the couple has spent three years attempting to start a family with little luck and, as we’ll eventually learn, a bit of tragedy thrown in for good measure.

Continue reading ‘I Don’t Understand You’ Review: Nick Kroll & Andrew Rannells Are Those Gays Trying To Kill You [SXSW] at The Playlist.

Who will be the next James Bond? That’s the question on every 007 fan’s lips since “No Time To Die” hit theaters in 2021. But two and half years later, there’s still no answer, and Bond producer Barbara Broccoli won’t provide one, saying last October that “Bond 26” won’t reach theaters for another “three or four years.” That leave everyone to speculate on their favorite hypothetical picks, like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Dev Patel, and James Norton, to name a few.

Continue reading Pierce Brosnan’s Choice For The Next James Bond? Fellow Irishman Cillian Murphy at The Playlist.

If Nicole Kidman, a massive movie star who pivoted to TV and became known as the “Queen of Peak TV,” perhaps someone like Ewan McGregor is quickly becoming her counterpart. McGregor, like Kidman, enjoyed much success on screen as a leading man, but as the mid-sized drama seemingly vanished in cinemas and shifted towards television, actors like the two of them, with an inclination for human stories, have pivoted right alongside the trend.

Continue reading ‘A Gentleman In Moscow’ Trailer: Ewan McGregor & Mary Elizabeth Winstead Lead Showtime’s Russian Revolution Series at The Playlist.

Last week saw the global launch of Denis Villeneuve’s second “Dune” film, wrapping up the conclusion of the first novel adaptation while also leaving everything on a cliffhanger for a third movie that the filmmaker is co-writing with franchise screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Strong critical responses and audience word of mouth have paid off big time for the film as it has made some history over the weekend, becoming the biggest opening for the director and overperforming compared to the first part that was released back in September 2021.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’s Domestic Opening Of $82.5M Doubles ‘Dune’ Box Office Take With Spicy $179.5M Global Debut at The Playlist.

Sicario is one of Denis Villeneuve and Taylor Sheridan’s hidden gem of a movie with some of the finest actions and thrilling storylines that cinema has ever witnessed. Although its sequel directed by Stefano Sollima did not fare as well, the movie series has nonetheless remained iconic thanks to its contribution to the contemporary action genre.

Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro in Sicario (2015)

Ever since the release of its sequel, Day of the Soldado, there have been rumors that a third film is in development with the possibility of Villeneuve returning to direct. However, in a new interview, the Dune director clarified his involvement and stated that if Sheridan is writing the script, the movie is a given success.

Denis Villeneuve Opens Up On His Involvement With Sicario 3

Denis Villeneuve (Source: The Tonight Show)

Denis Villeneuve is an incredible director and we know it seeing...

In a new GQ “Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters” video piece, actor Josh Brolin reveals that when director Denis Villeneuve wanted him for a part in “Dune” and offered to send the script, Brolin immediately said, “No need.” As in, having worked with him already, he was taking the part without having to read a word. “I had a feeling first of all, and it was Denis, second,” Brolin explained about why he gave an immediate yes.

Continue reading Josh Brolin Said He Turned Down ‘Sicario’ At First & Roger Deakins Convinced Him To “Stop Being An Asshole” at The Playlist.

Protests interrupted the show at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards this afternoon.

Chants could be heard from outside the venue on Sunday afternoon (February 25) at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif.

While Jim Gaffigan was on stage to present the award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series to the cast of Jury Duty, screams could be heard and they were so loud it seemed like they were possibly inside the room.

Keep reading to find out more…

Reports from the show reveal that there are chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza” outside of the tent at the pier. It appears to be from a single protestor with a bullhorn playing a recording. The chants have been continuing for at least 10 minutes and still have not stopped.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s Chris Gardner shared a video of the scene and described what was happening. He wrote,...

The sequel to the movie Dune from 2021 will hit theaters in less than two weeks. Dune 2 is about Paul Atreides teaming up with Chani and the Fremen to get back at those who wrecked his family.

He’s torn between his love for Chani and saving the universe. Paul has to stop a bad future which only he can foresee coming. The first Dune movie was praised for its stunning visuals and the way it crafted some truly visionary moments.

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in Dune 2

And now, Dune 2 is also getting a lot of love even before it’s out. Even bigwigs like MrBeast are also all in to praise the movie at its best.

SUGGESTEDZendaya Shuts Down Timothée Chalamet vs. Tom Holland Debate in One Swift Blow During ‘Dune: Part Two’ Promotion

Dune: Part Two Earns Phenomenal Praise From MrBeast

Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet in...

The race for the Costume Design Academy Award is still up in the air, but no matter what happens, Holly Waddington and Jacqueline Duran will always have their 2024 Costume Designer Awards wins. The pair took Excellence in Period Film for “Poor Things” and Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film for “Barbie,” respectively. The third movie honor, Excellence in Contemporary Film went to Sophie Canale for “Saltburn.”

Read More: “Barbie,” “American Fiction” and “Star Trek: Picard” earn 2024 WGA Awards nominations

On the television side, Helen Huang gave “Beef” another guild honor in the Contemporary Television field while Sharon Long won Period Television for the now canceled, but not forgotten, “The Great.” In a super competitive category, Shawna Trpcic son Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television for “Ahsoka.” In a wonderful surprise, Michelle Page Collins landed another canceled series (at least unofficially), “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” a win in the Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television field.