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Universal Sets ‘Mamma Mia’ Sequel for 2018 — ‘Here We Go Again!’
5 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Ten years after Meryl Streep proved she was a dancing queen, Universal Pictures is returning to the Abba jukebox musical with “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!”
The sequel will open July 20, 2018, the studio announced Friday. Ol Parker (“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”) serves as writer and director.
It’s unclear who among the original cast might return, but the 2008 film starred Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper and Julie Walters.
More to come. Read the full announcement …
Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, »
- Matt Donnelly
Tom Hardy to Star as ‘Venom’ for Sony, Ruben Fleischer Set to Direct
10 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Tom Hardy will play Eddie Brock in “Venom,” the upcoming film from Sony’s Marvel Universe, TheWrap learned from a source close to the project.
Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) to direct. “Venom” will be released on Oct. 5, 2018 with a production start date of fall 2017.
“Venom” is from Sony’s Marvel Universe of characters. (The studio says it is not a “Spider-Man” spinoff, as other outlets have reported).
Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are producing along with Amy Pascal. Palak Patel »
- Umberto Gonzalez
‘Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word’ Documentary Acquired By Focus Features – Cannes
13 hours ago | Deadline | See recent Deadline news »
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word, a documentary feature written and directed by Wim Wenders. In the rare film — it’s only the second co-production the Vatican has made with outside filmmakers — Pope Francis responds to questions from around the world, discussing topics including ecology, immigration, consumerism and social justice. Exclusive footage from the Vatican's archive shows the Pope on journeys, sharing his ideas and… »
Scarface Remake Targets Suicide Squad Director David Ayer
12 hours ago | MovieWeb | See recent MovieWeb news »
Universal is trucking along with it's Scarface reboot, despite some very vocal fans declaring it blasphemous. Today, we have word that Suicide Squad director David Ayer is getting ready to take on the project. So, what exactly does that mean for Gotham City Sirens over at DC?
The 1983 version of Scarface is a rare beast in cinema. It has gone beyond being 'just a movie' to being a way of life. It's almost a religion in the same way that Star Wars has become one. And though it depicts an Italian gangster's rise and fall, the hip hop community has gravitated to its messages of wealth and power the most. The new Scarface is not delving into Black culture, though. This new take will follow the rise and fall of a Mexican gangster, giving it a whole new spin.
And who better to capture that than director David Ayer, who »
- MovieWeb
Weekend Box Office: 'Alien: Covenant' Flying Past 'Guardians Vol. 2' for $40M-Plus Bow
15 hours ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »
Ridley Scott's sci-fi thriller Alien: Covenant will easily rocket past holdover Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to win the weekend box-office race with a projected $40 million-$42 million domestic launch from 3,760 theaters, according to early estimates.
Scott's second installment in the Alien prequel franchise, from Fox, cost $97 million to make. In June 2012, the first prequel, Prometheus, debuted to $51.5 million domestically.
Alien: Covenant features an ensemble cast led by Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston and Billy Crudup. This time out, the crew of the colony ship Covenant think they have discovered paradise, only to encounter »
- Pamela McClintock
Busan Film Festival’s Kim Ji-seok Dies at Cannes
14 hours ago | Indiewire | See recent Indiewire news »
Kim Ji-seok, deputy director and the executive programmer at the Busan International Film Festival, died on Thursday after suffering a heart attack while attending the Cannes Film Festival. He was 57.
Read More: Cannes: Sundance Selects Buys Claire Denis’ ‘Let the Sunshine In’ Starring Juliette Binoche
“In undying efforts, contribution and devotion in discovery of Asian films, Kim led Busan International Film Festival to be the center of Asian cinema and one of world-class film festivals,” the festival said in a statement. The organization also posted a note on its website saying, “We will miss him and his devotion for Asian films and bringing them together at the Festival.”
Kim was a founding member of the Busan festival, the 22nd edition of which will be held in October.
Cannes: Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Okja’ Booed During Technical Glitch and Netflix Logo at First Press Screening
Cannes Film Festival director Thierry Frémaux »
- Graham Winfrey
Bill Maher Dubs Donald Trump a Superhero Named Orange Sphincter
25 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Bill Maher agrees with conservative views on one surprising issue: Hollywood has ruined America. But not by promoting liberal social issues, by filling the airwaves and theaters with nothing but superheroes. On Friday night’s “Real Time,” the comedian said that the problem is that superhero movies imprint a mindset that we are not masters of our own destiny and the best we can do is sit back and wait for a superhero to save us. “So we put out the bat signal for one man who could step in and solve all of our problems very quickly… and that’s how we. »
- Rosemary Rossi
Talent Is Key to Universe Entertainment’s Longevity
48 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
The entire cinematic landscape has been reshaped in the years since Universe Entertainment Ltd. set up business three decades ago.
Back then, founder Daneil Lam’s idea was that video distribution was the way forward — and at that time, it must have pretty much looked like a safe bet that the Hong Kong film industry would continue to thrive, and continue to release around 300 titles per year.
How times have changed. The Hong Kong industry has slowed, topping out at around 50 releases a year while being eclipsed by its neighbor in China. Video, meanwhile, has gone the way of the dodo.
Among the keys to Universe’s success throughout the entertainment business’ radical changes has been Lam and his team’s ability to adapt to market needs, and to find the right talent to work with. That has been evidenced since the early days of Universe’s involvement in feature »
- Mathew Scott
Universe Entertainment Ltd. Celebrates 30 Years of Success
48 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
At the 30th anniversary dinner of Universe Entertainment Ltd. in January, founder Daneil Lam expressed heartfelt gratitude toward his colleagues, comrades and industry friends for their support. The low-profile Lam rarely made public appearances, but when he showed up, he made sure that his presence would be meaningful to his audience, regardless who they were.
“I’m very grateful. Without your support, tonight could never happen,” he said. Rounds of applause came from not only his staff but also the Hong Kong industry heavyweights, including Albert Yeung, the boss of Emperor Entertainment Group, director Johnnie To, kung- fu star Sammo Hung and multiple award-winning actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang.
Lam’s thank-you speech might have been succinct, but he meant every word of it.
“Lam is a passionate producer, and the staff at Universe all look up to him,” says Alvin Lam, his brother and general manager of Universe.
“As the »
- Vivienne Chow
Gaumont Boards Franck Dubosc’s Directorial Debut, ‘Rolling To You’ (Exclusive)
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Gaumont is partnering with Paris-based producer Lgm, the outfit behind Guillaume Gallienne’s “Me, Myself and Mum,” on high-concept comedy “Rolling to You,” which will be directed by Franck Dubosc.
Along with Dany Boon and Christian Clavier, Dubosc is one of France’s most bankable actors in French comedies. His recent movies include “Les tetes de l’emploi” ($3.4 million in domestic box office), “Camping 3” ($24 million) and “Boule et Bill” ($3.4 million).
On top of co-producing via his outfit Pour Toi Public Prods., Dubosc stars in “Rolling to You” opposite popular French actress Alexandra Lamy. Her recent credits include Harlan Coben’s miniseries “No Second Chance,” which was a hit on TF1, and Eric Lavaine’s “Back to Mom’s.”
Cecile Gaget, who heads up international co-production and distribution at Gaumont, said “Rolling to You” was intended to be as romantic and politically incorrect as “There’s Something About Mary.”
Dubosc stars as Jocelyn, »
- Elsa Keslassy
Netherlands Film Biz Encourages International Co-Productions
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
The Netherlands is home to a vibrant film industry with an open attitude toward international co-production. In 2016 alone, the country welcomed a great variety of international productions, including “Dunkirk,” helmed by Christopher Nolan; “The Ring,” directed by Imtiaz Ali and featuring Shah Rukh Khan; and “Racer and the Jailbird,” helmed by Michaël Roskam.
Indeed, several other high-profile minority co-productions were mooted in the trades as being under Cannes consideration, including the not-yet completed “Yesterday” from Hungarian helmer Balint Kenyeres, co-produced by Dirk Rijneke and Mildred van Leeuwaarden through Rotterdam Films; “Zama” from Argentinian Lucrecia Martel, co-produced by Eva Eisenloeffel, Leontine Petit and Joost de Vries of Lemming Film, and “Beyond Words” from Pole Urszula Antoniak, co-produced by Floor Onrust and Noortje Wilschut of Family Affair Films.
“Co-productions expand the possibilities for distribution in co-production countries and beyond.” Doreen Boonekamp
Bero Beyer, the director of the Intl. Film Festival Rotterdam and a former producer, »
- Alissa Simon
German Film Budgets Experience Boom Under Merkel
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
The German film industry is cheering Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government for significantly increasing film funding this year, particularly for major international productions.
While total annual funding last year reached nearly €240 million ($261.6 million) from the country’s 10 federal and regional film support agencies, the government has agreed to up the film support budget overseen by German culture and media commissioner Monika Grütters.
This includes the German Federal Film Fund (Dfff), a 20% rebate program vital for major international productions, as well as a separate pot supporting smaller artistic and experimental films. Recent Dfff-funded productions include James Kent’s upcoming historical drama “The Aftermath,” starring Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård; Gore Verbinski’s “A Cure for Wellness”; and Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War.”
In February, Grütters announced an increase in this year’s Dfff budget from $55 million to $81.7 million, with the hike aimed specifically at international co-productions and big-budget domestic films. »
- Ed Meza
Film Madrid Energizes Shooting Support
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
As the impact of big international shoots grows in Spain, local authorities are realizing the value of boosting film commission activities in their territories.
Madrid’s regional government launched Film Madrid in early 2016 to promote and advise film and TV shootings, taking over the role the Madrid Film Commission played from 2004-14.
The new office aims to play an active role in a region that hosts more than 1,500 film and TV companies, a centerpiece of Spain’s film-tv industry.
Initial Film Madrid efforts were twofold: Alerting the Madrid-based film and TV sector of its launch and raising awareness among political authorities of the socio-economic potential of the film industry.
Related
Madrid Ramps Up Efforts to Lure Production
One key measure, framed in a 2014 law, allows film and TV producers the free use of spaces the regional government owns or controls.
Another priority is internationalization. “We aim to be, from a public perspective, »
- Emiliano De Pablos
Dutch Co-Productions Land in Cannes
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
In Cannes, the Netherlands’ long tradition of international co-productions pays off with competition entry “A Gentle Creature,” from the Berlin-based, Kiev-raised director Sergei Loznitsa. The France-Germany-Lithuania-Netherlands title is co-produced by Marc van Warmerdam’s Graniet Film (the company behind his brother Alex’s 2013 competition player “Borgman”) and Peter Warnier’s Wild at Art. Warnier’s Warnier Posta did the sound-editing for Loznitsa’s second feature “In The Fog.” Of course, Loznitsa is no stranger to the Netherlands; Atoms & Void, his production and distribution company with Maria Choustova, which backed his most recent documentaries including “Maidan,” is based there.
In an average year, the number of co-productions, both majority and minority, practically equals the number of Dutch productions shot mainly or wholly in the Netherlands. Why are there so many international co-productions from this small country with a non-hegemonic language? As Doreen Boonekamp, CEO of Netherlands Film Fund, points out, “co-productions »
- Alissa Simon
Homegrown German Films Makes Global Showing
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
While German-language films screening at this year’s Cannes Film Festival are scant in number, German talent and market titles nevertheless offer a glimpse of current and upcoming productions, ranging in subject matter from prehistoric adventure and Nazi-era intrigue to modern day terrorism and romance in the face of sorrow.
This year’s crop of local productions follows a standout year for German films, which not only made an impressive showing on the international festival circuit but also at both the domestic and international box office. Maren Ade’s Oscar-nominated “Toni Erdmann,” a bittersweet comedy about an aging father trying to reconnect with his distant, workaholic daughter, enjoyed a stellar year, winning a slew of international prizes, including five European Film Awards, sweeping this year’s German Film Awards, and leading to Ade’s selection for this year’s Cannes competition jury.
Domestically, the refugee crisis was the focus of »
- Ed Meza
Media Luna Boards Carmen Maura Comedy ‘Oh Mamy Blue’ (Exclusive)
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Sales agent Media Luna has boarded as a co-producer on comedy “Oh Mamy Blue,” which stars Carmen Maura, best known for Pedro Almodovar movies like “Volver.”
Maura plays Laura, a legendary Spanish rock singer who ruined her career and now lives in an elderly people’s home. Out of the blue, she receives a visit from her grandson, who leads her back to her roots.
Milton Garcia (“The Last Match”), Natalia Roig (“Volver,” “Food and Shelter”) and Ramon Barea (“Hitting Bottom”) round out the cast. The Spanish-language film, directed by Antonio Hens, has just finished shooting in Madrid. Hens’ company Malas Companias is producing.
Described as a “comedy with an introspective touch,” it mark a shift in Hens’ work as a director following dramas like “The Last Match” and “Clandestinos.”
Hens said he feels honored to work with Maura, who he describes as legendary. “The experience is even better because »
- Leo Barraclough
Cannes First Look: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried in 'First Reformed' (Exclusive Image)
1 hour ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »
In First Reformed, Ethan Hawke plays an ex-military chaplain who, after losing his son, befriends a woman (Amanda Seyfried) also suffering from the loss of her husband.
Here, The Hollywood Reporter debuts two first-look images for the film, one showing Hawke's chaplain character and the other of Seyfried (below).
As the plot thickens, Hawke's character dives deeper into his church’s suspicious affairs, finding discovers hidden secrets of his church's complicity with unethical corporations. Cedric the Entertainer (Barbershop, A Haunted House) also stars in the film helmed by Paul Schrader.
Killer Films, Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa and Frank Murray produced the »
- Danielle Garcia
Madrid Has a Cinematic Shooting Past
2 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Since the late 1950s countless large and sometimes legendary Hollywood films have been shot in or near Madrid.
Samuel Bronston-produced blockbusters, Anthony Mann’s “The Fall of the Roman Empire” and Nicholas Ray’s “55 Days at Peking” partially shot near crag-strewn La Pedriza, 30 miles north of Madrid. Charlton Heston’s “El Cid” lensed in the castle of Manzanares El Real.
In 1960, Stanley Kubrick located “Spartacus” in Alcalá de Henares, Colmenar Viejo and Navacerrada, which also hosted Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Conan the Barbarian” in 1982.
Related
Film Madrid Energizes Shooting Support
In 1964, the medieval square of Chinchón, southeast of Madrid, hosted Henry Hathaway’s John Wayne-starrer “Circus World,” which also turned Madrid’s El Paseo de Coches in El Retiro Park into Paris’ Champs Elysées.
Denise O’Dell, one of Hollywood’s favorite Spain-based producers, who ran shingle Kanzaman before launching Babieka, co-produced 2006’s “Goya’s Ghosts”: Shoots included »
- Shalini Dore
'Everything, Everything' and the Power of Silent Representation
2 hours ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »
The strongest point the new Ya romance Everything, Everything makes about being a racially inclusive story is not making a point of it at all.
In the MGM and Warner Bros. adaptation of Nicola Yoon’s best-selling novel, Amandla Stenberg plays Maddy, an 18-year-old girl who has been confined to her house her whole life because of a rare immune disorder. All things considered, she’s relatively content, thanks to the Internet, an extensive personal collection of books and a close and loving relationship with her mother, Pauline (Anika Noni Rose).
That peace is shaken when teenage boy Olly (Nick Robinson) »
- Rebecca Sun
SAG-aftra Launches Contract Negotiations with Producers
3 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
SAG-aftra has started contract negotiations with Hollywood producers on a successor deal for its master contract, Variety has learned.
The talks have started with subcommittees holding meetings this week — six weeks before the June 30 expiration of the current three-year deal. Neither the union nor the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has confirmed the talks, but sources have said that the subcommittee meetings will be followed by an exchange of “wish lists” before the end of May. Full-blown negotiations are scheduled to begin in early June.
SAG-aftra president Gabrielle Carteris is heading her union’s negotiating committee and SAG-aftra national executive director David White is the lead negotiator. AMPTP president Carol Lombardini leads negotiations for the companies.
Negotiations are taking place at AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California. Key issues for the union are likely to include employer contributions to shore up the separate SAG and AFTRA pension plans »
- Dave McNary
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