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Universal Sets ‘Mamma Mia’ Sequel for 2018 — ‘Here We Go Again!’
6 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
11 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
13 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: ‘Can We Get (Trump) Out Before There Is Real Damage?’
20 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Bill Maher cut to the heart of his fears (and that of many Americans) when he asked guests on his show “Real Time” Friday night, “Can we get (Donald Trump) out before there is real damage?” Conservative-leaning Democrat and political commentator David Frum told it like he saw it. “This is a much more dangerous time, and whatever people feel about Donald Trump, he is a canny survivor and a ruthless player,” Frum said, adding that a second aircraft carrier has arrived near Korea and is exercising. “Donald Trump had two good days as president — his State of the Union. »
- Rosemary Rossi
Cannes Facetime: Imogen Poots on Albee, ‘Mobile Homes’ and Roosters
44 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
The British actress Imogen Poots recently seen in “Green Room” and “Roadies” will wrap her theater debut playing Honey in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” before heading to Cannes with her film “Mobile Homes.” Directed by Vladimir de Fontenay, the movie casts Poots as a woman who drifts from place to place with her boyfriend and young son.
Is it true “Virginia Woolf” Is your first play?
Yes, it’s totally nuts! I wanted to do a play but not just do a play for the sake of it. I wanted to do something I was crazy about. This character is my boyfriend, I spend all my time with her.
What drew you to “Mobile Homes”?
It’s hard to describe attraction to something, but it’s immediate and it piques your curiosity. I loved it and immediately wanted to play her. I want to play female roles full of contradiction and conflict, »
- Jenelle Riley
Stacey Martin, Star of ‘Redoutable,’ Joins Michale Boganim’s ‘Borough Park’ (Exclusive)
44 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Stacey Martin, the star in Michel Hazanavicius’s “Redoutable” which competes in Cannes on Sunday, is set to topline Michale Boganim’s English-language debut “Borough Park” which Pierre-Ange Le Pogam is producing.
Martin will star as Rebecca, a 22-year-old woman who is disowned by her father, an esteemed rabbi, and is forced to leave Borough Park’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community where she has lived her whole life. Upon arriving in Manhattan, Rebecca meets other Jews living on the margins of the Hasidic community and Anya, an emancipated Russian immigrant and aspiring painter who introduces her to another world before getting deported out of the U.S.
Jewish American reggae vocalist Matisyahu is in discussions to perform a song and play a small part in the film.
“(Stacey) Martin has a sense of determination and a vulnerability that make her perfect for this role: she depicts her woman who as the »
- Elsa Keslassy
Cannes: Dealmakers Starting to Embrace Netflix Despite Disruption
44 minutes ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »
When a technical mishap disrupted the press screening of Bong Joon Ho's Okja on Friday morning, the irony was lost on no one.
As the first-ever Netflix movie to screen in Cannes, Okja has become a symbol of the streaming giant's disruption of the traditional film business. Netflix's plan to release Okja online-only in most markets appears to have put the company on a collision course with Cannes and this year's jury president, Spanish director Pedro Almodovar.
In his first Cannes press conference, Almodovar read a prepared statement saying he didn't think the Palme d'Or should be given »
- Scott Roxborough,Rebecca Ford
Cannes: Download THR's Day 4 Daily
44 minutes ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »
The Hollywood Reporter has released its fourth Cannes Film Festival daily issue, which includes a look at Netflix's eventful Cannes debut, an analysis of a buyers-only Fahrenheit 11/9 presentation and a chat with John Cameron Mitchell about How to Talk to Girls at Parties.
Cannes' Netflix Snafu
When a technical mishap disrupted the press screening of Bong Joon Ho's Okja, Netflix's first-ever Cannes title, the irony was lost on no one. The streamer's plan to release Okja online-only in most markets appears to have put the company on a collision course with Cannes and this year's jury president, Spanish director »
- Ashley Lee
Bill Maher Dubs Donald Trump a Superhero Named Orange Sphincter
57 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
1 hour 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
1 hour 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
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