Billy Eichner Teams Up With Judd Apatow, Nick Stoller for Romantic Comedy
Billy Eichner is teaming up with Judd Apatow and Nick Stoller in a romantic comedy for Universal. Eincher will star in the movie and co-write the screenplay with Stoller, who will direct. Apatow will produce the film about two men with commitment problems attempting a...
‘Fast & Furious Spinoff: Hobbs & Shaw’ Tops Studios’ TV Ad Spending
In this week’s edition of the Variety Movie Commercial Tracker, powered by the TV advertising attention analytics company iSpot.tv, Universal Pictures claims the top spot in spending with its “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” movie ad that ran during...
Can ‘What Men Want’ and ‘Lego Movie 2’ Revive the Box Office?
After a dreary January at the domestic box office, a squad of plastic figurines and a mind-reading Taraji P. Henson are here to lend a helping hand. Warner Bros.’ animated sequel “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” and Paramount Pictures’ comedy “What Men Want” are...
Liam Neeson Says he is not Racist on Controversial comments
Liam Neeson apologized during an appearance on “Good Morning America” for recent racially charged comments. Neeson was the subject of controversy when he revealed in an interview earlier this week with the Independent that was hoping to kill some “black bastard” upon...
‘Mia and the White Lion’ Family Adventure Set for U.S. Release
In today’s film news roundup, a film about a white lion named Charlie is getting a U.S. release, 3 Arts makes a key hire and Gravitas buys the documentary “Mosul.” RELEASE DATE Ledafilms Entertainment Group has set an April 12 release for the family adventure film,...
Ryan Reynolds to Star in and Produce ‘Shotgun Wedding’
Ryan Reynolds is starring in and producing the action-comedy “Shotgun Wedding” for Lionsgate. The “Deadpool” star will produce through his Maximum Effort production company alongside Mandeville Films’ Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman. “Pitch Perfect” director Jason...
Rosario Dawson Joins ‘Zombieland 2’
Rosario Dawson has been cast to join original cast members Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin in “Zombieland 2.” Variety first reported that Zoey Deutch is also boarding the comedy. Original “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer returns...
Zack Snyder Set to Return with ‘Army of the Dead’ as Next Film
Zack Snyder is returning to his zombie roots to direct and produce “Army of the Dead” at Netflix. Snyder, whose most recent credits are “Justice League,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Man of Steel,” made his directorial debut 15 years ago with “Dawn of...
Margot Robbie Teases Harley Quinn’s New Look in ‘Birds of Prey’
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtLdsOujNmb/ Still keeping her famous baseball bat and tattoos, Harley Quinn is now complete with a shorter haircut and a neon pink outfit covered in confetti. Officially titled “Birds of Prey(And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley...
Ben Affleck Out as Bruce Wayne in ‘The Batman’
At last, our long dark (k)night has come to an end. Matt Reeves‘ The Batman will hit theaters on June 25, 2021. And like all good Batman stories, this one’s got layers: Ben Affleck is reportedly officially out as Bruce Wayne after donning the cape and cowl for Batman...
Is Charlize Theron Dating Brad Pitt? An Investigation
Last week’s biggest relationship news, aside from the Trump–Pelosi standoff, was a report of a budding romance between Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron. In the midst of the January blahs, the rumour went down like pizza after a 24-hour juice cleanse, with gossip media...
The Oscars controversy no one knows about
Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful? The Academy Awards are no stranger to controversy. From as far back as Bette Davis’ infamous snub to the La La Land fumble, mistakes keep happening. The press, as usual, has milked these mistakes...
Trading Paint Official Trailer (2019)
https://youtu.be/4hzfdq-aFpU
Kumail Nanjiani, Issa Rae to Star in ‘Lovebirds’
“The Big Sick” star Kumail Nanjiani and “Insecure” star Issa Rae will topline Paramount’s romantic comedy “The Lovebirds.” The project will reunite Nanjiani with “The Big Sick” helmer Michael Showalter, who’s on board to direct from a script by Aaron Abrams, Brendan...
Kevin Hart to Star in Paul Weitz’s ‘Fatherhood’
Kevin Hart is ready to show off his serious side. The comedian will star in Sony Pictures’ “Fatherhood,” a big-screen adaptation of the Matt Logelin bestseller “Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss & Love.” The film, which centers on a widower who must raise his...
Frank Grillo to Star in Action-Thriller ‘Hell on the Border’
Frank Grillo is set to star in the action-thriller “Hell on the Border” with Wes Miller directing. Miller also penned the script with Curtis Nichouls, Henry Penzi, and Sasha Yelaun producing. Ron Perlman is also on board to co-star. Plot details are unknown at this...
‘Rambo’ Producer, Andy Vajna Passes On at 74
Andy Vajna, executive producer of several “Rambo” films as well as “Total Recall” and several “Terminator” movies, died Sunday in Budapest after a long illness. He was 74. The Hungarian National Film Fund confirmed his death, calling him a “dominant figure in the...
Academy Awards: Final Predictions
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Below are In Contention’s final predictions in all 24 categories. Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” and Alfonso Cuarón’s “Roma” lead the way with 10 expected nominations apiece, while we...
Oscar Nominations: The Biggest Surprises
In a year without a frontrunner for best picture, the Academy Awards nominations on Tuesday morning picked a clear favorite (or two). “Roma” and “The Favourite” led all films with 10 nominations each. “A Star is Born” and “Vice” followed with eight nominations apiece....
‘Roma,’ ‘The Favourite’ Dominate Oscar Nominations
“Roma,” a black-and-white, Spanish language coming-of-age drama, and “The Favourite,” a comedy about life in the court of an obscure English monarch, dominated nominations for the 91st Academy Awards, picking up a leading 10 nods apiece. The competition for the top...
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Sound Mixer Gregg Rudloff Dies at 63
Gregg Rudloff, who won Academy Awards for sound mixing “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Matrix,” and “Glory” and was nominated four other times, died in Los Angeles on Jan. 6. He was 63. Rudloff was nominated for an Oscar for “American Sniper,” Best Picture winner “Argo,”...
Why So Many Feminist-Leaning Movies Now?
Call it a pink wave if you must. But there’s no denying that a bunch of feminist-leaning movies are vying for Hollywood’s biggest trophies this awards season. From animated superhero mom Elastigirl, leaving her husband and kids behind to fight crime in “Incredibles...
‘Barbie’ Film Moves Ahead as Warner Bros. Closes Deal With Mattel
Warner Bros. and Mattel have partnered to bring Barbie to the big screen. Margot Robbie is set to portray the live-action version of the iconic doll. “This project is a great start to our partnership with Ynon and Mattel Films,” said Toby Emmerich, chairman of Warner...
Diane Keaton’s Comedy ‘Poms’ Set for Mother’s Day Weekend
STXfilms will release its senior-citizen cheerleader comedy “Poms,” starring Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver, and Pam Grier, on May 10 over Mother’s Day weekend in the U.S. STX bought domestic rights for the movie at the American Film Market in November. Zara Hayes...
Tim Robbins and Anne Hathaway Join Todd Haynes’ DuPont Film
Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins are set to co-star opposite Mark Ruffalo in Participant’s untitled legal drama focused on the scandal revolving around the DuPont chemical company. Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, and Bill Pullman round...
Can ‘The Upside,’ ‘A Dog’s Way Home’ Dethrone ‘Aquaman’?
Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston have a Herculean task this weekend: Taking on “Aquaman.” Hart and Cranston co-star in STX Films and Lantern Entertainment’s “The Upside,” one of the three movies opening nationwide on Friday that will have to compete with reigning box...
Kevin Hart’s ‘The Upside’ Opens With $1.1 Million in Preview Showings
Kevin Hart-Bryan Cranston’s comedy-drama “The Upside” has launched with a moderate $1.1 million at 2,460 North American sites in Thursday night preview showings. Family adventure “A Dog’s Way Home” retrieved $535,000 for Thursday night previews starting at 5 p.m. in...
21 Movies Coming In 2019 We cant wait for
1. Glass When does it come out? January 18 Why we're excited:This unexpected film from M. Night Shyamalan brings together the iconic characters from two of his previous movies: Unbreakable and Split . You can expect a combination of action and...
Frank Adonis, of ‘Goodfellas,’ ‘Raging Bull,’ Dies at 83
Actor Frank Adonis, whose decades-long career includes roles in “Goodfellas” and “Raging Bull,” has died at 83. His wife Denise told TMZ that Adonis was in Las Vegas at the time of his death, which came as a result of kidney related health problems. Best known for his...
Movie, TV and Music Stars We Lost in 2018
Every year, the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys must choose which notable performers and creators to memorialize in their In Memoriam segments, and the three organizations will have many talented entertainers to remember at 2019’s ceremonies. The past year saw the loss of...
Lady Gaga Kicks Off a Very Good Romance With Vegas
Some Oscar campaigns are way better than others. Mind you, it’s probably just the luck of the clock that “Lady Gaga Enigma,” the highly spectacular, long-in-the-works show that opened Friday night in Las Vegas, happens to be kicking off in the heart of awards season....
2019 Most Anticipated Movies
It seems like 2019 will be the year of sequels, adaptations, and reboots, but with “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Lion King” on the horizon, we’re not complaining. Cinematic storytelling and special effects have never been stronger, so whether it’s family-friendly fare...
2018 Box Office Game Changers
How successful has the 2018 box office been? Let us count the ways. The movie business is on track to hit a global record, and for the first time in a while, North America is to thank. After being diagnosed with severe cases of sequelitis and franchise fatigue,...
Review: ‘Vice’
From Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump, the leaders of right-wing Republican politics have tended to be fire-breathers (or, in the case of Reagan, a saber rattler who could make snake oil taste like honey). But Dick Cheney broke that mold. Speaking in...
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Rises to $35 Million for Debut Weekend, ‘Mortal Engines’ Sputters
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is the new box office king, collecting a solid $35.4 million during its first three days of release. That’s hardly the biggest opening for an animated film this year, but it does rank as the best start for a cartooned flick in the...
Inside ‘Scarface’s’ Sometimes Rocky Road to Becoming a Classic
“Scarface,” which opened Dec. 9, 1983, made money at the box office but wasn’t immediately profitable. In the 35 years since then, the film has been embraced as a classic. On April 6, 1982, Variety announced star Al Pacino and director Sidney Lumetwere working on a...
‘Bumblebee’ Film Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcwmDAYt22k Imagine, if you can, a “Transformers” movie in which the plot is coherent, the robots feel like characters (as opposed to gleaming CG creations), and the action is staged and edited clearly enough to follow. After five rock...
Disney Makes History Again With $7 Billion at Global Box Office for 2018
Disney has topped $7 billion at the global box office for 2018 — with three weeks left in the year. Disney reached the milestone on Dec. 9, marking only the second time in history that any studio has hit that landmark. Disney set the record in 2016 with $7.6 billion....
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ Narrowly Edges ‘Grinch’ in Drab Pre-Holiday Weekend
Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” topped a quiet weekend at the domestic box office, marking the third straight win for the animated sequel. It earned $16.2 million in its third week of release, generating $140 million since it opened over Thanksgiving. Another...
‘Toxic Avenger’ Movie in the Works
Legendary Entertainment is developing “The Toxic Avenger” as a movie after acquiring the feature film rights. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Entertainment will serve as producers. Alex Garcia and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee for Legendary. Kaufman and Herz...
Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning and Salma Hayek to Star in Sally Potter Drama
Production has begun in Spain on Sally Potter’s untitled family drama, starring Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, and Laura Linney. The story is described as a chronicle of a wild day in the life of a man on the edge, held together by the...
The Best Gifts for ‘Game of Thrones’ Fans
Winter is coming – and so are the holidays. While you wait for the final season of “Game of Thrones” to premiere this spring, pick up one of these gifts for fans of the hit HBO show. From stocking stuffers to luxurious getaways, these gifts are sure to impress both...
What Movies and TV Series Will Score Golden Globe Nominations?
As the first awards show of the calendar year, the Golden Globes is often an opportunity to honor a series or star for the first time. The voting committee of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. often seems to pride itself on celebrating the unexpected and putting fresh...
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ to Keep Box Office Crown for Second Weekend
It’s a weekend of repeats. With just one nationwide debut at the box office, a series of holdovers are set to take the top spots, with the second frame of Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” heading for first place with an estimated $24 million. The sole...
Michelle Dockery, Collin Farrell Join Matthew McConaughey’s ‘Toff Guys’
Colin Farrell and Michelle Dockery have joined Matthew McConaughey in the British crime drama “Toff Guys,” with Guy Ritchie directing. Farrell’s deal is not yet closed. He would portray a trainer of MMA fighters. Dockery is replacing Kate Beckinsale as the wife of...
‘Fantasy Island’ Movie Lands 2020 Release
Sony Pictures and Blumhouse have set a Feb. 28, 2020 release date for the upcoming film “Fantasy Island.” The movie stars Michael Pena as Mr. Roarke. Lisa Hale will play one of the guests at a mysterious island where people can live out their fantasies — for a price....
Brie Larson Amazing in New Captain Marvel Trailer
Disney-Marvel has dropped a new trailer for Brie Larson’s “Captain Marvel” during Monday Night Football. In the trailer, which features an old lady who can also kick butt, Larson’s Captain Marvelbegins to question her history after she start remembering her previous...
George and Amal Clooney set to become Prince Harry and Meghan’s first-born child’s godparents
George and Amal Clooney are all but confirmed to be among the godparents of Prince Harry and Meghan's first-born child, DailyMail.com can reveal. The A-list actor's family, who still live in George's hometown of Augusta, Kentucky, are convinced George and Amal will...
Why George Clooney is the Best Paid Actor of 2018, Despite doing Nothing
George Clooney is one of the highest paid actors in the world among stars like Dwayne Johnson, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Jackie Chan. But unlike his well-known and wealthy counterparts, Clooney not only took the No. 1 spot for 2018 but did so without...
Creator of ‘Spongebob Square pants’ Stephen Hillenburg dies at 57
Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the megahit Nickelodeon cartoon series “SpongeBob SquarePants,” died on Monday. He was 57. The cause of death was ALS, which Hillenburg revealed he had been diagnosed with in March of last year. “We are incredibly saddened by the...
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ Tops Thanksgiving Box Office, ‘Robin Hood’ Stumbles
Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” dominated the Thanksgiving box office, generating a massive $84.6 million at 4,017 locations over the five-day holiday period and $56 million for the weekend. Propelled by solid word of mouth, the Disney animated sequel now ranks...
‘Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald’ Passes $400 Million, ‘Venom’ Tops $800 Million
“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” had another magical weekend at the foreign box office, generating $83.7 million for an international haul of $322.6 million. The spinoff sequel has now crossed $439.7 million globally, with $116 million of that total...
Disney Breaks Trailer View Record for Lion King
Anticipation for Disney’s rollout of live action adaptations can sometimes be lukewarm, but that’s clearly not the case with “The Lion King.” The teaser trailer for the upcoming “live action” feature — which is really just photoreal animation — accumulated 224.6...
Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale Lead Top Heavy Actor Race for Oscars
In contrast to the lead actress competition, a list of this year’s lead actor Oscar hopefuls runs out of home run contenders pretty quickly. But at the very top, just like their female counterparts, the leading men are led by a trio of front-runners in what may well...
Review: ‘Creed II’
Director: Steven Caple Jr. With: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Dolph Lundgren, Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad, Brigitte Nielsen, Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, Andre Ward, Milo Ventimiglia. Release Date: Nov 21, 2018 In “Creed II,” Michael...
‘Pet Sematary’ Director Mary Lambert Takes On Mermaid Thriller ‘Rolling in the Deep’ Project
“Pet Sematary” director Mary Lambert is attached to helm an adaptation of Mira Grant’s mermaid thriller “Rolling in the Deep” for Branded Pictures Entertainment, Variety has learned exclusively. Sean Hood, whose credits include “Conan the Barbarian” and “Halloween:...
LeBron James’ ‘Space Jam 2’ Set to Film in California
Warner Bros.’ “Space Jam 2,” starring LeBron James and produced by Ryan Coogler, is set to film in California. The upcoming sequel is one of 15 film projects that have been selected for the state’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program 2.0. “Space Jam 2” received the...
Idris Elba’s Daughter Isan Is 2019 Golden Globe Ambassador
Idris Elba’s daughter, Isan, has been named next year’s Golden Globes Ambassador, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced on Wednesday evening. Isan is also the daughter of makeup artist and businesswoman Kim Elba. The ambassador, a title that typically goes...
‘Fantastic Beasts 2’ Dominates International Box Office With $191 Million Launch
“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” led the foreign box office with a massive $191 million. The “Harry Potter” prequel series launched in North America with $62 million for a global weekend haul of $253 million. The Wizarding World installment needs to do...
Samsung to Launch Foldable Phone in 2019
Samsung used its developer conference in San Francisco Wednesday to officially announce that it will launch a foldable smartphone some time in 2019. The phone is using the company’s own new Infinity Flex display, which allows it to be folded and unfolded repeatedly...
Dakota Fanning to Star in Drama ‘Sweetness in the Belly’
Dakota Fanning is starring in the immigrant drama “Sweetness in the Belly,” which has begun shooting in Ireland and will continue in Ethiopia. Zeresenay Berhane Mehari is directing from a script by Laura Phillips, adapted from Camilla Gibb’s bestselling novel that...
Steven Spielberg Teams Up with Oprah Winfrey for ‘The Color Purple’ Movie Musical
“The Color Purple” is headed to the big screen once again — but this time, as a musical. Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey are teaming up to develop the property as a movie musical at Warner Bros. Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders are also on board to produce the movie,...
Fox Proves Its Value to Disney With ‘Bohemian Rhapsody
Movies don’t have to be fantastical in order to do fantastic business. That’s the takeaway from a weekend that saw Fox’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” top the box office charts and Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” serve up a face plant of epic proportions. It’s an...
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Rocks With $50 Million, ‘Nutcracker’ Crumbles
There’s a new box office queen in town. Fox’s Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” overperformed with a rocking $50 million when it debuted in 4,000 theaters. That was enough to dominate in North America over fellow newcomers “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”...
‘The Grinch’ set to Steal Box Office Crown With $55 Million-Plus Debut
It’s never too early to cash in on a little Yuletide spirit. Universal and Illumination are seeing green as “The Grinch” anticipates to earn between $55 million to $65 million when it launches on 4,140 screens. The animated comedy is expected to dominate over “The...
‘Elf’ Turns 15: Behind the Scenes of the Classic
The idea for “Elf” began as an ode to New York during the holidays. David Berenbaum, the screenwriter behind the Christmas classic, had just moved to Los Angeles and missed the East Coast. The nostalgia for the city inspired what he calls a “left-of-center” family...
Marvel Comics Stan Lee Dies at 95
Stan Lee, who ushered in a comicbook renaissance by co-creating the iconic superheroes Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men — characters who made the leap to film with often-spectacular results — died on Monday, his daughter’s attorney confirmed...
‘Boys in the Boat’ Saved by MGM, Lantern Entertainment
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has joined Lantern Entertainment to develop, finance, produce, and distribute the rowing movie “Boys in the Boat.” It’s the first film to come from Lantern, which closed its $289 million acquisition of the Weinstein Co. in July, and is seeking to...
‘Halloween’ Dominates Overseas, ‘Venom’ Surpasses $500 Million Globally
“Halloween” continues to cash in on the spooky holiday spirit, leading the international box office with $25 million from 62 territories overseas. Universal and Blumhouse’s R-rated thriller also made a killing in North America where it came in at No. 1 with $32...
‘Made in Italy’ casts Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson and Micheal Richardson (“Vox Lux”) will star in James D’Arcy’s directorial debut, “Made in Italy.” Neeson will play a bohemian London artist who returns to Italy with his estranged son, portrayed by Richardson, to sell the house they inherited from his...
Olga Kurylenko to Star in Action Thriller ‘The Courier’
Olga Kurylenko will lead a female-led cast in “The Courier,” a London-set action thriller from Zackary Adler (“The Rise of the Krays”). Kurylenko (“Quantum of Solace”) will play the titular courier, whose daily deliveries are interrupted when she discovers that her...
Charlie Hunnam and Mel Gibson Join Action-Thriller ‘Waldo’
Mel Gibson, Charlie Hunnam and Eiza González are attached to star in Tim Kirkby’s action-thriller “Waldo.” Andrew Lazar, Christina Weiss Lurie and Steve Shainberg will produce. IMR International is handling foreign sales, which will launch at the American Film Market,...
Andrew Garfield Joins Gia Coppola’s Romance Movie ‘Mainstream’
Gia Coppola will direct and co-write “Mainstream,” with Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff, and Jason Schwartzman starring. The story, to be co-written by Tom Stuart, centers on an eccentric love triangle and cautionary tale of preserving your identity within the...
Overlord’s Julius Avery to Direct ‘Flash Gordon’ Movie
Fox has hired “Overlord” director Julius Avery to write and direct a “Flash Gordon” movie. The studio had been in negotiations in 2015 with “Kingsman” director Matthew Vaughn to helm “Flash Gordon.” Vaughn will now produce with John Davis and Hearst Entertainment...
‘Charlie’s Angels’ Reboot Takes Up Vacated ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Slot
Sony is moving its “Charlie’s Angels” reboot back five weeks to Nov. 1, 2019, to fill the slot vacated by “Wonder Woman 1984.” Sony made the announcement Monday night, a few hours after Warner Bros. decided it would move Gal Gadot’s “Wonder Woman 1984” to June 6,...
Guillermo del Toro is Directing ‘Pinocchio’ for Netflix
Fresh off his Oscar win for “The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro is set to make his animated feature film directing debut. Del Toro has received the green light from Netflix to film “Pinocchio,” a stop motion musical version of the classic children’s tale about a...
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Pushed Back to 2020
Warner Bros. has moved Gal Gadot’s “Wonder Woman 1984” back seven months from Nov. 1, 2019, to June 5, 2020. The sequel, which is set in 1984, replaces Mark Wahlberg’s “Six Billion Dollar Man,” which has been taken off the schedule. Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’...
‘Venom’ and ‘A Star Is Born’ Rule International Box Office
“Venom” remains a force to be reckoned with overseas as the Tom Hardy superhero movie topped the foreign box office for the third weekend in a row. Sony’s “Venom” secured the No. 1 spot abroad with $32 million from 65 markets, taking its international total to $290.7...
‘Halloween’ Slashes Franchise Record With $77.5 Million on Launch Day
“Halloween” made a killing in North America, earning $77.5 million when the slasher film launched in 3,928 locations. David Gordon Green’s “Halloween,” a direct sequel to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, obliterated the franchise record opening of $26 million,...
How Blumhouse Got Everything Right About Producing a ‘Halloween’ Sequel
Forty years after Laurie Strode survived the wrath of deranged masked murderer Michael Myers in John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” the iconic avenging babysitter came back to the box office in a big way. “Halloween” beat expectations to earn $77.5 million in North America,...
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and David Strathairn to Star in Family Drama ‘Walkaway Joe’
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, David Strathairn, Julian Feder and Julie Ann Emery are starring in the family drama “Walkaway Joe,” which has begun shooting in St. John’s Parish, La. Tom Wright is helming in his directorial debut from a script by Michael Milillo. “Walkaway Joe”...
Melissa McCarthy Discusses Playing Author Lee Israel in ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ Movie
Vintage typewriters and forged letters might seem like unusual decor for New York’s SVA Theatre, but there could be no better tribute to Lee Israel, the subject of the new Melissa McCarthy-led biopic “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” which premiered there on Sunday. Israel...
Idris Elba Teams up with Taylor Swift in ‘Cats’ Movie Adaptation
Idris Elba is in final negotiations to join the film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats.” Tom Hooper will direct the star-studded movie, also starring Ian McKellen, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, and Taylor Swift. This marks Elba’s second feline role...
Ranking All the Halloween Movies
Proving that you can’t kill pure evil, Michael Myers returns once again to pierce fresh victims with an assortment of cutlery in Universal’s “Halloween” reboot. Though this latest entry in the franchise ignores the events of the last nine films, enough references are...
‘Halloween’ to Make Huge $65 Million-Plus Debut
The October box office has been light on the tricks and heavy on the treats. “Halloween” should keep powering the domestic market as Universal’s R-rated slasher film eyes a massive opening in the $57 million to $65 million range. The studio is cautiously anticipating...
Margot Robbie in Negotiations to Star in Barbie Movie
Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie is attached to star in “Barbie,” Mattel’s feature film based on its globally recognized doll. Robbie is also on board to produce through her production banner Lucky Chaps. The film was previously set up at Sony, but after the...
Arnold Kopelson, Producer of ‘Platoon’ and ‘The Fugitive,’ Dies at 83
Arnold Kopelson, the Oscar-winning producer of such films as “Platoon” and “The Fugitive,” died Monday at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 83. Kopelson’s death was confirmed Monday his wife and business partner of 42 years, Anne Kopelson. Anne Kopelson said her...
Michael Pena to Play Mr. Roarke in ‘Fantasy Island’ Movie
Michael Pena will play the Mr. Roarke role in Blumhouse and Sony’s upcoming “Fantasy Island” movie. Ricardo Montalban originated the role in the television series “Fantasy Island” as the white-suited Mr. Roarke who oversaw a mysterious island where people could live...
James Gunn’s Movie ‘BrightBurn’ Postponed till 2019
DATE CHANGE Sony has moved the previously untitled James Gunn horror project “BrightBurn” back from Nov. 30 of this year to May 24, 2019 — the start of the Memorial Day weekend. The studio unveiled the name “BrightBurn” on Monday along with the date change. Gunn...
James Gunn in Talks to Take on ‘Suicide Squad 2’
“Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn is in talks to write “Suicide Squad 2,” jumping ship from Marvel to DC. Gunn’s deal was made “with an eye to direct” the Warner Bros. film, which is expected to be a completely new take. Gunn helmed the first two...
Venom Officially Rated PG-13. Could Open at $70M
One of the central questions about Sony’s Venom movie has been about its rating, and now the answer has officially arrived: Venom is going to be PG-13. Also, some new box office tracking numbers have arrived and have zeroed in on how the film might perform during its...
‘Halloween’ Box Office tracking shows sign for Best Opening of the Franchise
Halloween is about to get a trick-or-treat bag loaded with cash. The latest entry in the horror franchise could be headed towards the biggest opening weekend for the franchise ever. Yes, even bigger than Halloween: Resurrection, starring Busta Rhymes. See the...
‘The House With a Clock in Its Walls’ Dominates With $26.8 Million
“The House With a Clock in Its Walls” easily topped the domestic box office in an otherwise quiet weekend at multiplexes. Eli Roth’s adaptation of the popular children’s book picked up a better-than-expected $26.8 million when it opened in 3,592 locations. The fantasy...
‘The Nun’ Leads International Box Office for Third Weekend in a Row With $35 Million
Warner Bros.’ “The Nun” topped the international box office for the third straight weekend, generating another $35.5 million in 80 markets. That takes its overseas total to $191.7 million for a global tally of $292.6 million. “The Nun” now ranks as the biggest...
‘Old School’ Celebs Want Cowboy Culture Back in Hollywood
The annual “Silver Spur Awards” presented by Reel Cowboys has been known as “the Oscars for Westerns” since 1997. On Sept. 21, the 21st award ceremony was held in Studio City, Calif., and seven notable people involved in Westerns were awarded with the Silver Spur...
‘Star Wars’ s Gary Kurtz Dies at 78
“Star Wars” producer Gary Kurtz died of cancer on Sunday, his family said in a statement. He was 78. In addition to helping bring the Skywalker stories to the big screen, Kurtz produced “American Graffiti” and “The Dark Crystal.” His career was closely aligned with...
Joaquin Phoenix in Joker Makeup
Todd Phillips, the director of the upcoming Joker origin film, posted a camera test of Joaquin Phoenix Friday on Instagram. Phoenix plays the infamous villain in the currently untitled movie, which is slated to hit theaters on Oct. 4, 2019. In the video, Phoenix...
Jeff Bridges Open to a ‘Big Lebowski’ Remake On One Condition
Jeff Bridges is open to a “Big Lebowski” remake, but only under one condition — he has to be in it. “Yeah, if I was in it!” he said with a laugh. “So many things flash,” he said, when asked about any memorable moments from filming “Big Lebowski.” “I’m thinking of the...
‘We Still Have to Close My Deal on It’-Jon M. Chu on ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Sequel
Is Jon M. Chu directing the sequel and the possible third movie in the “Crazy Rich Asians” franchise? While he is reportedly on board, Chu tells Variety it’s not official yet. “I’m down to do the next two movies. We’ve been talking a lot about it, but we still have to...