With Robert Downey Jr. finally winning an Oscar for Oppenheimer and co-starring in the acclaimed HBO miniseries The Sympathizer, Awfully Good Movies is looking back at Rdj’s first and failed attempt at a post-Marvel franchise in the failed family fantasy Dolittle!
Right after Tony Stark’s epic exit from the MCU, Downey hopped on to star in and co-produce alongside his wife Susan a new adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s children’s book series about the veterinarian who can talk all the languages of his animal patients, this time without any overlong musical numbers from Rex Harrison or silly mugging from Eddie Murphy. However, much like the 1998 version, Dolittle’s animals would be voiced by a huge array of talented actors, including Rdj’s former Avengers co-star Tom Holland and future Oppenheimer co-star Rami Malek, and the long-awaited teaming of Dame Emma Thompson and John Cena that we’ve...
Right after Tony Stark’s epic exit from the MCU, Downey hopped on to star in and co-produce alongside his wife Susan a new adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s children’s book series about the veterinarian who can talk all the languages of his animal patients, this time without any overlong musical numbers from Rex Harrison or silly mugging from Eddie Murphy. However, much like the 1998 version, Dolittle’s animals would be voiced by a huge array of talented actors, including Rdj’s former Avengers co-star Tom Holland and future Oppenheimer co-star Rami Malek, and the long-awaited teaming of Dame Emma Thompson and John Cena that we’ve...
- 5/7/2024
- by Jesse Shade
- JoBlo.com
Heath Ledger remains an unforgettable star in the hearts of fans. Initially known for teen heartthrob roles, he transitioned to diverse and challenging characters across genres. While his career featured many great performances, his iconic portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight stands out prominently.
Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight
It is unfortunate that Heath Ledger wasn’t with us to witness the acclaim he received for his role as The Joker, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor passed away at the age of 28, leaving his promising career unfinished. In fact, Ledger was actively working on a movie at the time of his death, and the director of that film recently shared memories of his time with Ledger.
Suggested“That’s the moment that changed my career”: Dune 2 Star Austin Butler Had to Work in 1 TV Show Almost Immediately After...
Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight
It is unfortunate that Heath Ledger wasn’t with us to witness the acclaim he received for his role as The Joker, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor passed away at the age of 28, leaving his promising career unfinished. In fact, Ledger was actively working on a movie at the time of his death, and the director of that film recently shared memories of his time with Ledger.
Suggested“That’s the moment that changed my career”: Dune 2 Star Austin Butler Had to Work in 1 TV Show Almost Immediately After...
- 3/1/2024
- by Subhojeet Mookherjee
- FandomWire
Heath Ledger is a star who fans can not forget at any cost. Starting with teen heartthrob roles, he quickly shed that image to tackle challenging characters across genres. He had done many great roles but none come close to his iconic portrayal of The Joker in “The Dark Knight”.
A still from Dark Knight
It is, however, very unfortunate that Ledger wasn’t between us to see all the praise he got for his role, which resulted in a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor was just 28 at the time of his death and had his whole career ahead of him. He was already working on a movie at the time, and the director of that movie recently recalled his moments with Ledger.
Suggested“They were hooking up”: Heath Ledger Took a Secret to the Grave – He Was Dating Avengers Star’s Sister
Heath Ledger Passed Away With...
A still from Dark Knight
It is, however, very unfortunate that Ledger wasn’t between us to see all the praise he got for his role, which resulted in a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor was just 28 at the time of his death and had his whole career ahead of him. He was already working on a movie at the time, and the director of that movie recently recalled his moments with Ledger.
Suggested“They were hooking up”: Heath Ledger Took a Secret to the Grave – He Was Dating Avengers Star’s Sister
Heath Ledger Passed Away With...
- 3/1/2024
- by Piyush Yadav
- FandomWire
Filmmaker Stephen Gaghan has opened up about the film he almost made with late Hollywood star Heath Ledger and recalled the horrible moment he learned about the actor’s death.
Stephen spoke about Ledger, who gained universal acclaim and global spotlight with his performance as the chaotic character of Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’, during his appearance on Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast miniseries ‘Development Hell’.
The director and actor back then wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, ‘Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking’, which talks about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.
Stephen received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 in January, 2008, due to accidental overdose of medications.
“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,...
Stephen spoke about Ledger, who gained universal acclaim and global spotlight with his performance as the chaotic character of Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’, during his appearance on Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast miniseries ‘Development Hell’.
The director and actor back then wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, ‘Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking’, which talks about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.
Stephen received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 in January, 2008, due to accidental overdose of medications.
“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
During his recent appearance on Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast miniseries, Development Hell, director Stephen Gaghan talked about the film he almost made with Heath Ledger. And the phone call that ended that dream.
Gaghan and Ledger wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, which explores the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.
Then he received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 on Jan. 22, 2008.
“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,” Gaghan told Gladwell. “I think my number was on the script — like written. These guys are in, as you can imagine, they are in shock. And they dialed that number, and I don’t know why.
Gaghan and Ledger wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, which explores the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.
Then he received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 on Jan. 22, 2008.
“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,” Gaghan told Gladwell. “I think my number was on the script — like written. These guys are in, as you can imagine, they are in shock. And they dialed that number, and I don’t know why.
- 3/1/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
While 2000’s “The Tipping Point” was writer Malcolm Gladwell‘s first book, it was 2005’s “Blink” that put him on the map. And the bestseller, all about the adaptive unconscious, captured the public’s imagination so much that Gladwell and screenwriter Stephen Gaghan had plans to make the book into a feature film. But tragedy derailed those plans, and THR reports that the pair talked about the unproduced screenplay for “Blink” on a new limited series for Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History.”
Read More: The Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
The premiere episode of “Development Hell,” all about Hollywood projects that never managed to get greenlit, hits close to home for Gladwell and Gaghan.
Continue reading Stephen Gaghan Reveals ‘Blink’ Project Was Originally Set To Star Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger at The Playlist.
Read More: The Most Anticipated Films Of 2024
The premiere episode of “Development Hell,” all about Hollywood projects that never managed to get greenlit, hits close to home for Gladwell and Gaghan.
Continue reading Stephen Gaghan Reveals ‘Blink’ Project Was Originally Set To Star Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger at The Playlist.
- 2/29/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
The hype leading up to The Dark Knight in 2008 was the closest we’ve come to reliving Bat-Mania that took over pop culture in 1989 leading up to the first Batman. Much of the hype came from the revelation of Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker. Christopher Nolan’s star was on the rise as people resonated with his 2005 reboot Batman Begins, and his interpretation of the clown prince of crime was a fresh burst of energy. A number of photos and a teaser from the film was released when the world was dealt the devastating news about the passing of Heath Ledger. Ledger’s career had gained immense steam after performances in Monster’s Ball and Brokeback Mountain.
A new detail was revealed about the day Heath Ledger was found unresponsive as Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of Traffic, appeared on a new limited series podcast called Development Hell. According to The Hollywood Reporter,...
A new detail was revealed about the day Heath Ledger was found unresponsive as Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of Traffic, appeared on a new limited series podcast called Development Hell. According to The Hollywood Reporter,...
- 2/29/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Stephen Gaghan Reveals New Details About Heath Ledger’s Death and Devastating Call: “It’s Still Sad”
Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast launched a new limited series today titled Development Hell that offers deep dives into Hollywood projects that never made it on screens big or small. The New York Times best-selling author — who serves as co-founder of audio content company Pushkin Industries, home to his podcast — kicked off the series by investigating one of his own, an adaptation of his second book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, with Oscar winner Stephen Gaghan.
The longer than 40-minute conversation offers new details about their partnership and strategy in adapting the 2005 book about instincts, snap judgments and first impressions. But the chat took a devastating turn when Gaghan revealed why, after years of development and a package that once included A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, he let go of it for good following the tragic death of Heath Ledger.
Ledger was found dead inside a Manhattan apartment on Jan.
The longer than 40-minute conversation offers new details about their partnership and strategy in adapting the 2005 book about instincts, snap judgments and first impressions. But the chat took a devastating turn when Gaghan revealed why, after years of development and a package that once included A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, he let go of it for good following the tragic death of Heath Ledger.
Ledger was found dead inside a Manhattan apartment on Jan.
- 2/29/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Robert Downey Jr. looks back on his career, he feels some of his “best work” didn’t get the attention it deserved because of the superhero genre.
The actor made a recent appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast where he opened up about past experiences that didn’t go as planned but turned into teachable moments that ultimately made him better.
“Sometimes it’s those turning points too where we have been out in the cold and said, ‘What am I supposed to learn now?'” he said. “And I think those things can forge a bit of a new version of the same identity that is not so brittle, a little more malleable but also more capable.”
Downey admitted that he was feeling at the top of his career in 2019 following his 11-year run as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he...
The actor made a recent appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast where he opened up about past experiences that didn’t go as planned but turned into teachable moments that ultimately made him better.
“Sometimes it’s those turning points too where we have been out in the cold and said, ‘What am I supposed to learn now?'” he said. “And I think those things can forge a bit of a new version of the same identity that is not so brittle, a little more malleable but also more capable.”
Downey admitted that he was feeling at the top of his career in 2019 following his 11-year run as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he...
- 1/13/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster comedy “Barbie” has been deemed an adapted screenplay by the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, despite campaigning for original screenplay, Variety has exclusively learned.
When official Oscar nomination voting opens Thursday, Jan. 11, eligible voting members of the branch will only be able to cast votes for the script written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in adapted screenplay.
The film tells the story of Barbie (Margot Robbie), who suffers an identity crisis in Barbie World, leading her on a quest with her beau Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world to seek the answers regarding her existence.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Variety had previously reported that “Barbie” would be campaigned for best original screenplay for the upcoming awards season rather than in adapted screenplay, as had been presumed. The decision...
When official Oscar nomination voting opens Thursday, Jan. 11, eligible voting members of the branch will only be able to cast votes for the script written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in adapted screenplay.
The film tells the story of Barbie (Margot Robbie), who suffers an identity crisis in Barbie World, leading her on a quest with her beau Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world to seek the answers regarding her existence.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Variety had previously reported that “Barbie” would be campaigned for best original screenplay for the upcoming awards season rather than in adapted screenplay, as had been presumed. The decision...
- 1/3/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Barbie” is a box office smash, along with its acclaim from critics and audiences alike. If you follow the social media chatter and the general feeling from most pundits, it could be a viable awards contender for Warner Bros. One category being debated is where the screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach would be able to compete — whether in original or adapted screenplay. The answer lies in how the WGA classifies it and whether the Academy could or would overrule that choice.
Variety confirms there are ongoing conversations with strategists and Warner Bros regarding where “Barbie” would compete at next year’s ceremony.
On the title cards, it reads “Based on ‘Barbie’ by Mattel,” which is, of course, a toy company. At the same time, there have been multiple CGI films and TV series featuring the fashion doll since its debut in the late 1980s (42 to be precise). This...
Variety confirms there are ongoing conversations with strategists and Warner Bros regarding where “Barbie” would compete at next year’s ceremony.
On the title cards, it reads “Based on ‘Barbie’ by Mattel,” which is, of course, a toy company. At the same time, there have been multiple CGI films and TV series featuring the fashion doll since its debut in the late 1980s (42 to be precise). This...
- 7/25/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Few actors have enjoyed as much success as Robert Downey Jr. in the last 15 years. The unofficial leader of the Marvel Cinematic Universe played Tony Stark in numerous blockbusters and helped turn the franchise into the one of the most lucrative in the history of Hollywood. But ask Downey if “Iron Man” or “Avengers: Endgame” were the “most important films” he’s made in the last two decades, and the two-time Oscar nominee will say no.
Speaking to the New York Times, Downey said the two projects he’d point to as having an outsized impact on this stage of his career are a pair of poorly reviewed kids’ movies: 2006’s “The Shaggy Dog” and 2020’s flop “Dolittle.”
“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in ‘Dolittle.’ I had some reservations. Me and my...
Speaking to the New York Times, Downey said the two projects he’d point to as having an outsized impact on this stage of his career are a pair of poorly reviewed kids’ movies: 2006’s “The Shaggy Dog” and 2020’s flop “Dolittle.”
“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in ‘Dolittle.’ I had some reservations. Me and my...
- 7/11/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about Dolittle, the 2020 film that was ill-reviewed and has a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
In a recent interview, Downey said the movie directed by Stephen Gaghan and based on Hugh Lofting’s second Doctor Dolittle book was one of the most important films he’s done in the past two decades.
“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in Dolittle,” he told The New York Times Magazine. “I had some reservations. Me and my team seemed a little too excited about the deal and not quite excited enough about the merits of the execution. But at that point I was bulletproof. I was the guru of all genre movies.”
He continued, “Honestly, the two most important films I’ve done in the last 25 years are The Shaggy Dog...
In a recent interview, Downey said the movie directed by Stephen Gaghan and based on Hugh Lofting’s second Doctor Dolittle book was one of the most important films he’s done in the past two decades.
“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in Dolittle,” he told The New York Times Magazine. “I had some reservations. Me and my team seemed a little too excited about the deal and not quite excited enough about the merits of the execution. But at that point I was bulletproof. I was the guru of all genre movies.”
He continued, “Honestly, the two most important films I’ve done in the last 25 years are The Shaggy Dog...
- 7/10/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh were guests at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood last weekend for a showing of their 2001 production “Ocean’s Eleven.”
During the Ben Mankiewicz-hosted chat, Clooney and Soderbergh explained where they were in their careers when they first linked up and prepped to make 1998’s “Out of Sight.” Clooney was coming off of “Batman & Robin,” a project he frequently talks about as a humbling experience with rubber nipples attached. Soderbergh had a flop with “The Underneath”. After things turned around and Soderbergh delivered “Erin Brockovich,” which won an Oscar for Julia Roberts as Best Actress plus four other nominations, and “Traffic,” which won an Oscar for himself as Best Director, plus Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro, Best Adapted Screenplay for Stephen Gaghan, and Best Editing, the planets aligned for the smart, sexy, and snappy “Ocean’s Eleven.”
“People really wanted to work with Steven,...
During the Ben Mankiewicz-hosted chat, Clooney and Soderbergh explained where they were in their careers when they first linked up and prepped to make 1998’s “Out of Sight.” Clooney was coming off of “Batman & Robin,” a project he frequently talks about as a humbling experience with rubber nipples attached. Soderbergh had a flop with “The Underneath”. After things turned around and Soderbergh delivered “Erin Brockovich,” which won an Oscar for Julia Roberts as Best Actress plus four other nominations, and “Traffic,” which won an Oscar for himself as Best Director, plus Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro, Best Adapted Screenplay for Stephen Gaghan, and Best Editing, the planets aligned for the smart, sexy, and snappy “Ocean’s Eleven.”
“People really wanted to work with Steven,...
- 4/19/2023
- by Jordan Hoffman
- Gold Derby
Film sets can be dangerous places to work. There are so many moving pieces — actors, crew, cameras, props, sets, stunts — that are often in motion, sometimes simultaneously, that things can too easily go wrong. And on the stunt front, where sequences intentionally put performers in physical danger, situations may get downright deadly.
Thankfully, most sets employ experienced stunt coordinators to make sure everything happens as planned. Ted Sharon, a teacher at the Society of American Fight Directors, explained the role of a stunt coordinator to Backstage. "A qualified stunt coordinator will be able to describe as well as demonstrate, or have an assistant who can execute the sequence," he said. "Good stunt coordinators have a healthy regard for actor safety as well as for the director's vision. They are the guardians of both on set."
Still, no matter how much care is taken to make sure everyone has rehearsed, equipment's been checked,...
Thankfully, most sets employ experienced stunt coordinators to make sure everything happens as planned. Ted Sharon, a teacher at the Society of American Fight Directors, explained the role of a stunt coordinator to Backstage. "A qualified stunt coordinator will be able to describe as well as demonstrate, or have an assistant who can execute the sequence," he said. "Good stunt coordinators have a healthy regard for actor safety as well as for the director's vision. They are the guardians of both on set."
Still, no matter how much care is taken to make sure everyone has rehearsed, equipment's been checked,...
- 2/11/2023
- by Eric Langberg
- Slash Film
Matthew McConaughey has had one of the strangest career arcs of any actor working today. McConaughey rose to prominence in the 1990s thanks to his collaborations with great directors. Having worked with Richard Linklater, Joel Schumacher, Robert Zemeckis, John Sayles, and Steven Spielberg, McConaughey had no shortage of experienced filmmakers to draw inspiration from. He became the rare actor who could do comedic, dramatic, and action-heavy roles eually well.
However, the quality of McConaughey's work began to decline in the early 21st century. He starred in a series of disastrous romantic comedies that didn't showcase his range. There's only so much that an actor can bring to a role if it is not well written. However, McConaughey's career rebounded in the 2010s. He went back to starring in interesting projects, and even won an Academy Award for best actor for his moving performance in "Dallas Buyers Club." Shortly thereafter, he...
However, the quality of McConaughey's work began to decline in the early 21st century. He starred in a series of disastrous romantic comedies that didn't showcase his range. There's only so much that an actor can bring to a role if it is not well written. However, McConaughey's career rebounded in the 2010s. He went back to starring in interesting projects, and even won an Academy Award for best actor for his moving performance in "Dallas Buyers Club." Shortly thereafter, he...
- 10/6/2022
- by Liam Gaughan
- Slash Film
Stephen Gaghan's 2005 film "Syriana" is a gritty and intense espionage thriller based on the 2003 book "See No Evil," and it came at a time in cinema history -- specifically, in the eight years following 9/11-- when such thrillers became more interested in the on-the-ground violence and byzantine bureaucracy of lies that goes into starting wars in the Middle East. Gaghan's screenplay for "Syriana" -- like his previous hit "Traffic" -- is massively complicated, taking place in a dozen countries, and involving multiple storylines, some of which only connect in circuitous ways. It may be a difficult film to follow, but it did...
The post George Clooney Put Himself Through the Wringer to Prepare For Syriana appeared first on /Film.
The post George Clooney Put Himself Through the Wringer to Prepare For Syriana appeared first on /Film.
- 4/11/2022
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Exclusive: The Hideaway Entertainment has come aboard ]Sleep Train, a genre-bending comedy written by Andrew Nunnelly.
The film billed as Game Night meets Inception follows a couple sleep training their child over the course of one delirious night. Jonathan Gray, Matthew Rhodes, and Kristy Grisham will produce for The Hideaway Entertainment, with Kristy Grisham and Jen Cox overseeing the project on behalf of the company. A director has not yet been attached.
The Hideaway’s Senior Vice President of Development and Production Kristy Grisham met Nunnelly when she was sleep training her son, which happened to be around the same time he was sleep training his. “Becoming a parent is really rewarding yet challenging, and as a working mom, I wanted to truly capture the essence of modern parenthood,” she said. “I found myself laughing at the absurdity of those early months, and I want to see a film that...
The film billed as Game Night meets Inception follows a couple sleep training their child over the course of one delirious night. Jonathan Gray, Matthew Rhodes, and Kristy Grisham will produce for The Hideaway Entertainment, with Kristy Grisham and Jen Cox overseeing the project on behalf of the company. A director has not yet been attached.
The Hideaway’s Senior Vice President of Development and Production Kristy Grisham met Nunnelly when she was sleep training her son, which happened to be around the same time he was sleep training his. “Becoming a parent is really rewarding yet challenging, and as a working mom, I wanted to truly capture the essence of modern parenthood,” she said. “I found myself laughing at the absurdity of those early months, and I want to see a film that...
- 12/20/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Anonymous Content is partnering with Robert Baer to develop a Cold War series, based on research by the author and former CIA case officer.
AC Studios will serve as the studio on the project, with Mark Johnson, Scott Frank, and T-Bone Burnett exec producing.
Kevin Cotter, David Levine and Zack Hayden will oversee the project on behalf of AC Studios.
Baer is known for penning See No Evil, the 2002 book which was later adapted into Syriana. The geopolitical thriller from director Stephen Gaghan starred George Clooney, Matt Damon and more, winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Clooney), among other accolades.
On the TV side, Baer has been involved with such series as JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald and Hunting Hitler, hosting the latter for History.
Anonymous Content is a media company that produces...
AC Studios will serve as the studio on the project, with Mark Johnson, Scott Frank, and T-Bone Burnett exec producing.
Kevin Cotter, David Levine and Zack Hayden will oversee the project on behalf of AC Studios.
Baer is known for penning See No Evil, the 2002 book which was later adapted into Syriana. The geopolitical thriller from director Stephen Gaghan starred George Clooney, Matt Damon and more, winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (Clooney), among other accolades.
On the TV side, Baer has been involved with such series as JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald and Hunting Hitler, hosting the latter for History.
Anonymous Content is a media company that produces...
- 7/29/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
As is tradition, the Golden Raspberry Awards announced its winners on the eve of the Oscars. The Razzies, now in their 41st year, are a tongue-in-cheek ceremony that “honor” the worst films of the year. Scroll down for the full list of winners (and nominees) in all nine Razzie Awards categories ranging from Worst Picture to Worst Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel.
Leading the 2021 Razzie Awards winners list is “Music,” Sia‘s ill-conceived film about the relationship between an autistic girl (Maddie Ziegler) and her newly sober half-sister (Kate Hudson). Sia won Worst Director while Ziegler, who is not autistic, and Hudson were singled out for acting dishonors.
“Music,” which was filmed in 2017, had been a surprise contender at the Golden Globes, earning bids for Best Musical/Comedy and for leading lady Hudson. Among those that Ziegler faced off against was Glenn Close for “Hillbilly Elegy,” who is also in contention at Sunday’s Oscars.
Leading the 2021 Razzie Awards winners list is “Music,” Sia‘s ill-conceived film about the relationship between an autistic girl (Maddie Ziegler) and her newly sober half-sister (Kate Hudson). Sia won Worst Director while Ziegler, who is not autistic, and Hudson were singled out for acting dishonors.
“Music,” which was filmed in 2017, had been a surprise contender at the Golden Globes, earning bids for Best Musical/Comedy and for leading lady Hudson. Among those that Ziegler faced off against was Glenn Close for “Hillbilly Elegy,” who is also in contention at Sunday’s Oscars.
- 4/24/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Rudy Giuliani wins Worst Supporting Actor for “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Sia’s “Music” snags three awards
Here’s a vote that actually went Mike Lindell’s way — the MyPillow CEO has topped this year’s Razzies by winning Worst Actor and Worst Picture.
Lindell and his voter-fraud-pushing film “Absolute Proof” beat out a field that included “Dolittle” with Robert Downey Jr., “Fantasy Island” and Sia’s “Music” for the title of the worst movie of the year at this year’s Golden Raspberry Awards (aka the Razzies).
Lindell also won the title of Worst Actor for portraying himself in his conspiratorial film that pushed false and debunked claims that the 2020 election was rigged and flipped against Donald Trump. The Razzies voting body in a release called “Absolute Proof” a “faux documentary” and a “two-hour, fake news snooze-fest.”
Lindell wasn’t the only GOP figure who got dinged for some of...
Here’s a vote that actually went Mike Lindell’s way — the MyPillow CEO has topped this year’s Razzies by winning Worst Actor and Worst Picture.
Lindell and his voter-fraud-pushing film “Absolute Proof” beat out a field that included “Dolittle” with Robert Downey Jr., “Fantasy Island” and Sia’s “Music” for the title of the worst movie of the year at this year’s Golden Raspberry Awards (aka the Razzies).
Lindell also won the title of Worst Actor for portraying himself in his conspiratorial film that pushed false and debunked claims that the 2020 election was rigged and flipped against Donald Trump. The Razzies voting body in a release called “Absolute Proof” a “faux documentary” and a “two-hour, fake news snooze-fest.”
Lindell wasn’t the only GOP figure who got dinged for some of...
- 4/24/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Gold Derby users are predicting the “winners” in all nine categories at the 2021 Razzie Awards, which go to the worst achievements in film and will be announced on Saturday, April 24, the day before the Oscars celebrate the industry’s best (though this year there’s some overlap). So who will win? Scroll down for our official racetrack odds, with our projected winners highlighted in gold.
It looks like bad news for “Music,” which is the front-runner to win Worst Picture, Worst Director (Sia), Worst Actress (Kate Hudson), and Worst Supporting Actress (Maddie Ziegler). The film was criticized early on when singer-songwriter Sia cast Ziegler in the title role as an autistic girl instead of an autistic actor. It found itself back in the media’s crosshairs after the Golden Globes surprisingly nominated it for Best Film Comedy/Musical and Best Actress (Hudson). Then reviewers panned the film for depicting autism in harmful,...
It looks like bad news for “Music,” which is the front-runner to win Worst Picture, Worst Director (Sia), Worst Actress (Kate Hudson), and Worst Supporting Actress (Maddie Ziegler). The film was criticized early on when singer-songwriter Sia cast Ziegler in the title role as an autistic girl instead of an autistic actor. It found itself back in the media’s crosshairs after the Golden Globes surprisingly nominated it for Best Film Comedy/Musical and Best Actress (Hudson). Then reviewers panned the film for depicting autism in harmful,...
- 4/23/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Los Angeles, March 13 (Ians) Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, has been nominated for two Razzies this year, for his appearance in "Borat Subsequent MovieFilm". The personal attorney to Donald Trump is vying for Worst Supporting Actor, and also Worst Screen Combo along with Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, who plays Borats daughter in the film.
Top names from Hollywood who have been nominated across categories at this year's Razzie awards include Robert Downey Jr. in "Dolittle", Adam Sandler in "Hubie Halloween", Anne Hathaway in "The Last Thing He Wanted", and "The Witches", Glenn Close for "Hillbilly Elegy" and Kristen Wiig for "Wonder Woman 1984".
The Golden Raspberry Awards, popularly known as Razzies, is a spoof awards show that ‘honour' the worst of cinematic works of the year.
Here's the complete list of nominees for Razzies 2021:
Worst Picture
365 Days
Absolute Proof
Dolittle
Fantasy Island
Music
Worst Actor
Robert Downey Jr.
Top names from Hollywood who have been nominated across categories at this year's Razzie awards include Robert Downey Jr. in "Dolittle", Adam Sandler in "Hubie Halloween", Anne Hathaway in "The Last Thing He Wanted", and "The Witches", Glenn Close for "Hillbilly Elegy" and Kristen Wiig for "Wonder Woman 1984".
The Golden Raspberry Awards, popularly known as Razzies, is a spoof awards show that ‘honour' the worst of cinematic works of the year.
Here's the complete list of nominees for Razzies 2021:
Worst Picture
365 Days
Absolute Proof
Dolittle
Fantasy Island
Music
Worst Actor
Robert Downey Jr.
- 3/13/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
As we await the Academy Award nominations, the Golden Raspberry Awards have chimed in with their own set of nominees. The Razzies, as they’re known, supposedly celebrate the worst in cinema each year. Of course, they rarely actually cite anything more than the easy targets, so the 41st ceremony is going to be more of the same. Personally, I think things like this are wholly unnecessary, trafficking in negativity and snark. However, people get a kick out of them, so we’re sharing, nonetheless. So, take a look and then basically pay them no mind afterwards… Here are the Razzie nominees: Worst Picture 365 Days Absolute Proof Dolittle Fantasy Island Music Worst Actor Robert Downey Jr. – Dolittle Mike Lindell (The “My Pillow” Guy) – Absolute Proof Michele Morrone – 365 Days Adam Sandler – Hubie Halloween David Spade – The Wrong Missy Worst Actress Anne Hathaway – The Last Thing He Wanted & The Witches...
- 3/12/2021
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
As is tradition, the Golden Raspberry Awards announced their contenders on the eve of the Oscar nominations. The Razzies, now in their 41st year, are a tongue-in-cheek ceremony that “honor” the worst films of the year. Scroll down for the full list of nominees in all nine Razzie Awards categories ranging from Worst Picture to Worst Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel.
Leading the 2021 Razzie Awards nominations roster are two remakes: “Dolittle” and “365 Days.” Each of these ill-conceived movies reaped six bids, including Worst Picture. Joining them in that race are five-time nominee “Fantasy Island,” three-time contender “Music” and the documentary “Absolute Proof.”
“Music” was a surprise contender at the Golden Globes, earning bids for Best Musical/Comedy and for leading lady Kate Hudson. She is in contention here for Worst Actress and Maddie Ziegler is up for Worst Supporting Actress. Among those that Ziegler faces off against is Glenn Close for “Hillbilly Elegy,...
Leading the 2021 Razzie Awards nominations roster are two remakes: “Dolittle” and “365 Days.” Each of these ill-conceived movies reaped six bids, including Worst Picture. Joining them in that race are five-time nominee “Fantasy Island,” three-time contender “Music” and the documentary “Absolute Proof.”
“Music” was a surprise contender at the Golden Globes, earning bids for Best Musical/Comedy and for leading lady Kate Hudson. She is in contention here for Worst Actress and Maddie Ziegler is up for Worst Supporting Actress. Among those that Ziegler faces off against is Glenn Close for “Hillbilly Elegy,...
- 3/12/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Sia’s Music, Robert Downey Jr.’s Dolittle, and the Netflix movie 365 Days are among the maligned films to receive multiple nominations for the 2021 Golden Raspberry Awards, a.k.a. the Razzies, the annual celebration of Hollywood’s worst films and performances.
In the prestigious Worst Picture category, Dolittle (“cinematic yak dung,” as Rolling Stone described it), Music, and 365 Days will face off against the Blumhouse horror reboot Fantasy Island and Absolute Proof, Mike “the My Pillow Guy” Lindell’s “documentary” about rigged voting machines.
Lindell also earned...
In the prestigious Worst Picture category, Dolittle (“cinematic yak dung,” as Rolling Stone described it), Music, and 365 Days will face off against the Blumhouse horror reboot Fantasy Island and Absolute Proof, Mike “the My Pillow Guy” Lindell’s “documentary” about rigged voting machines.
Lindell also earned...
- 3/12/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The Razzie Awards nominations for 2020 are here, recognizing the worst movies in a year that the Razzies acknowledge “sucked big time.” Robert Downey Jr. in “Dolittle” and Mike Lindell (aka the MyPillow guy) both landed Worst Actor nominations.
Downey Jr.’s “Dolittle” led all movies with six nominations, including Worst Picture. Lindell picked up a nod for his election conspiracy film “Absolute Proof,” which Oann aired — but only with a disclaimer that the details in the movie should be taken as opinions, not facts.
“Dolittle” was tied for the most nominations with the mafia film “365 Days,” which was also nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Michele Morrone) and Worst Actress (Anna-Maria Sieklucka).
Some other low lights of the Razzie nominations include perennial contender Adam Sandler, who was nominated for Worst Actor for “Hubie Halloween” and Worst Screen Combo for himself and “His Grating Simpleton Voice.”
Though Sia’s film...
Downey Jr.’s “Dolittle” led all movies with six nominations, including Worst Picture. Lindell picked up a nod for his election conspiracy film “Absolute Proof,” which Oann aired — but only with a disclaimer that the details in the movie should be taken as opinions, not facts.
“Dolittle” was tied for the most nominations with the mafia film “365 Days,” which was also nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Michele Morrone) and Worst Actress (Anna-Maria Sieklucka).
Some other low lights of the Razzie nominations include perennial contender Adam Sandler, who was nominated for Worst Actor for “Hubie Halloween” and Worst Screen Combo for himself and “His Grating Simpleton Voice.”
Though Sia’s film...
- 3/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The annual Golden Raspberry Awards, given to the year’s least best movies, unveiled their nominations Friday, with the Robert Downey Jr remake Dolittle, Sia’s Music, Mr Pillow Mike Lindell’s stolen-election documentary Absolute Proof and Rudy Giuliani’s cameo in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm the most panned by the group.
The Razzies also awarded a “Special Governors’ Trophy” to the year 2020 as “The Worst Calendar Year Ever.”
Other projects that drew Razzie attention were the reimagined Fantasy Island movie and the Netflix comedies Hubie Halloween and The Wrong Missy, as well as the Polish erotic drama 365 Days.
Cats was the runaway winner last year with six Razzies.
Here’s the full list of this year’s nominees:
Worst Picture
365 Days
Absolute Proof
Dolittle
Fantasy Island
Music
Worst Actor
Robert Downey, Jr.- Dolittle
Mike Lindell (The “My Pillow” Guy) – Absolute Proof
Michele Morrone,- 365 Days
Adam Sandler...
The Razzies also awarded a “Special Governors’ Trophy” to the year 2020 as “The Worst Calendar Year Ever.”
Other projects that drew Razzie attention were the reimagined Fantasy Island movie and the Netflix comedies Hubie Halloween and The Wrong Missy, as well as the Polish erotic drama 365 Days.
Cats was the runaway winner last year with six Razzies.
Here’s the full list of this year’s nominees:
Worst Picture
365 Days
Absolute Proof
Dolittle
Fantasy Island
Music
Worst Actor
Robert Downey, Jr.- Dolittle
Mike Lindell (The “My Pillow” Guy) – Absolute Proof
Michele Morrone,- 365 Days
Adam Sandler...
- 3/12/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
What was the worst film from the worst year ever?
The 41st annual Razzie Awards will hope to answer that grim question after releasing its nominations that cover the annus horribilis that was 2020. Topping the ignoble list is Universal’s universal bomb Dolittle, which scored six nominations, including worst film, worst remake, worst actor for Robert Downey Jr., worst director for Stephen Gaghan, worst screenplay and worst screen combo for Rdj and his what-was-he-thinking Welsh accent.
Also notching six nominations was the Polish film 365 Days, a tawdry remake of the artistically questionable Fifty Shades of Grey. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes’ erotic drama is ...
The 41st annual Razzie Awards will hope to answer that grim question after releasing its nominations that cover the annus horribilis that was 2020. Topping the ignoble list is Universal’s universal bomb Dolittle, which scored six nominations, including worst film, worst remake, worst actor for Robert Downey Jr., worst director for Stephen Gaghan, worst screenplay and worst screen combo for Rdj and his what-was-he-thinking Welsh accent.
Also notching six nominations was the Polish film 365 Days, a tawdry remake of the artistically questionable Fifty Shades of Grey. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes’ erotic drama is ...
- 3/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What was the worst film from the worst year ever?
The 41st annual Razzie Awards will hope to answer that grim question after releasing its nominations that cover the annus horribilis that was 2020. Topping the ignoble list is Universal’s universal bomb Dolittle, which scored six nominations, including worst film, worst remake, worst actor for Robert Downey Jr., worst director for Stephen Gaghan, worst screenplay and worst screen combo for Rdj and his what-was-he-thinking Welsh accent.
Also notching six nominations was the Polish film 365 Days, a tawdry remake of the artistically questionable Fifty Shades of Grey. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes’ erotic drama is ...
The 41st annual Razzie Awards will hope to answer that grim question after releasing its nominations that cover the annus horribilis that was 2020. Topping the ignoble list is Universal’s universal bomb Dolittle, which scored six nominations, including worst film, worst remake, worst actor for Robert Downey Jr., worst director for Stephen Gaghan, worst screenplay and worst screen combo for Rdj and his what-was-he-thinking Welsh accent.
Also notching six nominations was the Polish film 365 Days, a tawdry remake of the artistically questionable Fifty Shades of Grey. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes’ erotic drama is ...
- 3/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Gotham Awards for the best in independent film kicked off this unusual awards season on Monday night, January 11. Presented by the Independent Filmmaker Project, these kudos are usually handed out in early December but were pushed back (as were many awards events) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So who won? Scroll down for the complete list of winners, updated live as they were announced.
SEEGotham nominee John Magaro (‘First Cow’) on how Cookie and King-Lu are ‘almost soulmates’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
These awards are limited to American films (apart from Best International Feature ) made with an economy of means, which means no budgets higher than $35 million. Nominees and winners were decided by juries of film experts and insiders. And for the first time in the awards’ history, all five of the nominees for Best Feature were directed by women: “The Assistant” by Kitty Green, “First Cow” by Kelly Reichardt, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” by Eliza Hittman,...
SEEGotham nominee John Magaro (‘First Cow’) on how Cookie and King-Lu are ‘almost soulmates’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
These awards are limited to American films (apart from Best International Feature ) made with an economy of means, which means no budgets higher than $35 million. Nominees and winners were decided by juries of film experts and insiders. And for the first time in the awards’ history, all five of the nominees for Best Feature were directed by women: “The Assistant” by Kitty Green, “First Cow” by Kelly Reichardt, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” by Eliza Hittman,...
- 1/12/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
George Gascón’s bid to be Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney replacing two-term incumbent Jackie Lacey has all the drama of a Hollywood production, and the challenger has a lot of the industry’s backing to support that idea.
Netflix co-ceo Reed Hastings, newly minted Warner Bros TV boss Channing Dungey, FX EVP Georgina Balian, Macro boss Charles King, Ziffren Brittenham lawyers, documentarian Amy Ziering, Entertainment One TV chief Michael Lombardo and Berlanti Productions VP Michael McGrath are among the Hollywood backers who have contributed money to Gascón’s campaign.
Additionally, Disney VP Production Jessica Virtue, Starz SVP Kathryn Tyus-Adair, The Hateful Eight producer Stacey Sher, ex-21st Century Fox marketing exec Pamela Levine, writer-producer Kerry Ehrin, Freeform prez Tara Duncan, Dolittle director Stephen Gaghan and the Capshaw Family Trust and the Spielberg Family Living Trust have written checks – with the latter two going right to the limit of $3,000 apiece.
Netflix co-ceo Reed Hastings, newly minted Warner Bros TV boss Channing Dungey, FX EVP Georgina Balian, Macro boss Charles King, Ziffren Brittenham lawyers, documentarian Amy Ziering, Entertainment One TV chief Michael Lombardo and Berlanti Productions VP Michael McGrath are among the Hollywood backers who have contributed money to Gascón’s campaign.
Additionally, Disney VP Production Jessica Virtue, Starz SVP Kathryn Tyus-Adair, The Hateful Eight producer Stacey Sher, ex-21st Century Fox marketing exec Pamela Levine, writer-producer Kerry Ehrin, Freeform prez Tara Duncan, Dolittle director Stephen Gaghan and the Capshaw Family Trust and the Spielberg Family Living Trust have written checks – with the latter two going right to the limit of $3,000 apiece.
- 10/27/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
During this strangest of award seasons, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Every year, a drumbeat of local awards builds to Oscar night, which in 2021 will unfold two months late, on April 25, 2021. The beauty of these virtual festivals, depending on their access, is all you have to do to watch some of these events is buy a ticket. Ubiquitous award-winner Aaron Sorkin, for example, is my idea of a good time.
From San Francisco’s Sffilm Awards night to recent awards in Mill Valley and the Hamptons, it’s clear who many of the Oscar players are this year. Sffilm announced Tuesday that two lauded auteurs, Sorkin (Netflix pickup “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s “Nomadland”) will accept (virtual) awards on December 9.
Sffilm always mounts a glittery dinner gala to raise funds for the year-round film organization’s support of emerging film artists,...
From San Francisco’s Sffilm Awards night to recent awards in Mill Valley and the Hamptons, it’s clear who many of the Oscar players are this year. Sffilm announced Tuesday that two lauded auteurs, Sorkin (Netflix pickup “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s “Nomadland”) will accept (virtual) awards on December 9.
Sffilm always mounts a glittery dinner gala to raise funds for the year-round film organization’s support of emerging film artists,...
- 10/20/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
During this strangest of award seasons, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Every year, a drumbeat of local awards builds to Oscar night, which in 2021 will unfold two months late, on April 25, 2021. The beauty of these virtual festivals, depending on their access, is all you have to do to watch some of these events is buy a ticket. Ubiquitous award-winner Aaron Sorkin, for example, is my idea of a good time.
From San Francisco’s Sffilm Awards night to recent awards in Mill Valley and the Hamptons, it’s clear who many of the Oscar players are this year. Sffilm announced Tuesday that two lauded auteurs, Sorkin (Netflix pickup “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s “Nomadland”) will accept (virtual) awards on December 9.
Sffilm always mounts a glittery dinner gala to raise funds for the year-round film organization’s support of emerging film artists,...
From San Francisco’s Sffilm Awards night to recent awards in Mill Valley and the Hamptons, it’s clear who many of the Oscar players are this year. Sffilm announced Tuesday that two lauded auteurs, Sorkin (Netflix pickup “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Chloé Zhao (Searchlight’s “Nomadland”) will accept (virtual) awards on December 9.
Sffilm always mounts a glittery dinner gala to raise funds for the year-round film organization’s support of emerging film artists,...
- 10/20/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
San Francisco Film has selected filmmakers Aaron Sorkin and Chloe Zhao for honors at its annual San Francisco Film Awards ceremonies, due to be livestreamed on Dec. 9.
Sorkin, whose “Trial of the Chicago 7” is streaming on Netflix, will receive the Kanbar award for storytelling. Zhao, the director of awards contender “Nomadland,” will receive the Irving M. Levin award for film direction.
“We are thrilled to honor such exceptional talent at our Sf Film Awards Night and to bring an even wider audience together virtually this year for our annual fundraiser,” said executive director Anne Lai. “Both Aaron and Chloé’s remarkable work resonate deeply for us, not only in their beautiful cinematic expression but also in presenting deep and complex characters and questions for us as a society today. We hope that by celebrating these artists, their films, and these values, Sf Film can have a positive impact on the...
Sorkin, whose “Trial of the Chicago 7” is streaming on Netflix, will receive the Kanbar award for storytelling. Zhao, the director of awards contender “Nomadland,” will receive the Irving M. Levin award for film direction.
“We are thrilled to honor such exceptional talent at our Sf Film Awards Night and to bring an even wider audience together virtually this year for our annual fundraiser,” said executive director Anne Lai. “Both Aaron and Chloé’s remarkable work resonate deeply for us, not only in their beautiful cinematic expression but also in presenting deep and complex characters and questions for us as a society today. We hope that by celebrating these artists, their films, and these values, Sf Film can have a positive impact on the...
- 10/20/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
2020 didn’t necessarily start off well for writer-director Stephen Gaghan. The Oscar-winning filmmaker released the Robert Downey, Jr.-starring feature “Dolittle,” which was universally panned by critics when it was released in January (the film currently sits at 14% on Rotten Tomatoes). However, that’s not slowing Gaghan down, as he has already signed up for a new project, this time partnering with Amazon on a new film.
Continue reading ‘Barbarian Days’: Stephen Gaghan To Write & Direct The Surfing Drama For Amazon at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Barbarian Days’: Stephen Gaghan To Write & Direct The Surfing Drama For Amazon at The Playlist.
- 10/8/2020
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Oscar-winning Traffic scribe Stephen Gaghan will write and direct Barbarian Days for Amazon Studios, based on William Finnegan’s bestselling memoir Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life. The book won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016.
Gaghan will produce alongside Ted Hope, who will produce under his multi-picture deal with the studio. Finnegan will also be executive producer.
Barbarian Days tells the story of Finnegan’s lifelong love affair with surfing. He describes it as an obsession, a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life. The tale starts when the author was an 8-year old kid who caught the surf bug. It helped him navigate a “locals-only” elementary school on Oahu and those same skills — understanding another culture, finding common ground, courage and empathy — helped Finnegan find his way as a writer, husband, father. And a surfer.
“There are great surfers and there are great writers,...
Gaghan will produce alongside Ted Hope, who will produce under his multi-picture deal with the studio. Finnegan will also be executive producer.
Barbarian Days tells the story of Finnegan’s lifelong love affair with surfing. He describes it as an obsession, a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life. The tale starts when the author was an 8-year old kid who caught the surf bug. It helped him navigate a “locals-only” elementary school on Oahu and those same skills — understanding another culture, finding common ground, courage and empathy — helped Finnegan find his way as a writer, husband, father. And a surfer.
“There are great surfers and there are great writers,...
- 10/6/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
It took 19 years for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to come together, and based on the reception that it generated among the fanbase, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas may as well never have bothered. The fourth entry in the beloved franchise remains one of the most divisive blockbusters ever made, and it seems unlikely that it will undergo any sort of reappraisal in the future.
During the torturous development process, Jeb Stuart, Jeffrey Boam, M. Night Shyamalan, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Gaghan, Frank Darabont and Jeff Nathanson all took a crack at the script, with Crystal Skull eventually being credited to David Koepp. It may have earned over $790 million at the box office, but longtime fans absolutely tore it apart, and haven’t changed their minds in the dozen years since.
Nevertheless, Indiana Jones 5 was officially announced in 2016 and now appears to facing many of the same troubles.
During the torturous development process, Jeb Stuart, Jeffrey Boam, M. Night Shyamalan, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Gaghan, Frank Darabont and Jeff Nathanson all took a crack at the script, with Crystal Skull eventually being credited to David Koepp. It may have earned over $790 million at the box office, but longtime fans absolutely tore it apart, and haven’t changed their minds in the dozen years since.
Nevertheless, Indiana Jones 5 was officially announced in 2016 and now appears to facing many of the same troubles.
- 9/24/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
He’s not just a people person! Universal Pictures Home Entertainment reignites a classic character, as Robert Downey Jr. stars in Dolittle, arriving on Digital 1st June, 2020 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD on 15th June, 2020. Own the movie all the animals are talking about and go on an epic journey with a hilarious always cold bear, an anxious gorilla, a lovable giraffe, a ferocious tiger, and more! Fly behind-the-scenes with Robert Downey Jr. and the star-studded cast to explore the wild world of Dolittle. We’ve been given 3 copies to give away on DVD.
The adventurous tale is brought to life with an all-star cast that includes the voice talents of Academy® Award winner Emma Thompson, Academy® Award winner Rami Malek, Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), John Cena (“WWE”), and Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming) and more. The film is directed by Stephen Gaghan (Syriana) and produced by Robert Downey Jr.
The adventurous tale is brought to life with an all-star cast that includes the voice talents of Academy® Award winner Emma Thompson, Academy® Award winner Rami Malek, Selena Gomez (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), John Cena (“WWE”), and Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming) and more. The film is directed by Stephen Gaghan (Syriana) and produced by Robert Downey Jr.
- 6/15/2020
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“Hold on a second, this is actually Bob the Drag Queen calling me,” Steve Warren says as he interrupts our discussion to take the quick call.
We all feel a level of having fallen down a rabbit hole these days, but this is about the last thing I would expect to hear from one of the most prominent attorneys in Hollywood — a lawyer whose clients include Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron, Stephen Gaghan, Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown, Akiva Goldsman, Elle & Dakota Fanning and dozens of other top actors and filmmakers.
I rang Warren because I had never heard of a lawyer on his level – he is a longtime partner in the firm Hansen Jacobson Teller Hoberman Newman Warren Richman Rush Kaller & Gellman – moonlighting as the co-creator and exec producer of We’re Here, the new HBO reality series whose second episode airs tonight. Bob the Drag Queen is one...
We all feel a level of having fallen down a rabbit hole these days, but this is about the last thing I would expect to hear from one of the most prominent attorneys in Hollywood — a lawyer whose clients include Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron, Stephen Gaghan, Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown, Akiva Goldsman, Elle & Dakota Fanning and dozens of other top actors and filmmakers.
I rang Warren because I had never heard of a lawyer on his level – he is a longtime partner in the firm Hansen Jacobson Teller Hoberman Newman Warren Richman Rush Kaller & Gellman – moonlighting as the co-creator and exec producer of We’re Here, the new HBO reality series whose second episode airs tonight. Bob the Drag Queen is one...
- 4/30/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Shia Labeouf, who got to the quarterfinals of the Page International Screenwriting Awards for up-and-coming screenwriters two years ago for his script for last year’s “Honey Boy,” has now entered a second contest for aspiring scribes. And won.
Earlier this month, the Sun Valley Film Festival declared Labeouf’s “Minor Modifications” the winner of its High Scribe award — which offers him “one-on-one meetings with some of the industry’s finest to discuss their work” as well as “mentoring from an experienced professional.”
The victory by Labeouf — who has starred in dozens of films, including last year’s “Honey Boy” — has led to frustration and confusion from other emerging screenwriters, questioning both how a festival focused on helping undiscovered talent could award a star like Labeouf, and why someone with the actor’s name recognition would even enter such a program in the first place.
“Any ‘screenwriting competition’ that awards...
Earlier this month, the Sun Valley Film Festival declared Labeouf’s “Minor Modifications” the winner of its High Scribe award — which offers him “one-on-one meetings with some of the industry’s finest to discuss their work” as well as “mentoring from an experienced professional.”
The victory by Labeouf — who has starred in dozens of films, including last year’s “Honey Boy” — has led to frustration and confusion from other emerging screenwriters, questioning both how a festival focused on helping undiscovered talent could award a star like Labeouf, and why someone with the actor’s name recognition would even enter such a program in the first place.
“Any ‘screenwriting competition’ that awards...
- 4/29/2020
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
They always say it is a bit of a bad sign with a project when it keeps getting delayed. Sometimes, a long wait can actually turn in an unexpected classic, other times and (in honesty) more commonly a film is in production that long it begins to lose a sense of what it really is anymore. Unfortunately in the case of Dolittle, a movie based on Hugh Lofting’s beloved character and inspired by his second book “The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle”, it is a case of the latter. As the much-publicised and increasingly baffling production woes, rewrites and inflated budgeting, that supposedly were a constant in making this film, have showed in the final product, which is disappointingly ramshackle in nature.
Mega-star Robert Downey Jr. headlines his first non-mcu lead blockbuster role in years, in a part that seemed perfect, what better way for the animal communicating doctor to be re-introduced to audiences?...
Mega-star Robert Downey Jr. headlines his first non-mcu lead blockbuster role in years, in a part that seemed perfect, what better way for the animal communicating doctor to be re-introduced to audiences?...
- 4/17/2020
- by Jack Bottomley
- The Cultural Post
In today’s film news roundup, film commissioners have teamed up to launch a production resource service with information related to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dave Franco’s “The Rental” finds a home, Saban Films will release “Most Wanted” in the summer and the Sun Valley Film Festival unveils its winners.
Initiative
The Association of Film Commissioners International is launching the Afci Global Production Alert service, providing updated information on coronavirus-related policies and restrictions worldwide.
The organization, which represents more than 300 film commissions on six continents, unveiled the initiative Thursday on its website. The goal is to ensure that film and TV production industry decision makers have the information they need to make informed decisions during and following the pandemic along with preventing misinformation, speculation and confusion about Covid-19’s impact. Information in the Global Production Alert is provided directly by Afci-member film offices
“Afci’s new Global Production Alert provides...
Initiative
The Association of Film Commissioners International is launching the Afci Global Production Alert service, providing updated information on coronavirus-related policies and restrictions worldwide.
The organization, which represents more than 300 film commissions on six continents, unveiled the initiative Thursday on its website. The goal is to ensure that film and TV production industry decision makers have the information they need to make informed decisions during and following the pandemic along with preventing misinformation, speculation and confusion about Covid-19’s impact. Information in the Global Production Alert is provided directly by Afci-member film offices
“Afci’s new Global Production Alert provides...
- 4/9/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
‘Birds of Prey’ (Photo credit: WB).
After flying high with Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Joker, the Warner Bros DC Comics universe has plummeted to earth with Birds of Prey.
The Suicide Squad spin-off starring Margot Robbie as the ass-kicking Harley Quinn opened in the lower realms for the superhero genre last weekend.
Even so, the top 20 takings generated $13.5 million, up 7 per cent on the previous frame, according to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia.
André Rieu fans turned out en masse for his latest film and specialised titles The Lighthouse and For Sama opened strongly.
To give it the complete, mouthful of a title, the Cathy Yan-directed Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn rang up $3.8 million on 528 screens. Pro-rata, that is a bit more respectable than the $33.2 million Us launch, which was well below the pre-release estimates of $50 million-$55 million.
The...
After flying high with Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Joker, the Warner Bros DC Comics universe has plummeted to earth with Birds of Prey.
The Suicide Squad spin-off starring Margot Robbie as the ass-kicking Harley Quinn opened in the lower realms for the superhero genre last weekend.
Even so, the top 20 takings generated $13.5 million, up 7 per cent on the previous frame, according to the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia.
André Rieu fans turned out en masse for his latest film and specialised titles The Lighthouse and For Sama opened strongly.
To give it the complete, mouthful of a title, the Cathy Yan-directed Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn rang up $3.8 million on 528 screens. Pro-rata, that is a bit more respectable than the $33.2 million Us launch, which was well below the pre-release estimates of $50 million-$55 million.
The...
- 2/10/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Midway.’
Roland Emmerich’s last highly profitable blockbuster – 2012 in 2009 – must seem like a distant memory for the German-born director as his latest effort, Midway, had an inglorious debut in Australian cinemas last weekend.
By contrast, Terrence Malick has only ever had one break-out hit, The Thin Red Line in 1998, and his new film A Hidden Life is another dud, following Song to Song and Knight of Cups.
The weekend’s other new wide release, Sony Pictures’ second reboot of Japanese horror franchise The Grudge, flopped, mirroring its Us fate. Among the specialised titles, Rialto’s The Peanut Butter Falcon and Icon’s Seberg had minimal impact.
The top 20 titles clocked $13.5 million, 26 per cent down on the previous frame, according to Numero.
Sony’s juggernaut Bad Boys for Life reigned again, nabbing $2.1 million in its third outing, hoisting the total to $14.6 million. The cop caper starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence,...
Roland Emmerich’s last highly profitable blockbuster – 2012 in 2009 – must seem like a distant memory for the German-born director as his latest effort, Midway, had an inglorious debut in Australian cinemas last weekend.
By contrast, Terrence Malick has only ever had one break-out hit, The Thin Red Line in 1998, and his new film A Hidden Life is another dud, following Song to Song and Knight of Cups.
The weekend’s other new wide release, Sony Pictures’ second reboot of Japanese horror franchise The Grudge, flopped, mirroring its Us fate. Among the specialised titles, Rialto’s The Peanut Butter Falcon and Icon’s Seberg had minimal impact.
The top 20 titles clocked $13.5 million, 26 per cent down on the previous frame, according to Numero.
Sony’s juggernaut Bad Boys for Life reigned again, nabbing $2.1 million in its third outing, hoisting the total to $14.6 million. The cop caper starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence,...
- 2/3/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
It seems that not a lot of people have actually gone out of their way to go and see Robert Downey Jr.’s Dolittle, based on the fact that the would-be blockbuster has still failed to crack $100 million at the global box office after more than two weeks in theaters. That being said, plenty of folks have nonetheless heard the countless tales of disaster surrounding Rdj’s first post-mcu outing, including the extensive and costly reshoots that drove the budget up to $175 million in an ultimately failed attempt to try and salvage the movie, which is already poised to go down as the biggest dud of 2020.
Dolittle looks like it’ll find its way into Hollywood folklore as one of those fascinatingly misguided, vanity-driven failures alongside the likes of Battlefield Earth and Cats, with the behind-the-scenes turmoil enduring for much longer than anything that actually happened onscreen. The fantasy epic...
Dolittle looks like it’ll find its way into Hollywood folklore as one of those fascinatingly misguided, vanity-driven failures alongside the likes of Battlefield Earth and Cats, with the behind-the-scenes turmoil enduring for much longer than anything that actually happened onscreen. The fantasy epic...
- 2/2/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Perhaps people should have known “Dolittle” was going to be a disaster just from the names attached. It’s hard to imagine a family-friendly comedy directed by Stephen Gaghan, the guy who previously wrote “Traffic” and helmed the films “Syriana” and “Gold.” But hey, it has Robert Downey, Jr. attached and everything he touches turns to gold, right?…right?
Continue reading ‘Dolittle’ Disaster: Universal Reportedly Wanted Seth Rogen To Help Inject Comedy Into The Family Film at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Dolittle’ Disaster: Universal Reportedly Wanted Seth Rogen To Help Inject Comedy Into The Family Film at The Playlist.
- 1/31/2020
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys in ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.’
Given Tom Hanks’ enduring popularity and his Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, the film’s opening figures last weekend were nothing special.
However, exhibitors are confident that word-of-mouth will build on the back of largely positive reviews, resulting in a leggy run for the Sony Pictures release which stars Hanks as Fred Rogers, the much-loved Us children’s TV host.
Among the other newcomers, Paramount’s comedy Like a Boss, Warner Bros’ social justice drama Just Mercy and Fox/Disney’s action movie Underwater performed as expected, which isn’t saying much.
Owen Trevor’s Go! didn’t get much uplift in its second weekend, making $198,000 on 238 screens, which brings the 12-day total for the Roadshow release to $808,000.
The top 20 titles harvested $18.1 million including the Monday Australia Day holiday, according to Numero.
Given Tom Hanks’ enduring popularity and his Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, the film’s opening figures last weekend were nothing special.
However, exhibitors are confident that word-of-mouth will build on the back of largely positive reviews, resulting in a leggy run for the Sony Pictures release which stars Hanks as Fred Rogers, the much-loved Us children’s TV host.
Among the other newcomers, Paramount’s comedy Like a Boss, Warner Bros’ social justice drama Just Mercy and Fox/Disney’s action movie Underwater performed as expected, which isn’t saying much.
Owen Trevor’s Go! didn’t get much uplift in its second weekend, making $198,000 on 238 screens, which brings the 12-day total for the Roadshow release to $808,000.
The top 20 titles harvested $18.1 million including the Monday Australia Day holiday, according to Numero.
- 1/28/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
At the box office, 2019 ended much as 2020 began: Studios are in crisis mode as they try to figure out how to get moviegoers into theaters. This is how Universal came to back two disastrous movies like the $95 million “Cats,” Tom Hooper’s movie version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical blockbuster, and the $175 million “Dolittle,” Stephen Gaghan’s adaptation of the children’s book classic “Dr. Dolittle.”
It’s easy to armchair quarterback. What were they thinking? What was it about these two costly projects that propelled them forward? Didn’t the risks seem obvious?
Here are the reasons why smart people at studios come to back such boneheaded movies.
1. They have global slates to fill.
This is the primary impetus for someone like Donna Langley, a veteran executive who champions edgy movies like “Get Out,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fifty Shades of Gray,” and “Queen & Slim,” to push forward...
It’s easy to armchair quarterback. What were they thinking? What was it about these two costly projects that propelled them forward? Didn’t the risks seem obvious?
Here are the reasons why smart people at studios come to back such boneheaded movies.
1. They have global slates to fill.
This is the primary impetus for someone like Donna Langley, a veteran executive who champions edgy movies like “Get Out,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fifty Shades of Gray,” and “Queen & Slim,” to push forward...
- 1/22/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
At the box office, 2019 ended much as 2020 began: Studios are in crisis mode as they try to figure out how to get moviegoers into theaters. This is how Universal came to back two disastrous movies like the $95 million “Cats,” Tom Hooper’s movie version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical blockbuster, and the $175 million “Dolittle,” Stephen Gaghan’s adaptation of the children’s book classic “Dr. Dolittle.”
It’s easy to armchair quarterback. What were they thinking? What was it about these two costly projects that propelled them forward? Didn’t the risks seem obvious?
Here are the reasons why smart people at studios come to back such boneheaded movies.
1. They have global slates to fill.
This is the primary impetus for someone like Donna Langley, a veteran executive who champions edgy movies like “Get Out,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fifty Shades of Gray,” and “Queen & Slim,” to push forward...
It’s easy to armchair quarterback. What were they thinking? What was it about these two costly projects that propelled them forward? Didn’t the risks seem obvious?
Here are the reasons why smart people at studios come to back such boneheaded movies.
1. They have global slates to fill.
This is the primary impetus for someone like Donna Langley, a veteran executive who champions edgy movies like “Get Out,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fifty Shades of Gray,” and “Queen & Slim,” to push forward...
- 1/22/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
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