In the early 2000s, following the success of the X-Men franchise kick-off, new ones started to brew up. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man starring Tobey Maguire and Mark Steven Johnson’s Daredevil starring Ben Affleck came forth as the front-runners releasing within a gap of about a year with the former coming out first. However, the iconic stint by the web-slinging superhero left a lasting impression on fans and became such a massive success that it almost ruined the outing of the vigilante from Hell’s Kitchen.
Official poster for Daredevil 2003 (via 20th Century Studios)
Regardless, of the early days of comic book movie production, the 2003 Daredevil film packed a punch and captured many’s imaginations. Additionally, it drew substantial praise for maintaining a significant level of comic accuracy with the character’s logo and the iconic horns on his mask being featured prominently. Yet, all of it came excruciatingly close...
Official poster for Daredevil 2003 (via 20th Century Studios)
Regardless, of the early days of comic book movie production, the 2003 Daredevil film packed a punch and captured many’s imaginations. Additionally, it drew substantial praise for maintaining a significant level of comic accuracy with the character’s logo and the iconic horns on his mask being featured prominently. Yet, all of it came excruciatingly close...
- 5/13/2024
- by Imteshal Karim
- FandomWire
Although Iger emphasized the importance of quality over quantity for the MCU, Marvel Studios appears to have numerous projects in confirmed development, along with several others rumored to be in the works. Last year, speculation circulated about a Ghost Rider TV show, with some suggesting Nicholas Cage’s potential involvement. While Ghost Rider has already made an appearance in the MCU in some capacity, recent rumors indicate the possibility of a standalone movie for the character.
Feige decided to make Ghost Rider into a film https://t.co/cPZgV2ydGp
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) February 9, 2024
As per credible leaker MyTimeToShineHello on social media, Feige reportedly intends to elevate the rumored Ghost Rider TV show into a feature film. Fans are eagerly speculating on the film’s potential R rating and discussing which iteration of the character could feature. Notably, Nicholas Cage stands out as the most recognizable live-action portrayal of Ghost Rider thus far.
Feige decided to make Ghost Rider into a film https://t.co/cPZgV2ydGp
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) February 9, 2024
As per credible leaker MyTimeToShineHello on social media, Feige reportedly intends to elevate the rumored Ghost Rider TV show into a feature film. Fans are eagerly speculating on the film’s potential R rating and discussing which iteration of the character could feature. Notably, Nicholas Cage stands out as the most recognizable live-action portrayal of Ghost Rider thus far.
- 2/10/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
Despite Iger’s recent comments on how MCU should focus on quality over quantity Marvel Studios has plenty of projects confirmed to be in development but also plenty of other projects that are only rumored to be in development. Last year there were plenty of rumors going around mentioning the Ghost Rider TV show, some rumors stating that Nicholas Cage might be playing him.
We already have Ghost Rider in the MCU, sort of, but if the most recent rumors are true, Ghost Rider might get his standalone movie.
Feige decided to make Ghost Rider into a film https://t.co/cPZgV2ydGp
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) February 9, 2024
According to MyTimeToShineHello, a reputable leaker on social media, Feige wants to transform the alleged Ghost Rider TV show into a full-blown movie, and fans are already chipping in on how the project should be rated R (absolutely) and already guessing which version of the character might appear.
We already have Ghost Rider in the MCU, sort of, but if the most recent rumors are true, Ghost Rider might get his standalone movie.
Feige decided to make Ghost Rider into a film https://t.co/cPZgV2ydGp
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) February 9, 2024
According to MyTimeToShineHello, a reputable leaker on social media, Feige wants to transform the alleged Ghost Rider TV show into a full-blown movie, and fans are already chipping in on how the project should be rated R (absolutely) and already guessing which version of the character might appear.
- 2/10/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
The Man Without Fear’s archnemesis will finally make their MCU debut in Daredevil: Born Again. No, not Kingpin; Vincent D’Onofrio has already mastered that part. And no, we don’t mean Stilt-Man, who hasn’t lumbered into live-action yet.
We’re referring to the master assassin Bullseye. Deadline reports that Wilson Bethel will join the cast of Daredevil: Born Again, which hopefully means fans will finally get the chance to see Bullseye done right in live action.
Of course, Bullseye has been portrayed on screen before. The 2003 movie Daredevil stuffed the screen with too many characters, including Colin Farrell as Bullseye. Writer and director Mark Steven Johnson didn’t take the most subtle approach, and basically let Farrell do whatever he wanted as the man who couldn’t miss. As a result, Farrell played Bullseye as a nervous man who didn’t take joy in killing as much as...
We’re referring to the master assassin Bullseye. Deadline reports that Wilson Bethel will join the cast of Daredevil: Born Again, which hopefully means fans will finally get the chance to see Bullseye done right in live action.
Of course, Bullseye has been portrayed on screen before. The 2003 movie Daredevil stuffed the screen with too many characters, including Colin Farrell as Bullseye. Writer and director Mark Steven Johnson didn’t take the most subtle approach, and basically let Farrell do whatever he wanted as the man who couldn’t miss. As a result, Farrell played Bullseye as a nervous man who didn’t take joy in killing as much as...
- 1/25/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
To remind readers, outside of Batman and Superman, superhero characters were once often considered to be bad bets at the box office. Many film execs assumed that audiences were too small to make a superhero movie profitable, and the special effects needed to realize a superhero character were going to be too extensive to do cheaply. It wouldn't be until film VFX technology had sufficiently advanced that certain filmmakers would give mainstream Marvel superheroes a try. 2000 saw the release of Bryan Singer's "X-Men," a steel-glinting superhero flick that developed its own aesthetic instead of cleaving to the colorful costumes of the comic book page. 2002 saw the release of Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," a limp and unengaging drama, but one with first-rate Spider-Man visuals that still look impressive to this day. It looked like a trend was starting.
That trend seemingly hit two speedbumps in 2003, however, with the release...
That trend seemingly hit two speedbumps in 2003, however, with the release...
- 11/25/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Once upon a time, superhero aficionados had to get their fix in the pages of comic books. On rare occasions, the adventures of those heroes were taken to the screen, with characters like Captain America and Batman starring in serialized adventures as early as the 1940s. The colorful camp of the "Batman" TV series in the '60s brought comic books to new mainstream popularity, setting the stage for the rise of blockbuster comic book movies in the late 20th century. Now, multiplexes are bursting with superhero movies, a genre that has grown to become one of Hollywood's most lucrative; in fact, four of the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time have their roots in the pages of comics.
Of course, hit films inevitably breed sequels, and films featuring Iron Man, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, Superman, Batman and various other super-powered types with "man" in their names have habitually returned for various big-screen adventures.
Of course, hit films inevitably breed sequels, and films featuring Iron Man, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, Superman, Batman and various other super-powered types with "man" in their names have habitually returned for various big-screen adventures.
- 10/21/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- Slash Film
Since Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield made their glorifying return as Spider-Men in 2021’s ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ we sort of entered an era in which many superhero movies want to build up hype with special, long-awaited returns of beloved actors in their superhero roles. DC’s attempt at that with Michael Keaton’s Batman wasn’t so successful, but Marvel’s upcoming ‘Deadpool 3’ is followed by a huge hype thanks to the announced return of Hugh Jackman as the Wolverine.
Basically, any long-awaited return is possible now. We honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we see Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man or Chris Evans as Captain America again, no matter how definitive their exit after ‘Avengers: Endgame’ may have looked. Superhero movies are always trying to raise the bar with anticipation, and we have no doubt that this is just the beginning. ‘Deadpool 3’ will be a...
Basically, any long-awaited return is possible now. We honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we see Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man or Chris Evans as Captain America again, no matter how definitive their exit after ‘Avengers: Endgame’ may have looked. Superhero movies are always trying to raise the bar with anticipation, and we have no doubt that this is just the beginning. ‘Deadpool 3’ will be a...
- 9/1/2023
- by Lukas Abramovich
- Comic Basics
Ghost Rider is a 2007 supernatural action film directed by Mark Steven Johnson and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The movie follows a motorcycle stuntman, Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage), who made a deal with the devil and becomes the demonic vigilante Ghost Rider. In the movie, Blaze uses his powers to seek vengeance against the devil’s son, who is attempting to overthrow his father’s reign and bring his own hellish dimension to Earth. The film was widely criticized for its weak script and uninspired performances. Even though the movie was a box office success, it...
- 8/27/2023
- by Matthew C. F
- TVovermind.com
Hugh Jackman won’t be the only one bringing his Marvel character out of retirement for “Deadpool 3.” Jennifer Garner is also returning to star as Elektra in the Ryan Reynolds starrer, according to reports.
Garner, who was most recently seen in Apple TV+’s “The Last Thing He Told Me” and hasn’t played the role in nearly 20 years, will reprise her Elektra in the Shawn Levy-directed sequel.
If your understanding of Garner’s superhero past is a little foggy the steely assassin in 2003’s “Daredevil,” which starred Ben Affleck as the titular Hell’s Kitchen lawyer-turned-vigilante in a film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. While the film underperformed, Fox was still so impressed with Garner’s performance that they gave her a solo movie — 2005’s “Elektra,” directed by Rob Bowman.
More recently, the character, created by comics legend Frank Miller, was played by Élodie Yung in...
Garner, who was most recently seen in Apple TV+’s “The Last Thing He Told Me” and hasn’t played the role in nearly 20 years, will reprise her Elektra in the Shawn Levy-directed sequel.
If your understanding of Garner’s superhero past is a little foggy the steely assassin in 2003’s “Daredevil,” which starred Ben Affleck as the titular Hell’s Kitchen lawyer-turned-vigilante in a film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. While the film underperformed, Fox was still so impressed with Garner’s performance that they gave her a solo movie — 2005’s “Elektra,” directed by Rob Bowman.
More recently, the character, created by comics legend Frank Miller, was played by Élodie Yung in...
- 7/7/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Donald Petrie's "Grumpy Old Men" was released in theaters on Christmas Day in 1993, serving as that year's "take your parents to see it" film. Prior to "Grumpy Old Men," the film's two stars, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, had appeared in five films together, including "The Fortune Cookie," Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," "Kotch," "The Front Page," and "Buddy Buddy." The two were so well known for their chemistry, they were often considered one of comedy's great, prevailing duos. To this day, they are often mentioned together, and the two are buried not too far apart in the same cemetery in Westwood, CA.
While Lemmon and Matthau worked together regularly throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, there was a notable gap in their shared résumé. From 1981 until 1993, the pair did not work in tandem — even though they both appeared in Oliver Stone's 1991 film, "JFK," they had no scenes together.
While Lemmon and Matthau worked together regularly throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, there was a notable gap in their shared résumé. From 1981 until 1993, the pair did not work in tandem — even though they both appeared in Oliver Stone's 1991 film, "JFK," they had no scenes together.
- 3/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The original (and to date only) big screen Daredevil movie turned 20 years old last week. There wasn’t exactly a deluge of fanfare over this fact. For obvious reasons. Released during the boom years for glossy, hyper-edited action movies that had one eye on MTV tie-ins and another on the post-theatrical DVD double-dip market, director Mark Steven Johnson and star Ben Affleck’s Daredevil arrived into cinemas on Valentine’s Day weekend 2003 as a chopped-to-the-bone, 103-minute collection of studio priorities under 20th Century Fox’s then-chairman, Tom Rothman.
To give you an idea of how different a time this was for the industry, not until the 11th hour of pre-production was Johnson, a lifelong fan of Daredevil comics (specifically Frank Miller’s run in the 1980s), even allowed to give Matt Murdock a red-horned costume. Prior to the release of Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man (2002), Fox wasn’t convinced...
To give you an idea of how different a time this was for the industry, not until the 11th hour of pre-production was Johnson, a lifelong fan of Daredevil comics (specifically Frank Miller’s run in the 1980s), even allowed to give Matt Murdock a red-horned costume. Prior to the release of Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man (2002), Fox wasn’t convinced...
- 2/23/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Before Charlie Cox started swinging through the streets of Hell’s Kitchen for Marvel’s Daredevil, Ben Affleck suited up as the Man Without Fear for the studio’s previous attempt at bringing the horned hero to movie fans. The 2003 movie garnered mixed reviews from fans and critics, setting Daredevil back in Marvel’s list of superheroes to prioritize for future projects. Despite the film’s lukewarm reception, two prominent actors wanted to join the production. Those two actors are Seth Rogen and Edward Norton. While you’re contemplating a world where either of these actors stars in 2003’s Daredevil, I’ll unpack the details of what could have been.
Speaking with Yahoo, Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson explained that the studio wanted big names for the film. Daredevil was relatively unknown to the general public then, so Marvel wanted star power to elevate the character and put asses in seats.
Speaking with Yahoo, Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson explained that the studio wanted big names for the film. Daredevil was relatively unknown to the general public then, so Marvel wanted star power to elevate the character and put asses in seats.
- 2/20/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Long before Charlie Cox became the Daredevil we all know and love with his excellent Netflix show (soon to be sort of revived as a Disney+ "Daredevil" series), Ben Affleck had a go at it. After "X-Men" in 2000 and Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" in 2002, studios were keen to repeat their success and began churning out more and more cape-based fare that would ultimately lead to the deluge of superhero media we're currently enduring. But in the lead-up to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's dominance, there were a fair few missteps, 20th Century Fox's "Daredevil" being one of them.
Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, 2003's "Daredevil" didn't quite the heights of "X-Men" or "Spider-Man." Affleck admitted that he regrets the movie and it's generally seen as somewhat of a blunder. Prior to helming the film, Johnson had penned the frankly bizarre "Jack Frost," which saw former "Batman" star Michael Keaton...
Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, 2003's "Daredevil" didn't quite the heights of "X-Men" or "Spider-Man." Affleck admitted that he regrets the movie and it's generally seen as somewhat of a blunder. Prior to helming the film, Johnson had penned the frankly bizarre "Jack Frost," which saw former "Batman" star Michael Keaton...
- 2/19/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
20 years ago, comic book movies were in an odd place. "X-Men" helped open the floodgates in 2000, particularly for Marvel, but it was the absolutely astonishing success of 2002's "Spider-Man" that represented the point of no return. Thus, other superheroes quickly made their way to the silver screen in the years that followed, with mixed results. One fascinating example is 2003's "Daredevil," which starred Ben Affleck as the Man Without Fear, and his future wife (and eventual ex-wife) Jennifer Garner as Elektra. The movie wasn't quite a flop, though not quite a hit, and didn't start a franchise for Matt Murdock like Marvel's mutants and Peter Parker now had. It was an up-the-middle, modest misfire.
The project was originally set up at Sony,...
20 years ago, comic book movies were in an odd place. "X-Men" helped open the floodgates in 2000, particularly for Marvel, but it was the absolutely astonishing success of 2002's "Spider-Man" that represented the point of no return. Thus, other superheroes quickly made their way to the silver screen in the years that followed, with mixed results. One fascinating example is 2003's "Daredevil," which starred Ben Affleck as the Man Without Fear, and his future wife (and eventual ex-wife) Jennifer Garner as Elektra. The movie wasn't quite a flop, though not quite a hit, and didn't start a franchise for Matt Murdock like Marvel's mutants and Peter Parker now had. It was an up-the-middle, modest misfire.
The project was originally set up at Sony,...
- 2/18/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Ben Affleck only regrets one movie: Daredevil. That’s what the actor once told Playboy about the 2003 superhero misstep. “It just kills me,” said Affleck. “I love that story, that character, and the fact that it got f***ed up the way it did stays with me.” Released on 14 February 2003, Daredevil was an attempt at a darker, grittier superhero film – gritty in a pre-Nolan sort of way, at least. It tells the story of blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who avenges his murdered father (that old chestnut) by cleaning up the grubby streets of Hell’s Kitchen. Blinded as a child by toxic goop, Murdock has enhanced senses as an adultre, which manifest as a kind of super-powered radar. Twenty years on from its release, Daredevil looks like a proto-franchise player – an attempt to get a Marvel movie series off the ground before filmmakers had quite figured out the formula.
- 2/17/2023
- by Tom Fordy
- The Independent - Film
2003’s Daredevil came out at a time when superhero movies were beginning to take their modern form. 2000’s X-Men and 2002’s Spider-Man were major box office successes, spawning franchises and, in a way, laying the groundwork for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But they weren’t all destined to be hits, as was the case with Daredevil. Now, 20 years after its release, director Mark Steven Johnson has some thoughts on why it didn’t work.
In a new interview with Yahoo! Entertainment to mark the occasion, Johnson said his Daredevil movie was just too cluttered. “Looking back on it, one of the mistakes I made with the film was wanting to put everything in! I wanted to do Daredevil’s origin story, and I wanted to do the Elektra Saga and I wanted to introduce Bullseye and Foggy. I wanted everything to be in there, but the film could only support so much.
In a new interview with Yahoo! Entertainment to mark the occasion, Johnson said his Daredevil movie was just too cluttered. “Looking back on it, one of the mistakes I made with the film was wanting to put everything in! I wanted to do Daredevil’s origin story, and I wanted to do the Elektra Saga and I wanted to introduce Bullseye and Foggy. I wanted everything to be in there, but the film could only support so much.
- 2/16/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
As of Valentine’s Day 2023, Ben Affleck’s often-mocked comic book movie “Daredevil” is 20 years old. Yahoo Entertainment marked the occasion by sitting down with the 2003 comic book movie’s director, Mark Steven Johnson, who admitted that part of the movie’s failure came from his decision to over-cram the story.
“Looking back on it, one of the mistakes I made with the film was wanting to put everything in!” Johnson said. “I wanted to do Daredevil’s origin story, and I wanted to do the Elektra Saga and I wanted to introduce Bullseye and Foggy. I wanted everything to be in there, but the film could only support so much. And then when you’re told to cut a half-hour out and and make it more of a love story, things start to feel rushed and not quite right. It’s a fan thing: when you love something so much,...
“Looking back on it, one of the mistakes I made with the film was wanting to put everything in!” Johnson said. “I wanted to do Daredevil’s origin story, and I wanted to do the Elektra Saga and I wanted to introduce Bullseye and Foggy. I wanted everything to be in there, but the film could only support so much. And then when you’re told to cut a half-hour out and and make it more of a love story, things start to feel rushed and not quite right. It’s a fan thing: when you love something so much,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Growing up in Philadelphia, I've experienced my fair share of harsh winters. The blizzard of 1996 stands out, but there were a number of other rough years for a while too. Although, when I moved to Chicago a few years ago, I experienced a whole new level of frigid chills. It got even worse when a polar vortex delivered such sub-zero temperatures and precipitation that people were advised not to leave their houses since even the slightest bit of exposed skin could get frostbite within minutes. Seriously, despite this year being relatively tame in comparison, midwestern winters are no joke. And someone else who knew this was Walter Matthau.
By the mid-1990s, the award-winning star of the stage and screen had quite an illustrious career. He had become known for his roles in "Bad News Bears," "King Creole," and "Hello, Dolly!," but fans probably remembered him best from his many...
By the mid-1990s, the award-winning star of the stage and screen had quite an illustrious career. He had become known for his roles in "Bad News Bears," "King Creole," and "Hello, Dolly!," but fans probably remembered him best from his many...
- 1/25/2023
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Rumors of Netflix’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated. That’s clear when looking at the top 10 most-streamed movies of the past weekend, at least according to Whip Media’s U.S. movie ranker, which reflects data from the past weekend from TV Time, a TV and movie app that tracks viewer interest across 22 million global registered users.
The key takeaway: Six of the 10 most viewed movies that were available on streaming services in the United States last weekend were on Netflix. And the top performer of the week — bumping Disney+’s “Thor: Love and Thunder” from the No. 1 spot — was Netflix’s “Do Revenge,” the new teen comedy flick starring Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke and Austin Abrams.
If you’re a fan of Alfred Hitchcock, you might want to check “Do Revenge” out, too, since it was inspired by his 1951 classic “Strangers on a Train.” In this revenge story — albeit,...
The key takeaway: Six of the 10 most viewed movies that were available on streaming services in the United States last weekend were on Netflix. And the top performer of the week — bumping Disney+’s “Thor: Love and Thunder” from the No. 1 spot — was Netflix’s “Do Revenge,” the new teen comedy flick starring Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke and Austin Abrams.
If you’re a fan of Alfred Hitchcock, you might want to check “Do Revenge” out, too, since it was inspired by his 1951 classic “Strangers on a Train.” In this revenge story — albeit,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
Movie fans clearly couldn’t wait to watch — or, in many cases, rewatch — “Thor: Love and Thunder” once it hit Disney+, with the Marvel flick topping Whip Media’s U.S. movie ranker, which ranks the most viewed movies on streaming services over the past weekend using data from TV Time, a TV and movie app that tracks viewer interest across 22 million global registered users.
“Thor: Love and Thunder” made its streaming debut on Disney+ last Thursday, giving it plenty of momentum to become the most streamed movie between last Friday through Sunday. The sequel to 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok” saw Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as the “God of Thunder,” while also being joined this time around by Christian Bale, who played Gorr the God Butcher, and Natalie Portman, who played Dr. Jane Foster, Thor’s ex-girlfriend.
The movie’s streaming debut was heavily anticipated, following a strong showing at...
“Thor: Love and Thunder” made its streaming debut on Disney+ last Thursday, giving it plenty of momentum to become the most streamed movie between last Friday through Sunday. The sequel to 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok” saw Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as the “God of Thunder,” while also being joined this time around by Christian Bale, who played Gorr the God Butcher, and Natalie Portman, who played Dr. Jane Foster, Thor’s ex-girlfriend.
The movie’s streaming debut was heavily anticipated, following a strong showing at...
- 9/16/2022
- by Whip Media
- The Wrap
The Vampire Diaries’s Kat Graham and Umbrella Academy’s Tom Hopper star in a passable, if not particularly sizzling, rom-com set in Verona
The Netflix confection Love in the Villa invokes two well-established traditions. There’s the general rom-com formula – two characters at odds, a meet-cute, a deception/reveal, an epiphany, a repeated inside joke, someone running somewhere in a time crunch. And then there’s the manufactured flavors of Netflix comfort food: recognizable B-to-c-list talent, cheesy locale, banal Twitter-inflected jokes, distinctively cheap-looking production, passable but not particularly invigorating chemistry. Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, Love in the Villa combines both into another ephemeral confection off the streaming assembly line – inoffensive and baseline pleasurable yet immediately forgettable.
The hook here is that the central couple, played by The Vampire Diaries’s Kat Graham and Umbrella Academy’s Tom Hopper, meet in picturesque Verona – as corny a...
The Netflix confection Love in the Villa invokes two well-established traditions. There’s the general rom-com formula – two characters at odds, a meet-cute, a deception/reveal, an epiphany, a repeated inside joke, someone running somewhere in a time crunch. And then there’s the manufactured flavors of Netflix comfort food: recognizable B-to-c-list talent, cheesy locale, banal Twitter-inflected jokes, distinctively cheap-looking production, passable but not particularly invigorating chemistry. Written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, Love in the Villa combines both into another ephemeral confection off the streaming assembly line – inoffensive and baseline pleasurable yet immediately forgettable.
The hook here is that the central couple, played by The Vampire Diaries’s Kat Graham and Umbrella Academy’s Tom Hopper, meet in picturesque Verona – as corny a...
- 9/1/2022
- by Adrian Horton
- The Guardian - Film News
It’s a little ironic that the fair-minded maiden in “Love in the Villa” yearns for an authentic, romantic Italian vacation since her fairy tale has been cobbled together by Netflix’s practically patented algorithm. Take one part down-on-her-luck female protagonist, add in a handsome-but-cantankerous gentleman either from or in an enchanting European setting, and mix with a generous splash of high jinks that force them to fall head over heels. Yet the blessed surprise awaiting even the most cynical of audiences of writer-director Mark Steven Johnson’s romantic comedy is that within the manufactured product lies a heartening appeal to its sensible delight.
Elementary school teacher Julie (Kat Graham), who is obsessed with “Romeo and Juliet,” has planned the trip of a lifetime with her boyfriend of four years, Brandon (Raymond Ablack). Their jaunt to Verona, Italy, includes everything from reservations at the finest restaurants to themed tours, all...
Elementary school teacher Julie (Kat Graham), who is obsessed with “Romeo and Juliet,” has planned the trip of a lifetime with her boyfriend of four years, Brandon (Raymond Ablack). Their jaunt to Verona, Italy, includes everything from reservations at the finest restaurants to themed tours, all...
- 9/1/2022
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s September 2022 lineup of new films includes the much anticipated drama Blonde starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, and Allison Janney channeling her inner action hero in Lou.
September’s lineup also includes The Umbrella Academy‘s Tom Hopper teaming up with The Vampire Diaries‘ Kat Graham for Love in the Villa, a romantic comedy set in Italy. Queen Latifah and Ludacris headline the action thriller End of the Road, and Riverdale‘s Camila Mendes and Stranger Things‘ Maya Hawke combine forces in Do Revenge.
Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde’ (Photo Credit: Netflix © 2022)
September 2022 Releases
Sept. 1
Love in the Villa
Genre: Rom-com
Logline: A young woman (Kat Graham) takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical and very good-looking British man (Tom Hopper).
Cast: Kat Graham,...
September’s lineup also includes The Umbrella Academy‘s Tom Hopper teaming up with The Vampire Diaries‘ Kat Graham for Love in the Villa, a romantic comedy set in Italy. Queen Latifah and Ludacris headline the action thriller End of the Road, and Riverdale‘s Camila Mendes and Stranger Things‘ Maya Hawke combine forces in Do Revenge.
Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde’ (Photo Credit: Netflix © 2022)
September 2022 Releases
Sept. 1
Love in the Villa
Genre: Rom-com
Logline: A young woman (Kat Graham) takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical and very good-looking British man (Tom Hopper).
Cast: Kat Graham,...
- 8/30/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
We have a major update from Netflix to share today, as the streaming service has announced their Fall 2022 Movie Preview, unveiling release dates through the end of the year! The fall movie fun begins this Thursday, September 1st, and the line-up includes Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Blonde, Descendant, Enola Holmes 2, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Good Nurse, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Luckiest Girl Alive, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, My Father’s Dragon, The Redeem Team, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, The Pale Blue Eye, The School for Good and Evil, Slumberland, The Swimmers, Wendell & Wild, and White Noise.
The full list can be seen below. Let’s break it down by month:
September
September 1: Fenced In
Genre: Comedy
Logline: Walter is stressed and collapses. Following medical advice, he abandons the urban rhythm and seeks peace in a small town, surrounded by nature. But...
The full list can be seen below. Let’s break it down by month:
September
September 1: Fenced In
Genre: Comedy
Logline: Walter is stressed and collapses. Following medical advice, he abandons the urban rhythm and seeks peace in a small town, surrounded by nature. But...
- 8/30/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Here in its near entirety are the streaming and some theatrical dates for Netflix’s fall and holiday movie lineup.
Many of these streaming dates have already been out there, i.e. the TIFF world premiere Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery hitting the service on Dec. 23 (yet still not theatrically dated). However, there’s 13 movies getting dates here, read Alejandro Iñárritu’s Venice Film Festival world premiere Bardo, which is getting an exclusive month and half theatrical window before it hits the service.
There’s also the Jessica Chastain-Eddie Redmayne drama thriller The Good Nurse (world premiering at TIFF), Noah Baumbach’s Venice and New York film festival opener White Noise, Sally Hosaini’s TIFF opener The Swimmers, Henry Selick’s animated pic Wendell & Wild (also at TIFF), and Scott Cooper’s period crime drama about Edgar Allen Poe, The Pale Blue Eye and The Volcano:...
Many of these streaming dates have already been out there, i.e. the TIFF world premiere Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery hitting the service on Dec. 23 (yet still not theatrically dated). However, there’s 13 movies getting dates here, read Alejandro Iñárritu’s Venice Film Festival world premiere Bardo, which is getting an exclusive month and half theatrical window before it hits the service.
There’s also the Jessica Chastain-Eddie Redmayne drama thriller The Good Nurse (world premiering at TIFF), Noah Baumbach’s Venice and New York film festival opener White Noise, Sally Hosaini’s TIFF opener The Swimmers, Henry Selick’s animated pic Wendell & Wild (also at TIFF), and Scott Cooper’s period crime drama about Edgar Allen Poe, The Pale Blue Eye and The Volcano:...
- 8/30/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Hawkeye
If there’s one thing superhero fans love, it’s when a good guy fights a good guy. It’s even better when those good guys are the same guy.
Hot off his return to the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Charlie Cox had some unflattering things to say about the 2003 Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck. Cox told fans at the Middle East Film & Comic Con 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates that he never saw Affleck’s superhero movie debut before he was cast as Daredevil. According to People, Cox told the crowd, “I don’t love the movie … I feel like the movie tried to do too much and it was a little tonally confused.”
Few would disagree with Cox’s statement. Although it eventually earned twice its budget, Daredevil broke a string of critically well-received superhero movies that...
If there’s one thing superhero fans love, it’s when a good guy fights a good guy. It’s even better when those good guys are the same guy.
Hot off his return to the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Charlie Cox had some unflattering things to say about the 2003 Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck. Cox told fans at the Middle East Film & Comic Con 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates that he never saw Affleck’s superhero movie debut before he was cast as Daredevil. According to People, Cox told the crowd, “I don’t love the movie … I feel like the movie tried to do too much and it was a little tonally confused.”
Few would disagree with Cox’s statement. Although it eventually earned twice its budget, Daredevil broke a string of critically well-received superhero movies that...
- 3/14/2022
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Twelve years before Charlie Cox first suited up as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen in season 1 of Marvel's "Daredevil" TV series, Ben Affleck portrayed The Man Without Fear in the 2003 "Daredevil" movie. The film was written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, who was a bit of an outside pick for the job, having previously written the "Grumpy Old Men" movies and helmed the not-so-beloved 1998 tearjerker "Simon Burch."
Johnson's "Daredevil" theatrical cut didn't exactly wow critics, either, giving rise to a widely-panned 2005 spin-off film, "Elektra," that killed the planned sequel. Its legacy has since improved thanks to the release of...
The post Charlie Cox Likes Ben Affleck's Matt Murdock, Thinks His Daredevil Suit Sucks appeared first on /Film.
Johnson's "Daredevil" theatrical cut didn't exactly wow critics, either, giving rise to a widely-panned 2005 spin-off film, "Elektra," that killed the planned sequel. Its legacy has since improved thanks to the release of...
The post Charlie Cox Likes Ben Affleck's Matt Murdock, Thinks His Daredevil Suit Sucks appeared first on /Film.
- 3/9/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
On Feb. 16, 2007, Mark Steven Johnson’s Ghost Rider movie hit theaters. Nicolas Cage starred as Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman powered by the devil to slay the damned in the form of a man with a flaming skull. It was the perfect vehicle for Nicolas Cage, a comic fan known for his often eccentric screen presence. Cage playing a demonic bounty hunter who spits hellfire is one of those things where it feels more like a documentary that only happens to resemble a Marvel Comics character.
It’s a fun movie on its own that hits just the right level of being over-the-top at the appropriate moments. If anything, it’s hurt by the perfect way it sets up fight scenes like video game boss battles, only for the fights to be over within seconds. While Ghost Rider is ultimately a footnote in the superhero movie pantheon, it’s still...
It’s a fun movie on its own that hits just the right level of being over-the-top at the appropriate moments. If anything, it’s hurt by the perfect way it sets up fight scenes like video game boss battles, only for the fights to be over within seconds. While Ghost Rider is ultimately a footnote in the superhero movie pantheon, it’s still...
- 2/16/2022
- by Gavin Jasper
- Den of Geek
Chris Huvane, a partner and manager at Hollywood firm Management 360 and former magazine editor and PR executive, died Sunday night. He was 47.
The cause was an apparent suicide, according to Deadline. Huvane had been open about his battles with depression. He is survived by two brothers: Slate PR partner Stephen Huvane and CAA managing partner Kevin Huvane.
His clients at Management 360 included Margot Robbie, Julianne Moore, Zoey Deutch, Zach Braff, the late Chadwick Boseman and Margaret Qualley.
“We are devastated beyond words this morning, Chris was simply ‘the best of the best,” Huvane’s partners said in a statement. “A brilliant manager, consummate colleague and friend, a rock of our company and our culture, beloved by every single person who ever met him. It’s an incalculable loss and our hearts go out to his family and friends. We are all better for having known Chris, and we commit...
The cause was an apparent suicide, according to Deadline. Huvane had been open about his battles with depression. He is survived by two brothers: Slate PR partner Stephen Huvane and CAA managing partner Kevin Huvane.
His clients at Management 360 included Margot Robbie, Julianne Moore, Zoey Deutch, Zach Braff, the late Chadwick Boseman and Margaret Qualley.
“We are devastated beyond words this morning, Chris was simply ‘the best of the best,” Huvane’s partners said in a statement. “A brilliant manager, consummate colleague and friend, a rock of our company and our culture, beloved by every single person who ever met him. It’s an incalculable loss and our hearts go out to his family and friends. We are all better for having known Chris, and we commit...
- 2/7/2022
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Raymond Ablack, Laura Hopper, Sean Amsing and Emilio Solfrizzi have joined the cast of Netflix’s new rom-com “Love in the Villa.”
Starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper, “Love in the Villa” follows a young woman who takes a romantic trip to Verona, Italy after a break up. When she arrives to find that that villa she reserved was double-booked, she has to share her vacation with a cynical (yet very good-looking) British man. Ablack plays the woman’s ex-boyfriend.
Set to be released on the streamer in 2022, the rom-com is written, directed and produced by Mark Steven Johnson, with Margret Huddleston and Stephanie Slack producing for Off Camera Entertainment.
The new movie marks a continuation of Ablack’s relationship with the streamer after appearing in “Maid,” “Ginny & Georgia” and “Narcos.” In “Ginny & Georgia,” Ablack plays Joe, the owner of the local farm-to-table restaurant who can’t help...
Starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper, “Love in the Villa” follows a young woman who takes a romantic trip to Verona, Italy after a break up. When she arrives to find that that villa she reserved was double-booked, she has to share her vacation with a cynical (yet very good-looking) British man. Ablack plays the woman’s ex-boyfriend.
Set to be released on the streamer in 2022, the rom-com is written, directed and produced by Mark Steven Johnson, with Margret Huddleston and Stephanie Slack producing for Off Camera Entertainment.
The new movie marks a continuation of Ablack’s relationship with the streamer after appearing in “Maid,” “Ginny & Georgia” and “Narcos.” In “Ginny & Georgia,” Ablack plays Joe, the owner of the local farm-to-table restaurant who can’t help...
- 11/17/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper and Kat Graham are set to star in Netflix’s Love in the Villa. Mark Steven Johnson will write and direct, with Margret Huddleston and Stephanie Slack producing through their Off Camera Entertainment banner. Johnson will also produce.
The film follows a young woman who takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical (and very good-looking) British man. Production will start this month in Verona and the film will premiere globally on the streamer in 2022.
“Now, more than ever, people need some love and laughter in their lives. Everyone seems so divided these days. But in the end everyone wants the same thing — to love and to be loved,” Johnson said. “That’s what movies like Love in the Villa are about.
The film follows a young woman who takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical (and very good-looking) British man. Production will start this month in Verona and the film will premiere globally on the streamer in 2022.
“Now, more than ever, people need some love and laughter in their lives. Everyone seems so divided these days. But in the end everyone wants the same thing — to love and to be loved,” Johnson said. “That’s what movies like Love in the Villa are about.
- 9/20/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Brightburn producer The H Collective is to adapt the ancient Chinese book of myths and legends The Classic of Mountains and Seas into a feature, with a view to creating a film and TV universe inspired by the text.
Kent Huang, Chairman of the company, and Mark Rau, European Chief, will supervise the production, which will follow a group of kids who accidentally fall into a parallel world encountering exotic creatures and people. On their journey to find their way back, they will learn the importance of friendship.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas, also known as Shan Hai Jing, is largely a fabulous geographical and cultural account of pre-Qin China as well as a collection of Chinese mythology. The book recorded more than 40 countries, 550 mountains and 300 waterways along with the geographic and cultural information of the nearby realms. Some of the creatures from the work appeared in Warner...
Kent Huang, Chairman of the company, and Mark Rau, European Chief, will supervise the production, which will follow a group of kids who accidentally fall into a parallel world encountering exotic creatures and people. On their journey to find their way back, they will learn the importance of friendship.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas, also known as Shan Hai Jing, is largely a fabulous geographical and cultural account of pre-Qin China as well as a collection of Chinese mythology. The book recorded more than 40 countries, 550 mountains and 300 waterways along with the geographic and cultural information of the nearby realms. Some of the creatures from the work appeared in Warner...
- 5/18/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Uli Edel will direct “Shadow Song,” the story of the bond between a Chinese music student and his Jewish classmate.
The film is a feature-length version of the 2017 short “A Children’s Song” and boasts a screenplay by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”). Edel is an Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker who previously directed “The Baader Meinhof Complex” and “Houdini.”
The feature film will be produced by Sid Ganis and Nancy Hult Ganis at Out of the Blue Entertainment, and The H Collective’s Kent Jianhui Huang and Mark Rau, who was recently named CEO of Thc Germany. Ganis, who is on the board of Thc, produced “A Children’s Song,” which won top awards at more than 20 film festivals worldwide.
“Shadow Song” was inspired by a true story and is set in contemporary times with flashbacks to World War II. It follows two music students who meet while attending a U.
The film is a feature-length version of the 2017 short “A Children’s Song” and boasts a screenplay by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”). Edel is an Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker who previously directed “The Baader Meinhof Complex” and “Houdini.”
The feature film will be produced by Sid Ganis and Nancy Hult Ganis at Out of the Blue Entertainment, and The H Collective’s Kent Jianhui Huang and Mark Rau, who was recently named CEO of Thc Germany. Ganis, who is on the board of Thc, produced “A Children’s Song,” which won top awards at more than 20 film festivals worldwide.
“Shadow Song” was inspired by a true story and is set in contemporary times with flashbacks to World War II. It follows two music students who meet while attending a U.
- 12/9/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Coming-of-age drama set to shoot in Italy with Mark Steven Johnson directing.
International production and distribution company The H Collective is teaming with producer Mark Johnson’s Gran Via on The Vineyard, a coming-of-age story set to shoot in Italy in mid-2021.
Mark Steven Johnson, whose previous projects include Ghost Rider and Daredevil, will direct from a screenplay by Tory Kamen.
The film will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. The project will The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, after thriller The Parts You Lose.
International production and distribution company The H Collective is teaming with producer Mark Johnson’s Gran Via on The Vineyard, a coming-of-age story set to shoot in Italy in mid-2021.
Mark Steven Johnson, whose previous projects include Ghost Rider and Daredevil, will direct from a screenplay by Tory Kamen.
The film will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. The project will The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, after thriller The Parts You Lose.
- 11/24/2020
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Monday, Nov. 23 HanWay Films Closes Sales on ‘Peggy Jo’
HanWay Films has closed multiple international sales for Phillip Noyce’s “Peggy Jo,” with Lily James attached to star as Peggy Jo Tallas, who robbed Texas banks in the early 1990s while posing as a man.
A deal with Universal Pictures Content Group includes Benelux, German speaking Europe, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia, and the UK. HanWay Films has also closed deals with DeAPlaneta (Spain), Tohokushinsha (Japan), Noori Pictures (South Korea), Shaw (Singapore), Odeon (Greece) and Front Row (Middle East). “Peggy Jo” is being adapted for the screen by “Appaloosa” writer Robert Knott and will be shot in the United States.
“Peggy Jo” is produced by Simon Brooks through his Canyon Creek Films. UTA Independent Film Group is handling the U.S. sale. James’ recent credits include “Rebecca,” “Yesterday,” “Baby Driver” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.”
‘The Vineyard’ Scheduled for 2021 Shoot...
HanWay Films has closed multiple international sales for Phillip Noyce’s “Peggy Jo,” with Lily James attached to star as Peggy Jo Tallas, who robbed Texas banks in the early 1990s while posing as a man.
A deal with Universal Pictures Content Group includes Benelux, German speaking Europe, Italy, Portugal, Scandinavia, and the UK. HanWay Films has also closed deals with DeAPlaneta (Spain), Tohokushinsha (Japan), Noori Pictures (South Korea), Shaw (Singapore), Odeon (Greece) and Front Row (Middle East). “Peggy Jo” is being adapted for the screen by “Appaloosa” writer Robert Knott and will be shot in the United States.
“Peggy Jo” is produced by Simon Brooks through his Canyon Creek Films. UTA Independent Film Group is handling the U.S. sale. James’ recent credits include “Rebecca,” “Yesterday,” “Baby Driver” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.”
‘The Vineyard’ Scheduled for 2021 Shoot...
- 11/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The H Collective (Brightburn) is teaming with Breaking Bad exec producer and Rain Man producer Mark Johnson on coming-of-age film The Vineyard, which will be directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Love Guaranteed) from Tory Kamen’s script.
“Foodie drama” The Vineyard will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. Pic is due to get underway in Italy in mid-2021.
Oscar-winner Johnson will produce with Tom Williams under their Gran Via Productions banner alongside The H Collective, who will also finance. Kent Jianhui Huang will produce for The H Collective with Tessie Groff overseeing the project for the company.
The Vineyard will be The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, following their partnership on Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Mark Steven...
“Foodie drama” The Vineyard will follow an American teenager whose life is uprooted when she unexpectedly moves to Italy to live with a grandfather she never knew existed. Pic is due to get underway in Italy in mid-2021.
Oscar-winner Johnson will produce with Tom Williams under their Gran Via Productions banner alongside The H Collective, who will also finance. Kent Jianhui Huang will produce for The H Collective with Tessie Groff overseeing the project for the company.
The Vineyard will be The H Collective’s second collaboration with Gran Via, following their partnership on Christopher Cantwell’s thriller The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Mark Steven...
- 11/23/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Only the most ardent and dedicated of Nicolas Cage fans would actively go out of their way to keep up to date with all of his latest releases, with the 56 year-old having appeared in 31 movies in the last seven years alone, the overwhelming majority of which have been terrible bargain bin action thrillers.
The Academy Award winner has a further six projects in various stages of development, and the only one that sounds remotely interesting is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, which will see the actor play a fictionalized version of himself as a fading A-lister relying on former glories that ends up being roped into a plot involving drug cartels and the CIA.
On his day, Cage is still one of the finest talents of his generation, but performances to remind people of that fact are very few and far between. Of course, the Con Air star is...
The Academy Award winner has a further six projects in various stages of development, and the only one that sounds remotely interesting is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, which will see the actor play a fictionalized version of himself as a fading A-lister relying on former glories that ends up being roped into a plot involving drug cartels and the CIA.
On his day, Cage is still one of the finest talents of his generation, but performances to remind people of that fact are very few and far between. Of course, the Con Air star is...
- 9/29/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
When Bryan Singer’s X-Men revitalized the comic book genre several years after many people thought Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin had killed it forever, Hollywood went on a decade-long rampage where virtually every recognizable character under the sun was given the big screen treatment. Admittedly, several of these blockbusters went on to launch successful franchises, but many of them quickly found themselves on the scrapheap.
One title that did decent business at the box office, though, was 2007’s Ghost Rider, which earned almost $230 million despite not being a very good movie. Star and noted comic book fan Nicolas Cage was clearly invested in the project, and even had to have his tattoo of Johnny Blaze covered by the makeup team, but it never came close to maximizing the potential of having an actor like Cage play a motorcycle riding antihero with their skull on fire.
It also didn...
One title that did decent business at the box office, though, was 2007’s Ghost Rider, which earned almost $230 million despite not being a very good movie. Star and noted comic book fan Nicolas Cage was clearly invested in the project, and even had to have his tattoo of Johnny Blaze covered by the makeup team, but it never came close to maximizing the potential of having an actor like Cage play a motorcycle riding antihero with their skull on fire.
It also didn...
- 9/24/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
The newest trend in home viewing: the hot title that seems to come out of nowhere. This week it’s “The 2nd,” which jumped to #1 on the AppleTV and GooglePlay movie rental charts. An actioner starring Ryan Phillippe and Casper Van Dien would never register within film Twitter, but that’s not the ruling sensibility of VOD.
This week had a range of alternative offerings, led by the Disney+ debut of “Mulan.” At an estimated $200 million cost, it is by far the most expensive feature film to skip domestic theaters for Premium VOD. This is also the second week of “Bill & Ted Face the Music” (United Artists), as well as first for “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” the start of Netflix’s fall awards-intended original releases. All that comes as “Tenet” (Warner Bros.) began its muted run in the U.S. as it tries to bring struggling theaters into recovery.
This week had a range of alternative offerings, led by the Disney+ debut of “Mulan.” At an estimated $200 million cost, it is by far the most expensive feature film to skip domestic theaters for Premium VOD. This is also the second week of “Bill & Ted Face the Music” (United Artists), as well as first for “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” the start of Netflix’s fall awards-intended original releases. All that comes as “Tenet” (Warner Bros.) began its muted run in the U.S. as it tries to bring struggling theaters into recovery.
- 9/8/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
There’s little false advertising to “Love, Guaranteed,” a romantic comedy about true love and the seemingly overblown promises of online dating. The shared fate of Susan Whitaker and Nick Evans — played by Rachel Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr. — is all but assured by director Mark Steven Johnson’s pretty much by-the-numbers take. The question isn’t “Will they wind up together?” It’s more of a “how they will wind up together” proposition. Even with some nicely understated moments from the leads, the Netflix film is decidedly slight, easy-on-the-noggin entertainment.
Susan Whitaker has her own shingle as an attorney. Nick is a physical therapist at a rehab center. How others feel about each of them — her employees, his patients — attests to the fact they are decent people. When Nick first seeks out Susan’s services for a lawsuit, she has her doubts. Still, her penchant for turning paying...
Susan Whitaker has her own shingle as an attorney. Nick is a physical therapist at a rehab center. How others feel about each of them — her employees, his patients — attests to the fact they are decent people. When Nick first seeks out Susan’s services for a lawsuit, she has her doubts. Still, her penchant for turning paying...
- 9/4/2020
- by Lisa Kennedy
- Variety Film + TV
From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for November 2019, including "A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting", "Batwoman", "Resident Alien" and a whole lot more:
Feature Film
Grackle Bird
Local Production Company: Grackle Bird Productions Ltd.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam
Oct 15/19 - Dec 06/19
The Last Victim
Local Production Company: Tlv Productions LLC.
Director: Naveen Chathapuram
Producer: Naveen A. Chathapuram, Todd Berger, Charles Leslie, Graem Luis
Nov 04/19 - Nov 28/19
New Media Feature
A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting
Local Production Company: Double Double Productions Ulc.
Director: Rachel Talalay
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Amie Karp, Bob Huberman
Aug 29/19 - Nov 08/19
Christmas Chronicles 2
Local Production Company: Maple Syrup Productions Ulc.
Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: Mark Radclliffe
Oct 21/19 - Feb 01/20
Love, Guaranteed
Local Production Company: Love Guaranteed Productions Inc.
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Producer: Chris Foss
Oct 21/19 - Nov 20/19
TV Movie
Alice In Winterland
Local Production Company: Alice Road Productions Ltd.
Feature Film
Grackle Bird
Local Production Company: Grackle Bird Productions Ltd.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam
Oct 15/19 - Dec 06/19
The Last Victim
Local Production Company: Tlv Productions LLC.
Director: Naveen Chathapuram
Producer: Naveen A. Chathapuram, Todd Berger, Charles Leslie, Graem Luis
Nov 04/19 - Nov 28/19
New Media Feature
A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting
Local Production Company: Double Double Productions Ulc.
Director: Rachel Talalay
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Amie Karp, Bob Huberman
Aug 29/19 - Nov 08/19
Christmas Chronicles 2
Local Production Company: Maple Syrup Productions Ulc.
Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: Mark Radclliffe
Oct 21/19 - Feb 01/20
Love, Guaranteed
Local Production Company: Love Guaranteed Productions Inc.
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Producer: Chris Foss
Oct 21/19 - Nov 20/19
TV Movie
Alice In Winterland
Local Production Company: Alice Road Productions Ltd.
- 11/2/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Heather Graham is set to co-star opposite Rachael Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr. in the Netflix original film, Love, Guaranteed, which is currently in production with Mark Steven Johnson directing. Cook is producing the project alongside Dan Spilo, Margret Huddleston, and Stephanie Slack.
The script, based on the source material from Cook, was written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy.
It follows Susan (Cook), an earnest attorney who has taken one too many pro bono cases. She begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
Graham’s character is Tamara Taylor, the CEO of the Love Guaranteed dating website.
The script, based on the source material from Cook, was written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy.
It follows Susan (Cook), an earnest attorney who has taken one too many pro bono cases. She begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
Graham’s character is Tamara Taylor, the CEO of the Love Guaranteed dating website.
- 10/21/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That) and Damon Wayans Jr. (Happy Endings) have signed on to star in the upcoming Netflix movie Love, Guaranteed. Cook is also producing the Netflix original. Mark Steven Johnson is directing from a script by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, who also wrote the recent Netflix rom-com Falling Inn Love.
Deadline reports the following synopsis for the movie:
The story centers on an earnest, hard-working lawyer Susan (Cook) who has taken one too many pro bono cases. To save her small law firm, Susan begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. But Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
I...
Deadline reports the following synopsis for the movie:
The story centers on an earnest, hard-working lawyer Susan (Cook) who has taken one too many pro bono cases. To save her small law firm, Susan begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. But Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
I...
- 10/8/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Rachael Leigh Cook & Damon Wayans Jr. To Topline Netflix Film ‘Love, Guaranteed’ With Cook Producing
Exclusive: Rachael Leigh Cook, who is fondly remembered for her role in the classic teen drama, She’s All That, is set to star alongside Damon Wayans Jr. in Love, Guaranteed, the Netflix original film which Cook is also producing. Mark Steven Johnson is directing from source material by Cook. The script is by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, the screenwriters behind the recently released Netflix rom-com Falling Inn Love.
The story centers on an earnest, hard-working lawyer Susan (Cook) who has taken one too many pro bono cases. To save her small law firm, Susan begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. But Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
The story centers on an earnest, hard-working lawyer Susan (Cook) who has taken one too many pro bono cases. To save her small law firm, Susan begrudgingly takes a high-paying, high-profile case from Nick (Wayans Jr.), a charming new client who wants to sue a dating website that guarantees users will find love. But Susan and Nick soon find themselves in the middle of a media storm, and as the case heats up, so do their feelings for each other — which could jeopardize everything.
- 10/4/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for October 2019, including "Snake Eyes", "50 States Of Fright", "Batwoman" and a whole lot more:
Feature Film
Dreams Of A Singer
Local Production Company: Metrotown Media Productions
Director: Janos Molnar
Co-Producer: Terry Thandi
Jul 27/19 - Oct 31/19
Snake Eyes
Local Production Company: Grackle Bird Productions Ltd.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam
Oct 15/19 - Dec 06/19
The Last Victim
Local Production Company: Tlv Productions LLC.
Director: Naveen Chathapuram
Producer: Naveen A. Chathapuram, Todd Berger, Charles Leslie, Graem Luis
Oct 30/19 - Nov 25/19
New Media Feature
A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting
Local Production Company: Double Double Productions Ulc.
Director: Rachel Talalay
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Amie Karp, Bob Huberman
Aug 29/19 - Nov 08/19
Christmas Chronicles 2
Local Production Company: Maple Syrup Productions Ulc.
Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: Mark Radclliffe
Sep 30/19 - Dec 16/19
Lady Death
Local Production Company: Ld Productions Ltd.
Director: Kaare Andrews
Producer:...
Feature Film
Dreams Of A Singer
Local Production Company: Metrotown Media Productions
Director: Janos Molnar
Co-Producer: Terry Thandi
Jul 27/19 - Oct 31/19
Snake Eyes
Local Production Company: Grackle Bird Productions Ltd.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Erik Howsam
Oct 15/19 - Dec 06/19
The Last Victim
Local Production Company: Tlv Productions LLC.
Director: Naveen Chathapuram
Producer: Naveen A. Chathapuram, Todd Berger, Charles Leslie, Graem Luis
Oct 30/19 - Nov 25/19
New Media Feature
A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting
Local Production Company: Double Double Productions Ulc.
Director: Rachel Talalay
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Amie Karp, Bob Huberman
Aug 29/19 - Nov 08/19
Christmas Chronicles 2
Local Production Company: Maple Syrup Productions Ulc.
Director: Chris Columbus
Producer: Mark Radclliffe
Sep 30/19 - Dec 16/19
Lady Death
Local Production Company: Ld Productions Ltd.
Director: Kaare Andrews
Producer:...
- 10/1/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Hulu has opted not to proceed with Marvel’s Ghost Rider, its planned live-action series starring Gabriel Luna, I have learned.
Hulu in May picked up two new live-action series from Disney sibling Marvel Television, Ghost Rider and Helstrom, to premiere in 2020. While Marvel’s Helstrom is on track, I hear Hulu and the Ghost Rider team had reached a creative impasse which could not be resolved, leading to the streamer’s decision not to move forward with the series.
Marvel Television remains a leading supplier to Hulu with a series slate that includes the live-action Marvel’s Runaways, which has been renewed for a third season, and the upcoming Marvel’s Helstrom, both co-produced by ABC Signature. It also in involved in a suite of four connected animated series — Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey, Marvel’s Tigra & Dazzler Show and Marvel’s Howard...
Hulu in May picked up two new live-action series from Disney sibling Marvel Television, Ghost Rider and Helstrom, to premiere in 2020. While Marvel’s Helstrom is on track, I hear Hulu and the Ghost Rider team had reached a creative impasse which could not be resolved, leading to the streamer’s decision not to move forward with the series.
Marvel Television remains a leading supplier to Hulu with a series slate that includes the live-action Marvel’s Runaways, which has been renewed for a third season, and the upcoming Marvel’s Helstrom, both co-produced by ABC Signature. It also in involved in a suite of four connected animated series — Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K, Marvel’s Hit-Monkey, Marvel’s Tigra & Dazzler Show and Marvel’s Howard...
- 9/25/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Navarre’s 35% tax credit has mainly lured a large list of national feature productions since its launch in 2015. Further international film and TV projects partially shot there, accessing Spain’s 20% tax deductions; other benefited from R&d incentives for Navarre-based animation and post-production companies. Here are some recent highlights:
Title – Year Of Production – Director – Production Company – Location
-”Ventajas de Viajar en Tren.” 2019. Aritz Moreno. Logical Pictures, Morena Films, Señor & Señora. Pamplona.
-“Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.” 2019. Toni García. Apolo Films. Animation.
-“Line Walker: Operation Midnight Shadow.” 2018-2019. Babieka Line Walker. Filmed in Pamplona, Tafalla.
-“Offering to the Storm“ (The Baztán Trilogy). 2018-2019. Fernando González Molina. Nostromo Pictures, Atresmedia Cine, Nadcon. Baztán Valley, Elizondo, Pamplona.
-“The Legacy of the Bones” (The Baztán Trilogy). 2018-2019. Fernando González Molina. Nostromo Pictures, Atresmedia Cine, Nadcon. Baztán Valley, Elizondo, Pamplona.
-”Los Japón.” 2018. Álvaro Díaz Lorenzo. Dlo Producciones, Atresmedia Cine,...
Title – Year Of Production – Director – Production Company – Location
-”Ventajas de Viajar en Tren.” 2019. Aritz Moreno. Logical Pictures, Morena Films, Señor & Señora. Pamplona.
-“Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.” 2019. Toni García. Apolo Films. Animation.
-“Line Walker: Operation Midnight Shadow.” 2018-2019. Babieka Line Walker. Filmed in Pamplona, Tafalla.
-“Offering to the Storm“ (The Baztán Trilogy). 2018-2019. Fernando González Molina. Nostromo Pictures, Atresmedia Cine, Nadcon. Baztán Valley, Elizondo, Pamplona.
-“The Legacy of the Bones” (The Baztán Trilogy). 2018-2019. Fernando González Molina. Nostromo Pictures, Atresmedia Cine, Nadcon. Baztán Valley, Elizondo, Pamplona.
-”Los Japón.” 2018. Álvaro Díaz Lorenzo. Dlo Producciones, Atresmedia Cine,...
- 6/18/2019
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Update: Shortly after the announcement of Marvel and Hulu’s live-action Ghost Rider series, Deadline confirmed that Gabriel Luna would be reprising his role as the titular flaming skull antihero. Luna portrayed the character in ABC’s Marvel series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Luna teased his return on Twitter yesterday when he wrote: “Chains a’ rattlin'”. Early this morning he tweeted a skull and flames, continuing to leave us guessing whether or not he would be hopping on the motorcycle again for some demonic action.
He officially confirmed his involvement in the new series on Twitter saying, “It’s an honor to ride again with @Marvel and our new partner @Hulu!”
Chains a’ rattlin’…
— Gabriel Luna (@IamGabrielLuna) May 1, 2019...
Luna teased his return on Twitter yesterday when he wrote: “Chains a’ rattlin'”. Early this morning he tweeted a skull and flames, continuing to leave us guessing whether or not he would be hopping on the motorcycle again for some demonic action.
He officially confirmed his involvement in the new series on Twitter saying, “It’s an honor to ride again with @Marvel and our new partner @Hulu!”
Chains a’ rattlin’…
— Gabriel Luna (@IamGabrielLuna) May 1, 2019...
- 5/1/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
For actress Rachael Taylor, starring in Finding Steve McQueen was about joining a project that reminded its stars (Travis Fimmel, Forest Whitaker and William Fichtner) why they wanted to act in the first place.
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter during the latest episode of In Studio, Taylor says, "It's the kind of movie that made us want to do what we do."
The film, directed by Mark Steven Johnson, is a dramedy based on the true story of the United California Bank robbery, which became the largest bank robbery in U.S. history.
"It's ...
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter during the latest episode of In Studio, Taylor says, "It's the kind of movie that made us want to do what we do."
The film, directed by Mark Steven Johnson, is a dramedy based on the true story of the United California Bank robbery, which became the largest bank robbery in U.S. history.
"It's ...
- 3/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
When characters in a movie are having a good time, it’s hard to completely resist their charms. Such is the case with Finding Steve McQueen, a jaunty heist tale that has more than its fair share of fun, even if the final product is on the sleight side. This is the sort of picture that, depending on how and when you watch it, will determine in large part what your feelings are. If you were to see it on cable or on a plane, for example, it would certainly satisfy and pass the time. In theaters or On Demand, however? There, it comes up a little short of the necessary mark. The film is a mix of a crime caper and a bit of a romance as well. In 1980, Harry Barber (Travis Fimmel) begins to tell his girlfriend Molly Murphy (Rachel Taylor) a story. Back in 1972, a group of thieves from Youngstown,...
- 3/17/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
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