Director James Gunn brought a new level of emotional power to “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” by making the wisecracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and his tragic backstory the centerpiece of the finale. This required the Oscar-nominated VFX (led by Marvel’s production VFX supervisor Stéphane Ceretti) to up its game considerably to meet the demands of Gunn’s intimate scale and epic scope.
Framestore (led by VFX supervisor Alexis Wajsbrot) was tasked with expanding and improving its keyframe animation of Rocket through six stages, from genetically altered baby raccoon to hardened weapons expert. This allowed for greater nuance and complexity in the facial performance along with more detailed fur and an evolved gait and physiology. “It’s really a chain of artists that work together and get that to the level where other humans looking at it are crying because of a CG raccoon,” Ceretti told IndieWire in the video below.
Framestore (led by VFX supervisor Alexis Wajsbrot) was tasked with expanding and improving its keyframe animation of Rocket through six stages, from genetically altered baby raccoon to hardened weapons expert. This allowed for greater nuance and complexity in the facial performance along with more detailed fur and an evolved gait and physiology. “It’s really a chain of artists that work together and get that to the level where other humans looking at it are crying because of a CG raccoon,” Ceretti told IndieWire in the video below.
- 2/14/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Casting superhero characters is important, but at the same time, it's not important. During the '80s and '90s, audiences felt a certain thrill knowing that certain outsize movie stars would be playing Batman villains. Indeed, Jack Nicholson received top billing on Tim Burton's "Batman," and audiences were more keen to see an actor of such stature hamming it up as a murderous gangster clown. The same could be said of Danny DeVito as the Penguin, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, Jim Carrey as the Riddler, or Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze. Casting, in those cases, was more important than the character.
In the era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, that changed. The characters became more important than the casting. Audiences were drawn to MCU movies because they wanted to see Captain America, not because they were dying to see Chris Evans' interpretation of Captain America. Any number...
In the era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, that changed. The characters became more important than the casting. Audiences were drawn to MCU movies because they wanted to see Captain America, not because they were dying to see Chris Evans' interpretation of Captain America. Any number...
- 2/13/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
“Oppenheimer” got a big boost in its Oscar bid for Best Production Design with a win on February 10 at the Art Directors Guild Awards. Over the first 27 years of these prizes, the eventual Oscar winner has always numbered among the Adg nominees in the various genre categories. “Oppenheimer” prevailed in the period picture race over two of its Oscar rivals – “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon” — plus “Asteroid City” and “Maestro.”
Oscar nominee, “Poor Things” won the fantasy film prize over another Oscar rival, “Barbie,” plus “The Creator.” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Wonka.”
“Saltburn” won the contemporary category over “Beau is Afraid,” “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “The Killer” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.”
Period Film
Asteroid City
Production Designer: Adam Stockhausen
Killers of the Flower Moon
Production Designer: Jack Fisk
Maestro
Production Designer: Kevin Thompson
Napoleon
Production Designer: Arthur Max
X – Oppenheimer
Production...
Oscar nominee, “Poor Things” won the fantasy film prize over another Oscar rival, “Barbie,” plus “The Creator.” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Wonka.”
“Saltburn” won the contemporary category over “Beau is Afraid,” “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “The Killer” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.”
Period Film
Asteroid City
Production Designer: Adam Stockhausen
Killers of the Flower Moon
Production Designer: Jack Fisk
Maestro
Production Designer: Kevin Thompson
Napoleon
Production Designer: Arthur Max
X – Oppenheimer
Production...
- 2/11/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Poor Things, Oppenheimer and Saltburn won Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) Awards in the categories for fantasy, period and contemporary live action features, respectively, at the 28th Adg Awards, which were handed out Saturday at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood.
Poor Things and Oppenheimer are additionally nominated for the Oscar in production design, alongside Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon, which were also Adg nominated in their respective categories.
Over the past five years, the winner of the Adg’s period film prize has gone on to win the Oscar for production design twice: In 2020, for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and in 2021, for Mank. During that time, the production design Oscar went to the winner of the fantasy category twice, in 2019, for Black Panther, and 2022, for Dune. A year ago, eventual Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front was nominated in the period...
Poor Things and Oppenheimer are additionally nominated for the Oscar in production design, alongside Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon, which were also Adg nominated in their respective categories.
Over the past five years, the winner of the Adg’s period film prize has gone on to win the Oscar for production design twice: In 2020, for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and in 2021, for Mank. During that time, the production design Oscar went to the winner of the fantasy category twice, in 2019, for Black Panther, and 2022, for Dune. A year ago, eventual Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front was nominated in the period...
- 2/11/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Production design Oscar nominees “Barbie,” “Poor Things,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Oppenheimer,” “Napoleon” all competed for the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards February 10 at Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. “Poor Things” prevailed over “Barbie” for fantasy, and is now in the driver’s seat to win the Oscar. Throughout the season, it has been a race between these two big feminist films constructed around rebirth and unconventional world-building.
Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” took period honors over “Asteroid City,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” and “Napoleon.” Contemporary winner “Saltburn,” though, is not in the Oscar running. The animated feature winner was “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
The TV winners for one-hour period, fantasy, and contemporary were “The Great,” “The Last of Us,” and “Succession.” Movie or limited series went to “Beef,” and the half-hour series winner was “Reservation Dogs.”
As previously announced, the Adg Awards honored Mimi Leder (Apple TV’s...
Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” took period honors over “Asteroid City,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” and “Napoleon.” Contemporary winner “Saltburn,” though, is not in the Oscar running. The animated feature winner was “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
The TV winners for one-hour period, fantasy, and contemporary were “The Great,” “The Last of Us,” and “Succession.” Movie or limited series went to “Beef,” and the half-hour series winner was “Reservation Dogs.”
As previously announced, the Adg Awards honored Mimi Leder (Apple TV’s...
- 2/11/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
“Saltburn,” “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” were among the winners at the 28th Annual Art Director’s Guild Awards which took place in Hollywood on Saturday evening.
Hosted by Max Greenfield, the Adg Awards celebrated outstanding production design in theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials, animated features and music videos.
“Poor Things” production designers Shona Heath and James Price drew visual references ranging from the paintings of French futurist Albert Robida to Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dracula” to build Yorgos Lanthimos’ extraordinary sets.
In “Oppenheimer,” Ruth De Jong built Los Alamos from the ground up. But her most challenging task came when she had to build the Oval Office for the film’s third act. Working with supervising art director, Samantha Englander, the two had floated the idea of finding a pre-existing build of the Oval Office. They looked no further than HBO’s beloved political satire “Veep.” Not only was “Veep...
Hosted by Max Greenfield, the Adg Awards celebrated outstanding production design in theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials, animated features and music videos.
“Poor Things” production designers Shona Heath and James Price drew visual references ranging from the paintings of French futurist Albert Robida to Francis Ford Coppola’s “Dracula” to build Yorgos Lanthimos’ extraordinary sets.
In “Oppenheimer,” Ruth De Jong built Los Alamos from the ground up. But her most challenging task came when she had to build the Oval Office for the film’s third act. Working with supervising art director, Samantha Englander, the two had floated the idea of finding a pre-existing build of the Oval Office. They looked no further than HBO’s beloved political satire “Veep.” Not only was “Veep...
- 2/11/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Since January 2, the four motion picture guilds comprising makeup artists & hairstylists, costume designers, art directors, and sound mixers have announced their nominations for the year’s best work in their respective fields. While there has been plenty of variation in their choices, all four organizations have shown solidarity in recognizing three films: “Barbie,” “Maestro,” and “Oppenheimer”. All of these rank among our top 10 Best Picture candidates, with “Oppenheimer” in first place, “Barbie” in third, and “Maestro” in sixth.
Six of the remaining nine guilds will be heard from over the next week, starting with both the actors and directors on Jan. 10. They will be followed in order by the cinematographers (Jan. 11), producers (Jan. 12), sound editors (Jan. 15), and visual effects artists (Jan. 16), all of whom will reveal their awards finalists during the Oscar nominations voting period.
The casting directors have yet to declare an official date for their 2024 nominations announcement, but...
Six of the remaining nine guilds will be heard from over the next week, starting with both the actors and directors on Jan. 10. They will be followed in order by the cinematographers (Jan. 11), producers (Jan. 12), sound editors (Jan. 15), and visual effects artists (Jan. 16), all of whom will reveal their awards finalists during the Oscar nominations voting period.
The casting directors have yet to declare an official date for their 2024 nominations announcement, but...
- 1/9/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The 2024 Art Directors Guild nominations have been unveiled, mirroring the Oscars shortlists for crafts thus far.
The 28th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards celebrates production design achievements in theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials, music videos, and animated feature films. The 2024 Adg Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 10 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, Ovation Hollywood, with Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Max Greenfield hosting.
As previously announced, legendary production designer Lawrence G. Paull will be inducted into the Adg Hall of Fame as part of the ceremony.
“It’s our honor and privilege to gather the guild to recognize the excellence among our members,” award show producers Michael Allen Glover, Adg and Megan Elizabeth Bell, Adg said in a joint statement.
In the Period Feature Film category, Wes Anderson’s lush “Asteroid City” is up against Martin Scorsese’s gritty “Killers of the Flower Moon,” with...
The 28th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards celebrates production design achievements in theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials, music videos, and animated feature films. The 2024 Adg Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 10 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom, Ovation Hollywood, with Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Max Greenfield hosting.
As previously announced, legendary production designer Lawrence G. Paull will be inducted into the Adg Hall of Fame as part of the ceremony.
“It’s our honor and privilege to gather the guild to recognize the excellence among our members,” award show producers Michael Allen Glover, Adg and Megan Elizabeth Bell, Adg said in a joint statement.
In the Period Feature Film category, Wes Anderson’s lush “Asteroid City” is up against Martin Scorsese’s gritty “Killers of the Flower Moon,” with...
- 1/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
On January 9, the Art Directors Guild announced the nominees for its 28th annual awards, which will be handed out on February 10. These kudos have a stellar record at previewing the Academy Awards. Over the first 27 years of these prizes, the eventual Oscar winner for Best Production Design has always numbered among the Adg nominees in the various categories.
“Barbie” is the clear frontrunner to win the Oscar for Best Production Design. It reaped a bid in the fantasy film genre with the Adg as did its strongest Oscar rival, “Poor Things.” Two of the other three likeliest Oscar nominees — “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” — contend in the period picture category. Our fifth pick, “The Color Purple,” was snubbed in that race, which is rounded out by “Asteroid City,” “Maestro” and “Napoleon.”
The other fantasy film nominees are: “The Creator,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Wonka.”
The...
“Barbie” is the clear frontrunner to win the Oscar for Best Production Design. It reaped a bid in the fantasy film genre with the Adg as did its strongest Oscar rival, “Poor Things.” Two of the other three likeliest Oscar nominees — “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Oppenheimer” — contend in the period picture category. Our fifth pick, “The Color Purple,” was snubbed in that race, which is rounded out by “Asteroid City,” “Maestro” and “Napoleon.”
The other fantasy film nominees are: “The Creator,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Wonka.”
The...
- 1/9/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Art Directors Guild has unveiled nominations for its 28th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards, which celebrate the year’s best achievements in theatrical motion pictures, TV, commercials, music videos and animated features. See the full list below.
The guild divides its top film prizes into Fantasy, Period and Contemporary Feature categories. Since the trophy show launched in 1996, the winner of one of those has gone on to win the Art Direction/Production Design Oscar in 18 of the 27 years. It had a run of nine in a row snapped last year, when All Quiet on the Western Front went on to score the Academy Award after the Art Directors lauded Everything Everywhere All at Once (Fantasy), Babylon (Period) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Contemporary).
Winners will be announced February 10 at Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. The late production designer Lawrence G. Paull, a Blade Runner Oscar...
The guild divides its top film prizes into Fantasy, Period and Contemporary Feature categories. Since the trophy show launched in 1996, the winner of one of those has gone on to win the Art Direction/Production Design Oscar in 18 of the 27 years. It had a run of nine in a row snapped last year, when All Quiet on the Western Front went on to score the Academy Award after the Art Directors lauded Everything Everywhere All at Once (Fantasy), Babylon (Period) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Contemporary).
Winners will be announced February 10 at Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. The late production designer Lawrence G. Paull, a Blade Runner Oscar...
- 1/9/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
“Saltburn,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Asteroid City,” “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are among the films singled out for excellence by the Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800).
The guild announced the nominations for its 28th Excellence in Production Design Awards in motion pictures, television, commercial and music video categories.
Adg Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 10 at Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. Max Greenfield will host the ceremony.
“It’s our honor and privilege to gather the guild to recognize the excellence among our members,” says award show producers Michael Allen Glover, Adg and Megan Elizabeth Bell, Adg in a joint statement.
The Adg divides live-action features into three categories. “Asteroid City,” “Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro,” “Napoleon” and “Oppenheimer” were nominated in the period feature film category.
“Barbie,” “The Creator,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Poor Things” and “Wonka” led the fantasy film category.
The guild announced the nominations for its 28th Excellence in Production Design Awards in motion pictures, television, commercial and music video categories.
Adg Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 10 at Ovation Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. Max Greenfield will host the ceremony.
“It’s our honor and privilege to gather the guild to recognize the excellence among our members,” says award show producers Michael Allen Glover, Adg and Megan Elizabeth Bell, Adg in a joint statement.
The Adg divides live-action features into three categories. “Asteroid City,” “Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro,” “Napoleon” and “Oppenheimer” were nominated in the period feature film category.
“Barbie,” “The Creator,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Poor Things” and “Wonka” led the fantasy film category.
- 1/9/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has revealed the nominations for its 28th annual Excellence in Production Design Awards, which will be handed out Feb. 10 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood.
The production designers on Asteroid City, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Napoleon and Oppenheimer were nominated in the category for a period movie. For a fantasy film, the nominees are Barbie, The Creator, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Poor Things and Wonka. And the Adg chose Beau is Afraid, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Killer, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Saltburn as its contemporary film noms.
Over the past five years, the winner of the Adg’s period film prize has gone on to win the Oscar for production design twice: In 2020, for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and in 2021 for Mank. The production design Oscar went to the winner of...
The production designers on Asteroid City, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Napoleon and Oppenheimer were nominated in the category for a period movie. For a fantasy film, the nominees are Barbie, The Creator, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Poor Things and Wonka. And the Adg chose Beau is Afraid, John Wick: Chapter 4, The Killer, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Saltburn as its contemporary film noms.
Over the past five years, the winner of the Adg’s period film prize has gone on to win the Oscar for production design twice: In 2020, for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and in 2021 for Mank. The production design Oscar went to the winner of...
- 1/9/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Francis Ford Coppola is telling audiences to get ready for his “unusual” epic “Megalopolis.”
The auteur confirmed during the Accutron podcast that his self-financed $120 million-plus film, which wrapped production in March 2023, will be released in 2024.
“It’s only going to be a few months and it’ll be out,” Coppola said, adding, “All I can say is I love the actors in it. It’s unusual, and it’s never boring. Other than that, wait and see.”
“Megalopolis” stars Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman, with Db Sweeney, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Bailey Ives, Grace Vanderwaal, James Remar, and Giancarlo Esposito rounding out the ensemble cast.
The film landed a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement in August 2023, rumored to be for actors to return for reshoots. “The Godfather” auteur wrote and directed “Megalopolis,” which shot in Atlanta and New York.
The auteur confirmed during the Accutron podcast that his self-financed $120 million-plus film, which wrapped production in March 2023, will be released in 2024.
“It’s only going to be a few months and it’ll be out,” Coppola said, adding, “All I can say is I love the actors in it. It’s unusual, and it’s never boring. Other than that, wait and see.”
“Megalopolis” stars Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter, and Dustin Hoffman, with Db Sweeney, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Bailey Ives, Grace Vanderwaal, James Remar, and Giancarlo Esposito rounding out the ensemble cast.
The film landed a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement in August 2023, rumored to be for actors to return for reshoots. “The Godfather” auteur wrote and directed “Megalopolis,” which shot in Atlanta and New York.
- 1/5/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Francis Ford Coppola’s self-funded passion project, epic film “Megalopolis,” has been granted an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA amid the ongoing strike. While the film, starring Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Dustin Hoffman, and Forest Whitaker, wrapped production in March 2023, it’s unclear what the interim agreement would be for.
Coppola has yet to tease a release date for the film, with the SAG exemption perhaps for the actors to promote the film. Similarly, if Coppola opted for reshoots, the SAG interim agreement could be for allowing actors to return to set.
The SAG-AFTRA interim agreements do not publicly differentiate between actors promoting a project or filming. Casting is only highlighted in separate agreements. A rep for Coppola declined to comment further beyond confirming the film had signed the interim agreement.
“The Godfather” Oscar winner Coppola wrote and directed “Megalopolis,” which shot in Atlanta and New York. The official...
Coppola has yet to tease a release date for the film, with the SAG exemption perhaps for the actors to promote the film. Similarly, if Coppola opted for reshoots, the SAG interim agreement could be for allowing actors to return to set.
The SAG-AFTRA interim agreements do not publicly differentiate between actors promoting a project or filming. Casting is only highlighted in separate agreements. A rep for Coppola declined to comment further beyond confirming the film had signed the interim agreement.
“The Godfather” Oscar winner Coppola wrote and directed “Megalopolis,” which shot in Atlanta and New York. The official...
- 8/31/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Longtime James Gunn fans might have felt a twinge of recognition while watching "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" when our heroes don multicolored space suits and traipse around on a giant, fleshy planetoid called the Orgoscope. A living planet isn't exactly new to the MCU (Star-Lord's father was one himself), but the Orgoscope is something different. It's not a celestial body, more an organic one, made up of living tissue. Gross, irritated skin, coarse hair and nasty follicles, that kind of thing.
The Guardians need to infiltrate this organic ... thing ... in order to retrieve information that could very well save Rocket's life. It's a gross job, but a necessary one.
So, when they approached building this particularly disgusting location, you'd think they would have some leverage go a little cartoony with it. I mean, there's not a lot of fleshy, hairy planetoids out there to compare this one to,...
The Guardians need to infiltrate this organic ... thing ... in order to retrieve information that could very well save Rocket's life. It's a gross job, but a necessary one.
So, when they approached building this particularly disgusting location, you'd think they would have some leverage go a little cartoony with it. I mean, there's not a lot of fleshy, hairy planetoids out there to compare this one to,...
- 5/28/2023
- by Eric Vespe
- Slash Film
Francis Ford Coppola is assuring audiences that “Megalopolis” was mega-fun to film, despite rumors of “chaos” on set.
The Oscar winner revealed in an interview with Deadline alongside Kevin Costner that he can understand the parallel between rumors surrounding the notorious production of “Apocalypse Now” and now, almost a half-century later, “Megalopolis.” The epic film, which Coppola has described as a futuristic “love story,” has a staggering reported $120 million-plus price tag that Coppola financed himself.
Production wrapped in March 2023 amid reports of creative unrest on the project, which stars Adam Driver, Shia Labeouf, Forest Whitaker, Aubrey Plaza, Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman.
“Well, ‘Apocalypse Now’ was out there being edited for months and months and months. And because it had been made in the Philippines, it was sort of mysterious,” Coppola said. “[With ‘Megalopolis’] it was much the same thing. A rumor starts out; there was a report about chaos.
The Oscar winner revealed in an interview with Deadline alongside Kevin Costner that he can understand the parallel between rumors surrounding the notorious production of “Apocalypse Now” and now, almost a half-century later, “Megalopolis.” The epic film, which Coppola has described as a futuristic “love story,” has a staggering reported $120 million-plus price tag that Coppola financed himself.
Production wrapped in March 2023 amid reports of creative unrest on the project, which stars Adam Driver, Shia Labeouf, Forest Whitaker, Aubrey Plaza, Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Jason Schwartzman, and Dustin Hoffman.
“Well, ‘Apocalypse Now’ was out there being edited for months and months and months. And because it had been made in the Philippines, it was sort of mysterious,” Coppola said. “[With ‘Megalopolis’] it was much the same thing. A rumor starts out; there was a report about chaos.
- 5/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
It’s fitting that James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” wraps up with Rocket’s origin story in the largest spaceship in MCU history: The Bowie, which debuted in “The Holiday Special.” According to the backstory, the massive, four-story craft was built by power tool expert Rocket (Bradley Cooper). “We always thought of it as the muscle car of spaceships,” production designer Beth Mickle told IndieWire.
In honor of Rocket, the Bowie ended up in the shape of a giant circular saw after initial sketches involved various power tool designs. The art department then built the Bowie’s interior as a series of interconnected sets (three stories high) with seven different areas on a 20,000-square-foot stage at Trilith Studios in Atlanta.
“We wanted the physical spaces to all be connected by these circular shapes, which we hadn’t seen much of before,” Mickle said. “And we staged...
In honor of Rocket, the Bowie ended up in the shape of a giant circular saw after initial sketches involved various power tool designs. The art department then built the Bowie’s interior as a series of interconnected sets (three stories high) with seven different areas on a 20,000-square-foot stage at Trilith Studios in Atlanta.
“We wanted the physical spaces to all be connected by these circular shapes, which we hadn’t seen much of before,” Mickle said. “And we staged...
- 5/12/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Director Francis Ford Coppola and star Adam Driver responded to a report that the set of “Megalopolis” has “descended into chaos,” each issuing strongly worded statements to refute that characterization.
“I love my cast, I love what I’m getting each day, I am on schedule and on budget, and that’s what is important to me,” Coppola told Deadline from the set of the new movie. Coppola’s representatives referred TheWrap to the Deadline interview when we reached out.
On Monday, the Hollywood Reporter published a piece about “Megalopolis,” Coppola’s longtime sci-fi passion project, into which he has sunk a considerable amount of his own money (he sold off some of his Northern California wineries). The report stated that the project is extremely over budget and in the midst of a creative crisis thanks to Coppola firing the visual effects department (as he had done on “Bram Stoker’s Dracula...
“I love my cast, I love what I’m getting each day, I am on schedule and on budget, and that’s what is important to me,” Coppola told Deadline from the set of the new movie. Coppola’s representatives referred TheWrap to the Deadline interview when we reached out.
On Monday, the Hollywood Reporter published a piece about “Megalopolis,” Coppola’s longtime sci-fi passion project, into which he has sunk a considerable amount of his own money (he sold off some of his Northern California wineries). The report stated that the project is extremely over budget and in the midst of a creative crisis thanks to Coppola firing the visual effects department (as he had done on “Bram Stoker’s Dracula...
- 1/10/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Francis Ford Coppola and star Adam Driver are defending the conditions on set of Coppola’s upcoming film “Megalopolis” after a report said that the shoot was in chaos following the departure of key creative talent.
Following an article Monday in The Hollywood Reporter, Coppola defended the film in a statement to Deadline as on budget and on schedule and disputed the idea of a “crew exodus”that would threaten to leave the film in peril. In a statement to IndieWire, Driver said THR’s characterization of the film as descending into chaos was inaccurate. He called it one of the best shooting experiences of his career. Driver did however confirm the departures of several in the creative team.
“All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it,...
Following an article Monday in The Hollywood Reporter, Coppola defended the film in a statement to Deadline as on budget and on schedule and disputed the idea of a “crew exodus”that would threaten to leave the film in peril. In a statement to IndieWire, Driver said THR’s characterization of the film as descending into chaos was inaccurate. He called it one of the best shooting experiences of his career. Driver did however confirm the departures of several in the creative team.
“All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Update: After yesterday’s report regarding the budget spiralling out of control on Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola responded to Deadline to deny the claims. “I’ve never worked on a film where I was so happy with the cast,” Coppola said. “I am so happy with the look and that we are so on schedule. These reports never say who these sources are. To them, I say, ha, ha, just wait and see. Because this is a beautiful film and primarily so because the cast is so great. I’ve never enjoyed working with a cast who are so hardworking and so willing to go search for the unconventional, to come upon hidden solutions. It is a thrill to work with these actors and the photography is everything I could hope for. The dailies are great. So if we’re on schedule, and I love the actors and the look is great,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Well, this sucks. While Francis Ford Coppola is undoubtedly one of our greatest living filmmakers, he's had his fair share of controversies surrounding the development of his movies. Unfortunately, his return to the big screen, "Megalopolis," looks to be another one of these problems in the making. According to a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, the 120 million self-funded epic has lost multiple key creative talents since it began filming, including its entire visual effects team.
While Coppola and his team have not commented on the report, multiple sources say that there is no longer an art department working on the film. Recent departures include production designer Beth Mickle, visual effects supervisor Mark Russell, and art director David Scott. This might result from an unstable filming environment that one talent representative described as "absolute madness." On top of that, the already-hefty budget is allegedly on track to balloon even more,...
While Coppola and his team have not commented on the report, multiple sources say that there is no longer an art department working on the film. Recent departures include production designer Beth Mickle, visual effects supervisor Mark Russell, and art director David Scott. This might result from an unstable filming environment that one talent representative described as "absolute madness." On top of that, the already-hefty budget is allegedly on track to balloon even more,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Francis Ford Coppola’s latest movie, the sci-fi-tinged Megalopolis, has descended into chaos, according to multiple sources. The movie, currently halfway through shooting in Atlanta, has in the last week lost key creative talent including its production designer and supervising art director. That’s on top of losing the entire visual effects team in the first part of December.
To many insiders, the production is giving severe Apocalypse Now vibes, and it’s one on which the iconoclastic 83-year-old director is breaking a cardinal Hollywood rule: Never spend your own money.
Megalopolis has been a passion project decades in the making for the filmmaker, who turned heads in the fall of 2021 when news broke that he would be self-financing the 120 million film, partially with the tens of millions he made selling his popular Northern California wineries. The budget has since expanded and the film is now about halfway through its 80- to 90-day shoot,...
To many insiders, the production is giving severe Apocalypse Now vibes, and it’s one on which the iconoclastic 83-year-old director is breaking a cardinal Hollywood rule: Never spend your own money.
Megalopolis has been a passion project decades in the making for the filmmaker, who turned heads in the fall of 2021 when news broke that he would be self-financing the 120 million film, partially with the tens of millions he made selling his popular Northern California wineries. The budget has since expanded and the film is now about halfway through its 80- to 90-day shoot,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Kim Masters, Scott Feinberg and Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Illuminative, the Native woman-led social justice organization, has announced the launch of the Indigenous House at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The Indigenous House will open its doors on Main Street in Park City, Utah, where it will spotlight the creativity of Native peoples, unveil new research on Native voices in media and provide a space for community members and allies to explore issues that impact Native peoples.
“We are beyond thrilled to open the doors to the Indigenous House for the very first time at Sundance Film Festival,” Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of Illuminative, said in a statement. “Storytelling is a powerful force for change, and we’ve seen firsthand how impactful Native representation is. The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation.
The Indigenous House will open its doors on Main Street in Park City, Utah, where it will spotlight the creativity of Native peoples, unveil new research on Native voices in media and provide a space for community members and allies to explore issues that impact Native peoples.
“We are beyond thrilled to open the doors to the Indigenous House for the very first time at Sundance Film Festival,” Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of Illuminative, said in a statement. “Storytelling is a powerful force for change, and we’ve seen firsthand how impactful Native representation is. The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation.
- 1/6/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Marvel dropped its second-ever Marvel Studios Special Presentation this week, and while "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" packs a lot of fun into its short runtime, the latest one-off is not exactly a standalone story like "Werewolf at Night." In fact, the holiday special actually includes a surprising amount of connective tissue between "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (and the other films the Guardians have appeared in during the five-year span since) and the upcoming third and final installment of James Gunn's trilogy.
The new Disney+ special follows Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) on a side quest to get Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), an unexpected Christmas present, but it also gives Guardians fans plenty of updates on what the crew's been doing since we last saw them. Here's a quick rundown of everything from the new 42-minute special that might...
The new Disney+ special follows Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) on a side quest to get Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), an unexpected Christmas present, but it also gives Guardians fans plenty of updates on what the crew's been doing since we last saw them. Here's a quick rundown of everything from the new 42-minute special that might...
- 11/27/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
“Dear Evan Hansen” costume designer Sekinah Brown is grateful to actor Ben Platt for keeping the memorable blue-striped polo shirt from the Broadway musical. Platt, who played the titular role onstage, is reprising the part for the film which, opens the Toronto Intl. Film Festival on Sept. 9 and bows in theaters Sept. 24.
“He brought the original shirt with him and his New Balance shoes,” Brown says of the outfit and nondescript top that has become synonymous with the character, a self-conscious teenager who prefers to hover in the background and is fearful of stepping into the spotlight. While she had to stay true to elements from the stage show, Brown had freedom in other areas, creating 42 costume changes for Evan alone. “While I did see the costumes from the show, I didn’t get to see it onstage, so that allowed my vision to grow and make it my own,...
“He brought the original shirt with him and his New Balance shoes,” Brown says of the outfit and nondescript top that has become synonymous with the character, a self-conscious teenager who prefers to hover in the background and is fearful of stepping into the spotlight. While she had to stay true to elements from the stage show, Brown had freedom in other areas, creating 42 costume changes for Evan alone. “While I did see the costumes from the show, I didn’t get to see it onstage, so that allowed my vision to grow and make it my own,...
- 9/10/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
This article includes spoilers about the plot of “The Suicide Squad.”
On the surface, “The Suicide Squad” is not a movie with geopolitics on its mind. Writer/director James Gunn’s hard-r supervillain romp is a loud, bloody, men-on-a-mission riff that owes more to Sam Peckinpah and Gunn’s own zany “Guardians of the Galaxy” than anything with complex historical connotations. Nevertheless, they’re hiding in plain sight, whether or not Gunn intended them to be there. Shot in Panama with signifiers that speak directly to its history with military dictatorships, “The Suicide Squad” has more layers than its absurd concept would suggest, even if it reduces them to B-movie conceits along with everything else on the screen.
The bulk of the movie takes place on the fictional island nation of Corto Maltese, and while its protagonists spend much of the time battling their way through scores of baddies and one giant kaiju menace,...
On the surface, “The Suicide Squad” is not a movie with geopolitics on its mind. Writer/director James Gunn’s hard-r supervillain romp is a loud, bloody, men-on-a-mission riff that owes more to Sam Peckinpah and Gunn’s own zany “Guardians of the Galaxy” than anything with complex historical connotations. Nevertheless, they’re hiding in plain sight, whether or not Gunn intended them to be there. Shot in Panama with signifiers that speak directly to its history with military dictatorships, “The Suicide Squad” has more layers than its absurd concept would suggest, even if it reduces them to B-movie conceits along with everything else on the screen.
The bulk of the movie takes place on the fictional island nation of Corto Maltese, and while its protagonists spend much of the time battling their way through scores of baddies and one giant kaiju menace,...
- 8/7/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Bring Your Squad to the St. Louis advance screening of The Suicde Squad!!
But first check out the brand-new featurette for the film!
Screening: Tuesday, August 3rd @ The AMC Esquire
Time: 7pm
Enter your name and email address in the comments section below. No purchase necessary.
Tickets on Sale Now: https://www.thesuicidesquad.com/
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn.
But first check out the brand-new featurette for the film!
Screening: Tuesday, August 3rd @ The AMC Esquire
Time: 7pm
Enter your name and email address in the comments section below. No purchase necessary.
Tickets on Sale Now: https://www.thesuicidesquad.com/
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn.
- 7/26/2021
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
One of the most wildly anticipated films of the summer hits theaters and on HBO Max on August 6, director James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.
Gunn, along with actors Margot Robbie and John Cena, joined Jimmy Kimmel’s guest host Anthony Anderson about their new movie and Cena “stealing” his costume. Gunn also talked about working with Sylvester Stallone, why he put “Ratcatcher” in the movie, the craziest stunts that he had Robbie and Cena do on set, Anderson’s former co-worker Steve Agee playing the Shark in a motion capture suit for the film, and the upcoming Peacemaker show on HBO Max.
Gunn says of his latest film, “I wanted to do the ultimate all-time comic book movie!”
The best part of the visit was Robbie’s story of sleeping with a cardboard cutout of John in the room for two years, followed by the surprise for Cena with...
Gunn, along with actors Margot Robbie and John Cena, joined Jimmy Kimmel’s guest host Anthony Anderson about their new movie and Cena “stealing” his costume. Gunn also talked about working with Sylvester Stallone, why he put “Ratcatcher” in the movie, the craziest stunts that he had Robbie and Cena do on set, Anderson’s former co-worker Steve Agee playing the Shark in a motion capture suit for the film, and the upcoming Peacemaker show on HBO Max.
Gunn says of his latest film, “I wanted to do the ultimate all-time comic book movie!”
The best part of the visit was Robbie’s story of sleeping with a cardboard cutout of John in the room for two years, followed by the surprise for Cena with...
- 7/23/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
In November 2019, I found myself in the middle of a war zone. Well, the closest approximation of a war zone I’ve ever found myself in during my time visiting the sets of blockbuster movies. If I had been brought to this particular set in Atlanta on a sunny autumn afternoon without knowing what movie it was that I was supposed to be getting a peek at, the scene presented to a group of journalists probably would have convinced me that this was some new war movie or straight up action blockbuster, and not one that features a collection of DC villains and antiheroes at its core.
The set in question is called “Jotunheim” and it’s apparently an objective Task Force X needs to conquer in The Suicide Squad. But for all intents and purposes, this could be the kind of Nazi fortress that the gritty characters of movies...
The set in question is called “Jotunheim” and it’s apparently an objective Task Force X needs to conquer in The Suicide Squad. But for all intents and purposes, this could be the kind of Nazi fortress that the gritty characters of movies...
- 7/6/2021
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Check out the newest trailer for The Suicide Squad and watch writer-director James Gunn breaks down the latest trailer for his Dceu movie.
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn,...
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"They're dying to save the world." Ahead of its August 6th release in theaters, IMAX, and HBO Max via Warner Bros., a new trailer has been revealed for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, offering another look at the film's superpowered mayhem.
"From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote,...
"From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Along with the enthusiastically received R-rated trailer for James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad that debuted on Friday, Warner Bros. Pictures have also released 12 colorful character posters for the highly anticipated movie.
Bravo to the director with his preview poster in the same vein as The Dirty Dozen.
A work of art pic.twitter.com/KrtlRQ2WAz
— BoosterMax (@BoosterMaxCeo) March 25, 2021
I sent that exact poster to the marketing guys before we even started shooting.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 25, 2021
The film stars Margot Robbie, Idris Elba (“Avengers: Infinity War”), John Cena, Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”), Jai Courtney (the “Divergent” franchise), Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior (“Parque Mayer”), Michael Rooker (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films), Alice Braga (“Elysium”), Pete Davidson, Joaquín Cosio, Juan Diego Botto (“The Europeans”), Storm Reid, Nathan Fillion, Steve Agee, Sean Gunn, Mayling Ng (“Wonder Woman”), Flula Borg (“Ralph Breaks the Internet”), Jennifer Holland and Tinashe Kajese,...
Bravo to the director with his preview poster in the same vein as The Dirty Dozen.
A work of art pic.twitter.com/KrtlRQ2WAz
— BoosterMax (@BoosterMaxCeo) March 25, 2021
I sent that exact poster to the marketing guys before we even started shooting.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 25, 2021
The film stars Margot Robbie, Idris Elba (“Avengers: Infinity War”), John Cena, Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”), Jai Courtney (the “Divergent” franchise), Peter Capaldi, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior (“Parque Mayer”), Michael Rooker (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films), Alice Braga (“Elysium”), Pete Davidson, Joaquín Cosio, Juan Diego Botto (“The Europeans”), Storm Reid, Nathan Fillion, Steve Agee, Sean Gunn, Mayling Ng (“Wonder Woman”), Flula Borg (“Ralph Breaks the Internet”), Jennifer Holland and Tinashe Kajese,...
- 3/26/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Ahead of its August 6th release in theaters, IMAX, and HBO Max via Warner Bros., James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is teased in a new trailer packed with superpowered mayhem.
"From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with...
"From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with...
- 3/26/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Photo Credit: Jessica Miglio/ & © DC Comics
Caption: (L-r) Nathan Fillion as T.D.K., Pete Davidson as Blackguard, Sean Gunn as Weasel, Michael Rooker as Savant, Joel Kinnaman as Rich Flag, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, Flula Borg as Javelin, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Mayling Ng as Mongal in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport,...
Caption: (L-r) Nathan Fillion as T.D.K., Pete Davidson as Blackguard, Sean Gunn as Weasel, Michael Rooker as Savant, Joel Kinnaman as Rich Flag, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, Flula Borg as Javelin, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Mayling Ng as Mongal in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
From writer/director James Gunn comes Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure “The Suicide Squad,” featuring a collection of the most degenerate delinquents in the DC lineup.
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport,...
- 3/26/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Newly expanded advisor roster spans filmmaking disciplines.
Projects from South Africa, China and Turkey are among 10 selected for the 2020 Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Labs, which have been reconfigured as a digital event amid the pandemic lockdown.
The event will take place on Sundance Co//ab and as always is designed to connect selected filmmaker Fellows with creative advisors and industry mentors across multiple disciplines.
The Directors Lab runs from June 1-19 when filmmakers will participate in a schedule of advisor presentations, scene analysis sessions, directing exercises, one-on-one meetings, and inaugural conversations across a wide range of industry disciplines, including casting,...
Projects from South Africa, China and Turkey are among 10 selected for the 2020 Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Labs, which have been reconfigured as a digital event amid the pandemic lockdown.
The event will take place on Sundance Co//ab and as always is designed to connect selected filmmaker Fellows with creative advisors and industry mentors across multiple disciplines.
The Directors Lab runs from June 1-19 when filmmakers will participate in a schedule of advisor presentations, scene analysis sessions, directing exercises, one-on-one meetings, and inaugural conversations across a wide range of industry disciplines, including casting,...
- 5/28/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Edward Norton‘s modern film noir “Motherless Brooklyn” is based on a 1999 novel, but it moves the action back to the 1950s, where a private eye (played by Norton) investigates deadly political corruption in New York City. The Oscars often gravitate toward period films, and that’s especially true in craft categories like Best Production Design where films are frequently rewarded for recreating architectural and design details of a bygone era. “Motherless” wouldn’t be the first film to earn a nomination in that category for transporting the audience back to the mid-20th century.
Perhaps the closest comparison for “Motherless Brooklyn” is to “L.A. Confidential,” the 1997 film that was also inspired by film noir and also recreated a 1950s urban setting: in that case Los Angeles as opposed to New York. “Confidential” was an Oscar contender across the board, earning nine nominations including Best Picture and winning for Kim Basinger...
Perhaps the closest comparison for “Motherless Brooklyn” is to “L.A. Confidential,” the 1997 film that was also inspired by film noir and also recreated a 1950s urban setting: in that case Los Angeles as opposed to New York. “Confidential” was an Oscar contender across the board, earning nine nominations including Best Picture and winning for Kim Basinger...
- 11/15/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
New York serves as central characters in both Todd Phillips’ “Joker” (a gritty version of Gotham City in 1981 channeling Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy”) and Edward Norton’s “Motherless Brooklyn”. In fact, Gotham and Brooklyn embody their two mentally unstable protagonists: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), the terminally depressed, bullied clown-turned DC supervillain, and Lionel Essrog (Norton), the orphaned sleuth with Tourette syndrome trying to solve a murder and uncover the “Chinatown”-like real estate development scam that’s displacing Brooklyn’s poor and minority residents and demolishing their neighborhoods.
And world building New York as metaphorical period backdrops became personal journeys for both “Joker” production designer Mark Friedberg (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) and “Motherless Brooklyn” production designer Beth Mickle (“The Deuce”). “The City is a character in the story,” said Friedberg, who grew up in New York City in the ’60s and ’70s and...
And world building New York as metaphorical period backdrops became personal journeys for both “Joker” production designer Mark Friedberg (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) and “Motherless Brooklyn” production designer Beth Mickle (“The Deuce”). “The City is a character in the story,” said Friedberg, who grew up in New York City in the ’60s and ’70s and...
- 11/14/2019
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a lonely private detective living with Tourette Syndrome, ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely guarded secrets that hold the fate of New York in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from gin-soaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls of New York’s power brokers, Lionel contends with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city to honor his friend and save the woman who might be his own salvation.
Oscar nominee Edward Norton directed, wrote, produced and stars in “Motherless Brooklyn.” The film’s journey to the screen began in 1999 when Norton saw the cinematic potential in Jonathan Lethem’s novel Motherless Brooklyn and its unforgettable central character.
Oscar nominee Edward Norton directed, wrote, produced and stars in “Motherless Brooklyn.” The film’s journey to the screen began in 1999 when Norton saw the cinematic potential in Jonathan Lethem’s novel Motherless Brooklyn and its unforgettable central character.
- 10/28/2019
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Edward Norton wrote, directed, produced and stars in Warner Bros.’ “Motherless Brooklyn,” but he’s quick to give credit to his behind-the-camera collaborators. Norton told Variety: “I think this is career-best work for some of these people.” The film is set in 1950s New York, and the team accomplished a lot on a budget of $26 million and a shooting schedule of 46 days.
Joe Klotz, editor
“I said to Joe, ‘I want to start things off with a bang. I want a great car chase through north Manhattan, over the bridge and into Queens. Also, you have to introduce
an unusual character, Lionel [played by Norton], and get the audience to understand a condition that they haven’t seen much of [Tourette’s syndrome]. Also, you have to set up the emotional relationship with his boss and then plant noir-style clues that will become clearer later. And we need to do all that in the first 15 minutes.
Joe Klotz, editor
“I said to Joe, ‘I want to start things off with a bang. I want a great car chase through north Manhattan, over the bridge and into Queens. Also, you have to introduce
an unusual character, Lionel [played by Norton], and get the audience to understand a condition that they haven’t seen much of [Tourette’s syndrome]. Also, you have to set up the emotional relationship with his boss and then plant noir-style clues that will become clearer later. And we need to do all that in the first 15 minutes.
- 10/23/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Watch intrigue and drama unfold in the trailer for Motherless Brooklyn, starring Writer/Director Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, with Alec Baldwin and Willem Dafoe. Only in theaters November 1.
It was announced that the movie will be the closing night selection at the 57th New York Film Festival.
https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2019/films/motherless-brooklyn/
This is Oscar/Awards season bait… for sure! We can’t wait for this one!
Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a lonely private detective living with Tourette Syndrome, ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely guarded secrets that hold the fate of New York in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from gin-soaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls...
It was announced that the movie will be the closing night selection at the 57th New York Film Festival.
https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2019/films/motherless-brooklyn/
This is Oscar/Awards season bait… for sure! We can’t wait for this one!
Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a lonely private detective living with Tourette Syndrome, ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely guarded secrets that hold the fate of New York in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from gin-soaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls...
- 8/22/2019
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death.
But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.
From Oscar-winning director David Frankel, the thought-provoking drama Collateral Beauty features an all-star cast, including Will Smith (“Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), Michael Peña (“The Martian”), Naomie Harris (“Spectre”), Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”), with Oscar winners Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”).
Frankel (“Marley & Me,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Dear Diary”) directs from a screenplay written by Allan Loeb (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,...
But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty.
From Oscar-winning director David Frankel, the thought-provoking drama Collateral Beauty features an all-star cast, including Will Smith (“Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), Michael Peña (“The Martian”), Naomie Harris (“Spectre”), Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”), with Oscar winners Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”).
Frankel (“Marley & Me,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Dear Diary”) directs from a screenplay written by Allan Loeb (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,...
- 12/4/2016
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Principal photography has begun on New Line Cinema’s and Village Roadshow Pictures’ thought-provoking drama Collateral Beauty, being helmed by Oscar-winning director David Frankel (“Dear Diary,” “The Devil Wears Prada”). The film has been slated for release on December 16, 2016.
Collateral Beauty features an all-star cast, including Will Smith (upcoming “Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), Michael Peña (“The Martian”), Naomie Harris (“Spectre”), and Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”), with Oscar winners Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”).
When a successful New York advertising executive (Smith) experiences a deep personal tragedy and retreats from life entirely, his colleagues devise a drastic plan to force him to confront his grief in a surprising and profoundly human way.
Frankel is directing Collateral Beauty from an original screenplay by Allan Loeb (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” “21”). Loeb is also a producer on the film,...
Collateral Beauty features an all-star cast, including Will Smith (upcoming “Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), Michael Peña (“The Martian”), Naomie Harris (“Spectre”), and Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”), with Oscar winners Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”).
When a successful New York advertising executive (Smith) experiences a deep personal tragedy and retreats from life entirely, his colleagues devise a drastic plan to force him to confront his grief in a surprising and profoundly human way.
Frankel is directing Collateral Beauty from an original screenplay by Allan Loeb (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” “21”). Loeb is also a producer on the film,...
- 2/26/2016
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Just before we head into the holidays, check out the latest trailer for the sexy and slick heist movie starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, Focus.
Alongside this great new trailer Warner Bros. Pictures has released 3 new character posters.
“It’s about distraction. It’s about focus. The brain is slow and it can’t multitask.
Tap him here, take from there.”
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.
Alongside this great new trailer Warner Bros. Pictures has released 3 new character posters.
“It’s about distraction. It’s about focus. The brain is slow and it can’t multitask.
Tap him here, take from there.”
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.
- 12/23/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Drive director Nicolas Refn takes Ryan Gosling on a gripping journey through the Bangkok underworld. Ultraviolence ensues – but not quite how you'd expect
Like a thwacked piñata, critical opinion for something provocative at a film festival can swing off in any direction. But it was, for me, surprising to find that one of the very best movies at Cannes this year had such a shrill and hostile reception. Nicolas Winding Refn's brilliant, macabre and ultraviolent anti-revenge movie Only God Forgives – his most interesting work since the Pusher trilogy in the Mads Mikkelsen era – was deafeningly denounced at its first screening. Some booed from their seats, cupping their hands around their mouths so that the sound carried that vital few yards further. Then came the nervy, brushfire social-media consensus – a new feature of criticism at festivals – as insecure pundits checked their Twitter feeds and committed themselves to derision, evidently taking...
Like a thwacked piñata, critical opinion for something provocative at a film festival can swing off in any direction. But it was, for me, surprising to find that one of the very best movies at Cannes this year had such a shrill and hostile reception. Nicolas Winding Refn's brilliant, macabre and ultraviolent anti-revenge movie Only God Forgives – his most interesting work since the Pusher trilogy in the Mads Mikkelsen era – was deafeningly denounced at its first screening. Some booed from their seats, cupping their hands around their mouths so that the sound carried that vital few yards further. Then came the nervy, brushfire social-media consensus – a new feature of criticism at festivals – as insecure pundits checked their Twitter feeds and committed themselves to derision, evidently taking...
- 8/1/2013
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Ryan Gosling and Nicolas Winding Refn re-team for an emotionally breathtaking, aesthetically brilliant and immensely violent thriller set amongst Us expatriates in Bangkok
It may not win the Palme D'Or, but it could win the Walkout D'Or, a gold trophy of a cinema-seat banged up into the upright position. Nicolas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives is a glitteringly strange, mesmeric and mad film set among American criminal expatriates in Bangkok.
It is ultraviolent, creepy and scary, an enriched-uranium cake of pulp, with a neon sheen. The first scenes made me think that Wong Kar-wai had made a new film called In the Mood for Fear or In the Mood for Hate.
Ryan Gosling plays Julian, the co-owner of a Muay Thai boxing club with his brother Billy (Tom Burke): an operation which is a front for selling drugs. Both brothers are naturally angry and violent, though in keeping his feelings in check,...
It may not win the Palme D'Or, but it could win the Walkout D'Or, a gold trophy of a cinema-seat banged up into the upright position. Nicolas Winding Refn's Only God Forgives is a glitteringly strange, mesmeric and mad film set among American criminal expatriates in Bangkok.
It is ultraviolent, creepy and scary, an enriched-uranium cake of pulp, with a neon sheen. The first scenes made me think that Wong Kar-wai had made a new film called In the Mood for Fear or In the Mood for Hate.
Ryan Gosling plays Julian, the co-owner of a Muay Thai boxing club with his brother Billy (Tom Burke): an operation which is a front for selling drugs. Both brothers are naturally angry and violent, though in keeping his feelings in check,...
- 5/22/2013
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
When we first meet New York hedge-fund magnate Robert Miller (Richard Gere) on the eve of his 60th birthday, he appears the very portrait of success in American business and family life. But behind the gilded walls of his mansion, Miller is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire to a major bank before the depths of his fraud are revealed. Struggling to conceal his duplicity from loyal wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) and brilliant daughter and heir-apparent Brooke (Brit Marling), Miller’s also balancing an affair with French art-dealer Julie Cote (Laetetia Casta). Just as he’s about to unload his troubled empire, an unexpected bloody error forces him to juggle family, business, and crime with the aid of Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), a face from Miller’s past. One wrong turn ignites the suspicions of NYPD Detective Michael Bryer (Tim Roth), who...
- 9/4/2012
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Art Directors Guild (Adg) has announced the winners of its 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2011. "Hugo" won in the Period Film category, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" received the Fantasy Film award, and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" took home the Contemporary Film trophy. Oh yeah, and the 83rd Oscars won in the Awards, Music, or Game Shows category, and Activision: Call of Duty won the Commercial or Music Videos category.
Winners of the 16th Annual Adg Awards were announced at a black-tie event at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Here is the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees (to see winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here)
Winners For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2011
Period Film
The Artist -- Laurence Bennett
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy...
Winners of the 16th Annual Adg Awards were announced at a black-tie event at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Here is the full list of winners (highlighted) and nominees (to see winners/nominees of other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here)
Winners For Excellence In Production Design For A Feature Film In 2011
Period Film
The Artist -- Laurence Bennett
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy...
- 2/5/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Hugo, Deathly Hallows 2, Mildred Pierce: Art Directors Guild Awards
Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara in David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Dante Ferretti, Tony Walton, Stuart Craig, Alfred Junge: Art Directors Guild Awards Feature Films Period Film The Artist Production Designer: Laurence Bennett * Hugo Production Designer: Dante Ferretti The Help Production Designer: Mark Ricker Anonymous Production Designer: Sebastian Krawinkel Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy Production Designer: Maria Djurkovic Fantasy Film * Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Production Designer: Stuart Craig Captain America: The First Avenger Production Designer: Rick Heinrichs The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Unicorn Production Designer: Tbd Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Production Designer: John Myhre Cowboys & Aliens Production Designer: Scott Chambliss Contemporary Film * The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt The Descendants Production Designer: Jane Anne Stewart Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close Production Designer: K. K. Barrett Drive Production Designer: Beth Mickle Bridesmaids Production Designer:...
- 2/5/2012
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have together acquired U.S. distribution rights to Nicholas Jarecki’s Arbitrage. The announcement was made jointly by Steve Beeks, President and Co-coo of Lionsgate, and by Roadside Attractions’ Co-Presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff. The acquisition was made following the well-received world premiere of the film at the Sundance International Film Festival.
Arbitrage is a taut and alluring suspense thriller about love, loyalty, and high finance starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Laetitia Casta, and Nate Parker. The film was written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, and is his first narrative feature. It was produced by Laura Bickford (Traffic, Duplicity), Kevin Turen, Justin Nappi, and Robert Salerno (A Single Man), and executive produced by Brian Young, Mohammed Al Turki, Lisa Wilson, Stanislaw Tyczynski, Lauren Versel, Maria Teresa Areda and Ron Curtis.
Arbitrage will be a Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions release, continuing the...
Arbitrage is a taut and alluring suspense thriller about love, loyalty, and high finance starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Laetitia Casta, and Nate Parker. The film was written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki, and is his first narrative feature. It was produced by Laura Bickford (Traffic, Duplicity), Kevin Turen, Justin Nappi, and Robert Salerno (A Single Man), and executive produced by Brian Young, Mohammed Al Turki, Lisa Wilson, Stanislaw Tyczynski, Lauren Versel, Maria Teresa Areda and Ron Curtis.
Arbitrage will be a Lionsgate / Roadside Attractions release, continuing the...
- 1/26/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
HollywoodNews.com: The Art Directors Guild (Adg) today announced nominations in nine categories of Production Design for theatrical motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos competing in the Adg’s 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards for 2011. The nominations were announced by Adg Council President Thomas A. Walsh and Awards co-producers Tom Wilkins and Greg Grande. Deadline for final voting, which is done online, is February 2. The black-tie ceremony announcing winners will take place Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the third consecutive year.
A Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Emmy Award® winning Production Designer Tony Walton. In addition, the Adg will induct the following legendary Production Designers from the past into its Hall of Fame: Robert Boyle, William Darling and Alfred Junge. This year’s Art Directors Guild Cinematic Imagery Award will...
A Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Emmy Award® winning Production Designer Tony Walton. In addition, the Adg will induct the following legendary Production Designers from the past into its Hall of Fame: Robert Boyle, William Darling and Alfred Junge. This year’s Art Directors Guild Cinematic Imagery Award will...
- 1/4/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
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