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Fruit Tree, the production company set up by Emma Stone and her husband Dave McCary that has worked on projects include Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming “Bugonia,” has signed a first-look and development deal for TV with Fremantle.

Under the partnership, Fremantle — which has already signed similar deals with a growing number of major names — will become the primary home for all of Fruit Tree’s scripted television projects and unscripted docuseries, with the company looking to grow its slate and expand overseas will help from Fremantle’s global drama division.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with the brilliant team at Fremantle, a studio that continues to be at the forefront of independent television with a deep commitment to inventive storytelling,” Stone and McCary said in a statement. “We’re so excited to build a creative home together and develop original narratives that challenge...

Emma Stone and writer, producer and director Dave McCary’s Fruit Tree production company has secured a first look and TV development deal with Fremantle, the companies announced on Wednesday.

The deal will see Fremantle become the primary home for the company’s scripted TV projects and unscripted docuseries, with Fruit Tree working with the company’s global drama division and international distribution team to grow its slate and expand into new territories worldwide.

Founded in August 2020, Fruit Tree’s TV projects include Showtime’s “The Curse,” which Stone starred in alongside co-creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, and HBO’s “Fantasmas,” a six-episode surrealist comedy starring creator Julio Torres. Its next TV project will be the HBO documentary series “The Yogurt Shop Murders” directed by Margaret Brown.

Meanwhile, Fruite Free’s film slate includes Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain,” Torres’ “Problemista” and Jane Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow.

Beyond "Aliens" and "Predators," the alien movie subgenre is debatably the crown jewel of cinematic science fiction. It allows visionary filmmakers and effects designers the chance to show audiences creatures they never would have imagined. Sometimes they're meant to strike terror into the hearts of moviegoers afraid of the unknown, but they can also be used to inspire a profound sense of empathy and wonder about the greater universe that surrounds our little blue planet.

Finding a good alien movie can be tricky, even on a streaming service like Netflix, despite its seemingly infinite offerings in nearly every genre (even though physical media is where the goods truly are). Admittedly, they don't have what many consider to be the best alien movies ever made, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few hidden gems, forgotten masterpieces, and workable misfires in the catalog to fuel your next intergalactic movie night. From...

Exclusive: Fifth Season is nearing a deal to produce A Ladder to the Sky, a feature adaptation of the 2018 novel by John Boyne, with two-time Emmy winner Johan Renck (Chernobyl) in talks to direct. Fresh off of eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, for his papal thriller Conclave, Edward Berger is among the other producers.

A Ladder to the Sky is described as a thrilling drama about an ambitious, handsome young writer who manipulates, seduces, and plagiarizes his way to literary stardom. His obsession with climbing the ranks sends him journeying through the Amalfi Coast, Manhattan, London, and beyond — but the higher he climbs, the further he has to fall.

Published by The Hogarth Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, the book was shortlisted for Novel of the Year at the 2018 Irish Book Awards.

Renck will work from a script by BAFTA nominee Andres Heinz (Black Swan) and the...

Exclusive: WME has promoted Mike DeVeau to partner in the agency’s talent department. He represents a diverse roster of actors, filmmakers, and creatives across film and TV who have achieved a range of commercial and critical success.

One of DeVeau’s major achievements included closoing the deal for Felicity Jones’ role in The Brutalist, for which she is nominated for the supporting actress Oscar, and her upcoming roles in Oh. What. Fun. for Amazon MGM Studios and Train Dreams which just sold to Netflix following its Sundance premiere. He represents past Oscar winners and nominees Riz Ahmed, Angelina Jolie, and Ben Affleck.

DeVeau also closed the deals for Ahmed to star in Alejandro Iñárritu’s next feature for Warner Bros/Legendary, Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme and Prime Video series Quarterlife, which he will also write and EP. DeVeau closed Jolie’s deal to next star in Alice Winocour’s Stitches,...

Quick Links What is Wrong With Spaceman's Jakub Prochazka? Who is Hanuš the Spider? Is Jakub Hallucinating Hanuš in Spaceman? Hanuš is a Significant Name for Jakub Hanuš Becomes a Metaphor for Love and Genuine Connection Where Does Hanuš Death Leave Jakub and Lenka? What Does Did Paul Dano Think About the Character As he Played Hanuš? Johan Renck, the Director of Spaceman, Has a Surprisingly Definitive Position on Hanus's Existence In the Final Analysis, Is Hanuš Real?

The following contains spoilers for Spaceman, now streaming on Netflix. It also contains a mention of suicide.

Netflix's Spaceman is an adaptation of the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař. The movie finds comedian Adam Sandler playing Jakub Procházka, who is tasked with collecting samples from a purple cloud near Jupiter called the Chopra Cloud. Earth wants to ensure these galactic particles aren't threatening its atmosphere.

However, Jakub's journey takes...

The ending of the new Netflix sci-fi adventure movie Spaceman is somewhat ambiguous, especially regarding the fate of Adam Sandler's Jakub protagonist. The unique and existential Spaceman was directed by Johan Renck, known for his exceptional work on Chernobyl (2019), Breaking Bad (2009–2011), The Walking Dead (2010), Vikings (2013), and Bloodline (2015). Despite Renck's impressive filmography, Spaceman has received mixed reviews from critics off the bat, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 50%.

Spaceman stars Sandler in another notable dramatic performance seen in previous works such as Uncut Gems, Punch-Drunk Love, and Hustle. Sandler's Jakub receives the unfortunate news that his wife Lenka, played by Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan, wants to divorce him while he's halfway on an 8-month solo mission to outer space. Jakub is tasked with gathering samples of the mysterious yet mesmerizing Chopra Cloud that randomly became visible in the Earth's sky. During his trip, Jakub's emotional distress worsens regarding his marital status,...

Johan Renck has certainly had a fascinating career. The Swedish creative began in the music industry creating songs before directing music videos for artists like Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Robbie Williams. However, despite his success, it is arguably his work in the television sphere that is his most celebrated. Not only do his IMDb credits include Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead for AMC, but his creation of the miniseries Chernobyl is hailed, rightfully, as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Update (Dec. 11): Variety has been able to confirm through multiple sources that Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror film “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, has made the internal top 20 shortlist for visual effects for the Academy Awards. Oscar shortlist voting is currently underway and closes on Friday, Dec. 13.

Update (1:42 p.m. Pt): Sources have confirmed to Variety that David Leitch’s “The Fall Guy,” an adaptation of the classic television series with Ryan Gosling, is among the visual effects finalists.

As the Oscars shortlist voting period looms, the race for the coveted best visual effects category is heating up.

The Academy’s Visual Effects Branch notified the artisans of the 20 films advancing to the next round just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Through multiple sources, Variety has confirmed 18 of the finalists that are still in the running. Shortlist voting runs from Monday, Dec. 9, to Friday, Dec. 13, and...

Exclusive: Paramount has preemptively acquired Two Truths and a Lie, a horror novella from Sarah Pinsker, enlisting Javier Gullón (Enemy) to adapt it for the big screen.

While plot details for the film are being kept under wraps, the novella tells the story of Stella, who was sure she’d made it up — a strange childhood memory of a local TV show with a disturbing host that she and the neighborhood kids supposedly appeared on. But when her old friend and even her mom confirm it happened, she’s left questioning why she has no memory of it. As she begins unraveling the truth behind the broadcast and its lingering presence in her town, the mystery becomes darker and more disturbing.

Walter Hamada will produce via his 18hz production company, as part of his first-look deal with the studio. 18hz’s Nathan Samdahl brought the project in and will oversee for the company,...

Sci-fi movies make up one of Hollywood's biggest markets, and there are many exciting releases to look forward to in 2024. The best sci-fi movies allow viewers to explore vast and imaginative worlds, providing a sense of escapism. 2023 saw several successful sci-fi movies debut, from franchise installments like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to the original film The Creator. 2024 has already had an upward trend for the genre, with far more releases slated.

2024 will or has already seen book adaptations, video game adaptations, original sci-fi films, and the return of major franchises like Alien, Planet of the Apes, Godzilla, and Mad Max. These movies are set to be directed by some of the best talent in the film industry, including Denis Villeneuve. However, many 2024 movies have been delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. While many of 2024's films ended up set, several were pushed back again. Nevertheless, 2024's sci-fi lineup...

Fremantle has signed a first look and development deal with Fudge Park, the British scripted comedy company founded by “The Inbetweeners” creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley.

Under the arrangement, Fremantle will become the primary home for all of Fudge Park’s upcoming scripted projects, with the indie working closely with Fremantle’s global drama and international distribution divisions to help develop its drama and comedy slate and expand globally.

The deal was brokered by Jill Kellie, Fremantle’s vice president of commercial strategy, commercial and international, and Jonathan Blyth, Fudge Park managing director, and follows the success of The two company’s recent collaboration on BBC comedy “Daddy Issues.” Starring Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey, the series debuted in August, becoming BBC Three’s biggest new comedy series launch of the year and the biggest comedy series for the channel since it relaunched in 2021.

“We’ve loved working...

In a first-look and development deal, Fremantle will become the primary home for all of Fudge Park’s upcoming scripted projects.

The news was unveiled Tuesday following the success of BBC Three’s Daddy Issues, starring Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education) and David Morrissey (The Walking Dead, Sherwood), which debuted on BBC iPlayer in August and has already been green-lit for a second season.

The U.K. indie will work closely with Fremantle’s Global Drama and International Distribution divisions to help develop its drama and comedy slate, with an aim to break ground in new territories. The deal was brokered by Jill Kellie, vp commercial strategy, commercial & international, and Jonathan Blyth, managing director at Fudge Park.

Set in Stockport, Daddy Issues sees Gemma (Wood) discover she’s pregnant after a one-night stand. With her sister Catherine (Sharon Rooney) in prison and her mum Davina (Susan Lynch) traveling around the world,...

Exclusive: Black Bear’s management arm has signed writer, director, actor, and producer Jordan Firstman, whose credits include Sundance 2023 black comedy Rotting in the Sun.

Firstman first rose to prominence by sharing short skits, impressions, and impersonations on Instagram Live during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He is also known for writing for Alia Shawkat’s Search Party and he was a consulting producer on Netflix’s animated series Big Mouth. As a filmmaker, Firstman directed the narrative short Men Don’t Whisper, which was shortlisted for the Grand Jury Prize at both Sundance and SXSW in 2018. He has also written for Comedy Central’s The Other Two and directed multiple episodes of the Peabody-nominated Sundance TV series This Close.

On the acting side, Firstman joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022 via Ms. Marvel on Disney+. He also recently appeared in FX’s Dave and the Netflix comedy You People with Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy.

The European Film Academy (Efa) is to honour actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini with the European Achievement In World Cinema award.

Rossellini will be an honorary guest at Efa’s European Film Awards ceremony in Lucerne on December 7.

Rossellini made her cinematic debut as an actress in 1979 in the Taviani brother’s film Die Wiese and has appeared in numerous other films since, including Blue Velvet, White Nights, Rodger Dodger, Cousins, Death Becomes Her, Fearless, Big Night, and Joy.

She has worked with directors such as Robert Zemeckis, David O. Russell, David Lynch, Robert Wilson, Taylor Hackford, Marjane Satrapi and Guy Maddin.

Once known as Dune: The Sisterhood, the TV series Dune: Prophecy, which serves as a prequel to the Dune feature films directed by Denis Villeneuve, started filming in November of 2022, then underwent quite a shake-up in 2023 when the director of the first two episodes, Johan Renck (who executive produced and directed all five episodes of the HBO limited series Chernobyl) decided to leave the project over creative issues, then Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) – who had been cast as one of the show’s lead characters – followed him out the door. Everything has been worked out since then, with Dune: Prophecy on track for a November premiere on both HBO and the Max streaming service… and now we’ve learned that the promotions will begin at New York Comic Con, where attendees will get to experience both a panel and a fan experience.

Here’s the info:

Thursday,...

Fremantle is moving its North America scripted business under Christian Vesper, the CEO of global drama and film, who will now up all drama and film operations for Fremantle across both the U.S. and Europe.

As part of the shift, Dante Di Loreto — who served as Fremantle’s North America president of scripted entertainment since 2017 and helped built the banner’s drama slate (including the award-winning Showtime series “Fellow Travelers”) — will transition to a producer deal with Fremantle.

Fremantle’s North America scripted business and labels will now report directly to Vesper, who will continue to report to Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO Continental Europe.

The executive shuffle reflects an ongoing restructuring of Fremantle’s global business. In the U.K., the group recently laid off all the staff at drama producer Euston Films and documentary label Undeniable. The labels have not yet been technically shuttered, despite having no staff.

Developers of the UK’s Marlow Film Studios are planning to appeal the rejection of planning permission of the £750m project, which counts Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, James Cameron and Paul Greengrass among its backers, with the team behind the studios “confident of the strength of our case”.

The plans for the studios, spearheaded by Robert Laycock, chief executive of Marlow Film Studios, were rejected in the wake of a campaign from Marlow residents, with local businesses displaying posters criticising the development.

The council rejected the project due to concerns over the impact on the local road network and the...

Black Bear’s management arm has signed Austrian filmmaking duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, the directing team behind the folk horror film, “The Devil’s Bath.” Their latest production competed at this year’s Berlinale and was nominated for a Golden Bear. The film, which Variety called “beautiful” and “gripping in its austerity,” swept the Austrian Film Awards and was recently selected as Austria’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Oscars.

Franz and Fiala first attracted attention by writing and directing the horror hit “Goodnight Mommy,” which was selected as Austria’s official submission to the 2014 Academy Awards, inspiring an English-language remake starring Naomi Watts in 2022. The pair went on to write and direct “The Lodge” starring Riley Keough, which premiered at Sundance and was acquired by Neon in 2019.

Next up, the dynamic duo is set to write and direct the film adaptation of...

Netflix announced on Wednesday that Adam Sandler: Love You, its latest special from actor and comedian Adam Sandler, will premiere on the streamer on August 27.

While a logline for Sandler’s new hour, taped at the Nocturne Theater in Glendale, CA, wasn’t disclosed, you can view a trailer for the special above. First announced back in February, it reunites Sandler with his Uncut Gems director Josh Safdie, who with Love You made his comedy special directorial debut.

Love You comes on the heels of 100% Fresh, Sandler’s 2018 special for Netflix. Prior to that, the SNL alum had only released a number of comedy albums decades prior, including Stan and Judy’s Kid (1999), What the Hell Happened to Me? (1996) and They’re All Gonna Laugh at You! (1993). A Happy Madison production of a Central Picture, the special was produced by Sandler, Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Dan Bulla, Carter Hambley,...

Dune: Prophecy will mark a brand new chapter in the Dune franchise, with the upcoming series set to take place several thousand years before the time of Paul Atreides. It will serve as a spin-off/prequel to the Denis Villeneuve-directed movies and follow the rise of the Bene Gesserit.

Dune: Prophecy recently dropped a new trailer for the Dune spin-off series (Credit: HBO).

A new trailer for the series was recently released online, ahead of its expected premiere later this year. While the trailer received mostly positive reactions on social media some fans were concerned about one particular aspect of the series that will be vastly different from the movies. Here is why fans are cautiously optimistic about the prospects of Dune: Prophecy.

Dune: Prophecy Drops New Trailer to Mixed Reception From Fans

Dune: Prophecy is an upcoming sci-fi series set in the same universe as the films directed by Denis Villeneuve.

HBO has just dropped the second teaser trailer for Dune: Prophecy (via SFFGazette.com), the upcoming small screen prequel which we believe is meant to be a standalone story unconnected to Denis Villeneuve's movies.

It's also been confirmed today that the show will premiere this November, so we're now just waiting for an exact date.

While not quite as visually stunning as those big screen adaptations, the show does have the same look and feel even if it's hard to shake the feeling it might end up being "Dune on a budget." Still, we're intrigued by what we see here and, for fans of Frank Herbert and the Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, this story being told on screen is long-overdue.

Dune: Prophecy - which will now air on HBO rather than being a Max-exclusive - has had a rocky road to our screens with a title change,...

While we wait for more news about Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah, HBO is ready to tease more of its upcoming Dune: Prophecy series. Hailing from the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, the story takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides. Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. Today’s Dune: Prophecy teaser previews the intense events that shaped the grim future awaiting Paul Atreides and his devoted followers. Dune: Prophecy is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel Sisterhood of Dune. The 6-episode presentation debuts in November on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.

Dune: Prophecy will be “told through the eyes of a mysterious order of women known as the Bene Gesserit. Given...

What Do We Know About Dune Prophecy? More than you may think. With the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel a critical and box office success, it is going to be several years before we see the next feature film in the series, Dune Messiah. Luckily, production on the small-screen prequel /spin-off was concurrent with Dune: Part Two which means before the end of the year we are going to return to the fictional realms of Arrakis, Geidi Prime, and more via Max.

While not much in the way of footage has made its way online, there have been quite a few reveals about Dune Prophecy, so let’s jump in and discuss.

Denis Villeneuve is not directing any episodes

The original plan was for Villeneuve to helm the series in addition to his big screen directorial duties. The series, originally announced as Dune: The Sisterhood,...

Fremantle, part of media giant Bertelsmann’s Rtl Group, has struck a first-look drama development deal with Roughcut Television, the production firm co-founded by CEO Ash Atalla, the producer of the original British version of The Office and The It Crowd.

The agreement follows the companies’ recent team-up on Paramount+ U.K. & Ireland psychological thriller series Little Disasters, starring Diane Kruger (Troy, Inglourious Basterds) and Jo Joyner (The Wives, For Her Sins).

Roughcut, founded by Atalla and chief operating officer Tim Sealey, is mostly known for comedy shows, such as Big Boys, Stath Lets Flats, and Cuckoo but it has also had success with recent Channel 5 drama Coma, starring Jason Watkins.

“The first-look and drama development deal will see Fremantle become the primary home for Roughcut TV’s scripted drama projects, with the producer working closely with Fremantle’s acclaimed global drama and international distribution divisions,” the companies said.

Fremantle and Italian crime/action genre specialist Stefano Sollima’s newly launched company AlterEgo have signed a first-look deal that will see them work in tandem developing a slate of original films and dramas for the international market.

Sollima, who is known for milestone TV series “Gomorrah” and Hollywood movies such as “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” as well as “Without Remorse,” recently officially launched AlterEgo in tandem with ace U.S. showrunner Gina Gardini and longtime collaborator, writer/director Ludovico Purgatori.

The high-powered trio have been associates since “Gomorrah” and, more recently, Sollima’s Rome-set crime drama “Adagio” – which launched from Venice last year – and his upcoming Netflix serial killer series “Il Mostro” – the latter two partly produced by AlterEgo in tandem with Fremantle-owned The Apartment. As reported by Variety, AlterEgo are now widening their scope and will start shepherding film and TV works by other talents and also venturing into different genres.

Fremantle’s latest international drama play is a deal with Italian director Stefano Sollima.

The super-indie has struck a deal with AlterEgo, the Italian production house Gomorrah director Sollima founded with Gina Gardini and Ludovico Purgatori.

The first-look agreement will see Fremantle and AlterEgo working together to develop a slate of original films and drama series. It comes soon after Fremantle struck a similar agreement with Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures.

Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati, Group COO & CEO, Continental Europe, and Christian Vesper, CEO, Global Drama, will work closely with the AlterEgo team on the slate.

AlterEgo is best known for Sollima’s Venice film Adagio, which was made with Fremantle-owned producer The Apartment. The film, about a trio of ageing gangsters forced to reunite against a team of bent cops, had its world premiere screening in competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival and later received five nominations at the David di Donatello awards,...

Another day, another Fremantle first-look deal.

The indie production powerhouse, which recently announced first-look partnerships with Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures and Rachel Weisz’s Astral Projection, has added another creator-driven outfit to its growing stable, announcing a similar deal with Italian production company AlterEgo. The agreement will see the two companies work closely together developing a slate of original films and dramas.

Rome-based AlterEgo was founded by Italian director Stefano Sollima with partners Gina Gardini and Ludovico Purgatori. Their debut feature, Adagio, a gritty crime drama directed by Sollima, premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year. AlterEgo is currently in postproduction on Il Mostro, a serial killer drama being made for Netflix. Fremantle co-produced both Il Mostro and Adagio through its Italian subsidiary The Apartment.

The Fremantle deal will see AlterEgo work closely with Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati, Group COO & CEO, Continental Europe and Christian Vesper, CEO, Global Drama.

Black Bear’s management arm has signed Mikko Mäkelä, the Finnish-British writer and director of “Sebastian.” Mäkelä is a rising force in international queer cinema having made movies that explore sexuality and identity.

Mäkelä’s directorial debut “A Moment in the Reeds” premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and screened at nearly a hundred festivals worldwide, including Göteborg Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and Frameline in San Francisco. The film was nominated for the “Discovery Award” at the 2018 British Independent Film Awards.

Mäkelä’s sophomore feature, “Sebastian,” premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2024 and was embraced by critics. The film will be distributed by Kino Lorber and will be released on Aug. 2, 2024.

Mäkelä was named by IndieWire as an “LGBTQ Filmmaker on the Rise.” In its review out of Sundance, the site went on to praise “Sebastian” as a “provocative, explicit, and ultimately tender drama.

Kristen Stewart’s production company Nevermind Pictures has signed a multi-year first-look deal with Fremantle for film and TV projects. Stewart’s partners in Nevermind are screenwriter Dylan Meyer (“Moxie”) and producer Maggie McLean (“Boygenius: The Film”).

Under the pact, Fremantle will become the primary home for content that comes out of Nevermind. Their first projects together will be announced shortly, the companies said on Tuesday, and will include a “wide range of titles” encompassing films, dramatic TV series, and documentaries. The Nevermind gang’s roles will vary on each project, Fremantle said, with Stewart (“Love Lies Bleeding”) directing, writing, and/or acting, Meyer directing and writing, and all three partners producing.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. A Fremantle spokesperson did not immediately respond to IndieWire’s request for more details.

Fremantle also has first-look deals with Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Luca Guadagnino,...

Black Bear’s management arm has signed Swedish creator, writer and showrunner Oskar Söderlund for international representation.

Söderlund is best known for creating the Swedish crime thriller, “Snabba Cash,” which was a hit series for Netflix. He was recently tapped to write and showrun a television adaptation of the John Le Carré spy novel “A Most Wanted Man” from production companies The Ink Factory, founded by Le Carré’s sons Stephen and Simon Cornwell, and Amusement Park, which produced “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Söderlund currently serves as the head writer on TV4’s “Cry Wolf,” a thriller based on Hans Rosenfeldt’s novel of the same name, and on Netflix’s series “The Breakthrough” — both of which are set to premiere early next year. His previous work includes award-winning television series “The Fat and the Angry” directed by Johan Renck; thriller series “Greyzone”; and the five-part psychological drama series “The Dark Heart,...

Max’s Dune: Prophecy brings The End of the F***ing World actress Jessica Barden on board for the prequel series. The long-gestating show has been in early development since 2019, but due to several issues, including the change of showrunners, it has experienced a delay.

Dune (2021)

Originally named Dune: The Sisterhood, as inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Sisterhood of Dune novel, the upcoming series has been confirmed and is ready to go.

Jessica Barden Officially Joins House Harkonnen In Dune: Prophecy

Variety reported the casting of Jessica Barden as young Valya Harkonnen, which the character has been described as, “Ambitious, stubborn and forceful.” The description continued:

“Young Valya Harkonnen dreams of restoring her family’s noble status. When a tragedy shatters her plans for the future, she finds herself on a new path that leads to the Sisterhood.”

Jessica Barden in The End of the F***ing World...

Bollywood star Tabu and South Korean actor Jihae join the Dune: Prophecy cast. Dune: Prophecy has faced various behind-the-scenes changes and cast exits. The show is set 10,000 years before the original Dune events to chronicle Bene Gesserit's origins.

An accomplished Bollywood star and a South Korean actor have both been added to the cast of the forthcoming Dune prequel series Dune: Prophecy. Initially announced in 2019, this long-awaited Max series is an adaptation of the Sisterhood of Dune novel which predates the events of the original Dune film series. The show is set to chronicle the origin story of the Bene Gesserit as they undergo intense physical and mental training to obtain their unique and special powers. Following the announcement of the show, it has undergone different behind-the-scenes changes, which include cast exits and new additions.

Now, according to Variety, the forthcoming Dune: Prophecy has added legendary Indian actress Tabu and...

The “Dune” universe is expanding to TV, and going way, way back in time to do it.

During Warner Bros.’ Upfront presentation on Wednesday, HBO and Max boss Casey Bloys introduced the first teaser for “Dune: Prophecy,” a prequel series spinoff of the hit sci-fi film franchise. The six-episode season will premiere on Max this fall.

“Dune: Prophecy” is inspired by the novel “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert (son of original “Dune” series author Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson. Set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timotheé Chalamet), the series tells the story of the founding of the Bene Gesserit, the secretive, all-female (until Paul Atreides) order of superhuman power brokers who advise leaders and influence world events.

It follows sisters Valya (Oscar and Emmy nominee Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) as they fight forces that threaten humanity’s future and create what becomes the Bene Gesserit.

Once known as Dune: The Sisterhood, the Max streaming series Dune: Prophecy, which serves as a prequel to the Dune feature films directed by Denis Villeneuve, started filming in November of 2022, then underwent quite a shake-up in 2023 when the director of the first two episodes, Johan Renck (who executive produced and directed all five episodes of the HBO limited series Chernobyl) decided to leave the project over creative issues, then Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) – who had been cast as one of the show’s lead characters – followed him out the door. Everything has been worked out since then, with Dune: Prophecy on track for a fall 2024 premiere. To start building the hype, Max just unveiled a teaser trailer for the show, and you can check it out in the embed above!

The loss of the director and lead cast member were just part of a...

The “Dune” universe is expanding once more.

After the massively successful release of “Dune: Part Two” and the teasing of a third film written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the literary franchise has landed a TV adaptation with “Dune: Prophecy.” The Max series is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel “Sisterhood of Dune” — a teaser was revealed during the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation, with the six-episode season set to debut this fall on streamer Max.

The official synopsis reads: From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), “Dune: Prophecy” follows two Harkonnen sisters (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.

The ensemble cast includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong,...

Dune stands tall as one of the most monumental franchises to ever exist. Thus a recent thrilling announcement shook the world as Max announced a prequel series, called Dune: Prophecy diving deep into the expansive Dune universe. It promises to shed light on the mysterious lives of the Bene Gesserit. Long before Timothy Chalamet’s Atreides took over this saga.

Timothée Chalamet as Atreides in Villeneuve’s saga.

Adding to the excitement, the latest casting revelation has set hearts racing as the legendary Indian actress Tabu has been chosen for a pivotal recurring role in the series. Bollywood fans couldn’t be more elated right now as they eagerly await to witness her brilliance elevate the epic tale.

Dune: Prophecy Casts Legendary Indian Star, Tabu in Recurring Role!

A recent Variety exclusive revealed that the upcoming Max prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, has secured the esteemed Indian actress Tabu for a recurring role.

John Carter and Wall-e director Andrew Stanton is working on a fascinating new sci-fi film. If In The Blink Of An Eye sticks to the script, we could be in for something special.

His career stretching back to the late 1980s, Andrew Stanton is best known for his animated work at Pixar, whether it’s as writer (1995’s ground-breaking Toy Story) or writer-director.

As a live-action filmmaker, he’s probably almost as well known for 2012’s John Carter, a hugely expensive sci-fi adventure based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess Of Mars. One of those films that seemed to have vultures circling it before it was even released, John Carter was ultimately a box office misfire.

In the wake of it, Stanton kept himself busy with animated projects at Disney and Pixar, but has also found time to write or direct the odd TV episode, including instalments of Stranger Things,...

Jedi galore. A dark, murderous mystery plot. A Wookiee with a lightsaber. Star Wars is back with a series like no other – get ready for The Acolyte, exploring a brand new era of the galaxy, 100 years before The Phantom Menace. The new issue of Empire takes a world-exclusive deep dive into the show with creator Leslye Headland and her sprawling ensemble cast – and you can pick it up on newsstands from Thursday 11 April.

For now, take a sneak peek inside the issue and see what’s in store…

The Acolyte

An even longer time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there were Jedi everywhere – and an unseen enemy in the shadows. Empire delves into an all new era of Star Wars with The Acolyte creator Leslye Headland, speaking to the likes of Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Carrie-Anne Moss, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Rebecca Henderson, Joonas Suotamo, Manny Jacinto, and...

Happy Gilmore 2 is in early development to follow the cult classic original, providing a potential redemption for Sandler's recent movie missteps. Sandler understands the pressure to make Happy Gilmore 2 a success, aiming to bring the right energy and create something audiences will enjoy. There's no guarantee that Happy Gilmore 2 will live up to the hype, as nostalgia sequels can be tricky and may risk tarnishing the legacy of the original.

Adam Sandler is already planning his next movie—the long-anticipated Happy Gilmore 2—and after his last project got a 50% "Rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes, this sequel is likely the best way to go. The original Happy Gilmore movie was a great success and has since become a cult classic. Naturally, in the decade of reboots and sequels, a continued story for Sandler's Happy has been in high demand. We finally have confirmation that the movie is in the early stages of development,...

Chernobyl director Johan Renck and production partner Michael Parets will adapt Andrew O’Hagan’s new epic British novel Caledonian Road for TV.

Recently published by Faber to rave reviews, Caledonian Road is a Dickensian tale of the rise and fall of Campbell Flynn, an art historian and celebrity intellectual, told against the backdrop of modern-day Britain and the deep-set corruption at the heart of the ruling class. O’Hagan is a three-time Booker Prize nominee (for Our Fathers, Be Near Me and The Illuminations). His last novel, Mayflies, was adapted as a drama series by BBC in 2022 starring Martin Compston, Tony Curran and Ashley Jensen.

Parets and Renck will produce Caledonian Road through their Fremantle-backed production company Sinestra, with Renck set to direct. Emmy-winning showrunner Will Smith (Veep, The Think of It, Slow Horses) will adapt the book for the screen. O’Hagan will serve as executive producer.

“We’ve...

Get ready for an exciting episode of “Entertainers: With Byron Allen” on ABC. Airing at 4:30 Am on Sunday, April 14, 2024, Episode 8 promises to be a star-studded affair with a lineup of Hollywood’s brightest talents.

Tune in as host Byron Allen sits down with an array of A-list guests, including Paul Rudd, who discusses his latest role in “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” Additionally, Julia Mayorga shares insights into her character in the gripping series “American Rust: Broken Justice,” while George Lopez gives viewers a glimpse into his new project, “Lopez vs. Lopez.”

But the excitement doesn’t stop there, as the episode features appearances by Millie Bobby Brown, Jade LeMac, Zendaya, Francisco Ramos, Viola Davis, Johan Renck, Denzel Washington, and Ariana Grande. With such a star-studded lineup, viewers can expect engaging conversations, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and plenty of entertainment.

Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode of “Entertainers: With Byron Allen...

Dn last spoke with Colby Day when we premiered his one-shot short Lead/Follow back in early 2023. Day’s movement-led film caught our eye with its brisk yet all-encompassing depiction of the different stages of a romantic relationship. It’s a really special film and it left us eagerly anticipating what Day would make next. Then earlier this year it was announced that Day’s next project, this time as a screenwriter, would be playing Berlinale before premiering on Netflix shortly after. The project in question was Spaceman, an Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan-starring science fiction drama directed by Johan Renck about an astronaut deep in the throes of space where he encounters a strange alien spider (voiced by Paul Dano) who helps him reflect on his failings as a husband. Similarly to Lead/Follow, Spaceman is an impressively expansive film that at its heart is about the trials...

Exclusive: Warner Bros is finalizing a deal to preemptively acquire The Bet, a hot spec from Spanish screenwriter Javier Gullón (Enemy), according to multiple sources.

The studio declined comment. No deal figure was given.

While plot details are under wraps, the project has been described as a twisty, female-led thriller with pitch-black humor, set at a glittering destination for the ultra-rich. Ben Pugh, Peter Dealbert and Josh Varney will produce for 42.

A Goya Award nominee, Gullón is best known for scripting the surreal psychological thriller Enemy for director Denis Villeneuve. Released by A24 in 2014 after world premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, the film starred Jake Gyllenhaal as a man on a quest for his exact look-alike, after spotting him in a movie. Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon, and Isabella Rossellini co-starred.

Gullón has sold and adapted numerous sci-fi short stories at auction for film and TV including Neanderthal (fka N...

From working as a cast member in Saturday Night Live to venturing as an actor, Adam Sandler has gone through a marvelous journey! Primarily gaining prominence for his work in comedy movies, he is diversifying his portfolio by taking on different projects. Recently, he starred in Johan Renck’s sci-fi drama, Spaceman, which is streaming on Netflix now.

Adam Sandler as Jakub Procházka in Spaceman (2024)

Talking about having Adam Sandler portray the leading role in his new project, Renck commented on how he deemed the former fit for the character, which was something different from what he’s known for.

Spaceman Director Talks About Adam Sandler’s Work

The 57-year-old actor has cemented a successful acting career, starring in several comedies that gained widespread acclaim from audiences. While his notable projects like Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and The Wedding Singer elevated his popularity, his skills are the one...

Stranger Things breakout Millie Bobby Brown is driving a sword through Netflix’s English Films List this week with her fantasy action flick Damsel, slaying the number one spot for the second week in a row! The Juan Carlos Fresnadillo-directed action-adventure film added 50.8M views to its coffers and was the most-watched title of the week. Damsel’s viewing total stands tall at 86.1M views in ten days, hitting the coveted #1 spot in 87 countries and reaching the Top 10 in 93.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan’s romantic comedy Irish Wish pranced into the #2 slot, with 30.6M views in its first three days of release. The action-thriller Code 8: Part II nabbed the #4 spot (3.6M views), while Johan Renck’s Spaceman, starring Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan, floated into the #9 spot with 3.1M views. Spaceman’s performance is shocking, as Sandler typically owns the Netflix Top 10 whenever he drops a new film onto the streamer.

Jakub's emotional journey with an otherworldly creature leads to a profound realization about human connection and reconciliation. The Adam Sandler-led sci-fi drama delves into themes of guilt, loneliness, and the importance of facing one's past for a better future. Through the metaphysical journey of Jakub Procházka, Spaceman explores the impact of honesty, communication, and genuine human connection.

New to Netflix on March 1, 2024, Spaceman is a science fiction drama starring Adam Sandler as Jakub Procházka, a Czech astronaut assigned to a solo mission on Jupiter. Based on the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař, the movie balances space exploration with internal isolation to tell an emotionally poignant story of universal connection. During his journey, Jakub meets an otherworldly creature that helps him overcome his painful past and profound loneliness.

Directed by Johan Renck from a script by Colby Day, Spaceman also stars Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Isabella Rossellini,...

Spaceman's ending may have been cathartic but the film still left audiences guessing about its underlying themes.

Despite its disappointing reception among audiences and critics, Netflix's Spaceman holds its own against the best of the "castaways of space" films. Standouts like Gravity, Sunshine, Interstellar, and Ad Astra share Spaceman's attempt to explore existential meaning while afloat in the gaping abyss. These movies also succeed in keeping audiences guessing which (if any) of the characters will survive the ordeal. In Spaceman, Adam Sandler delivers one of his best performances, all the way to its bittersweet, yet cathartic ending. In an interview with Inverse, the actor joins co-star Paul Dano and director Johan Renck to reflect on the movie's layered meaning.

Related 10 Best Adam Sandler Movies to Watch Before Spaceman Happy Gilmore, Click and Mr. Deeds are just a few Adam Sandler movies that fans should watch before the release of the Spaceman.

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week we look at several music videos by director Johan Renck. Johan Renck's new film Spaceman, is only his second feature, after the minor indie release Downloading Nancy, but that doesn't mean he hasn't had a storied career. In fact, he has worn many hats, and his career seems only now to have reached the stellar proportions where something Renck-directed has automatic buzz. That is mostly due to a one-two-punch in recent years. After directing some big Breaking Bad episodes he hit it big by directing the entirety of HBO's hit series Chernobyl. Just a few years before that though, he made two music videos that...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Fremantle is getting into the Rachel Weisz business.

The international production powerhouse has signed a first-look and development deal with Astral Projection, the production company run by the Oscar-winning actress and her Dead Ringers producer Polly Stokes.

The three-year deal will see Fremantle become the primary home for all of Astral Projection’s TV and film projects. Astral will work closely with Fremantle’s Global Drama division under Global Drama CEO Christian Vesper and COO Seb Shorr, as well as its international distribution team.

“We are thrilled to have found such experienced and trusting partners in Fremantle,” said Weisz in a statement. “As soon as we met Christian and Seb, we knew they were a perfect fit for our taste and energy and that this would be a brilliant home for Astral.”

Added Stokes: “We want to tell stories that are surprising and affirming — that find joy in unexpected and daring places.