Scarlett Johansson’s latest MCU role was in the 2021 film “Black Widow.” Directed by Cate Shortland, the movie stars Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. It follows Natasha as she confronts her past and teams up with her estranged “family” to take down the villainous Red Room organization.
While the film received acclaim for its action scenes, character arcs, and performances, particularly Johansson and Pugh’s, it also sparked a contentious legal battle between Johansson and Disney. In July 2021, Johansson filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, alleging a breach of contract due to the movie’s simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. Johansson argued that this release strategy violated her contract, which tied her compensation to the film’s box office performance.
We didn’t expect to hear about another Black Widow project for a couple of reasons: Natasha’s character demise and the ongoing lawsuit.
While the film received acclaim for its action scenes, character arcs, and performances, particularly Johansson and Pugh’s, it also sparked a contentious legal battle between Johansson and Disney. In July 2021, Johansson filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, alleging a breach of contract due to the movie’s simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. Johansson argued that this release strategy violated her contract, which tied her compensation to the film’s box office performance.
We didn’t expect to hear about another Black Widow project for a couple of reasons: Natasha’s character demise and the ongoing lawsuit.
- 4/26/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
Scarlett Johansson’s most recent appearance in the MCU was in 2021 ‘Black Widow.’ Directed by Cate Shortland, ‘Black Widow’ stars Scarlett Johansson in the titular role alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. The story follows Natasha as she confronts her past and reunites with her estranged “family” to take down the villainous organization known as the Red Room.
The movie received praise for its action sequences, character development, and performances, particularly from Johansson and Pugh, but it also started a nasty lawsuit between the actress and the studio. Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company in July 2021, alleging a breach of contract related to the release of the movie. Johansson claimed that Disney’s decision to release the film simultaneously in theaters and on the Disney+ streaming platform, under its Premier Access program, violated her contract, as her salary was tied directly to box-office success.
The movie received praise for its action sequences, character development, and performances, particularly from Johansson and Pugh, but it also started a nasty lawsuit between the actress and the studio. Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company in July 2021, alleging a breach of contract related to the release of the movie. Johansson claimed that Disney’s decision to release the film simultaneously in theaters and on the Disney+ streaming platform, under its Premier Access program, violated her contract, as her salary was tied directly to box-office success.
- 4/26/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
For over a decade, Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow was a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But after Avengers: Endgame, she officially hung up her shield, leaving a void for the next generation of heroes to fill.
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in a still from Avengers: Endgame
Now, Florence Pugh is stepping in to take on the role of Yelena Belova. She’s excited about the chance to lead a new team in the upcoming movie Thunderbolts. But the actress is also feeling bittersweet about moving forward without Johansson.
Florence Pugh Saddened by Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel Departure After Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova in a still from Black Widow
Florence Pugh‘s made her debut in the MCU alongside Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow (2021). The film explored Natasha Romanoff’s past and introduced her estranged sister, Yelena Belova. Director Cate Shortland specifically chose Pugh for the role,...
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in a still from Avengers: Endgame
Now, Florence Pugh is stepping in to take on the role of Yelena Belova. She’s excited about the chance to lead a new team in the upcoming movie Thunderbolts. But the actress is also feeling bittersweet about moving forward without Johansson.
Florence Pugh Saddened by Scarlett Johansson’s Marvel Departure After Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova in a still from Black Widow
Florence Pugh‘s made her debut in the MCU alongside Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow (2021). The film explored Natasha Romanoff’s past and introduced her estranged sister, Yelena Belova. Director Cate Shortland specifically chose Pugh for the role,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
In Cate Shortland's 2021 spy thriller "Black Widow," Ray Winstone plays a heartless Russian spymaster named Dreykov who oversees a shadowy training program called the Red Room. For years, Dreykov has been kidnapping young girls and forcing them to train as assassins and spies in a mysterious facility nicknamed Red Room. He is effectively turning girls into brainwashed super-agents -- Black Widows -- for the Soviet Union, then later, Russia. The titular Black Widow is Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) a good-hearted spy who broke her programming, defected, and turned to the side of good. The plot of Shortland's film involves Natasha and several other former Russian super-agents tracking down Dreykov and shuttering the Red Room.
"Black Widow" is largely unremarkable, perhaps better known in 2024 for the unfortunate circumstances under which it was released. The film was infamously delayed because of Covid-19 lockdowns, and then released onto Disney+ (for a hefty...
"Black Widow" is largely unremarkable, perhaps better known in 2024 for the unfortunate circumstances under which it was released. The film was infamously delayed because of Covid-19 lockdowns, and then released onto Disney+ (for a hefty...
- 3/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Natasha Romanoff has been fighting an uphill battle ever since she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2. In addition to being the only female Avenger in a boys’ club of super-powered dudes (for a time), plans to give her a solo film kept getting derailed by Marvel’s musical chairs approach to priorities and other extraneous factors. When Marvel finally announced Cate Shortland’s 2021 film Black Widow, some fans felt it was too late for the deceased assassin to spend her time in the sun. Despite the film’s questionable CGI and bizarre positioning in the MCU timetable, Black Widow brings some of the best aspects of the character center stage. Black Widow also gives fans Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), arguably one of Marvel’s best on-screen characters in a post-Endgame world. However, did you know David Hayter (Wolves) almost directed a Black Widow film in 2004? It almost happened,...
- 12/29/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
When filmmaker Maggie Betts premiered her feature debut, the stunning period piece “Novitiate,” at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, the drama starring Margaret Qualley as a young nun took a path many other films had already followed. It showed to strong reviews (including from this writer), earned Betts a Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Director, was bought at the festival by Sony Pictures Classics for an estimated 7-digit price, got a theatrical release in the heat of the fall season, and even picked up some awards buzz for co-star Melissa Leo.
These days, that once-traditional route is a vestige of the past, as the theatrical landscape continues to shift and festival buys grow slimmer. But while Betts readily admits she’s had to change her ambitions to suit the ecosystem, that hasn’t diminished her work. It has, however, altered it a bit. For one thing, it took her six years...
These days, that once-traditional route is a vestige of the past, as the theatrical landscape continues to shift and festival buys grow slimmer. But while Betts readily admits she’s had to change her ambitions to suit the ecosystem, that hasn’t diminished her work. It has, however, altered it a bit. For one thing, it took her six years...
- 10/10/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Writers’ Development
The U.K.’s National Film and Television School (Nfts) has partnered with “The Crown” producer Left Bank Pictures on the Nfts Diverse Writers Development Program that kicks off in March 2024. It will select six emerging U.K. screenwriters from under-represented backgrounds to contribute their voices to the entertainment landscape and inject fresh perspectives into scripted drama.
The chosen writers will embark on a paid 10-week program, during which four full series ideas will be developed and pitched, with the aim of creating commercially viable television drama concepts. The participants will work through a curriculum designed by the Nfts. The initiative will connect writers with production executives from Left Bank Pictures and potentially other British production companies.
Applications are open now and close Oct. 31.
Promotion
Alexandre Moreau has been promoted to head of sales at Paris-based company Memento International. The executive will oversee Memento International’s slate of films and strategy,...
The U.K.’s National Film and Television School (Nfts) has partnered with “The Crown” producer Left Bank Pictures on the Nfts Diverse Writers Development Program that kicks off in March 2024. It will select six emerging U.K. screenwriters from under-represented backgrounds to contribute their voices to the entertainment landscape and inject fresh perspectives into scripted drama.
The chosen writers will embark on a paid 10-week program, during which four full series ideas will be developed and pitched, with the aim of creating commercially viable television drama concepts. The participants will work through a curriculum designed by the Nfts. The initiative will connect writers with production executives from Left Bank Pictures and potentially other British production companies.
Applications are open now and close Oct. 31.
Promotion
Alexandre Moreau has been promoted to head of sales at Paris-based company Memento International. The executive will oversee Memento International’s slate of films and strategy,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Australian Film Television and Radio School
Australia’s leading screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful Sydney campus and a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include multi-Oscar nominee Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog), Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, plus a slew of esteemed craftspeople like Margaret Sixel (editing on Mad Max: Fury Road), David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay Oscar nominee for The Favourite).
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the world’s second-largest film industry, China’s most prestigious film school offers its graduates a wealth of industry ties to some of the country’s most prominent working actors and directors. Bfa also now has an undergraduate film program taught in English.
Australia’s leading screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful Sydney campus and a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include multi-Oscar nominee Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog), Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, plus a slew of esteemed craftspeople like Margaret Sixel (editing on Mad Max: Fury Road), David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay Oscar nominee for The Favourite).
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the world’s second-largest film industry, China’s most prestigious film school offers its graduates a wealth of industry ties to some of the country’s most prominent working actors and directors. Bfa also now has an undergraduate film program taught in English.
- 8/11/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski, Alex Ritman, Scott Roxborough and Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Once upon a time, after “Zama” wowed audiences at the Venice Film Festival, Marvel Studios had its eye on Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel to direct “Black Widow.” The short version: Marvel wanted a woman to helm the Scarlett Johansson vehicle, and they met with several female filmmakers about the movie in 2018. Martel wasn’t interested, and directing duties eventually landed with Cate Shortland.
Continue reading Lucrecia Martel Rips Into Marvel Movies For Their “Very Ugly” Sound: “The Way Music Is Used Is Actually Horrible” at The Playlist.
Continue reading Lucrecia Martel Rips Into Marvel Movies For Their “Very Ugly” Sound: “The Way Music Is Used Is Actually Horrible” at The Playlist.
- 6/29/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Argentinian filmmaker Lucrecia Martel (“Zama”) was one of several female directors courted by Marvel Studios to direct “Black Widow,” the comic book tentpole centered on Scarlett Johansson’s assassin. Martel revealed in 2018 that she turned down the project after a meeting with Marvel in which the studio told her to focus on character and not the action scenes. In a recent interview with The Film Stage, Martel confessed she never ended up seeing “Black Widow.”
“No, no, no — I didn’t see ‘Black Widow.’ I tried to,” Martel said. “They contacted a great number of female directors. I never would have imagined that Marvel could contact and bring together a pool of directors and I would be a part of it; I never thought that would be possible. I would have loved to make a film with them but I would have had to provide something that I would like to see in that world.
“No, no, no — I didn’t see ‘Black Widow.’ I tried to,” Martel said. “They contacted a great number of female directors. I never would have imagined that Marvel could contact and bring together a pool of directors and I would be a part of it; I never thought that would be possible. I would have loved to make a film with them but I would have had to provide something that I would like to see in that world.
- 6/27/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Lucrecia Martel is calling out Marvel for what she feels is the films’ poor production quality.
The “Zama” director, who previously revealed she was approached by Marvel to helm “Black Widow,” told The Film Stage that she never ended up seeing the 2021 film directed by Cate Shortland.
“No, no, no. I didn’t see ‘Black Widow.’ I tried to,” Marvel said. “It turns out some of the Marvel films are available on planes so I’ve seen a few. I find the sound in them is absolutely in very poor taste, the visual effects, and the sound of the effects.”
She added, “It’s the selection of the sounds that they’re connecting to the effects, which is actually very ugly. And the way the music is used is actually horrible.”
Martel gave more details about her Marvel meetings back in 2018 about “Black Widow.”
“They contacted a great number of female directors,...
The “Zama” director, who previously revealed she was approached by Marvel to helm “Black Widow,” told The Film Stage that she never ended up seeing the 2021 film directed by Cate Shortland.
“No, no, no. I didn’t see ‘Black Widow.’ I tried to,” Marvel said. “It turns out some of the Marvel films are available on planes so I’ve seen a few. I find the sound in them is absolutely in very poor taste, the visual effects, and the sound of the effects.”
She added, “It’s the selection of the sounds that they’re connecting to the effects, which is actually very ugly. And the way the music is used is actually horrible.”
Martel gave more details about her Marvel meetings back in 2018 about “Black Widow.”
“They contacted a great number of female directors,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Eight years into the existence of their Best Film Stunt Ensemble category, the Screen Actors Guild bestowed the award upon a female-directed movie for the first time. This historic moment involved Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken” (2015) which has since been emulated by Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” (2018) and “Wonder Woman 1984” (2021). Now, following the losses of Cate Shortland’s “Black Widow” and Lana Wachowski’s “The Matrix Resurrections” last year, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King” has a strong shot at becoming the fourth addition to the list.
Set in 1820s West Africa, “The Woman King” tells the partially fact-based story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior group fiercely dedicated to defending the kingdom of Dahomey. The plot progresses through the perspectives of General Nanisca (Viola Davis), who has accumulated more than two decades of fighting experience, and new recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), whose participation in this noble cause helps her unlock the secrets of her past.
Set in 1820s West Africa, “The Woman King” tells the partially fact-based story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior group fiercely dedicated to defending the kingdom of Dahomey. The plot progresses through the perspectives of General Nanisca (Viola Davis), who has accumulated more than two decades of fighting experience, and new recruit Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), whose participation in this noble cause helps her unlock the secrets of her past.
- 2/23/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Berlin-based sales agent
Berlin-based Salzgeber is to handle international sales for actor Fabian Stumm’s feature directorial debut Bones And Names, which premieres in the Berlinale’s Perspektive Deutsches Kino section.
A sensitive and humorous reflection on relationships, the film has been nominated for the Teddy Award, Compass-Perspektibe Award and Heiner Carow Prize.
Stumm, whose acting credits include Cate Shortland’s Lore and Sebastian Meise’s Great Freedom, directed the short Bruxelles in 2020 and the award-winning medium-length film Daniel a year later before developing Bones and Names as his feature debut.
“Everything happened in a very short period: I wrote...
Berlin-based Salzgeber is to handle international sales for actor Fabian Stumm’s feature directorial debut Bones And Names, which premieres in the Berlinale’s Perspektive Deutsches Kino section.
A sensitive and humorous reflection on relationships, the film has been nominated for the Teddy Award, Compass-Perspektibe Award and Heiner Carow Prize.
Stumm, whose acting credits include Cate Shortland’s Lore and Sebastian Meise’s Great Freedom, directed the short Bruxelles in 2020 and the award-winning medium-length film Daniel a year later before developing Bones and Names as his feature debut.
“Everything happened in a very short period: I wrote...
- 2/15/2023
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
In this week’s Variety cover story, Elizabeth Banks talks about how much she relished the chance to use her third film as a director — the R-rated, wildly violent action comedy “Cocaine Bear” — to further develop her original voice as a filmmaker.
“I can’t do someone else’s vision,” she says. “I really want to bring my sensibility to things.”
For that reason, Banks says that she’s never been super eager to dive into big, established franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The last big franchise movie she was “really interested” in directing, she says, was “Thor: Ragnarok.”
“And nothing ever happened,” Banks says. She believes “a call was made” about the possibility of Banks pitching her take on “Ragnarok” to Marvel.
“No one called me [back],” she says. “Taika Waititi got the job. Rightfully so.”
Marvel Studios often fields pitches from several filmmakers to find right fit to direct their movies.
“I can’t do someone else’s vision,” she says. “I really want to bring my sensibility to things.”
For that reason, Banks says that she’s never been super eager to dive into big, established franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The last big franchise movie she was “really interested” in directing, she says, was “Thor: Ragnarok.”
“And nothing ever happened,” Banks says. She believes “a call was made” about the possibility of Banks pitching her take on “Ragnarok” to Marvel.
“No one called me [back],” she says. “Taika Waititi got the job. Rightfully so.”
Marvel Studios often fields pitches from several filmmakers to find right fit to direct their movies.
- 2/8/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Film Festival is celebrated as America’s premiere showcase for independent film and a launchpad for up-and-coming filmmakers making deeply personal movies, often on shoestring budgets. But the storied festival is also becoming known for something else: a pipeline for talent into some of Marvel’s biggest superhero films.
From Chloe Zhao (“Eternals”) to Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”), Disney’s Marvel Studios has tapped Sundance talent with notable regularity.
A top dealmaker gave a brutally honest reason for what has become a pattern:
“It’s because they’re young, cheap, and will follow Feige’s rules,” the dealmaker said, referring to Marvel Studios president and keeper of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kevin Feige.
How the annual Park City, Utah gathering has evolved into minor league farm system for Marvel is a phenomenon that tracks with the MCU’s ambitious slate, which constantly demands new ideas and talent. If...
From Chloe Zhao (“Eternals”) to Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok”), Disney’s Marvel Studios has tapped Sundance talent with notable regularity.
A top dealmaker gave a brutally honest reason for what has become a pattern:
“It’s because they’re young, cheap, and will follow Feige’s rules,” the dealmaker said, referring to Marvel Studios president and keeper of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kevin Feige.
How the annual Park City, Utah gathering has evolved into minor league farm system for Marvel is a phenomenon that tracks with the MCU’s ambitious slate, which constantly demands new ideas and talent. If...
- 2/2/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to get underway this year with the release of three new tentpole films and twice as many Disney+ shows. Bringing up the rear on the TV side of things is "Agatha: Coven of Chaos," which rolls cameras in Atlanta next week and is due for a late 2023 release
Ahead of its production start, "Agatha: Coven of Chaos" (formerly titled "Agatha: House of Harkness") has now locked in its directors, according The Hollywood Reporter.
A spin-off of Marvel's very first Disney+ series, "WandaVision," "Agatha: Coven of Chaos" centers on Kathryn Hahn's character, Agatha Harkness, who spent much of her previous screen time disguising herself as Wanda's nosy neighbor, Agnes. It was only toward the end of the seventh episode of "WandaVision" that viewers learned Agnes/Agatha's true witchy nature, to the tune of the Emmy-winning, retro-sitcom jingle "Agatha All Along.
Ahead of its production start, "Agatha: Coven of Chaos" (formerly titled "Agatha: House of Harkness") has now locked in its directors, according The Hollywood Reporter.
A spin-off of Marvel's very first Disney+ series, "WandaVision," "Agatha: Coven of Chaos" centers on Kathryn Hahn's character, Agatha Harkness, who spent much of her previous screen time disguising herself as Wanda's nosy neighbor, Agnes. It was only toward the end of the seventh episode of "WandaVision" that viewers learned Agnes/Agatha's true witchy nature, to the tune of the Emmy-winning, retro-sitcom jingle "Agatha All Along.
- 1/14/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Amid a turbulent year for the film industry with dwindling theatrical releases and shuffling release slates, only nine wide release films from major studios had a female director in 2022 — and six of them came from just one studio.
In TheWrap’s annual survey of theatrical releases with at least one female director, Sony Pictures led its Hollywood peers with six of its 13 theatrical wide releases featuring female directors. On the flip side, Disney, Paramount and Lionsgate had entirely male-only wide release slates.
Paramount gave one film directed by a woman (Sanaa Lathan’s “On the Come Up”) a limited day-and-date release, while Disney moved one female-directed title (Domee Shi’s Pixar animated feature “Turning Red”) from theaters to streaming and shifted another to 2023. And Lionsgate, which has hired only one female filmmaker since 2016, released only four films on at least 1,500 screens — none directed by women.
Since TheWrap began doing its...
In TheWrap’s annual survey of theatrical releases with at least one female director, Sony Pictures led its Hollywood peers with six of its 13 theatrical wide releases featuring female directors. On the flip side, Disney, Paramount and Lionsgate had entirely male-only wide release slates.
Paramount gave one film directed by a woman (Sanaa Lathan’s “On the Come Up”) a limited day-and-date release, while Disney moved one female-directed title (Domee Shi’s Pixar animated feature “Turning Red”) from theaters to streaming and shifted another to 2023. And Lionsgate, which has hired only one female filmmaker since 2016, released only four films on at least 1,500 screens — none directed by women.
Since TheWrap began doing its...
- 12/14/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Mumbai-based Impact Films is planning theatrical releases in India for Brendan Fraser starrer The Whale, Cannes Palme d’Or winner Triangle Of Sadness and Cannes best actor winner Broker, emboldened by its recent success with indie global breakout hit Everything Everywhere All At Once.
The company is releasing Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale on December 30, three weeks after its release in the U.S. through A24. Ruben Ostlund’s Triangle Of Sadness is being lined up for release in January 2023, around the same time that the Oscar nominations are announced. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Broker will go out theatrically around the same time, following its U.S. release through Neon on December 26.
Impact Films founder Ashwani Sharma says he got the confidence to give these films a theatrical release after Everything Everywhere All At Once clicked with Indian audiences and grossed more than 200,000, despite releasing in September, six months after its U.
The company is releasing Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale on December 30, three weeks after its release in the U.S. through A24. Ruben Ostlund’s Triangle Of Sadness is being lined up for release in January 2023, around the same time that the Oscar nominations are announced. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Broker will go out theatrically around the same time, following its U.S. release through Neon on December 26.
Impact Films founder Ashwani Sharma says he got the confidence to give these films a theatrical release after Everything Everywhere All At Once clicked with Indian audiences and grossed more than 200,000, despite releasing in September, six months after its U.
- 11/24/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
This story about the best international film schools first appeared in the College Issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
Australian Film, Television And Radio School
Sydney, Australia
“Aftrs was perfect because it was…practical,” says songwriter Christine Kirkwood, who graduated from Australia’s national screen and broadcast school after a six-month government program to train women in filmmaking. Her fellow alums include Gillian Armstrong and Phillip Noyce, who were in the school’s first graduating class in 1973, as well as Jane Campion, Cate Shortland and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie. Located near the Fox Studios in Sydney, the campus includes studios, post-production facilities and an extensive library.
Aftrs has a robust First Nations and Outreach program for indigenous students, and in early 2023 a new partnership with Industrial Light & Magic will allow the school to begin offering a two-semester Graduate Diploma in Visual Effects program. Other new offerings include a Screen Warriors program that will recruit,...
Australian Film, Television And Radio School
Sydney, Australia
“Aftrs was perfect because it was…practical,” says songwriter Christine Kirkwood, who graduated from Australia’s national screen and broadcast school after a six-month government program to train women in filmmaking. Her fellow alums include Gillian Armstrong and Phillip Noyce, who were in the school’s first graduating class in 1973, as well as Jane Campion, Cate Shortland and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie. Located near the Fox Studios in Sydney, the campus includes studios, post-production facilities and an extensive library.
Aftrs has a robust First Nations and Outreach program for indigenous students, and in early 2023 a new partnership with Industrial Light & Magic will allow the school to begin offering a two-semester Graduate Diploma in Visual Effects program. Other new offerings include a Screen Warriors program that will recruit,...
- 11/2/2022
- by TheWrap Staff
- The Wrap
This article contains major MCU spoilers
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe does one thing particularly well, it’s deliver family-friendly outings for us all to enjoy. It’s in stark contrast to Warner Bros.’ typical DC output, which has been called out for its bloody and brooding aesthetic that puts the dark in Dark Knight. Although there have been talks about a more mature MCU, we’re still yet to get an R-rated outing – that honour will soon go to Deadpool 3.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of death and destruction in the MCU, with movies like Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness being about as dark as they come. Across four phases, a mountain of movies, and a multiverse of series, it’s not all been happy times sharing a shawarma or twerking with Megan Thee Stallion. Here are 10 of the darkest moments to grace the MCU.
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe does one thing particularly well, it’s deliver family-friendly outings for us all to enjoy. It’s in stark contrast to Warner Bros.’ typical DC output, which has been called out for its bloody and brooding aesthetic that puts the dark in Dark Knight. Although there have been talks about a more mature MCU, we’re still yet to get an R-rated outing – that honour will soon go to Deadpool 3.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of death and destruction in the MCU, with movies like Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness being about as dark as they come. Across four phases, a mountain of movies, and a multiverse of series, it’s not all been happy times sharing a shawarma or twerking with Megan Thee Stallion. Here are 10 of the darkest moments to grace the MCU.
- 10/28/2022
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
WaterTower Music has released the first music to be heard from the upcoming New Line Cinema action adventure “Black Adam,” starring Dwayne Johnson. The first-ever feature film to explore the story of the uncompromising DC antihero comes to the big screen under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra (“Jungle Cruise”). The Black Adam Theme (from “Black Adam”) by highly respected Grammy Award-winning and Emmy-nominated composer Lorne Balfe has just been released – in advance of the film and soundtrack release. “Black Adam” smashes into theaters and IMAX internationally beginning 19 October 2022, and in North America on October 21, 2022.
Balfe’s vision for the music of Black Adam encompasses an exploration into the back stories that define the characters. The composer commented on that approach. “It was exciting to get into the Black Adam theme, and I really wanted to capture his essence as the DC comic book world’s anti-hero. We had a large...
Balfe’s vision for the music of Black Adam encompasses an exploration into the back stories that define the characters. The composer commented on that approach. “It was exciting to get into the Black Adam theme, and I really wanted to capture his essence as the DC comic book world’s anti-hero. We had a large...
- 9/30/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Click here to read the full article.
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Australia’s preeminent screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful setting in one of the most pleasant parts of Sydney, as well as a wealth of industry lecturers and connections to the country’s working film and TV world. Notable alumni include last year’s Oscar best director nominee Jane Campion (Power of the Dog) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, in addition to a slew of past Oscar nominees and winners in technical categories, like David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay with The Favourite).
Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica (Mexico)
Mexico’s most prestigious film school prides itself on the gender parity of its student body (a goal it first achieved in 2020) and its track record in turning out world-class professionals,...
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Australia’s preeminent screen arts and broadcast school benefits from a beautiful setting in one of the most pleasant parts of Sydney, as well as a wealth of industry lecturers and connections to the country’s working film and TV world. Notable alumni include last year’s Oscar best director nominee Jane Campion (Power of the Dog) and Black Widow filmmaker Cate Shortland, in addition to a slew of past Oscar nominees and winners in technical categories, like David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road), Andrew Lesnie (cinematography for The Lord of the Rings) and Tony McNamara (best original screenplay with The Favourite).
Centro de Capacitacion Cinematografica (Mexico)
Mexico’s most prestigious film school prides itself on the gender parity of its student body (a goal it first achieved in 2020) and its track record in turning out world-class professionals,...
- 8/5/2022
- by Scott Roxborough, Etan Vlessing, Patrick Brzeski and Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we’ll shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. who are shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re speaking with Memento Films International founder Emilie Georges and producer Naima Abed about their company Paradise City, its slate and why now is the time to move into the management and branded content spheres.
Eight years ago, Emilie Georges’ Memento Films International and its production arm La Cinéfacture quietly launched Paradise City, a specialty label for the outfit, with respected producer Naima Abed helping curate the slate. While the banner co-financed and co-produced a number of genre titles including Jim Mickle’s 2013 Sundance hit We Are What We Are, it was only when the duo worked on Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 Oscar-nominated hit Call Me By Your Name that Georges and Abed began to think about...
Eight years ago, Emilie Georges’ Memento Films International and its production arm La Cinéfacture quietly launched Paradise City, a specialty label for the outfit, with respected producer Naima Abed helping curate the slate. While the banner co-financed and co-produced a number of genre titles including Jim Mickle’s 2013 Sundance hit We Are What We Are, it was only when the duo worked on Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 Oscar-nominated hit Call Me By Your Name that Georges and Abed began to think about...
- 7/27/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Further titles include Pathe’s ‘Notre Dame On Fire’, Vertigo’s ‘She Will’.
Sony thriller Where The Crawdads Sing receives the biggest-ever release for any film directed by a woman at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, opening in 691 locations.
Directed by Olivia Newman, the film’s total tops the 673-site release for 2019’s Frozen 2, which was directed by Jennifer Lee, alongside Chris Buck; as well as the 650-site release of Cate Shortland’s Black Widow from last year – the previous widest release by a film solely directed by a woman.
Adapted by Lucy Alibar from Delia Owens’ 2018 novel of the same name,...
Sony thriller Where The Crawdads Sing receives the biggest-ever release for any film directed by a woman at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, opening in 691 locations.
Directed by Olivia Newman, the film’s total tops the 673-site release for 2019’s Frozen 2, which was directed by Jennifer Lee, alongside Chris Buck; as well as the 650-site release of Cate Shortland’s Black Widow from last year – the previous widest release by a film solely directed by a woman.
Adapted by Lucy Alibar from Delia Owens’ 2018 novel of the same name,...
- 7/22/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Busy Australian production company Aquarius Films has partnered with Irish production company Port Pictures to produce the feature film, “The Good People.” The film is based on the award-winning novel by Hannah Kent, who also wrote the adapted screenplay.
“The Good People” is set in 19th century Ireland at a time when the Catholic church was waging war against pagan beliefs. It sees three women conspire to free a young boy from evil spirits.
“The Good People” is an examination of absolute belief and superstition. It depicts a series of actions that are both tender and harsh and raises questions about belonging, understanding and acceptance.
The film is to be produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films, and Martina Niland of Port Pictures. The film will be executive produced by Aquarius Films’ Miranda Culley. The film has received development funding from Screen Australia.
Neither a director nor...
“The Good People” is set in 19th century Ireland at a time when the Catholic church was waging war against pagan beliefs. It sees three women conspire to free a young boy from evil spirits.
“The Good People” is an examination of absolute belief and superstition. It depicts a series of actions that are both tender and harsh and raises questions about belonging, understanding and acceptance.
The film is to be produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films, and Martina Niland of Port Pictures. The film will be executive produced by Aquarius Films’ Miranda Culley. The film has received development funding from Screen Australia.
Neither a director nor...
- 5/21/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Port Arthur shooting of 1996 in Tasmania remains Australia’s deadliest incidents committed by a single person. That’s a horrifying piece of history to take on for a movie, but Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel takes a slanted approach to the material by not showing the actual events, but instead what built to them through the eyes of the perpetrator. In his new film, “Nitram,” Caleb Landry Jones play the protagonist (here named Nitram) in a portrait of a psychopath brewing. Kurzel is naturally the fit for the material, as he has plumbed the depths of the dark side of Australian history before with “True History of the Kelly Gang” and “The Snowtown Murders.” Exclusively on IndieWire, watch the trailer for “Nitram” below.
Caleb Landry Jones has been a go-to for playing feral, gnarly characters, from “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” to the gnashing drug addicts in the Safdies’ “Heaven Knows What...
Caleb Landry Jones has been a go-to for playing feral, gnarly characters, from “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” to the gnashing drug addicts in the Safdies’ “Heaven Knows What...
- 2/10/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
On Tuesday, “The Power of the Dog” director Jane Campion made Oscar history as the first woman to receive two best director nominations.
Campion is nominated in the 2022 directing category opposite Steven Spielberg for “West Side Story,” Kenneth Branagh for “Belfast,” Paul Thomas Anderson for “Licorice Pizza” and Ryusuke Hamaguchi for “Drive My Car.” Her first Oscar nod for directing came in 1994 when she was nominated for “The Piano” at the 66th Academy Awards. She won the Oscar for original screenplay that year.
“It’s both sad but it’s also great that women are punching that glass ceiling out of the way. I really feel things are changing,” Campion told Variety of her directing nomination.
Exactly how much things are changing behind the camera with regard to gender and racial equity has been analyzed by Dr. Stacy Smith and the team at the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative as they release their annual study.
Campion is nominated in the 2022 directing category opposite Steven Spielberg for “West Side Story,” Kenneth Branagh for “Belfast,” Paul Thomas Anderson for “Licorice Pizza” and Ryusuke Hamaguchi for “Drive My Car.” Her first Oscar nod for directing came in 1994 when she was nominated for “The Piano” at the 66th Academy Awards. She won the Oscar for original screenplay that year.
“It’s both sad but it’s also great that women are punching that glass ceiling out of the way. I really feel things are changing,” Campion told Variety of her directing nomination.
Exactly how much things are changing behind the camera with regard to gender and racial equity has been analyzed by Dr. Stacy Smith and the team at the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative as they release their annual study.
- 2/9/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The intoxicating, party-hard capital of Germany goes straight to the head of Samuel Kay Forrest’s feature debut – and not in a good way
From Wings of Desire to Run Lola Run, from Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome to one-take wonder Victoria, quite a few film-makers have been seduced by the liberating possibilities of the German capital. But too much freedom can often equate to directionless freestyling – and the authority-resistant, hard-partying, gender-fluid spirit of Berlin goes straight to the head of Irish writer-director Samuel Kay Forrest in this rambling and cringingly earnest feature debut.
Forrest plays wandering soul Angus, a twentysomething with a side-shave haircut and a thorny family background set on finding himself in the capital of Euro-hedonism. When he’s not railing against fascism and scarpering from the polizei, or oh-so-seditiously spray-painting his tag “HipBeat” around town, he has a budding relationship with local woman Angie (Marie Céline Yildirim). She’s unaware,...
From Wings of Desire to Run Lola Run, from Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome to one-take wonder Victoria, quite a few film-makers have been seduced by the liberating possibilities of the German capital. But too much freedom can often equate to directionless freestyling – and the authority-resistant, hard-partying, gender-fluid spirit of Berlin goes straight to the head of Irish writer-director Samuel Kay Forrest in this rambling and cringingly earnest feature debut.
Forrest plays wandering soul Angus, a twentysomething with a side-shave haircut and a thorny family background set on finding himself in the capital of Euro-hedonism. When he’s not railing against fascism and scarpering from the polizei, or oh-so-seditiously spray-painting his tag “HipBeat” around town, he has a budding relationship with local woman Angie (Marie Céline Yildirim). She’s unaware,...
- 2/7/2022
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
It was supposed to be the year where movies came back. With the pandemic seeming to turn the corner (for a time), and cinemas opening back up around the world, your local theater offered a treasure trove of options, from old reliable favorites via mega Hollywood franchises to respites from the familiar as new voices and stories took center stage.
Twelve months later, things obviously didn’t go as smoothly as we all hoped. While multiplex business has rarely been bigger for superheroes and big balls of alien goo, most other kinds of film have taken a hit, at least on the big screen. Even so, it’s been a significant year for movies as a whole, with audiences still being treated to an abundance of excellence be it in theaters or streaming at home. Indeed, the very notion of what is cinema has blurred further by some of the...
Twelve months later, things obviously didn’t go as smoothly as we all hoped. While multiplex business has rarely been bigger for superheroes and big balls of alien goo, most other kinds of film have taken a hit, at least on the big screen. Even so, it’s been a significant year for movies as a whole, with audiences still being treated to an abundance of excellence be it in theaters or streaming at home. Indeed, the very notion of what is cinema has blurred further by some of the...
- 12/30/2021
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
The long Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for awards voters to get through the first pile of screeners — or in the case of the Academy Awards and BAFTA groups, scroll through their streaming room platforms. In multiple discussions with awards voters, it’s been interesting to note how few movies they’ve seen at this point in the year. Perhaps it’s related to the pandemic, and many of them returning to work and under the gun of deadlines, or maybe not hearing about anything that’s drummed up enough passion for them to seek it out.
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
- 11/24/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Scarlett Johansson Is Working on a Top-Secret Marvel Project, Reflects on ‘Stressful’ Disney Lawsuit
Before Thursday night’s American Cinematheque gala, it had been 22 months since Scarlett Johansson had set foot on a red carpet.
“This is more than dipping my toe in. I feel like I’m getting completely drenched. But it’s exciting,” Johansson told Variety of attending the event held in honor of her near 30-year career.
Johansson was joined for the big night by her husband, “Saturday Night Live’s” Colin Jost (who handed her a glass of champagne mid-interview as she made her way down the long line of reporters), and a host of former co-stars and friends, including her Marvel compatriot Jeremy Renner and Abbie Cornish, as well as her twin brother Hunter Johansson.
“I’m just happy to be out and see people and reconnect and reemerge,” she added, noting that the honor itself was “almost too much to take in. It’s a lot to process.
“This is more than dipping my toe in. I feel like I’m getting completely drenched. But it’s exciting,” Johansson told Variety of attending the event held in honor of her near 30-year career.
Johansson was joined for the big night by her husband, “Saturday Night Live’s” Colin Jost (who handed her a glass of champagne mid-interview as she made her way down the long line of reporters), and a host of former co-stars and friends, including her Marvel compatriot Jeremy Renner and Abbie Cornish, as well as her twin brother Hunter Johansson.
“I’m just happy to be out and see people and reconnect and reemerge,” she added, noting that the honor itself was “almost too much to take in. It’s a lot to process.
- 11/19/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
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Finally took the plunge and upgraded your home theater setup to a 4K ultra HD experience, but find that you now also need to upgrade your DVD and Blu-ray collection? You’re in luck — there are plenty of affordable box sets and 4K films that will allow you to beef up your movie collection for a modest investment.
From cult classics to big-budget action, add films of all genres to your bookshelf. Though let’s be honest, this selection leans heavily towards action because there’s no better way to make sure your new TV is calibrated correctly than via watching copious explosions and/or car chases. For more shopping guides, check out...
Finally took the plunge and upgraded your home theater setup to a 4K ultra HD experience, but find that you now also need to upgrade your DVD and Blu-ray collection? You’re in luck — there are plenty of affordable box sets and 4K films that will allow you to beef up your movie collection for a modest investment.
From cult classics to big-budget action, add films of all genres to your bookshelf. Though let’s be honest, this selection leans heavily towards action because there’s no better way to make sure your new TV is calibrated correctly than via watching copious explosions and/or car chases. For more shopping guides, check out...
- 11/4/2021
- by Jean Bentley and Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Screenworks, the national not-for-profit organisation that provides industry and talent development programs and networking for people living in regional Australia, has attracted some of the industry’s biggest names for its annual fundraiser.
Top Row: Amanda Duthie, Cate Shortland, Tony Ayres, Paul Weigard, Sophia Zachariou, Sally Caplan Middle Row: Que Minh Luu, Nathan Mayfiel, Sally Riley, Daina Reid, Joanna Werner, Alastair McKinnon Bottom Row: Nash Edgerton, Jodi Matterson, Kylie Washington, Vanessa Alexander, Lana Greenhalgh
Each year, Screenworks runs a series of raffles to raise funds that directly support its programs and initiatives that are delivered across the country. After successfully raffling a selection of 1-on-1 consultations with industry executives last year, the organisation is doing it again this year to support the career pathways of emerging practitioners across Australia.
Screenworks has secured a range of prominent professionals working in the Australian screen industry, including Clickbait and Fires co-creator Tony Ayres,...
Top Row: Amanda Duthie, Cate Shortland, Tony Ayres, Paul Weigard, Sophia Zachariou, Sally Caplan Middle Row: Que Minh Luu, Nathan Mayfiel, Sally Riley, Daina Reid, Joanna Werner, Alastair McKinnon Bottom Row: Nash Edgerton, Jodi Matterson, Kylie Washington, Vanessa Alexander, Lana Greenhalgh
Each year, Screenworks runs a series of raffles to raise funds that directly support its programs and initiatives that are delivered across the country. After successfully raffling a selection of 1-on-1 consultations with industry executives last year, the organisation is doing it again this year to support the career pathways of emerging practitioners across Australia.
Screenworks has secured a range of prominent professionals working in the Australian screen industry, including Clickbait and Fires co-creator Tony Ayres,...
- 10/25/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Now that all differences have been resolved between actress Scarlett Johansson and the Walt Disney Company, take a look at more new footage from Marvel Studios "Black Widow", based on the Marvel Comics character, streaming October 6, 2021 on Disney+:
"...in Marvel Studios’ spy thriller 'Black Widow', 'Natasha Romanoff', aka 'Black Widow', confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.
"Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy...
"...and the broken relationships left in her wake, long before she became an 'Avenger'.
"Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as 'Natasha'/'Black Widow', Florence Pugh stars as 'Yelena', David Harbour portrays 'Alexei'/'The Red Guardian' and Rachel Weisz is 'Melina'. Directed by Cate Shortland...
...and produced by Kevin Feige, 'Black Widow', is the first...
"...in Marvel Studios’ spy thriller 'Black Widow', 'Natasha Romanoff', aka 'Black Widow', confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.
"Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy...
"...and the broken relationships left in her wake, long before she became an 'Avenger'.
"Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as 'Natasha'/'Black Widow', Florence Pugh stars as 'Yelena', David Harbour portrays 'Alexei'/'The Red Guardian' and Rachel Weisz is 'Melina'. Directed by Cate Shortland...
...and produced by Kevin Feige, 'Black Widow', is the first...
- 10/4/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Disney Plus announced that Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow” will be available to all Disney Plus subscribers beginning Wednesday.
In addition to Scarlett Johansson, who reprises the role of Black Widow, the action feature stars Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz. Cate Shortland directed, Kevin Feige produced and Eric Pearson penned the screenplay. The film unravels the mystery of Natasha Romanoff’s past and her path to becoming the spy and assassin she is today.
“Black Widow” opened on July 9 after several postponements and was the first movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to open in theaters in two years. It was also available via Premier Access, allowing subscribers to rent the film for $30. Though the film grossed $80 million in theaters in its opening weekend, the number fell short of pre-pandemic Marvel standards. In addition, Disney revealed that “Black Widow” had grossed more than $125 million on streaming.
The announcement of...
In addition to Scarlett Johansson, who reprises the role of Black Widow, the action feature stars Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz. Cate Shortland directed, Kevin Feige produced and Eric Pearson penned the screenplay. The film unravels the mystery of Natasha Romanoff’s past and her path to becoming the spy and assassin she is today.
“Black Widow” opened on July 9 after several postponements and was the first movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to open in theaters in two years. It was also available via Premier Access, allowing subscribers to rent the film for $30. Though the film grossed $80 million in theaters in its opening weekend, the number fell short of pre-pandemic Marvel standards. In addition, Disney revealed that “Black Widow” had grossed more than $125 million on streaming.
The announcement of...
- 10/4/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, Ever Anderson, Violet McGraw, O-t Fagbenle, William Hurt, Olga Kurylenko | Written by Eric Pearson | Directed by Cate Shortland
After making her debut in the MCU 11 years ago in Iron Man 2, Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own stand alone film in Black Widow. Now that the time has come for that film however, I can’t help but feel it’s too little, too late, as even in her own film Natasha takes a back seat to new, more exciting characters.
Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016) Natasha Romanoff finds herself on the run as the Avengers are no longer together. While hiding out her old life catches up to her and she’s thrown back into the world of Russian spies and super soldiers. We get to see the life Natasha once had in the...
After making her debut in the MCU 11 years ago in Iron Man 2, Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own stand alone film in Black Widow. Now that the time has come for that film however, I can’t help but feel it’s too little, too late, as even in her own film Natasha takes a back seat to new, more exciting characters.
Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016) Natasha Romanoff finds herself on the run as the Avengers are no longer together. While hiding out her old life catches up to her and she’s thrown back into the world of Russian spies and super soldiers. We get to see the life Natasha once had in the...
- 9/13/2021
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
The box office’s pandemic-era woes might not be entirely banished, but the massive opening-weekend success of Destin Daniel Cretton’s Marvel Cinematic Universe feature, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” has made a sterling case for the return of the of blockbuster. With an estimated four-day gross of over $93 million, the Simu Liu-starring MCU entry handily busted a number of myths: that attention for the franchise is flailing, that audiences won’t turn out in theaters for event films, that tentpoles require established stars to lead them, and that Labor Day is an undesirable release date.
It also proves something that Marvel has long known, but has yet to fully capitalize on: moviegoers are very eager to see “diverse” MCU films starring actors of color and featuring stories rooted in their cultural identities. When Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” arrived in theaters in 2018, the film smashed record after record — and,...
It also proves something that Marvel has long known, but has yet to fully capitalize on: moviegoers are very eager to see “diverse” MCU films starring actors of color and featuring stories rooted in their cultural identities. When Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” arrived in theaters in 2018, the film smashed record after record — and,...
- 9/7/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Looking at Destin Daniel Cretton’s filmography, he would appear to be an unlikely candidate to helm a Marvel film, especially one as pivotal as the first fresh installment of MCU Phase 4. Cretton has directed five feature films previously, all of which are real-life dramas, three being based on books, with two of those being memoirs. These seem a far cry from comics, but Cretton has a deep Marvel connection – Captain Marvel no less. Cretton’s second film, Short Term 12, was the first leading role for Carol Danvers herself – Brie Larson. His following films, The Glass Castle and Just Mercy, also starred Larson.
Cretton’s approach to Shang-Chi was unconventional. Beyond the obvious Kung Fu movie influences, Cretton was loosely inspired by Good Will Hunting. Cretton felt that the characters of Shang-Chi and Will Hunting (Matt Damon) had a lot of similarities in that they both had big secrets and a lot of emotional baggage.
Cretton’s approach to Shang-Chi was unconventional. Beyond the obvious Kung Fu movie influences, Cretton was loosely inspired by Good Will Hunting. Cretton felt that the characters of Shang-Chi and Will Hunting (Matt Damon) had a lot of similarities in that they both had big secrets and a lot of emotional baggage.
- 9/2/2021
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
When director Destin Daniel Cretton took his first meeting with Marvel Studios roughly two and a half years ago to discuss “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” he never actually expected to be handed the reins of the latest film in the biggest movie franchise in cinema history. Up to that point, Cretton had directed a series of small-scale independent dramas — “Short Term 12,” “The Glass Castle” — that were exceptional in the all-inclusive empathy the filmmaker deployed for all of his characters. As the child of a Japanese-American mother and a white father who grew up in a small town on the Hawaiian island of Maui, Cretton had made it his mission to tell stories that allowed for people who hadn’t had much time in the spotlight to step beyond snap judgments and show the fullness of who they are.
That’s why Cretton met with Marvel: He...
That’s why Cretton met with Marvel: He...
- 9/1/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
“WandaVision,” like most stories in the Marvel universe, came flying out of the brain of Marvel czar Kevin Feige, arguably the most successful producer in the history of Hollywood. He believes in letting audiences spend more time with characters that they love and getting them to laugh along with them, as well. He also likes to change things up with surprising shifts in tone by bringing in talented film creatives — from James Gunn and Taika Waititi to Cate Shortland — to work with his more experienced team led by Marvel executive producers Louis Esposito and Victoria Alonso.
Elizabeth Olsen first heard about “WandaVision” in January 2018, when she was finishing up filming “Avengers: Endgame.” Her contract was up after that movie, and Feige brought her in for a meeting. “I thought it was a conversation about my potential future,” she said on the phone. “I didn’t realize there was a plan.
Elizabeth Olsen first heard about “WandaVision” in January 2018, when she was finishing up filming “Avengers: Endgame.” Her contract was up after that movie, and Feige brought her in for a meeting. “I thought it was a conversation about my potential future,” she said on the phone. “I didn’t realize there was a plan.
- 8/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
“WandaVision,” like most stories in the Marvel universe, came flying out of the brain of Marvel czar Kevin Feige, arguably the most successful producer in the history of Hollywood. He believes in letting audiences spend more time with characters that they love and getting them to laugh along with them, as well. He also likes to change things up with surprising shifts in tone by bringing in talented film creatives — from James Gunn and Taika Waititi to Cate Shortland — to work with his more experienced team led by Marvel executive producers Louis Esposito and Victoria Alonso.
Elizabeth Olsen first heard about “WandaVision” in January 2018, when she was finishing up filming “Avengers: Endgame.” Her contract was up after that movie, and Feige brought her in for a meeting. “I thought it was a conversation about my potential future,” she said on the phone. “I didn’t realize there was a plan.
Elizabeth Olsen first heard about “WandaVision” in January 2018, when she was finishing up filming “Avengers: Endgame.” Her contract was up after that movie, and Feige brought her in for a meeting. “I thought it was a conversation about my potential future,” she said on the phone. “I didn’t realize there was a plan.
- 8/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Walt Disney Company is taking Scarlett Johansson to task over her lawsuit against the Mouse House regarding the day-and-date streaming release of “Black Widow,” which she filed in July — and the studio is claiming the film made $125 million in “streaming and download retail receipts,” a rare admission of non-theatrical grosses. As reported by Deadline, a motion filed in LA Superior Court on Friday from Disney outside lawyers Daniel Petrocelli, Leah Godesky and Tim Heafner of O’Melveny & Myers Llp states, “Periwinkle agreed that all claims ‘arising out of, in connection with, or relating to’ Scarlett Johansson’s acting services for ‘Black Widow’ would be submitted to confidential, binding arbitration in New York.”
Periwinkle Entertainment is the company through which Johansson, who is suing Disney over box-office losses incurred when the film was put on Disney+ and in theaters simultaneously, offered acting services for the film.
Essentially, Disney’s lawyers...
Periwinkle Entertainment is the company through which Johansson, who is suing Disney over box-office losses incurred when the film was put on Disney+ and in theaters simultaneously, offered acting services for the film.
Essentially, Disney’s lawyers...
- 8/21/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The House of Mouse has tried to blunt the Black Widow’s bite, as expected.
In a witching hour filing last night, the Walt Disney Company took Scarlett Johansson to task for daring to make her financial dispute with them over Black Widow public. The Marvel parent company is demanding the whole thing go behind closed doors on the East Coast Asap.
“Periwinkle agreed that all claims ‘arising out of, in connection with, or relating to’ Scarlett Johansson’s acting services for Black Widow would be submitted to confidential, binding arbitration in New York,” says the motion filed in LA Superior Court on Friday by Disney’s outside lawyers Daniel Petrocelli, Leah Godesky and Tim Heafner of O’Melveny & Myers Llp against Johansson and her company (read it here).
“Whether Periwinkle’s claims against Disney fall within the scope of that agreement is not a close call: Periwinkle’s interference...
In a witching hour filing last night, the Walt Disney Company took Scarlett Johansson to task for daring to make her financial dispute with them over Black Widow public. The Marvel parent company is demanding the whole thing go behind closed doors on the East Coast Asap.
“Periwinkle agreed that all claims ‘arising out of, in connection with, or relating to’ Scarlett Johansson’s acting services for Black Widow would be submitted to confidential, binding arbitration in New York,” says the motion filed in LA Superior Court on Friday by Disney’s outside lawyers Daniel Petrocelli, Leah Godesky and Tim Heafner of O’Melveny & Myers Llp against Johansson and her company (read it here).
“Whether Periwinkle’s claims against Disney fall within the scope of that agreement is not a close call: Periwinkle’s interference...
- 8/21/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
This Sydney-based school benefits from a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include Black Widow director Cate Shortland and a slew of Oscar winners and nominees, including Jane Campion (The Piano), writer-director Chris Noonan (Babe) and David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road). The school has developed and implemented a “COVIDSafe Plan” that sets out a return to on-campus learning, with protocols being revised on a weekly basis in accordance with local public health circumstances and government advice.
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the ...
This Sydney-based school benefits from a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include Black Widow director Cate Shortland and a slew of Oscar winners and nominees, including Jane Campion (The Piano), writer-director Chris Noonan (Babe) and David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road). The school has developed and implemented a “COVIDSafe Plan” that sets out a return to on-campus learning, with protocols being revised on a weekly basis in accordance with local public health circumstances and government advice.
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the ...
- 8/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Australian Film, Television and Radio School
This Sydney-based school benefits from a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include Black Widow director Cate Shortland and a slew of Oscar winners and nominees, including Jane Campion (The Piano), writer-director Chris Noonan (Babe) and David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road). The school has developed and implemented a “COVIDSafe Plan” that sets out a return to on-campus learning, with protocols being revised on a weekly basis in accordance with local public health circumstances and government advice.
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the ...
This Sydney-based school benefits from a deep pool of industry lecturers and close ties with the Australian film community. Notable alumni include Black Widow director Cate Shortland and a slew of Oscar winners and nominees, including Jane Campion (The Piano), writer-director Chris Noonan (Babe) and David White (sound editing for Mad Max: Fury Road). The school has developed and implemented a “COVIDSafe Plan” that sets out a return to on-campus learning, with protocols being revised on a weekly basis in accordance with local public health circumstances and government advice.
Beijing Film Academy
The USC of the ...
- 8/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As any entertainment journalist who has interviewed James Gunn will tell you, the director of comic book adaptations “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the upcoming “The Suicide Squad” is never shy about answering questions honestly and unreservedly. It’s a rare quality in such a public and successful figure in the entertainment industry, especially when so many interviewees today carefully mitigate and sanitize their answers to avoid all chance of possible controversy.
Like, for example, what happened on Wednesday when veteran entertainment journalist Josh Horowitz released an excerpt from his podcast interview with Gunn. In the clip, Horowitz asks Gunn what it’s like to always be the one defending superhero movies from people like Martin Scorsese, who infamously said in October 2019, while promoting his film “The Irishman,” that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is “not cinema,” comparing superhero movies to theme parks.
Gunn could have demurred by politely noting that...
Like, for example, what happened on Wednesday when veteran entertainment journalist Josh Horowitz released an excerpt from his podcast interview with Gunn. In the clip, Horowitz asks Gunn what it’s like to always be the one defending superhero movies from people like Martin Scorsese, who infamously said in October 2019, while promoting his film “The Irishman,” that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is “not cinema,” comparing superhero movies to theme parks.
Gunn could have demurred by politely noting that...
- 8/4/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Los Angeles, CA – Marvel Studios’ Black Widow arrives early on all major digital platforms on August 10 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 14. Black Widow fans can enjoy the film in stunning Ultra HD quality and immersive Dolby Atmos audio along with never-before-seen bonus footage, including nine deleted scenes, bloopers and featurettes.
Film Synopsis
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff — aka Black Widow — confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. Black Widow...
Film Synopsis
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff — aka Black Widow — confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. Black Widow...
- 8/2/2021
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Here’s Kev with a video review of Marvel’s Black Widow which is in cinemas and available to stream via Disney+ Premium Access now.
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Ray Winstone.
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Ray Winstone.
- 7/29/2021
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
Black Widow was originally going to kick off Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the summer of 2020, but due to world events that we’re sure you’re all too aware off, it wasn’t meant to be. After being delayed several times, Marvel Studios announced that Natasha Romanoff’s solo action movie would arrive in theaters and stream on Disney+ Premier Access on July 9, and fans were finally able to spend time with Natasha and meet her old “family” over a year later than planned.
In Black Widow, Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) is on the run from the US government after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and has to go back to her roots when she realizes that the covert Russian Red Room that trained her is still active. Along the way, she reunites with her former “parents” and “sister” who were once spies that formed an...
In Black Widow, Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) is on the run from the US government after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and has to go back to her roots when she realizes that the covert Russian Red Room that trained her is still active. Along the way, she reunites with her former “parents” and “sister” who were once spies that formed an...
- 7/27/2021
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Director Cate Shortland (“Berlin Syndrome”) brought a grittier violence to the MCU, which impacted the visual effects involving Natasha/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and her adopted family. This included holding on shots longer, keying on the color red, and using visual motifs to make emotional connections. The best example tied the embers during the destruction of the Red Room to the fireflies at the beginning.
“The fireflies was a kind of surreal moment that we often don’t have in the big MCU films,” said Marvel VFX supervisor Geoffrey Baumann (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”). “I think [Cate’s] vision with that was trying to maintain an innocence that was part of Natasha’s character, but also merge that with the grittiness that you might find in a ‘Bourne’ or a Bond or a ‘Mission’ type of film. The collaborative process was a learning experience that went both ways.”
Shortland discovered how to...
“The fireflies was a kind of surreal moment that we often don’t have in the big MCU films,” said Marvel VFX supervisor Geoffrey Baumann (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”). “I think [Cate’s] vision with that was trying to maintain an innocence that was part of Natasha’s character, but also merge that with the grittiness that you might find in a ‘Bourne’ or a Bond or a ‘Mission’ type of film. The collaborative process was a learning experience that went both ways.”
Shortland discovered how to...
- 7/26/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
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