‘Zola’ Trailer: Riley Keough And Taylour Paige Bring A Wild Twitter Thread To Life

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March 31, 2021

We’ve seen Twitter accounts become TV shows, so why can’t a Twitter thread become a movie? That’s where we are now, heaven help us, and incredibly true, bizarre story by A’Ziah King became the Sundance sensation, Zola, starring Taylour Paige (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and Riley Keough (Logan Lucky) with Janicza Bravo (Lemon) behind the camera. It’s a story of trashy hoes being trashy to one another, wild road trips, betrayal, stupid ass boyfriends, and pimps who look like Colman Domingo. And you just know Florida fits into this equation somehow.

“Y’all wanna hear a story about why me & this bitch here fell out? It’s kind of long but full of suspense.”

Yes we do.

Here’s the synopsis: Thus began the odyssey of one A’Ziah King, aka ZOLA. From acclaimed writer/director Janicza Bravo, Zola’s stranger than fiction saga, which she first told in a now-iconic series of viral, uproarious tweets, comes to dazzling cinematic life. Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress, strikes up a new friendship with a customer, Stefani (Riley Keough), who seduces her to join a weekend of dancing and partying in Florida. What at first seems like a glamorous trip full of “hoeism” rapidly transforms into a 48-hour journey involving a nameless pimp, an idiot boyfriend, some Tampa gangsters, and other unexpected adventures in this wild, see-it-to-believe-it tale.

The cast does indeed include Colman Domingo, reuniting with Paige after Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, along with Jason Mitchell, Ari’el Stachel, and Nicholas Braun.

A24 currently has Zola set for release on June 30th, but the trailer simply says “this summer.” We’ll see if something changes, but expect this to be one of the buzziest indie releases of the year.

Sony Pushes ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Back One Week

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Travis Hopson

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March 31, 2021

It was just a couple of weeks ago that Sony moved Venom: Let There Be Carnage out of the summer and into September, avoiding a showdown with F9. And already they’re moving the superhero sequel once again, but this time only by a week.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage has been pushed back to September 24th. It’s unclear why, as the film only had Boss Baby: Family Business to contend with at the earlier date. Now it faces a ton of competition with Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, along with The Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints of Newark, the Mark Wahlberg sci-fi film Infinite, and Universal’s screen adaptation of Broadway hit Dear Evan Hansen.

The next two weeks boast huge films, as well, including Denis Villeneuve’s Dune and long-delayed No Time to Die with Daniel Craig as 007.

Tom Hardy returns as the titular head-chomping symbiote, with Andy Serkis taking over as director of the film. Michelle Williams also returns as Anne Weying, joined by Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady aka the villain Carnage, Naomie Harris as Shriek, plus Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, and Sean Delaney.

‘The Man With The Miraculous Hands’: Woody Harrelson Reteams With ‘Rampart’ Director For WWII Thriller

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Travis Hopson

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March 31, 2021

Woody Harrelson and director Oren Moverman have teamed up twice before, and in both cases the actor had two of the finest performances of his career. The first was in the military drama The Messenger, and then a couple of years later with the cop thriller, Rampart. And now they’re back together again for The Man with the Miraculous Hands, and we should probably expect Harrelson to be at the top of his game once more.

Deadline reports Harrelson will play Felix Kersten, the personal doctor to Heinrich Himmler, one of the most powerful men in Hitler’s Nazi regime and a Holocaust architect. The film will depict the true story of Kersten who used his various therapies to ease Himmler’s chronic abdominal pains, thus earning his trust. Kersten would then use that relationship with Himmler to dangerously negotiate deals to save thousands of lives from the concentration camps. Joseph Kessel’s novel The Man with the Miraculous Hands: The Fantastic Story of Felix Kersten, Himmler’s Private Doctor will serve as the basis.

Next up for Harrelson is superhero sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, followed by action-comedy The Man from Toronto with Kevin Hart.

‘Mortal Kombat’ Pushed Back A Week By Warner Bros.

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Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

Those of you screaming “Get over here!!!” to the new Mortal Kombat movie will have to wait a few days longer. The video game adaptation has been pushed back a week by Warner Bros., and will now open on April 23rd in theaters and HBO Max.

What’s the reason for this? Well, it won’t hurt to give some extra elbow room to Godzilla vs. Kong, which is opening this week and is expected to be a huge blockbuster smash, the biggest since the pandemic. Early estimates are for a $30M+ opening for the Monsterverse throwdown when it opens tomorrow. Already it has earned over $120M internationally.

But the prime reason is the open real estate throughout the month of May now that Disney has moved Black Widow to July. Mortal Kombat will be the only major film that month with the exception of A Quiet Place II which drops the final weekend.

‘Shadow & Bone’ Trailer: The Grishaverse Comes To Netflix From ‘Arrival’ Writer Eric Heisserer

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Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

I’ll be the first to admit that Shadow & Bone is something I know nothing about. The Grishaverse, which is apparently a wildly popular series of YA fantasy novels, is completely foreign to me. But I do know when a bunch of really talented creative folks gather on a project that is then snatched up by Netflix and hyped as the next big series in streaming, it’s worth paying attention to.

Behind the upcoming series is writer, producer, and showrunner Eric Heisserer, who wrote Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival, one of the best sci-fi movies in years. He’s joined by director Lee Toland Krieger of Celeste and Jesse Forever, and Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy.

The huge ensemble includes Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov), Archie Renaux (Malyen Oretsev), Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker), Amita Suman (Inej), Kit Young (Jesper Fahey), Ben Barnes (General Kirigan), Sujaya Dasgupta (Zoya Nazyalensky), Danielle Galligan (Nina Zenik), Daisy Head (Genya Safin), Simon Sears (Ivan), Calahan Skogman (Matthias Helvar), Zoë Wanamaker (Baghra), Kevin Eldon (The Apparat), Julian Kostov (Fedyor), Luke Pasqualino (David), Jasmine Blackborow (Marie), and Gabrielle Brooks (Nadia).

I won’t even attempt to describe what it’s about. Here’s the synopsis: Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive. Shadow and Bone is a Netflix production from 21 Laps Entertainment, starring Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov), Archie Renaux (Malyen Oretsev), Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker), Amita Suman (Inej), Kit Young (Jesper Fahey), and Ben Barnes (General Kirigan).

I’m getting a strong His Dark Materials vibe from this one, and the production values, which can sometimes be a bit sketch on some Netflix shows, look pretty high. Color me intrigued.

Shadow & Bone hits Netflix on April 23rd.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 Trailer: Elisabeth Moss Is Leader Of A Rebellion

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Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

The big question I have going into season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale is “Why the fuck hasn’t someone killed June yet?” I know I know, the real answer is because she’s played by series star Elisabeth Moss, but come on. The hardest thing to believe about this show, which was Hulu’s first huge hit and grew the streamer exponentially, is that so many have had her dead to rights and not just hung her from a Gilead wall.

It’s been a long wait for this new season, but it finally arrives on Hulu beginning on April 28th with the first three episodes available immediately. From there, new episodes will debut weekly. June finds herself the leader of a rebellion against the men of Gilead, and she will stop at nothing to get justice for herself, her friends, and her family. We’re going to see more of June’s dangerous relationship with commander Nick Blaine (Max Minghella), and she seems to be giving testimony of some kind about the risks of returning to Gilead.

Returning for this season are Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd,Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel, Bradley Whitford, and Sam Jaeger.

In the upcoming fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale, June (Elisabeth Moss) strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.

David Ayer Says His ‘Suicide Squad’ Cut “Scared The Sh*t” Out Of WB Execs

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Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

David Ayer and Will Smith in SUICIDE SQUAD

It’s something I’ve said before, but that first trailer for David Ayer’s Suicide Squad which he showed at Comic-Con was one of the best things I’ve ever seen there. And the energy surrounding that moment was just incredible. Then the movie came out and it was…well, okay. Ayer has insisted Warner Bros. execs chopped up his film and altered his vision of it, and in recent months we’ve seen a campaign of fans demanding #ReleaseTheAyerCut, following in the footsteps of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Well, that’s not happening, and Ayer is still upset about it.

“I get it, it’s a business,” Ayer told EW. “It’s frustrating because I made a really heartfelt drama and it got ripped to pieces and they tried to turn it into Deadpool, which it just wasn’t supposed to be. And then you take the hit, you’re the captain of the ship, my name was on it. [Laughs] Even though it didn’t represent what I actually made, I would take all the bullets and be a good soldier. I made an amazing movie. It’s an amazing movie, it just scared the s— out of the executives.”

I’m not sure what he meant by it scaring them. What, they saw an incredible movie and thought “Oh no, we can’t have that!!”? Still, the Ayer Cut is something I desperately want to see, if only because I believe he shares a similar mindset as Snyder.

“I think the studios see now that there can be canon, there can be non-canon, the fans just want to touch it,” Ayer continues. “They love the characters, they just want to spend more time with it. And people are way more sophisticated about how movies are made and want to be participants in the journey. There’s room for different things, different versions, different assets being shared with the audience. I think it just helps strengthen the community. But absolute credit to Warner Bros. for supporting Zack and having the courage to explore that.”

Since this doesn’t appear to be happening, Ayer’s next film is a remake of The Dirty Dozen. He most recently directed Shia LaBeouf in the controversial crime thriller The Tax Collector.

‘The Disciple’ Trailer: A Classical Musician Strives For Greatness In This Alfonso Cuarón-produced Netflix Drama

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Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

Unless you pay a lot of close attention to the film festival circuit, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of The Disciple or anybody in it. However, there’s one name you probably do know and that’s Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón. He’s lent his name to the film as an exec-producer, giving this acclaimed festival darling his stamp of approval.

Coming to Netflix next month, The Disciple centers on an Indian classical violinist diligently honing his craft through the traditions and teachings of his mentors. But as time goes by, he wonders if he’s good enough to achieve the greatness he strives for.

Behind the camera is director Chaitanya Tamhane, with a cast that includes Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, and Kiran Yadnyopavit.

Entered as part of the main competition at last year’s Venice Film Festival, it became the first Indian film since 2001’s Monsoon Wedding to compete. Ultimately, it came away with the prestigious FIPRESCI award and Best Screenplay.

The Disciple comes to Netflix on April 30th.

A musician’s unadulterated devotion, a mirage-like quest for divinity, and the courage to fight your own mediocrity. The Disciple is the tale of an Indian classical vocalist, Sharad Nerulkar, searching for the traditional absolute in a contemporary city that never stops hustling.

George R.R. Martin Has A New ‘Game Of Thrones’ Story Coming…To Broadway

By

Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

I’m sorry, Game of Thrones fans, but you’re never getting any of the books you’ve been waiting for. Not only has George R.R. Martin inked a new HBO deal that’ll keep him locked up on TV shows for the next few years, but the new story he is making? It’ll be on stage. Whomp whomp.

THR reports Martin is developing a Broadway show on a previously-untold Game of Thrones story featuring younger versions of characters you know and love, such as Ned and Lyanna Stark. It’ll actually center on the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, the greatest tournament in Westerosi history and also the most scandalous.

Here’s the play’s official description: “The play will for the first time take audiences deeper behind the scenes of a landmark event that previously was shrouded in mystery. Featuring many of the most iconic and well-known characters from the series, the production will boast a story centered around love, vengeance, madness and the dangers of dealing in prophecy, in the process revealing secrets and lies that have only been hinted at until now.”

On board the play are producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson, with Martin writing the script alongside award-winning playwright Duncan MacMillan. The play will be directed by Dominic Cooke, known for his films On Chesil Beach and The Courier, which is out right now. While HBO isn’t involved, it’s possible they could in the future. Perhaps a filmed version of the play, similar to what Disney did with Hamilton?

“The seeds of war are often planted in times of peace,” Martin said. “Few in Westeros knew the carnage to come when highborn and smallfolk alike gathered at Harrenhal to watch the finest knights of the realm compete in a great tourney, during the Year of the False Spring. It is a tourney oft referred during HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ and in my novels, ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’ … and now, at last, we can tell the whole story… on the stage.”

“An amazing team has been assembled to tell the tale, starting with producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and Jonathan Sanford. Their knowledge and love of my world and characters has impressed me from the very first, and their plans for this production blew me away since the first time we met. Dominic Cooke, our director, is a former artistic director of London’s Royal Court Theatre, who brought Shakespeare’s dramas of the War of the Roses to television, and our playwright, Duncan Macmillan, has previously adapted George Orwell and Henrik Ibsen, among others. Working with them (back before the pandemic, when we could actually get together) has been a treat, and I am eager for our collaboration to resume. Our dream is to bring Westeros to Broadway, to the West End, to Australia… and eventually, to a stage near you … It ought to be spectacular.”

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Trailer Has The Elite Clones Going Rogue

By

Travis Hopson

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March 30, 2021

My friends and I watched Star Wars endlessly, and we would argue about the things we considered “non-Star Wars”, meaning they didn’t feel like they belonged. That’s the vibe I get from the upcoming animated series, The Bad Batch, and I’m hoping Dave Filoni can change my mind about it.

The Bad Batch is a spinoff of The Clone Wars and centers on an experimental team of clones with enhanced skills. Basically, they’re outsiders among outsiders in an ever-evolving Galaxy. The series was created by Filoni, who is basically the Man right now for his work on Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and of course, The Mandalorian.

But it just doesn’t seem like something that should be in Star Wars. A unit like this would’ve had a drastic impact on the Clone Wars and asking us to believe they’ve been around this entire time just doesn’t sit right with me. I trust in Filoni, though, and this trailer reintroduces Grand Moff Tarking so he’s off to a good start.

The Bad Batch comes to Disney+ on May 4th.

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.