Author: Jami Philbrick

  • 2026 Theatrical and Streaming Summer Movies Preview

    Moviefone's 2026 summer movie preview.
    Moviefone’s 2026 summer movie preview.

    Summer is almost here and with it comes a new crop of movies streaming and opening in theaters!

    From the highly anticipated sequels like ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2‘ and ‘Mortal Kombat II‘, to the live-action remake of ‘Moana‘, animated sequels ‘Toy Story 5‘ and ‘Minions & Monsters‘, super hero movies ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘ and ‘Supergirl‘, films from iconic directors like Steven Spielberg‘s ‘Disclosure Day‘ and Christopher Nolan‘s ‘The Odyssey‘, a new ‘Masters of the Universe‘, and the first ‘Star Wars‘ movie to hit theaters since 2019, ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu‘, summer 2026 promises a little bit of something for everyone.

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    Moviefone has compiled a list of the most anticipated movies opening in theaters and/or streaming in May, June, July and August 2026, which not only includes major studio releases but also smaller independent films that you won’t want to miss.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Moviefone’s 2026 Movie Preview: Theatrical and Streaming Releases


    May:

    The Devil Wears Prada 2‘ (5/1)

    (L to R) Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and Andie Sachs (Anne Hathaway) in 20th Century Studios' 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and Andie Sachs (Anne Hathaway) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’. Photo by Macall Polay. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing. She faces off against Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), her one-time assistant, now a high-powered executive for a luxury group, with advertising dollars that Priestly desperately needs.

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    Hokum‘ (5/1)

    Adam Scott in 'Hokum'. Photo: Neon.
    Adam Scott in ‘Hokum’. Photo: Neon.

    A horror novelist (Adam Scott) visits a remote Irish inn to spread his parents’ ashes, unaware the place is rumoured to be haunted by a witch.

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    Animal Farm‘ (5/1)

    A scene from 'Animal Farm'. Photo: Courtesy of Angel Studios.
    A scene from ‘Animal Farm’. Photo: Courtesy of Angel Studios.

    A satirical allegory of revolution and power that traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted. As the pigs consolidate control, truth is erased, dissent is crushed and the farm descends into a ruthless dictatorship.

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    Deep Water‘ (5/1)

    (L to R) Priya Jain, Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    (L to R) Priya Jain, Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    A group of international passengers on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. The terrified group is forced to work together and overcome their differences if they hope to escape their sinking plane and the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.

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    Mortal Kombat II‘ (5/8)

    (Right) Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in 'Mortal Kombat 2'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (Right) Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in ‘Mortal Kombat 2’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    The fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.

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    The Sheep Detectives‘ (5/8)

    (L to R) Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the voice of Lily, the sheep, and Hugh Jackman as George Hardy in 'The Sheep Detectives', from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Julia-Louis Dreyfus as the voice of Lily, the sheep, and Hugh Jackman as George Hardy in ‘The Sheep Detectives’, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    The film follows George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The local cop Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.

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    Remarkably Bright Creatures‘ (5/8)

    (L to R) Sally Field and Lewis Pullman in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) Sally Field and Lewis Pullman in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’. Photo: Netflix.

    A lonely elderly widow named Tova (Sally Field) forms an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly cephalopod octopus named Marcellus (voice of Alfred Molina), but unbeknownst to her, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery.

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    Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D’)’ (5/8)

    Billie Eliish in 'Billie Eliish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)'. Photo: Henry Hwu and Paramount Pictures.
    Billie Eliish in ‘Billie Eliish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)’. Photo: Henry Hwu and Paramount Pictures.

    Captured during Billie Eilish‘s sold-out world tour, a concert experience from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation, presented in immersive 3D.

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    Obsession‘ (5/15)

    Michael Johnston stars as Bear in 'Obsession', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
    Michael Johnston stars as Bear in ‘Obsession’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

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    Is God Is‘ (5/15)

    (L to R) Kara Young stars as Racine and Mallori Johnson as Anaia in 'Is God Is', from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo credit: Patti Perret. © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Kara Young stars as Racine and Mallori Johnson as Anaia in ‘Is God Is’, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo credit: Patti Perret. © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    In Is God Is, two sisters (Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) embark on an epic quest for revenge, confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths. The film is Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut and is based on Harris’ adaptation of her award-winning play of the same name.

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    The Wizard of the Kremlin‘ (5/15)

    (L to R) Jude Law and Paul Dano in 'The Wizard of the Kremlin'. Photo: Gaumont.
    (L to R) Jude Law and Paul Dano in ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’. Photo: Gaumont.

    Russia, early 1990s. Amid post-Soviet chaos, a brilliant young man, Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), charts his path. First an artist, then a reality TV producer, he becomes the spin doctor to a rising KGB agent: Vladimir Putin (Jude Law). At the heart of power, Baranov shapes the new Russia, blurring the boundaries between truth and lies, belief and manipulation. Only the magnetic Ksenia is beyond his control, tempting him away from this dangerous game. Years later, after retreating into silence and shrouded in mystery, Baranov finally opens up, revealing the dark secrets of the regime he helped build.

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    Driver’s Ed‘ (5/15)

    The cast of 'Driver's Ed'. Photo: Vertical.
    The cast of ‘Driver’s Ed’. Photo: Vertical.

    A group of teens steal their school’s driver’s ed car to go on a road trip to help a high school senior track down his college-freshman girlfriend and win her back.

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    LifeHack‘ (5/15)

    'LifeHack' opens in theaters on May 15th.
    ‘LifeHack’ opens in theaters on May 15th.

    Four teenage slackers attempt a multi-million-dollar Bitcoin heist from their bedrooms, only to spiral into the darkest corners of the internet-and a danger beyond their computer screens.

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    Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War‘ (5/20)

    (L to R) Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller), James Greer (Wendell Pierce) , and Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) in 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War'. Photo Credit: Jonny Cournoyer / Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.
    (L to R) Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller), James Greer (Wendell Pierce) , and Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) in ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War’. Photo Credit: Jonny Cournoyer / Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    When an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy, Ryan (John Krasinski) is forced back into the world of espionage to confront a rogue black-ops unit.

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    Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu‘ (5/22)

    (L to R) Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu in Lucasfilm's THE Mandalorian and Grogu'. Photo by Nicola Goode. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu in Lucasfilm’s THE Mandalorian and Grogu’. Photo by Nicola Goode. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.

    The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.

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    ‘I Love Boosters‘ (5/22)

    A scene from 'I Love Boosters'. Photo: Neon.
    A scene from ‘I Love Boosters’. Photo: Neon.

    A crew of professional shoplifters known as The Velvet Gang take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven.

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    Ladies First‘ (5/22)

    (L to R) Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs and Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox in 'Ladies First'. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.
    (L to R) Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs and Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox in ‘Ladies First’. Cr. Rob Youngson/Netflix © 2026.

    An arrogant but charismatic ladies’ man (Sacha Baron Cohen) finds his life of money, power and casual flings upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women.

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    Saccharine‘ (5/22)

    Midori Francis in 'Saccharine'. Photo: Shudder.
    Midori Francis in ‘Saccharine’. Photo: Shudder.

    After succumbing to an obscure weight-loss craze involving the eating of human ashes, lovelorn medical student Hana (Midori Francis) finds herself haunted by the ghost of the person she’s eating.

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    The Breadwinner‘ (5/29)

    Nate Bargatze stars in 'The Breadwinner'. Photo: Frank Masi. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Nate Bargatze stars in ‘The Breadwinner’. Photo: Frank Masi. © 2025 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Nate’s (Nate Bargatze) supermom wife, Katie (Mandy Moore), lands a deal on ‘Shark Tank‘. Subsequently, the lifelong breadwinner of the family becomes a stay-at-home dad and quickly realizes he’s in way over his head.

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    Tuner‘ (5/29)

    (L to R) Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall in 'Turner'. Photo: Alan Markfield; Courtesy of Black Bear.
    (L to R) Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall in ‘Turner’. Photo: Alan Markfield; Courtesy of Black Bear.

    A talented piano tuner’s (Leo Woodall) life is turned upside down when he discovers that his meticulous skills for tuning pianos can equally be applied to cracking safes.

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    Backrooms‘ (5/29)

    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 'Backrooms'. Credit: Courtesy of A24.
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in ‘Backrooms’. Credit: Courtesy of A24.

    A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.

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    Pressure‘ (5/29)

    (L to R) Brendan Fraser as "General Dwight D. Eisenhower" and Andrew Scott as "Captain James Stagg" in director Anthony Maras' 'Pressure', a Focus Features release. Credit: Alex Bailey/Focus Features/STUDIOCANAL © 2026 All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Brendan Fraser as “General Dwight D. Eisenhower” and Andrew Scott as “Captain James Stagg” in director Anthony Maras’ ‘Pressure’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Alex Bailey/Focus Features/STUDIOCANAL © 2026 All Rights Reserved.

    In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, and with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, ‘Pressure’ follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) and Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott) as they face an impossible choice—launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether.

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    Propeller One-Way Night Coach‘ (5/29)

    (L to R) Clark Shotwell and Kelly Eviston-Quinnett in 'Propeller One-Way Night Coach', premiering May 29, 2026 on Apple TV.
    (L to R) Clark Shotwell and Kelly Eviston-Quinnett in ‘Propeller One-Way Night Coach’, premiering May 29, 2026 on Apple TV.

    In the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast, Jeff (Clark Shotwell), and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime. Between airline meals, charming flight attendants, unexpected stopovers, larger-than-life passengers and a thrilling glimpse at first class, the journey unfolds in moments both magical and unexpected, charting the course for the boy’s future.

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    Speed Demon‘ (5/31)

    (L to R) William H. Macy as “Father Novak” and Katie Cassidy as “Sister Lu” in the horror film, 'Speed Demon', a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp.
    (L to R) William H. Macy as “Father Novak” and Katie Cassidy as “Sister Lu” in the horror film, ‘Speed Demon’, a Maverick Film & Complex Corp release. Photo courtesy of Maverick Film & Complex Corp.

    Aboard a high-speed train, a Nun (Katie Cassidy) who lost her faith must perform her first Exorcism on a possessed passenger hellbent on crashing the runaway train.

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    June:

    Masters of the Universe‘ (6/5)

    Nicholas Galitzine stars in 'Masters of the Universe'. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    Nicholas Galitzine stars in ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.

    Almost two decades after crashing down to Earth, Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) is whisked back across space to defend his home planet of Eternia against the evil forces of Skeletor (Jared Leto). But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe.

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    Scary Movie‘ (2026) (6/5)

    Marlon Wayans plays Shorty in 'Scary Movie' from Paramount Pictures.
    Marlon Wayans plays Shorty in ‘Scary Movie’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, the Core Four are back in the killer’s crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe.

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    Power Ballad‘ (6/5)

    (L to R) Paul Rudd as Rick and Nick Jonas as Danny in 'Power Ballad'. Photo Credit: David Cleary.
    (L to R) Paul Rudd as Rick and Nick Jonas as Danny in ‘Power Ballad’. Photo Credit: David Cleary.

    When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about.

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    Carolina Caroline‘ (6/5)

    (L to R) Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving in 'Carolina Caroline'. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
    (L to R) Kyle Gallner and Samara Weaving in ‘Carolina Caroline’. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.

    A young woman (Samara Weaving) skips her small town — in search of her estranged mother (Kyra Sedgwick) — alongside a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner) on the run from the law. The duo leave a wave of crime and passion behind them as they hustle their way through the Southeast.

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    The Birthday Party‘ (6/5)

    (L to R) Emma Suárez as “Olivia” and Willem Dafoe as “Marcos Timoleon” in the drama, 'The Birthday Party, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
    (L to R) Emma Suárez as “Olivia” and Willem Dafoe as “Marcos Timoleon” in the drama, ‘The Birthday Party, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.

    The late 1970s, somewhere in the Mediterranean: Marcos Timoleon (Willem Dafoe), a tycoon, is throwing a lavish, extravagant birthday party for Sofia (Vic Carmen Sonne) on his exclusive private island. The party is a perfect excuse for various people in his life to approach him with their own agendas.

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    Office Romance‘ (6/5)

    (L to R) Jennifer Lopez as Jackie Cruz and Brett Goldstein as Daniel Blanchflower in 'Office Romance'. Photo: Netflix © 2026.
    (L to R) Jennifer Lopez as Jackie Cruz and Brett Goldstein as Daniel Blanchflower in ‘Office Romance’. Photo: Netflix © 2026.

    Jackie (Jennifer Lopez), President and CEO of Air Cruz, runs a tight ship in her business, including a rigid anti-fraternization policy for all her employees. When a new sexy lawyer (Brett Goldstein) begins working for her, that policy becomes very tested.

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    Disclosure Day‘ (6/12)

    Emily Blunt in 'Disclosure Day', directed by Steven Spielberg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Emily Blunt in ‘Disclosure Day’, directed by Steven Spielberg. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    If you found out we weren’t alone in the universe, would that frighten you?

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    Stop! That! Train!‘ (6/12)

    (Center) RuPaul Charles in 'Stop! That! Train!'. Photo: Bleecker Street.
    (Center) RuPaul Charles in ‘Stop! That! Train!’. Photo: Bleecker Street.

    Two train stewardess BFFs switch from a dull railway to the luxurious Glamazonian Express. During a massive storm, they must work with snooty first-class crew and President Gagwell (RuPaul) to prevent disaster in LA.

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    Toy Story 5‘ (6/19)

    (L to R) Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) in Disney and Pixar’s TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    When Bonnie receives a Lilypad tablet as a gift and becomes obsessed, Buzz (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the rest of the gang’s jobs become exponentially harder when they have to go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime.

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    Girls Like Girls‘ (6/19)

    (L to R) Myra Molloy stars as Sonya and Maya Da Costa as Coley in director Hayley Kiyoko’s 'Girls Like Girls', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
    (L to R) Myra Molloy stars as Sonya and Maya Da Costa as Coley in director Hayley Kiyoko’s ‘Girls Like Girls’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    Coley (Maya da Costa), 17, from rural Oregon, navigates intimacy after her mother’s passing. Meeting Sonya (Myra Molloy) sparks new feelings, but self-doubt hinders their connection. Sonya, unfamiliar with dating girls, is uncertain. They learn to embrace emotions.

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    Finnegan’s Foursome‘ (6/19)

    (L to R) Brian Muller as “Frankie Finnegan,” Erica Hernández as “Marie Finnegan,” Edward Burns as “Freddy Finnegan,” and Brian d'Arcy James as “Teddy Finnegan” in the comedy, drama film, 'Finnegan's Foursome', a Republic Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    (L to R) Brian Muller as “Frankie Finnegan,” Erica Hernández as “Marie Finnegan,” Edward Burns as “Freddy Finnegan,” and Brian d’Arcy James as “Teddy Finnegan” in the comedy, drama film, ‘Finnegan’s Foursome’, a Republic Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    Two middle aged brothers (Edward Burns and Brian d’Arcy James) and their respective adult children (Erica Hernandez and Brian Muller) travel to Ireland to play the Finnegan Family’s annual golf outing, where they distribute the ashes of the family patriarch

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    The Death of Robin Hood‘ (6/19)

    Hugh Jackman in 'The Death of Robin Hood'. Photo: A24.
    Hugh Jackman in ‘The Death of Robin Hood’. Photo: A24.

    Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman (Jodie Comer), he is offered a chance at salvation.

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    Find Your Friends‘ (6/22)

    Bella Thorne in 'Find Your Friends'. Photo: Shudder.
    Bella Thorne in ‘Find Your Friends’. Photo: Shudder.

    Amber (Helena Howard) and her four best girlfriends take a trip to escape the L.A. bubble and cut loose in Joshua Tree for the weekend. But upon arrival, they quickly realize the locals don’t want them there.

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    Supergirl‘ (6/26)

    Milly Alcock as Supergirl in DC Studios’ and Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Supergirl', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Milly Alcock as Supergirl in DC Studios’ and Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Supergirl’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    While celebrating her 21st birthday, Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) travels across the galaxy with her dog Krypto, during which she meets the young Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) and goes on a “murderous quest for revenge”.

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    Couture‘ (6/26)

    (L to R) Angelina Jolie and Louis Garrel in 'Couture'. Photo: Vertical.
    (L to R) Angelina Jolie and Louis Garrel in ‘Couture’. Photo: Vertical.

    In the frenzy of Fashion Week, three women cross paths in Paris, grappling with the world’s tragedies and the questions of their lives: Maxine (Angelina Jolie), an American film director in her forties, discovers she has cancer; Ada (Anyier Anei), a young South Sudanese model, escapes a predetermined destiny to be thrust into a deceptive universe and French makeup artist Angèle (Ella Rumpf), a small hand working in the shadows of the catwalks, dreams of escaping her life.

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    Little Brother‘ (6/26)

    (L to R) John Cena and Eric André in 'Little Brother'. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) John Cena and Eric André in ‘Little Brother’. Photo: Netflix.

    A famous real estate agent’s carefully curated world is upended when his eccentric “little brother” unexpectedly reappears. Starring John Cena and Eric André.

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    July:

    Minions & Monsters‘ (7/1)

    (L to R): Ed, Henry and Goomi in Illumination’s 'Minions & Monsters'. Photo: © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R): Ed, Henry and Goomi in Illumination’s ‘Minions & Monsters’. Photo: © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.

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    Young Washington‘ (7/3)

    William Franklyn-Miller in 'Young Washington'. Photo: Courtesy of Angel Studios.
    William Franklyn-Miller in ‘Young Washington’. Photo: Courtesy of Angel Studios.

    Against the frontier of colonial America, the untold origin story of a 22-year-old George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller) unfolds—long before the Revolution, long before the Constitution—when a single mistake nearly cost him everything. After triggering the start of the French and Indian War, Washington must reckon with personal failure, devastating loss, and the weight of responsibility. What emerges from the ashes isn’t just a military leader—but a man forged by humility, courage, and conviction.

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    Moana‘ (7/10)

    Catherina Laga'aia as Moana in Disney's live-action 'Moana'. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Catherina Laga’aia as Moana in Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui (Dwayne Johnson) reaches the island of an impetuous Chieftain, his willful daughter (Catherine Laga‘aia) answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the demigod to set things right.

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    The Odyssey‘ (7/17)

    Matt Damon is Odysseus in 'The Odyssey', written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Matt Damon is Odysseus in ‘The Odyssey’, written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, embarks on a long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War, chronicling his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the witch-goddess Circe.

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    The Dink‘ (7/24)

    (L to R) Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson in 'The Dink,' premiering July 24, 2026 on Apple TV.
    (L to R) Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson in ‘The Dink,’ premiering July 24, 2026 on Apple TV.

    Desperate to save a struggling country club and earn his father’s respect, a washed-up tennis pro (Jake Johnson) is compelled to break a sacred vow and do the unthinkable: play pickleball.

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    Motor City‘ (7/24)

    Alan Ritchson stars in 'Motor City'. Photo: Independent Film Company.
    Alan Ritchson stars in ‘Motor City’. Photo: Independent Film Company.

    In 1970s Detroit, John Miller (Alan Ritchson) falls in love with the girlfriend of a local gangster. To get revenge, the gangster sets up a frame-up to send the innocent man to prison. With his life ruined, Miller plots revenge against the man who took his girlfriend away from him.

    0zzEpQN87WfTPH8BMGxUz

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘ (7/31)

    (L to R) Spider-Man and Boomerang in Columbia Pictures 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Copyright: ©2026 CTMG. All Rights Reserved. Photo By Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Spider-Man and Boomerang in Columbia Pictures ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’. Copyright: ©2026 CTMG. All Rights Reserved. Photo By Sony Pictures.

    The fourth installment in the Spider-Man franchise and part of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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    August:

    PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie‘ (8/4)

    Carter Young as “Marshall” in 'Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie' from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.
    Carter Young as “Marshall” in ‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’ from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.

    The PAW Patrol pups crash land on an uncharted tropical island filled with dinosaurs after their ship gets caught in a mysterious storm. They meet Rex (Hayden Chamberlen), a pup who has been stranded on the island for years and has become an expert in all things dino-related. When the Patrol’s archrival, Mayor Humdinger, begins recklessly mining in hopes of exploiting the island for its natural resources, he inadvertently causes a huge, dormant volcano to erupt. The pups are thrown into a series of high-stakes, dino-sized rescues bigger than anything they’ve done before, as they must stop Humdinger before everything on the island goes extinct.

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    Ice Cream Man‘ (8/7)

    Ari Millen in 'Ice Cream Man'. Photo: Valerie Flores/The Horror Section.
    Ari Millen in ‘Ice Cream Man’. Photo: Valerie Flores/The Horror Section.

    ‘Ice Cream Man’ follows an idyllic summer town descending into madness when an ice cream man (Ari Millen) serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.

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    One Night Only‘ (8/7)

    (L to R) Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner in 'One Night Only'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner in ‘One Night Only’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Two strangers (Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner) scramble to find someone to sleep with on the one night of the year when premarital sex is legal.

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    The End of Oak Street‘ (8/14)

    (L to R) Ewan McGregor as Greg Platt, Christian Convery as Brian Platt, Maisy Stella as Audrey Platt and Anne Hathaway as Denise Platt in in 'The End of Oak Street', a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Ewan McGregor as Greg Platt, Christian Convery as Brian Platt, Maisy Stella as Audrey Platt and Anne Hathaway as Denise Platt in in ‘The End of Oak Street’, a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

    After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, a family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings.

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    Insidious: Out of the Further‘ (8/21)

    'Insidious: Out of the Further'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    ‘Insidious: Out of the Further’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    A trio of stalkers infiltrate a quiet suburb and force a new family into the astral plane, where they uncover a terrifying truth: the Further is bleeding into the real world.

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    Mutiny‘ (8/21)

    Jason Statham as Cole Reed in 'Mutiny'. Photo: Dan Smith/Lionsgate.
    Jason Statham as Cole Reed in ‘Mutiny’. Photo: Dan Smith/Lionsgate.

    After witnessing his billionaire boss’ murder and being framed for the crime, Cole Reed (Jason Statham) boards a cargo ship on a one-man crusade to avenge his boss’ death only to discover an international conspiracy.

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    Spa Weekend‘ (8/21)

    (L to R) Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris in 'Spa Weekend'. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.
    (L to R) Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris in ‘Spa Weekend’. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.

    The film follows three best friends, Jane, Coco and Sophie, as they embark on some much-needed pampering during a luxury spa break in Palm Springs. But when their trainwreck friend, Mel, turns up, the relaxation quickly descends into chaos with hilarious consequences. Starring Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris.

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    Idiots‘ (8/28)

    Dave Franco in 'Idiots'. Photo: Independent Film Company .
    Dave Franco in ‘Idiots’. Photo: Independent Film Company .

    When two unqualified bozos (Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr.) are hired to transfer a rich teen to rehab, their straightforward gig quickly spirals into dangerous mayhem.

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    Finding Emily‘ (8/28)

    (L to R) Spike Fearn stars as Owen and Angourie Rice as Emily in director Alicia MacDonald’s 'Finding Emily', a Focus Features release. Credit: Matt Squire / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.
    (L to R) Spike Fearn stars as Owen and Angourie Rice as Emily in director Alicia MacDonald’s ‘Finding Emily’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Matt Squire / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

    When a lovesick musician (Spike Fearn) is given the wrong number for his dream girl, he teams up with a driven psychology student to find her (Angourie Rice). Together, they spark a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way.

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    Cliffhanger‘ (8/28)

    Lily James in 'Cliffhanger'. Photo: Rocket Science.
    Lily James in ‘Cliffhanger’. Photo: Rocket Science.

    During a weekend trip with a billionaire’s son, seasoned mountaineer Ray Cooper (Pierce Brosnan) and his daughter Sydney (Nell Tiger Free) are targeted by a gang of kidnappers. Ray’s other daughter Naomi (Lily James), still haunted by a past climbing accident, witnesses the attack and escapes. To save her family, she must confront her fears and fight for survival.

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    The Dog Stars‘ (8/28)

    (L to R) Jacob Elordi as Hig and Josh Brolin as Bangley in 20th Century Studios' 'The Dog Stars'. Photo by Fabio Lovino. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Jacob Elordi as Hig and Josh Brolin as Bangley in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Dog Stars’. Photo by Fabio Lovino. © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    After the world’s population has been ravaged by a pandemic, a man (Jacob Elordi) lives a lonesome existence in a Colorado airplane hangar with his dog and a dour gunman (Josh Brolin) he has befriended. When a mysterious transmission comes through on the radio while he’s flying his old Cessna, it sparks a hunt for the provenance of the sound.

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    Colony‘ (8/28)

    Jun Ji-hyun as “Se Jeong” in the Horror film, 'Colony', a Well Go USA release. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment.
    Jun Ji-hyun as “Se Jeong” in the Horror film, ‘Colony’, a Well Go USA release. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment.

    Professor Se-jeong (Gianna Jun) is thrust into a bloody nightmare when a rapidly mutating virus is released during a biotech conference causing authorities to seal the facility. Trapped inside with no escape, Se-jeong along with a small group of survivors must fight to stay alive while the infected undergo horrific transformations.

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    Coyote vs. Acme‘ (8/28)

    (L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.
    (L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

    After Acme products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation.

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  • ‘Animal Farm’ Interview: Andy Serkis and Iman Vellani

    'Animal Farm' director Andy Serkis and actor Iman Vellani.
    ‘Animal Farm’ director Andy Serkis and actor Iman Vellani.

    Opening in theaters on May 1st is the new animated adaptation of George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’, which was directed by Andy Serkis (‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’).

    The film features an all-star voice cast that includes Seth Rogen (‘Sausage Party’), Gaten Matarazzo (‘Stranger Things’), Kieran Culkin (‘Succession’), Glenn Close (‘101 Dalmatians’), Laverne Cox (‘Promising Young Woman’), Steve Buscemi (‘Hotel Transylvania’), Woody Harrelson (‘War for the Planet of the Apes’), Jim Parsons (‘The Big Bang Theory’),Kathleen Turner (‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’), and Iman Vellani (‘The Marvels’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Andy Serkis and Iman Vellani about their work on ‘Animal Farm’, adapting George Orwell’s story and the changes they made, Vellani’s dual role, and putting together the all-star voice cast.

    Related Article: Andy Serkis Will be Back as Alfred Pennyworth for ‘The Batman: Part II’

    'Animal Farm', directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.
    ‘Animal Farm’, directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Andy, can you talk about why you wanted to adapt George Orwell’s story and the changes you made to the source material?

    Andy Serkis: It always entranced me, the book did from when I first read it on the bus going to school when I was about 12, and I knew, here was this book that was speaking about dark themes, and yet it was couched in this sort of innocence. That was one of the things that stuck with me and through the years, I realized I wanted to make a movie about it. When we were making the ‘Apes’ movies, I suddenly thought, there hasn’t been an adaptation of ‘Animal Farm’ for such a long time. So, it was originally going to be a motion capture and live action version. But animation retained its innocence and allowed us to go into the story for a much wider audience. When we were writing a script that really defined it, you know, in the book, the pigs are offstage characters, and the story is told objectively. So, we needed a protagonist, and I wanted to have it start with a young, innocent piglet who considered himself just one of the other animals, and then gradually, as the story progresses, he realizes that he’s being pulled in another direction that he thinks is right for everybody, but he’s been manipulated. So, the invention of that character, Lucky is new, but there are young piglets in the book from later, which become part of the story, but that was a choice. Then the other thing was, having a third act where there was some hope in a very otherwise bleak story, because this is really for a young audience to sit with their parents and grandparents and engage and actually just say, “Look, it may be difficult and there’s probably no answer because we always seem to get it wrong no matter how long we live on this planet, but we’ve got to keep trying.”

    'Animal Farm', directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.
    ‘Animal Farm’, directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.

    MF: Iman, were you familiar with the novella and what was it like voicing two different characters?

    Iman Vellani: I was familiar with the book, but that was about it. I didn’t have to read it in school, so it wasn’t until they said they set up this meeting with Andy and they told me it was ‘Animal Farm’. I was like, “I haven’t read it,” and I was so glad it was a novella. I skimmed through it, and I was like, “Oh my god, this is really intense”. Then that final image was so haunting, and it really stuck with me. Then you are wondering how this is going to be a children’s book or adaptation? So, I came in with so many questions, but Andy was so generous with his time and made it so accessible for me to also insert myself in because we are reorienting it to a young person’s perspective. I think there’s so much power in a coming-of-age story because you get personal stakes. You’re following these characters, making decisions, calling out injustices, and having these moments of rebellion and that’s exactly what kids are dealing with today. They just need the impetus to do it and something to inspire them. If all you’re getting is negativity in the news, in school and through your parents, you don’t feel like you’re growing up in a world that’s going to have anything left to offer to you, right? So, then with Puff and Tammy, they were just so much fun to play. Puff was really the only character I played initially. We didn’t know about Tammy until a bit later. She just felt like a great addition because you could show that extreme version of her, someone who doesn’t question authorities, someone who just goes with the flow of whatever’s attractive and speaking the loudest. So, that was fun for me to play. I learned so much from Andy because this was my first-time doing voice work. So, I didn’t realize how much play and looseness would be involved.

    'Animal Farm', directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.
    ‘Animal Farm’, directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.

    MF: Finally, Andy, you cast some of the most recognizable voices in the industry in this movie including Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, and Kathleen Turner. Can you talk about putting together the voice cast?

    AS: Well, obviously they had to quintessentially hit those characters immediately. With every member of the cast, from Woody Harrison to Jim Parsons, we were so blessed because everyone was so passionate about the source material and the book. We started talking to people many years ago and they stuck with it. They really wanted to tell this story because they were passionate about what it had. I think everyone just crystallized and each of the actors were perfect for their roles. We were so blessed and particularly with Iman having to do two characters, one of them thrown in much later. But it was wonderful to observe. So, we were very lucky, but it came from a lot of passion for the book and wanting to tell this story for a young modern audience.

    'Animal Farm', directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.
    ‘Animal Farm’, directed by Andy Serkis. Photo: Angel Studios.

    What is the plot of ‘Animal Farm’?

    A satirical allegory of revolution and power that traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted. As the pigs consolidate control, truth is erased, dissent is crushed, and the farm descends into a ruthless dictatorship.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Animal Farm’?

    • Seth Rogen as Napoleon
    • Gaten Matarazzo as Lucky
    • Kieran Culkin as Squealer
    • Glenn Close as Freida Pilkington
    • Steve Buscemi as Mr. Whymper
    • Laverne Cox as Snowball
    • Woody Harrelson as Boxer
    • Jim Parsons as Carl and Carl’s flock
    • Andy Serkis as Mr. Jones and Old Major
    • Kathleen Turner as Benjamin
    • Iman Vellani as Puff and Tammy
    'Animal Farm' opens in theaters on May 1st.
    ‘Animal Farm’ opens in theaters on May 1st.

    List of Movies Directed by Andy Serkis:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Animal Farm’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Andy Serkis Movies on Amazon

  • ‘Deep Water’ Exclusive Interview: Aaron Eckhart

    (L to R) Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    (L to R) Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    Opening in theaters on May 1st is the new survival film ‘Deep Water’, which was directed by Renny Harlin (‘Deep Blue Sea’) and produced by Gene Simmons of the band KISS.

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    The film stars Aaron Eckhart (‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Sully’), Angus Sampson (‘Mad Max: Fury Road’), Kelly Gale (‘Plane’), and Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley (‘Gandhi’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Aaron Eckhart about his work on ‘Deep Water’, similarities to ‘Sully’, how his research for Clint Eastwood’s movie prepared him to play a pilot in this film, what he learned from working with Sir Ben Kingsley, acting in water, how they shot the shark sequences, why Renny Harlin was uniquely qualified to direct this movie, and if he got a chance to meet producer and KISS bassist Gene Simmons.

    Related Article: Aaron Eckhart and Director Jesse V. Johnson Talk ‘Thieves Highway’

    Aaron Eckhart in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    Aaron Eckhart in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    Moviefone: To begin with, after ‘Sully’, ‘Deep Water’ marks the second time that you have successfully landed a plane full of passengers on water in a movie. Did you feel any déjà vu while you were shooting this film?

    Aaron Eckhart: There you go. I’m ready for the big time. Obviously, it was getting back in the cockpit, putting the hat on, getting in the chair, adjusting the chair, and pushing the buttons. I took pilot training myself in real life, and then on YouTube, people are filming themselves in cockpits all over the world. So, it’s a combination of all that. Then really, the script, and we have a guy on set that’s telling us what to do, “Don’t push that, do this, do that.” Then it comes down to just Sir Ben and me in the cockpit playing off each other. That’s really the most exciting part, or if it were Tom (Hanks) or whoever. It just comes down to working with great actors.

    MF: When you research a subject to play a character with a particular occupation like a pilot, a cop, or a doctor, does that training stay with you if you ever play a character with that occupation again, or do you have to relearn those skills film to film?

    AE: Oh, yeah. Not only that, but in my daily life, it stays with me daily. If I play a cop and I learn something about situational awareness or defense, I practice it every day. For example, I learned to chop when I did a cooking movie (‘No Reservations’). I learned how to make sauces. I learned how to flip stuff in a pan. That stays with me today. I do that. I use that every day. A great thing, selfishly, about making movies is that you get to work with the best people in the world and they’ll do it with a smile on their face, whether it’s a doctor, pilot, gunfighter, cowboy, or whoever it is. That stuff stays with you your whole life. As long as it’s a good guy, when it’s a bad guy, I try to get rid of it. In fact, people say, “Well, why are you doing all these action movies?” It’s because I want to play good guys. I don’t want to go down into the dark abyss of things that are going to interrupt my sleep at night. I don’t want to do that anymore. This movie is a perfect example of that, of being a leader, of having to step up, having to deal with people, being humbled, loving my family, loving others, and doing the right thing. That’s the sort of thing I prefer to do now.

    Ben Kingsley in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    Ben Kingsley in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    MF: Can you talk about acting opposite Sir Ben Kingsley, and what did you learn from watching the way he works and carries himself on set?

    AE: Well, that’s a very good question. I have the utmost respect for him. He’s one of the greats. He’s done fantastic work. Now, as an actor, when he walks onto the set, when he walks into wardrobe, how’s he doing? How does he greet people? Does he have a smile on his face? Does he take time with people? These are all things that I’m watching. I’m soaking up everything, not just the acting. How does he go onto set? What does he do when he gets onto set? How does he prepare himself? How does he talk to the director? All these things, I am soaking up all the time. For Sir Ben, or if its Nicole Kidman (‘Rabbit Hole‘), or whoever it is, you’re with the best. They’re sitting with you and they’re working with you, so you must take advantage of them. Any question that I ask is like, “Sir Ben, what was it like doing ‘Hamlet’? What was it like doing this? What were you thinking about?” I did that with Clint Eastwood (‘Sully’). I did it with Jack Nicholson (‘The Pledge‘). I did it with all of them. I’ve learned things from them that I put into my repertoire. Things that Tom Hanks said to me. He might not even know that he said it to me, or it wasn’t even said. I just go, “Okay, that’s the way to do it.” Gary Oldman, I learned a lot from on ‘The Dark Knight’. How do these guys deal with others? How do they deal with crisis on the set? How do they deal with times when they’re not happy? Just all that stuff. I have so many experiences of that, but it never goes to waste. I’m always looking at them. Let’s say that an actor of Sir Ben’s quality and qualifications is not happy with something. How does he deal with that? How do I deal with him? How do I ask questions when he’s concentrating? It’s a little dance. Then I look at others and go, “Well, how are they responding to me? What sort of energy am I putting out?” Over the years it’s changed. I have to say earlier on in my career, I wasn’t good at it. I misinterpreted a lot of signals, and I wasn’t as professional as I thought I could be. So, I’ve learned, and I’ve mutated over the years to try to be the professional Sir Ben is.

    MF: What are the challenges of acting and performing in water?

    AE: Well, I’ll tell you what, let’s just think about it. If you and I were acting together and I said, “Okay, this is what happened. We just fell 30,000 feet out of the air. We’ve just seen people getting dragged out of a plane. We’re in the middle of the ocean. The water’s freezing. We’re not prepared. You’re freaked out. Action!” It’s impossible. Now, you’re in water and you must use the fourth wall as an actor and there’s sharks out there. You can’t see through the water, it’s a nighttime. People are yelling and screaming and now you must deal with every single fear at the highest level. Now, you must do it with eight other actors. How do you do it? I don’t know how you do it, but you got to always do it on a level of 10. When you find yourself slipping into a 9 or an 8, you got to hit yourself and say, “Hey, I got to be up at 10. This is 10 time.” You look at other people and they’re not at 10 because they’re sipping warm tea, and they got a jacket around them and they’re waiting for the director to set up the lights and the camera. You can’t do that. You got to stay at 10. I’m not saying you got to be freaking out all the time. I’m saying you got to be prepared mentally at 10 all the time, because the audience wants you to be at 10. Even if you’re being calm, you got to be at 10. That’s the challenge. Then in water, it was very challenging because you must feel like the sharks are ripping you out of the water, and it was very difficult in that sense. I don’t know if we achieved what I wanted, but it’s tough.

    Aaron Eckhart in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    Aaron Eckhart in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    MF: Did you shoot in a tank on a soundstage or were you in a practical location?

    AE: No, you’re in tanks with green screen, and the tanks are at 55°. They try to make it as comfortable as possible. So, you have that to fight against that, but there are some dangers. I mean, when you’re swimming with a girl on your back and you’re taking more water in than you want to, and you’re not getting as big of breaths as you need, you have a certain responsibility there and there are people watching you. Look, the fun is being real. So, if you can convince yourself that there’s a shark right there and he’s coming at you and he’s going to eat you, if you can somehow get in that ballpark, then everything’s fun. It’s when you can’t get to that ballpark, that it becomes frustrating. So, Renny’s helping you, and you have the other actors, the circumstances, and your preparation. It’s all that, but that is the challenge in filmmaking.

    MF: What was it like working with someone who clearly has experience making movies in this genre such as ‘Deep Blue Sea’ director Renny Harlin?

    AE: I loved it. As you say, he’s the pro. He’s the go to guy in this genre. He loves filmmaking, and he’s always happy. I always say to Renny, “You really love this stuff, don’t you?” He’s like, “I love it!” He said to me one time, “I love every frame.” He’s always coming back and saying, “Look at this area, look at this frame.” It’s a big explosion and I’d say, “That looks awesome, Renny.” So, he’s great. He’s willing to work with me, which means a lot to me, and I think that we’re developing a rhythm together. I trust him as a filmmaker. He lets me do what I want to do. Hopefully he trusts me, so I like it. Everybody around him loves Renny. He’s very good to the crew. At the beginning of the day, he has a pep talk. At the end of the day, he has a pep talk. He has giveaways. He always tries to keep the crew into what he’s doing. So, he knows how to do it.

    (L to R) Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley of Kiss in 'Biography: KiSStory'. Photo: The Biography Channel.
    (L to R) Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley of Kiss in ‘Biography: KiSStory’. Photo: The Biography Channel.

    MF: Finally, the film is produced by rockstar Gene Simmons from KISS. Are you a KISS fan and did you get a chance to meet Gene while you were making this movie?

    AE: Yeah. I grew up in the ’70s. KISS was revolutionary in the ’70s. It was like a brand-new thing, and of course, they didn’t take their makeup off till years later. So, I never knew what those guys looked like, but I listened to KISS. Now, I did not know that Gene was a producer on this movie. We filmed in New Zealand and then we filmed in the Canary Islands. So, he never made the trip, I don’t believe. But I’m glad he’s into it. I hope it helps, and I’d love to do another one with him. So, get that out there!

    'Deep Water' opens in theaters on May 1st.
    ‘Deep Water’ opens in theaters on May 1st.

    What is the plot of ‘Deep Water’?

    A group of international passengers traveling from Los Angeles to Shanghai are forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. Now they must work together in hopes to overcome the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Deep Water’?

    (L to R) Priya Jain, Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in 'Deep Water'. Photo: Jen Raoult.
    (L to R) Priya Jain, Molly Belle Wright and Aaron Eckhart in ‘Deep Water’. Photo: Jen Raoult.

    List of Aaron Eckhart Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Deep Water’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Aaron Eckhart Movies on Amazon

  • Best Robert Pattinson Movies of All Time Ranked

    Robert Pattinson attends the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Robert Pattinson attends the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Robert Pattinson is one of the most popular actors working today!

    The actor began his career playing Cedric Diggory in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire‘, but of course, is best known for playing Edward Cullen in the ‘Twilight‘ franchise.

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    Since then, Pattinson has appeared in several critically acclaimed films such as ‘The Lost City of Z‘, ‘Good Time‘, and ‘The Lighthouse‘, as well as appearing in Christopher Nolan‘s ‘Tenet‘, and taking on the iconic title role in ‘The Batman‘.

    Pattinson’s latest role is opposite Zendaya in ‘The Drama‘, which opened in theaters on April 3rd.

    In honor of his new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 movies of Robert Pattinson’s impressive career.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Drama’


    20. ‘Mickey 17‘ (2025)

    Robert Pattinson as Mickey 17 in 'Mickey 17,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Robert Pattinson as Mickey 17 in ‘Mickey 17,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Unlikely hero Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) finds himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.

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    19. ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse‘ (2010)

    Bella (Stewart) once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward (Robert Pattinson) and her friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner), knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

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    18. ‘High Life‘ (2019)

    Monte (Pattinson) and his baby daughter are the last survivors of a damned and dangerous mission to deep space. The crew—death-row inmates led by a doctor (Juliette Binoche) with sinister motives—has vanished. As the mystery of what happened onboard the ship is unraveled, father and daughter must rely on each other to survive as they hurtle toward the oblivion of a black hole.

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    17. ‘Maps to the Stars‘ (2015)

    Driven by an intense need for fame and validation, members of a dysfunctional Hollywood family chase celebrity, one another, and the relentless ghosts of their pasts. Their fragile ecosystem is disrupted by the arrival of Agatha (Mia Wasikowska), the scarred and estranged pyromaniac daughter.

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    16. ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1‘ (2011)

    Bella Swan (Stewart) and Edward Cullen’s (Robert Pattinson) honeymoon phase is abruptly disrupted by betrayals and unforeseen tragedies that endanger their world.

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    15. ‘Die My Love‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in 'Die My Love'. Photo: Kimberley French/Mubi.
    (L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in ‘Die My Love’. Photo: Kimberley French/Mubi.

    After inheriting a remote Montana house, Jackson (Pattinson) moves there from New York with his partner Grace (Jennifer Lawrence), and the couple soon welcome a child. As Jackson becomes increasingly absent and rural isolation sets in, Grace struggles with loneliness, creative frustration, and unresolved emotional wounds. What begins as an attempt at renewal gradually turns into an intense psychological descent, placing strain on their relationship and exposing the fragile balance between love, identity, and motherhood.

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    14. ‘Water for Elephants‘ (2011)

    In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he’s transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).

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    13. ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon‘ (2009)

    Forks, Washington resident Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is reeling from the departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and finds comfort in her friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a werewolf. But before she knows it, she’s thrust into a centuries-old conflict, and her desire to be with Edward at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

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    12. ‘Cosmopolis‘ (2012)

    Riding across Manhattan in a stretch limo during a riot in order to get a haircut, a 28-year-old billionaire asset manager’s life (Pattinson) begins to crumble.

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    11. ‘The King‘ (2019)

    England, 15th century. Hal (Timothée Chalamet), a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.

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    10. ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2‘ (2012)

    (L to R) Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2'. Photo: Summit Entertainment.
    (L to R) Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2’. Photo: Summit Entertainment.

    After the birth of Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy), the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.

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    9. ‘Remember Me‘ (2010)

    Still reeling from a heartbreaking family event and his parents’ subsequent divorce, Tyler Hawkins (Pattinson) discovers a fresh lease on life when he meets Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin), a gregarious beauty who witnessed her mother’s death. But as the couple draws closer, the fallout from their separate tragedies jeopardizes their love.

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    8. ‘The Lost City of Z‘ (2017)

    A true-life drama in the 1920s, centering on British explorer Col. Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who discovered evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization in the Amazon and disappeared whilst searching for it.

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    7. ‘Good Time‘ (2017)

    After a botched bank robbery lands his younger brother in prison, Connie Nikas (Pattinson) embarks on a twisted odyssey through New York City’s underworld to get his brother Nick (Benny Safdie) out of jail.

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    6. ‘The Lighthouse‘ (2019)

    Two lighthouse keepers (Pattinson and Willem Dafoe) try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.

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    5. ‘The Drama‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in 'The Drama'. Photo: A24.
    (L to R) Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in ‘The Drama’. Photo: A24.

    A happily engaged couple (Pattinson and Zendaya) is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.

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    4. ‘Tenet‘ (2020)

    Armed with only one word – Tenet – and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist (John David Washington) journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

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    3. ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire‘ (2005)

    When his name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three wizarding schools—the Triwizard Tournament. But since Harry never submitted his name for the Tournament, who did? Now Harry must confront a deadly dragon, fierce water demons, and an enchanted maze only to find himself in the cruel grasp of He Who Must Not Be Named.

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    2. ‘Twilight‘ (2008)

    When Bella Swan (Stewart) moves to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, she falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire. Despite Edward’s repeated cautions, Bella can’t stay away from him, a fatal move that endangers her own life.

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    1. ‘The Batman‘ (2022)

    Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “The Batman,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Robert Pattinson as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “The Batman,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves‘ ‘The Batman’, starring Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.

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  • Best Movies Adapted from Video Games Ranked

    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Luigi (Charlie Day), Mario (Chris Pratt), Yoshi (Donald Glover) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Video game movies have come a long way over the years!

    Early adaptations like 1993’s ‘Super Mario Bros.‘ and 1994’s ‘Street Fighter‘ struggled to capture what made their source material so popular, but Hollywood has finally started to crack the code.

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    But in recent years, studios have found real success with films like ‘Uncharted‘ and ‘A Minecraft Movie‘, as well as the ‘Resident Evil‘, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog‘, and ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ franchises.

    Now, the long-awaited sequel to 2023’s blockbuster smash ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘, entitled ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘, is scheduled for release in theaters on April 1st and promises to be another monster hit.

    In honor of the new sequel’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies adapted from video games of all time, including ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’


    20. ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time‘ (2010)

    Jake Gyllenhaal stars in 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
    Jake Gyllenhaal stars in ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

    A rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time – gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

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    19. ‘Assassin’s Creed‘ (2016)

    Through a technology that unlocks the genetic memories of his ancestor in 15th century Spain, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) discovers he is a descendant of an ancient line of Assassins and amasses lethal skills to take on the oppressive Templar Order.

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    18. ‘Need for Speed‘ (2014)

    The film revolves around a local street-racer (Aaron Paul) who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate (Dominic Cooper), only to find himself framed by his colleague and sent to prison. After he gets out, he joins a New York-to-Los Angeles race to get revenge. But when the ex-partner learns of the scheme, he puts a massive bounty on the racer’s head, forcing him to run a cross-country gauntlet of illegal racers in all manner of supercharged vehicles.

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    17. ‘Warcraft‘ (2016)

    The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home.

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    16. ‘Until Dawn‘ (2025)

    One year after her sister Melanie (Maia Mitchell) mysteriously disappeared, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening.

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    15. ‘Rampage‘ (2018)

    Dwayne Johnson in 'Rampage'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Dwayne Johnson in ‘Rampage’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Primatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer (Naomie Harris) to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.

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    14. ‘Tomb Raider‘ (2018)

    Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander), the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer (Dominic West), must push herself beyond her limits when she finds herself on the island where her father disappeared.

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    13. ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife‘ (2010)

    In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend (Ali Larter). A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead – and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.

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    12. ‘Hitman‘ (2007)

    A genetically engineered assassin with deadly aim, known only as “Agent 47” (Timothy Olyphant) eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he’s double-crossed, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself in a life-or-death game of international intrigue.

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    11. ‘Iron Lung‘ (2026)

    The stars are gone. The planets have disappeared. Only individuals aboard space stations or starships were left to give the end a name — The Quiet Rapture. After decades of decay and crumbling infrastructure, the Consolidation of Iron has made a discovery on a barren moon designated AT-5. An ocean of blood. Hoping to discover desperately needed resources they immediately launch an expedition. A submarine is crafted and a convict is welded inside. Due to the pressure and depth of the ocean the forward viewport has been encased in metal. If successful, they will earn their freedom. If not, another will follow. This will be the 13th expedition.

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    10. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie', directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
    (L to R) Yoshi (Donald Glover), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

    Having thwarted Bowser’s (Jack Black) previous plot to marry Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) now face a fresh threat in Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who is determined to liberate his father from captivity and restore the family legacy. Alongside companions new and old, the brothers travel across the stars to stop the young heir’s crusade.

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    9. ‘Uncharted‘ (2022)

    Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.

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    8. ‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu‘ (2019)

    In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy (Justice Smith) comes across an intelligent monster (Ryan Reynolds) who seeks to be a detective.

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    7. ‘A Minecraft Movie‘ (2025)

    Four misfits (Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, and Jason Momoa) find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black).

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    6. ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s‘ (2023)

    Recently fired and desperate for work, a troubled young man named Mike (Josh Hutcherson) agrees to take a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But he soon discovers that nothing at Freddy’s is what it seems.

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    5. ‘Sonic the Hedgehog‘ (2020)

    Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in 'Sonic the Hedgehog.' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz) embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until Sonic sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic’s unique power for world domination.

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    4. ‘Mortal Kombat‘ (2021)

    MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung (Chin Han) has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee) at the direction of Jax (Mehcad Brooks), a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden (Tadanabu Asano), an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), Kung Lao (Max Huang) and rogue mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson), as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana, ”the immense power from within his soul”, in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?

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    3. ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider‘ (2001)

    Orphaned heiress, English aristocrat and intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie), embarks on a dangerous quest to retrieve the two halves of an ancient artifact which controls time before it falls into the wrong hands. As an extremely rare planetary alignment is about to occur for the first time in 5,000 years, the fearless tomb raider will have to team up with rival adventurers and sworn enemies to collect the pieces, while time is running out. But, in the end, who can harness the archaic talisman’s unlimited power?

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    2. ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘ (2023)

    While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers—and brothers—Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are transported down a mysterious pipe and wander into a magical new world. But when the brothers are separated, Mario embarks on an epic quest to find Luigi.

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    1. ‘Resident Evil‘ (2002)

    Milla Jovovich in 'Resident Evil'. Photo: Screen Gems.
    Milla Jovovich in ‘Resident Evil’. Photo: Screen Gems.

    When a virus leaks from a top-secret facility, turning all resident researchers into ravenous zombies and their lab animals into mutated hounds from hell, the government sends in an elite military task force to contain the outbreak.

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  • Best Rock and Roll Biopics of All Time Ranked

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.

    Rock and Roll musicians always make interesting subjects for biopics, and often win Oscars like in the case of ‘Ray‘ or Bohemian Rhapsody.’

    In recent years, we’ve seen the release of biopics about Bob Marley (‘Bob Marley: One Love‘), Amy Winehouse (‘Back to Black‘), Bob Dylan (‘A Complete Unknown‘), and Bruce Springsteen (‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere‘), and now we have ‘Michael‘ opening in theaters on April 24th, which stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson.

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    In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 Rock and Roll biopics of all time.

    NOTE: Since the term “Rock and Roll” can cover several different genres of music, we are only including movies about musical artists who were known for performing popular music within the rock genre, including jazz, blues, country, rap, etc.

    Without further ado, let’s begin!

    Related Article: Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro Talk Dylan Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’


    20. ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere‘ (2025)

    Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 20th Century Studios' 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Bruce Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White), a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom, struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past.

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    19. ‘Bob Marley: One Love‘ (2024)

    Kingsley Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in 'Bob Marley: One Love' from Paramount Pictures.
    Kingsley Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.

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    18. ‘Control‘ (2007)

    (Left) Sam Riley as Ian Curtis in 'Control'. Photo: The Weinstein Company.
    (Left) Sam Riley as Ian Curtis in ‘Control’. Photo: The Weinstein Company.

    The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band’s first American tour in 1980.

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    17. ‘Miles Ahead‘ (2016)

    Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in 'Miles Ahead'. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics.
    Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in ‘Miles Ahead’. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics.

    An exploration of the life and music of Miles Davis (Don Cheadle).

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    16. ‘Jimi: All Is by My Side‘ (2014)

    André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in 'Jimi: All Is by My Side'. Photo: Darko Entertainment.
    André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in ‘Jimi: All Is by My Side’. Photo: Darko Entertainment.

    A drama based on Jimi Hendrix‘s (André 3000) life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.

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    15. ‘ Michael‘ (2026)

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    Discover the story of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.

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    14. ‘The Runaways‘ (2010)

    (L to R) Alia Shawkat as Robin Robins, Riley Keough as Marie Currie, Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie in 'The Runaways'. Photo: Summit Entertainment.
    (L to R) Alia Shawkat as Robin Robins, Riley Keough as Marie Currie, Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie in ‘The Runaways’. Photo: Summit Entertainment.

    Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways — the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengali-like influence of impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), the band becomes a huge success.

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    13. ‘La Bamba‘ (1987)

    Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in 'La Bamba'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in ‘La Bamba’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).

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    12. ‘Get on Up‘ (2014)

    Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in 'Get On Up'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in ‘Get On Up’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A chronicle of James Brown‘s (Chadwick Boseman) rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.

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    11. ‘Ray‘ (2004)

    Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in 'Ray'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in ‘Ray’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.

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    10. ‘Sid and Nancy‘ (1986)

    (L to R) Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as Nancy Spungen in 'SId and Nancy'. Photo: Palace Pictures.
    (L to R) Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as Nancy Spungen in ‘SId and Nancy’. Photo: Palace Pictures.

    January 1978. After their success in England, the punk rock band Sex Pistols venture out on their tour of the southern United States. Temperamental bassist Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman) is forced by his band mates to travel without his troubled girlfriend, Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb), who will meet him in New York. When the band breaks up and Sid begins his solo career in a hostile city, the turbulent couple definitely falls into the depths of drug addiction.

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    9. ‘Love & Mercy‘ (2015)

    Paul Dano as Brian Wilson in 'Love & Mercy'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    Paul Dano as Brian Wilson in ‘Love & Mercy’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson (Paul Dano and John Cusack) stops touring, produces “Pet Sounds” and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks).

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    8. ‘Rocketman‘ (2019)

    Taron Egerton as Elton John in 'Rocketman'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Taron Egerton as Elton John in ‘Rocketman’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The story of Elton John‘s (Taron Egerton) life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell).

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    7. ‘Elvis‘ (2022)

    Austin Butler as Elvis in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama 'Elvis,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Austin Butler as Elvis in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama ‘Elvis,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The life story of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

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    6. ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It‘ (1993)

    Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in 'What's Love Got to Do with It'. Photo: Touchstone Pictures.
    Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’. Photo: Touchstone Pictures.

    Singer Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) rises to stardom while mustering the courage to break free from her abusive husband Ike (Laurence Fishburne).

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    5. ‘I’m Not There‘ (2007)

    Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn in 'I'm Not There'. Photo: The Weinstein Company.
    Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn in ‘I’m Not There’. Photo: The Weinstein Company.

    Six actors (Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw) portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages of his life, chronicling his rise from unknown folksinger to international icon and revealing how Dylan constantly reinvented himself.

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    4. ‘Walk the Line‘ (2005)

    (L to R) Reese Witherspoon as June Carter and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line'.
    (L to R) Reese Witherspoon as June Carter and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in ‘Walk the Line’.

    A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash‘s (Joaquin Phoenix) life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

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    3. ‘The Doors‘ (1991)

    Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in 'The Doors'. Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.
    Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in ‘The Doors’. Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.

    The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer).

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    2. ‘Straight Outta Compton‘ (2015)

    O'Shea Jackson Jr. as O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson Sr. in 'Straight Outta Compton'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    O’Shea Jackson Jr. as O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson Sr. in ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Starring O’Shea Jackson Jr. as O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Corey Hawkins as Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, and Jason Mitchell as Eric “Eazy-E” Wright.

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    1. ‘A Complete Unknown‘ (2024)

    Timothée Chalamet in 'A Complete Unkown'. Photo by Macall Polay, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
    Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Complete Unkown’. Photo by Macall Polay, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

    Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan‘s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

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  • ‘Mr. Burton’ Exclusive Interview: Toby Jones

    Toby Jones as Philip Burton in 'Mr. Burton'. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.
    Toby Jones as Philip Burton in ‘Mr. Burton’. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.

    Opening in UK theaters on April 4th is the new biopic ‘Mr. Burton’, which was directed by Marc Evans (‘Hunky Dory’) and focuses on the early life of legendary actor Richard Burton. The film stars Toby Jones (‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’), Lesley Manville (‘Phantom Thread’), and Harry Lawtey (‘Joker: Folie à Deux’) as Richard Burton.

    Moviefone recently has the pleasure of speaking with Toby Jones about his work on ‘Mr. Burton’, his first reaction to the screenplay, what he learned about Burton’s early life, Richard’s friendship with mentor Phillip Burton, working with Harry Lawtey and director Marc Evans, mentors that have helped Jones along the way, and the legacy of Richard Burton.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ 

    Toby Jones as Philip Burton in 'Mr. Burton'. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.
    Toby Jones as Philip Burton in ‘Mr. Burton’. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and how much did you already know about this point in Richard Burton’s life?

    Toby Jones: I knew nothing about it, and so as a result, I was astonished by what I read. It felt like I was reading a 19th century novel, this idea of a man effectively adopting a son in this way, felt incredible. Then, my first meeting with Mark Evans, I was just keen to verify all of that. Not because it bothered me whether it was true or not, but I couldn’t quite believe that it was true. But it’s shocking in the film and I’m pleased at how shocking it is in the film. Because I think it’s also what makes, what could seem like a very traditional biopic, much darker, and suggests a darkness that might well have partly explained some of Burton’s more erratic behavior in his life.

    MF: Through being part of this project and doing research into his life, did you learn anything that changed your perspective on Richard Burton’s life and career?

    TJ: Yeah, it really did. I mean, I knew that he’d come from a working-class background. He was almost the most famous of a whole generation of British actors, including my father, which is why it’s so personal to me, who through a mixture of education, inspirational teaching and the economic climate of the time were able to escape the precariousness and the inevitability of their lives and through acting to achieve stardom. I mean, extraordinary celebrity in the case of Richard Burton. So, I found that fascinating. There’s a big debate in our country, there has been for the last 10 years that we don’t produce as many working-class actors as we used to. By working class, I mean people who aren’t able through their economic circumstances to go to drama school, which is the traditional way into the profession. Because the access points aren’t there, the scholarships aren’t there. So, this film, in a way, highlights how there used to be access in the most unlikely way and how education brings freedom.

    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in 'Mr. Burton'. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.
    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in ‘Mr. Burton’. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.

    MF: How would you describe Philip and Richard’s friendship in your own words?

    TJ: I think that Richard Jenkins (Burton), however wounded he was, was smart enough, and naturally clever enough, to realize that Philip was a channel in which he could realize who he was. It wasn’t an easy channel, and I think we see this in the film because there was such a strong culture of masculinity in the mining towns of those Welsh valley towns. Yet there was something about how Philip Burton was able to channel the power of literature, and the power of Shakespeare, specifically, but the power of words and education. It tells you something about Richard Jenkins’s sophistication that somehow, he was able to. Yes, Philip helped him, but I think Richard was a survivor and was able to realize that this was a way out and that he could. It was an escape route, and I think that was their relationship in that sense. It’s very moving for me. There are two different kinds of masculinity going on. But there’s at the same time, a joint love of learning that they both have, and Richard Burton had that for the rest of his life. You know, he used to carry bags of books around him, wherever he went. He was able to recite poetry off the top of his head, and all the roots of that are here. For all the famous, rambunctious alcoholic years later, he never lost that love of literature and that love of the spoken word. You see that in the interviews he did on TV, and the root of all that is here in this chemistry between the two men. For Philip, it’s a complicated situation because he’s a single man and I think he glimpses for himself a way out as well. Because after the events of this film, Philip comes out and he goes to America. He forms a drama school, lives in Florida and doesn’t have any kind of pathetic life at all. He flourishes in later years. I think Richard was the source of that strength to do that in a way.

    MF: What was it like creating that relationship on screen with Harry Lawtey?

    TJ: Harry comes from a generation who don’t know who Richard Burton is, which seems incredible to people like me who grew up with him being so famous. So, he totally immersed himself in it, every night after filming, he’d go back and watch another movie. He’d watched everything once already. He listened to the voice, and he had a very complicated job to do, and part of the complicated gestation of this film was trying to find an actor who was old enough to be able to play Burton in the later scenes, but could also suggest the young, naive Burton, and be able to tell the story of his evolution, the evolution of his voice as much as anything, and how the evolution of his voice almost tells the story of the character emerging. Harry’s sophistication at doing that was great. You hope that you’re going to meet collaborators like that all the time, but the dream is that you learn from younger actors, and I relearned something from Harry about that kind of immersion and it was great just working with him.

    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in 'Mr. Burton'. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.
    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in ‘Mr. Burton’. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.

    MF: Have you had a teacher or mentor who helped guide you, and have you mentored anyone yourself?

    TJ: I’ve certainly been asked to be a mentor, whether I’ve succeeded in that, I don’t know. You’d have to ask people who I’ve taught, spoken to, or chatted with. It’s a complicated relationship because often there’s a certain feeling of unworthiness in it. There’s something about pontificating about acting that I feel a little uncomfortable about. Often with actors who are requiring advice of you, I think, “Well, if you need advice, it’s probably not the best profession for you.” Because normally people are mad, and you must be a certain kind of madcap, confident person, and confident in your own individuality that you don’t listen to it, but you literally pursue your own course. That said, I certainly had a mentor when I trained in Paris under a guy called Jacques Lecoq in the 1990s. He was an extraordinary teacher, and he fed me with enough curiosity about the world and how the world might be used in my work, to last me a lifetime. There isn’t really a day that goes by where I don’t try to honor what I learnt in those classes, not just what I did, but what I saw happening in the classes. Then I was lucky enough at school to have a few great teachers of literature, a bit like Philip, who imbued me with a sort of lifelong love of words, and to not fear words.

    MF: What was it like working with director Marc Evans on set?

    TJ: He’s a very relaxed director. That’s at least how he appears. He’s very quietly spoken, enthusiastic, very supportive, and very Welsh. He’s extraordinarily humble for someone who is an experienced filmmaker. He’s very keen to solicit our views on things, but has a very interesting poetic eye, and an understanding of the landscape of poverty, because that’s the culture that spawned him. So, he’s the ideal translator of that world, really. I absolutely adored working with him. He’s got nothing to prove and as a result, we’re able to talk very frankly to each other.

    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in 'Mr. Burton'. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.
    Harry Lawtey as Richard Burton in ‘Mr. Burton’. Photo: Icon Film Distribution.

    MF: Finally, for a younger generation not familiar with Richard Burton and his work, which of his films would you recommend?

    TJ: Well, you can see online his ‘Hamlet’, which was extraordinary. It was directed by John Gielgud and the battle that he had with Burton about how to play Hamlet has been turned into a play. It has been made into a play that’s going to be on Broadway called ‘The Motive and the Cue’. It’s a very interesting play, but you can see the whole performance. on YouTube, which is just great. I loved his last performance in ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ with John Hurt. I thought he was amazing in that. I enjoyed ‘Equus’ on film, and even the old films like ‘Alexander the Great’ and ‘Cleopatra’. They are kind of camp, but camp in an interesting way. Even the schlock that he did like “Where Eagles Dare’, there’s always a wonderful gravitas about him. But it’s interesting, his voice, which was almost unlike anyone else’s voice, it’s fascinating now because there’s something so unapologetic about the joy of speaking that you don’t get in actors now, and that itself dates him a little bit.

    'Mr. Burton' opens in UK theaters on April 4th.
    ‘Mr. Burton’ opens in UK theaters on April 4th.

    What is the plot of ‘Mr. Burton’?

    In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, 1942, Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) lives as a wayward schoolboy, caught between the pressures of his struggling family, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. However, a new opportunity arises when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (Toby Jones).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Mr. Burton’?

    Toby Jones stars in 'Mr. Burton'.
    Toby Jones stars in ‘Mr. Burton’.

    List of Toby Jones Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Mr. Burton’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Toby Jones Movies On Amazon

  • ‘Over Your Dead Body’ Interview: Director Jorma Taccone

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    Opening in theaters on April 24th is ‘Over Your Dead Body‘, which is a remake of the Norwegian film ‘The Trip’ and was directed by Jorma Taccone (‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’).

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    The film stars Jason Segel (‘Shrinking’), Samara Weaving (‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’), Paul Guilfoyle (‘Spotlight’), Keith Jardine (‘Shot Caller’), Timothy Olyphant (‘Alien: Earth’), and Juliette Lewis (‘Cape Fear’).

    'Over Your Dead Body' director Jorma Taccone.
    ‘Over Your Dead Body’ director Jorma Taccone.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Jorma Taccone about his work on ‘Over Your Dead Body’, remaking ‘The Trip’, shooting the action sequences, the music, and putting together the exceptional cast.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Jason Segel Talks Apple TV+’s ‘Shrinking’ and Working with Harrison Ford

    (L to R) Jason Segel and Samara Weaving in Jorma Taccone’s 'Over Your Dead Body'. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.
    (L to R) Jason Segel and Samara Weaving in Jorma Taccone’s ‘Over Your Dead Body’. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the challenges of remaking ‘The Trip’?

    Jorma Taccone: Well, this is based on a Norwegian movie called ‘The Trip’, originally called ‘In Bad Days’ by Tommy Wirkola, and it’s a very funny movie. Tommy did movies like ‘Violent Night’. I was really a big fan of all his stuff. He’s more of an action-comedy guy. I’m more of a comedy-action guy. So, there’s a Venn diagram there. The original movie is very dark. It’s angry but it’s very funny too. I was very interested in, one, what a different cast would bring to it. There are some pretty big changes that have happened with our bad guys. When I read the original script, I was really impressed that Nick (Kocher) and Brian (McElhaney), who are very funny writers, had captured the tone that I really wanted to present, which is the characters being a bit more redeemable and really trying to earn the ending of the movie. It’s a series of tricks that this movie is doing of threading all these different needles. It’s like three movies in one. It’s this suspense/thriller, into almost a home invasion, into an action movie and it just ramps. So, it was pushing the comedy, which is obviously my heart, not wanting to break anything and having the reality of the world. But really doing all those tones, having all these twists and turns, and having the comedy stitch it all together in this way that felt like such an awesome challenge. Showing different shades of things that maybe people don’t expect from me.

    (L to R) Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, and Keith Jardine in Jorma Taccone’s 'Over Your Dead Body'. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.
    (L to R) Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, and Keith Jardine in Jorma Taccone’s ‘Over Your Dead Body’. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.

    MF: Can you talk about your approach to filming the action sequences?

    JT: I mean, there’s a lot of cool set pieces in this movie. With the days that you have and the time that you have, it’s always challenging to get. A half a page of action lines can take a full day to shoot. So, it’s always like that. There’s a whole action set piece that goes all around the front yard and there’s brutal stuff that happens. There are maybe ten different gags that happen that are just really over the top violent and it’s so fun. It’s also funny and disturbing. So, that was a fun one to block and choreograph with 87North Productions, who are known for ‘Bullet Train’, ‘Atomic Blonde’, ‘John Wick’. So, I had the best stunt team on the planet. Then I’m also weaving all my dumb comedy into it as well. So, it was those moments that you’re just like, “This is so fun to have so many different things going on in one scene.”

    Samara Weaving in Jorma Taccone’s 'Over Your Dead Body'. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.
    Samara Weaving in Jorma Taccone’s ‘Over Your Dead Body’. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.

    MF: Can you talk about the music you used in the film?

    JT: I’m obsessed with audio. There’s all these EDM songs that are in the movie that I got Karen Gillan to do. So, she did this song, and Samara Weaving does a song. But if there is chaos, there’s even more chaos with audio and there’s this crazy song happening. So, it was fun to build all that stuff up.

    (L to R) Samara Weaving and Jason Segel in Jorma Taccone’s 'Over Your Dead Body'. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.
    (L to R) Samara Weaving and Jason Segel in Jorma Taccone’s ‘Over Your Dead Body’. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.

    MF: Finally, what was it like putting this cast together and working with them on set?

    JT: Well, one of the things I’ve been saying, which I think holds very true, is that my wife (director Marielle Heller) was saying that there’s a head of every department and there’s always a head of the acting department. Jason Siegel was absolutely that for me. He was the hub of the wheel that we first got. Then to get Samara who works so well with him, and she’s so funny in this movie. She’s playing an Australian too, which was great for her improv to just be able to go toe to toe with Jason. There’s so much fun between them. But then Timothy Olyphant, who was difficult to convince, but I did it. Then him and Juliette are so funny. Then, Keith Jardine, who is mostly known for MMA fighting, but he’s been in a ton of stuff. He’s the sweetest man on the planet and he’s so funny in this. Then, Paul Guilfoyle, who’s unbelievable as this dad character. So, I got incredibly lucky. But Jason was the start of that, of the ball rolling towards this incredible cast.

    Editorial Note: Tessa Smith conducted the interview and contributed to this article.

    Timothy Olyphant in Jorma Taccone’s 'Over Your Dead Body'. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.
    Timothy Olyphant in Jorma Taccone’s ‘Over Your Dead Body’. Courtesy of Independent Film Company. An Independent Film Company Release.

    What is the plot of ‘Over Your Dead Body’?

    A couple (Jason Segel and Samara Weaving) tries to reconnect while on vacation, only to find out they have plans to kill each other.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Over Your Dead Body’?

    • Jason Segel as Dan
    • Samara Weaving as Lisa
    • Paul Guilfoyle as Michael
    • Keith Jardine as Todd
    • André Eriksen as Hollywood Todd
    • Timothy Olyphant as Pete
    • Ilkka Villi as Hollywood Pete
    • Juliette Lewis as Allegra
    • Iina Kuustonen as Hollywood Allegra
    • Andy Cohen as Himself
    'Over Your Dead Body' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Over Your Dead Body’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

    List of Jorma Taccone Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Over Your Dead Body’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Jorma Taccone Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Michael’

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    Opening in theaters on April 24th is the long-awaited biopic ‘Michael’, which focuses on the life and career of legendary musician Michael Jackson and was directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘The Equalizer’).

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    The film stars Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, as well as Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing’) as Joe Jackson, Nia Long (‘Friday’) as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) as Jackson’s manager John Banca.

    Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua and Producer Graham King Talk Biopic ‘Michael’

    Initial Thoughts

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.

    Director Antoine Fuqua’s new biopic ‘Michael’ is a sanitized look at the legendary performer’s career from joining The Jackson 5 in 1964 to beginning the ‘Bad’ tour in 1987. While the film omits quite a bit of the legendary singer’s controversial past, it focuses on his abusive relationship with his father Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, and Michael’s journey to become his own artist and get out from under his father’s control.

    While the movie hits on all the important moments in that time-period, it falls into familiar biopic pitfalls by not spending enough time in each moment and really exploring what happened and why it was important to Michael’s story. The film feels rushed at times, and really focuses on his relationship with Joe and leaving The Jackson 5, rather than exploring the moments that made him a superstar performer.

    However, despite the messy issues with the script and direction, the film is saved by Jaafar Jackson’s commanding performance. The actor perfectly channels his famous uncle, getting the attitude and personality of Michael pitch perfect, while also illuminating his gentle spirit. But Jackson is truly fantastic in the music and dance sequences, mimicking the King of Pop’s moves flawlessly.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.

    The film begins in the late 1960s and depicts the humble beginnings of The Jackson 5 and their move from a local band in Indiana to being nationally known. It’s here where we see the beginnings of Joe Jackson’s (Colman Domingo) abusive behavior towards his youngest son, Michael, played in those scenes by Juliano Krue Valdi. As the lead singer of the group, Michael feels the pressure put on him by his father and longs to have a normal childhood, which will be a theme across the singer’s entire life.

    Eventually, Joe gets the group signed by Motown Records and they become extremely successful, with the family eventually moving to California. It becomes clear quickly, to both Motown’s Berry Gordy (Larenz Tate) and super producer Quincy Jones (Kendrick Sampson), that Michael is the true star of The Jackson 5 and they encourage him to go solo, against the wishes of his father. This eventually leads to recording ‘Off the Wall’ and then ‘Thriller’, which suddenly made Michael (now played by Jaafar Jackson) the biggest star in the world.

    Joe starts trying to cash in on his son’s sudden success and forces Michael to join his brothers on a Jackson 5 tour, rather than a solo tour to support ‘Thriller’. Now, Michael must finally stand up to his father and make his own decisions if he is to truly become the King of Pop.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    The biggest problem with ‘Michael’ is that too much is packed into the film, and it doesn’t leave enough room to truly explore those moments. Montages are used to show us the making of the ‘Thriller’ album and video, as well as his legendary performance at the Motown 25th Anniversary event where he did the Moonwalk for the first time. These moments are so big in Michael’s life and pop culture history, that you could make an entire film based on either one event but instead they are relegated to a quick montage.

    I also didn’t understand making such a big deal out of the ‘Victory Tour’ and having that be the centerpiece of the film. Although I understand that since they were focusing on Michael and Joe’s relationship, the final Jackson 5 tour seems like the logical place to have their final confrontation.

    But the film does seem odd at times, going out of its way to not include any of the controversial moments that happened later in Jackson’s life, although rumor is that some of those scenes were shot and removed for legal reasons. Also, the movie makes no mention of Janet Jackson, which I don’t understand. Michael’s other sister La Toya is depicted, so while it’s a weird choice to not even mention Janet, or pretend she doesn’t exist, I assume it was also a rights issue.

    (L to R) Judah Edwards as Young Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Young Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ, Nathaniel McIntyre as Young Jackie and Jayden Harville as Young Jermaine in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    (L to R) Judah Edwards as Young Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Young Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ, Nathaniel McIntyre as Young Jackie and Jayden Harville as Young Jermaine in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    The movie also makes mention of Michael’s fight with his brother Jermaine, but never explores it and the character of Jermaine basically disappears by the second half of the film, which is weird since the actor playing Michael is Jermaine’s real-life son. Awkward! And while Jackson’s mentors Berry Gordy and Quincy Jones are depicted, no real time is spent to explore their relationships to Michael and their influence on his career. But a scene featuring Joe making a deal with the shady Don King is shoehorned in for no real reason, which again, makes no narrative sense.

    Written by John Logan (‘Gladiator‘), the script bites off more than it can chew and again, doesn’t give us enough time to really get to know the character or understand the moments that made him great. However, Jackson’s music is pumped throughout the film, and it really is the soundtrack of our lives. The song choices are excellent and helps navigate us through Michael’s story. And kudos to costume designer Marci Rodgers who captured Michael’s fashion perfectly in every era.

    Director Antoine Fuqua is a master of the action genre with films like ‘Training Day’ and the ‘Equalizer’ franchise but seems out of his element here. He clearly has a love and passion for MJ’s legacy and does his best to bring it to the screen in a natural way, but it gets buried by the weight of Jackson’s achievements and his overreaching relationship with his father.

    Cast and Performances

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    The biopic’s success hinges on the performance of the actor playing Michael Jackson, and Jaafar Jackson is nothing short of brilliant in the role. In fact, Jaafar Jackson was born to play Michael Jackson, quite literally, as he is the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine.

    Besides the fact that he has a striking resemblance, Jaafar channels his uncle in the most surprising ways, capturing his soft voice, childlike attitude and walk perfectly. But it’s the musical and dance numbers where Jaafar really shines, and I promise you there will be moments when you forget you are not watching the real Michael. It’s also worth mentioning that Juliano Krue Valdi is great as young Michael and helps Jaafar create a rounded character.

    Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    Oscar nominee Colman Domingo gives a menacing performance as Joe Jackson, and while he steps up to the precipice of playing a caricature rather than a character, he never steps over the line. Joe’s abusive relationship with Michael is the heart of the story, and Domingo brings gravitas exploring the role.

    While she has limited screen time, actress Nia Long gives one of the best performances of her career as Michael’s mother, Katherine. As one of Michael’s only friends and a true supporter, Long brings an unconditional love to the role that helps illuminate her connection to her son. Finally, Miles Teller is fine as Michael’s manager and lawyer John Banca, but the role doesn’t give the actor much to do.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.

    In the end, ‘Michael’ is not a bad biopic, it’s just not great, and that’s what Jackson fans will expect from a movie about his life. To put it in perspective, ‘Michael’ is not as bad as other biopics like ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ or ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ but it is also not as great as ‘A Complete Unknown’ or ‘Straight Outta Compton.’

    Director Antoine Fuqua does the best he can with the material but seems lost at times trying to tell Michael’s complex story. But its Jaafar Jackson’s once in a lifetime performance that really brings the King of Pop to life on screen and makes the film worth seeing for any Michael Jackson fan.

    ‘Michael’ receives a score of 65 out of 100.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    What is the plot of ‘Michael’?

    Discover the story of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Michael’?

    'Michael' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Michael’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

    List of Musician Biopics:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Michael’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Jackson Music on Amazon

  • ‘Michael’ Interview: Antoine Fuqua and Graham King

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    Michael’, the long-awaited biopic based on the life and career of legendary musician Michael Jackson, opens in theaters on April 24th.

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    The film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘The Equalizer’) and produced by Graham King (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’), stars Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, as well as Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing’) as Joe Jackson, Nia Long (‘Friday’) as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) as Jackson’s manager John Banca.

    'Michael' producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua.
    ‘Michael’ producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King about their work on ‘Michael’, developing the project, finding the right actor for the role, working with Jaafar Jackson, what moments from Michael’s life they wanted to focus on, which moments they wish they could have included or spent more time on, creating the costumes, and if Fuqua kept any mementos from the production.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua Talks ‘The Equalizer 3’

    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Antoine, what was your first reaction to reading John Logan’s screenplay and why you personally wanted to tell Michael’s story on the big screen?

    Antoine Fuqua: My first reaction was that it’s a solid screenplay about Michael Jackson. My second reaction was, “Who’s going to play Michael Jackson?” When I met with Graham, he introduced me to Jaafar, and the rest is history as far as that goes. But, yeah, it’s daunting when you read a Michael Jackson script by John Logan. It’s a great script and then we had to find Michael and Jaafar was no question the right choice.

    MF: Graham, to that point, I understand that you discovered Jaafar and recommended him to Antoine. At what point did you realize he was the right choice?

    Graham King: Over lunch. I had a lunch with Jaafar. I know the family well and I’ve known (his father) Jermaine since 1981. I met with Jaafar and during that lunch, I kept asking him if he was auditioning, because he was channeling Michael. It was very eerie and weird. He kept saying, “I don’t want to be an actor. I’ve got no interest in acting.” I kept saying, “Just be honest with me.” Because obviously I’ve produced a few movies, and you know what it is when you sit down with an actor who wants a job, and I kept thinking it’s reverse psychology. “No, I don’t want to act.” But he really didn’t. Two weeks after that lunch, I said, “If you’re up for it, let’s go through some training and bootcamp.” Kind of like what I put Rami Malek through to play Freddie Mercury, but at a much different level. In fact, the first time he spent a month with Rich + Tone, who were Michael’s choreographers, and they said, “We’re not sure. We’re not confident that he can get these dance moves down.” He called me that night and he said, “Give me some time and then come and see. I’ll show you what I’ve got.” I think it was about a month later, we both went to Hayvenhurst, to the house that he was staying in, which is Michael’s house in Encino. He just blew us away with his dance moves. I mean, he got it down. The only thing he asked for in that month was, he kept saying, “I want mirrors. Just get me long, tall mirrors and let me do my thing.” I mean, look at that performance now. It’s incredible.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    MF: Antoine, can you talk about the first time you did a screen test with Jaafar? Was that when you realized you found your Michael?

    AF: Yeah, it was. We did a screen test with Jaafar, and he came out as Michael. It was my first time seeing him in person as Michael, and I was kind of blown away just on his whole presence. That got me right away. Then we put him in front of the camera and started filming him doing different things. He would sing a little bit and dance a little bit. Then me and Graham were sitting there, and we asked Jaafar a question. I can’t remember what it was, but he answered it as if he was Michael and tears started flowing around the room. Our cinematographer was crying. I looked back, he had tears in his eyes. We were all trying to hide it, but he really answered in such an honest, pure way. He’s never acted in his life. I just thought, “This guy’s special.” That was the moment for me. It was just off the cuff. He didn’t know it was coming. I wanted to see if he was in the moment. Was he just here in makeup or was he in the moment? I threw something at him, and he just paused, and he thought about it, and he answered. It was just so beautiful, elegant, honest, and pure. I was like, “This Jaafar is special.”

    MF: Graham, why did you want to focus on this specific time in Michael’s life, and how do you think your experience producing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ prepared you to make this movie?

    GK: I guess I’ve made a career out of taking these iconic artists or people like Muhammad Ali, Howard Hughes, and Freddie Mercury, obviously, and showing the world a side that they’ve never seen before and humanizing them, these iconic people. I think it’s such a challenge to find that three act structure to make it an entertaining film and not a documentary. You kind of have fun with it. I have fun with it. Of course, there is also the music side, having the rights to Queen’s catalog and now Michael’s catalog, and really digging into the songs we’re going to use and the time periods of the movie. I was at Dodger Stadium in 1984 at the ‘Victory Tour’ when Michael quit. It was the most amazing organic third act drama and conflict moment you could ask for. You couldn’t ask for it any better. A writer couldn’t write it any better than that. I remember talking to Michael’s brothers about it, “Did you know that he was going to do this?” They were like, “No, we had no idea, and we kind of thought he was playing at the time. We didn’t know he was serious.” So that was sitting with John Logan and Antoine and saying, “Let’s head for that moment and make that the pinnacle point of the storytelling and put Joe at the side of the stage,” because he’s going to tell Joe, and he does it in front of 50,000 people at Dodger Stadium.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    MF: Antoine, can you talk about recreating iconic moments in Michael’s life like the making of the ‘Thriller’ video and his performance at the Motown 25th Anniversary show and was there any one moment that you wish you had more time to explore?

    AF: I mean, everything. Right? Because being a director, you never have enough time. But it’s the quiet moments you got to get just right. It’s really the quiet moments. The bigger moments we know, the performances, and we knew what we needed to do. It was the more quiet, intimate moments that you hope you capture the spirit of Michael in each moment. What’s interesting with Jaafar is that we would try different things to find the right tone, and the right frequency. Again, Jaafar’s never acted before, but he was so good that I would forget. We’d go to Jaafar, try something, and he would nail it. Then we would realize, “This guy has never acted before in his life, and we’re throwing these things at him.” He would come through with flying colors every single time. I don’t remember him missing too many beats at all. But making the bigger moments was magical. Because of the authenticity of the film, it lives in all the real places like Hayvenhurst, we had where he recorded ‘Off the Wall’, where he shot the ‘Thriller’ video, and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium where Motown 25 took place, all real places. You get chills whenever you go to those kinds of places and remember those moments. The idea that we had the opportunity to recreate it and do that was a little of an out of body experience at times. It’s a big responsibility to get it just right. So, Graham and I, we really would study what it was and look at what we’re doing and compare it. Because we knew Michael’s audience, they’re going to do that, every little move. So, it was daunting, but exciting and magical. When we shot the ‘Thriller’ video, we had a full moon every night, which was amazing. I’ve never seen a crew more excited about a scene. When I got dropped off on the set, the grips and everybody had on wolf masks, and they were dancing around to ‘Thriller’. It was like this big event. It was like a movie within itself. So, that to me was a special day.

    MF: Graham, is there any moment from Michael’s life during this period that you wanted to put in the film but just couldn’t because of time?

    GK: Certainly, the ‘Dancing Machine’ era, when Michael was, I think, 16 or 17, around that era. We thought about putting that in. But when you’re making a film, you’ve got to have a certain running time and you can’t tell every story you want to tell, so you’ve got to make sacrifices. That cut from young Michael at the county fair to Michael at the window with Quincy Jones, I think that time cut worked well for our story as opposed to stopping in different times like the ‘Dancing Machine’ era.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: Finally, Antoine, can you talk about working with your costume designer Marci Rodgers to recreate all of Michael’s famous outfits for the film, and did you keep a sequenced glove for yourself as a memento?

    AF: I got the producer sitting here, I’m not going to tell. No, I didn’t keep anything. I wish I could. I mean, Marci did a great job, but we had a great crew and a great team. They really did their homework, and she did her homework. She would design these jackets, like when he’s holding the Grammys, and the jacket was about 15 pounds. It had all the jewels and everything. I thought, “Did it have to feel this heavy for Jaafar?” It was authentic though. Those were the real Grammys. Those were Michael’s Grammys he’s holding. I mean, the whole crew, they really cared so much about getting it right, every little detail.

    'Michael' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Michael’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

    What is the plot of ‘Michael’?

    Discover the story of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Michael’?

    'Michael' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Michael’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

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    Buy Tickets: ‘Michael’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Jackson Music on Amazon