Moviefone Editorial

Author: Katie Roberts

  • New ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Trailer Lights the Fires of Rebellion

    New ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Trailer Lights the Fires of Rebellion

    Netflix

    If you thought the sprawling cast list for Netflix’s upcoming “Dark Crystal” prequel series “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” was epic, prepare yourself for the show’s sweeping first full trailer.

    The clip is packed with eye-popping visuals, depicting the world of Thra and the fight that three Gelflings named Rian (Taron Egerton), Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel) spearhead to save it. The trio discover that the evil Skeksis have taken control of Thra’s lifeforce, the Crystal of Truth, and vow to reverse the Darkening that the Skeksis have set in motion.

    As the show’s title suggests, this resistance catches on, bringing something essential to Thra: Hope.

    “Hope catches the light, especially in the darkness, revealing your destiny,” one character notes.

    Though the series takes place many years before the events of 1982’s “Dark Crystal,” it’s clear that the “Age of Resistance” creative team took great pains to emulate the spirit of that film, which was co-directed by Frank Oz and the late Muppets mastermind Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Company created new puppets for the project, which meshes puppetry and cutting edge visual effects with dazzling results.

    The huge, star-studded voice cast also includes Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham Carter, Andy Samberg, Natalie Dormer and, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, among many, many more. All 10 episodes of “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” will debut on Netflix on August 30.

  • Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ Trailer Is Here to Give You All the Feels

    Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ Trailer Is Here to Give You All the Feels

    CMTG

    Louisa May Alcott’s beloved autobiographical novel, “Little Women,” has endured for generations for a reason: The story of four sisters — focusing on the fiercely independent Jo — is timeless, and continues to inspire more than 150 years since it was first published. Oscar-nominated writer-director Greta Gerwig is set to release her own take on the material, and as the film’s new trailer proves, it’s an adaptation that appears to do incredible service to the original.

    Gerwig has assembled an all-star cast for her version, led by Saorise Ronan as Jo March, an aspiring writer who has loftier ambitions than simply finding a husband. But while Jo is undoubtedly the protagonist, the trailer also offers a more well-rounded look at her siblings Meg (Emma Watson), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh).

    The trailer is simply beautiful, both intimate and sprawling, and radiates warmth. The care with which Gerwig handles the story is evident, and each character seems to be thoughtfully and perfectly cast — particularly Timothee Chalamet, who plays the dreamy boy next door (and Jo’s would-be love interest), Laurie.

    Even minor roles are occupied by top-tier talent, with Laura Dern portraying March family matriarch Marmee, and Meryl Streep appearing as the imposing Aunt March, an inspired — and absolutely flawless — choice. Aunt March is particularly concerned about Jo’s desire to buck gender conventions, a notion with which our heroine vehemently disagrees.

    “Women have minds and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty,” Jo says. “I am so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”

    We can’t wait to see this entire film. “Little Women” opens on Christmas Day.

  • Central Perk Pop-Ups Are Coming to L.A. for ‘Friends’ 25th Anniversary

    Central Perk Pop-Ups Are Coming to L.A. for ‘Friends’ 25th Anniversary

    Warner Bros.

    Beloved NBC sitcom “Friends” is set to turn 25 this year, and a bunch of celebrations are planned to mark the milestone, including an immersive exhibit located in the show’s setting, New York City. But now, fans on the west coast will get to join in on the fun, too.

    The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf announced this week that it’s hosting a Central Perk pop-up at two of its Los Angeles locations this month, in honor of the show’s upcoming silver anniversary. According to the chain, the pop-ups will be “gram-worthy” and “selfie-friendly,” and feature that iconic orange couch from the Central Perk set, on which Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, and Joey enjoyed many cups of coffee — and lots of silly banter — over the show’s 10 seasons.

    Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

    A display of “Friends” memorabilia will also be available to interact with, and fans are invited to sit on the couch and snap photos of themselves enjoying the fun. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is also releasing a line of specialty “Friends”-themed drinks for the occasion, with one unique beverage assigned to each character (available at all locations, not just the pop-ups). Those will come served with a commemorative cardboard sleeve that features one of eight memorable quotes from the series.

    The pop-ups will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and run from August 16 through August 23. The locations are:

    • 8793 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048
    • 1312 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

    More information can be found at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf website.

  • Lifetime’s College Admissions Scandal Movie Casts Penelope Ann Miller, Mia Kirshner as Stars

    Lifetime’s College Admissions Scandal Movie Casts Penelope Ann Miller, Mia Kirshner as Stars

    Jack Rowand/The CW

    While several film and TV projects chronicling the juicy Hollywood-adjacent college admissions scandal are in the works, it seems safe to say that the upcoming Lifetime TV movie about the story is going to be the trashiest/cheesiest/best. Now, the flick has cast its leads.

    Penelope Ann Miller (“Riverdale,” “American Crime”), Mia Kirshner (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “The L Word”), and Michael Shanks (“Stargate: Atlantis,” “Saving Hope”) are set to star as the film’s main characters: two moms, and the man they conspire with to help cheat their kids’ way into swanky schools.

    Deadline was first to report the news, and shared a breakdown of the trio’s roles, as well as the film’s plot:

    ‘The College Admissions Scandal’ follows two wealthy mothers, Caroline (Miller), a sought after interior designer and Bethany (Kirshner), an owner of a successful financial services firm, who share an obsession with getting their teenagers into the best possible college. When charismatic college admissions consultant Rick Singer (Shanks) offers a side door into the prestigious institutions of their dreams, Caroline and Bethany willingly partake with visions of coveted acceptance letters in their heads. But when Singer cooperates with the FBI and pleads guilty, the mothers who risked everything for their kids, must face the consequences of their crimes and the loss of trust and respect from their families.

    The story is inspired by the real-life scandal — dubbed Operation Varsity Blues by the FBI — which ensnared more than 50 wealthy parents and officials from top-tier colleges back in April. The biggest names among them included actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, as well as Loughlin’s husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli. Huffman’s husband, actor William H. Macy, has not been charged with any crime.

    Huffman already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, after admitting to paying someone to take the SAT on her daughter’s behalf. Loughlin, who was accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to get both of her daughters into USC by posing as athletic recruits, pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering; she is poised to go to trial alongside Giannulli. Loughlin has since been fired from her numerous TV jobs, including roles on Hallmark series “When Call the Heart” and Netflix’s “Full House” revival, “Fuller House.”

    There’s no exact premiere date yet, but “The College Admissions Scandal” is set to debut sometime this fall on Lifetime.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Djimon Hounsou Replaces Brian Tyree Henry as ‘A Quiet Place 2’ Star

    Djimon Hounsou Replaces Brian Tyree Henry as ‘A Quiet Place 2’ Star

    Aviron Pictures

    The upcoming sequel to 2018 horror hit “A Quiet Place” is making some significant changes, with one leading star bowing out of the project, and another coming in to take his place.

    Deadline has the scoop that Brian Tyree Henry has had to drop out of “A Quiet Place Part II,” reportedly due to “scheduling problems.” The role was to have been “a big one,” according to the trade, though no details about the character — or the film’s overall plot — had been revealed yet.

    The good news is that it doesn’t appear that there will be too much delay caused by Henry’s exit, since his replacement has already been found: Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou will be taking on the actor’s part. The film also stars returning “A Quiet Place” cast members Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe, as well as series newcomer Cillian Murphy.

    Writer-director John Krasinski — who also co-wrote and helmed the first flick — revealed last month that production had begun on the sequel. It’s unclear how much, if any, of the film will need to be reworked now that Hounsou has stepped in for Henry, though filmmakers have some wiggle room before the film’s release to figure things out.

    “A Quiet Place Part II” is currently slated to hit theaters on March 20, 2020.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Eddie Murphy Is a Blaxploitation Legend in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ Trailer

    Eddie Murphy Is a Blaxploitation Legend in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ Trailer

    Netflix

    Larger than life Blaxploitation icon Rudy Ray Moore could easily have been a character in one of his own films, and now, the pioneering comedian-musician-actor-producer is getting the star treatment as the subject of a new Netflix biopic, “Dolemite Is My Name.” 

    “Dolemite Is My Name” stars the perfectly cast Eddie Murphy as Moore, who toils for years as an obscure stand-up comic, releasing ridiculously obscene albums (sample title: “Eat Out More”) that gain a small but devoted cult following. Moore’s real goal is to become a film star, but his over-the-top ideas don’t exactly have studios lining up to finance his projects; instead, he decides to make a movie himself, based around his popular stand-up character Dolemite.

    He enlists a rag-tag group of collaborators for the film “Dolemite,” which features the titular kung fu-fighting pimp getting framed for a crime, busting out of jail, and seeking revenge, with a group of butt-kicking prostitutes by his side. Wesley Snipes costars as D’Urville Martin, who Moore convinces to play the villain in the flick by also giving him the director job. Martin is more than a little skeptical, especially when he gets on set and sees firsthand how bonkers the project really is.

    “Dolemite Is My Name” looks every bit as fun, graphic, and off-the-wall as “Dolemite,” and features an absolutely stacked supporting cast, including Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Mike Epps, Tituss Burgess, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Snoop Dogg. It’s set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and hit theaters later this fall.

  • Luca Guadagnino May Direct New ‘Lord of the Flies’ Adaptation

    Luca Guadagnino May Direct New ‘Lord of the Flies’ Adaptation

    Sony Pictures Classics

    Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino is coming off a string of buzzy features, including critical favorites “Call Me by Your Name” and “Suspiria.” Now, he’s reportedly circling a project with the potential to earn some similar raves.

    Variety has the scoop that Guadagnino is in talks to direct a new adaptation of literary classic “Lord of the Flies,” which is being shepherded by Warner Bros. If he takes the gig, Guadagnino would also produce, alongside producing partner Marco Morabito.

    This latest adaptation has been in the works for a while now, with Warner Bros. reacquiring the rights to the William Goldman novel in 2017. The studio was also behind the last most recent movie version of the book, the 1990 film directed by Henry Hook.

    Back in 2017, the initial plan for the project was to re-center the story on a group of girls, rather than the group of boys featured in the original story. That idea was ultimately abandoned, however, and the trade says that Guadagnino and his fellow filmmakers “plan to develop a story that stays true to the text but with a contemporary, ultra-kinetic feel.”

    We’re definitely curious to see how Guadagnino and co. handle the familiar tale. Stay tuned.

    [via: Variety]

  • Jason Momoa to Star in Netflix Revenge Thriller ‘Sweet Girl’

    Jason Momoa to Star in Netflix Revenge Thriller ‘Sweet Girl’

    Pride of Gypsies

    “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa is returning to the big screen to kick some more butt, this time partnering with Netflix for a new revenge thriller.

    Momoa will headline the feature “Sweet Girl,” playing a man named Cooper, “a husband who vows to bring justice to the people responsible for his wife’s death while also protecting his daughter.” The actor will also produce the film.

    “Sweet Girl” is scripted by writing duo Gregg Hurwitz and Philip Eisner, with its current revision penned by Will Staples. The project will mark the feature directorial debut of Brian Andrew Mendoza, who previously teamed with Momoa as a producer on the star’s 2018 action flick “Braven,” as well as the Netflix and Discovery Canada TV series “Frontier.”

    In a statement, Momoa called the film’s creative crew “a dream team,” and gave a special shout-out to his “best friend” Mendoza, “who has been my partner for over 10 years.” Their collaboration is “a dream come true,” Momoa said.

    No word yet on a production time frame for the film. In the meantime, Momoa just wrapped filming on the new “Dune” adaptation, and is also set to star in the series “See” for Apple TV+.

    [via: Variety]

  • New ‘American Horror Story: 1984’ Teaser Is a Pitch-Perfect Ode to ’80s Slasher Flicks

    New ‘American Horror Story: 1984’ Teaser Is a Pitch-Perfect Ode to ’80s Slasher Flicks

    FX

    “American Horror Story” creator Ryan Murphy loves a good theme, and the latest installment of the anthology series has a pretty excellent — and specific — one: The year 1984, and the slasher flicks that reigned supreme during that era. Murphy has already hinted that he’s taking that inspiration seriously, and the newest teaser for “American Horror Story: 1984” proves that the show will be a pitch-perfect homage to the genre.

    The clip opens with a large group of pals cranking tunes and cracking open beers while driving down a dirt road to Camp Redwood, a secluded lakeside retreat. But in classic horror fashion, it becomes immediately clear that there’s danger lurking around every corner — and under every truck bed.

    Sun-dappled scenery and carefree young people abound, as do jump-scare interruptions featuring a hulking masked man wielding a giant knife (“AHS” mainstay John Carroll Lynch, who’s once again playing the terrifying antagonist). A sunbather in a canoe is an all too easy target (and a very familiar visual reference for fans of the genre).

    “American Horror Story: 1984” features a stacked cast, including Emma Roberts, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, Billie Lourd, Cody Fern, Leslie Grossman, Matthew Morrison, DeRon Horton, Zach Villa, and “Pose” star Angelica Ross. Its season premiere is set for September 18 on FX.

  • Lifetime Is Making a College Admissions Scandal TV Movie

    Lifetime Is Making a College Admissions Scandal TV Movie

    ABC/Netflix

    The college admissions scandal that rocked both Ivy League institutions and Hollywood alike earlier this year seemed tailor-made for a juicy retelling in TV or movie form. Now, Lifetime is leading the charge by commissioning a made-for-television flick about Operation Varsity Blues.

    During a panel discussion in front of the Television Critics Association on Tuesday, A+E Networks president Rob Sharenow revealed the plan to premiere “College Admissions Scandal” (we assume that’s just a working title for now) later this year.

    Here’s the official description for the telefilm:

    “’College Admissions Scandal’ will follow two wealthy mothers who share an obsession with getting their teenagers into the best possible college. When charismatic college admissions consultant Rick Singer offers a side door into the prestigious institutions of their dreams, they willingly partake with visions of coveted acceptance letters in their heads.”

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, there was no explicit reference made to the two most famous faces caught up in the scandal, actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, though it seems likely that their stories will be featured in some way in the flick. Perhaps Lifetime is refraining from mentioning Loughlin and Huffman by name pending the outcome of their court proceedings.

    Huffman already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and is awaiting sentencing. Loughlin — who was fired from her Hallmark Channel and “Fuller House” gigs as a result of her alleged role in the scandal — rejected a plea deal, and appears poised to go to trial.

    This Lifetime project is separate from the previously announced TV series chronicling the scandal, which Annapurna Television is currently developing. The Lifetime film is set to debut sometime in the fall.

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter]