John Cena is starring in a movie based on the ‘Matchbox’ toy cars.
‘Extraction’s Sam Hargrave will direct.
Apple and Skydance are backing the new movie.
The success ripples from the behemoth that was ‘Barbie’ continue to spread, as Mattel is looking to tap into another of its classic playtime brands.
And John Cena, who knows a thing or two about vehicular mayhem after appearing a couple of the ‘Fast & Furious’ entries is aboard for the ride as the company looks to turn Matchbox toy cars into a viable movie.
Skydance is working with Mattel to produce the new movie, currently simply titled ‘Matchbox’ which Apple Original Films has already snapped up.
For those who didn’t play with the toys (surely there can’t many people who don’t know what they are), Matchbox is the toy brand first created in 1953 and acquired by Mattel in 1997. After competing with Matchbox in the die-cast car space with its own line, Hot Wheels.
According to lore, automotive enthusiast Jack Odell designed the first car for his daughter, who was allowed to take a toy to school only if it was small enough to fit in a matchbox. When his daughter’s school friends too began clamoring for a “matchbox car,” an iconic brand was born.
That Matchbox is now moving forward is an interesting wrinkle, since studios and filmmakers have tried to get a Hot Wheels movie into production for years now.
What’s the story of the ‘Matchbox’ movie?
Mattel’s Matchbox Cars. Photo: Mattel.com.
Right now, the actual plot for the movie is a mystery. While we’re by no means expecting the lighting-in-a-bottle social satire and genius goofiness of ‘Barbie,’ the new movie may well go down the family-friendly, life-lessons route. Though in his defense, Cena (who cameoed in ‘Barbie’) has also shown a willingness to explore more cleverly comedic takes on properties.
Sam Hargrave, the stunt coordinator-turned-director who crafted the two ‘Extraction’ Netflix movies starring Chris Hemsworth, is aboard to make ‘Matchbox.’ Which would point to plenty of car and other set piece chaos, albeit in slightly less violent fashion than the usual Extr-action.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing this one alongside Robbie Brenner for Mattel Films.
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When will the ‘Matchbox’ movie be on screens?
There is currently no release date set for the movie, but with a script seemingly in place and a lead officially cast, we’d expect the wheels (and cameras) to start rolling on this one before too long. If we had to guess, we’d say a 2026 release isn’t out of the question.
Olivia Wilde is aboard to direct an adaptation of Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’.
‘Barbie’s Margot Robbie is producing via her LuckyChap company.
The movie will be shopped to studios and screeners.
Here’s a compelling package that will soon be looking to find some support. Olivia Wilde, the director of ‘Booksmart’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, is aiming to hop on the superhero genre train, signing on –– at least per The Hollywood Reporter –– to direct an adaptation of Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’ character.
And if that wasn’t enough, Wilde has the backing of Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap company, which, let’s not forget, most recently brought us the mega-hit and Oscar-winning ‘Barbie’. While Robbie isn’t currently attached to star (she already has her iconic comic book role in Harley Quinn, don’t forget) she may end up taking a role.
Avengelyne as a character debuted in 1995 and was co-created by ‘Deadpool’s Rob Liefeld alongside Cathy Christian and Tony Lobito.
She’s an angel who fights the forces of evil and often finds herself face-to-face with demons and monsters. She was the most feared warrior in Heaven’s Warhost, having single-handedly broken into Pandemonium, the outer fortress of Hell, to confront the Devil himself.
But now, she finds herself a fallen angel, banished from Heaven by God after being tricked into questioning his love for humans. Stripped of all her angelic abilities other than her great strength and her blood, which, once extracted from her body, could be used as a weapon or a miracle once empowered by quoting verses from the Bible, Avengelyne uses her powers to fight demons on Earth and is being groomed to be humankind’s last hope in a coming Armageddon.
Here’s what Liefeld has said about her in the past:
“Avengelyne resonated so powerfully with the audience because her story of redemption is one that is so relatable. A fallen angel, sentenced to redeem herself by serving humanity, Earth is a foreign environment to her, she must adapt in order to save herself as well as mankind. Her dilemma provides humor amidst the larger plot engine driving her journey.”
Who else is involved with ‘Avengelyne’?
‘Invasion’ series creator Simon Kinberg.
Alongside Robbie, the project has Simon Kinberg, no stranger to superhero movies himself, attached as a producer via his Genre Films company.
And there is reportedly a well-known writer making a deal to crank out the script, though their identity is unknown right now.
What’s next for ‘Avengelyne’?
Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’. Photo: Image Comics.
According to the Reporter’s story, the project will be taken out soon to gauge interest from studios and streamers. Given the talent involved (especially the ‘Barbie’ connection), we’d expect this to find a home relatively quickly.
The only issue might be the creeping feel of superhero fatigue, and female-focused genre titles such as ‘Madame Web’ underperforming at the box office.
‘Barbie’ star/producer Margot Robbie is backing the project.
‘Loki’ Season 1 director Kate Herron will co-write and direct.
Was ‘Barbie’ a one-off sensation in taking a narrative-free product and turning it into a hit movie? We’re about to see that idea tested –– and it helps that one of the most crucial elements of the billion-dollar-plus doll movie is involved.
Yes, Margot Robbie, who in addition to playing Barbie, also produced the movie via her LuckyChap company, and spent several years shepherding it to screens, is involved in an effort to bring long-running game title ‘The Sims’ to life as a movie.
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What’s the story of ‘The Sims’?
‘The Sims’ video game. Photo: Electronic Arts.
That’s the issue right now –– ‘The Sims’ famously has no narrative hook from which to hang a story.
Created by Will Wright (and originally conceived as a satire of American consumer culture) and the first game hit shelves in 2000.
A life simulator where you create characters and set them to achieving ambitions (or just going through the mundane motions), it has become hugely popular and evolved via expansion packs and sequels.
Further titles have increased the situations you can put your created characters in, including showbusiness, dating, high school life and even magic and vampires. It has shown remarkable resilience through the years, sparking interest from various subcultures.
Robbie and her LuckyChap team (Tom Ackerly, Josey McNamara and Sophia Kerr) are producing the planned movie alongside Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment, while games giant Electronic Arts, which has produced the ‘Sims’ titles for years, will also be involved.
But at the creative coalface this time are Kate Herron (who directed ‘Loki’s first season and has since moved on to ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2) and her co-writer, Briony Redman, who will craft the script for Herron to helm.
In addition to their work on this, Herron and Redman recently wrote an episode of the new season of ‘Doctor Who’, which launches in May.
They’ll be the duo who’ll find a way to mesh a story into the ‘Sims’ concept, while all involved will be hoping for the same success as ‘Barbie’.
When will ‘The Sims’ movie be on screens?
‘The Sims’ video game. Photo: Electronic Arts.
‘The Sims’ is at a very early stage right now –– so early, in fact, that it has yet to find a distribution home. The package, according to reporter Jeff Sneider, who broke the news of it, is now being shopped to studios and streamers.
Given how well ‘Barbie’ performed at the box office, with critics and that it even won an Oscar, we’d expect there to be plenty of interest in this one.
Actor/Producer Margot Robbie attends the ‘Barbie’ Press Junket Photo Call at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Photo by Eric Charbonneau.
Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” performance was a highlight.
After some rougher Oscar nights (slaps, snubs and that brave but ultimately disappointing low key pandemic version), 2024 very much represented a return to form for Hollywood’s Most Glittering Night™.
True, it got off to a controversial (and late) start when protestors advocating for a cease fire between Israel and Gaza disrupted attendees’ access to the Kodak Theater, but once the show was actually underway, it became something that most attendees and viewers recognized as a classic Academy Awards, for good and ill.
There were your typical annoyances –– many below-the-line craftspeople being played off far too soon by an orchestra who looked for all the world like they were in some sort of science fiction vessel. Some of the comedy banter fell flat. Not everything worked.
But for all the issues, there was an awful lot to like about the show, so we’ve rounded up some memorable moments…
In the sort of performance that would bring a smile to musical number specialist Busby Berkeley’s face, Ryan Gosling’s much-mooted performance of “I’m Just Ken” from ‘Barbie’ proved to be just as much of a showstopper as we’d all hoped it would be.
Kicking off in the audience as Gosling rose to start singing, he passed a charmed and giggling Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie –– who got in on singing along –– while amusing the likes of Emily Blunt and then the whole audience as he reached the stage and started a big production number of the song, complete with cutout cardboard Barbie heads and some of the movie’s other Kens (Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir among them), Guns N’ Roses’ Slash on guitar, plus a plethora of dancers joining him on stage for a memorable and hilarious highlight.
“I’m Just Ken” might not have won its Oscar (‘Barbie’s “What Was I Made For?” took the movie’s only award in that same category), but it won the night.
Presenting Best Costume Design, John Cena proved he’s easily among the most charismatic wrestlers-turned-actors out there, and even more adaptable than Dwayne Johnson. With Jimmy Kimmel cueing up talking of a streaker (one of the most infamous moments of Oscars past), there was a moment where it appeared Cena was having second thoughts about the comedy bit they’d come up with for him to present naked.
But nope, he arrived on stage in the buff (though reportedly with a modesty sling to hide things that can’t be shown on TV outside of HBO etc.), covering himself with the sealed Oscar envelope for the category. All in all, a moment of naked hilarity.
All right, so Emma Stone’s Best Actress triumph for her role in ‘Poor Things’ wasn’t a complete surprise; after all, she’d scooped other trophies. But following ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’s Lily Gladstone scoring the Screen Actors Guild award, the tide had turned in the native’s favor.
Still, it was Stone going on stage, seemingly shocked (did she have Gladstone on her Oscar ballot like many others?), making a heartfelt speech in which she praised her fellow nominees, thanked ‘Poor Things’ director Yorgos Lanthimos and even joked that her dressed, which had broken, had been ripped by her laughing at Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” performance.
Jimmy Kimmel must have been sweating when Al Pacino, tasked with announcing the Best Picture category, abruptly skipped right past the traditional stage of listing the nominees and went straight to opening the envelope, like a child who can’t wait to tear into their Christmas present. “Here it comes… and my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer‘”.
Unlike “Moonlight-gate”, where Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mistakenly announced ‘La La Land’ as Best Picture over actual victor ‘Moonlight’ in 2017 (Kimmel’s first hosting gig), Pacino had it right, Christopher Nolan’s movie capping a successful night where it picked up seven gongs. But in skipping over the nominees, Pacino certainly didn’t make for a highlight.
Old friends (and ‘Twins’ co-stars) Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito reunited for the second time this year (after their State Farm Super Bowl commercial) for a funny bit where they talked about playing Batman villains.
The highlight, DeVito pointed out Michael Keaton, the most famous of the movie Batman actors, who gamely played along, putting up his dukes as DeVito promised to start a fight after the Governor’s Ball. The only way it could have gone better is if George Clooney had shown up, since he was Schwarzenegger’s Bat-opponent.
Cue the classic, bombastic theme tune! ‘Godzilla: Minus One’, whose producers originally didn’t intend to submit for the Oscars as they didn’t think the film stood a chance of winning, actually went home with Best Visual effects.
The team showed up wearing custom Godzilla shoes and carrying adorable gold statuettes shaped like the classic character. Could the giant lizard himself have shown up to collect? We doubt the Kodak Theater could have accommodated him, sadly.
This year’s show brought back a segment that had been tried a few years ago where former winners paid tribute to current nominees. Nicolas Cage (who won in 1995 for ‘Leaving Las Vegas’) was enthusiastic in his praise for ‘The Holdovers’ Paul Giamatti, impressed with his dedication to wearing a false eye for his role as grouchy teacher Paul Hunham. “Would I have done that? Hell yes!” Cage said, going on to call Giamatti “brilliant”. The actor didn’t end up winning the trophy (‘Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy took Best Actor) but he must have felt like a winner in that moment.
The 96th Academy Award ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 10th on ABC.
Preview:
‘Oppenheimer’ dominated the 96th annual Academy Awards with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, while ‘Poor Things’ landed four Oscars, including Best Actress for Emma Stone.
‘Barbie,’ ‘The Zone of Interest,’ and ‘The Holdovers’ all nabbed awards as well, while ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Past Lives,’ and ‘Maestro’ were shut out.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted a smooth, mostly well-paced show, with a naked John Cena and Messi the dog pulling off the most entertaining bits.
Jimmy Kimmel once again hosted the broadcast, which began for the first time at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT – an hour earlier than usual – a shift that became grist for a handful of one-liners from the late-night comedian, who at point joked that so many viewers missed the first hour that the producers were going to restart the show.
If they had, viewers tuning in late would have gotten a chance to see an emotional acceptance speech from Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who notched the first prize of the evening, Best Supporting Actress, for her work in ‘The Holdovers.’ Randolph was one of several first-time nominees and winners, a list that included Cillian Murphy and ‘American Fiction’ screenwriter/director Cord Jefferson (winner for Best Adapted Screenplay), who admonished Hollywood, “Instead of making one $200 million movie, why not make 20 $10 million movies?”
Although Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell won Best Song for the ‘Barbie‘ tune “What Was I Made For?” – making them the youngest two-time Oscar winners ever after triumphing in 2022 for their James Bond theme song ‘No Time to Die‘ – ‘Barbie’ itself was shut out the rest of the night, along with other high-profile contenders like ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Maestro,’ and ‘Past Lives.’ Perhaps the biggest shockers of the night were Stone’s win – since she was locked in a tight race with ‘Killers’ star Lily Gladstone – and the stunning Best Visual Effects win for ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ the surprise hit that notched the big green lizard’s first-ever Oscar.
In two of the evening’s more somber moments, a visibly nervous Jonathan Glazer – director of Best International Feature winner ‘The Zone of Interest’ – accepted his Oscar by noting that his film’s accounting of the Nazi horrors of the past was very much a reflection of the “dehumanization” of people in the present. The night’s other powerful moment came when ’20 Days at Mariupol’ – made in Ukraine literally as Russia’s horrific war against that country was underway – landed Best Documentary Feature. Director Mstyslav Chernov, almost overcome with emotion, said that while he was honored to accept Ukraine’s first Oscar, he “[wished] I would never make this film. I wish to be able to exchange this [for] Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities.”
Among the evening’s other highlights were the testimonials by five previous winners in each of the acting categories for each one of the night’s nominees, featuring a star-studded roster than ranged from Nicolas Cage to Jessica Lange; Ryan Gosling’s anthemic performance of ‘I’m Just Ken,’ featuring Slash on lead guitar; Messi the dog (from ‘Anatomy of a Fall’) “clapping” for Robert Downey Jr.’s long-anticipated win; John Cena coming out naked to present Best Costume Design in a nod to an infamous 1974 incident in which a streaker ran onstage; and one of Kimmel’s closing bits, in which he read an apparently real social media post lambasting his performance from a certain former president. “Isn’t it past your jail time?” the host quipped, one of just two politically-tinged jokes in an otherwise placid and (much to the producers’ relief) scandal-free ceremony.
Nominated films include two of the biggest blockbusters of last year, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie,’ as well as critically acclaimed movies like ‘The Holdovers,’ ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things,’ and ‘Maestro.’
While ‘Oppenheimer’ seems poised to have a big night, and Robert Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph are virtual locks in their supporting categories, Best Actor is still a two-man race between Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti, with the Best Actress category too close to call between Lily Gladstone and Emma Stone.
Below are our predictions for who will win Oscars on Sunday at the 96th Academy Awards. We are only breaking down our predictions for the six major categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.
Let’s Begin!
BEST PICTURE
Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
This is probably the easiest category to call as it’s obvious that ‘Oppenheimer’ will win Best Picture. The film has won every major award so far including the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast.
Considering the movie’s critical acclaim, box office achievements, domination during award season, and the overall love for director Christopher Nolan, it would seem like this is finally his year to win Best Picture and Best Director, but more on that in a minute.
While many fans are probably rooting for ‘Barbie’ to pull out a win, it doesn’t seem very likely at this point. ‘Oppenheimer’s biggest competition is probably ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ ‘Poor Things’ and possibly ‘The Holdovers,’ but again, it seems very unlikely that any of them will ultimately be able to best Nolan’s movie.
Who Could Win: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ or ‘Poor Things’
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BEST DIRECTOR
Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of ‘Oppenheimer.’
If Best Picture is the easiest category to predict this year, then Best Director is the second easiest. Again, this is Christopher Nolan’s year!
Having won a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and the all-important DGA Award, Nolan is all but a lock to win his long-overdue first Best Director Oscar.
Nolan’s biggest competition is probably a nostalgia win from legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, or a surprise win from ‘Poor Things’ Yorgos Lanthimos, but neither seem very likely. It would be quite a shock if Nolan does not end up winning this award.
Who Could Win: Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
BEST ACTOR
Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
As mentioned earlier, this has become a two-man race between ‘Oppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy and ‘The Holdover’s Paul Giamatti.
Since the Golden Globes puts comedic performances in a separate category, both actors won, however Giamatti bested Murphy at the Critics Choice Awards. It seemed like Giamatti was the frontrunner, but with Murphy recently winning the all-important SAG award, I think this is now Murphy’s award to lose.
Since the actor’s branch of the Academy is who votes for this award, and they are also SAG members, you never want to bet against the SAG winner, as it is almost always a precursor of who will win on Oscar night. That doesn’t mean Giamatti is completely out, but the momentum is no longer on his side and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to have a big night, Murphy seems like the clear choice at this point.
(L to R) JaNae Collins, Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers and Jillian Dion in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
In another category that seems too close to call, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’s Lily Gladstone has a slight edge over ‘Poor Things’ Emma Stone.
Again, because the Golden Globes separates comedic and dramatic performances, both actresses won. But Stone won the Critics Choice Award, putting her in the frontrunner’s seat.
However, Gladstone recently won the all-important SAG Award, and again, since it’s basically the same group that votes for this category, I’d say she is now the frontrunner.
There has been some talk that Gladstone’s role is really a supporting performance, and that could hurt her chances of winning. But since Stone already has a Best Actress trophy for her work in ‘La La Land,’ I think Gladstone will end up being triumphant and that’s how the Academy will reward Scorsese’s movie.
Who Will Win: Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Who Could Win: Emma Stone, ‘Poor Things’
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BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr is Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
This is an easy category to call, as this is clearly Robert Downey Jr.’s year too!
Having won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award, Downey has virtually no competition in this category and with ‘Oppenheimer’ poised to sweep most of its categories, Downey’s win is all but locked.
A surprise upset could possibly come from Ryan Gosling for his work in ‘Barbie,’ but it’s not very likely and it seems that Downey will be rewarded not only for ‘Oppenheimer’ but also for his famous career comeback and work creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In another locked category, Da’Vine Joy Randolph should end up winning for her work in ‘The Holdovers.’
Randolph has been winning all season, taking home a Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Award for her work. This is probably how the Academy will reward Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ especially if Murphy ends up beating Giamatti.
She could have some competition from Emily Blunt, especially if ‘Oppenheimer’ sweeps, but otherwise it’s safe to say that Randolph should be practicing her acceptance speech now.
Motion Picture Cast, ‘Oppenheimer.’ Photo: Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for SAG.
Preview:
‘Oppenheimer’ dominated the movie section of the 2024 SAG Awards.
In the TV categories, ‘The Bear’ and ‘Beef were predictable winners.
The show was carried by Netflix for the first time.
This year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony happened Saturday evening, and while they’re extremely limited in their Oscar prognostication (since this is all about acting), there were still few surprises, but shared love among a variety of movies and shows.
Perhaps the most unusual element was the venue –– not the location, but the fact that it is being carried live via Netflix after years on broadcast cable.
On the movie front, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ led the nominations, with the former taking Motion Picture Cast, Male Actor in a Leading Role for Cillian Murphy (does this point to him taking the Oscar instead of ‘The Holdovers’ Paul Giamatti?) and Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Robert Downey Jr. (who is a big Oscar favorite for playing Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s film). “Why me? Why now? Why do things seem to be going my way?,” RDJ quipped. “Unlike my fellow nominees, I will never grow tired from the sound of my own voice….”
(L to R) Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’ – with Robert Downey Jr. 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG .
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ only saw Lily Gladstone winning another award as Female Actor in a Lead Role, while ‘The Holdovers’ Da’Vine Joy Randolph added Female Actor in a Supporting Role to her considerable collection, pointing to her surely nabbing an Oscar next month.
TV-wise, there were even fewer shockers since the delayed Emmys and other shows had featured many of the same winners. So ‘The Bear’ duo Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri once again took the stage to collect trophies (both deserving winners, even though the debate remains as to whether the tension-filled show is truly a comedy), as well as being part of the series wining the Comedy ensemble award. ‘Succession’ meanwhile, nabbed the Drama Ensemble trophy.
A mild surprise given what has happened so far? Pedro Pascal took Male Actor in a Drama Series for ‘The Last of Us’, beating out ‘Succession’s Kieran Culkin. Pascal was typically charming, admitting he’d thought he was allowed to get a little drunk and concerned he was making a fool of himself.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Motion Picture Cast, ‘Oppenheimer’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Female Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Female Actor in a Comedy Series, Ayo Edebiri, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Male Actor in a Comedy Series, Jeremy Allen White, ‘The Bear’ 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards, Show, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA – 24 Feb 2024. Credit: Photo by Christopher Polk/Shutterstock for SAG.
The ‘Barbie’ actor is to direct ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’.
The movie is based on a novel by Erika Sánchez.
America Ferrera is certainly having a moment. An Oscar nominee for her excellent performance in ‘Barbie’ (featuring one of the most repeated and meme-able speeches in recent memory), she’s also seen her plan to start directing movies take a positive step forward.
‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’, to which she has been attached as director for a couple of years now (more on that below), is set up at AmazonMGM Studios’ Orion Pictures. It’ll follow her small screen experience handling episodes of TV ‘Gentefied’ and ‘Superstore’.
What’s the story of ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’?
America Ferrera attends the World Premiere of ‘Barbie’ at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau.
The story for the movie is drawn from Erika Sánchez’s New York Times bestselling novel, which follows Julia Reyes, a teen with a sharp tongue, a fierce wit and big dreams of becoming a famous writer, somewhere far, far away from Chicago and her traditional Mexican immigrant parents who just can’t understand her love for Whitman, Dickinson and the Ramones.
They wish she was more like Olga, Julia’s sister, now eternally perfect since her tragic death. As Julia seeks to break free of her oppressive home, she tries to uncover her sister’s truth, and in the process gains a deep understanding of the wounds her family carries.
Linda Yvette Chávez, who also wrote last year’s ‘Flamin’ Hot’ (and worked with Ferrera on ‘Gentefied’), is on script duty for the movie.
What has happened to ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’ so far?
America Ferrera at the ‘Barbie’ special screening and Q&A at Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau.
This is not the first time the book has been set up with Ferrera attached to direct. Back in 2021, Netflix took the rights for the film with Ferrera involved, but it ultimately got stuck in development limbo.
Here’s what Ferrera said at the time:
“Years ago, I fell in love with Erika L. Sánchez’ stunning novel, ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter’. The depth, wit and searing intelligence of her writing, and her young Latina heroine, struck me to my core and left me wanting so much more. I am truly honored and humbled to direct Linda Yvette Chávez’s beautifully adapted screenplay. The opportunity to direct the work of these two incredibly talented Latina writers is a dream come true. I can’t wait to share this film with the many fans of the novel, and to introduce this funny, profound, and resonant story to the world.”
What’s next for America Ferrera?
America Ferrera at the ‘Barbie’ Sydney Photo Call. Photo Credit: Caroline McCredie Photography.
Though her post-‘Barbie’ time is likely to be taken up with this more than anything, Ferrera has a few other projects in the works as a producer including a TV series and several TV movies. She’ll be heard in Pixar’s 2025 sci-fi movie ‘Elio’, playing the mother of the title character, a boy who mistakenly becomes the chosen one to be Earth’s galactic ambassador.
America Ferrera attends a ‘Barbie’ Fan Event in Seoul, Korea. Photo Credit: Chang Ho.
A new ‘Bob the Builder’ animated movie is in development.
Jennifer Lopez is on board to produce the movie.
Anthony Ramos will voice Bob in a story set in Puerto Rico.
Here’s a story we’re not sure we saw coming: ‘Bob the Builder’, the classic animated kids’ show is getting its shot at a big screen movie. So far, so unexpected.
But then you learn that Jennifer Lopez is producing the film, with Anthony Ramos taking over voice duties for a story that will see the construction-minded character heading to Puerto Rico. And it’s backed by rights holder Mattel, who are still riding high on the success of ‘Barbie’.
For those who don’t have kids or a love of children’s’ TV output, Bob as a series follows the adventures of Bob, a general contractor, specializing, along with his colleague Wendy, various neighbors, and friends, and equipment, and their gang of anthropomorphized work-vehicles, Scoop, Muck, Dizzy, Roley, Lofty and many others.
The show began life in the UK, where it ran between 1999 to 2011 before the format was sold to Mattel and it came back for a new series in 2015.
As for the movie, it’ll see Roberto (aka Bob) travelling to Puerto Rico for a major construction job. According to the logline, audiences will see Bob as he “takes on issues affecting the island and digs deeper into what it means to build. Bob’s journey will celebrate the vibrant and colorful textures of the Caribbean Latin nations and their people.”
Anthony Ramos stars in ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.
“For years, ‘Bob the Builder’s characters have inspired young people around the world. A movie about friends working together, a celebration of a beautiful home they share, and how love can help to conquer any obstacle in your way. Can we fix it? Yes, we can!”
Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films, had this to say:
“Pairing Anthony and Felipe’s genius vision for the story will capture this beloved character in a manner that audiences who grew up with Bob will recognize, and all-new audiences will enjoy,” said Robbie Brenner, president of Mattel Films.
And this was the sentiment from Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas of Lopez’ Nuyorican Productions company:
“The show’s ability to promote positive thinking, problem-solving and empowerment with a completely original story set in Puerto Rico puts a new spin on a beloved brand. We can’t wait for new and existing fans to connect with these amazing characters.”
What else is on the way from Mattel?
Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Barbie,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
With ‘Barbie’ having made more than $1.44 billion at the box office, Mattel is naturally eager to adapt other products. The current development slate includes ‘American Girl,’ a live-action ‘Barney’ movie with ‘Get Out’ star Daniel Kaluuya, the Vin Diesel-led ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,’ and Lena Dunham’s take on ‘Polly Pocket.’
Jack Quaid and Zazie Beetz host the announcement of the 96th Oscars® nominations, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Preview:
‘Oppenheimer’, ‘The Holdovers’ and ‘Past Lives’ are in contention for Oscars.
Greta Gerwig for direction and Margot Robbie as actress were surprising omissions.
The ceremony happens on March 10th
The 96th Academy Awards will be upon us in a couple of months, and the big film prize had actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announce its nominees for the various categories Tuesday morning.
Actor/Producer Margot Robbie attends the ‘Barbie’ Press Junket Photo Call at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Photo by Eric Charbonneau.
Christopher Nolan, who many are predicting will take home Best Director, saw ‘Oppenheimer’ dominate the nominations, as his story of the father of the atomic bomb earned 13 nods.
‘Poor Things’ was second with 11, while Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ earned 10 and ‘Barbie’ eight. Scorsese becomes the oldest and most nominated director, while his ‘Flower Moon’ actor Lily Gladstone is the first Native American acting nominee (star Leonardo DiCaprio, on the other hand, did not score a nomination).
Jack Quaid and Zazie Beetz host the announcement of the 96th Oscars® nominations, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Here Are The Nominees:
BEST PICTURE
Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in ‘Oppenheimer,’ written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.
Bradley Cooper attends Netflix’s ‘Maestro’ LA special screening at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
‘Anatomy of a Fall’, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
‘Society of the Snow’, Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Margot Robbie as Barbie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Barbie,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
‘Barbie’, production design: Sarah Greenwood; set decoration: Katie Spencer
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, production design: Jack Fisk; set decoration: Adam Willis
‘Napoleon’, production design: Arthur Max; set decoration: Elli Griff
‘Oppenheimer’, production design: Ruth De Jong; set decoration: Claire Kaufman
‘Poor Things’, production design: James Price and Shona Heath; set decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek
Film Editing
Editor Kevin Tent attends the Focus Features’ ‘The Holdovers’ Special Screening at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Focus Features.
