Moviefone Editorial

Tag: broadcast news

James L. Brooks Gathers Cast for New Film ‘Ella McCay’
(Far Left) James L. Brooks. (Center Left) Emma Mackey in Netflix’s ‘Sex Education.’ (Center Right) Oscar® nominee Jamie Lee Curtis arrives on the red carpet of the 95th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023. (Far Right) (L to R) Woody Harrelson as Marcus in director Bobby Farrelly’s ‘Champions,’ a Focus Features release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features.

Preview:
- James L. Brooks is working on a new movie, dramedy ‘Ella McCay’.
- Albert Brooks, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ayo Edebiri are among the cast.
- The film will follow a young politician juggling family and work issues.
It has been 13 years since James L. Brooks directed a film –– that would be 2010’s ‘How Do You Know’ –– but since then, he has kept busy producing movies and TV series by other people, including ‘The Edge of Seventeen’, and ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’, not to mention his continued association with ‘The Simpsons’.

You can imagine, then, the excitement at the news that Brooks is gearing up to get back behind the camera himself, and he’s gathering an exciting, eclectic cast for the new project, titled ‘Ella McCay’.

What’s the story of James L. Brooks’ new film?

Director, producer, and screenwriter James L. Brooks.

According to Deadline, the new movie, ‘Ella McCay’ follows an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor.

Who is in line to star in James L. Brooks’ new film?

Ayo Edebiri from ‘The Bear.’ Photo courtesy of FX.

The cast Brooks has in negotiations includes the likes of Albert Brooks (quite the force in writing and directing himself, along with his acting career), Jamie Lee Curtis, ‘Sex Education’s Emma Mackey (who appears likely to star in this one), Woody Harrelson, ‘The Bear’ breakout Ayo Edebiri, and Spike Fearn, most recently seen in ‘Aftersun’ and ‘The Batman’.

That’s quite the ensemble, blending rising stars with established talents, and could be the most anticipated cast for the director for some time.

Related Article: Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olson Talk Basketball Comedy ‘Champions’

James L. Brooks’ new movie: the studio speaks

Director, producer, and screenwriter James L. Brooks.

20th Century Studios, which has produced a lot of Brooks’ previous work, has jumped at the chance to be back in business with him.

Here’s what 20th Century Studios president Steve Asbell had to say about the new movie:

“As one of the most empathetic dramatists of our time, James Brooks has set the bar across film and television for decades. From ‘Broadcast News’ to ‘The Simpsons,’ Jim is also a foundational element in the bedrock of 20th, and we couldn’t be more proud to support him in his long awaited return to the director’s chair.”

When will James L. Brooks’ new film be in theaters?

Since this one hasn’t even started shooting yet, there is no word of a release date. But depending on when production kicks off, it could be in theaters later next year or in 2025.

Jamie Lee Curtis poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Other James L. Brooks Movies:
- ‘Starting Over‘ (1979)
- ‘Terms of Endearment‘ (1983)
- ‘Broadcast News‘ (1987)
- ‘I’ll Do Anything‘ (1994)
- ‘As Good as It Gets‘ (1997)
- ‘Spanglish‘ (2004)
- ‘The Simpsons Movie‘ (2007)
- ‘How Do You Know‘ (2010)
Buy James L. Brooks Movies on Amazon
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November 24, 2023
William Hurt Dead at 71

William Hurt in ‘Captain America: Civil War.’

It was announced on Sunday that Oscar winning actor William Hurt has passed away at the age of 71, a week before his 72nd birthday, due to prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1950, Hurt attended Tufts University before joining Juilliard School’s drama division, where his classmates were Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve.

Hurt began his career in the early 80’s with roles in hit movies like ‘Body Heat,’ ‘The Big Chill,’ and ‘Gorky Park.’ In the mid-80s he was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars three years in a row for his work ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman,’ for which he won, as well as ‘Broadcast News’ and ‘Children of a Lesser God.’ He also received a Tony Award nomination in 1985 for his stage work in the play ‘Hurlyburly.’

The actor would go on to appear in such movies as ‘The Accidental Tourist,’ ‘I Love You to Death,’ ‘Lost in Space,’ ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence,’ ‘The Village,’ ‘Syriana,’ ‘The Good Shepherd,’ Into the Wild,’ ‘Vantage Point,’ and ‘Robin Hood.’ He also received critical acclaim for his performance in the big screen adaption of the graphic novel ‘A History of Violence.’

William Hurt in ‘Broadcast News.’

But Hurt was probably best known to an entire generation as General Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. He first played the Bruce Banner’s nemesis in ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ and followed it up with brief appearances in ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ and ‘Black Widow.’

William Hurt’s final on screen role was as Père La Chaise in the fantasy movie, ‘The King’s Daughter.’ The actor has worked with some of the greatest directors in cinema history including Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, James L. Brooks, Lawrence Kasdan, Wim Wenders, Anthony Minghella, Nora Ephron, Franco Zeffirelli, David Cronenberg, M. Night Shyamalan, and Ridley Scott.

“It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday,” the actor’s son, Will, said in a statement. “He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time.”

William Hurt was married to actress Mary Beth Hurt from 1971 to 1982, before marrying Heidi Henderson from 1989 to 1991. He is survived by Will, and three other children.
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March 13, 2022
National Film Registry Adds ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ ‘Jurassic Park,’ More

Focus Features

The Library of Congress just can’t quite “Brokeback Mountain.”

The Library’s National Film Registry has added the acclaimed drama, along with 24 other films deemed culturally, historically or aesthetically significant to the nation’s film heritage, ensuring each selection is preserved for all time.

Also joining the registry are Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking dinosaur adventure “Jurassic Park,” Stanley Kubrick’s horror film “The Shining,” and the classic musical “My Fair Lady.”

“Brokeback Mountain,” which came out in 2005 and starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two cowboys who share a forbidden love, is the most recent film on the list.

In a statement, director Ang Lee said, “I didn’t intend to make a statement with ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ I simply wanted to tell a purely Western love story between two cowboys. To my great surprise, the film ended up striking a deep chord with audiences; the movie became a part of the culture, a reflection of the darkness and light — of violent prejudice and enduring love — in the rocky landscape of the American heart. More than a decade has passed since ‘Brokeback Mountain’ was released, but I hope that this film, a small movie with wide open spaces, continues to express something both fresh and fundamental about my adopted country.”

Here’s the full list of new additions, in alphabetical order:

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
Broadcast News (1987)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Cinderella (1950)
Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Dixon-Wanamaker Expedition to Crow Agency (1908)
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
The Girl Without a Soul (1917)
Hair Piece: A Film for Nappy-Headed People (1984)
Hearts and Minds (1974)
Hud (1963)
The Informer (1935)
Jurassic Park (1993)
The Lady From Shanghai (1947)
Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Monterey Pop (1968)
My Fair Lady (1964)
The Navigator (1924)
On the Town (1949)
One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Rebecca (1940)
The Shining (1980)
Smoke Signals (1998)
Something Good – Negro Kiss (1898)

December 12, 2018