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Tag: cameron monaghan

Cameron Monaghan to Play Harry Bosch in New Prequel Series
(Left) Cameron Monaghan in ‘Paradise Highway’. Photo: Lionsgate. (Right) Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch in season 2 of ‘Bosch: Legacy.’ Photo Credit: Warrick Page.

Preview:
- Cameron Monaghan will play Detective Harry Bosch in a new prequel series.
- ‘Start of Watch’ will be set in 1991.
- Omari Hardwick co-stars.
Amazon is continuing to visit the ‘Bosch’ well. With two shows featuring author Michael Connelly‘s LAPD detective character Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver and a spin-off around the character of Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), the company now has a third in the works.

A prequel series that will explore Harry Bosch’s younger days with the LAPD is has the greenlight, with Cameron Monaghan (‘TRON: Ares’) as Bosch and Omari Hardwick (‘Army of the Dead‘) portraying his training officer, police veteran Eli Bridges.
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Monaghan makes the latest person to play a younger Harry –– both of Welliver’s sons have appeared in the role on ‘Bosch’ in the past.

And just in case you weren’t already confused where to find Bosch’s cases (since Amazon has released the main show to Prime Video and spin-off ‘Bosch: Legacy’ to the since-defunct Freevee, ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ will debut on MGM+.

Related Article: Titus Welliver Talks ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3 and Ending the Series

What’s the story of ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’?

Omari Hardwick in ‘Xeno’. Photo: Blue Fox Entertainment.

The new series, which is not based directly on any of Connelly’s books, sets the clock back to 1991 Los Angeles and follows 26-year-old Harry Bosch during his earliest days as a rookie cop.

The series will explore a city on the edge, teeming with racial tension, gang violence and a fractured LAPD. Amid routine calls and growing unrest, Bosch finds himself drawn into a high-profile heist and a web of criminal corruption that will test his loyalty to the badge and shape his future as the detective who lives by the code, “Everybody counts or nobody counts.”

‘Bosch: Start of Watch’: his creator talks

Author and ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 2 executive producer Michael Connelly.

This was Connelly’s statement on the new series:

“I’m deeply grateful to Michael Wright and the team at MGM+ for championing this next chapter in Bosch’s journey with such remarkable care and integrity. Being able to see how Harry Bosch became the man we have loved for 10 seasons is a gift to me and his many fans. I can’t wait to dig in with Cameron and the writers to explore this uncharted character territory.”

When will ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ be on screens?

MGM+ has yet to specify when the show will debut, but like its sibling series, it will shoot in Los Angeles, especially having received a tax credit from the California Film Commission.

(L to R) Maurice ‘Mo” Bassi (Stephen A. Chang) and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ season 3. Photo Credit: Greg Gayne/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

List of Movies and TV Shows Based on Michael Connelly Novels:
- ‘The Lincoln Lawyer‘ (2011)
- ‘Bosch‘ (2015 – 2021)
- ‘Bosch: Legacy‘ (2022 – 2023)
- ‘The Lincoln Lawyer‘ (2022 – 2024)
Buy Titus Welliver Movies On Amazon
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October 16, 2025
Every Live-Action Joker Film and TV Appearance, Ranked

Joaquin Phoenix in Director Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo courtesy of Todd Phillips’ Instagram account.

While the sequel to 2019’s Oscar-winning ‘Joker‘, ‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘ failed to score with audiences at the box office, there is no denying that the DC Comics character is one of the most popular villains in pop culture history.

The character’s first live-action appearance was in the 1966 TV series ‘The Batman‘, played by Cesar Romero, who would go on to reprise the role in the 1966 movie based on the series. Legendary actor Jack Nicholson would take over the role for a new generation in Tim Burton‘s ‘Batman‘, eventually followed by Heath Ledger in ‘The Dark Knight‘, Jared Leto in the DCEU movies, Cameron Monaghan on the TV series ‘Gotham‘, and Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker’ and its follow up.

Ledger and Phoenix would both go on to receive Academy Awards for their performances, making both of them the only actors in history to win Oscars for playing a comic book character, and Joker the only character to ever receive that an honor.

With ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ currently in theaters, Moviefone is counting down every live-action Joker appearance ever, on both TV and film, including the latest.

Let’s begin!

11. ‘Suicide Squad‘ (2016)

(L to R) Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Jared Leto as The Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’. Photo: Warner Bros.

From DC Comics comes the ‘Suicide Squad’, an antihero team of incarcerated supervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.
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10. ‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘ (2024)

(L to R) Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan and Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Scott Garfield/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.
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9. ‘The Batman‘ (2022)

Barry Keoghan as the Joker in ‘The Batman’. Photo: Warner Bros.

From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves‘ ‘The Batman’, starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
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8. ‘Batman‘ (1966)

(L to R) Lee Meriwether as The Catwoman, Frank Gorshin as The Riddler, Burgess Meredith as The Penguin and Cesar Romero as the Joker in the 1966 movie ‘Batman’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

The Dynamic Duo (Adam West and Burt Ward) faces four super-villains (Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin and Lee Meriwether) who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
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7. ‘The People’s Joker‘ (2024)

Vera Drew in ‘The People’s Joker’. Photo: Altered Innocence.

An aspiring clown (Vera Drew) grappling with her gender identity combats a fascistic caped crusader.
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6. ‘Gotham‘ (2014 – 2019)

Cameron Monaghan as “J” in ‘Gotham’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon (Ben McKenzie). He is one of the crime world’s greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon’s story and his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the multiple layers of corruption that secretly ruled Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains? And what circumstances created them – the larger-than-life personas who would become Catwoman (Camren Bicondova), The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), The Riddler (Cory Michael Smith), Two-Face (Nicholas D’Agosta) and The Joker (Cameron Monaghan)?
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5. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)

Jared Leto as Joker in ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’. Photo: Max.

Determined to ensure Superman’s (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes. Now united, Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller) may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds), DeSaad (Peter Guinness), and Darkseid (Ray Porter) and their dreadful intentions.
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4. ‘Batman‘ (1966 – 1968)

Cesar Romero as the Joker on the 1966 TV series ‘Batman’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox Television.

Wealthy entrepreneur Bruce Wayne (Adam West) and his ward Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) lead a double life: they are actually crime fighting duo Batman and Robin. A secret Batpole in the Wayne mansion leads to the Batcave, where Police Commissioner Gordon (Neil Hamilton) often calls with the latest emergency threatening Gotham City. Racing to the scene of the crime in the Batmobile, Batman and Robin must (with the help of their trusty Bat-utility-belt) thwart the efforts of a variety of master criminals, including The Riddler (Frank Gorshin), The Joker (Cesar Romero), Catwoman (Julie Newmar), and The Penguin (Burgess Meredith).
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3. ‘Joker‘ (2019)

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker in ‘Joker’. Photo: Warner Bros.

During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian (Joaquin Phoenix) is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.
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2. ‘Batman‘ (1989)

Jack Nicolson as the Joker in 1989’s ‘Batman’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Batman (Michael Keaton) must face his most ruthless nemesis when a deformed madman calling himself “The Joker” (Jack Nicholson) seizes control of Gotham’s criminal underworld.
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1. ‘The Dark Knight‘ (2008)

Heath Ledger as the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker (Heath Ledger).
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October 19, 2024
Jeff Bridges Reveals He’s in ‘Tron: Ares’
Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn in 1982’s ‘Tron’. Photo: Buena Vista Distribution.

Preview:
- Jeff Bridges says he’s heading to the ‘Tron: Ares’ set to shoot a role.
- He didn’t specify if he’ll be back as Kevin Flynn.
- Jared Leto and Gillian Anderson are among the stars of the new movie.
It surely would not be a ‘Tron’ movie without Jeff Bridges, who played Kevin Flynn in the 2982 original movie about a programmer named Kevin Flynn who is drawn into the virtual world of The Grid inside his computer to compete in various challenges and to battle a malevolent program.

Bridges returned for 2010’s ‘Tron: Legacy’, playing both Flynn and Clu, the program he created in the past to oversee the Grid system that ends up turning into a threat himself.

Now, talking on the ‘Film Comment’ podcast about his career, Bridges dropped word that he’ll indeed be back for the third ‘Tron’ movie, ‘Tron: Ares’, which stars Jared Leto.
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What did Bridges say about ‘Tron: Ares’?

Jeff Bridges, Oscar®-nominee for Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, presents the Oscar® for Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards® from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA Sunday, February 27, 2011. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Here’s what Bridges said of his next gig:

“I’m heading off to play a part in the third installment of the ‘Tron’ story; I’m excited about that. It’s wild. Jared Leto is the star of this third one, and I’m really anxious to work with him, I’ve admired his work.”

Bridges doesn’t specify whether he’ll be Flynn or appearing as Clu in flashback (since he was vanquished in ‘Legacy’). Our guess would be the former.

But he did talk about his thoughts on the technology involved in the new movie:

“I’m really excited to see what the technology is going to be all about this time. When I did ‘Tron: Legacy,’ we had to put all these dots on our face and all these kinds of things. And that’s probably all passé. I had to see myself as a young guy or as another character, but the same guy, but it was gonna be digitally created. I think it was de-aging, but I didn’t like the way I looked in it; I felt like I looked more like Bill Maher than myself; it was kind of bizarre! I hear there’s even less A.I. stuff in this. It’s going to be more a practical set, and they’re beautiful; there are beautiful sets that I’ve seen.”

What’s the story of ‘Tron: Ares’?

‘Tron: Ares.’ Photo by Leah Gallo. © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, the script follows Leto’s computer program Ares on a journey from the digital world to that of humans.

There remains no word on whether Bridges’ fellow ‘Legacy’ stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde will be back, though we’d especially have to doubt Wilde’s return for anything other than a cameo given her busy directing career.

Who stars in ‘Tron: Ares’?

With Leto headlining, ‘Tron: Ares’ also features Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Sarah Desjardins, Cameron Monaghan, Gillian Anderson and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Related Article: Gillian Anderson is the Latest Addition to the ‘Tron: Ares’ Cast

Who is making ‘Tron: Ares’?

Joachim Rønning on the set of Netflix’s ‘Marco Polo.’ Photo: Phil Bray/Netflix.

Joachim Rønning, who has plenty of Disney sequel experience following ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ and ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’, is behind the camera for the new movie, which has been shooting for a few weeks.

When will ‘Tron: Ares’ be in theaters?

Disney has announced that ‘Tron: Ares’ is currently scheduled for release on October 10th, 2025.

A scene from ‘Tron: Legacy’ directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Tron: Ares’:
- ‘The Black Hole‘ (1979)
- ‘Tron‘ (1982)
- ‘WarGames‘ (1983)
- ‘Johnny Mnemonic‘ (1995)
- ‘The Matrix‘ (1999)
- ‘Avatar‘ (2009)
- ‘TRON: Legacy‘ (2010)
- ‘TRON: The Next Day‘ (2011)
- ‘Her‘ (2013)
- ‘Transcendence‘ (2014)
- ‘Ex Machina‘ (2015)
- ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle‘ (2017)
- ‘Ready Player One‘ (2018)
- ‘Free Guy‘ (2021)
Buy ‘Tron’ Movies on Amazon
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April 29, 2024
Gillian Anderson Joins the Cast of ‘Tron: Ares’
Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Crown’ season 4. Photo: Des Willie.

Preview:
- Gillian Anderson is the latest person cast in ‘Tron: Ares’.
- Shooting has now kicked off on the movie following a delay.
- The movie should be on screens next year.
It has been a long road to the screen for the third ‘Tron’ movie. In development since the second film, 2010’s ‘Tron: Legacy’, arrived, ‘Tron: Ares’ (as it is currently called) has faced multiple challenges so far, not the least of which was being shut down before it could begin shooting last year when the writers and actors’ strikes hit.

But now, it has turned a corner (or swerved on a right angle given how the iconic Light cycles work), and the cameras are finally rolling on the long-anticipated sequel, which follows both ‘Legacy’ and the 1982 original ‘Tron’, which sees humans drawn into a virtual world.

Now, with Jared Leto starring as a character called Ares, it looks like the opposite will be happening, and Gillian Anderson is the latest addition to the cast, playing an unknown role.
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What’s the story of ‘Tron: Ares’?

A scene from ‘Tron: Legacy’ directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, the script follows Leto’s computer program Ares on a journey from the digital world to that of humans.

There’s no word yet on whether Jeff Bridges (who starred in the original and also showed up in ‘Legacy’) or ‘Legacy’ stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde will be back, though we’d especially have to doubt Wilde’s return for anything other than a cameo given her busy directing career.

Related Article: Joachim Rønning Directing Jared Leto in New Sci-fi Sequel ‘Tron: Ares’

Who stars in ‘Tron: Ares’?

Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Morbius.’ Photo by: Jay Maidment. Copyright: © 2022 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With Leto taking the title role and Anderson now aboard, ‘Tron: Ares’ also stars Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Sarah Desjardins, Cameron Monaghan and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Who is making ‘Tron: Ares’?

Joachim Rønning on the set of Netflix’s ‘Marco Polo.’ Photo: Phil Bray/Netflix.

Joachim Rønning, who has plenty of Disney sequel experience following ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ and ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’, is behind the camera for the new movie, and he celebrated finally getting to start rolling the cameras with an Instagram post…

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2TECpjyNcM/?hl=en

He previously bemoaned the delay in shooting:

“Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on ‘Tron: Ares’ (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone. The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to speed up the negotiating process and not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work –– under conditions that are fair to everybody.”

When will ‘Tron: Ares’ be in theaters?

Disney has yet to confirm whether the film –– which will require plenty of post-production work –– will maintain a 2025 release date, but the fact that it’s now shooting is a hopeful sign.

Olivia Wilde as Quorra in ‘Tron: Legacy.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Tron: Ares’:
- ‘The Black Hole‘ (1979)
- ‘Tron‘ (1982)
- ‘WarGames‘ (1983)
- ‘Johnny Mnemonic‘ (1995)
- ‘The Matrix‘ (1999)
- ‘Avatar‘ (2009)
- ‘TRON: Legacy‘ (2010)
- ‘TRON: The Next Day‘ (2011)
- ‘Her‘ (2013)
- ‘Transcendence‘ (2014)
- ‘Ex Machina‘ (2015)
- ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle‘ (2017)
- ‘Ready Player One‘ (2018)
- ‘Free Guy‘ (2021)
Buy ‘Tron’ Movies on Amazon
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January 25, 2024
‘Tron: Ares’ to Delay Start of Shooting
Joachim Rønning on the set of Netflix’s ‘Marco Polo.’ Photo: Phil Bray/Netflix.

We’ve already seen plenty of big movies delayed, either in terms of their release dates moving or production being shut down mid-flow. But another hefty casualty is seeing its shoot curtailed before it has even begun.

‘Tron: Ares’, the latest chapter of the sci-fi saga (which began in 1982 with the original and continued in 2010 with ‘Tron: Legacy’), was supposed to have been shooting today, but obviously can’t start because both the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, which represents actors and other performers, are on strike for a better deal from studios, which have so far refused to truly consider the unions’ demands.

And director Joachim Rønning, whose credits include ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell no Tales’ and ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ is bemoaning the fact that he and his crew can’t get to work on the new movie, and many are now laid off.
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Rønning’s comments on the ‘Tron: Ares’ Delay

Joachim Rønning on the set of Netflix’s ‘Marco Polo.’ Photo: Phil Bray/Netflix.

Rønning opened his post by talking about the tougher side of filmmaking:

“The absolute best moments of my career have been watching an actor perform in front of the camera – taking the scene and the text to a higher place. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing talent. It’s a huge part of why I’m a filmmaker. However, like myself, being an actor or a writer, means you’re a freelancer. And I can tell you, the constant uncertainty is not for everyone. To that end I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a better safety net.”

The director then went on to discuss writers and A.I.:

“Many of my best friends are writers. Everything starts with the story. Everything starts with you. That must continue. And that means that AI needs to be regulated. There is no doubt about the threat the technology poses to all creatives.”

He also turned his attention to his frustration with the movie’s delay:

“Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on ‘Tron: Ares’ (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone. The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to speed up the negotiating process and not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work –– under conditions that are fair to everybody.”

You can read his full post here.

Related Article: Joachim Rønning to Direct ‘Tron: Ares’

What’s the story of ‘Tron: Ares’?

A scene from ‘Tron: Legacy’ directed by Joseph Kosinski.

It’s probably best at this point to say, what will be the story of ‘Tron: Ares’. Written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, the script follows Jared Leto’s computer program Ares on a journey from the digital world to that of humans.

The movie is scheduled to star Leto, Evan Peters, Greta Lee, Sarah Desjardins, Cameron Monaghan and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Tentatively scheduled for a 2025 release, we’ll wait and see whether that holds given the delay.

Olivia Wilde as Quorra in ‘Tron: Legacy.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Tron: Ares’:
- ‘The Black Hole‘ (1979)
- ‘Tron‘ (1982)
- ‘WarGames‘ (1983)
- ‘Johnny Mnemonic‘ (1995)
- ‘The Matrix‘ (1999)
- ‘Avatar‘ (2009)
- ‘TRON: Legacy‘ (2010)
- ‘TRON: The Next Day‘ (2011)
- ‘Her‘ (2013)
- ‘Transcendence‘ (2014)
- ‘Ex Machina‘ (2015)
- ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle‘ (2017)
- ‘Ready Player One‘ (2018)
- ‘Free Guy‘ (2021)
Buy ‘Tron’ Movies on Amazon
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August 16, 2023
Oscar Winner Juliette Binoche Talks ‘Paradise Highway’

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Opening in theaters, on digital, and on demand July 29th is the new thriller ‘Paradise Highway’ from writer and director Anna Gutto (‘Home for Christmas’).

The movie revolves around Sally (Juliette Binoche), a truck driver who reluctantly smuggles a young girl named Leila (Hala Finley) to save her imprisoned brother Dennis (Frank Grillo).

As Sally and Leila bond during their dangerous journey across state lines, a retired FBI agent (Morgan Freeman) and his new partner (Cameron Monaghan) are determined to take down the human-trafficking operation and bring Sally and Leila to safety.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Oscar winner Juliette Binoche about her work on ‘Paradise Highway,’ her first reaction to the screenplay, Leila’s impact on Sally, and her co-dependent relationship with her brother.

Juliette Binoche in Lionsgate’s ‘Paradise Highway.’

You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Juliette Binoche, Hala Finley, Cameron Monaghan, Frank Grillo, and writer/director Anna Gutto.

Moviefone: When you first read the screenplay, what were some of the aspects of the character of Sally that really intrigued you and that you wanted to explore more with this film?

Juliette Binoche: I didn’t know how I was going to get into Sally, because it felt so far away from me. But the subject matter, the sex trafficking subject, as well as the truck driving excitement pulled me in. The director, Anna Gutto said, “No, you’ll be it.” She was always trusting that I could do it.

Also, she put me in the hands of this wonderful woman who inspired the script, Desiree. She’s a woman truck driver and we went on trip together for a few days in order for me to understand what it felt like to sleep in a truck and to eat in truck, and all the truck stops and all the journey. I interviewed her for many hours. She’s very eloquent so she was able to really share her experiences in her life, and I got inspired by her.

Also, the script was well written, so it said enough, but not too much because it’s terrible when scripts are too explanative. You don’t want that, but it was enough, so we got inside of it without having a book to read, it’s a journey you will experience.

The big question for me was, “Are we going to find the actress to play Leila?” Because it’s such an important character in the film. The relationship between her and myself really has to be the root of it all. So, I was crossing fingers that Anna was going to find the right person. I have to say, when we started shooting, the first day, I was like so relieved because Hala was really an actress.

(L to R) Hala Finely and Juliette Binoche in Lionsgate’s ‘Paradise Highway.’

MF: Can you talk about the relationship that builds between Sally and Leila and the moment Sally realizes she needs to help her?

JB: I don’t know if there’s a specific moment. Probably when she takes care of her, she’s cleaning her, and she sees that Leila is really this weak little girl. Probably my character is really feeling something. It’s true that in our experiences, when we see somebody at the lowest physically or emotionally, that’s where our heart is opening.

I think for Sally, because she is caught up inside of a relationship with her brother, the past, and the trauma she’s been through with her father and all that, it’s very hard for her to unplug that because she feels responsible.

She wants to keep that relationship with her brother until this Leila situation, having to take care of her, suddenly changes bit by bit her feelings. Her heart is finally opening up and understanding that you’ve got to choose a family of heart. Not only of blood, but of heart. That’s the journey she’s accomplishing in a way.

Frank Grillo in Lionsgate’s ‘Paradise Highway.’

MF: Finally, because of the trauma that Sally, and Dennis experienced together as children, they have a very co-dependent relationship with each other as adults. Can you talk about that complicated brother and sister relationship and how it manifests throughout the movie?

JB: There’s this emotionally enmesh man who is so unhealthy. Yet, the need is still fed inside of that trauma. My character in the film, Sally, is a pleaser. She wants to make sure her brother is happy and to make sure that he’s saved. So, it’s fed with this unhealthy kind of relationship until she finds out at the end, the truth of it all, and that she has to make a separation.

It’s so hard because we don’t want to separate from our parents. We don’t want to separate from our siblings because there’s an attachment that is so hard to unplug. But you have to choose your own life, your sanity, your own feelings, and your own thoughts. So, that’s a huge step to make. Not an easy one, but a huge one to make.

(L to R) Morgan Freeman and Juliette Binoche in Lionsgate’s ‘Paradise Highway.’
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August 1, 2022
‘Shameless’ Star Cameron Monaghan Also Leaving Showtime Series

Showtime

Another Gallagher sibling is leaving the South Side.

“Shameless” star Cameron Monaghan, who plays Ian, revealed that this Sunday’s episode will be his last on the Showtime dramedy. His departure comes several weeks after lead Emmy Rossum’s announcement that she is exiting the series.

“I have been a series regular on this show for roughly ten years. I was the tender age of fifteen when we shot the pilot, and I came of age in so many ways, both legally and personally,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

He added, “This role has been a joy to inhabit, a wild and special ride, and I’d like to thank #Shameless as well as you, the viewers, for being there with him.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bor3drQnsRD/

Over the course of the series, Ian has struggled with bipolar disease (which also afflicted his mother) and become a leader in Chicago’s young gay community. In the current ninth season, Ian has been facing jail time for leading an uprising in which he was dubbed “Gay Jesus.” In last week’s episode, he pled guilty by reason of insanity.

Monaghan’s post indicated that he’s open to return for guest appearances. “Goodbye, Ian Clayton Gallagher. We’ll meet again?” he wrote.

Despite the exit of two Gallagher siblings, “Shameless” showrunner John Wells has said the series could continue into a (as yet unordered) 10th season and beyond. Co-lead William H. Macy is still on board.

“There are a lot more Gallagher stories to tell,” Wells said.

October 9, 2018