Moviefone Editorial

Tag: dave franco

  • ‘Somebody I Used to Know’ Interview: Director Dave Franco

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    Premiering on Prime Video beginning February 10th is the new romantic comedy ‘Somebody I Used to Know,’ which was written by actors Dave Franco (‘The Disaster Artist’) and Alison Brie (‘Promising Young Woman’), and directed by Franco.

    The film stars Brie as Ally, a workaholic who returns home to visit her mother (‘Airplane!’s Julie Hagerty) the same weekend that her ex, Sean (‘Top Gun: Maverick’s Jay Ellis) is getting married to his young fiancé Cassidy (‘The Flash’s Kiersey Clemons). Ally is quickly thrown into the wedding festivities as the videographer, but really plans to ruin the wedding so she can get Sean back.

    The movie also features supporting performances from Haley Joel Osment (‘The Sixth Sense’), Danny Pudi (‘Community’), Zoe Chao (‘The Afterparty’), Sam Richardson (‘Hocus Pocus 2’), and Amy Sedaris (‘Puss in Boots’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Dave Franco about his work on ‘Somebody I Used to Know,’ developing the idea for the screenplay, directing his wife Alison Brie, and putting together his crew and the rest of the cast.

    Dave Franco co-writes and directs Prime Video's 'Somebody I Used to Know.'
    Dave Franco co-writes and directs Prime Video’s ‘Somebody I Used to Know.’

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Franco, Alison Brie, Jay Ellis, and Kiersey Clemons.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about creating the story for the film and writing the screenplay with Alison, and did you to continue to write with her and change dialogue while you were shooting?

    Dave Franco: The story came about while we were walking through my hometown of Palo Alto. I think being in that setting, these ideas of going home, and reconnecting with your roots, and thinking about who you used to be compared to who you are now, all of that just became what the script ended up being. Then, in terms of how much the dialogue changed over time, it’s always changing.

    One thing I like to do is before we start filming, I meet up with all the actors, and we basically go through each scene, and I ask them, “Are there any lines of dialogue or even any single words that don’t feel natural to you? Let’s change that now, let’s put it in your voice so that by the time we’re on set, we’re hitting the ground running, we’re not figuring all that stuff out.”

    It ends up being this thing where, I think on both movies I’ve directed, I go over the script a million times, and then every day before whatever scene is coming, I look at that scene again. You just see it in a new light, and more often than not, I’m like, this is overwritten. We don’t need to say all this. Let’s chop it back. So it’s more about pairing everything back.

    Alison Brie and director Dave Franco at the premiere of Prime Video's 'Somebody I Used to Know.'
    (L to R) Alison Brie and director Dave Franco at the premiere of Prime Video’s ‘Somebody I Used to Know.’

    MF: Can you talk about the crew you put together for this project, and what was it like for you to work with your cinematographer to compose shots on set and work with your editor in the cutting room to assemble the film?

    DF: The best. I surrounded myself with people who I’m a fan of, and just having that collaboration with those people was incredible. My DP, Brian Lannin, shoots that show ‘Dave.’ I don’t know if you’ve seen that, but it’s one of my favorites because they do really hard comedy, but it’s also beautiful. The visuals are stunning, and I thought he’d be the perfect guy for this.

    With this one, it was kind of inherent to some romantic comedies. There’s a lot of scenes where it’s just two people talking, and the challenge was how do we make that exciting? How do we make that engaging visually? He’s just got such a beautiful eye, and the setting itself did a lot of the heavy lifting too. We shot in the Pacific Northwest, and any direction you point the camera, it’s stunning.

    Then, in the edit, my editor Ernie Gilbert, I love him to death. What can I say? It’s just a healthy back and forth where obviously I have very specific ideas of how I want things to play out, but I trust him so much, and he would come in with ideas, and new things that I would never think of. Anyway, this is a long way of saying I’m so collaborative. It’s my favorite thing to do, especially when I’m surrounded by people who are just so talented.

    Alison Brie and Danny Pudi in Prime Video's 'Somebody I Used to Know,' which was directed by Dave Franco.
    (L to R) Alison Brie and Danny Pudi in Prime Video’s ‘Somebody I Used to Know,’ which was directed by Dave Franco.

    MF: Finally, there are a lot of actors in the movie that you and Alison have worked with in the past, and a few that you have not. Can you talk about putting together the cast and having an opportunity to work with your friends?

    DF: It’s the best for many reasons. When you’re surrounded by people that you feel comfortable with, you feel more willing to take risks knowing that no one’s going to judge you. When I am putting together the team, of course, I want people who are talented, but it’s just as important to me that everyone is really nice and hardworking. When you’re surrounded by that type of person, it just makes it easy, man. It’s like, I don’t need to micromanage anyone.

    Everyone’s there to work, everyone’s excited, and it’s this nice family environment. As an actor, I’ve been on a couple sets that are not that way. It’s a weird vibe. I made a vow to myself that when I have control on any set that I’m on, I’m going to make sure that obviously, let’s do good work, but let’s also have a good time. We’re away from our friends and family for months at a time, it should be worth it. Let’s look back, and remember the experience itself too.

    Alison Brie in Prime Video's 'Somebody I Used to Know,' which was directed by Dave Franco.
    Alison Brie in Prime Video’s ‘Somebody I Used to Know,’ which was directed by Dave Franco.
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  • Movie Review: ‘Day Shift’

    Jamie Foxx as Bud and Snoop Dogg as Big John in 'Day Shift.'
    (L-R) Jamie Foxx as Bud and Snoop Dogg as Big John in ‘Day Shift.’ Cr. Andrew Cooper/Netflix © 2022.

    ‘Day Shift,’ which debuted on Netflix August 12th is the sort of movie that the streaming service seems to drop almost out of nowhere – which is surprising given the star power of Jamie Foxx. One trailer and then here we are.

    It certainly hasn’t been treated to the same sort of rollout as, say, ‘The Gray Man’, but then ‘Day Shift’ didn’t cost $200 million to make. But that’s no slight on the new vampire hunting movie, which generates plenty of goofy action fun without needing to trot around the globe or blow up everything in sight.

    Foxx plays Bud Jablonski, who makes his living cleaning pools in the San Fernando Valley. At least, that’s what he tells his family. His real job is tracking down and dispatching vampires.

    In the movie’s mythology, the toothy terrors have existed for millennia alongside humans and, back in the day, were worshipped as gods (a temple under Los Angeles plays a role later in the plot).

    Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski in 'Day Shift.'
    Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski in ‘Day Shift.’ Photo: Parrish Lewid/Netflix.

    Yet as time marched on, humanity began to realize that the genetic mutations were actually more of a threat than a religion and turned on them. Since then, there has been an understanding – vampires prey in darkness and those still among the fully living have organized to hunt them.

    Bud used to be among those ranks, a fully paid-up member of the union that authorizes gun- and stake-toting fighters to execute vampires, claiming their fangs as evidence for payout. The older the Drac-pack member, the bigger the cash reward. But thanks to some “violations” (violently killing a vampire in a house with a kids’ party happening next door), he’s been on the outs for years.

    Yet when his estranged wife Jocelyn (Meagan Good) announces she’s taking their daughter Paige (Zion Broadnax) to Florida for a new financial opportunity, Bud knows he’ll need to start earning more to prevent that happening.

    Oh yes, and there’s an ambitious vampire (Karla Souza’s Audrey San Fernando) looking to take over the Valley’s undead action, and who is first glimpsed burying a rival “alive” in the freshly poured foundations of a house.

    Snoop Dogg as Big John Elliott, Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski and Seeger in 'Day Shift.'
    (L-R) Snoop Dogg as Big John Elliott, Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski and Seeger in ‘Day Shift.’ Photo: Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2022.

    Bud will need to call on the help of old pal – and legendary vampire hunter – Big John Elliott (a typically chill Snoop Dogg) to get himself official again. And that comes with big condition… Bud will have to put up with union clerk Seth (Dave Franco) monitoring his missions.

    More normally used to spending his time behind a desk, and with little inclination to do anything else, Seth soon grows more useful, but it’s not an easy match at first, since Seth’s all about following the rules and Bud is, as anyone could guess… not.

    That’s a familiar dynamic for a movie such as this, and writers Tyler Tice (this is his first produced script) and Shay Hatten (‘Army of the Dead’) don’t bring too much that is fresh to the mismatched buddy cop formula. Yet Foxx and Franco find a vibe that works.

    Whether it’s Seth peeing his pants in initial fear at confronting a vampire in the field or the pair arguing about ‘Twilight’ movies, they’re often the funniest part of the movie.

    Jamie Foxx as Bud, Scott Adkins as Diran, Steve Howey as Mike and Dave Franco as Seth in 'Day Shift.'
    (L to R) Jamie Foxx as Bud, Scott Adkins as Diran, Steve Howey as Mike and Dave Franco as Seth in ‘Day Shift.’ Cr. Netflix © 2022.

    Director J.J. Perry is a graduate of the 87Eleven school of stunt work. Training with the likes of David Leitch and Chad Stahelski and working as a stuntman then a stunt coordinator, he’s since moved up to second unit work and makes his full directorial debut with ‘Day Shift.’

    It’s perhaps no surprise then, that besides the cast, the set-pieces are the star here. From an initial rumble between Foxx’s Bud and an old woman who turns out to be both A) undead and B) a key part of the plot going forward to the various clashes between humans and the fang club, this is an all-action romp.

    Perry and cinematographer Tobi Oliver know how to stage and shoot an effective fight scene, and they make good use of some talented stunt folk to bring those moments to life. Whether it’s a battle in an abandoned mall (highlighted by Snoop’s Big John arriving with a hulking minigun called “Big Bertha” and laying waste to many enemies) or a match-up between three vampires, the conflicts go for the jugular even more than the villains.

    There is, perhaps, an occasional leaning too hard on one specific move (clambering over someone’s head and flipping them, as Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow often used to do in Marvel movies), but otherwise the stunt work is lean and entertaining.

    Dave Franco as Seth and Jamie Foxx as Bud in 'Day Shift.' Photo: Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2022.
    (L to R) Dave Franco as Seth and Jamie Foxx as Bud in ‘Day Shift.’ Photo: Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2022.

    When the jokes are as sharp as the vampire’s teeth, the movie truly entertains, but that doesn’t happen enough to carry the rest of what shapes up to be a fairly standard example of the genre. There are lots of elements here pulled from the shelf that are rarely customized to the degree that they seem fresh.

    A big, nasty vampire plan? Seen it. The hero’s family in danger? Yup. A grungy dealer in vampire death payouts who keeps a hidden base behind a mundane pawn shop front – and who ends up a victim? Present. And even though he’s played by Peter Stormare, it doesn’t quite raise the level up above average.

    Netflix has been on a run of vampire stories of late – between the likes of ‘Night Teeth’ and the YA-centric ‘First Kill’, the streaming service can’t get enough of the fanged ones and/or the people who slay them. ‘Day Shift’ ranks more highly than some, mostly thanks to Foxx’s charisma, Franco’s throwing himself into the comedy, and the stunt work.

    If you’re craving some fang club action and you haven’t had your bloodlust slated by the many vampire movies already out there in the world, ‘Day Shift’ offers a solid bite even if it’s not the greatest example of the genre.

    ‘Day Shift receives 3 out of 5 stars.

    Jamie Foxx as Bud and Dave Franco as Seth in 'Day Shift.'
    (L to R) Jamie Foxx as Bud and Dave Franco as Seth in ‘Day Shift.’ Cr. Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2022.
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  • ‘Day Shift’ Trailer Has Jamie Foxx Hunting Vampires

    Netflix has certainly tapped into the vampire vein as one of its prime source materials for movies and TV shows, including recent examples such as ‘First Kill’ and ‘Night Teeth’.

    The company is upping the star power for its latest example, as the likes of Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dog, Dave Franco and more are part of the cast of ‘Day Shift’.

    Foxx plays Bud Jablonski, a man whose unassuming day job as a San Fernando Valley pool cleaner is a cover for how he really makes money – in a world where vampires are everywhere (and are mostly monstrous murderers), there’s cash to be had “cutting necks and cashing checks”, as Bud explains.

    Yet with a few “incidents” on his record, Bud has been drummed out of the international Union of Vampire Hunters, and now he’s facing the prospect of his wife (Meagan Good) and daughter (Zion Broadnax) moving to Florida for a better life.

    With the help of his pal and fellow hunter (Snoop Dogg), Bud has to wrangle his way back into the union to keep the cash flow going, and make sure he saves his own neck. Mostly, though, the story looks like an excuse for lots of crazy vamp action.

    Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski in 'Day Shift.'
    Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski in ‘Day Shift.’ Photo: Parrish Lewid/Netflix.

    Not to mention Dave Franco as a guy who has his first vampire encounter and reacts… well, how you might expect. And, of course, there are jokes about other vampire fiction, including the ‘Twilight’ movies.

    This new movie is directed by J.J. Perry, who has cut his teeth as a stuntman, stunt coordinator and second unit director on big titles such as ‘John Wick’ and more than one ‘Fast & Furious’ movie. And the ‘Wick’ connection continues thanks to co-writer Shay Hatten (a veteran of a couple of those movies, plus a lot of work with Zack Snyder, including ‘Army of the Dead’ and the upcoming ‘Rebel Moon’.)

    Then we have Chad Stahelski, who has co-directed or directed all the ‘Wick’ movies so far and serves as a producer here. It’s perhaps not surprising that the trailer makes ‘Day Shift’ look chock full of inventive action moments.

    And the horror aspect means plenty of crazy vampire moments – the creatures here have a twisty-limbed style that would probably put a smile on the face of fans of the work of John Carpenter or ‘Train to Busan’.

    With Bud finding all manner of ways to put an end to undead creatures, we can also expect lots of inventive kills, while Snoop shows up at one point touting a minigun to kill as many vamps as possible.

    Featuring Karla Souza, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Scott Adkins, Steve Howery, Tetiana Gaidar, Massi Furlan and Gloria Bishop in the cast, ‘Day Shift’ will arrive on Netflix on August 12th.

    Snoop Dogg as Big John Elliott, Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski and Seeger in 'Day Shift.'
    (L-R) Snoop Dogg as Big John Elliott, Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski and Seeger in ‘Day Shift.’ Photo: Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2022.
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  • ‘The Afterparty’ Exclusive Interviews

    (L to R) Sam Richardson, Jamie Demetriou, Ben Schwartz, John Early, Tiffany Haddish, Tiya Sircar, Ilana Glazer, Zoe Chao, and Ike Barinholtz in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    (L to R) Sam Richardson, Jamie Demetriou, Ben Schwartz, John Early, Tiffany Haddish, Tiya Sircar, Ilana Glazer, Zoe Chao, and Ike Barinholtz in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

    Premiering January 28th on Apple TV+ is the new murder mystery comedy ‘The Afterparty,’ from Oscar winning producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’).

    The series features an impressive cast of comedic actors that include Tiffany Haddish (‘Girls Trip’), Sam Richardson (‘The Tomorrow War’), Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic the Hedgehog’), Zoe Chao (‘The High Note’), Ike Barinholtz (‘Suicide Squad’), Ilana Glazer (‘Rough Night’), and Dave Franco (‘The Disaster Artist’).

    ‘The Afterparty’ revolves around a murder that takes place at a high school reunion after party, and each episode is told from a different character’s point of view. Lord and Miller serve as executive producers and both co-wrote several episodes, with Miller also directing the entire series.

    Moviefone recently had a chance to speak with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller about their new Apple TV+ series, as well as some of the cast from ‘The Afterparty’ Including Sam Richardson, Ben Schwartz, Zoe Chao, Ike Barinholtz, Dave Franco, and Ilana Glazer.

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    Below you can read our full interview with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller about ‘The Afterparty,’ or you can watch the complete set of interviews in the video player above.

    Moviefone: Chris, can you begin by talking about the genesis of the idea for the series, and also deciding to have each episode focus on a different character’s point of view?

    Christopher Miller: It was a little over a decade ago that I had the idea to tell a murder mystery in a Rashomon style where each suspect would tell their version of the evening and it would be wildly different from the other ones. We were going to make it, we wrote it as a movie, and then we got busy making ‘The Lego Movie’ and ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and whatnot.

    But when we got a breath of air, we revisited it and thought this would work better as a series because in a movie, you didn’t have time to really dig to each character. But as a series, you could give each character their own episode and really understand them as more complex characters. You could really learn to empathize and love each of them, and hope that they didn’t do it. So, as that was evolving, we realized that to push their style of storytelling, stylistically and thematically, we can make each episode feel like a different genre of filmmaking and storytelling.

    Then it evolved even farther, and we got an amazing writing staff full of really cool people. With the structure and outline already intact, they were able to turn it into something really special. But it was a really mind exploding process because if you’re working on episode four and you want to change something there, it affects everything in all the other episodes. So, you have to keep the whole thing in your head like this giant machinery of a massive clock in your head. It would really explode people’s heads from time to time.

    MF: Phil, was making a murder mystery something you always wanted to do?

    Phil Lord: I think Chris and I are fans of ‘Clue,’ ‘The Last of Sheila’ and ‘Murder by Death.’ There’s a long proud history of mixing comedy and murder and we’ve always been interested in what’s a unique way to pull that off. Chris had been developing this as a script for a long time for a feature. When he thought of the idea of breaking it into episodes, and then each of those episodes would have its own filmmaking style and you would get to know each of these characters even more deeply, that’s when it really took off for us and felt like it was going to be worth doing.

    MF: Phil, because each episode contains events seen from different characters perspectives, can you talk about how production actually worked?

    PL: So, the whole show, more or less, we batch shot it. Meaning that we would shoot a scene in a hallway that was like a fun rom-com and then, “Okay everyone, let’s go to lunch, we’ll come back and now it’s a dark thriller.” That’s part of the fun of it, honestly, but the poor actors did need a second to switch modes.

    MF: Chris, can you talk about the impressive cast of actors you assembled and the challenges for them with the different tones in each episode?

    CM: We got so lucky to get like a real murderer’s row, pun intended, of comedy geniuses. What was especially great about all of them is that so many of them are writers, filmmakers or show creators in their own rights. So, they really were smart about also holding this whole show in their heads, because asking an actor to be able to just do a character is one thing, but to do a character with eight different shadings of that character is a really big ask. It has to be people who are really smart and savvy, and luckily, they all were amazing, and they added so much to it. We all had a great time together and it was a real love fest. You could really feel the chemistry and joy on the screen.

    (L to R) Ben Schwartz and Sam Richardson in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    (L to R) Ben Schwartz and Sam Richardson in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

  • TV Review: ‘The Afterparty’

    (L to R) Ben Schwartz and Sam Richardson in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    (L to R) Ben Schwartz and Sam Richardson in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

    Premiering January 28th on Apple TV+ is the new murder mystery comedy ‘The Afterparty,’ from the creative minds of Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’). The series features an impressive cast of comedic actors including Tiffany Haddish (‘Girls Trip’), Sam Richardson (‘The Tomorrow War’), Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic the Hedgehog’), Zoe Chao (‘The High Note’), Ike Barinholtz (‘Suicide Squad’), Ilana Glazer (‘Rough Night’), and Dave Franco (‘The Disaster Artist’).

    The eight-part series revolves around a murder that takes place at a high school reunion after party, and each episode is told from a different character’s perspective. The result is an innovative and hilarious whodunit with a charming cast led by Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Ben Schwartz.

    The series begins by introducing us to Aniq (Richardson), who is reluctantly attending his high school reunion in hopes of seeing the girl he had a crush on, Zoe (Chao). He first finds his friend Yasper (Schwartz), before eventually reuniting with Zoe. He is delighted to find that she is recently separated from Brett (Barinholtz), who Aniq thinks took her from him when they were in high school. But Aniq’s good time with Zoe is interrupted by the arrival of Xavier (Franco), who was a nerd in high school but is now a famous pop star and actor.

    Trouble begins when Xavier invites everyone over to his mansion for an after party, and he is soon murdered by one of his guests. Enter Detective Danner (Haddish), who suspects Aniq of the murder and questions him about the events of the night. Soon, everyone becomes a suspect and while Danner investigates and questions the other guests, Yasper tries to help Aniq clear his name.

    Sam Richardson in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    Sam Richardson in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

    After seeing their previous work, including the Oscar winning animated movie ‘Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ it’s no surprise that a new streaming series from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller would be fresh, funny, and completely unique.

    A high school reunion is a perfect backdrop for a comedic mystery and the characters are both over-the-top yet very relatable. The choice to center each episode on a particular character’s point of view of the evening’s events was brilliant, as it allows each character to come alive in a different way, and lets the actors play different versions of their characters.

    The ensemble cast is excellent, led by Tiffany Haddish as the outsider investigating the murder, Detective Danner. Haddish brings her own brand of humor to the series, while never overshadowing the plot or the other actors. She is especially excellent in the penultimate episode, where her character’s backstory is finally revealed.

    Sam Richardson is really the anchor of the series, as Aniq is the main character that we are rooting for to not only clear his name but win back Zoe’s heart as well. Richardson plays the role a bit nerdish, which is where the real comedy comes in. Equally great is Ben Schwartz as Aniq’s friend Yasper, who gets to perform a full-on musical during his character specific episode.

    Tiffany Haddish in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    Tiffany Haddish in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

    Dave Franco is also hilarious as pop star Xavier, who ends up being the murder victim. The actor plays his character like an arrogant, insecure jerk, who you sympathize with once his backstory is revealed. Franco does some of his best work channeling a Justin Bieber/Machine Gun Kelly type character. Another funny character is Jamie Demetriou’s Walt, who is the guy from high school that no one remembers, which leads to some hilarious moments.

    Comedian Ike Barinholtz was perfectly cast as Brett, the high school bully who rivals Aniq for Zoe’s affection. The actor plays the role of a real jerk, but also shows us a bit of his character’s vulnerable side throughout the first season. Ilana Glazer, best known for her Comedy Central series ‘Broad City,’ has some great moments playing the pivotal role of Chelsea, a character that has more going on under the surface than it first appears.

    However, if there is a weak link in the cast, unfortunately its Zoe Chao, who plays Zoe. Her character never really rises to the level that you understand why Aniq, and Brett for that matter, care for her so much. Her character’s point-of-view episode helps to explain her different personalities with some really entertaining animation, but it doesn’t come until the sixth episode, which is a little late in the season to finally make the character interesting.

    One of the great aspects of ‘The Afterparty,’ which is baked into the Rashomon concept, is that nothing is as it seems. So, truly any character, even Aniq or Detective Danner, could be the murderer! My money is on Yasper, who just seems a little too nice, and a little too eager to help Aniq clear his name. But I also think it’s possible that Xavier is not dead, which could be the season’s big twist.

    Dave Franco in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    Dave Franco in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+

    Full disclosure, critics were only given the first seven episodes to screen, so your guess is as good as mine as to who the true killer is.

    In the end, ‘The Afterparty’ is a true joy to watch, and a murder-mystery-comedy on level with classics from the genre like ‘Clue.’ Lord and Miller have assembled a marvelous cast, which is truly a pleasure to watch. The characters are both ridiculous and relatable, and the show’s unique concept makes it a series that you won’t want to miss.

    ‘The Afterparty’ receives 4 out of 5 stars.

    (L to R) Sam Richardson, Jamie Demetriou, Ben Schwartz, John Early, Tiffany Haddish, Tiya Sircar, Ilana Glazer, Zoe Chao, and Ike Barinholtz in 'The Afterparty' on Apple TV+
    (L to R) Sam Richardson, Jamie Demetriou, Ben Schwartz, John Early, Tiffany Haddish, Tiya Sircar, Ilana Glazer, Zoe Chao, and Ike Barinholtz in ‘The Afterparty’ on Apple TV+
  • Alison Brie and Dan Stevens Will Star in Dave Franco’s Directorial Debut

    Alison Brie and Dan Stevens Will Star in Dave Franco’s Directorial Debut

    Dimension, FX

    Alison Brie will reunite with her “Disaster Artist” costar Dave Franco for his directorial debut. (The two also happen to be married.)

    Dan Stevens (“Legion”), Sheila Vand (“A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night“) and Jeremy Allen White (“Shameless”) will costar in “The Rental,” which is about two couples who rent a vacation home for the weekend.

    Things, we’re guessing, do not go as planned.

    Franco wrote the script with Joe Swanberg, whose credits include the Netflix series “Easy.”

    Shooting begins this April in Oregon.

    Franco’s previous horror credits include “Warm Bodies” and “Fright Night.” Brie was in “Scream 4.” Stevens was terrifying in “The Guest” and fought an evil cult in last year’s “Apostle.”

    But the best horror cred has to go to Vand, who was the badass vampire in “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night.”

    Sheila Vand in ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’

    [Via Variety]

  • 8 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Alison Brie

    8 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Alison Brie

  • James Franco to Star in ‘X-Men’ Spinoff ‘Multiple Man’: Report

    AFI FEST 2017 Presented By Audi - Screening Of 'The Disaster Artist' - ArrivalsFresh off playing twin brothers on HBO series “The Deuce,” James Franco will next portray a bunch of clones of himself on the big screen: The actor is reportedly set to star in the “X-Men” spinoff “Multiple Man.”

    Deadline reports that Franco will star in and produce the flick alongside longtime “X-Men” producer Simon Kinberg, as well as his brother, Dave Franco. “Wonder Woman” writer Allan Heinberg is reportedly attached to pen the script.

    “Multiple Man” exists in the “X-Men” universe and revolves around the titular hero, alias Jamie Madrox, who has the power to clone himself (though he can’t necessarily control it). It’s a pretty bonkers-sounding concept, explained here by Deadline:

    Multiple Man is Jamie Madrox, who, in the comics, conveyed his cloning powers at birth, when a second, identical version of him appeared after the doctor slapped the infant to get him to breathe. His father, a worker at the Los Alamos Nuclear Research Center, moved his family to a remote farm where his son — fitted with a special suit to control his powers designed by X-Men patriarch Professor Xavier — lived quietly until the suit malfunctioned and he began to go crazy. His cloning abilities drove Madrox to have various collisions and collaborations with both the X-Men and Fantastic Four.

    Franco has a penchant for selecting oddball characters to play on the big screen, and this certainly fits the bill. Fox has had a hard time getting some of its “X-Men” spinoff properties off the ground (see: the ongoing struggle to make Channing Tatum’s “Gambit” movie), so we’ll see how this one fares in the development stages. Stay tuned.

    [via: Deadline]

  • The Lego Ninjago Movie: Jackie Chan, Dave Franco

    Jackie Chan and Dave Franco from The Lego Ninjago Movie
    Jackie Chan and Dave Franco from The Lego Ninjago Movie

    “The Lego Ninjago Movie” uses action, humor and little toy building blocks to work out some pretty serious family issues as a young man named Lloyd has to come to grips with the fact that his father happens to an evil warlord.

    “His dad is the most evil man on the planet,” Dave Franco, who voices Lloyd, tells Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition. “But it’s still his dad and he wants to understand him and he wants to understand why his dad left him when he was just a baby.”

    Also featuring the voice talents of Jackie Chan as the wise-cracking Master Wu, this latest Lego-themed animated feature leads up to an epic showdown between father and son that looks to be headed to a happy ending.

    “Over the course of the movie (Lloyd) starts to break his dad down and look at him from a different perspective,” says Franco, “and realizes that there is heart there.”

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