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Tag: Dune

Craig Mazin Helped Write ‘Dune: Part Two’
(L to R) Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Two,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

While he was once known for the likes of ‘The Hangover’ movies and ‘Scary Movie’ franchise, writer/producer/director Craig Mazin is more famous these days as the creator of hit HBO series ‘Chernobyl’ and, more recently, for developing and co-showrunning the company’s successful adaptation of video game sensation ‘The Last of Us’.

Yet despite his busy TV schedule (he’s also consulted on Apple TV+ comedy ‘Mystic Quest’ in the past), movies are not completely out of his work sphere under certain conditions.

(L to R) Pedro Pascal and Anna Torv in ‘The Last of Us.’ Photo: Warner Media.

Talking on Josh Horowitz’ ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, Craig Mazin admitted that he’d done some polishing work on the ‘Dune: Part Two.’

Here’s what he said about taking the assignment:

“I’m out of the movie business, basically. I’ll work with certain directors when they call because I love them and because they’re so brilliant, so if, like, Denis Villeneuve calls, then absolutely. I’m there for, three-four weeks, a month, to work on what you’re working on. Anytime Denis makes a movie, you should be excited. He is as kind as he is brilliant. He is a rare one, he’s just remarkable.”

And here’s Mazin talking about the credit he’s receiving on the new movie:

“I am a participating writer in Dune: Part Two’ “I came in and did a little bit of work… It used to be that you couldn’t even say that, but now they have this additional ‘literary material thing at the end, so I am ‘Additional Literary Material’.”
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What is ‘Additional Literary Material’?

The ALM credit was introduced in 2022, ensuring writers who have rendered WGA-covered writing services on theatrical features (but cannot claim authorship) receive acknowledgement for their contributions.

So, if a writer helps to polish a script, but doesn’t meet the criteria to receive full credit, this description kicks in.

Mazin happens to be a vocal member of the Writers Guild of America and is currently on strike (the ‘Dune’ work was completed before the strike began) and also co-hosts a podcast on screenwriting called ‘Scriptnotes’.

What’s the story for ‘Dune: Part Two’

The new ‘Dune’ movie picks up where the first one left off, adapting the remainder of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel. ‘Dune: Part Two’, with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) fleeing into the desert following the devastating attack on the Atreides base by Harkonnen and Imperial forces. Paul is destined to rise as a spiritual and military leader of the native Fremen and lead an attack against the Harkonnen and the scheming Emperor.

Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Two,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Related Article: ‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2

Who else is in ‘Dune: Part Two’?

Alongside Chalamet and Ferguson, we’ll see the return of Josh Brolin (who plays Atreides war master Gurney Halleck, another survivor of the attack) and Stellan Skarsgård, along with Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, AKA “The Beast”.

On the Fremen side, we’ll get to properly meet Zendaya’s Chani, a Fremen warrior who haunted Paul’s dreams and visions long before he ever met her, and who is destined to become the great love of his life. And Javier Bardem’s Stilgar, leader of the Fremen people, who will work with Paul to attack the Harkonnen.

New this time? Florence Pugh, who plays Princess Irulan and Christopher Walken as her father, Emperor Shaddam IV.

On the Harkonnen side, there is the cunning, weapon happy Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, played by ‘Elvis’ Austin Butler. From the looks of the character, Villeneuve and his team are aiming to have this Feyd be as distinctive as the metal-jockstrap version played by Sting in David Lynch’s movie.

‘Dune: Part Two’ will be in theaters on November 3rd.

Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Two,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Dune: Part Two:’
- ‘Star Wars‘ (1977)
- ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture‘ (1979)
- ‘Conan the Barbarian‘ (1982)
- ‘Dune‘ (1984)
- ‘John Carter’ (2012)
- ‘Jodorowsky’s Dune‘ (2013)
- ‘The Legend of Tarzan‘ (2016)
- ‘Dune‘ (2021)
Buy ‘Dune’ On Amazon

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June 20, 2023
Indira Varma joins ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

Imperial captain (Indira Varma) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,’ exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

With the success of ‘Dune’ last year, director Denis Villeneuve is already at work on the follow-up film, ‘Dune: Part Two’, which will essentially adapt the other half of Frank Herbert’s sprawling science fiction tome.

Yet even before the first movie was out, plans were being put in place for a TV spin-off called ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’, which as the title (though it’s apparently a working title) suggests, will feature the mysterious, mystical and powerful group who manipulate political power and bloodlines from behind the scenes.

The show is moving forward with Diane Ademu-John (a veteran of shows such as ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ and ‘Empire’) in charge. She took over for ‘Dune’ movie co-writer Jon Spaihts, who had been set to oversee the show, but stepped back to focus on scripting the big screen sequel with Villeneuve.

And she has been busy adding actors to the series, with Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson and now ‘Game Of Thrones’/’Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Indira Varma the latest name on the list.

Set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet in the movies), the series will follow the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit (you might recall that Rebecca Ferguson was a member in the movie). The drama is adapted from the novel ‘Sisterhood of Dune’ by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

Siân Phillips as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam in director David Lynch’s ‘Dune’ (1984).

Watson and Henderson are playing Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, the formidable Harkonnen Sisters, who have risen to power in the Sisterhood. Though the Harkonnens are typically villains in the stories, commitments to the Bene Gesserit tend to overrule house loyalties.

Varma has the role of Empress Natalya, whom Deadline has heard is “a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino.”

Varma next stars in the upcoming Apple TV+ anthology series ‘Extrapolations’, which also features Ed Norton and Michael Gandolfini. And on the movie front, she has a key role in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One’, due in theaters on July 14, 2023.

As for ‘Dune: Part Two’, that movie features the returning likes of Chalamet and Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Dave Bautista. New faces for the sequel include Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken and Charlotte Rampling.

‘Dune: Part Two’ makes planetfall in theaters on November 3rd, 2023, having swooped in to replace the now-delayed ‘Blade’ from Marvel and Disney.

There is no date on the books for ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ just yet, but it’ll arrive on HBO Max. Perhaps Warner Bros. and Legendary will try to have it ready for just after ‘Dune: Part Two’ is in theaters, but that will depend on filming schedules and post-production workload.

Timothée Chalamet in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune.’
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October 14, 2022
Léa Seydoux joins ‘Dune: Part 2’

(L to R) Léa Seydoux and Viggo Mortensen in David Cronenberg’s ‘Crimes of the Future.’ Photo courtesy of Neon.

‘Dune: Part 2’ is still one of the most anticipated movies, following the huge success of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic of last year. He’s preparing to adapt the second half of Frank Herbert’s weighty tome and is adding more and more new cast members as he heads towards a potential summer shoot in Budapest.

The latest name to join the sprawling ensemble is Léa Seydoux, who will play a character called Lady Margot.

To use her full title, Lady Margot Fenring is the Bene Gesserit wife of the Mentat Count Hasimir Fenring, who leads House Fenring. Though considered a “minor” House (not as powerful or in control of a planet as, say, House Harkonnen), it is allied to House Corrino the Emperor’s House.

While Margot is a loyal member of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, helping to guide the bloodlines of powerful families, Margot and her husband dedicated themselves to serving their own ends after the order became much less influential later in the story.

The first ‘Dune’ movie delved into the huge universe of Herbert’s book (the start of a series) that chronicles warring houses vying for power and control of a planet called Arrakis, AKA Dune. The source of a “spice” that is valuable for space travel, it’s a rich prize and one that that Emperor used to entrap House Atreides (led by Oscar Isaac’s ill-fated) Duke Leto.

Timothée Chalamet in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune.’

Working with the evil House Harkonnen, the Emperor attacked the Atreides once they’d landed on the planet and slaughtered much of the family and their forces.

‘Dune: Part Two’ continues the story of Leto’s son and heir Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) as they regroup and earn the trust of the native Fremen (including leader Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem) and warrior Chani (Zendaya). They’ll survive while plotting a reprisal, as Paul becomes a spiritual and military leader among the Fremen.

The new movie already boasts the likes of fellow new recruits Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam, who essentially rules the galaxy of the story, Florence Pugh, playing the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan and ‘Elvis’ star Austin Butler, who will take the role of Feyd-Rautha, the cunning nephew of the pitiless baron who heads House Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), and who is being groomed to rule Arrakis.

Returning cast for ‘Part Two’ – which Villeneuve again co-wrote alongside Jon Spaihts – also includes Josh Brolin as loyal Atreides military man Gurney Halleck, who survives the attack.

Villeneuve’s movie racked up 10 Oscar nominations this year, and won six of them, including Editing, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. While there was surprise that the director didn’t feature in his own category, there’s already chatter that if ‘Part Two’ turns out as well as the first, it’ll be a major player come awards season 2024.

‘Dune: Part Two’ is currently aiming for an October 20th, 2023 release date.
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June 21, 2022
Christopher Walken Joins ‘Dune: Part Two’

Christopher Walken at Tribeca Film Festival.

Though it had to deal with arriving on HBO Max the same day as theaters, Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ still managed to become a big success, earning $41 million on its opening weekend ahead of taking in more than $400 million at the worldwide box office.

And since the first movie only told half of the story from Frank Herbert’s book, there was widespread relief when ‘Part Two’ was quickly announced. Casting is underway for the new movie, with the latest news that Christopher Walken will be playing Emperor Shaddam IV.

In the book, Shaddam is the Padishah Emperor of the Corrino Empire, which for those unfamiliar with Herbert’s weighty tomes, essentially means he rules the known universe.

He’s never glimpsed in the first movie, instead sending messengers to carry out his bidding. But it’s Shaddam who, concerned that House Atreides (led by Oscar Isaac’s Duke Leto) is becoming too powerful, hatches a plan to have the family take over stewardship of the planet Arrakis (AKA Dune).

That, in turn is a crafty scheme to betray them, the Emperor conspiring with the cruel House Harkonnen to launch an assault on the Atreides shortly after they arrive on the unforgiving desert planet. The result leaves Leto and many of his family and forces dead, and son/heir/prophesised mystical saviour Paul (Timothée Chalamet) fleeing into the harsh sands of Dune.

Timothée Chalamet in 2021’s ‘Dune.’

‘Dune: Part Two’ continues the story of Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) as they regroup and earn the trust of the native Fremen (including leader Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem) and warrior Chani (Zendaya). They’ll survive while plotting a reprisal, as Paul becomes a spiritual and military leader among the Fremen.

Walken’s casting is certainly interesting – he’s known for his distinct delivery, and certainly has the air of someone who could lead a massive Empire while also coming across as mysterious.

He’s one of the key components for the new movie, which has already added Florence Pugh, playing the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan and ‘Elvis’ star Austin Butler, who will take the role of Feyd-Rautha, the cunning nephew of the pitiless baron who heads House Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), and who is being groomed to rule Arrakis.

Returning cast for ‘Part Two’ – which Villeneuve again co-wrote alongside Jon Spaihts – also includes Josh Brolin as loyal Atreides military man Gurney Halleck, who survives the attack.

Villeneuve’s movie racked up 10 Oscar nominations this year, and won six of them, including Editing, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. While there was surprise that the director didn’t feature in his own category, there’s already chatter that if ‘Part Two’ turns out as well as the first, it’ll be a major player come awards season 2024.

‘Dune: Part Two’ will start filming this summer in Budapest, and is currently aiming for an October 20th, 2023 release date.
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May 12, 2022
Austin Butler in Talks for ‘Dune’ Sequel

Austin Butler in ‘The Shannara Chronicles.’

With production penciled in for later this year, it’s clear that ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve is busy building the additional cast he needs for ‘Part Two’.

On Tuesday, we learned that ‘Black Widow’s Florence Pugh had entered talks to play Princess Irulan, daughter of the ‘Dune’ universe’s emperor. Today brings word that Austin Butler is in negotiation to be Feyd-Rautha.

If the character’s name has you scratching your head, especially since he didn’t appear in the first ‘Dune’ movie, fear not.

Created by author Frank Herbert for the original ‘Dune’ novel, Feyd-Rautha is the younger nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen of House Harkonnen (played in the first movie by Stellan Skarsgard). He’s nominated by the Baron as the “Na-Baron” – heir to House Harkonnen.

The Baron favors the young Feyd-Rautha over Feyd’s older brother “The Beast” Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista in the movie). Feyd is both intelligent and charismatic and is dedicated to the Harkonnen culture of sadism and cruelty, though potentially only due to his upbringing.

Though Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts had considered including the character in the first movie, they’ve deemed it more useful to shift him to the second, since he’ll be a big part of causing more trouble for Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, who will return for the new movie).

Sting in ‘Dune’ (1984)

Like Paul, Feyd was also part of the complex, politically savvy genetic breeding program run by the mysterious Bene Gesserit order of powerful women.
We’re sure the Beast won’t be too happy with the younger whippersnapper coming in.

And if you are aware of him, it’s likely you’re either a big fan of the book, or you recall Sting’s leather/rubber getup from when he played the part in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation.

We can’t speak to whether there will be more oiled up action going on here, but Villeneuve’s take on the Harkonnen hasn’t shied away from either rubber costumes or characters submerged in liquid. So, you never know!

‘Dune: Part Two’ continues the story of Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) as they regroup from the devastating attack on the Atreides base on Arrakis (the planet also known as Dune) by Harkonnen and Imperial forces.

Fleeing into the harsh Arrakis desert along with the native Fremen (including leader Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem) and warrior Chani (Zendaya), they’ll survive while plotting a reprisal, as Paul becomes a spiritual and military leader among the Fremen.

Skarsgard and Josh Brolin (as Atreides weapons master Gurney Halleck) are both expected to return alongside their fellow first movie cast mates.

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis.’ Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros.

This would mark the latest big role for Butler, who had been acting for a few years before broke out in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’. He’s since scored the prime lead part of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’, which will cover large chunks of the musical icons career, the political figure with which he came into contact and his complicated relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).

‘Elvis’ will be in theaters on June 24. ‘Dune: Part Two’ is currently set for release on October 20 next year.
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March 10, 2022
Florence Pugh in Talks for ‘Dune: Part Two’

Florence Pugh in Disney’s ‘Black Widow.’

The first part, last year’s ‘Dune’, is already the owner of a hefty haul of awards and with the likelihood of more trophies in its future. But its creators are more focused on the follow-up, ‘Dune: Part Two’, with casting under way. And if everything falls into place, Florence Pugh may end up snagging one of them.

The actress, who is best known for movies including Marvel superhero outing ‘Black Widow’ and creepy horror ‘Midsommar’ is, according to The Hollywood Reporter, in talks to play Princess Irulan, the daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV.

Irulan in the books is a complicated woman – beyond her royal heritage, she’s also a member of the mysterious, mystical Bene Gesserit (the order of powerful women who essentially dictate bloodlines and wield great political power in the ‘Dune’ universe). At one point in Frank Herbert’s series of novels, Irulan is considered as consort for the ruthless Feyd-Rautha of House Harkonnen but ends up getting closer to Paul Atreides (the character played by Timothée Chalamet in the first movie, who returns here).

‘Dune: Part Two’, which aims to adapt the second half of Herbert’s novel picks up the story after Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) flee into the desert following the devastating attack on the Atreides base by Harkonnen and Imperial forces.

Paul is destined to rise as a spiritual and military leader of the native Fremen and lead an attack against the Harkonnen and the scheming Emperor. Along with Irulan, co-writer/director Denis Villeneuve is looking to fill the roles of Feyd-Rautha (so memorably played by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of ‘Dune’) and the Emperor, who was mentioned in the first film but not seen.

Sting in ‘Dune’ (1984)

Yet Pugh’s casting is not a done deal as of now: she’s reportedly waiting to see the script before committing to the role. Which is understandable for a movie of this size but given that Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts are both back for the new film and are up for an Academy Award for their writing, we’re confident that the result will be solid.

Another consideration is the age-old problem of scheduling since Pugh is an in-demand actor and is under consideration for a new biopic of Madonna. Either way, it looks like she’d have to clear some space in her diary this summer for the ‘Dune’ shoot, assuming she takes the role.

The official cast for ‘Dune: Part Two’ has not yet been confirmed, though we can expect Chalamet and Ferguson to return alongside Zendaya (as Fremen warrior Chani, who is Paul’s future soulmate) Javier Bardem (as Fremen leader Stilgar), Dave Bautista (playing Glossu Rabban, nephew of Stellan Skarsgard’s Baron Harkonnen) and Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, assuming he survived the assault on the Atreides base from the first movie.

‘Dune: Part Two’ is scheduled for release in theaters on October 20 next year.
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March 8, 2022
Andrew Garfield and Kristen Stewart Win at the Hollywood Critics Association Awards
Andrew Garfield excepting Best Actor for ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’ at the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

Nestled among the giant likes of awards shows such as the Oscars and the various guilds are the scrappier, more entertaining galas such as Monday evening’s Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

This year’s event, the fifth annual ceremony and the first to be held in person since the start of the pandemic saw a wide variety of actors and artisans honored with both traditional categories and special awards. Among the winners this year? Andrew Garfield, Kristen Stewart, and directors Denis Villeneuve and Jane Campion.

The best director category was a legitimate tie between the two veteran filmmakers, with ‘Dune’s Villeneuve on stage to receive his trophy and ‘The Power of the Dog’s Campion accepting via a video.

Andrew Garfield gave a joyous, sweary and sweet speech accepting his Best Actor award for ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ while Kristen Stewart seemed more surprised that she’d won for ‘Spencer’.

Kristen Stewart excepting Best Actress for her performance in ‘Spencer’ at the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

There was also a lot of love for team ‘CODA’ as the movie won Best Adapted Screenplay for writer/director Siân Heder, Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur, and in an emotional finale, Best Picture.

Along with Villeneuve’s win, ‘Dune’ proved popular among the voters, as it also took home Best Visual Effects, Best Score for Hans Zimmer, and Best Cinematography for Greig Fraser.

On the special award front, Kenneth Branagh was awarded Excellence in Artistry (while his latest, ‘Belfast’, also won the Cast Ensemble award), and the actor/writer/director naturally quoted Shakespeare in his acceptance speech.

Nicolas Cage was the recipient of both a trophy for Acting Achievement and a heartfelt presentation by ‘Pig’ co-star Alex Wolff, who seemed genuinely happy and excited to give his friend the award.

Nicolas Cage excepting the Acting Achievement Award at the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

Here’s the full list of winners:
- Best Picture – CODA
- Best Actor – Andrew Garfield, tick, tick…BOOM!
- Best Actress – Kristen Stewart, Spencer
- Best Supporting Actor – Troy Kotsur, CODA
- Best Supporting Actress – Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
- Best Cast Ensemble – Belfast
- Best Director *Tie* – Denis Villeneuve, Dune & Jane Campion, The Power of The Dog
- Best Original Screenplay – Fran Kranz, Mass
- Best Adapted Screenplay – Siân Heder, CODA
- Best Animated or VFX Performance – Stephanie Beatriz, Encanto
- Best Action Film – The Harder They Fall
- Best Animated Film – The Mitchells vs. The Machines
- Best Comedy or Musical – tick, tick…BOOM!
- Best Documentary – Summer of Soul
- Best Horror – Last Night in Soho
- Best Indie Film – Pig
- Best International Film – Drive My Car
- Best First Feature – Lin-Manuel Miranda, tick, tick…BOOM!
- Best Short Film – Us Again
- Best Score – Hans Zimmer, Dune
- Best Original Song – Be Alive, King Richard
- Best Cinematography – Greig Fraser, Dune
- Best Production Design – Tamara Deverell, Nightmare Alley
- Best Film Editing – Paul Machliss, Last Night in Soho
- Best Stunts – Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings
- Best Costume Design – Jenny Beavan, Cruella
- Best Hair & Makeup – Justin Raleigh, Linda Dowds, and Stephanie Ingram, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
- Best Visual Effects – Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, and Tristan Myles, Dune
Honorary Awards
- Acting Achievement Award – Nicolas Cage
- Artisan Achievement Award – Greig Fraser
- Artisan on the Rise – Alice Brooks
- Excellence in Artistry – Kenneth Branagh
- Filmmaker on the Rise – Natalie Morales
- Filmmaking Achievement Award – Guillermo del Toro
- Game Changer Award – Simu Liu
- Inspire Award – Aunjanue Ellis
- International Icon Award – Javier Bardem
- Newcomer Award – Jude Hill
- Spotlight Award – The Cast of CODA
- Star on the Rise – Saniyya Sidney
Director Sian Heder and the cast of ‘CODA’ excepting Best Picture at the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards.
March 1, 2022
Oscar Nomination Predictions
Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on February 8th by Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan. With the cancellation of the Golden Globes, and the Critic’s Choice Awards and other ceremonies postponed because of Covid concerns, this year’s awards season is unusually wide open with no true frontrunner in the pack.

Yes, it does seem that director Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’ is set to receive several major nominations, but Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Belfast’ is fast on its heels, and don’t count out Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ just yet. In the acting categories, most are still open for some real surprises, with the exception of Will Smith and Kodi Smit-McPhee for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively, who both seem to be locks.

Below are our predictions for the titles and names that will be announced when the nominations are released on February 8th. We are only breaking down our predictions and possible surprises for the six major categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

Let’s Begin!

(L to R) Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Jude Hill, and Lewis McAskie in ‘Belfast,’ directed by Kenneth Branagh

BEST PICTURE

As previously mentioned, ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘Belfast’ are both definitely a lock for Best Picture nominations. In theory, ‘Dune,’ and ‘Licorice Pizza’ are probably locks too, having racked up enough critic’s groups noms to assure their Oscar nominations. ‘CODA’ and ‘West Side Story’ are also in a pretty safe place, but anything could happen. After that, it’s pretty wide open.

In past years, the Academy has had the option to nominate between five and ten films. This year, they will definitely nominate ten movies, so that leaves four spots fairly free. ‘Don’t Look Up’ has had a great run on Netflix and has gained a lot of last-minute love, and I think will likely be nominated. The same can be said for the streamer’s ‘Tick, Tick … Boom!,’ and Will Smith’s commanding performance in ‘King Richard’ should be enough to get the film nominated as well.

Leaving just one spot left, I’m going with ‘Being the Ricardos’ over ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth.’ It could go either way, but the Lucille Ball biopic has gained some steam in the last few weeks after premiering on Prime Video and with both Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem receiving surprise SAG nominations, it seems more likely. ‘Drive My Car,’ which seems a lock to win Best Foreign Film could sneak into the top ten, but unfortunately, the best reviewed movie of the year, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ seems very unlikely to even be nominated.

Predictions:
- ‘The Power of the Dog’
- ‘Belfast’
- ‘Dune’
- ‘West Side Story’
- ‘Licorice Pizza’
- ‘CODA’
- ‘King Richard’
- ‘Don’t Look Up’
- ‘Tick, Tick … Boom!’
- ‘Being the Ricardos’
Other Possibilities:
- ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
- ‘Drive My Car’
- ‘The Lost Daughter’
- ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’
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Director Paul Thomas Anderson on the set of ‘Licorice Pizza’

BEST DIRECTOR

With Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog’), Kenneth Branagh (‘Belfast’) and Denis Villeneuve (‘Dune’) as virtual locks for nominations, that only leaves two open spots. While Paul Thomas Anderson will certainly win his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for ‘Licorice Pizza,’ I still assume that he will receive a nomination for Best Director as well.

But who will take that fifth spot? Safe money is probably on Steven Spielberg for ‘West Side Story.’ While I don’t think he deserves to be nominated for the beat-for-beat remake, he is the most beloved filmmaker in modern history, and the Academy might just give him the nod. If Spielberg doesn’t make the cut, it will be because of Ryusuke Hamaguchi for ‘Drive My Car,’ which would follow a trend in recent years where the Academy nominates a foreign film for Best Director.

But, as I mentioned earlier there is a lot of love out there for ‘Don’t Look Up,’ so an Adam McKay nomination is possible, but may be a longshot. Another possibility but still a longshot is Sian Heder receiving her fist nomination for her work on ‘CODA.’

Predictions:
- Jane Campion – ‘The Power of the Dog’
- Denis Villeneuve – ‘Dune’
- Kenneth Branagh – ‘Belfast’
- Paul Thomas Anderson – ‘Licorice Pizza’
- Steven Spielberg – ‘West Side Story’
Other Possibilities:
- Ryusuke Hamaguchi – ‘Drive My Car’
- Adam McKay – ‘Don’t Look Up’
- Joel Coen – ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
- Sian Heder – ‘CODA’
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(L to R) Demi Singleton as Serena Williams, Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams and Will Smith as Richard Williams in ‘King Richard’

BEST ACTOR

Of all the acting categories, this one may be the most preordained. Unless something goes terribly wrong, Will Smith is poised to not only be nominated but also win his first Academy Award for his work in ‘King Richard.’

Benedict Cumberbatch is likely to enjoy the ‘Power of the Dog’ love and receive a nomination, while Andrew Garfield will be nominated as well for ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!,’ earning his nom as much for his return as Spider-Man in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ as he’s being rewarded for the Lin-Manuel Miranda movie. With his recent SAG Award nomination, and the buzz the film is getting, Javier Bardem will also be nominated for playing Desi Arnez in ‘Being the Ricardos.’

That leaves one nomination open, which will most likely go to Denzel Washington for ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth.’ A month ago, it seemed that Peter Dinklage would be nominated for ‘Cyrano,’ but with the film’s release pushed because of Covid, its awards season chances are cooling off. However, Nicolas Cage has earned some surprise nominations this year for ‘Pig,’ as has Simon Rex for ‘Red Rocket,’ so either actor could hypothetically sneak into the Oscar race.

Predictions:
- Will Smith – ‘King Richard’
- Benedict Cumberbatch – ‘The Power of the Dog’
- Andrew Garfield – ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’
- Javier Bardem – ‘Being the Ricardos’
- Denzel Washington – ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’
Other Possibilities:
- Peter Dinklage – ‘Cyrano’
- Leonardo DiCaprio – ‘Don’t Look Up’
- Nicolas Cage – ‘Pig’
- Simon Rex – ‘Red Rocket’
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Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem in ‘Being the Ricardos’

BEST ACTRESS

This might be the most interesting category this year. Assumed frontrunner Kristen Stewart is in some trouble, as she failed to receive a SAG or BAFTA nomination for her work in ‘Spencer.’ She could possibly get snubbed by the Academy, but I think she will still get the nom, however, her chances of winning are way down.

Nicole Kidman, Olivia Colman, and Jessica Chastain all received SAG noms, but no BAFTA nominations, making Lady Gaga the only true lock at this point for her work in ‘House of Gucci.’ My guess is that all five actresses will ultimately be nominated for Oscars, but don’t count out a surprise nom from the likes of Penelope Cruz for ‘Parallel Mothers’ or Alana Haim for ‘Licorice Pizza.’

Predictions:
- Nicole Kidman – ‘Being the Ricardos’
- Lady Gaga – ‘House of Gucci’
- Olivia Colman – ‘The Lost Daughter’
- Jessica Chastain – ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’
- Kristen Stewart – ‘Spencer’
Other Possibilities:
- Alana Haim – ‘Licorice Pizza’
- Penelope Cruz – ‘Parallel Mothers’
- Rachel Zegler – ‘West Side Story’
- Emilia Jones – ‘CODA’
- Jennifer Hudson – ‘Respect’
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(L to R) Ben Affleck and Tye Sheridan star in ‘Tender Bar’ Photo: Claire Folger © Amazon Content Services LLC

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

By all accounts, Kodi Smit-McPhee is a lock for a nomination and will likely ultimately win, but he has some strong competition from two veteran actors and former Oscar nominees. First, while he’ll probably get snubbed for his stellar work in ‘Nightmare Alley,’ Bradley Cooper will be nominated for his comedic performance as producer Jon Peters in ‘Licorice Pizza.’ It will mark his fifth nomination for acting, but like Smit-McPhee, to finally take home the award, Cooper will have to beat a late entry in the awards season race, Ben Affleck.

‘The Tender Bar’ opened late in December, but it seems a lot of voters are watching it on Prime Video as Affleck was suddenly thrown in the race after receiving a Golden Globe nomination. I actually think Affleck could end up being Smit-McPhee’s biggest competition as there is a lot of “good will” out there for his performance and overall career. After winning Best Picture for ‘Argo’ and being wrongfully snubbed for Best Director, there may be a sense that it is “his time,” a sentiment that could also help Cooper.

I also think that Troy Kotsur will receive a nomination for his work in ‘CODA,’ leaving just one more space on the ballot. While it’s likely that a spot could go to either Cirian Hinds or Jamie Dornan for ‘Belfast,’ I actually think the two actors will cancel each other out. As much as I would love to see J.K. Simmons nominated for ‘Being the Ricardos,’ it doesn’t seem likely and after his recent BAFTA nom, you can’t count out Mike Faist from ‘West Side Story.’ But my money is on Oscar winner Jared Leto’s bizarre performance in ‘House of Gucci’ to round out the category.

Predictions:
- Kodi Smit-McPhee – ‘The Power of the Dog’
- Bradley Cooper – ‘Licorice Pizza’
- Ben Affleck – ‘The Tender Bar’
- Troy Kotsur – ‘CODA’
- Jared Leto – ‘House of Gucci’
Other Possibilities:
- Ciaran Hinds – ‘Belfast’
- Jamie Dornan – ‘Belfast’
- Mike Faist – ‘West Side Story’
- J.K. Simmons – ‘Being the Ricardos’
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Ariana DeBose in ‘West Side Story’

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

While Kirsten Dunst is still the assumed frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, buzz for her performance has died down since the new year. While I still think she’ll score a nomination, she will have some stiff competition from her fellow nominees.

Ariana DeBose and Aunjanue Ellis will both be nominated for their work in ‘West Side Story’ and ‘King Richard,’ respectively, and are probably Dunst’s biggest competition. But don’t forget actress Caitriona Balfe’s beautiful performance in ‘Belfast,’ which I definitely think will be nominated.

That just leaves one open spot, which I think will go to Oscar winner Marlee Matlin for ‘CODA.’ However, if ‘CODA’ does not score well overall on Tuesday, then Ruth Negga will be nominated for ‘Passing.’ While it’s more of a longshot, after her recent BAFTA nom, character actress Ann Dowd could receive a surprise nomination for her work in ‘Mass.’

Predictions:
- Kirsten Dunst – ‘The Power of the Dog’
- Ariana DeBose – ‘West Side Story’
- Aunjanue Ellis – ‘King Richard’
- Caitriona Balfe – ‘Belfast’
- Marlee Matlin – ‘CODA’
Other Possibilities:
- Ruth Negga – ‘Passing’
- Rita Moreno – ‘West Side Story’
- Ann Dowd – ‘Mass’
- Judi Dench – ‘Belfast’
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Don’t forget to check back with Moviefone for a list of all the nominees when the Academy Award nominations are announced on Tuesday, February 8th.

Oscars Logo Courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
February 7, 2022
BAFTA Nominees 2022 Announced

(L to R) Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman in ‘Licorice Pizza’

As awards season trundles onwards, today was the turn of the BAFTAs to announce their nominations. And the likes of Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’, Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’ and Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Belfast’ all scored well.

‘Dune’ in particular seemed to be a favourite of the British academy’s voters, with 11 nominations in total (though in keeping with its other awards season appearances, more for film, craft, and Villeneuve than in any of the acting categories.

Jane Campion’s ranch-set ‘The Power of the Dog, meanwhile, grabbed 8 nominations, and did show up in the acting section, with stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kodi Smit-McPhee popping up on more lists and co-star Jesse Plemons also making an appearance.

On the performing front, Will Smith scored his first BAFTA nomination ever for ‘King Richard’, while ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’s Denzel Washington didn’t make the cut (Joel Coen’s film, in fact, only appears in one category – for Bruno Delbonnel’s memorable cinematography).

Denzel Washington in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’

There are other surprising omissions too – neither ‘The Lost Daughter’s Olivia Colman (a perennial BAFTA nominee) nor ‘Being the Ricardos’ Nicole Kidman made the Best Actress categories, while the biggest cold shoulder went to ‘Spencer’, which received nothing. It’s truly not a great sign for star Kristen Stewart’s Oscar chances, and perhaps represents some pushback from Brits against her portrayal of Princess Diana.

It’s sad to see ‘Cyrano’ left out of acting consideration (though it is up for five trophies and reassuring to spot ‘Mass’ among the films nominated (even if it is just for Ann Dowd as a potential Best Supporting Actress).

As to whether BAFTA nominees tell us much about who might be up for Oscars? It’s harder to pinpoint, though historically around two-thirds of BAFTA nominees go on to scoop corresponding Academy Award nominations. And, of course, there is a focus on British filmmaking talent.

The BAFTA awards event will take place on Sunday, March 13 in London, at an event hosted by Rebel Wilson. Here is the full list of nominees:

Best Film

Belfast
Don’t Look Up
Dune
Licorice Pizza
The Power of the Dog

Outstanding British Film

After Love
Ali & Ava
Belfast
Boiling Point
Cyrano
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
House of Gucci
Last Night in Soho
No Time to Die
Passing

Best Leading Actress

Lady Gaga – House of Gucci
Alana Haim – Licorice Pizza
Emilia Jones – CODA
Renate Reinsve – The Worst Person in the World
Joanna Scanlan – After Love
Tessa Thompson – Passing

Best Leading Actor

Adeel Akhtar – Ali & Ava
Mahershala Ali – Swan Song
Benedict Cumberbatch – The Power of the Dog
Leonardo DiCaprio – Don’t Look Up
Stephen Graham – Boiling Point
Will Smith – King Richard

Best Supporting Actress

Caitríona Balfe – Belfast
Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter
Ariana DeBose – West Side Story
Ann Dowd – Mass
Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard
Ruth Negga – Passing

Best Supporting Actor

Mike Faist – West Side Story
Ciarán Hinds – Belfast
Troy Kotsur – CODA
Woody Norman – C’mon C’mon
Jesse Plemons – The Power of the Dog
Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Power of the Dog

Best Director

Aleem Khan – After Love
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi – Drive My Car
Audrey Diwan – Happening
Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza
Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog
Julia Ducournau – Titane

Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer

After Love – Aleem Khan (writer/director)
Boiling Point – James Cummings (writer) and Hester Ruoff (producer)
The Harder They Fall – Jeymes Samuel (writer/director)
Keyboard Fantasies – Posy Dixon (writer/director) and Liv Proctor (producer)
Passing – Rebecca Hall (writer/director)

Film Not In The English Language

Drive My Car
The Hand of God
Parallel Mothers
Petite Maman
The Worst Person in the World

Best Documentary

Becoming Cousteau
Cow
Flee
The Rescue
Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Best Animated Film

Encanto
Flee
Luca
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines

Best Original Screenplay

Being the Ricardos – Aaron Sorkin
Belfast – Kenneth Branagh
Don’t Look Up – Adam McKay
King Richard – Zach Baylin
Licorice Pizza – Paul Thomas Anderson

Best Adapted Screenplay

CODA – Siân Heder
Drive My Car – Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Dune – Denis Villeneuve
The Lost Daughter – Maggie Gyllenhaal
The Power of the Dog – Jane Campion

Best Original Score

Being the Ricardos – Daniel Pemberton
Don’t Look Up – Nicholas Britell
Dune – Hans Zimmer
The French Dispatch – Alexandre Desplat
The Power of the Dog – Johnny Greenwood

Best Cinematography

Dune – Greig Fraser
Nightmare Alley – Dan Laustsen
No Time to Die – Linus Sandgren
The Power of the Dog – Ari Wegner
The Tragedy of Macbeth – Bruno Delbonnel

Best Costume Design

Cruella – Jenny Beavan
Cyrano – Massimo Cantini Parrini
Dune – Robert Morgan & Jacqueline West
The French Dispatch – Milena Canonero
Nightmare Alley – Luis Sequeira

Best Editing

Belfast – Úna Ní Dhonghaíle
Dune – Joe Walker
Licorice Pizza – Andy Jurgensen
No Time to Die – Tom Cross, Elliot Graham
Summer Of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) – Joshua L. Pearson

Best Production Design

Cyrano – Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer
Dune – Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipos
The French Dispatch – Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo
Nightmare Alley – Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau
West Side Story – Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo

Best Makeup And Hair

Cruella – Nadia Stacey, Naomi Donne
Cyrano – Alessandro Bertolazzi, Siân Miller
Dune – Love Larson, Donal Mowat
The Eyes of Tammy Faye – Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram, Justin Raleigh
House of Gucci – Frederic Aspiras, Jane Carboni, Giuliano Mariana, Sarah Nicole Tanno

Best Sound

Dune – Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Doug Hemphill, Theo Green, Ron Bartlett
Last Night in Soho – Colin Nicolson, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin, Dan Morgan
No Time to Die – James Harrison, Simon Hayes, Paul Massey, Oliver Tarney, Mark Taylor
A Quiet Place Part II – Erik Aadahl, Michael Barosky, Brandon Proctor, Ethan Van Der Ryn
West Side Story – Brian Chumney, Tod Maitland, Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom

Best Special Visual Effects

Dune – Brian Connor, Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Gerd Nefzer
Free Guy – Swen Gillberg, Brian Grill, Nikos Kalaitzidis, Daniel Sudick
Ghostbusters: Afterlife – Aharon Bourland, Sheena Duggal, Pier Lefebvre, Alessandro Ongaro
The Matrix Resurrections – Tom Debenham, Hew J Evans, Dan Glass, J. D. Schwaim
No Time to Die – Mark Bokowski, Chris Corbould, Joel Green, Charlie Noble

Best Casting

Boiling Point – Carolyn McLeod
Dune – Francine Maisler
The Hand of God – Massimo Appolloni, Annamaria Sambucco
King Richard – Rich Delia, Avy Kaufman
West Side Story – Cindy Tolan

Best British Short Film

The Black Cop
Femme
The Palace
Stuffed
Three Meetings of the Extraordinary Committee

Best British Short Animation

Affairs of the Art
Do Not Feed the Pigeons
Night of the Living Dread

EE Rising Star Award (voted for by the public)

Ariana DeBose
Harris Dickinson
Lashana Lynch
Millicent Simmonds
Kodi Smit-McPhee

Tom Holland excepting the EE Rising Star award at the 2017 BAFTA Film Awards.

February 3, 2022
‘Dune,’ Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Biopic Release Dates Announced

Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. just pushed Denis Villeneuve‘s “Dune” film back one month to Dec. 18, 2020.

That pits it against another big-budget remake, Steven Spielberg‘s “West Side Story,” as well as the video game adaptation “Uncharted” starring Tom Holland, and the “Coming to America” sequel.

The studio also set a release date for the untitled Elvis Presley biopic from director Baz Luhrmann. It will open Oct. 1, 2021.

Austin Butler (currently playing a Manson Family member in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) will star as the late music legend.

The story will “delve into their complex dynamic spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and the loss of innocence in America.”

They’ve also penciled in an unnamed film for Nov. 20, 2020. Odds on its being a DCEU movie?

[Via THR]

August 2, 2019