(L to R) Vin Diesel, Director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of ‘Fast X.’
Preview:
Vin Diesel has announced the next ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Louis Leterrier will direct the movie.
Like a backfiring jalopy with engine trouble, there have been several frustrating false starts for the next –– and most likely final –– ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
Despite multiple announcements (including more than one from star, producer and ‘Fast’ cheerleader Vin Diesel) about different dates, budget wrangling and schedule issues have given the potential franchise wrap-up flat tires along the way.
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Now, though, it appears that everyone is on the same page (or maybe dirt track?) as both Diesel and studio backers Universal have announced that the new movie, now called ‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The typically stunt-heavy final minutes of 2023’s ‘Fast X’ show Diesel’s Dom Toretto driving down the side of a dam and into the water below, as he and his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), race to escape a trap set by the villainous Dante (Jason Momoa), who arms a series of bombs. Then the movie cuts to black.
Two credit scenes follow, teasing the returns of Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Gal Gadot‘s Gisele.
Universal has confirmed that the movie will be screeching into cinemas on March 17, 2028.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
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Scott Eastwood in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Eastwood about his work on ‘Tin Soldier’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his research into cults, what his character is fighting for, working with Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, doing his own stunts, and collaborating with director Brad Furman, as well as giving an update on when ‘Fast X: Part 2‘ will begin production.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.
(L to R) Scott Eastwood and Jamie Foxx in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to be part of this project?
Scott Eastwood: The setup was quite interesting. It was original, but it’s something you could imagine could happen if a cult had formed, but instead of a bunch of yahoos, it’s ex-military. I thought that that was an interesting concept and having the one guy who had escaped the cult called back to help the government go in and break it up. At the same time, he is lured in by his wife who had gone missing, that she might still be alive. I thought that was an interesting concept. Also, Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, it was like, that’s a no-brainer. I got to work with those two.
MF: Did you do research into real-life cults and the mindset of a person who is a former cult member?
SE: Yeah. I watched a ton of documentaries about them. Luckily in recent years there’s been a lot of documentaries about these cults, whether it’s ‘Wild Wild Country’ or the Waco stuff. There’s been a lot more docs about them and a lot more deep dives into the psychology and how the brainwashing happens. It’s interesting stuff.
(L to R) Scott Eastwood and Jamie Foxx in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
MF: Can you talk about the relationship between Nash and Bokushi and what was it like working with on those scenes with Jamie Foxx?
SE: Yeah, from the research, they sort of all have the same playbook. They break you down and then build you up and they become like a messiah for people and then it always seems that they turn ugly in some of the manifestations of these behaviors. Whoever these figures are, whether it’s the Bhagwan (Shree Rajneesh), Ron L. Hubbard, it sort of turns dark. Working with Jamie was great. I mean, he made some wild choices with this guy. So, getting to work opposite him was, for me, it made the job quite easy because he’s a bigger than life character, and he brought a ton of interesting choices to him. So as an actor it’s a dream because you just sort of react to those choices.
MF: Did you know Jamie already before making this movie?
SE: I did. Yeah, I did, and Jamie’s a great guy. He’s great and he’s easy to work with and super giving and friendly. He brings a vibe to the set that always gets people to smile and relax so you can be there and have fun doing your job.
Robert De Niro in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
MF: You have some intense scenes with Robert De Niro. How did you prepare for those scenes and were you intimidated working with him?
SE: Just like anything, yes, you feel that you want to do a good job, you want to bring life to this character, but that’s all just reps in the gym beforehand. By the time you get on set, you’ve already done all the hard work. You’ve already done the performance 10,000 times. You’ve done the emotional work, you’ve done all the prep work, so by the time you get there, then you can just relax and do the best job you can do. That all comes from your prep, prepping and doing the performance a bunch, and then you just get to show up and have fun.
MF: What did you learn from working with De Niro, and could you see his greatness in the scene when you were acting opposite him?
SE: Well, I think he would probably tell you the same thing. I’ve intellectualized a little bit about acting with him, and then I’ve also heard him speak through the years about process, but it’s a similar thing. If you’ve done the work and you’ve done the performance 10,000 times and you’ve mined it and go deeper and deeper into everything from all the choices the character would make, and just really discovering that, then by the time you get to the set, the hard work is done. I mean, I’ve heard him say that many times and we spoke about that.
Robert De Niro in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
MF: I’ve heard that De Niro likes to do a table read with the cast before he signs on to a project to make sure it’s something that he wants to be involved with. Is that true? Was that the case on this film?
SE: We didn’t do a table read that I can remember with him. My memory’s a little fuzzy, but I don’t remember doing that. But he is so prepped when he shows up on set. I mean, he has done all the work and really explored the character.
MF: In many ways, as an ex-military and a former member of this cult, Nash is uniquely qualified for this mission. Can you talk about that and how he feels about going back to confront Bokushi?
SE: Yeah, he is. I mean, he’s been in that world, sucked in and was really the only one to get out. So, he’s got that inside information and he’s been pulled back in. He is at the same time, I think, a very tormented character through what he’s been through, so he’s got that pulling at him, the whole movie, which makes him a very complex guy.
Jamie Foxx in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
MF: Nash returns to save his wife, who he is not even sure is still alive. Is that what drives the character in your opinion?
SE: That’s what drives him, yeah. That’s sort of the emotional rollercoaster of the film. That’s the heart of it, trying to discover the truth, get back to the truth and find out if she’s alive. Which made it, that’s like the North Star. That’s all he really cares about. He doesn’t really care about trying to break this thing up. He’s there for his own reasons to see if his wife is alive.
MF: Can you talk about shooting the action sequences and did you do all the stunts yourself?
SE: I think so. Not everything. There were certain stunts, and we shot this movie in Greece. I find that anytime you go into Europe, you get away with a little bit more. You get away with some bigger stunts and get away with some stuff that might not be allowed in the U.S., which always makes for a better movie because you get a bigger production value out of it. But no, there were certain stunts that they didn’t want me doing that I sort of acquiesced and said, “Oh great, let’s let someone else do that one. That one seems like it’s threading the needle a little bit.” But I try to do as much as I can. It just helps the movie. When you can do the most that you can, then the movie becomes more visceral. You don’t have to cheat things; you can do cool camera movements if you keep the actor in those stunts.
Scott Eastwood as “Joe” in the action crime thriller ‘Alarum’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: You’ve played characters with military backgrounds before. Do you have to retrain every time or does the training stay with you?
SE: You brush up on it before you do gun work and before you do that stuff. I think you always brush up on it just to keep it tight and make sure that’s good. But yeah, it’s in the toolbox for sure, so that’s easy for me.
MF: What was your experience like collaborating with director Brad Furman on set?
SE: Fascinating. He’s very complex and very visual. He’s a fascinating guy. We had a very tough shoot, but the movie turned out to be a wild ride.
Scott Eastwood in ‘The Fate of the Furious’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
MF: Finally, can you give us an update on ‘Fast X: Part 2’? Have you seen a script yet or do you know when you’ll begin shooting?
SE: I don’t know, but I know that there’s talk about it and whispers about it right now. It’s happening right now.
Jamie Foxx in ‘Tin Soldier’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
What is the plot of ‘Tin Soldiers’?
The Bokushi (Jamie Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. After several failed infiltration attempts on his impenetrable fortress, military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (Robert De Niro) recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Scott Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his insider knowledge of the enigmatic leader as he seeks vengeance on the man who took everything from him, including the love of his life.
Alan Ritchson in ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’. Photo: Daniel Smith.
Preview:
‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson is aboard new action thriller ‘Runner.’
‘Expendables 4’s Scott Waugh is directing.
It’ll see an organ courier come under threat from a crime boss.
While he’s still gainfully employed playing man-mountain former military policeman Jack Reacher in ‘Reacher,’ that hasn’t stopped Alan Ritchson from pursuing his movie career.
With the third season of ‘Reacher’ now shot and arriving on Prime Video next year, Ritchson has busied himself with film roles, including Netflix action sci-fi pic ‘War Machine’ and a plan to return for the next ‘Fast & Furious’ entry, which could well be the finale to that long-running franchise.
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Alongside those two, he’s also landed the lead role in a new thriller called ‘Runner,’ which will, as you might expect, see him travelling at some speed –– in this case, because he’ll play a man tasked with ferrying an organ to help a young transplant patient. As it turns out, other people are also interested in the precious cargo…
Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in Prime Video’s ‘Reacher’ season 2.
Written by Miles Hubley and Tommy White (whose script ended up on the 2023 Blacklist of best unproduced screenplays), ‘Runner’ follows a high-end courier who has three hours to transport an organ to save a seven-year-old girl in need of an immediate transplant.
The seemingly simple mission turns deadly when the leader of a notorious crime syndicate becomes hell-bent on claiming the organ.
This is what director Scott Waugh had to say about the movie:
“ ‘Runner’ with the driving force of an actor like Alan Ritchson reminds me of the Tony Scott action films I grew up on in the 90’s when character and story were pivotal, and the action was a spectacle. I couldn’t be more excited to direct this super entertaining script and bring the thrilling world of ‘Runner’ to life.”
Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in Prime Video’s ‘Reacher’ season 2.
The film doesn’t yet have a distributor so there’s zero word on a release date yet. Companies A Higher Standard and WME Independent will have the rights up for sale at the American Film Market in Las Vegas next month.
This is what A Higher Standard’s Jeffrey Greenstein said about the movie:
“ ‘Runner’ is the exact type of film that audiences across the globe crave- a high octane, entertaining film that also has heart and levity. Alan Ritchson is tailor-made for this role and he, his action team and Scott Waugh together will keep you on the edge of your seats on this full throttle ride.”
Alan Ritchson as Ed Schmitt in ‘Ordinary Angels.’ Photo Credit: Allen Fraser.
Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jordana Brewster about her work on ‘Cellar Door’, her first reaction to the screenplay, her character’s marriage, the bargain her character makes, if she would make that same deal in her own life, working with Scott Speedman, Laurence Fishburne’s “acting tools”, and collaborating with director Vaughn Stein, as well as an update on the upcoming ‘Fast X: Part 2‘.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Brewster, Scott Speedman, and director Vaughn Stein.
(L to R) Scott Speedman and Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and why you wanted to be a part of this project?
Jordana Brewster: I really wanted to be a part of the project because Sera, my character, goes through so many different phases of life that I’ve also been through, and I understood her coping mechanisms and her desire to just push through and ignore any signs that something was awry. So, I thought playing that would be cathartic and fun.
MF: How would you describe the marriage between Sera and John?
JB: I think it’s really refreshing to see a marriage like this portrayed. It’s frayed, right? It’s worn in. It’s not like the beginning where it’s sexy and exciting. It’s like brushing their teeth next to each other. They’re going through the motions, they’re failing at something, and I think that’s what propels them to then say, “Let’s move and let’s get a house.” I feel like a lot of couples do that where they’re like, “Let’s just keep moving and ignore the problem.” So that’s where they’re at. I had a certain familiarity just because I quickly got along with Scott, so it felt very safe to play with the different levels of that.
(L to R) Jordana Brewster and Scott Speedman in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: Can you talk about working with Scott Speedman on that relationship?
JB: I think he was on set way before I was, and so I was talking to him before I even got to set. Then we’re both parents, so we just had a nice shorthand. I think it helps a lot to act with someone who’s willing to meet, and rehearse, and talk about the script, and is collaborative. Because you want to play tennis, you don’t want to have to do it all yourself, and you want to be able to react off someone. So that was fun with Scott. He made that very easy.
MF: John becomes obsessed with opening the cellar door after they are told not to, but Sera isn’t bothered by it. Can you talk about why she doesn’t care about what is behind the cellar door?
JB: I think the stakes are high for her. I keep thinking of a Jenga puzzle, and it’s like, the Jenga puzzle is gilded and it’s perfect, and she wants it to just stay in place because if she takes one tile off, the whole thing’s going to come down, and I think that’s what having the house represents for her. If she has the house, then she can get pregnant and then they will live happily ever after. But if something goes awry, they’re not going to survive. I also relate to that because I’m a control freak. I’m Type A, working on it, but I think there is this belief that like, “Oh, no, if everything’s not perfect, I’m not going to be able to handle it.” So, I think that’s why she’s so adamant about him staying away from the cellar door and to shut up about it already. I think initially she says, “Could a house make you happy?” She’s like, “No.” But I do think to some degree she thinks it can because it fits into her vision board. I think a lot of people can relate to that. “Oh, once I go to this college, I’ll be happy. Once I get this job, I’ll be happy. Once I have two kids, I’ll be happy.” Then the finish line keeps getting further and further away because of course, it’s like the old story.
Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: If you were in this situation in your own life, and you were offered this beautiful house, but with the agreement that you can’t look in the cellar, would you take it?
JB: I’m too skeptical. I would think there’s a catch. Like Scott and I joked on set, we’re like, it kind of feels like it’s going to turn and become dirty. There was a point where we’re like, what does Emmett want from us? But no, I would assume there are cameras here, or I’m going to have to pay the piper at some point. So, I absolutely would not because I’m not as trusting as Sera is.
MF: What was it like working with legendary actor Laurence Fishburne?
JB: It was fun, because he has a gravitas but also a warmth, and he’s very generous about telling stories. He also uses acting, not tricks, but different tools to get you into a scene. So, I felt like it was also just an awesome learning experience to work with one of the greats.
MF: Can you give me an example of one of Fishburne’s “acting tools”?
JB: So, we shot all his scenes in one day, and we had the scene where we’re tipsy and he then brings up the awkward question of what would you do? Before rolling, he would just start laughing. Then we would start laughing and it was like this contagious thing so that by the time we began the scene, the ice was broken. So instead of talking about how he would do something, he just put it in our bodies in a way.
Laurence Fishburne in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: Is that something that you might use moving forward on other projects?
JB: Yeah, and it also teaches me that when you’re the elder on a set, it’s nice to be generous, and inclusive. On ‘Heart Eyes’ I worked with kids that were in their 20s, and I took a cue from him where it’s like we’re all here to play. It’s like the rising tide raises all ships. There’s no competition. I think that’s a very generous attitude to have. So, he’s awesome.
MF: What was it like collaborating with director Vaughn Stein on set?
JB: I love Vaughn. I love that he kept it very light. He’s so encouraging and wonderful. It was fun to work on such dark material with someone so loving, open, and fun.
Jordana Brewster in ‘F9’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
MF: Finally, are you excited to start working on ‘Fast X: Part 2’ and reunite with that cast and crew?
JB: Yeah. I love working on these movies. It enables me to travel, and meet amazing people, and be on the same IMDB pages as Helen Mirren and Charlize (Theron). Never did I think I’d worked with Charlize or Helen. So, it’s an unbelievable franchise to be a part of. I’m grateful and I’m excited for the next one.
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What is the plot of ‘Cellar Door’?
Looking for a fresh start after a miscarriage, a couple (Jordana Brewster and Scott Speedman) find themselves being gifted the house of their dreams from a wealthy homeowner (Laurence Fishburne) with one caveat – they can never open the cellar door. Whether they can live without knowing triggers shocking consequences.
(L to R) Tyrese Gibson and Scott Eastwood star in ‘1992’.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tyrese Gibson and Scott Eastwood about their work on ‘1992’, making a heist movie with the backdrop of the LA Riots, their characters, collaborating with director Ariel Vromen and working with the legendary Ray Liotta.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.
Scott Eastwood as Riggin Bigby in the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To begin with, Scott, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the idea of making a heist movie with the backdrop of the LA Riots?
Scott Eastwood: I am always attracted to heist movies. One, I loved movies like ‘The Town’ and ‘Den of Thieves’. I think if you like those types of movies, you’ll like this type of movie because it’s a heist movie, but it’s got high stakes, and it’s set upon the backdrop, like you said. It’s also really grounded. It’s got some dynamic character issues that create a lot of conflict, and that stood out for me in this film.
MF: Tyrese, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the plot of the film?
Tyrese Gibson: The crazy thing is when I got the ‘1992’ script, we read it and then at some point got on with Ariel Vromen, our director, who is brilliant, and I love him so much. After reading the script, I realized quickly that I don’t want to do a heist movie and I don’t want to just do a movie about the riots. So, if we can’t do them both, then this is not a movie for me because there’s plenty of documentaries. So yeah, it was a journey to pull this all together. I was there protesting on April 29th, 1992. So was Snoop Dogg, believe it or not. So, it’s unbelievable to be here. God has a sense of humor like, “You’re in the riots, you’re out there protesting, you’re active, you got your boots on the ground, and I’m glad you’re doing this right now because 30 years from now, you’re about to do a movie.” What a life.
Tyrese Gibson as Mercer in the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Scott, can you talk about your approach to this character and why this heist is so important to him?
SE: I think this is his Moby Dick, right? He’s got to do this to get out. This is for him. He does not want to be in this world. He’s got other dreams of getting out. The character was an amalgamation of guys I’d seen growing up, Riverside guys, East County guys, rough around the edges, tatted up. I had seen guys like that growing up, so I was able to steal character traits and things and pepper it in there.
MF: Can you talk about his uneasy relationship with his father and what it was like working with Ray Liotta?
SE: It was perfect because Ray is a no-bulls**t kind of guy. You know what you’re getting with him, and he doesn’t intellectualize about the work. It’s like, “Let’s do it.” So, there was an uneasiness about it and I think it created for exactly the relationship we have. There was an uneasiness, there was conflict. He’s a master. When they say action, he’s electric.
(L to R) Ray Liotta as Lowell and Christopher A’mmanuel as Antoine in the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Tyrese, what was your experience like working with Ray Liotta?
TG: Ray Liotta was dark. He was intense, man. You walk up to him on the set, “Hey, Ray, how are you doing?” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” He was really in it, which I appreciate. I’m one of those guys who’s like, “I don’t need you to explain what your space and what your zone is and how you go about getting in the spirit of your role.” But when it was time for us to do our scenes together, all that distance and being mean in my mind, it all showed up on camera.
MF: Scott, can you talk about the unlikely alliance that Riggin makes with Mercer?
SE: Look, they’re both in a father-son standoff, which is interesting. I like the parallel stories that go through the whole film about fathers and sons, and I thought that was one of the more interesting parts of this film.
Tyrese Gibson as Mercer in the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Tyrese, can you talk about how prison changed your character and what he’s trying to teach his son?
TG: I think this specific character is Mr. Self-Sabotage, where there’s problems, where there’s issues, where there’s some street Crips and Bloods and shooting and killing. Just a typical dude in the hood that’s just going to end up on another episode of ‘The First 48’. That was my character, just got nothing to live for, and then had this child. The mother of my child knew that I was still out there very active and crazy, and just basically isolated me away from having a presence in my son’s life. Then she died and grandmother died, and I got full custody. So now you have this dynamic between, “You are my father, but you haven’t been present, and I know everybody here probably more than you.” Then trying to get him to understand that there’s nobody else here that matters in your life more than me, and everything about you being safe from this point on is going to happen on my back. Understanding you’re not my friend, you’re my son. If you don’t like what I’m saying and what I’m talking about or where we’re going, it’s not up for discussion. I’m your father. Get in the car, we’re leaving. That’s what we wanted to establish with that dynamic. Then the duality of me and my son versus the dynamic of Ray Liotta, rest in peace, and Scott, which just really built the contrast, it was inspiring and interesting.
(L to R) Director/Co-Writer Ariel Vromen, Ray Liotta as Lowell and Scott Eastwood as Riggin Bigby behind the scenes of the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
MF: Scott, what was it like collaborating with director Ariel Vromen on set?
SE: Ariel’s great. I’ve known Ariel for 20 years. Way before we ever decided to work together, we were friends. When I had seen him do ‘The Iceman’, I was like, “Let’s try to find something together.” I thought that was a well-executed film. This just fell into place. It was the right character, it was the right age, the right thing, and I thought it was an interesting original story.
MF: Finally, is it fun making a heist movie?
SE: I think there’s some exhausting moments, but there’s also some fun moments. It’s like any film. This film, a lot of it took place at night, so that’s tough. Nights are tough. Doing any action movie is tough. Your body’s beat up by the end of it. You’re crushed.
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What is the plot of ‘1992’?
In 1992, Mercer (Tyrese Gibson) endeavors to restore his life and relationship with his son during the unrest following the Rodney King verdict. Meanwhile, in another part of town, a father (Ray Liotta) and son (Scott Eastwood) confront their troubled relationship by planning a perilous heist at Mercer’s workplace. As tensions in Los Angeles escalate and chaos ensues, the two family’s cross paths.
(L to R) Ori Pfeffer as Murphy, Dylan Arnold as Dennis, Ray Liotta as Lowel, Clé Bennett as Copeland, Scott Eastwood as Riggin Bigby, and Oleg Taktarov as Titus in the Action, Crime, Thriller film, ‘1992’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Jason Momoa in ‘Once Upon a Time in Venice.’ Photo: RLJ Entertainment.
Steve Ford (Bruce Willis) is a private detective in Venice Beach, Calif., who’s good with the ladies, bad with the punches and wild about his dog Buddy. When local thugs steal Buddy, Ford turns to Spyder (Momoa), their devious leader, and forges an unlikely alliance. With help from his best friend (John Goodman), Steve pulls out the big guns to retrieve Spyder’s stolen cash and cocaine and save Buddy.
Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer), a Los Angeles man estranged from his wife (Vanessa Williams) and three children, decides to reconnect with his family by taking them with him on a road trip to Missouri for a big family reunion.
Arlen (Suki Waterhouse) is sent to a fenced-off wasteland where undesirables are exiled to when she is kidnapped by a group of cannibals. She escapes and ends up on a journey to reunite a missing girl with her father.
Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s (Henry Cavill) selfless act, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) and Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) assemble a team of metahumans consisting of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), Arthur Curry (Momoa) and Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) to face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds) and the Parademons who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth.
(L to R) Isabela Merced and Jason Momoa in ‘Sweet Girl.’ Photo: Netflix.
A man (Momoa) vows to bring justice to those responsible for his wife’s (Adria Arjona) death while protecting the only family he has left, his daughter (Isabela Merced).
While Native American Robert Wolf (Momoa) is being pursued by the FBI for having taken the law into his own hands, when his mother was raped and killed on their reservation he crosses paths with Cash (Robert Homer Mollohan), a down and out musician who is coping with the end of his marriage. An unlikely friendship develops, as they ride together towards the Teton mountain range, where Wolf will spread his mothers ashes.
Six young computer hackers sent to work on a derelict space freighter, are forced to match wits with a vengeful artificial intelligence that would kill to be human.
The coming-of-age story of Cayden Richards (Lucas Till). Forced to hit the road after the murder of his parents, Cayden wanders lost without purpose… Until he meets a certifiable lunatic named Wild Joe (John Piper-Ferguson) who sets him on a path to the ominous town of Lupine Ridge to hunt down the truths of his history. But in the end| who’s really hunting whom?
When his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod (Michael Shannon) has returned and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. In order to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?
Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death and wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman (Momoa) down once and for all. To defeat him, Aquaman must turn to his imprisoned brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance in order to save the world from irreversible destruction.
(L to R) Marlow Barkley and Jason Momoa in ‘Slumberland.’ Photo: Netflix.
Slumberland takes audiences to a magical new place, a dreamworld where precocious Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and her eccentric companion Flip (Momoa) embark on the adventure of a lifetime. After her father Peter (Kyle Chandler) is unexpectedly lost at sea, young Nemo’s idyllic Pacific Northwest existence is completely upended when she is sent to live in the city with her well-meaning but deeply awkward uncle Phillip (Chris O’Dowd). Her new school and new routine are challenging by day but at night, a secret map to the fantastical world of Slumberland connects Nemo to Flip, a rough-around-the-edges but lovable outlaw who quickly becomes her partner and guide. She and Flip soon find themselves on an incredible journey traversing dreams and fleeing nightmares, where Nemo begins to hope that she will be reunited with her father once again.
Sylvester Stallone in ‘Bullet to the Head.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
After watching their respective partners die, a cop (Sung Kang) and a hitman (Sylvester Stallone) form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy (Momoa).
2019’s ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
Jason Momoa in ‘Conan the Barbarian.’ Photo: Lionsgate.
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan (Momoa) realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
(L to R) Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
Jason Momoa in ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
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, Wonder Woman, Aquaman (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.
Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho in ‘Dune.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
(L to R) Jason Momoa and Amber Heard in ‘Aquaman.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, Atlantis is now an underwater kingdom ruled by the power-hungry King Orm (Patrick Wilson). With a vast army at his disposal, Orm plans to conquer the remaining oceanic people and then the surface world. Standing in his way is Arthur Curry (Momoa), Orm’s half-human, half-Atlantean brother and true heir to the throne.
Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig are on for new heist pic ‘Two for the Money’.
‘Fast & Furious’ veteran director Justin Lin is making the movie.
Apple has landed the rights to the new project.
It’s clearly the week for big star projects to start looking for homes. We already have Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale aboard a spy story, and now comes word that Charlize Theron and Daniel Craig are aboard heist thriller ‘Two for the Money’.
And the genesis for this one comes from an unlikely place: ‘Fast X’. Because it was an idea that writer/director Justin Lin hatched with his co-writer on the movie, Dan Mazeau.
Theron, who returned as the villainous Cipher for the film, liked the concept and pitched that Craig should co-star.
(L to R) Vin Diesel and director Justin Lin on the set of ‘Fast Five.’
According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news, the plot is being kept in a vault. But the story reportedly follows the evolution of a relationship between two career thieves, to be played by Theron and Craig, over the course of three big jobs.
Theron was apparently impressed by the snappy dialogue between the two main characters, which invoked feelings of classic romantic comedies such as ‘His Girl Friday’.
Which company has bought the new movie?
(L to R) Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.
Apple secured the rights for this one, representing the company continuing its mission to land big projects following the likes of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘Napoleon’, which have both been in theaters and are in the awards race.
Charlize Theron leads a band of seemingly immortal soldiers in the Netflix Original ‘The Old Guard.’
Theron will be back as her long-lived warrior character for ‘The Old Guard 2’, due out on Netflix in 2024, and has a variety of projects she’s working on as a producer.
(Left) Vin Diesel and Director Louis Leterrier on the set of ‘Fast X.’ (Right) Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man.’
Preview:
‘The Incredible Hulk’ director Louis Leterrier discussed the movie on a new podcast.
Leterrier reveals he’d hoped to direct ‘Iron Man’.
He also talks about the tension between Marvel and star Edward Norton over the tone.
It rarely makes the list of Marvel fans’ favorite MCU entries, but ‘The Incredible Hulk’ has earned something of a reassessment in recent years.
And it was infamous for having a troubled history, as star Edward Norton clashed with the Marvel team.
The film’s director, Louis Leterrier has offered his own thoughts on a new podcast spin-off from ‘Happy. Sad. Confused’, hosted by Josh Horowitz. Titled ‘Watch-A-Long’, the first episode features a blend of Leterrier interview about the movie and director’s commentary.
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Louis Leterrier on ‘Iron Man’
(L to R) Vin Diesel, Director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of ‘Fast X.’
While Leterrier landed the job on ‘The Incredible Hulk’, what he originally had hoped to make was ‘Iron Man’, which famously ended up in the hands of Jon Favreau and helped kicked off the whole MCU.
Here’s what he said on the subject:
“They had this big poster in the lobby and said, ‘Well, pick a superhero, that you’d like,’ and I went, [points finger at imaginary wall], this guy, Tony Stark, Iron Man. That’s what I wanna do. They were like, ‘Great, great, great.’ I go back home and literally, three weeks later they called me, and they said, ‘We’ve got great news, we’d like you to direct a movie for us.’ I was like, ‘Iro–‘ and they were like, ‘Hulk.’ ‘Hulk’? Ang Lee did it three years before they gave me the call and I thought about it and realized, my favorite movies growing up were ‘Frankenstein,’ the original ‘King Kong,’ werewolf movies, and the ‘Hulk’ TV show being so formative, so I was like, ‘Of course.’ They saw what I couldn’t see.”
As it turns out, Leterrier had other close calls with MCU characters –– he met about making ‘Thor’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ but didn’t connect with either. He did throw his hat into the ring for ‘The Avengers’, though he ultimately did not get a meeting on that one.
Edward Norton in ‘The Incredible Hulk.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Infamously troubled thanks to the strong opinions of star Edward Norton –– who wrote new dialogue and even submitted a darker cut of the movie that Marvel ultimately chose to reject –– the movie sounds like it was a nightmare assignment. But according to Leterrier, he had a good relationship with Norton.
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Here’s what he said about their collaboration:
“I think the whole way, we were all very much in lock step. It just got tense at the end. And I think at the end it was very tense about the tone and the level of humor, although Edward is very funny and, all is friends are comedians. He’s an extremely funny guy. But I think [Edward] was very right in defending the seriousness of the movie. You have to remember it was the mid 2010s, ‘The Dark Knight’ had such an impact on superhero movies.”
Opening for one night only in theaters on September 21st is the new horror-comedy ‘Shaky Shivers,’ which marks the directorial debut for ‘Fast X’ actor Sung Kang.
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What is the plot of ‘Shaky Shivers?’
After finding herself bitten by a mysterious animal, Lucy (Brooke Markham) becomes convinced that she will transform into a fearsome werewolf. Joined by her best friend Karen (VyVy Nguyen), the two embark on a wild adventure filled with magic and mayhem, as they look to do battle with a throat-slashing creature ripped right out of an 80s horror movie.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actor turned director Sung Kang about his work on ‘Shaky Shivers,’ why he wanted to direct it, casting Brooke Markham and VyVy Nguyen, the tone of the movie, working with his crew on the production and post-production, what he learned about filmmaking, and how his years as an actor prepared him to direct this project.
Director Sung Kang on the set of ‘Shaky Shivers.’
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Kang, as well as actresses Brooke Markham and VyVy Nguyen.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to make this particular movie for your directorial debut?
Sung Kang: So the writers, Andy McAllister and Aaron Strongoni wrote ‘Shaky Shivers,’ and they were on their way to Austin to get an award for the screenplay. Aaron Strongoni and I had been working together and developing scripts for the last 15 years. I asked him, “Hey, so you’re moonlighting. What’s up with this? What’s this script that you wrote?” And he said, “I have a love affair with the horror genre.” He and Andy did this documentary about Gabe Bartalos, a short film about Gabe Bartalos and his journey as a practical makeup effects artist. They just fell in love with him, his spirit and this art form, and this craft is slowly dying in Hollywood. It’s being taken over by technology. So in honor of him, they wrote ‘Shaky Shivers.’ Then also the characters of Lucy and Karen were inspired and motivated by Andy’s desire to share practical makeup effects of his era, because we’re children of the 80’s. He had an eight or nine year old daughter at the time, and he didn’t want to scare the her, but he wanted to share this love affair for that horror genre with her. So I love that. My north star of the thing that woke me up in the morning to go, I want to direct this film, is also the relationship between Karen and Lucy. At the end of the movie, what a great lesson that these two characters, these two friends go through this journey together, bumbling through this adventure, but at the end of it, they’re okay with who they are. They’re comfortable in their skin, and if you have one sidekick, one best friend, a partner in crime, then you’re good. I felt like, what a great message. Especially today with all the pressures of social media, trying to be perfect and being popular. I fell in love with that theme. So that’s what inspired me to get on board and try to make ‘Shaky Shivers’ happen.
(L to R) Brooke Markham and VyVy Nguyen in director Sung Kang ‘Shaky Shivers.’
MF: What was the casting process like for you as a director and why were Brooke Markham and VyVy Nguyen the right actresses for these roles?
SK: It was super challenging. Casting is everything. I was taught young as an actor that the casting will make or break your movie. Because of the limited resources we had to put in front of the camera, I knew that I would have to lean on the talent and especially Lucy and Karen. I mean, it was so crucial. But fortunately with Brooke’s casting, a couple of the producers had worked with her prior and they presented the project they worked on together, and then we met and instantly I was like, “We have our Lucy, so it should be easy from then on.” But Karen was super challenging to cast. I pretty much was stuck. I almost gave up and I was like, “I don’t know how we’re going to make this work.” A friend of mine had done a thesis short at UCLA film school years prior, and he came over for dinner. I was telling him the struggles of finding Karen for ‘Shaky Shivers.’ I started describing what the character was, and he goes, “I have the perfect actress. VyVy was in my short.” I wasn’t familiar with her work. He sent me the short, and then we did a chemistry test with Brooke and VyVy, and it was there. You just know. It’s because a role for an actor or an actress is like a perfectly tailored suit. Yes, many thespians could come in and of course they could play the role, but it’s like buying a jacket off the rack. You know when it’s a perfectly tailored character for that talent, and we just knew that it could have made or broken the film. If you really pay attention, we have very little, even in the ice cream shop, we have no ice cream! We couldn’t even afford real ice cream in the shop. It’s an ice cream shop and there’s no ice cream! But it’s because of these two actresses and the other cast members like Jimmy Bellinger and Herschel Sparber that came in and lifted the words off the page and then you’re focused on them. So you don’t notice until I mention that we don’t have all these things because of the performances. So we were lucky that we had the cast that we had.
Brooke Markham in director Sung Kang ‘Shaky Shivers.’
MF: Can you talk about the tone you were going for with this film, and were there any other movies within this genre that inspired you?
SK: Well, definitely the practical effects was an homage to the 80’s horror movies that we would go and rent at the video store. What I was going for was comedy that was in the spirit of ‘Bill & Ted’s‘ or ‘Wayne’s World’ in the universe of monsters. ‘Ghost World,’ if you will. So to me, when people describe this as a horror comedy, I actually think it’s a comedy horror. I deliberately tried not to make the movie too scary, but some people have a low tolerance for spook. But I think all the monster stuff is just hilarious. So that was the spirit of the world that I was going for? It was like ‘Rushmore’ or ‘Election, ‘Ghost World,’ ‘Bill & Ted,’ and ‘Wayne’s World,’ again. So I felt like the chemistry between Karen and Lucy was crucial. I mean, essentially they are two doofuses trying to find their way through the evening, but in the monster’s world. So I don’t think this is a horror movie at all.
VyVy Nguyen in director Sung Kang ‘Shaky Shivers.’
MF: Finally, what was the experience of working with your department heads on both production and post-production like for you as a director, and how did your years of experience as an actor prepare you to make this film?
SK: Well, I realized that I know nothing and I have so much to learn. I think directing, you just assume that some of these elements are really easy, but they’re not. As an actor, you get to be a part of pre-production a bit. Then of course, production. But post-production was a total different language that I did not understand. The only currency I had going into this film were the people I surrounded myself with. So I had great producers. The writers were so supportive of me. Of course, the cast was supportive of me and then the crew because we were in the height of the pandemic. I was so humbled and honored that people would come at that time in their lives to come and play with us and to risk their health, to sacrifice their time with their family and try to help me execute this vision. Then in every aspect of this film and the process, even going to get the camera package at Panavision, what I learned and what I will forever use and will be a part of how I approach filmmaking is humble yourself and keep your ego at the door. It’s okay to be open and admit what you don’t know, and then people will come and help you. When we went to Panavision, I said, “I know nothing about glass. I know nothing about lenses.” I had mentors there that came and basically went through a masterclass with me. I’ve never been part of sound mixing before. Gary Bourgeois (the re-recording mixer), who’s a legend in his own right and has worked on Oscar nominated and Oscar winning films, I asked him, “Gary, why did you come onto this little movie?” He said, “Because when I first met you, you just kept telling me that you knew nothing, and that you wanted to pick my brain and ask me questions. That’s why I wanted to come and help you. Don’t ever lose that kid. This town, it’s like everyone came as dreamers, and when somebody comes in pretending that they know everything, it’s off-putting and it’s a turnoff.” I realized that is my greatest currency. As a filmmaker, if I can continue with that ethos, I know that I’ll just continue to be able to work and learn constantly. That’s the beauty of filmmaking I think, once you feel like you know everything, it’s probably time to pack it in, right? Because there’s always evolution. Working with other talent like VyVy and Brooke, there’s so many things that I’ve adopted from them as an actor for when I go in front of the camera again. So I think if you keep that open and that is your north star, there’s always something to learn, and be grateful for the people contributing on your movie, then that family, that army is capable of anything.
Director Sung Kang on the set of ‘Shaky Shivers.’
Please note: Cineverse is an independent, non-AMPTP affiliated distributor. ‘Shaky Shivers’ is in good standing with requirements set forth by SAG-AFTRA and the WGA.
Sung Kang, director of ‘Shaky Shivers,’ will be doing in-person Q&A’s at the following screenings:
Wednesday, September 20 at 7pm PST
Regal LA Live
1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Purchase tickets: Here!
Thursday, September 21 at 7pm PST
Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California 91608
Purchase tickets: Here!
‘Shaky Shivers’ will play in theaters via Cineverse and Fathom Events for one night only on September 21st.
He’s been known for years know as a compelling actor in front of the camera for movies such as ‘Better Luck Tomorrow’, ‘Mystery Men’, ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ and, most notably, the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise (where his character , Han Lue, AKA Han Seoul-Oh, was seemingly killed off but managed to survive with the help of some clever technology). But Sung Kang is now proving he can also deliver entertainment behind it.
Working from a script by Andrew McAllister and Aaron Strongoni, he’s made his directorial debut with horror movie ‘Shaky Shivers’ promising campy scares and practical creature action.
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And we have an exclusive first look at the new poster for the movie.
‘Shaky Shivers’ will play in theaters via Cineverse and Fathom Events for one night only on September 21st.
What’s the story of ‘Shaky Shivers’?
Director Sung Kang on the set of ‘Shaky Shivers.’
Here’s the official synopsis:
“After finding herself bitten by a mysterious animal, Lucy (Brooke Markham) becomes convinced that she will transform into a fearsome werewolf. Joined by her best friend Karen (VyVy Nguyen), the two embark on a wild adventure filled with magic and mayhem, as they look to do battle with a throat-slashing creature ripped right out of an 80s horror movie.”
Were we secretly hoping that Kang had managed to convince his ‘Fast’ co-star and gravel-voiced icon Vin Diesel to make a cameo? We admit we were, but it doesn’t appear he shows up from the looks of the trailer, which you can see below.
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The tone for this one carried through to the poster certainly evokes the 1980s horror trend, when lurid video sleeves would tempt people far too young to watch violent horror movies to check out the likes of ‘Ghoulies’ and the ‘House’ franchise (kids, ask your parents about video sleeves. And videos.)
Sung Kang talks about making the movie
Director Sung Kang on the set of ‘Shaky Shivers.’
Kang had this to say about his debut behind the camera:
“I’ve wanted to direct my first feature for a long time now. I’ve written several scripts and read hundreds more. There were several times where I would find a good project to attach myself to, but ultimately, for a myriad of reasons, it never felt quite right in my gut. A good friend of mine wrote ‘Shaky Shivers’. I read it the night he gave it to me, and by the next day I knew this was it. It had a great balance of horror and comedy, and it brought me right back to my VHS-renting childhood. As a kid, this was my film school. And I needed that escapism, especially being a Korean kid growing up in Georgia in the 1980’s.”
And this is Kang on his hopes for the film:
“We all know it’s been a heavy and divisive couple of years, and this is a movie that helps you forget about all of that. I wanted to make a film that would make me jump with fear, and at the same time, laugh my ass off.”
‘Shaky Shivers’ will be offering chills and thrills in theaters via Cineverse and Fathom Events for one night only on September 21st.
Sung Kang, director of ‘Shaky Shivers,’ will be doing in-person Q&A’s at the following screenings:
Monday, September 18 at 7pm PST
AMC Metreon 16
135 4th St #3000, San Francisco, CA 94103
Purchase tickets: Here!
Wednesday, September 20 at 7pm PST
Regal LA Live
1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Purchase tickets: Here!
Thursday, September 21 at 7pm PST
Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California 91608
Purchase tickets: Here!
