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Tag: gina-prince-bythewood

CinemaCon 2026: Paramount Presentation
‘Street Fighter’ opens in theaters on October 16th.

Preview
- Paramount Pictures made its presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
- Among the movies promoted were ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Scary Movie’.
- There was also a look at a new ‘Christmas Carol’ adaptation.
Given the tumultuous behind-the-scenes business activity of first the Skydance/Paramount acquisition and now the combined studios’ ongoing mission to buy Warner Bros., it’s fair to wonder how much of that will be referenced at the company’s 2026 CinemaCon presentation.

But as is more likely, we’re expecting a focus on movies including the new ‘Scary Movie’ entry and a fresh take on the ‘Street Fighter’ video game.
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Unlike some of its competition, Paramount doesn’t have many of its big hitter franchises with ready entries, though we’ll likely get something from the early 2027 arrival of the fourth ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movie.

Related Article: Netflix Out of Bidding War for Warner Bros., Paramount Seemingly Wins

Following a looong sizzle reel (narrated by Tom Cruise and ending with him chilling out on the lot’s iconic water tower), freshly minted Paramount/Skydance boss David Ellison took the stage to enthuse about storytelling and –– cross it off your bingo card! –– further confirm that a merged Paramount and Warner Bros. would commit to 30 movies a year theatrically, with healthy 45-day release windows.

There was also a lot of chat about the IP-based movies they’re developing –– expect more ‘Star Trek’, ‘Transformers’, ‘World War Z’ and ‘Top Gun’, plus a ‘Call of Duty’ movie. Oh, and following the success of the first film via Neon, the studio is the new home of the ‘Longlegs’ franchise. And we also learned that classic antagonists Shredder and Kang will show up in the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ sequel, due in 2027.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ opens in theaters on March 19, 2027.

There wasn’t much on the fourth ‘Sonic’ beyond a quick video from the set that confirms Jim Carrey will be back. There was also a mention of Kristen Bell, who voices Amy Rose.
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‘Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour’

Billie Eliish in ‘Billie Eliish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)’. Photo: Henry Hwu and Paramount Pictures.

Eilish and director James Cameron (yes, that James Cameron) took the stage to showcase the tour movie (Live in 3D in case you forgot), with Cameron talking up how they developed new 3D tech to make the film –– and make it look amazing. He calls it a “VIP experience”.

The audience were given 3D glasses to watch some new footage from the tour movie.
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‘Scary Movie’

Marlon Wayans plays Shorty in ‘Scary Movie’ from Paramount Pictures.

Next to take the stage was the ‘Scary Movie’ cast (well, Marlon and Shawn Wayans and Anna Faris) discuss the new reboot (or sixth film) in the horror spoof series. “Nobody is safe” seems to be the mantra here, and the Wayans introduced some fresh footage from the movie.

(L to R) Anna Faris plays Cindy and Regina Hall plays Brenda in ‘Scary Movie’ from Paramount Pictures.

That “nobody is safe” also applies to the genre titles this one takes pot shots at, including ‘Sinners’, ‘M3GAN’ and more.
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‘Jackass: Best and Last’

2002’s ‘Jackass: The Movie’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

The new –– and final? –– ‘Jackass’ saw main man Johnny Knoxville trying to convince us all that it really is the last one. Guessing they’re all getting a little too old for the crazy stunts.
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‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’

Carter Young as “Marshall” in ‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’ from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.

In what could be considered tonal whiplash, the next film to be name-checked was the latest ‘Paw Patrol’ movie, with a quick teaser.
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‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’

Logo for ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’. Photo: Paramount.

The new ‘Angry Birds’ film was also given a very brief check-in, and we learned that this one is about fatherhood.
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‘Street Fighter’

Jason Momoa in ‘Street Fighter’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

The cast for the latest attempt to kick off a franchise based on the classic video game title arrived on stage to discuss it. Wrestler-turned-actor Cody Rhodes showed up dressed in costume as Guile.

They introduced the first trailer for the movie, which you can see above.
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Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story

David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ from Paramount Pictures.

The new movie from Jonathan Levine stars ‘Superman’s David Corenswet and focuses on the enduring impact John Tuggle had on his team and teammates after being drafted by the New York Giants.

Corenswet appeared via video to introduce the film, talking about how he was inspired by Tuggle’s story but was also conflicted as an Eagles fan playing a Giants icon.

David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ from Paramount Pictures.
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‘Heart of the Beast’

Brad Pitt poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actor In A Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The new David Ayer movie features Brad Pitt as a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog who attempt to return to civilization after a catastrophic accident deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
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Following a quick look at K-Pop Superstar: The Movie, it was on to…

‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’

The new movie from Ti West (who has been better known for more brutal horror in the past) features Johnny Depp as Scrooge. Some footage was screened. Unsurprisingly, it’s leaning into the scarier elements of the story. Happy Christmas?
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‘Children of Blood and Bone’

Oscar® nominee Viola Davis arrives on the red carpet of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s new film adaptsTomi Adeyemi‘s novel, featuring a woman blessed with magical powers by the gods and living in a place where you are forbidden to use them, teams up with a princess to summon the gods and bring down the oppressive regime.

A musical performance preceded the cast (including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu) and Prince-Bythewood to the stage to talk up the film. We also got footage.

The footage shows Viola Davis‘ Mama Agba and her allies smacking around some tax collectors. The film is a story about the struggle to bring back magic in a kingdom where magic users are routinely executed. The magic users have Targaryen-like white hair. We see one magician summon a tree fighter to battle enemy warriors. The movie looks unique.
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Noticeably absent? ‘Avatar: Ang, The Last Airbender’, which Paramount originally planned for theaters and then decided to shove to its streaming service. But the biggest news? It recently leaked online….

And with that, Paramount is done!

‘Street Fighter’ opens in theaters on October 16th.
April 16, 2026
Movie Review: ‘The Old Guard 2’
Charlize Theron as Andy in ‘The Old Guard 2.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025.

‘The Old Guard 2’ receives 5 out of 10 stars.

On Netflix July 2nd is ‘The Old Guard 2’, a sequel to the 2020 movie derived from Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez’ graphic novel series about immortal warriors who learn that their existence has been discovered even as they find a new member of their kind.

The new movie sees Charlize Theron (‘Mad Max: Fury Road’) back as no longer so immortal warrior Andy, alongside the likes of KiKi Layne (‘If Beale Street Could Talk’), Marwan Kenzari (‘Aladdin’), Chiwetel Ejiofor (’12 Years a Slave’) and Matthias Schoenaerts (‘Rust and Bone’).

Related Article: Charlize Theron is Back in Action in the First Look at ‘The Old Guard 2’

Initial Thoughts

‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

When it arrived in the pandemic-darkened days of 2020, ‘The Old Guard,’ while not perhaps the most exemplary example of graphic novel adaptation to bother screens, at least had some spark and vitality to it, anchored by Charlize Theron strutting about as an immortal warrior who after walking the Earth for several thousand years was using her powers of near invulnerability as a badass who took down terrible people along with a group of similarly powerful colleagues.

It was certainly fun enough, but now here comes the inevitable sequel –– five years later, which is cause for red flags flying from the get-go –– but perhaps it earned the benefit of the doubt, since taking time to make sure a movie is right is always more preferable to rushing a quick cash-in into production.

Sadly, what has emerged is no worthy follow-up to that original release.

Script and Direction

Director Victoria Mahoney on the set of ‘The Old Guard 2.’ Photo: Eli Joshua Adé/Netflix © 2025.

Greg Rucka, from whose work (alongside illustrator Leandro Fernandez) the movies are inspired, returns to script the new entry, this time with Sarah L. Walker (‘The Twelve’).

But though you might think Rucka has the same handle on the characters he created as he did last time, this one is unfortunately burdened with even more exposition, as the movie awkwardly tries to expand the story’s universe, but comes up with an idea that only really serves to snip dangling plot threads from the first movie in ugly fashion while also creating some villain motivation.

The story pauses between honestly disappointing action scenes to have characters sit around and talk in boring fashion about what’s happening. And half the people in the movie seem designed to do little other than shoot or stab enemies and then push the plot forward in the laziest fashion.

Perhaps the most egregious fault here is how the film ends, the final scene a giant cliffhanger (with no third movie officially ordered, mind you) and the story left unsatisfying and largely pointless. The intention may have been to drive excitement for another outing, but you’re more likely to come away not bothered what happens next.

Victoria Mahoney, taking over the director’s chair from the original’s Gina Prince-Bythewood, doesn’t exactly cover herself in glory for her second feature directorial outing after 2011’s ‘Yelling to the Sky.’ It’s competent enough work, making use of a few picturesque shooting locations, but the set-pieces all feel similar apart from one or two entertaining stunt moments.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Henry Golding as Tuah, Luca Marinelli as Nicky, Marwan Kenzari as Joe, Charlize Theron as Andy and KiKi Layne as Nile in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

Charlize Theron is seemingly strictly on autopilot this time around –– the odd quip here or there early on quickly jettisoned in favor of less-than-thrilling stone-cold solemnity. Sure, her character has lived for thousands of years and –– spoiler alert for the end of the previous movie –– learned that she’s no longer immortal, but it has also reduced Andy to a hollow version of her previous self. And it’s an issue even Theron’s considerable talents can’t overcome.

KiKi Layne as Nile, the immortal that Andy and her team discovered in the last movie and is now a member of their mercenary force taking down arms dealers and the like, gets in a few decent moments, but like everyone else, once the plot really kicks in, the energy drains out.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, the mortal operative who learned of the immortals’ existence, is largely hanging around providing clues and information via his contacts or trying not to die. He’s less a character, more a plot device.

(L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley and Charlize Theron as Andy in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

The same could be said for poor Henry Golding (‘Crazy Rich Asians’), as Tuah, a new immortal we meet who has dedicated his incredibly long life to chronicling the ancient warriors like someone writing a fanzine. He’s saddled with even more exposition and even when he’s called upon to fight, his style is so similar to everyone else’s that it all blends into one.

Spare even more of a thought for Uma Thurman –– if you thought there was the tantalizing prospect of ‘Kill Bill’s Beatrix The Bride” Kiddo taking on Furiosa, then you have to wait until right at the end for a slapdash confrontation. Mostly, Thurman barks orders or delivers her own dollops of exposition with little conviction.

Final Thoughts

Uma Thurman as Discord in ‘The Old Guard 2.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

Flavorless and indistinct, this sequel has all the driving passion of a cold lump of concrete. The humor that marked the original has seemingly been surgically extracted, replaced with rote exposition and a dull expansion of the mythology.

Possibly the most famous franchise focused on immortal warriors uses the catchy phrase, “there can only be one.” On the evidence of ‘The Old Guard 2’, perhaps there should only have been one.
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What’s the story of ‘The Old Guard 2’?

Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world.

With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years.

Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Old Guard 2’?
- Charlize Theron as Andy
- KiKi Layne as Nile
- Marwan Kenzari as Joe
- Luca Marinelli as Nicky
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as James Copley
- Henry Golding as Tuah
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker
- Veronica Ngô as Quynh
- Uma Thurman as Discord
Charlize Theron as Andy in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

List of Charlize Theron Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘2 Days in the Valley‘ (1996)
- ‘That Thing You Do!‘ (1996)
- ‘The Devil’s Advocate‘ (1997)
- ‘Mighty Joe Young‘ (1998)
- ‘The Astronaut’s Wife‘ (1999)
- ‘The Cider House Rules‘ (2000)
- ‘Reindeer Games‘ (2000)
- ‘The Yards‘ (2000)
- ‘Men of Honor‘ (2000)
- ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance‘ (2000)
- ‘Sweet November‘ (2001)
- ‘The Curse of the Jade Scorpion‘ (2001)
- ‘The Italian Job‘ (2003)
- ‘Arrested Development‘ (2003 – 2019)
- ‘Monster‘ (2004)
- ‘The Life and Death of Peter Sellers‘ (2004)
- ‘North Country‘ (2005)
- ‘Æon Flux‘ (2005)
- ‘In the Valley of Elah‘ (2007)
- ‘Hancock‘ (2008)
- ‘The Road‘ (2009)
- ‘Young Adult‘ (2011)
- ‘Snow White and the Huntsman‘ (2012)
- ‘Prometheus‘ (2012)
- ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West‘ (2014)
- ‘Dark Places‘ (2015)
- ‘Mad Max: Fury Road‘ (2015)
- ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War‘ (2016)
- ‘Kubo and the Two Strings‘ (2016)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘The Fate of the Furious‘ (2017)
- ‘Long Shot‘ (2019)
- ‘The Addams Family‘ (2019)
- ‘Bombshell‘ (2019)
- ‘The Old Guard‘ (2020)
- ‘F9‘ (2021)
- ‘The Addams Family 2‘ (2021)
- ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ (2022)
- ‘The School for Good and Evil‘ (2022)
- ‘Fast X‘ (2023)
- ‘The Old Guard 2‘ (2025)
Buy Charlize Theron Movies on Amazon
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July 5, 2025
First Look at ‘The Old Guard 2’
(L to R) Henry Golding as Tuah, Luca Marinelli as Nicky, Marwan Kenzari as Joe, Charlize Theron as Andy and KiKi Layne as Nile in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

Preview:
- The first images from ‘The Old Guard 2’ are online.
- Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne return for the Netflix sequel.
- Victoria Mahoney is in the director’s chair this time.
If it feels like we’ve had to have the patience of an immortal as we await any real update on Netflix action sequel ‘The Old Guard 2’ –– the last main bit of news on the movie was back in 2022, when Uma Thurman and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding joined the cast.
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But at long last, the streaming service has announced when it’ll be headed our way, and posted some pictures of the new movie.

And star Charlize Theron has also commented on the return of her character, the long-lived warrior who in the 2020 original, faced her existence coming to light and a threat to her team as a potential new immortal came on the scene.

Here’s what she had to say:

“There’s something for everyone in this movie: Fans who loved the first film, fans who love the original graphic novels — and brand-new fans who are looking for insane action, grounded and relatable characters, gorgeous locations, and a global cast of superstars.”

And this was her statement on the new developments this time around:

“We’re going to meet some brand-new characters,” she teased. “Quyhn is back and her story continues, and we’re all excited to have Uma Thurman and Henry Golding join us as two key new players in the ‘Old Guard’ universe. Andy and her warriors are back with a renewed sense of purpose. The stakes are even higher now that Andy is mortal and can die — but that certainly won’t keep her out of the action.”

Related Article: Uma Thurman and Henry Golding to Join Charlize Theron in ‘The Old Guard’ Sequel

What’s the story of ‘The Old Guard 2’?

Charlize Theron as Andy in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years.

Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence.

The movies adapt the work of comic book/graphic novel writer Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez, who created the world of Andy and the rest.

Back in 2020, the first movie became a pandemic-era hit, as audiences turned to streaming to increasingly meet their entertainment needs. That one was written by Rucka, with Gina Prince-Bythewood in the director’s chair.

For the new one, Victoria Mahoney, who directed 2011’s ‘Yelling to the Sky’ and was first assistant director on ‘Star Wars: Episode IX –– The Rise of Skywalker’, took over directing, with Rucka returning to write, this time alongside Sarah L. Walker.

Here’s what Rucka had to say about the sequel:

“We ended the first film with some radical changes to the status quo. Andy’s mortality has mysteriously left her, Nile has become immortal and joined the group, and Booker’s been punished for his sins by being sent into exile, which is pretty much the worst thing you can do to people who live for hundreds and hundreds of years.”

And this was Mahoney’s comment:

“My mandate every time we went out the door to scout was, ‘I do not want to visit any locations, routinely seen as an audience member in a number of my favorite films.’ I relentlessly pushed toward the unexpected.”

Who are the new characters in ‘The Old Guard 2’?

(L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley and Charlize Theron as Andy in ‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

While Thurman’s character –– beyond the fact she’ll be a key component in the story –– is a mystery for now, we do know Golding is aboard to play Tuah, an enigmatic figure who has been researching the immortals. Golding brought his own personal background to the character, even going as far as helping to name him.

Golding said this of the role:

“When Victoria Mahoney and I had our first Zoom call, we went over the character, and originally we didn’t have a name for him. That came a little bit later because Vic really wanted to know who I was, and how this character could represent parts of my life. In the end, I suggested his character be called Tuah, which in Malaysian means ‘luck.’ ”

When will ‘The Old Guard 2’ arrive on screens?

‘The Old Guard 2’ will land on Netflix globally on July 2nd.

‘The Old Guard 2’. Photo: Eli Joshua Ade/Netflix © 2025.

List of Charlize Theron Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘2 Days in the Valley‘ (1996)
- ‘That Thing You Do!‘ (1996)
- ‘The Devil’s Advocate‘ (1997)
- ‘Mighty Joe Young‘ (1998)
- ‘The Astronaut’s Wife‘ (1999)
- ‘The Cider House Rules‘ (2000)
- ‘Reindeer Games‘ (2000)
- ‘The Yards‘ (2000)
- ‘Men of Honor‘ (2000)
- ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance‘ (2000)
- ‘Sweet November‘ (2001)
- ‘The Curse of the Jade Scorpion‘ (2001)
- ‘The Italian Job‘ (2003)
- ‘Arrested Development‘ (2003 – 2019)
- ‘Monster‘ (2004)
- ‘The Life and Death of Peter Sellers‘ (2004)
- ‘North Country‘ (2005)
- ‘Æon Flux‘ (2005)
- ‘In the Valley of Elah‘ (2007)
- ‘Hancock‘ (2008)
- ‘The Road‘ (2009)
- ‘Young Adult‘ (2011)
- ‘Snow White and the Huntsman‘ (2012)
- ‘Prometheus‘ (2012)
- ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West‘ (2014)
- ‘Dark Places‘ (2015)
- ‘Mad Max: Fury Road‘ (2015)
- ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War‘ (2016)
- ‘Kubo and the Two Strings‘ (2016)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘The Fate of the Furious‘ (2017)
- ‘Long Shot‘ (2019)
- ‘The Addams Family‘ (2019)
- ‘Bombshell‘ (2019)
- ‘The Old Guard‘ (2020)
- ‘F9‘ (2021)
- ‘The Addams Family 2‘ (2021)
- ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ (2022)
- ‘The School for Good and Evil‘ (2022)
- ‘Fast X‘ (2023)
- ‘The Old Guard 2‘ (2025)
Buy Charlize Theron Movies on Amazon
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April 23, 2025
Netflix Plans ‘A Different World’ Sequel TV Series
The cast of ‘A Different World’. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.

Preview:
- A sequel series to ‘A Different World’ is in the works.
- It follows the characters’ youngest daughter at college.
- Netflix is producing the new show.
Netflix has had some success with sequel series to shows that ran elsewhere –– ‘That ‘90s Show’ (a follow-up to ‘That ‘70s Show’) is still going.

And another series from The Carsey-Werner company is joining it in Netflix’s line-up, at least according to Deadline –– ‘A Different World’.

Yes, the 1980s/1990 series which (slightly problematically these days) was created by Bill Cosby as a spin-off of his own show, is getting the follow-up treatment with a new series.

What’s the story of ‘A Different World?

(L to R) Dawnn Lewis, Lisa Bonet and Marisa Tomei in ‘A Different World’. Photo: Carsey-Werner Productions.

The show, which ran between 1987 and 1993, was run by Debbie Allen as director-producer, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood as writers, and Tom Werner as executive producer.

‘A Different World’ followed –– at least initially –– Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her new classmates at Hillman College, a fictional historically Black college.

Bonet exited after one season, but the show continued with the leading cast of Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer and Glynn Turman.

The retooled second season continued to follow the students’ lives, with the love story between Guy’s Whitley Gilbert and Hardison’s Dwayne Wayne at the center.

Dwayne, famous for his glasses that flipped up, finally married on it in the Season 5 episode “Save the Best For Last.” Though Whitley was adamant she didn’t want children, she discovers she’s pregnant in “When One Door Closes,” the penultimate episode of the series, and everyone is elated. However, things get somber when Dwayne reveals he’s accepted a job in Japan where he and his wife will raise their family — a truly different world.

Fun fact: Meg Ryan was originally cast as Denise’s roommate in Season One, but opted to pursue her film career, with Marisa Tomei taking her place.

Meg Ryan in Bleecker Street’s ‘What Happens Later.’ Credit: Bleecker Street.

What story will the new show follow?

The sequel will reportedly focus on the couple’s youngest daughter, who is now also attending Hillman.

While casting is yet to begin officially, the producers have reportedly reached out to original cast members regarding interest and availability, and it seems (though Netflix has yet to comment officially) that at least a few of them will return in some capacity.

Felicia Pride, who wrote on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and more recently was a producer on ‘Bel-Air’ is aboard to oversee the writing on the show, with the original producing team involved.

Related Article: Callie Haverda and Mace Coronel Talk Netflix’s ‘That ’90s Show’ Season 2

When will the ‘A Different World’ series land on Netflix?

Don’t get too excited just yet –– versions of this new series have been in the offing for years with little forward movement. But with Netflix backing it, we can surely assume that the latest effort will make it to the company’s servers.
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TV Shows produced by the Carsey-Werner Company:
- ‘The Cosby Show‘ (1984 – 1992)
- ‘A Different World‘ (1987 – 1993)
- ‘Roseanne‘ (1988 – 2018)
- ‘3rd Rock from the Sun‘ (1996 – 2001)
- ‘That ’70s Show‘ (1998 – 2006)
- ‘Grounded for Life‘ (2001 – 2005)
Buy ‘A Different World’ On Amazon
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August 12, 2024
Movie Review: ‘The Woman King’

Viola Davis stars in ‘The Woman King.’

Releasing in theaters on September 16th, ‘The Woman King’ feels like a throwback to the sort of historical drama that is rarely made by studios these days.

And, indeed, one that has almost never been made by and about people who look like Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim and the vast majority of the cast for the film itself.

Gina Prince Bythewood, who last directed ‘The Old Guard‘ (a more fantastical tale of an immortal female warrior leading her similarly long-lived squad), here brings real power and emotion to the based-on-truth story of an African kingdom in the 19th century that could serve as the template for a more progressive and egalitarian society today.

Davis stars as Nanisca, the Miganon, or general of the Agojie, the fearsome, all-female unit of warriors who defended the Kingdom of Dahomey (an area of the African continent now known as Benin) and its ruler, the freshly installed King Ghezo (John Boyega).

(L to R) Viola Davis and John Boyega star in ‘The Woman King.’

This is a time when the slave trade is at its height, European cultures running their economies on the back of trading humans. And Dahomey is not innocent in that – the kingdom has seen its own financial wellbeing dependent on selling the prisoners it captures in battle. Nanisca, though, the scars of her own imprisonment from years ago still clear in body and mind, is pushing for change, arguing that their society can benefit more from the trade in palm oil and other goods than human lives.

Mostly, though, she’s busy commanding Dahomey’s forces, protecting its citizens from the forces of neighboring tribes, who have forged their own ties with slavers.

Yet our way into this powerful fighting force – and the story itself – is via Mbedu’s Nawi, a forthright and headstrong young woman whose father has given up all hope of marrying off (particularly after she puts her latest, rude, wealthy suitor squarely in his place) and decides to hand her over to the king.

Nawi, fascinated by the Agojie, instead opts to become a recruit, looking to show she has what it takes to join this elite force. Which means she’s soon under the tutelage of Izogie (Lynch), a chief lieutenant whose stern sergeant major manner belies a witty, caring side.

(L to R) Viola Davis and Lashana Lynch with young recruits in ‘The Woman King.’

Davis is, as befits her career to date and her Oscar-winning status, is magnetic and stern in her role, but, in combination with Bythewood and Dana Stevens’ script, finds real vulnerability in her role. There’s more to Nanisca than simply scowling and fighting, coming across as a rounded woman dealing with the challenges of her time period.

But right there with her are Lynch, Mbedu and Sheila Atim, the other key figures of the movie, whose characters are all well-rounded. Lynch, best known for ‘Captain Marvel’ and as the sly new 007 in ‘No Time To Die’ is excellent as Izogie, a woman with no time for weakness and a love for whiskey, but who also shows other sides of herself.

Carrying her fair share of the dramatic weight, Mbedu (a veteran of Barry Jenkins’ ‘The Underground Railroad’) also shines, making sure that her character never comes across as instantly perfect at everything she does – it’s a hard road from wide-eyed newcomer to battle-hardened warrior.

Then you have Atim, who got so little to do in films such as ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ really getting her teeth into the role of Amenza, Nanisca’s closest friend, aide and spiritual adviser, the person who can truly confront her when necessary. She’s far from the stock character of this sort in historical drama, making Amenza feel alive and human.

(L to R) Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Shelia Atim in ‘The Woman King.’

John Boyega has less to do as the King, but he’s entertaining in his scenes, proving to be commanding when the role requires and thoughtful at other times.

Bythewood infuses almost every scene with verve and energy, though she can’t quite make all the elements work. A half-baked, non-starter of a romantic connection between Mbedu and Jordan Bolger’s Malik, born to a Dahomey mother and a white father who grew up in Europe and returns in the company of his best friend Santo (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), who has inherited a slave operation and is learning how to run it. That subplot ultimately ties into the rest of the story but never feels as authentic as the rest, more a Hollywood concoction than something drawn from truth.

More effective (but still not up to quite the standard of the movie as a whole) is a surprise revelation for two of the characters that we won’t spoil. But suffice to say it’s soapier than it might have needed to be.

Viola Davis stars in ‘The Woman King.’

The movie really comes alive when Davis and co. are in battle, the clashes pushing the PG-13 rating to its limit (though still more bloodless than the violent stabbing, slashing and shooting might suggest), and the cast fully commit to the action, working alongside some extremely adept stunt performers to make sure that Nanisca, Izogie and the rest are exactly as brutal and efficient on the battlefield as you might expect.

Nanisca has some demons she needs to confront, literally in one case when she faces off against Jimmy Odukoya’s misogynistic and cruel Oba Ade, commander of the forces from the nearby Oyo Empire, who is her nemesis and one of the only people who can actually stand up to her in battle. Odukoya is a vital, dangerous force in the film, more than just a simple villain.

Vibrant and full of passion, ‘The Woman King’ might not have the same multimedia appeal of, say, ‘Black Panther’, but it deserves to do well, telling a story that many people won’t have heard and bringing a unique aspect to the genre.

‘The Woman King’ receives 4 out of 5 stars.

(L to R) Lashana Lynch, Viola Davis, Shelia Atim, Sisipho Mbopa, Lone Motsomi, Chioma Umeala in ‘The Woman King.’
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September 15, 2022
‘The Woman King’ Interviews: Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu

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Opening in theaters on September 16th is the new historical epic ‘The Woman King,’ from director Gina Prince-Bythewood (‘The Old Guard’).

The film is set in the West African kingdom of Dahomey during the 1820s and follows the Agojie, an all-female group of warriors who protect the kingdom. Their leader, General Nanisca (Viola Davis) is training a new generation of warriors to fight against an enemy who wants to destroy their way of life.

In addition to Oscar winner Viola Davis (‘The Suicide Squad’) the cast also includes Thuso Mbedu (‘The Underground Railroad’), Lashana Lynch (‘Captain Marvel’), John Boyega (‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘), Sheila Atim (‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’) and Hero Fiennes Tiffin (‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu about their work on ‘The Woman King,’ and creating their complex characters.
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You can read the interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Davis, Mbedu, John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, producer Cathy Schulman, and director Gina Prince-Bythewood.

Moviefone: To begin with, Viola, as an actress, what was it like for you to step into this role, both internally and externally?

Viola Davis: To be honest, I’m one of those actors that when I do a role and the movie is done, I’m done. I don’t think about it. I don’t want to think about it. I forget the lines. I forget everything. But then there’s some times, characters do stay with you because they help you. We become “people whisperers.” We invite these human beings into our lives for as long as we’re doing the movie and we’re researching the movie. Then they sit with us, and sometimes they become the best therapist and healers for us.

Naniska taught me to be brave. She did. There’s a lot of times in my life that when I walk in the room, everything is a fight. As an actor, as a Black actor, as a Black female actor, everything is a fight. Sometimes I need a sword, I really do. I need to believe that I can walk in the room and I can slay. Especially being shy, and being introverted, which I am. That’s what Naniska taught me. She shifted me.

Viola Davis as Nanisca in TriStar Pictures’ ‘The Woman King.’ Photo: Ilze Kitshoff.

MF: Finally, Thuso, Nawi goes through a big transformation from the beginning of the movie to the end. What was it like for you as an actress to have an opportunity to develop such a complex character?

Thuso Mbedu: It was a lot of fun. Nawi, I think, is different to me in a lot of ways. So, finding her, playing with her, growing with her was a lot of fun, in conversation with Gina (Prince-Bythewood) at all times. Gina has this swagger about her that she really wanted Nawi to have.

She would constantly remind me on set. “Don’t forget the swagger.” I was like, okay, I have to sit into that confidence that Nawi has. Live your life in such a way where the death of your dream is not an option. That is who Nawi is. I enjoyed playing her.

(L to R) Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu star in ‘The Woman King.’ Copyright: © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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September 12, 2022
Viola Davis in First Trailer for ‘The Woman King’

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Looking to upend what we have traditionally seen from historical action dramas – which, let’s be honest have often been focused on white dudes swinging swords to avenge their families or conquer other countries – director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s ‘The Woman King’ instead puts Viola Davis front and center as the general commanding an army.

Inspired by true events, ‘The Woman King’ tells the story of the Agojie (AKA Amazons), the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. This is the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.

Looking like the sort of fighting force that inspired ‘Black Panther’s fearsome Dora Milaje, the Agojie are responsible for defending King Ghezo (John Boyega). Our way into the story, meanwhile, is via Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), who is a relatively new recruit and learns that there’s more to this fighting force than just being badasses.

Viola Davis as Nanisca in TriStar Pictures’ ‘The Woman King.’ Photo: Ilze Kitshoff.

“I’ve never had a role like this before. It’s transformative,” Davis tells Vanity Fair. “And to be a producer on it, and to know that I had a hand in bringing it to fruition…. There’s always a vision you have for your career, but there are very few roles as an actress of color. Dark skin with a wide nose and big lips. I’m just gonna continue to say it. Those stories are extraordinarily limited. I knew what it would mean to us as Black people. Something that has never been done before. And what it would mean for Black women sitting in that movie theater. The responsibility is really high.”

For Prince-Bythewood, part of getting a handle on the movie’s impressive-looking action was also taking inspiration from her own past. “I grew up an athlete. The women around me were athletes,” she says. “There was a normalcy to how I thought about myself. You fight. Aggression is good. Leave it all out on the floor. And as I got older, it surprised me how few women had the advantage of growing up like that. That innate warrior that I believe we all have is dormant in so many women because it wasn’t encouraged or valued.”

With a cast that also includes Lashana Lynch (no stranger to impressively mixing action and drama after ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘No Time to Die’), Sheila Atim (who had a small role in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ but deserved more and should get that here), Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Jordan Bolger, Adrienne Warren, Jayme Lawson, Shaina West and Jimmy Odukoya. Dana Stevens wrote the initial drafts of the movie, while Prince-Bythewood added her own material once she came aboard.

‘The Woman King’ will march into theaters on September 16th.

Viola Davis as Nanisca in TriStar Pictures’ ‘The Woman King.’ Photo: Ilze Kitshoff.
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July 6, 2022
Uma Thurman and Henry Golding Join ‘The Old Guard 2’

(L to R) Henry Golding and Uma Thurman join Netflix’s ‘The Old Guard 2.’

Debuting in the pandemic-rocked summer of 2020, action movie ‘The Old Guard’ was a bit hit for Netflix, with the streaming service reporting audiences watching it for more than 186 hours during the first month the film was out.

A sequel was quickly commissioned, and thanks to Netflix’s Geeked Week news releases, we now know that Uma Thurman and Henry Golding will be part of the cast.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s original movie, based on the graphic novel series created by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández, follows Andromache of Scythia, (AKA “Andy”, played by Charlize Theron), who has been around since the 8th century BCE. Along with her immortal companions, she’s making amends for past violence and trying to make the world better, her team acting as secret superheroes who occasionally get their hands dirty. Their presence is revealed just as a potential new immortal (KiKi Layne’s Nile) comes on the scene and ultimately ends up joining the team.

At the end of the first film, Andy lost her immortality and discovered that her old friend Quynh (Veronica Ngo), believed to be lost forever, was back and, as you might understand, a little miffed at having spent centuries locked in a chest at the bottom of the ocean, with a potential conflict brewing against Andy. And then there’s Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), who had had enough of do-gooding and turned against the rest.

Theron will be back alongside returning names Ngo, Layne, Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Henry Golding in 2018’s ‘A Simple Favor.’

How Thurman and Golding fit into the story as it moves forward isn’t yet known, though if you wanted, you could hunt through the graphic novels for clues. Rucka has once more written the script, but with Prince-Bythewood busy, ‘Lovecraft Country’s Victoria Mahoney is taking on directing duties this time around.

Thurman and Golding both have action credentials, even if they’ve been known for other genres. ‘Kill Bill’ cemented Thurman as someone who knows how to swing a sword and kick plenty of butt, and she’s occasionally had the chance to demonstrate those skills since. The world of ‘The Old Guard’ certainly feels like a good fit for her, and if all involved has thought this through, the chance to see a Theron vs. Thurman smackdown would not go amiss.

Golding, meanwhile, broke out in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, but trained hard for last year’s ‘G.I. Joe’ spin-off ‘Snake Eyes’ and while the movie itself didn’t really impress fans, it wasn’t for lack of Golding’s effort.

The ‘Old Guard’ follow-up should be shooting soon, so if you see Charlize Theron on a street kicking ass, it’s not just her morning workout routine.

Netflix has yet to reveal when the new movie might hit its servers, but we can imagine the company will want to launch the sequel in 2023.

Uma Thurman in 2003’s ‘Kill Bill: Volume 1.’
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June 10, 2022
Watch Charlize Theron in clips from ‘The Old Guard’

Charlize Theron leads a band of seemingly immortal soldiers in the Netflix Original ‘The Old Guard.’

In the Netflix Original film ‘The Old Guard,’ Charlize Theron plays Andy, the leader of a small squad of seasoned mercenaries. And this squad has seen a lot of seasons. It turns out Andy is short for Andromache of Scythia, and she’s been around for a while; at least since the days that notable warriors would get a “of ____________” after their name (i.e. Ancient Greece).

Her team includes some similarly long-lived warriors, (played by Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, and Luca Marinelli) and they’re all on the run from a former CIA operative (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor). He’s working for the ruthless CEO of a pharmaceutical firm (played by Harry Melling) that’s trying to replicate their near-immortality for the obvious financial gains. Complicating matters is that a “new” immortal may have just manifested (KiKi Layne).

The movie is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, and it’s based on a graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, with Rucka himself adapting the story into the film’s script.

Here are some clips from the film to give you a taste of what to expect:

Copley (Ejiofor) presents his evidence to his boss Merrick (Melling).

The team debates whether to look for the woman that may be like them.

Nile (Layne) wants answers from Andy (Theron).

Andy and Nile have it out mid-flight.

Nile asks the team how long they’ve been around.

‘The Old Guard’ premieres on Netflix on July 10.

July 2, 2020
‘Aladdin’ Star Marwan Kenzari Joins Charlize Theron in Action Thriller ‘Old Guard’

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Marwan Kenzari, who plays Jafar in Disney’s live-action “Aladdin,” has just signed on to “The Old Guard” with Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne.

Gina Prince-Bythewood is directing the action feature, which is based on the comic from author Greg Rucka and artist Leandro Fernandez. Skydance and Netflix are producing.

“Old Guard” is about a group of soldiers, led by Andromache of Scythia (aka “Andy” (Theron), who have been cursed with immortality and have been working as mercenaries through the ages. They then discover the existence of a new immortal, a black woman serving in the Marines, as a nefarious organization captures their undying actions on camera.

Kenzari will play a man who was once a Moor warrior.

The Dutch-born actor’s recent Hollywood films include the star-studded remake of “Murder on the Orient Express,” Malik in the Tom Cruise flop “The Mummy” and Druses in the “Ben-Hur” remake.

[Via THR]

May 28, 2019