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Tag: james-vanderbilt

  • Movie Review: ‘Nuremberg’

    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Opening in theaters November 7 is ‘Nuremberg,’ written for the screen and directed by James Vanderbilt and starring Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Rami Malek, John Slattery, Leo Woodall, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Mark O’Brien, Lydia Peckham, and Richard E. Grant.

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    Related Article: Russell Crowe Joins Henry Cavill in Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    Initial Thoughts

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    The Nuremberg trials were a major turning point in world history: they not only exposed the atrocities of the Nazi regime to the world on a large scale, but they laid down the foundations for what would become international law and the concept of crimes against humanity itself.

    The saga of how the trials came together – a mammoth effort that involved the cooperation of the four main Allied nations – and their complex ethical and moral implications (and failings) is certainly ripe material for filming, as 1961’s ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ so ably proved. James Vanderbilt’s ‘Nuremberg’ has moments where it approaches greatness – and one spectacularly unsettling performance at its core from Russell Crowe – but the director-writer often focuses on the wrong subject or goes off on tangents that lessen the film’s power.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    As World War II ends, one of the chief architects of the Third Reich and its campaign of genocide against the Jews, Hermann Göring (Crowe), turns himself in to the Allied forces. A number of other Nazi officials are captured as well. While Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert H. Jackson (Shannon) prepares the groundwork for what will be an unprecedented international tribunal, psychiatrist Douglas Kelley is tasked with analyzing the mental state of the men who will stand trial – particularly the slippery, effortlessly charming Göring.

    At two and a half hours in length, ‘Nuremberg’ feels like its reaching for epic status. But it also feels like a truncated version of what might have been a longer limited series, with Vanderbilt cramming so many aspects of the story into his film that it’s hard for any of them to stand out. That makes his decision to focus on Kelley’s relationship with Göring even more puzzling (even though the film is based in part on a biography of Kelley).

    Despite Crowe’s excellent work as portraying Göring as a suave, sophisticated, and even witty sparring partner, the exchanges between him and Kelley never come to life, playing instead like an enervated version of Clarice-vs-Lecter from ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’ Göring plays with Kelley, gaining his friendship, but all their repartee in the end feels pointless. Kelley (whose own life came to a grim end in 1958, after his report on the Nazis he studied at Nuremberg was largely dismissed) also strikes up a relationship of sorts (platonic) with Göring’s wife, another unnecessary (and, frankly, rather queasy) side road that the film takes while the most compelling part of the narrative – Jackson’s buildup to the trial and the moment he almost lost it – is frequently left in the background.

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Despite a number of absorbing moments and heroic work by Crowe, Shannon, John Slattery, and Leo Woodall (Malek’s Kelley, unfortunately, is simply a cipher), Vanderbilt tries to do too much. Scenes in which the other Nazi officers are interrogated or treated by Kelley and the German Jewish soldier Howie Triest (Woodall) barely make an impact because of the film’s ‘this-happened-and-then-happened’ structure. The most powerful moment, of course, is when film taken by Allied soldiers from inside the liberated Nazi concentration camps is unspooled during the trial – nothing can ever lessen the impact of that (and people should be reminded of it now more than ever).

    This is a beautifully mounted production – from the sets to the costumes to the insignia on both Nazi and Allied uniforms, this is finely detailed technical filmmaking that immediately brings one back to this period of history. But Vanderbilt – whose only other directorial effort was 2015’s ‘Truth’ – seems overwhelmed by the material, and handles it in a pedestrian way that dilutes its full impact.

    Cast and Performances

    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Russell Crowe’s career trajectory has been so strange in recent years, as he’s chomped the scenery and flaunted extreme accents in films ranging from ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ to ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ to ‘Kraven the Hunter,’ that watching his restrained, charismatic, and utterly chilling performance as Hermann Göring makes you remember just what a powerful actor he can be. His work here is the single best aspect of the movie and riveting throughout.

    Just as strong is national treasure Michael Shannon, who brings gravity, eloquence, and humanity to the deeply flawed Robert H. Jackson, and some of the best supporting work comes from dependable scene-stealers Richard E. Grant and John Slattery. As for Rami Malek – who seems to have a hard time finding the right roles lately – he’s good to some extent, but uneven in certain moments and not given enough to make the part of Kelley a truly distinctive character.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Richard E. Grant as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson, Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Richard E. Grant as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson, Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    ‘Nuremberg’ has the patina of a certain kind of film that would dominate both awards season and critical discussion had it come out perhaps 10 or 15 years earlier. It’s handsomely mounted and James Vanderbilt seems to want to give it the sweep of a true historical epic. Its haunting coda also reminds us that the horrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime remain relevant – perhaps increasingly so – today. But so much time is spent on peripheral matters that the story only comes into focus part of the time. But when it does, it’s powerful stuff.

    ‘Nuremberg’ receives a score of 65 out of 100.

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Nuremberg’?

    The Allies, led by chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), have the task of ensuring the Nazi regime answers for the horrors of the Holocaust — while a U.S. Army psychiatrist (Rami Malek) is locked in a dramatic psychological duel with former Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nuremberg’?

    • Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley
    • Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring
    • Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson
    • Richard E. Grant as David Maxwell Fyfe
    • Leo Woodall as Sgt. Howie Triest
    • John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus
    • Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert
    • Wrenn Schmidt as Elsie Douglas
    • Lydia Peckham as Lila McQuaide
    • Mark O’Brien as John Amen
    • Lotte Verbeek as Emmy Göring
    'Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.
    ‘Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.

    List Of Russell Crowe Movies

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nuremberg’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Russell Crowe Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Nuremberg’ Interview: Michael Shannon and John Slattery

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    Opening in theaters on November 7th is the new historical drama ‘Nuremberg‘, which was written and directed by James Vanderbilt (‘Truth’), and stars Oscar winners Rami Malek (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) and Russell Crowe (‘Gladiator’), as well as Michael Shannon (‘The Shape of Water’), John Slattery (‘Spotlight’), Colin Hanks (‘Nobody 2’), and Richard E. Grant (‘Can You Forgive Me?’).

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    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Shannon and John Slattery about their work on ‘Nuremberg’, Slattery’s first reaction to the screenplay and collaborating with director James Vanderbilt on set, as well as Shannon’s approach to his character and working with Rami Malek.

    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in 'Nuremberg'.
    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in ‘Nuremberg’.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Michael Shannon Talks Director Joshua Oppenheimer’s Musical ‘The End’

    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Moviefone: To begin with, John, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the importance of telling this story?

    John Slattery: My first reaction was I don’t think I’m the man to play this part. I thought, I don’t have it in me. I said to James, “If you want what’s on the page, then you probably should find someone else because how am I going to run that room and preside over that group?” He convinced me to do it my own way, or we’d figure out a way to do it. That’s coupled with, of course, wanting to be in it and wanting to be a part of such a great story. So, I was daunted by the challenge of it, but certainly wanted to be a part of it. I think Michael, Rami and Russell were already set. So, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that group?

    MF: Michael, can you talk about your approach to playing Robert H. Jackson, the pressure on him to win this trial and what’s at stake if he doesn’t?

    Michael Shannon: Well, I just did a lot of research. I didn’t know much about Robert Jackson, or hardly anything really, going into it, so I had a lot to learn. Obviously, you know, he kind of brings this all upon himself because the trials are his idea. A lot of people in the American government thought if we caught Nazis, we should just execute them, and he went out of his way to establish this tribunal and so he reaped what he sowed to that extent. But thank God he did it because it was a brilliant idea, and he was right. But he sacrificed a bit of his own professional trajectory to accomplish it. I wish what he had set in motion was as strong now as what he established back then.

    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Michael, can you also talk about Jackson’s working relationship with Douglas Kelly as it’s depicted in the film and creating that relationship on screen with Rami Malek?

    MS: Well, I’m so charmed by Rami all the time. I mean, he’s so alive. He’s so much fun to work with, even in in a story and situation like this. You know, in the book, ‘The Nazi and the Psychiatrist’, which the film is based on, you don’t really see too much interplay between Jackson and Kelly. It really focuses on his time with the Nazis in the prison, but I really love doing that scene in the stadium where I lay out to him why what we’re doing is so important. I’m glad it’s in the story and I loved shooting that with him because he was such an amazing listener to play off. Anytime you have a speech like that, you hope whoever you’re saying it to is listening to what you’re saying, and he was always. Yeah, I love him.

    MF: Finally, John, what was it like collaborating with writer and director James Vanderbilt on set and helping him to execute his vision for this project?

    JS: I mean, you couldn’t find a more enthusiastic leader who fortunately had written the script, so we had a resource and wealth of ideas. He was collaborative, excited, tireless and funny, and I couldn’t have had a better experience from the moment I met him till now. He was willing to try things. He was willing to adjust and to accommodate. This cast has very different energies between Russell, Rami, Michael, Richard Grant, Leo (Woodall) and me. There’s a lot of different methods of working and he accommodated all of them, at least speaking for myself. I couldn’t have had a more willing partner.

    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Nuremberg’?

    During the Nuremberg trials, chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) interviews Nazi military members to determine whether they are fit to stand trial. There, he enters a “battle of wits” against Adolf Hitler’s right-hand man, Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nuremberg’?

    'Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.
    ‘Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.

    List of Michael Shannon Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nuremberg’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Shannon Movies On Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘Fountain of Youth’

    (L to R) Natalie Portman and John Krasinski in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Natalie Portman and John Krasinski in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    ‘Fountain of Youth’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.

    On Apple TV+ on May 23rd is ‘Fountain of Youth,’ a new adventure movie that finds a brother-sister duo seeking the mythological, titular water supply and is directed by Guy Ritchie (‘Aladdin’).

    John Krasinski, Natalie Portman and Eiza González star in the new movie alongside Domhnall Gleeson (‘Ex Machina’), Laz Alonso (‘The Boys’), Carmen Ejogo (‘Selma’) and Arian Moayed (‘Succession‘).

    Related Article: Guy Ritchie to Direct ‘Road House’ Sequel with Jake Gyllenhaal Back

    Initial Thoughts

    John Krasinski in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    John Krasinski in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    There was a time in the 1990s when big-name actors could be tempted outside their usual attempts to win awards with challenging dramatic work and have some fun appearing in rip-roaring adventures after ancient artifacts, dodging life-threatening peril and trading quips.

    And before that, the 1980s brought us all manner of satisfying throwback adventures, led by the immaculately directed delights of the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise. These days, the genre tends to paddle in the shallow end of straight-to-home entertainment releases or, as in the case of ‘Fountain of Youth,’ streaming.

    But can this new offering live up to that grand tradition?

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Director Guy Ritchie and star John Krasinski behind-the-scenes of 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Director Guy Ritchie and star John Krasinski behind-the-scenes of ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    A big issue with the new movie lies in its script. Crafted by James Vanderbilt, whose career has swung wildly between the acclaimed likes of ‘Zodiac,’ the fun action nonsense of ‘White House Down’ and misbegotten misfires including ‘Independence Day: Resurgence,’ this new ‘Fountain’ sputters more than it should.

    Vanderbilt cobbles together a blend of the aforementioned Indy franchise entries, the more high-tech and fight-orientated world of ‘Mission: Impossible’ and the “path to something important hidden within esoterica” plot fuel of Dan Brown.

    Yet it’s not a mixture that always works. Yes, there are the requisite globe-trotting action sequences, a few moments of entertaining banter for the leads and of course some twists and turns, but it’s all so off the peg, an uncomfortable patchwork of seen-it-before wannabe thrills and lucky escapes.

    It’s all very well to try and stand on the shoulders of giants –– we see you, veiled reference to Doctor Jones in the name of Krasinski and Portman’s characters’ name: Harrison Purdue –– but you have to have something innovate in exchange. This new outing doesn’t ever hit that stride.

    How many times can our heroes stumble on their latest clue, only to be ambushed by their antagonists, and then turn things around for a lucky (and more than one instance, logic-defying) escape? If the evidence of ‘Fountain of Youth’ is to be believed, it’s many more times than is believable, and indeed it all becomes tiring by the end.

    (L to R) Natalie Portman, Benjamin Chivers, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Michael Epp in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Natalie Portman, Benjamin Chivers, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Michael Epp in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    Guy Ritchie, meanwhile, has been a genre-hopping directorial journeyman for some time now, but seems to flourish when he’s given full reign to embrace his violent, jokey style as seen in recent Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen.’

    Here, it’s as if he’s working with kid gloves on; while he’s certainly produced effective, family-friendly material in the past, this is a poor example of him toning himself down. A few of the set pieces are solid with some diverting stunts, but all in all, this is a blandly clockwork chore.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Natalie Portman, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson, Carmen Ejogo and Laz Alonso in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Natalie Portman, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson, Carmen Ejogo and Laz Alonso in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    While you can absolutely imagine John Krasinski seeing this as solid extension to his nice-guy-turned-action-hero brand after years spent playing Jack Ryan, the character of treasure hunter Luke Purdue only sometimes works to his strengths.

    Krasinski certainly doesn’t lack for charisma and he sells some of the cheesier lines; he’s also decent when it comes to the action (again, partly thanks to his time as Ryan).

    And when he and Natalie Portman are trading sibling barbs, the movie feels like it more lives up to its promise, the pair sharing some entertaining on-screen family chemistry.

    Portman is a more surprising performer to show up in a movie like this, though we imagine the appeal of having fun on set with Krasinski and a solid Apple-backed payday is probably more the reason she took the gig rather than something she saw in the script.

    Eiza González in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    Eiza González in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    As the third main character, Eiza González does just enough to make her relatively stock badass character watchable –– she’s also effective when it comes to the action, but as one of the “protectors” looking to stop Luke on his mission for seemingly noble reasons, it’s not always enough to overcome a generic role.

    Likewise Domhnall Gleeson, who has little to do as Owen Carver, the ailing rich mogul bankrolling Luke’s search. Gleeson has a couple of moments, but it’s largely a waste of a decent actor.

    Still, he comes off better than Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo, who play Murph and Deb, Luke’s support team. They’re mostly there to deliver the exposition, and that’s usually provided in big, ungainly lumps around tables.

    Beyond a few memorable moments as driven Interpol agent Abbas, Arian Moayed likewise is given little chance to shine.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Natalie Portman in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Natalie Portman in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    Does ‘Fountain of Youth’ keep the flame of fun adventure movies from the 1980s and 1990s burning? Not really.

    This is a less-than-thrilling example of the genre which certainly starts promisingly and has a few decent lines or moments here and there (fans of ‘Knight Rider’ might be happy at one, and no, we don’t mean The Hoff shows up), but it’s not enough to keep it from feeling stale.

    You could certainly watch this. But you’d choose… poorly.

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    What’s the story of ‘Fountain of Youth’?

    The new movie follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Natalie Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth.

    They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives… and possibly lead to immortality.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Fountain of Youth’?

    • John Krasinski as Luke Purdue
    • Natalie Portman as Charlotte Purdue
    • Eiza González as Esme
    • Domhnall Gleeson as Owen Carver
    • Laz Alonso as Patrick “Murph” Murphy
    • Arian Moayed as Inspector Jamal Abbas
    • Carmen Ejogo as Deb McCall
    • Stanley Tucci as The Elder
    • Benjamin Chivers as Thomas
    (L to R) Eiza González, John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in 'Fountain of Youth,' premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Eiza González, John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering May 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.

    List of Guy Ritchie Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Guy Ritchie Movies On Amazon

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  • Original ‘Scream’ Writer Kevin Williamson on the Neve Campbell Pay Issue

    Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 2022's 'Scream.'
    (L to R) Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and Executive Producer Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s 2022’s ‘Scream.’

    Perhaps the most controversial element of the most recent ‘Scream’ outing (that would be ‘Scream VI’, for those keeping count) was the fact that franchise stalwart Neve Campbell, who has played Sidney Prescott since the start, opted not to return, citing a lowball pay offer.

    The movie proceeded on regardless, only dropping a one-line mention of Sidney preferring to stay with her young family rather than thrusting herself back into stabby danger.

    Yet according to Kevin Williamson, whose roots also go back to the first ‘Scream’ (he wrote the 1996 original, its 1997 sequel and 2011’s ‘Scream 4’), production company Spyglass made the wrong call in not cranking open its wallet further to bring Campbell, and therefore Sidney, back.

    Kevin Williamson on the Neve Campbell pay situation.

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    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Talking on the Happy Horror Time podcast, Williamson was vocal about the decision.

    Here’s what he had to say:

    “I totally respect her opinion. I know exactly where she’s coming from, I know her well. I love and adore her and that’s what she did. It’s right for her. I love everyone involved in ‘Scream’ and all I can say is, pay her the money. That’s what I would do, I would give her the money. I’m sure there’s a number they can agree on that will make them both happy, so hopefully one day they will figure that out.”

    Williamson didn’t write either of the last two movies (that job went to James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, who crafted the scripts for directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, taking over from the late Wes Craven), but he’s still involved as an executive producer.

    And on a more interesting note, he also used the podcast appearance to outline his ideas for where he would have taken Sidney’s story following ‘Scream 4’.

    Related Article: Neve Campbell Turns Down “Undervalued” Offer to Return For ‘Scream 6’

    Williamson’s alternate future plans

    Executive Producer Kevin Williamson and Ghostface on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream.'
    Executive Producer Kevin Williamson and Ghostface on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream.’

    Williamson said this about his own ideas:

    “‘Scream IV,’ ‘V,’ and ‘VI’ would have been the love story of Sidney Prescott, and it would’ve been this whole thing of she’s falling in love, she’s going to get married, it’s all based around her marriage when these murders start happening again. It’s like, is this man that she’s in love with the killer again? Is she Billy Loomis-ing herself all over again? Is she still making the wrong decisions? Is she still choosing the bad guy?”

    We’ll probably never know the answer, because there’s a whole new behind-the-scenes team being assembled for ‘Scream VII’.

    What’s happening with ‘Scream VII’?

    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Last month, the news arrived that because of their commitment to an untitled Universal monster movie, Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin were moving on from the ‘Scream’ franchise (and, after cranking out two successful movies, we don’t blame them for wanting to try something fresh).

    Instead, ‘Happy Death Day’ and ‘Freaky’s Christopher Landon is aboard to develop the seventh entry, though obviously it’s currently in limbo because of the writers and actors’ strikes. Still Campbell’s character is still alive, so there remains a chance she could return. Assuming, of course the price is right.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Movies in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Freaky’s Christopher Landon Directing Seventh ‘Scream’ Movie

    Christopher Landon attends Netflix's 'We Have A Ghost' Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
    Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Having directed the last two ‘Scream’ movies, the fifth (just titled ‘Scream’, confusingly) and sixth, ‘Scream VI’, you might think that directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett would be a shoo-in to handle the seventh, spawned because of the success of their two efforts.

    But the duo, who work as part of the filmmaking collective known as Radio Silence, are even more in demand than they were before they jumped into the world of genre-obsessed Ghostface killers and have since parlayed that success into the chance to make an original horror movie for Universal that taps into the studio’s stock of classic characters and concepts.

    That still mysterious movie has Dan Stevens, ‘Scream’s Melissa Barrera and ‘Matilda the Musical’s Alisha Weir attached to star, but obviously cannot move forward while the actors’ and writers’ strikes continue.

    So now Spyglass, the company which produces the ‘Scream’ movies (for distribution usually through Paramount), has hired a new director for the franchise: Christopher Landon, according to Bloody Disgusting’s sources (and since confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter).

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    Who is Christopher Landon?

    Christopher Landon attends Netflix's 'We Have A Ghost' Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
    Christopher Landon attends Netflix’s ‘We Have A Ghost’ Premiere on February 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Landon is a respected writer/director in the horror field, having brought movies such as ‘Happy Death Day’, ‘Freaky’, and, most recently, the family-friendlier ‘We Have a Ghost’ for Netflix to screens.

    He’s also been behind several entries of the ‘Paranormal Activity’ franchise and wrote the script for 2007 thriller ‘Disturbia’ among others.

    Landon certainly has the chops to bring something fresh to the ‘Scream’ world, especially since his past work, like the Radio Silence team has shown a willingness to play with genre and explore ways to sidestep cliches.

    Where does the next ‘Scream’ movie stand?

    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, left, and Director Tyler Gillett on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Of course, while Landon can be hired and do some directorial prep work for a new ‘Scream’, the movie itself will have to wait until the strikes are over, since unless a script has already been developed (no word is mentioned in either report as to whether James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, who wrote the last two films, had been at work on the new one). And regardless, given his usual writing and directing style, Landon may want to take his own crack at the screenplay, something he can’t do until the Writers Guild of America has a new deal in place.

    Related Article: ‘Scream VI’ Brings Ghostface to New York for More Franchise Fun

    Who will star in the new ‘Scream’ movie?

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Much like with the script, casting can’t officially move forward on the new ‘Scream’ until the actors’ strike is over. But we can reasonably assume that the current set of survivors, including Barrera, Jenna Ortega and Mason Gooding, are candidates to be back.

    Of course, they’re all much more in demand themselves these days (especially Ortega, who between these movies and ‘Wednesday’, has much higher profile and will likely require a new deal to return?) so expect negotiations to kick in properly once the actors can actually return.

    ‘Scream VII’, or whatever it ends up being called, has yet to be officially announced, so there’s no word on a release date.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

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  • Movie Review: ‘Scream VI’

    Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Hacking its way into theaters on March 10th, ‘Scream VI’ represents the latest attempt to mine the sprawling serial slasher movie series.

    How far is too far with franchise sequels? It’s something that was on the mind of 2022’s confusingly titled ‘Scream’, which looked to start a new chapter of the veteran horror franchise while, as is usual with these movies, grappling with the legacy of both the established storyline and the genre itself.

    Directed by ‘Ready or Not’ duo Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, it was a savvy, sometimes scary success, though not the best entry in the franchise even given the ways it played with the concept. But its box office bonanza ($137 million worldwide from a $24 million budget) means the pair, alongside writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, are back for a second stab at Ghostface killings.

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    What’s the story of ‘Scream VI’?

    Picking up the story roughly one year since the events of last year’s ‘Scream’ “rebootquel”, which charted a new story around characters such as Jenna Ortega’s Tara Carpenter, Melissa Barrera’s Sam Carpenter and twins Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding), all of whom had links to either killers or victims from earlier movies.

    Having survived the seemingly traditional slayings in their home of Woodsboro, California, the foursome have moved to New York City, where Tara, Chad and Mindy are attending college. They’re trying to put the past behind them –– especially Tara, who just wants to have fun with booze and boys –– but Sam is still haunted by the last round of killings and her actions. She’s even in therapy working through her feelings.

    And she has extra reason to be concerned, as someone online is spreading the conspiracy theory that Sam actually framed the real killers, one that is taking root among the city’s citizens (witness an early encounter where someone throws a drink in her face and calls her a murderer).

    You can imagine their shared horror, then, when the legacy of Ghostface appears to follow them to the big city, first via a pair of fellow college students and then in ways they truly did not predict. Fandom for the ‘Stab’ movies plays a big part in the new movie, as does legacy.

    Which means that our heroes once more afraid for their lives again, Mindy outlining the rules of continuing franchises in true ‘Scream’ fashion and starting to suspect that the people around them could all be suspects…

    Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    (L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

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    What works about ‘Scream VI’?

    The cast for this one remain game and relatable, with Ortega and Barrera carrying the emotional load while Brown and Gooding bring the lore and the laughs. Courteney Cox, of course, still knows exactly how to sell Gale’s blend of cynicism and moxie (and her presence offers a little extra tension this time around given that the main characters are annoyed that she’s spun the tragedy of the previous movie into another cash grab book).

    Hayden Panettiere returns from ‘Scream 4’ as Kirby Reed, and the team finds an interesting new avenue for her that feels distinct from some other legacy characters. And when the big revelations start to drop, they mostly feel organic.

    The location shift from Woodsboro –– which is something that has only happened in a couple of other ‘Scream’ entries –– makes for some impressive new set pieces, including one set at a Bodega (where the owner of course has a shotgun stashed behind the counter) that puts the audience in mind of the raptor/kitchen scene in ‘Jurassic Park,’ a tense chase in an apartment building that features a high drop and a ladder and the main cast crammed into a crowded subway train that is full of people in costumes, including more than one Ghostface.

    It also offers a new tone and feeling to the show, the dark streets and towering buildings of the city a fertile hunting ground for whoever is in the masked costume.

    Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

    Are there problems with ‘Scream VI’?

    One huge issue with any modern ‘Scream’ is the burden and bulk of the franchise. There have been six films now and so many different variations of killer (usually killers) that it’s hard to find something fresh for a new iteration. ‘Scream VI’ stretches this a little too thin in a few places, wanting to be so clever with the idea of the films’ legacy that it rolls around into a few dumb, unoriginal concepts.

    Some of the new characters, by dint of where they end up, feel less developed, and while the opening scene (featuring someone from ‘Ready or Not’) looks to play on the idea of movie-series-within-the-movie ‘Stab’ as something that people study a little too closely, but is mostly played for cheap scares.

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Do you miss Neve Campbell’s Sidney in ‘Scream VI’?

    The big issue, and indeed test for the new movie is the absence of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, who bowed out of appearing in this one because the studio offered her an embarrassingly low payday.

    While franchises do survive without core cast members, Sidney’s absence is certainly felt, since she has been the heart of ‘Scream’ since the 1996 original. Yet her removal is not such a wound that the film collapses –– Courteney Cox is still around of course, and while Gale brings a different energy to the movie than Sidney, her link to the past is still welcome.

    It’s also an opportunity to open the story up to other legacy characters such as Panettiere’s Reed, who has her own trauma to work through and is used in interesting fashion here.

    Overall, ‘Scream VI’ tries a little too hard to squeeze in everything about the franchise, and the seams perhaps show a little more than in the directors’ previous outing. It’s still fun and energetic, though, and should please fans who have stuck with the movies this far.

    ‘Scream VI’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream VI.'
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’

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    ‘Scream VI’ is produced by Paramount, Radio Silence, Project X Entertainment, and Spyglass Media Group. It is set to release in theaters on March 10, 2023.

  • Neve Campbell Won’t be Back for Next ‘Scream’ Movie

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    In the months since the most recent entry in the Ghostface franchise – simply titled ‘Scream’, despite being the fifth movie – we’ve had a flurry of stories that represent good news for fans.

    In February, a month after the latest movie opened, we learned that the next one is already in the works, with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, part of the filmmaking collective known as Radio Silence, returning behind the camera along with writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.

    That was followed by word that ‘Scream 4’s Hayden Panettiere would be back as her character, Kirby Reed. And just this month, Dermot Mulroney was recruited to join the movie, set to play a cop (which doesn’t point to the healthiest life expectancy for his character).

    But then came the bad news: Neve Campbell, one of the veterans of the franchise, the woman who has brought stalker slasher survivor Sidney Prescott to life in every one of the movies so far, would not be returning for this new one.

    And, as it turns out, it’s because she’s taking a stand over a lowball pay offer. “Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell says in a statement. “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream’. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”

    Neve Campbell
    Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”

    Campbell has a point – this is a run of movies that has so far made around $774 million in the last two decades plus, and fans do keep coming back to see how Sidney fares.

    She goes on to add: “It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my ‘’Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”

    The movie has yet to start shooting, so there remains hope that Paramount could dig into its pockets (recently lined with lots of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ money) and put forth a better offer.

    Fellow ‘Scream’ stalwart Courtney Cox will be back for the new movie as Gale Weathers, and the cast is led by the survivors of this year’s ‘Scream’ – Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), whose characters are moving out of Woodsboro to try and start the next chapter of their lives.

    Little else is known about the plot so far, save that Ghostface will naturally be back to terrorize everyone and there’ll be plenty of references to horror movies. Ortega has described the script as getting “more and more gory” as it goes along, and that the masked menace will be “the most aggressive and violent version” yet.

    ‘Scream 6’ is due in theaters on March 31, 2023.

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