(Left) Natalie Portman. (Right) Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Preview:
Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman are in talks to star in ‘The Gallerist.’
Cathy Yan co-wrote and would direct the movie.
It’ll follow an art gallery owner with a desperate plan.
While not every movie that Jenna Ortega has appeared in since ‘Wednesday’ helped her profile skyrocket has been a winner, you just know that any filmmaker would be happy to have her even consider appearing in their work.
And before you ask, no “gallerist” does not mean someone who is prejudiced against art galleries; it means the owner/manager of one.
What’s the story of ‘The Gallerist’?
Natalie Portman attends Netflix’s ‘May December’ Los Angeles premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Netflix.
Per Deadline, ‘The Gallerist’ will follow a desperate art gallery owner who attends the Art Basel show (an annual shindig featuring over 250 of international galleries showing the works of more than 4,000 artists) in Miami with an audacious plan to sell a dead man at the show.
At least, that’s the basic logline for the movie, which Yan co-wrote alongside James Pedersen (‘High Heat’). It could, in other hands, be a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’–style romp, though we have a feeling Yan will be opting for a sharper, more satirical edge to her movie.
There’s no word on exactly what either actor would play in the movie –– our guess at this point is Portman as the gallerist –– and it remains to be seen if they hop aboard at all, as their deals have yet to close.
And the actor has also been working with Burton on Season 2 of ‘Wednesday,’ which should be hitting Netflix next year.
On the movie front, she has found time for a role in Taika Waititi’s next film, ‘Klara and the Sun,’ will be seen in musical mystery thriller ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ and worked on ‘Death of a Unicorn.’
There have also been rumors that she’ll be part of the cast for J.J. Abrams’ mysterious new movie.
She has a voice role in new Roald Dahl animated adaptation ‘The Twits’ and recently finished work on Guy Ritchie’s new fantasy adventure movie ‘Fountain of Youth.’
When will ‘The Gallerist’ be on screens?
While ‘The Gallerist’ appears to be gaining momentum, it has yet to lock in a distribution home, so we’ll have to wait and see when it might arrive in theaters or on streaming.
(L to R) Mikey Madison and Natalie Portman in ‘Lady in the Lake,’ premiering July 19, 2024 on Apple TV+.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ opened huge at the US box office.
It made $ $145.4 million globally.
Elsewhere, the box office was quiet.
Audiences flocking to theaters to see Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s return to the weird ‘Beetlejuice’ world they created in 1988 clearly invoked the ghost with the most, as the sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ has wound up doing huge business at the box office.
The new movie launched in 4,575 theaters and rustled up a massive $110 million in its opening weekend.
And overseas, it debuted with $35.4 million, for a worldwide total of $145.4 million.
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How does ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ shape up in release terms?
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ has become the second-highest September opening –– and studio Warner Bros. will be happy, as it is slipping in between the two ‘It’ movies. The original, 2017’s ‘It’, earned $123 million, while sequel ‘It: Chapter 2’ took in $92 million.
It was the latest success story for a summer season that has seen some big hits but had been lagging some in the last couple of weeks as it closed out.
This sequel picks up the story of the Deetz family –– Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O’Hara as step-mom Delia, with Jenna Ortega joining as Lydia’s daughter Astrid –– suffers more trouble from “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice (Keaton), who still has designs on Lydia.
Though it was more of a small-scale release, the original “Beetlejuice” built across several weeks became one of the highest-grossing movies of 1988 with $74.7 million and later inspired a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, which is still touring the country.
The cult appeal of that first film clearly helped drive interest in the new one, despite it arriving 36 years later.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
While Burton’s sequel was grabbing plenty of business, only one other movie was a new release, and nothing else in the charts did particularly well.
A24 put horror thriller ‘The Front Room’ into 2,095 theaters, but it launched at 10th place with $1,663,954.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ slipped back to second and earned $7.2 million. The superhero buddy comedy doesn’t have to worry too much, though, as that was from its seventh weekend in release, a miracle in itself given how short release windows tend to be these days.
Not forgetting the fact that it has now made $614 million domestically and $1.287 billion globally. It’s the second-biggest movie of the year and 23rd largest of all time.
Dennis Quaid-starring biopic ‘Reagan’ clung to third place, making $5.2 million, ahead of fellow holdovers ‘Alien: Romulus’ ($3.9 million) and ‘It Ends With Us,’ which took in $3.7 million.
Tim Burton directs a screenplay written by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, and together the three bring us a true love letter to not only the original film but also to it’s fans. Scene by scene, frame by frame it is like watching the inner workings of Burton’s imagination come to life. The attention to detail of every moment was like watching a perfect Burton symphony play out on the screen and is undoubtedly why his work has become almost it’s own genre of magic. While some may find few scenes odd or misplaced, I found them to be in true Burton nature completely unexpected and fun.
While the initial trailer left most fans feeling more than unsure, the second gave us a much closer look at what you can expect from the film. If you haven’t seen either, the film follows three generations of the Deetz family as they return home to Winter River following an unexpected tragedy and loss. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down by her rebellious daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who’s discovered the model of the town in the attic and soon the portal to the afterlife is opened again. Not only does our favorite mischievous demon return but trouble starts brewing in both realms for more than one Deetz daughter.
We find Lydia still questioning wether the living and dead can co-exist only with a new partner in tow Rory (Justin Theroux) who lets just say makes some seriously questionable choices all while trying to convince Lydia he’s not only the best choice as her manager but her possible husband. Beetlejuice is no longer searching the ad section for new work but has never quite let go of the “love of his life” Lydia and still dreams of becoming her husband. But thanks to a bit of what one could only call an origin story moment, we are introduced to a serious supernatural force who well can’t be reckoned with, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who brings a whole knew meaning to the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Masterfully directed by Burton, the sequel 35 years in the making comes together with an ease and excitement that only a true Beetlejuice lover could have brought to life. His love for the characters both new and old shines through each performance and shows that he was asking all the same questions the fans were, what would two of the most iconic characters in film lives look like 35 years later? Burton didn’t just revisit these characters, with the help of great story telling he gave them more depth, love and quirk letting the spirit of the original shine through, something I believe only he could do with the gravitas a sequel of this caliber needed.
The film delivers on every aspect if you’re looking for the ‘Beetlejuice’ experience, which in essence is a zany ride full of outlandish characters and a story that has as much fun with knowing what moments are tongue in cheek while allowing there to be room for great storylines full of heart. There are no other films or characters that give a breathe of life into something the way that ‘Beetlejuice’ has. From the afterlife waiting room to the dining room table the original gave us something to remember forever and it’s sequel hits the same marks.
There is without a doubt not one weak link in terms of the cast for the entire film, well unless you count the shark bite victim in the waiting room, but we’ll let you decide on that one yourselves. Michael Keaton’s performance gave viewers an even better version of Beetlejuice, if that’s at all possible, with moments that will have you in tears from laughter and seeing a new side to the character that I found a little unexpected and absolutely heartwarming.
Keaton delivers in every way and gave fans that wow factor that made us all fall in love with Beetlejuice 35 years ago. Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and Lydia’s relationship has completely changed, now that Lydia is a parent herself, giving fans of the original even more depth to two already complex women who we never thought we’d ever see work together.
The relationship between Lydia and her daughter Astrid is like watching history repeat itself in the best way possible having Jenna Ortega bring the extreme sarcasm the world fell in love with from her roll of Wednesday. It allowed Ryder to show the audience a new sense of who Lydia has become and what parenting must be like when you can talk to ghosts.The characters of the afterlife are probably the most fun to watch, especially Bob and Jeff Shrinker who fans will adore.
Willem Dafoe’s character of Wolf Jackson, a cop who was an actor when he was alive who most likely did some very B list action movies, might be a little confused if you told him he wasn’t still the star of the show. Bellucci’s Delores is completely unforgettable as the most glamorous woman on a mission to do whatever it takes to get back her man, and her performance of her character becoming fully animated should be applauded.
The stand out performance for me hands down was that of Justin Theroux as Rory. Waiving every red flag possible, it was Rory’s world and everyone else was just living in it. He may not be the most complex man, but he took himself very seriously. Theroux’s ability to take a character so out of the wheelhouse from what fans have come to expect was a thrilling experience to watch. He gave a character who most of us would probably hate this undeniable spirit that was a welcomed addition to a cast of beloved characters. ,
If what you loved about the original was its quirky and campy, without feeling silly, look at the wild world of the afterlife and its crazy characters bleeding into daily life. Or even its slight gore within a story that’s told full of heart than ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ will be as beloved to you as was the original. With stand out performances that will bring you to tears from laughter and unexpected moments full of choices you’d never expect, the film will take you on an enjoyable albeit an insane ride full of fun. It will also give you some very very Burton moments, checking boxes of all the things that make Tim Burton spectacular.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ receives 9.5 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?
36 years after the events of ‘Beetlejuice’, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles Deetz’s unexpected death. Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person in New York with Monica Bellucci and Justin Theroux to talk about their work on ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, their first reaction to the screenplay, their new characters, working with Michael Keaton in his signature role, collaborating on the set with Tim Burton, and why they are excited for fans to finally see the film.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.
Moviefone: To begin with, Justin, what was your first reaction when you read the script?
Justin Theroux: I was blown away. You’re always sort of nervous when there’s such a beloved movie, and then you’re hearing that there’s a beloved sequel hopefully being made, or hopefully beloved. I had some conversations with Tim. He sent me the script. I read it, and I was like, “Oh, this is perfect. This is going to be good,” knowing what he’s done in the past.
MF: What can you tell us about your character and his role in the story?
JT: He is obviously the love interest to Lydia. He’s sort of a competing rival for affections with Beetlejuice, I guess. It’s sort of a love triangle. He’s just a shallow narcissist who has, I think, kind of hoodwinked Lydia initially into thinking that he’s a great guy, and he is not.
MF: Monica, what can you say about your character and the role she plays in the movie?
Monica Bellucci: Dolores is a creature. She’s a soul sucking demon in the afterlife. While Beetlejuice hunts everybody, she hunts him and she’s the bride of Beetlejuice. They had a short and intense love story that ended very badly in death. When she wakes up in the afterlife full of rage and desperation and obsessed with vengeance, she puts herself together. We’ll see how in a scene that is almost like a horror dancing scene. It took two or three days to film this moment, and I had to learn an entire choreography. I felt a bit like a mime because this role is very much about body language. So, I played like a broken doll, and it was so much fun, I have to say.
MF: What is it like being on a Tim Burton set and watching him execute his unique vision for this project?
MB: I mean, everything was already in his mind because he came to me and he said, “I have a key role in this film for which I thought about you.” So, I was very happy to accept it and to play it. Tim is so precise. He knows what he wants, and his creative energy is really inspiring for everybody. He loves to draw, so there are always drawings of situations and characters, and this is very helpful. Also, to go on these beautiful sets and to wear those amazing costumes by Colleen Atwood. Also, I had three hours of makeup every day, but I did this with pleasure and with passion. When I saw the movie, I was so shocked because, even though I knew everything, I knew the script, but the impact was so incredible because the film is unpredictable and so shocking and funny and full of emotion as well.
MF: Justin, what was your experience like working with Tim Burton?
JT: It’s a thrill when you have someone that’s as creative as him. He’s a genius, which is thrown around a lot for people and undeservedly. He genuinely is a genius. When you watch the way in which he, like a good conductor, just orchestrates all the instruments that are going into making a scene, and then obviously the film at large, it’s just so impressive. It’s sort of the shortest distance between the artist and the product, and I hate that word product, but the result. It’s whatever is on film is the shortest distance between his brain and the film, I guess is how I would say it.
MF: Monica, what are you most excited for fans to see in this new sequel?
MB: Oh, we can say that this new ‘Beetlejuice’, maybe it goes farther in visuals and maybe it’s a bit scarier.
MF: Justin, do you have a favorite moment in the movie that you are excited for fans to see?
JT: The movie. I mean, the movie itself I think is a home run. I think it’s a wonderfully executed film. Also, the filmmaking. I know that that sounds maybe obvious, but I think the filmmaking is so good. There are these big swings that Tim took that you do not find in many big studio movies that show a real level of artistry that’s on another tier. But I’m excited for people to see the ending. I think it’s such a poignant and touching ending, which you could take in so many ways and goes in so many different directions and is just so touching. The fourth wall gets broken a little bit where you go, “Is this Tim telling us something? Or is this his take on life? What is he saying?” I’ve only seen the film once, and I look forward to seeing it again so I can break that scene apart again in my head.
MF: Finally, Justin, what was it like working with Michael Keaton in his signature role as Beetlejuice and did you feel any pressure working with members of the original cast?
JT: I adored that (original) movie. I’ve known Winona for a bit, and I’m an enormous fan of Catherine O’Hara and Willem (Dafoe) and all the rest. I think Michael was the one that I was most intimidated to work with because he has some of the heaviest lifting to do just as far as energy and speed. So, it’s a fine line between playing in a scene with him and just wanting to get out of the way. So, my instinct a lot of times was like, “Just get out of the way. Let him do his thing.” But then you also must participate in it as well. It was great though. He was such a joy to work with.
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What is the plot of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?
36 years after the events of ‘Beetlejuice’, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles Deetz’s unexpected death. Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).
Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet in the Psychological Thriller film, ‘Miller’s Girl,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Zac Popik.
Preview:
Jenna Ortega is reportedly in final talks for J.J. Abrams’ new film.
Glen Powell is making his own deal to star.
Warner Bros. is backing the new movie.
If we know anything about J.J. Abrams, it’s that the man loves a mystery. In fact, he became famous for his “mystery box’” filmmaking as both a director and producer.
It’s perhaps not shocking then, that much about his next movie –– his first as a director since 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ –– is being kept under wraps.
But according to Deadline, we are at least learning –– assuming it all works out –– who could end up starring, as both Jenna Ortega and Glen Powell are reportedly making deals to appear.
Can the polar bear from ‘Lost’ be far behind? Okay, probably not, but you can already sense Abrams’ old friend and frequent cinematic lucky charm Greg Grunberg waiting to see how he might be included.
(L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo courtesy of Michael Giacchino’s Twitter.
As we mention above, this one is a big ol’ mystery. No plot details have emerged (there was some chatter about it being a time travel tale, but that has since been denied) and the title remains locked in a vault somewhere.
Abrams wrote the script for the new movie and his Bad Robot company is naturally involved to produce. It’ll be released by Warner Bros’. but beyond that… your guess is as good as ours.
What else are Jenna Ortega and Glen Powell working on?
Glen Powell as Tyler in ‘Twisters’, directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
Ortega is in high demand of late thanks to her star-making turns in the recent ‘Scream’ outings and Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’.
Next up for her in terms of release date is a reunion with ‘Wednesday’ director Tim Burton for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, with the supernatural comedy sequel due to premiere at the Venice Film Festival ahead of its September 6th arrival.
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She’s also part of the cast for Taika Waititi’s sci-fi pic ‘Klara and the Sun’ and Alex Scharfman’s comedy ‘Death of a Unicorn’ which also stars Paul Rudd and Will Poulter. Finally, she’s been busy shooting a second season of ‘Wednesday’.
As for Powell, he’s enjoying success on screen with ‘Twisters’, which is doing solid business. The actor has been working on comedy thriller ‘Huntington’ and will star for Edgar Wright in a remake of ‘The Running Man’ and John Lee Hancock’s legal true story ‘Monsanto’. Plus, he’s been talking of late of having been told the date he’ll need to be ready to shoot another ‘Top Gun’ movie.
When will the new Abrams movie be in theaters?
Among the many details that Abrams and co. are keeping quiet for now is any potential release date for the movie. We have to assume that someone at Abrams’ level can demand not to lock down a date until he’s ready to commit to something, though Warners will no doubt hope this can hit cinemas as soon as possible.
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Cast and crew of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’. Photo: Netflix.
Preview:
‘Wednesday’ is now in production on Season 2.
Christopher Lloyd and Billie Piper are among the new cast additions.
The likes of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman are now series regulars.
With such a big reaction to ‘Addams Family’ spin-off dramedy ‘Wednesday’s first season, you can imagine Netflix’s frustration on not being able to strike while the pop cultural iron is at its hottest, with the writers and actors’ strikes putting paid to a potential 2023 shoot.
But, following a location switch to Ireland, the show has finally gotten back into the swing of things, and cameras are now rolling on Season 2, as a fun video featuring disembodied hand Thing delivering scripts reveals…
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And the start of production is not the only piece of news to emerge from the show today, as, following on from word of Steve Buscemi joining the cast, a slew of actor announcements was revealed by the streaming service.
And then we have the new guest stars, including the exciting likes of Christopher Lloyd, who has his own ‘Addams Family’ connection, having played Uncle Fester in the two ‘Addams’ movies. But with Fred Armisen already established as Fester in ‘Wednesday’, we’ll have to wait and see who he’s playing.
Here’s what ‘Wednesday’ show-runners Al Gough and Miles Millar said about the new cast:
“We are thrilled that the entire Addams family will be enrolling in Nevermore Academy this season along with a dream cast of icons and new faces.”
Tim Burton will be back as the main director for the new season alongside Paco Cabezas and Angela Robins.
When will ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 be on Netflix?
The streaming service has yet to reveal when the show will return to its servers, but we’re guessing as soon as (in)humanely possible, given that ‘Wednesday’ is the Most Popular English TV series on Netflix with 252.10 Million Season 1 views.
Steve Buscemi in ‘Boardwalk Empire’. Photo: HBO Entertainment.
Preview:
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 will see Steve Buscemi join the ensemble.
He’ll appear alongside star Jenna Ortega.
The Netflix series has been a huge hit for the streaming service.
Given that the first season was a gigantic hit for Netflix, the streaming service has naturally been eager to have work start on the second so as to capitalize on its pop culture consciousness awareness (translation: the series broke the record for hours viewed on the service and has been massive on TikTok).
Yet it was stymied by the writers’ and actors’ strike last year, not to mention the increasingly busy schedule of star Jenna Ortega, who plays the title character, the eldest child of the Addams family.
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Now, though, with production due to be underway any day now (with a location switch from the first season’s Romania to Ireland), news is finally starting to emerge, as Variety reports that Steve Buscemi is joining the cast.
Who is Steve Buscemi playing in ‘Wednesday’ Season 2?
Steve Buscemi in 1996’s ‘Fargo’. Photo: Gramercy Pictures.
Official word on Buscemi’s character is naturally being kept in a locked dungeon for now, but according to Variety’s sources, he’s the new principal of Nevermore Academy, where Wednesday studies (and solves mysteries. And gets wrapped up in love triangles, much to her surprise and disgust).
It’s not a job to be taken lightly –– the previous incumbent (Gwendoline Christie’s Larissa Weems) died by poison needle.
Who else is in ‘Wednesday? Season 2?
(L to R) Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams in Netflix’s ‘Wednesday.’
Confirmed as returning so far are Ortega, Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin), Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), and Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), who all stopped by last year’s big Netflix fan event to tease information on the new season.
We’re apparently to expect another member of the Addams family showing up (so far the show has seen Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzmán as Gomez, Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley and Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester), though details have yet to be released.
“We can’t wait to dive headfirst into another season and explore the kooky, spooky world of Nevermore… We just need to make sure Wednesday hasn’t emptied the pool first.”
Director Tim Burton (who executive produces and handled several episodes of Season 1) is expected to return for this one.
When will ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 be on Netflix?
Netflix has yet to confirm a date for the second season, but with filming only starting now and a likely effects-heavy post-production schedule, we can’t imagine it hitting screens much before the end of this year.
Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Preview:
Courteney Cox is in talks for the next ‘Scream’ movie.
If she signs up, she’ll return alongside Neve Campbell.
Longtime writer Kevin Williamson is directing.
Are things finally turning around for the ‘Scream’ franchise? It has been hit with various issues in the last year or so, losing cast and filmmakers.
But now there is some positive news to report, with Neve Campbell returning to the iconic role of Sidney Prescott and now, according to Variety, Courteney Cox –– who has been a part of the ‘Scream’ films since the start and has appeared in all of them to date, in talks to once more return.
(L to R) David Arquette and Courteney Cox in Paramount Pictures “Scream.”
Cox plays the role of Gale Weathers, a scoop-hunting journalist who senses a juicy story when Campbell’s Sidney is threatened by masked killers following her mother’s death.
Initially an annoyance for Sidney, the two become friends as they deal with various incarnations of the killer (or killers), and Weathers ended up married to sheriff’s deputy Dewey (David Arquette). The pair later divorced, and Dewey (spoiler alert) perished in 2022’s legacy sequel entry ‘Scream’, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
Neve Campbell back for ‘Scream’
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
“It’s been nearly 30 years since my very first script, ‘Scream,’ was directed by the legendary Wes Craven. I never would have predicted what it would become. Or that I would be directing the seventh installment of the franchise. I am overcome with gratitude and excitement, and I can’t wait to take this journey with Neve and the entire ‘Scream’ family as we bring back Sidney Prescott in the next chapter of the ‘Scream’ franchise. Thank you to all the ‘Scream’ fans. You are the gift that keeps giving.”
The Trouble with ‘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.’
This newest ‘Scream’ movie has had a troubled development, as production Spyglass fired star Melissa Barrera over posts regarding the Israel-Hamas War that the company viewed as antisemitic, and Jenna Ortega dropped out due to apparent scheduling conflicts. ‘Happy Death Day’ director Christopher Landon was hired to handle the movie, but he also left, citing the “nightmare” of the film’s various issues.
But with Campbell, Williamson and now Cox returning, it’s finally back on some sort of solid path to screens.
(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.’
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Preview:
Neve Campbell has announced she’s back for the new ‘Scream’ movie.
Kevin Williamson is on board to direct.
The new movie previously lost its main starring duo and director Christopher Landon.
There finally appears to be some good news in the offing for the ‘Scream’ franchise, and for fans of Neve Campbell’s iconic Sidney Prescott.
After the actor sat out the most recent movie (‘Scream VI’, which nevertheless became a box office hit) because of an insultingly low pay offer, she has now hit social media to announce that she’ll be back for the seventh outing.
And that’s not all –– Kevin Williamson, who cooked up the concept for the original ‘Scream’ wrote three of the original four movies and has served as an executive producer on all of them, is also back: and this time he’s stepping into the director’s chair.
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Neve Campbell Talks ‘Scream’ Return
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s “Scream.”
Here’s what Campbell had to say on the news:
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!! Well actually I could. While I’ve been so incredibly lucky to make these films with both the master of horror Wes Craven and the wonderfully talented Matt and Tyler team, I’ve dreamt for many years of how amazing it would be to make one of these movies with Kevin Williamson at the helm. And now it’s happening, Kevin Williamson is going to direct ‘Scream 7’! This was his baby and it’s his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years.”
(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.’
To this point, the development of the next ‘Scream’ installment has been more trouble than a scorned lover throwing on a cloak and a Ghostface mask to hunt their friends.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett effectively rebooted the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2002’s ‘Scream’ and followed it up with this year’s ‘Scream VI’, opted to move on after their second effort, choosing instead to make vampire movie ‘Abigail’, due this year.
Production company Spyglass Media Group found a suitable replacement in Christopher Landon, who previously directed the ‘Happy Death Day’ movies and ‘Freaky’, but then things started to go wrong.
(L to R) Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream VI.’
Melissa Barrera was dropped from the franchise for social media posts supporting Palestine in the tragic, ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
While calling for a cease fire in the conflict might not seem all that controversial, some of the reposts on Barrera’s Instagram account have edged over into potentially troubling opinions on Jews.
‘Scream’ production company Spyglass issued a statement on the situation:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
That was followed by word that her co-star, Jenna Ortega, would not then be returning for the new movie. Ortega’s departure was chalked up to schedule clashes with Season 2 of Netflix hit series ‘Wednesday’, and indeed the decision was reportedly made months before Barrera’s statement and subsequent firing. The timing, though, remains somewhat suspicious.
With his main stars absent, Landon also quit the movie, citing that it had become a nightmare in development.
The Campbell and Williamson news would certainly serve to get things back on a more even keel, though there is currently no release date for the movie.
Amy Adams in ‘American Hustle.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
Preview:
Amy Adams is in negotiations for Taika Waititi’s new movie.
Jenna Ortega is already aboard.
The movie adapts Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same name.
Taika Waititi last brought us the based-on-truth story ‘Next Goal Wins’, but for his next film, he’s going in an altogether more fantastical direction.
The director, who has worked on the likes of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’ is preparing to direct science fiction story ‘Klara and the Sun’.
‘Klara and the Sun’ charts the story of Klara (Ortega), an Artificial Friend designed to prevent loneliness. Klara is purchased by a mother (Adams) and a bright teen named Josie who adores her new robot companion but suffers from a mysterious illness.
Klara’s quest is to save Josie and those who love her from heartbreak and how in the process Klara learns the power of human love.
The original novel was published in 2021, written by ‘Living’ writer Kazuo Ishiguro, debuting on the New York Times’ Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at No. 3 and the Indie Best Sellers Hardcover Fiction List at No. 1.
Dahvi Waller, who has written on TV shows such as ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Halt and Catch Fire’, crafted the adaptation, and Sony 3000 Pictures secured Waititi to direct last year, though the writers and actors’ strikes curtailed any chance to get it filmed in 2023.
But with Adams now closing in on a deal, the aim is to have the cameras rolling in the coming weeks.
And if that wasn’t enough positivity for you, the movie is produced by ‘Harry Potter’ veteran David Heyman, who also worked on both ‘Paddington’ movies and ‘Wonka’.
What’s next for Amy Adams and Jenna Ortega?
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Adams’ next film is the intriguingly titled ‘Nightbitch’, which was directed by Marielle Heller and is a horror comedy about an artist whose maternal instincts start to manifest as a dog.
As for Ortega, she recently finished work on Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel (which now has a title: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ and will be out on September 6th this year). The actor will next film the second season of hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’, which also has Burton involved.
The show is gearing up to shoot the new series in the spring.
