Tag: Jon Batiste

  • CinemaCon 2026: Amazon MGM Studios Presentation

    The cast of 'Spaceballs: The New One' at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
    The cast of ‘Spaceballs: The New One’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.

    Preview:

    • Amazon MGM Studios made its presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
    • Among the movies promoted were ‘The Sheep Detectives’ and ‘Spaceballs: The New One’.
    • There was also a look at Michael B. Jordan’s ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’.

    After making its first trip to CinemaCon last year, Amazon MGM Studios has certainly been enjoying a good year at the box office so far, largely thanks to the huge success of ‘Project Hail Mary’ (which, as announced at the panel, just crossed $525 million at the global box office, cementing it as the company’s biggest movie to date, and will see its theatrical window extended, Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!).

    BCcUFMWbBHOY3zv0jhK5J4

    Hoping to keep the momentum rolling, the studio unveiled new looks at this year’s crop of movies and beyond including ‘The Sheep Detectives’ and ‘Masters of the Universe’. But if you were expecting a surprise announcement about casting for the new James Bond movie, there was none –– but VP of Film Courtenay Valenti did promise it’ll be worthy of the venerable franchise’s legacy.

    Related Article: ‘Masters of the Universe’: Nicholas Galitzine Offers New Costume Look

    Here’s what was revealed…

    ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’

    Michael B. Jordan poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the 98th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy
    Michael B. Jordan poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the 98th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy
    Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    First out of the gate (even though it isn’t out until next March) was newly minted Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan‘s remake of the 1968 caper movie –– previously re-imagined in 1999, which the actor is directing and starring in.

    After a look at some fun footage, Jordan himself took the stage to talk up the fact that Jon Batiste is crafting the music for the movie. He also brought out co-star Adria Arjona, complimenting her “intensity, wit, and fire” while calling her “an incredible scene partner.” Their cat-and-mouse relationship (as art thief and the insurance investigator tracking him down) is at the core of the movie.

    Kenneth Branagh, meanwhile, plays the antagonist, the person that Jordan’s Crown targets. Jordan says he made the movie for big screens.

    7KOlG4sFS2ch9SQfVhb6K7

    ‘Masters of the Universe’

    Nicholas Galitzine stars in 'Masters of the Universe'. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    Nicholas Galitzine stars in ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.

    Hoping for another big hit, Amazon MGM is putting a lot of weight behind ‘Masters of the Universe’, which adapts the 1980s toy line and cartoon series (and was already focus of a notoriously unsuccessful 1987 movie).

    Stars Nicholas GalitzineCamila Mendes and director Travis Knight took the stage to introduce a new look at the film. Galitzine, of course, was hefting He-Man’s classic power sword, which is surely some sort of safety violation.

    Jared Leto stars in 'Masters of the Universe'. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    Jared Leto stars in ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.

    Some fresh footage from the movie –– which Knight and co. described as tackling how someone is challenged to step up beyond what they think they can do –– was screened after Galitzine had the audience lift the fake swords they received as he recited He-Man’s classic transformation line

    The new scene shows Galitzine’s Prince Adam and Mendes’ Teena reuniting on Earth before they travel to Eternia to battle the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), which in turn leads into the new trailer.

    Zf4jOanOXmolqNC54U5Rp4

    ‘The Beekeeper 2’

    Jason Statham stars as Clay in director David Ayer's 'The Beekeeper.' An Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Jason Statham stars as Clay in director David Ayer’s ‘The Beekeeper.’ An Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Another jump ahead in time for a quick look at footage from Jason Statham action sequel ‘The Beekeeper 2’. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from The Stath, and should keep fans happy. Statham himself appeared via video to exclaim, “some people say less is more. I say more is more.”

    The new movie will see the Beekeeper society looking to overthrow the US government. At this point in time, the jokes write themselves…

    pVXT2yaageYWgOECo715y5

    ‘The Sheep Detectives’

    Hugh Jackman in 'The Sheep Detectives'. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    Hugh Jackman in ‘The Sheep Detectives’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    VqDp8b2eiMj8t3JxlB1I15

    Back to 2026’s schedule, and the quirky mystery drama about a herd of sheep who must solve the murder of their beloved shepherd (Hugh Jackman).

    Jackman himself arrived on stage (along with co-stars Nicholas Braun, and a returning Galitzine) to tout the film, which also boasts a considerable cast in both live-action (Emma Thompson) and voice (too many to list) form. It’s described as “a warm deeply human story about finding your place in the world.” And we got an extended look at the movie.

    ‘A Colt is My Passport’

    Gareth Evans (‘The Raid’) returns with a new action movie, this one starring
    Sope Dirisu in the story of Colt, a Vietnam veteran turned contract killer, goes on the run after assassinating a gangland boss.

    0kMXZTaRw9bMmrRzxXg7r6

    ‘How to Rob a Bank’

    David Leitch in Paris for 'Bullet Train.' Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.
    David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.

    With confetti and chaos, the new movie from director David Leitch launched into a first look at a team of social media types who make videos about, well, how to rob banks.

    Leitch came on stage with Pete Davidson, and Davidson revealed that this group of robbers livestreams their crimes and robberies. “They’re putting an end to greed and corruption one heist, and one video, at a time,” he said, before Rhenzy Feliz and Anna Sawai were confirmed to be the other two robbers. Leitch wanted to capture the energy of a manic YouTube video, before a video message from the rest of the cast played.

    uEHsEkH1kYRoLObSGG1eu1

    Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother

    Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
    Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.

    More action, this time a visceral thriller starring Mahershala Ali and following a hitman struggling to balance his job with his faith & fatherhood. Bassam Tariq directs.

    Ali took the stage to enthuse about how the movie checked every box for him, and he introduced some intense footage.

    jXNSbw9WmAl9vHSP1xatb7

    After a quick look at ‘Verity’ (which we’re surprised wasn’t spotlighted more given its Colleen Hoover origins) it was time for…

    ‘Spaceballs: The New One’

    'Spaceballs: The New One' logo. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    ‘Spaceballs: The New One’ logo. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.

    The much-anticipated ‘Spaceballs’ sequel was introduced by originator Mel Brooks (via video), with cast members Bill PullmanJosh Gad, Lewis PullmanDaphne Zuniga and to great response, Rick Moranis actually present to introduce a first look at the movie, which is as funny as you might hope for. Let’s just say the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy is heavily targeted for spoofing.

    cloS09s7a0JwesCtRhfAA1

    ‘Highlander’

    Henry Cavill in 'Highlander'. Photo: Henry Cavill's Instagram Account.
    Henry Cavill in ‘Highlander’. Photo: Henry Cavill’s Instagram Account.

    It might still be busy shooting, but the re-imagining of the 1980s action movie is one of the bigger titles on the horizon for the studio.

    With Henry Cavill starring as the immortal warrior who must battle others of his kind, it promises plenty of set pieces.

    Cavill and director Chad Stahelski (‘John Wick’) are halfway through filming, but the former took time out to appear via video and offer some early footage.

    m9x4x7kz2SNCvQWgRJeC72

    ‘I Play Rocky’

    Peter Farrelly accepts the Oscar® for original screenplay during the live ABC Telecast of The 91st Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Peter Farrelly accepts the Oscar® for original screenplay during the live ABC Telecast of The 91st Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    The chaotic making of the 1976 Sylvester Stallone classic is the subject of this based-on-truth film from director Peter Farrelly.

    He strode on stage with some of his cast to talk about the movie, one he described as “for dreamers” before cueing up a first look.

    2qrhYBLLg4gCgd0B05gCP2

    And with a sizzle reel for other projects on the way, the curtain fell on the Amazon MGM presentation!

    'Masters of the Universe' opens in theaters on June 5th.
    ‘Masters of the Universe’ opens in theaters on June 5th.
  • Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL’ Movie is Called ‘Saturday Night’

    'Saturday Night Live's Studio 8H.
    ‘Saturday Night Live’s Studio 8H. Photo: NBC.

    Preview:

    • Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL’ movie is now titled ‘Saturday Night’.
    • Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and Cooper Hoffman are among the cast.
    • The film has now landed an October release date.

    Jason Reitman might have been busy of late either co-writing and directing (in the case of ‘Afterlife’) or co-writing and producing (on ‘Frozen Empire’) the continuation of his father Ivan’s much-loved ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise.

    Yet he’s also found time to work on another passion project, a chronicle of the tough birth of long-running (the series’ 50th season kicks off in the fall) sketch show ‘Saturday Night Live’.

    JZIH4xpQ3DHYK0rfRhtF43

    With a script by Reitman and his regular ‘Ghostbusters’ collaborator Gil Kenan, he’s been wrapped filming for a while on the movie, now titled ‘Saturday Night’, and Sony has handed down an October release date for what is expected to start its run at festivals and –– depending on critical reaction –– could be taking aim at the awards season.

    Surely Sony hopes that one of the cast, which includes Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and ‘Licorice Pizza’s Cooper Hoffman, might end up hosting an episode of ‘SNL’ itself to promote the new movie.

    gG3Efafs8vdcvlnRLZXLV3

    What’s the story of ‘Saturday Night’?

    Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase on 'Saturday Night Live.'
    (L to R) Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Photo: NBC.

    On October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. ‘Saturday Night’ is the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the moments leading up to the first broadcast of NBC’s ‘SNL’. It depicts the chaos and magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, counting down the minutes in real time to the infamous words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

    The screenplay is based on an extensive series of interviews conducted by Reitman and Kenan with all the living cast, writers and crew.

    Who is starring in ‘Saturday Night’?

    (Left) Lamorne Morris in 'Fargo' Season 5. Photo: FX. (Center) Dylan O'Brien in 'American Assassin.' Photo: Lionsgate. (Left) Cory Michael Smith in 'Gotham.' Photo: Warner Bros. Television.
    (Left) Lamorne Morris in ‘Fargo’ Season 5. Photo: FX. (Center) Dylan O’Brien in ‘American Assassin.’ Photo: Lionsgate. (Left) Cory Michael Smith in ‘Gotham.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

    O’Brien will play Dan Aykroyd, while Morris is Garrett Morris (the two are not related), Cory Michael Smith is Chevy Chase and Matt Wood will play John Belushi.

    Also on the cast front, Ella Hunt has the role of Gilda Radner, Jon Batiste is play Billy Preston (who was the first musical guest on the show), Kim Matula will be Jane Curtin and Emily Fairn is Laraine Newman, with Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson.

    There are also those behind the scenes of ‘Saturday Night Live’, with Gabriel LaBelle playing Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator and producer of the show whose eye for talent has led to careers for a host of people, with Hoffman as Dick Ebersol, an ambitious NBC executive who helped shepherd the show to air.

    Related Article: Jason Reitman’s ‘SNL 1975’ Adds Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris and More

    Rachel Sennott will be Rosie Shuster, a Canadian comedy writer and actor who was married to Michaels at the time and worked on the show.

    Finally, we have Willem Dafoe as David Tebet, Vice President of Talent Relations at NBC, and because it surely wouldn’t be a Reitman movie without him, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, who had a famously awful one-night stint as host and ended up banned from the show (though that was in 1979, so it remains to be seen how he ties into the movie’s story of the first night).

    When will ‘Saturday Night’ be in theaters?

    Sony, which produced the new movie, has now set an October 11th release for ‘Saturday Night’ via its Columbia Pictures arm. There is already talk that it could premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. And that release, as you might have noticed from its mention in the earlier section, is the same day as the first episode of ‘SNL’ itself. Fitting!

    Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife.'
    (L to R) Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’ Photo Courtesy of Reuters.

    Movies Based On ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sketches:

    Buy ‘SNL’ Movies on Amazon

    K0BnSBlh
  • Jon Batiste Joins ‘The Color Purple’

    Jon Batiste at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards
    Jon Batiste, Alan Ferguson, and Alex P. Willson accept the Best Music Video award for Freedom onstage during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony at MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images For The Recording Academy.

    Jon Batiste, best known as a musician and the bandleader/musical director of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ is making strides on the acting front. He’s joining the already star-studded cast of movie musical adaptation ‘The Color Purple’.

    The film, which represents the next stage of the story – originated with Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel, which is set in Georgia, 1909. With an abusive father, the only person who 14-year-old Celie cares for and loves is her younger sister Nettie. Then Celie is married off to Albert Johnson, a brutal, uncaring man. After an incident between Nettie and Albert, Albert bans Nettie from his property and it appears that Celie may never see her again.

    Steven Spielberg directed an Oscar-nominated movie adaptation that saw theaters in 1985. That, in turn led to a musical adaptation that opened in 2005, running until 2008 and earning 11 Tony Award nominations. It was revived in 2015 to even more success, including two Tony wins. It has since been produced in several countries and launched various tours.

    All that acclaim means that a movie musical was all but inevitable. Spielberg is a producer alongside Oprah Winfrey (who appeared in the original film and earned one of its Oscar nominations) and musical legend Quincy Jones. Blitz Bazawule, who directed Beyoncé’s visual album ‘Black Is King’ is calling the shots, working from a script by ‘The Chi’s Marcus Gardley.

    Drawing from both the novel and the movie, the screen musical will combine both elements.

    6745

    Batiste will portray Grady, husband to Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson). The debonair, sweet-talking piano man is described as “the epitome of charm and eloquence.”

    The cast is an impressive one, including Fantasia Barrino (in her own feature film debut) as Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, Colman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, H.E.R. as Squeak, Halle Bailey as Young Nettie, Ciara as Nettie, Elizabeth Marvel as Miss Millie, David Alan Grier as Reverend Avery, Tamala J. Mann as First Lady, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as Young Celie, Deon Cole as Alfonso, Stephen Hill as Buster, Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. as Ol’ Mister and recent Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis as Mama, mother to Celie and Nettie.

    ‘The Color Purple’ is now shooting and will be in theaters on December 23, 2023.

    It’s been a successful year for Batiste so far – he scored five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. And ‘The Color Purple’ isn’t his first experience with movies, as he already has an Oscar on his shelf thanks to working on the score for Pixar’s ‘Soul’. Winning alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Batiste is only the second African American composer in history to win the trophy.

    3YLSHij8k9Jszw2D7tuMw5