Moviefone Editorial

Tag: jude-law

  • ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Directors Handled an Episode of ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’

    Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert on the set of A24's 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.'
    (L to R) Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert on the set of A24’s ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of A24.

    A couple of weeks ago, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert took to the stage of the Dolby theatre in Hollywood to claim several Oscars that they’d won for their film ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which of course led to speculation about what they’d do for a follow-up.

    When news broke yesterday via One Take News that the duo was involved with new ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Skeleton Crew’, some took it to mean that the quirky, unique duo were somehow “selling out’ by working on a Lucasfilm show.

    As it turns out, that’s not how it happened at all.

    Taking to Instagram, Kwan responded to those concerns. Here’s what he had to say:

    ”Lol, all of the people @ing us about getting sucked up by the ‘corporate machine’ can chill. These headlines are always misleading. Don’t worry. We aren’t working on a whole series; we guest directed one episode. Jon Watts approached us to do an episode a while ago (before ‘EEAAO’ even came out). We love Jon, love ‘Star Wars,’ love learning new tech, we love meeting new cast and crew, and we needed the days to keep our healthcare (!!!) so it was an easy yes. We shot it last year and had an incredible time working with the most talented cast and crew and I’m excited for you all to see it.”

    So, there you have it –– and let’s be honest, the idea of anything directed by the Daniels is something to anticipate. Kwan also specified that whatever the duo does next in the film realm, it’ll be an original project they create. We’re not sure why anyone would have expected the people behind ‘Swiss Army Man’ and ‘Everything Everywhere’ to jump wholeheartedly into the corporate world.

    'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.
    ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ will be premiering on Disney+ in 2023.

    Related Article: Lucasfilm No Longer Developing ‘Star Wars’ Movies from Kevin Feige and Patty Jenkins

    What’s the story of ‘Skeleton Crew’?

    Developed by Watts and Jon Favreau and set in the same ‘Star Wars’ timeline as ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Skeleton Crew’ has largely been under wraps, with only a few details getting out.

    The official logline for the series is sparse at this point: “‘Skeleton Crew’ tells the story of four kids who find themselves lost in in the vastness of the galaxy trying to find their way home” and we do know that Watts was working with ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ co-writer Christopher Ford on the scripts.

    Jude Law is starring in the series, though we don’t yet know who is playing the youngsters looking to find their way home.

    ‘Skeleton Crew’ should be hitting Disney+ this year.

    'Ms. Marvel' director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
    ‘Ms. Marvel’ director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

    Damon Lindelof leaves the ‘Star Wars’ movie he was writing

    In less positive ‘Star Wars’ news, Above The Line brings word that Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson are no longer aboard the movie set in the galaxy far, far away that they had been writing.

    Lindelof offered a hint that he might have jumped (space)ship at the SXSW festival last week, where he said this to Slashfilm:

    ”I will just say, that for reasons that I can’t get into on this Sunday morning, on this day, the degree of difficulty is extremely, extremely, extremely high. If it can’t be great, it shouldn’t exist. That’s all I’ll say, because I have the same association with it as you do, which is, it’s the first movie I saw sitting in my dad’s lap, four years old, May of ‘77. I think it’s possible that sometimes when you hold something in such high reverence and esteem, you start to get in the kitchen and you just go, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t be cooking. Maybe I should just be eating.’ We’ll just leave it at that point.”

    Lindelof’s original attachment was exciting for genre fans, as the ‘Lost’ veteran had worked on ‘The Leftovers’ and ‘Watchmen’. And though his big screen work hasn’t been as warmly received (‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’, ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ included), there was anticipation for how his and Britt-Gibson’s sensibilities might translate to ‘Star Wars’.

    Don’t go thinking that this marks another cancelled ‘Star Wars’ project as Disney and Lucasfilm struggle to get their cinematic universe in order. Above The Line’s story also mentions that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (a documentary filmmaker who has worked in animation and directed episodes of ‘Ms. Marvel’ for Disney+) is still aboard to make the movie.

    A new writer is apparently involved in working on the script, though their identity is unknown at this time. And if it all works out, the cameras should be rolling in early 2024 ahead of a December 2025 release.

    What we do know is that Star Wars Celebration, the Disney-curated convention around all things ‘Star Wars’, is happening next month in London, and that’s traditionally where Lucasfilm has announced big new movies and TV series. So that’s where audiences should learn the fate of this new movie.

    Even that is no guarantee, though, as we’ve had a variety of big announcements –– films from Patty Jenkins or Kevin Feige, for example –– that have simply never come to pass, lost in a mire of conflicting schedules and long development.

    Other movies we’re still waiting for updates include Rian Johnson’s planned return to the ‘Star Wars’ universe (on hold as he focuses on ‘Knives Out’ sequels), a movie from Taika Waititi that still appears to be happening and one produced by prolific filmmaker Shawn Levy which we’d guess is still being held up by his busy schedule, which includes involvement in the final season of ‘Stranger Things’ and gearing up to direct ‘Deadpool 3’.

    The cast of Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' which was directed by J.J. Abrams.
    The cast of Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ which was directed by J.J. Abrams.

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  • Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult Starring in ‘The Order’

    (Left) Jude Law in Warner Bros. 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.' (Right) Nicholas Hoult in Fox Searchlight Pictures 'Tolkien.'
    (Left) Jude Law in Warner Bros. ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.’ (Right) Nicholas Hoult in Fox Searchlight Pictures ‘Tolkien.’

    Australian director Justin Kurzel clearly has a thing for true crime stories. And he’s seen success with a few of them, including ‘Nitram’, ‘True History of the Kelly Gang’ and ‘The Snowtown Murders’. He’s back at the based-on-truth track for a new movie called ‘The Order’.

    Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult are aboard to star in the film, which Zach Baylin––no stranger to real-life stories himself after writing the Oscar-nominated screenplay for ‘King Richard’––has adapted from Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt’s book ‘The Silent Brotherhood’.

    Here’s the basic pitch for ‘The Order’: In 1983, a series of increasingly violent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists frightened communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. As baffled law enforcement agents scrambled for answers, a lone FBI agent (Law), stationed in the sleepy, picturesque town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, came to believe the crimes were not the work of traditional, financially motivated criminals, but a group of dangerous domestic terrorists, inspired by a radical, charismatic leader (Hoult), plotting a devastating war against the federal government of the United States.

    It’s certainly topical and offers fertile ground for drama. Plus both Law and Hoult have long proved themselves capable of this sort of performance. Kurzel intends to start shooting this May in Alberta, Canada.

    Both Law and Hoult have been typically busy of late, with Law joining the ‘Star Wars’ televisual galaxy via Jon Watts’ ‘Skeleton Crew’ series about youngsters caught up in the galactic clash. That should arrive on Disney+ this year. There’s also more mysterious drama ‘Black Rabbit’, a drama he’s been developing with Jason Bateman for Netflix, and which also boasts Baylin as one of the writers.

    Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law
    (L-R) Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    On the movie front, he’ll be Captain Hook for David Lowery’s latest live-action Disney project, ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’, which doesn’t have a release date yet, but we’re eager to see what the director does with the classic tale.

    And in stories based on real-life, Law’s playing Henry VIII opposite Alicia Vikander’s Catherine Parr in ‘Firebrand’, which comes from director Karim Aïnouz.

    As for Hoult, he was last seen in ‘The Menu’ and has ‘Dracula’-based action comedy ‘Renfield’ (in which he plays the troubled title character looking to break free from the vampire’s employ) due in theaters on April 14th.

    Keeping with the vampire theme, he’s also due to star alongside Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgård and Willem Dafoe in Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’. And he’s also lending his voice to a new animated movie based on the ‘Garfield’ comic strips.

    Behind the scenes, the actor has a production company called Dead Duck Films and has been developing a TV series to star in called ‘Wildfire Johnny’. It tells the story of a young man who discovers a discarded straight razor with a note promising whoever possesses this blade will gain access to its particular magic. No word on when that one will be shooting yet.

    Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult in the film 'The Menu.'
    (L to R) Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult in the film ‘The Menu.’ Photo by Eric Zachanowich. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
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  • D23 Expo 2022: Disney Studios Presentation

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    Walt Disney Studios kicked off the first day of D23 Expo 2022 in style today with tons of advance looks at what the House of Mouse has in store for fans in the coming days, months, and years. You can watch Moviefone‘s exclusive backstage interviews by clicking on the video player above.

    The first D23 Expo in three years began with the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Sean Bailey, revealing the first-ever footage from ‘Hocus Pocus 2’.

    Bailey was joined by the wacky Sanderson Sisters themselves – stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy – who appeared via video to show how their characters are back for the first time since 1993 for more soul-stealing Halloween action.

    Battling them this time around are aspiring witch Becca (Whitney Peak) and magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson).

    But the audience’s biggest applause went to the original film’s Billy Butcherson (‘The Shape of Water’s Doug Jones) upon his return from the grave. ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ hits Disney+ on September 30th. The trailer is in the video player above.

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    Next up on the panel was another eagerly anticipated sequel, ‘Disenchanted’. Returning stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden took the stage, alongside Maya Rudolph, the film’s new villain. ‘Disenchanted’ finds Adams’ Giselle and hubby Dempsey moving to the suburbs with their infant and teenage children.

    “I was a huge fan of the original,” said Rudolph. “I can’t believe I got to be part of this… It’s not easy being mean to Amy Adams.” The new teaser trailer for the sequel is in the video player above.

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    As far as live-action remakes of Disney animated classics go, ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ was the first on deck today: with star Jude Law (Captain Hook) flanked by newcomers Alexander Molony (Peter Pan), Ever Gabo Anderson (Wendy), and Alyssa Wapanatâhk (Tiger Lily).

    Expect more empowered female characters this time around, including at least one Lost Girl among Peter’s Lost Boys.

    “Disney has worked very hard to give her more depth and a lot more character,” said Anderson of Wendy. “She and Peter are equals in this film.”

    Law added that Hook and Pan’s prior relationship is also fleshed out. “We got to mine their back story a little bit more. You get to understand their past,” he said, hinting that the two were once friends.

    Peter Pan & Wendy poster
    © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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    Another reworking of a Disney classic comes with March 10th’s ‘Haunted Mansion’, directed by ‘Dear White People’ creator Justin Simien. Today’s first look showcased stars Rosario Dawson and LaKeith Stanfield exploring the titular house with a priest played by Owen Wilson and a historian played by Danny DeVito.

    “I got to make sure all the little details, all the Easter eggs are there. Because I’m a nerd,” confessed Simien. He then joined another of the film’s stars – scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis – in a Doom Buggy rolling across the D23 Expo stage.

    Haunted Mansion
    © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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    Few Disney films are so beloved as 1994’s ‘The Lion King’. And fans will get more of the film’s animal kingdom in the 2024 prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.

    Director Barry Jenkins appeared to explain how “Mufasa is the origin story of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Land… It’s the real story of how Mufasa found his place in the circle of life. What you learn is that Mufasa is great because of the family and the friends he has with him.”

    Of course Disney Studios wouldn’t exist without its very first animated classic, 1937’s ‘Snow White’.

    Director Marc Webb is tackling the live-action 2024 remake, featuring Gal Gadot as the Wicked Queen and Rachel Zegler as its eponymous heroine. The two were touched by the warm response they received as they presented a first look at their characters.

    “Just your reaction means the world to us,” said Gadot.
    A visibly moved Zegler explained that, “Snow White is the girl you remember, but she’s definitely made for the modern age,” stating the film redefines what it means to be the fairest of them all.

    Rachel Zegler and Gal GAdot at Disney D23 Expo
    Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot at Disney D23 Expo 2022 Getty Images
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    While ‘Snow White’ is Disney’s first animated feature, 1989’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ is responsible for the studio’s renaissance. As well as its renewed dedication to musicals, as Rob Marshall, director of May 2023’s live-action adaptation, reminded fans today.

    “It was very important for us to honor the original. We went to Alan Menken, who was divine to work with, and also our dear friend Lin-Manuel Miranda. They had never worked together before… There are four new songs. We still retain the beauty of the original score, written by the late great Howard Ashman as well.”

    Fans were treated to the film’s entire “Part of Your World” number, featuring a note-perfect Halle Bailey, who appeared on stage with Marshall.

    “Three days of filming ‘Part of Your World,’” said Bailey, “that was the most beautiful experience of my life. Just getting to sing a song I’ve loved since I was a child was so exciting.”

    “The camera loves you,” Marshall told Bailey. “But it’s more than that. [It] loves what’s inside. [It] loves what you bring.”

    The two then unveiled a teaser that recalled ‘Finding Nemo’ in the color and detail of its underwater world. You can find a teaser version of the clip in the video player at the top of the page.

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    Elemental
    Pixar’s Elemental © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    It was then time for Pixar Animation Studios’ turn in the spotlight, with chief creative officer Pete Docter introducing next summer’s ‘Elemental’.

    Director Peter Sohn spoke of how the film’s Element City was inspired by the culturally mixed New York of his childhood. Footage shown depicted the star-crossed romance of its fire-based heroine Ember (Leah Lewis) and her watery boyfriend Wade (Mamoudou Athie).

    Pixar also unveiled its first original long-form series in the form of ‘Win or Lose’, each episode of which follows the perspective of a different character connected to a co-ed softball team, the Pickles.

    With this year’s ‘Lightyear’, Pixar returned to the science fiction of ‘Wall-E’. Expect more in this vein soon, starting with ‘Elio’.

    Announced today at D23 with star America Ferrera on stage, the film’s title character is an 11-year-old boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in his world. His mom (Ferrera) runs a top-secret military project, which inadvertently results in Elio making first contact with alien life and becoming our planet’s ambassador to the rest of the universe. It’s due out in spring 2024.

    Last but by no means least on the Pixar slate – ‘Inside Out’ star Amy Poehler made a surprise appearance alongside Docter to announce ‘Inside Out 2’.

    Inside Out 2 logo
    Pixar’s Inside Out 2 logo. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    “Joy and the emotions are back for an all new adventure inside Riley’s head,” said a fittingly ebullient Poehler. “Only this time she’s a teenager!”

    New emotions will also appear in the film, as Kelsey Mann takes over the directing chores from Docter, with Meg LeFauve returning to write the summer 2024 release.

    To cap off the panel, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer (and Oscar-winning ‘Frozen’ director) Jennifer Lee greeted the D23 Expo audience to show what’s in store for the studio’s 100th anniversary next year.

    But first, Disney’s fan-favorite 2016 ‘Zootopia’ will get a spin-off series this November on Disney+. And attendees got an advance look at the aptly titled ‘Zootopia+’, consisting of six short ‘Zootopia’-style spoofs of everything from ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ to ‘The Godfather Part II’.

    Perhaps Disney’s most unique offering at the Expo was ‘Iwaju’. Coming this year to Disney+, it finds the animation studio partnering for the first time in its long history with an overseas animation studio – Africa’s Kugali. Its three founders appeared today, describing their Afrofuturism fable and its characters as a love letter to their hometown of Lagos, Nigeria.

    Iwaju
    Disney’s Iwaju. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

    More sci-fi arrived with a new look at ‘Strange World’, described by Lee as “a film about family, legacy, and what we leave behind for the generations that follow.” Director Don Hall explained how the film chronicles three generations coming together on an alien planet in order to save their world.

    Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Lucy Liu introduced a rip-snorting clip of an exciting chase through ‘Strange World’s creature-packed planet.

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    The Disney Animation segment, and indeed entire panel, concluded with the revelation of the studio’s 100th anniversary feature film – ‘Wish’. The tale of the star upon which so many Disney characters have wished throughout the past century, ‘Wish’ is co-directed by the attending team of Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn.

    Buck, who co-wrote the film with Lee, explained how ‘Wish’ explores a kingdom of wishes, in which wishes can literally come true. Offering a lush, animated watercolor style coupled with CG animation, it stars newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as 17-year-old Asha, who pleas to the heavens for help, and gets an actual star from the sky, named Star, who communicates through pantomime.

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    Disney “good luck charm,” actor Alan Tudyk appeared with footage of his character, a goat named Valentino who wishes to communicate with people. Finally, DeBose saw fans off with a sizzling live performance of “More for Us,” one of the film’s songs by Grammy winner Julia Michaels.

    Wish
    Disney’s Wish. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

  • Movie Review: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’

    Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law
    (L-R) Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on April 15th is ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ which marks the third (and probably) final film in the ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff series which began with 2016’s ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ and continued with 2018’s ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.’

    Once again directed by David Yates, the movie follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his friends as they aid Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) in stopping his former lover, Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) from taking over both the Wizarding World and the world of Muggles.

    The result is an entertaining conclusion to an otherwise pointless spinoff series that never quite recaptures the magic of the ‘Harry Potter’ films but does feature strong performances from Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Dan Fogler, and Alison Sudol.

    The movie begins in 1932, where Newt Scamander (Redmayne) is helping a Qilin give birth, which is a magical creature with precognitive abilities. Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) soon arrives and kidnaps the newborn so the evil Gellert Grindelwald (Mikkelsen) can use it in his plan to take over both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Unbeknownst to Grindelwald, the Qilin had twins, and now Newt must keep the sibling’s existence a secret.

    Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore and Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
    (L-R) Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore and Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Unable to stop Grindelwald himself due to a blood oath the two men took with each other when they were younger, Dumbledore recruits Newt, his brother Theseus (Callum Turner), Eulalie “Lally” Hicks (Jessica Williams), Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam), and Jacob Kowalski (Fogler) to stop Grindelwald’s plan for world domination. Since Grindelwald can now see into the future, thanks to the Qilin, Dumbledore enacts a complicated procedure where his friends only know their roles and not the overall plan.

    Grindelwald is soon acquitted of his crimes by the German Ministry of Magic and announces that he is running for the office of Supreme Mugwump. Grindelwald dispatches Barebone to kill Dumbledore and it is soon revealed that he is the lost son of Albus’ brother, Aberforth (Richard Coyle). Now, Dumbledore must hope that his plan works, and that Newt can protect the surviving Qilin long enough to prove Grindelwald is a criminal before he is elected Supreme Mugwump and takes over both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds.

    The biggest problem with ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ is that it is the third installment of a series that I have lost interest in after two films. Yes, it’s a spinoff to a franchise that is beloved, but any DNA it shares with the ‘Harry Potter’ films is somewhat surface level at best. So, it was difficult to follow along with the complicated plot because I had forgotten a lot of the characters and subplots from the previous installments.

    The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series really only started to get good with the inclusion of Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,’ and is at its best when it doubles down on familiar ‘Potter’ characters and locations such as Dumbledore or Hogwarts.

    Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore
    Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    But placing Dumbledore’s relationship with Grindelwald at the center of story was a very wise choice. The film begins with a quiet scene in a restaurant between Law and Mikkelsen’s two characters that is reminiscent of the scene between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in ‘Heat.’ Dumbledore and Grindelwald are clearly at odds with each other, on separate ends of a long Wizarding World conflict, but also have a very strong and loving friendship that is at the heart of the film.

    Albus once loved Gellert, and is upset by what he’s become, and what he will ultimately have to do to stop him. The idea that these two enemies cannot fight each other because they once loved each other is a very fascinating aspect to explore, which the film does well and deserves credit for including with such respect.

    Jude Law gives an excellent performance, giving all the commanding gravitas you would expect from the character, while also adding a rare vulnerability that we have not seen in past appearances. Richard Harris and Michael Gambon both played Dumbledore as a wise mentor to Harry Potter, but Law’s performance gives a look at him as a younger man, making the difficult choices that would lead him to be the character that guides Harry in the later movies.

    Replacing Johnny Depp, who played Grindelwald in the previous film, Mads Mikkelsen doesn’t miss a beat and has wonderful chemistry in his few scenes with Law. Through his performance, you understand what Albus once saw in him, the moments of greatness that have been taken over by his own ambition and rage. While Mikkelsen definitely plays the character as the “villain,” he shows shades of the man Albus fell in love with, which adds to the conflict of the film.

    Mads Mikklesen as Gellert Grindelwald
    Mads Mikklesen as Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    One storyline I do remember from the previous movies that is concluded in ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ is the relationship between Jacob (Dan Fogler) and Queenie (Alison Sudol). If Albus and Gellert’s relationship is central to this film, Jacob and Queenie’s story is central to the overall series. Jacob is the audience’s surrogate, the Muggle who fell in love with a witch that sided with Grindelwald at the conclusion of the last film. Their relationship, watching Jacob fight for her love, and the two actors’ excellent performances are what make Jacob and Queenie two of the best characters in any of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movies.

    The weak links for me in this film were surprisingly two of the biggest names in the movie, Ezra Miller and Eddie Redmayne, who are both usually very good actors. Miller scowls his way through the film playing Credence Barebone, a character we should have sympathy for but instead is just played like your average villain. Even when his true parentage is revealed, you feel no real connection to the character or his actions.

    Redmayne, meanwhile, does his best in the role, but is often overshadowed by Law, Mikkelsen, Fogler and other members of the cast. I appreciate the actor’s take on the character, playing him as a nervous oddball, but the performance can be distracting at times, taking us away from the main points of the plot.

    Ultimately, the character of Newt Scamander was just not interesting enough to lead his own series, as he is no Harry Potter! That’s probably why the series quickly pivoted from focusing on Newt to becoming more of an Albus Dumbledore origin story. “Dumbledore Begins,” if you will.

    In the end, ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ delivers a satisfying ending to an otherwise rocky series that may appease some ‘Harry Potter’ fans but fails to recapture the magic of the original franchise.

    ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ received 3 out of 5 stars.

    Jessica Williams, Callum Turner, Jude Law, Fionna Glasott, Dan Fogler and Eddie Redmayne
    (L-R) Jessica Williams, Callum Turner, Jude Law, Fionna Glasott, Dan Fogler and Eddie Redmayne in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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  • Robert Downey Jr. Plans ‘Sherlock Holmes’ TV Spinoffs

    Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law
    (L to R) Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in 2011’s ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.’

    Sherlock Holmes is a character that has been brought to the screen so many times at this point, it’s a wonder that TV and movie creators can find a fresh take on the idea. Robert Downey Jr. famously played the genius detective in two movies and if he has his way, there will be some Holmes extensions in the works at HBO Max.

    This all stems from an interview that the actor/producer gave back in 2020 to Fast Company, where he explained he was looking to oversee some new developments in the Holmes world. “At this point, we really feel that there is not a mystery-verse built out anywhere, and Conan Doyle is the definitive voice in that arena, I think, to this day,” the star said about future installments of ‘Sherlock Holmes’. “So, to me, why do a third movie if you’re not going to be able to spin off into some real gems of diversity and other times and elements?”

    Influenced, of course, by his decade spent working with the Marvel team, he’s now looking to apply that ethos to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation. While the pandemic appears to have gotten in the way of plans for the shows, Deadline reports that HBO Max now has two potential spin-offs in early development.

    They would extend the world created in Guy Ritchie’s two ‘Holmes’ movies, the 2009 original and 2011 sequel ‘A Game of Shadows’. The movies also starred Jude Law as Dr. Watson, but the shows are unlikely to feature the main duo.

    Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
    Robert Downey Jr. in 2009’s ‘Sherlock Holmes.’

    Instead, the blueprints call for the shows to be built upon characters that will be introduced in the third movie. There’s just one slight hitch to an otherwise solid idea: that movie has yet to be made.

    Though ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Rocketman’ director Dexter Fletcher remains attached to handle the movie, it has been delayed more than once, partly by the pandemic and partly by its star’s busy schedule. Still, both Downey and his chosen director have said that they intend to get the movie in production. And this news could signal some forward movement.

    It’s also not surprising to see HBO Max looking to expand another movie franchise on TV – it has seen big success with ‘Peacemaker’, which James Gunn based on the John Cena character from ‘The Suicide Squad’. And there are also shows in the works that will build on characters from ‘Dune’ (the Bene Gesserit sisterhood) and ‘The Batman’ (Colin Farrell’s Penguin character).

    Any ‘Holmes’ show would, of course, have to differentiate itself from the long history of Sherlock TV – besides the BBC’s successful ‘Sherlock’ and CBS’ long-running series ‘Elementary’ – there have been all sorts of variations on the basic concept of the crafty character.

    But with the backing of Downey Jr. and producing partner Susan Downey, the ‘Holmes’ shows could end up being a fun new take… Assuming they can finally get to work on the third movie. The game’s afoot!

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  • New ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ Trailer

    Jude Law with crossed arms
    (L-R) Jessica Williams, Callum Turner, Jude Law, Fionna Glascott, Dan Fogler and Eddie Redmayne in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Like its protagonists, the third outing for the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise has a bit of a battle on its hands. With diminishing box office returns from the second entry, ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’, and a more specific feeling that this latest trip to the Wizarding World has yet to quite capture the magic of the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, the pressure is on to deliver.

    That’s something that the new trailer for the latest movie, ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ is looking to ease, promising an epic clash between good and evil – albeit with shades of gray in between. As the title suggests, the focus here has shifted towards Jude Law’s Albus Dumbledore, who has been unwilling to join the fight in a real way so far.

    He knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

    Yet while it could be easy to assume this is the franchise pivoting completely away from Newt and the rest, the latest look at the movie puts to rest that idea – the Magizoologist is certainly part of the fight here, even if he’s not in the promo as much as, say, Dan Fogelman’s Jacob Kowalski, the aforementioned muggle baker. Just when he thought he was out, the Wizarding World is drawing him back in, and this time he has a wand to use. Which of course could lead to trouble.

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    Making the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movies feel more like the Potter saga is probably a wise move at this point, and ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’ is aiming to blend the high stakes battle that fans have been craving with the usual assortments of magical creatures that is Newt’s more normal focus.

    David Yates is once more directing, but the real news behind the scenes here is the presence of Potter veteran Steve Kloves, who wrote all of the seven original films. While J.K. Rowling crafted the screenplay for the first two ‘Beasts’, they weren’t exactly praised for their sparkling dialogue or pacey feel, while the plotting was judged to be convoluted.

    Mikkelsen, brought in to replace Johnny Depp, knows how to play layered villains, and the idea of him going head-to-head with Law, especially given what we know about their characters, is certainly something to anticipate.

    The cast also includes the returning likes of Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, William Nadylam, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, and Katherine Waterston, who remains mysteriously absent in the trailers so far, causing some fans to wonder if she’s left the franchise.

    ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ will look to cast its spell over theaters from April 18.

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  • ‘The New Pope’ Teaser Trailer Doubles the Pope Fun

    ‘The New Pope’ Teaser Trailer Doubles the Pope Fun

    HBO

    There may be a “New Pope” in (Vatican) town, but Jude Law is still feeling — and looking  — fine.

    HBO released a teaser trailer for the eight-episode follow-up series to 2016’s “The Young Pope.”

    The teaser shows Law’s Pope Pius XIII (aka Lenny) strolling along the beach in a blinding white Speedo as women gaze in adoration, while John Malkovich’s new pope grimly walks through the Vatican with various attendants.

    Contrary to the sunny outlook for Lenny, he’s actually in a seemingly permanent coma. That’s why Malkovich has been appointed as pontiff.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAOD50blOKk

    But as creator Paolo Sorrentino teased to Variety, “Jude Law’s coma may not be so irreversible. It may have some unexpected novelties, so that two popes can co-exist in the episodes that follow.”

    He added, “This creates a disruption. For one billion Catholics, this reawakening can be thought of as a resurrection which within the fictional story that we are telling can lead to new and unpredictable consequences.”

    “The New Pope” will screen two episodes at the Venice Film Festival. It does not yet have a premiere date on HBO.

  • ‘Sherlock Holmes 3’ Taps ‘Rocketman’ Director Dexter Fletcher

    ‘Sherlock Holmes 3’ Taps ‘Rocketman’ Director Dexter Fletcher

    Warner Bros.

    It’s elementary for “Rocketman” director Dexter Fletcher, who has been hired to helm “Sherlock Holmes 3.”

    Variety reports that Fletcher will take over the franchise from Guy Ritchie, who directed 2009’s “Sherlock Holmes” and its follow-up 2011’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

    A third movie has always been planned, but was put on hold due to star Robert Downey Jr.’s busy schedule in various Marvel movies.

    Jude Law is also expected to reprise his role as Watson.

    Fletcher famously took over directing “Bohemian Rhapsody” after Bryan Singer left the project mid-production (though he did not receive credit as a director due to DGA rules). His most recent film, the Elton John biopic “Rocketman,” opened in May.

    “Sherlock Holmes 3” is slated to hit theaters December 21, 2021.

  • Jude Law to Star in HBO/Sky Limited Series ‘The Third Day’

    Jude Law to Star in HBO/Sky Limited Series ‘The Third Day’

    HBO

    Jude Law is returning to HBO. The “Young Pope” star is set to star in the limited series “The Third Day,” a co-production from HBO and Sky.

    The six-episode drama centers around Sam (Law), who after being drawn to a mysterious island off the British Coast, is thrown into the unusual world of its secretive inhabitants. Isolated from the mainland, the rituals of the island begin to overwhelm him, and he is confronted by a trauma from his past.

    As the line between reality and fantasy blurs, Sam finds himself immersed in an emotional quest which puts him at odds with the islanders and begins to threaten their way of life.

    The project comes from writer Dennis Kelly (“Utopia”) and Felix Barrett (artistic director of the immersive theatre company Punchdrunk International). Marc Munden (“National Treasure”) will direct.

    Production will begin next month in the U.K. The series will likely air sometime next year on HBO in the U.S. and on Sky for British viewers.

    This is the latest collaboration between Sky and HBO; they also partnered on the recently-concluded, acclaimed miniseries “Chernobyl.”

    Law recently starred in “Captain Marvel” and will reprise his “Young Pope” role in HBO’s follow-up “The New Pope.”

  • First Look at Marilyn Manson and Sharon Stone in HBO’s ‘The New Pope’

    First Look at Marilyn Manson and Sharon Stone in HBO’s ‘The New Pope’

    HBO/Gianni Fiorito.

    HBO just released images of Marilyn Manson and Sharon Stone in “The New Pope.”

    No idea yet what characters they’ll be playing in the follow-up to “The Young Pope,” but it’s a good guess Manson — who looks pretty much like he always does — isn’t playing a man of the cloth.

    Stone’s look, meanwhile, reminds us of Jessica Lange in “American Horror Story.”

    This is the first time either will work with the series’ creator, Paolo Sorrentino.

    HBO
    HBO

    In January, HBO released a first-look image of “new pope” John Malkovich and “young pope” Jude Law.

    The series debuted on HBO in January 2017, earning  Law a Golden Globe nomination. No air date has been announced for “The New Pope.”

    Manson’s previous acting credits include roles on “Salem” and “Sons of Anarchy.”

    Stone most recently starred in the Amazon series “Mosaic.” She’ll also appear in the Netflix series “Ratched,” the “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” prequel starring Sarah Paulson.

    [Via Variety]