Angelina Jolie is aboard to star in new spy thriller’ The Initiative’.
Doug Liman is directing the movie.
Universal has picked it up.
If it feels like 20 years since Angelina Jolie and director Doug Liman worked together, that’s because, er, it was! Yes, believe it or not, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’, about married spies/assassins who discover each other’s jobs and are assigned to take each other out, was released in 2005.
While we’re busy pondering time’s endless march and chasing the darn kids off our darn lawn, Jolie and Liman are reuniting for a new espionage thriller, this one called ‘The Initiative’.
(L to R) Casey Affleck, director Doug Liman and Matt Damon on the set of ‘The Instigators’. Photo: Apple TV+.
Frazier’s new screenplay, according to the Reporter, is described as ‘Training Day’ set in the world of spycraft.
The story would see Jolie playing a rogue master spy named Bright who works outside the lines (not the newest concept in the world). When a new agent named Charlie joins Bright’s team, he soon finds himself in situations where he isn’t sure whether his new boss is trying to kill him or simply is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect the free world.
While both Jolie and Liman have busy schedules, the studio is hoping this one can hit the fast track, and film early next year.
What else is Angelina Jolie working on?
Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Jolie was most recently seen in award-nominated biopic ‘Maria’ about opera singer Maria Callas, and also wrote, directed and produced war parable ‘Without Blood’, which has so far only been released in Italy following a festival run.
Next up for her in terms of release is ‘Couture’, written and directed by Alice Winocour, which sees Jolie as American filmmaker Maxine, who arrives in Paris for Fashion Week on a life-and-death journey, facing challenges and self-discovery.
And, as per usual, that’s just a sampling of what she’s either worked on or attached to. The busy filmmaker will also pop up being interviewed in documentaries including ‘World Food Programme’ and a variety of movies including ‘Anxious People’ and another action pic, ‘Maude v. Maude’.
When will ‘The Initiative’ be in theaters?
Universal, which is still putting the finishing touches to the deals for this one, has yet to specify a release date.
But if it does shoot next year, we’d guess a 2027 release isn’t out of the question.
Angelina Jolie as Fox in director Timur Bekmambetov’s ‘Wanted.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Brad Pitt stars in ‘Bullet Train.’ Photo: Scott Garfield. Copyright: 2022 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.
Unlucky assassin Ladybug (Pitt) is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train.
In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris (Orlando Bloom), the Trojan prince, convinces Helen (Diane Kruger), Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox) to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. They set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy.
Outlaw Jesse James (Pitt) is rumored to be the ‘fastest gun in the West’. An eager recruit into James’ notorious gang, Robert Ford (Casey Affleck) eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother (Sam Rockwell) sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.
Danny Ocean’s (George Clooney) team of criminals are back and composing a plan more personal than ever. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) doublecrosses Reuben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould), causing a heart attack, Danny Ocean vows that he and his team will do anything to bring down Willy Bank along with everything he’s got. Even if it means asking for help from an enemy.
In the last months of World War II, as the Allies make their final push in the European theatre, a battle-hardened U.S. Army sergeant named ‘Wardaddy’ (Pitt) commands a Sherman tank called ‘Fury’ and its five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
Brad Pitt in ‘World War Z’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Pitt) and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls.
On the day of his retirement, a veteran CIA agent (Robert Redford) learns that his former protégé (Pitt) has been arrested in China, is sentenced to die the next morning in Beijing, and that the CIA is considering letting that happen to avoid an international scandal.
Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.
Despite pulling off one of the biggest heists in Las Vegas history and splitting the $160 million take, each of the infamous Ocean’s crew have tried to go straight, lay low and live a legit life … but that’s proven to be a challenge. Casino owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) demands that Danny Ocean (George Clooney) return the money, plus millions more in interest. Unable to come up the cash, the crew is forced to come together to pull off another series of heists, this time in Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels.
In early 20th-century Montana, Col. William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) lives on a ranch in the wilderness with his sons, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), Tristan (Pitt), and Samuel (Henry Thomas). Eventually, the unconventional but close-knit family are bound by loyalty, tested by war, and torn apart by love, as told over the course of several decades in this epic saga.
In the year 2035, convict James Cole (Bruce Willis) reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth’s population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he’s arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and the son of a famous virus expert (Pitt) who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.
Taking a break from their dreary lives, close friends Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) embark on a short weekend trip that ends in unforeseen incriminating circumstances. As fugitives, both women rediscover the strength of their bond and their newfound resilience.
A husband (Pitt) and wife (Angelina Jolie) struggle to keep their marriage alive until they realize they are both secretly working as assassins. Now, their respective assignments require them to kill each other.
Clarence (Christian Slater) marries hooker Alabama (Patricia Arquette), steals cocaine from her pimp (Gary Oldman), and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners of the coke try to reclaim it.
Racing legend Sonny Hayes (Pitt) is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver (Damson Idris), while chasing one more chance at glory.
Less than 24 hours into his parole, charismatic thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is already rolling out his next plan: In one night, Danny’s hand-picked crew of specialists will attempt to steal more than $150 million from three Las Vegas casinos. But to score the cash, Danny risks his chances of reconciling with ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts).
Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button (Pitt) springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett), a child who flits in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer. Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda (Frances McDormand) and Chad (Pitt), they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit.
Brad Pitt in ‘Moneyball’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane’s (Pitt) successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine (Pitt) soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl (Mélanie Laurent) who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) whose crimes are based on the “seven deadly sins” in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset (Morgan Freeman) researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer’s mind, while his novice partner, Mills (Pitt), scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.
A ticking-time-bomb insomniac (Edward Norton) and a slippery soap salesman (Pitt) channel primal male aggression into a shocking new form of therapy. Their concept catches on, with underground “fight clubs” forming in every town, until an eccentric gets in the way and ignites an out-of-control spiral toward oblivion.
Brad Pitt in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth (Pitt), his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha).
Kerry Washington as Kyrah in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Juan Pablo Gutierrez.
Pulling inspiration from ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ and the Roger Moore era James Bond movies, ‘Shadow Force’ is an entertaining enough action movie but struggles with cliché villains and a complicated third act that will leave viewers slightly puzzled.
Director Joe Carnahan has crafted some unique action sequences that are really the highlight of the movie, while Kerry Washington and Omar Sy give strong performances that help to try and create the heart of the film. But in the end the film fails to establish a cohesive story and the action, and the lead performances are not enough to overcome the script’s shortcomings.
Story and Direction
Director Joe Carnahan on the set of ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
The movie begins by introducing us to Isaac Sarr (Sy), a former member of s special forces group called Shadow Force, raising his young son Ky (Jahleel Kamara) in hiding. Ky’s mother, Kyrah Owens (Washington) is also a former member of Shadow Force, and the two broke ties with the group after they fell in love and she became pregnant with Ky, which was forbidden by the group’s leader, Jack Cinder (Strong). Kyrah has since gone underground to protect Isaac and Ky, so that she can confuse Cinder and keep her family safe.
Trouble begins when Isaac, who has hearing loss, protects Ky during an unexpected bank robbery, and Cinder becomes aware of their location, sending the remaining members of Shadow Force to eliminate Isaac and Ky. This leads Kyrah no choice but to step out of the shadows and return to protect her family, reuniting for the first time with Ky since he was born.
Meanwhile, Isaac and Kyrah’s former colleagues Auntie Clanter ( Randolph) and Marcus “Unc” Owens (Smith) are also on their trail, but do they want to help Kyrah and her family, or are they working for Cinder? What follows is a cat and mouse game that ends in a showdown between Kyrah and Cinder where all the characters’ true intentions are revealed.
(L to R) Natalia Reyes as Moriti, Mark Strong as Cinder and Sala Baker as Scath in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
With films like ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘The Grey’, ‘The A-Team’, and ‘Boss Level’ under his belt, Joe Carnahan has established himself as one of the best action directors working today, but except for ‘Smokin’ Aces’, Carnahan’s films usually fall apart in the third act and only feature flashy characters and great action sequences. Unfortunately, ‘Shadow Force’ is no different.
However, the movie is worth seeing for the director’s unique take on a bank robbery, as well as a chase sequence involving massive trucks, and the film’s final set piece, a very impressive boat chase. Co-written by Carnahan and screenwriter Leon Chills, you can tell that Chills original script was more of a character-driven story and that Carnahan’s contributions included the action sequences and the supporting characters and villains, that are not as fleshed out as much as the two main characters.
While it would have been a completely different movie, it would have been interesting to see Chills’ original screenplay produced, which would have focused more on the relationship between Kyrah and Isaac, and less of the convoluted spy thriller plot and the generic villains. Although Carnahan’s chaotic shooting style lends itself well to some of his past films, it does become a burden here, but his choice to tie the movie’s music, several beloved Lionel Richie songs, to the core plot works surprisingly well.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Kerry Washington as Kyrah and Jahleel Kamera as Ky in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
With the film drawing so heavily from ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’, it’s interesting to note that Kerry Washington was in that movie, but except for that, has not had a chance to do a lot of action in the past. Much like watching Viola Davis fight terrorists in the recent ‘Die Hard’ inspired ‘G20’, it was refreshing to see an actress of Washington’s caliber take on a role like this. But while she is strong in the action sequences, it’s the scenes when she’s with Sy, and especially reuniting with her son, where Washington shines the most.
While American audiences might not be as familiar with Omar Sy’s work as European audiences are thanks to the French series ‘Lupin’, he did excel in last year’s action movie ‘The Killer’, which was directed by the legendary John Woo. Sy is again great here, especially in the action sequences and has a very strong presence on screen. I also loved the way his character’s hearing loss is treated like a superpower (Not unlike Marvel’s Daredevil character who is name dropped in the film) and not a disability.
(L to R) Cliff “Method Man” Smith as Unc and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Auntie in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Cliff “Method Man” Smith add a good amount of humor to the film, but their characters are not given a lot to do, and the guessing game of their true intentions becomes trying by the film’s end. But Smith does have a funny moment with Jahlell Kamara, when Ky references the Wu-Tang Clan and Method Man breaks the fourth wall (He is a founding member of the seminal hip hop group in real life) after hearing the comment.
But the weak point of the movie is by far Mark Strong’s performance, as well as the rest of the very forgettable Shadow Force members. Strong, who is typically a very good actor, is clearly phoning this performance in for a paycheck and it shows. To be fair, the character is underwritten to begin with, but Strong does nothing to elevate Cinder from a typical mustache-twirling Bond villain.
Final Thoughts
Omar Sy as Isaac in ‘Shadow Force’. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
‘Shadow Force’ is a flawed but still fun movie with some great action sequences and good performances from Washington and Sy but falls flat by the end. Carnahan’s vibey direction, the incredible set pieces, the Lionel Richie music and the main characters’ love story is not enough to make this a “rush out to the theaters to see it” movie. But I think it does have enough excitement to hold your attention on a Saturday afternoon once it is available to stream.
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What is the plot of ‘Shadow Force’?
Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Isaac (Omar Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force, but broke the rules by falling in love, and they go underground to protect their son (Jaheel Kamara) with the rest of the Shadow Force hot on their trail.
‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Emilia Perez’ were the big winners at the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture in both their categories in addition to other major prizes.
Comebacks and upsets were the theme of the evening, as Demi Moore won her first award ever and surprise winners captured other categories.
Following last year’s disastrous hosting gig by Jo Koy, stand-up comic Nikki Glaser steadied the ship with a smooth, funny, if unspectacular performance as emcee.
‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Emilia Perez’ were the biggest movie winners at the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 5, with the international journalists of the Golden Globe Foundation bestowing some of their biggest prizes on two of the more anti-commercial films of the season. A number of other highly hyped favorites like ‘Anora’ and ‘Wicked’ were largely shut out, while other major prizes went to a variety of smaller independent releases.
‘The Brutalist’ walked away with Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director for Brady Corbet, and Best Male Actor – Drama for Adrien Brody, while ‘Emilia Perez’ snagged Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Supporting Actor – Female for Zoe Saldana, Best Original Song for ‘El Mal,’ and Best International Motion Picture.
Neither film is what one might first think of as popular cineplex fare. ‘The Brutalist’ is a 3 ½ hour period epic about a brilliant architect and Holocaust survivor who struggles to find his place after landing in America following World War II, while ‘Emilia Perez’ is a musical about a Mexican cartel boss who transitions into a woman. ‘The Brutalist’ is just finding its way into theaters now, while ‘Emilia Perez’ has been streaming on Netflix since November. “We were told the film was undistributable, that no one would go see it,” said Corbet as he accepted Best Motion Picture. “No one was asking for 3 ½ hour film about a designer on 70mm. But it works.”
Moore, winning her first award of any kind in her long career, gave an impassioned and emotional speech in which she all but admitted that she never thought her work would receive any sort of acknowledgement beyond her ability to sell tickets:
“In those moments when we don’t think we are smart enough or pretty enough, or skinny enough or successful enough or basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me just know you will never be enough you can know the measure of your work if you just put down the measuring stick.”
She also revealed that she thought her best days as an actor might be behind her, a fear echoed by Adrien Brody in his equally emotional acceptance speech. “There was a time when I thought this would not be afforded to me again,” said the actor, who won an Oscar two decades ago for his portrayal of another Holocaust survivor in “The Pianist.”
Rousing speeches were among the highlights of the night, with Stan also acknowledging the difficulty of making films like ‘A Different Man’ and the Donald Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice,’ for which the Marvel star was also nominated for his portrayal of the convicted felon and once-and-future president. Meanwhile, director Jon M. Chu, accepting the Globes’ award for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement – most popular movie, in other words – for ‘Wicked,’ insisted on “how important making this stuff is, when pessimism and cynicism rule the planet right now.”
Aside from that award, ‘Wicked’ was shut out of other major prizes, as were Oscar favorites like ‘Anora,’ ‘Nickel Boys,’ and ‘A Complete Unknown,’ all of which went home empty-handed. ‘Conclave’ earned the screenplay prize, while ‘Challengers’ composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won for Best Score and Kieran Culkin earned Best Supporting Actor for ‘A Real Pain,’ the latter one of the few awards of the night which seemingly has a lock on an Oscar win as well.
On the TV side, ‘Shogun’ was the behemoth of the evening, walking away with three acting prizes as well as Best TV Series – Drama, while ‘Hacks’ won for Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical and ‘Baby Reindeer’ earned the trophy for Best Limited Series. The latter beat out ‘The Penguin’ in that category, although Colin Farrell, as widely expected, did earn the award for Best Male Actor – Limited Series for his portrayal of the title Gotham City crime boss.
As for the Golden Globes show itself, host and stand-up comic Nikki Glaser was a largely smooth and entertaining remedy for last year’s disastrous stint by stand-up Jo Koy, although Glaser did pull back on her usual raunchier fare with a succession of funny, if somewhat predictable, jokes about various members of the star-studded audience. But she proved herself more than capable of working what can be an often tough and raucous room.
The 2024 Emmy Awards will air on ABC Sunday, Sept. 15th.
Preview:
‘The Bear,’ ‘Shogun’ and ‘Baby Reindeer were among the big winners at the 2024 Emmys
‘Hacks’ was a surprise winner.
Dan and Eugene Levy hosted the night.
It might have been the second Emmys of 2024 (thanks to the strike-delayed first landing in January of this year), but otherwise it was business as usual for the TV Academy’s awards show.
Though there was the standard bout of repetition (‘The Bear’ won 11 awards, breaking its own record), while Billy Crudup and Jean Smart won more awards (for ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘Hacks respectively), there was still room for some surprises –– Lamorne Morris triumphed in the Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category for ‘Fargo’ over Robert Downey Jr. for ‘The Sympathizer,’ while talking of ‘Hacks,’ it was the somewhat shocking (if welcome) winner in the Comedy Series arena over ‘The Bear.’
The other big winners were in the limited series category (even if one of them is in early development on its second season) as ‘Shogun’ and ‘Baby Reindeer’ nabbed multiple trophies. Jodie Foster won the first Emmy of her career for ‘True Detective: Night Country.’
(L to R) Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Daniel Levy in ‘Schitt’s Creek’. Photo: CBC Television.
Eugene and Dan Levy, the stars (and in Dan’s case, creator) of ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ hosted the evening, kicking off with a monologue that touched on the controversy of a constantly dramatic show like ‘The Bear’ dominating the comedy categories and the growing presence of big movie stars on TV thanks to the lesser episodic demands of streaming shows.
And the big watchword for the show could be “nostalgia,” since various categories were handed out by stars of former TV shows such as ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Happy Days’ or those who played particular types of characters such as cops or lawyers.
There was an impassioned, funny speech from John Leguizamo about representation on television and a welcome award for TV super-producer Greg Berlanti. More confusing additions? Having Jelly Roll perform the In Memoriam song.
Here, then, is the full list of winners for the evening:
(L to R) Sandra Diaz-Twine, Trishelle Cannatella, Chris ‘C.T.’ Tamburello, Alan Cumming, Kate Chastain, Mercedes “MJ” Javid in ‘The Traitors’. Photo by: Euan Cherry/Peacock.
Jake Gyllenhaal attends as Amazon debuts Inaugural Upfront Presentation at Pier 36 on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Photo by Slaven Vlasic-Getty Images for Amazon.
Preview:
Jake Gyllenhaal will star in a ‘Road House’ sequel.
Amazon confirmed the news today.
The company also announced word on ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ and more.
It was a big news day for Amazon’s film studio arm and streaming service Prime Video, as the companies used their shared first “Upfronts” (a presentation for ad buyers) to announce some new projects and follow-ups to recent successes.
Prime –– pun entirely intended –– among the movie news was word of a sequel to this spring’s ‘Road House’, the updated take on the cult Patrick Swayze bar-brawling drama that starred Jake Gyllenhaal.
Though the first film arrived on a wave of negative press –– producer Joel Silver was removed for aggressive behavior, director Doug Liman denounced the plan to release the movie direct to streaming (he’s since made peace with the idea) and a lawsuit from the writer of the original that claimed the new movie was simply a grab at keeping the IP –– ‘Road House’ has turned out to be a big success for Amazon/MGM, with 50 million views globally in its first two weekends.
And there was more to come…
This is what Amazon film boss Jennifer Salke said at the event:
“As we saw this spring the world went crazy for a little movie called ‘Road House’. Nearly 80 million viewers globally have watched ‘Road House.’ We like to watch these results like a baby.”
So, far from putting baby in a corner (a little cross-Swayze humor there), the studio has Gyllenhaal ready to return for a follow-up. No other details were confirmed, so we’ll have to wait to see if Liman is lured back to direct (highly unlikely) and what the story might be for the star’s main character Dalton, the MMA pugilist-turned-bar bouncer.
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
The thriller series, which takes the Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt movie as its loose inspiration to tell a story of relationships and spy craft, was confirmed to be returning for a second season.
But unlike ‘Road House’, there was no confirmed casting, so while Donald Glover (who also co-created the show with Francesca Sloane) and Maya Erskine starred in Season 1 as two strangers brought together by a mysterious agency, there is no word yet on whether they’ll be back (despite the first season ending in a seeming cliff-hanger).
Sloane is back for Season 2 to run the show, but it remains to be seen whether the series continues the story of the established John (Glover) and Jane (Erskine) Smith or follows some other agents.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge was originally aboard to develop and co-star in the show with Glover but left after creative differences. Still, she’s stuck around Amazon/Prime Video…
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s ‘Tomb Raider’ series
Phoebe Waller-Bridge from ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
While we knew that ‘Fleabag’ creator has been developing a show based on the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game, Amazon has now handed down a series order.
Waller-Bridge will write the series, but currently doesn’t plan to star.
Here’s what she had to say about the news:
“If I could tell my teenage self this was happening I think she’d explode. ‘Tomb Raider has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators. Lara Croft means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all.”
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Premiering on Prime Video this week, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ loosely –– very loosely –– adapts the 2005 Doug Limanmovie that saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie playing married assassins unaware of each other’s secret job whose stale relationship is re-ignited when they’re assigned by their competing agencies to take each other out (and we don’t mean on a date).
But the new series shares really only the title and the most basic concept with the movie. Instead, here we have two strangers who apply for a job that sees them partnered up and moving through the various stages of relationships in their fake coupledom even as real feelings develop and the missions become more perilous.
Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ deployed monsters as metaphor for teenage angst, body changes, and concerns. ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ tries a similar trick (though hopefully without the problematic future Joss Whedon of it all), utilizing the central couple’s various experiences as a mirror for a developing relationship.
It’s not a completely 1:1 situation, though some episodes play to that much more than others (episode 5, for example, sees the duo forced into a situation where their charge, played wonderfully by a superbly grumpy Ron Perlman is effectively a substitute child) but in general, the idea works.
Sometimes the balance of character work to action can be off-kilter, and not everything about the main dynamic works (Donald Glover and Maya Erskine have decent chemistry, though it takes some time to find its groove). Which, we suppose is how all relationships start and end up working.
But on the whole, it’s an entertaining peek into the various marker points of the relationship and the series format certainly offers more scope to explore the character levels than anything in the movie.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Script and Direction
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Though Glover originally developed the show with ‘Fleabag’ creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creative differences saw Waller-Bridge depart and Glover instead create the show with his ‘Atlanta’ cohort Francesca Sloane (who runs the show here).
The writing for the series carries some of the hallmarks of Glover and Sloane’s past work (though none of its experimental, random nature which probably wouldn’t have worked for this). This time around, their focus is on the burgeoning relationships and using the spy missions/job as a giant metaphor for an evolving connection between two people is one that largely works well, even if it does mean there tends to be a larger focus on interaction between the two main characters rather than the action side of things. Jane and John are written decently, though they may end up testing the patience of some audiences.
As for the metaphors, they run the gamut from excellent to exhausting. One episode, where our main pair meet and spend time with another “John” and “Jane” is at times interminable (no fault of the actors involved). But the mission-of-the-week format means that if you don’t spark to one episode, you may well enjoy another.
Directors Hiro Murai, Christian Sprenger and Karena Evans (the first two have ‘Atlanta’ experience on their busy resumes, the latter has focused more on music videos and other TV series) bring a fresh, dynamic look to the show, and if the action moments aren’t quite up there with the likes of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ or ‘Bond’ franchises, that’s because it isn’t the main point here. This is a relationship drama with a side of set-pieces.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Performances
(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
With the guest cast almost constantly changing (only one or two people beyond the leads appear in more than a single episode), the weight is very much on Glover and Erskine. As people who have both been the focus of TV series they co-created, they’re both more than able to carry the load of leading roles.
Of the two, Erskine comes off better, getting to show more development than the slightly more disconnected Glover. She’s excited for the opportunity to begin with, but you can really see the weight settle upon her as the season moves on. Keeping the metaphor of the relationship going, she becomes more and more disenfranchised as she realizes she’s holding up more of her end in terms both missions and personal life.
Which is not to say that Glover is bad –– his John Smith is a man who seems far less willing to leave his old life behind (a nod towards the usual commitment issues found more often in men than women) –– and he has some superb moments as the relationship develops and, at times, sours.
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
Neither of the main pair are natural action stars, but they do their best, aided with a decent stunt team.
Around them is an ever-changing roster of others: Paul Dano is a good-looking neighbor who Jane takes a shine to, while Wagner Moura and Parker Posey are the other John and Jane who share the double date that ends awkwardly (and dangerously). Again, as mentioned above, the actors are perfectly fine in their roles, they’re just let down a little by the episode’s script.
Perlman, meanwhile, is wonderful in his role as the mysterious man that John and Jane are assigned to protect.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’: Final Thoughts
(L to R) Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
If it sometimes stretches the concept a little thin, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ is an effective mix of spy thriller and marriage drama with the emphasis on the latter.
Those seeking the next ‘Atlanta’ won’t find that here, but then, that wasn’t the point –– and as adaptations of movies go, this at least has the confidence to truly be its own thing.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
(L to R) Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ Credit: David Lee/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.
What’s the story of ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’?
Two lonely strangers land jobs working for a mysterious spy agency that offers them a glorious life of espionage, wealth, world travel, and a dream brownstone in Manhattan.
The catch? New identities in an arranged marriage as Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Smith. Now hitched, John (Donald Glover) and Jane (Maya Erskine) navigate a high-risk mission every week while also facing a new relationship milestone.
Their complex cover story becomes even more complicated when they catch real feelings for each other. What’s riskier: espionage or marriage?
You can add to that list, ‘Maude vs. Maude’, a new action thriller that, assuming it all comes together, will boast the twin star power of Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry.
Warner Bros. is hoping it will, since the chance to pit two of the biggest actors in the world against each other is certainly an appealing prospect, one the studio thinks will get people into cinemas. It was enough that it took the project off the table after a bidding war between several possible buyers.
Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’
That’s the big question right now. At this early stage, the company is not releasing any plot details, though Deadline has heard from insiders that it’ll be a “Bond vs. Bourne” type of global action thriller with locations to be announced. We’d expect the budget to be considerable.
So far what we do know for sure is the script comes from Scott Mosier, who cut his cinematic teeth working as Kevin Smith’s producer (and podcasting buddy) and has more recently been creating his own movies, including writing ‘Free Birds’ and directing Illumination’s ‘The Grinch’.
Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry: Action credentials
Though they haven’t shared the screen before, both actors have plenty of action in their backgrounds. Jolie has starred in the likes of the first two ‘Lara Croft’ movies, starred in espionage film ‘Salt’ and did plenty of stuns/gunplay in ‘Wanted’.
In more recent years, she’s focused more on directing and producing, though has stayed busy in front of the camera, and did some fighting in Marvel’s ‘Eternals’.
Berry, meanwhile, cropped up in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, but before that had a run in the ‘X-Men’ movies and played NSA operative Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson in Bond movie ‘Die Another Day’, getting to do more action than many of her female predecessors in the franchise.
And she proved she still has what it takes to fight in her 2020 directorial debut ‘Bruised’, in which she starred as an MMA fighter finding redemption.
Given their clout in Hollywood these days, both Berry and Jolie will be producers on the new movie, along with Mosier, Liang, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Joe Roth.
Depending on the tone, this could always harken back to another Jolie back catalogue entry, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, in which she played an assassin opposite Brad Pitt.
(L to R) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 2005’s ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’
