Moviefone Editorial

Tag: nathalie-emmanuel

  • Vin Diesel Hints at 12th ‘Fast & Furious’ Movie

    Vin Diesel as Dom in 'Fast X,' directed by Louis Leterrier.
    Vin Diesel as Dom in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.

    Just when you though the ‘Fast & Furious’ team had really, truly finalized plans to wrap the franchise up (while still, of course, leaving the car door open for future spin-offs etc.) with the already-announced 11th entry as a two parter with this week’s ‘Fast X’ along comes star/producer Vin Diesel teasing that there could well be at least one more movie.

    Team ‘Fast’ headed to Rome shortly before the weekend for a big press event to promote the movie (which makes sense, since a chunk of the film takes place in the city).

    Interviewed by Fandango about a possible future for the franchise, Diesel said this,

    “It’s a really good question. As filmmakers, you want to allow people to enjoy the film without tipping the hat too much. I can say this. Going into making this movie, the studio had asked if this could be a two-parter. And after the studio saw this, part one, they said, could you make ‘Fast X’, the finale, a trilogy?”

    Diesel and co-star Michelle Rodriguez wouldn’t be drawn on whether it’ll happen for sure, though Diesel did say, “probably”.

    You can see the full video here:

    Of course, even though Diesel has an awful lot of say over developments in the ‘Fast’ world, it’s up to Universal whether this actually happens. But we can certainly see the studio happy to keep its most successful franchise motoring.

    Our guess –– and this is purely speculation –– is that executives are waiting to see the box office results of ‘Fast X’ before making any final decision.

    Jason Momoa is Dante in 'Fast X,' directed by Louis Leterrier.
    Jason Momoa is Dante in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.

    Related Article: Rita Moreno Joins ‘Fast X’

    What happens in ‘Fast X’?

    Directed by Louis Leterrier (who replaced Justin Lin) ‘Fast X’ picks up with Dom and his crew as they look to fend off the pair of big bads — the cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) and her mysterious cohort, Dante (Jason Momoa), who, it turns out, has a link to another previous franchise antagonist, the drug kingpin Reyes, played in ‘Fast Five’ by Joaquim de Almeida.

    Dante, as the trailers for ‘Fast X’ have already revealed, is the son of Reyes, and has spent the time since ‘Fast Five’ plotting his revenge against Dom and co.

    Dom and the usual gang will need help of a new friend, Tess (Brie Larson), who has her own connections to a supporting ‘Fast’ character.

    The cast for this one is typically sprawling and includes Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, John Cena, Jason Statham, Alan Ritchson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Helen Mirren, Daniela Melchior, Jordana Brewster, Cardi B and Scott Eastwood, Rita Moreno and Leo Abelo Perry.

    And original franchise star Paul Walker’s daughter Meadow will appear in the film in a cameo to “honor” the legacy of her late father, as she revealed on social media last week.

    ‘Fast X’, as mentioned, is due in theaters on Friday. The 11th film (with Leterrier returning) has yet to announce a release date but is likely headed our way in 2025.

    Jason Momoa and Vin Diesel star in 'Fast X.'
    (L to R) Jason Momoa and Vin Diesel star in ‘Fast X.’ Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Fast X:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘Fast X’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Fast & Furious’ Movies On Amazon

    ‘Fast X’ is produced by Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race, and Perfect Storm Entertainment. It is set to premiere in theaters on May 19th, 2023.

     

  • ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter’ Interview with Kevin Hart

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    Season 2 of the popular series ‘Die Hart,’ which is cleverly entitled ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter’ will premiere March 31st on The Roku Channel.

    What is the plot of ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter?’

    Directed by Eric Appel (‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’), ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter’ picks up after the events of the first season, which saw actor Kevin Hart (played by the real Kevin Hart) achieve his dream of becoming an action star when his reboot of ‘The Jeffersons’ becomes a box office hit. Now Kevin wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time.

    Kevin’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie where the action is so unscripted and unexpected that even he won’t know what’s coming next. But Kevin’s myopic dream comes with a blind spot, and he soon finds himself the victim of an evil revenge plot, orchestrated by someone from his past. Now, Kevin must enlist the help of his favorite co-star Jordan King (Nathalie Emmanuel), his over-eager assistant Andre (Ben Schwartz), Andre’s mom Cynthia (Paula Pell), and legendary Hollywood stuntman Mr. 206 (John Cena) if he wants to survive.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter?’

    ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter’ stars Kevin Hart (‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,’ ‘DC League of Super-Pets’) as himself, Nathalie Emmanuel (‘The Fate of the Furious’) as Kevin’s co-star Jordan King, Ben Schwartz (‘Sonic the Hedgehog’) as Kevin’s over-eager assistant Andre, Paul Pell (‘Sisters’) as Andre’s mom Cynthia, and John Cena (‘The Suicide Squad’) as legendary Hollywood stuntman Mr. 206.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Hart about his work on ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter,’ playing an exaggerated version of himself, becoming an action star, the show’s new characters, working with John Cena and the rest of the cast, the title, and which classic TV series he would like to see given a big screen adaption.

    Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.'
    Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’

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

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about the challenges of playing an exaggerated version of yourself in this series and were you concerned that some people might think this is the real you?

    Kevin Hart: No, I mean this is a fun role to play. The opportunity to play an exaggerated version of yourself can only set the table for you to do things that you wish you could do in real life. You can get away with so much more. So I think I’m very happy with the real version of myself, but I love now having the table and template set up to play this version, and people understand the difference.

    MF: In the series, the character of Kevin dreams of being an action star. In real life, is starring in action films something you’ve always dreamed of doing in addition to comedy?

    KH: I think the roles and the opportunity attached to them have put me in a space where I can dabble, or have dabbled in action. This here is just taking it to the next level of fun and participation. There’s real movies that are set up to happen later in the year where the action is, I can say, a massive upgrade than what you’ve seen me do in the past. Everything is done with a plan attached to it, right? Nothing is an accident. So in this case, setting the table up for the playful entry into action, and for the playful idea of Kevin wanting the opportunity, only to later expand and show me having it. It’s all thought out. So baby steps, the baby steps of association are what you’re witnessing. Only to eventually see the side that I know is coming, be presented, and be real, and be good. That’s the beauty of being creative. That’s the art and artistry of idea and execution. So I can only hope that the takeaway from this one is really significant and have an immediate understanding that, “Oh yeah, Kevin can do this because we saw him doing it before.”

    Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.'
    Kevin Hart stars in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’

    MF: In addition to playing Kevin Hart, you also play a new character this season, Doug. What can you tell us about him?

    KH: Doug is a stunt man to Kevin, who wants to be an action star. Well, you definitely need a stuntman. In this series, there’s a stance that Kevin has where he doesn’t need a stuntman, and he kind of overlooks, overpowers, overshadows him to the point where he says he doesn’t need him. His stuntman is left with kind of egg on his face because he’s done so much to get him where he got. Just like that, Kevin throws him to the side. So Doug basically goes, “Well, I’m going to get my revenge, and I’m going to make sure that you get yours. I’m going to take you down.” So there’s this thing of Kevin being haunted by his stunt guy. At the same time, trying to figure out the world of what this action thing is, while Natalie is convincing me of another, and John Cena’s doing what he’s doing. So there’s a lot of different directions that Kevin is being pulled into, and rightfully so. It just adds for great comedy and a great foundation for us to expand on.

    MF: How did you create Doug’s unusual voice?

    KH: Being silly, just being silly and finding something. It was very easy and then marrying myself to it. But yes, it wasn’t a difficult stretch or a difficult thing to pull through. The teeth and the costume, it all helped.

    John Cena in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.'
    John Cena in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’

    MF: What was it like working with Nathalie Emmanuel again and new cast members Ben Schwartz and John Cena?

    KH: Great, from top to bottom. We are following the amazing cast that participated in part one, including Josh Hartnett, John Travolta, and Nathalie Emmanuel. Following suit in this season, with Natalie returning, we also have John Cena and Ben Schwartz. You want a very diverse cast, but you want a cast that gives you the opportunity to attack a global landscape. We feel that we check that box with comedy, with action, and with personnel. So we’re very lucky and fortunate to have gotten the participation that we got. They’ve all exceeded our expectations just in performance. They elevated the material, they made it better, and that’s all you can hope for.

    MF: Can you talk about collaborating with director Eric Appel on the series?

    KH: He’s amazing. Eric and our writer Tripper (Clancy) have done an amazing job in just helping to shape and mold this IP into what it is today. I have a good time doing it, which is why I’m still here, right? Regardless of my landscape and the size of things that are going on, this is a priority and always has been.

    Nathalie Emmanuel and Kevin Hart in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.'
    (L to R) Nathalie Emmanuel and Kevin Hart in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’

    MF: In the first season, your character adapts the classic TV series ‘The Jeffersons’ in to an action movie. What classic television series would you like to see adapted in to a big screen movie?

    KH: God, if you want to go and adapt it into a big screen movie, ‘Knight Rider.’ ‘Knight Rider’ could be a movie. I put that in that same space as ‘The A-Team’ and ‘Baywatch,’ of one of the ones that they can take and just have a bigger plot, a bigger twist, a bigger journey, so that it’s not one note. I would say ‘Knight Rider.’

    MF: Finally, and obviously, the title of the second season is a spoof on the ‘Die Hard’ sequel, ‘Die Hard 2’ Die Harder.’ Is it safe to say that if there is a third season it will be called ‘Die Hart: With a Vengeance?’

    KH: Hart definitely will be in there. We’re not losing the world of ‘Die Hart.’ So yes, you are spot on and we’ll cross that road when we get to it.

    Kevin Hart and Ben Schwartz in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.'
    (L to R) Kevin Hart and Ben Schwartz in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’

    Movies Starring Kevin Hart:

    Buy Kevin Hart Movies On Amazon

  • Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Reportedly in Trouble

    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of 'The Godfather' event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.

    Francis Ford Coppola is taking a huge risk to make his latest giant movie, ‘Megalopolis’, one that he’s been trying to wrangle into production for two decades. He’s poured millions of his own money into the movie, and while he announced a cast and kicked off shooting late last year, it would appear that there are now big problems with the film.

    ‘Megalopolis’, in case it somehow escaped your attention, is an ambitious story with Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, Talia Shire, Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman and Dustin Hoffman starring.

    The story is mostly a mystery, but reportedly focuses on an architect who seeks to rebuild New York City––or possibly a metropolis based on it––as a utopia after a disaster.

    With Coppola stumping up the $120 million budget, the Hollywood Reporter has now heard from sources that it’s descending into costly chaos. As in, budget-inflating chaos.

    A plan to shoot using ‘Mandalorian’-style volume techniques (virtual production, where backgrounds are projected onto giant LED screens) has apparently been abandoned in favor of less costly, more traditional greenscreen.

    Several department heads, including the production designer and supervising art director, plus the entire effects team have left or been replaced. “It was absolute madness, being on set,” reports an agent for someone in the film who had visited the production.

    ‘Megalopolis’ is roughly halfway through an estimated 80-90-day shoot, and the director is reportedly pressing on, hiring new team members.

    Sensing that the reports would negatively impact his film, Coppola has begun the damage control process, talking with rival trade site Deadline and seeking to assure that the production is continuing and that he’s confident in his work.

    “I’ve never worked on a film where I was so happy with the cast,” Coppola said. “I am so happy with the look and that we are so on schedule. These reports never say who these sources are. To them, I say, ha, ha, just wait and see. Because this is a beautiful film and primarily so because the cast is so great. I’ve never enjoyed working with a cast who are so hardworking and so willing to go search for the unconventional, to come upon hidden solutions. It is a thrill to work with these actors and the photography is everything I could hope for. The dailies are great. So if we’re on schedule, and I love the actors and the look is great, I don’t know what anyone’s talking about here.”

    “My cast is the most wonderful group of actors, who are doing beautiful work and there isn’t one case of where I wish I had cast another way,” Coppola added. “Every night I go see the dailies, and I understand why I am going through all of this. I love what I see, every night. The look of the film is exactly what I dreamed.”

    Adam Driver in Sony's '65.'
    Adam Driver in Sony’s ’65.’

    Star Driver, meanwhile, was even more vehement that all was well.

    “I’d like to briefly respond to The Hollywood Reporter article published Monday, January 9th,” he said. “All good here! Not sure what set you’re talking about! I don’t recognize that one! I’ve been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it. The environment that’s being created by Francis, is one of focus and inspiration. As of now, we’re on schedule, making our days, and honestly, it’s been one of the best shooting experiences I’ve had. Our crew is fast and inventive, our costume department is on point, the actors are incredible and willing, and Francis is one of the most insightful and caring people to work with. I’m very proud to be making this movie with him, and them, and though I haven’t interviewed everyone, I can confidently say that that’s the general attitude on set.”

    But wait! There’s more…

    “Yes, it is true that the art department resigned and VFX were let go,” Driver continues. “Not all departments find cohesion on films and rather than suffer through and making decisions that leave a lasting impression on the film, people quit, get fired, or part ways. It’s unfortunate when it happens, but this production is not out of pocket in comparison to other productions; especially to the point that it merits an article about us descending into chaos. That characterization is inaccurate. No one signed up for this movie expecting the process to be conventional. We were expecting the opposite in the pursuit of making something unique. The only madness I’ve observed is that more productions aren’t allowed to be as creatively wild and experimentally focused, precisely because someone else is paying for it. It’s an effort and risk by Francis that I feel should be applauded, not publicly mischaracterized as troubled.”

    The answer, most likely, is somewhere in between, but Coppola has had a history of chaotic shoot that––a little like James Cameron’s experiences with ‘Titanic’––resulted in classic movies. ‘Apocalypse Now’ was infamous for its tribulations, and there is an entire documentary, ‘Hearts of Darkness’ that chronicles its rollercoaster shoot.

    It remains to be seen whether ‘Megalopolis’ ends up with similar status or even among the director’s best movies. Let’s not forget that this is also the man who made ‘The Godfather’ movies and ‘The Conversation’. He’s a multiple Oscar winner and no one would doubt that he knows what he’s doing when it comes to making films. It’s just that his passion has a habit of leading him down conflicting paths.

    Either way, we’re hoping that someone has been filming behind the scenes on this one––it has the makings of another classic documentary.

    ‘Megalopolis’ has yet to score a release date and may well not hit theaters until next year. But now we’re even more eager to see it.

    Al Pacino, Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro
    Al Pacino, Francis Ford Coppola and Robert De Niro onstage during the 50th anniversary tribute of “The Godfather” at the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.
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  • Shia LaBeouf Joins ‘Megalopolis’

    Shia LaBeouf in 2019's 'Honey Boy.'
    Shia LaBeouf in 2019’s ‘Honey Boy.’

    At lot of recent headlines around Shia LaBeouf have not been positive. There have been the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ exchanges leaked between LaBeouf and director Olivia Wilde, leading to a she-said, Shia-said story about why he left the movie – she claims she fired him; he argues that he left because there wasn’t enough rehearsal time.

    Then there’s his mea culpa on both his abusive treatment of ex-girlfriend, musician FKA Twigs and his admission that his based-on-truth tale ‘Honey Boy’ about his younger days and his troubled relationship with his father was not based on so much truth as he claimed.

    Still, he’s looking to get his career back on track and scored a big new job. He’ll be one of the leads in Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’, according to Giant Freakin’ Robot.

    The director’s passion project, a hugely ambitious movie he’s been trying to bring to life for 20 years, is crawling towards reality. After a false start or two, he recently locked in Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whittaker, Jon Voight, and Laurence Fishburne for the cast.

    Alongside LaBeouf, Coppola has also added the likes of Talia Shire (Coppola’s sister) Jason Schwartzman (Shire’s son), Grace Vanderwaal, Kathryn Hunter and James Remar.

    Jason Schwartzman in 1998's 'Rushmore.'
    Jason Schwartzman in 1998’s ‘Rushmore.’

    Strict story details are sketchy, but the logline is equally ambitious: The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius, and conflicting interests. To be a little clearer on that, it’ll focus on political and social wrangling in a giant city (modeled on, or even actually, New York) looking to rebuild after a disaster.

    The quest to make this one has consumed Coppola in recent years, and he’s pouring a lot of his own money into making the movie. With a budget in the region of $100 million, it’s a project that has seen backers come and go, but he’s finally setting up a shoot for the fall.

    Speaking to Deadline, Coppola outlined why he’s really making this movie. What would make me really happy? It’s not winning a lot of Oscars because I already have a lot and maybe more than I deserve. And it’s not that I make a lot of money, although I think over time it will make a lot of money because anything that the people keep looking at and finding new things, that makes money,” he says.

    Coppola adds: “So somewhere down the line, way after I’m gone, all I want is for them to discuss ‘Megalopolis’ and, is the society we’re living in the only one available to us? How can we make it better? Education, mental health? What the movie really is proposing is that utopia is not a place. It’s how can we make everything better? Every year, come up with two, three or four ideas that make it better. I would be smiling in my grave if I thought something like that happened, because people talk about what movies really mean if you give them something.”

    ‘Megalopolis’ has yet to set a release date. As for LaBeouf, he’ll next be seen in Abel Ferrara’s ‘Padre Pio’, due for its debut at the Venice Film Festival’s Venice Days section.

    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of 'The Godfather' event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
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  • Rita Moreno Joins ‘Fast X’

    Rita Moreno in the documentary 'Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.'
    Rita Moreno in the documentary ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.’

    In keeping with how most people find out about anything ‘Fast & Furious’, the most recent – and potentially most exciting – piece of casting news comes courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram.

    The enthusiastic actor/producer hit social media with a video announcing that none other than Oscar winner and acting legend Rita Moreno is aboard ‘Fast X’, joining the ever-growing ensemble as Dominic Toretto’s (Diesel) grandmother.

    “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile,” Diesel says in the video.

    “I think my old age was waiting for you to ask me, isn’t that nice, and I’m here, the answer is yes, I’ll do it, and not only I’ll do it, I am tickled,” Moreno responds.

    It’s a lovefest! Which is in stark contrast to some of the other videos shot on set of the movie, with uncomfortable-looking co-stars (and former director Justin Lin) appearing to resent having to show up on camera with Diesel.

    Casting Moreno represents just the latest addition to the ‘Fast’ team for this new movie, which has already seen the likes of Brie Larson, Jason Momoa, Daniela Melchior and ‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson making their debut in the franchise.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd8VHBCDeNj/

    The plot for the movie remains under wraps, though the presence of Charlize Theron’s Cipher points to more trouble for our main team. Returning this time are veterans Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, and Nathalie Emmanuel.

    In addition to the regulars, ‘The Fate of the Furious’ Scott Eastwood (as the government agent codenamed Little Nobody) plus ‘F9’s Michael Rooker (as mechanic/Toretto family friend Buddy) and Cardi B (as paramilitary leader Leysa) are also all back in the fold.

    Moreno, of course, needs little introduction. An actor with decades of experience, she’s also known for her singing and dancing skills. She won an Oscar for her performance as Anita in 1961’s ‘West Side Story’, and notched acclaim for appearing in Steven Spielberg’s version of the same movie last year, albeit playing a different role. She’s also an “EGOT” – having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. And now she could be up for the MTV Movie Awards as Coolest Granny On Film.

    She’s someone Diesel has been trying to get on board for a while now. Interviewed by Variety last year, the actor and Lin discussed the idea of Dom’s mother showing up but pivoted to talk of his grandmother. “Before we get to Mother Toretto, we will get to Abuela,” Diesel says. “And the person that I’m so excited to talk about that role is Rita Moreno.’”

    For her part, Moreno seemed up for it at the time. “I’m waiting for his call,” she laughed. “I think it’s a fabulous idea. I hope he puts me in black leather…” Let’s see if that last part comes true!

    ‘Fast X’ has had to weather some recent drama, with Lin stepping away from the movie, to be replaced by Louis Leterrier. The switch has caused a brief shutdown in production, but the movie is back up and shooting now.

    With luck, ‘Fast X’ will still be speeding into theaters on May 19th next year.

    'Fast X' Logo.
    ‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.
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  • Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel and Forest Whittaker Head for ‘Megalopolis’

    Adam Driver in 'The Report'
    Adam Driver in ‘The Report’ by Scott Z. Burns. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima.

    Francis Ford Coppola is a filmmaker whose career includes such stone-cold classics as the first two ‘Godfather’ movies, ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘The Conversation’.

    He’s evolved from young and hungry guerilla director to one of the grand elders of cinema, helping others get their work made and investing what he’s earned in other business, including his famous winery. So, you might think his legacy would be secure.

    Yet for Coppola, he’s not yet satisfied, his creative drive powering him to work on one more, giant – and incredibly risky – passion project, a movie he’s been trying to bring to life for 20 years: ‘Megalopolis’. And now he might, finally, be doing it, as Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Forest Whittaker, Jon Voight, and Laurence Fishburne are all in the cast for the movie.

    Strict story details are sketchy, but the rough logline runs thus: The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius, and conflicting interests. To be a little clearer on that, it’ll focus on political and social wrangling in a giant city (modeled on, or even actually, New York) looking to rebuild after a disaster.

    The quest to make this one has consumed Coppola in recent years, and he’s pouring a lot of his own money into making the movie (while deals are being hatched to boost its financing). With a budget in the region of $100 million. It’s a project that has seen cast and backers come and go – most recently, he had it set up with the likes of Oscar Isaac and Zendaya in the lead roles, but that version didn’t quite come together (though Voight and Whittaker were attached then, too).

    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of 'The Godfather' event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
    Director Frances Ford Coppola at the 50th Anniversary of ‘The Godfather’ event and historic street naming ceremony the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, CA on February 22nd, 2022. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.

    Speaking to Deadline recently, Coppola outlined why he’s really making this movie. What would make me really happy? It’s not winning a lot of Oscars because I already have a lot and maybe more than I deserve. And it’s not that I make a lot of money, although I think over time it will make a lot of money because anything that the people keep looking at and finding new things, that makes money,” he says.

    Coppola adds: “So somewhere down the line, way after I’m gone, all I want is for them to discuss ‘Megalopolis’ and, is the society we’re living in the only one available to us? How can we make it better? Education, mental health? What the movie really is proposing is that utopia is not a place. It’s how can we make everything better? Every year, come up with two, three or four ideas that make it better. I would be smiling in my grave if I thought something like that happened, because people talk about what movies really mean if you give them something.”

    The cameras should be rolling this fall. But is Coppola not concerned that it could still be a tough sell, even when it’s been made? “My films, the more weird they are, the longer they seem to last,” he says. “I don’t even know why.”

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  • ‘F9’ Review: Fast, Wild, and Worth Waiting for on the Big Screen

    ‘F9’ Review: Fast, Wild, and Worth Waiting for on the Big Screen

    Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel in ‘F9’

    It’s hard to look at the 20-year-old ‘The Fast & the Furious’ and see the beginnings of a blockbuster franchise, but here we are. And if the series has moved past illegal street races and into heist and spy movie territory, that’s all for the better. As this rogue’s gallery of street racers has become an unstoppable team of vehicle-based super agents, the movies in the franchise have increasingly raised the stakes for our heroes, physics and reality be damned. And you know what? It’s worked, including the latest chapter ‘F9.’

    Where do you go after taking on a tank, a cargo plane, and a submarine? I won’t spoil anything here (although you’ll get some hints from the trailer), but it’s pretty impressive how director and co-writer Justin Lin takes the series to new heights while acknowledging the increasingly insane action sequences our heroes find themselves in.

    Our story starts off with a flashback to Dom’s past, as he’s part of his father’s pit crew at what will be turn out to be the senior Toretto’s final race. We’re also introduced to Jakob, Dom’s younger brother. It’s hard to imagine that Dom, always preaching to us about family, has never, even mentioned his brother, but that’s far from the least-believable element in this movie. (To be clear, I’m not complaining about over-the-top elements, but you’ll need to go further than “willing suspension” and actively lock up your disbelief and throw away the key.)

    We soon return to the present to see Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) living a bucolic life off the grid with young Brian, Dom’s adorable young son who (of course) is being taught how to fix engines by Dad. Do the Torettos miss all the extreme driving? Of course they do, but Dom claims to have left that in the past. But as an unknown SUV pulls up, Dom & Letty pull out some fairly heavy-duty weaponry and send Brian off to hide; clearly they fear the past hasn’t left them.

    Their visitors turn out to be more of the old crew – Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), who are welcomed with open arms. The visitors have come with news that the man that brought them into the spy game, Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) has sent them a cryptic S.O.S. message. The message contains coordinates and evidence that an old nemesis, Cypher (Charlize Theron) is involved. Although initially hesitant, Dom joins the rest of the crew on a trip to Central America to find out what happened to Mr. Nobody.

    Now that we have buy-in from Dom, the plot can get really get started. The crew’s discovery of mysterious tech leads to gunfights and a wild chase scene through the jungle, which then sets the stage for Jakob Toretto (John Cena) to make an appearance. It’s not a joyful reunion for the Toretto brothers. Jakob, almost as skilled a driver as Dom, is now a rogue secret agent, and makes off with that MacGuffin, leaving the rest of the crew dumbfounded. And now Mia (Jordana Brewster) is involved since, as she reminds Dom, Jakob is her brother too.

    The plot then goes into classic James Bond territory; it turns out Jakob is working for Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen) the billionaire son of the head of an unnamed state, who plans to use the MacGuffin tech to take over the world. The plot jumps through a few hoops to show us some familiar faces past entries in the franchise, including Lucas Black, Helen Mirren, Shad “Lil’ Bow Wow” Moss, and most notably, Sung Kang as Han. The news of Sung Kang’s return broke a long time ago, but like the sudden discovery of brother Jakob, the story of Han’s reappearance is far from the most unbelievable part of the movie.

    As in other long-running franchises, it can be tricky to give all the returning characters enough screen time to satisfy, but Lin manages to give everyone more than simply one moment to shine. In fact, one of the smartest moves he makes is to use the characters almost as a sort of Greek chorus, to comment on the very tropes he’s using in the movie. In one hilarious (and frankly mind-blowing) Gibson’s Roman questions the crew’s repeated survival, almost as if Lin was cribbing from Tom Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.’ We also get another character saying “if this was a movie, this is the moment when…” and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t work. But there are also some moments that give some characters a little more depth. The brief meditation on parenthood from Letty and Mia doesn’t feel forced too forced, mainly because Letty basically admits she’d rather be tearing it up instead of hiding out. And in one of the more inspired choices, we discover that Ramsey doesn’t drive, so obviously she has to get behind the wheel.

    Rest assured, that if you came for the spectacle, you won’t be disappointed, and it’s amazing that the filmmakers are still coming up with new things to do with vehicles. This franchise has always made sure to make the cars into co-stars, and on his third outing in this series as cinematographer, Stephen F. Windon, is still using bright and vibrant colors and lighting to make the cars pop, and his framing really gives us a sense of the layout of each location. A trio of editors, Greg D’Auria, Dylan Highsmith, and Kelly Matsumoto, deftly follow multiple characters through each set piece and allow us to see the stakes for each individual without losing sight of the whole or getting confused as to who is doing what. There is one particular shot of Cena looking through iron bars that comes off a bit campy, though.

    As much as this movie is a spy story, Lin keeps us invested in the relationship between Dom and Jakob. Flashbacks to Dom’s past will pop up throughout the film, and Lin uses them fairly effectively to support an arc in the brothers’ relationship as the movie progresses. This is absolutely an action movie, but Lin’s past outings in the franchise gives him a familiarity with the characters that helps this movie be a bit more than a just smash-em-up car movie. I may have some minor grumbles about some of Lin’s decisions (especially one of the final shots), but F9 turns out to be one of the better entries in the entire series. There’s also a great mid-credits scene.

    For what it’s worth, I’m glad to have seen this on a big screen, although I’ll admit I love every entry in this franchise. I’m glad this one was held until it was safe (or safer) to go to a theater. If you’re open to it, there’s an infectious sense of fun that permeates this movie, and you’ll really feel it if you’re seeing it with other fans at the same time.

    4 out of 5 stars

    ‘F9’ will be in U.S. theaters on June 25th.

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  • New ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Trailer Lights the Fires of Rebellion

    New ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Trailer Lights the Fires of Rebellion

    Netflix

    If you thought the sprawling cast list for Netflix’s upcoming “Dark Crystal” prequel series “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” was epic, prepare yourself for the show’s sweeping first full trailer.

    The clip is packed with eye-popping visuals, depicting the world of Thra and the fight that three Gelflings named Rian (Taron Egerton), Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel) spearhead to save it. The trio discover that the evil Skeksis have taken control of Thra’s lifeforce, the Crystal of Truth, and vow to reverse the Darkening that the Skeksis have set in motion.

    As the show’s title suggests, this resistance catches on, bringing something essential to Thra: Hope.

    “Hope catches the light, especially in the darkness, revealing your destiny,” one character notes.

    Though the series takes place many years before the events of 1982’s “Dark Crystal,” it’s clear that the “Age of Resistance” creative team took great pains to emulate the spirit of that film, which was co-directed by Frank Oz and the late Muppets mastermind Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Company created new puppets for the project, which meshes puppetry and cutting edge visual effects with dazzling results.

    The huge, star-studded voice cast also includes Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham Carter, Andy Samberg, Natalie Dormer and, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, among many, many more. All 10 episodes of “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” will debut on Netflix on August 30.

  • Vin Diesel and ‘Fast and Furious 9’ Stars Celebrate First Day of Filming

    Vin Diesel and ‘Fast and Furious 9’ Stars Celebrate First Day of Filming

    Universal

    Nearly two decades into its run, the engine is still revving on the “Fast and Furious” franchise, with filming beginning this week on the ninth outing in the venerable action series.

    Several stars shared social media posts commemorating the first day of production, including Vin Diesel, who has played lead Dominic Toretto since the first flick back in 2001. In a video message on Instagram, Diesel, alongside fellow returning star Michelle Rodriguez, marveled at the insane achievement of reaching the nine-film mark.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGh3YqlddW/

    “It feels like a miracle,” Diesel says in the clip. “We’re just so grateful.”

    Diesel went on to thank studio Universal for its support throughout the years, as well as the franchise’s large cast and crew. But the star’s biggest thanks were aimed at the fans.

    “We’re so blessed, and we love you so much,” Diesel said.

    Costar Nathalie Emmanuel (“Game of Thrones”), who joined the franchise in 2015’s “Furious 7,” also marked the occasion, tweeting out a note of excitement that “the team is back together.”

    Entertainment Weekly deciphered the emojis in Emmanuel’s tweet to determine which other actors would also be returning, surmising that the actress was most likely referring to “Diesel’s Dominic Toretto and Rodriguez’s Letty, … Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pearce, Jordana Brewster’s Mia, Ludacris’ Tej Parker, and Emmanuel’s hacker Ramsey.”

    Fans will have to wait a little less than a year to find out for sure. “Fast and Furious 9” is due in theaters on May 20, 2020. A tenth film in the franchise is also slated for release in April 2021.

    [h/t Entertainment Weekly]

  • Netflix’s ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Series Reveals All-Star Voice Cast, First Images

    Netflix’s ‘Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ Series Reveals All-Star Voice Cast, First Images

    Lucasfilm

    The stars have aligned for Netflix’s “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” the prequel series to Jim Henson’s beloved 1982 film “The Dark Crystal.”

    The fantasy series will tell an epic new story, set many years before the events of the movie, using classic puppetry with cutting-edge visual effects. It is expected to premiere sometime in 2019.

    The star-studded voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham-Carter, Simon Pegg, and Andy Samberg.

    The leads are “Kingsman” Taron Egerton as Rian, “The Witch” breakout Anya Taylor-Joy as Brea, and “Game of Thrones” alum Nathalie Emmanuel as Deet.

    In the series, the world of Thra is dying. The Crystal of Truth, the heart of Thra and a source of untold power, has been damaged and corrupted by the evil Skekis. When three Gelfing heroes uncover the horrific truth, an adventure unfolds as the fires of rebellion are lit and an epic battle for the planet begins.

    The announced voice stars are below, as are three images Netflix released from the series:

    Gelflings:
    Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)
    Helena Bonham-Carter (The King’s Speech)
    Harris Dickinson (forthcoming Maleficent 2)
    Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones)
    Eddie Izzard (Ocean’s Thirteen)
    Theo James (The Divergent Series)
    Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
    Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery)
    Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox)
    Mark Strong (Kingsman)
    Alicia Vikander (Tomb Raider)

    The Skesis & Mystics:
    Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song)
    Mark Hamill (Knightfall, Star Wars)
    Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones)
    Jason Isaacs (The OA)
    Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele)
    Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (True Detective)
    Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible)
    Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine Nine)

    Netflix
    Netflix
    Netflix