Tag: paramount-pictures

  • CinemaCon 2026: Paramount Presentation

    'Street Fighter' opens in theaters on October 16th.
    ‘Street Fighter’ opens in theaters on October 16th.

    Preview

    • Paramount Pictures made its presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
    • Among the movies promoted were ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Scary Movie’.
    • There was also a look at a new ‘Christmas Carol’ adaptation.

    Given the tumultuous behind-the-scenes business activity of first the Skydance/Paramount acquisition and now the combined studios’ ongoing mission to buy Warner Bros., it’s fair to wonder how much of that will be referenced at the company’s 2026 CinemaCon presentation.

    But as is more likely, we’re expecting a focus on movies including the new ‘Scary Movie’ entry and a fresh take on the ‘Street Fighter’ video game.

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    Unlike some of its competition, Paramount doesn’t have many of its big hitter franchises with ready entries, though we’ll likely get something from the early 2027 arrival of the fourth ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movie.

    Related Article: Netflix Out of Bidding War for Warner Bros., Paramount Seemingly Wins

    Following a looong sizzle reel (narrated by Tom Cruise and ending with him chilling out on the lot’s iconic water tower), freshly minted Paramount/Skydance boss David Ellison took the stage to enthuse about storytelling and –– cross it off your bingo card! –– further confirm that a merged Paramount and Warner Bros. would commit to 30 movies a year theatrically, with healthy 45-day release windows.

    There was also a lot of chat about the IP-based movies they’re developing –– expect more ‘Star Trek’, ‘Transformers’, ‘World War Z’ and ‘Top Gun’, plus a ‘Call of Duty’ movie. Oh, and following the success of the first film via Neon, the studio is the new home of the ‘Longlegs’ franchise. And we also learned that classic antagonists Shredder and Kang will show up in the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ sequel, due in 2027.

    ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’

    'Sonic the Hedgehog 4' opens in theaters on March 19, 2027.
    ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ opens in theaters on March 19, 2027.

    There wasn’t much on the fourth ‘Sonic’ beyond a quick video from the set that confirms Jim Carrey will be back. There was also a mention of Kristen Bell, who voices Amy Rose.

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    ‘Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour’

    Billie Eliish in 'Billie Eliish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)'. Photo: Henry Hwu and Paramount Pictures.
    Billie Eliish in ‘Billie Eliish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)’. Photo: Henry Hwu and Paramount Pictures.

    Eilish and director James Cameron (yes, that James Cameron) took the stage to showcase the tour movie (Live in 3D in case you forgot), with Cameron talking up how they developed new 3D tech to make the film –– and make it look amazing. He calls it a “VIP experience”.

    The audience were given 3D glasses to watch some new footage from the tour movie.

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    ‘Scary Movie’

    Marlon Wayans plays Shorty in 'Scary Movie' from Paramount Pictures.
    Marlon Wayans plays Shorty in ‘Scary Movie’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Next to take the stage was the ‘Scary Movie’ cast (well, Marlon and Shawn Wayans and Anna Faris) discuss the new reboot (or sixth film) in the horror spoof series. “Nobody is safe” seems to be the mantra here, and the Wayans introduced some fresh footage from the movie.

    (L to R) Anna Faris plays Cindy and Regina Hall plays Brenda in 'Scary Movie' from Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Anna Faris plays Cindy and Regina Hall plays Brenda in ‘Scary Movie’ from Paramount Pictures.

    That “nobody is safe” also applies to the genre titles this one takes pot shots at, including ‘Sinners’, ‘M3GAN’ and more.

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    ‘Jackass: Best and Last’

    2002's 'Jackass: The Movie'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    2002’s ‘Jackass: The Movie’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The new –– and final? –– ‘Jackass’ saw main man Johnny Knoxville trying to convince us all that it really is the last one. Guessing they’re all getting a little too old for the crazy stunts.

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    ‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’

    Carter Young as “Marshall” in 'Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie' from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.
    Carter Young as “Marshall” in ‘Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie’ from Paramount PIctures and Spinmaster.

    In what could be considered tonal whiplash, the next film to be name-checked was the latest ‘Paw Patrol’ movie, with a quick teaser.

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    ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’

    Logo for 'The Angry Birds Movie 3'. Photo: Paramount.
    Logo for ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’. Photo: Paramount.

    The new ‘Angry Birds’ film was also given a very brief check-in, and we learned that this one is about fatherhood.

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    ‘Street Fighter’

    Jason Momoa in 'Street Fighter'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Jason Momoa in ‘Street Fighter’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The cast for the latest attempt to kick off a franchise based on the classic video game title arrived on stage to discuss it. Wrestler-turned-actor Cody Rhodes showed up dressed in costume as Guile.

    They introduced the first trailer for the movie, which you can see above.

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    Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story

    David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in 'Mr. Irrelevant' from Paramount Pictures.
    David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ from Paramount Pictures.

    The new movie from Jonathan Levine stars ‘Superman’s David Corenswet and focuses on the enduring impact John Tuggle had on his team and teammates after being drafted by the New York Giants.

    Corenswet appeared via video to introduce the film, talking about how he was inspired by Tuggle’s story but was also conflicted as an Eagles fan playing a Giants icon.

    David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in 'Mr. Irrelevant' from Paramount Pictures.
    David Corenswet as “John Tuggle” in ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ from Paramount Pictures.
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    ‘Heart of the Beast’

    Brad Pitt poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actor In A Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Brad Pitt poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actor In A Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    The new David Ayer movie features Brad Pitt as a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog who attempt to return to civilization after a catastrophic accident deep in the Alaskan wilderness.

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    Following a quick look at K-Pop Superstar: The Movie, it was on to…

    ‘Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol’

    The new movie from Ti West (who has been better known for more brutal horror in the past) features Johnny Depp as Scrooge. Some footage was screened. Unsurprisingly, it’s leaning into the scarier elements of the story. Happy Christmas?

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    ‘Children of Blood and Bone’

    Oscar® nominee Viola Davis arrives on the red carpet of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Oscar® nominee Viola Davis arrives on the red carpet of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s new film adaptsTomi Adeyemi‘s novel, featuring a woman blessed with magical powers by the gods and living in a place where you are forbidden to use them, teams up with a princess to summon the gods and bring down the oppressive regime.

    A musical performance preceded the cast (including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu)  and  Prince-Bythewood to the stage to talk up the film. We also got footage.

    The footage shows Viola Davis‘ Mama Agba and her allies smacking around some tax collectors. The film is a story about the struggle to bring back magic in a kingdom where magic users are routinely executed. The magic users have Targaryen-like white hair. We see one magician summon a tree fighter to battle enemy warriors. The movie looks unique.

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    Noticeably absent? ‘Avatar: Ang, The Last Airbender’, which Paramount originally planned for theaters and then decided to shove to its streaming service. But the biggest news? It recently leaked online….

    And with that, Paramount is done!

    'Street Fighter' opens in theaters on October 16th.
    ‘Street Fighter’ opens in theaters on October 16th.
  • Eighth ‘Scream’ Movie in Development at Spyglass

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.' © 2025 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.”.
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’ © 2025 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.”.

    Preview:

    • ‘Scream 8’ is in development.
    • Lilla and Nora Zuckerman are writing the script.
    • Production company Spyglass is backing the project.

    While the reviews were decidedly mixed, the most recent ‘Scream’ outing –– this past February’s ‘Scream 7’, which saw original writer Kevin Williamson direct for the first time –– has defied expectations and surged to more than $200 million at the global box office, a record for the venerable horror thriller franchise.

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    It’s perhaps not surprising to learn, then, via a report on Deadline, that writing siblings Lilla and Nora Zuckerman, who worked ‘Poker Face’ are aboard to crank out the first draft.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Scream 7’

    What’s the story of ‘Scream 8’?

    Neve Campbell stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    Neve Campbell stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    Nothing is known about the new ‘Scream’ just yet. ‘Scream 7’ saw the return of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, who had to battle against more terror from a Ghost Face killer while also struggling to protect her family.

    There’s a strong chance Sidney might return for the eighth film, and let’s not forget that Courteney Cox has played journalist Gale Weathers in every entry of the franchise.

    When will ‘Scream 8’ be on screens?

    Neither Spyglass nor regular studio Paramount has said anything about a release date for the new movie –– but we’d presume it’ll take a couple of years.

    (L to R) Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    (L to R) Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Scream 7’

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7'. © 2025 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved..
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7’. © 2025 Paramount Pictures. Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved..

    Opening in theaters on February 27 is ‘Scream 7,’ directed by Kevin Williamson and starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Joel McHale, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Anna Camp, Timothy Simons, Mason Gooding, Mckenna Grace, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Roger L. Jackson.

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    Related Article: ‘Scream 7’ to Bring David Arquette Back as Dewey Riley for the Latest Installment

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    (L to R) Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    Following the divisive ‘Scream VI’ and the controversy that erupted after the firing of star Melissa Barrera from the series, the 30-year-old franchise has gone for the nostalgia gold with ‘Scream 7,’ which sees the return of original star Neve Campbell and original writer Kevin Williamson, who now also directs.

    But any spark from their return to the franchise is not evident in this tired, often dull, and borderline nonsensical entry. If anything, ‘Scream 7’ proves that the franchise has become what it once poked fun at, a horror brand running on fumes and a convoluted legacy that it forgets when necessary. It’s time for Ghostface to hang up the mask and robe.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Neve Campbell, and Director Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    (L to R) Neve Campbell, and Director Kevin Williamson on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    ‘Scream 7’ begins with the now-standard opening set piece, in which a young couple (Jimmy Tatro and Michelle Randolph) who come to spend the night at a ‘Macher Murder House Experience’ end up sliced, diced, and roasted by the new Ghostface. The sequence is well-staged and the ‘Murder House’ idea clever – but it’s dropped immediately thereafter.

    We then move on to the town of Pine Grove, where founding ‘Scream’ heroine Sidney Prescott, now Evans (Campbell), is living a quiet life with her police chief husband (Joel McHale) and her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May), the latter of which she has a strained relationship with. It isn’t very long, however, before Sidney gets a call from the new Ghostface – and alarmingly, a video call as well, in which the killer appears to be the allegedly dead Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), one of the original Ghostface murderers from the first ‘Scream.’

    Sidney, her family, and some of her daughter’s friends are attacked, but the initial assault ends up being something of a diversionary tactic before the real games begin. Pine Grove goes into lockdown and a few old friends return as Ghostface begins mowing down everyone around Sidney and targeting both her and Tatum for death.

    (L to R) Isabel May, and Director Kevin Williamson, on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    (L to R) Isabel May, and Director Kevin Williamson, on the set of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    From this rather thin narrative, ‘Scream 7’ spins out a few ideas about AI and Hollywood’s endless thirst for nostalgia, only to do little with them. The same goes for the cast: while Campbell is a welcome presence of course, the rest of the ensemble is a bland cluster of actors who stand around waiting to get killed or looking suspicious. Speaking of which, we guessed who was behind the Ghostface killings pretty early on, but that doesn’t stop the finale – including the revelation of the killers – from being perhaps the weakest of the entire franchise, with motivations that don’t even make much sense capping a third act that tosses away almost all story logic.

    References to earlier entries abound, including ‘Scream VI,’ and two characters from that film show up just to let us know that the franchise is not going to pretend that that NYC-based adventure never happened. But regardless, everything here has a detectable lack of energy, and both cast and filmmakers seem to largely go through the motions. Some of the kills are gleefully sadistic and creatively staged, but those and, again, Campbell’s return are about the only bright spots we can find.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) McKenna Grace, Celeste O'Connor and Isabel May star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    (L to R) McKenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor and Isabel May star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    As we said, Neve Campbell’s return is a welcome one; she has an earthy, no-nonsense attitude that grounds her performance. But even she has trouble keeping her energy up, especially during some of the film’s tedious dialogue sequences, with most of her real fire coming in the confrontations with Ghostface. It doesn’t help that the younger, newer cast members around her don’t really get the chance to display much personality.

    As for Courteney Cox, the franchise’s other longstanding charter member shows up during the second act and mostly disappears for the third – while we appreciate that this is a Sidney-centric story, it’s too bad Gale doesn’t have more to do. Other legacy cast members in the film – most of which have been made public, like David Arquette and Scott Foley – are really just rolled out in service of the nostalgia that the film ostensibly wants to satirize.

    Final Thoughts

    Neve Campbell stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.'
    Neve Campbell stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’

    Kevin Williamson returns to the ‘Scream’ saga for the first time since 2011’s well-regarded ‘Scream 4,’ but he and co-writer Guy Busick don’t seem to have anything new to deploy this time (it would have been interesting to see what ‘Happy Death Day’ writer/director Christopher Landon, who left the first version of ‘Scream 7’ after Barrera was fired and Jenna Ortega departed, might have done with the mythos). As a visualist he’s not that savvy here either: much of the film is shrouded in darkness that makes it hard to see the strikingly plentiful gore.

    Those gruesome effects, the flashy murders, and Campbell may all be enough to draw both ‘Scream’ diehards and casual fans back to the theater, but it’s not enough to creatively sustain a franchise that has all but abandoned the rules and underlying premise that once made it seem revolutionary. After seven films, it’s time for ‘Scream’ to let silence reign.

    ‘Scream 7’ receives a score of 40 out of 100.

    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Scream 7.' Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.
    Ghostface in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream 7.’ Ghost Face is a Registered Trademark of Fun World Div., Easter Unlimited, Inc. ©1999. All Rights Reserved.

    What is the plot of ‘Scream 7’?

    Sidney Prescott has built a new life for herself in the quiet town of Pine Grove, Indiana, until a new Ghostface killer begins to target her daughter Tatum, forcing her to face her past and end the killings once and for all.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Scream 7’?

    • Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott
    • Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers
    • Isabel May as Tatum Evans
    • Joel McHale as Mark Evans
    • Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin
    • Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin
    • Anna Camp as Jessica Bowden
    • Asa Germann as Lucas Bowden
    • Sam Rechner as Ben Brown
    • Mckenna Grace as Hannah Turman
    • Celeste O’Connor as Chloe Parker
    • Timothy Simons as Mr. Willis
    • Jimmy Tatro as Scott
    • Michelle Randolph as Madison
    • Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher
    • David Arquette as Dewey Riley
    • Roger L. Jackson as the voice of Ghostface
    'Scream 7' opens in theaters on February 27th.
    ‘Scream 7’ opens in theaters on February 27th.

    Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Scream’ franchise:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Scream 7’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Scream’ Movies on Amazon

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  • Michelle Williams Joins Damien Chazelle’s New Movie

    (Left) Michelle Williams as Molly in 'Dying for Sex'. Photo: Sarah Shatz/FX. (Right) Director Damien Chazelle on the set of 'Babylon' from Paramount Pictures.
    (Left) Michelle Williams as Molly in ‘Dying for Sex’. Photo: Sarah Shatz/FX. (Right) Director Damien Chazelle on the set of ‘Babylon’ from Paramount Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Michelle Williams is joining the cast of Damien Chazelle’s new movie.
    • The as-yet-untitled film is reportedly set in a prison.
    • Paramount is backing the project.

    The last we heard of ‘La La Land’ and ‘Babylon’ filmmaker Damien Chazelle mysterious next project –– a big vote of confidence from Paramount after ‘Babylon’ didn’t perform at the box office –– he had Daniel Craig and Cillian Murphy circling the lead roles.

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    Fast-forward to now and Deadline brings word that Michelle Williams, who has been receiving acclaim for miniseries ‘Dying for Sex,’ will join them in the cast.

    Related Article: Cillian Murphy and Daniel Craig to Star in Damien Chazelle’s New Movie

    What’s the story of Damien Chazelle’s new movie?

    'Babylon' writer and director Damien Chazelle.
    ‘Babylon’ writer and director Damien Chazelle.

    That’s among the big questions for the new movie –– neither Chazelle nor studio backers Paramount Pictures have revealed anything official about the storyline.

    There have been reports that it’s set within the walls of a prison (an ironic coincidence given that ‘Babylon’s performance nearly saw Chazelle thrown into director jail), that it’ll be more of a two-hander (so the new potential casting makes sense) and that it’ll have “action elements,” so read into that what you will.

    More concretely, Chazelle will also produce the movie alongside Olivia Hamilton under their Wild Chickens Productions banner.

    Where else can we see Michelle Williams?

    Michelle Williams as Mitzi Fabelman in 'The Fabelmans,' co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
    Michelle Williams as Mitzi Fabelman in ‘The Fabelmans,’ co-written, produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.

    Aside from ‘Dying for Sex,’ which has been making the awards rounds in recent months, with Williams receiving plenty of kudos and a new dramatic legal thriller movie called ‘A Place in Hell,’ she mostly has projects in development at this point.

    Perhaps not so coincidentally, Williams has been attached to the other project that Chazelle has been considering, ‘Evel Knievel on Tour,’ which has Leonardo DiCaprio considering the lead role, but due to scheduling issues is still idling on the side of the production canyon. It might still rev up, but for now Chazelle is focused on the prison pic.

    There are also movies including ‘This is Jane’ and ‘Fever,’ one about singer Peggy Lee, but they’re both still floating.

    When will Damien Chazelle’s new movie arrive on screens?

    With the casting starting to come together, Chazelle is looking to kick off filming later this year, so we can likely expect its release in 2027.

    (Left) Cillian Murphy accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Daniel Craig attends the 81st Annual Academy Awards¨ at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA Sunday, February 22, 2009 airing live on the ABC Television Network. Credit/Provider: Erik Ovanespour / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (Left) Cillian Murphy accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Daniel Craig attends the 81st Annual Academy Awards¨ at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA Sunday, February 22, 2009 airing live on the ABC Television Network. Credit/Provider: Erik Ovanespour / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Selected Movies and TV Shows Featuring Michelle Williams:

    Buy Michelle Williams Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • Peter Berg & Taylor Sheridan Working on ‘Call of Duty’ Movie

    'Call of Duty Black Ops 6' from Activision.
    ‘Call of Duty Black Ops 6’ from Activision.

    Preview:

    • Peter Berg and Taylor Sheridan are developing a ‘Call of Duty’ movie.
    • It’ll be based on the bestselling Activision Games.
    • The movie is based at Paramount.

    Does Taylor Sheridan really have much free time given how many TV shows he’s overseeing. Even with delegating to other showrunners, we wonder when he found time to take on another project –– presumably between three and four a.m.

    But found time he has, teaming up with ‘Lone Survivor’ director Peter Berg to adapt Activision’s huge-selling ‘Call of Duty’ game series into a new movie for Paramount.

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    The games have been in development as a potential movie since at least 2015, and at one point, no less a director than Steven Spielberg pitched a take.

    Still, the creator of ‘Lioness’ and the director behind a variety of battle-happy movies feel like the right duo to make it work –– with the added bonus that they’re friends and have collaborated before on the likes of ‘Hell or High Water.’

    Related Article: Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård To Star In Netflix’s ‘Mosquito Bowl’

    What’s the story of ‘Call of Duty’?

    'Call of Duty Black Ops 6' from Activision.
    ‘Call of Duty Black Ops 6’ from Activision.

    ‘Call of Duty’ is backed by Microsoft-owned video game publisher Activision. It encompasses more than 30 mainline games released since the original title debuted in 2003.

    When the deal to make a movie was announced in September, Variety heard that while the pact is focused on making one movie, the deal includes the potential for Paramount to expand the ‘COD’ universe across film and TV.

    As for the actual plotline, that’s yet to be revealed, but given the warfare-focused first-person shooter style of the game, not to mention both Sheridan and Berg’s love of action, we’d expect conflict.

    What else are Peter Berg and Taylor Sheridan working on?

    Taylor Sheridan on the set of ‘The Road.’ Photo: CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Taylor Sheridan on the set of ‘The Road.’ Photo: CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Berg has been busy in the TV sphere himself, most recently overseeing ‘American Primeval’ for Netflix.

    He’s attached as a producer to a variety of shows and movies, including upcoming action thriller ‘The Beast.’

    Right now, he’s directing based-on-truth movie ‘The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II.’

    And Sheridan? What isn’t he doing right now?

    The biggest recent news for the prolific writer/creator is that his professional services were poached by NBC Universal, and in 2029 he’ll move his TV duties there.

    Paramount still retains his various ‘Yellowstone’ shows and other series created under his deal with the company. And ‘Call of Duty’ will represent one of the final film projects he works on for the studio.

    When will ‘Call of Duty’ be in theaters?

    Paramount has yet to specify when the movie might arrive, most likely waiting to see if it makes it out of the development boot camp.

    Director Peter Berg. Photo: Daniel McFadden/Netflix.
    Director Peter Berg. Photo: Daniel McFadden/Netflix.

    List of Peter Berg Movies:

    Buy Peter Berg Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Shell’

    (L to R): Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R): Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    In select theaters and on digital October 3rd is ‘Shell’, a blend of body horror, comedy and thriller that stars Elisabeth Moss (‘The Handmaid’s Tale’) and Kate Hudson (‘Running Point’) in the story of a seemingly revolutionary beauty treatment with horrific side-effects lurking within.

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    Directed by Max Minghella (‘The Social Network’) from a script by Jack Stanley (‘Lou’), the movie also stars Kaia Gerber (‘Bottoms’), Este Haim (‘Licorice Pizza’), Arian Moayed (‘Succession’) and Peter MacNicol (‘Ally McBeal’).

    Related Article: Elisabeth Moss Talks Max Minghella’s ‘Shell’ and Acting with Kate Hudson

    Initial Thoughts

    Kate Hudson in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Kate Hudson in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    ‘Shell’ aims to take some comedically horrific jabs at beauty standards, Hollywood hypocrisy and rich types putting their faith in dodgy technology, yet the stew of different ideas never quite gels.

    And in a world in which ‘The Substance’ exists, it looks all the more an example of skin-deep satire.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R): Director Max Minghella and actor Elisabeth Moss on the set of 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R): Director Max Minghella and actor Elisabeth Moss on the set of ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    Writer Jack Stanley’s previous credits include Netflix action thriller ‘Lou’ and 2023’s ‘The Passenger’ and ‘Shell’ follows a familiar pattern for his script work –– a decent idea somewhat undercut by a descent into trope and familiar plot turns.

    As director, Max Minghella finds some entertaining moments, but the overall effect is somewhat hindered by a lack of grasp on tone and some very predictable points being made.

    Cast and Performances

    Kate Hudson in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Kate Hudson in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    Moss’s ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ connection to Minghella might explain her presence in this when she’s otherwise normally known for more complex and intriguing stories. But she’s perfectly fine in the role of an actress suffering the slings and arrows of a near-future Hollywood.

    Kate Hudson, meanwhile, has a largely predictable role as a seemingly beneficent owner of the eponymous beauty company who turns out –– to surely no-one’s surprise –– be harboring some dangerous secrets.

    Both the leads do solid work, but neither can really prevent it from going off the rails in the final act.

    Final Thoughts

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    The themes presented in ‘Shell’ are worth repeating; it’s just a shame that the movie has a very basic view on them all. There’s some gloopy body horror to be had, but it’s a minor effort in the genre.

    ‘Shell’ receives 60 out of 100.

    Kate Hudson in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Kate Hudson in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    What’s the story of ‘Shell’?

    Desperate to reclaim her career, once-beloved actress Samantha Lake (Elisabeth Moss) is drawn into the glamorous world of wellness mogul Zoe Shannon (Kate Hudson)—only to uncover a monstrous truth beneath its flawless surface.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Shell’?

    Elisabeth Moss as Samantha Lake
    Kate Hudson as Zoe Shannon
    Arian Moayed as Dr. Hubert
    Kaia Gerber as Chloe Benson
    Este Haim as Lydia
    Elizabeth Berkley as Jenna Janero
    Amy Landecker as Detective Flores
    Lionel Boyce as Detective Abramson

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    List of Elisabeth Moss Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Elisabeth Moss Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • ‘Shell’ Exclusive Interview: Elisabeth Moss

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    Opening in select theaters and on digital October 3rd is the new horror satire ‘Shell’, which was directed by Max Minghella (‘The Social Network’) and stars Elizabeth Moss (‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘The Invisible Man’), Kate Hudson (‘Almost Famous’), and Kaia Gerber (‘Saturday Night’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Elisabeth Moss about her work on ‘Shell’, her first reaction to the screenplay, her character’s arc, the challenges of being an actress in Hollywood, why she thinks this is one of Kate Hudson’s best performances and what it was like being directed by her friend Max Minghella.

    Related Article: Kate Hudson and Ana Lily Amirpour Talk ‘Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon’

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and what were some of the aspects of this character that you were excited to explore on screen?

    Elisabeth Moss: I thought the script was so fantastic. Max sent it to me after I literally texted him and said, “When are you going to ask me to do a movie with you?” So, I basically shamelessly asked for a job. He sent me the script that he had been thinking about sending to me, but he was worried I wouldn’t like it, and then I’d have to say no, and then it would be awkward on set. But thank God because I loved it. It was just so unusual and interesting and funny. I think for me as Samantha, I think there are a lot of parts that I play that are very dramatic and that’s great and I love that. Obviously, I gravitate towards that. Like, it’s my fault. But I love comedy and I love being able to have a sense of humor and do something a little bit different. She’s probably closer to me in a lot of ways and I’ve also been an actress for 37 years. So, I understand what it’s like to be an actor and I understand what it’s like to be struggling. I understand what it’s like to not get jobs. I’ve not gotten jobs for far longer than I have gotten jobs. So that feeling of being an actor in LA. is something that I’m very familiar with. So, it was fun to kind of be able to tap into that.

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    MF: Can you talk about the difficulties Samantha is having with her career when she starts her treatment at Shell, and how that changes her life in both good and bad ways?

    EM: So, as I’m sure you and your readers are familiar with, there is an idea of how one is supposed to look like as an actress in Hollywood. It’s changing, which is great, and there are so many incredible, talented actors, and actresses of all different shapes and sizes, but there is still, I think, this idea of beauty that exists just in the world. As you age, it gets harder, and the parts get less. Again, that is changing as well, which is awesome, but it is a thing. There’s this like constant search for youth in our society. So, anything that brings us that, whether it’s the latest thing of putting whatever on your face, you should put on your face. It’s so believable that if you found some treatment that made you look whatever your ideal age was, I mean, everybody would sign up for it. It’s very relatable. So, I felt like that was something that even though it’s very tongue-in-cheek and it’s quite broad some of the comedy and some of the horror elements as well, it’s meant to be camp, but at the same time, it’s not that far off from putting snails on your face.

    (L to R) Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    MF: Can you talk about the friendship Samantha begins with Zoe and why she is drawn to her as a person and role model?

    EM: I think it’s what we all find incredibly attractive and how we all feel about Kate Hudson. When I came on and then Kate came up as a possibility, I remember it was just the coolest, best idea because she is that person that is so aspirational. She’s obviously stunning. She’s also talented and she’s unique and my being starstruck by her was not that different from Samantha. I remember saying to Max, “I literally have to do no acting here”. I can’t believe I’m about to meet Kate Hudson or I can’t believe I’m talking to Kate Hudson. She’s an icon and just that girl that you want to be, you know, she’s got that thing. She’s got that It-Factor and always has.

    Kate Hudson in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Kate Hudson in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    MF: What was Kate Hudson like to have as a scene partner?

    EM: I think this is honestly one of her best performances. It was remarkable getting to watch her. She’s always been considered incredibly talented from the very beginning. We all know that, but I think she’s pulling out even more complicated and interesting work than we’ve ever seen from her. I mean, I think that’s universally acknowledged. So, it was super fun. She’s very adventurous, fearless, and she works incredibly hard. I think that’s the thing that most actors find is that the best actors work hard. They work on their lines, and they want to do it again or they’re not satisfied with that take, and they want to try something else. They want direction and they want notes. The best actors really work at it. She does not rest on her laurels. She is not somebody who’s like, “I’m a movie star. I’m just going to do what I want to do and you’re just going to enjoy it.” She really tries to push herself.

    (L to R) Director Max Minghella and actor Elisabeth Moss on the set of 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Director Max Minghella and actor Elisabeth Moss on the set of ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    MF: Finally, you worked with Max Minghella as an actor on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ but what was it like being directed by your friend on this film?

    EM: It was very seamless, honesty. We’re close friends, Max and I, we talk about movies all the time. We talk about TV shows all the time. We’re kind of very similar to people in a lot of ways. I’ve directed him, obviously, and I’ve worked with him for years before I started directing him. So, he’s been on set with me a lot, you know? So, he knows what works for me and that there’s no ego. There’s pussy footing around. There’s no being careful with each other. It’s very easy to just be like, “Can we just do this?” Or like, “What do you think about this?” And he would also ask me questions and get my help with things or get my opinion on things. It’s very collaborative. It was seamless. We literally could have walked from one set where he was directing to the next room where I was, and it would have been completely seamless.

    (L to R) Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Kate Hudson and Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    What’s the story of ‘Shell’?

    Desperate to reclaim her career, once-beloved actress Samantha Lake (Elisabeth Moss) is drawn into the glamorous world of wellness mogul Zoe Shannon (Kate Hudson)—only to uncover a monstrous truth beneath its flawless surface.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Shell’?

    Elisabeth Moss as Samantha Lake
    Kate Hudson as Zoe Shannon
    Arian Moayed as Dr. Hubert
    Kaia Gerber as Chloe Benson
    Este Haim as Lydia
    Elizabeth Berkley as Jenna Janero
    Amy Landecker as Detective Flores
    Lionel Boyce as Detective Abramson

    Elisabeth Moss in 'Shell'. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.
    Elisabeth Moss in ‘Shell’. Photo: © 2025 Paramount Pictures.

    List of Elisabeth Moss Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Elisabeth Moss Movies and TV on Amazon

     

  • ‘Trust’ Interview: Sophie Turner and Director Carlson Young

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    Opening in theaters on August 22nd is the new thriller ‘Trust’, which was directed by Carlson Young (‘Upgraded’) and stars Sophie Turner (‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’), Rhys Coiro (‘Entourage’), Billy Campbell (‘The Rocketeer’), and Katey Sagal (‘Sons of Anarchy’).

    (Left) Sophie Turner stars in 'Trust'. (Right) 'Trust' director Carlson Young.
    (Left) Sophie Turner stars in ‘Trust’. (Right) ‘Trust’ director Carlson Young.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Turner and director Carlson Young about their work on ‘Trust’, Turner’s first reaction to the screenplay, her approach to the role, the themes Young wanted to explore with the movie, and the challenges of directing a dog.

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    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview with Turner and Young.

    Related Article: ‘Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner in Talks to Be Lara Croft for Prime Video’s ‘Tomb Raider’ Series

    Sophie Turner in 'Trust'. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    Sophie Turner in ‘Trust’. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    Moviefone: To begin with, Sophie, what was your first reaction to reading the screenplay and what were some of the aspects of your character that you were excited to explore on screen?

    Sophie Turner: I mean, my initial reaction reading the screenplay was like, is there a higher power that has dropped this into my lap? Because it felt like it came at the perfect time in my life to get some anger out, and it was so cathartic. The thing I was so excited to play was, I mean, there are so many elements that she’s so multifaceted, but there’s the motherhood element I was incredibly excited to play, but it was more her journey. I mean, it’s so extensive this arc that she goes on throughout this movie, and I don’t think there’s one emotion that we didn’t explore or one kind of challenge that we didn’t take. Then it was also just the physical aspect of it that I was so excited to play. The fact that I’d never done any sort of thriller in my life. So, that was something that I’d never done before and I was just excited to be vulnerable and bring so much of my own stuff into it. I think that’s what I was the most excited about.

    MF: Carlson, as a director what were the themes you wanted to explore and what did you want to say with this film?

    Carlson Young: I wanted to explore so many things. I wanted to explore how the universe has this way of putting things in front of you and that we will keep colliding with patterns until we change the story. It had this contained survival thriller aspect of it on the surface, but I saw something much deeper. When I met Sophie as a creative partner, it just made sense to me. She had a bravery and a fearlessness and the way that she spoke about the material, I knew that it was a creative kindred spirit, and I could not have made this movie with anyone else. I can say that cosmically.

    Billy Campbell in 'Trust'. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    Billy Campbell in ‘Trust’. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Just to follow up, you said that there was something “much deeper” to the screenplay than just a survival thriller. What do you mean by that?

    CY: That there’s a predator through line and it was important for me to take the power away from them, from that narrative, to tell the full story about what it means to be a mother, to accept that responsibility, to accept a child with someone who is a perpetrator of your deepest trauma. Oh, there was a lot and fighting your way through that, and absolutely facing that challenge and being brave and everything kind of working out in the end because of that bravery. You’re rewarded for that bravery in a sense. There’s a freedom that comes.

    MF: Sophie, can you talk about where Lauren is personally, emotionally and mentally when we meet her at the beginning of the movie? What is her mindset when she arrives at the house?

    ST: When she arrives there at this mansion, we’ve all been in that place where I think, or at least I have so many times where you’re so overwhelmed that you are paralyzed, and you genuinely don’t know what to do about it. I think she’s in that stage where she can’t think in a straight line. She can’t think logically. She can’t see the forest for the trees. It is an existential crisis, basically, her coming and arriving at this place. I think in earlier drafts of the scripts, there was mention of, maybe I just want to walk into the woods and let the woods swallow me up. I think there’s a full chance that she was going to that place to go and commit suicide. There’s a chance that she was going there to just get some rest away from the world. But I think she’s almost inside, totally catatonic. It’s not a good place to be in. But also, again, there’s a relief to be there and a relief to be away from all of this. So, it was balancing all those things at once. I think so many times she’s sitting outside watching the trees blow in the wind, and then suddenly, she gets this feeling of, “Oh my God, I’m so overwhelmed I don’t know what to do with my body.” So, you need to go. I think she’s just all over the place, basically.

    Katey Sagal in 'Trust'. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    Katey Sagal in ‘Trust’. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Carlson, what is like directing a dog?

    CY: I love Georgie. Let’s talk about the dog. It’s such an element of light, I think, in the face of that existential crisis that she’s going through. There’s a friend just before she steps off the edge. Her name was Penga and she was an incredible performer. She was good and it was a joy to work with her. They say don’t work with kids and dogs. We did have both, and I can report a really good experience with that. She was dialed. She could hit her mark.

    MF: Sophie, did you enjoy working with Penga and can you talk about how Georgie helps save Lauren in more than one way?

    Sophie Turner: You’re so right. Georgie’s like, he grounds her. I think later, when eventually Georgie runs or gets kicked out, literally, then the grounding force becomes her baby, her unborn child. So, it’s nice to have that grounding theme throughout the show and that grounding thing, because otherwise, I don’t know if Lauren would’ve made it out of that room without having that.

    Sophie Turner in 'Trust'. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    Sophie Turner in ‘Trust’. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    MF: Finally, Sophie, your character is isolated through much of the movie, and it is a physically and mentally demanding role. Can you talk about the challenges of playing this character?

    ST: I mean, to be honest, it wasn’t a challenge. It really fed into the performance. It was all so useful to basically shoot. I mean, I think there were maybe two or three scenes where, maybe more than that, but most of my scenes were on my own. So that isolation, you do feel it and the set was practical. We were in a very small room shooting that, and I’m really breaking the walls and I’m really scratching at the wallpaper and really being covered in these horrible cockroaches. So, because of the practicality of it all, it made it so much easier to step into that world. But again, it’s a challenge for me. I don’t really do that, or I haven’t really done that much physical stuff in my career before this. So, it was something totally new and different and I loved every minute of it.

    Sophie Turner in 'Trust'. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    Sophie Turner in ‘Trust’. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    What is the plot of ‘Trust’?

    After a scandal, a Hollywood starlet (Sophie Turner) retreats to a remote cabin—but she’s not alone. Betrayed by the man she trusted most; she’s trapped in a brutal game of survival. She can hide, but she can’t run.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Trust’?

    'Trust' opens in theaters on August 22nd. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
    ‘Trust’ opens in theaters on August 22nd. Photo: Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).

    List of Sophie Turner Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Trust’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Sophie Turner Movies on Amazon

     

  • Doug Liman Is Directing ‘The Stand,’ But Is He The Right Fit?

    (Left) Director Doug Liman attends Apple Original Films’ world premiere of 'The Instigators' at the Jazz at Lincoln Center. 'The Instigators' opens in select theaters on Friday, August 2, 2024, before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, August 9, 2024. (Right) 1994's 'The Stand'. Photo: ABC Television.
    (Left) Director Doug Liman attends Apple Original Films’ world premiere of ‘The Instigators’ at the Jazz at Lincoln Center. ‘The Instigators’ opens in select theaters on Friday, August 2, 2024, before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, August 9, 2024. (Right) 1994’s ‘The Stand’. Photo: ABC Television.

    Preview:

    • A new version of Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’ is in development as a feature film, with Doug Liman on board to direct.
    • Liman has directed hits like ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ and flops such as ‘Chaos Walking.’
    • ‘The Stand’ has already been adapted twice as limited series, and it’s not clear how the massive book could be boiled down to a single feature film.

    Stephen King’s massive post-apocalyptic novel ‘The Stand,’ first published in 1978, chronicles an epic battle between the forces of good and evil in an America where most of the population has been wiped out by a deadly virus known as Captain Trips. It remains one of the author’s most popular books; he published an uncut version in 1990 that restores some 300 pages to the text, bringing its length from 823 pages in its original publication to a hefty 1,152.

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    The book has been adapted twice for television, first in 1994 as a four-part, eight-hour (with commercials) miniseries for ABC-TV, and then as a nine-part, nine-hour limited series in 2020 for CBS All Access, the forerunner of the current Paramount+ service. And now director Doug Liman is reportedly teaming with Paramount Pictures to bring ‘The Stand’ to the big screen.

    Although other filmmakers have tried squeezing the novel into a theatrical film (or films), no one has been able to pull it off. And frankly, Liman shouldn’t bother trying either. He’s the wrong director for this and — from what we understand — he’s got the wrong take on the material.

    Related Article: Doug Liman to Bring Stephen King Classic ‘The Stand’ to Movie Theaters

    ‘The Stand’ cannot fit into a feature film format

    (L to R) Jovan Adepo and James Marsden in the CBS All Access series 'The Stand.' Photo: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Jovan Adepo and James Marsden in the CBS All Access series ‘The Stand.’ Photo: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Stand’ is one of Stephen King’s most revered works, not to mention one of the most influential post-apocalyptic novels of the last five decades. King’s book is wide-ranging and complex, full of intersecting narrative threads and dozens of characters, and its sheer size has made it a daunting prospect for a film version from the start. Directors like John Boorman (‘Excalibur’) and George A. Romero (‘Creepshow’) couldn’t pin it to the mat in the 1970s, while the 2010s saw David Yates (the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise), Ben Affleck (‘The Town’), Scott Cooper (‘Black Mass’), and Josh Boone (‘The New Mutants’) all take a crack at it.

    The first adaptation of ‘The Stand,’ the 1994 miniseries starring Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Ruby Dee, Rob Lowe, and others, was a tremendous ratings success for the network. Directed by Mick Garris and adapted by King himself (who also executive produced), the project cost $28 million – a fortune back then for a TV miniseries – and, while hampered in some ways by the format and budget, is considered largely faithful in both tone and narrative to the book.

    The second limited series, produced in 2020, was an outgrowth of Josh Boone’s proposal to adapt the novel as four films. The 2020 series, developed by Boone and Benjamin Cavell (‘The Institute’), also had a good cast – including James Marsden, Amber Heard, Alexander Skarsgård, and Whoopi Goldberg – but was fatally injured by the inexplicable decision to tell the story out of order, ruining the flow of King’s narrative and making the series nearly incomprehensible. ‘The Stand’ is structured like a modern version of an epic quest – joining the quest halfway through and then flashing back to the beginning was a catastrophic mistake.

    Even after the mixed results of the two TV series, one thing seems clear: it’s not possible to boil ‘The Stand’ down to a single film. Scripts for even a three-hour feature – a risky, costly bet to begin with, especially for a movie that would almost certainly be rated R – have existed since the 1970s, and none have been workable. But Doug Liman is going to try, even though he shouldn’t.

    Doug Liman’s ‘The Stand’ is wrong for all kinds of reasons

    Casey Affleck, director Doug Liman and Matt Damon on the set of 'The Instigators'.
    (L to R) Casey Affleck, director Doug Liman and Matt Damon on the set of ‘The Instigators’. Photo: Apple TV+.

    Doug Liman allegedly has “a particular take” on ‘The Stand’ that doesn’t involve making multiple films but would somehow fit into a “one-off” movie. But there is no way that the book, whether it’s 800 pages or 1,100 pages, can be shrunk down into a two-to-three-hour movie without losing a great deal of its essence and texture. Whatever Liman’s “take” is, we fear it would render ‘The Stand’ almost unrecognizable (see the dismal 2017 movie version of King’s other epic, ‘The Dark Tower,’ for proof of that).

    The other aspect of all this is that Liman, who started out directing quirky, crackling indie films like ‘Swingers’ and ‘Go,’ has garnered a very mixed track record with bigger Hollywood productions. While he’s helmed successes like ‘The Bourne Identity’ and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith,’ he’s also shepherded debacles like ‘Jumper’ and ‘Chaos Walking’ to the screen. And most of the bigger movies he’s completed – even the well-regarded ones like ‘Bourne’ and the 2014 Tom Cruise action/sci-fi thriller ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ – have been marred by reports of extensive reshoots and reworking in post-production.

    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder in the CBS All Access series 'The Stand.' Photo Cr: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder in the CBS All Access series ‘The Stand.’ Photo Cr: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The larger the production, the more involved the VFX, the action, and the world-building, Liman seems to lose control of the project, often needing to find the movie he wants to make either through reshoots, re-editing, or both. It’s an expensive, wasteful way to work, and it’s another reason why a complex narrative like ‘The Stand’ might collapse under his supervision.

    Liman is far from untalented – he’s made some fine movies, his methods notwithstanding – but his improvisatory style seems ill-suited to this. And that’s even before the challenge of trying to squeeze it into one film – imagine if Peter Jackson had tried that with ‘The Lord of the Rings.’

    Our hope? That ‘The Stand’ joins films like ‘Gambit’ and ‘Justice League Dark’ as Doug Liman projects that never saw the light of day. If anything, Liman needs to go back to the smaller, spunkier films of his early days where his style of directing works best. In the meantime, let ‘The Stand’ rest. It’s only been five years since the last attempt, and there are plenty of other books out there – by Stephen King and countless others – to adapt.

    (L to R) Whoopi Goldberg in the CBS All Access series 'The Stand.' Photo: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Whoopi Goldberg in the CBS All Access series ‘The Stand.’ Photo: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Stephen King Movies:

    Buy Stephen King Movies On Amazon

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  • Hailee Steinfeld Joins Miles Teller in ‘Winter Games’

    (Left) Hailee Seinfeld attends the Academy’s 8th Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.(Right) Actor Miles Teller arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 87th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 22, 2015.
    (Left) Hailee Seinfeld attends the Academy’s 8th Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.(Right) Actor Miles Teller arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 87th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

    Preview:

    • Hailee Steinfeld is joining Miles Teller in new drama ‘Winter Games.’
    • Paul Downs Colaizzo co-wrote and will direct the movie.
    • It’s set at the Winter Olympics.

    Cast your mind back to this past May, when we learned that Miles Teller had agreed to star in a new sports romantic drama called ‘Winter Games.’

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    Back then, all we knew is that he will play a rough-and-ready Olympic ice hockey player who is constantly getting into trouble, and who forms a romantic bond with a skier who is constantly overlooked.

    Now, via Deadline, word arrives that Hailee Steinfeld, most recently seen in ‘Sinners’, has joined the movie to play opposite Teller as the skier.

    The new movie comes courtesy of ‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ writer/director Paul Downs Colaizzo, who co-wrote the script and will call the shots.

    Related Article: Miles Teller Will be a Self-Sabotaging Hockey Legend in ‘Winter Games’

    What’s the story of ‘Winter Games’?

    Miles Teller attends the Academy’s 8th Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Miles Teller attends the Academy’s 8th Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 12, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    The movie is set in the high-stakes arena of the Winter Olympic Games, following a perpetually overlooked skier (Steinfeld) and a self-sabotaging hockey legend (Teller) who collide at their breaking points. Their unexpected connection threatens her chance for a medal and his shot at a comeback as they navigate romance and redemption in the Olympic Village.

    Colaizzo co-wrote the script with Pat Cunnane, who recently worked on the script for ‘Eternity,’ a new drama starring and produced by Teller.

    And it’s also a reunion for the actor and producers Tim and Trevor White, whose Star Thrower company helped shepherd ‘Eternity’ and will do the same for ‘Winter Games.’

    Where else can we see Hailee Steinfeld?

    Hailee Steinfeld in 'Hawkeye'. Photo: Disney+.
    Hailee Steinfeld in ‘Hawkeye’. Photo: Disney+.

    As mentioned, Steinfeld recently appeared in Ryan Coogler’s hugely successful vampire thriller ‘Sinners’, which has earned more than $355 million worldwide.

    Besides ‘Winter Games’, she will reprise her voice role as Gwen Stacy in ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,’ which is now not landing in theaters until 2027.

    Also on the vocal front, she’s playing Kate Bishop in MCU animated series ‘Marvel Zombies’, which will hit Disney+ on October 3rd.

    Following TV series ‘Hawkeye’ and a brief cameo in the post-credits sting of ‘The Marvels’, Steinfeld is rumored to be part of ‘Champions’, an MCU show set in the wake of ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ that will see the Young Avengers assemble. But that has yet to be confirmed by Marvel.

    When will ‘Winter Games’ be on screens?

    Even given Steinfeld’s attachment, there is no word yet on a release date for this one, as Paramount has yet to make an announcement.

    Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw in 'Top Gun: Maverick' from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
    Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

    Miles Teller Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Miles Teller Movies On Amazon

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