Moviefone Editorial

Tag: prequel

  • Movie Review: ‘The First Omen’

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on April 5th is ‘The First Omen,’ which is the sixth film in the franchise and acts as a prequel to 1976’s ‘The Omen.’

    The new movie is directed by Arkasha Stevenson (‘Legion’) and stars Nell Tiger Free (‘Servant’), Maria Caballero (‘Olvido’), Ralph Ineson (‘The Creator’), Sônia Braga (‘Shotgun Wedding’), Bill Nighy (‘Living’), and Charles Dance (‘The Golden Child’).

    Related Article: Nell Tiger Free to Lead ‘The Omen’ Prequel ‘First Omen’

    Initial Thoughts

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo credit: Moris Puccio/20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Fist Omen’ successfully connects to the mythology of the original ‘The Omen’ with a strong opening sequence and third act but suffers from pacing issues throughout. Director Arkasha Stevenson crafts some solid scares but fails to keep the momentum building through the second act. However, Nell Tiger Free’s fearless performance carries the movie with the help of strong supporting performances from Maria Caballero, Sônia Braga, Ralph Ineson and Bill Nighy.

    Story and Direction

    Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen.'
    (L to R) Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen.’ Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.

    The film is set in Rome in the mid-1970’s and begins by introducing us to Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson), who is investigating a conspiracy within the Catholic Church. We then meet Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free), an American sent to Rome to work in an orphanage before taking the veil. Margaret has suffered from strange visions since she was a child and was recruited by longtime mentor Cardinal Lawrence (Bill Nighy).

    Upon arrival at the orphanage, Margaret meets her new roommate, Luz Valez (Maria Caballero), a young woman also preparing to take the veil but who wants to experience as much of life as possible before becoming a nun. Margaret also meets Sister Silvia (Sônia Braga), who runs the orphanage, and a young girl named Carlita Skianna (Nicole Sorace), who suffers from the same strange visions as Margaret.

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret and Nicole Sorace as Carlita in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    (L to R) Nell Tiger Free as Margaret and Nicole Sorace as Carlita in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    While Margaret secretly enjoys Rome’s nightlife with Luz, she also realizes that something strange is happening with Carlita and discovers that her own dark visions have returned. Margaret soon becomes suspicious of Sister Silvia and the other nuns, who lock Carlita away from the other children. When unexplained events begin happening at the orphanage, Margaret is contacted by Father Brennan who shares his theory on the events.

    According to Brennan, there is a secret society within the Catholic church that wants to birth the Anti-Christ so that the modern world will believe in God again. Believing that Carlita is the key, Margaret works with Father Brennan to save Carlita and stop the church from enacting their evil plans, but she soon learns that she can trust no one, including herself.

    Director Arkasha Stevenson has a good feel for crafting scary moments and there are quite a few good ones here, but the set-up can feel slow and unruly at times. While the pacing feels off, the mood and tone is solid and delivers what you would expect from an ‘Omen’ prequel. Stevenson and co-writers Tom Smith and Keith Thomas wisely place the prequel in the mid-1970s, right before the events of the original (erasing the possibility of a ‘First Omen’ sequel) but leading right up to the original movie.

    The location, period setting, production design and costumes are all well executed, which adds to the film’s gothic tone. Stevenson also gets very good performances from her cast, despite the screenplay’s shortcomings.

    ‘Omen’ Mythology

    Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The First Omen’ works best when it is exploring the mythology of the original film in the opening sequence and the third act, but it loses its urgency in the first and second act. Being a prequel, the film is a bit predictable as we know that it will end with the birth of Damian. How they get there doesn’t completely work, and the movie gets lost at times setting up what we all know is coming. However, once it gets there, it’s a race to the finish with a very exciting third act.

    The opening sequence featuring Father Brennan questioning another priest played by Charles Dance feels like a classic ‘Omen’ scene, but then the tone changes once we are introduced to Margaret and we don’t get back to uncovering the conspiracy until later in the film.

    However, the conspiracy is well thought out, and fans of the original will be happy to see a posthumous photo cameo from Gregory Peck, who starred in ‘The Omen,’ connecting this new movie to the original.

    Performances

    Nell Tiger Free and María Caballero in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    (L to R) Nell Tiger Free and María Caballero in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Actress Nell Tiger Free gives a very good performance and really carries much of the film. As Margaret, she is completely believable as a quiet young American concealing a dark secret of her own and is also fun in her moments when the character is exploring life outside the church. She has some excellent scenes with Father Brennan, Cardinal Lawrence, and Sister Silvia, and has great chemistry with Maria Caballero and Nicole Sorace.

    Speaking of Caballero, she brings Luz alive in a very interesting way, creating a seemingly innocent character who is much more nefarious than one would expect. While Sorace fills her demanding role well, playing a possibly possessed child with very little dialogue.

    Veteran actors Bill Nighy, Sônia Braga and Ralph Ineson are all welcomed additions to the film, but I did wish there was more time to explore their characters. Nighy’s Cardinal Lawrence is a fascinating character but has very little screentime and practically disappears in the middle of the movie. Ineson’s Father Brannan is probably the most developed of the three characters, but again, is not given enough time to truly explore his role.

    Déjà vu?

    Sydney Sweeney in 'Immaculate.'
    Sydney Sweeney in ‘Immaculate.’ Photo: Neon.

    Hollywood is no stranger to delivering two different movies about the same subject at the same time, and in fact has a long track record of doing so. We had two asteroid movies (‘Armageddon’ and ‘Deep Impact’), two volcano movies (‘Volcano’ and ‘Dante’s Peak‘) and even two movies about runner Steve Prefontaine (‘Prefontaine’ and ‘Without Limits’). So, it should be no surprise that we are getting two different “Nunsploitation” horror movies just a few weeks apart.

    The other “Nunsploitation” movie already in theaters is Sydney Sweeney’s “so bad its good” ‘Immaculate’. ‘The First Omen’ is basically the same exact movie, just without the popular ‘Euphoria’ actress and featuring ‘Omen’ mythology. I’m sure the movie will be unable to avoid comparisons to ‘Immaculate,’ and fairly or not, they are basically carbon copies of each other. While I liked ‘Immaculate’ slightly more due to Sweeney’s performance and its tongue-in-cheek vibes, fans of the original series will probably prefer ‘First Omen’ because of its connections to the overall franchise.

    Final Thoughts

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    While ‘The First Omen’ drags through much of the middle, its opening and closing sequences are strong, as is its ties to the original. Nonetheless, Nell Tiger Free gives a very strong performance and is helped by an excellent supporting cast of actors. In the end, while it’s not a home run, ‘The First Omen’ does have an interesting premise and connects to the franchise well-enough to entertain fans of the genre and the series alike.

    ‘The First Omen’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What is the Plot of ‘The First Omen’?

    The plot follows an American woman (Nell Tiger Free) sent to work at a church in Rome who uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘The First Omen’?

    • Nell Tiger Free as Margaret Daino
    • Sônia Braga as Sister Silvia
    • Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan
    • Bill Nighy as Cardinal Lawrence
    • Tawfeek Barhom as Father Gabriel
    • Maria Caballero as Luz Valez
    • Nicole Sorace as Carlita Skianna
    Bill Nighy as Lawrence in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Bill Nighy as Lawrence in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The First Omen’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The First Omen’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Nell Tiger Free Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘The First Omen’ Exclusive Interview: Nell Tiger Free

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    ‘The First Omen,’ which opens in theaters on April 5th is the sixth film in the franchise and acts as a prequel to 1976’s ‘The Omen.’

    The new movie stars Nell Tiger Free (‘Servant’), Maria Caballero (‘Olvido’), Ralph Ineson (‘The Creator’), Sônia Braga (‘Shotgun Wedding’), Bill Nighy (‘Living’), and Charles Dance (‘The Golden Child’), and was directed by Arkasha Stevenson (‘Legion’).

    Related Article: Nell Tiger Free to Lead ‘The Omen’ Prequel ‘First Omen’

    Nell Tiger Free Talks 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free Talks ‘The First Omen’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Nell Tiger Free in-person about her work on ‘The First Omen,’ her first reaction to the screenplay, being an ‘Omen’ fan, her character’s strange history, preparing for the role, working with Bill Nighy, and collaborating with director Arkasha Stevenson on set.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Free and director Arkasha Stevenson.

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and were you an ‘Omen’ fan before you signed on for the project?

    Nell Tiger Free: Big time. I love ‘The Omen.’ I love horror. I love all things weird and wonderful, and so getting to do this movie has been a real dream for me, honestly. It’s like all my favorite things combined, so I feel very lucky to be a part of this. When I read the original script, I remember almost looking at it initially from a fan’s point of view, not something that I was reading for potential work. It was more just like, what are they going to do with the prequel to ‘The Omen’? This was before I was signed on. I read the script and I remember reading it and going, okay, that’s great. That’s a really good idea. I just thought it was a great idea and a great expansion on the universe, “The Omen-Verse.” It just felt like it worked. Then I was like, I really hope they let me do this movie. I was really excited by it. As an actress and as a fan, thumbs up, I would say. That was my first initial reaction.

    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Can you talk about the strange visions that haunted your character as a child and how that still affects her as an adult?

    MF: Yeah, absolutely. I think when we first meet Margaret, it’s all sunny, sweet and lovely, and that is true to a degree and that’s what you see on the surface. But Margaret’s deeply troubled from the opening frame. When she’s seeing Rome, she’s so mesmerized because she’s never been away from where she lives. She’s grown up there and she doesn’t know where she comes from or who she is. She grew up in an orphanage and she was very mistreated as a young child. Those things plague her and trouble her. She spent her entire childhood and adult life having people tell her that what she’s seeing isn’t real and to constantly question her reality and to constantly question herself. What’s so lovely is that at some point, she decides to stop listening and listen to herself instead. That was a very fun moment and fun arc to play.

    Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen.'
    (L to R) Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen.’ Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Was this an emotionally difficult or physically exhausting role to play?

    NTF: Yeah, very much so it was. Physically, it was exhausting, but in such a rewarding, lovely way. I love being pushed like that. I love being challenged. Those days were my favorite days. The days where I’m doing the most intense, crazy stuff, those are the days I was most looking forward to. Emotionally, you can’t help what happens after. You can’t really help what happens before. You can only focus on what’s going on during. And during, if it feels real, then you push it and you just go for it and you let it run. You let over you. If you can’t stop crying, great, keep it going. I love that too. I’m a weirdo. The worst time it looks like I’m having on screen, the best time I’m having in my heart in real life.

    Bill Nighy as Lawrence in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    Bill Nighy as Lawrence in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Can you talk about Margaret’s history with Cardinal Lawrence, why she trusts him, and working with Bill Nighy?

    NTF: It wasn’t hard to act like I trusted Bill Nighy because I trust him with my life, honestly. Sometimes I think if I got arrested, he’d be my first phone call. I think he’d just know what to do. I don’t know. I mean, that relationship is so nuanced, I think, between the two of them, even right up until the last moments. There’s never a clear, wrong or right thing that happens, and I think there is genuine real love between the two of them. He’s very much a father figure for Margaret, and I think he sees her very much as a child, as a daughter figure, and the love between them is very real and its real right up until the end. Unfortunately, there are some sinister things behind it, but it’s a real relationship and that’s why it’s so heartbreaking when we see the building blocks start to come down.

    Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    (L to R) Director Arkasha Stevenson and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about collaborating with director Arkasha Stevenson on set?

    NTF: The movie is Arkasha. It was everything. The whole universe was just infinitely better with Arkasha in it. I mean, having her there was everything to me. It was so important. I think with this subject matter and the content and weird stuff that I had to do, we really had to trust each other. I really had to trust her, and I did straight away within the first 10 seconds of meeting her. She just got more wonderful as the days went by and her directorial style is so hands-on and so respectful. She values every opinion and every thought that you have. It’s not like, okay, do one for you and do one for me, take-wise, which happens all the time where you’re at odds with what you think it should be. She’s always collaborative every time. She’s also just the loveliest person in the world, so it was a real dream. It was a real gift.

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    What is the Plot of ‘The First Omen’?

    The plot follows an American woman (Nell Tiger Free) sent to work at a church in Rome who uncovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘The First Omen’?

    • Nell Tiger Free as Margaret Daino
    • Sônia Braga as Sister Silvia
    • Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan
    • Bill Nighy as Cardinal Lawrence
    • Tawfeek Barhom as Father Gabriel
    • Maria Caballero as Luz Valez
    • Nicole Sorace as Carlita Skianna
    Sonia Braga as Silvia and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios' 'The First Omen'.
    (L to R) Sonia Braga as Silvia and Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The First Omen’. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The First Omen’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The First Omen’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Nell Tiger Free Movies On Amazon

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  • Nell Tiger Free Cast in ‘First Omen’

    Nell Tiger Free in “Servant,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Nell Tiger Free in “Servant,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Though it sometimes feels like legacy sequels – often taking the same name as the original film such as ‘Halloween’ or ‘Scream’ seem to be all the rage on the horror front right now, there is apparently still room for prequels.

    In actual fact, a prequel to 1970s horror classic ‘The Omen’ has been in the works for several years now, dating back to at least 2016, that dim and distant time when 20th Century Studios was still called 20th Century Fox and wasn’t owned by Disney.

    Yet while the big merger probably put a crimp in development, the movie is still making its way through the usual pathways to screens, called ‘First Omen’. And in the latest progress report has Nell Tiger Free cast in the lead.

    There have been some changes behind the scenes, though – while David S. Goyer and Keith Levine are still aboard as producers, original chosen director Antonio Campos (who also made ‘Simon Killer‘ and ‘Afterschool’) is no longer attached.

    Instead, Arkasha Stevenson, whose resume is mostly full of short films and work on TV series such as FX’s ‘Legion’ and mystery thriller ‘Briarpatch’, will make her feature-length directorial debut on the movie.

    And though Ben Jacoby wrote the original script, Stevenson has been at work on a new draft with co-writer Tim Smith.

    Harvey Spencer Stephens as Damien Thorn in 1976's 'The Omen.'
    Harvey Spencer Stephens as Damien Thorn in 1976’s ‘The Omen.’

    Plot details are a mystery so far – there’s no word, for example as to whether the word ‘First’ in the title refers to an antichrist story set years before the original movie or if it might chart the buildup to the story explored there, and the dark forces gathering to carry out the Devil’s wishes.

    Richard Donner’s 1976 film starred Gregory Peck as an ambassador who comes to suspect that his five-year-old son Damien might just be the antichrist. The movie was a huge success upon release and has long since entered the horror hall of fame, preying upon fears of swapped children and evil nannies .

    It spawned two sequels, a series of novels and was remade in 2006 by Fox, with John Moore directing. There was even a short-lived TV spin-off, featuring a grown Damien (played by Bradley James) discovering his origin and wrangling with life as the antichrist. Despite the presence of ‘Walking Dead’ veteran Glen Mazzara running the show, it only lasted for one 10-episode season.

    As for Free, she knows a thing or two about creepy danger and strange children, having spent the last few years as one of the stars of ‘Servant’, the Apple TV+ series about a grieving couple trying to move on from the death of their child by using a plastic substitute and who hire a seemingly sweet nanny (Free) who turns out to have dark connections.

    Given that it’s still at a relatively early stage, ‘First Omen’ doesn’t have a release date yet.

    Nell Tiger Free in “Servant,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Nell Tiger Free in “Servant,” now streaming on Apple TV+.
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  • Ryan Gosling Reportedly Boards New ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Movie

    Ryan Gosling as Six in 'The Gray Man'.
    Ryan Gosling as Six in ‘The Gray Man’. Photo: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.

    You might recall that, back in May, reports emerged that Margot Robbie was attached to star in a new ‘Ocean’s’ movie for Warner Bros. Discovery, which ‘Austin Powers’ director Jay Roach would make.

    According to subscription newsletter Puck, there has been some forward movement on this, as Ryan Gosling may now co-star with Margot Robbie. And, if their sources are to be believed, it’ll serve as a prequel to the previous movies that turns the clock back to a heist in Europe in the 1960s.

    And that feels fitting, since the original ‘Ocean’s film was made in 1960, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and other members of the Rat Pack.

    2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ saw director Steven Soderbergh remaking and updating the concept, bringing an ensemble anchored by George Clooney and Matt Damon to the screen, the characters looking to pull off a huge, tricky heist at a Las Vegas hotel.

    That movie generated over $450 million worldwide in theatrical business alone, and Warners was quick to have Soderbergh reunite his cast (adding even more celebrity talent for good measure) for two follow-ups, ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ in 2004 and 2007’s ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’.

    In 2018, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett led a spin-off called ‘Ocean’s Eight,’ which saw a female crew pulling off a robbery at the glitzy Met Gala in New York. That movie was directed by Gary Ross.

    Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson
    (L to R) Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson in 2018’s ‘Ocean’s 8.’

    Aside from the new movie’s potential prequel nature and previous reports pointing to a heist story set in Europe, all we really know at this one is that the screenplay comes from Carrie Solomon, a relative newcomer who has one script, ‘My Boyfriend’s Wedding’, in development.

    This latest movie might also – in keeping with Warner Bros. Discovery’s drive to focus on big theatrical releases – boast a bigger budget than even Soderbergh’s films, to give it a true summer movie feel.

    Of course, this isn’t official yet, and there has been no comment from the studio (not that we’d necessarily expect any news release while deals are still being hashed out). But assuming it truly goes into production with every involved, the new ‘Ocean’s’ movie would mark a reunion for Gosling and Robbie, who star together in next summer’s ‘Barbie.’

    Gosling is coming off of Netflix’s giant action thriller ‘The Gray Man’ (which already has both a sequel and a spin-off commissioned by the streaming service). He’s preparing to shoot ‘The Fall Guy’, a movie version of the 1980s TV series, with ‘Bullet Train’s David Leitch directing.

    Alongside ‘Barbie’, Robbie will be seen in ‘Amsterdam’ opposite Christian Bale and John David Washington for director David O. Russell, ‘Asteroid City’, the latest comedy from Wes Anderson, and old Hollywood story ‘Babylon’, playing Clara Bow for Damien Chazelle.

    Roach, meanwhile, made his name with comedy movies such as the ‘Austin Powers’ and ‘Meet the Parents’ trilogies, but has branched out to comedy dramas with his TV work, which includes ‘Recount’ and ‘Game Change’ for HBO. His most recent job was directing and producing all the episodes of comedy ‘High Desert’ for Apple TV+, which stars Patricia Arquette and Matt Dillon.

    Ryan Gosling as Ken in Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Barbie.'
    Ryan Gosling as Ken in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Barbie,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • ‘Orphan: First Kill’ Interviews: Julia Stiles and Isabelle Fuhrman

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    Opening in theaters, on digital, and streaming on Paramount+ August 19th is the new prequel to 2009’s horror movie ‘Orphan,’ entitled ‘Orphan: First Kill,’ which was directed by William Brent Bell (‘The Boy’).

    Beginning years before the events of ‘Orphan,’ the film follows Leena (Isabelle Fuhrman) as she escapes from an Estonian psychiatric facility and travels to America by impersonating Esther Albright, the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Led by matriarch Tricia Albright (Julia Stiles), a woman willing to do anything to keep her family together, Leena may have finally met her match.

    Moviefone recently had the chance to speak with Julia Stiles and Isabelle Fuhrman about their work on ‘Orphan: First Kill,’ Fuhrman’s experience reprising her role, Stiles’ approach to playing her character, and working with director William Brent Bell.

    Isabelle Fuhrman in Paramount Pictures 'Orphan: First Kill,' from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.
    Isabelle Fuhrman in Paramount Pictures ‘Orphan: First Kill,’ from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Julia Stiles, Isabelle Fuhrman, and director William Brent Bell.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Isabelle, can you talk about the aspects of Leena/Esther that you wanted to explore with this prequel?

    Isabelle Fuhrman: Revisiting this character was so fun for me. I got to take out my old script from the first ‘Orphan’ with all these notes that I had written when I was 10. I got to re-watch the movie and really dive into figuring out how we could make a more human Esther this time around, because she’s less of a mystery in this movie. We know her secret and now it was more about finding a way to invite the audience in and have them follow her in this story rather than stand on the outside, kind of wondering what’s going on.

    For me, that was a really exciting challenge as an actor, to look at a villain and find a way to make her likable and lovable at times while at the same time, still maintaining the integrity of who Esther is. I just felt like it was a no brainer for me to come and revisit this role. I was lucky that we had so many wonderful people like Brent, who believed that I could take back this character and we could still make it believable that I could play a 10-year-old, like Lena does in this story.

    MF: You were closer in age to Esther when you shot the first film, and now you are closer in age to Leena. How did that change the way you played the character this time around?

    IF: It definitely informed a lot of the decisions and choices that I wanted to make in the script but there’s something about revisiting this character. I had to go back to my old script and really look at what I thought of her when I was 10. Because I created this character when I was so young and as much as you could say, “Oh, I was a kid. I didn’t really know,” I mean, clearly I created something that people really loved.

    So, I can’t just come back to this with my own, fresh, at-this-age perspective. I had to find a way to marry the two worlds. Where I was when I was 10 years old and made decisions and choices for Esther as a character, and where I am right now in my life and how I can kind of inject the wisdom that I now have as I’ve grown older and am closer to Leena’s age.

    I very often would go through the script and make decisions for me as an actress. What I wanted to do as I am today, and then I would go back and go, “Well, what would I have said at 10 years old? What would I have thought at 10 years old about this?” Not only did those decisions help me in my performance on a daily basis, but they helped me talk to Kennedy and Sadie who are my body doubles every single day.

    Because I had to explain to them how to do these scenes in a way that wouldn’t jeopardize their innocence and their wonderful, childlike quality that they brought to it. I really felt like it was such a combination and a great group. The three of us of really recreated Esther together.

    Julia Stiles as "Tricia" in 'Orphan: First Kill' from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.
    Julia Stiles as “Tricia” in ‘Orphan: First Kill’ from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.

    MF: Julia, Leena has really met her match in Tricia, can you talk about having the opportunity to play such a strong character?

    Julia Stiles: I mean, that’s what drew me to the part. I think Tricia is somebody who is determined to keep her family together. I say in the trailer, “A mother protects her family, no matter what.” In that desperation to heal the family, they welcome Esther back into their lives and Tricia is looking at Esther going, “I want to make this work but something’s off here and it doesn’t feel quite right. I can’t put my finger on it.”

    What is fun about this movie is that, because we’re in on the secret, you’re kind of going, “How much longer is Esther going to be able to get away with this? How much longer is Leena going to be able to get away with this?” And Tricia, as you say, she’s kind of met her match because Tricia isn’t buying it and what she does with that information is really exciting to watch, and what drew me to the part.

    MF: Finally, what was it like working with director William Brent Bell and watching him execute his unique vision for this project?

    JS: He was great. He was such a great director to work for and he was very collaborative, but also had a very clear vision. It was my first time, and I think a lot of people’s first time working during COVID. The pandemic had already been underway and safety protocols were in place, so there were added challenges like we’d have to rehearse with masks on.

    Then there were all the challenges of ridiculous tricks to make me look taller than Isabelle, like these platform boots that I had to wear. Brent really held it together for everybody and made us feel safe, and also made us really invest in making the movie.

    Isabelle Fuhrman in Paramount Pictures 'Orphan: First Kill,' from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.
    Isabelle Fuhrman in Paramount Pictures ‘Orphan: First Kill,’ from Paramount Players, eOne, and Dark Castle Entertainment.
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  • Viola Davis Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    While Viola Davis is more usually seen as a heroic or good-hearted character, we have seen her channel a darker side in the past: ‘Suicide Squad’s Amanda Waller, for example. Or the crafty Annalise Keating on TV’s ‘How to Get Away with Murder’.

    It’s that side of her performance that will be on display in the ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Davis has joined the in-production movie as Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

    ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is set years before the story of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. In this throwback to an earlier era of the Hunger Games, the new narrative follows 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) long before he’s the cunning president of post-apocalyptic nation Panem.

    Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.

    But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and a snake.”

    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.'
    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo credit: Nathan Johnson.

    Dr. Gaul will serve as the main antagonist for the movie, a games-maker who designs the 10th annual games.

    Francis Lawrence is directing the movie now from a script by Michael Lesslie. The ever-expanding cast also includes Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ashley Liao, Sofia Sanchez, Mackenzie Lansing, Zoe Renee, George Somner, Isobel Jesper Jones, Lilly Maria Cooper, Max Raphael, Dakota Shapiro, Vaughan Reilly, Nick Benson, Knox Gibson, Amélie Hoeferle and Cooper Dillon.

    “The ‘Hunger Games’ films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul,” says Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane. “Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story.”

    “From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role,” comments franchise producer Nina Jacobson. “A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

    “Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure,” enthuses Lawrence.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
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  • ‘Pearl’ Trailer for Ti West’s ‘X’ Prequel

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    Those who have yet to see Ti West’s latest horror movie, ‘X’, which hacked its way into theaters back in March might want to skip reading anything much about the new prequel movie ‘Pearl’. Just for the sake of avoiding spoilers.

    But if you’ve seen and become a fan of West’s 1970s-set horror thriller, you’ll no doubt be happy to see the director revisit that story but explore it from an angle set years before.

    And yes, in case you were wondering, West shot ‘Pearl’ almost concurrently with ‘X’, which explains why he’s been able to get this movie to theaters so quickly.

    ‘X’, of course, was set in the 1970s, and saw a group of filmmakers and actors traveling to an isolated farm to shoot a cheap porno movie. It’s there that the likes of producer Wayne (Martin Henderson, girlfriend and aspiring starlet Maxine Minx (Mia Goth), writer/director R.J. (Owen Campbell), his girlfriend and sound operator Lorraine (Jenna Ortega), and actors/couple Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow) and Jackson (Scott Mescudi) have rented the place from owner Howard (Stephen Ure).

    Howard, though, seems none too pleased to have the crew on his property, yet the filmmakers are able to start work. The real problem comes from Howard’s wife, Pearl (Goth in a second, prosthetics-heavy role), who tries to seduce several of the crew, but slaughters them when they rebuff her. The movie opens and closes with the police arriving and discovering the bloody carnage that has gone down.

    ‘Pearl’ – which actually got a first teaser during the credits of ‘X’ – naturally digs into Goth’s character’s younger life.

    Set in 1918, the movie follows Pearl who, trapped on her family’s isolated farm, must tend to her ailing father under the bitter and overbearing watch of her devout mother. Lusting for a glamorous life like she’s seen in the movies, Pearl’s ambitions, temptations, and repressions all collide in a murderous spree.

    “Part of the idea of this movie that’s cool to me is that there is a bigger thing to it all,” West told Bloody Disgusting earlier this year. What I can tell you about ‘Pearl’, because we’ve already made it and it’s done, is it is very much a story about Pearl. So you will learn more about her. It is stylistically very different from ‘X’. You do not need one without the other, but they enrich each other in a specific way. In the way that ‘X’ is affected, let’s say by 1970s horror independent filmmaking and Americana cinema, ‘Pearl’ is influenced by a very different era of filmmaking. If we do the third one, it will be affected by a different type of cinema.”

    Yes, a third is at least in development, though West isn’t saying what it might entail. We do know that Maxine is revealed to be the daughter of a preacher who has been hunting for her, but we’ll wait and see whether that ties in.

    ‘Pearl’ will be in theaters from September 16th.

    Mia Goth as Pearl in director Ti West's 'X' prequel, 'Pearl.'
    Mia Goth as Pearl in director Ti West’s ‘X’ prequel, ‘Pearl.’
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  • Comic-Con 2022: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Panel

    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Gary Moyes/HBO.

    ‘Game of Thrones’ was aways one of the shows big enough to break through to the massive Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con.

    So it was not surprising that prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ came roaring to the con to fill the same cavernous space.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

    The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original series.

    Emma D’Arcy as "Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen" and Matt Smith as "Prince Daemon Targaryen" in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    ‘Dragon’s team kicked things off with some footage (it doesn’t do to show up at the Con with nothing) and then the panel got into full swing.

    Present were Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Emily Carey, co-creator Ryan Condal, Mily Alcock, and Martin. Showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, sadly, was diagnosed with COVID and sent his hello to Hall H through a statement read by D’Arcy.

    One of the highlights of the panel was the presence of several Brits among the cast, which meant that, like the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ panels, there were some good jokes flying around.

    Asked what he wanted as a set memento, Paddy Considine had a quick answer. “My knife. I wanted to keep it,” he told the crowd. “Trying to nick one was hard. I thought they’d give me it at the end. If anyone from HBO is listening, give me the fucking knife!”

    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    He went on to admit he did take something, but wouldn’t specify, since no one had noticed it missing yet. If anyone sees a dragon in the vicinity of Paddy Considine’s house, please call the ASPD (the American Society for the Protection of Dragons).

    Matt Smith, meanwhile, complained about his long, blond wig. “It looks great but it’s a pain in the arse to put on. It takes an hour and a half,” he said. “I’d decree they could dye their hair.”

    With fan questions talking up coffee cups (following the infamous incident where one appeared on screen during ‘Thrones’ final season), Smith assured everyone that they were not banned from set.

    Martin was also god value, owning up to his inspirations – “‘Game of Thrones’ was based on the War of the Roses, this is based on an earlier period called the Anarchy. I pilfer freely from history,” he quipped – while admitting that he had yet to make a cameo on the new show because he’s been a bit busy working on a certain book. “It’s a little late,” he admits of the latest ‘Thrones’ novel.

    Though the new footage screened at the Con hasn’t shown up online, we don’t have too long to wait – ‘House of the Dragon’ launches on HBO on August 21st.

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

  • Comic-Con 2022: ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ Announces Cast

    Though there has been talk for a long time about a third ‘Gremlins’ movie, it has never quite managed to materialize.

    But there is movement – more targeted at the younger members of the family – on a new series that will act as a prequel to the first two movies.

    ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai’ is an animated series coming to HBO Max and Cartoon Network next year.

    This new show turns the clock back to 1920s Shanghai to explain how 10-year-old Sam Wing (who we meet when he’s much older as shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 movie) first crosses path with a certain young Mogwai.

    Sam and Gizmo will embark on a journey through the Chinese countryside, encountering colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore.

    As they attempt to return Gizmo to his family, and discover a legendary treasure, they’ll have to face a power-hungry industrialist and his ever-growing army of evil Gremlins.

    (L to R) Zach Galligan, Sandra Oh, Randall Park, George Takei, and Bowen Yang have all been cast in HBO Max’s ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai.’

    Tze Chun is running the show for this new series, and he brought fresh news of the voice cast to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

    Previously announced were Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong and Izaac Wang, to which we can now add Sandra Oh, Randall Park, George Takei and Bowen Yang. Gizmo, meanwhile, who was previously voiced by Howie Mandel, will here be performed by AJ LoCascio.

    Perhaps the biggest surprise for the panel, though, was word that Zach Galligan – who famously played Billy Peltzer, the lad whose life is turned upside down by Gizmo and the Gremlins in the 1984 original and its 1990 sequel, ‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch’ – is also lending his voice to the new show, but as a new character.

    “I can’t say too much but because it’s 1920s China, I’m not playing Billy because he wasn’t around,” Galligan said following his surprise appearance on the panel. “So I’m playing this cool character. It was really fun and amazing to work with a new group of creative people who are taking a fresh look at the franchise and are expanding the mythology—who knows what they’re going to add. Maybe they’ll add a new transformation or a new rule we don’t know about yet… I think Gremlins fans are going to eat it up.”

    Dropping hints that there are plenty of Easter eggs for film fans to find, Galligan seemed enthused about the new show. “I’ve been doing this a long time; it takes a lot really to surprise me. I thought it was very creative and I thought they did some interesting, very smart things, which to me is more important to being surprised,” he later told TooFab. “I think when it comes down to entertainment, the most important thing is execution. It’s how well you’re gonna tell it. The animation, the visual look of it is great, the voices are great and when you put it together with a good story, you’re going to have a really entertaining show to watch.”

    The panel also included a screening of the whole first episode, though that naturally wasn’t put online.

    HBO Max has yet to announce the date for the new series.

    HBO Max's 'Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is scheduled for 2023.
    HBO Max’s ‘Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is scheduled for 2023.

  • Peter Dinklage Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s 'Cyrano.'
    (L to R) Haley Bennett as Roxanne, and Peter Dinklage as Cyrano in Joe Wright’s
    ‘Cyrano,’a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film. Photo credit: Peter Mountain. © 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Shooting is underway on the prequel movie set in ‘The Hunger Games’ universe, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, but that isn’t stopping fresh casting news from being confirmed.

    Peter Dinklage, the veteran of such huge genre projects as ‘Game of Thrones’, the ‘X-Men’ movies and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is the latest recruit for the movie. He’ll play Dean Casca Highbottom, who runs the training academy in Panem and is one of the architects of the games.

    The story, based on Collins’ prequel novel, is set roughly 60 years before the events in the original book trilogy. It finds 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) as the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol.

    With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.

    But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

    Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling book series (‘Catching Fire’, ‘Mockingjay – Part 1’ and Mockingjay – Part 2’) is back behind the camera for this new one, which has seen script work from Collins, Michael Arndt and, more recently, Michael Lesslie.

    Jennifer Lawrence
    Jennifer Lawrence in 2012’s ‘The Hunger Games.’

    “Dean Highbottom is one of the most powerful people in Snow’s life. As the austere and vindictive face of the games, he sets the rules that will determine every aspect of Coriolanus’s fate. I’m thrilled that Peter will be bringing him to life,” says Lawrence in a statement.

    “With production underway, we couldn’t be more excited about the way this cast has come together and thrilled to be welcoming Peter Dinklage to Panem. Peter is not just a fan favorite actor who brings a commanding presence to every part he plays,” adds Nathan Kahane, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. “He is one of the best actors alive. He will bring a formidable, charismatic authority to the important role of the dean of the Academy.”

    Dinklage is just the latest piece of casting for this movie. Others have included Hunter Schafer, who plays Tigris Snow, while Jason Schwartzman is Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the host of the 10th games and ancestor to Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci in the original movies).

    And there has been a wave of mentors and tributes brought aboard including Irene Boehm, Cooper Dillon, Luna Kuse, Kjell Brutscheidt, Dimitri Abold, Athena Strates, Dakota Shapiro, George Somner, Jerome Lance, Ashley Liao, Knox Gibson, Mackenzie Lansing, Aamer Husain, Vaughan Reilly, Nick Benson, Laurel Marsden, Lilly Cooper, Luna Steeples, Hiroki Berrecloth,
    Max Raphael, Zoe Renee, Ayomide Adegun, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, Sofia Sanchez and Amélie Hoeferle.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th next year.

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