Moviefone Editorial

Tag: sam-levinson

  • ‘Euphoria’ to Finally Shoot Season 3 in January

    Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Maude Apatow, Zendaya in 'Euphoria' season 2.
    (L to R) Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Maude Apatow, Zendaya in ‘Euphoria’ season 2. Photo: Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Preview:

    • After long delays, ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 will shoot in January.
    • Creator Sam Levinson has written the season.
    • Actors such as Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi will return.

    ‘Euphoria’ fans have had to be remarkably patient, as the show has seen some severe delays in getting back to shooting.

    Now, though, there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who have been watching the (mis)adventures of Rue (Zendaya) and the rest, as HBO has announced that creator Sam Levinson will kick off production on Season 3 in January next year.

    Here’s the statement from Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO programming and head of HBO drama series and films:

    “I am thrilled that we are ready to begin production on ‘Euphoria’ in January. We could not be happier with our creative partnership with Sam and this incredible cast. We look forward to bringing this new season of ‘Euphoria’ to life for the fans.”

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    What’s the story of ‘Euphoria’?

    Zendaya in 'Euphoria.'
    Zendaya in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    For those who have somehow missed the cable channel sensation, ‘Euphoria’ follows a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma and social media.

    The series is an adaptation of an Israeli show of the same name, and all episodes are written by Levinson, who also directs a lot of the show.

    Related Article: ‘Euphoria’ Creator Sam Levinson to Delay Production on Season 3

    What has happened to delay ‘Euphoria’s Season 3?

    Sydney Sweeney in 'Euphoria.'
    Sydney Sweeney in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    In March, a report from The Wrap brought word the delay is happening because ‘Euphoria’ creator/show-runner Sam Levinson has decided –– probably smartly, given the age of his cast –– that the new season should take the characters beyond high school.

    While the second season didn’t end with graduation (instead a school play went badly wrong and a shootout left at least one character dead), the new season will follow the leads’ lives post-school.

    And that change means new script work and extra time for development. Hence the delay.

    Despite its star-making success, the show has not been without issues, including dealing with the pandemic while shooting its first season and strikes following its second. Indeed, Levinson had been writing the third season when the writers’ strike began last year. The actors’ strike also compounded the issue.

    Barbie Ferreira, who plays the character of Kat, has announced she won’t return for the new season, and Angus Cloud, whose character Fezco was arrested at the end of Season 2, tragically died last year.

    Levinson also co-wrote and produced ‘The Idol’ for HBO, which arrived last year to scathing reviews and has been cancelled after one season.

    Who will return for ‘Euphoria’ Season 3?

    Jacob Elordi on HBO's 'Euphoria.'
    Jacob Elordi on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    ‘Euphoria’s cast, the majority of whom have become stars since it began (and whose busy schedules also present a challenge to timing), includes Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Storm Reid, Alexa Demie and Eric Dane.

    When will ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 land on screens?

    HBO has yet to confirm when the new season will land on screens, but depending on how shooting goes, it could be arriving before the end of 2025.

    Colman Domingo in 'Euphoria.'
    Colman Domingo in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Other Movies Starring the Cast of ‘Euphoria’:

    Buy Zendaya Movies On Amazon

    Buy Sydney Sweeney Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 to be Further Delayed for Script Changes

    Zendaya in 'Euphoria.'
    Zendaya in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Preview:

    • ‘Euphoria’s third season shoot is delayed.
    • Creator/show-runner Sam Levinson needs more time to work on the scripts.
    • The series will now depict its characters after high school.

    If you were eagerly anticipating the return of hit high school-set drama ‘Euphoria’ as advertised by HBO for 2025… You might want to be more patient than you expected to be.

    Because though the show had initially intended to kick off filming its third season in May, that plan is reportedly out of the window. The reason? When it returns, it may not be set in high school at all.

    Related Article: Sydney Sweeney Talks ‘Immaculate’ and Why She Loves Horror Movies

    What’s happening with ‘Euphoria’ Season 3?

    Sydney Sweeney in 'Euphoria.'
    Sydney Sweeney in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    According to The Wrap, which has spoken to multiple sources, the delay is happening because ‘Euphoria’ creator/show-runner Sam Levinson has decided –– probably smartly, given the age of his cast –– that the new season should take the characters beyond high school.

    While the second season didn’t end with graduation (instead a school play went badly wrong and a shootout left at least one character dead), the new season will follow the leads’ lives post-school.

    And that change means new script work and extra time for development. Hence the delay.

    Here’s what one inside told the trade site:

    “No one has lost faith in Sam as a creator. He is the driving force creatively on this show, he is still working with the same creative executives that he always has been, but since the show is changing, that process is taking longer.”

    What else has been happening?

    Jacob Elordi on HBO's 'Euphoria.'
    Jacob Elordi on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’

    Despite its star-making success, the show has not been without issues, including dealing with the pandemic while shooting its first season and strikes following its second. Indeed, Levinson had been writing the third season when the writers’ strike began last year.

    Barbie Ferreira, who plays the character of Kat, has announced she won’t return for the new season, and Angus Cloud, whose character Fez was arrested at the end of Season 2, tragically died last year.

    Levinson also co-wrote and produced ‘The Idol’ for HBO, which arrived last year to scathing reviews and has been cancelled after one season.

    What has HBO said about the news?

    Colman Domingo in 'Euphoria.'
    Colman Domingo in ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    The cable channel has so far put out just one official statement:

    “HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season. In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

    Which means that the stars of the show, including Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, who have become big film names since the series began, will be back in theaters screens likely sooner than though. Quick: someone convince Denis Villeneuve to shoot ‘Dune: Messiah’ while he has the chance!

    When will ‘Euphoria’ be back on our screens?

    HBO reportedly is still aiming at that 2025 return, though likely late in the year now.

    Zendaya on HBO's 'Euphoria.'
    Zendaya on HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Other Movies Starring the Cast of ‘Euphoria’:

    Buy Zendaya Movies On Amazon

    Buy Sydney Sweeney Movies On Amazon

    GbikBU92

  • New Trailer for ‘The Idol’

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    So far, HBO’s new series ‘The Idol’ has been more known for the controversy swirling around it than the provocative content of the show itself.

    Created by ‘Euphoria’s Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim and musician Abel “The Weekend” Tesfaye, ‘The Idol’ hit the headlines back in March when Rolling Stone published a behind-the-scenes report of creative changes, chaos and sexually challenging scenes.

    Levinson, of course, is no stranger to all that with ‘Euphoria’, but the news is threatening to swamp the show, even as it prepares to launch out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival next month.

    Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO's 'The Idol.'
    (L to R) Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO’s ‘The Idol.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Part of that news included the departure of original director Amy Seimetz, who left in April 2022, leading Levinson to step in and start guiding the direction of the show.

    Here’s what HBO said at the time to Variety,

    “‘The Idol’s’ creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction. The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”

    Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO's 'The Idol.'
    (L to R) Lily-Rose Depp and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO’s ‘The Idol.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    What’s the plot of ‘The Idol’?

    The series stars Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, a fame-hungry young woman looking to take over the entertainment industry. When she meets Tedros, a powerful, sex-obsessed cult leader portrayed by Tesfaye, Jocelyn’s career expands to new heights.

    Jocelyn and her team are inspired by the 1990s exploits of Britney Spears and co. but under the guidance –– control? –– of Tedros (who runs nightclubs but exerts a powerful influence over those who enter his orbit), that skyrockets in a whole other direction.

    Lily-Rose Depp on HBO's 'The Idol.'
    Lily-Rose Depp on HBO’s ‘The Idol.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.

    Related Article: ‘Euphoria’ Renewed for Season 2 by HBO

    What was the reported behind-the-scenes drama on the show?

    According to the Rolling Stone article, which included research interviews with several cast and members, the show began to change from the Seimetz-era story of a fallen pop starlet looking to reclaim her agency to a degrading love story with a hollow message.

    Here’s what one crewmember said,

    “What I signed up for was a dark satire of fame and the fame model in the 21st century. The things that we subject our talent and stars to, the forces that put people in the spotlight and how that can be manipulated in the post-Trump world. It went from satire to the thing it was satirizing.”

    But several sources disputed those reports, with a statement from the company describing it as ,

    “One of the most exciting and provocative original programs. The creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew.”

    The truth, as often, appears to lie somewhere in between. We’ll see if the narrative shifts once the show lands on the Max streaming service on Sunday June 4th.

    Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO's 'The Idol.'
    Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on HBO’s ‘The Idol.’ Photograph by Eddy Chen/HBO.