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Tag: the-lost-bus

  • Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña Starring in ‘Positano’

    (Left) Matthew McConaughey presents a nominee for 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: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Zoe Saldaña arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (Left) Matthew McConaughey presents a nominee for 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: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Zoe Saldaña arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña will star in ‘Positano.’
    • It’s a new romantic caper.
    • Daniel Roher will direct.

    Once his big, successful genre, Matthew McConaughey hasn’t been at the center of a truly romantic movie for a few years now.

    According to Deadline, that’s all set to change with a new movie called ‘Positano’, described as a romantic caper set on the titular Italian location.

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    And McConaughey won’t be alone –– Zoe Saldaña, most recently seen in the likes of ‘Emilia Pérez,’ –– is also aboard to star.

    Related Article: Matthew McConaughey Reuniting with Nic Pizzolatto on New Netflix Series

    What’s the story of ‘Positano’?

    Matthew McConaughey arrives on the red carpet of The 90th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Credit/Provider: Scott Diussa / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: A.M.P.A.S.
    Matthew McConaughey arrives on the red carpet of The 90th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Credit/Provider: Scott Diussa / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: A.M.P.A.S.

    Beyond the basic idea of “a romantic caper set in Positano” (which in case you’re unaware is a picturesque, cliffside village on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, famous for its colorful, vertically stacked houses, steep narrow streets, luxury boutiques, and beautiful pebble beaches like Spiaggia Grande), not much is known about the story.

    Writers Alessandro Tanaka and Brian Gatewood crafted the script as a spec, which caught the attention of the team at Working Title.

    They got it to director Daniel Roher, whose most recent movie, ‘Tuner’ starring Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall, made its debut at last year’s Telluride Film Festival and will be at Sundance next month, and he signed on to direct.

    McConaughey and Saldaña boarded shortly after and Netflix picked up the project.

    Where else can we see Matthew McConaughey and Zoe Saldaña?

    Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    McConaughey was most recently seen in Apple original movie ‘The Lost Bus’ and is attached to a couple of projects that will reunite him with ‘True Detective’ creator Nic Pizzolatto; a new, untitled TV series and a movie based on the Mike Hammer character.

    He’s also been at work on a TV series co-starring Woody Harrelson, though that one has hit some creative wobbles during shooting.

    Saldaña scored a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for ‘Emilia Pérez’ back in March, voiced a character in Disney/Pixar’s ‘Elio’ and is back on screens right now in ‘Avatar: Fire & Ash.’

    When will ‘Positano’ be on screens?

    There’s no word on when ‘Positano’ might be in theaters, or even if, given Netflix’s attitude to its movie output. But it could be ready for some point in 2027.

    Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
    Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.

    Movies and TV Shows starring Matthew McConaughey:

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Lost Bus’

    (L to R) America Ferrera and Matthew McConaughey in ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) America Ferrera and Matthew McConaughey in ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    On Apple TV+ on 3 October is ‘The Lost Bus’, a based-on-truth thriller directed by ‘United 93’ and ‘Bloody Sunday’ filmmaker Paul Greengrass, which stars Matthew McConaughey (‘Dallas Buyers Club’).

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    The movie also features the likes of America Ferrera (‘Barbie’), Ashlie Atkinson (‘The Gilded Age’), and keeping it in the family, McConaughey’s mother Kay (‘Bernie’) and son Levi (who makes his film acting debut with this movie).

    Related Article: Matthew McConaughey to Star in Paul Greengrass’ Peasant Revolt Drama ‘The Rage’

    Initial Thoughts

    ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
    ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Paul Greengrass can direct this sort of ripped-from-the-headlines drama with one hand tied behind his back; he’s proved time and again that he’s capable of wringing real emotion out of human chaos.

    Fortunately, ‘The Lost Bus’ finds him fully in control of his faculties as a filmmaker, keeping the focus sharp and largely side-stepping cliches like a bus careening away from falling power lines.

    Script and Direction

    Director Paul Greengrass on the set of ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Director Paul Greengrass on the set of ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    Written by Brad Ingelsby (no stranger to either taught, tense drama or against-the-odds stories having created such projects as ‘Mare of Easttown’) and Greengrass, the new movie doesn’t seek to sensationalize the devastating events of the Camp Fire that tore through the town of Paradise in California and its environs, but keeps its eye largely on the occupants of the bus.

    Greengrass near documentary style keeps things compelling as the disaster erupts around the community, stopping in on the fire fighting forces trying to tame the deadly blaze and those in charge of running the school bus system that proves vital to the evacuation.

    Cast and Performances

    Matthew McConaughey presents a nominee for 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: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Matthew McConaughey presents a nominee for 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: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Naturally, the focus is on the two leads and the kids aboard the bus, who all give good, naturalistic performances. A lot of weight is given early on to Kevin McKay’s (McConaughey) frustrations in life and fractured relationship with his son, but that’s mostly to provide drive for him as he seeks to save his young charges then get back to his own child.

    But one other performance deserves a shout-out: Ashlie Atkinson, who is superb as Ruby, the manager/dispatcher at the bus depot, who initially clashes with Kevin, but soon shows her own spine of steels as the crisis worsens.

    Final Thoughts

    It might be a fairly standard version of the heroic small-town true story, but in Greengrass’ hands it’s scary, impressive and watchable.

    Kudos also to the effects team, who bring the various fires to such vivid life you might feel yourself getting warm.

    ‘The Lost Bus’ receives 80 out of 100.

    ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
    ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    What’s the story of ‘The Lost Bus’?

    ‘The Lost Bus’ is a white-knuckle ride through one of America’s deadliest wildfires as a wayward school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a dedicated school teacher (America Ferrera) battle to save 22 children from the terrifying inferno.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Lost Bus’?

    • Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay
    • America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig
    • Yul Vazquez as Ray Martinez
    • Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby
    • Levi McConaughey as Shaun McKay
    • Kay McCabe McConaughey as Sherry McKay
    • Kate Wharton as Jen Kissoon
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    Movies starring Matthew McConaughey:

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  • Matthew McConaughey Starring in ‘The Lost Bus’

    Matthew McConaughey in 'The Gentlemen.'
    Matthew McConaughey in ‘The Gentlemen.’ Photo: STX films.

    Preview:

    • Matthew McConaughey is in talks for ‘The Lost Bus’.
    • Paul Greengrass is considering directing.
    • Jamie Lee Curtis developed the project based on a real-life story.

    It’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen Matthew McConaughey on our screens (that would be in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 movie ‘The Gentlemen’, though he reprised his voice role as ambitious koala Buster Moon in 2021’s ‘Sing 2’), but if Apple and Blumhouse have their way, he’ll be back.

    According to Deadline, he’s locking in a deal to star in ‘The Lost Bus’, a new based-on-truth thriller that is headed our way from Blumhouse and Apple Original Films. But despite the Blumhouse company being involved, this isn’t a horror film –– unless you hate fire, perhaps (which is far from the most illogical fear).

    Instead, this will draw from a real life act of bravery by two ordinary people in an extraordinary situation.

    Related Article: Matthew McConaughey in Negotiations for ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off in Midst of Scheduling Conflict with Kevin Costner

    What’s the story of ‘The Lost Bus’?

    Matthew McConaughey in 'Killer Joe.'
    Matthew McConaughey in ‘Killer Joe.’ Photo: LD Entertainment.

    The movie will chart the efforts heroic bus driver Kevin McKay and school teacher Mary Ludwig, who helped navigate a bus full of children through the deadly wildfire as the town of Paradise is caught in the destruction and chaos. The fire destroyed most of the mountain town and killed 85.

    ‘Out Of The Furnace’s Brad Ingelsby adapted the script from Lizzie Johnson’s book ‘Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire’, which chronicled the deadly incident.

    Who is behind ‘The Lost Bus’?

    Jamie Lee Curtis poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
    Jamie Lee Curtis poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

    The new movie has been a passion project for Jamie Lee Curtis since 2022, after hearing Johnson talk about the book in an NPR interview. She investigated the rights and set it up with Blumhouse, where her Comet Pictures company has a first-look deal.

    Together, they hired Brad Ingelsby to write a script, which has since found its way in front of ‘United 93’ and ‘News of the World’s director Paul Greengrass.

    He was interested, but forward momentum last year was stymied by the writers and actors’ strikes that shut down development and potential shooting.

    Matthew McConaughey in 'Dallas Buyers Club.'
    Matthew McConaughey in ‘Dallas Buyers Club.’ Photo: Focus Features.

    Now though, with McConaughey negotiating to star (Deadline isn’t clear on whether Curtis will appear in the film, though she could conceivably play Mary Ludwig as well as producing) and Greengrass considering making this his next film, this one looks set to speed up quickly, especially since Apple is looking to back the movie.

    The director is also attached to adapt T.J. Newman’s book ‘Drowning’ (about passengers and crew trapped in a crashed, sinking plane), but from the looks of this, he’s planning to make ‘The Lost Bus’ a priority before he moves on to the plane film.

    As for McConaughey, he’s got one other movie, crime thriller ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’ making its way through post-production, and has some TV projects gearing up to shoot, including one for Apple, ‘Brother from Another Mother’, which co-stars Woody Harrelson.

    Actors Woody Harrelson (L) and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
    Actors Woody Harrelson (L) and Matthew McConaughey speak onstage at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.

    Movies starring Matthew McConaughey:

    Buy Matthew McConaughey Movies On Amazon

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