Moviefone Editorial

Tag: universal

  • Blumhouse’s ‘The Invisible Man’ Remake Will Center on Abusive Relationship

    Blumhouse’s ‘The Invisible Man’ Remake Will Center on Abusive Relationship

    Hulu

    What you can’t see can, in fact, hurt you. That’s the official premise of the upcoming “Invisible Man” remake from Blumhouse Productions.

    Universal and Blumhouse are reimagining the classic tale by H.G. Wells, which has inspired numerous film and television adaptations, including the 1933 black-and-white movie starring Claude Rains.

    Not much was known about the project, other than that it is coming from director Leigh Whannell and stars Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Storm Reid, Aldis Hodge, and Harriet Dyer.

    Now, an official description reveals more details about the plot:

    “Trapped in a violent, controlling relationship with a wealthy and brilliant scientist, Cecilia Kass (Moss) escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding, aided by her sister (Dyer), their childhood friend (Hodge) and his teenage daughter (Reid).

    But when Cecilia’s abusive ex (Jackson-Cohen) commits suicide and leaves her a generous portion of his vast fortune, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of eerie coincidences turns lethal, threatening the lives of those she loves, Cecilia’s sanity begins to unravel as she desperately tries to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.”

    It seems like the movie wants to tap into topics of the current time, like toxic masculinity and the #MeToo movement. Addressing pressing issues of the day, within the horror genre, is something Blumhouse has done well before (see: “Get Out,” “Us”).

    “The Invisible Man” opens in theaters February 28, 2020.

     

  • Julianne Moore to Star in Jill Soloway Film ‘Mothertrucker’

    Julianne Moore to Star in Jill Soloway Film ‘Mothertrucker’

    Julianne Moore in After the Wedding
    Sony Pictures Classics

    The upcoming film “Mothertrucker” is rolling forward with some big talent. Julianne Moore is set to star, and the movie will be written and directed by Jill Soloway, Deadline reports. It comes from the studio Makeready, with Focus Features set to distribute.

    The project is an adaptation of a memoir by essayist Amy Butcher that is due out in 2022. It centers on Butcher’s friendship with Joy Wiebe, once the sole female ice road trucker in the United States as well as an Instagram celebrity. Butcher met Wiebe by chance and joined her on a journey that took them on the deadliest road in America. Sadly, Wiebe died in a tanker accident in 2018, as the Anchorage Daily News reported at the time.

    Moore will play Wiebe in the film, and the studio is still looking for the actress who will star as Butcher. Makeready reportedly plans to land another well-known star. The pick will have to hold her own against Moore, an Academy Award winner for her role in “Still Alice.” More recently, Moore has starred in “After the Wedding” and “Bel Canto.”

    Meanwhile, Soloway has been tasked with writing the script, in addition to directing and producing. The “Transparent” creator is “honored to tell this deeply resonant story about two women finding meaning and strength as they face an epic challenge in one of the most punishing and beautiful landscapes on the planet.”

    Soloway and Andrea Sperling will produce via Topple Productions, and Moore serves as a producer through Fortysix Productions. Additionally, Bart Freundlich and Makeready’s Pam Abdy and Natalie Williams will serve as executive producers.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Universal Cancels ‘The Hunt’ Release

    Universal Cancels ‘The Hunt’ Release

    Universal

    Universal has canceled the release of “The Hunt,” a Blumhouse Productions satirical thriller that featured working class people being hunted for sport by rich elites.

    The cancellation comes after an uproar led by President Donald Trump. Trump blasted the movie on Twitter after seeing Fox News segments questioning whether the movie would “encourage more backlash against conservatives.”

    “The movie coming out is made in order to inflame and cause chaos,” Trump tweeted Friday afternoon. “They create their own violence, and then try to blame others. They are the true Racists, and are very bad for our Country!”

    Universal had already pulled ads for “The Hunt,” but the political furor led the studio to shelve the film completely. It had been scheduled for release September 27.

    “While Universal Pictures had already paused the marketing campaign for ‘The Hunt,’ after thoughtful consideration, the studio has decided to cancel our plans to release the film, ” a spokesperson for Universal said in a statement.

    “We stand by our filmmakers and will continue to distribute films in partnership with bold and visionary creators, like those associated with this satirical social thriller, but we understand that now is not the right time to release this film.”

    The movie follows 12 strangers who have been kidnapped to be prey for a gathering of rich people looking to kill. The “prey” decide to fight back and take up arms against the elites, resulting in a bloody battle.

    Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse’s script is a dark satire that reportedly was originally titled “Red State Vs. Blue State.”

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the script had a line that has one character ask, “Did anyone see what our ratf—er-in-chief just did? At least The Hunt’s coming up. Nothing better than going out to the Manor and slaughtering a dozen deplorables.”

    We should note, however, that the protagonists/heroes of the film are clearly the “prey” (including a tough female character played by Betty Gilpin). And similar stories — such as “The Hunger Games” and “The Purge” — clearly side with the victims, rather than the wealthy people in charge.

  • Ad Pulled for ‘The Hunt’ in Wake of Mass Shootings

    Ad Pulled for ‘The Hunt’ in Wake of Mass Shootings

    Universal

    In the aftermath of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, ads are being pulled for the Universal/Blumhouse thriller “The Hunt”

    The movie follows 12 strangers who have been kidnapped to be prey for a gathering of rich people looking to kill. The “prey” decide to fight back and take up arms against the elites, resulting in a bloody battle.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, last weekend, ESPN pulled an ad for “The Hunt” it had previously approved. But AMC ran a spot for the film during the season premiere of “Preacher.” The one for ESPN opened with a sound resembling an emergency broadcast signal.

    Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse’s script is a dark satire that reportedly was originally titled “Red State Vs. Blue State.”

    THR says the script has a line that has one character ask, “Did anyone see what our ratf—er-in-chief just did? At least The Hunt’s coming up. Nothing better than going out to the Manor and slaughtering a dozen deplorables.”

    Studio sources tell THR that Universal is evaluating its plans for the movie and it is a “fluid situation.” A trailer was released last week.

    “The Hunt” is slated in theaters on September 27.

  • Jennifer Lopez Rom-Com ‘Marry Me’ Adds Latin Music Star Maluma

    Jennifer Lopez Rom-Com ‘Marry Me’ Adds Latin Music Star Maluma

    Maluma; Jennifer Lopez
    Sony Latin; STX Films

    A real-life music sensation will play Jennifer Lopez‘s rock-star fiancé in the upcoming rom-com “Marry Me.” Colombian singer-songwriter and rapper Maluma has been cast in the role, Deadline reports. He joins both Lopez and Owen Wilson in the project.

    News came in April that Lopez would star in the film and Wilson was in talks to join her. The story centers on pop star played by Lopez who decides to marry a random fan (Wilson) after finding out that her husband-to-be (Maluma) has been cheating on her. It’s based on Bobby Crosby’s graphic novel of the same name, and the script was adapted by John Rogers and Tami Sagher. Harper Dill did a rewrite, and Kat Coiro is set to direct.

    Maluma has been active on the music scene for several years. He released his debut album, “Magia,” in 2012 and his most recent, “11:11,” came out earlier this year. He’s a Latin Grammy Award winner and he’ll now get a chance to make his mark on the big screen.

    “Marry Me” has reportedly moved from STX to Universal, which happens to be the studio that originally landed it. Lopez is producing alongside Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, and John Rogers. Willie Mercer, Alex Brown, and J.B. Roberts are the executive producers. So far, no release date has been announced.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Oliver Jackson-Cohen Tapped to Be ‘Invisible Man’ in Blumhouse Reboot

    Oliver Jackson-Cohen Tapped to Be ‘Invisible Man’ in Blumhouse Reboot

    Netflix

    Meet the new “Invisible Man” — Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

    The “Haunting of Hill House” has landed the title role in Universal and Blumhouse’s reboot of the classic tale by H.G. Wells, which has inspired numerous film and television adaptations, including the 1933 black-and-white movie starring Claude Rains.

    Director Leigh Whannell’s new reimagining also stars Elisabeth Moss, Storm Reid, Aldis Hodge, and Harriet Dyer.

    “The Invisible Man” reboot is a Blumhouse production, and Jason Blum has indicated it will have a low budget along the lines of the studio’s other hits like “Get Out” and “Us.”

    “It’s not dependent on special effects, CGI, stunts,” he told Collider. “It’s super character-driven, it’s really compelling, it’s thrilling, it’s edgy, it feels new.”

    “The Invisible Man” is the first venture in Universal’s fresh strategy for rebooting its monster classics. The studio had previously planned a shared universe with Dracula, Bride of Frankenstein, and others, but those plans were put on hold after the underwhelming response to Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy” in 2017.

    Deadline reports that the filmmakers were “wowed” by Jackson-Cohen’s performance in Netflix’s horror anthology “Haunting of Hill House.”

    Filming on “The Invisible Man” begins this summer in Australia.

  • Hilary Swank to Star in Political Action Triller ‘The Hunt’

    Hilary Swank to Star in Political Action Triller ‘The Hunt’

    FX

    Universal and Blumhouse’s upcoming political action thriller “The Hunt” has made another big casting move. The film has added Hilary Swank to star alongside Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts, Betty Gilpin, Justin Hartley, and Glenn Howerton, Deadline reports. Director Craig Zobel (“Z for Zachariah”) is on board, and he’ll work from a script by Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse.

    So far, there are no details about Swank’s character. In fact, the plot in general is still being kept under wraps. It is said, however, to explore political tension in America, according to a March Deadline report. Given the title, we feel pretty confident guessing that there will be a hunt of some kind in there, too.

    Swank, a two-time Academy Award winner, most recently starred in the films “I Am Mother” and “What They Had.” The actress also had a lead role in Season 1 of FX’s anthology drama series “Trust.” Coming up for her is another series, Netflix’s “Away,” as well as the movie “Fatale.”

    “The Hunt” is to be produced by Blumhouse Productions’ Jason Blum and Lindelof of White Rabbit. Both Zobel and Cuse are set to executive produce alongside Universal’s Erik Baiers and Jay Polidoro.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Invisible Man’ Reboot in the Works From Blumhouse, Director Leigh Whannell

    ‘Invisible Man’ Reboot in the Works From Blumhouse, Director Leigh Whannell

    Universal

    “The Invisible Man” reboot is getting a lot more visible, now that Universal is partnering with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions and has hired “Saw” co-creator Leigh Whannell to direct.

    The studio is starting fresh after previously planning a shared universe based off of its classic monster characters. But those plans were put on hold after the underwhelming response to Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy” in 2017.

    Now, Universal is open to developing reboots of its monster movies without being part of a shared universe and taking a more individualized approach for each property.

    Whannell first popped onto the scene as the writer and star of 2004’s “Saw” (directed by James Wan). He and Wan then created the “Insidious” franchise, and Whannell made his directorial debut with 2015’s “Insidious: Chapter 3.” And last year, he teamed up with Blumhouse to direct the technological horror flick “Upgrade.”

    H.G. Wells’ classic novel has inspired numerous film and television adaptations, including the 1933 black-and-white movie starring Claude Rains.

  • Chris Pratt’s ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking’ Pulled From Schedule, Delayed Indefinitely: Report

    Chris Pratt’s ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking’ Pulled From Schedule, Delayed Indefinitely: Report

    Universal

    Bad news for fans hoping to see Chris Pratt kick some more big screen butt next summer: Universal has reportedly pulled its upcoming action flick “Cowboy Ninja Viking” from next year’s release schedule, and the film has been delayed indefinitely.

    That’s the word from Collider, which cites sources who say that the film — originally slated to debut smack dab in the middle of summer movie season on June 28, 2019 — was in pre-production when the studio abruptly “stopped discussions with potential supporting cast.” According to Collider’s sources, Universal “wasn’t eager to rush to meet a release date, given that it has franchise hopes for the property.”

    That’s kind of an odd explanation (this movie is going to be huge, so let’s delay it!), making us wonder if there was something else going on behind the scenes. Maybe the script needed work, or director Michelle MacLaren (who was to make her feature directorial debut) needed more time to prep for the shoot? Collider suggests that maybe it has to do with the fact that Pratt isn’t as bankable of a star as he once was (his presence in the MCU notwithstanding), citing the less-than-expected box office haul of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and the disappointing “Passengers.”

    It’s possible that Universal simply wanted to take a beat on investing in another big project — especially one with the potential to become more expensive down the road. But where does that leave the film now?

    Collider says that the studio “will re-date the project at a later time,” and also notes that Priyanka Chopra, who had just been cast as the film’s female lead, remains the top choice for the part, whenever production resumes. Pratt will also stay on board, to both star and produce.

    Now we just have to wait and see if Universal plans to continue development at all. Stay tuned.

    [via: Collider]

  • Fast & Furious Spinoff Starring Dawyne Johnson, Jason Statham Lands Director David Leitch

    The Fast and Furious franchise’s Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham play take-charge, badass characters, but the actors will take directions from at least one man for their Hobbs and Shaw spinoff: the film’s director.

    That man has been found. David Leitch is set to helm the film, as the studio announced Thursday. The Fast and Furious social media accounts heralded the good news and welcomed the director to the family.

    Leitch comes to the franchise with other high-profile projects on his resume. He directed the Charlize Theron-starring spy flick “Atomic Bomb,” and more recently, he helmed the upcoming “Deadpool 2.” On top of that, he did years of stunt work, meaning he should really be well-equipped to handle the action-heavy spinoff.

    The film centers on Luke Hobbs (Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Statham), two characters we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in the Fast and Furious franchise. Johnson first joined in the fifth film and has appeared in each one since, while Statham made a cameo in the sixth before taking on bigger roles in the seventh and eighth. They’ll strike out on their own in the still-untitled Hobbs and Shaw spinoff.

    The action flick is slated to open July 26, 2019.