Tag: what we do in the shadows

  • Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes join ‘Very Young Frankenstein’

    (Left) Zach Galifianakis during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Kumail Nanjiani prior to the 45th Annual Student Academy Awards® on Thursday, October 11, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Actor Cary Elwes prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ presentation of its 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Screenwriting Awards & Live Read on November 3, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    (Left) Zach Galifianakis during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Kumail Nanjiani prior to the 45th Annual Student Academy Awards® on Thursday, October 11, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Actor Cary Elwes prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ presentation of its 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Screenwriting Awards & Live Read on November 3, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • The ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ series is going to pilot.
    • Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes, Kumail Nanjiani and more are in the cast.
    • It’ll be a prequel to Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’.

    We learned back in July that, following the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel movie news, another Mel Brooks movie was getting the follow-up treatment. Or in this case, a TV prequel. ‘Young Frankenstein’ is the Brooks project in question and the new show is ‘Very Young Frankenstein.’

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    While we already knew that Taika Waititi is involved (to direct the pilot) alongside two writers from the ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ TV spin-off, Stefani Robinson and Garrett Basch, the cast has also been revealed.

    Zach Galifianakis (‘The Hangover’), Dolly Wells (‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’), Spencer House (‘Space Force’), Nikki Crawford (‘How to Deter a Robber’), and Kumail Nanjiani (‘The Big Sick’) are all aboard.

    Related Article: TV Prequel to Mel Brooks Comedy Pic ‘Young Frankenstein’ in Development

    What was the story of ‘Young Frankenstein’?

    (L to R) Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Brooks’ 1974 horror-comedy starred Gene Wilder (who co-wrote the screenplay with the director) as Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein –– the younger Frankenstein pronounces the family name as “Fronkensteen,” to distinguish himself from his ancestor, whose unorthodox experiments have brought the American scientist shame.

    When Frederick inherits his grandfather’s Transylvania castle, he wants to prove Victor was not insane. Alongside Igor (pronounced as “Eye-gore”), whose grandfather assisted Victor in the lab, the pair attempts to save the muddied Frankenstein name by creating their own monster. What could go wrong?

    The movie also stars Peter Boyle as the monster, Marty Feldman as Igor, Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher, Madeline Kahn as Frederick’s fiancée and Teri Garr as Inga. Brooks played multiple characters, including voicing Victor Frankenstein.

    What’s happening with ‘Very Young Frankenstein’?

    Gene Wilder in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    Gene Wilder in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    There are no details as to how the new show will spin off from the movie, but the title suggests turning the clock back to the earlier days of Frederick. Perhaps a college comedy?

    None of the freshly–announced cast have character descriptions, so we’ll have to wait for further details –– but Elwes is listed as the star of this one.

    When will ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ be on our screens?

    The show right now is just a pilot for FX and Hulu, so it’ll need to score a pickup if it’s to go to series. Audiences (and Brooks’ accountant) are no doubt crossing their fingers.

    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder, and Teri Garr in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder, and Teri Garr in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    List of Mel Brooks Movies:

    Buy Mel Brooks Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ TV Series in the Works

    (L to R) Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Preview:

    • A ‘Young Frankenstein’ TV prequel called ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ is in the works.
    • Taika Waititi, Stefani Robinson and Garrett Basch are all in involved.
    • Mel Brooks has given his blessing to the new potential series.

    Put toys away. Leave video games unloaded. And comic books? Fuhgeddaboudit! The new cool IP is clearly Mel Brooks’ back catalogue.

    Okay, okay, so not really… But there is a run on sequels, and now prequels to Brooks’ work of late.

    We’ve already seen ‘History of the World: Part II’ as a comedy limited series, a ‘Spaceballs’ follow-up movie is in pre-production and now per Deadline, comes word that a prequel/reboot TV spin-off for ‘Young Frankenstein’ called ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ has just landed a pilot order at FX.

    All together now: “It’s aliiive!!”

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    Bringing the new show to life is a team that knows a little something about creating a successful small screen spin-off from a comedy film –– ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ co-writer/director/actor Taika Waititi is involved alongside Stefani Robinson and Garrett Basch, who served as writer/producers on the show that followed the 2015 movie.

    Related Article: Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman & Daphne Zuniga Back for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

    What was the story of ‘Young Frankenstein’?

    (L to R) Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Brooks’ 1974 horror-comedy starred Gene Wilder (who co-wrote the screenplay with the director) as Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein –– the younger Frankenstein pronounces the family name as “Fronkensteen,” to distinguish himself from his ancestor, whose unorthodox experiments have brought the American scientist shame.

    When Frederick inherits his grandfather’s Transylvania castle, he wants to prove Victor was not insane. Alongside Igor (pronounced as “Eye-gore”), whose grandfather assisted Victor in the lab, the pair attempts to save the muddied Frankenstein name by creating their own monster. What could go wrong?

    The movie also stars Peter Boyle as the monster, Marty Feldman as Igor, Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher, Madeline Kahn as Frederick’s fiancée and Teri Garr as Inga. Brooks played multiple characters, including voicing Victor Frankenstein.

    What’s happening with ‘Very Young Frankenstein’?

    Gene Wilder in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    Gene Wilder in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    There are no details as to how the new show will spin off from the movie, but the title suggests turning the clock back to the earlier days of Frederick. Perhaps a college comedy?

    Waititi, of course, worked with movie co-creator Jemaine Clement bring ‘What We Do in the Shadows,’ the story of vampire roommates in New Zealand to the US with the FX spin-off that ran between 2019 and 2024, scoring acclaim and plenty of award nominations.

    ‘Shadows’ veteran Robinson will be showrunner and head writer on the ‘Frankenstein’ show with Basch as an executive producer. And right now, it only has a pilot order, so we’ll see if this one makes it to series.

    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder, and Teri Garr in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.
    (L to R) Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Gene Wilder, and Teri Garr in ‘Young Frankenstein’. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Other Mel Brooks Movies:

    Buy Mel Brooks Movies on Amazon

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  • 76th Primetime Emmy Awards 2024 Winners

    The 2024 Emmy Awards will air on ABC Sunday, Sept. 15th.
    The 2024 Emmy Awards will air on ABC Sunday, Sept. 15th.

    Preview:

    • ‘The Bear,’ ‘Shogun’ and ‘Baby Reindeer were among the big winners at the 2024 Emmys
    • ‘Hacks’ was a surprise winner.
    • Dan and Eugene Levy hosted the night.

    It might have been the second Emmys of 2024 (thanks to the strike-delayed first landing in January of this year), but otherwise it was business as usual for the TV Academy’s awards show.

    Though there was the standard bout of repetition (‘The Bear’ won 11 awards, breaking its own record), while Billy Crudup and Jean Smart won more awards (for ‘The Morning Show’ and ‘Hacks respectively), there was still room for some surprises –– Lamorne Morris triumphed in the Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category for ‘Fargo’ over Robert Downey Jr. for ‘The Sympathizer,’ while talking of ‘Hacks,’ it was the somewhat shocking (if welcome) winner in the Comedy Series arena over ‘The Bear.’

    The other big winners were in the limited series category (even if one of them is in early development on its second season) as ‘Shogun’ and ‘Baby Reindeer’ nabbed multiple trophies. Jodie Foster won the first Emmy of her career for ‘True Detective: Night Country.’

    (L to R) Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and Daniel Levy in 'Schitt's Creek'. Photo: CBC Television.
    (L to R) Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Daniel Levy in ‘Schitt’s Creek’. Photo: CBC Television.

    Eugene and Dan Levy, the stars (and in Dan’s case, creator) of ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ hosted the evening, kicking off with a monologue that touched on the controversy of a constantly dramatic show like ‘The Bear’ dominating the comedy categories and the growing presence of big movie stars on TV thanks to the lesser episodic demands of streaming shows.

    And the big watchword for the show could be “nostalgia,” since various categories were handed out by stars of former TV shows such as ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Happy Days’ or those who played particular types of characters such as cops or lawyers.

    There was an impassioned, funny speech from John Leguizamo about representation on television and a welcome award for TV super-producer Greg Berlanti. More confusing additions? Having Jelly Roll perform the In Memoriam song.

    Here, then, is the full list of winners for the evening:

    List of Winners:

    Drama Series

    Hiroyuki Sanada in 'Shogun.' Photo: FX.
    Hiroyuki Sanada in ‘Shogun.’ Photo: FX.
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    Lead Actor in a Drama Series

    Hiroyuki Sanada in 'Shogun.' Photo: FX.
    Hiroyuki Sanada in ‘Shogun.’ Photo: FX.

    Lead Actress in a Drama Series

    Anna Sawai in 'Shōgun'. Photo: FX.
    Anna Sawai in ‘Shōgun’. Photo: FX.

    Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

    Jeremy Allen White in 'The Bear.'
    Jeremy Allen White in ‘The Bear.’ Photo: Courtesy of FX.
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    Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

    Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Season 3. Photograph: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Max.
    Jean Smart in ‘Hacks’ Season 3. Photograph: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Max.

    Comedy Series

    Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in 'Hacks' Season 3.
    (L to R) Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in ‘Hacks’ Season 3. Photograph: Beth Dubber/Max.
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    Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

    Richard Gadd in 'Baby Reindeer'. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix. © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
    Richard Gadd in ‘Baby Reindeer’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix. © 2022 Netflix, Inc.

    Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

    Jodie Foster in HBO's 'True Detective: Night Country.'
    Jodie Foster in HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country.’ Photo: Michele K. Short/HBO.
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    Limited Series or Anthology Series

    (L to R) Richard Gadd as Donny, Jessica Gunning as Martha in 'Baby Reindeer'. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix. © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
    (L to R) Richard Gadd as Donny, Jessica Gunning as Martha in ‘Baby Reindeer’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix. © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
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    Outstanding Talk Series

    Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show'. Photo: Matt Wilson.
    Jon Stewart on ‘The Daily Show’. Photo: Matt Wilson.
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    Reality Competition Program

    (L to R) Sandra Diaz-Twine, Trishelle Cannatella, Chris 'C.T.' Tamburello, Alan Cumming, Kate Chastain, Mercedes “MJ” Javid in 'The Traitors'. Photo by: Euan Cherry/Peacock.
    (L to R) Sandra Diaz-Twine, Trishelle Cannatella, Chris ‘C.T.’ Tamburello, Alan Cumming, Kate Chastain, Mercedes “MJ” Javid in ‘The Traitors’. Photo by: Euan Cherry/Peacock.
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    Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

    Elizabeth Debicki in 'The Crown' season 6.
    Elizabeth Debicki in ‘The Crown’ season 6. Copyright: Netflix / LeftBank.
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    Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

    Billy Crudup in 'The Morning Show,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Billy Crudup in ‘The Morning Show,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
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    Related Article: ‘Succession’, ‘The Bear’ and ‘Beef’ Dominate the 75th Emmy Awards

     

  • Matt Berry Joins Jason Momoa in ‘Minecraft’

    Matt Berry in Hulu's 'Great Expectations.'
    Matt Berry in Hulu’s ‘Great Expectations.’ Photo: Miya Mizuno/FX.

    Way back in April last year, it was reported that Jason Momoa –– currently making a big impact as the crazed villain Dante in ‘Fast X’ –– was in talks to star in Warner Bros.’ movie adaptation of the ‘Minecraft’ game.

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    He’s still aboard, and the cast of the movie is expanding by one to encompass British comedian and actor Matt Berry, who Deadline reports has joined the movie in an undisclosed role.

    Much of the movie itself is a mystery for now, though Allison Schroeder and Peter Sollett are currently credited with the screenplay.

    Unless you have kids or know kids, you might have let the details of what ‘Minecraft’ exactly is slip from your mind. So, allow us to help…

    Minecraft game
    Minecraft game from Mojang Studios.

    What exactly is ‘Minecraft’?

    The game, from Swedish developer Mojang AB, allows you to create and shape an entire world, and by 2014 had sold more than 35 million copies across PCs, the Xbox 360, and mobile platforms. Much like with Lego, the only stories are those created by users, who can choose whether to explore, create or fight with each other. There are also nocturnal monsters stalking the place, which you must deal with. It reached 100 million users just a few years after launch and helping spark Microsoft to acquire Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014.

    Since then, it hasn’t been quite as much in the pop cultural zeitgeist (the likes of ‘Fortnite’ have tended to dominate), but it’s recognizable intellectual property, and, linked to a known name like Momoa, it’s the sort of the concept studios will grab for when times are good.

    Jason Momoa as Dante in 'Fast X', directed by Louis Leterrier.
    Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.

    Related Article: Jason Momoa in Talks to Star in Warner Bros.’ ‘Minecraft’ Movie

    ‘Minecraft’s development so far

    Around the time of the Microsoft purchase, Warners entered talks with prolific producer and director Shawn Levy, but his packed scheduled and slow development on the movie meant he never ended up in the director’s chair.

    After Levy came ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ co-creator and self-avowed ‘Minecraft’ fan Rob McElhenney was next in line as director when the movie was still being planned as an animated release. He, like Levy, became the victim of scheduling, and has focused his video game-loving energies on co-creating and starring in Apple TV+’s ‘Mythic Quest’ series.

    At the same time that Momoa jumped aboard, ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ director Jared Hess was hired to make the movie.

    As for Berry, he’s best known to American audiences for his role as drunken, sex-obsessed vampire Laszlo Cravensworth in FX comedy series ‘What We Do in the Shadows’. He’s also recently cropped up on the new Dickens adaptation ‘Great Expectations’ and has lent his recognizable, booming voice to a new animated movie, ‘The Inventor’, which has been released in France but is still awaiting a US date.

    ‘Minecraft’ should be digging its way to theaters on April 4th, 2025.

    Matt Berry in Hulu's 'Great Expectations.'
    Matt Berry in Hulu’s ‘Great Expectations.’ Photo: Miya Mizuno/FX.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Minecraft’:

    Buy Jason Momoa Movies on Amazon

     

  • ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Renewed for Season 2

    ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Renewed for Season 2

    FX

    Some good news: FX has renewed the vampire comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” for a second season.

    So far this year, the series — which is based on the 2015 film of the same name — ranks in the Top 5 among 34 cable comedy series. Its first five episodes have averaged an audience of 2.81 million viewers across all platforms.

    “[Executive producers] Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi and Paul Simms have more than delivered on the high expectations of ‘Shadows’ fans by adapting the cult classic [movie] for television and building a passionate base of new and returning fans,” FX Original Programming president Nick Grad said in a statement.

    In this week’s episode, Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) appear before an international vampire tribunal to answer for the death of Baron Afanas (Doug Jones). The show promises “an extraordinary lineup of guest vampires” for the occasion.

    Does that mean we might see Clement’s Vladislav or Waititi ‘s character Viago?

    Season 2 will debut sometime in 2020.

    [Via TVLine]

  • FX’s Vampire Comedy ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Gets Premiere Date, Trailer

    FX’s Vampire Comedy ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Gets Premiere Date, Trailer

    FX

    Get ready to meet the vampires of Staten Island.

    FX released the first trailer for “What We Do in the Shadows,” a vampire comedy based on the 2014 feature film of the same name from Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The network also revealed a premiere date for the 10-episode first season: March 27.

    “What We Do in the Shadows” a mockumentary look at “the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of four vampires who’ve ‘lived’ together for hundreds of years. In Staten Island.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyZi3rJPENs&feature=youtu.be

    Clement and Waititi will not be appearing in the series, though they remain executive producers.

    Kayvan Novak plays the self-appointed leader of the group, Nandor The Relentless, a great warrior from the Ottoman Empire. Laszlo (Matt Berry) is the party-loving, mischief-making rogue who loves seeing Nandor fail. Temptress Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) is the Bonnie to Laszlo’s Clyde.

    Then there’s Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), Nandor’s servant during the daylight hours who desperately wants to be made a real vampire. Colin (Mark Proksch) is an energy vampire who feasts on humans, but not on their blood. And new friend Jenna (Beanie Feldstein) is a college student who loves LARPing and has been experiencing strange cravings for living flesh.

    They are visited by their dark lord and leader Baron Afanas, who reminds them of their initial task — total and complete domination of the New World. A documentary crew follows as they figure out just how to achieve that end.