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Tag: will-forte

  • ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ May Have Found a Distributor

    (L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.
    (L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

    Preview:

    • Warner Bros. shelved ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ may yet be saved.
    • Will Forte and John Cena are among the human stars.
    • The movie getting dumped caused an outcry from filmmakers.

    Just when we thought it had fallen completely off a cliff while trying to catch a Roadrunner, it would seem that there is a chance ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ might hit a handy, ACME-manufactured trampoline and rebound into theaters.

    Yes, following the decision by Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav to thrust the movie into a vault and write it off for tax reasons (especially since the company had been going through restructuring), it looked as though ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ might finally see the light of day –– or more accurately, a projector’s bulb.

    As, according to Deadline, Gareth West’s distributor-financier Ketchup Entertainment is negotiating an all-rights acquisition in the $50M range for the animated/live-action hybrid project.

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    This wouldn’t be the first time that the company had plucked a Warner Bros. project from the brink of burial –– last year it nabbed fellow Looney Tunes title (this one fully animated) ‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,’ and put it in theaters in a limited run.

    Let’s face it; even if this means ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has a small theatrical run but is then allowed to land on home entertainment so that fans might actually see it, that counts for something.

    Unaware what has happened to date? Allow us to explain…

    What’s the story of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’?

    Wile E. Coyote in 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.
    Wile E. Coyote in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

    ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ follows Wile E. Coyote, who after ACME products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the ACME Corporation.

    The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer against the latter’s intimidating former boss (John Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.

    Dave Green directed the movie, from a script by Samy Burch, itself derived from a story crafted by Jeremy Slater and James Gunn (yes, the current chief of DC Studios at Warner Bros.) The original idea came from a 1990 New Yorker humor piece written by Ian Frazier.

    Aside from Cena, the cast includes Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne, Will Forte and Eric Bauza (who voices Wile E. Coyote).

    It was originally greenlit in December 2020, and was targeted for what was then called HBO Max. But then the announcement came it would get a July 2023 release. But come April 2022, it was pulled from the release calendar and replaced with a little movie called ‘Barbie’.

    While that obviously worked out for Warner Bros., this latest move is proving to be a lot more controversial.

    Unlike even ‘Batgirl’, which was shelved in 2022, ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ was finished and had reportedly tested very well with recruited audiences.

    And other filmmakers, who had seen the movie, have weighed in to criticize the decision. BenDavid Grabinski, a colleague of Green, tweeted the following:

    Director Dave Green’s statement

    Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Director Green put his own statement out on social media:

    “For three years, I was lucky enough to make a movie about Wile E. Coyote, the most persistent, passionate, and resilient character of all time. I was surrounded by a brilliant team, who poured their souls into this project. Along the ride, we were embraced by test audiences who rewarded us with fantastic scores. I am beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision. But in the spirit of Wile E. Coyote, resilience and persistence win the day.”

    Related Article: Will Forte Says fans ‘Probably Never will See’ ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    Will Forte on ‘Coyote vs. Acme’

    Will Forte in 'MacGruber'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Will Forte in ‘MacGruber’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Forte was also outspoken on the film’s original fate. Here’s his statement in full via his twitter post:

    He finishes with this line:

    “You would be so proud of it — a movie that should be seen but won’t. Please know that all the years and years of hard work, dedication and love that you put into this movie shows in every frame.”

    What did Warner Bros. Say About the New Decision?

    Warner Bros. Discovery Logo. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Warner Bros. Discovery Logo. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Here’s the statement from a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson:

    “With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases. With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs. Acme’. We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”

    So, when will ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ be in theaters?

    Patience, animation fans. While the deal for Ketchup Entertainment is looking good, it has not yet been locked down, which means it could still fall apart.

    Still, per Deadline, the current plan on successful signing of the contract is for the movie to finally see screens in 2026. So either way, you’ll be waiting a little longer.

    At least it’s hopeful news on this movie for once!

    Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Other Looney Tunes Movies: 

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  • TV Review: ‘Win or Lose’

    Directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, 'Win or Lose' streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    Directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, ‘Win or Lose’ streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Win or Lose’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

    Landing on Disney+ with its first two episodes, ‘Win or Lose’ represents the first Pixar small screen effort that isn’t tied to one of its movies, unlike ‘Dug Days’ or ‘Dream Productions.’

    And while both of those had their charms, ‘Win or Lose’ scores its own victory by going off in some odd tangents while also channeling what it feels like to be a middle-schooler faced with the pressure of life and sports.

    Related Article: Director Kelsey Mann Presents Footage from Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’

    Does ‘Win or Lose’ score?

    'Win or Lose' features the voice of Will Forte as Coach Dan. 'Win or Lose' streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023.
    ‘Win or Lose’ features the voice of Will Forte as Coach Dan. ‘Win or Lose’ streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023.

    We can’t talk about ‘Win or Lose’ without addressing the elephant in the room –– there has been big controversy about the show for it effectively wiping a trans character’s storyline from the show. Kai, voiced by Chanel Stewart, is still present (and still receives her own spotlight episode), but all references to gender identity have been removed.

    It’s a disappointing, shocking development, especially at a time when the entire LGBTQ community feels targeted. And it certainly doesn’t put the series in the best light.

    Yet taken as a whole this remains an entertaining, energetic production that has plenty to offer.

    Script and Direction

    In Pixar Animation Studios’ 'Win or Lose,' Rochelle (voice of Milan Elizabeth Ray) looks like she has it all together. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, 'Win or Lose' begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    In Pixar Animation Studios’ ‘Win or Lose,’ Rochelle (voice of Milan Elizabeth Ray) looks like she has it all together. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, ‘Win or Lose’ begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    Carrie Hobson wrote, directed and executive produced the series alongside Michael Yates, and the feeling here is very much of the more exuberant animation you’d find at the likes of Adult Swim or Nickelodeon than the more laidback Pixar style of old.

    Video games (and the cross-media likes of Scott Pilgrim) are a big influence here, but that isn’t to take away from the heart and emotion that infuses each episode.

    The early episodes might initially seem to end abruptly, but that’s because of the combined nature of the show –– we’ll end up seeing scenes from different perspective, and it all balances out well (at least in the five episodes of eight provided to press) in terms of how the story is told.

    ‘Win or Lose’s characters are also compelling –– for all the vibrant, quirky animation, it never loses sight that you need to care for the people on screen, even when they aren’t living up to their full potential.

    Concepts such as one of their players having an imaginary burden in the form of a living globule of sweat help to make the new show stand out from previous efforts. It certainly won’t be to all tastes, but aside from the egregious removal of one character’s true nature, it shows some bravery.

    As a visual experience, the show also pushes the envelope in terms of Pixar animation, and the world around them is brought to beautifully, uniquely stylish life. The Anytown American setting is chock full of nuance and the shots are superbly crafted.

    Performances

    In Pixar Animation Studios’ 'Win or Lose,' Laurie (voice of Rosie Foss) may not be the most skilled player on her softball team. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, 'Win or Lose' begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    In Pixar Animation Studios’ ‘Win or Lose,’ Laurie (voice of Rosie Foss) may not be the most skilled player on her softball team. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, ‘Win or Lose’ begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    Though Will Forte is the biggest name among the cast, his character dips in and out of the episodes and he’ll get his spotlight in the finale. But his chemistry with some of the players, particularly daughter Laurie (Rosie Foss) is sweet-natured and believable.

    Laurie herself anchors the first episode and is an angsty delight who tries her best but can’t seem to replicate the skill levels of her fellow players. It’s in her episode that we meet the aforementioned sweat glob, “Sweaty” and Jo Firestone’s performance as the anthropomorphic, illusory creature is honestly one of the highlights of the series. Her subtle voice acting makes the strange concept absolutely work.

    Other focuses include Frank (Josh Thomson), a middle-school teacher and the umpire for the local softball league whose love life is a disaster and who really just wants to be happy. Thomson is great in the role, and his contributions to other episodes also work.

    There is also good work to be found from Milan Elizabeth Ray as Rochelle and Rosa Salazar as her mother, Vanessa. One is the best player on her team, while her mom is a driven single mother of two who crams in different jobs and her dream to be a social media influencer on the side, all while caring for her kids. Theirs is a sweet, grounded dynamic even as Vanessa sometimes comes off (on purpose) as a video game character trying to reach a new level of success.

    Final Thoughts

    In Pixar Animation Studios’ 'Win or Lose,' Yuwen (voice of Izaac Wang) is the pitcher and resident jokester of the softball team. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, 'Win or Lose' begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    In Pixar Animation Studios’ ‘Win or Lose,’ Yuwen (voice of Izaac Wang) is the pitcher and resident jokester of the softball team. Directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced David Lally, ‘Win or Lose’ begins streaming on Disney+ Feb. 19, 2025. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Win or Lose’ has a lot going for it, including a unique style and great vocal work from the cast. For those who have been pushing Pixar to do something truly original again, this is probably the safest place for it to appear, since the box office pressure is off.

    And the interconnected, deep-dive nature of the storytelling really only works on the small screen. Aside from the dumb decisions of nervous higher-ups, this is the creative team fielding a winner.

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    What’s the plot of ‘Win or Lose’?

    The series follows the intertwined stories of eight different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game. The series reveals what it actually feels like to be in the shoes of each character — the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire — with funny, emotional and uniquely animated perspectives.

    Who stars in ‘Win or Lose’?

    Directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, 'Win or Lose' streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
    Directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, ‘Win or Lose’ streams on Disney+ in Fall 2023. © 2023 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

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  • ‘Kinda Pregnant’ Interview: Amy Schumer and Jillian Bell

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    Premiering on Netflix February 5th is the new comedy ‘Kinda Pregnant’, which was directed by Tyler Spindel (‘The Wrong Missy’) and co-written by Amy Schumer (’Trainwreck’).

    The film stars Schumer, as well as Jillian Bell (‘Candy Cane Lane’), Will Forte (‘MacGruber’), Damon Wayans Jr. (‘Let’s Be Cops’), Brianne Howey (‘Ginny & Georgia’), Alex Moffat (‘Saturday Night Live’), and Joel David Moore (‘Avatar’).

    Related Article: Jillian Bell Talks ‘I’m Totally Fine’ and Working with Natalie Morales

    (L to R) Jillian Bell and Amy Schumer star in 'Kinda Pregnant'.
    (L to R) Jillian Bell and Amy Schumer star in ‘Kinda Pregnant’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Amy Schumer and Jillian Bell about making ‘Kinda Pregnant’, Schumer’s work on the script, their characters’ long friendship, working together and improvising on set, the lie Schumer’s character tells, and if she’s ever told a lie that big in her own life.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Schumer, Bell, Will Forte and Brianne Howey.

    Amy Schumer in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Netflix.
    Amy Schumer in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Netflix.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Amy, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and as a writer what were some of the elements you wanted to add to the film?

    Amy Schumer: My first reaction was this is an incredible premise that felt like a classic comedy that I couldn’t believe hadn’t been made yet. I wanted to ground it a little more in truth about how friends talk to each other, and the circumstances. I wanted my character to be believable that you could like her and the circumstances to be possible, and just add bigger set pieces and make this a big comedy. I saw this as just huge.

    (L to R) Jillian Bell as Kate and Amy Schumer as Lainy in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Jillian Bell as Kate and Amy Schumer as Lainy in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Jillian, can you talk about Lainy and Kate’s long friendship and how it is tested through the course of the movie?

    Jillian Bell: Lainy and Kate have been friends since childhood, and they’ve probably had some bumps along the road, but this is probably the biggest one. I just think that it really showcased something that we don’t see often in film, which is truly what happens when you go through the hardest challenge in a friendship and overcoming that and seeing the ugliness of that and seeing it through and being like, “Great. Now that you’ve gotten that out, that you’re very jealous and want to have your own kid, where do we go from here? How do we keep this friendship on the tracks? Because I love you and your worth it.” They need each other. I think especially, I mean, I’ve never been through a pregnancy before, but in thinking of wanting that in my future, I would need my girlfriends to be around me as much as possible just to keep my sanity, it feels like.

    (L to R) Amy Schumer and Brianne Howey in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) Amy Schumer and Brianne Howey in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Netflix.

    MF: In the film, Lainy tells a big lie that spins out of control. Amy, can you talk about that, and have you ever told a lie that spiraled out of control and how did you handle that?

    AS: I’m sure. I’m such a liar. I am sure I’ve told so many lies, but that’s the thing. I can’t really remember. I don’t have a great memory, so I really keep it honest these days because I can’t remember. But I just think there’s nothing funnier than lying. Seeing somebody in the moment having to lie just really gets me, and it’s so fun to play with. Also, it’s just something to keep up. The tension of the bump and then the faking it is just such a roller coaster to have to ride, and I feel like it’s such a good hook. I think people really hook into it and want to know how is this going to happen? How is this going to play out? Yeah, so the lie is what the whole movie is, at its core.

    (L to R) Lizze Broadway as Shirley, Jillian Bell as Kate, Amy Schumer as Lainy, Brianne Howey as Megan and Urzila Carlson as Fallon in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Lizze Broadway as Shirley, Jillian Bell as Kate, Amy Schumer as Lainy, Brianne Howey as Megan and Urzila Carlson as Fallon in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2024.

    MF: Finally, Jillian, how much fun was it working with Amy and creating the friendship between these characters, and was there time for improvisation on set?

    JB: There were so many moments to improvise and play and have fun, and Amy supported that throughout the entire process. I wish I could make every movie with Amy Schumer. I truly want to. It’s just easy and we have so much fun together. It was the best.

    (L to R) Amy Schumer, Urzila Carlson, and Jillian Bell in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) Amy Schumer, Urzila Carlson, and Jillian Bell in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Netflix.

    AS: Let’s just make every movie together. I’ll sign a contract right now. I couldn’t even look at Jillian a lot of times. She would just set me off and I couldn’t stop, and I would have to look right past her. But we have this whole sequence that isn’t even in the movie anymore where we were going, “You’re off.” And she’s like, “No, you’re off.” I don’t know, just improvising. It was heaven.

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    What is the plot of ‘Kinda Pregnant’?

    After her friend (Jillian Bell) gets pregnant, Lainy (Amy Schumer) becomes jealous and starts to wear a fake belly. Things become complicated when she meets the man (Will Forte) of her dreams.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Kinda Pregnant’?

    • Amy Schumer as Lainy Newton
    • Jillian Bell as Kate
    • Will Forte as Josh Lewis
    • Damon Wayans Jr. as Dave
    • Brianne Howey as Megan Taylor
    • Chris Geere as Steve
    • Alex Moffat as Rawn
    • Joel David Moore as Mark
    • Lizze Broadway as Shirley
    • Urzila Carlson as Fallon
    • Molly Sims as Prenatal Workshop Teacher
    • Jackie Sandler as Yoga Class Teacher
    (L to R) Brianne Howey as Megan, Amy Schumer as Lainy, Lizze Broadway as Shirley, Urzila Carlson as Fallon and Jillian Bell as Kate in 'Kinda Pregnant'. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Brianne Howey as Megan, Amy Schumer as Lainy, Lizze Broadway as Shirley, Urzila Carlson as Fallon and Jillian Bell as Kate in ‘Kinda Pregnant’. Photo: Scott Yamano/Netflix © 2024.

    List of Amy Schumer Movies and TV Shows:

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  • Will Forte Joins Tina Fey’s ‘The Four Season’ Series

    Will Forte in 'MacGruber.'
    Will Forte in ‘MacGruber.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Will Forte is the latest addition to Tina Fey’s ‘The Four Seasons’.
    • The new show adapts the 1981 Alan Alda comedy movie.
    • Steve Carell and Colman Domingo are also in the cast.

    Having just appeared on a Netflix series (mystery comedy thriller ‘Bodkin’ about podcasters digging into a suspicious death), ‘Saturday Night Live’ veteran Will Forte is sticking with the streaming service for an upcoming project.

    He’s the latest addition to former ‘SNL’ castmate Tina Fey’s latest comedy series, ‘The Four Seasons’ which will be based on a 1980s movie.

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    What was the story of ‘The Four Seasons’?

    Carol Burnett and Alan Alda in 'The Four Seasons'.
    (L to R) Carol Burnett and Alan Alda in ‘The Four Seasons’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Written and directed by Alan Alda (who starred alongside Carol Burnett), the 1981 comedy also starred Rita Moreno, Sandy Dennis, and Len Cariou. It followed three married couples who take vacations together each season, but things are thrown for a loop when one of the husbands leaves his wife and begins bringing a younger woman with him.

    Who is starring in ‘The Four Seasons’?

    Steve Carell in 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'.
    Steve Carell in ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Fey will star in the show alongside Forte (who also had a recurring role in her NBC show ’30 Rock’, Steve Carell (who co-starred with Fey in comedy thriller ‘Date Night’), ‘Rustin’s Colman Domingo, ‘Reno 911!’s Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Erika Henningsen, who has her own Fey connection, having appeared in ‘Girls5Eva’, which she produces.

    Related Article: Will Forte Says fans ‘Probably Never will See’ ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    Who is making ‘The Four Seasons’?

    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in 'Mean Girls' from Paramount Pictures.
    Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in ‘Mean Girls’ from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Jojo Whilden/Paramount © 2023 Paramount Pictures.

    Fey wrote the series alongside ‘Never Have I Ever’s Lang Fisher (who also wrote episodes of ’30 Rock’) and fellow ‘Rock’ veteran Tracey Wigfield.

    While it might have expected to end up at somewhere like Peacock (given that it’ll be produced by Universal Television), the project became the subject of a bidding war that Netflix won. The company is also not that much of a surprise, since it also carried Fey’s ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ when NBC turned it down and rescued ‘Girls5Eva’ from cancellation at Peacock for its third season, which launched recently.

    And because he made the movie, Alda gets an executive producer credit alongside Marissa Bregman, daughter of the film’s producer, Martin Bregman.

    Netflix has ordered eight episodes of the series, and the cameras should be rolling later this year.

    Where else is Will Forte showing up?

    'Thelma the Unicorn'.
    ‘Thelma the Unicorn’. Photo: Netflix.

    Forte is the voice of Otis in yet another Netflix project, ‘Thelma The Unicorn,’ and also has a vocal role in upcoming Pixar Disney+ series ‘Win or Lose’ and Prime Video’s ‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’.

    When will ‘The Four Seasons’ be on screens?

    Netflix has yet to confirm a launch date for the series, but we could conceivably see it land next year.

    Will Forte in 'A Futile and Stupid Gesture.'
    Will Forte in ‘A Futile and Stupid Gesture.’ Photo: Netflix.

    Will Forte Movies and TV Shows:

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  • Trailer for Will Forte Comedy Drama Series ‘Bodkin’

    Preview:

    • The first trailer for Netflix comedy thriller ‘Bodkin’ is online.
    • The series stars Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen and Robyn Cara.
    • ‘Bodkin’ will land on the streaming service on May 9.

    While Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company has largely backed weighty documentaries and dramatic movies, the team is heading in a new direction for its latest Netflix series.

    ‘Bodkin’ promises to take a sidelong look at true-crime podcasting, throwing Will Forte into the mix as a dedicated podcaster who gets in a little too deep with his latest investigation.

    Related Article: Will Forte Says fans ‘Probably Never will See’ ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    What’s the Story of ‘Bodkin’?

    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.

    ‘Bodkin’ follows a motley crew of podcasters (played by Forte, Siobhán Cullen and Robyn Cara) who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in a quaint, coastal Irish town.

    But once they start pulling at threads, they discover a story much bigger and weirder than they could have ever imagined.

    As our heroes try to discern fact from fiction — about the case, about their colleagues, and, most painfully, themselves — the series challenges our perception of truth and exposes the stories we tell ourselves to justify our beliefs or validate our fears.

    Who Else is in ‘Bodkin’?

    Chris Walley and David Wilmot are also in the cast for the new series.

    Who is Making ‘Bodkin’?

    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.

    The new show was created by Jez Scharf (who also worked on ‘Mister Biscuits’ and ‘The UnDream’), and he’s running the show alongside Alex Metcalf (of ‘The Loudest Voice’).

    Here’s what Scharf had to say about working on the show:

    “Everyone working on this show is a genius. What’s most fun about making television is being able to work with such talented and brilliant people and making it together. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s also really fun. It’s a world class crew we’ve had on the show, across the board, and we could not be luckier. “

    And here’s Metcalf’s comment:

    “It’s an interesting one, because the characters originally came out of Jez’s head. And then as we started to work on the story and the plot, it became a whole other thing as a result of us working on it together. Our dynamic is really quite good — especially for two people who were kind of thrown together. It was like, ‘Oh, meet this person. You seem fine. Let’s spend two years together.’ We balance things off each other quite well and have a good time working together, which even after these many years is a delight.”

    When Will ‘Bodkin’ Appear on Netflix?

    The series lands on the streaming service with its entire first season on May 9th.

    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from 'Bodkin'. Photo: Netflix.
    A scene from ‘Bodkin’. Photo: Netflix.

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  • Will Forte Talks ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’s Cancelation and Future

    Wile E. Coyote in 'Coyote vs. Acme.'
    Wile E. Coyote in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

    Preview:

    • Will Forte has commented on twitter about ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’s future.
    • Warner Bros. opted to use it as a tax write-off rather than a release.
    • The movie also stars John Cena and Lana Condor.

    It was all going so well for ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’… Until it wasn’t.

    The movie, a blend of live-action and animation had a fun concept, a great cast led by John Cena and Will Forte, and was on track for a prime summer 2023 release.

    Until Warner Bros. got cold feet about the idea of the movie being a success (despite positive reviews from friends and family screenings), handed its date to ‘Barbie’ and then announced it was pulling a ‘Batgirl’ again, putting the movie on a shelf and taking a tax write-off instead of spending the money to market and release it.

    A cavalcade of complaints from filmmakers who have seen the finished film led to a brief process of inviting bids from other companies, but now according to Forte, who hit twitter to share his feelings on the matter, it’s likely to never see the light of day.

    Related Article: Warner Bros. has Opted to Shelve Completed John Cena Live-Action/CG Movie ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    What’s the story of ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’?

    Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in 'Coyote vs. Acme.'
    (L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

    ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ follows Wile E. Coyote, who after ACME products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the ACME Corporation.

    The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer (Forte) against the latter’s intimidating former boss (Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.

    Dave Green directed the movie, from a script by Samy Burch, itself derived from a story crafted by Jeremy Slater and James Gunn (yes, the current chief of DC Studios at Warner Bros.) The original idea came from a 1990 New Yorker humor piece written by Ian Frazier.

    Aside from Cena, the cast includes Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne and Eric Bauza (who voices Wile E. Coyote).

    Will Forte on ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    Here’s Forte’s statement in full via his twitter post:

    He finishes with this line:

    “You would be so proud of it — a movie that should be seen but won’t. Please know that all the years and years of hard work, dedication and love that you put into this movie shows in every frame.”

    It’s telling that the movie was greenlit by a previous Warner Bros. administration, and that the current one is on a huge cost-cutting run, slashing talent and producer deals and looking to stick to big potential successes such as ‘Dune: Part Two’.

    The attitude has not won it many fans among filmmakers in particular, who have reacted much like Forte. But as the studio pushes ahead making deals with stars such as Tom Cruise, it may not worry too much about that.

    Will Forte in 'MacGruber.'
    Will Forte in ‘MacGruber.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

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  • Warner Bros. Shelves ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’

    (Left) John Cena in The Roku Channel's 'Die Hart 2: Die Harter.' (Right) Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (Left) John Cena in The Roku Channel’s ‘Die Hart 2: Die Harter.’ (Right) Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Preview:

    • Warner Bros. is no longer releasing ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’.
    • John Cena stars in the movie alongside some CG characters.
    • The studio was planning a tax write-down but may now shop the movie.

    Warner Bros. is drawing plenty of criticism, particularly on social media, for its decision to shelve new John Cena live-action/CG comedy ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’.

    The studio has decided that instead of putting the roughly $72 million-budgeted movie in theaters, it will instead take a tax write-down and stuff ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ into a vault, never to see the light of day.

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    What’s the story of ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’?

    Wile E. Coyote.
    Wile E. Coyote. Photo: Warner Bros.

    ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ follows Wile E. Coyote, who after ACME products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the ACME Corporation.

    The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer against the latter’s intimidating former boss (Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.

    Dave Green directed the movie, from a script by Samy Burch, itself derived from a story crafted by Jeremy Slater and James Gunn (yes, the current chief of DC Studios at Warner Bros.) The original idea came from a 1990 New Yorker humor piece written by Ian Frazier.

    Aside from Cena, the cast includes Lana Condor, P.J. Byrne, Will Forte and Eric Bauza (who voices Wile E. Coyote).

    It was originally greenlit in December 2020, and was targeted for what was then called HBO Max. But then the announcement came it would get a July 2023 release. But come April 2022, it was pulled from the release calendar and replaced with a little movie called ‘Barbie’.

    While that obviously worked out for Warner Bros., this latest move is proving to be a lot more controversial.

    Unlike even ‘Batgirl’, which was shelved last year, ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ was finished and had reportedly tested very well with recruited audiences.

    And other filmmakers, who had seen the movie, have weighed in to criticize the decision. BenDavid Grabinski, a colleague of Green, tweeted the following:

    Director Dave Green’s statement

    Director Green put his own statement out on social media:

    “For three years, I was lucky enough to make a movie about Wile E. Coyote, the most persistent, passionate, and resilient character of all time. I was surrounded by a brilliant team, who poured their souls into this project. Along the ride, we were embraced by test audiences who rewarded us with fantastic scores. I am beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision. But in the spirit of Wile E. Coyote, resilience and persistence win the day.”

    Related Article: Paul Feig Casts John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu in ‘Grand Death Lotto’

    What did Warner Bros. say about the new decision?

    Here’s the statement from a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson:

    “With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases. With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs Acme’. We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”

    A new hope for ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’?

    Yet there is hope for the movie! According to the Puck newsletter, Warners film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, along with Warner Animation boss Bill Damaschke have heard the outcry and also been in heated meetings with representatives for the director and stars. Though there had been plans to pay the top talent a streaming fee despite the shelving, the idea now is to let the producers shop the movie around.

    The likes of Amazon had already reportedly been interested in picking up the movie, so perhaps it has a chance of seeing the light of day after all. Let’s just hope it’s not a train speeding down a tunnel, as it would be for Wile.

    John Cena in 'F9.'
    John Cena in ‘F9.’

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  • Movie Review: ‘Strays’

    Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park) and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park) and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    In theaters now, ‘Strays’ represents an attempt to bring the sort of bawdy comedy found in the likes of ‘The Hangover’ to an animal quest film more along the lines of family classics such as ‘The Incredible Journey’ and ‘Homeward Bound’. The result is hit-and-miss, but when it works, it’s bark-out-loud funny.

    Comedy/producing titans Phil Lord and Chris Miller (who are behind the likes of Apple TV+ series ‘The Afterparty’ and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ already this year) brought outrageous violence and dark comedy to screens with February’s ‘Cocaine Bear’. ‘Strays’ definitely veers more towards lighthearted, raunchy comedy, but bears their winning touch.

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    What’s the story of ‘Strays’?

    Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naïve, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is abandoned on the mean city streets by his lowlife owner, Doug (Will Forte), Reggie is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose.

    But once Reggie falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named Bug (Jamie Foxx), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realizes he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleazeball that he is.

    Determined to seek revenge, Reggie, Bug and Bug’s pals — Maggie (Isla Fisher), a smart Australian Shepherd who has been sidelined by her owner’s new puppy, and Hunter (Randall Park), an anxious Great Dane who’s stressed out by his work as an emotional support animal — together hatch a plan and embark on an epic adventure to help Reggie find his way home… And make Doug pay by biting off the appendage he loves the most (it’s not his foot).

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    Who else is in ‘Strays’?

    ‘Strays’ boasts a cast that either voices dogs (or other creatures) objects or plays human characters in the story including Josh Gad, Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Jamie Demetriou and Sofia Vergara.

    Is ‘Strays’ a good dog?

    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of ‘Strays.’

    Directed by Josh Greenbaum, who brought us 2021’s sublimely silly ‘Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar’, ‘Strays’ is written by Dan Perrault, best known for ‘American Vandal’ and ‘Players’ on TV.

    If you ever wanted to see ‘Saturday Night Live’ veteran Will Forte –– more normally associated with amiable weirdoes –– playing one of the worst dog owners to appear on screens, then this is the movie you’ve been waiting for. Yet Forte’s Doug, a weed-smoking, porn-obsessed loser who begrudgingly goes along with the idea when his girlfriend adopts adorable terrier Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell), is not the star of this movie, Reggie is.

    Along, that is, with the new friends he makes when Doug abandons him. Foxx’s Bug is a streetwise pup with an ego bigger than his frame, but who makes for a good mentor to Reggie, who has only ever known life with humans.

    Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    The pooch pals –– also including Randall Park’s Hunter, a former police dog trainee who now works as a therapy dog at a hospice (and keeps a cone of shame on permanently for his own insecurity issues) and Isla Fisher’s Maggie, blessed with an amazing nose and a crush on Hunter –– are the highlight of the movie, a compelling blend of well-trained real animals with CG mouth manipulation.

    While they don’t all enjoy the same character development as Reggie or Bug, they’re an appealing, funny foursome and their adventures offer a lot of entertainment. With experienced performers bringing character as well as laughs to the roles, this features such memorable moments as the leads encountering Labrador Gus (voiced by Josh Gad), a hilarious take on the noble narrator dog we’ve met in movies including ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ and ‘Racing in the Rain’, and who is harboring a very dark secret.

    Plus, all of Reggie’s interactions with Doug are good for a laugh, even as dog owners (and anyone who just loves animals in general) will loathe his living guts.

    It moves along at a swift pace, never outstays its welcome and makes you care about our furry foursome in ways you don’t expect at the start. Oh, and we’re fairly certain that this is the only movie you’ll see this year that features Sofia Vergara as the voice of Delilah, a couch that Bug enjoys having sex with.

    Related Article: Director Josh Greenbaum Talks ‘Strays’ Starring Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx

    Are there any fleas on this one?

    Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    Not everything about the movie works; it does indulge in some first-base dog and other humor. We’ve seen a hundred variations on the age-old dog vs. mailman scenario and one small tweak aside (one plays into how Reggie makes it home), the movie doesn’t really find a fresh take.

    There are also scenes such as the canines discovering a patch of mushrooms in a forest and gobbling them down, only to go on a wild drug trip. A few moments work well (reality shifting to show Hunter as a sock puppet with human hands), but otherwise it’s the sort of gag that has been done many, many times. Ditto overly macho police dog Rolf (Rob Riggle), whose best use is Maggie calling him “Adolf” to his bemused reaction.

    And there are times when the reveling in poop, pee and eating disgusting things jokes stretches a little too thin, but if you were already on board with the movie, you know what you’re in for.

    Yet there are so many inventive uses of the dogs’ worldview (fireworks at a county fair serve as the setting for a war movie spoof for our spooked hounds who look to escape) that the balance of great jokes to clunkers is heavily on the positive side.

    It was about time that the dog movie got the full-on spoof comedy treatment, and ‘Strays’ works to bring the heart and well as the gross-out gags.

    ‘Strays’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    A scene from 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    A scene from ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

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  • ‘Strays’ Interview: Director Josh Greenbaum

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    Opening in theaters on August 18th is the new comedy ‘Strays,’ which was directed by Josh Greenbaum (‘Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar’).

    What is the plot of ‘Strays’?

    When a gullible Border Terrier named Reggie (Will Ferrell) is abandoned on the streets by his selfish and ruthless owner Doug (Will Forte), an animal-hating drug addict who never wanted him, he teams up with other strays including a street-wise Boston Terrier named Bug (Jamie Foxx), an Australian Shepherd named Maggie (Isla Fisher), and a therapy Great Dane named Hunter (Randall Park) to get revenge on Doug.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘Strays’?

    • Will Ferrell as the voice of Reggie
    • Jamie Foxx as the voice of Bug
    • Will Forte as Doug
    • Isla Fisher as the voice of Maggie
    • Randall Park as the voice of Hunter
    • Josh Gad as the voice of Gus
    • Harvey Guillén as the voice of Shitstain
    • Rob Riggle as the voice of Rolf
    • Brett Gelman as Willy
    • Sofía Vergara as the voice of Deliliah the Couch
    • Dennis Quaid as himself

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Josh Greenbaum about his work on ‘Strays,’ making a hard R-rated version of ‘Homeward Bound,’ his first reaction to the screenplay, the challenges of directing an all dog cast, working with Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, and their characters onscreen chemistry.

    'Strays' director Josh Greenbaum.
    ‘Strays’ director Josh Greenbaum.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, is it fair to say that this movie is a comedic hard R-rated version of ‘Homeward Bound,’ and what was your first reaction to Dan Perrault’s screenplay?

    Josh Greenbaum: I think so. I think that’s totally fair. Well, when I first saw the log line, which was, as you can imagine, absurd. It was a little dog, Reggie, who gets abandoned by his mean owner Doug, meets some strays, and then wants to get revenge by biting Doug’s most beloved body part off. I thought, “This sounds amazing. But it sounds a little insane, which I love.” But to be honest, I wondered, “Oh, is it just going to be a dog spoof movie,” to your question of is it just an R-rated ‘Homeward Bound.’ I think it delivered on what I needed and wanted from that of, “Okay, we do subvert the genre and have our fun in moments.” But what really jumped out at me was, “This actually is a fully formed script on its own,” and in a way, made me think of, certainly, wonderful movies like ‘40 Year Old Virgin,’ ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Superbad,’ but also ‘Stand By Me,’ and I thought about ‘Breaking Away,’ these films about four friends who go on a journey, and grow, and are underdogs. So, in a way, I think I was always searching for that film, and weirdly it came across my desk in the form of an R-rated dog movie. So, that I think is when I finally hooked in and said, “Oh, this movie’s funny, outrageous and does subvert the dog genre and brings it into the adult world.” But I just love that it actually had heart and functioned on its own as its own story.

    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum on the set of ‘Strays.’

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    MF: Can you talk about the challenges of directing an all dog cast and the VFX you had to utilize to ensure their safety?

    JG: First of all, one of the things I stated when I came on board to direct was I would really like to utilize real dogs as much as possible, mostly because I wanted it to feel really real, I think, for adult audiences to enjoy this. I’ve had dogs my whole life. I live with dogs. I own two dogs now, one of whom I adopted from the movie, who was little puppy Reggie, now lives with us, and I have “Will Ferrell” running around my house. So, I wanted it to feel really grounded and the more it was the more it felt like it was right for adult audiences. I think if it was overly anthropomorphized or overly CG with big expressions, it works with children, but not for adults. I think that I pull out and pull back when I see that kind of work done. So, we only really leaned on the incredible CG and visual effects, obviously, to have them talk. We were unsuccessful training the dogs to talk. But to get them talking, occasionally we would add a little extra emotion here and there. But again, I tried to get the emotion out of the performance of the dog on set. If I needed a dog confused, I wouldn’t have it furrow its brow. I’d have it cock its head sideways the way dogs do. Then, of course, anytime it was anything remotely unsafe for a dog to do, we would go to a full CG dog. So, we have, as an example, a sequence, not giving too much away, but it’s in our trailers, where an eagle comes into the story and you don’t obviously want to mix small dogs with birds of prey. So, that becomes an obvious choice to go to a full CG dog.

    Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in 'Strays,' directed by Josh Greenbaum.
    (L to R) Bug (Jamie Foxx) and Reggie (Will Ferrell) in ‘Strays,’ directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about Bug and Reggie’s friendship and creating that relationship in the recording studio with Jamie Foxx and Will Ferrell?

    JG: I mean, at its core, I think this film, it’s about a few things. It’s certainly about being in a toxic, unhealthy relationship with someone and getting out of it, and how your friends help you through that and find your own sense of self-worth again. I think at the center of that is this relationship between Bug and Reggie. So, casting Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, and having them in the voiceover booth working together was just, for me, just magic to watch. They played off of each other so well. They’ve never been in a film together! This is really their first time, and you can feel their chemistry instantly. I mean, both in the film, but I remember being in that voiceover booth and watching these two guys hit the ball back and forth, and it was just a joy to watch. But, yeah, it’s a very sweet relationship. They have differing life philosophies. One is overly optimistic and believes you can trust everyone and put your love in everything, which there’s some validity to that. The other one, I think, has been burned and says, “No, don’t do that. You should protect yourself, close down, don’t trust anyone. Just look after yourself.” For me, that richness, of a thematic conversation to anchor a film on is great. Even though it’s an outrageous, really funny, really fun time of a movie, there’s something really palpable, emotional, and sweet at the center with these two characters. Of course, there’s no one better than Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx to bring that to life. So, I felt very lucky to have them as my two leads of this movie.

    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of ‘Strays.’

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  • Movie Review: ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’

    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    Opening in theaters on June 30th, ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ has some interesting visuals and a catchy basic concept, but all of that is built on top of a very standard format and lessons that audiences will have heard a hundred times before. This doesn’t necessarily detract from its entertainment value too much, though.

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    What’s the story of ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’?

    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    After a quick prologue exploring the unexpected history of giant Krakens –– who in this universe are the staunch protectors of the oceans, doing battle with nasty mermaids –– we’re introduced to teenage Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor), who doing her best to fit in at Oceanside High School.

    She’s got a group of loyal friends, a crush (Jaboukie Young-White’s Connor, who she tutors in math), and a desperate desire to attend the prom. But what she also has is a highly protective mother (Toni Collette’s Agatha) who is worried about Ruby going anywhere near the ocean… And the prom happens to be on a boat.

    Turns out –– as the title suggests –– Ruby’s family are all krakens, and Agatha brought the family from the ocean to the town before Ruby was born because she’s terrified what might happen should her daughter go into the sea.

    Ruby soon learns exactly why –– diving in to save a fellow pupil, she discovers that being under the waves activates her full Kraken self: she grows to kaiju proportions, sports three giant tentacles and has a host of other powers. She also meets her grandmother… sorry, “Grandmamah” (Jane Fonda), who just so happens to be queen of the krakens and encourages Ruby to embrace her destiny.

    But our heroine really just wants to enjoy her life as a teenager, which is made even more complicated when she discovers that popular new girl Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy) has her own secrets…

    Who else is in ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’?

    Jane Fonda voices Grandmamah in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    Jane Fonda voices Grandmamah in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco. © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    The voice cast for DreamWorks’ latest also includes Colman Domingo, Sam Richardson, Blue Chapman, Will Forte, Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, Nicole Byer, Echo Kellum, Jordan Matter and Brianna Paige Arsement.

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    What works about ‘Ruby Gillman?’

    (from left) Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    (from left) Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    The movie showcases a fun visual style that, while it won’t challenge animated boundaries the way that the ‘Spider-Verse’ films do, it’s nevertheless an attractive and, at times, electric variant of DreamWorks’ usual style.

    One or two sequences, such as Ruby’s impassioned plea to attend prom, delivered via presentation video that calls to mind ‘The Mitchells Vs. the Machines’ do break away from the overall look, and are fun to watch. And whenever the action heads under the sea, the vibrant tones of the krakens and some other ocean life, plus Fonda’s character’s royal palace are realized with impact.

    Likewise, the vocal performances are all convincing and emotional, if sometimes leaning towards standard. Collette mostly gets to be the worried mom, though in a nice touch, there’s less of the usual teenager-mother stress than you might expect in a story such as this –– Agatha is given a few layers of her own, even before the movie explores her own parental issues with Fonda.

    (from left) Sam Gillman (Blue Chapman), Agatha Gillman (Toni Collette) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    (from left) Sam Gillman (Blue Chapman), Agatha Gillman (Toni Collette) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco. © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    And credit to Condor (plus the writing team and directors Kirk DeMicco and Faryn Pearl) for making Ruby feel relatable and grounded despite her fantastical situation.

    But the standout voice star here is Sam Richardson of ‘The Afterparty’ and ‘Veep’, as Uncle Brill, Agatha’s brother who Ruby and her younger brother Sam (Chapman) have never even met. He’s a bubbly, silly presence and Richardson totally fills the role. Brill is one of the best characters in the movie and the story is less entertaining when he’s off screen.

    Finally, while it isn’t as loaded down with references as, say the ‘Shrek’ franchise, ‘Ruby Gillman’ does manage to offer a few winks. Forte’s Kraken-obsessed Captain Lighthouse has definite Captain Ahab overtones about him. And it’s no coincidence that one of the main mermaids in the film looks suspiciously like a certain Disney character who recently featured in a live-action reimagining of an animated adventure.

    What are the movie’s problems?

    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’ is a fun enough film for families to enjoy, but there is a creeping feeling of familiarity. The whole Kraken storyline is inventive and has some new ideas on its mind, but at its core, it’s full of the sorts of themes about believing in yourself and letting your true light shine.

    Don’t get us wrong: those are not bad ideas for a young audience in particular to ingest while enjoying the comedy antics and vocal performances. It’s just that this latest animated offering does very little new with the concepts. We suppose there are only so many ways someone can be advised to embrace who they truly are. Or that you shouldn’t abandon your friends when big things happen in your life. Or that parents and kids really need each other more than they realize. Or… you get the picture.

    There are also a few other elements which will have regular viewers of such movies sighing and tutting in recognition as they sit through the 700th version of a character exploring a new world set to a pop hit. For all its story benefit, it’s mostly wasted time.

    Final Thoughts

    (from left) Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy) and Connor (Jaboukie Young-White) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    (from left) Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy) and Connor (Jaboukie Young-White) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

    Naturally, DreamWorks is hoping this is the launching point for a new franchise, but fortunately there’s only some mild, subtle nods to the idea that the story could continue. For its flaws, ‘Ruby Gillman’ does feel like a full story on its own.

    It’s good to report that this is not the 4th installment of a long-established series of movies, because there should always be room for original filmmaking.

    ‘Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

    (from left) Grandmamah (Jane Fonda) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,' directed by Kirk DeMicco.
    (from left) Grandmamah (Jane Fonda) and Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken,’ directed by Kirk DeMicco. © 2023 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.

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    ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ is produced by Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation. It is set to release in theaters on June 30th, 2023.

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