Roald Dahl is one of those authors whose controversial views nevertheless don’t stop companies looking to adapt his work. We’ve already had two cinematic versions of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and Wes Anderson had brought several books and short stories to screens.
‘The Twits’ could perhaps be considered second-tier Dahl compared to the likes of Willy Wonka and co., but it nevertheless has enough of the writer’s trademark oddness blended with moral lessons that animation feels like the best medium for it.
Script and Direction
(L to R): Margo Martindale as Mrs. Twit, Johnny Vegas as Mr. Twit, in ‘The Twits.’
Writing with Meg Favreau (‘Barbie: It Takes Two’), main director Phil Johnston clearly seems to be enjoying freedom from the restraints of working on bigger-budget Disney releases. Here, he truly lets his freak flag fly, building a decent if rarely needed narration and making enough changes to have the story work at feature length without sacrificing what fans of the books might expect.
The inclusion of orphan heroes, however, does feel somewhat off-the-peg for this sort of movie, even in the characters are engaging enough.
As director, Johnston (working alongside co-directors Todd Kunjan Demong (‘The Addams Family’) and Katie Shanahan (‘Wild Kratts’) and their animation team, brings the characters to life in fresh fashion, the various personalities looking like a blend of stop-motion and CG, and giving the madness of the story its own visual flare.
Johnny Vegas and Margo Martindale are the standouts, voicing the main characters, but there are also good performances from the likes of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (who voices one of the orphans) and Jason Mantzoukas (as local official Mayor Wayne John John-John).
The Twits tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people on the face of the earth, and their epic battle against a family of magical Muggle-Wumps and two brave children who refuse to let the Twits’ cruelty win.
(Left) Chris Hemsworth at the Comic-Con 2022 ‘Transformers One’ presentation. Photo: Paramount Pictures. (Right) Prince Charming in 1950’s ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.
Preview:
Chris Hemsworth’s in talks for Disney’s ‘Prince Charming.’
‘Paddington’s Paul King is on to direct the new movie about the character.
Simon Farnaby and Jon Croker are co-writing the script.
There was no talk of potential casting in that original report, but The InSneider’s Jeff Sneider has heard that the movie is attracting attention from someone with experience in the fairy tale realm –– and no, we don’t mean Asgard.
Chris Hemsworth, whose rose to fame as Marvel’s Thor (and is still looking to make future movies in the MCU) is in talks to play the title role.
(L to R) Lily James and Richard Madden in ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
That’s the big question at this point –– Charming rarely has much of his own story, usually being found as the romantic interest for the likes of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, though his real origin lies in ‘Cinderella.’
When King was originally reported as considering it for his next directing gig, it was made clear that this won’t necessarily tie into any of the fairy tales in which versions of the character have appeared, though we’d be surprised if there weren’t at least references to his cinematic/fictional history.
And there is also talk that this may end up going the animated route, though live-action would seem to make more sense given Disney’s drive to convert its entire cartoon back catalogue to live-action fantasy films.
Chris Hemsworth (Orion Pax/Optimus Prime) stars in Paramount Animation and Hasbro Present In Association with New Republic Pictures a di Bonaventua Pictures Production a Tom Desanto / Don Murphy Production a Bay Films Production ‘Transformers One’.
Hemsworth was most recently seen –– okay, heard –– in another fresh take on a classic character, voicing Orion Pax (AKA Optimus Prime) in ‘Transformers One.’
Further ahead, there are rumors he’ll be seen in the ‘Transformers’/‘G.I. Joe’ live-action/CG crossover film and is attached to play Hulk Hogan in a biopic of the wrestler.
When would the new ‘Prince Charming’ be in theaters?
Even with its history of cranking out these live-action movies, Disney has yet to announce a release date for –– or even confirm the new status of –– the Prince Charming movie.
‘Paddington’ director Paul King is tackling Disney’s ‘Prince Charming.’
It’ll be a live-action take on the typically animated character.
Simon Farnaby and Jon Croker are co-writing the script.
Disney has been on a real adaptation spree in the last decade or so, rooting through its animated back catalogue for titles and characters it can use to make new live-action films.
While the quality and box office has been hit-or-miss, the company is still committed to the idea, with prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ landing in December, ‘Snow White’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ following next year and ‘Moana’ due in 2026.
We can add Prince Charming to the list, as, according to Deadline, filmmaker Paul King has made a deal to turn the character into a new live-action fairytale.
(L to R) Lily James and Richard Madden in ‘Cinderella’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
That’s the big question at this point –– Charming rarely has much of his own story, usually being found as the romantic interest for the likes of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, though his real origin lies in ‘Cinderella.’
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Deadline has heard, however, that we shouldn’t expect specific ties to any of the stories –– but it’ll still be interesting to see where King and his collaborators take the tale.
What else has Paul King directed?
Hugh Grant in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’
King, who got his start on British television with the likes of comedy series ‘The Mighty Boosh,’ graduated to features with ‘Bunny and the Bull’ in 2009 but is probably best known for the pair of instant classics that are the first two ‘Paddington’ movies, one in 2014 and the even better-received sequel in 2017.
He’s also since co-written and directed musical prequel ‘Wonka’ starring Timothée Chalamet as the chocolatier who will go on to feature in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ The 2023 movie scored more great reviews for King and earned more than $634 million at the worldwide box office.
‘Prince Charming’ will see King co-writing the script with Jon Croker (who contributed to both ‘Paddington’ movies) and Simon Farnaby, who similarly co-wrote on the ‘Paddington’ movies, appeared in both and also co-wrote/acted in ‘Wonka.’
The reunion of this particular creative team gives us a lot of hope for the Charming film –– hopefully it will turn out as sweet and weird at their other movies.
When would the new ‘Prince Charming’ be in theaters?
Even with its history of cranking out these live-action movies, Disney has yet to announce a release date for –– or even confirm the new status of –– the Prince Charming movie.
Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in director James Mangold’s ‘A Complete Unknown.’ Photo: James Mangold’s Twitter Account.
Preview:
The first official image of Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Complete Unknown’ has landed.
Director James Mangold posted the picture in response to a flood of paparazzi set images.
This new movie will chronicle a key early part of Bob Dylan’s career.
Thanks to the recent one-two punch of ‘Wonka’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’, Timothée Chalamet’s celeb-obsession-ometer is naturally high right now. So with him out and about in New York shooting the new film ‘A Complete Unknown’, there has been a paparazzi feeding frenzy for images of the young star playing a scruffy 1960s-era Bob Dylan.
To head off more, filmmaker James Mangold, who is directing the new movie, has released his own image of Chalamet, plus one of the clapper board from the movie, via social media.
(Left) Bob Dylan in director D. A. Pennebaker’s documentary ‘Don’t Look Back.’ Photo: Leacock-Pennebaker, Inc.
Co-written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, ‘A Complete Unknown’ is set in the influential New York music scene of the early ’60s.
It follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts — his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation — culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
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Who else is in ‘A Complete Unknown’?
Edward Norton as Miles in ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.’ Photo: Courtesy Netflix.
In the new movie, Edward Norton plays fellow folk musician Pete Seeger (a role that initially went to Benedict Cumberbatch before scheduling issues forced him to drop out), Elle Fanning is appearing as a character based on university student and artist Sylvie Russo, who was an early big love of Dylan’s, while Monica Barbaro is Joan Baez.
One person not in the movie? Chalamet’s ‘Dune’ co-star Austin Butler, who famously got his own big break playing another huge music icon in ‘Elvis’.
Here’s how Chalamet joked to Butler about him appearing, as reported by NME:
“I wish you were in it! There’s an Elvis character in the Johnny Cash biopic ‘Walk the Line’. It’s really brief, it’s very brief, but I was kind of wishing we could create a musical cinematic universe.”
While the actor doesn’t have any roles officially lined up after the Dylan pic, he’ll likely return for ‘Dune: Messiah’ as and when director Denis Villeneuve is ready to make the next chapter in the successful sci-fi saga.
But Warners, pleased with the box office hauls of both ‘Wonka’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’, has now signed a deal with the star, which will see the studio collaborating with him on movies he’ll lead and produce, much as it recently did with ‘Barbie’s Margot Robbie and her LuckyChap company.
Based on Roald Dahl’s most beloved character, Willy Wonka, the prequel focuses on a young, bright-eyed inventor who sets out to become the world’s greatest chocolate-maker in ‘Wonka’. A colorful and vibrant musical, this movie serves as an origin story for Willy Wonka and his dream of becoming a world-famous chocolatier.
The movie premiered on November 28, 2023, in London at the Royal Festival Hall. Originally, ‘Wonka’ was initially scheduled to be released on March 17, 2023, but was pushed back and released on December 15, 2023. It was available in Dolby Cinema and IMAX.
‘Wonka’ has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. If you missed the movie in theaters, don’t worry. As of January 30, 2024, it is available to rent or purchase on VOD platforms such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Prices range from $19.99 for rental or $24.99 for purchase.
Fans of physical media are in luck. ‘Wonka’ is now available for pre-order. Prices range from $19.95 for DVD, to $24.95 for Blu-ray, to $29.95 for 4K UHD. If steel book is your thing, Walmart has a limited edition available for pre-order. Special features on the DVD/blu-ray include featurettes such as:
Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King’s Vision
The Whimsical Music of Wonka
Welcome to Wonka Land
Hats Off To Wonka
Wonka’s Chocolatier
The official release date for the home release is February 27, 2024.
Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in ‘Wonka.’ Photo by Eric Charbonneau.
Timothee Chalamet is no stranger to leading roles in mega-blockbuster movies such as Denis Villenue’s ‘Dune: Part Two’. However, riding Sandworms and leading the Fremen in a battle against the vicious Harkonnen has nothing on his preparation for ‘Wonka’. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor says the role was the most physically challenging project he’s been a part of, “This was the most physically challenging project I’ve ever done,” Chalamet recalls. The role also required him to sing and dance throughout the movie.
“I can’t say the singing and dancing comes easy. I’ve been around musical theater my whole life, and danced a little bit in high school, but this was on a different level. It’s different doing it on film. You’ve got to keep being in the center of the frame while dancing, you’ve got to rehearse for months, you’ve got to be on for every take—take 12 and all the other takes—and dance with professional dancers, who are icing their ankles. That’s how serious they were taking it. So it was a big challenge.”
‘Wonka’ is scheduled for release in theaters on December 15th.
There are many new characters to meet in ‘Wonka’, like Noodle, Mrs. Scrubbit, the Chocolate Cartel, and more, but there are quite a few elements that fans of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ will enjoy seeing. For one, Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa. Now, we’re not saying his exact character was in the 1971 film, but to see the familiar green hair and orange face entering the scene dancing to a very recognizable tune had the audience in a frenzy.
Other easter eggs include quotes such as “Scratch that, reverse it!” and, of course, the use of the classic Willy Wonka song “Pure Imagination”
Watch the official trailer for ‘Wonka’ below:
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The official synopsis for ‘Wonka’ is below:
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Under director Paul King, it’s a musical origin story, featuring one of the most popular young actors and a cast loaded with comedy and dramatic talent.
Prequels can be a dicey proposition at the best of times. You’re often filling in details that no one really needed about characters whose backstories deserved to stay mysterious –– looking at you, ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’.
But in the hands of someone like Paul King, there is relief to be found in the fact that the movie justifies its existence through sheer ebullience and joy. Even if you’re still not convinced you needed to know how Willy became Wonka, you’ll at least have fun accompanying him on his journey.
Well, to be specific, he’s at the end of a journey when we first meet him here, coming off a years-long voyage where he gathered ingredients and perfected skills to achieve his dream to become a master chocolatier.
You know that it works out for him, but King and his cast ensure that you’ll still be invested in his early days.
It’s been something of a banner year for adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work, between the Wes Anderson short films for Netflix (before it, the ‘Matilda’ musical movie) and now this wonderful effort.
King wrote the script for the new movie with Simon Farnaby (who has a small, typically funny role in the film), and he’s very much employing the imagination and sheer sense of warmth he brought to both ‘Paddington’ films and his earlier effort, ‘Bunny and the Bull’.
This is a smartly crafted story that, while it obviously touches on themes and ideas we’ve seen tackled before, does so in a way that doesn’t feel tired. Wonka has life lessons to share, a group of friends he recruits to help him and some scheming business enemies, but they all bear King and Farnaby’s funny, clever stamp. If not every role is as rounded as the title character, many of them have grace notes and quirks that work.
Taken from the page, ‘Wonka’ soars thanks to the careful attention to detail that King and his team apply to the movie’s world. Utilizing a mixture of sets and select locations in the UK such as the city of Bath and Oxford university to bring Wonka’s unspecified Euro mash-up setting to life, he evokes the feel of the 1971 ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ –– more than the 2005 Tim Burton ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ –– and also calls back to the Rube Goldberg feel of ‘Paddington’ in its level of invention (there’s a scene featuring a particularly useful invention that has echoes of the Geographers’ Guild in the world of ‘Paddington’).
‘Wonka’ is a great looking –– and sounding –– movie, its musical aspect helping move the characters’ stories along rather than pausing them. If you wondered what King could do beyond the musical number that wraps up ‘Paddington 2’, then you’re in for a treat, and working with The Divine Comedy pop group founder Neil Hannon has led to some catchy tunes.
Naturally, Timothée Chalamet is the focus here, breathing amusing, sweet life into eternal optimist Wonka, who nevertheless has his own emotional baggage (it probably won’t surprise you to learn it’s a driving force that Disney and Harry Potter have both utilized). But in the hands of the rising young star, who smiles more here than in a handful of the movies he’s been in recently), Willy Wonka is an engaging character to spend time with rather than being cloying.
There’s a definite hint of Gene Wilder’s Wonka here, and not just because of the use of classic song ‘Pure Imagination’ within both the score and in the movie itself (we won’t spoil how exactly). Chalamet’s take on the character has a similar blend of darkness and light, weighed here more towards the latter) and if you dial into his vibe, you’ll have a good time with him.
King has built a fine ensemble of actors, all offering either the winsome and the wacky, Calah Lane’s Noodle providing the former (cut with a healthy side of snark so she never becomes too cloying), and the majority of the cast of comedy heavyweights bringing the latter.
Olivia Colman does a lot with a relatively small role as manipulative boarding house/laundry owner Mrs. Scrubbit, ably assisted by Tom Davis as Mr. Bleacher, her hulking would-be paramour.
Keegan-Michael Key meanwhile generates plenty of laughs as the corrupt local police chief with a seriously sweet tooth. Finally, there’s Hugh Grant, knocking the role of a Grumpy Oompa Loompa out of the park and stealing any scene he’s in.
Does ‘Wonka’ outstrip ‘Paddington’ for charm and appeal? No, not really. But then, the weapons-grade level of positivity pouring from the Peruvian bear is hard to top.
Still, Paul King delivers a sweet, funny musical confection here that will enthrall families and leave audiences with a level of fulfillment you rarely get outside of a satisfying candy bar.
‘Wonka’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘Wonka’?
‘Wonka’ tells the story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
The movie will introduce audiences to a young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet), chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time — proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible…
Who else is in ‘Wonka’?
Alongside Chalamet, the cast includes Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman and Hugh Grant.
The third ‘Paddington’ movie, ‘Paddington in Peru’ will arrive in the US on January 15, 2025.
It’ll find the bear visiting his Aunt Lucy in here retirement home in Peru.
While a lot of the cast is returning, Emily Mortimer has stepped in to replace Sally Hawkins.
In a world of ongoing strife, war, lingering pandemic effects and movie delays for various reasons, it’s somehow heartening to know that marmalade sandwich-loving bear Paddington will be back on our screens –– even if we will have to wait a while.
Sony Pictures, which is releasing the movie in the States, has set a January 17, 2025, date for ‘Paddington in Peru’, the third outing for the beloved bear.
That might be bad news for fans such as Nicolas Cage (even if that was only a joke in ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’), but UK audiences will be happy to learn that the distributor there, StudioCanal, has scheduled it for November 8, 2024.
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What’s the story of ‘Paddington in Peru’?
A scene from director Paul King’s ‘Paddington 2.’
Six years after ‘Paddington 2’, the third Paddington film brings the bear’s story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.
With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru.
And more recently, Rachel Zegler had to drop out of the role of Gina Cabot in support of the actors’ strike. Newcomer Carla Tous is taking over that part.
So, directing duties on ‘Paddington in Peru’ have now been handled by Dougal Wilson, working from a story by King and Simon Farnaby, which was turned into a script by Jon Foster, James Lamont and Mark Burton.
Filming recently wrapped after location and stage work in London, Peru and Colombia.
Here’s Wilson’s statement on finishing the production stage:
“It’s been a joy and an honor to shoot ‘Paddington in Peru’ with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew. I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a lovely group of people, many of whom have returned to the world of this beloved bear. We are also delighted to have welcomed Emily, Olivia, Antonio and Carla to the ‘Paddington’ family.”
The impact of the writers and actors’ strikes continue to be felt in Hollywood. As studio representatives and the Writers Guild/SAG-AFTRA (the latter of which represents performers) argue in the press and over social media about fair contracts, the big companies are facing the prospect of releasing expensive titles without name stars available to promote them.
So, what are they doing? Delaying the movies, of course! The latest to push their plans back to next year is Warner Bros., which has just announced a big shift for ‘Dune: Part Two’ to March next year.
Director Denis Villeneuve’s giant science fiction action epic, the follow-up to 2021’s successful first entry, and the continued adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sprawling tome, had been set for a November 3rd theatrical release.
And it positions ‘Dune: Part Two’ as an awards player, hoping to replicate the success of the first part –– which scored 10 Oscar nominations and won six.
With a shift to March 15th, 2024, it’s unlikely to qualify for next year’s Oscars (that, though, remains to be seen, since, like TV awards the Emmys, the Oscars could shift themselves if the strikes continue).
‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ is in production right now and will be in theaters on March 15th next year. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
And ‘Dune’s shift means some moving around for movies that had already claimed 2024 release slots on Warner Bros.’ calendar: ‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ had been sitting on the March 15th date but will now stomp off to April 12th.
The Warner Bros. titles join a long list of films that have seen their release dates moved –– Sony is shifting the strategy for based-on-truth GameStop stock comedy drama ‘Dumb Money’, going from a single wide release to a platform that ramps up starting in Los Aneles and New York on September 15th, while the likes of ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and animated sequel ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ are also moving (though the latter is likely due more to its creators finessing the story and animation rather than strike concerns).
(L to R) Hugh Grant plays Forge in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.
Hugh Grant, a man not normally known for starring in horror movies –– please, no jokes about ‘Nine Months’ or ‘Mickey Blue Eyes’ –– is taking a rare dip into scary territory for a new film.
He’s boarding ‘Heretic’ which has a script from, and will be directed by, ‘A Quiet Place’ duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods for arthouse movie specialists A24.
(L to R) Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant backstage during the live ABC telecast of the 95th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
What’s the story of ‘Heretic’?
With the details and deals still all coming together, ‘Heretic’ is still mostly a mystery at this point. Still, Deadline has heard that it is rumored to center on two young women of faith who are lured into a cat-and-mouse game in the home of an eccentric man.
Grant, unless he’s really taking a chance this time, is most likely playing the eccentric. We can well imagine him switching from charming to creepy.
It’s the latest project from Beck and Woods, who last co-wrote and co-directed sci-fi movie ‘65’, which saw Adam Driver as an astronaut from another planet crash-landing on Earth during the time of the dinosaurs.
A24 might appear an unlikely landing spot for their new outing, but the company has never shied away from genre, and saw ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ take off to box office and Oscar success.
When he’s not busy being snarky and obscure on red carpets, Grant has been enjoying something of a renaissance in his career of late, thanks partly to a vanity-free and sometimes showstopping turn as preening performer Phoenix Buchanan in 2017’s ‘Paddington 2’ and his switch to a more villainous side with the likes of Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Gentlemen’ and ‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’. He also tapped into a darker aspect in HBO miniseries ‘The Undoing’ playing the cheating husband of Nicole Kidman.
More recently, he was smooth-talking conman Forge Fitzwilliam in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, chewing the scenery and proving to be one of the highlights of a movie not short of them.
The fun career choices are continuing as later this year, he’ll be seen as, of all things, an Oompa-Loompa, opposite Timothée Chalamet in Warner Bros.’ origin story prequel film ‘Wonka’. That movie, due out on December 15th, was directed by ‘Paddington’s Paul King.
In keeping with the quirkiness, another movie awaiting release (this time via Netflix) is Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ the story of rival cereal companies vying to create what became the Pop-Tart.
Grant will also be back on HBO with ‘The Regime’, a drama with satirical underpinnings starring Kate Winslet that follows the unravelling of an authoritarian regime. That one is set to arrive next year but doesn’t have a specific date yet.
Like ‘The Regime’, it’s too early for ‘Heretic’, but we can’t imagine it much before late 2024 at the earliest, particularly with the writers’ strike still in full swing.
(L to R) Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, Michelle Rodriguez, Chris Pine and Hugh Grant from Paramount’s ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.
‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
Having caused ripples with filmmakers and nervous feelings for already-threatened theater chains during the pandemic by putting a swathe of movies either directly on streaming service HBO Max or releasing them day-and-date online, Warner Bros. was somewhat naturally ready to go all-in on the big s screen as part of its presentation to cinemas bosses.
Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav opened with his commitment to theatrical, adding that the studio has 14 movies planned for cinemas in 2023, looking to ramp up to 20 in the coming years.
“I’m convinced, there is no other place to see a motion picture, to have impacts on all parts of the world…we believe in full windowing of the business, we don’t believe in streaming. We’re in no rush to bring movies to Max,” he said, referring to the to-be-retitled streaming service.
‘The Color Purple’
‘The Color Purple’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
Zaslav has a longstanding business relationship with Oprah Winfrey (he oversaw development on her OWN network) and helped to introduce a project she’s deeply involved with –– the new musical version of Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Color Purple’.
Winfrey took the stage with the movie’s director Blitz Bazawule and told the room it was her first time at CinemaCon. “This is first circle moment for me to be a part of this film,” said Winfrey who starred in that original adaptation of the Alice Walker novel.
Winfrey said that the new musical version brings “magical realism, wholesome family goodness” to the screen. She happily introduced Bazawule,
“We knew you were the director to bring this version to the screen. How did you know you were the one?”
‘The Color Purple’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
Bazawule: “I started this journey with the utmost respect for you, but also for Alice Walker, whose book gave us this amazing story…. At its core it’s about finding your voice, your family and breaking through obstacles which keep you down.”
“We’re going to get the groups in the seats,” said Winfrey, “It’s a celebration of sisterhood.”
They showed off the filled with lush Southern backgrounds, beaches, grand period costumes. We see Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery saying, “I was married to a man I didn’t know”. There’s a shot of a 1920s band set on stage, and Henson adds “We got to show these folks we belong.” The movie stars Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Jon Batiste, Halle Bailey and more.
‘The Color Purple’ will be in theaters on December 25th.
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‘Barbie’
‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
‘The Color Purple’ might indicate prestige, but pink was really the color for both the opening of the presentation –– launched by distribution chiefs Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps who were decked out in hot pink suits with ties and sneakers to match –– and of ‘Barbie’, which has been making waves following its trailer and poster launch.
But the star of the presentation was Gosling –– clad in a pink jacket –– who revealed how the filmmakers helped him find the character of Ken.
Here’s what he said,
“I have to be honest, I had up until this point, I only knew Ken from afar. I didn’t know Ken from within,” the actor explained. “If I’m being really honest, I doubted my Ken-ergy. I didn’t see it. Margot and Greta, I feel like they conjured this out of me somewhere.”
The foursome debuted some unseen footage, which helped flesh out the story of the movie as seen in the recent trailer. Robbie’s title character is seemingly going about her technicolor life until strange things start happening, like cold showers and burnt waffles and then the ultimate ailment — flat feet. Her fellow Barbies suggest she go and see “weird Barbie,” played by Kate McKinnon who offers two options, to go back to her regular Barbie life or real-life as displayed by a stiletto or a Birkenstock.
Barbie then sets off on a journey to the real world and is surprised by Ken who joins her in the backseat of her convertible.
‘Barbie’ drives into theaters on July 21st.
‘Barbie’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
From the looks of the trailer for the giant shark sequel, the filmmakers (including director Ben Wheatley) are doubling down on the monster action, bringing lots more creatures plus a new, bigger Megalodon shark.
Jason Statham returns as the heroic Jonas, seen in the footage leaping into the air on a jet ski to face off against a shark with a sword. Are we getting into ‘Sharknado’ territory? Possibly, but that’s part of the fun.
The trailer, which was for the room only, showed off plenty of mainstays of the Willy Wonka character, including chocolate that makes one float, and a surprise: Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa, which got big laughs from the crowd. Chalamet called working with Grant as a “dream come true.” He added of the Oompa-Loompa character, “it was a trip.”
Directed by ‘Paddington’s Paul King, the musical movie will sing for its supper (and more likely dessert) in theaters from December 15th.
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‘Dune: Part Two’
‘Dune Part Two’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
Chalamet was back, joined by co-star Zendaya and director Denis Villeneuve on stage to show off teaser footage for the second part of Villeneuve’s giant sci-fi adaptation.
This time, we’re promised more action as Chalamet’s Paul Atreides starts his battle to avenge his murdered family and free the planet Arrakis from the cruel Harkonnens. Zendaya is back –– and actually part of the story this time –– as Chani, a warrior from the native Fremen.
The footage showed some big moments, such as Paul riding one of the native Sandworm creatures, plus new cast members such as Florence Pugh and Austin Butler, who will be Princess Irulan and the calculating sword-slinger Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Who hopefully doesn’t sound like Elvis Presley.
‘Dune Part Two’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
‘The Nun 2’
There was horror to be found with the sequel to ‘Conjuring’ spin-off ‘The Nun’, with a first look at the new movie, directed by Michael Chaves.
As expected, it’s scary stuff, with young girls playing a dare game that soon turns terrifying. Taissa Farmiga’s Sister Irene is back to help deal with the new demonic threat. Expect freakish goat creatures, rivers of blood and lots of screaming.
Farmiga and co-star Storm Reid took the stage to talk up the film with the former explaining that Sister Irene returns because “she has a strong sense of duty”. Filming at a real abandoned church in France frightened Farmiga so much that she needed an escort to walk her around the location.
‘The Nun’ will vow to frighten audiences on September 8th.
Though James Gunn is away touring the world for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ he sent a video message. Fellow DC Studios CEO Peter Safran was in person to talk up the slate.
Here’s what he said,
“Each of these films not only delivers a stunning cinematic experience that uniquely highlights our iconic DC heroes, but they also blaze a trail forward into our DC universe that we are cracking with our next chapter.”
Neither James Wan nor star Jason Momoa were on hand, though they appeared via video to introduce a new trailer for the aquatic hero’s sequel.
Wan said ‘Aquaman 2’ visits “beautiful, strange new worlds” where it explores “interesting new characters.” “It’s an action-adventure story with a really fun bromance between Arthur (Momoa) and Orm (Patrick Wilson). Orm was a villain the first time around, but this time Arthur needs him.”
As for the trailer, it finds Momoa battling Yahya Abdul Mateen II’s Black Manta –– who this time has his own Trident, and is causing big trouble for our hero, requiring the Orm assist. Oh, and Aquaman has a child now.
The movie swims to theaters on December 20th.
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‘Blue Beetle’
‘Blue Beetle’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
‘Blue Beetle’ director Angel Manuel Soto and star Xolo Maridueña brought an extended trailer for the movie about a young man who becomes an unwitting superhero (at least until he embraces the powers granted him by a weird scarab).
Unlike some other heroes, Maridueña’s Jamie Reyes has a family who knows about his superhero side. “Good luck hiding something from your Latino mother,” Soto said to laughs, while Maridueña described his character as the only superhero who doesn’t seem to want his powers.
‘Blue Beetle’, heads to theaters on August 18th.
‘Blue Beetle’ CinemaCon 2023 Presentation and Press Line, April 25th. Photos By Eric Charbonneau.
A new trailer for ‘The Flash’ was shown, adding in more to the story of Barry Allen’s troubles with the multiverse.
Directed by Andy Muschietti, the superhero film finds Barry (Ezra Miller) causing problems when he uses his powers to save his parents – and breaks the universe in the process. As the trailer shows, he’ll need the help of Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl to stop a multiverse variant of ‘Man of Steel’s General Zod (Michael Shannon), who has free rein in a world where heroes don’t appear to exist.
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The trailer promises a lot of action, some quips and Keaton being cool as Bats. The whole movie premiered for the CinemaCon crowd, but most audiences will have to wait until June 16th.
