Inside the Heist: Editor Jay Prychidny on Cutting the Monster Mayhem in “Wednesday”
“If These Woes Could Talk,” the fourth episode of Wednesday season two, is an hour of monster playtime from Tim Burton. The fourth episode wrapped up part one of the season and is built as a heist story with Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) seeking family secrets while Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), a zombie, and a Hyde (aka a mutant) run amok in an institution. It’s exuberant chaos in the hands of Burton’s frequent editor,
Holy Murder Mystery: Daniel Craig is Back on the Case in “Wake Up Dead Man” Trailer
The official teaser for Rian Johnson‘s third Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man, has arrived. Daniel Craig returns as the dandy detective Benoit Blanc to solve what the teaser promises will be his most dangerous case, which involves the seemingly impossible crime of a priest’s murder.
“To understand this case, you need to look at the myth that’s being constructed,” Craig’s Blanc says during the teaser.
“Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” Screenwriter Dana Fox on Her Magical Musical Theater Homecoming
Screenwriter Dana Fox made a pact with director Jon M. Chu. After working with Chu on her Apple TV+ series, Home Before Dark, she told him she would sign up for a project with him, no matter what, with no questions asked. She was as serious as a witch, if you’ll pardon the pun.
“I told him at the end of that previous job that I will drop anything,
“SNL 50,” “The Pitt” and More Win Big at the Creative Arts Emmys
During the second night of the Creative Arts Emmys, SNL 50 garnered seven wins for its massive, decades-spanning celebration, including wins for directing (Liz Patrick), production design, makeup, and hairstyling.
Love on the Spectrum won for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Programming, while Queer Eye won for Structured Reality Programming. In a nice moment for a veteran director,
MPA Industry Champion Award Recipient Rep. Darrell Issa: From Digital Pirates to Real-Life Mavericks
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is the recipient of the 2025 Motion Pictures Association’s Industry Champion Award, recognized for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Issa has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to combat digital piracy and address emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the entertainment industry.
As a California resident and representative,
2025 MPA Industry Champion Award Senator Chris Coons on the Real Cost of Piracy
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is the 2025 MPA Industry Champion Award recipient for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Coons advocates for measures that support intellectual property laws and defend copyrighted works from piracy.
Online piracy is far from a victimless crime—in the U.S. alone, it costs the creative industry billions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually.
MPA Creative Protector Award Recipient Ivan J. Arvelo: The Federal Agent Protecting Your Favorite Movies From Piracy
Director Ivan J. Arvelo is being honored with the 2025 Motion Picture Association Creative Protector Award for playing a crucial role in advancing our core mission of protecting intellectual property and bringing the magic of cinema to life.
As Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Arvelo leads the federal government’s efforts to protect creativity and innovation by enforcing laws that combat intellectual property crimes.
In this conversation,
Le Lotus Blanc: “The White Lotus” Headed to France for Season 4
HBO’s hit series is trading Thailand’s beaches for France.
The White Lotus is reportedly headed to the European continent for its fourth season, Deadline reports. HBO has not yet confirmed the news, but if the reporting holds, one of the best bets for where season four would be shot is at the Four Seasons at the iconic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, located at the tip of the Cap-Ferrat peninsula on the French Riviera,
“This Is Who I Am”: MPA Creator Award Recipient Jon M. Chu on Authentic Storytelling and the Power of Cultural Specificity – Part 2
With Wicked: For Good set to complete the story that began with 2024’s blockbuster, director Jon M. Chu, the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award recipient for 2025, continues our conversation about his evolution as a filmmaker and the power of culturally specific storytelling to reach universal audiences.
Chu also opens up about his own fears, what he learned on the set of Now You See Me 2, and the thrill of being so close to sharing the entire two-part vision for his Wicked adaptation with the world.
MPA Creator Award Winner Jon M. Chu on the Mad, Joyous Rush of Finishing “Wicked: For Good” – Part 1
As director Jon M. Chu puts the finishing touches on Wicked: For Good, he’ll be swinging through Washington, D.C. to receive the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award on Monday, September 8. It’s a heady time for Chu, who, when we spoke, was en route to LAX to fly to New York (for one night) while shepherding his highly anticipated sequel through a final flurry of crucial post-production.
Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson and Samson the Alpha Return in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” Trailer
The first trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has arrived, the upcoming second entry in the new trilogy kick-started by director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland last year. The Bone Temple, directed by Candyman helmer Nia DaCosta, centers on returning characters from Boyle’s 2025 film, including Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson, the loneliest man in a rage virus-ravaged England, and showcases a coming showdown between the good doctor and the colossal zombie,
TIFF at 50: Cameron Bailey Reflects on Building Cinema Community in an Era of Constant Change
One of the many pleasures of attending the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the moments when festival CEO Cameron Bailey strides onto the stage to introduce a premiere or talk with a filmmaker. It’s during those screenings that this festival’s unique blend of art, accessibility, and audience engagement comes fully into focus.
“I never think that people who know movies and love movies should ever be snobby about it.
Venice Knockout: Dwayne Johnson’s “The Smashing Machine” Gets 15-Minute Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival
Dwayne Johnson might have entered the Oscars ring.
The star got a very Oscar-friendly reception at the Venice Film Festival on Monday night, where he was on hand for the world premiere of Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. Johnson stars as MMA legend Mark Kerr, sporting a prosthetic and an accent, marking an intriguing career pivot into prestige films. The result? A 15-minute standing ovation from the audience,
Emmy Nominees Cathy Sandrich Gelfond & Erica Berger on Casting the Scrappy Young Doctors of “The Pitt”
When The Pitt started streaming on HBO Max in January, the influx of intense young actors just kept coming. ER star Noah Wyle anchors the medical drama as the cracked tower of strength, Doctor Michael “Robby” Rabinovitch; nearly all the other characters on his fractious emergency room team are portrayed by relatively unknown talents delivering performances that are, by turns, wrenching and highly technical.
The Pitt,
Bella & Edward Return: The “Twilight” Saga Rerelease Dates Revealed for Special Five-Day Run
The film franchise that turned Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson into global stars is returning to theaters, and now we know when.
Lionsgate has announced that all five Twilight films will return to theaters from October 29 to November 2. Twilight (2008) will kick off the series on October 29, followed by New Moon (2009) on October 30, Eclipse (2010) on October 31, Breaking Dawn –
First Image From “Star Wars: Starfighter” Drops as Film Begins Production, Amy Adams & Aaron Pierre Join Cast
We’ve got our first look from the set of Star Wars: Starfighter, and it comes with a major update—Amy Adams and rising star Aaron Pierre have joined Ryan Gosling in the upcoming film from Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy.
“I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter,” Levy said in a statement as production kicks off in the United Kingdom.
The Studio Giant You’ve Never Heard Of: How MBS Group Powers James Cameron and Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Productions
You might not recognize the name The MBS Group right away, but if you ever wandered through legendary studio lots like Radford Studio Center, Culver Studios, Raleigh Studios, or Symmetry Park Studios London, you’ve stepped onto one of the nearly 50 studio campuses they operate globally. The company is the world’s largest studio operator, running top-tier campuses in iconic entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and London. But they’re not just renting out space — they’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse designing studios,
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique on Shooting Back-to-Back NYC Thrillers for Spike Lee & Darren Aronofsky
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique grew up in Queens. He knows New York City, which is a good thing because his knowing eye lends luster to a pair of urban thrillers hitting screens this month courtesy of directors Spike Lee and Darren Aronofsky. Libatique, Oscar-nominated for Black Swan, A Star Is Born, and Maestro, shot four previous movies for Lee before helping the iconic New Yorker in his latest,
“The Roses” Director Jay Roach & Writer Tony McNamara On Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman’s Comedic Chemistry
Director and producer Jay Roach, known for making some of the most iconic comedies of the last 25 years, is now helming a reimagining of another classic with The Roses. Written by two-time Oscar-nominee Tony McNamara, The Roses is a fresh take on Danny DeVito’s classic 1989 movie The War of the Roses.
While the original boasted the iconic pairing of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner,
“Hamnet” First Look: Chloé Zhao’s Oscar Contender Stars Paul Mescal & Jessie Buckley
There’s a very healthy cross-section of book and movie lovers who are eager, dare I say thrilled, that writer/director Chloé Zhao’s upcoming feature is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s moving novel, “Hamnet.” In that piece of brilliant historical fiction, O’Farrell treated us to the tortured origin story, if you will, of William Shakespeare’s deathless work “Hamlet,” which, we learn, was inspired by his wife’s struggle to overcome the loss of their only son, Hamnet. Hamnet was taken from them by the Black Death,
How “28 Years Later” DP Anthony Dod Mantle Mounted 20 iPhones to a Custom Rig For Danny Boyle’s Thrilling Sequel
Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle helped unleash an indie-film revolution as a key member of Denmark’s Dogma movement, utilizing handheld digital video camcorders and available light to shoot dramas of unsettling intensity. In 2002, he drew on that low-tech aesthetic to film 28 Days Later for director Danny Boyle. Now, six movies into their ongoing collaboration, comes 28 Years Later (opening Friday, June 20).
Everything You Need to Know Before James Gunn’s “Superman” Takes Flight
“Eyes up here!” says Superman (David Corenswet) in one of the trailers for James Gunn’s Superman, pointing up to his face (perhaps getting an onlooker to stop staring at his red underpants), a moment before he bursts into flight at around zero to a hundred miles per hour. And now, Gunn’s feature is about to soar into theaters, and all that waiting will be over. Yet the opening act to the DC Universe is shaping up to be more than a simple superhero reboot—Gunn’s fresh,
“F1: The Movie” Review Round-Up: Brad Pitt & Damson Idris Blaze Through Joseph Kosinski’s High-Octane Racing Drama
The reviews are in, and F1 has roared onto the scene with all the sound, speed, and spectacle one could hope for in a modern racing blockbuster. Helmed by Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski and bolstered by real Grand Prix footage and a star-powered cast led by Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, F1 is being hailed as a slick, turbo-charged thrill ride, doing for the race track what Maverick did for the fighter-jet-carved skies.
“The Naked Gun” Legacy: How a Canceled TV Show Spawned Cinematic Comedic Gold
As we eagerly await the theatrical release of the next installment in The Naked Gun franchise on August 1st, this time with Liam Neeson stepping into the role of Frank Drebin Jr., it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the legacy of the original film. An iconic example of slapstick comedy, The Naked Gun not only sparked a successful trilogy but also redefined the parody genre, impacting multiple generations of viewers and leaving an indelible mark on comedy for decades following its release.
Lindsay Lohan & Jamie Lee Curtis Return as “Freakier Friday” Expands the Body-Swap Chaos
This summer, Disney will release a sequel to 2003’s Freaky Friday, which starred Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as a mother and daughter whose bodies get switched as a punishment until they learn to love one another selflessly. Much to the first movie’s Millennial fan base’s approval, Freakier Friday, directed by Nisha Ganatra, recast Lohan, Curtis, as well as the movie’s original heartthrob, Jake, played by Chad Michael Murray.
Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Breaks New Ground: 70MM IMAX Tickets Available Now for 2026 Release
In an unprecedented move, tickets for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey are already on sale—a year ahead of the movie’s release date.
Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of Homer’s epic isn’t due in theaters until July 17, 2026. Advanced tickets are already on sale for IMAX theaters capable of screening the film in Nolan’s preferred 70mm. This appears to be the first time in movie history that tickets for a film have been made available a year before its release.
Marvel Boss Kevin Feige Talks “Fantastic Four,” Recasting a New Tony Stark, Rebooting the X-Men, & More
Marvel super producer Kevin Feige invited select journalists to a conference room at Marvel Studios and revealed more in a single sitting than you often get from someone with the keys to a kingdom as vast as Marvel over the course of a full year.
Sitting in the same room where so many big-time introductions and pitch meetings have occurred, Feige regaled his company with his thoughts on the state of the superhero movie industry,
Netflix Reveals Full Cast & First Image From “Pride and Prejudice” Limited Series
Earlier today, we took a look at new photos from Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Netflix epic Frankenstein, with fresh images of Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster. Del Toro has been dreaming about tackling Mary Shelley’s deathless novel for years, and at long last, he’s done it (Frankenstein is headed to the Venice Film Festival, after which it’ll have its global premiere in November). Yet Netflix isn’t done with its big reveals,
“Eddington” Writer/Director Ari Aster on Bringing His Pandemic-Era Neo-Western Thriller Home to New Mexico
Writer/director Ari Aster broke new ground with Eddington in that it’s the first of his films to be shot where it was intended to be set. Both happen to be in his native state of New Mexico, where production created over 300 jobs.
Set in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the neo-Western satirical black comedy reunites him with his Beau Is Afraid lead,
Why Ron Howard’s “Eden” Isn’t the Movie You’d Expect – And That’s the Point
Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard knows that Eden isn’t the kind of movie you’d expect him to make, which is one of the reasons he made it.
Based on real events, it tells the story of a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island in the Galapagos but quickly find out that the biggest danger they face isn’t the environment or the wildlife, but each other. Eden boasts an ensemble cast including Jude Law,
Web-Slinger Meets Skull-Crusher: Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Joins Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”
The Punisher is ready to make his big-screen debut.
Jon Bernthal’s lethal vigilante will be making his grand entrance into the MCU after a long stint on the small screen when he punches his way into Tom Holland’s 4th Spidey movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, from director Destin Daniel Cretton. Bernthal’s run as the rough, ruthless Frank Castle began on Netflix when he appeared in the original Daredevil series,
Eye in the Sky: How “F1” Aerial Cinematographer Phil Arntz Delivered Cinema’s Most Heart-Pounding Racing Sequences
Continuing in the tradition of his last blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick, director Joseph Kosinski returns this summer with Apple’s most successful theatrical outing to date, with the sleek and thrilling racing drama F1, grossing north of $144 million on opening weekend. In a world where every fraction of a second could cost you a trophy—or worse, your life— Brad Pitt’s veteran driver, Sonny Hayes, wants to build “a car for combat” in order to salvage his old buddy Ruben’s (Javier Bardem) APXGP team.
“The Naked Gun” Trailer: Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson Team-Up to Reboot a Comedy Classic
The late, great Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin was one of the great cinematic fools of late 80s cinema. The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad! premiered on December 2, 1988, and Nielsen’s deadpan delivery on absolutely lunatic lines, along with the film’s visual wit and fearlessly silly skits, made it an instant classic, spawning two successful sequels and cementing Nielsen’s status as a comedy god. The original franchise was written by Jerry Zucker,
Guillermo del Toro’s Dream Project Comes to Life: New “Frankenstein” Images Showcase Jacob Elordi’s Monster
Frankenstein is ready for his close-up.
Netflix has released nearly a dozen new images from Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein, which is slated to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, followed by a global release on Netflix in November.
The new images include a look, at long last, at Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster, along with Oscar Isaac’s mad scientist,
How “The Naked Gun” Writers Dan Gregor & Doug Mand Got Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson to Embrace Absurdity
Macho cop teams with gorgeous mystery woman to stop evil tech mogul from destroying the world: The plot’s perfectly functional for an action-thriller, but it’s the jokes, not the story, that have pushed The Naked Gun to the biggest action comedy opening of 2025. Writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), working with director/co-writer Akiva Schaffer, furnished stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson with a firehose of silliness encompassing sight gags,
Emmy Nominees Cathy Sandrich Gelfond & Erica Berger on Casting the Scrappy Young Doctors of “The Pitt”
When The Pitt started streaming on HBO Max in January, the influx of intense young actors just kept coming. ER star Noah Wyle anchors the medical drama as the cracked tower of strength, Doctor Michael “Robby” Rabinovitch; nearly all the other characters on his fractious emergency room team are portrayed by relatively unknown talents delivering performances that are, by turns, wrenching and highly technical.
The Pitt,
“The Naked Gun”: A Refresher Course in the History of Frank Drebin’s Charmed Stupidity
On August 1st, Lt. Frank Drebin’s uniquely oblivious approach to detective work returns, with The Naked Gun reboot starring Liam Neeson as Drebin’s son, Frank Jr., and Pamela Anderson as Beth, his client and love interest. Following in the goofy footsteps of his father, played in the first three films by Leslie Nielsen, it looks like the biggest difference between the Drebin generations will be Neeson’s husky voice. But the mix-ups,
The Willem Dafoe of Dinosaurs: How “Jurassic World: Rebirth” VFX Supervisor Charmaine Chan Created the Distortus Rex
Charmaine Chan began working at Industrial Light & Magic 18 years ago—it was her first gig out of college, starting off as an assistant technical director and contributing to Michael Bay’s Transformers. Chan stayed on at ILM and continued to work on some of the biggest franchises there are, becoming a digital compositor on Star Wars, Mission: Impossible, and films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As her talent sustained her and her capacities grew,
Jeffrey Wright Teases Jim Gordon’s Role in “The Batman Part II”
Things were quiet in Gotham when it came to news about Matt Reeves’ The Batman sequel for quite some time. Sure, we had the sensational spinoff series The Penguin to sink our beaks into, giving us a deep dive into Gotham’s criminal underworld via Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb and his equally standout screen partner, Cristin Milioti, whose Sofia Falcone was as cunning and ruthless as Oz. But when it came to news about when Robert Pattinson would be donning the cape and cowl again in The Batman Part II,
“The Naked Gun” Writer/Director Akiva Schaffer’s Dead Serious Mission to Resurrect the Spoof Comedy
The Naked Gun director Akiva Schaffer is on a quest to bring people back to the movie theaters to laugh—hysterically, if he’s done his job right—and, while he’s at it, to bring the filmmaking process back to Los Angeles as much as possible.
His franchise revival stars Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic Police Squad cop, tasked with solving a murder and saving his department from shutting down.
Holy Murder Mystery: Daniel Craig is Back on the Case in “Wake Up Dead Man” Trailer
The official teaser for Rian Johnson‘s third Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man, has arrived. Daniel Craig returns as the dandy detective Benoit Blanc to solve what the teaser promises will be his most dangerous case, which involves the seemingly impossible crime of a priest’s murder.
“To understand this case, you need to look at the myth that’s being constructed,” Craig’s Blanc says during the teaser.
“Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” Screenwriter Dana Fox on Her Magical Musical Theater Homecoming
Screenwriter Dana Fox made a pact with director Jon M. Chu. After working with Chu on her Apple TV+ series, Home Before Dark, she told him she would sign up for a project with him, no matter what, with no questions asked. She was as serious as a witch, if you’ll pardon the pun.
“I told him at the end of that previous job that I will drop anything,
MPA Industry Champion Award Recipient Rep. Darrell Issa: From Digital Pirates to Real-Life Mavericks
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is the recipient of the 2025 Motion Pictures Association’s Industry Champion Award, recognized for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Issa has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to combat digital piracy and address emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the entertainment industry.
As a California resident and representative,
2025 MPA Industry Champion Award Senator Chris Coons on the Real Cost of Piracy
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is the 2025 MPA Industry Champion Award recipient for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Coons advocates for measures that support intellectual property laws and defend copyrighted works from piracy.
Online piracy is far from a victimless crime—in the U.S. alone, it costs the creative industry billions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually.
MPA Creative Protector Award Recipient Ivan J. Arvelo: The Federal Agent Protecting Your Favorite Movies From Piracy
Director Ivan J. Arvelo is being honored with the 2025 Motion Picture Association Creative Protector Award for playing a crucial role in advancing our core mission of protecting intellectual property and bringing the magic of cinema to life.
As Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Arvelo leads the federal government’s efforts to protect creativity and innovation by enforcing laws that combat intellectual property crimes.
In this conversation,
“This Is Who I Am”: MPA Creator Award Recipient Jon M. Chu on Authentic Storytelling and the Power of Cultural Specificity – Part 2
With Wicked: For Good set to complete the story that began with 2024’s blockbuster, director Jon M. Chu, the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award recipient for 2025, continues our conversation about his evolution as a filmmaker and the power of culturally specific storytelling to reach universal audiences.
Chu also opens up about his own fears, what he learned on the set of Now You See Me 2, and the thrill of being so close to sharing the entire two-part vision for his Wicked adaptation with the world.
MPA Creator Award Winner Jon M. Chu on the Mad, Joyous Rush of Finishing “Wicked: For Good” – Part 1
As director Jon M. Chu puts the finishing touches on Wicked: For Good, he’ll be swinging through Washington, D.C. to receive the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award on Monday, September 8. It’s a heady time for Chu, who, when we spoke, was en route to LAX to fly to New York (for one night) while shepherding his highly anticipated sequel through a final flurry of crucial post-production.
Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson and Samson the Alpha Return in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” Trailer
The first trailer for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has arrived, the upcoming second entry in the new trilogy kick-started by director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland last year. The Bone Temple, directed by Candyman helmer Nia DaCosta, centers on returning characters from Boyle’s 2025 film, including Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson, the loneliest man in a rage virus-ravaged England, and showcases a coming showdown between the good doctor and the colossal zombie,
TIFF at 50: Cameron Bailey Reflects on Building Cinema Community in an Era of Constant Change
One of the many pleasures of attending the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the moments when festival CEO Cameron Bailey strides onto the stage to introduce a premiere or talk with a filmmaker. It’s during those screenings that this festival’s unique blend of art, accessibility, and audience engagement comes fully into focus.
“I never think that people who know movies and love movies should ever be snobby about it.
Venice Knockout: Dwayne Johnson’s “The Smashing Machine” Gets 15-Minute Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival
Dwayne Johnson might have entered the Oscars ring.
The star got a very Oscar-friendly reception at the Venice Film Festival on Monday night, where he was on hand for the world premiere of Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. Johnson stars as MMA legend Mark Kerr, sporting a prosthetic and an accent, marking an intriguing career pivot into prestige films. The result? A 15-minute standing ovation from the audience,
Bella & Edward Return: The “Twilight” Saga Rerelease Dates Revealed for Special Five-Day Run
The film franchise that turned Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson into global stars is returning to theaters, and now we know when.
Lionsgate has announced that all five Twilight films will return to theaters from October 29 to November 2. Twilight (2008) will kick off the series on October 29, followed by New Moon (2009) on October 30, Eclipse (2010) on October 31, Breaking Dawn –
First Image From “Star Wars: Starfighter” Drops as Film Begins Production, Amy Adams & Aaron Pierre Join Cast
We’ve got our first look from the set of Star Wars: Starfighter, and it comes with a major update—Amy Adams and rising star Aaron Pierre have joined Ryan Gosling in the upcoming film from Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy.
“I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter,” Levy said in a statement as production kicks off in the United Kingdom.
The Studio Giant You’ve Never Heard Of: How MBS Group Powers James Cameron and Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Productions
You might not recognize the name The MBS Group right away, but if you ever wandered through legendary studio lots like Radford Studio Center, Culver Studios, Raleigh Studios, or Symmetry Park Studios London, you’ve stepped onto one of the nearly 50 studio campuses they operate globally. The company is the world’s largest studio operator, running top-tier campuses in iconic entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and London. But they’re not just renting out space — they’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse designing studios,
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique on Shooting Back-to-Back NYC Thrillers for Spike Lee & Darren Aronofsky
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique grew up in Queens. He knows New York City, which is a good thing because his knowing eye lends luster to a pair of urban thrillers hitting screens this month courtesy of directors Spike Lee and Darren Aronofsky. Libatique, Oscar-nominated for Black Swan, A Star Is Born, and Maestro, shot four previous movies for Lee before helping the iconic New Yorker in his latest,
“The Roses” Director Jay Roach & Writer Tony McNamara On Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman’s Comedic Chemistry
Director and producer Jay Roach, known for making some of the most iconic comedies of the last 25 years, is now helming a reimagining of another classic with The Roses. Written by two-time Oscar-nominee Tony McNamara, The Roses is a fresh take on Danny DeVito’s classic 1989 movie The War of the Roses.
While the original boasted the iconic pairing of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner,
“Hamnet” First Look: Chloé Zhao’s Oscar Contender Stars Paul Mescal & Jessie Buckley
There’s a very healthy cross-section of book and movie lovers who are eager, dare I say thrilled, that writer/director Chloé Zhao’s upcoming feature is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s moving novel, “Hamnet.” In that piece of brilliant historical fiction, O’Farrell treated us to the tortured origin story, if you will, of William Shakespeare’s deathless work “Hamlet,” which, we learn, was inspired by his wife’s struggle to overcome the loss of their only son, Hamnet. Hamnet was taken from them by the Black Death,
Keira Knightley’s Luxury Cruise Becomes a Nightmare in “The Woman in Cabin 10” Trailer
All aboard the first trailer for director Simon Stone’s The Woman in Cabin 10, starring Keira Knightley as a travel writer who boards a luxury cruise ship that looks just a little too good to be true. Knightley plays Laura Blacklock, an award-winning journalist who finds herself at the center of a dangerous mystery once the yacht sets sail. A passenger is thrown overboard—Laura sees it happen—only to find that her fellow passengers,
Why Ron Howard’s “Eden” Isn’t the Movie You’d Expect – And That’s the Point
Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard knows that Eden isn’t the kind of movie you’d expect him to make, which is one of the reasons he made it.
Based on real events, it tells the story of a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island in the Galapagos but quickly find out that the biggest danger they face isn’t the environment or the wildlife, but each other. Eden boasts an ensemble cast including Jude Law,
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Adds “Severance” Breakout Star Tramell Tillman
Mr. Milchick is about to go from Lumon Industries to New York City.
Tramell Tillman, one of the breakout stars from Apple TV+’s Emmy-darling Severance, has been cast in director Destin Daniel Cretton’s upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Variety reports. Tillman will join Tom Holland, returning for his fourth swing as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Jon Bernthal, playing Frank Castle/Punisher, Mark Ruffalo,
From “Better Call Saul” to Better Call for Backup: How Bob Odenkirk and 87North Are Redefining Action Comedy
In just six years, including five of the film industry’s most challenging periods, powerhouse filmmakers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick have founded and grown 87North Productions, making it a formidable force in Hollywood and beyond.
Anchored in the action genre, the production and action design company’s catalog includes the third and fourth John Wick movies, Bullet Train, Violent Night,
Inside the Heist: Editor Jay Prychidny on Cutting the Monster Mayhem in “Wednesday”
“If These Woes Could Talk,” the fourth episode of Wednesday season two, is an hour of monster playtime from Tim Burton. The fourth episode wrapped up part one of the season and is built as a heist story with Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) seeking family secrets while Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), a zombie, and a Hyde (aka a mutant) run amok in an institution. It’s exuberant chaos in the hands of Burton’s frequent editor,
“SNL 50,” “The Pitt” and More Win Big at the Creative Arts Emmys
During the second night of the Creative Arts Emmys, SNL 50 garnered seven wins for its massive, decades-spanning celebration, including wins for directing (Liz Patrick), production design, makeup, and hairstyling.
Love on the Spectrum won for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Programming, while Queer Eye won for Structured Reality Programming. In a nice moment for a veteran director,
MPA Industry Champion Award Recipient Rep. Darrell Issa: From Digital Pirates to Real-Life Mavericks
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is the recipient of the 2025 Motion Pictures Association’s Industry Champion Award, recognized for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Issa has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to combat digital piracy and address emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the entertainment industry.
As a California resident and representative,
2025 MPA Industry Champion Award Senator Chris Coons on the Real Cost of Piracy
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is the 2025 MPA Industry Champion Award recipient for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Coons advocates for measures that support intellectual property laws and defend copyrighted works from piracy.
Online piracy is far from a victimless crime—in the U.S. alone, it costs the creative industry billions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually.
MPA Creative Protector Award Recipient Ivan J. Arvelo: The Federal Agent Protecting Your Favorite Movies From Piracy
Director Ivan J. Arvelo is being honored with the 2025 Motion Picture Association Creative Protector Award for playing a crucial role in advancing our core mission of protecting intellectual property and bringing the magic of cinema to life.
As Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Arvelo leads the federal government’s efforts to protect creativity and innovation by enforcing laws that combat intellectual property crimes.
In this conversation,
Le Lotus Blanc: “The White Lotus” Headed to France for Season 4
HBO’s hit series is trading Thailand’s beaches for France.
The White Lotus is reportedly headed to the European continent for its fourth season, Deadline reports. HBO has not yet confirmed the news, but if the reporting holds, one of the best bets for where season four would be shot is at the Four Seasons at the iconic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, located at the tip of the Cap-Ferrat peninsula on the French Riviera,
Emmy Nominees Cathy Sandrich Gelfond & Erica Berger on Casting the Scrappy Young Doctors of “The Pitt”
When The Pitt started streaming on HBO Max in January, the influx of intense young actors just kept coming. ER star Noah Wyle anchors the medical drama as the cracked tower of strength, Doctor Michael “Robby” Rabinovitch; nearly all the other characters on his fractious emergency room team are portrayed by relatively unknown talents delivering performances that are, by turns, wrenching and highly technical.
The Pitt,
The Studio Giant You’ve Never Heard Of: How MBS Group Powers James Cameron and Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Productions
You might not recognize the name The MBS Group right away, but if you ever wandered through legendary studio lots like Radford Studio Center, Culver Studios, Raleigh Studios, or Symmetry Park Studios London, you’ve stepped onto one of the nearly 50 studio campuses they operate globally. The company is the world’s largest studio operator, running top-tier campuses in iconic entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and London. But they’re not just renting out space — they’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse designing studios,
Jessica Chastain Hunts Domestic Terrorists in Chilling “The Savant” Trailer
The first trailer for The Savant offers a chilling statistic—between 1994 and 2020, there were 893 extremist attacks in America. The people committed to doing their best to protect us from even more of them aren’t often the ones who might think of it. In fact, we mostly don’t know they exist. Jessica Chastain’s character in Savant is one such person—a suburban mom by day, a tireless hunter by night. Chastain,
Nicolas Cage Circling Starring Role in “True Detective” Season 5
It feels like a piece of casting that has to happen. Nicolas Cage is in talks to star in season 5 of HBO’s moody, character-driven crime drama True Detective, a series in which the lead detectives get plum, multifaceted roles that feel tailor-made for a performer who loves nothing more than to disappear into a role.
The last season of the anthology series, True Detective: Night Country,
Dr. Robby and The Staff Return for a Second Shift in “The Pitt” Season 2 Trailer
HBO Max has just dropped the first trailer for season two of The Pitt, and it manages, in just over a minute, to remind you what made the first season such a thrill ride. The 15-episode first run, nominated for 13 Emmys, covered one 15-hour shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center (inspired by the Allegheny General Hospital, which was used in filming for the entrance, helipad, and rooftop). The shift, usually 12 hours,
Creating a Corporate Dystopia With “Severance” Season 2’s Set Decorator David Schlesinger
Leading this year’s Emmys pack with 27 nominations, the sophomore season of Severance goes deeper into the cult-like and twisted Lumon Industries, where a group of employees chose a surgical procedure that permanently bifurcates their work memories (“innies”) from their true selves (“outies”). Created by Dan Erickson, the slow-burn workplace thriller follows severed employee, Mark (Adam Scott), and his colleagues who work on the labyrinthine severed floor under the supervision of Mr.
From Stage to Screen for “SNL50”: How Production Designers & the Editing Team Shaped 5 Decades of Comedy
As the longest-running sketch comedy show in US television history, Saturday Night Live has not only shaped generations of comedians and cultural commentary, but it’s also become an institution for live performance. Some of its most iconic moments are when cast members can’t help but laugh themselves. But behind the humor is a bustling backdrop of production design, costumes, hair, makeup, lighting,
80 Wigs & Zero Dress Rehearsal: Inside the Hair and Makeup Magic That Made “SNL50” Possible
When Saturday Night Live first aired in October 1975, no one could have predicted it would become a cornerstone of American culture. Now, five decades later, Lorne Michaels and company have celebrated another milestone with SNL50: The Anniversary Special, a three-hour telecast directed by Liz Patrick, which brought together Studio 8H legends onto one stage.
With a star-studded cast that included current performers, alumni,
Inside SNL’s Most Challenging Episode Ever: Director Liz Patrick on the 50th Anniversary Special
On a night filled with laughter, legacy, and magic, Saturday Night Live marked its 50th anniversary with an unforgettable celebration. The milestone episode infused nostalgia that paid tribute to its past with new memorable moments. But what audiences saw on screen is only a fraction of the story. Behind the scenes in the iconic Studio 8H, an enormous production effort had been unfolding for months. From production design, hair, makeup, editing,
James Gunn Has Finished the Next “Superman Saga” Treatment, “Peacemaker” Season 2 Key to DCU
James Gunn is flying high.
After the rapturous opening few weeks for the writer/director/studio chief’s Superman, which officially kicked off the feature film portion of his new DCU, the DC Studios co-chief was in New York for the second season premiere of Peacemaker alongside star John Cena.
Before we get to what Gunn and Cena had to say about how the second season of Peacemaker connects to the broader DCU,
How “The Pitt,” “Shrinking,” and “Paradise” Are Proving You Can Still Make Hit TV in Los Angeles
Runaway production in California accelerated in recent years as films and TV shows took advantage of tax credits offered by other states and countries. Shut downs caused by Covid and strikes didn’t help matters, nor did the fires that raged through Los Angeles in January. To help reinvigorate Hollywood, the state of California in July passed a $750 million tax rebate program that rewards productions with cash incentives to stay in L.A. This is great news for the many,
“Paradise” Lost: Directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa on Crafting the Series’ Most Devastating Episode
In the first part of our conversation with Paradise directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, we talked about how California’s tax incentive program made it easier for series creator Dan Fogelman to shoot both seasons in Los Angeles. Now, let’s get to the most revealing episode, where Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) finally confronts President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) about the day his life—and the entire world—fell apart.
Netflix Reveals Full Cast & First Image From “Pride and Prejudice” Limited Series
Earlier today, we took a look at new photos from Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Netflix epic Frankenstein, with fresh images of Jacob Elordi as the iconic monster. Del Toro has been dreaming about tackling Mary Shelley’s deathless novel for years, and at long last, he’s done it (Frankenstein is headed to the Venice Film Festival, after which it’ll have its global premiere in November). Yet Netflix isn’t done with its big reveals,
“Paradise” Directors Glenn Ficarra & John Requa on Crafting the California-Made Emmy-Nominated Thriller
One of only seven TV projects approved for California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program during the 2022-2023 cycle, Dan Fogelman’s latest offering is an intense amalgamation of a murder mystery, political thriller, and post-apocalyptic survival drama all in one. True to his signature style a la This Is Us, a jaw-dropping twist at the end of the pilot uncovers a multitude of tragic truths and secrets alike.
Inside the Heist: Editor Jay Prychidny on Cutting the Monster Mayhem in “Wednesday”
“If These Woes Could Talk,” the fourth episode of Wednesday season two, is an hour of monster playtime from Tim Burton. The fourth episode wrapped up part one of the season and is built as a heist story with Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) seeking family secrets while Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), a zombie, and a Hyde (aka a mutant) run amok in an institution. It’s exuberant chaos in the hands of Burton’s frequent editor,
“Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” Screenwriter Dana Fox on Her Magical Musical Theater Homecoming
Screenwriter Dana Fox made a pact with director Jon M. Chu. After working with Chu on her Apple TV+ series, Home Before Dark, she told him she would sign up for a project with him, no matter what, with no questions asked. She was as serious as a witch, if you’ll pardon the pun.
“I told him at the end of that previous job that I will drop anything,
2025 MPA Industry Champion Award Senator Chris Coons on the Real Cost of Piracy
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) is the 2025 MPA Industry Champion Award recipient for his efforts to strengthen copyright protections, spur innovation, and preserve free expression. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Coons advocates for measures that support intellectual property laws and defend copyrighted works from piracy.
Online piracy is far from a victimless crime—in the U.S. alone, it costs the creative industry billions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually.
MPA Creative Protector Award Recipient Ivan J. Arvelo: The Federal Agent Protecting Your Favorite Movies From Piracy
Director Ivan J. Arvelo is being honored with the 2025 Motion Picture Association Creative Protector Award for playing a crucial role in advancing our core mission of protecting intellectual property and bringing the magic of cinema to life.
As Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Arvelo leads the federal government’s efforts to protect creativity and innovation by enforcing laws that combat intellectual property crimes.
In this conversation,
“This Is Who I Am”: MPA Creator Award Recipient Jon M. Chu on Authentic Storytelling and the Power of Cultural Specificity – Part 2
With Wicked: For Good set to complete the story that began with 2024’s blockbuster, director Jon M. Chu, the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award recipient for 2025, continues our conversation about his evolution as a filmmaker and the power of culturally specific storytelling to reach universal audiences.
Chu also opens up about his own fears, what he learned on the set of Now You See Me 2, and the thrill of being so close to sharing the entire two-part vision for his Wicked adaptation with the world.
MPA Creator Award Winner Jon M. Chu on the Mad, Joyous Rush of Finishing “Wicked: For Good” – Part 1
As director Jon M. Chu puts the finishing touches on Wicked: For Good, he’ll be swinging through Washington, D.C. to receive the Motion Picture Association’s Creator Award on Monday, September 8. It’s a heady time for Chu, who, when we spoke, was en route to LAX to fly to New York (for one night) while shepherding his highly anticipated sequel through a final flurry of crucial post-production.
TIFF at 50: Cameron Bailey Reflects on Building Cinema Community in an Era of Constant Change
One of the many pleasures of attending the annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the moments when festival CEO Cameron Bailey strides onto the stage to introduce a premiere or talk with a filmmaker. It’s during those screenings that this festival’s unique blend of art, accessibility, and audience engagement comes fully into focus.
“I never think that people who know movies and love movies should ever be snobby about it.
Emmy Nominees Cathy Sandrich Gelfond & Erica Berger on Casting the Scrappy Young Doctors of “The Pitt”
When The Pitt started streaming on HBO Max in January, the influx of intense young actors just kept coming. ER star Noah Wyle anchors the medical drama as the cracked tower of strength, Doctor Michael “Robby” Rabinovitch; nearly all the other characters on his fractious emergency room team are portrayed by relatively unknown talents delivering performances that are, by turns, wrenching and highly technical.
The Pitt,
The Studio Giant You’ve Never Heard Of: How MBS Group Powers James Cameron and Some of Hollywood’s Biggest Productions
You might not recognize the name The MBS Group right away, but if you ever wandered through legendary studio lots like Radford Studio Center, Culver Studios, Raleigh Studios, or Symmetry Park Studios London, you’ve stepped onto one of the nearly 50 studio campuses they operate globally. The company is the world’s largest studio operator, running top-tier campuses in iconic entertainment hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and London. But they’re not just renting out space — they’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse designing studios,
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique on Shooting Back-to-Back NYC Thrillers for Spike Lee & Darren Aronofsky
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique grew up in Queens. He knows New York City, which is a good thing because his knowing eye lends luster to a pair of urban thrillers hitting screens this month courtesy of directors Spike Lee and Darren Aronofsky. Libatique, Oscar-nominated for Black Swan, A Star Is Born, and Maestro, shot four previous movies for Lee before helping the iconic New Yorker in his latest,
“The Roses” Director Jay Roach & Writer Tony McNamara On Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman’s Comedic Chemistry
Director and producer Jay Roach, known for making some of the most iconic comedies of the last 25 years, is now helming a reimagining of another classic with The Roses. Written by two-time Oscar-nominee Tony McNamara, The Roses is a fresh take on Danny DeVito’s classic 1989 movie The War of the Roses.
While the original boasted the iconic pairing of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner,
Why Ron Howard’s “Eden” Isn’t the Movie You’d Expect – And That’s the Point
Two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard knows that Eden isn’t the kind of movie you’d expect him to make, which is one of the reasons he made it.
Based on real events, it tells the story of a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island in the Galapagos but quickly find out that the biggest danger they face isn’t the environment or the wildlife, but each other. Eden boasts an ensemble cast including Jude Law,
Creating a Corporate Dystopia With “Severance” Season 2’s Set Decorator David Schlesinger
Leading this year’s Emmys pack with 27 nominations, the sophomore season of Severance goes deeper into the cult-like and twisted Lumon Industries, where a group of employees chose a surgical procedure that permanently bifurcates their work memories (“innies”) from their true selves (“outies”). Created by Dan Erickson, the slow-burn workplace thriller follows severed employee, Mark (Adam Scott), and his colleagues who work on the labyrinthine severed floor under the supervision of Mr.
From Stage to Screen for “SNL50”: How Production Designers & the Editing Team Shaped 5 Decades of Comedy
As the longest-running sketch comedy show in US television history, Saturday Night Live has not only shaped generations of comedians and cultural commentary, but it’s also become an institution for live performance. Some of its most iconic moments are when cast members can’t help but laugh themselves. But behind the humor is a bustling backdrop of production design, costumes, hair, makeup, lighting,
80 Wigs & Zero Dress Rehearsal: Inside the Hair and Makeup Magic That Made “SNL50” Possible
When Saturday Night Live first aired in October 1975, no one could have predicted it would become a cornerstone of American culture. Now, five decades later, Lorne Michaels and company have celebrated another milestone with SNL50: The Anniversary Special, a three-hour telecast directed by Liz Patrick, which brought together Studio 8H legends onto one stage.
With a star-studded cast that included current performers, alumni,
From “Better Call Saul” to Better Call for Backup: How Bob Odenkirk and 87North Are Redefining Action Comedy
In just six years, including five of the film industry’s most challenging periods, powerhouse filmmakers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick have founded and grown 87North Productions, making it a formidable force in Hollywood and beyond.
Anchored in the action genre, the production and action design company’s catalog includes the third and fourth John Wick movies, Bullet Train, Violent Night,
“Freakier Friday” Costume Designer Natalie O’Brien on Creating a Four-Way Body Swap
Freakier Friday, directed by Nisha Ganatra, really is freakier than its predecessor, 2003’s Freaky Friday, as the number of characters unwittingly swapping bodies has risen to four. Anna (Lindsay Lohan) and her teenage daughter, Harper (Julia Butters) land in each other’s corporeal forms, while even weirder for the group, Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her step-granddaughter-to-be, Lily (Sophia Hammons) find themselves swapped.
The medium for this switch is a disarmingly hacky multi-hyphenate palm reader,
Inside SNL’s Most Challenging Episode Ever: Director Liz Patrick on the 50th Anniversary Special
On a night filled with laughter, legacy, and magic, Saturday Night Live marked its 50th anniversary with an unforgettable celebration. The milestone episode infused nostalgia that paid tribute to its past with new memorable moments. But what audiences saw on screen is only a fraction of the story. Behind the scenes in the iconic Studio 8H, an enormous production effort had been unfolding for months. From production design, hair, makeup, editing,
From Teenage Pirate Hunter to Global Anti-Piracy Leader: Rajkumar Akella’s Mission to Protect Creative Content
Rajkumar Akella’s mission started almost the moment he joined the entertainment industry, when he brushed up against piracy for the first time.
These days, as the chairman of India’s Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce’s Anti Video Piracy Cell, Akella is leading the fight against piracy globally. Back then, as a teenager trying to turn a dollar, selling taped versions of Indian movie soundtracks and with “youthful energy,” he met with the pirates head-on.
How “The Naked Gun” Writers Dan Gregor & Doug Mand Got Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson to Embrace Absurdity
Macho cop teams with gorgeous mystery woman to stop evil tech mogul from destroying the world: The plot’s perfectly functional for an action-thriller, but it’s the jokes, not the story, that have pushed The Naked Gun to the biggest action comedy opening of 2025. Writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), working with director/co-writer Akiva Schaffer, furnished stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson with a firehose of silliness encompassing sight gags,
