Film
Scarlett Johansson and Disney Settle Black Widow Lawsuit
Scarlett Johansson has struck a deal with Disney to settle her blockbuster lawsuit over her compensation for Black Widow. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but both Johansson and Disney issued statements confirming the settlement (via The Hollywood Reporter). “I am happy to have resolved our differences with Disney,” stated Johansson. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together over the years and have greatly enjoyed my creative relationship with the team. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in years to come.” Advertisement Related Video “I’m very pleased that we have been able to come to a mutual agreement with Scarlett Johansson regarding Black Widow,” added Disney Studios chairman Alan Bergman. “We appreciate her contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe an...
Sylvester Stallone to Reissue Rocky IV as Rocky vs. Drago: The Ultimate Director’s Cut
Rocky IV is ready to go another round: Sylvester Stallone and MGM have announced Rocky vs. Drago: The Ultimate Director’s Cut, an expanded release that comes with 40 additional minutes of footage. It will be shown in select theaters for one night only on November 11th before becoming available for streaming rentals on November 12th. Written, directed, and starring Sly Stallone, Rocky IV became the biggest box office hit of the franchise when it stepped into the ring in 1985. By framing the story as a battle between America and the USSR, it tapped into Cold War fears, while boasting one of Carl Weathers’ most iconic performances, and introducing the world to Swedish ass-kicker extraordinaire Dolph Lundgren. In addition to 40 additional minutes of never-before-seen footage, a ...
Ridley Scott Says Gladiator 2 Is Being “Written Now”
Ridley Scott is preparing to go back to ancient Rome, as the filmmaker says a script for Gladiator 2 is being “written now.” Speaking with (fittingly enough) EMPIRE, Scott confirmed that he has eyes to make the sequel to the 2000 classic Gladiator after he finishes his next project, KitBag. That film happens to star Gladiator villain Joaquin Phoenix, who’s set to play Napoléon Bonaparte alongside Jodie Comer (Scott’s upcoming The Last Duel) as the emperor’s wife, Joséphine. “I’m already having [the next] Gladiator written now,” Scott said. “So when I’ve done Napoleon, Gladiator will be ready to go.” Advertisement Related Video This isn’t the first time Scott has made mention of a Gladiator 2. Back in 2018, he was in talks with screenwriter Peter Craig (The Hun...
Dave Chappelle Announces New Netflix Special The Closer
Dave Chappelle is here to rescue you from your existential dread — or, at least he’s going to try. Today, the renowned comedian has unveiled the trailer for The Closer, his new Netflix standup special, just ahead of its release on October 5th. “Comedians have a responsibility to speak recklessly,” Chappelle says in the trailer’s first seconds. “Sometimes, the funniest thing to say is mean. Remember: I’m not saying it to be mean, I’m saying it because it’s funny.” Billed as Chappelle’s “sixth chapter” — meaning his sixth Netflix special overall — The Closer follows 2019’s Sticks & Stones. See the trailer for The Closer below. Chappelle’s 2021 so far has been mind-boggling, to say the least. Back in June, he joined Foo Fighters onstage at Madison Square Garden fo...
No Time to Die Offers a Thrilling Swan Song to Daniel Craig’s 007: Review
The Pitch: After James Bond (Daniel Craig) left MI6 after the events of Spectre, he attempts to leave his past — and that of his new paramour, Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) — behind him. But the ghosts of SPECTRE and his foster brother-turned- supervillain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), remain, particularly once a gene-coded supervirus falls into the hands of a secretive villain (Rami Malek) who has his own ax to grind against the criminal organization. Reluctantly, Bond re-enters the world of spycraft and intrigue, now competing with MI6 and the new 007 (Lashana Lynch) to track down the virus and stave off global genocide — and close a few holes in his personal story along the way as well. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: We’ve long known that No Time to Die would...
Jana Kramer on Working with Richard Marx and Her Upcoming Lifetime Holiday Movie
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS Jana Kramer sits down with Kyle Meredith to talk about her latest single, “Voices,” and her new Lifetime Original Holiday Movie, The Holiday Fix Up. The singer/actress discusses her newest track’s spotlight on self-esteem and mental health, and how she finds herself in a transitional state of self-improvement. That all comes as the media and tabloids amplify her every move, especially her recent divorce. Advertisement Related Video Kramer also emphasizes the importance of her work/life balance while raising two children, how they’ve influenced her music, and having more control as an independent artist while she readies w...
Arca Shares New Single “Incendio”: Stream
Arca has dropped the new single, “Incendio,” as part of the promotion for a benefit concert film. “Vistiendo de cuero/ Quemando ese cuerpo/ Bruja/ Chupándome los huesos/ Bien espeso eso es hueso/ Eso, eso, hey, hey,” the electronic artist also known as Alejandra Ghersi sings over industrial production. The release follows her January EP Madre and 2020 album KiCk i. Meanwhile, Arca’s Dice.fm concert film is set to begin streaming today, September 27th, at 3:00 p.m. ET. She’s raising money to open Casa Rifugio Marcella, a temporary shelter dedicated to providing a safe space for trans and nonbinary victims of violence and discrimination in Italy. Directed by Weirdcore, the concert will feature a set by Arca at a socially distanced, in-the-round venue in Ibiza with guest appearances...
Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels Receiving Box Set Reissue for 50th Anniversary
Frank Zappa’s documentary 200 Motels is celebrating its 50th anniversary next month. To mark the occasion, its accompanying soundtrack is receiving a massive re-release, out November 19th via Zappa Records, UMe, and MGM. The 200 Motels 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition box set features the remastered original soundtrack in collaboration with The Mothers of Invention and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as demo session outtakes, dialog protection reels, alternate recordings, and more rare material unearthed from the depths of the late artist’s vault. The 6xCD collection will also come with a 64-page hardcover book full of artwork and imagery from the film, plus new liner notes written by the likes of Pamela Des Barres, Ruth Underwood, and Joe Travers. Also included will be Patr...
Kanye West Documentary jeen-yuhs Coming to Netflix
Netflix has announced a new Kanye West documentary called jeen-yuhs, which will chronicle the controversial artist’s 20-year-rise to superstardom. Directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, the three-part documentary promises intimate behind-the-scenes footage of Kanye from his early career as a go-to producer, to finally striking out on his own as a MC, to his rise to fame as one of the biggest names in music and pop culture. The documentary will also reportedly focus on the death of Kanye’s mother, Donda West, as well as his failed presidential campaign in 2020. The first look at jeen-yuhs was revealed during Netflix’s global fan event TUDUM on Saturday. In a clip dating back to 2004, West and Mos Def rap their song, “Two Words,” a cappella. Watch it below. Advertisement Related Video je...
NYFF Review: Joel Coen Goes Solo in Style with The Tragedy of Macbeth
This review is part of our coverage of the 2021 New York Film Festival. The Pitch: The Coen Brothers plus Shakespeare — whaddaya need, a roadmap? Actually, you might; or at least a program note to explain why The Tragedy of Macbeth has only one Coen on hand. It’s not a retro affectation that Joel Coen is taking sole director credit, as he used to on the joint Coen projects (until 2004’s The Ladykillers, Joel took “director” and Ethan handled “producer,” even though they were always really doing both). Ethan is taking a break from making movies, while Joel has mounted a black-and-white version of Shakespeare’s famous (and fleetest?) tragedy, with Denzel Washington as Lord Macbeth, who becomes convinced he must take bloody action to fulfill his destiny and become king of Scotland, and France...
Avicii’s Estate Announces New Documentary Coming in 2023
Avicii is being memorialized with a new documentary. The estate of the late Swedish producer born Tim Bergling has announced a forthcoming film that will delve into the “music and the artist who defined an era and changed the world of music forever.” Few details have been unveiled as of yet, but you can expect a release sometime in 2023. According to a statement, the new Avicii documentary “is an up-close, intimate, and epic story about his unparalleled successes and his struggles to cope with the pressure.” It’s set to include never-before-seen footage, as well as interviews with Bergling’s family, colleagues, friends, and even Bergling himself. The documentary will be helmed by producer Björn Tjärnberg and filmmaker Henrik Burman, the latter of whom also directed the 2020 doc Yung Lean: ...
Marvel Sues to Avoid Copyright Termination on The Avengers
The fate of the Avengers is in the hands of the law. In a court filing even more serious than the Sokovia Accords, Disney‘s Marvel unit is suing to prevent the MCU’s most famous superhero team from falling into copyright termination. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the company behind the blockbuster superhero franchise: if they lose the copyright on the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and co., the studio would be forced to share the Avengers’ identities with the heirs of their creators (i.e. the estates of Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, and others). According to reporting by The Hollywood Reporter, the copyright for Spider-Man was the most recent to risk lapsing. Ditko’s estate filed a “notice of termination” on the character last month. Advertisement Related Video Essentia...
