The streaming wars continue to escalate as plans to consolidate Discovery+ and HBO Max into one streaming platform were announced today (March 14th). As reported by Variety, Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels has revealed that the two company’s flagship apps will initially be offered as a bundle with the goal of integrating them into a single service “in several months.” “One of the most important items here is that we believe in a combined product as opposed to a bundle,” Wiedenfels said at the Deutsche Bank 30th Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference. “The question is, in order to get to that point and do it in a way that’s actually a great user experience for our subscribers, that’s going to take some time. Again, that’s nothing that’s going to happen in weeks — hopefully not in y...
Matt Reeves’ iteration of Batman might’ve just flown into theaters, but the director already has another DC project up his sleeve: HBO Max has officially ordered a spin-off series centered on The Penguin, which will see Colin Farrell reprise his role as the criminal mastermind. Just as The Batman offers a thrilling origin story for Bruce Wayne, this forthcoming limited drama series — currently under the working title The Penguin — will provide detailed context about how Oswald Cobblepot rose to power in Gotham City. Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will write the script, with Reeves and The Batman producer Dylan Clark serving as executive producers alongside Farrell. “The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of O...
First, he landed the world’s first 900; now, Tony Hawk is landing on HBO Max. Today, HBO has shared the official trailer for Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off, the forthcoming documentary about the pioneering skateboarder. Splicing thrilling archival footage between new interviews with Hawk and some skateboarding peers, Until the Wheels Fall Off documents the Birdman’s evolution from a gawky youngster in San Diego to one of the most recognizable athletes of the past 20 years. “I always felt a little misplaced,” the now 53-year-old explains in a voiceover. “But I found this thing that I loved, and I had so much more to prove.” While Hawk’s impact in the skating world is a main focus of the film, it also sees him detail the difficulties of juggling overnight fame while also bein...
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS DeVaughn Nixon joins Kyle Meredith to talk about HBO’s Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty, in which he plays the role of his real life father, Norm Nixon. Related Video The actor tells how he still had to audition for the part, his dad feeling threatened by Magic Johnson’s arrival, and this series being released on the heels of the Michael Jordan doc The Last Dance. Nixon also discusses what it was like to work with Adam McKay on the dark comedy and where the story could go with future seasons. Advertisement We also travel back to 1992 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Bodyguard, which found Nixon staring at W...
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS John Lurie catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Season 2 of Painting with John, his HBO series that finds the musician, painter, actor, director, and producer creating his watercolor masterpieces while giving us all insight into his life, philosophies, and often-bizarre adventures. Related Video The Lounge Lizards co-founder takes us inside a recurring sketch called “Cowboy Beckett” that weaves throughout this new season and how it took inspiration from Ennio Morricone. He also tells us why he gravitated toward watercolors, and how he comes up with the titles of his paintings, which sometimes tell complete stories thems...
HBO has announced a new two-part documentary on Larry David, which will premiere Tuesday, March 1st at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The Larry David Story is directed by David’s longtime friend and partner Larry Charles. The documentary finds the two men in conversation, as David “gets candid about his personal and professional highs and lows, from his humble beginnings as an unfunny Brooklyn kid to becoming America’s favorite misanthrope.” David will discuss Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, parenthood, and even metaphysics, according to HBO, which describes the doc as “genuine, hilarious, and eye-opening.” “I’m a total fraud,” David admits in a trailer for The Larry David Story. The Curb outlet, for me, is this guy who I want to be.” He’s completely honest, just the opposite of who I am.” Advertisement...
James Gunn’s first TV project Peacemaker has done a stellar job humanizing the titular antihero, and HBO Max has rewarded his efforts by bringing The Suicide Squad spinoff back for Season 2. The announcement comes just ahead of the first season finale, which premieres on Thursday, February 17th. Starring John Cena as Peacemaker, the inaugural season picks up right where The Suicide Squad left off, integrating the loner vigilante (and his pet eagle Eagly) into a new task force up against a bizarre global threat. Combining dark humor and comic violence with touching moments when Peacemaker and other characters come to life-changing revelations, it’s been a joy to see Cena exhibit his full range alongside a talented cast including Chukwudi Iwuji, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer...
Last month, news broke that HBO Max was developing a sequel to the holiday classic A Christmas Story, starring original Ralphie actor Peter Billingsley. Now, Deadline reports that four more actors from the 1983 original have joined the cast. In A Christmas Story Christmas, Ian Petrella will reprise his role as Ralphie’s little brother Randy, with Scott Schwartz and R.D. Robb returning to play Ralphie’s friends Flick and Schwartz, respectively. Also joining the cast is Zack Ward, who portrayed the bully Scut Farkus. The sequel will be set in the 1970s, with an adult Ralphie returning to his old house on Cleveland Street “to deliver his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up.” In the process, he reconnects with his childhood friends and reconciles the passing of hi...
Cross The Boondocks off your list of upcoming television revivals. According to Deadline, HBO Max’s planned reboot of the animated series has been officially been canceled. Showrunner Aaron McGruder and Sony Pictures Animation first announced a Boondocks revival in 2019, and the show was supposed to premiere in Fall 2020 with a 50-minute special. Back then, McGruder said the two-season reboot would see Huey, Riley, and Granddad Freeman navigate an upper class Maryland community. Per usual, what seemed idyllic and harmonious would prove toxic and dangerous, as the tyrannical Uncle Ruckus would have imparted a neo-fascist regime on the suburban town. While it’s unclear why production stalled on the project, Sony is reportedly evaluating other options for the series. Advertisement R...
HBO Max is developing a sequel to the classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story, with Peter Billingsley, the child star of the original 1983 film, set to reprise his role as Ralphie. A Christmas Story Christmas, as its so elegantly titled, will be directed by Clay Kaytis (The Christmas Chronicles), with a script penned by Nick Schenk (Gran Torino, The Mule). Billingsley will also serve as a producer on the film alongside his friend and collaborator, Vince Vaughn. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the sequel will be set in the 1970s and sees “an adult Ralphie return to his house on Cleveland Street to deliver his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up.” Advertisement Related Video Production on the film is scheduled to begin next month in Hungary, presumably with the goal...