Hollywood Hotline - Week of August 15, 2024
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Howdy Hotliners!
JOKER (2019) star Joaquin Phoenix pulled a real-life joker move by bringing a project to a producer and director telling them he wanted to star in it, only for him to back out five days before principal photography was set to begin. Psyche you out! What a burn! Had he pulled that move at a big studio in a much bigger film, that big studio would surely sue him for breach of contract and of course settle out of court for whatever was already spent but big studio would probably blacklist him for ever working for them again, but he’s gonna be in JOKER 2! Which will make another billion dollars probably. So his career will be fine.
Without further ado, let’s check the hotline:
Margot Robbie is starring in her first gig to follow-up BARBIE (2023) — A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, which also stars “Colin Farrell, and is billed as an original tale of two strangers and the extraordinary emotional journey that connects them.” It’s directed by Kogonada who did AFTER YANG (2021) with Colin Farrell.
Didn’t love AFTER YANG (2021) but respected the craft. Apparently, he got his start making video essays on film. Love me some Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell though!
Acting Legend to play NFL Legend for Legendary Miserable Fuck Director
Nicolas Cage will be playing the late John Madden for “miserable fuck” director David O. Russell for Amazon-MGM Studios. George Clooney is flexing his muscle (in GQ) now that he got President Biden to step down, by calling out O. Russell since Clooney and O. Russell worked together on THREE KINGS (1999). O. Russell was an on-set tyrant who kicked an extra in the ass so Clooney headbutted O. Russell in the face. Miserable fuck indeed.
I love Nicolas Cage but John Goodman should fire his agent.
THE HOLDOVERS (2023) star Dominic Sessa to play late chef Anthony Bourdain
From the producers of KING RICHARD (2021) and director of BLACKBERRY (2023). A24 probably releasing. Doesn’t say when film will take place but I’d bet when Bourdain was starting out as summer chef on Cape Cod. Learning the ropes. Sounds like THE BEAR (2022-) TV show meets ADVENTURELAND (2009).
Check, please! Not everything or everyone has to be IP made into a movie. I can’t imagine Bourdain would ever approve of this. Probably cringing in his grave. I like Sessa though! Still need to see BLACKBERRRY (2023) but heard it was good.
Director Rupert Wyatt Goes Inside BOXMAN
From the director of RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011) and THE GAMBLER (2014) remake comes the tale:
“[Of a] thriller [that] takes place after a botched bank heist [that] leaves 19 people locked inside a state-of-the-art vault, and the FBI recruits the world’s foremost box man from federal prison so he can break them out before they suffocate inside.”
The script was on the 2023 Blacklist. Wyatt is solid. Hope the script is too. Should be. Could make a good companion piece to Spike Lee’s INSIDE MAN (2006).
Universal Dark Cinematic Universe Rises from the Dead!
Director James Wan remaking CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) for Universal.
Have never seen the original. Not a fan of Wan. But I love that Guillermo del Toro saw the original and was like, “I want to remake this but as a tragic romance and not gothic horror film!”
JC Chandor Making Contemporary Thriller at Sony
“The new film is a drama that is a callback to [Chandor’s] early films, MARGIN CALL (2011), A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (2014), and TRIPLE FRONTIER (2019), in terms of the polemics of capitalism. I’ve heard this one is a contemporary thriller involving the investigation of a death in a moneyed dynastic family. Think SUCCESSION (2018-2023) with an ERIN BROCKOVICH (2000) feel.”
Even though Chandor was never an actor he reminds me of Robert Redford for some reason? I respect and admire his craft, I’ve just never connected with any of his films. Wait and see on this one.
“Billed as a “searing tale of love and betrayal,” the project is a six-part TV series based on the 2000 feature FAITHLESS, which Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) penned for his former partner Liv Ullmann (b. 1938). The entire series is directed by Tomas Alfredson from scripts adapted by Norwegian writer Sara Johnsen.
The official synopsis reads: FAITHLESS is a love triangle story told across two time periods about passion and betrayal. In the present day, the renowned director David Howard, 73, is reunited with his former great love, actress Marianne Vogler, 75. Their encounter forces them to confront the painful repercussions of their past relationship, not only for themselves but also for their families. 40 years prior a young David and Marianne find themselves entwined in a passionate love affair, which they must keep a secret as Marianne is married to David’s best friend, Markus.”
Sounds pretty epic. Sign me up for SIX HOURS of marriage counseling!
Tears of a Clown When The Audience is Around
“THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED (1972) is getting another chance at the big screen. Rewritten by Jerry Lewis (1926-2017) who starred in and directed a 1972 feature drama that went unfinished and unreleased, the script for the Holocaust tale is being revived by K. Jam Media founder Kia Jam. Jam has been part of the financing and producing of films ranging from THE KILLING GAME (2011) to SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR (2014), to IN THE HEART OF THE SEA (2015), and numerous others.
Jam said he has executed a purchase agreement on the original script by Joan O’Brien and Charles Denton. Lewis took a hand in reshaping it as a starring and directing vehicle. Jam is going back to the original screenplay. He said he has the production financing, and the next step is to secure a filmmaker with the guts to tell a most harrowing story.”
A filmmaker “with the guts” or “no backbone?” Sheesh. This sounds awful, right? Dude keeps this film buried is whole life until years after his death only for it to be resurrected in the most disturbing way, that is to say the most Hollywood way possible. Hard pass on this one.
Al Pacino Doing Podcast on THE GODFATHER (1972)
They must’ve made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. I’ll show myself out.
COMING SOON:
THE SUBSTANCE - I’m purposely not linking this trailer because I have a feeling it’s going to be so good you don’t want ANYTHING SPOILED for your first-time viewing experience. Don’t even look the director up or see what previous film they’ve made. Just take my word for it. Go see this opening night/weekend and brace yourself!
SLEEP - Imagine marrying someone only for them to sleepwalk crazy AF!
LEE - I’m sorry —didn’t Alex Garland already make this movie with Kirsten Dunst???
HERE AFTER - I’m getting PET SEMATARY (1989) meets SWIMFAN (2002) vibes but with Connie Britton as the Final Mom
OMNI LOOP - Time travel comedy? I think? Not sure about Mary Louise Parker
STRANGE DARLING - Actor Giovanni Ribisi is the Director of Photography for this one (!) Check out all those pull-quotes!
TEACUP - Looks like STRANGER THINGS on a farm?
THE SWORD & THE DRAGON - Had never heard of this film/maker before seeing this trailer. Looks absolutely goddamn epic. Definitely need to check out!
Until next week, Hotliners! Thanks for calling in.
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