Hollywood Hotline - Week of February 21, 2025
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Howdy Hotliners,
I can feel spring just around the corner. I find myself wearing shorts again during the daylight hours. Going to enjoy as much of this sunny mid-warm weather before it goes full blast oven hot this summer!
TOP STORY:
The billionaires win again.
Jeff Bezos bought James Bond for $1BN. Original James Bond movie producer, Albert “Cubby” Broccoli’s (1909-1996) dying last words, on his death bed, to his family was: “Don’t let them fuck it up.” “It” being James Bond. And for a long time they kept that promise. Until Lex Luther Bezos backed a dumptruck full of money into their driveway. Now they’re gonna run James Bond through the IP Machine to Fast-track speedrun their own James Bond Cinematic Universe a la Marvel, DC, and Lucasfilm. Bezos gonna be dining out on this all year.
Without further ado, let’s check the Hotline:
FUTURE FILMS:
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio Making Movie with Pee Bottle Actor
It’s like GOODFELLAS (1990) but set in Hawaii starring an actor who pees in bottles on set in front of 150 person crew.
Hello To Kate Winslet Directing GOODBYE JUNE
Making her directorial feature debut, the story set in “present day, fictional drama, set in England. A touching, yet humorous story which sees a fractured group of siblings pull together under sudden and trying circumstances.” For Netflix.
Sounds like a play. Will wait and see.
Rashida Jones Has Set Up a PLAYDATE For Herself
Rashida Jones will be directing a film about “a playdate erupts into full scale psychological warfare as two mothers confront the damage of childhood bullying, while their daughters engage in mind games of their own.”
Sounds intense. Book me for this playdate.
The Truth Is Out There But There’s a Lot of US Government Bureaucracy Red Tape Covering It Up
TOP GUN: MAVERICK (2022) producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski are packaging a film. “Little is known about the piece, which is described as ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN with UFOs. The budget range is unclear but it is seeking a greenlight, per one source. No stars are currently attached.”
They should cast Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman! For real!
[Ryu in the Street Fighter game punching a blue fireball]:“HADOKEN!”
The Street Fighter video game is getting another live action adaptation. They should cast Jean Claude Van-Damme! For real real!
Stop. You Had Me at Kristen Stewart Stoner Movie
“Written and directed by Dylan Meyer, the film follows Frankie (Stewart) and Molly (Alia Shawkat), codependent best friends living paycheck to paycheck and bong rip to bong rip, when a case of mistaken identity throws their lives into chaos.”
Sounds like my kind [bud] of [buddy] comedy.
“Lionsgate has released a restored director’s cut of the late Peter Bogdanovich‘s final film, “Squirrels to the Nuts,” on digital platforms.
“Squirrels to the Nuts” was originally released as “She’s Funny That Way” in 2014. Bogdanovich directed the film and co-wrote it with Louise Stratten. The “Squirrels to the Nuts” cast includes Owen Wilson, Imogen Poots, Kathryn Hahn, Cybill Shepherd, Austin Pendleton, Will Forte, Joanna Lumley and Richard Lewis. Jennifer Aniston and Rhys Ifans also appear, alongside cameos from Graydon Carter, Colleen Camp and George Morfogen.”
Need to see both versions.
TRENDY TV:
“Claire Danes and Winnie Holzman, who worked together more than 30 years ago on ABC drama MY SO-CALLED LIFE (1994-1995), are reteaming on a drama project at HBO, Deadline has confirmed.
THE APPLEBAUM CURSE, which is in very early development at the premium cable outlet, is described as an ongoing one-hour drama series about a dysfunctional family, with Danes in the lead role. Holzman will write the script and serve as showrunner and both she and Danes will executive produce.”
Loved the OG show. Am very curious about this re-team.
IN OTHER NEWS:
NE ZA 2 Biggest Animated Film In History of Cinema
And I’ve never heard of it! Then again I don’t have kids. Will definitely have to check out with my BFF and his family.
COMING SOON:
FREAKY TALES - Looks freaky
CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD - Looks corny
GRAND TOUR - Looks surreal
ERIC LaRUE - Looks insufferable
CHEECH & CHONG’S LAST MOVIE - Looks nostalgic
BRING HER BACK - Looks cheerful
THE ACTOR - Looks artificial
Enjoy the weather this weekend!
Until next week, Hotliners! Thanks for calling in.
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