Hollywood Hotline - Week of January 23, 2025
HOLLYWOOD HOTLINE Archives
Howdy Hotliners,
Our country is on fire. Literally. In my state of California as I sit and type this, there’s no less than [checks updates]: six fires in my area. What a totally nightmarish hellscape the last week has been, er, I mean the last [checks notes]: four days!? Great universe please help us! As Mother Nature continues to burn our state to the ground.
TOP STORIES:
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio Still in Love
This project has long since been in Development Hell. Let’s see if this one turns out better than KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (2023).
Robert Eggers turning into a WERWULF
“Wolfman has nards!?” You betcha! Unless he’s neutered, of course. Hope director Robert Eggers leaves his balls on the table with this one.
Robert Eggers returning to LABYRNTH
There are Three Fatal Golden Rules to follow here:
Rule 1: Practical puppets and sets
Rule 2: Cast Jennifer Connelly
Rule 3: Do Not Cast David Bowie Force Ghost
Without further ado, let’s check the Hotline:
FUTURE FILMS:
BARBIE Director Strong-arms Netflix for IMAX Release
Keep your eyes peeled for the brief, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it two week (!) limited IMAX release of her BARBIE (2023) follow-up THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Thanksgiving Day, 2026! MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW
Sci-Fi Author Isaac Asimov’s 1954 Novel THE CAVES OF STEEL Getting Feature Treatment
Oscar-winning writer John Ridley (Adapting 12 YEARS A SLAVE 2013; Directed SHIRLEY 2024) is directing the film, which is about: “[A] future Earth where humanity has retreated into vast, domed cities — known as the “Caves of Steel” — to escape the harshness of the outside world. The story follows Elijah Baley, a New York City detective who is reluctantly partnered with R. Daneel Olivaw, a humanoid robot, to solve the high-profile murder of a “Spacer” scientist. (Spacers, we learn, are the descendants of Earth-born humans who have colonized other planets in the galaxy.) As Baley navigates the investigation, tensions arise between Earth’s overcrowded, robot-wary society and the more advanced Spacer civilizations, which embrace robotic integration.”
Seems like I, ROBOT (2004) meets 48 HRS. (1982). Sign me up!
Jean-Claude Van Damme Going to “Shake the Tree” Again in KICKBOXER Legacy Sequel
Having already spawned four sequels in the 1990s, “KICKBOXER: ARMAGEDDON centers on Kurt seeking to track down his wife’s killers. Through the Thai underground fight world, he meets Cesare, a martial arts master who leads a sadistic cult, with Kurt soon finding himself in the fight of his life.”
I loved the 1989 original growing up, renting it on home video religiously. Liked it even better than BLOODSPOT (1988). Don’t @ me!
Ryan Gosling is Enlisting in the STAR WARS Franchise
I wonder what the Vegas odds of this movie happening are? I guess pretty high? Will it be as bad as SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018)? Only time will tell.
Sydney Sweeney Putting on The Mask of the Red Death
I vaguely recall renting the 1964 Hammer Horror Vincent Price version and finding it kind of boring? “The original Edgar Allen Poe [1842] short story follows a prince who attempts to avoid a dangerous plague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in his abbey. Details behind this new take are being kept under wraps.”
My money is on them making it like 28 WEEKS LATER (2007).
TWISTERS (2024) director Lee Isaac Chung is making “a feature adaptation of the novel TRAVELER by Joseph Eckert. While the project is in the early stages and the logline is being kept under wraps, sources described The Traveler as an intimate family drama that exponentially develops into a vast science fiction odyssey. The novel explores the life of Scott Treder, a 47-year-old biology technician who begins experiencing involuntary jumps through time, and there’s been interest in mounting a feature adaptation for some time.”
Didn’t love TWISTERS. But do love time travel, baby!
OCEAN’S 11,12,13, and 8 Now Equals 14
THE FALL GUY (2024) director David Leitch is attached to direct with “the intention is to bring the original cast back in the fold. Leitch is coming off the Ryan Gosling-Emily Blunt-starrer Fall Guy and the Brad Pitt-starrer before that. Pitt’s part of the core Ocean’s cast along with George Clooney, Matt Damon, and others.”
And this is where we’re at.
TRENDY TV:
“The documentary will chronicle the nine-year period from early 1981 when Allan served as Princess Diana’s private — and top secret — dance teacher,” according to a description of the project. “Over hundreds of weekly one-hour lessons at a private dance studio, teacher and pupil forged a close friendship as Diana negotiated stratospheric fame, the joy of motherhood, her crumbling marriage and her struggle with bulimia. In her role as confidante as well as teacher, Allan gained a unique insight into the princess’s life, challenges, passions and achievements.”
RIP Princess (1961-1997)
COMING SOON:
OPUS - What if Kanye West Wyoming Ranch but movie?
SEVEN VEILS - TAR (2022) lite
DROP - Talk about a Tinder First Date from hell!
HELL OF A SUMMER - Finn Wolfhard (STRANGER THINGS 2016-2025) co-directs in his feature debut
ZERO DAY - Robert De Niro as NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani on September 11, 2001 but “not-too-distant-future bro”
Headed out to see BABYGIRL (2024) with my Lodgecast boyzz! Have you all seen the “milk scene?”
Until next week, Hotliners! Thanks for calling in.
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