Hollywood Hotline - Week of October 3, 2024
HOLLYWOOD HOTLINE Archives
Howdy Hotliners!
Three time Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis (MY LEFT FOOT 1989, THERE WILL BE BLOOD 2007, LINCOLN 2013) is back, showbiz baby! He publicly proclaimed to have officially retired from acting after working with auteur Paul Thomas Anderson on 2017’s PHANTOM THREAD when he said:
“Before making the film, I didn’t know I was going to stop acting. I do know that Paul and I laughed a lot before we made the movie. And then we stopped laughing because we were both overwhelmed by a sense of sadness. That took us by surprise: We didn’t realise what we had given birth to. It was hard to live with. And still is. What has taken over in the past is an illusion of inevitability. But it’s settled on me, and it’s just there. Not wanting to see the film is connected to the decision I’ve made to stop working as an actor. But it’s not why the sadness came to stay. That happened during the telling of the story, and I don’t really know why. I dread to use the overused word ‘artist,’ but there’s something of the responsibility of the artist that hung over me. I need to believe in the value of what I’m doing. The work can seem vital. Irresistible, even. And if an audience believes it, that should be good enough for me. But, lately, it isn’t. I knew it was uncharacteristic to put out a statement, but I did want to draw a line. I didn’t want to get sucked back into another project. All my life, I’ve mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don’t know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do. Do I feel better? Not yet. I have great sadness. And that’s the right way to feel. How strange would it be if this was just a gleeful step into a brand-new life. I’ve been interested in acting since I was 12 years old, and back then, everything other than the theatre –that box of light– was cast in shadow. When I began, it was a question of salvation. Now, I want to explore the world in a different way.”
TOP STORY:
Who says nepotism is dead? No one. No one ever. In fact, I don’t think anyone will ever say that. Ever.
“Father and son wrote the screenplay which explores the intricate relationships between fathers, sons and brothers and the dynamics of familial bonds.”
Ooof. Sounds like special torture. Like being locked in an acting class you’ve been forced to audit. I wonder how many years it took his son to finally grind him down? If Day-Lewis really wanted to do his son a favor and teach him a valuable life lesson about rebounding from rejection and pressing on, and working hard for opportunities —he should’ve passed (via his agent ;).
Without further ado, let’s check the Hotline:
FUTURE FILMS:
“Jason Moore (PITCH PERFECT 2012) is directing the film. SNL actor Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidell penned the script. Karen Rosenfelt (TWILIGHT 2008) is producing, along with RUGRATS (1991-2003) co-creators Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó.”
What’s that you say? Another THE GARBAGE PAIL KIDS MOVIE (1987) fiasco on the horizon? Not quite, as someone working on this live-action feature is stealing the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (2020) aesthetic, where the movie takes place in the real world, but with CGI babies. COWAAAAARDS!
The “Roofman” is a Toys “R” Us Man on the Lam
Kirsten Dunst (CIVIL WAR 2024) and Channing Tatum (BLINK TWICE 2024) are starring Derek Cianfrance’s (THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES) next film about:
“The remarkable true story of Jeffrey Manchester, an eccentric and charming serial robber who broke into more than 60 McDonald’s overnight via their roofs, then emptied the cash register in the morning after herding staff into freezers. The former U.S. Army Reserve officer became known as the ‘Rooftop Robber’ or ‘Roofman’ and was known for his gentle demeanor and for rarely resorting to violence. Convicted and imprisoned in 2000, the plucky criminal escaped jail and then evaded capture by holing up for months in a Toys “R” Us and Circuit City store in North Carolina. He lived off baby food and would ride bicycles for exercise in the toy store. After reportedly leaving his fingerprints on a CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002) DVD in the electronics store, he was recaptured and sent back to jail.”
Believe it or not, I read an earlier draft of this script for another actor back in 2020 and actually recommended it, but Oscar-nominated writer/director Derek Cianfrance was not attached back then, and the project died. . . for a while. .
Am curious to see how this one turns out.
Never Take Notes During a Criminal Fucking Conspiracy —that’s CRIME 101
Halle Berry (CATWOMAN 2004)), Mark Ruffalo (THE AVENGERS 2012), Chris Hemsworth (THOR 2011), and Barry Keoghan (SALTBURN 2023), to star in writer/director, Bart Layton’s (AMERICAN ANIMALS 2018) film, CRIME 101.
“Story follows a series of high level jewellery thefts up and down the Pacific Coast Highway that have gone unsolved for years, mostly because the perpetrator has lived by a strict code he calls “Crime 101.” Police attribute the thefts to the Colombian cartels. But Detective Lou Lubesnick’s gut says it’s the work of just one man. Now the lone-wolf jewel thief is looking for that fabled final last score and Lou breaks all the rules of Crime 101.”
Meh. Sounds like a CBS show?
Late Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (1979-2021) Final Film, RUST, to Finally be Released
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of their independent film, RUST, in 2021, that Alec Baldwin was also a producer on. The director was seriously wounded in the same shooting too.
I have no desire to see this film because I had no desire to see it before the horrific accident. But, I will say that the actor, First Assistant Director, and Armorer/Gun Wrangler are all three equally responsible for Ms. Hutchins death.
The first thing anyone should ALWAYS do when given a firearm is to IMMEDIATELY VISUALLY AND PHYSICALLY INSPECT the chamber, cylinder, or magazine.
For those of you who don’t know the Holy Bible Gospel Five Rules of Handling Weapons of Death, they are:
1. Treat every gun as if it were always loaded
2. Always point your gun in a safe direction
3. Never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to destroy
4. Keep your finger off trigger until ready to fire
5. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it
TANGY THEATER:
‘Shiv Roy’ of SUCCESSION is Headed to Broadway
“Sarah Snook, the Emmy-winning SUCCESSION (2018-2023) actor, will make her Broadway debut playing 26 characters in THE PICTURES OF DORIAN GRAY. The adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s gothic horror novel is transferring to the Great White Way in March 2025 for a strictly limited engagement.”
I’m sorry, how many characters is one actor playing? Sounds schizo. Is she trying to outact her former co-star, Jeremy Strong?
“Romeo, Romeo, Where Art Thou My Opening Night Ticket, Romeo?”
ROMEO + JULIET with Kit Connor (ROCKETMAN 2019) and Rachel Zegler (WEST SIDE STORY 2021) sells out their first week of shows with the average ticket costing about $200 (!). It’s a modern-dress production.
I vaguely recall my 11th grade English teacher, Mr. Rasic, trying to convince our class that Shakespeare wrote the play as a joke about how over-dramatic teenagers are. Agree or disagree?
COMING SOON:
COMPANION - from the creators of BARBARIAN (2022) you say?
NOSFERATU - from the creators of THE NORTHMAN (2022) you say?
JUROR #2 - if I were juror #2 I’d just recuse myself. End of story. Roll credits.
BABYGIRL - FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (2015) meets THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (1987)
THE CRUISE - this fantastic 1998 documentary on an eccentric NYC tour guide is a must-see
BEFORE - Before what? Billy Crystal in a 10-episode horror series? Uhhhhhh, hello
Until next week, Hotliners! Thanks for calling in.
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