Luca Guadagnino isn’t exactly known for mainstream box office success, with credits on his resume like Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria and Bones and All. However, you take a young rising star like Zendaya and create a sexy love triangle around her in a sports setting, then as the late great Carl Weathers would say, “Baby, you got a stew going!” Guadagnino’s sports romance drama, Challengers, would open to $1.9 million at the box office in Thursday night previews.
According to Variety, while the R-rated film isn’t going to bust any blocks, as romance dramas rarely do, but the Amazon MGM movie is expected to win the weekend with an estimated $12 million to $15 million gross. Challengers is expected to overtake Civil War for the number one spot at the box office for the week. Civil War would enjoy two weeks at the top, becoming the biggest earner...
According to Variety, while the R-rated film isn’t going to bust any blocks, as romance dramas rarely do, but the Amazon MGM movie is expected to win the weekend with an estimated $12 million to $15 million gross. Challengers is expected to overtake Civil War for the number one spot at the box office for the week. Civil War would enjoy two weeks at the top, becoming the biggest earner...
- 4/26/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
“Challengers” is getting ready to serve at the box office.
Director Luca Guadagnino’s sexy tennis drama made $1.9 million at the the box office in Thursday previews.
The Amazon MGM film, which stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, is expected to make between $12 million and $15 million in its opening weekend. It’s poised to take the number one spot this weekend and beat A24’s “Civil War,” which has conquered the box office the last two weeks.
The trio of young stars play tennis pros caught in a personal and professional entanglement. Zendaya, who’s coming off the sci-fi blockbuster “Dune: Part Two,” plays Tashi Duncan, a former prodigy who had to retire from tennis after a serious injury. Mike Faist, who played Riff in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” is Art Donaldson, another tennis pro caught in a losing streak who later marries Tashi and is coached by her.
Director Luca Guadagnino’s sexy tennis drama made $1.9 million at the the box office in Thursday previews.
The Amazon MGM film, which stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, is expected to make between $12 million and $15 million in its opening weekend. It’s poised to take the number one spot this weekend and beat A24’s “Civil War,” which has conquered the box office the last two weeks.
The trio of young stars play tennis pros caught in a personal and professional entanglement. Zendaya, who’s coming off the sci-fi blockbuster “Dune: Part Two,” plays Tashi Duncan, a former prodigy who had to retire from tennis after a serious injury. Mike Faist, who played Riff in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” is Art Donaldson, another tennis pro caught in a losing streak who later marries Tashi and is coached by her.
- 4/26/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
[Editor’s note: The following interview includes some spoilers for “Challengers.”]
Justin Kuritzkes managed to hit an ace with the first feature-length screenplay he’d ever written “that I felt good enough to share with anybody,” he joked during a recent interview with IndieWire over Zoom.
The playwright, author, and to some most memorably “Potion Seller,” credits the controversial 2018 U.S. Open final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that began to devolve after an umpire penalized the latter tennis legend for allegedly receiving coaching from the sidelines.
“She immediately got really upset and said, ‘I didn’t do that. I would never do that.’ And I had never heard this rule before because I wasn’t massively into tennis. But immediately, this struck me as intensely cinematic,” said Kuritzkes. “You’re all alone on the court and there’s this one person in the stands who cares as much about what happens to you as you do, but you can’t talk to them.
Justin Kuritzkes managed to hit an ace with the first feature-length screenplay he’d ever written “that I felt good enough to share with anybody,” he joked during a recent interview with IndieWire over Zoom.
The playwright, author, and to some most memorably “Potion Seller,” credits the controversial 2018 U.S. Open final between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams that began to devolve after an umpire penalized the latter tennis legend for allegedly receiving coaching from the sidelines.
“She immediately got really upset and said, ‘I didn’t do that. I would never do that.’ And I had never heard this rule before because I wasn’t massively into tennis. But immediately, this struck me as intensely cinematic,” said Kuritzkes. “You’re all alone on the court and there’s this one person in the stands who cares as much about what happens to you as you do, but you can’t talk to them.
- 4/25/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
With his new highly-anticipated film Challengers bowing this weekend, Mike Faist looks to have found a new agent and manager as he as signed with WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners for representation. He will continue to work with former agent Samantha Stoller, who transitioned to management in February.
Faist can next be seen in Luca Guadagnino’s tennis drama Challengers alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in theaters April 26, 2024. His breakout role came as Riff in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story. His other credits include The Grief of Others, The Atlantic City Story and Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game.
Also an acclaimed stage actor, Faist originated the role of Connor Murphy in the international megahit Dear Evan Hansen, which earned him a Grammy Award and a Tony nomination. Last summer, Faist starred as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain at London’s Soho Palace featuring songs by...
Faist can next be seen in Luca Guadagnino’s tennis drama Challengers alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in theaters April 26, 2024. His breakout role came as Riff in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story. His other credits include The Grief of Others, The Atlantic City Story and Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game.
Also an acclaimed stage actor, Faist originated the role of Connor Murphy in the international megahit Dear Evan Hansen, which earned him a Grammy Award and a Tony nomination. Last summer, Faist starred as Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain at London’s Soho Palace featuring songs by...
- 4/25/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Challengers releases April 26th, 2024.
The cast and creative team behind one of the most anticipated films of the year sat down to discuss the creative process that brought it to life just ahead of its upcoming release. Challengers — directed by acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino — stars Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Josh O’Connor (The Crown) and Mike Faist (West Side Story) as talented athletes caught up in a web of seduction, betrayal and tennis. You can check out my review of the film here.
Challengers Explores the Steamy Side of Tennis
Mike Faust (left) Zendaya (center) and Josh O’Connor (right)
Luca Guadagnino follows up his cannibal romance Bones and All with a very different story of love. While Bone and All was undeniably smaller in scale, Challengers is a film of excess. From its pulse-pounding musical score, unpredictable camera movements and its over-the-top melodrama, it’s an indulgent and captivating...
The cast and creative team behind one of the most anticipated films of the year sat down to discuss the creative process that brought it to life just ahead of its upcoming release. Challengers — directed by acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino — stars Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Josh O’Connor (The Crown) and Mike Faist (West Side Story) as talented athletes caught up in a web of seduction, betrayal and tennis. You can check out my review of the film here.
Challengers Explores the Steamy Side of Tennis
Mike Faust (left) Zendaya (center) and Josh O’Connor (right)
Luca Guadagnino follows up his cannibal romance Bones and All with a very different story of love. While Bone and All was undeniably smaller in scale, Challengers is a film of excess. From its pulse-pounding musical score, unpredictable camera movements and its over-the-top melodrama, it’s an indulgent and captivating...
- 4/25/2024
- by Joshua Ryan
- FandomWire
Trouble brews on board the International Space Station as war erupts on Earth. Here’s our I.S.S. review.
Most of my cinematic education came from browsing VHS tapes at the Finnish equivalent of a Blockbuster (it was called FilmTown). I would look at the covers for ages, treating each rental like a choice between life and death.
I.S.S. feels like a film I would have encountered back in the late 90s and early 2000s, and probably picked as well. It’s the kind of mid-budget thriller that rarely makes it to the big screen anymore, so watching I.S.S. in a cinema feels like a small victory in itself.
Ariana DeBose plays Kira Foster, a scientist who’s shuttled up to the International Space Station; the crew on board is made up of three Russians and three Americans.
It’s all going rather well at first, but I.S.S. would be a...
Most of my cinematic education came from browsing VHS tapes at the Finnish equivalent of a Blockbuster (it was called FilmTown). I would look at the covers for ages, treating each rental like a choice between life and death.
I.S.S. feels like a film I would have encountered back in the late 90s and early 2000s, and probably picked as well. It’s the kind of mid-budget thriller that rarely makes it to the big screen anymore, so watching I.S.S. in a cinema feels like a small victory in itself.
Ariana DeBose plays Kira Foster, a scientist who’s shuttled up to the International Space Station; the crew on board is made up of three Russians and three Americans.
It’s all going rather well at first, but I.S.S. would be a...
- 4/25/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Game, set… but there’s not much of a match. “Challengers,” a steamy tennis drama starring Zendaya and directed by Luca Guadagnino, is poised to lead the domestic box office without much in the way of competition.
The film, from Amazon MGM, is projected to collect $12 million to $15 million from 3,400 North American theaters in its opening weekend. Although those are modest projections for any nationwide release, it’s this weekend’s only major new movie and shouldn’t have trouble claiming first place from A24’s “Civil War,” the reigning champion. Last weekend, “Civil War” topped the box office for the second consecutive frame with $11.1 million and has grossed $70 million globally to date. Overall, the domestic box office is 20% behind the same point in 2023, according to Comscore.
The steamy, R-rated “Challengers” was originally slated to premiere at 2023’s Venice Film Festival and hit the big screen last fall. But the...
The film, from Amazon MGM, is projected to collect $12 million to $15 million from 3,400 North American theaters in its opening weekend. Although those are modest projections for any nationwide release, it’s this weekend’s only major new movie and shouldn’t have trouble claiming first place from A24’s “Civil War,” the reigning champion. Last weekend, “Civil War” topped the box office for the second consecutive frame with $11.1 million and has grossed $70 million globally to date. Overall, the domestic box office is 20% behind the same point in 2023, according to Comscore.
The steamy, R-rated “Challengers” was originally slated to premiere at 2023’s Venice Film Festival and hit the big screen last fall. But the...
- 4/24/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The month of April seemingly sailed by with far too many moderate releases, and the month ends this weekend with more of the same. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns with the sexy tennis drama “Challengers,” starring the powerhouse trio of Zendaya (“Euphoria”), Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Mike Faist (“West Side Story”) as superstar tennis players who fall into a competitive love triangle. This is Zendaya’s first movie after “Dune: Part Two,” and it will be a real test for her as a box office star, since sports dramas can be hit or miss. “Challengers” really is riding on her popularity to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.
Tennis has had an especially tough time at the box office, as seen by Will Smith‘s Oscar-winning turn in the 2021 release “King Richard,” about the father of Venus and Serena Williams,...
Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns with the sexy tennis drama “Challengers,” starring the powerhouse trio of Zendaya (“Euphoria”), Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Mike Faist (“West Side Story”) as superstar tennis players who fall into a competitive love triangle. This is Zendaya’s first movie after “Dune: Part Two,” and it will be a real test for her as a box office star, since sports dramas can be hit or miss. “Challengers” really is riding on her popularity to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.
Tennis has had an especially tough time at the box office, as seen by Will Smith‘s Oscar-winning turn in the 2021 release “King Richard,” about the father of Venus and Serena Williams,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
For as long as “teenager” has been a demographic, there have been stories about teens breaking free from the status quo. While a lot of the modern great teen rebellion media is confined to the world of TV — where shows like “Euphoria” attract constant buzz — the archetypal troubled teen story remains 1955’s “Rebel Without a Cause.” Starring James Dean in unquestionably his defining role, a rebellious teen struggling with his demons in L.A., Nicholas Ray’s film spoke to young people at the time with its story of high schoolers struggling with, and going against, the social pressures that bring them down. Over the years it became a touchstone because its themes and its honesty transcends generations.
As the teen film has evolved and morphed as a genre, there’s always been room for stories of iconoclastic youth who don’t fit in with the status quo. Oftentimes, these...
As the teen film has evolved and morphed as a genre, there’s always been room for stories of iconoclastic youth who don’t fit in with the status quo. Oftentimes, these...
- 4/23/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Brandon Evans and Todd Slater’s Brick Lane Entertainment - the newly-formed sales, financing and production partnership between between the US’ Convoke Media and Ireland’s Brick Lane Pictures – has added a trio of features to its slate and will sell them at Cannes.
Tiffany Kim Stevens’s Trigger Happy centres on a repressed husband attempting to murder his wife for her life insurance, starring Tyler Poelle, Elsha Kim and Christina Kirkman. Kyle Herman produces for Los Angeles-based West 36 Productions.
Matt McClung’s Inhabitants is a psychological horror starring Anna Jacoby-Heron, West Side Story’s Josh Andrés Rivera and comedian Kevin Nealon.
Tiffany Kim Stevens’s Trigger Happy centres on a repressed husband attempting to murder his wife for her life insurance, starring Tyler Poelle, Elsha Kim and Christina Kirkman. Kyle Herman produces for Los Angeles-based West 36 Productions.
Matt McClung’s Inhabitants is a psychological horror starring Anna Jacoby-Heron, West Side Story’s Josh Andrés Rivera and comedian Kevin Nealon.
- 4/23/2024
- ScreenDaily
Prominent literary organization Pen America has canceled its annual awards ceremony, which was due to be held next week, after 28 authors chose to withdraw their books from consideration. The group has faced increasing backlash over its response to the Israel-Hamas War. Among those dropping out was debut novel finalist Rachel Eliza Griffiths, wife of former Pen president Salman Rushdie, according to the Associated Press.
Of those withdrawing are also nine out of the 10 authors nominated for the Pen/Jean Stein Book Award. The Literary Estate of Jean Stein has directed Pen America to donate the $75,000 award to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, representatives said on Monday.
The decision to cancel the awards comes in the wake of escalating upset against Pen America. A series of open letters signed by Pen nominees in recent weeks have criticized the group for allegedly choosing sides against Gaza in the war that started...
Of those withdrawing are also nine out of the 10 authors nominated for the Pen/Jean Stein Book Award. The Literary Estate of Jean Stein has directed Pen America to donate the $75,000 award to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, representatives said on Monday.
The decision to cancel the awards comes in the wake of escalating upset against Pen America. A series of open letters signed by Pen nominees in recent weeks have criticized the group for allegedly choosing sides against Gaza in the war that started...
- 4/23/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon MGM Studios has released the final trailer for Challengers, starring Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court.
Married to a champion on a losing streak, Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
As their pasts and present collide and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself what it will cost to win. In addition to the trailer, you can also watch a featurette on the film’s music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers is rated R for language throughout, some sexual content, and graphic nudity. The drama will open in theaters on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Guadagnino directed the movie from a script by Justin Kuritzkes.
Married to a champion on a losing streak, Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.
As their pasts and present collide and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself what it will cost to win. In addition to the trailer, you can also watch a featurette on the film’s music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers is rated R for language throughout, some sexual content, and graphic nudity. The drama will open in theaters on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Guadagnino directed the movie from a script by Justin Kuritzkes.
- 4/22/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
“My dream had always been to originate something and it’s really fun to just kind of make it my own,” says Grant Gustin of starring in a Broadway musical. That aspiration is now a reality as he leads the stage adaptation of “Water for Elephants” at the Imperial Theatre. The actor has amassed legions of fans who know him as the titular superhero in “The Flash,” but this latest demanding role marks Gustin’s return to his stage roots. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
Gustin portrays Jacob Jankowski in “Water for Elephants,” who falls in with a traveling circus after hopping aboard their train. He is hired as the troupe’s veterinarian and soon begins to fall for the equestrian performer Marlena (Isabelle McCalla). The pair become closer as they train a brand new routine with an elephant, provoking a jealous rage from Marlena’s husband August (Paul Alexander Nolan...
Gustin portrays Jacob Jankowski in “Water for Elephants,” who falls in with a traveling circus after hopping aboard their train. He is hired as the troupe’s veterinarian and soon begins to fall for the equestrian performer Marlena (Isabelle McCalla). The pair become closer as they train a brand new routine with an elephant, provoking a jealous rage from Marlena’s husband August (Paul Alexander Nolan...
- 4/21/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
“Civil War,” the new acclaimed drama from director Alex Garland, is dominating theaters everywhere, and the film’s star Kirsten Dunst gives one of her best performances in her long and varied career. In honor of her latest movie, let’s revisit her many awards races, including her first Oscar nomination for “The Power of the Dog.”
Dunst’s first role that brought the actress lots of awards attention arrived in 1994 in Neil Jordan’s “Interview with the Vampire,” starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Dunst’s performance as the young outspoken vampire Claudia earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, up against Sophia Loren in “Prét-à-Porter,” Robin Wright Penn in “Forrest Gump,” Uma Thurman in “Pulp Fiction” and Dianne Wiest, who won the trophy for “Bullets over Broadway.”
Occasionally the academy will reward a great child performance with an Oscar nomination, the way they did with...
Dunst’s first role that brought the actress lots of awards attention arrived in 1994 in Neil Jordan’s “Interview with the Vampire,” starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Dunst’s performance as the young outspoken vampire Claudia earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, up against Sophia Loren in “Prét-à-Porter,” Robin Wright Penn in “Forrest Gump,” Uma Thurman in “Pulp Fiction” and Dianne Wiest, who won the trophy for “Bullets over Broadway.”
Occasionally the academy will reward a great child performance with an Oscar nomination, the way they did with...
- 4/20/2024
- by Brian Rowe
- Gold Derby
The young adult novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton has captivated readers for decades, and the 1983 film adaptation, filled with rising stars, further cemented its place in popular culture. Now, a new musical adaptation at the Jacobs Theater on Broadway seeks to tap into the timeless story’s magic.
The musical, directed by Danya Taymor, possesses undeniable heart and soul, but it occasionally falls short of a truly theatrical experience. Although the plot of The Outsiders is rich in dramatic events—a clash between rival gangs, a star-crossed romance, and a climactic confrontation—the stage adaption can easily be compared to other classic stage productions, particularly Grease and West Side Story.
The script, written by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, focuses on three orphaned brothers: Ponyboy, portrayed by Brody Grant as the narrator; the brawny and romantic Sodapop, played by Jason Schmidt; and the eldest brother, Darrel, portrayed by Brent Comer as the father figure.
The musical, directed by Danya Taymor, possesses undeniable heart and soul, but it occasionally falls short of a truly theatrical experience. Although the plot of The Outsiders is rich in dramatic events—a clash between rival gangs, a star-crossed romance, and a climactic confrontation—the stage adaption can easily be compared to other classic stage productions, particularly Grease and West Side Story.
The script, written by Adam Rapp and Justin Levine, focuses on three orphaned brothers: Ponyboy, portrayed by Brody Grant as the narrator; the brawny and romantic Sodapop, played by Jason Schmidt; and the eldest brother, Darrel, portrayed by Brent Comer as the father figure.
- 4/20/2024
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Zendaya has, in just a small handful of years, asserted herself as a true A-list star in Hollywood. So much focus is paid to actors in their 40s (or much older) such as Tom Cruise, one of the many famous people named Chris, or Anne Hathaway. But Zendaya has emerged as one of our new movie stars, thanks to her work in wildly successful franchises such as "Dune" and "Spider-Man." But can her star power help turn "Challengers," an original sports drama centered around tennis, into a hit? That's the big question MGM is asking right now as the movie gets ready to make its way to theaters next weekend.
Hailing from "Call Me By Your Name" director Luca Guadagnino, "Challengers" is eyeing an opening between $7 and $12 million, per Box Office Pro. The only other big release on April 26 is Lionsgate's Christian drama "Unsung Hero." Yes, faith-based movies have...
Hailing from "Call Me By Your Name" director Luca Guadagnino, "Challengers" is eyeing an opening between $7 and $12 million, per Box Office Pro. The only other big release on April 26 is Lionsgate's Christian drama "Unsung Hero." Yes, faith-based movies have...
- 4/19/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
It’s safe to say Rita Moreno had an unforgettable experience meeting Lenny Kravitz for the first time.
The Egot winner shared on Thursday’s episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show that she was “astonished” at the legendary singer’s initial reaction to her during the Vanity Fair Oscar Party last month.
“I said to my daughter [Fernanda Luisa Gordon], ‘Oh look, there’s Lenny Kravitz. Let’s go say hello,'” Moreno recalled. “And she said, ‘Do you know him?’ I said, ‘No, but, you know, it’s a party,’ and he was all alone.”
After the West Side Story actress introduced herself to Kravitz, she said, “At that point — you’re not gonna believe this — he fell to the floor, and he got on his knees. And he just went on and on and on and on about how much he’s admired me all these years,” quipping,...
The Egot winner shared on Thursday’s episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show that she was “astonished” at the legendary singer’s initial reaction to her during the Vanity Fair Oscar Party last month.
“I said to my daughter [Fernanda Luisa Gordon], ‘Oh look, there’s Lenny Kravitz. Let’s go say hello,'” Moreno recalled. “And she said, ‘Do you know him?’ I said, ‘No, but, you know, it’s a party,’ and he was all alone.”
After the West Side Story actress introduced herself to Kravitz, she said, “At that point — you’re not gonna believe this — he fell to the floor, and he got on his knees. And he just went on and on and on and on about how much he’s admired me all these years,” quipping,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Challengers is releasing to theaters and we’re celebrating with a giveaway!
Zendaya sizzles in the steamy new film from acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino. Guadagnino — who brought us Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All, Suspiria (2018) and A Bigger Splash — combines the world of competitive tennis with the steamy messiness of a love triangle. It’s a fast paced and flashy film that marks Zendaya’s second major theatrical release of the year, following Dune: Part Two. Joining the Spider-Man: No Way Home star are Josh O’Connor (The Crown) and Mike Faist (West Side Story) as former friends now competing for the affection of the alluring Tashi.
I had the pleasure of catching an advanced screening at the beginning of the month and I had an absolute blast with this one-of-a-king film. You can check out my full review below. Originally scheduled to be released in September of 2023 before...
Zendaya sizzles in the steamy new film from acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino. Guadagnino — who brought us Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All, Suspiria (2018) and A Bigger Splash — combines the world of competitive tennis with the steamy messiness of a love triangle. It’s a fast paced and flashy film that marks Zendaya’s second major theatrical release of the year, following Dune: Part Two. Joining the Spider-Man: No Way Home star are Josh O’Connor (The Crown) and Mike Faist (West Side Story) as former friends now competing for the affection of the alluring Tashi.
I had the pleasure of catching an advanced screening at the beginning of the month and I had an absolute blast with this one-of-a-king film. You can check out my full review below. Originally scheduled to be released in September of 2023 before...
- 4/17/2024
- by Joshua Ryan
- FandomWire
Miami-based Mge Media has scooped up international distribution rights to Katherina Harder’s feature debut, “La Pérgola de las Flores,” produced by Parox, the Chilean producer of mini-series “Allende, The Thousand Days” (“Los mil días de Allende”), which is nominated for three Premios Platino.
The prestigious Ibero-American awards event takes place April 20 in Cancun, Mexico where “Allende…” has been nominated for best series, best actor for Alfredo Castro, who plays the doomed socialist president Salvador Allende, and best actress for Aline Kuppenheim.
Written by Parox producer and showrunner Leonora González and Catalina Calcagni, “La Pérgola de las Flores” is an adaptation of the wildly popular 1960 stage musical that has enthralled three generations in Chile. “Even our grandparents know the lyrics by heart, it’s our ‘Westside Story,’” said Parox producer Sergio Gandara who will be attending the Premios Platino along with Kuppenheim and González, who also created and showran “Allende…...
The prestigious Ibero-American awards event takes place April 20 in Cancun, Mexico where “Allende…” has been nominated for best series, best actor for Alfredo Castro, who plays the doomed socialist president Salvador Allende, and best actress for Aline Kuppenheim.
Written by Parox producer and showrunner Leonora González and Catalina Calcagni, “La Pérgola de las Flores” is an adaptation of the wildly popular 1960 stage musical that has enthralled three generations in Chile. “Even our grandparents know the lyrics by heart, it’s our ‘Westside Story,’” said Parox producer Sergio Gandara who will be attending the Premios Platino along with Kuppenheim and González, who also created and showran “Allende…...
- 4/16/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Remakes have become rampant in the film industry but the worst part is most of them lack any sense of originality. Filmmakers are constantly coming up with movies that rely solely on the nostalgia factor in order to bring the audience to the theatres. More often than not, the remakes aren’t met with positive feedback which just goes on to say that it is about time Hollywood should move on to bigger and better things.
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
However, before it does so, the film industry might need to take a step back and look into two of the best remakes Hollywood has had to offer in the past years – War of the Worlds and West Side Story. Directed by none other than legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, both films are perfect examples of how a remake should be done.
How Steven Spielberg Mastered the Art of Remakes...
Steven Spielberg | Credits: Wikimedia Commons
However, before it does so, the film industry might need to take a step back and look into two of the best remakes Hollywood has had to offer in the past years – War of the Worlds and West Side Story. Directed by none other than legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, both films are perfect examples of how a remake should be done.
How Steven Spielberg Mastered the Art of Remakes...
- 4/16/2024
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire
Heartstopper‘s Kit Connor and West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler will star in the new Broadway production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet this fall, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold, with music by Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff and movement by Tony winner Sonya Tayeh.
Producers Seaview made the announcement today.
The production should not be confused with yet another high-profile revival of the star-crossed lovers = the West End production of Romeo & Juliet starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, which also is eyeing a Broadway staging. Jamie Lloyd directs that one.
The Gold fall production will mark the Broadway debuts of Connor, Zegler and Antonoff, who in February won his third consecutive Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.
More information including theatre, dates, design team and additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Gold said, “With the presidential election coming up in November,...
Producers Seaview made the announcement today.
The production should not be confused with yet another high-profile revival of the star-crossed lovers = the West End production of Romeo & Juliet starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, which also is eyeing a Broadway staging. Jamie Lloyd directs that one.
The Gold fall production will mark the Broadway debuts of Connor, Zegler and Antonoff, who in February won his third consecutive Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.
More information including theatre, dates, design team and additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Gold said, “With the presidential election coming up in November,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler and Heartstopper‘s Kit Connor are set to make their Broadway debuts in a new production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet with original music by Jack Antonoff!
The production will be directed by Sam Gold, who shared, “With the presidential election coming up in November, I felt like making a show this fall that celebrates youth and hope, and unleashes the anger young people feel about the world they are inheriting.” The show will also feature movement by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the official tagline: “The youth are f-cked. Left to their own devices in their parents’ world of violent ends, an impulsive pair of star-crossed lovers hurtle towards their inescapable fate. The intoxicating high of passion quickly descends into a brutal chaos that can only end one way.”
The show is expected to open...
The production will be directed by Sam Gold, who shared, “With the presidential election coming up in November, I felt like making a show this fall that celebrates youth and hope, and unleashes the anger young people feel about the world they are inheriting.” The show will also feature movement by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the official tagline: “The youth are f-cked. Left to their own devices in their parents’ world of violent ends, an impulsive pair of star-crossed lovers hurtle towards their inescapable fate. The intoxicating high of passion quickly descends into a brutal chaos that can only end one way.”
The show is expected to open...
- 4/16/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor will make their Broadway debuts in a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet this fall.
The production will feature music by Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff, who is also making his Broadway debut, movement by Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) and direction by Sam Gold. Exact dates and a theater have yet to be announced, but tickets are set to go on sale in May.
While few details have been released about this version of the Shakespeare classic, the production is using the tagline “The Youth Are Fucked” and promises an angrier take on the tale.
“With the presidential election coming up in November, I felt like making a show this fall that celebrates youth and hope, and unleashes the anger young people feel about the world they are inheriting,” said Gold, who is helming this season’s An Enemy of the People.
The production will feature music by Grammy Award winner Jack Antonoff, who is also making his Broadway debut, movement by Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) and direction by Sam Gold. Exact dates and a theater have yet to be announced, but tickets are set to go on sale in May.
While few details have been released about this version of the Shakespeare classic, the production is using the tagline “The Youth Are Fucked” and promises an angrier take on the tale.
“With the presidential election coming up in November, I felt like making a show this fall that celebrates youth and hope, and unleashes the anger young people feel about the world they are inheriting,” said Gold, who is helming this season’s An Enemy of the People.
- 4/16/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
Opens in Theatres Nationwide on April 26th. Rated R.
The St. Louis advance screening is 7Pm on Wed, April 24, at the Alamo Drafthouse
Pass Link: https://mgmscreenings.com/bsfVA62475
Please arrive early as seating is not guaranteed.
Zendaya as Tashi in Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.
Opens in Theatres Nationwide on April 26th. Rated R.
The St. Louis advance screening is 7Pm on Wed, April 24, at the Alamo Drafthouse
Pass Link: https://mgmscreenings.com/bsfVA62475
Please arrive early as seating is not guaranteed.
Zendaya as Tashi in Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, a Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film.
- 4/15/2024
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Zendaya Led Challengers Receive Positive Reviews Ahead Of Its Theatrical Release. (Photo Credit – IMDb)
Zendaya-led Challengers has received positive reviews from critics, and it will have an amazing impact on its theatrical release, which is still a few days away. The actress recently received much praise for her performance in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two and now in this Luca Guadagnino directorial. Scroll below to find out what the critics are saying about it.
Cast of Challengers-
Emmy winners Zendaya and Josh O’Connor are featured in the sports drama as Tashi and Patrick. The Spider-Man: Homecoming actress is one of the rising stars in Hollywood, and West Side Story fame Mike Faist will also support her.
About Challengers-
It is a sports romance drama featuring Zendaya as the lead, and the story revolves around her character, Tashi. She is a former tennis player who took her husband Art,...
Zendaya-led Challengers has received positive reviews from critics, and it will have an amazing impact on its theatrical release, which is still a few days away. The actress recently received much praise for her performance in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two and now in this Luca Guadagnino directorial. Scroll below to find out what the critics are saying about it.
Cast of Challengers-
Emmy winners Zendaya and Josh O’Connor are featured in the sports drama as Tashi and Patrick. The Spider-Man: Homecoming actress is one of the rising stars in Hollywood, and West Side Story fame Mike Faist will also support her.
About Challengers-
It is a sports romance drama featuring Zendaya as the lead, and the story revolves around her character, Tashi. She is a former tennis player who took her husband Art,...
- 4/13/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Amazon MGM Studios’ latest featurette for Challengers features the film’s stars – Zendaya (Dune Parts 1 and 2), Mike Faist (West Side Story), and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) – discussing the R-rated drama. Zendaya, the center of a love triangle in the mesmerizing sports drama, says the film’s a rollercoaster of emotions that challenges the audience.
Oscar nominated director Luca Guadagnino describes the film as a “passionate love story where the rules of the game of tennis become the rules of the game of seduction.” And Zendaya considers tennis to be just the outlet for the characters to express their chaos.
Mike Faist as Art, Zendaya as Tashi and Josh O’Connor as Patrick in ‘Challengers’ (Photo Credit © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc)
“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court.
Oscar nominated director Luca Guadagnino describes the film as a “passionate love story where the rules of the game of tennis become the rules of the game of seduction.” And Zendaya considers tennis to be just the outlet for the characters to express their chaos.
Mike Faist as Art, Zendaya as Tashi and Josh O’Connor as Patrick in ‘Challengers’ (Photo Credit © 2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc)
“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court.
- 4/12/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Director Steven Spielberg has delivered many blockbusters, and has touched many lives with his art. The filmmaker is known for extremely personal films on a blockbuster scale, with films such as Jaws, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park being some of his most acclaimed films. He has also won the Oscar twice for Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.
While Spielberg has been known for his blockbusters, he was also reportedly clairvoyant in predicting the cultural phenomenon that George Lucas’ Star Wars was going to be. The Indiana Jones filmmaker reportedly believed in the legendary space opera’s success even more than Lucas himself, who only believed that it was a hit after the first weekend.
Steven Spielberg Was The Only One Who Believed In Star Wars A still from Star Wars
George Lucas’ Star Wars became a pop cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1977. The beginning of a multi-billion dollar franchise,...
While Spielberg has been known for his blockbusters, he was also reportedly clairvoyant in predicting the cultural phenomenon that George Lucas’ Star Wars was going to be. The Indiana Jones filmmaker reportedly believed in the legendary space opera’s success even more than Lucas himself, who only believed that it was a hit after the first weekend.
Steven Spielberg Was The Only One Who Believed In Star Wars A still from Star Wars
George Lucas’ Star Wars became a pop cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1977. The beginning of a multi-billion dollar franchise,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Luca Guadagnino, the man credited for launching Timothée Chalamet’s hugely successful career in the exquisite 2017 LGBTQ-themed movie Call Me By Your Name, is back with the single most anticipated title of the year yet. First scheduled to premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival in 2023, Challengers was eventually pulled out of the festival due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The film eventually premiered in in Sydney, Australia last month and will be released in the UK later this month.
Starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, it tells the story of a passionate love triangle between three professional tennis players. Zendaya is also credited as producer on the film.
Tashi (Zendaya) Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, is married to Art Donaldson (Faist), a once promising champion who finds himself on a losing streak. Her ballsy strategy to get her husband winning again takes a rather surprising...
Starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, it tells the story of a passionate love triangle between three professional tennis players. Zendaya is also credited as producer on the film.
Tashi (Zendaya) Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, is married to Art Donaldson (Faist), a once promising champion who finds himself on a losing streak. Her ballsy strategy to get her husband winning again takes a rather surprising...
- 4/12/2024
- by Linda Marric
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Anyone who’s ever played tennis knows the game starts with love and escalates fast. In Luca Guadagnino’s hip, sexy and ridiculously overheated “Challengers,” the rivals are former doubles partners Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), best friends since the age of 12, who went their separate ways after both players fell for the same woman. Patrick got there first, but Art wound up marrying her — and their sense of competition has only intensified since.
As bunkmates at the same tennis academy, the guys must have heard this old groaner: What do you call a girl who stands between two players on a tennis court? In Guadagnino’s erotic drama, Zendaya plays the gal in that position, seated at precisely the midpoint between Art and Patrick in their big match. The camera doesn’t turn, but her head does, swiveling with each shot. This is Tashi Duncan,...
As bunkmates at the same tennis academy, the guys must have heard this old groaner: What do you call a girl who stands between two players on a tennis court? In Guadagnino’s erotic drama, Zendaya plays the gal in that position, seated at precisely the midpoint between Art and Patrick in their big match. The camera doesn’t turn, but her head does, swiveling with each shot. This is Tashi Duncan,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers opens in an intentionally disorienting manner: We are in New Rochelle, New York for a tennis challenger. Wearing cheap shorts that resemble boxers, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) battles Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), clad in head-to-toe Uniqlo, while the glamorous Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya) watches tensely from the stands. Flashbacks, first from a few days prior, and then way back to 13 years ago, slowly fill in the gaps on how these two former best friends ended up in such a position: playing against one another in a mid-tier tennis challenger comically sponsored by a tire brand.
Even as Challengers zips back and forth in time with boundless energy, the narrative, to Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes’ credit, is never hard to follow. Sometimes the foreknowledge afforded by time jumps end up sacrificing drama, but in Challengers this sacrifice makes space for us to feel the burden of these broken relationships.
Even as Challengers zips back and forth in time with boundless energy, the narrative, to Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes’ credit, is never hard to follow. Sometimes the foreknowledge afforded by time jumps end up sacrificing drama, but in Challengers this sacrifice makes space for us to feel the burden of these broken relationships.
- 4/12/2024
- by Caleb Hammond
- The Film Stage
If, as Blanche Dubois once said, “The opposite of death is desire,” then Luca Guadagnino will live forever, and his latest film — a transcendently sweaty tennis love triangle so turned on by the heat of competition that its sex scenes feel like foreplay and its rallies feel like porn — is possibly the most unbridled portrait of resurrection since “The Passion of the Christ.”
It’s definitely the horniest story ever set within the purgatorial concrete nothing of New Rochelle, NY, which is where this movie’s three main characters all happen to cross paths during the final match of a dingy U.S. Open qualifier that’s being sponsored by a local tire store. They’ve been fucking each other on and off the court for more than a decade by the time “Challengers” unleashes its first serve, and yet, despite winning on every level of their chosen sport, these...
It’s definitely the horniest story ever set within the purgatorial concrete nothing of New Rochelle, NY, which is where this movie’s three main characters all happen to cross paths during the final match of a dingy U.S. Open qualifier that’s being sponsored by a local tire store. They’ve been fucking each other on and off the court for more than a decade by the time “Challengers” unleashes its first serve, and yet, despite winning on every level of their chosen sport, these...
- 4/12/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Jon M. Chu revealed it was “heartbreaking” and “very hurtful” for him when he learned his 2021 musical “In the Heights” was being released in theaters and on streaming via HBO Max on the same day.
Speaking to a crowd of exhibitors at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Thursday, Chu lamented the “Project Popcorn” campaign put in place by former Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar back in 2021, in which Warner Bros. took its entire theatrical slate for the year, including films like “In the Heights,” “Dune,” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and put them in theaters and on streaming day-and-date, all as a means to drive subscribers to HBO Max.
When he was asked how “In the Heights” prepared him for thinking about his next film “Wicked,” another movie musical adaptation, this time for Universal, he said it made him realize the importance of theatrical.
“We would’ve made that choice early,...
Speaking to a crowd of exhibitors at the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas on Thursday, Chu lamented the “Project Popcorn” campaign put in place by former Warner Media CEO Jason Kilar back in 2021, in which Warner Bros. took its entire theatrical slate for the year, including films like “In the Heights,” “Dune,” and “The Matrix Resurrections,” and put them in theaters and on streaming day-and-date, all as a means to drive subscribers to HBO Max.
When he was asked how “In the Heights” prepared him for thinking about his next film “Wicked,” another movie musical adaptation, this time for Universal, he said it made him realize the importance of theatrical.
“We would’ve made that choice early,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Brian Welk and Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In Luca Guadagnino’s latest cinematic endeavor, “Challengers,” Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist form a dynamic, throuple-esque trio, each delivering performances that scream Oscar-worthy. The real question is, will Academy voters look beyond the palpable sexual chemistry to acknowledge the film’s artistic merit? That’s a challenge for the marketing maestros.
Penned by newcomer Justin Kuritzkes, the spouse of “Past Lives” writer-director Celine Song, “Challengers” weaves through a 13-year narrative, chronicling the life of Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a tennis wunderkind-turned-coach, who hatches a plan for her husband Art’s (Faist) comeback. The plan pits him against his ex-buddy and Tashi’s former flame, Patrick (O’Connor), setting the stage for a dramatic unraveling.
“Challengers”
Initially set for a grand reveal at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, its premiere was thwarted by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The delay prompts the question: could Zendaya have joined the best actress fray,...
Penned by newcomer Justin Kuritzkes, the spouse of “Past Lives” writer-director Celine Song, “Challengers” weaves through a 13-year narrative, chronicling the life of Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a tennis wunderkind-turned-coach, who hatches a plan for her husband Art’s (Faist) comeback. The plan pits him against his ex-buddy and Tashi’s former flame, Patrick (O’Connor), setting the stage for a dramatic unraveling.
“Challengers”
Initially set for a grand reveal at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, its premiere was thwarted by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The delay prompts the question: could Zendaya have joined the best actress fray,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Disney revealed on Monday that its musical animated feature Wish, starring Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) and Chris Pine (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) garnered 13.2 million views globally in its first five days streaming on Disney+.
This amounts to the third biggest premiere on the service, behind those of Encanto and Frozen 2, with a view being defined as total stream time divided by runtime.
Earlier this year securing a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, Wish takes place in the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha (DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force — a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe — the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico (Chris Pine) — to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars,...
This amounts to the third biggest premiere on the service, behind those of Encanto and Frozen 2, with a view being defined as total stream time divided by runtime.
Earlier this year securing a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, Wish takes place in the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha (DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force — a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe — the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico (Chris Pine) — to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariana DeBose has joined Rose Byrne, Dominic Sessa and Demi Lovato in Stephanie Laing’s Tow, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The drama will center on a real-life unhoused woman, Amanda Ogle (Byrne), who fought her way out of tow-company hell in Seattle through the courts to reclaim her old car and life after receiving a tow bill for $21,634. Ogle also serves as an executive producer on the film, which has The Exchange handling international sales and CAA Media Finance representing the U.S. rights.
The Tow screenplay is written by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin and Annie Weisman. The project marks a reunion for Byrne, Weisman and Laing, who worked together on Apple TV’s Physical.
DeBose’s feature film slate for 2024 includes Kraven the Hunter and Blumhouse’s House of Spoils. She won an Oscar for West Side Story, received a Tony nomination for her role in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,...
The drama will center on a real-life unhoused woman, Amanda Ogle (Byrne), who fought her way out of tow-company hell in Seattle through the courts to reclaim her old car and life after receiving a tow bill for $21,634. Ogle also serves as an executive producer on the film, which has The Exchange handling international sales and CAA Media Finance representing the U.S. rights.
The Tow screenplay is written by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin and Annie Weisman. The project marks a reunion for Byrne, Weisman and Laing, who worked together on Apple TV’s Physical.
DeBose’s feature film slate for 2024 includes Kraven the Hunter and Blumhouse’s House of Spoils. She won an Oscar for West Side Story, received a Tony nomination for her role in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon MGM Studio’s new one-minute video for Challengers features brief interview clips with Zendaya discussing her character. Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino also briefly chimes in, complimenting Zendaya as both a wonderful producer and vibrant, collaborative actor.
The R-rated drama also stars Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino directed from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes, with Zendaya, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor producing.
“Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend,” reads Amazon MGM’s synopsis. “As their pasts and presents collide,...
The R-rated drama also stars Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino directed from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes, with Zendaya, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor producing.
“Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend,” reads Amazon MGM’s synopsis. “As their pasts and presents collide,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Zendaya’s upcoming s*xually-charged drama Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino has been making headlines over the past few months for varied reasons. From the raunchy scenes between the actress and her two lovers Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist to the story centered around the world of professional tennis, Challengers is currently the talk of the town.
Zendaya in a still from Challengers (2024)
Meanwhile, as the film got pushed back to April 2024, due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Josh O’Connor sat for an interview with Vanity Fair, to discuss his experience. Reflecting upon the production phase, the actor shockingly noted one aspect that he struggled the most with. While people might think it’s the erotic scenes, O’Connor revealed facing unimaginably difficulty portraying his extrovert character.
Josh O’Connor Struggled with His Role in Challengers
Coming from the director of Call Me By Your Name, Zendaya’s forthcoming erotic drama Challengers,...
Zendaya in a still from Challengers (2024)
Meanwhile, as the film got pushed back to April 2024, due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Josh O’Connor sat for an interview with Vanity Fair, to discuss his experience. Reflecting upon the production phase, the actor shockingly noted one aspect that he struggled the most with. While people might think it’s the erotic scenes, O’Connor revealed facing unimaginably difficulty portraying his extrovert character.
Josh O’Connor Struggled with His Role in Challengers
Coming from the director of Call Me By Your Name, Zendaya’s forthcoming erotic drama Challengers,...
- 3/30/2024
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire
Kim Gwizdala and Nikka Markarian have driven four hours to be here today. They’ve dressed in Dallas-style outfits (cropped jackets and black suede cowboy boots) and are sporting Reagan-era ’dos (blown out and heavily feathered). And now, these best friends from Las Vegas, both 32, will spend several more hours in line at a hotel in Burbank, waiting to meet the 83-year-old actress who, decades ago — before Gwizdala and Markarian were even born — played J.R. Ewing’s long-suffering wife. The character who tried to buy a baby on the black market, spent the better part of a season locked away in a sanitarium and whose sister shot her husband.
“Linda Gray!” they chime in unison, as if reciting a holy incantation.
And those are just two of the more than 2,500 rabid fans who have converged at the Burbank Marriott on this hazy weekend in March for The Hollywood Show,...
“Linda Gray!” they chime in unison, as if reciting a holy incantation.
And those are just two of the more than 2,500 rabid fans who have converged at the Burbank Marriott on this hazy weekend in March for The Hollywood Show,...
- 3/29/2024
- by Michael Callahan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oddly, April is going to be a month full of genre films, but it’s also a month that might make some wonder whether any of the new movies can open with more than $20 million, putting theaters back into the place they were back in January and February. Read on for Gold Derby’s April 2024 box office preview.
“Civil War” (A24 – April 12)
Considering how Alex Garland‘s previous films “Men” and “Annihilation” were received, it’s hard to believe that his edgy political apocalyptic thriller could be one of the biggest movies of this month, but it’s also likely to be A24’s first movie to hit #1 on the weekend after 10 years of releases. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons and Wagner Moura, Garland’s latest premiered at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, where it received mostly positive reviews. With the timeliness of the topic,...
“Civil War” (A24 – April 12)
Considering how Alex Garland‘s previous films “Men” and “Annihilation” were received, it’s hard to believe that his edgy political apocalyptic thriller could be one of the biggest movies of this month, but it’s also likely to be A24’s first movie to hit #1 on the weekend after 10 years of releases. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons and Wagner Moura, Garland’s latest premiered at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, where it received mostly positive reviews. With the timeliness of the topic,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
“In the Heights” left Melissa Barrera heartbroken — but probably not for the reasons you’d assume.
Barrera starred in the 2021 musical adaptation opposite Anthony Ramos. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the “Scream” franchise alum said the press was “mean-spirited” to the ensemble film.
That’s not the only part of the “In the Heights” aftermath that bummed Barrera out. After being pumped-up so much about how her life was about “to change,” when it didn’t, it was “soul-crushing,” she said.
“My problem was with the press that came out that just felt mean-spirited toward the film,” Barrera said. “That was my first big studio movie, and everybody was telling us, ‘Your life is going to change.’ Then it doesn’t happen, so it was very heartbreaking and soul-crushing.”
The actress added, “But I’m grateful for how it happened. It taught me a lot about the industry,...
Barrera starred in the 2021 musical adaptation opposite Anthony Ramos. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the “Scream” franchise alum said the press was “mean-spirited” to the ensemble film.
That’s not the only part of the “In the Heights” aftermath that bummed Barrera out. After being pumped-up so much about how her life was about “to change,” when it didn’t, it was “soul-crushing,” she said.
“My problem was with the press that came out that just felt mean-spirited toward the film,” Barrera said. “That was my first big studio movie, and everybody was telling us, ‘Your life is going to change.’ Then it doesn’t happen, so it was very heartbreaking and soul-crushing.”
The actress added, “But I’m grateful for how it happened. It taught me a lot about the industry,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The highest grossing director of all time, Steven Spielberg enjoys high-brow classics as much as crowd-pleasing blockbusters. Known for “Jurassic Park,” “Indiana Jones,” “Jaws,” “West Side Story” (2021), and more favorites, the beloved American filmmaker premiered his semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans” in theaters last November.
The movie, nominated for seven Oscars (winning none), tells the story of how Spielberg came to be Spielberg — chiefly through the lens of his parents’ traumatic divorce. Boasting a cast that includes not just Michelle Williams and Paul Dano as Spielberg’s mom and dad, but also David Lynch in a rare acting opportunity, “The Fabelmans” was described by IndieWire’s David Ehrlich as an epic rendering of “the breakup that launched a million blockbusters.”
Following the contemplative mood of two-ish years in Covid-19 lockdown, the 2022 fall film season was chockfull of projects meditating on the role — and, in the case of “TÁR,” responsibility — of artists. How...
The movie, nominated for seven Oscars (winning none), tells the story of how Spielberg came to be Spielberg — chiefly through the lens of his parents’ traumatic divorce. Boasting a cast that includes not just Michelle Williams and Paul Dano as Spielberg’s mom and dad, but also David Lynch in a rare acting opportunity, “The Fabelmans” was described by IndieWire’s David Ehrlich as an epic rendering of “the breakup that launched a million blockbusters.”
Following the contemplative mood of two-ish years in Covid-19 lockdown, the 2022 fall film season was chockfull of projects meditating on the role — and, in the case of “TÁR,” responsibility — of artists. How...
- 3/27/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
She’s back, back, back again! Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose will once again return to host the 77th Annual Tony Awards live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Sunday, June 16. This marks her third consecutive year emceeing Broadway’s biggest night.
In addition to working the crowd, DeBose will also serve as a producer and choreograph the show’s opening number. The actress has always opened the show with a bang. But this will mark the first time she has crafted a dance number herself for the telecast. DeBose was nominated for an Emmy for hosting the 75th Annual Tony Awards ceremony, in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. She could compete in that race again, but it looks like the 2024 telecast may also find the triple-threat performer eligible for the Emmy’s choreography category.
Watch 2024 Tony Awards slugfest: ‘Illinoise’ throws musical predictions into disarray
The...
In addition to working the crowd, DeBose will also serve as a producer and choreograph the show’s opening number. The actress has always opened the show with a bang. But this will mark the first time she has crafted a dance number herself for the telecast. DeBose was nominated for an Emmy for hosting the 75th Annual Tony Awards ceremony, in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. She could compete in that race again, but it looks like the 2024 telecast may also find the triple-threat performer eligible for the Emmy’s choreography category.
Watch 2024 Tony Awards slugfest: ‘Illinoise’ throws musical predictions into disarray
The...
- 3/27/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Oscar winner Ariana DeBose will return to host the 77th Annual Tony Awards, marking her third consecutive year as host. Last year’s Tonys took place during the WGA strike and were carried out without a script. DeBose was more than up to that challenge, so handling the 2024 show should be much less stressful.
In addition to hosting, DeBose will choreograph the awards show’s opening number and serve as producer.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center. I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home,” said DeBose.
The 2024 Tony Awards nominees will be revealed on Tuesday, April 30.
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Tony Award-nominated actress Ariana DeBose as this year’s host for Broadway’s biggest night, taking...
In addition to hosting, DeBose will choreograph the awards show’s opening number and serve as producer.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center. I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home,” said DeBose.
The 2024 Tony Awards nominees will be revealed on Tuesday, April 30.
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Tony Award-nominated actress Ariana DeBose as this year’s host for Broadway’s biggest night, taking...
- 3/27/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Ariana DeBose will return as host of this year’s Tony Awards, marking her third consecutive year fronting Broadway’s biggest night.
The 77th Annual Tony Awards airs live nationwide (8 pm Et/5 pm Pt) on Sunday, June 16, on CBS, streaming on Paramount+. As previously announced, the ceremony will take place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.
DeBose, an Oscar winner (West Side Story) and previous Tony nominee (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), will serve as a Tony producer and will choreograph the opening number for this year’s show.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time, at Lincoln Center,” DeBose said in a statement. “I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home.
The 77th Annual Tony Awards airs live nationwide (8 pm Et/5 pm Pt) on Sunday, June 16, on CBS, streaming on Paramount+. As previously announced, the ceremony will take place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.
DeBose, an Oscar winner (West Side Story) and previous Tony nominee (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), will serve as a Tony producer and will choreograph the opening number for this year’s show.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time, at Lincoln Center,” DeBose said in a statement. “I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home.
- 3/27/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Ariana DeBose will return as the host of the 77th Annual Tony Awards in June.
This marks the third time The West Side Story star has hosted the awards show, which will take place on June 16 at the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center. DeBose will also choreograph the opening number for the show and serve as a producer.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center. I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home,” DeBose said.
The broadcast will yet again be split into two parts, with a pre-show, entitled The Tony Awards: Act One, to air on Paramount’s free streaming service PlutoTV and feature select awards presentations. The host for the pre-show has not yet been named.
This marks the third time The West Side Story star has hosted the awards show, which will take place on June 16 at the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center. DeBose will also choreograph the opening number for the show and serve as a producer.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center. I’m excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this season’s achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home,” DeBose said.
The broadcast will yet again be split into two parts, with a pre-show, entitled The Tony Awards: Act One, to air on Paramount’s free streaming service PlutoTV and feature select awards presentations. The host for the pre-show has not yet been named.
- 3/27/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ariana DeBose has been cast in 'With Love'.The Oscar-winning actress will feature opposite Ke Huy Quan in the upcoming Universal Pictures movie that will be released in February 2025.Plot details are being kept under wraps on the film, which is being helmed by first-time director Jonathan Eusebio – an acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator.87 North's Kelly McCormick and David Leitch are producing while the flick has been written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore and Matthew Murray.According to Deadline, film bosses were searching for the perfect female lead after casting Quan and met with a number of performers before settling on the 'West Side Story' star.Ariana starred in the Disney animated movie 'Wish' last year and revealed that she "cried like a baby" when she was cast in the film.She told MovieWeb.com: "They came to me shortly after ‘West Side Story’ had premiered, and I hadn't really won anything.
- 3/27/2024
- by Alex Getting
- Bang Showbiz
Recently, Ke Huy Quan’s upcoming action film With Love announced that it has set a release date for February 7, 2025. The movie comes from Universal and 87North Productions. While the plot details have yet to be revealed, it has been announced that With Love is written by Luke Passmore and was based on an original script by Josh Stoddard & Matthew Murray. Former stunt performer and coordinator Jonathan Eusebio steps up as the director after having done second-unit directing on films like Violent Night, Deadpool 2, Black Panther, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Deadline has now revealed that co-starring with Huy Quan in the film will be West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose. DeBose recently starred in the sci-fi thriller I.S.S. and showed off a sliver of her action prowess in the recent spy-action-comedy Argylle from Matthew Vaughn. According to Deadline, “After attaching Huy Quan to the starring role,...
Deadline has now revealed that co-starring with Huy Quan in the film will be West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose. DeBose recently starred in the sci-fi thriller I.S.S. and showed off a sliver of her action prowess in the recent spy-action-comedy Argylle from Matthew Vaughn. According to Deadline, “After attaching Huy Quan to the starring role,...
- 3/26/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
We have already written about the upcoming action thriller With Love, confirming that the movie is slated for a February 7, 2025 release. The movie is going to be directed by Jonathan Eusebio, best known for being a stunt and fight coordinator; he has worked on numerous major action titles, including movies like The Avengers, John Wick, and Deadpool 2. With Love will see him in a new role, as he will be directing the movie from a script written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore, and Matthew Murray. The film will be produced by Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, and Guy Danella.
Information about the cast is currently slated, and before today, we only knew that Oscar-winning actor Ke Huy Quan would be starring in the movie, as With Love is going to be his next project following the release Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Electric State later this year. But, today,...
Information about the cast is currently slated, and before today, we only knew that Oscar-winning actor Ke Huy Quan would be starring in the movie, as With Love is going to be his next project following the release Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Electric State later this year. But, today,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Luca Guadagnino is one of the more interesting directors of our time and his movies always attract attention. Best known for his Desire trilogy, which includes the critically acclaimed Call Me by Your Name, as well as the remake of Suspiria, Guadagnino is now tackling the sports drama genre with his newest movie, Challengers, set to be released in theaters on April 26, 2024, after a significant delay caused by the SAG-AFTRA strike of 2023.
The movie is starring Zendaya as Tashi Duncan. The young star will be joined by Josh O’Connor as Patrick, and Mike Faist as Art Donaldson, with Jake Jensen being cast in an undisclosed role. Guadagnino is directing the movie from a script written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Amazon Studios is distributing the movie in the US, while Warner Bros. will handle the film’s international distribution. The official synopsis for the movie describes it as follows:
Challengers stars...
The movie is starring Zendaya as Tashi Duncan. The young star will be joined by Josh O’Connor as Patrick, and Mike Faist as Art Donaldson, with Jake Jensen being cast in an undisclosed role. Guadagnino is directing the movie from a script written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Amazon Studios is distributing the movie in the US, while Warner Bros. will handle the film’s international distribution. The official synopsis for the movie describes it as follows:
Challengers stars...
- 3/26/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Exclusive: Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose is set to star in 87North’s With Love for Universal Pictures opposite Ke Huy Quan. Universal Pictures will release With Love wide on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The film marks Huy Quan’s first starring role since winning the Oscar for best supporting actor with 87North’s Kelly McCormick and David Leitch, who also produced Atomic Blonde, Nobody and the upcoming summer pic The Fall Guy, will produce.
The pic is written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore and Matthew Murray. Guy Danella is also producing for 87North. Making his feature film directing debut on With Love is acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator and fight coordinator Jonathan Eusebio. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Universal’s Executive Vice President of Production Development Jay Polidoro and Director of Production Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project on behalf of the Studio.
After attaching Huy Quan to the starring role,...
The pic is written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore and Matthew Murray. Guy Danella is also producing for 87North. Making his feature film directing debut on With Love is acclaimed veteran stunt coordinator and fight coordinator Jonathan Eusebio. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Universal’s Executive Vice President of Production Development Jay Polidoro and Director of Production Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project on behalf of the Studio.
After attaching Huy Quan to the starring role,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
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