After unexpectedly failing her final college class, Jane retreats to her hometown. With the support of her friends, family, and a nostalgic summer on the lake, Jane comes to terms with the trauma that derailed her senior year.
Flight Risk is an upcoming American suspense thriller film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. Wahlberg plays a pilot transporting an Air Marshal (Dockery) and a fugitive (Grace) across the Alaskan wilderness, where the identities and intentions of those onboard come into question.[2]
Lionsgate will release the film in theaters in the United States on January 24, 2025.
Premise
A U.S. Marshal escorts a government witness to trial after he is accused of getting involved with a mob boss, only to discover that the pilot who is transporting them is also a hitman that had been sent to assassinate the informant. After they subdue him, they’re forced to fly together after discovering that there are others attempting to eliminate them.
Growing up in the Amazon rainforest gave Autumn the rarest of friendships – a lost jaguar cub she discovers named Hope. When a tragic event forces Autumn to leave Hope for the unknowns of New York City, she dreams for years of going back to the rainforest and her friend. Aged 14, and having grown accustomed to city life, Autumn discovers her childhood village is under threat from animal traffickers and decides she must return to the Amazon to her beloved jaguar. Anja – Autumn’s endearingly clumsy biology teacher – unsuccessfully tries to dissuade her from this reckless plan. Joined by Anja, Autumn embarks on a journey to reunite with Hope and save her from those who seek to destroy the rainforest and its wildlife.
Who’s making Autumn and the Black Jaguar: Crew List
“Left Behind” illuminates the struggles of NYC schoolchildren with dyslexia, following a diverse group of parents who, frustrated by the lack of support, founded the Literacy Academy Collective. Driven by the stark reality that 1 in 5 people are dyslexic and nearly 50% of prison inmates share this diagnosis, these passionate advocates fight to de-stigmatize dyslexia and secure proper education for their kids. The film reveals the power of grassroots activism, offering an eye-opening and uplifting message of hope and resilience. – Karen McMullen
Director: Anna Toomey
Executive Producer: Zofia Moreno, Jean Reno, Sarah Johnson, Ellen Lovejoy, Dan Fougere, Stephanie Fougere, Lisa Domenico Brooke, Juju Chang
Producer: Larry Mullen Jr., Sian Edwards-Beal, David Beal, Chris Farrell, Mari Keiko Gonzalez, Anna Toomey
The film was announced in 2014 and was to be part of the Dark Universe, a shared cinematic universe centered on the Universal Monsters. Aaron Guzikowski and David Callaham were attached to pen the script. After the failure of The Mummy (2017), Universal shifted its focus to standalone films. The success of Whannell’s The Invisible Man (2020) rekindled Universal’s interest in the Monsters franchise. They accepted a pitch by Ryan Gosling, who was also set to star, for a new Wolf Man film with Derek Cianfrance to direct. However, Gosling dropped out of the role and Cianfrance left the project in 2023, while Whannell took over as director. Principal photography took place in New Zealand in early 2024.
Wolf Man is scheduled to be released in the United States by Universal Pictures on January 17, 2025.
Premise
Family man Blake relocates from San Francisco to Oregon with his workaholic wife Charlotte and daughter Ginger after inheriting his childhood home, left vacant following his estranged father’s mysterious disappearance and presumed death. At the farmhouse at night during a full moon, the family is attacked by a werewolf that claws Blake’s arm. They barricade themselves inside the home, but soon Blake begins to transform into something horrifying, jeopardizing the safety of his wife and daughter.
The film is about a Mexican cartel leader (Gascón) who enlists a lawyer (Saldaña) to help her disappear and achieve her dream of transitioning into a woman. Its original songs were written by Camille, while its original score was provided by Clément Ducol. Filming took place from May to July 2023 in Île-de-France. The choreographic sections of the film are designed by Damien Jalet.
Rita Mora Castro, an underappreciated lawyer in Mexico, writes the defense for a murder case involving a prominent media figure’s wife, going against her conscience to argue the death as a suicide (“El alegato”). After winning the case, Rita receives an anonymous call with a mysterious but lucrative offer. Reflecting on her discontent, Rita agrees to a meeting (“Todo y nada”). The client, revealed to be cartel kingpin Juan “Manitas” Del Monte, expresses desire to covertly undergo gender-affirming surgery, beginning a new and authentic life (“El encuentro”).
After meeting with doctors in Bangkok (“La vaginoplastia”) and Tel Aviv (“Lady”), Rita finds a surgeon who agrees to perform the procedure after hearing Manitas’ recollections of gender dysphoria during childhood (“Deseo”). Following the procedure, Manitas’ children and wife, Jessi, are relocated to Switzerland for their safety; Rita receives an exorbitant sum of money, while Manitas stages a fake death and begins a new life as Emilia Pérez.
In the 1970’s Rio de Janeiro, former congressman Rubens Paiva returns to Brazil after six years of self-exile following the revocation of his tenure at the outset of the 1964 Brazilian coup d’état. Living in an idyllic house near Leblon beach with his wife Eunice and their five children, Paiva returns to his civil career while continuing to support expatriates without discussing his activities with his family.
Following the kidnapping of the Swiss ambassador by far-left revolutionary movements, Brazil faces a looming political instability. A military raid takes place in Paiva’s house, resulting in his arrest and disappearance in January 1971. Eunice’s public inquiries on Rubens’ whereabouts results in her arrest and torture for 12 days. Eliana, their teenage daughter, is also imprisoned but is released after 24 hours. After moderate media outrage ignited by family friends, Eunice is unofficially informed of Rubens’ fate.
Twenty-five years later, in 1996, Eunice receives from the Brazilian state, now once again a democracy, Rubens Paiva’s official death certificate.
In 2014, during a family gathering surrounded by her children and grandchildren, the now eighty-five-year-old Eunice lives with advanced Alzheimer’s. When a TV report about the National Truth Commission addresses Rubens’ case, a distressed Eunice appears to remember her past.
The film premiered at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024,[2] and was met with widespread critical acclaim for its screenplay, direction and Jean-Baptiste’s performance. It was released theatrically in the United States on 6 December 2024 by Bleecker Street,[3][4] it will be released in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2025,[5] and in Spain on 28 February 2025. It was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review,[6] while at the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards Jean-Baptiste received a Best Actress nomination.
Plot
Set in London, the plot follows the plight of depressed middle-aged woman Pansy and her relationship with her close ones—including the crumbling relationship with her jovial sister, Chantelle (who is a polar opposite in terms of mood), and the state of her other interpersonal relationships.[7][8]
The film was announced in February 2021 and its title was revealed in March 2023. Principal photography commenced in October 2021 and wrapped up three years later in July 2024 after various production delays. Filming took place in Japan, China, Malaysia, Cambodia and New Zealand. Game Changer has a big-budget music composed by Thaman S, with cinematography by Tirru and editing by Shameer Muhammed and Ruben.
Ram Nandan, an IAS officer with anger issues, strives to combat corruptpoliticians, including the CM Bobbili Mopidevi, for destroying his father Appanna’s dream of a corruption-free country. While on his mission He faces the wrath of his own brother Charan IPS, who is a corrupt police officer and mopidevi’s friend
In the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger teams up with Hollywood director Steve Pink, a fan of Pink’s film Hot Tub Time Machine, to shed light on the events and hold those responsible accountable.
From Ground Zero (Arabic: قصص غير محكية من غزة من المسافة صفر, romanized: qiṣaṣ ghayr maḥkiyya min Ghazza min al-masāfa ṣifr, lit. ‘Untold stories of Gaza’s Ground Zero’) is a 2024 anthology film directed by 22 different Palestinian directors.[1] The film is made up of 22 short films, including documentaries, fiction, animation and experimental films about the current situation of the people of Gaza in the midst of the Israel-Hamas War.[2]
After the start of the Gaza genocide, film director Rashid Masharawi founded the Masharawi Fund for Cinema and Filmmakers in Gaza with the purpose of supporting young Palestinian filmmakers to express themselves and tell their stories through cinema.[6] Masharawi supported the production and post-production of the 22 short films that make up From Ground Zero filmed in different parts of the Gaza Strip at the end of 2023.[7]
In 1909, Ahn Jung-geun, a resistance fighter opposing Korea’s subjugation by Japan, struggles across the frozen Tumen River. Meanwhile, his fellow resistance fighters question his whereabouts and loyalty. Ahn returns but has his leadership challenged because most of the fighters under him had died in a recent successful attack against the Japanese. Ahn had refused to commit war crimes by executing prisoners of war, including officer Tatsuo Mori, and freed them. Mori tracked down Ahn’s group and slaughtered them with cannon.
1944, Vermiglio, a remote mountain village. The arrival of Pietro, a deserter, into the family of the local teacher, and his love for the teacher’s eldest daughter, will change the course of everyone’s life.
Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a renamed version of Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend from the time.[8] Dylan requested the film not use her real name.[9]
The film explores the complexities of power dynamics and sexuality within a professional setting as high-ranking CEO Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) in New York City embarks on a forbidden romance with captivating intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson), who is significantly younger.[4][5]
Development on Nosferatu began in 2015 when Eggers planned to make it his second film, describing it as a passion project, but he eventually opted to delay its production. Skarsgård and Depp were cast as leads in September 2022. Hoult joined the cast the following month, with the remaining cast confirmed at the start of production. Filming took place primarily at Barrandov Studios in Prague between February and May 2023.
Nosferatu had its world premiere in Berlin, Germany, on December 2, 2024, and is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2024, by Focus Features domestically and Universal Pictures internationally. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for its direction, cinematography, production design, costumes, makeup and performances.
Premise
Set in the 1800s, Nosferatu follows real estate salesman Thomas Hutter (Hoult), who is tasked with finding a new residence for wealthy Transylvanian Count Orlok (Skarsgård). While trying to fulfill the task, Hutter learns that Orlok, a vampire, is infatuated with his wife, Ellen Hutter (Depp), and everyone’s dynamics become complicated.
Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter: A pure, kind, loving and sincere man, who feels the need to take care of his wife, whom he loves and respects deeply. He works as a real estate agent and lives in the German city of Wisborg.
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter: A German woman recently married to Thomas, described as a pure woman and an angelic wife who, in her lonely youth, sought “a guardian angel, a spirit of comfort… anything.” This wish opens the door—through a psychic connection—to an evil creature that becomes obsessed with her.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding: Anna’s husband and a vampire skeptic.
Emma Corrin as Anna Harding: Friedrich’s wife and Ellen’s confidant and best friend.
Willem Dafoe as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz: A controversial scientist, expert in the occult and mysticism, he is the only character who truly understands the strange psychic connection between Count Orlok and Ellen.
Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers: A doctor that tries to treat Ellen with normal medicine.
The Fire Inside premiered in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios on December 25, 2024.
Development on a prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing a draft of the script. Pierre and Harrison Jr. were announced as the voice cast in August 2021, followed by further casting between September 2022 and April 2024. The film was officially announced when its official title was revealed in September 2022 at the 2022 D23 Expo announcement. Production on the film slowed down in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film is dedicated to the memory of James Earl Jones, the original voice of Mufasa from the original 1994 film and 2019 remake, who died on September 9, 2024.[6][7]
Mufasa: The Lion King premiered on December 9, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on December 20, 2024.[8] The film received mixed reviews from critics, though many deemed it an improvement over its predecessor.
Premise
In the Pride Lands of Tanzania after the events of The Lion King (2019), Rafiki the mandrill tells the origin story of two lions, Mufasa and Taka, to Kiara—the granddaughter of Mufasa and daughter of Simba and Nala. The story follows the orphan Mufasa, who is befriended by the young prince Taka and adopted by Taka’s family; the pair become as close as brothers. Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog add color commentary.[9]
Voice cast
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, a lion who grows up to become the future king of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba.
Braelyn and Brielle Rankins voice Mufasa as a cub
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion who later becomes known as Scar. He is a young prince and adoptive brother of Mufasa, and the son of Eshe and Obasi.
Theo Somolu voices Taka as a cub
John Kani as Rafiki, a wise mandrill who serves as the shaman of the Pride Lands, and a close friend of Mufasa’s, telling his story with Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa.
Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, a lioness who befriended Mufasa, Taka, Rafiki, and Zazu, and would grow up to become the future queen of the Pride Lands and the mother of Simba.
Donald Glover as Simba, the current king of Pride Rock and Mufasa’s son.
Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, the formidable leader of a pride of white lions known as “The Outsiders” with impactful plans who seeks revenge on Mufasa for murdering his son.
Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Taka’s mother, Mufasa’s adoptive mother, and Obasi’s mate.
Lennie James as Obasi, Taka’s father, Mufasa’s adoptive father, Eshe’s mate, and the leader of his pride.
Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, Mufasa and Sarabi’s granddaughter and the cub princess of the Pride Lands.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Simba’s mate, the queen of the Pride Lands, and Mufasa and Sarabi’s daughter-in-law.
Preston Nyman as Zazu, a young hornbill and the future majordomo to the King of the Pride Lands who is Sarabi’s scout.
Plans for a third Sonic the Hedgehog film were announced in February 2022 during ViacomCBS‘s investor event before the release of second film. Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming for animated characters began in July 2023 in Surrey, England, while filming with actors began in November of that year in London, with production concluding by March 2024. The film draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005). Reeves was cast due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick films and Fowler’s vision for Shadow. Many elements of Shadow’s characterization in the games were adapted for the screen in a “fan faithful” rendition.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024.
Premise
At the request of the military organization G.U.N., Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are tasked with stopping a powerful and mysterious new adversary, Shadow the Hedgehog. Unable to defeat him by themselves, the trio forms an unlikely alliance with Dr. Robotnik in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet. However, the matter is complicated when Robotnik is reunited with his long-lost grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, who has his own sinister plans.[5]
Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog: An anthropomorphic red-striped black hedgehog created from a secret government program called Project Shadow.[7] He can teleport and has extreme strength.[8] He has lived through tragedy and seeks revenge.[9] Fowler said once they first met, he realized Reeves “very clearly had gone and done his homework”, and that he desired to create a “fan-faithful” rendition of the character.[10]
Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a mad scientist and Sonic’s arch-nemesis whom he often refers to as “Eggman”.[6]
Gerald Robotnik, Ivo’s grandfather and Shadow’s creator.[11][12] Carrey said an intrinsic difference between Gerald and Ivo was that Gerald was from an older, tougher generation, describing him as tough as “the rock that he crawled out from under”.[13]
Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth, forcibly separated from his wife, Erzsébet, and niece, Zsófia, in Budapest during World War II and having survived the Holocaust, manages to emigrate to America. He travels to Philadelphia, where his immigrant cousin Attila and his American wife, Audrey, allow him to stay with them while he looks for employment.
In 1947, László helps with his cousin’s furniture business, and he and Attila are commissioned to renovate the study and library of wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren by his son, Harry, as a surprise to his father while he is away on business. Harrison arrives home furious at the state of the renovations, and orders László and Attila to leave without pay for the labor and materials. Some while later, Attila regretfully asks László to leave his home after Audrey accuses him of making advances towards her.
Part 2: The Hard Core of Beauty
In 1953, László greets Erzsébet and Zsófia at the train station, where he discovers that due to the conditions and traumas suffered in the war and its aftermath, Zsófia has become mute and Erzsébet has developed osteoporosis and is now a full-time wheelchair user. During construction of the center, László learns of changes to the design and materials made without his approval, and butts heads with the other developers. Though László intends to pay out of his pocket for the materials necessary to his intended vision, Harry warns him to stay in his place, saying he is merely “tolerated,” and makes unsavory sexual allusions to Zsófia, whom László warns to stay away from Harry, though he may have already assaulted her. Sometime later, the train carrying László’s materials derails and crashes, critically injuring two brakemen. With the expected legal fees and the increased cost it would take to transport the materials, Harrison abandons the construction and lays off all workers and László.
Years later, László has been employed by an architecture firm in New York City, where he and Erzsébet now live a metropolitan life. Zsófia, having overcome her muteness, is expecting a child with her new devoutly Jewish husband. She announces to her aunt and uncle that they are moving to Jerusalem in the then-newly established state of Israel, and unsuccessfully urges them to come with her. One day, Harrison contacts László to inform him that, by forgoing his community center’s library to cover legal expenses from the train crash, they can resume construction while staying on budget.
Epilogue
In 1980, Erzsébet has died, and an exhibition is held in Venice, paying tribute to László’s work over the years (including the community center which finally completed construction over a decade after it was halted). A now adult Zsófia gives a speech highlighting how their experience with the Holocaust inspired László works. She ends by recounting what László once told her, “No matter what the others try and sell you, it is the destination, not the journey.”
Kraven was considered for film appearances several times before Sony Pictures became interested in a standalone film for the character, as part of its new shared universe, in 2017. Wenk was hired in August 2018, with Marcum and Holloway joining later. Chandor entered negotiations to direct in August 2020 and was confirmed in May 2021 when Taylor-Johnson was cast. Additional cast members joined in early 2022 before filming took place from late March until mid-June. Filming took place in London, Iceland, and Glasgow.
Kraven the Hunter is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures Releasing in the United States on December 13, 2024.
Premise
Kraven has a complex relationship with his father which sets him on a path of vengeance and motivates him to become the greatest and most feared hunter.[3]
The film was announced in June 2021 and development was fast-tracked to prevent New Line from losing the film adaptation rights for Tolkien’s novels. Kamiyama was involved by then, as were producer Philippa Boyens—who co-wrote Jackson’s film trilogy—and writers Addiss and Matthews. Gittins and Papageorgiou re-wrote the script, which is based on details in the appendices of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (1954–55) covering the history of Rohan’s rulers. They chose to focus on Helm’s unnamed daughter, whom they called Héra for the film. Sola Entertainment provided the traditional 2D animation, taking visual inspiration from Jackson’s films. The main cast was revealed in June 2022, including Wise as Héra and Otto reprising her role as Éowyn from the film trilogy. Jackson and his film trilogy co-writer Fran Walsh were being credited as executive producers by June 2024.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim was released theatrically in international markets on December 5, 2024, prior to releasing in the United States on December 13, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Gaia Wise as Héra:
The tomboy-ish daughter of Helm who helps defend their people.[5][6] Wise said the character was closer to the female heroes from Hayao Miyazaki‘s anime films such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) than Éowyn and Arwen, the female heroes in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. While those characters are “fully formed women”, Wise said Héra was rebellious and complicated.[8]
Luke Pasqualino as Wulf:
The ruthless leader of the Dunlendings who seeks revenge against Rohan for the death of his father.[5] Unlike previous antagonists in the franchise, Wulf is just a human rather than an evil wizard or dark lord. Producer Philippa Boyens felt this made him more interesting and more dangerous, and said the character was relevant to “a lot of the crises that we’re facing today”.[8]
Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of his home island Ithaca after twenty years fighting in and returning from the Trojan War. Scarred by his experiences, he is unrecognisable from the mighty warrior king that left, 20 years before. His wife Penelope (Binoche) is now a prisoner in her own home, hounded by many suitors to choose a new husband that would take the throne. Odysseus and Penelope’s son Telemachus (Plummer) is facing death at the hands of those who see him as a threat to their ambitions. Odysseus is forced to face his past in order to save his family and win back that which he has lost.[1]
The Six Triple Eight is scheduled to be released in select cinemas on December 6, 2024, before its streaming debut by Netflix on December 20, 2024.
Premise
The film is based on the 2019 WWII History magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War”, by Kevin M. Hymel on the contributions of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black and all-female battalion, in World War II.
The Order premiered in competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in August 2024. It is set to be released on Prime Video in Canada. It will be released in the UK on December 27, 2024.
Premise
In 1983, an Idaho-based FBI agent spots a pattern in recent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists terrorizing communities across the Pacific Northwest. He sets out to prove it is not the work of a traditional organized crime unit, but a radical group led by charismatic leader Bob Mathews.[4]
Development on a follow-up to Moana originally began as a long-form limited streaming series for Disney+,[7] before it was reworked into a theatrical sequel by February 2024, with Derrick confirmed as both writer and director. The involvement of Hand, Miller, Chen, and Merino was confirmed in May; a month later, Bush was confirmed to be returning as a writer. Miller later replaced Derrick as a co-writer in August. Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i, the composers and co-songwriters of the first film, returned to score and write the songs, while Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear replace Lin-Manuel Miranda as additional songwriters.
Moana 2 had its world premiere at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii on November 21, 2024,[8] and is scheduled to be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States on November 27, 2024. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who felt that it was considered inferior to the first film; however, the voice acting was praised.[9][10]
Premise
Three years after the events of the first film, Moana receives an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors and forms her own crew, reuniting with her friend, the demigod Maui. As they journey to the far seas of Oceania to break the god Nalo’s curse on the hidden island of Motufetu, which once connected the people of the ocean, they confront old and new foes, including the Kakamora and underworld goddess Matangi.[11]
Cast and characters
Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana,[12][13] the curious daughter of village chief Tui and his wife Sina, who is chosen by the ocean to break the curse on the island of Motufetu
Additionally, Johnson’s daughters Jasmine and Tiana provide voices for members of Moana’s fan club “MOANA-BE’s”.[19]Tofiga Fepulea’i voices the god Nalo in the mid-credits scene, which also features Tamatoa from the first film, again voiced by Jermaine Clement.
Set in 1950s Mexico City, it follows Lee who, after fleeing from a drug bust in New Orleans, wanders around the city’s clubs and becomes infatuated with drug user Allerton, a discharged American Navy serviceman.[5]
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the Golden Lion and received generally positive reviews from critics, who singled out Jolie’s performance for praise. It will be released in select theaters in the United States on November 27, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on December 11. It will later be theatrically released in Italy by 01 Distribution on January 1, 2025, and in Germany by StudioCanal on February 6.
Premise
The film is reportedly set during Callas’ final years in the 1970s when she was living in Paris.[1]
That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
Jordan North and Dermot O’Leary also do all the additional voices in the film with Isabella Hopkins, Luke Jameson, Mary Moss and the film’s director Simon Otto
Universal Pictures and Marc Platt, who produced the stage musical, announced the film adaptation in 2012. After a long development and multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chu was hired to direct, with Erivo and Grande cast in their respective roles in 2021. It was also decided to split the film into two parts to meet the demands of the story’s epic scope and to expand upon the journeys of and relationships between the characters without cutting any songs and major plot points. Principal photography on both films began in December 2022 in England but was disrupted in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, concluding in January 2024.
Wicked premiered at the State Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on November 3, 2024, and is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 22, 2024. The sequel, Wicked Part Two, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2025.
Sharon D. Clarke as the voice of the Midwife, a bear who helps deliver Elphaba during her birth
Jenna Boyd will appear in an undisclosed role.[17] Additionally, the lion makes an appearance as a Lion cub. Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who is accidentally transported to the Land of Oz by a tornado with her dog Toto, will also be featured alongside the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and an adult version of the Cowardly Lion in a brief cameo early in the film. Ama Clutch, a character from the Wicked novels but not present in the musical, will also appear. [18]Composer Stephen Schwartz cameos as the Emerald City guard who announces to Elphaba and Glinda that “the wizard will see them now” during the “One Short Day” sequence. [19]Various notable West End actors appear in the film, including Kerry Ellis,[20]Luke Bayer, Georgina Onuorah, andDianne Pilkington.[21]
A sequel to Gladiator was discussed as early as June 2001, with David Franzoni and John Logan set to return as screenwriters. Over the next few years, Scott offered occasional updates, including the possible involvement of the original film’s lead actor, Russell Crowe, along with plot ideas about the Roman afterlife and different historical time periods. Development was halted when DreamWorks sold the rights to the property to Paramount in 2006. The film was finally announced in 2018, and Mescal was cast in the lead role in January 2023, with a script by Scarpa. The rest of the cast signed on over the next several months. Filming occurred between June 2023 and January 2024, with a five-month hiatus due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes.
Gladiator II had its world premiere in Sydney, Australia on October 30, 2024, and was released in the United Kingdom on November 15, and will be released in the United States on November 22. It received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $87 million. Another sequel, Gladiator III, is in early stages of development.
Plot
Sixteen years after the death of Maximus,[a] Lucius Verus lives with his wife, Arishat, in Numidia under the name “Hanno”. The Roman army, led by General Marcus Acacius, invaded the city. Arishat is killed, and Lucius is taken into slavery. He is forced to fight baboons in the local arena as a test for dealers who wish to buy slaves as gladiators. Many slaves are killed, including his friend King Jubartha, but Lucius defeats the baboons and earns the crowd’s support.
Macrinus, an arms dealer, buys Lucius. Viggo, Macrinus’s assistant, trains Lucius to become a gladiator in Rome‘s Colosseum. Macrinus notices Lucius’s skill and anger, promising him revenge against Acacius if he remains his gladiator. Acacius returns to Rome as a war hero and meets the twin emperors Geta and Caracalla, who have been neglecting the people of Rome. They arrange games in the Colosseum to celebrate Acacius’s victory. Acacius requests respite from war to spend time with his wife, Lucilla. The emperors refuse and order Acacius to conquer Persia and India.
Macrinus brings Lucius to a party at senator Thraex’s house, where Lucius fights and kills Thraex’s famed gladiator champion in the emperor’s presence. Geta greets Lucius for his victory. After initially refusing to speak, an enraged Lucius recites lines of Virgilian poetry, which intimidates Geta. Macrinus defuses the situation, and Lucius is taken away to heal. The gladiators’ doctor, Ravi, treats Lucius’s injuries and befriends him.
Acacius and Lucilla conspire to overthrow the emperors and restore Rome to its former state.
Cast
Paul Mescal as Lucius “Hanno” Verus: The former heir to the Roman Empire and son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character in Gladiator (2000).[6] He has had no connection with his mother, Lucilla, for around 15 years.[7] Lucius lives with his wife in Numidia but is taken prisoner by the Roman army after they invade his home and kill his wife. He becomes a gladiator and seeks revenge against the Romans. He was portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in Gladiator, who appears in the film through archive footage in flashbacks.
Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius: A Roman general who trained under Maximus. He leads an army to take over North Africa and invades Lucius’s home, but refuses to send more men to war for the emperors.[8] He associates with Lucilla and is reduced to fighting as a gladiator in the Colosseum. According to Pascal, he is “a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer”, serving as a symbol to Lucius of everything he hates.[9]
Connie Nielsen as Lucilla (based on the historical figure Lucilla): Lucius’s mother, who sent Lucius to Numidia after the death of Maximus to protect him from Rome’s corruption. She associates with Acacius and watches Lucius fight in the Colosseum but initially does not recognize him as her son.[9] She is feared and exploited by those in power, such as the emperors.[10] Nielsen reprises her role from the original film.[9]
Denzel Washington as Macrinus: A former slave who plans to control Rome.[8] He keeps a stable of gladiators and mentors Lucius. He also works as an arms dealer, providing food and oil to the armies in Europe. Scott described him as “pretty fucking cruel” to the arena fighters,[9] with Washington adding that he “wants to be Emperor and he’s willing to do anything to get there”.[11] Scott also noted that Macrinus has a “twinkle” of bisexuality, describing him as a gangster who started as a prisoner of war, became a gladiator, and earned his freedom.[12] A scene involving Macrinus kissing another man was deleted from the film.[13]
Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla (based on the historical figure Caracalla): The co-emperor of Rome alongside his brother, Geta. He has a pet monkey and is less stable than his brother due to cognitive erosion in his brain.[16] Hechinger discussed with Scott about finding inspirations to build Caracalla’s look from Sid Vicious,[17] with the monkey serving as another inspiration for the character’s “crazed behavior”.[16]
Lior Raz as Viggo: The trainer of gladiators for Macrinus. A former gladiator, Viggo is a “tough guy” who escorts the gladiators to their fights.[18]
Sir Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus: A member of the Roman Senate who opposes the growing corruption of the Imperial Court. Jacobi reprises his role from the original film.[10]
Peter Mensah as Jubartha: A black Numidian chieftain who mentored Lucius, with whom he is later enslaved and forced to become a gladiator.[19]
The original film uses archival footage of Russell Crowe as Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, Tomas Arana as Quintus, and Djimon Hounsou as Juba.[citation needed]May Calamawy, who was originally set to play an important character according to Deadline Hollywood,[20] appears in the final film in an uncredited, non-speaking background role as Macrinus’s companion.[21][22]
Initially titled Split, the project was announced in July 2017, shortly after Skydance Animation was formed in March 2017, with Paramount Pictures scheduling distribution for 2019. The film subsequently underwent changes, such as release dates, with Jenson later announced as the director, and the film’s title changed to The Unbreakable Spell [3] before eventually getting to its current title. Apple TV+ acquired the film in December 2020 before Netflix took over the rights in October 2023. Much of the main voice cast signed in June 2022, following Zegler’s casting in April 2022. Production was done remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spellbound is scheduled for release on Netflix on November 22, 2024.
Premise
The story is set in Lumbria, a world of magic where a young girl named Ellian must break a spell that has split her kingdom in two and transformed her parents into monsters.[4]
Voice cast
Rachel Zegler as Ellian, Princess of the Lumbria kingdom
In April 2020, composer Alan Menken announced that he was working on the project with Lasseter,[10] which was renamed to The Unbreakable Spell before it became Spellbound.[1] The film would be directed by Vicky Jenson, from a screenplay by Woolverton and the writing team of Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin, with songs by Menken and longtime collaborator Glenn Slater.[4] In July 2020, it was announced that Spellbound was still going to be released by Paramount Pictures without Paramount Animation[11] until Apple TV+ acquired the distribution rights in December 2020 as part of a larger pact with Skydance Animation.[12]Apple Studios would replace Paramount as a production company. However, in October 2023, Skydance Animation ended its deal with Apple, and later signed a multi-year deal with Netflix, which would take over distribution of the studio’s future films in production, including Spellbound.[13] In February 2024, Julia Miranda was revealed to have joined the writing staff. In June 2024, Woolverton was confirmed to be a producer on the film.[14]
Casting
In April 2022, Rachel Zegler was cast as the lead character.[15] Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, Jenifer Lewis, André De Shields, and Jordan Fisher were added to the cast in June.[16] In June 2023, Tituss Burgess joined the cast, replacing De Shields.[17][18]
Animation
Skydance Animation Madrid has provided animation with portions of production done remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]
A black cat wanders through a forest when a pack of dogs arrive by the river to catch fish. When two of the dogs fight over a fish, the cat takes the fish and is immediately chased by the dogs. The cat loses the dogs, but notices a deer stampede before a massive tidal wave catches it. The cat and the dogs survive the flood by reaching higher ground. A yellow Labrador Retriever follows the cat to an abandoned house decorated with wooden cat sculptures before they both notice the water level rising rapidly, and the Labrador joins the other dogs on a boat. With the house consumed by the flood, the cat climbs atop a giant cat statue until the waters reach the top of the statue’s head. Before completely submerging the statue, the cat jumps into an approaching sailboat with a capybara aboard.
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