Year: 2020

Jeremy Strong in Talks for Bradley Cooper’s Maestro

Jeremy Strong in talks for Bradley Cooper’s Maestro

After landing Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) to star in the film last year, Jeremy Strong (The Trial of the Chicago 7) has entered negotiations to co-star in Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, according to Deadline.

Strong is currently in talks to star as John Gruen, a renaissance man and critic for The New York Herald Tribune and New York Magazine beginning in the ’50s and wrote the authorized biography The Private World of Leonard Bernstein in 1968. Should the deal go through, the Succession Emmy winner would star alongside co-writer/director Cooper in the lead role of Bernstein, as well as Mulligan as Bernstein’s wife Felicia Montealegre.

Maestro will span over 30 years in telling the beautifully complex story of the marriage between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia Montealegre. Bernstein’s colorful life included making a memorable conducting debut at the New York Philharmonic at 25 when the conductor took ill. Without even rehearsing, Bernstein did so well his star was launched the next day when his feat made the front page of the New York Times. He was blacklisted before being cleared of being a communist just before he composed the Oscar-nominated score for On the Waterfront, and he was an activist in the civil rights movement, and outspoken on issues including ending the Vietnam War.

Cooper’s main focus on the project has always been the “charged and complex relationship” between Bernstein and Montealegre. The star and filmmaker has reportedly been working closely with Bernstein’s children Jamie, Alexander, and Nina, over the past couple of years.

Maestro is co-written by Cooper and Josh Singer with Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Cooper, and his Joint Effort producing partner Todd Phillips (Joker), Kristie Macosko Krieger, Oscar-nominated producer Emma Tilliinger Koskoff (The Irishman, Joker), and Fred Berner and Amy Durning set as producers.

Paramount is no longer involved with the project. Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is still attached. Production on the drama is expected to begin early next year. The streamer will give the film a significant theatrical release before it moves exclusively to Netflix.

(Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Waxwork Unveils Bride of Frankenstein Vinyl & Spinature Figure!

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Waxwork unveils Bride of Frankenstein vinyl & Spinature figure!

After initially unveiling its first foray into collectibles earlier this month, Waxwork Records has unveiled a new Spinature figure based on The Bride of Frankenstein as well as a new vinyl pressing of the iconic’s film soundtrack to celebrate its 85th anniversary. The figure and vinyl can be viewed in the gallery below!

“She’s Alive!” THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN Original 1935 Motion Picture Soundtrack by Franz Waxman is available to pre-order NOW! https://t.co/ue5VCwyThV pic.twitter.com/1AaTSXxCDA

— Waxwork Records (@waxworkrecords) October 16, 2020

The Universal Horror line is part of a new set of figures the company has developed called Spinatures, which are highly-detailed turntable-spinner mini-busts that will feature iconic characters from pop culture, horror movies and beyond! Each figure is fitted with a hole in their base to easily attach to the spindle of a turntable and then spin along with your favorite records.

For those who don’t have a turntable, Waxwork has taken this into account for collectors with the ability to proudly display their Spinatures figures virtually anywhere. Any home or office setting is perfect for them, including computer desks, bookshelves, toy and collectible display cases, counter tops and even car dashboards.

The Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 horror movie directed by James Whale, starring Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester, and is the first sequel to the 1931 film Frankenstein. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history. The film has been praised as Whale’s masterpiece. In 1998, it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, having been deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

Sourced from the original master acetates housed in the composer’s archives at Syracuse University and original masters from Universal, the album has been meticulously restored and re-mastered. Working closely with Universal Pictures, this historic release marks the very first time the original film music has been made available on vinyl. The album features new artwork by Phantom City Creative, a 12”x12” booklet including artwork and original scoring session photography, and liner notes by album producer and restoration engineer Mike Matessino.

The first Spinature figure came in the form of Frankenstein from their Universal Horror Line, an official Universal Monster product designed and produced by Waxwork and features the iconic creature from the landmark 1931 horror film with the likeness of legendary actor Boris Karloff. Many more official Universal Monster Spinatures are set to be unveiled as fall progresses, as well as throughout the 2020 holiday season including The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Phantom of the Opera, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Wolfman and The Invisible Man!

The approximately four-inch tall figure retails for $24 and the vinyl retails for $27, both of which can be pre-ordered here!

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Trailer Starring Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Trailer Starring Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Trailer Starring Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman

Netflix has released the official trailer for Chadwick Boseman’s final film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s Tony Award-nominated play. Debuting on Netflix on December 18, you can check out the trailer for the movie now in the player below!

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom stars Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis as she takes on the titular role of the trailblazing blues singer with the late Chadwick Boseman (42, Black Panther) playing Levee, Ma’s young and ambitious trumpeter love interest, who aspired to make his own mark in the music industry.

Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), her ambitious horn player (Chadwick Boseman), and the white management determined to control the legendary “Mother of the Blues.”

Joining Davis and Boseman are Emmy winner Glynn Turman (Mr.Mercedes, How To Get Away With Murder, In Treatment), Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk), Michael Potts (Show Me A Hero, True Detective), Dusan Brown (42), and Taylour Paige (White Boy Rick).

The film is directed by Tony winner George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks). The script was adapted by Ruben Santiago Hudson. Todd Black and Dany Wolf produce alongside Denzel Washington. This project will be the third collaboration between Davis and Washington, who previously worked on the 2010 Broadway revival and 2016 film adaptation of Fences.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom opened at Broadway’s Cort Theatre in October 1984, playing 276 performances before closing in June 1985 when it earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Play and took home a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play.

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CS Video: Love and Monsters Interview With Michael Rooker

CS Video: Love and Monsters interview With Michael Rooker

In time for the post-apocalyptic rom-com’s digital debut, ComingSoon.net got the opportunity to chat with star Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad) to discuss his role in Love and Monsters, which is now available on digital platforms and VOD! Our interview can be viewed in the player below!

In Love and Monsters (formerly titled as Monster Problems), seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson, along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land. After reconnecting over the radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee, who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there’s nothing left for him underground, he decides against all logic to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way.

Click here to digitally purchase Love and Monsters!

The film stars Dylan O’Brien (Maze Runner films) as Joel, Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Clyde, Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist) as Aimee, Arianna Greenblatt (Avengers: Infinity War) as Minnow, and Dan Ewing (Occupation) as Cap.

Love and Monsters is directed and written by Michael Matthews with Shawn Levy producing through his 21 Laps banner. The project is said to be a coming-of-age story that will center around a road trip with a young man living in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monsters. The film is likened to both Mad Max and Zombieland with John Hughes overtones.

The post-apocalyptic teen rom-com is now available on digital platforms and premium video-on-demand!

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Legally Blonde Cast Sets Virtual Reunion Tomorrow!

After 20 years since the production of director Robert Luketic’s Oscar nominated Legally Blonde in 2000, the main cast of the iconic comedy film led by Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon are officially reuniting for the first time ever for a virtual reunion that will benefit the World Central Kitchen. Hosted by Saturday Night Live‘s Chloe Fineman, the event will be available for streaming this Tuesday, October 20 at 6:15 PM ET/ 3:15 PM ET on Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Youtube Channel.

Joining Witherspoon are Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Ali Larter, Luke Wilson, Jessica Cauffiel, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, and Alanna Ubach, who portrayed the roles of Vivian Kensington, Warner Huntington III, Brooke Taylor Windham, Emmett Richmond, Margot, Paulette Bonafonte, Professor Stromwell, and Serena McGuire, respectively. Check out the teaser for the Legally Blonde reunion below!

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Ohmigod you guys!! It’s a Legally Blonde Reunion. We laughed, we cried and we may or may not have done the bend & snap for old times sake! For the first time in 20 years, join me and the #LegallyBlonde cast tomorrow at 3:15PM PST on the @hellosunshine YouTube channel! PS: Don’t you want to see if Elle & Warner finally make up?

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Oct 19, 2020 at 8:45am PDT

MGM is currently developing the highly-anticipated third installment with Emmy Award-winning writer-actress Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project) and Dan Goor (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) co-writing the screenplay. The plot details are currently unknown, but Legally Blonde 3 was previously described to be in the spirit of the first film, with the intention to make this “more about female empowerment, a message that hits at a fortuitous time in the culture.” The minds behind the project are hoping to draw back the audience that fell in love with the original film as well as finding a new global audience that will embrace Elle Woods and the film’s message.

The long-in-development threequel will see the return of Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon to reprise her iconic role as Elle Woods. Legally Blonde scribes Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah (10 Things I Hate About You) were previously attached to write the script. However, the outlet notes that Kaling and Goor’s version won’t be a rewrite of Smith and McCullah’s first script but will instead have an entirely new fresh spin on the story.

Legally Blonde 3 will be produced by Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter through their Hello Sunshine banner along with Platt Productions’ Adam Siegel and original producer Marc Platt.

Legally Blonde debuted 17 years ago and told the story of Elle Woods, a fashionable sorority queen who is dumped by her boyfriend. She decides to follow him to law school and while she is there figures out that there is more to her than just her looks. In the 2003 sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, Woods heads to Washington D.C. to join the staff of a congresswoman in order to pass a bill to ban animal testing. The original movie grossed $141 million worldwide on an $18 million budget, with the sequel earning $124 million off of a $45 million budget.

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Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot Poster Teases the Face of Madness Returns in 2021

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Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reboot Poster Teases the Face of Madness Returns in 2021

Legendary Entertainment’s upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot has launched a new website, revealing a new poster for the movie helmed by David Blue Garcia (Tejano) and written by Chris Thomas Devlin. You can check out the poster now in the gallery below!

The full caption on the new poster reads: “In 1974, the world witnessed one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history. In 2021, the face of madness returns.”

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot will be produced by Fede Alvarez, who is known for directing Don’t Breathe and 2013’s Evil Dead, along with Rodolfo Sayagues through the Bad Hombre banner.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise centers around Leatherface and his backwoods family, who terrorize innocent visitors trespassing their lands in the isolated Texas countryside. The original film was directed by Tobe Hooper (Poltergeist) and released in 1974. The franchise currently has a total of eight films with the most recent entry being the 2017 prequel simply titled Leatherface. Featuring cast members that included Matthew McConaughey, Renee Zellweger, Viggo Mortensen, and Dennis Hopper, the film series has grossed more than $235 million worldwide.

Legendary has had experience producing and reinventing films based on horror classics before such as Godzilla and King Kong who are now part of the same Monster-verse. They’ve also worked in horror with some original films like Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat and Krampus, plus the big-budget Dracula Untold, and Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak.

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Wander Darkly Trailer: Sienna Miller & Diego Luna Lead Sundance Darling

Wander Darkly Trailer: Sienna Miller & Diego Luna lead Sundance darling

After acquiring the rights to the Sundance hit drama last month, Lionsgate has unveiled the first trailer for the Sienna Miller (The Loudest Voice) and Diego Luna (Narcos: Mexico)-starring film Wander Darkly, which is also set for a December release in time for awards season. The trailer can be viewed in the player below!

In Wander Darkly a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together. Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.

“I am thrilled that Wander Darkly has found its home with Lionsgate,” Miele said in a statement. “It was a dream to bring this story to life with such an incredible team and the ever-brilliant Sienna Miller and Diego Luna. Seeing audiences’ powerful reactions at Sundance was moving and humbling and we can’t wait to share the film with audiences later this year.”

“The film is a visually stunning thrill ride through the complexities of love and loss between Sienna and Diego, who deliver wonderful and very moving performances,” Lauren Bixby, Vice President of Acquisitions at Lionsgate, said in a statement. “Tara weaves mystery and intrigue into a modern-day parable and we could not be more excited to work with her and the rest of the filmmaking team on the release campaign.”

Wander Darkly was produced by 51 Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures. The producers are Lynette Howell Taylor, Samantha Housman, Shivani Rawat, and Monica Levinson, and executive producers are Mark D. Katchur, and Connor Flanagan. The film is set to hit select theaters, digital platforms and VOD on December 11.

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Die Hard’s John McClane Returns in Vehicle Battery Commercial

Die Hard’s John McClane returns in vehicle battery commercial

While the film franchise may be most likely dead, fans are getting a different kind of action movie treat as Bruce Willis has reprised his iconic role of John McClane from the Die Hard films for a new Advanced Auto Parts commercial centered on the vehicle battery also titled DieHard. The nostalgia-fueled ad can be viewed in the player below!

“I’ve never done any sort of commercial with the John McClane character, but Advance Auto Parts brought an idea to integrate DieHard the battery into the Die Hard story through a short film that’s authentic to McClane and both brands,” Willis said in a statement (Via The Hollywood Reporter). “Advance approached this like a motion picture – the script is clever, the production intense and the spot is entertaining. This is what Die Hard fans expect. I think they will dig the DieHard–Die Hard mashup.”

Click here to purchase the five-film collection of the hit action franchise!

In addition to the return of Willis as the wise-cracking New York Police Department Detective Lieutenant, the two-minute short also saw De’voreaux White reprise his role of razor-sharp limousine driver Argyle and Clarence Gilyard as football-loving tech specialist Theo, as well as plenty of vent-crawling and “Ode to Joy” scattered throughout.

“I always have a lot of fun playing John McClane and I really enjoyed how Advance Auto Parts brought in De’voreaux and Clarence from the original film,” Willis said.

“Our approach to this project was to go beyond products and price points and focus on finding a powerful message and platform to differentiate the brand,” Jason McDonell, Advance Auto Parts Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement.

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Michael B. Jordan Set to Produce Static Shock Movie at DC & WB

Michael B. Jordan set to produce Static Shock movie at DC & WB

After initially announcing the project at the DC FanDome event back in August, DC and Warner Bros’ Static Shock movie has taken a major leap forward as Emmy nominee Michael B. Jordan (Just Mercy) has signed on to produce the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I’m proud to be a part of building a new universe centered around black superheroes; our community deserves that,” Jordan said in a statement. “Outlier Society is committed to bringing to life diverse comic book content across all platforms and we are excited to partner with Reggie and Warner Bros on this initial step.”

Jordan, who will be producing via his Warner Bros-based banner Outlier Society, joins Emmy, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Reginald Hudlin on the project, who previously announced its development at the studio in August. Jordan’s Outlier will be the main creative head behind the film, with major comic book fan Jordan getting the opportunity to help develop a potentially multi-platform franchise around the cult favorite DC Comics superhero.

Static, alter ego Virgil Hawkins, made his debut in the eponymous comic of the same name in 1993 from the now-defunct Milestone Comics, a publisher founded by Black writers and artists looking to create a more inclusive space. He later found larger stardom through the animated series Static Shock on Kids’ WB, in which he was voiced by Phil LaMarr (Samurai Jack) and followed the story of the titular teenager transforming into a superhero after being exposed to a strange gas and gaining electromagnetic powers, and eventually made his way into the mainstream DC Comics line in 2008.

In addition to announcing the development of the film at the event, Hudlin revealed at DC FanDome that the comics publisher would be relaunching Milestone with him now a partner of the label and at the center of it all and that he’s developing a new Static Shock digital comic that is set to debut in February 2021, as well as a graphic novel from Hudlin with art by Kyle Baker, though no release date has been set for that.

(Photo Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

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CS Recommends: Dracula Bust, Plus Video Games & More!

Stuck inside? Don’t know what to watch/read/play/listen to? ComingSoon.net has got you covered. In this week’s CS Recommends our staff kicks off gives you solid tips on the best media to consume during your downtime, including a Classic Dracula Life-Size Bust and more! Check out our picks below!

MAX EVRY’S RECOMMEND: Classic Dracula Life-Size Bust

Click here to purchase!

This is the perfect Halloween gift to the classic Universal Monster fan in your life, which could simply be YOU! This is the immortal Bela Lugosi from 1931’s Dracula in all his glory, rendered with life-like realism as a 1:1 scale bust by Black Heart Enterprises. It stands 15.5″ high and weighs 13lbs. It features Bela’s hypnotic gaze as he lures you in for that special kiss on the neck! The best part is right now distributor Sideshow is offering $50 off with the code “DRACBUST,” and if you have a Sideshow account you should also be able to earn some healthy rewards points for this purchase as well.

KYLIE HEMMERT’S RECOMMEND: Dead Space

Click here to purchase!

Twelve years has passed since Dead Space first debuted on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, and the game still stands as one of the scariest survival horror titles ever. In the single-player game from Electronic Arts, you play as Isaac Clarke, a systems engineer who is tasked with working his way through a mining spaceship, the Ishimura, where an alien artifact called the Marker has turned everyone on board into horrific creatures called Necromorphs. As Isaac, players have to fight their way through as they navigate the ship, solve puzzles, find ammo, and struggle with the character’s growing psychosis. The terror arises from the unknown, particularly as you move through the ship unsure of when a Necromorph is going to jump out at you, and the brilliant use of sound that creates a disturbing atmosphere of high-tension and isolation.

GRANT HERMANNS RECOMMENDS: Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Click here to purchase!

George A. Romero’s 1978 zombie classic Dawn of the Dead was a brilliant bit of satirical comedy mixed with undead action and though I greatly appreciate what he gave us, the James Gunn-penned remake is an energetic blast that is wildly unappreciated given its iconic source. Centered on a group of people taking shelter from a zombie apocalypse in a shopping mall, the film admittedly loses some of the capitalist satire from the original but expands the roster to feature a number of enjoyable, if unlikable, characters, infuses a nice wit throughout, utilizes incredible practical effects for its undead and some bold choices in regards to character deaths. Not to mention the wonderful homages and callbacks it features to the original film, most notably excellent cameo appearances from Ken Foree, Tom Savini and Scott Reiniger.

MAGGIE DELA PAZ’S RECOMMEND: Kingdom (South Korean Drama)

Seasons 1 & 2 are Available on Netflix!

Click here to purchase the comic that inspired the series!

Set during South Korea’s Joseon dynasty, the series centers around Crown Prince Lee Chang as he tries to find out the truth behind his father’s mysterious illness which he suspects involves a political conspiracy against his succession to the throne. Unbeknownst to him, there is a much bigger threat that is coming as the illness spreads like wildfire all throughout his country turning people into flesh-eating monsters. Now, it is up to Chang along with physician Seo-Bi and the skillful Yeong-Shin to fight the dead and search for the cure all the while trying to save the royal dynasty from falling into treacherous hands.

If you are a fan of Train to Busan, I assure you that you will love Kingdom even more than the 2016 hit blockbuster film. Based on Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il’s webtoon comic, this South Korean horror drama features a well-crafted storyline that was topped off by great and moving performances from its cast led by Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona and the versatile Ryu Seung-ryong. It also features suspenseful and highly-entertaining sequences that will leave you on the edge of your seat through every scene. In addition to its horror aspects, the series also tells a political story that is as engaging as its zombie scenes.

JEFF AMES’ Recommend: Monster House

Click here to purchase!

Forget the Nightmare Before Christmas and its non-stop musical numbers, the best animated Halloween flick remains Gil Kenan’s ridiculously underappreciated, gorgeously animated Monster House. Equal parts funny and scary, and packed with plenty of heart to go along with its clever premise, this kid feature owes a lot to the Amblin Entertainment films of yesteryear in its depiction of suburbia, adolescence and childhood terrors. Indeed, the filmmakers (including producers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis) go to great pains to show how talking to a girl is, in some regards, even more terrifying to a 12-year old than flinging dynamite at a deranged, living, breathing two-story monster whilst hanging from a crane over a vast construction site. And while the story of neighborhood pals knocking heads with a creature from beyond the grave remains simplistic, Kenan underscores the action with a hint of sorrow at a bygone era full of video game arcades, outdoor adventures and neighborhoods safe enough to require just two on duty cops at a time; and where the greatest threat to a young man’s well-being were supernatural.

ComingSoon.net recommends all readers comply with CDC guidelines and remain as isolated as possible and to wear your mask during this urgent time.

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