Month: December 2022

Taylor Swift is set to make her feature directorial debut with an original script written by Swift, with Fox Searchlight producing.  Searchlight presidents David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield said in a statement: “Taylor is a once in a generation artist and storyteller. It is a genuine joy and privilege to collaborate with her as she embarks on this exciting and new creative journey.”

Earlier this year, Swift transitioned into film with the release of All Too Well: The Short Film, a ten minute project which she directed, wrote, produced, and starred in.  All Too Well became the longest song to enter and reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which was first released in 1971 with a run time of 8 minutes and 42 seconds. Swift premiered the short film at the 21st Tribeca Festival Talks in June.

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Sony Pictures Entertainment has shared the trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the first of a two-part sequel to the 2018 Oscar-winning Into the Spider-Verse.  The two-and-a-half-minute trailer offers a look at the latest chapter of Miles Morales’ hero’s journey, which sees him reunite with Gwen Stacy on a trip through the multiverse. Teased in the trailer is Across the Spider-Verse‘s new dimension-driven storyline, which co-writer and producer Christopher Miller previously said “really opened up an opportunity artistically to have each world have its own art style, and to be able to push the folks at ImageWorks to develop a way to have each dimension feel like it was drawn by a different artist’s hand.”

The sequel’s returning voice cast includes Shameik Moore as Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Stacy/Spider-Gwen, Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, Luna Lauren Velez as Rio Morales and Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis. Additionally, Across the Spider-Verse will see Issa Rae as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman, Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 and Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobie” Brown/Spider-Punk. Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham and Jason Schwartzman among the voice ensemble.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set to release in theaters on June 2, 2023. Take a look at the trailer: here.

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Henry Cavill said in a social media post that he’s been dropped as Superman in the DC Extended Universe, following a meeting with filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran, who were named co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios in October. Cavill had confirmed his return as Superman in October, following a cameo in the film Black Adam. Shortly after that announcement, news broke that Liam Hemsworth would replace Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix series The Witcher.

The 39-year-old actor wrote: “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.”

Cavill added:“For those who have been by my side through the years….. we can mourn for a bit, but then we must remember…. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.”

Gunn tweeted that he and Safran have “a DC slate ready to go,” including a new Superman film without Cavill: “Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill …But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”

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Hugh Grant has been cast in the upcoming HBO limited series “The Palace,” joining previously announced cast members Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Andrea Riseborough. Exact character details for the series are being kept under wraps, and the drama is said to “tell the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel.”

“The Palace” will be the fourth HBO limited series with Winslet in the lead role. Winslet is also attached to star in the HBO limited series “The Trust,” based on the novel of the same name by Hernan Diaz. Prior to that, Winslet starred in the HBO limited series “Mare of Easttown,” for which she won the Emmy Award for best actress in a limited series. Grant previously starred in the critically-acclaimed HBO limited series “The Undoing” opposite Nicole Kidman, receiving both an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for his work on the show.

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Stephen “tWitch” Boss, dancer and judge of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and DJ on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, has died at age 40. A cause of death was not officially announced, but TMZ has reported that Boss died by suicide.

Boss’ wife, fellow dancer Allison Holker, issued a statement confirming her husband’s death: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband, Stephen, has left us. Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends, and community above all else, and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans … To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”  Holker concluded her statement with: “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.’

Apple TV+ has shared a teaser for the new series Shrinking, featuring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Shrinking hails from Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence, Ted Lasso writer Brett Goldstein and Segel. Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell also star.

The series follows a grieving therapist (Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. An official description reads: “Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives… including his own.”

Shrinking will have a two-episode premiere Jan. 27, 2023, with subsequent episodes to be released Fridays. Take a look at the teaser – here.

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