Bob Booker, the veteran writer and producer whose crowning achievement was the hugely popular 1962 comedy album The First Family, which poked fun at President John F. Kennedy and won the Grammy for album of the year, has died. He was 92.
Booker died Friday of heart failure at his home in Tiburon, California, his family announced. He spent 75 years working in the recording industry and in radio, film and television.
Booker also teamed with George Foster to write the cult film The Phynx (1970), about a rock band who goes to Albania to rescue celebrities (among them Colonel Sanders and Leo Gorcey of The Bowery Boys) taken captive by communists.
He wrote and produced five seasons (1987-91) of the syndicated sitcom Out of This World, which starred Donna Pescow, Maureen Flannigan and friend Burt Reynolds, who as a favor agreed to voice the extra-terrestrial father on the show.
Booker and partner Earle Doud...
Booker died Friday of heart failure at his home in Tiburon, California, his family announced. He spent 75 years working in the recording industry and in radio, film and television.
Booker also teamed with George Foster to write the cult film The Phynx (1970), about a rock band who goes to Albania to rescue celebrities (among them Colonel Sanders and Leo Gorcey of The Bowery Boys) taken captive by communists.
He wrote and produced five seasons (1987-91) of the syndicated sitcom Out of This World, which starred Donna Pescow, Maureen Flannigan and friend Burt Reynolds, who as a favor agreed to voice the extra-terrestrial father on the show.
Booker and partner Earle Doud...
- 7/18/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TV producer/writer Bob Booker, who spent 75 years working in television, radio, film, and the recording industry, died July 12 at his home in Tiburon, California, at age 92 from heart failure, according to his daughter, Laura Booker.
Booker was best known for the Grammy Award-winning album, The First Family,
In 1963, Booker, with partner Earle Doud, wrote and produced The First Family, a lampoon of President John F. Kennedy and his family starring Vaughn Meader. The album became the largest- and fastest-selling record in the history of the record industry, selling one million copies per week for the first six weeks and ultimately selling 7.5 million copies. The First Family went on to win the Grammy for Best Album that year.
JFK was known to have enjoyed parody, and when asked about the album, he replied, “I listened to Mr. Meader’s record, and frankly, I thought it sounded more like Teddy than it did me.
Booker was best known for the Grammy Award-winning album, The First Family,
In 1963, Booker, with partner Earle Doud, wrote and produced The First Family, a lampoon of President John F. Kennedy and his family starring Vaughn Meader. The album became the largest- and fastest-selling record in the history of the record industry, selling one million copies per week for the first six weeks and ultimately selling 7.5 million copies. The First Family went on to win the Grammy for Best Album that year.
JFK was known to have enjoyed parody, and when asked about the album, he replied, “I listened to Mr. Meader’s record, and frankly, I thought it sounded more like Teddy than it did me.
- 7/18/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
ElevenLabs wants to turn silver screen legends into your personal narrator. The two-year-old AI startup has launched Iconic Voices, which recreates the speech patterns of departed Hollywood luminaries.
At launch, four Iconic Voices are included in the package. ElevenLabs negotiated with the estates of Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Lawrence Olivier to bring star power to its latest venture. Additional celebrity voices will be added to the library in the coming months.
The Iconic Voices will be powered by ElevenLabs’ text-to-speech model, which has been its key product since its inception. Other recent upgrades to the company’s tech have included an AI-powered voice isolator and a slew of lifelike AI voices.
To activate the more stentorian voices of Garland, Dean, Reynolds, and Olivier, ElevenLabs users must first enter a passage into the platform’s Text Reader. The reader is also available through the App Store, with...
At launch, four Iconic Voices are included in the package. ElevenLabs negotiated with the estates of Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Lawrence Olivier to bring star power to its latest venture. Additional celebrity voices will be added to the library in the coming months.
The Iconic Voices will be powered by ElevenLabs’ text-to-speech model, which has been its key product since its inception. Other recent upgrades to the company’s tech have included an AI-powered voice isolator and a slew of lifelike AI voices.
To activate the more stentorian voices of Garland, Dean, Reynolds, and Olivier, ElevenLabs users must first enter a passage into the platform’s Text Reader. The reader is also available through the App Store, with...
- 7/10/2024
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Nicolas Cage isn’t looking to adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence in Hollywood any time soon.
The Oscar winner spoke out against the technology during an interview with “The Orchid Thief” author Susan Orlean for The New Yorker. Orlean’s nonfiction book was the source material for Charlie Kaufman’s meta film “Adaptation,” with Cage portraying screenwriter Kaufman (and his fictional twin brother Donald) and Meryl Streep playing Orlean.
Cage explained to Orlean that, just after the interview, he had to undergo a “scan” for his upcoming Prime Video series “Noir,” in which Cage reprises his animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” webslinger role, this time in live-action. He revealed concerns about how that scan of his likeness could ultimately be further manipulated by artificial intelligence technology.
“They have to put me in a computer and match my eye color and change — I don’t know,” Cage said. “They...
The Oscar winner spoke out against the technology during an interview with “The Orchid Thief” author Susan Orlean for The New Yorker. Orlean’s nonfiction book was the source material for Charlie Kaufman’s meta film “Adaptation,” with Cage portraying screenwriter Kaufman (and his fictional twin brother Donald) and Meryl Streep playing Orlean.
Cage explained to Orlean that, just after the interview, he had to undergo a “scan” for his upcoming Prime Video series “Noir,” in which Cage reprises his animated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” webslinger role, this time in live-action. He revealed concerns about how that scan of his likeness could ultimately be further manipulated by artificial intelligence technology.
“They have to put me in a computer and match my eye color and change — I don’t know,” Cage said. “They...
- 7/8/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The legend of Quentin Tarantino is a well-established tale in the annals of cinematic history. When he broke out in the industry, the director’s prowess and unbridled power over creativity and storytelling had been unparalleled since the era of Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Ridley Scott, and the like.
Quentin Tarantino on the set of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood [Credit: Sony Pictures]
It was only fair to allow the once-in-a-generation talent to bloom beyond the supervising thumb of studio overlords, whose concerns extended only so far as MPAA ratings and budgetary constraints. Given the stylistic choice of filmmaking that Tarantino would become famous for, scoring a suitable rating would only be the first of many problems faced by Hollywood’s studios.
Quentin Tarantino’s Strange Story Behind Pulp Fiction
The cinaesthetic tastes of Quentin Tarantino has long shaped the form and perception of his movies, the first among them...
Quentin Tarantino on the set of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood [Credit: Sony Pictures]
It was only fair to allow the once-in-a-generation talent to bloom beyond the supervising thumb of studio overlords, whose concerns extended only so far as MPAA ratings and budgetary constraints. Given the stylistic choice of filmmaking that Tarantino would become famous for, scoring a suitable rating would only be the first of many problems faced by Hollywood’s studios.
Quentin Tarantino’s Strange Story Behind Pulp Fiction
The cinaesthetic tastes of Quentin Tarantino has long shaped the form and perception of his movies, the first among them...
- 7/6/2024
- by Diya Majumdar
- FandomWire
It doesn’t take the Wizard of Oz to recreate Judy Garland’s voice — just AI.
The late, legendary actress is being reintroduced to audiences via AI audio company ElevenLabs, which received permission from Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli to use her voice in its new “Iconic Voices” option on the Reader App. Users will be able to hear “Garland” read them books, articles, and essays.
“It’s exciting to see our mother’s voice available to the countless millions of people who love her,” Minnelli, who is the representative of Garland’s estate, said in a statement to media. “Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama, and be exciting to those who already cherish the unparalleled legacy that Mama gave and continues to give to the world.”
Other voices that ElevenLabs has recreated include James Dean, Burt Reynolds,...
The late, legendary actress is being reintroduced to audiences via AI audio company ElevenLabs, which received permission from Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli to use her voice in its new “Iconic Voices” option on the Reader App. Users will be able to hear “Garland” read them books, articles, and essays.
“It’s exciting to see our mother’s voice available to the countless millions of people who love her,” Minnelli, who is the representative of Garland’s estate, said in a statement to media. “Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama, and be exciting to those who already cherish the unparalleled legacy that Mama gave and continues to give to the world.”
Other voices that ElevenLabs has recreated include James Dean, Burt Reynolds,...
- 7/3/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Who says 1994 was a classic year for cinema? Netflix begins today to make that argument, curating a release of 17 films that turned 30 this year. The streamer has its list below. I have mine, and with the exception of the seminal Farrelly Brothers-directed Dumb & Dumber with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, and Luc Besson’s Leon: The Professional, the film that stars Jean Reno and a sinister Gary Oldman and introduced the world to the outsized talent Natalie Portman, and maybe Ron Howard’s The Paper, there’s a lot missing. How about Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, The Lion King, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Clear and Present Danger, Sicario, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Interview With the Vampire, Speed, Ed Wood, and the other two films in a starmaking year for Jim Carrey, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask. Speed, Once Were Warriors, and Ang Lee...
- 7/1/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Gosling was last seen in the action comedy The Fall Guy, which saw him play a stuntman embroiled in a crime involving his boss. Based on the TV show of the same name, the film was a tribute to the stunt community, with many promotional events featuring and celebrating them. Gosling’s performance was appreciated in the film.
Gosling started his career as a child actor with The All-New Mickey Mouse Club at the age of 13. The actor also made his feature film debut a few years later as a teen in Frankenstein and Me, which also starred Burt Reynolds. The Barbie star mentioned that he received extra attention on the sets of the film as Reynolds was into his mom.
Ryan Gosling’s Beautiful Mom Led Him To Get Extra Attention From Burt Reynolds Ryan Gosling | Credits: 87North Productions/Entertainment 360
Ryan Gosling gained prominence as a child actor,...
Gosling started his career as a child actor with The All-New Mickey Mouse Club at the age of 13. The actor also made his feature film debut a few years later as a teen in Frankenstein and Me, which also starred Burt Reynolds. The Barbie star mentioned that he received extra attention on the sets of the film as Reynolds was into his mom.
Ryan Gosling’s Beautiful Mom Led Him To Get Extra Attention From Burt Reynolds Ryan Gosling | Credits: 87North Productions/Entertainment 360
Ryan Gosling gained prominence as a child actor,...
- 6/30/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Look out, Benoit Blanc! Jennifer Lawrence is prepping an original murder mystery feature at AppleTV+. After studios fought for the package like tossing a bone to a pack of rabid hounds, Apple Original Films emerged as the victor of The Wives, a film project starring and produced by Jennifer Lawrence.
Much like the film’s genre, details about the plot remain a mystery. However, word around the Hollywood water cooler suggests the film takes inspiration from the Real Housewives reality franchise. The script was written by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley (Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical).
If you walked outside your house and threw a rock, it would likely land on the site of one of Jennifer Lawrence’s upcoming projects. She has six ventures in various stages of development and production, including Sue, a biopic about the Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers. Initially, Mengers was a secretary to William Morris,...
Much like the film’s genre, details about the plot remain a mystery. However, word around the Hollywood water cooler suggests the film takes inspiration from the Real Housewives reality franchise. The script was written by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley (Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical).
If you walked outside your house and threw a rock, it would likely land on the site of one of Jennifer Lawrence’s upcoming projects. She has six ventures in various stages of development and production, including Sue, a biopic about the Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers. Initially, Mengers was a secretary to William Morris,...
- 6/21/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Being a movie star is both a blessing and a curse. The blessings are fairly obvious, but, like all things that are too good to be true, they bring with them the seeds for the curse that follows, which is that movie stardom can set actors up for that much greater a fall should they start to slip off their pedestal. Some instances of actors taking a hard fall are deserved when it's to do with their offscreen behavior, yet in instances where it's mostly to do with the projects they're involved with being subpar, it's hard not to feel sorry for them.
Take Burt Reynolds, for instance. By the end of the 1970s he was among the most well-known and highest-paid actors working, and as the 1980s rolled on he continued to work with other name stars and solid filmmakers like Dolly Parton, Don Siegel, Blake Edwards, his buddy Hal Needham,...
Take Burt Reynolds, for instance. By the end of the 1970s he was among the most well-known and highest-paid actors working, and as the 1980s rolled on he continued to work with other name stars and solid filmmakers like Dolly Parton, Don Siegel, Blake Edwards, his buddy Hal Needham,...
- 6/16/2024
- by Bill Bria
- Slash Film
Streets of Fire Image: Universal Pictures Fresh from making Eddie Murphy a star in the hit buddy cop comedy 48 Hrs., Walter Hill, a filmmaker known for genre flicks about men doing a lot of manly shit, had the idea to do, according to the opening credits, a “rock and...
- 6/3/2024
- by Craig D. Lindsey
- avclub.com
Streets of FireImage: Universal Pictures
Fresh from making Eddie Murphy a star in the hit buddy cop comedy 48 Hrs., Walter Hill, a filmmaker known for genre flicks about men doing a lot of manly shit, had the idea to do, according to the opening credits, a “rock and roll fable” set in “another time,...
Fresh from making Eddie Murphy a star in the hit buddy cop comedy 48 Hrs., Walter Hill, a filmmaker known for genre flicks about men doing a lot of manly shit, had the idea to do, according to the opening credits, a “rock and roll fable” set in “another time,...
- 6/3/2024
- by Craig D. Lindsey
- avclub.com
For many years, Dolly Parton spent a good deal of her time on tour. She traveled with many musicians, but there were a few she did not want to join her on the road. According to a talent agent, there were a few major male stars who Parton did not want to be around. Here’s why.
Dolly Parton didn’t want to tour with certain people
For much of Parton’s career, she has dealt with rumors about affairs between herself and various other celebrities. People paired her with Porter Wagoner, Burt Reynolds, Sylvester Stallone, and others. Her former boyfriend, Bobby Denton, said there was little truth to these rumors.
“Oh, I don’t think anybody ever really believed that gossip,” Denton said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash. “You know people start wild, vicious rumors, and the people who knew Dolly didn’t believe it. Any time...
Dolly Parton didn’t want to tour with certain people
For much of Parton’s career, she has dealt with rumors about affairs between herself and various other celebrities. People paired her with Porter Wagoner, Burt Reynolds, Sylvester Stallone, and others. Her former boyfriend, Bobby Denton, said there was little truth to these rumors.
“Oh, I don’t think anybody ever really believed that gossip,” Denton said in the book Dolly by Alanna Nash. “You know people start wild, vicious rumors, and the people who knew Dolly didn’t believe it. Any time...
- 5/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Albert S Ruddy, the Hollywood film and television producer who earned best picture Academy Awards for both The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby, has died peacefully following a brief illness. He was 94.
Born in Montreal and raised in New York City, Ruddy began his entertainment career as creator, with Bernie Fein, of sixties TV sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. He produced features including Robert Redford drama Little Fauss And Big Halsy before being brought in by Paramount as sole producer of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, for which he won his first Oscar in 1973.
Ruddy later served as executive producer on The Offer,...
Born in Montreal and raised in New York City, Ruddy began his entertainment career as creator, with Bernie Fein, of sixties TV sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. He produced features including Robert Redford drama Little Fauss And Big Halsy before being brought in by Paramount as sole producer of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, for which he won his first Oscar in 1973.
Ruddy later served as executive producer on The Offer,...
- 5/28/2024
- ScreenDaily
Albert S. Ruddy, who earned two Best Picture Oscars for producing The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby and co-created TV shows including Walker, Texas Ranger and Hogan’s Heroes, died May 25 at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center after a brief illness, a family spokesman said. He was 94.
Ruddy is one of nine producers ever to earn two or more Best Picture Oscars, and has the distinction of winning them with the largest interval in between — 32 years.
He recently was portrayed by Miles Teller in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, which chronicles Ruddy’s experience making the 1972 film that Coppola directed and adapted with Mario Puzo from the latter’s bestselling novel.
Related: Peter Bart: ‘The Offer’ Spins A Mafia Tale About ‘The Godfather’ That’s Really More Fiction Than Fact
“Al was truly one of the great Hollywood mavericks,” The Offer director Dexter Fletcher said in a statement. “One of...
Ruddy is one of nine producers ever to earn two or more Best Picture Oscars, and has the distinction of winning them with the largest interval in between — 32 years.
He recently was portrayed by Miles Teller in the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer, which chronicles Ruddy’s experience making the 1972 film that Coppola directed and adapted with Mario Puzo from the latter’s bestselling novel.
Related: Peter Bart: ‘The Offer’ Spins A Mafia Tale About ‘The Godfather’ That’s Really More Fiction Than Fact
“Al was truly one of the great Hollywood mavericks,” The Offer director Dexter Fletcher said in a statement. “One of...
- 5/28/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Al Ruddy, who co-created the famed CBS sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, then captured Academy Awards for producing the best picture winners The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby, has died. He was 94.
Ruddy, also credited as one of the creators of the long-running CBS police drama Walker, Texas Ranger, died Saturday following a brief illness at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, a publicist announced.
On the heels of The Godfather (1972), Ruddy produced another box-office hit with the original The Longest Yard (1974), the prison-set football movie that starred Burt Reynolds. The pair then reteamed for the action road films The Cannonball Run (1981) and its 1984 sequel, both directed by stuntman-turned-helmer Hal Needham.
The personable Ruddy also produced such films as Bad Girls (1994), the first Western with all female leads (Madeleine Stowe, Mary Stuart Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore); the baseball comedy The Scout (1994), starring Albert Brooks and Brendan Fraser; and Matilda (1978), a comedy...
Ruddy, also credited as one of the creators of the long-running CBS police drama Walker, Texas Ranger, died Saturday following a brief illness at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, a publicist announced.
On the heels of The Godfather (1972), Ruddy produced another box-office hit with the original The Longest Yard (1974), the prison-set football movie that starred Burt Reynolds. The pair then reteamed for the action road films The Cannonball Run (1981) and its 1984 sequel, both directed by stuntman-turned-helmer Hal Needham.
The personable Ruddy also produced such films as Bad Girls (1994), the first Western with all female leads (Madeleine Stowe, Mary Stuart Masterson, Andie MacDowell and Drew Barrymore); the baseball comedy The Scout (1994), starring Albert Brooks and Brendan Fraser; and Matilda (1978), a comedy...
- 5/28/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Darryl Hickman, who appeared in such films as The Grapes of Wrath and Leave Her to Heaven as a youngster before becoming a CBS executive in charge of daytime drama and an actor once more, has died. He was 92.
Hickman, who lived in Montecito, died Wednesday, his family announced.
He was the older brother (by three years) of the late Dwayne Hickman, who starred on the 1959-63 CBS comedy The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Darryl appeared with his brother in Captain Eddie (1945) — he played famed fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbacker as a boy — and on three first-season episodes of Dobie as older brother Davey, who came home from college.
In 1951, after appearances in more than 40 movies, Hickman — who had been a contract player at Paramount and MGM — became disillusioned with the business and entered a monastery, though he was back in show business before long.
Hickman had made his first...
Hickman, who lived in Montecito, died Wednesday, his family announced.
He was the older brother (by three years) of the late Dwayne Hickman, who starred on the 1959-63 CBS comedy The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Darryl appeared with his brother in Captain Eddie (1945) — he played famed fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbacker as a boy — and on three first-season episodes of Dobie as older brother Davey, who came home from college.
In 1951, after appearances in more than 40 movies, Hickman — who had been a contract player at Paramount and MGM — became disillusioned with the business and entered a monastery, though he was back in show business before long.
Hickman had made his first...
- 5/24/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Chances are you’ve never heard of Preston Thomas Tucker; dreamer, inventor, visionary — a man ahead of his time.”
Chances are you’ve never heard of the movie made about him either. Like the car he had created in his name, it came and went in nearly the same breath. And yet, also like the car, the film’s legacy and staying power lies in the strength of its parts, as well as the personal passion put into it by its maker, Francis Ford Coppola. In fact, it’s hard not to watch his 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” and discern a link between Coppola and the film’s eponymous character. Played by a still boyish Jeff Bridges with a glint in his eye and a manic energy that veers between zealous enthusiasm and fevered paranoia, Tucker is a man entwined with his dreams. Much like Coppola, he is driven by family,...
Chances are you’ve never heard of the movie made about him either. Like the car he had created in his name, it came and went in nearly the same breath. And yet, also like the car, the film’s legacy and staying power lies in the strength of its parts, as well as the personal passion put into it by its maker, Francis Ford Coppola. In fact, it’s hard not to watch his 1988 film “Tucker: The Man and His Dream” and discern a link between Coppola and the film’s eponymous character. Played by a still boyish Jeff Bridges with a glint in his eye and a manic energy that veers between zealous enthusiasm and fevered paranoia, Tucker is a man entwined with his dreams. Much like Coppola, he is driven by family,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Friday night at the Fysee space in Hollywood, Netflix hosted the last-ever industry panel with the cast and crew of “The Crown.” The regal drama series aired its final season in November and December, and it has already competed at kudos like the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Now, the upcoming 2024 Emmys will be its last hurrah on the awards circuit. Taking part in the combined in-person and virtual discussion for Season 6 were cast members Imelda Staunton (Queen Elizabeth II), Elizabeth Debicki (Princess Diana), Lesley Manville (Princess Margaret) and Khalid Abdalla (Dodi Fayed), plus executive producer/writer Peter Morgan, casting director Robert Sterne, set decorator Alison Harvey, composer Martin Phipps, hair & makeup designer Cate Hall, and costume designers Amy Roberts & Sidonie Robertsas.
Morgan began the discussion by addressing the fact that Season 6, unlike the prior cycles, took place within recent memory. “Obviously, you’re more mindful...
Morgan began the discussion by addressing the fact that Season 6, unlike the prior cycles, took place within recent memory. “Obviously, you’re more mindful...
- 5/20/2024
- by Marcus James Dixon and Latasha Ford
- Gold Derby
The Godfather remains a revered piece of cinema even after more than fifty years of its release. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film tells the story of Michael Corleone, an outsider in a mafia family, who eventually goes on to become a mafia don. Actor Al Pacino played the role of Michael Corleone, and given his performance it is hard to imagine anyone else as the character.
Marlon Brando and Al Pacino’s perofrmance in The Godfather received critical acclaim.
According to reports, actor Burt Reynolds was once in contention to play the role of Michael Corleone in the film. However, Reynolds had to later decline the offer to star in the movie, after Marlon Brando, who played Michael’s father, threatened to exit if Reynolds was cast over Pacino. Here is how Pacino owes Brando for The Godfather role.
Marlon Brando Threatened to Quit The Godfather if Burt...
Marlon Brando and Al Pacino’s perofrmance in The Godfather received critical acclaim.
According to reports, actor Burt Reynolds was once in contention to play the role of Michael Corleone in the film. However, Reynolds had to later decline the offer to star in the movie, after Marlon Brando, who played Michael’s father, threatened to exit if Reynolds was cast over Pacino. Here is how Pacino owes Brando for The Godfather role.
Marlon Brando Threatened to Quit The Godfather if Burt...
- 5/16/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Al Pacino in the role of Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime drama The Godfather. However, Coppola went out of his way to cast the actor after Paramount wanted a Marvel star in the role of Michael. Interestingly, Al Pacino, a newcomer at the time, had a different role in mind. He eyed the role of the hot-headed Sonny Corleone, which later went to James Caan.
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in a still from The Godfather
The studio was also against Coppola’s choice of Marlon Brando for the role of Vito Corleone. They initially considered Laurence Olivier for the role but once he became unavailable, Coppola and Paramount entered a months-long debate on casting Brando.
Al Pacino Wanted To Play A Different Character In The Godfather
Al Pacino initially wanted to play the role of Sonny Corleone...
Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in a still from The Godfather
The studio was also against Coppola’s choice of Marlon Brando for the role of Vito Corleone. They initially considered Laurence Olivier for the role but once he became unavailable, Coppola and Paramount entered a months-long debate on casting Brando.
Al Pacino Wanted To Play A Different Character In The Godfather
Al Pacino initially wanted to play the role of Sonny Corleone...
- 5/15/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Throughout the six-episode run of Netflix’s Everybody’s in L.A., John Mulaney’s comedian guests kept trying to find ways to describe the live talk show’s chaotic-bordering-on-surreal atmosphere. “I feel like this entire show is a Banksy!” a confused Jon Stewart suggested. Nikki Glaser perhaps explained it best, by telling Mulaney, “It’s like an inside joke that only you are in on.”
That line applies just as well to Mulaney’s delightful 2019 Netflix special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. Both then and now, the...
That line applies just as well to Mulaney’s delightful 2019 Netflix special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. Both then and now, the...
- 5/14/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
It can be undoubtedly said that Jurassic Park is a landmark in the history of cinema. The 1993 Steven Spielberg blockbuster played a crucial role in the career of everyone associated with it. However, the success was not so easy for the lead Sam Neill, who had to go through a lot of pain due to a critical injury during the filming.
Sam Neill in Jurassic Park
There have been several minor as well as major accidents on some of the most iconic film sets. Sam Neill also faced an unfortunate incident while filming Jurassic Park when a massive portion of his left hand was affected by burning phosphorus and left a permanent scar.
What happened to Sam Neill during Jurassic Park‘s filming?
The iconic T-Rex escape scene
Jurassic Park had numerous moments that are still etched in the fans’ minds. Steven Spielberg‘s vision continues to impress us to this date.
Sam Neill in Jurassic Park
There have been several minor as well as major accidents on some of the most iconic film sets. Sam Neill also faced an unfortunate incident while filming Jurassic Park when a massive portion of his left hand was affected by burning phosphorus and left a permanent scar.
What happened to Sam Neill during Jurassic Park‘s filming?
The iconic T-Rex escape scene
Jurassic Park had numerous moments that are still etched in the fans’ minds. Steven Spielberg‘s vision continues to impress us to this date.
- 5/13/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
A few months ago, I wrote an article listing ten movies that – despite being well known – were difficult to find (legally) on any streaming service or even on disc. Those titles ranged from Ron Howard’s Cocoon to movies like Dawn of the Dead (the original). In the comments, many of our readers chimed in with their two cents on films they’ve found difficult to find over the years, so here are a few more challenging-to-find flicks, some of which may surprise you.
Panic Room:
The fact that David Fincher’s Panic Room has never been issued on Blu-ray blows me away. It’s been announced a few times, but a physical release never seems to happen (although you can stream it in HD pretty easily). What gives? You’d think the fact that it has Fincher’s name on it, and stars Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker,...
Panic Room:
The fact that David Fincher’s Panic Room has never been issued on Blu-ray blows me away. It’s been announced a few times, but a physical release never seems to happen (although you can stream it in HD pretty easily). What gives? You’d think the fact that it has Fincher’s name on it, and stars Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It can feel that Robert Clouse must have made a faustian pact back when he helmed “Enter the Dragon”. For all of that film's iconic success, he seemed doomed to be forever searching to recapture it to slowly diminishing returns. From “Game of Death” to “The Battle Creek Brawl”, Golden Harvest would return to him frequently when co-producing stateside. So it was no surprise in 1990 that they would hire him one last time. Eureka Entertainment brings those final features to blu ray and once again Cynthia Rothrock throws down in “China O'Brien”.
on Terracotta by clicking on the image below
China (Cynthia Rothrock), city cop and martial arts teacher saves a student but unwittingly shoots a kid dead. Leaving the Force, she returns home to Beaver Creek where her Sheriff father John (David Blackwell) is finding law and order hard to maintain as local crime boss Sommers...
on Terracotta by clicking on the image below
China (Cynthia Rothrock), city cop and martial arts teacher saves a student but unwittingly shoots a kid dead. Leaving the Force, she returns home to Beaver Creek where her Sheriff father John (David Blackwell) is finding law and order hard to maintain as local crime boss Sommers...
- 5/7/2024
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Before becoming our beloved Ken and doing big in Hollywood, Ryan Gosling shared the screen as a child actor with late Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds in 1996’s Frankenstein & Me. Reynolds was known to be not a very friendly face back then. However, when he showed a different attitude to Gosling, the latter thought he succeeded in impressing his high-profile co-star.
Nevertheless, the happiness was short-lived for the Notebook actor. Gosling was shocked to realize that Reynolds’ affectionate behavior was not meant for him but targeted at his mother, Donna Gosling.
Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights
The late Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest Hollywood stars and rocked the pop culture world of the 1970s. It was not wrong for Ryan Gosling to attempt to strike a friendship with his much-experienced co-star. Regardless, the scenario played out a bit differently than he expected.
How did Donna Gosling steal Ryan Gosling’s spotlight?...
Nevertheless, the happiness was short-lived for the Notebook actor. Gosling was shocked to realize that Reynolds’ affectionate behavior was not meant for him but targeted at his mother, Donna Gosling.
Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights
The late Burt Reynolds was one of the biggest Hollywood stars and rocked the pop culture world of the 1970s. It was not wrong for Ryan Gosling to attempt to strike a friendship with his much-experienced co-star. Regardless, the scenario played out a bit differently than he expected.
How did Donna Gosling steal Ryan Gosling’s spotlight?...
- 5/4/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy, directed by David Leitch. Courtesy of Universal Pictures
A love letter to Hollywood and stunt men, The Fall Guy is an entertaining, stunt-packed action/comedy film wrapped around a rom-com center, starring Ryan Gosling as a stuntman and Emily Blunt as the director on a big-budget action film. The two have a romantic history, and Gosling’s stuntman is longing to get her back, but there are plenty of complications, thanks mostly to the big-ego action star he is doubling and a manipulative high-powered producer, even before all those risky stunts.
Ryan Gosling follows up his Ken role in Barbie with action-filled part as a hardworking stunt man, in director David Leitch’s The Fall Guy. Leitch is a former stuntman, so he knows what he is doing here with this action-comedy. Leith goes with practical effects rather than green screen giving this entertaining,...
A love letter to Hollywood and stunt men, The Fall Guy is an entertaining, stunt-packed action/comedy film wrapped around a rom-com center, starring Ryan Gosling as a stuntman and Emily Blunt as the director on a big-budget action film. The two have a romantic history, and Gosling’s stuntman is longing to get her back, but there are plenty of complications, thanks mostly to the big-ego action star he is doubling and a manipulative high-powered producer, even before all those risky stunts.
Ryan Gosling follows up his Ken role in Barbie with action-filled part as a hardworking stunt man, in director David Leitch’s The Fall Guy. Leitch is a former stuntman, so he knows what he is doing here with this action-comedy. Leith goes with practical effects rather than green screen giving this entertaining,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
An Unusual Shine on Set Ryan Gosling, known for his roles in various acclaimed films, once experienced a somewhat surreal moment during the shooting of his debut film Frankenstein and Me. It wasn’t his acting that caught everyone’s attention, but rather his mother, Donna Gosling. As Ryan revealed, He was just kind of interested. It was like I was getting, like, a secondary shine. The real shine was for my mom. This incidents forged a curious anecdote about Burt Reynolds, a co-star from the film. Spark of Interest from Burt Reynolds The incident occurred back in 1996 when Ryan starred
The post Ryan Gosling Recalls an Actor’s Interest in His Mother During Film Shoot first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Ryan Gosling Recalls an Actor’s Interest in His Mother During Film Shoot first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/3/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
On a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ryan Gosling shared some surprisingly humorous and tender revelations about his early interaction with the late Burt Reynolds during the filming of ‘Frankenstein and Me’. Ryan’s Expectation Met Reality When the two actors shared the set in 1996, a young Ryan felt a special connection with Reynolds. However, he later realized that Reynolds’ attention was mainly captivated by his mother, Donna. I thought he thought there was something special about me. And then I realized that I have a really beautiful mom, recalled Gosling, emphasizing how his expectations were nuanced by his
The post Ryan Gosling Shares How His Hopes of Befriending Burt Reynolds Were Thwarted by His Mother first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Ryan Gosling Shares How His Hopes of Befriending Burt Reynolds Were Thwarted by His Mother first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/3/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Ryan Gosling’s teenage actor hopes for a friendship with late screen legend Burt Reynolds were dashed when he learned that the 1970s movie icon was more interested in his mother.
While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, the 43-year-old Barbie Oscar nominee and star of the new movie The Fall Guy recalled his time spent with the late star of Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance and many more 1970s classics; the two were working together on the 1996 family comedy, Frankenstein and Me.
Reynolds had something of a reputation for being surly and unfriendly in his heyday, so while discussing the shoot, Kimmel wanted to know if the child actor and veteran star struck up any sort of friendship or rapport. Gosling told him that Reynolds was perfectly nice to him on set, but revealed that this was potentially a plan to win the favor of his mother, Donna Gosling.
While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, the 43-year-old Barbie Oscar nominee and star of the new movie The Fall Guy recalled his time spent with the late star of Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance and many more 1970s classics; the two were working together on the 1996 family comedy, Frankenstein and Me.
Reynolds had something of a reputation for being surly and unfriendly in his heyday, so while discussing the shoot, Kimmel wanted to know if the child actor and veteran star struck up any sort of friendship or rapport. Gosling told him that Reynolds was perfectly nice to him on set, but revealed that this was potentially a plan to win the favor of his mother, Donna Gosling.
- 5/2/2024
- by Kevin Dolak
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Drew Barrymore went in a different direction in the ’90s, as the long-time star has now confirmed that she once opted to play Cinderella instead of a porn star. The actress recently shared on an episode of her eponymous talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show” (via The Hollywood Reporter) that she did in fact turn down a role in “Boogie Nights.” Barrymore has long been rumored to have been considered for the Rollergirl part, which later went to Heather Graham.
“It’s so hard when you, like, are thinking of doing a film and then you don’t end up doing it,” Barrymore said. “I have so many of those experiences. I’ve never said this out loud, ‘Boogie Nights.’ There was a moment where we were talking about ‘Boogie Nights’ and I think it’s when I went and did ‘Ever After’ [‘A Cinderella Story’] and I went in a very different direction.
“It’s so hard when you, like, are thinking of doing a film and then you don’t end up doing it,” Barrymore said. “I have so many of those experiences. I’ve never said this out loud, ‘Boogie Nights.’ There was a moment where we were talking about ‘Boogie Nights’ and I think it’s when I went and did ‘Ever After’ [‘A Cinderella Story’] and I went in a very different direction.
- 4/26/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Janet Jackson and Drew Barrymore are looking back at their acting careers and revealing some iconic movies they passed on.
The singer made a surprise appearance on Friday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, and in a preview clip, Jackson shared which legendary superhero she almost played.
After being asked if she was supposed to star in The Matrix, she responded, “No.” Jackson added that she couldn’t remember the film’s name but knew who got the role when she turned it down.
“It was…this is horrible,” the Good Times alum said. “I can’t remember the film, but Halle Berry played Storm.” Barrymore exclaimed in response, “X-Men?”
“I couldn’t because I was just embarking on the Janet tour,” Jackson continued. “But I think that’s what you’re confusing it with. It wasn’t The Matrix.”
Berry debuted her superhero Storm in the 2001 movie, adapted from the Marvel comic book,...
The singer made a surprise appearance on Friday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, and in a preview clip, Jackson shared which legendary superhero she almost played.
After being asked if she was supposed to star in The Matrix, she responded, “No.” Jackson added that she couldn’t remember the film’s name but knew who got the role when she turned it down.
“It was…this is horrible,” the Good Times alum said. “I can’t remember the film, but Halle Berry played Storm.” Barrymore exclaimed in response, “X-Men?”
“I couldn’t because I was just embarking on the Janet tour,” Jackson continued. “But I think that’s what you’re confusing it with. It wasn’t The Matrix.”
Berry debuted her superhero Storm in the 2001 movie, adapted from the Marvel comic book,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Burt Reynolds passed away five years ago, yet the legend of the actor, sex symbol, and famous mustache-wearer continues to grow even now. The most recent Reynolds anecdote to circulate comes courtesy of "Boogie Nights," where the "Smokey and the Bandit" star infamously clashed with a then 27-year-old Paul Thomas Anderson.
Stories of Reynolds' displeasure with the filming experience on the 1997 porn-centric comedic drama are widely known by now, and The Washington Post even reported once that he fired his agent after doing the film. In an interview with GQ in 2015, Reynolds admitted that he'd be hesitant to work with Anderson -- who earned a Best Writing Oscar nomination for "Boogie Nights," and 10 additional nominations since -- again. As Reynolds put it, "Personality-wise, we didn't fit." At the time, the actor didn't mince words, saying that during the "Boogie Nights" shoot he found Anderson "young and full of himself" and...
Stories of Reynolds' displeasure with the filming experience on the 1997 porn-centric comedic drama are widely known by now, and The Washington Post even reported once that he fired his agent after doing the film. In an interview with GQ in 2015, Reynolds admitted that he'd be hesitant to work with Anderson -- who earned a Best Writing Oscar nomination for "Boogie Nights," and 10 additional nominations since -- again. As Reynolds put it, "Personality-wise, we didn't fit." At the time, the actor didn't mince words, saying that during the "Boogie Nights" shoot he found Anderson "young and full of himself" and...
- 4/13/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Dolly Parton places great value on her friendships. She has known her best friend, Judy Ogle, since childhood, and built solid relationships with many of the people who support her career. When she moved to Los Angeles, she relied on a network of friends in the city. Eventually, though, she had to pull back from these relationships. She said this left her feeling incredibly lonely.
Dolly Parton said she felt alone after dealing with a problem in her friendship
In the early 1980s, Parton began spending more time in LA because of her burgeoning film career. She built an LA family out of Ogle, her bandleader Gregg Perry, and his secretary, Susie Glickman.
“Judy and I had more time for each other now with Gregg and Susie managing things so smoothly,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. “We were able to take our trips together and felt good again.
Dolly Parton said she felt alone after dealing with a problem in her friendship
In the early 1980s, Parton began spending more time in LA because of her burgeoning film career. She built an LA family out of Ogle, her bandleader Gregg Perry, and his secretary, Susie Glickman.
“Judy and I had more time for each other now with Gregg and Susie managing things so smoothly,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. “We were able to take our trips together and felt good again.
- 4/13/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Edgar Burcksen, a veteran TV and film editor who won an Emmy for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, worked at Industrial Light & Magic and was a longtime American Cinema Editors board member, has died. He was 76.
Innovative Artists said he died April 7 in Los Angeles from complications of a heart attack.
A Holland native, Burcksen began his career editing features in Amsterdam and won the Golden Calf at the Nederlands Film Festival. He moved to California in 1985 and was supervising editor for more than 50 episodes of Seabert, a cartoon series that aired Saturday mornings in France and later aired on HBO.
Burcksen then was hired at Colossal Pictures in San Francisco, where he worked on commercials for the likes of Disney and Budweiser and on music videos for Thomas Dolby and the Grateful Dead, during the legendary band’s late-’80s commercial resurgence.
An early backer of non-linear editing, Burcksen then joined Industrial Light & Magic,...
Innovative Artists said he died April 7 in Los Angeles from complications of a heart attack.
A Holland native, Burcksen began his career editing features in Amsterdam and won the Golden Calf at the Nederlands Film Festival. He moved to California in 1985 and was supervising editor for more than 50 episodes of Seabert, a cartoon series that aired Saturday mornings in France and later aired on HBO.
Burcksen then was hired at Colossal Pictures in San Francisco, where he worked on commercials for the likes of Disney and Budweiser and on music videos for Thomas Dolby and the Grateful Dead, during the legendary band’s late-’80s commercial resurgence.
An early backer of non-linear editing, Burcksen then joined Industrial Light & Magic,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The pitch was "Rambo in an office building." In the 1980s, the idea of a Rambo type in anything, anywhere would at least get your project shuttled down the studio production pipeline. 20th Century Fox rightly believed they had a potential winner in "Die Hard." So why was the project anathema to every A-list movie star in Hollywood?
Perhaps it was the pedigree. "Die Hard" was an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's action novel "Nothing Lasts Forever," the author's 1979 sequel to his 1966 bestseller "The Detective." That cop thriller had been turned into a 1968 star vehicle for Frank Sinatra, who was nearing the end of his 1960s big-screen comeback. It was a solid hit for 20th Century Fox, but, despite a feint toward grittiness, it was viewed as nothing more than a paycheck gig for the Chairman.
So 20 years later, when Fox spied blockbuster potential in Thorp's sequel (which was...
Perhaps it was the pedigree. "Die Hard" was an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's action novel "Nothing Lasts Forever," the author's 1979 sequel to his 1966 bestseller "The Detective." That cop thriller had been turned into a 1968 star vehicle for Frank Sinatra, who was nearing the end of his 1960s big-screen comeback. It was a solid hit for 20th Century Fox, but, despite a feint toward grittiness, it was viewed as nothing more than a paycheck gig for the Chairman.
So 20 years later, when Fox spied blockbuster potential in Thorp's sequel (which was...
- 4/7/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Tyler Cameron is heading back to reality television and fans can’t wait. The first trailer for his new show dropped on April 2 and fans already can’t wait to see what is coming. To get fans excited about the upcoming show, he shared an announcement on April Fool’s Day and it had many fans clicking with anticipation. What did he do and what is his new show about? Keep reading to get the scoop.
Tyler Cameron Has New Show Coming Out
In an attempt to get fans excited about his new show, Tyler Cameron posted a sexy photo on Instagram which announced he was starting an Only Fans page. He really did open an Only Fans account. However, he only created the account to promote his new reality show and get people excited about the trailer.
Tyler used an old shoot from Burt Reynolds as his inspiration for the Only Fans promo.
Tyler Cameron Has New Show Coming Out
In an attempt to get fans excited about his new show, Tyler Cameron posted a sexy photo on Instagram which announced he was starting an Only Fans page. He really did open an Only Fans account. However, he only created the account to promote his new reality show and get people excited about the trailer.
Tyler used an old shoot from Burt Reynolds as his inspiration for the Only Fans promo.
- 4/7/2024
- by Jamie Colclasure
- TV Shows Ace
Dolly Parton’s husband has weathered his fair share of affair rumors over the years. She has described herself as the “Queen of the Tabloids,” with stories about her alleged affairs frequently making headlines. Her husband, Carl Dean, grew so used to it that he joked about it with her. After rumors swirled about an affair between Parton and Burt Reynolds, her husband said he wanted to send a photo of their “baby” to the media.
Dolly Parton’s husband joked about her relationship with Burt Reynolds
Parton and Reynolds starred in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas together in 1982. Rumors began to circulate that the two were having an affair, which Parton publicly squashed.
“There were the inevitable rumors that Burt and I were romantically involved, and one day, in an interview, somebody asked me if it was true,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business.
Dolly Parton’s husband joked about her relationship with Burt Reynolds
Parton and Reynolds starred in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas together in 1982. Rumors began to circulate that the two were having an affair, which Parton publicly squashed.
“There were the inevitable rumors that Burt and I were romantically involved, and one day, in an interview, somebody asked me if it was true,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business.
- 4/1/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Story: It is the future (like say – 1989). Robots are now commonplace, being used for everything from manual labor to childcare. But, robots go bad and when they do, the LAPD calls in Sgt. Jack R. Ramsay (Tom Selleck), an expert in so-called “Runaways”. When a madman (Gene Simmons) invents a microchip that turns all robots into runaways, Ramsay, and his new partner (Cynthia Rhodes) must put a stop to his evil plan – the fate of the world just may depend on it! Oh, and also Ramsay is afraid of heights. Trust me, that’s important.
The Players: Starring: Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes, Kirstie Alley, G. W. Bailey and Gene Simmons. Written and directed by Michael Crichton.
The History: While most famous for his novels, Michael Crichton actually had a decent Hollywood career as a director, having a couple of solid hits under his belt by the time 1984 rolled around.
The Players: Starring: Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes, Kirstie Alley, G. W. Bailey and Gene Simmons. Written and directed by Michael Crichton.
The History: While most famous for his novels, Michael Crichton actually had a decent Hollywood career as a director, having a couple of solid hits under his belt by the time 1984 rolled around.
- 3/30/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Following his breakout role in 1923, Brandon Sklenar looks to have found his next feature film project as he is set to join Christoper Landon’s film Drop from Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse. Meghann Fahy is also on board with Landon directing.
The film’s logline is being kept under wraps, but it’s said to be a fast-paced thriller.
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach penned the script, with Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes — producing. Sam Lerner is an executive producer. The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.
The partnership between the two production companies has delivered huge results from its Purge franchise that includes five films with the sixth on the way as well as a TV series.
Sklenar will next star in Sony’s film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel...
The film’s logline is being kept under wraps, but it’s said to be a fast-paced thriller.
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach penned the script, with Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes — producing. Sam Lerner is an executive producer. The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.
The partnership between the two production companies has delivered huge results from its Purge franchise that includes five films with the sixth on the way as well as a TV series.
Sklenar will next star in Sony’s film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel...
- 3/27/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
We are somehow now into the spring season, and while cinemas have been a tad dull, noteworthy new books have arrived at a frantic pace. Here are some that should be on your radar, and please note that our next column will include, among other treats, a lengthy rundown of recent noteworthy novels.
The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two by Tanya Lapointe with Stefanie Broos (Insight Editions)
Dune: Part One, the first of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptations of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic, spawned a handful of painstakingly crafted, info-packed hardcover books. The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two takes the same approach that made these earlier texts so satisfying. Tanya Lapointe was on set every day, and her accounts of the pre-production, production, and post-production processes are captivating. The designs of Geidi Prime are standouts and supplemented with quotes like the following, from production designer Patrice Vermette...
The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two by Tanya Lapointe with Stefanie Broos (Insight Editions)
Dune: Part One, the first of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptations of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic, spawned a handful of painstakingly crafted, info-packed hardcover books. The Art and Soul of Dune: Part Two takes the same approach that made these earlier texts so satisfying. Tanya Lapointe was on set every day, and her accounts of the pre-production, production, and post-production processes are captivating. The designs of Geidi Prime are standouts and supplemented with quotes like the following, from production designer Patrice Vermette...
- 3/21/2024
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
General Hospital spoilers Richard Simmons has always been a quirky guy. From his “Sweating To The Oldies” to his arguments with Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), Richard has certainly had his fans. Richard recently posted a cryptic message that has fans wondering if he may be dying. What did Richard say to make fans believe this?
Richard Simmons Wasn’t Always A Recluse
General Hospital Spoilers before Richard became a recluse, he was in several television shows and worked with a lot of stars. Richard made several appearances on variety shows back in his heyday.
In 1980, Richard was on General Hospital for the start of Luke and Laura’s controversial romance and subsequent marriage.
Simmon was also on General Hospital in 2013 when he threatened to kill Lucy Coe. Simmons was on Arrested Development and All My Children. Simmon was in Evening Shade with Marilu Henner and Burt Reynolds.
The fitness guru...
Richard Simmons Wasn’t Always A Recluse
General Hospital Spoilers before Richard became a recluse, he was in several television shows and worked with a lot of stars. Richard made several appearances on variety shows back in his heyday.
In 1980, Richard was on General Hospital for the start of Luke and Laura’s controversial romance and subsequent marriage.
Simmon was also on General Hospital in 2013 when he threatened to kill Lucy Coe. Simmons was on Arrested Development and All My Children. Simmon was in Evening Shade with Marilu Henner and Burt Reynolds.
The fitness guru...
- 3/20/2024
- by Sandra McIntyre
- Celebrating The Soaps
Richard Simmons has always been an odd duck. That is one of the many reasons people from all over the world love him so much. This odd duck who loves everyone used his Facebook page to post a strange and ominous message to his fans and followers. Now, Richard Simmons has everyone wondering if he is dying.
All About Richard Simmons
Before Richard Simmons was known for being a recluse that hid away from everyone, he was quite active in television and in the movies. On television, he made countless appearances on a variety of different shows. He was on General Hospital at the same time as the Luke and Laura story was getting started way back in 1980. Simmons returned to General Hospital in 2013. He was also on All My Children as well as Arrested Development. America’s beloved health and fitness expert appeared with Burt Reynolds and Marilu Henner in “Evening Shade.
All About Richard Simmons
Before Richard Simmons was known for being a recluse that hid away from everyone, he was quite active in television and in the movies. On television, he made countless appearances on a variety of different shows. He was on General Hospital at the same time as the Luke and Laura story was getting started way back in 1980. Simmons returned to General Hospital in 2013. He was also on All My Children as well as Arrested Development. America’s beloved health and fitness expert appeared with Burt Reynolds and Marilu Henner in “Evening Shade.
- 3/19/2024
- by Emma Riley Sutton
- TV Shows Ace
With a new movie in theaters today in “Arthur The King,” Mark Wahlberg is making the press rounds. And that includes a memorable stop-in with Josh Horowitz on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, where the actor talked about some of the biggest films in his career. Wahlberg had all kinds of anecdotes, like meeting James Cameron for “Titanic” and his bad haircut in “The Departed,” but one particular story stuck out: the irascible Burt Reynolds on the set of “Boogie Nights,” and a certain accent he used in a scene early in shooting.
Continue reading ‘Boogie Nights’: Mark Wahlberg Recalls An Ill-Tempered Burt Reynolds Insisting He Use An Irish Accent On The Set Of P.T. Anderson’s Film at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Boogie Nights’: Mark Wahlberg Recalls An Ill-Tempered Burt Reynolds Insisting He Use An Irish Accent On The Set Of P.T. Anderson’s Film at The Playlist.
- 3/15/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Dan Wakefield, a prolific author and journalist who made television history when he created and wrote the controversial late-1970s drama James at 15 only to resign when NBC executives bristled over an episode’s depiction of teenage sexuality, died yesterday at a hospice facility in Miami. He was 91, and had been in declining health in recent months.
His death was announced by his attorney, Ken Bennett, to the Indianapolis Star. Wakefield was born and raised in Indianapolis.
In addition to James at 15 and various novels, Wakefield’s credits include the screenplay for the 1997 film Going All The Way, starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Davies, based on his 1970 novel of the same name. The 1979 divorce drama Starting Over starring Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh and Candice Bergen, written by James L. Brooks and directed by Alan J. Pakula, was based on Wakefield’s 1973 novel.
Born May 21, 1932, in Indianapolis, Wakefield began...
His death was announced by his attorney, Ken Bennett, to the Indianapolis Star. Wakefield was born and raised in Indianapolis.
In addition to James at 15 and various novels, Wakefield’s credits include the screenplay for the 1997 film Going All The Way, starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Davies, based on his 1970 novel of the same name. The 1979 divorce drama Starting Over starring Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh and Candice Bergen, written by James L. Brooks and directed by Alan J. Pakula, was based on Wakefield’s 1973 novel.
Born May 21, 1932, in Indianapolis, Wakefield began...
- 3/14/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Mark Wahlberg, formerly known as Marky Mark starred in the 1997 film titled Boogie Nights which was a great film. Being the breakout film for Wahlberg, the actor has fond memories of the movie but not so much for his co-star Burt Reynolds.
When he was at the height of stardom, Reynolds starred in the film alongside Mark Wahlberg but he didn’t quite enjoy it. In an interview, the Ted actor talked about how the 1997 film was Reynolds’ worst nightmare because of reasons that were purely selfish!
Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights
Mark Wahlberg’s Breakthrough Film Was A Nightmare For Burt Reynolds!
The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, narrates the story of a high school dropout who goes on to become a highly successful p*rn star. His career takes a hit, however, when he gets addicted to drugs. Being a comedy/drama film, Boogie Nights received great reviews and high ratings.
When he was at the height of stardom, Reynolds starred in the film alongside Mark Wahlberg but he didn’t quite enjoy it. In an interview, the Ted actor talked about how the 1997 film was Reynolds’ worst nightmare because of reasons that were purely selfish!
Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights
Mark Wahlberg’s Breakthrough Film Was A Nightmare For Burt Reynolds!
The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, narrates the story of a high school dropout who goes on to become a highly successful p*rn star. His career takes a hit, however, when he gets addicted to drugs. Being a comedy/drama film, Boogie Nights received great reviews and high ratings.
- 3/14/2024
- by Visarg Acharya
- FandomWire
Elizabeth Taylor was once a Hollywood icon and movie actress noted for her unique beauty and portrayal of strong-willed characters. She started her career as a child star in the early 1940s before making her way into stardom the following decade.
Elizabeth Taylor in A Date with Judy
Apart from her acting prowess, Taylor had many shocking revelations in life that fed the tabloids. She had seven husbands, was a Judaism convert, and even contracted a serious illness.
Suggested“A pretty hard act to follow”: Elizabeth Taylor Laughed Off 1974 Oscars Controversy After Gay Rights Activist Streaked N-ked Across Stage
Elizabeth Taylor’s Dramatic Hollywood Transformation
One of the many things people noticed about Elizabeth Taylor was her appearance and personality. She was different from the rest of her co-child stars, and in her 1987 interview with Rolling Stone, the British-American star shared:
“When I was a child in England they...
Elizabeth Taylor in A Date with Judy
Apart from her acting prowess, Taylor had many shocking revelations in life that fed the tabloids. She had seven husbands, was a Judaism convert, and even contracted a serious illness.
Suggested“A pretty hard act to follow”: Elizabeth Taylor Laughed Off 1974 Oscars Controversy After Gay Rights Activist Streaked N-ked Across Stage
Elizabeth Taylor’s Dramatic Hollywood Transformation
One of the many things people noticed about Elizabeth Taylor was her appearance and personality. She was different from the rest of her co-child stars, and in her 1987 interview with Rolling Stone, the British-American star shared:
“When I was a child in England they...
- 3/4/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
Playing James Bond is often viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, coveted by actors worldwide. However, American actors have consistently been denied the chance to portray this iconic character on screen. Whether due to contractual constraints or the character’s British nationality, Bond has been portrayed by actors from various backgrounds, including Scottish, Irish, Australian, and English, but never American.
Despite this barrier, there have been moments when American actors nearly became James Bond, with some even signing contracts with the production house.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood in Bronco Billy
Clint Eastwood, renowned for his portrayal of iconic characters such as The Man with No Name and Dirty Harry, has etched his name in cinematic history with unforgettable performances. Yet, amidst his illustrious career, one notable role has remained conspicuously absent: that of Agent 007, James Bond.
Despite his charisma and undeniable talent, Eastwood’s journey to the world of Bond...
Despite this barrier, there have been moments when American actors nearly became James Bond, with some even signing contracts with the production house.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood in Bronco Billy
Clint Eastwood, renowned for his portrayal of iconic characters such as The Man with No Name and Dirty Harry, has etched his name in cinematic history with unforgettable performances. Yet, amidst his illustrious career, one notable role has remained conspicuously absent: that of Agent 007, James Bond.
Despite his charisma and undeniable talent, Eastwood’s journey to the world of Bond...
- 2/24/2024
- by Pritha Roy
- FandomWire
Tom Priestley, the British film editor whose work assembling the dueling-banjos sequence and hellish “squeal like a pig” attack in John Boorman’s Deliverance landed him an Oscar nomination, has died. He was 91.
His death on Christmas Day was only recently revealed.
Priestley also cut two other movies helmed by Boorman: Leo the Last (1970), which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival, and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977).
He also edited The Great Gatsby (1974); Blake Edwards’ The Return of the Pink Panther (1975); That Lucky Touch (1975), starring Roger Moore; Voyage of the Damned (1976), featuring an all-star cast; and Roman Polanski’s Tess (1979).
Priestley was the only son of renowned British novelist and playwright J.B. Priestley, who wrote the classic 1945 drama An Inspector Calls for the theater and served as a BBC Radio broadcaster during the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II.
Upon its release in 1972, Deliverance became the...
His death on Christmas Day was only recently revealed.
Priestley also cut two other movies helmed by Boorman: Leo the Last (1970), which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival, and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977).
He also edited The Great Gatsby (1974); Blake Edwards’ The Return of the Pink Panther (1975); That Lucky Touch (1975), starring Roger Moore; Voyage of the Damned (1976), featuring an all-star cast; and Roman Polanski’s Tess (1979).
Priestley was the only son of renowned British novelist and playwright J.B. Priestley, who wrote the classic 1945 drama An Inspector Calls for the theater and served as a BBC Radio broadcaster during the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II.
Upon its release in 1972, Deliverance became the...
- 2/19/2024
- by Rhett Bartlett
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hank Bradford, the clever stand-up comic who performed a half-dozen times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson before serving a five-year stint as head writer on the program, has died. He was 88.
Bradford died Jan. 18 in Los Angeles, his family announced.
Bradford did uncredited dialogue rewrites on the Burt Reynolds-starring Smokey and the Bandit (1977) — when he got the script, “it wasn’t a comedy,” he revealed to host Mark Malkoff on a 2017 episode of The Carson Podcast — and wrote for such TV shows as M*A*S*H, Private Benjamin and Three’s Company.
The Brooklyn native made his first appearance on the Tonight Show in September 1966 when it was based in New York. He got a spot inside the writers room in 1969, succeeded Marshall Brickman as head writer in 1970 and moved with the show to Burbank in 1972.
Bradford’s role on the fabled NBC late-night program was...
Bradford died Jan. 18 in Los Angeles, his family announced.
Bradford did uncredited dialogue rewrites on the Burt Reynolds-starring Smokey and the Bandit (1977) — when he got the script, “it wasn’t a comedy,” he revealed to host Mark Malkoff on a 2017 episode of The Carson Podcast — and wrote for such TV shows as M*A*S*H, Private Benjamin and Three’s Company.
The Brooklyn native made his first appearance on the Tonight Show in September 1966 when it was based in New York. He got a spot inside the writers room in 1969, succeeded Marshall Brickman as head writer in 1970 and moved with the show to Burbank in 1972.
Bradford’s role on the fabled NBC late-night program was...
- 2/9/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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