Saturday, July 11, 2020
SATURDAY NIGHT TV:
LAST CHRISTMAS (8p ET, HBO) — Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Henry Golding star in this 2019 romantic fantasy. Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians) also stars.
48 HOURS (9p ET, CBS) — Two new editions
CRIKEY! IT’S THE IRWINS (9p ET, Animal Planet) — This new coronavirus quarantine-themed special is titled Life in Lockdown.
VIVARIUM (Amazon Prime) — Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots star in this indie film as a couple that finally moves into their dream home only to realize they are now trapped in a maze of houses and streets that just lead to more and more houses.
SUNDAY NIGHT TV:
CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD (8p ET, ABC) — New.
PRESS YOUR LUCK (9p ET, ABC) — New.
MATCH GAME (10p ET, ABC) — New. Celeb panelists are Adam Carolla, Cheryl Hines, Nick Swisher, Ali Wentworth, Mark Duplass and Loni Love.
SHOWBIZ NEWS….
NAYA RIVERA PRESUMED DEAD
The search for actress Naya Rivera continues in Ventura County, CA.
The Glee star’s 4-year-old son Josey was found alone on a boat in the middle of California’s Lake Piru.
Authorities began a rescue mission for Rivera on Wednesday but suspended the search at nightfall.
The search resumed at daybreak on Thursday, however, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department soon reported that they were doing a “recovery operation.”
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7, OTHER BLOCKBUSTER SHOOTS TO RESUME
Production on Mission: Impossible 7 and The Batman will be among several Hollywood blockbusters to resume filming in the United Kingdom following exemption of quarantine rules. Mission: Impossible 7 was originally set for a July 2021 release but was pushed back to November of that year due to filming delays caused by the pandemic.
… Other major blockbusters set to start or resume filming in the country include Jurassic World: Dominion, Fantastic Beasts 3, the live-action musical adaptation of Cinderella and Disney’s remake of The Little Mermaid.
… The exemptions come with conditions. The productions that are restarting will only be filming in England, and crew members will be restricted to a “bubble” environment, where they will live in close proximity to the production area and will not be able to leave to the surrounding community.
2020 ROCK & ROLL HALL of FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE REPLACED BY HBO SPECIAL
After postponing its 2020 induction ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced that this year’s live event will be replaced by an exclusive special that will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max on November 7th.
The Class of 2020 inductees include Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, T. Rex, Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G.
… The 35th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony originally had been scheduled for May 2 of this year.
KANYE WEST ANNOUNCES HE’S RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT
As by now you’ve heard, Kanye West says he’s running for president. And because it’s 2020, the rapper took to Twitter to share his intentions: “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION.”
… The Grammy winner has previously discussed his intentions to run for president of the United States; he’s hinted at it a few times actually. Back in November 2019 Kanye said that he was running for election but it wasn’t going to be until 2024.
Hmmm.. Kardashians taking over The White House? Sounds interesting.
West is as unpredictable as they come. In his brand new four-hour interview with Forbes, the presidential hopeful confirmed his run in the upcoming election, spoke out against a coronavirus vaccine, and said that he would be running for a new party… the Birthday Party. An hour into his talk with Forbes, West revealed that his running mate would be Michelle Tidball, a preacher from Wyoming, and that he would be running for the Birthday Party, which he created. Why that name? The reason is simple: “Because when we win, it’s everybody’s birthday.”
BILL NYE SHOWS HOW EFFECTIVELY FACE MASKS WORK
It’s common scientific knowledge that face masks are effective in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. But not everyone is listening to the advice of scientists. Bill Nye, a science guy in real life and on TV, decided to do an experiment to show how effective masks are. Bill dusted off his TikTok account to show the people who just don’t get it. The experiment is simple: Bill dons a mask and then tries to blow out a candle. He can’t do it. • VIDEO
STARS TEAMED UP FOR A REMAKE OF THE PRINCESS BRIDE
Creating content of any kind during quarantine is difficult, but remaking a beloved classic with an all-star cast? That seems downright inconceivable. But that’s exactly what Jason Reitman has done. The director is gearing up for the release of a star-studded remake of The Princess Bride that was filmed entirely remotely by the A-list cast he assembled.
… Reitman recruited a huge group of celebs — including Tiffany Haddish, Common, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Josh Gad, Hugh Jackman, and Jennifer Garner — who shot the fan-film on their phones. The film will air on Quibi, one chapter at a time, with new installments dropping daily for two weeks starting today (July 6). • VIDEO
… Everyone involved in the project, from the actors to the editing team, volunteered their time and Quibi made a $1 million donation to feed people in need through World Central Kitchen.
OSCAR ISAAC AND MICHELLE WILLIAMS TO STAR IN NEW HBO MINISERIES
Golden Globe Award winners Oscar Isaac and Michelle Williams have signed on for the leading roles in HBO‘s forthcoming limited series adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic series titled Scenes From a Marriage. This marks Isaac’s first major TV project while this will be Williams’ second miniseries after starring in last year’s acclaimed miniseries Fosse/Verdon, which earned her a Emmy Award and her second Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Limited series.
… Scenes From a Marriage is expected to re-examine the original show’s depiction of love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage, and divorce through the lens of a contemporary American couple.
… The original six-episode series aired in 1973 on Swedish television where it starred Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson. Based on Bergman’s own experiences, the series told the story of a disintegration of a marriage between Marianne and Johan.
THE CROWN WILL RUN FOR 6 SEASONS
The Crown will keep its Netflix throne for one more season than anticipated. The royal drama series, which was originally scheduled to run for six seasons before creator Peter Morgan decided to finish with five seasons, is reversing course. Now, The Crown season 6 will be the final season of the Netflix series.
JAVICIA LESLIE IS THE NEW BATWOMAN
We have a new Batwoman. Back in May after Ruby Rose stepped down from the title role in the CW series, fans wondered who would be stepping in. Well, the wait is over and actor Javicia Leslie (God Friended Me) will be filling that coveted spot. With her casting, Leslie becomes the first Black actor to portray Batwoman in a scripted live-action TV series or film.
RYAN REYNOLDS MIGHT GET HIS OWN FAST & FURIOUS SPINOFF
Ryan Reynolds’ role in Hobbs & Shaw wasn’t a substantial one, but it certainly was memorable. Although his CIA character, Locke, only appeared in a few brief scenes, it seems the reception to his cameo was strong enough to convince Universal to bring him back in a future Fast & Furious movie. According to sources the studio wants the Deadpool star to head up his own Fast & Furious spinoff. Apparently, they’ve already opened talks with him and are hoping that The Rock will return for the project, too, reprising his role as Luke Hobbs.
FAVORITE NETFLIX ORIGINAL SCI-FI MOVIES
Looking for something a little sci-fi on Netflix this weekend — but not anything you’ve already seen in theaters or at a drive-in? A survey of Netflix users turned up the top five Netflix Original Sci-Fi movies:
5. Extinction
4. The Cloverfield Paradox
3. I Am Mother
2. Bright
1. Birdbox
TIGER WOODS DOCUSERIES COMING TO HBO IN DECEMBER
A new docuseries about professional golfer Tiger Woods is coming to HBO in December. Tiger, a two-part series about Woods, will premiere December 13. Part two will air December 20. The series follows “the rise, fall, and epic comeback” of Woods, who won his first major in 11 years at the 2019 Masters Tournament.
… The series features never-before-seen footage and new interviews, including with Woods’ former caddy, Steve Williams, golf legend Nick Faldo, Woods’ ex-partner Dina Parr, and Rachel Uchitel, one of Woods’ alleged former mistresses.
ZENDAYA AND JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON SHOT A MOVIE DURING SHUTDOWN
Film stars Zendaya and John David Washington secretly started and finished production for a movie called Malcolm & Marie during the coronavirus pandemic. The project was put into motion when Zendaya asked Sam Levinson (HBO Euphoria) about writing and directing a film during the COVID-19 shutdown. It reportedly only took him six days to finish a draft. Production took place in a home in Carmel, California from June 17 to July 2, with the cast and crew adhering to social distancing and other safety protocols. Those guidelines included everyone taking multiple COVID-19 tests and quarantining for two weeks.
… Not much is known about the movie itself, but there’s a comparison to be made with last year’s Oscar-nominated Marriage Story, and that Malcolm & Marie will address timely social topics. A release date has not been announced.
… Zendaya is one of the stars of HBO’s Euphoria and is also known for her role as MJ in the current Spider-Man movies. Washington is the son of Denzel Washington who is the lead in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated Tenet.
LUCY LIU TO STAR AS NEW MOM IN UNTITLED ABC COMEDY PILOT
Lucy Liu just got a bundle of joyful news from ABC: She’s been asked to lead an untitled comedy pilot at the network. The sitcom follows Liu’s Devin, a diva boss with no patience for working parents. But when Devin adopts a baby of her own and has a change of heart, her mother-of-three assistant becomes an unlikely mentor, upending the office dynamics.
A WONDER YEARS REBOOT ABOUT A BLACK FAMILY IN THE ’60S IS IN THE WORKS AT ABC
The Wonder Years is getting the reboot treatment. ABC announced on Wednesday that the network has committed to producing a pilot for a new reimagining of the iconic coming-of-age sitcom, which ran from 1988 to 1993. The new Wonder Years will be set in the same era as the original series — the late 1960s — and will now center on a Black middle-class family living in Montgomery, Alabama.
… FYI: This week is Fred Savage’s 44th birthday.
FIRST LOOK AT SOME RECIPES FROM FRIENDS COOKBOOK
In case you didn’t know, the very first official Friends cookbook is set to be released in September. The cookbook will offer more than 90 recipes — which will feature everything from appetizers and main courses to drinks and desserts — that were created by chef Amanda Yee and are inspired by foods that were featured on the show, as well as moments from the show.
… Like “Janice’s Oh. My. Gawd. Pancakes.”
… There’s a recipe for how to make “The Joey Special” — aka two pizzas.
… The cookbook will also include “Rachel’s Lobster with a Side of Lobster Roll.”
… Of course, there would be no way to create a Friends cookbook and not include “The Moist Maker.”
JANE LYNCH TO HOST WEAKEST LINK REVIVAL AT NBC
NBC is reviving the quiz show Weakest Link with Jane Lynch set to take over as host. The new version of Weakest Link will “deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists.” The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds, with contestants voting out the “weakest link” at the end of each round.
… The original Weakest Link ran on NBC for two seasons starting in 2001 before later moving into syndication.
UNIVERSAL SETS NEW RELEASE DATES FOR MOVIES
Universal Pictures has announced new release dates for a handful of upcoming releases, including Candyman, The Forever Purge, Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends.
… Candyman will move from September 25, 2020, to Friday, October 16, 2020.
… The Forever Purge will be released on Friday, July 9, 2021.
… Halloween Kills will move from October 16, 2020, to Friday, October 15, 2021.
… Halloween Ends will move from October 15, 2021, to Friday, October 14, 2022.
JUDE LAW TO PLAY CAPTAIN HOOK IN DISNEY’S LIVE-ACTION PETER PAN
Jude Law may be heading to Neverland. The actor is in talks to play the classic Disney villain Captain Hook in the studio’s live-action Peter Pan film Peter Pan & Wendy.
… Disney’s 1953 animated classic is still the most successful adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel about Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t age and the children whom he whisks away to the magical world of Neverland. Many other studios have made their own versions on the big and small screens, Hook starring Robin Williams and Pan starring Hugh Jackman, both of which disappointed at the box office.
… Sources say the release is expected to be theatrical and not go the Disney+ streaming route.
… A source says Will Smith was “the first person who Disney considered for the role,” before “ultimately passing.”
NICK CORDERO’S FANS START PETITION TO RENAME NEW YORK CITY THEATER AFTER HIM
Broadway fans are petitioning to rename a New York City theater after late actor Nick Cordero, who died this week due to complications from the coronavirus. • LINK
… The petition seeks to change the name of the city’s Longacre Theatre to The Nick Cordero Theatre. The theater has been around since 1912 and is currently named after Longacre Square, the original name for Times Square. It also holds special significance to Cordero’s fans as it was the place where he performed his last Broadway show, A Bronx Tale.
HALLOWEEN KILLS TRAILER REVEALS A NEW RELEASE DATE
A ton of Hollywood’s biggest upcoming films have been scrambling to find new release dates thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while there’s usually no problem in moving a big budget blockbuster back by a couple of months, Halloween Kills doesn’t really have that same luxury. This type of film is basically obligated to arrive right around Halloween and if it didn’t, well, then the marketing campaign might not make much sense. Since no one is completely sure if we’ll be back in movie theater seats this fall, producers of Halloween Kills have moved the film to October of 2021. That news came out Wednesday, along with a teaser trailer. • TRAILER
AMBER HEARD SAYS JOHNNY DEPP DANGLED DOG OUT CAR WINDOW _ This week marked the start of Johnny Depp’s libel case against The Sun’s parent company due to their reporting of him being a “wife beater” following his ex-wife Amber Heard‘s accusations of abuse. Now, Heard is attempting to add fuel to the fire by claiming more abuse from Depp, saying that he also dangled her dog out of a car window.
… Heard insists Depp hung her dog Pistol out of a moving car and finding the experience funny. She says he was in a bad mood while high and drunk, resulting in him being wildly out of control during the car ride. Depp recounted things differently in court, however, stating: “I can say it is a very enduring image but it’s an utter falsity, it’s fraudulent, it’s not true. I don’t think, hanging a defenseless dog weighing three pounds out of a window is not my idea of fun, although my sense of humor is rather skewed.”
OPRAH WINFREY ADAPTING THE 1619 PROJECT FOR TV AND FILM
The New York Times Magazine’s 2019 landmark interactive project re-examining the legacy of slavery to mark the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves’ arrival in Virginia is getting the TV and movie treatment. Oprah and Lionsgate Films will develop multiple feature films, TV series, and documentaries based on The 1619 Project. The TV and film specials will seek out Black creative voices to chronicle the historical legacy and economics of slavery in America and the enduring contributions of African-Americans with stories of Black resistance and resilience.
CRITICS ARE LOVING TOM HANKS’ NEW WWII MOVIE GREYHOUND
Tom Hanks had a pretty good 2019, lending his vocal talents to billion-dollar hit sequel Toy Story 4 and picking up his first Academy Award nomination in almost 20 years for playing Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. 2020 hasn’t been so great for the beloved actor though, with Hanks and wife Rita Wilson becoming two of the first high-profile names to suffer from the coronavirus, and his latest passion project recently pulled from the theatrical schedule and sent straight to digital after Apple purchased the rights. I’m speaking, of course, about the World War II drama Greyhound. The project is very close to Hanks’ heart with him having written the script.
… So far the critics seem to like Greyhound, which debuts on Apple TV+ tomorrow (Friday). Greyhound currently holds a strong Rotten Tomatoes score of 75%. One critic states: “Greyhound’s characters aren’t as robust as its action sequences, but this fast-paced World War II thriller benefits from its efficiently economical approach.”
UPDATED MOVIE RELEASE CALENDAR
While a handful of theaters — and almost all drive-ins — are open, it appears it’ll be awhile before we see a nationally-released film with a big actor attached. Here’s the revised film release schedule:
• Unhinged – July 31
• Made in Italy – August 7 (Liam Neeson rom-com)
• Tenet – August 12
• Greenland – August 14 (Gerard Butler in a thriller about a family facing a potentially apocalyptic natural disaster)
• Mulan – August 21
• Let Him Go – August 21 (Kevin Costner, Diane Lane as a retired Montana sheriff and his wife who set out to find their grandson following the death of his father)
• Bill & Ted Face the Music – August 28
• The New Mutants – August 28 (X-Men spin-off)
• The Courier – August 28 (Benedict Cumberbatch is a British intelligence agent during the Cold War)
• Wonder Woman 1984 – October 2
• No Time to Die (James Bond) – November 20
NICK CORDERO’S GOFUNDME PAGE NEARS $1 MILLION
The GoFundMe page set up to support Broadway actor Nick Cordero’s family has reached nearly $1 million. The fundraiser was set up in April to support Cordero, wife Amanda Kloots and their son Elvis after Cordero contracted coronavirus at the end of March and was hospitalized. The fundraiser initially set a goal of $400,000. But late Tuesday, it had reached almost $1 million (CHECK).
… Cordero, who died on Sunday, was a Tony Award-nominated actor who starred in such Broadway hits as Rock of Ages, Waitress and A Bronx Tale: A Musical.
TRON 3 MOVIE WITH JARED LETO RUMORED TO BE ON THE WAY
The rumor mill is churning this week about a new Tron movie coming from Disney and starring actor Jared Leto. Back in March there was news of a new Tron series being created for Disney+.
NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST HAS SMALLEST TV AUDIENCE SINCE 2005
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN didn’t hit an all-time low in TV ratings this year, but the annual July 4 special was unable to crack one million total viewers. Saturday’s socially distanced version of the Coney Island eating contest averaged 966,000 viewers, which is the lowest draw since 2005. Back then, the niche “sport” received 860,000 viewers.
… This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held indoors with plexiglass partitions between the “athletes”. Travel restrictions narrowed the field of competitors to only five men and five women. Americans Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo won — again.
… This year, Chestnut down 75 dogs and buns. Sudo, who claimed her sixth-straight first-place finish in the women’s division, gobbled down 48.5 hot dogs and buns. Both of those are world records in their respective divisions.
WALMART IS LAUNCHING A CHEAPER AMAZON PRIME COMPETITOR
Walmart is launching a cheaper Amazon Prime competitor. The subscription service will be called Walmart+ and launch later in July and cost $98 annually. That’s $21 cheaper than Amazon Prime’s $119 yearly subscription. The Walmart+ subscription will include same-day delivery of groceries and general merchandise, discounts on fuel at Walmart gas stations, and early access to product deals.
… Walmart+ is planning to include streaming video services, but there are few details about that.
FAMOUS ‘JURASSIC PARK’ DINOSAUR IS LESS LIZARD, MORE BIRD
From movies to museum exhibits, the dinosaur Dilophosaurus is no stranger to pop culture. Many probably remember it best from the movie Jurassic Park, where it’s depicted as a venom-spitting beast with a rattling frill around its neck and two paddle-like crests on its head.
… The dinosaur in the movie is mostly imagination, but a new comprehensive analysis of Dilophosaurus fossils is helping to set the record straight. Far from the small lizard-like dinosaur in the movies, the actual Dilophosaurus was the largest land animal of its time, reaching up to 20 feet in length, and it had much in common with modern birds. Dilophosaurus lived 183 million years ago during the Early Jurassic.
JOSH BROLIN AND WIFE KATHRYN EXPECTING THEIR SECOND CHILD
Josh Brolin is set to become a dad again. The 52-year-old movie star’s wife, Kathryn Boyd, announced on Instagram she is expecting the couple’s second child. Brolin also has two kids from his first marriage, 32-year-old Trevor and 26-year-old Eden. Brolin and his second wife, actress Diane Lane, didn’t have children. They divorced in 2013.
JOHNNY DEPP CALLS AMBER HEARD THE REAL ABUSER AS THEY FACE OFF IN COURT
In a British courtroom Tuesday Johnny Depp accused his ex-wife Amber Heard of inventing allegations of spousal abuse and starting fights during their marriage. The actor is suing tabloid publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN) and its executive editor over a 2018 article which referred to him as a “wife-beater” in relation to domestic violence allegations made by Heard, which Depp has repeatedly denied.
… An opening statement submitted to the court by Depp’s lawyer accused Heard of being “the abuser” in the marriage and claimed she orchestrated a May 2016 court appearance in which she appeared bruised and obtained a restraining order against the star as they announced their divorce.
… The 57-year-old actor also entered the witness box and answered questions in a quiet voice that resulted in him being asked to speak up. He claimed he had tried to avoid confrontation when Heard instigated arguments, saying, “Whenever these situations would escalate, I would try and go to my own corner. I wanted to separate before things got out of hand.”
… In their own opening statement, The Sun’s lawyers said they would demonstrate “the description of Mr. Depp as a ‘wife-beater’ is entirely accurate and truthful.” The trial is expected to last three weeks, with Depp’s exes Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis prepared to give evidence in his defense.
PHOTOS OF JOHNNY DEPP’S SEVERED FINGERTIP POP UP IN COURT
Bloody photos showing Johnny Depp’s severed fingertip and the actor lying on a stretcher — allegedly after a brawl with then-wife Amber Heard — surfaced in British court Tuesday. Depp’s lawyers introduced the pics while claiming Heard was physically violent toward their client, not the other way around.
… Depp — who is suing a British tabloid over a 2018 article that called him a “wife beater” based on Heard’s allegations — claims the actress tossed a vodka bottle at him during a particularly vicious fight in Australia in March 2015, just a month after they were married, severing his right middle finger. Depp didn’t seek medical attention for a day, so the tip couldn’t be saved.
DUKES OF HAZZARD CAR TO REMAIN IN AUTO MUSEUM DESPITE CONFEDERATE FLAG
If you grew up in the ’70s and ’80s you remember The Dukes of Hazzard. The immensely popular show ran from January of 1979 until February of 1985 and consistently ranked among the top-rated series of its time, largely in part to its memorable lead characters, Georgian boys Bo and Luke Duke. The mischievous duo spend their time evading law enforcement and their perpetual nemeses Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. However, what was perhaps the most iconic aspect of the show never had a speaking role.
… The Duke boys drove a 1969 Dodge Charger known as The General Lee, and it quickly became The Dukes of Hazzard‘s most recognizable feature with its bright orange aesthetic and Confederate battle flag painted along the top. Many of the cousins’ daring escapes and exciting moments took place driving the well-known car.
… A recent, large push toward reducing or ending the existence of the Confederate flag in public has made progress, with many places banning its use and even NASCAR announcing that it wouldn’t be allowed at races any longer. However, The General Lee remains at the Illinois-based Volo Auto Museum with its Confederate battle flag still painted on the roof, and museum director Brian Grams says it will stay that way: “We feel the car is part of history, and people love it. We’ve got people of all races and nationalities that remember the TV show and aren’t offended by it whatsoever. It’s a piece of history and it’s in a museum.”
JASON BATEMAN, WILL ARNETT AND SEAN HAYES ARE LAUNCHING THEIR OWN PODCAST
Arrested Development brothers Jason Bateman and Will Arnett are teaming with Sean Hayes on Smartless, an podcast with a twist. In each episode, one of the hosts will reveal a mystery guest to the other two co-hosts, provoking a conversation. Guests will include Will Ferrell, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Rogen, Awkwafina, Dax Shepard and more.
HAMILTON LEADS TO HUGE SPIKE IN SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR DISNEY+
Since being added to Disney+ for the July 4 weekend, Hamilton has been a major success, topping the platform’s list of its most popular content. Disney has an extra reason to be pleased with the response to Hamilton as it has driven up downloads of the Disney+ app. According to Variety, the Disney+ app was downloaded 513,323 times globally between Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5. More than half of these downloads were in the United States.
… This is good news for Disney, although they’ll be hoping that any new subscribers won’t jump ship once they’ve watched Hamilton.
NETFLIX TO END ONE OF ITS BEST SHOWS AFTER THIRD AND FINAL SEASON
Netflix announced it has renewed its beloved show Dead To Me for a third and final season. The announcement was made on Twitter and no doubt comes as a mixed blessing to fans who enjoyed the last season, which released on May 8. Starring Christina Applegate alongside Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me is a murder mystery drama whose plot derives tension from the trust issues of its principal characters. And so far, it’s earned nothing but tons of praise from critics and viewers alike.
BRAD PITT TO STAR IN SONY AND DAVID LEITCH’S BULLET TRAIN
Brad Pitt has signed on to star in the action-thriller Bullet Train. The film is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle. Sources say that Pitt will play an American hitman named Ladybug.
MANDY MOORE RESPONDS TO EX-HUSBAND RYAN ADAMS’ APOLOGY
Singer and This Is Us star Mandy Moore — one of several women who accused her ex-husband, singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, of sexual misconduct or abusive behavior — spoke about the public apology he issued over the weekend, in which he said in part, “There are no words to express how bad I feel about the ways I’ve mistreated people throughout my life and career.” Moore said Monday, “It’s challenging because I feel like in many ways I’ve said all I want to say about him and that situation. But I find it curious that someone would make a public apology but not do it privately.”
… Adams was the subject of a 2019 New York Times investigation that involved interviews with multiple women who claimed emotional abuse or severe manipulation by Adams, including a woman who showed reporters sexually explicit texts she said she exchanged with Adams when she was underage, as well as production clients who alleged they were pressured to indulge in sexual as well as professional relationships. Moore maintained that Adams initially mentored her but ultimately stalled her music career.
J.K. SIMMONS SAYS ZACK SNYDER’S JUSTICE LEAGUE WILL BE LONG
Though he’s most familiar to audiences as J. Jonah Jameson, J.K. Simmons hopped over from the Marvel universe to DC for Justice League, in which he plays Commissioner Gordon. He didn’t have a major role in the theatrical cut, but we should see some new footage of him in the Snyder Cut, coming to HBO Max next year.
… While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Simmons was asked about his thoughts on the Snyder Cut finally being released. Simmons shared, “I’m always in favor of a director’s vision, especially a filmmaker who’s been so iconic in that genre. There were obviously a variety of reasons for the way things shook out the first time around with that film. … The one thing I do know for sure is that [the Snyder Cut] will be long, because he’s got a lot of stuff that he wants to get in there.”
DR. PHIL BUYS HIS SON $10 MILLION HOME
Aspiring rock star Jordan McGraw has received an early wedding present from his dad in the form of a lavish Beverly Hills house. Property records reveal the 34-year-old’s 6,500 square foot mansion was paid for by Dr. Phil and the TV personality’s wife. for exactly $10 million in cash. Jordan recently became engaged to E! host Morgan Stewart.
… Walled and gated for security, the mini-estate features walls of glass, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a massive fireplace, and a dining area that overlooks the backyard. There are three guest bedrooms in the house, plus a master retreat.
ABOVE SUSPICION TRAILER WITH EMILIA CLARKE
The trailer for the film adaptation of Above Suspicion has been released, featuring Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke as a southern woman who becomes involved in an affair while being a police informant. The film is based on the true-crime book of the same name. A release date for the film has not been announced. • TRAILER
… Above Suspicion is based on the chilling true story of a newly married FBI poster boy assigned to an Appalachian mountain town in Kentucky. There, he is drawn into an illicit affair with an impoverished local woman who becomes his star informant. She sees in him her means of escape; instead, it is a ticket to disaster for both of them. This scandal shook the foundations of the nation’s top law enforcement agency, ending in the first-ever conviction of an FBI agent for murder.
NEW CONSTANTINE MOVIE FROM J.J. ABRAMS REPORTEDLY IN THE WORKS
You’ve heard of “good bad movies” — movies that aren’t good by the traditional definition of the word but are so uniquely enjoyable in their badness that they ultimately wind up being good. A good example would be many of Adam Sandler’s movies. When it comes to good bad movies, Constantine is a favorite. After The Matrix, Keanu Reeves teamed with two Academy Award-winning actresses — Rachel Weisz and Tilda Swinton — plus Shia LaBeouf. It was panned by critics and quickly faded away to cable TV.
… Now there are reports that not only is mega-director J.J. Abrams set to produce another Constantine film but that they’re exploring the possibility of getting Reeves to return.
BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE BEING RE-RELEASED IN 4K
Wyld Stallyns fans have never had it so good. Not only is the long-awaited Bill & Ted Face the Music on the horizon, but the duo’s debut outing, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, is being re-released in 4K this summer. It’ll be available on 4K UHD Blu-ray, limited edition Steelbook, Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on August 10.
… Originally released in 1989, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure follows the bodacious pair on a time-hopping adventure as they seek out the assistance of various historical figures to help them pass their high school exams.
HARRY STYLES TO READ BEDTIME STORY FOR CALM APP
Harry Styles has partnered with Calm to read a bedtime story for the sleep and meditation app. Calm confirmed Monday on Twitter that it teamed up with the 26-year-old British singer on a new project, Harry Styles: Dream with Me, for release Wednesday.