A recent report claimed that over 50% of next year’s big studio movies will be existing IP — a depressing stat. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Baker says he “misses” the days when films like “Anora” would be a dime a dozen in theaters.
Read more‘The Wild Robot' on VOD October 15 — Only 18 Days Since Theatrical Release
Speaking of “The Wild Robot,” it’s going to finish an impressive second place this weekend at the box office, in its third weekend of release, but DreamWorks has decided to fast-track it to VOD with a digital date of October 15. This means it’ll be available digitally only 18 days since its theatrical launch.
Paul Schrader Walked Out of ‘The Apprentice'
Here’s the latest capsule review from Paul Schrader. This time around he’s tackling Ali Abassi’s “The Apprentice” which he calls “an excellent film” and yet admits that he still walked out of it because he couldn’t deal spending 135 minutes in the company of Donald Trump.
Read more‘Terrifier 3' Earns $8M on Friday —$20M+ Weekend
According to Box Office Report, “Terrifier 3” exceeded expectations on Friday and earned an impressive $8.2M domestically. It’s now looking very likely that my $20M+ weekend prediction will come to fruition in the wee wee hours of Monday morning.
‘The Wild Robot’ Sequel In The Works
Clint Eastwood's ‘Juror #2' Being Dumped by Warner Bros in Just 50 Theaters
Empire City is sounding the alarm on the way Warner Bros is treating Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.” The, supposedly, “final” film of Eastwood’s career will be hitting less than 50 theaters with no marketing support on November 1, and no planned expansion rollout.
Read more‘Blitz': Steve McQueen's WWII Epic Dividing U.S. and U.K. Critics [NYFF]
IndieWire’s Anne Thompson says despite “Blitz” playing to raves on its home turf in London, American critics have been more critical about the WWII epic. She’s right. “Blitz” currently down to 72 on Metacritic, and a majority of the high scores belong to UK-based critics.
Read more‘The Apprentice': Donald Trump Movie Bombs With Just $150k on Thursday
There’s barely any interest in Ali Abassi’s “The Apprentice.” The Donald Trump film, starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, only made $150k last night. It's playing in 1750+ screens nationwide.
Read moreBennett Miller Set to Direct First Film Since 2014's ‘Foxcatcher'
Not counting his 1998 documentary, “The Cruise,” Bennett Miller has only directed three features in his strange, but fascinating filmmaking career: 2005’s “Capote,” 2011’s “Moneyball” and 2014’s “Foxcatcher.” All three were critically acclaimed.
Read moreFirst Look: ‘Freakier Friday' Sets Summer 2025 Date
We also have our first look at “Freakier Friday” (above) which is the sequel to 2003’s “Freaky Friday.” Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are set to return in their respective mother/daughter roles for the sequel.
Read moreRebecca Zlotowski’s Next Film to Star Jodie Foster & Daniel Auteil
Christopher Nolan Didn't Even Consider Warner Bros For His Next Film
Warner Bros co-chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy weren’t even allowed allowed to read the script for Nolan’s next movie. Only Universal’s Donna Langley was given the honor of going through the pages. It turns out, Nolan didn’t even consider Warner Bros.
Read more‘Terrifier 3' Nabs $3M in Thursday Previews [Updated]
A few days ago, I wrote having heard that “Terrifier 3” might open as high as $20M this coming weekend. Many didn’t believe it. I’m sticking with that figure, especially after having seen last night’s numbers.
Read moreWoody Allen's Italy-Set Film Cancels Fall Shoot
I’ve been tracking this project for the past few months, and it looks like it might have been shelved, unless some good samaritan comes in to rescue it. The reason I was given had to do with lack of financing — they just don’t have the money. A real shame.
Read moreNetflix Trying to Acquire Emerald Fennell's ‘Wuthering Heights' for $150M
According to Puck’s Matt Belloni, a bidding war has been sparked to acquire Fennell’s film. It’s gotten to the point where Netflix is now offering $150M to snatch up “Wuthering Heights.” There’s just one problem: Fennell and Robbie want a theatrical rollout.
Read moreGreta Gerwig's ‘Narnia' Eyeing January 2025 Shoot
Just a quick note on Greta Gerwig’s ‘Chronicles of Narnia,’ which is eyeing a January 31, 2025 shoot. Not just that, but a recent Production List posting has it as dubbed a “series.” This is news to me. It could be an error.
Read moreCritics Poll: ‘The Dark Knight’ Voted Christopher Nolan’s Best Film
UPDATED: More lists were added. I decided to count around 20 late submissions. Not much has changed except that “The Prestige” falls from third to fourth place.
Read moreLewis Pullman Wants to Replace Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance
Surprise: ‘Wicked' Earns Second Best Ticket Presales of 2024
It turns out that ‘Wicked,’ which had tickets go on sale earlier in the week, has nabbed the second best first-day ticket presales of 2024 on Fandango. That is the best possible news for Universal who have been marketing this movie like crazy.
Read moreMaren Ade (‘Toni Erdmann') Finally Set to Direct Her Next Film
We’re hearing word that Ade is working on “Zauberwort” (“Magic Word”), a long awaited film— her first one since 2016’s “Toni Erdmann,” with plans to shoot in 2026. There’s currently no casting or plot details for “Zauberwort."
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