Before she sells her soul to Disney, “The Rider" director Chloe Zhao has one final statement to make.

Before “The Rider” director Chloe Zhao helms the big screen adaptation of Jack Kirby’s “The Eternals” for Marvel and Disney, she will be going back to the American west for a final artful statement.

Zhao is already shooting her next movie, titled “Nomadland,” and it stars Frances McDormand as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. Any cinephile worth his or her salt would be foolish not to have this at the top of their must-see lists as “The Rider” was a groundbreaking merging of fiction and non-fiction filmmaking.

I was disappointed by the decision of Zhao signing on to a Marvel movie, but we will be getting a final hurrah before she goes down the path of the devil.

Fox Searchlight has picked it up for release and it will also feature the talents of Oscar nominee David Strathairn alongside newcomers Linda May and Charlene Swankie.

Fox Searchlight announced the acquisition today via press release:

“We are thrilled to work with visionary filmmaker Chloé Zhao on NOMADLAND. Her unique voice, combined with the extraordinary talent of Frances McDormand, makes it an important and compelling story,” said Fox Searchlight Pictures Chairmen Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula. Here’s the official synopsis:

NOMADLAND is a road movie following Fern (McDormand), a woman in her sixties, who after losing everything in the Great Recession embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad. A signature of Zhao’s, the film includes real people turned actors including Linda May and Charlene Swankie.

“As I fell in love with the American West, it was impossible not to become fascinated with the roads that lead to the many adventures beyond the horizon,” Zhao said in a statement. “I’m very fortunate to be able to hit the road with a talented team and collaborate with a cast of professional and non-professional actors who are deeply giving and inspiring. I can’t wait to share their stories and what we’ve discovered along the way.”

Joel Coen’s ‘Jack of Spades’ Is a Gothic Mystery Based on a 1901 Novel, With Patsy Ferran “Dynamite” in the Lead

I can confirm that Joel Coen’s “Jack of Spades” is based on Frances Frederica Montrésor’s 1901 novel “The Alien: A Story of Middle Age.” It’s a ghost story. A gothic mystery.

‘Whitney Springs’: Kendrick Lamar & ‘South Park’ Duo’s Slave-Comedy Balloons to $100M+ Budget, Still Not Finished

Stone and Parker’s “Whitney Springs” still isn’t finished. The budget has skyrocketed to over $100M. Stone and Parker have taken full responsibility for the delay.

Michael Mann Has “Secretly Recut” ‘Miami Vice’ for a New “Director’s Final Cut” to Premiere in October

I’m not sure how this is going to turn out, but Michael Mann “secretly recut” his ‘Miami Vice’ movie, which has now led to the 4k restoration, a “Director’s Fina Cut,” to world premiere on October 3.

Paul Feig to Direct ‘The Italian Job’ Sequel for Paramount

Wait, what? According to Deadline, Paul Feig is going to direct an “Italian Job” sequel for Paramount. No word yet on cast returns. A writer is supposed to be hired soon for the script.

‘Digger’ Final Trailer Teases Iñárritu’s Apocalyptic Satire With Tom Cruise

We’re just 24 days away from its release, yet there doesn’t seem to be much excitement building around this film. The marketing has not worked.

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

Joaquin Phoenix Reuniting with Mike Mills for Next Film, Shooting in January 2027

Phoenix is set to reunite with Mills on this next film, which is being distributed by A24 and starts shooting January 2027. This will be Phoenix’s first film since “Eddington.”

Paul Thomas Anderson Has Already Chosen His Next Film, Jonny Greenwood Says

“Paul is getting close to pressing the button on the next film, I believe, and I’m already trying to learn a new instrument that would be central to it,” Greenwood tells Screen Daily.

Ridley Scott Says “I Didn’t Say That” After Calling ‘The Dog Stars’ His Best Movie Since ‘The Martian’

In June 2026, Scott told The Buyer that “The Dog Stars” is “probably the best movie I’ve done since The Martian.” He’s now denying he ever said that.

Todd Field-Written ‘The Girls’ Sets Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic to Direct, November Shoot

Cinephiles another Todd Field movie, and although we might have to wait for his next directorial effort, “The Girls” will have to suffice for now.

Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

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