Update, 2.58am, April 18: Hugh Grant has explained his decision to settle in his privacy case with the publisher of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid The Sun, saying civil litigation rules in the UK forced his hand.
In a thread on social media, he wrote: “I don’t want to accept this money or settle. I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court. But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides.
“My lawyers tell me that that is exactly what would most likely happen here. Rupert Murdoch’s lawyers are very expensive. So even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching £10 million in costs. I...
In a thread on social media, he wrote: “I don’t want to accept this money or settle. I would love to see all the allegations that they deny tested in court. But the rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides.
“My lawyers tell me that that is exactly what would most likely happen here. Rupert Murdoch’s lawyers are very expensive. So even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching £10 million in costs. I...
- 4/18/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
In the first few minutes of his first Zoom casting call with actor Alex Wolff, Oystein Karlsen knew he had found his Leonard Cohen.
“He came on the screen like this,” the Norwegian director and screenwriter puts his hand over his face, with one eye poking out. “He said: ‘Sorry, I’m so hung over. I know I’m not going to get the role. I feel horrible.’ I thought: That’s Leonard!”
Karlsen already had his eye on Wolff to play the famously melancholic Canadian singer-songwriter in his new TV miniseries about Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, his great love, muse and the woman who inspired the song that gives the series its title: So Long, Marianne.
Alex Wolff as Leonard Cohen and Thea Sofie Loch Ness as Marianne Ihlen in So Long, Marianne.
“I wanted a professional musician and singer because I wanted our Leonard to really sing, to really play Cohen’s music,...
“He came on the screen like this,” the Norwegian director and screenwriter puts his hand over his face, with one eye poking out. “He said: ‘Sorry, I’m so hung over. I know I’m not going to get the role. I feel horrible.’ I thought: That’s Leonard!”
Karlsen already had his eye on Wolff to play the famously melancholic Canadian singer-songwriter in his new TV miniseries about Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, his great love, muse and the woman who inspired the song that gives the series its title: So Long, Marianne.
Alex Wolff as Leonard Cohen and Thea Sofie Loch Ness as Marianne Ihlen in So Long, Marianne.
“I wanted a professional musician and singer because I wanted our Leonard to really sing, to really play Cohen’s music,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Need something new to watch? If you’re a Max subscriber and a movie fan, you’re in luck, because the streamer is welcoming several standout titles in March, from must-watch A24 movies to old favorites and movie musicals.
You can check out all the new shows and movies on Max this month in our complete list, but if you’re looking for something a little more hand-selected we’ve got you covered. Highlights include the streaming debut of Timothée Chalamet’s “Wonka,” Josh and Benny Safdie’s masterfully anxious Robert Pattinson crime thriller “Good Time,” and the underrated monster mash “Kong: Skull Island.”
Here are our curated picks for the best new movies on Max in March.
“Good Time” Robert Pattinson in “Good Time” (A24)
Available: March 1
Max is now the streaming home of A24, which means you can count on a steady flow of the innovative, filmmaker-driven movies...
You can check out all the new shows and movies on Max this month in our complete list, but if you’re looking for something a little more hand-selected we’ve got you covered. Highlights include the streaming debut of Timothée Chalamet’s “Wonka,” Josh and Benny Safdie’s masterfully anxious Robert Pattinson crime thriller “Good Time,” and the underrated monster mash “Kong: Skull Island.”
Here are our curated picks for the best new movies on Max in March.
“Good Time” Robert Pattinson in “Good Time” (A24)
Available: March 1
Max is now the streaming home of A24, which means you can count on a steady flow of the innovative, filmmaker-driven movies...
- 3/17/2024
- by Haleigh Foutch
- The Wrap
U.S. and U.K.-based global sales outfit Palisades Park Pictures has revealed a star-studded slate for Hong Kong’s film rights market FilMart.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
- 3/11/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Stephenson, a screenwriter whose credits include Paddington 2 and Luca, says Alexander Payne’s Oscar-nominated film The Holdovers is a product of plagiarism.
According to Variety, Stephenson recently reached out to the Writers Guild of America with allegations that the screenplay for The Holdovers “has been plagiarized line-by-line” from his own script for an unmade film called Frisco.
Frisco reportedly centers on a middle-aged children’s doctor who gets stuck looking after a 15-year-old patient, while The Holdovers stars Paul Giamatti as a middle-aged boarding school teacher who is forced to look after a 15-year-old student over holiday break.
Stephenson claims that Payne read Frisco in 2013 and again 2019, but both times he passed on the script. Around 2019, Payne began developing The Holdovers with screenwriter David Hemingson.
In a letter sent to the Writers Guild of America board on February 25th, Stephenson wrote, “I can demonstrate beyond any possible doubt...
According to Variety, Stephenson recently reached out to the Writers Guild of America with allegations that the screenplay for The Holdovers “has been plagiarized line-by-line” from his own script for an unmade film called Frisco.
Frisco reportedly centers on a middle-aged children’s doctor who gets stuck looking after a 15-year-old patient, while The Holdovers stars Paul Giamatti as a middle-aged boarding school teacher who is forced to look after a 15-year-old student over holiday break.
Stephenson claims that Payne read Frisco in 2013 and again 2019, but both times he passed on the script. Around 2019, Payne began developing The Holdovers with screenwriter David Hemingson.
In a letter sent to the Writers Guild of America board on February 25th, Stephenson wrote, “I can demonstrate beyond any possible doubt...
- 3/9/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
A new report in Variety lays out a detailed argument from British screenwriter Simon Stephenson alleging that the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Focus Features’ widely praised “The Holdovers” is extremely similar to his own 2013 Black List spec script, “Frisco” — and that, according to Stephenson, “Holdovers” director Alexander Payne likely read that script.
“The Holdovers” has only one credited screenwriter: David Hemingson, who was an entertainment lawyer before becoming a TV writer and producer in the late ’90s, working on shows such as “Just Shoot Me!,” “Kitchen Confidential,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23.” “The Holdovers” is his first produced feature.
IndieWire has reached out to Focus, WGA West, and to reps for Payne, Hemingson, and Stephenson, but has not yet received a response.
Stephenson is credited as a co-writer on Pixar’s “Luca” and received an “additional material” writing credit for “Paddington 2.” Working Title is developing his novel,...
“The Holdovers” has only one credited screenwriter: David Hemingson, who was an entertainment lawyer before becoming a TV writer and producer in the late ’90s, working on shows such as “Just Shoot Me!,” “Kitchen Confidential,” “How I Met Your Mother,” and “Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23.” “The Holdovers” is his first produced feature.
IndieWire has reached out to Focus, WGA West, and to reps for Payne, Hemingson, and Stephenson, but has not yet received a response.
Stephenson is credited as a co-writer on Pixar’s “Luca” and received an “additional material” writing credit for “Paddington 2.” Working Title is developing his novel,...
- 3/9/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
On Jan. 12, screenwriter Simon Stephenson sent an email to the Writers Guild of America’s senior director of credits Lesley Mackey asking to set up a call to discuss an important matter. The CAA-repped writer, whose credits include Pixar’s “Luca” and StudioCanal’s “Paddington 2,” wrote, “I’ve encountered a credits-related issue on quite a high profile WGA-covered project.” According to the email exchange reviewed by Variety, a call between the two took place, and, in a follow-up missive, Stephenson wrote, “the evidence the holdovers screenplay has been plagiarised line-by-line from frisco is genuinely overwhelming – anybody who looks at even the briefest sample pretty much invariably uses the word ‘brazen.’”
Stephenson was referring to his own screenplay “Frisco,” a drama centered on a world-weary middle-aged children’s doctor and the 15-year-old patient he gets stuck looking after, and David Hemingson’s “The Holdovers” — a drama revolving around a...
Stephenson was referring to his own screenplay “Frisco,” a drama centered on a world-weary middle-aged children’s doctor and the 15-year-old patient he gets stuck looking after, and David Hemingson’s “The Holdovers” — a drama revolving around a...
- 3/9/2024
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
You could never accuse Hugh Grant of playing it safe. In recent years, he’s taken all kinds of unexpected roles – most recently appearing as an Oompa Loompa in Paul King’s Wonka. Prior to that, their team-up on Paddington 2 resulted in the instantly iconic ham-tastic villain Phoenix Buchanan. He’s gone toe-to-toe with bards and bird-people in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, geezered it up with Guy Ritchie on The Gentlemen – and never forget his time as a future-world cannibal in Cloud Atlas. Now, Grant is taking on a role that few will have seen coming: in Unfrosted – Jerry Seinfeld’s upcoming comedy about the invention of beloved toaster-pastry the Pop-Tart – he’ll be none other than… Tony The Tiger.
Or, at least, the disgruntled Shakespearean actor who, much to his chagrin, finds himself having to don the Tony The Tiger outfit. “That was the greatest part of the whole thing,...
Or, at least, the disgruntled Shakespearean actor who, much to his chagrin, finds himself having to don the Tony The Tiger outfit. “That was the greatest part of the whole thing,...
- 3/8/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
Close your eyes and count to 10: “Wonka” is open for business! The musical origin story, which premiered in theaters on Dec. 15, will make its streaming debut this March 8 on Max. With Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, and more, “Dune: Part Two” star Timothée Chalamet plays the young title chocolatier on his path to becoming the world’s greatest inventor, magician, and chocolate maker, evading Slugworths Watch “Wonka” exclusively on Max on Friday, March 8. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max.
How to Watch 'Wonka' When: Friday, March 8, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. Free 7-Day Trial$9.99+ / month Max via Prime Video About 'Wonka'
Directed by Paul King (“Paddington” films) and co-written by King and Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”), 2023’s “Wonka” takes one of Roald Dahl’s...
How to Watch 'Wonka' When: Friday, March 8, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. Free 7-Day Trial$9.99+ / month Max via Prime Video About 'Wonka'
Directed by Paul King (“Paddington” films) and co-written by King and Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”), 2023’s “Wonka” takes one of Roald Dahl’s...
- 3/8/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Before "Wonka" became a box office hit, director Paul King had already carved out plenty of success with the critically acclaimed "Paddington" movies. Based on the beloved series of children's books, "Paddington" and "Paddington 2" are full of delightful, family-friendly humor and big beating hearts that push a wealth of kindness into the world (and they also politely take down British colonialism and xenophobia). While "Paddington" stands with a stellar 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "Paddington 2" somehow managed to surpass the original and currently sits with a 99% critical rating. That love for the charming sequel was so overwhelming that it seeped into an unlikely project: a Nicolas Cage movie.
"The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" finds the "Face/Off" and "Con-Air" star playing an exaggerated version of himself, where he's hired to attend the birthday party of wealthy fan Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal). But the gig turns into a covert CIA...
"The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" finds the "Face/Off" and "Con-Air" star playing an exaggerated version of himself, where he's hired to attend the birthday party of wealthy fan Javi Gutierrez (Pedro Pascal). But the gig turns into a covert CIA...
- 2/29/2024
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
“Wonka” To Begin Streaming Next Month, “Dune 2” This Spring on Max
Max is giving the people what they’re looking for: Timothée Chalamet updates.
In the recent quarterly earnings investors call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav shared streaming news for two recent Chalamet-starred projects: last year’s “Wonka” and the upcoming “Dune: Part Two.”
The musical fantasy origin story “Wonka,” which opened in theaters this past December, will begin streaming on the platform on Friday, March 8. Reuniting “Paddington 2” dynamic duo Paul King and Simon Farnaby, the film stars Chalamet as the title chocolatier in his pre-factory years, who “armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams…manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.”
The film has earned Warner Bros. $608 million at the worldwide box office. It also stars Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter,...
Max is giving the people what they’re looking for: Timothée Chalamet updates.
In the recent quarterly earnings investors call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav shared streaming news for two recent Chalamet-starred projects: last year’s “Wonka” and the upcoming “Dune: Part Two.”
The musical fantasy origin story “Wonka,” which opened in theaters this past December, will begin streaming on the platform on Friday, March 8. Reuniting “Paddington 2” dynamic duo Paul King and Simon Farnaby, the film stars Chalamet as the title chocolatier in his pre-factory years, who “armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams…manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.”
The film has earned Warner Bros. $608 million at the worldwide box office. It also stars Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Timothee Chalamet’s Dune 2 Makes Rotten Tomatoes History. ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Dune: Part Two, also known as Dune 2, is set to release this Friday and has already impressed the critics. It is reportedly one of the highest-rated second installments in the history of cinema. This Denis Villeneuve-helmed sci-fi saga has Timothee Chalamet in the lead and some other actors joining the ensemble cast.
The first film received multiple Oscars, and people waited with bated breaths for the second installment to come out. For the unversed, the movies are based on Frank Herberts’ work. The advance bookings of the movie have shown exceptional response, and the theatres have already added several shows in the upcoming weeks ahead of the film’s release. This is one of the most rare phenomena in cinema history. Keep scrolling for more.
According to reports, Dune 2 is one of the highest-rated second installments in Rotten Tomatoes’ history.
Dune: Part Two, also known as Dune 2, is set to release this Friday and has already impressed the critics. It is reportedly one of the highest-rated second installments in the history of cinema. This Denis Villeneuve-helmed sci-fi saga has Timothee Chalamet in the lead and some other actors joining the ensemble cast.
The first film received multiple Oscars, and people waited with bated breaths for the second installment to come out. For the unversed, the movies are based on Frank Herberts’ work. The advance bookings of the movie have shown exceptional response, and the theatres have already added several shows in the upcoming weeks ahead of the film’s release. This is one of the most rare phenomena in cinema history. Keep scrolling for more.
According to reports, Dune 2 is one of the highest-rated second installments in Rotten Tomatoes’ history.
- 2/25/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Timothée Chalamet’s magical, musical candyman is coming to Max.
“Wonka” will make its streaming debut exclusively on Max on Friday, March 8, Warner Bros. Discovery announced Friday.
The movie — featuring Chalamet in the title role — tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, following him as a young man as he becomes “the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker,” per the studio. The family film co-stars Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key and Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa.
“Wonka” has surpassed $600 million at the global box office, on an estimated $125 million budget. The film is director Paul King’s highest-grossing film, surpassing 2014’s “Paddington” and its 2017 sequel. It is Chalamet’s biggest movie at the international box office, although Warner Bros.’s “Dune: Part Two,” which opens March 1, could surpass “Wonka.”
The “Wonka” cast also includes Calah Lane, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell,...
“Wonka” will make its streaming debut exclusively on Max on Friday, March 8, Warner Bros. Discovery announced Friday.
The movie — featuring Chalamet in the title role — tells the origin story of Willy Wonka, following him as a young man as he becomes “the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker,” per the studio. The family film co-stars Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key and Hugh Grant as an Oompa-Loompa.
“Wonka” has surpassed $600 million at the global box office, on an estimated $125 million budget. The film is director Paul King’s highest-grossing film, surpassing 2014’s “Paddington” and its 2017 sequel. It is Chalamet’s biggest movie at the international box office, although Warner Bros.’s “Dune: Part Two,” which opens March 1, could surpass “Wonka.”
The “Wonka” cast also includes Calah Lane, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to our curated list of family-friendly movies perfect for a weekend gathering. There’s something special about a family movie night, where everyone from the littlest viewers to the grown-ups can share in the joy and adventure on screen. The films we’ve selected aren’t just entertaining; they’re a bridge between generations, each offering a unique experience that caters to all ages for a truly shared viewing experience. Paddington 2 brings laughter and warmth The sequel to the beloved story of Paddington Bear, Paddington 2, is a delightful tale that continues to capture hearts with its blend of humor and tenderness.
- 2/13/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
HBO is getting ready to unleash its latest miniseries in the form of "The Regime." The series has a lot going for it as it has an Oscar-winning actress at the center of the story, which hails from two of the minds behind one of the network's most beloved shows in recent memory, "Succession." But this is a very different sort of show not focused on the world of messy corporate politics, instead taking place inside a European palace and an authoritarian regime.
But what is this show about, exactly? Who is behind the camera and responsible for its creation? Who is in front of the camera bringing this political regime to life? We're here to answer all of those questions and more, offering up everything you need to know about the show before it arrives. Let's get into it.
Read more: The 15 Best Anthology TV Series Ranked
When Does The Regime Premiere?...
But what is this show about, exactly? Who is behind the camera and responsible for its creation? Who is in front of the camera bringing this political regime to life? We're here to answer all of those questions and more, offering up everything you need to know about the show before it arrives. Let's get into it.
Read more: The 15 Best Anthology TV Series Ranked
When Does The Regime Premiere?...
- 2/2/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Out with the old, in with the new! Hulu is ushering in the new month with plenty to add to your to-watch list but not before it says farewell to dozens of its current movies and shows available for streaming. Its first loss will come on the first of the month with the critically acclaimed “Lucky,” starring the late Harry Dean Stanton, but the streamer will remove titles all month long, from the “Pusher” trilogy to “Magic Mike.”
Don’t miss out—- find out everything leaving Hulu in February, including The Streamable’s picks for the top of your watch list!
30-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month hulu.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Leaving Hulu in February 2024? “Lucky” | Thursday, Feb. 1
Accomplished character actor Harry Dean Stanton stars in the drama, one of his final on-screen roles before his death at the age of 91, as, fittingly, a 90-year-old on...
Don’t miss out—- find out everything leaving Hulu in February, including The Streamable’s picks for the top of your watch list!
30-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month hulu.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Leaving Hulu in February 2024? “Lucky” | Thursday, Feb. 1
Accomplished character actor Harry Dean Stanton stars in the drama, one of his final on-screen roles before his death at the age of 91, as, fittingly, a 90-year-old on...
- 2/1/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
This coming month, the free streamer Tubi is adding dozens of new titles to its library, from Academy Award-nominated genre-bending thrillers like 2019’s “The Lighthouse” to rom-coms that have dominated culture for decades, such as Nora Ephron’s quintessential “When Harry Met Sally.”
Check out The Streamable’s picks for the best of Tubi’s February additions, and find out everything coming to the platform this month!
Watch Now Free TubiTV.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Tubi in February 2024? “If Beale Street Could Talk” | Thursday, Feb. 1
Barry Jenkins follows up his Oscar-winning “Moonlight” with another Oscar nominee in this adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel of the same name. KiKi Layne and Stephan James lead the cast as Tish and Fonny a devoted couple who have been friends since childhood who dream of a future together but whose plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested...
Check out The Streamable’s picks for the best of Tubi’s February additions, and find out everything coming to the platform this month!
Watch Now Free TubiTV.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Tubi in February 2024? “If Beale Street Could Talk” | Thursday, Feb. 1
Barry Jenkins follows up his Oscar-winning “Moonlight” with another Oscar nominee in this adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel of the same name. KiKi Layne and Stephan James lead the cast as Tish and Fonny a devoted couple who have been friends since childhood who dream of a future together but whose plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested...
- 1/26/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree is finally heading to the movies, with Simon Farnaby writing the script. More here.
For many years, there’s been talking of bringing Enid Blyton’s much-loved children’s tale The Magic Faraway Tree to the big screen. The book’s character names changed over time – there’s no Fanny anymore – but it’s still continued to find a new audience.
Once upon a time, the idea of a film of The Magic Faraway Tree was something being set up at Studiocanal. However, when personnel left Studiocanal to set up Elysian, the film went with them. Simon Farnaby has long been attached to write the script, and he’s remained a constant as the project bumbles along in limbo.
But it sounds as if it’s just found fresh life.
Still with Elysian, funding has now been chipped in too via Neal Street Productions.
For many years, there’s been talking of bringing Enid Blyton’s much-loved children’s tale The Magic Faraway Tree to the big screen. The book’s character names changed over time – there’s no Fanny anymore – but it’s still continued to find a new audience.
Once upon a time, the idea of a film of The Magic Faraway Tree was something being set up at Studiocanal. However, when personnel left Studiocanal to set up Elysian, the film went with them. Simon Farnaby has long been attached to write the script, and he’s remained a constant as the project bumbles along in limbo.
But it sounds as if it’s just found fresh life.
Still with Elysian, funding has now been chipped in too via Neal Street Productions.
- 1/12/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Exclusive: The long-gestating modern-day movie adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree has got fresh impetus with new financiers and creatives aboard and a start date lined up for June of this year.
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
- 1/11/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros’ ’Wonka’ is now less than $10m behind the lifetime global total of Tim Burton’s ’Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’.
Worldwide box office January 5-7 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) $43.4m $465.9m $28.9m $301.2m 78 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) $40.9m $334.8m $30.3m $234.8m 78 3. Migration (Universal) $25.7m $150.7m $15.5m $72.9m 74 4. Johnny Keep Walking! (various) $22.5m $77.2m $22.5m $77.2m 1 5. Wish (Disney) $19.8m $209.5m $19m $146.9m 52 6. Night Swim (Universal) $17.7m $17.7m $5.7m $5.7m 37 7. Anyone But You (Sony) $14.9m $58.4m $5.4m $14.7m 20 8. The Goldfinger (various) $10.5m $51.4m $10.4m...
Worldwide box office January 5-7 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) $43.4m $465.9m $28.9m $301.2m 78 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) $40.9m $334.8m $30.3m $234.8m 78 3. Migration (Universal) $25.7m $150.7m $15.5m $72.9m 74 4. Johnny Keep Walking! (various) $22.5m $77.2m $22.5m $77.2m 1 5. Wish (Disney) $19.8m $209.5m $19m $146.9m 52 6. Night Swim (Universal) $17.7m $17.7m $5.7m $5.7m 37 7. Anyone But You (Sony) $14.9m $58.4m $5.4m $14.7m 20 8. The Goldfinger (various) $10.5m $51.4m $10.4m...
- 1/8/2024
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…
Victor...
Victor...
- 1/6/2024
- by Theodore Bond
- JoBlo.com
‘The Boy And The Heron’ sets new record for Studio Ghibli; ‘Ferrari’ tops £1m.
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £6.6m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £1.7m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2.2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £6.6m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £6.6m figure for Wonka was up 3.7% on the weekend...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £6.6m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £1.7m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2.2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £6.6m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £6.6m figure for Wonka was up 3.7% on the weekend...
- 1/2/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘The Boy And The Heron’ sets new record for Studio Ghibli; ‘Ferrari’ tops £1m.
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £6.6m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £2m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £6.6m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £6.6m figure for Wonka was up 3.7% on the weekend...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £6.6m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £2m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £6.6m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £6.6m figure for Wonka was up 3.7% on the weekend...
- 1/2/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘The Boy And The Heron’ sets new record for Studio Ghibli; ‘Ferrari’ tops £1m.
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £7.9m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £2m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £7.9m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £7.9m figure for Wonka was up 24.2% on its pre-Christmas...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Dec 29-31)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) £7.9m £45m 4 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) £2m £6.3m 2 3. Wish (Disney) £1m £10m 6 4. Ferrari (Black Bear) £1m £2m 1 5. Anyone But You (Sony) £733,416 £1.4m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26
Wonka recorded an outstanding £7.9m weekend on the final session of the year at the UK-Ireland box office, topping the charts on its fourth session in cinemas and reaching a huge £45m total.
The £7.9m figure for Wonka was up 24.2% on its pre-Christmas...
- 1/2/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘Wonka’ powers ahead to $379m total whilst ‘Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom’ swims to $251m.
Worldwide box office December 29-31 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world)Cume (world) 3-day (int’l)Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Shining For One Thing (various) $77.1m $77.1m $77.1m $77.1m 3 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) $70m $251.4m $50.5m $173.6m 78 3. Wonka (Warner Bros) $63m $379m $39.1m $244.4m 78 4. Migration (Universal) $34.3m $100.7m $17.1m $46.4m 69 5. Johnny Keep Walking! (various) $25.8m £32.3m $25.8m $32.3m 1 6. I Did It My Way (various) $25.7m $26m $25.7m $26m 1 7. The Goldfinger (various) $23m $23m $23m $23m 8 8. Wish (Disney) $16.7m $176.4m $15.4m $115.8m 45 9. Anyone But You...
Worldwide box office December 29-31 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world)Cume (world) 3-day (int’l)Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Shining For One Thing (various) $77.1m $77.1m $77.1m $77.1m 3 2. Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (Warner Bros) $70m $251.4m $50.5m $173.6m 78 3. Wonka (Warner Bros) $63m $379m $39.1m $244.4m 78 4. Migration (Universal) $34.3m $100.7m $17.1m $46.4m 69 5. Johnny Keep Walking! (various) $25.8m £32.3m $25.8m $32.3m 1 6. I Did It My Way (various) $25.7m $26m $25.7m $26m 1 7. The Goldfinger (various) $23m $23m $23m $23m 8 8. Wish (Disney) $16.7m $176.4m $15.4m $115.8m 45 9. Anyone But You...
- 1/1/2024
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
It's that time of year again: the fuzzy window between Christmas and New Year's Eve where nobody really knows what they're supposed to be doing. Fortunately for the box office, some people have decided that the thing they're supposed to be doing is going out to see a movie. And fortunately for Timothée Chalamet's whimsical titular chocolate-maker, the plurality of those people have decided that the movie they should go and see is "Wonka."
The musical prequel film from "Paddington"/"Paddington 2" director Paul King premiered two weekends ago in the U.S. (and a week earlier internationally). It was knocked down to second place at the box office by "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" over the Christmas weekend, but now it's back on top heading into the four-day New Year's weekend. Per Variety, "Wonka" added another $8.6 million to its domestic gross on Friday -- an increase of 32% from...
The musical prequel film from "Paddington"/"Paddington 2" director Paul King premiered two weekends ago in the U.S. (and a week earlier internationally). It was knocked down to second place at the box office by "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" over the Christmas weekend, but now it's back on top heading into the four-day New Year's weekend. Per Variety, "Wonka" added another $8.6 million to its domestic gross on Friday -- an increase of 32% from...
- 12/30/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Curzon starts Leo Leigh’s ‘Sweet Sue’; Yash Raj has ‘Dunki’.
Warner Bros is launching DC Extended Universe title Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom into 749 cinemas – the widest ever opening for the studio in the UK and Ireland, topping the 746 start of Elvis from June 2022.
The Lost Kingdom is directed by James Wan, who also helmed the 2018 first film Aquaman. That title opened to £5.2m at a site average of £8.568, and closed on £22.5m – currently the fourth-highest-grossing of 15 Dceu films to date.
The sequel sees Jason Momoa’s titular superhero balancing his duties as king and Justice League member; while...
Warner Bros is launching DC Extended Universe title Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom into 749 cinemas – the widest ever opening for the studio in the UK and Ireland, topping the 746 start of Elvis from June 2022.
The Lost Kingdom is directed by James Wan, who also helmed the 2018 first film Aquaman. That title opened to £5.2m at a site average of £8.568, and closed on £22.5m – currently the fourth-highest-grossing of 15 Dceu films to date.
The sequel sees Jason Momoa’s titular superhero balancing his duties as king and Justice League member; while...
- 12/22/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
When Paul King's 2014 film "Paddington" came out, audiences had reason to be skeptical. The beloved title character, a talking Peruvian bear left alone at London's Paddington station, wasn't necessarily a good fit for a live-action take. Movies like 2002's "Scooby Doo" and 2007's "Alvin and the Chipmunks" were proof that audiences would show up for CGI versions of classic characters, but the movies could also be ugly and loud, the most cynical kind of children's movie. Nobody wanted that fate for Paddington Bear.
But the character flourished in the new medium. King's film received a great deal of critical praise, getting a 97% positive approval rate on RottenTomatoes. The movie was sparkling, playful, and gleefully imaginative, and rather than stop the movie dead, Paddington's (voiced by Ben Wheatley) wild antics set the stage for physical comedy in the vein of Charlie Chaplin. 2017's "Paddington 2" was even better, finding...
But the character flourished in the new medium. King's film received a great deal of critical praise, getting a 97% positive approval rate on RottenTomatoes. The movie was sparkling, playful, and gleefully imaginative, and rather than stop the movie dead, Paddington's (voiced by Ben Wheatley) wild antics set the stage for physical comedy in the vein of Charlie Chaplin. 2017's "Paddington 2" was even better, finding...
- 12/19/2023
- by Anthony Crislip
- Slash Film
’Wonka’ topped the box office in 60 of its 77 international markets
Worldwide box office December 15-17 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world) Cume (world)3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) $92.6m $151.4m $53.6m $112.4m 78 2. Endless Journey (various) $20.5m $34.6m $20.5m $34.6m 1 3. Wish (Disney) $15.4m $126.2m $12.2m $71.9m 40 4. The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes (Lionsgate) $12.3 $300.5m $6.5m $155.3m 85 5. Wolf Hiding (various) $11.2m $12.2m $11.2m $12.2m 1 6. 12:12 The Day (Seoul Spring) (various) $10.6m $62.7m $10.6m $62.7m 5 7. Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (various) $10.3m $129.1m $10.3m $129.1m 3 8. Napoleon (Sony) $10.3m $188.4m $8m $131.4m 66 9. The Boy And The Heron (GKids...
Worldwide box office December 15-17 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world) Cume (world)3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Wonka (Warner Bros) $92.6m $151.4m $53.6m $112.4m 78 2. Endless Journey (various) $20.5m $34.6m $20.5m $34.6m 1 3. Wish (Disney) $15.4m $126.2m $12.2m $71.9m 40 4. The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes (Lionsgate) $12.3 $300.5m $6.5m $155.3m 85 5. Wolf Hiding (various) $11.2m $12.2m $11.2m $12.2m 1 6. 12:12 The Day (Seoul Spring) (various) $10.6m $62.7m $10.6m $62.7m 5 7. Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (various) $10.3m $129.1m $10.3m $129.1m 3 8. Napoleon (Sony) $10.3m $188.4m $8m $131.4m 66 9. The Boy And The Heron (GKids...
- 12/18/2023
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Updated, Sunday Am: Wonka had a very strong hold on Saturday with $14M, just -3% off from Friday/Thursday previews’ $14.4M resulting in an estimated $39M opening, which is slightly north of the $35.3M start that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse did back in the same mid-December slot in 2018. For family movies opening at this point in time, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and there’s a lot of road left for Wonka especially with 21% K-12/76% colleges off tomorrow per Comscore, rising to 66%/93% by Friday and finally 100% out all next week.
Per box office analytics firm, EntTelligence, Wonka‘s opening weekend translates to 3M admissions or 49% of the entire marketplace’s foot traffic.
Worldwide weekend for Wonka is bigger than expected at $92.6M including debuts in France, Belgium, Holland, Australia, Nz, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. The Paul King-directed movie’s running global total is north of $151M.
Per box office analytics firm, EntTelligence, Wonka‘s opening weekend translates to 3M admissions or 49% of the entire marketplace’s foot traffic.
Worldwide weekend for Wonka is bigger than expected at $92.6M including debuts in France, Belgium, Holland, Australia, Nz, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. The Paul King-directed movie’s running global total is north of $151M.
- 12/17/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
More than half a century after Gene Wilder charmed and terrified children in equal measure in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," it's Timothée Chalamet's turn to cook up sweet and improbable treats in "Wonka," a musical prequel from "Paddington"/"Paddington 2" director Paul King. Musicals are always a risky bet at the box office, but by downplaying the singing and dancing and focusing trailers around its quirky leading man, "Wonka" has achieved a good (if not necessarily grand) opening.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, "Wonka" is on track to gross $38 million or more at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, following an opening day gross of $14.4 million. The film has a relatively conservative budget of $125 million, so it needs at least $300 million worldwide by the end of its run to comfortably break even and start turning a profit. That's easily doable, especially looking at King's track record.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, "Wonka" is on track to gross $38 million or more at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, following an opening day gross of $14.4 million. The film has a relatively conservative budget of $125 million, so it needs at least $300 million worldwide by the end of its run to comfortably break even and start turning a profit. That's easily doable, especially looking at King's track record.
- 12/16/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
This post contains minor spoilers for "Wonka."
When Warner Bros. announced that they were going to make a prequel to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" focused on a young Willy Wonka, it felt like all of Hollywood's worst sensibilities wrapped in one neat little package. A seemingly unnecessary prequel driven by commercialism with a hip star -- in this case
Timothée Chalamet -- anchoring the whole thing to try and sell it to the masses. Yet, when "Paddington" director Paul King signed on to helm the project, it raised some eyebrows. Could the man beyond two of the most inescapably charming movies of the last decade work his magic here as well? The answer is largely yes. We're not here to discuss whether "Wonka" is as good as "Paddington" or anything like that, but it is worth pointing out that these movies do have a key element in common.
Both...
When Warner Bros. announced that they were going to make a prequel to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" focused on a young Willy Wonka, it felt like all of Hollywood's worst sensibilities wrapped in one neat little package. A seemingly unnecessary prequel driven by commercialism with a hip star -- in this case
Timothée Chalamet -- anchoring the whole thing to try and sell it to the masses. Yet, when "Paddington" director Paul King signed on to helm the project, it raised some eyebrows. Could the man beyond two of the most inescapably charming movies of the last decade work his magic here as well? The answer is largely yes. We're not here to discuss whether "Wonka" is as good as "Paddington" or anything like that, but it is worth pointing out that these movies do have a key element in common.
Both...
- 12/15/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Plot: The origins of young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet), who arrives in a city known for its chocolate with the dream of becoming a master chocolatier.
Review: I’ll admit something – I wasn’t all that keen on watching Wonka. While I have a soft spot for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, mainly due to Gene Wilder’s terrific performance in the lead, an origin story starring Timothee Chalamet seemed a touch too whimsical. Yet, the film inarguably has an ace up its sleeve in director Paul King, who proved with the first two Paddington films that he’s a master of so-called whimsy.
The film, which is a full-blown musical, really does cast a spell thanks mainly to the fact that Chalamet hits precisely the right note with his Willy Wonka. He’s doing Gene Wilder here, with no trace of Johnny Depp’s performance from the Tim Burton...
Review: I’ll admit something – I wasn’t all that keen on watching Wonka. While I have a soft spot for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, mainly due to Gene Wilder’s terrific performance in the lead, an origin story starring Timothee Chalamet seemed a touch too whimsical. Yet, the film inarguably has an ace up its sleeve in director Paul King, who proved with the first two Paddington films that he’s a master of so-called whimsy.
The film, which is a full-blown musical, really does cast a spell thanks mainly to the fact that Chalamet hits precisely the right note with his Willy Wonka. He’s doing Gene Wilder here, with no trace of Johnny Depp’s performance from the Tim Burton...
- 12/15/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Clockwise from top left: Paddington 2 (Warner Bros.), Love Actually (Universal Pictures), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount Pictures), Notting Hill (Universal Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club
When you’ve been in the moviemaking business for as long as Hugh Grant has, you’ve earned the right to...
When you’ve been in the moviemaking business for as long as Hugh Grant has, you’ve earned the right to...
- 12/15/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
This year has seen some big name movies move off the schedule in the wake of the Writers Guild and SAG-Aftra strikes. This has made theater owners fearful of the Holiday movie season with a lack of a film that will keep audiences coming back for multiple viewings. This is the time of year where prestige films vying for Oscar Glory mix with big budget tentpole blockbusters to take advantage of the fact that after two or three days spent with relatives you only see once a year, you need a nice two to three hour activity that requires no talking!
After The Boy and the Heron took in record breaking numbers for its studio last week, at $13 million, this week sees the first true big name Holiday release with a prequel to a classic children’s film that was released over 52 years ago. Despite WIlly Wonka and the Chocolate...
After The Boy and the Heron took in record breaking numbers for its studio last week, at $13 million, this week sees the first true big name Holiday release with a prequel to a classic children’s film that was released over 52 years ago. Despite WIlly Wonka and the Chocolate...
- 12/14/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
They were all young once: Don Corleone and Darth Vader, Butch and Sundance, Hannibal and Leatherface, Maleficent and Cruella. And long before he was the world’s best-known chocolatier and distributor of life-changing golden tickets, William “Willy” Wonka was just a twentysomething kid with a top hat, a sweet tooth, and a dream.
For decades, we could only guess how the bright-eyed lad became the candymaker-in-chief. This is where Wonka comes in. A prequel that seeks to both fill in the blanks regarding Roald Dahl’s eccentric sugar pimp and...
For decades, we could only guess how the bright-eyed lad became the candymaker-in-chief. This is where Wonka comes in. A prequel that seeks to both fill in the blanks regarding Roald Dahl’s eccentric sugar pimp and...
- 12/14/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Freya Parker, Keegan-Michael Key, Colin O’Brien, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Charlotte Ritchie, Phil Wang | Written by Paul King, Simon Farnaby | Directed by Paul King
Paul King has worked some of his Paddington heart and magic to create a world of pure imagination. With a story that feels closer to the hearts and souls of a newer generation, than to the ones that grew up watching Gene Wilder, Wonka is for a new age to enjoy some sweet treats.
When it was announced Paul King would be at the helm of the Wonka origin story, I breathed a sigh of relief. If there is anyone working in Hollywood today who understands how to tell a wonderfully heartwarming tale while showing brilliant cinematic language, it’s Paul King. Through his previous two films (Paddington and Paddington 2...
Paul King has worked some of his Paddington heart and magic to create a world of pure imagination. With a story that feels closer to the hearts and souls of a newer generation, than to the ones that grew up watching Gene Wilder, Wonka is for a new age to enjoy some sweet treats.
When it was announced Paul King would be at the helm of the Wonka origin story, I breathed a sigh of relief. If there is anyone working in Hollywood today who understands how to tell a wonderfully heartwarming tale while showing brilliant cinematic language, it’s Paul King. Through his previous two films (Paddington and Paddington 2...
- 12/11/2023
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
Hugh Grant was given a picture of a naked Oompa Loompa by ‘Wonka’ director Paul King.The ‘Four Weddings And a Funeral’ actor, 63, plays an 18-inch tall Oompa Loompa in the new ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel, which arrived in cinemas on Friday. (08.12.23)Hugh told People about its maker playing a prank on him: “Paul, quite early on in the editing process, sent me a mock-up of the Oompa Loompa stark naked.“And my little children were a little alarmed at that.”When asked why Paul had sent the image, Hugh added it was “to amuse him”.Paul explained to People the film’s effects team were still figuring out “the colour of the skin and the way the hair works and on all the kind of details of it” and said at that stage of animation the Oompa Loompa “had no clothes”.But Paul, 45, admitted about the naked...
- 12/10/2023
- by BANG Showbiz Reporter
- Bang Showbiz
Paul King gifted us with two of the most charming movies of all time: Paddington and Paddington 2. The studio was keen to get the ball rolling on another sequel, so King was faced with the choice of signing on to direct Paddington 3 or try something new with Wonka. While speaking with THR, the director said that the choice wasn’t an easy one.
“It was really difficult, because I’d spent eight years with the bear and I felt such incredible love for him,” King said. “He’s an animated character, and the design and the love that went into every single follicle was labor intensive and done with such heart. So it’s kind of like sending your kid off to school and going, ‘I hope you’ll be okay!’ But I also know it was the right thing to do.“
Paul King added that “because there’s so much Paddington source material,...
“It was really difficult, because I’d spent eight years with the bear and I felt such incredible love for him,” King said. “He’s an animated character, and the design and the love that went into every single follicle was labor intensive and done with such heart. So it’s kind of like sending your kid off to school and going, ‘I hope you’ll be okay!’ But I also know it was the right thing to do.“
Paul King added that “because there’s so much Paddington source material,...
- 12/9/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Wonka Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, Tom Davis, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar
Director: Paul King
Wonka Movie Review Out! ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: Taking a different route from previous Wonkas to serve a fresh take on the iconic character
What’s Bad: The second half gets uneven and predictable
Loo Break: Only because you won’t be able to beat the temptation of taking a break to eat some good chocolate
Watch or Not?: As a fun-time watch this Holiday season!
Language: English
Available On: Theatrical Release
Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
User Rating:
Willy (Timothée Chalamet) is a 25-year-old who’s roaming around the world to perfect the recipe of chocolate from the past seven years. He arrives in London to make some money now that...
Star Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Matthew Baynton, Tom Davis, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar
Director: Paul King
Wonka Movie Review Out! ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: Taking a different route from previous Wonkas to serve a fresh take on the iconic character
What’s Bad: The second half gets uneven and predictable
Loo Break: Only because you won’t be able to beat the temptation of taking a break to eat some good chocolate
Watch or Not?: As a fun-time watch this Holiday season!
Language: English
Available On: Theatrical Release
Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
User Rating:
Willy (Timothée Chalamet) is a 25-year-old who’s roaming around the world to perfect the recipe of chocolate from the past seven years. He arrives in London to make some money now that...
- 12/7/2023
- by Umesh Punwani
- KoiMoi
Timothée Chalomet in WonkaPhoto: Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Bros.
A year ago we couldn’t have said definitively whether Wonka would be a delightful musical extravaganza or a total disaster. Either outcome seemed plausible. After all, was anyone actually clamoring for yet another version of the mysterious, magical chocolatier from Roald Dahl’s beloved book series?...
A year ago we couldn’t have said definitively whether Wonka would be a delightful musical extravaganza or a total disaster. Either outcome seemed plausible. After all, was anyone actually clamoring for yet another version of the mysterious, magical chocolatier from Roald Dahl’s beloved book series?...
- 12/5/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Eyebrows were raised and much dismissive discourse took place on social media when it was revealed that current Hollywood favourite, Timothée Chalamet, would be donning the famous top hat and purple coat to play a young Willy Wonka in an new adaptation of the much loved Roald Dahll adventure.
Written by the dream team that brought us Paddington in 2014 and the absolutely delightful Paddington 2 in 2017, Wonka serves as a prequel to Mel Stuart’s 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory which starred Gene Wilder as the iconic chocolatier.
Young Willy Wonka dreams of opening his own chocolate shop to perfect an art handed to him by his late mother (Sally Hawkins). Newly arrived in town with a head full of dream and a top hat overloading with magical marvel, Willy is set upon by a number of duplicitous individuals who would rather not share their wealthy customers with him.
Written by the dream team that brought us Paddington in 2014 and the absolutely delightful Paddington 2 in 2017, Wonka serves as a prequel to Mel Stuart’s 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory which starred Gene Wilder as the iconic chocolatier.
Young Willy Wonka dreams of opening his own chocolate shop to perfect an art handed to him by his late mother (Sally Hawkins). Newly arrived in town with a head full of dream and a top hat overloading with magical marvel, Willy is set upon by a number of duplicitous individuals who would rather not share their wealthy customers with him.
- 12/4/2023
- by Linda Marric
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
In his Paddington movies, Paul King folded animation and live action together into delightful all-ages adventures, selling a message of community and acceptance with spry wit and disarming sweetness, not to mention Ben Whishaw’s impeccable voice work, imbuing the gentle ursine protagonist with genuine heart. Depending on your appetite for sugary excess, you might embrace the director’s Wonka as more of the same. Or you might find the qualities that distinguished his previous hits get steamrolled here by strained whimsy, an aggressive charm that wears you down rather than lifts you up.
Mercifully, we’re a long way from the garish nightmare of Tim Burton’s 2005 film of the Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka is nothing like Johnny Depp’s creepy take on the role. But Chalamet has two settings here — he’s either beaming with almost manic exuberance,...
Mercifully, we’re a long way from the garish nightmare of Tim Burton’s 2005 film of the Roald Dahl novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Timothée Chalamet as the young Willy Wonka is nothing like Johnny Depp’s creepy take on the role. But Chalamet has two settings here — he’s either beaming with almost manic exuberance,...
- 12/4/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When it was first announced Warner Bros. was in the early stages of developing a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel about Willy Wonka’s rise to fame and fortune, it was clear that the producers didn’t have a handle on what, exactly, this iteration of the character should feel like. Actors suggested for the role varied in age and screen persona, with upstarts like Ezra Miller being considered alongside older vets like Ryan Gosling and Donald Glover––and although Timothée Chalamet makes much more sense age-wise for a prequel set 25 years before the events of Roald Dahl’s novel, Wonka never manages to overcome just how miscast its lead feels.
Chalamet’s recently spoken about heeding Tom Cruise’s advice and taking dance lessons––so few young stars have those basic Old Hollywood talents––and this has the air of a project he boarded purely to put such skills to use.
Chalamet’s recently spoken about heeding Tom Cruise’s advice and taking dance lessons––so few young stars have those basic Old Hollywood talents––and this has the air of a project he boarded purely to put such skills to use.
- 12/4/2023
- by Alistair Ryder
- The Film Stage
Director Paul King does not qualify his newest movie as a traditional film production. Nor does he credit it as a Paul King “picture,” “joint,” or otherwise effort of industry. Instead, during the opening titles of Wonka, the movie is simply described as “a Paul King confection.” It’s a cute flourish for a movie about the most famous chocolate maker in cinema. It also proves surprisingly, and joyously, apt; for Wonka is indeed the sweetest thing you are likely to experience at a movie theater this holiday season. More impressive still, it doesn’t feel like teeth or brain rot either.
To be sure, in its best moments, Wonka is a pure sugar rush. It leaps and bounds alongside its characters as they dance across the surfaces of a nighttime sea; it also ascends as they do by way of a handful of balloons, floating ever upward toward a...
To be sure, in its best moments, Wonka is a pure sugar rush. It leaps and bounds alongside its characters as they dance across the surfaces of a nighttime sea; it also ascends as they do by way of a handful of balloons, floating ever upward toward a...
- 12/4/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Paul King’s Paddington and Paddington 2 are funny, delightfully inventive, and free of the snarky humor that dominates most kiddie fare. With Wonka, the latest rendition of the adventures of Roald Dahl’s eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka, King offers more of the same. But in returning to the psychedelic, candy-fueled world that Dahl first introduced in 1964’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka also diverges in tone from both the book and the two subsequent films by Mel Stuart and Tim Burton, respectively, and does so to great effect.
Perhaps no one can top Gene Wilder’s uncanny performance as Wonka in Stuart’s 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Timothée Chalamet wisely doesn’t try to match the way that Wilder pivots from charming and merry to menacing and enraged on a dime, instead imbuing Wonka with a spiritedness befitting a prequel set years earlier, bringing a...
Perhaps no one can top Gene Wilder’s uncanny performance as Wonka in Stuart’s 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Timothée Chalamet wisely doesn’t try to match the way that Wilder pivots from charming and merry to menacing and enraged on a dime, instead imbuing Wonka with a spiritedness befitting a prequel set years earlier, bringing a...
- 12/4/2023
- by Derek Smith
- Slant Magazine
Hollywood star Hugh Grant has revealed how he was asked to star in the film ‘Wonka’ and play the iconic character of Oompa Loompa. Grant said: “Paul and I were always in contact vaguely since ‘Paddington 2,’ and then I think he just emailed me one day and said he was doing ‘Wonka.’ He has been nuts about Roald Dahl since he was a kid, in exactly the same way that he was obsessed with Michael Bond and Paddington, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of his favorite books.
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Hollywood star Hugh Grant has revealed how he was asked to star in the film ‘Wonka’ and play the iconic character of Oompa Loompa. Grant said: “Paul and I were always in contact vaguely since ‘Paddington 2,’ and then I think he just emailed me one day and said he was doing ‘Wonka.’ He has been nuts about Roald Dahl since he was a kid, in exactly the same way that he was obsessed with Michael Bond and Paddington, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of his favorite books.
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
“And then he explained how much he loved the Oompa Loompas in those early films, particularly for being so unpleasant. And he said, ‘Whenever I think of someone really curmudgeonly and unpleasant, I immediately think of you.’ And so that was his pitch.”
Based on Roald Dahl’s iconic character from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, a timeless children’s classic,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Two words: Young Wonka. This was the pitch from celebrated producer David Heyman to director Paul King at the end of their time working together on Paddington 2, according to King. “I think it was literally our last sign-off,” he smiles. Food for thought, right?
Several years and a pandemic later, their fruitful collaboration is finally making its way to screens in a whirlwind of color and candy.
“It was definitely the idea to try to make something that would be warming and festive at Christmas,” King says, but he’s quick to acknowledge that the world we live in today is not the same as the pre-covid time of the film’s conception. It’s a production that faced obstacles out of King and Heyman’s hands, but in a bit of serendipity, the movie might just have arrived at exactly the time it was needed.
Based on a...
Several years and a pandemic later, their fruitful collaboration is finally making its way to screens in a whirlwind of color and candy.
“It was definitely the idea to try to make something that would be warming and festive at Christmas,” King says, but he’s quick to acknowledge that the world we live in today is not the same as the pre-covid time of the film’s conception. It’s a production that faced obstacles out of King and Heyman’s hands, but in a bit of serendipity, the movie might just have arrived at exactly the time it was needed.
Based on a...
- 12/4/2023
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
It’s an interesting month ahead on Hulu, as the streamer rolls out some of the series it’s been keeping in its back pocket for the holiday season.
On December 15, the first season of Such Brave Girls will arrive. The sitcom follows a dysfunctional family – and we mean dysfunctional! – that includes real-life sisters Kat Sadler and Lizzie Davidson. British comedian Sadler has previously written for The News Quiz, Hypothetical, and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, but this is her first big TV project. “Everything we joke about in the show is from a place of lived experience,” she told Funny Women. “I wish I could say this is a heart-warming show about overcoming trauma, but that would be a lie. It’s about three toxic, damaged egomaniacs manipulating the world and each other for their own personal gain, vengeance and glory…just like in Little Women.” Sounds good!
Later in the month,...
On December 15, the first season of Such Brave Girls will arrive. The sitcom follows a dysfunctional family – and we mean dysfunctional! – that includes real-life sisters Kat Sadler and Lizzie Davidson. British comedian Sadler has previously written for The News Quiz, Hypothetical, and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, but this is her first big TV project. “Everything we joke about in the show is from a place of lived experience,” she told Funny Women. “I wish I could say this is a heart-warming show about overcoming trauma, but that would be a lie. It’s about three toxic, damaged egomaniacs manipulating the world and each other for their own personal gain, vengeance and glory…just like in Little Women.” Sounds good!
Later in the month,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
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