Get your red vest ready: Kristen Wiig is said to be reprising her recurring character The Target Lady in a series of ads for the discount department store.
That’s according to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, who reports that Wiig and a crew were recently spotted taking over a Target store overnight to shoot the campaign.
Wiig famously portrayed the overzealous Target cashier in ten SNL sketches beginning in 2005. In each of the sketches, she invariably drives her rushed customers crazy as she enthusiastically comments on each of their products as she scans them
Wiig developed the character when she was a part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings and brought it with her to Saturday Night Live, which is what allows her to perform it off the show.
Characters created while performers work for SNL are the intellectual property of the show, and tend to only show...
That’s according to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, who reports that Wiig and a crew were recently spotted taking over a Target store overnight to shoot the campaign.
Wiig famously portrayed the overzealous Target cashier in ten SNL sketches beginning in 2005. In each of the sketches, she invariably drives her rushed customers crazy as she enthusiastically comments on each of their products as she scans them
Wiig developed the character when she was a part of the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings and brought it with her to Saturday Night Live, which is what allows her to perform it off the show.
Characters created while performers work for SNL are the intellectual property of the show, and tend to only show...
- 3/15/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
The Academy Awards have been given out, but aside from a list of winners, the ceremony also provided us with a series of new information about some upcoming projects. In a short discussion with Steven Spielberg, Roger Friedman received an official confirmation that Ready Player Two, the sequel to Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 2018 hit film Ready Player One, is in the works, but that he won’t be directing it.
This is an exciting update that confirms what the author of both books, Austin-based writer Ernest Cline, said earlier this year. When asked about the sequel movie, which would be based on Cline’s 2020 sequel novel, he said the following:
“It’s in the early stages right now, especially since Hollywood is in limbo right now. But I can tell from the experience of making the first movie that everybody had a lot of fun.”
Source: Inverse
The first movie was...
This is an exciting update that confirms what the author of both books, Austin-based writer Ernest Cline, said earlier this year. When asked about the sequel movie, which would be based on Cline’s 2020 sequel novel, he said the following:
“It’s in the early stages right now, especially since Hollywood is in limbo right now. But I can tell from the experience of making the first movie that everybody had a lot of fun.”
Source: Inverse
The first movie was...
- 3/13/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Selena Gomez is set to play Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic based on the singer’s 2013 memoir titled Simple Dreams and a director is now attached to the project.
James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager, John Boylan, are co-producing the film, which is currently in pre-production. Signing up to direct the film is David O. Russell.
Ronstadt is a rock, country and Latin music star who found success with albums like Heart Like a Wheel, Prisoner in Disguise, Hasten Down the Wind, Simple Dreams, Living in the USA, among many others. In a career that spans multiple decades, Ronstadt recorded 29 studio albums and won 11 Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and one Emmy. In 2011, Ronstadt was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys.
Ronstadt charted on Spotify in 2023 with her 1970 recording of “Long Long Time,” a song that was prominently...
James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager, John Boylan, are co-producing the film, which is currently in pre-production. Signing up to direct the film is David O. Russell.
Ronstadt is a rock, country and Latin music star who found success with albums like Heart Like a Wheel, Prisoner in Disguise, Hasten Down the Wind, Simple Dreams, Living in the USA, among many others. In a career that spans multiple decades, Ronstadt recorded 29 studio albums and won 11 Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and one Emmy. In 2011, Ronstadt was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys.
Ronstadt charted on Spotify in 2023 with her 1970 recording of “Long Long Time,” a song that was prominently...
- 1/14/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Bruce Springsteen, as usual, is on fire. The beloved Americana rocker never seems to stop working — gearing up for another leg of his North American tour this spring. Now, the Boss is rumored to have a new venture on the horizon: a feature film.
Roger Friedman, the entertainment blogger behind Showbiz 411, first reported on the news — sharing that sources have said a film is in the works about the making of Springsteen’s seminal 1982 album Nebraska. Crazy Heart writer-director Scott Cooper is said to be attached to the project — with Springsteen consulting on it. World of Reel reports that the screenplay may be adapted from Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.
The stripped back album is an iconic release in Springsteen’s discography, resulting from a series of solo demos that were meant to be recorded with the E Street Band. Among the...
Roger Friedman, the entertainment blogger behind Showbiz 411, first reported on the news — sharing that sources have said a film is in the works about the making of Springsteen’s seminal 1982 album Nebraska. Crazy Heart writer-director Scott Cooper is said to be attached to the project — with Springsteen consulting on it. World of Reel reports that the screenplay may be adapted from Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.
The stripped back album is an iconic release in Springsteen’s discography, resulting from a series of solo demos that were meant to be recorded with the E Street Band. Among the...
- 1/13/2024
- by Emma Carey
- Consequence - Music
Bruce Springsteen, as usual, is on fire. The beloved Americana rocker never seems to stop working — gearing up for another leg of his North American tour this spring. Now, the Boss is rumored to have a new venture on the horizon: a feature film.
Roger Friedman, the entertainment blogger behind Showbiz 411, first reported on the news — sharing that sources have said a film is in the works about the making of Springsteen’s seminal 1982 album Nebraska. Crazy Heart writer-director Scott Cooper is said to be attached to the project — with Springsteen consulting on it. World of Reel reports that the screenplay may be adapted from Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.
The stripped back album is an iconic release in Springsteen’s discography, resulting from a series of solo demos that were meant to be recorded with the E Street Band. Among the...
Roger Friedman, the entertainment blogger behind Showbiz 411, first reported on the news — sharing that sources have said a film is in the works about the making of Springsteen’s seminal 1982 album Nebraska. Crazy Heart writer-director Scott Cooper is said to be attached to the project — with Springsteen consulting on it. World of Reel reports that the screenplay may be adapted from Warren Zanes’ Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.
The stripped back album is an iconic release in Springsteen’s discography, resulting from a series of solo demos that were meant to be recorded with the E Street Band. Among the...
- 1/13/2024
- by Emma Carey
- Consequence - Film News
Dana Brunetti, who left his post as Relativity’s president of production earlier this week, fired a Twitter shot at Showbiz 411 founder and veteran entertainment columnist Roger Friedman over a story Friedman wrote implying that Brunetti and former Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh’s often combative social media presence may have contributed to their departure. In the story, Friedman embedded a photo Brunetti had posted on Instagram of an Alaska Airlines plane on the tarmac at Lax, which Brunetti had captioned “Taking a group of strangers on the Relativity Jet to Cabo for a few days. #givingbackfeelsgood,” as supporting evidence of his theory,...
- 12/23/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
It was just yesterday we noted that Shusako Endo’s new edition of Silence: A Novel, which follows a story of two Jesuit priests in seventeenth century Japan “is a very difficult read, but a wholly rewarding one as well. It’s easy to see the appeal this story had for Martin Scorsese, especially its powerful ending.” While we’ve been waiting some time for any word from Paramount on when the adaptation will see a release, we’ll have to wait a little longer for an official date, but it’ll at least be completed by the year’s end.
Scorsese spoke to Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411, who revealed he’s nearly wrapping up the post-production process with scoring to be completed in October for the drama starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, and Ciarán Hinds. With the film “golden” for a release in 2016, the...
Scorsese spoke to Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411, who revealed he’s nearly wrapping up the post-production process with scoring to be completed in October for the drama starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, and Ciarán Hinds. With the film “golden” for a release in 2016, the...
- 8/5/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Oh, I see. Hollywood decided to get me all sorts of presents this month, and they’re just spacing them out so I don’t explode from joy on my actual birthday. Today’s delightful news is that John Sayles is going to direct Django Lives with Franco Nero returning to play the title character. While I love Sayles and the diversity of his output as a writer/director, I admit a certain fondness for his genre work. When he wrote a script like The Howling or Alligator or Battle Beyond The Stars, he didn’t treat those jobs as garbage. Instead, he wrote with the same degree of invention and dedication, and as a result, many of those movies have aged incredibly well, better than a lot of the drive-in fare of the same era. Franco Nero should have been a bigger movie star. The guy is pretty much just raw onscreen charisma,...
- 5/24/2016
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Let's be clear about something: no, a bear does not rape Leonardo Di Caprio in "The Revenant." Some days, I find myself wondering how certain people are even part of the ongoing conversation about film based on how alarmingly stupid they are, and how much trouble they have deciphering even the easiest of movies. It's not my job to police the internet or to correct every bit of misinformation that's out there, but when you see something truly wrong starting to take hold and spread, it seems like there is a responsibility to speak up and make sure the correct information is on the record somewhere. For example… no, a bear does not rape Leonardo Di Caprio in "The Revenant." Let's look at why I am sure that is not the case. First, I've seen the movie. And while I am still under embargo for a review, I don't think...
- 12/1/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Much like Rocky before it, Creed looks like it's ready to show us what the power of positive thinking, proper mentoring, and a good right hook, can do for a fighter willing to learn. And from what we're hearing from the grapevine, it's already inspired some work on a sequel . maybe even two. Apparently, Creed has been screening for those in the know, and it's been impressing everyone who's seen it. Roger Friedman, he of Showbiz 411 fame, has heard the buzz and it's no surprise to one of the film's producers, the legendary Irwin Winkler. Through some good old fashioned grilling during their chance meeting, Winkler admitted that the positive feelings surrounding the re-teaming of Fruitvale Station collaborators Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler have translated into some preliminary work being done on Creed II - and if the powers that be are as bullish as Friedman says they are,...
- 11/3/2015
- cinemablend.com
Dan Rather criticized NBC News for its treatment of Brian Williams during months of turmoil surrounding his exaggerations over past war reporting, saying the network “threw him under the bus.” “When things started coming apart, he didn’t hire an expert to help him,” Rather told Roger Friedman.” He relied on PR people. He trusted them. That was his mistake. They threw him under the bus.” The criticism from Rather is the strongest on-the-record statement from the former “CBS Evening News” anchor regarding his former competitor Williams. Also Read: Inside NBC News Turmoil: Deborah Turness Sidelined, Brian Williams Eyed as MSNBC's 'Face of Daytime'.
- 9/14/2015
- by Jordan Chariton
- The Wrap
William Shatner is in the midst of writing a book about his “Star Trek” co-star Leonard Nimoy that is tentatively titled “Leonard: A 50 Year Friendship,” according to Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411. Shatner and Nimoy respectively played Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on the original “Star Trek” series, catapulting both young actors to incredible fame and fortune. They came up together in Hollywood, so Shatner has a unique perspective on Nimoy, who died earlier this year. Shatner has been in touch with Nimoy’s family including his son, Adam Nimoy, for whom Shatner helped fund a documentary about Leonard’s life titled.
- 8/29/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
It seems like every website in the Western hemisphere and a lot besides are regurgitating Netflix’s new press release about their original movie Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday. Not only is it not news that the film will be a Netflix premiere – that dates back to 2014 – it’s not even news that Wonder Showzen’s John Lee will be directing.
All credit to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 for reporting these facts and many more besides over a month ago. It’s the extra info that’s really worth repeating.
As well as Pee-Wee Herman, who will of course be played by Paul Rubens as he has been for the last 34 years, there are several other key characters in the film. The ones we know about all seem to be female.
There’s Pepper and Freckles, “pretty” and “tough” girls of around 30 who seem to be bank robbers; they sound like...
All credit to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 for reporting these facts and many more besides over a month ago. It’s the extra info that’s really worth repeating.
As well as Pee-Wee Herman, who will of course be played by Paul Rubens as he has been for the last 34 years, there are several other key characters in the film. The ones we know about all seem to be female.
There’s Pepper and Freckles, “pretty” and “tough” girls of around 30 who seem to be bank robbers; they sound like...
- 2/24/2015
- by Brendon Connelly
- Obsessed with Film
Steve Tisch talking Super Bowl contenders on the balcony… Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon huddled in the hallway as a two-woman tag team …“Captain America” Chris Evans facing down “Superman” Henry Cavill … Cara Delevingne taking polaroid selfies … Roger Friedman acknowledging his buzzy Phylicia Rashad “Cosby” defense interview … Miles Teller and Robert Duvall having an inter-generational chat by the fireplace … and some actual firemen searching the penthouse (cue the “this party was hot” pun disaster) were just some of W Magazine’s Best Performances from its party at the Chateau Marmont on Thursday night.
Also read: Golden Globes Predictions: Who Will Win,...
Also read: Golden Globes Predictions: Who Will Win,...
- 1/10/2015
- by Mikey Glazer
- The Wrap
In an interview with ABC's World News Tonight, The Cosby Show's Phylicia Rashad claims that her widely quoted remarks on Bill Cosby's accusers — "Forget these women" — was a misquote. "I am a woman," she said. "I would never say that." Rashad clarified that what she really meant was that the string of sexual-assault accusations against the comedian was "not about the women" making them, but instead, "something else": an organized effort to destroy Cosby's legacy, abetted by a media that had declared Cosby guilty "without proof." Rashad added that she "could never speak" to the veracity of the accusations, but had only the warmest of words for her former co-star: "He's a genius, he's generous, he's kind, [and] he's inclusive."On Wednesday night, reporter Roger Friedman, the source of the original quote, attempted to clear the matter up on his web site: I did not misquote Phylicia Rashad.
- 1/8/2015
- by Nate Jones
- Vulture
More ABC News Videos | ABC World News Phylicia Rashad is setting the record straight about her recent comments defending her former costar Bill Cosby. In an exclusive interview on World News Tonight with David Muir Wednesday night, Rashad, 66, said remarks attributed to her in Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411 column Tuesday - in which she was quoted as saying, "Forget these women" - are not accurate. "That is not what I said. What I said is, 'this is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy.'" "I am a woman," Rashad continued.
- 1/8/2015
- by Lanford Beard, @lanfordbeard
- PEOPLE.com
More ABC News Videos | ABC World News Phylicia Rashad is setting the record straight about her recent comments defending her former costar Bill Cosby. In an exclusive interview on World News Tonight with David Muir Wednesday night, Rashad, 66, told ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis that the remarks attributed to her on Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411 column Tuesday, where she was quoted as saying, "Forget these women," are not accurate. "That is not what I said. What I said is, 'This is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy.' " She continued,...
- 1/8/2015
- by Lanford Beard, @lanfordbeard
- PEOPLE.com
Bill Cosby‘s former TV wife Phylicia Rashad, who sparked outrage with her defense of Cosby on Tuesday night, appeared on “ABC World News Tonight With David Muir” on Wednesday, saying that she was misquoted.
Asked about a quote attributed to her, during which Rashad reportedly said, “Forget those women,” Rashad told Linsey Davis, “That was a misquote, and that is not what I said. What I said is that this is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of a legacy.”
Also Read: 26 Bill Cosby Accusers: Complete Breakdown of the Allegations
Rashad...
Asked about a quote attributed to her, during which Rashad reportedly said, “Forget those women,” Rashad told Linsey Davis, “That was a misquote, and that is not what I said. What I said is that this is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of a legacy.”
Also Read: 26 Bill Cosby Accusers: Complete Breakdown of the Allegations
Rashad...
- 1/8/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Now she's defending herself. Phylicia Rashad gave her first TV interview to World News Tonight with David Muir on Wednesday, Jan. 7, defending her recent controversial comments about Bill Cosby and his accusers after receiving backlash. On Tuesday, Rashad — who played Cosby's on-screen wife Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show — weighed in on the disgraced comedian's ongoing sexual abuse scandal involving more than 20-plus accusers. "Forget these women," Rashad, 66, was quoted as saying to Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411. "What you're seeing is the destruction of [...]...
- 1/7/2015
- Us Weekly
Bill Cosby‘s former TV wife, Phylicia Rashad, has provoked outrage on social media after her defense of the scandal-plagued comedian, with “Knocked Up” director Judd Apatow and others taking her to task.
Rashad went on the offensive against Cosby’s accusers during an interview with Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman.
Also Read: Phylicia Rashad Defends Bill Cosby, Blasts His Accusers: ‘What You’re Seeing Is the Destruction of a Legacy’
“Forget these women,” Rashad told Friedman in a story published Tuesday night. “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated.”
Tweeting to @TheWrap,...
Rashad went on the offensive against Cosby’s accusers during an interview with Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman.
Also Read: Phylicia Rashad Defends Bill Cosby, Blasts His Accusers: ‘What You’re Seeing Is the Destruction of a Legacy’
“Forget these women,” Rashad told Friedman in a story published Tuesday night. “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated.”
Tweeting to @TheWrap,...
- 1/7/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
It looks like Clair Huxtable still has Cliff Huxtable’s back after all these years. Bill Cosby‘s former Cosby Show co-star and TV wife, Phylicia Rashad, came to Bill Cosby’s defense yesterday, calling the various sexual assault claims against the comedian “orchestrated.” Rashad initially told columnist Roger Friedman that when it comes to rape allegations leveled...Read more»...
- 1/7/2015
- by Michael Prieve
- Celebuzz.com
Phylicia Rashad, who played Bill Cosby's wife Clair Huxtable on television's The Cosby Show, has spoken out to defend her costar amid allegations that he sexually assaulted several women over the years. "Forget these women," Rashad told Showbiz411 columnist Roger Friedman as the two chatted during a luncheon at Manhattan's Metropolitan Club to celebrate the new movie Selma. "What you're seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it's orchestrated," Rashad, 66, said, noting she did not want to become part of a public scandal that has seen multiple women step up to publicly claim that the television and comedy legend,...
- 1/7/2015
- by Andrea Billups
- PEOPLE.com
Phylicia Rashad, who played Bill Cosby's wife Clair Huxtable on television's The Cosby Show, has spoken out to defend her costar amid allegations that he sexually assaulted several women over the years. "Forget these women," Rashad told Showbiz411 columnist Roger Friedman as the two chatted during a luncheon at Manhattan's Metropolitan Club to celebrate the new movie Selma. "What you're seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it's orchestrated," Rashad, 66, said, noting she did not want to become part of a public scandal that has seen multiple women step up to publicly claim that the television and comedy legend,...
- 1/7/2015
- by Andrea Billups
- PEOPLE.com
Mrs. Huxtable speaks. Veteran actress Phylicia Rashad, who played Clair Hanks Huxtable opposite Bill Cosby's Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable for eight years on The Cosby Show, finally weighed in on the disgraced star's ongoing sexual abuse scandal, and stood by her former costar despite the scores of allegations made against him. Rashad, 66, had stayed quiet on the issue for months, but added her two cents to Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411 on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Asked by Friedman about her former TV husband, Rashad reportedly gave her thoughts [...]...
- 1/7/2015
- Us Weekly
Not long after The Cosby Show's Keshia Knight Pulliam spoke up about Bill Cosby (after an uncomfortable firing from The Celebrity Apprentice), another Cosby Show alumna has come to the comedy legend's defense. Phylicia Rashad, who played Cosby's wife on the sitcom, told Roger Friedman's Showbiz 411 that she loves Cosby and stands behind him. The sexual misconduct that her former co-star has been accused of is unrecognizable, she contended, and is purportedly a result of someone trying (successfully) to keep Cosby off TV.Regarding the allegations, she said: Forget these women. ... What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture. When asked about the legacy of a show she helped shape, too, Rashad...
- 1/7/2015
- by Sean Fitz-Gerald
- Vulture
“Cosby Show” star Phylicia Rashad, who played Bill Cosby‘s wife Claire Huxtable on the sitcom, has finally spoken out for the first time about the sexual assault scandal involving the embattled comedian.
“Forget these women,” Rashad told Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman in a story published online Tuesday night. “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture.”
Also Read: Two More Bill Cosby Accusers Join Defamation Lawsuit
In his report,...
“Forget these women,” Rashad told Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman in a story published online Tuesday night. “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture.”
Also Read: Two More Bill Cosby Accusers Join Defamation Lawsuit
In his report,...
- 1/7/2015
- by Wrap Staff
- The Wrap
Cuba Gooding Jr.and Sarah Paulson previously booked the lead roles of O.J. Simpson and prosecutor Marcia Clark in prolific award-winning producer Ryan Murphy's follow-up to his hit "American Horror Story" franchise, to be titled "American Crime Story" - a companion anthology focused each season on a different true crime story, which made headlines. Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411 is now reporting that producers want David Schwimmer to play Robert Kardashian, although he has yet to commit; and if he doesn't, Tim Roth is apparently waiting anxiously in line to take the job. But even more interesting is that Ryan Murphy reportedly wants Samuel L....
- 12/18/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Regina Hall has signed up to play one of the three leads in "The Surrogate," a thriller to be directed by Jon Cassar, which tells the story of a couple who hire a surrogate to have their baby, but, as you might expect, things don't go entirely as expected. We've seen this before in one shape or another. The news comes from Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411, who describes it as "a little like 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle." Friedman also adds that either Taye Diggs or Michael Ealy may be co-starring in the movie, as likely one-half of the couple; the other half to be played by Hall. No word on who might play the surrogate. I had to rack my brain a...
- 10/20/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Reviews of Barry Levinson's "The Humbling" out of the Venice Film Festival, where the Philip Roth adaptation premiered in competition, seemed mixed at best. Our own Catherine Bray dumped pretty hard on it, mostly bewildered about the choice of source material and the neutering of its gratuitousness. The "watering down" of "Roth's smut," she surmised, leaves the viewer with "just some mumbling from Pacino about how he don't get no respect." Others were kinder, still others not, but no matter, as a newly configured Millennium Entertainment has picked up the film with an eye toward insinuating it into the Oscar conversation. To be fair, Pacino did get his share of praise for the performance, which would have to pull off a miracle to really compete in this year's impenetrable Best Actor field. The New York Post's Lou Lumenick called it maybe the best thing the actor has done this century.
- 9/24/2014
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Described as a "character study with action sequences" in the sizzle reel that dropped earlier this month, David Ayer's WWII tank pic "Fury" seems to be rolling toward awards season contention. But it would appear that the film needs a few more tweaks before it can hit theatres. Showbiz 411 reports that starting next week, "Fury" will undergo reshoots with casting underway for two actors to play SS officers. Now, Roger Friedman is taking the alarmist view and making suggestions that this could mean problems with the film. Perhaps. But what's often forgotten is that some films actually put reshoots into their schedule, and that could be the case here. Or maybe it's just an extra scene to add needed context. Either way, with shooting set for Los Angeles, it would appear that it's not major setpieces that need to be done, perhaps more fine tuning. And it's not even...
- 6/23/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Quentin Tarantino admitted at Cannes that he had "calmed down" over his outrage that his script for western "The Hateful Eight" had been leaked online. So he staged a live read of the 146-page first draft in Los Angeles that went well--we were there. And the filmmaker introduced Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" to close the Cannes Film Festival, which was also celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Pulp Fiction," which won the Palme d'Or. It's the prize he treasures the most, he admitted at an entertaining 50-minute press conference, below. In the conference Tarantino said he was working on the second draft of "The Hateful Eight" and was in no hurry to complete a third, and might shoot it, or publish it, or put it on stage, or "all three," he said. Now Roger Friedman--who has good sources at The Weinstein Co.-- reports that Tarantino is...
- 5/28/2014
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino has reportedly changed his mind about canning his Hateful Eight project.
The director is said to have planned a November shoot for the abandoned Western, according to Showbiz411.
Veteran journalist Roger Friedman quoted studio sources stating that the film's cast will include those who took part in a live reading of the screenplay in Los Angeles last month.
Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell, James Remar, Amber Tamblyn, Walton Goggins and Zoe Bell were among the cast.
Tarantino previously announced that he had cancelled plans to shoot the film after the script was leaked online.
"We'll see. I'm still writing the script right now," he said at the Cannes Film Festival last week. "I have calmed down a bit. The knife-in-the-back wound has started to scab."
The filmmaker has also withdrawn his lawsuit against webstie Gawker for linking to his screenplay, after it was allegedly leaked by a Hollywood agent.
The director is said to have planned a November shoot for the abandoned Western, according to Showbiz411.
Veteran journalist Roger Friedman quoted studio sources stating that the film's cast will include those who took part in a live reading of the screenplay in Los Angeles last month.
Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell, James Remar, Amber Tamblyn, Walton Goggins and Zoe Bell were among the cast.
Tarantino previously announced that he had cancelled plans to shoot the film after the script was leaked online.
"We'll see. I'm still writing the script right now," he said at the Cannes Film Festival last week. "I have calmed down a bit. The knife-in-the-back wound has started to scab."
The filmmaker has also withdrawn his lawsuit against webstie Gawker for linking to his screenplay, after it was allegedly leaked by a Hollywood agent.
- 5/28/2014
- Digital Spy
If you didn't read our coverage of the special live read event for Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" screenplay, check it out. It was fairly clear during that event that Tarantino still has every intention of making the movie, and that the reading was a way of him not only testing some of the biggest moments in front of a crowd but also a way of taking control of the conversation about the script. After all, the first time most people heard of it was when the script got leaked and there was a rush from various sites to summarize it and offer up plot details. During the reading, Tarantino made it clear that he's going to continue to hone the ending of the script, which is good. As it stands now, it's a script that spends most of its running time expertly getting all of the various threads going,...
- 5/27/2014
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
If an exclusive report today by Showbiz411‘s Roger Friedman is in fact true, then it looks like Quentin Tarantino‘s western “The Hateful Eight” will be heading to the big screen after all. According to the report, Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” — which is described in a review by The Playlist as “a VistaVision post-Civil War chamberpiece if that makes sense, bringing together a bunch of dangerous and eccentric folks, cooping them up in a haberdashery during a blizzard and letting the sparks fly” — is slated to start this November. Production will reportedly take place in Wyoming, the same location [...]
The post Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ Rumored for November Start Date appeared first on Up and Comers.
The post Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ Rumored for November Start Date appeared first on Up and Comers.
- 5/27/2014
- by Alfonso Espina
- UpandComers
Gold Derby's very own Paul Sheehan was best among a dozen Experts in predicting the 2014 Tony Awards nominations that were announced Tuesday. He achieved 95% correct (essentially a perfect score based on the explanation below). -Break- See how you did predicting the Tony Awards nominations Michael Musto (Out, Gawker) was in second place with 90%. The third spot is a tie between Tom O'Neil (Gold Derby), Matt Windman (amNY), and Wayman Wong (Talkin' Broadway) with 89%. Complete list of 2014 Tony Awards nominations Andy Humm (Gay USA) and Martin Denton (NY Theatre) tied for sixth with 84% accuracy. Up next are Andy Lefkowitz (Theatermania) and Thom Geier (Entertainment Weekly) at 83%. Roger Friedman (Showbiz 411) and Doug Strassler (NY Press) then tied at 78% correct. The last spot is held by David Sheward (TheaterLife) at 76%. Join the lively Tony Awards discussion going on right now in the Gold Derby message boards -Inser...'...
- 4/29/2014
- Gold Derby
Ten of our dozen Experts are predicting that "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" will win Best Musical at the Tony Awards on June 8. Nominations for the 68th annual edition of these kudos will be announced on Tuesday (April 29). -Break- Experts predict 'All the Way,' 'The Glass Menagerie' to win play prizes at Tonys Tony champ Jefferson Mays ("I Am My Own Wife") plays eight roles in this frisky musical romp set in Edwardian England about a line of heirs, family money, and homicide. What tuner you think will take the top Tony? Join the fight over this in our forums Predicting it to prevail on Tonys night are: Roger Friedman (Showbiz 411), Thom Geier (EW), Andy Lefkowitz (Theatermania), Michael Musto (Village Voice), Tom O'Neil (Gold Derby), Paul Sheehan (Gold Derby), David Sheward (Back Stage), Doug Strassler (NY Press), Mat...
- 4/28/2014
- Gold Derby
Our Experts are split about which new work will win Best Play at the Tony Awards on June 8. Nominations for the 68th annual edition of these kudos will be announced on Tuesday (April 29). Nine of our dozen Experts are predicting that "All the Way" will go the distance. This political drama is a revisiting by Richard Schenkkan of the first year in the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. -Break- Experts predict 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'Hedwig' to take top tuner prizes at Tonys Predicting it to prevail on Tonys night are: Martin Denton (NY Theatre), Roger Friedman (Showbiz 411), Thom Geier (EW), Michael Musto (Village Voice), Tom O'Neil (Gold Derby), Paul Sheehan (Gold Derby), David Sheward (Back Stage), Doug Strassler (NY Press) and Wayman Wong (NY Daily News). What do you think will win the top Tony? Join the fight over this in our forums ...
- 4/28/2014
- Gold Derby
Dana Giacchetto, former friend and investment adviser to Leonardo DiCaprio, strongly denies that he is involved in the Hollywood sex-abuse case currently swirling around Bryan Singer and three other industry insiders, as implied by Roger Friedman's April 18 column on Showbiz 411, "Allegations Against X-Men Director Bryan Singer Connect Back to Long Ago DiCaprio Pal Dana Giacchetto." (Through his attorney, Singer denies the allegations made by Michael Egan and says he has proof he was not in Hawaii in 1999 when the alleged sexual abuse is supposed to have occurred.) "I had sex with everyone on the
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- 4/22/2014
- by Tim Appelo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
British actor plays Mrs Lovett alongside Bryn Terfel for just five performances at the Avery Fisher Hall
Emma Thompson has made her New York stage debut to critical acclaim but it will be over in a flash – there will be only five performances of her playing London's worst piemaker .
After a gap of nearly 25 years since she last took to the stage, Thompson is starring alongside Bryn Terfel in a concert production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Avery Fisher Hall.
She plays Mrs Lovett and when she began the run on Wednesday she was following in some impressive footsteps. Angela Lansbury won a Tony after originating the role in 1979 and the character has been played in the West End by Sheila Hancock, Julia McKenzie and in 2012, Imelda Staunton.
So how did she do? Writing for the Guardian, Kayla Epstein said Thompson "not only held her own against more experienced vocalists,...
Emma Thompson has made her New York stage debut to critical acclaim but it will be over in a flash – there will be only five performances of her playing London's worst piemaker .
After a gap of nearly 25 years since she last took to the stage, Thompson is starring alongside Bryn Terfel in a concert production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd at the Avery Fisher Hall.
She plays Mrs Lovett and when she began the run on Wednesday she was following in some impressive footsteps. Angela Lansbury won a Tony after originating the role in 1979 and the character has been played in the West End by Sheila Hancock, Julia McKenzie and in 2012, Imelda Staunton.
So how did she do? Writing for the Guardian, Kayla Epstein said Thompson "not only held her own against more experienced vocalists,...
- 3/7/2014
- by Mark Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
- 1/7/2014
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
Just when you thought Martin Scorsese was out of the ongoing Oscar race, they find a way to pull him right back in (to paraphrase Mr. Pacino). At least, that.s what Showbiz 411 reports, saying that the director.s anticipated collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street, might avoid a delay to 2014 and arrive in theaters by the end of this year. .Sources say that Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker are trying desperately to deliver a manageable length version of The Wolf of Wall Street for Christmas Day release,. Roger Friedman writes on his Hollywood gossip site. .The word: Their goal now is November 25th. After that, Scorsese will leave for the Marrakesh Film Festival. That will give the capable folks at Paramount one month to get marketing and promotion together.. The rumors of a Wolf delay surfaced weeks ago, when sources began leaking word that Scorsese.s...
- 10/10/2013
- cinemablend.com
Update: Roger Friedman at Showbiz 411 is claiming to have received confirmation that The Wolf of Wall Street will not hit theaters until 2014. I will write an official post once the news is confirmed by Paramount. Previous Story: Earlier this week we learned Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street may end up being delayed as the director had only just screened the film for the studio and it may not be able to make its November 15 release date. Now, The Hollywood Reporter is taking it one step further saying it "won't be ready for its scheduled" release as Scorsese attempts to cut down what is said to be a current, 180-minute cut of the film, hoping to have it ready by Christmas. This, of course, would cause other issues with the studio's current slate as a move to Christmas would mean having to move Kenneth Branagh's Jack Ryan...
- 9/26/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
(Cbr) You haven’t seen the last of the Bluth clan — it’s just a question of when and how you’ll encounter them next. Showbizz 411′s Roger Friedman spoke with Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz and the one of the show’s most recent cast members — John Slattery of Mad Men fame — about the future of the comedy series after its recent Netflix revival. According to Hurwitz, the current plan is to pursue the long-discussed Arrested Development movie before returning to Netflix for another season. On top of that update, Hurwitz confirmed that Slattery’s character, the drug-addicted Dr. Norman, will have a part...
- 9/25/2013
- by Josh Wigler, Comic Book Resources
- Hitfix
The world premiere of The Railway Man at the Toronto International Film Festival prompted tears and a standing ovation from the festival audience- but mixed reactions from the critics.
Reviewers heaped praise on the performances of Colin Firth as Eric Lomax, a former prisoner of war during World War II who confronts his Japanese torturer,. and Nicole Kidman as his wife.
Several critics faulted the direction by Jonathan Teplitzky, lamenting an old-fashioned, stodgy approach to the narrative. However the consensus is the film, which opens in Australian on Boxing Day, will soon be picked up by a North American distributor.
The Hollywood Reporter.s Scott Feinberg said the film .could generate some awards buzz. if it.s released in the Us this year but he considers a spring 2014 debut is more likely, targeted primarily at art house audiences.
Lionsgate pre-sold the drama, an Australian-uk co-production produced by Chris Brown, Andy Paterson...
Reviewers heaped praise on the performances of Colin Firth as Eric Lomax, a former prisoner of war during World War II who confronts his Japanese torturer,. and Nicole Kidman as his wife.
Several critics faulted the direction by Jonathan Teplitzky, lamenting an old-fashioned, stodgy approach to the narrative. However the consensus is the film, which opens in Australian on Boxing Day, will soon be picked up by a North American distributor.
The Hollywood Reporter.s Scott Feinberg said the film .could generate some awards buzz. if it.s released in the Us this year but he considers a spring 2014 debut is more likely, targeted primarily at art house audiences.
Lionsgate pre-sold the drama, an Australian-uk co-production produced by Chris Brown, Andy Paterson...
- 9/7/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Roger Friedman at Showbiz411 is reporting exclusively that Lee Daniels is currently circling an HBO Sammy Davis Jr. project. Add this to the other gazillion projects on his slate. The man's certainly busy, despite struggles in getting his films financed. Friedman doesn't give much more on the above news, so let's see if this has any legs. Recalling my 50+ Biopic Projects On Black Public Figures "In Limbo" post, there are currently 3 Sammy projects we know of that are in some stage of development. This one makes it 4 - assuming it's not one of the existing 3: 2 feature films; and 2 stage works. First, it was announced in December 2011 that Byron Allen's...
- 8/19/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Showbiz 411's Roger Friedman -- who some might call a noted Harvey Weinstein shill -- bloviated about "Lee Daniels' The Butler" under the cover of "Oscar observation" a few weeks ago but apparently no one else could. The embargo is up today so let's get into it. The question on this one is, will it be an awards player or will it just fade out before the season even gets here? A few thoughts... As the fictional/somewhat composited eponymous servant Cecil Gaines*, Forest Whitaker maintains a tightrope walk with his performance and steers clear of what could have been some embarrassing...
- 8/9/2013
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Copies of the 1916 silent film "The Butler," whose title is at the center of a legal battle between Warner Brothers and the Weinstein Company, can’t be found in public archives and may no longer exist, according to a Library of Congress reference librarian. The revelation could complicate a corporate tug-of-war about Harvey Weinstein's upcoming film, also called "The Butler."
The star-studded movie -- the fourth from director Lee Daniels -- stars Oprah Winfrey as the wife of a longtime White House employee, played by Forest Whitaker. It focuses on issues of civil rights and has been pegged as Oscar bait.
But Warner Brothers, which made the original film in 1916, has asserted its claim to the title in the middle of a marketing push for the new film. The company says that Weinstein violated rules put forth by the MPAA’s Title Registration Bureau, which states that studios who...
The star-studded movie -- the fourth from director Lee Daniels -- stars Oprah Winfrey as the wife of a longtime White House employee, played by Forest Whitaker. It focuses on issues of civil rights and has been pegged as Oscar bait.
But Warner Brothers, which made the original film in 1916, has asserted its claim to the title in the middle of a marketing push for the new film. The company says that Weinstein violated rules put forth by the MPAA’s Title Registration Bureau, which states that studios who...
- 7/11/2013
- by Mallika Rao
- Huffington Post
Eon Productions and reps for "Skyfall" director Sam Mendes seem to be continuing their very public negotiations in the press this week.
Word came earlier this week that Eon would wait for Mendes to finish his stage commitments so he could come back to helm the next film in the 007 franchise.
Today, Showbiz 411 reports that after exhaustive negotiations, Mendes has emerged as the definite director of "Bond 24," and is "likely" back for "Bond 25" as well.
If true, and columnist Roger Friedman is quite reliable on general scoops (and Bond ones in particular), it would mean we'll likely see Mendes helming the rest of the Craig-era Bond films as Craig's contract ends once "Bond 25" wraps.
This will no doubt also fuel the rumors that Eon could be moving forward with a two-part story as previously rumored.
Word came earlier this week that Eon would wait for Mendes to finish his stage commitments so he could come back to helm the next film in the 007 franchise.
Today, Showbiz 411 reports that after exhaustive negotiations, Mendes has emerged as the definite director of "Bond 24," and is "likely" back for "Bond 25" as well.
If true, and columnist Roger Friedman is quite reliable on general scoops (and Bond ones in particular), it would mean we'll likely see Mendes helming the rest of the Craig-era Bond films as Craig's contract ends once "Bond 25" wraps.
This will no doubt also fuel the rumors that Eon could be moving forward with a two-part story as previously rumored.
- 5/31/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Justin Timberlake's good year got even better after Joel and Ethan Coen's new film "Inside Llewyn Davis" premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. Timberlake has a supporting role in the drama, playing a 1960s singer whose wife (played by Carey Mulligan) has an affair with the title character (Oscar Isaac). During one particularly buzzy scene, Timberlake sings an entire folk song with Isaac and "Girls" star Adam Driver as his backup singers.
"The combination of Timberlake's reedy voice and Driver's basso profundo is so ... magical? Yes. Yes. It's magical," wrote Vulture's Kyle Buchanan of the "Inside Llewyn Davis" moment. "Anyway, it's so magical that when they finished the whole, uninterrupted number, the audience at the Salle Debussy burst out into delighted applause."
After the film debuted, Showbiz411 writer and editor Roger Friedman spoke with Timberlake about his career, which has pinged with what seems like little...
"The combination of Timberlake's reedy voice and Driver's basso profundo is so ... magical? Yes. Yes. It's magical," wrote Vulture's Kyle Buchanan of the "Inside Llewyn Davis" moment. "Anyway, it's so magical that when they finished the whole, uninterrupted number, the audience at the Salle Debussy burst out into delighted applause."
After the film debuted, Showbiz411 writer and editor Roger Friedman spoke with Timberlake about his career, which has pinged with what seems like little...
- 5/20/2013
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
After inking a deal with worldwide sales firm Aldamisa International in February to tackle her first directorial endeavor since 1996's "The Mirror Has Two Faces," Barbra Streisand has settled on a project: a love story based on the relationship between photographer Margaret Bourke-White and author Erskine Caldwell. Deadline's "exclusive" says the film is untitled at the moment, but it was reported as "Skinny and Cat" as far back as June of last year by Showbiz 411's Roger Friedman before the Aldamisa deal even happened, so it's obviously something the multi-hyphenate has been eyeing for some time. At the time of that...
- 4/5/2013
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
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