A new report claims that Woody Johnson, who owns the NFL team the New York Jets, has used EA’s popular Madden video game series to help him make decisions involving real players. It’s even reported that a trade deal was killed due to stats found in the game.
The box office has been relatively sleepy, at least in terms of new releases, over the last few weeks, with Kraven the Hunter, Y2K, and the animated Lord of the Rings prequel all crashing and burning at the box office. The silver lining was that Wicked and Moana 2 have proven to be blockbusters, while Gladiator II has done better than expected in both North America and abroad.
This weekend sees the release of two major family films which will likely be battling it out at the box office. Paramount Pictures will be opening Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (read our review) while Disney will be opening their Lion King prequel, Mufasa. Even though 2019’s The Lion King was made over $1.5 billion, the sequel is expected to have a muted opening. I’m expecting in the neighbourhood of $50 million, which will put it on the lower end of Disney movies in what’s otherwise been a banner year for the studio. The silver lining is that holiday matinees will likely be strong, so expect it to have better legs than it would otherwise.
So why are my estimates so low? Frankly, the studio is making a terrible choice in opening the movie against Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is going for the same family audience but also appeals to teenagers and young adults in a way Mufasa does not. With Jim Carrey in dual roles, and Keanu Reeves voicing Shadow. I expect it to have a killer $70 million opening, with way more to come over the holidays.
Otherwise, the top five should be rounded out by Moana 2, Wicked and Kraven the Hunter. Here are our predictions:
What will you be seeing this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
The post Box Office Predictions: Mufasa no match for Sonic and Knuckles appeared first on JoBlo.
The box office has been relatively sleepy, at least in terms of new releases, over the last few weeks, with Kraven the Hunter, Y2K, and the animated Lord of the Rings prequel all crashing and burning at the box office. The silver lining was that Wicked and Moana 2 have proven to be blockbusters, while Gladiator II has done better than expected in both North America and abroad.
This weekend sees the release of two major family films which will likely be battling it out at the box office. Paramount Pictures will be opening Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (read our review) while Disney will be opening their Lion King prequel, Mufasa. Even though 2019’s The Lion King was made over $1.5 billion, the sequel is expected to have a muted opening. I’m expecting in the neighbourhood of $50 million, which will put it on the lower end of Disney movies in what’s otherwise been a banner year for the studio. The silver lining is that holiday matinees will likely be strong, so expect it to have better legs than it would otherwise.
So why are my estimates so low? Frankly, the studio is making a terrible choice in opening the movie against Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is going for the same family audience but also appeals to teenagers and young adults in a way Mufasa does not. With Jim Carrey in dual roles, and Keanu Reeves voicing Shadow. I expect it to have a killer $70 million opening, with way more to come over the holidays.
Otherwise, the top five should be rounded out by Moana 2, Wicked and Kraven the Hunter. Here are our predictions:
What will you be seeing this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
The post Box Office Predictions: Mufasa no match for Sonic and Knuckles appeared first on JoBlo.
I am starting to question if Lionsgate has an under-the-table deal with Kleenex because, after watching the studio’s Wish You Were Here trailer, I think this movie will make people cry. And not just a little; I’m talking about Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls. Wish You Were Here offers an intimate look at Julia Stiles‘s feature directorial debut. In February, the Golden Globe-nominated actress-turned-filmmaker told Deadline she’s “been looking for years for the right story to tell” as a director, and she’s finally found it with an adaptation of Renee Carlino’s best-selling novel of the same name.
Here’s the official synopsis for Wish You Were Here courtesy of Lionsgate:
“Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in a brilliantly warm and romantic film based on the bestselling novel, Wish You Were Here. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer star in a fascinating movie about leaving the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”
In today’s Wish You Were Here trailer, Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) meets Adam (Mena Massoud), a gifted artist with a devastating secret. After an enchanting evening together, Adam pushes Charlotte away, afraid that if he gets too close, she’ll discover his declining health. However, fate has other plans, and soon, Charlotte and Adam form an unbreakable bond despite Adam’s fragility and uncertain mortality. While intense sickness can compel some to distance themselves, others who genuinely care for you remain. These are the people you keep close to your heart, trusting them to see you through the darkest of times. Charlotte and Adam could be star-crossed lovers under the cruel and watchful eye of Father Time, a specter holding a Sword of Damocles as you fight to see the dawn of another day.
In addition to directing Wish You Were Here, Stiles co-wrote the film alongside Carlino. The film stars Isabelle Fuhrman (The Novice, Orphan), Mena Massoud (Aladdin, The Royal Treatment), Jimmie Fails (The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Borderline), Gabby Kono-Abdy (Baker’s Dozen, Nighthawks), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) and Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier).
Prepare to turn on the waterworks, friends! Wish You Were Here will be in theaters on January 17, 2025, and on digital on February 4, 2025.
The post A powerful trailer for Wish You Were Here presents a touching story of love and loss for Julia Stiles’s feature directorial debut appeared first on JoBlo.
Religious movies can be a really tough nut to crack. With these stories having been around for millennia, there is a pretty strong opinion about how they’re told. And interpretations that may change things aren’t exactly treated with any kind of excitement. The opposite in fact as it’s often seen as some kind of blasphemous work. Despite this, filmmakers keep trying to shake things up and give old religious stories a bit of an update. The latest is Netflix’s Mary which tells the story of Mary of Bethlehem and her journey to protect her son (you may have heard of him). The reaction to the film hasn’t been exactly kind, but it clearly gets done what the filmmakers had intended: a new side to the same story.
When I spoke with Director DJ Caruso and star Noa Cohen about the film, I had to ask about the controversy surrounding it. We got into the difficulty of casting, with Caruso being adamant that they go for the best person for the job, regardless of background (though he was quick to note that Noa was actually from the same area that Mary herself was). Noa also gushed over the brilliance of Sir Anthony Hopkins, who she was lucky enough to receive a bit of guidance from during filming. The way Caruso and Cohen lit up at the retelling of Anthony on set, really shows what joy he brings to those around him. While Mary won’t be for everyone, this conversation shows their intentions were good.
MARY IS STREAMING ON NETFLIX NOW.
The post Interviews: DJ Caruso and Noa Cohen Discuss The Difficulties Of Mary appeared first on JoBlo.
Religious movies can be a really tough nut to crack. With these stories having been around for millennia, there is a pretty strong opinion about how they’re told. And interpretations that may change things aren’t exactly treated with any kind of excitement. The opposite in fact as it’s often seen as some kind of blasphemous work. Despite this, filmmakers keep trying to shake things up and give old religious stories a bit of an update. The latest is Netflix’s Mary which tells the story of Mary of Bethlehem and her journey to protect her son (you may have heard of him). The reaction to the film hasn’t been exactly kind, but it clearly gets done what the filmmakers had intended: a new side to the same story.
When I spoke with Director DJ Caruso and star Noa Cohen about the film, I had to ask about the controversy surrounding it. We got into the difficulty of casting, with Caruso being adamant that they go for the best person for the job, regardless of background (though he was quick to note that Noa was actually from the same area that Mary herself was). Noa also gushed over the brilliance of Sir Anthony Hopkins, who she was lucky enough to receive a bit of guidance from during filming. The way Caruso and Cohen lit up at the retelling of Anthony on set, really shows what joy he brings to those around him. While Mary won’t be for everyone, this conversation shows their intentions were good.
MARY IS STREAMING ON NETFLIX NOW.
The post Interviews: DJ Caruso and Noa Cohen Discuss The Difficulties Of Mary appeared first on JoBlo.
The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman writer/director Robert Eggers‘ remake of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent classic Nosferatu (watch it HERE) is set to reach theatres on Wednesday, December 25th – and earlier this month, distributor Focus Features started selling full-size replicas of the title character’s Sarcophagus bed, which is said to deliver “the best sleep of your life.” (And it’s a good thing it’s so cozy, because it goes for the price of $20,000.) With nightly sleep covered, let’s now talk about eternal rest. Titan Casket has announced that they’ve teamed up with Focus Features to design “a one-of-a-kind casket inspired by the haunting aesthetic and rich storytelling of this highly anticipated movie. The custom Nosferatu casket will be available for purchase at titancasket.com/nosferatu for $3,999. Designed specifically for fans of the film and those drawn to gothic elegance, this casket blends Titan Casket’s renowned quality with cinematic artistry, capturing the eerie yet sophisticated essence of the movie.”
An image of Titan’s Nosferatu casket can be seen at the bottom of this article.
Josh Siegel, co-founder of Titan Casket, provided the following statement: “At Titan, we believe in finding creative ways to normalize conversations around death and funeral planning. Collaborating on such an iconic project is not only a fun way to showcase our craftsmanship but also aligns with our mission to make planning ahead approachable and meaningful.“
An unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the original Nosferatu has the following synopsis: In this highly influential silent horror film, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his remote Transylvanian castle in the mountains. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder). After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock (Alexander Granach), prepares for his master to arrive at his new home. Werner Herzog directed his own remake of the film in 1979. Murnau’s film had a running time of 94 minutes and Herzog’s is 107 minutes long, so Eggers’ 132 minute version is substantially longer than its predecessors.
Eggers’ take on Nosferatu is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman in 19th century Germany and the ancient Transylvanian vampire who stalks her, bringing untold horror with him.
The cast includes Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man: No Way Home) as crazy vampire hunter Von Franz, Lily-Rose Depp (The Idol) as Ellen Hutter and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) as her husband Thomas – a role Skarsgard was going to play at one point. Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train) is in there as Thomas’s friend Friedrich Harding, with Emma Corrin (The Crown) as Friedrich’s wife Anna, Ralph Ineson (The Witch) as Von Franz’s cohort Dr. Wilhelm Sievers, and Simon McBurney (The Conjuring 2) in an unspecified role. As mentioned, Bill Skarsgard is the title character and has said that playing Nosferatu / Count Orlok was like “conjuring pure evil. It took a while for me to shake off the demon that had been conjured inside of me. … I do not think people are gonna recognize me in it.“
The first reactions to the film recently made their way online, and they were very positive. Nosferatu has earned an R rating for bloody violent content, graphic nudity, and some sexual content. JoBlo’s own Chris Bumbray highly recommends that you check it out, as he described the film as a new horror classic in his 10/10 review.
Will you be watching Nosferatu, and/or buying the Titan Casket tie-in? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
The post Titan Casket is selling an official Nosferatu coffin appeared first on JoBlo.
Glen Powell of Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone but You, Hit Man, and Twisters, is currently working with director Edgar Wright on a new adaptation of the Stephen King novel The Running Man (a novel that was published under King’s Richard Bachman pseudonym), and Deadline reports that one of his next projects is called Homewreckers. It’s described as being an erotic thriller with a sci-fi twist – and over the last week, it’s been the subject of an intense bidding war. Lionsgate, New Regency, Sony, Warner Bros., and Legendary have been competing over the project… and it looks like Legendary is going to come out the winner of this intense auction.
Deadline notes that the deal isn’t 100% done yet, but it’s close. Apparently, for Legendary to win this bidding war the Dune and Godzilla Monsterverse producer will have to fork over an amount in the seven-figure range for story rights, with another seven-figure deal going to Neil Paik to write and produce the film.
Homewreckers is based on a novella by Paik. Before Powell gets to work on this project, he’ll be going directly from The Running Man to an untitled sci-fi fantasy film being directed by J.J. Abrams.
Neil Paik has written and directed multiple short films. He’s currently writing The Bombshell Bandit, based on a BBC article, for Amazon MGM Studios and Atlas. Priyanka Chopra is attached to star in that film. Before he and Powell can make it to the set of Homewreckers, Paik is expected to make his feature directing debut with a project called Windowshopper, based on his own short story.
Details on the plot of Homewreckers have not been revealed. All we know is that it’s “an erotic thriller with a sci-fi twist,” starring Glen Powell, written and directed by Neil Paik… and most likely to call Legendary its home.
Is that enough to get you interested? Share your thoughts on Homewreckers by leaving a comment below.
Other upcoming Glen Powell projects include the football comedy series Chad Powers, which will premiere on the Hulu streaming service in 2025, and the revenge thriller Huntington, which is inspired by the 1949 crime comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets.
The post Homewreckers: Glen Powell erotic sci-fi thriller finds a home at Legendary appeared first on JoBlo.
Two years after it came out, people are still obsessed with Vampire Survivors, the arcade battler roguelike which, despite its name, does not actually feature any bloodsuckers. Anyone who hasn’t already picked up the hit PC game can now nab it for free, though, thanks to the Epic Games Store’s 2024 holiday giveaway.
Two years after it came out, people are still obsessed with Vampire Survivors, the arcade battler roguelike which, despite its name, does not actually feature any bloodsuckers. Anyone who hasn’t already picked up the hit PC game can now nab it for free, though, thanks to the Epic Games Store’s 2024 holiday giveaway.