Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film ‘Tow’

Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film 'Tow'

Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) are starring alongside Demi Lovato and Rose Byrne in Tow, an upcoming drama feature film currently in production. 

As reported in Deadline, the film also stars Dominic Sessa. Tow dramatizes a true story based on the experiences of Amanda Ogle, who was homeless in Seattle while living in her car and was forced to reclaim her livelihood after being handed an impossible tow bill for $21,634. It sounds like some foul stuff that happens often, and it most certainly went down in real life for Ogle. Her story was profiled around the who’s who of news outlets, and Tow takes the story head on every step of the way.

Tow is being directed by Stephanie Laing from a script by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin, and Annie Weisman, with Ogle herself executive producing with DeBose, Keasey, Jonathan Tropper, Josh Ricks, Danny Gusman, The Exchange’s Nat McCormick and Giovanna Trischitta and Kevin Eggers. Liang also makes cakes and death pictures through her newly formed company. Byrne also produces with Votiv Films’ Justin Lothrop, Brent Stiefel, The Exchange’s Danyelle Foord, and Brian O’Shea.

DeBose is known for starring as Anita in the Oscar-nominated West Side Story. She recently starred in Disney’s latest animated film, Wish, and Apple Original Films’ action/adventure Argylle. DeBose is also starring in Sony’s upcoming R-rated anti-hero film Kraven the Hunter.

Spencer recently starred in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker and Truth Be Told, among other projects. She is also set to star in the new Prime Video action series with Hannah Waddingham.

The post Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film ‘Tow’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film ‘Tow’ appeared first on The Source.

Zoe Saldana Says Disney Should Find a Way to Bring Back ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

Zoe Saldana Says Disney Should Find a Way to Bring Back 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

The Marvel Cinematic Universe seems like it’s done with Guardians of the Galaxy, especially since helmer James Gunn is running the show for DC’s films at Legendary and Warner Bros. But Zoe Saldaña was recently asked on the Playlists’s Discourse Podcast if she was “done” playing Gamora after the trilogy ended.

“I mean, so far, I think that she is [gone for good] for me, but I don’t think Gamora has gone for good,” Saldaña said in response. In addition to losing Gunn to DC, even Dave Bautista, who played Drax the Destroyer, said Guardians Vol. 3 was the last movie in that world. Saldaña suggested she’s not interested in reprising her role as Gamora, at least for now the character is still there and that means there are other stories to be told within the Marvel Cinematic Universe along with the new-ish multiverse.

“I would think it would be a huge loss for Marvel if they didn’t find a way to bring back the Guardians of the Galaxy,” Saldaña said. “It’s just such a fan-favorite group of misfits, you know? And then at the helm, they had a voice like James Gunn’s writing — which is just so marvelous for and very specific for this genre. And it’s so great for this genre as well. So, I would be the first one in the first row to sort of celebrate when the Guardians of the Galaxy come back.” 

Saldaña played Gamora in three highly successful unless you were under a rock. Guardians films, not to mention other Marvel movies, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Gunn ended “Vol. 3” with the creation of a new Guardians team that included the likes of Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Kraglin (Sean Gunn), Cosmo (voiced by Maria Bakalova) and Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). 

Even though Gunn left the story open-ended, Marvel has yet to announce any new Guardians films.

Fingers crossed for Guardians of the Galaxy, with or without Saldaña, but at least she’s down for the story to continue one way or another.

The post Zoe Saldana Says Disney Should Find a Way to Bring Back ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Zoe Saldana Says Disney Should Find a Way to Bring Back ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ appeared first on The Source.

Box Office: ‘Godzilla X Kong’ Smashes the Box off With Surprising $80 Million Debut

godillakong

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire raged through the box office this holiday weekend. Variety reported that the monster mashup installment to the Godzilla franchise racked up a higher-than-expected total $80 million debut from 3,861 theaters in North America.

Full stop. Why does this matter? Anyone who enjoys going to the movies as a hobby, pastime, or family activity needs films like this outside of the superhero genre to do well. Without the success of studio film franchises, going to the movies as we know it can be at risk of faltering. So this is a good thing. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire eating at expectations helps protect the theater movie-going experience. In a post-COVID world, it’s clear these films need to do well.  

“Every movie counts, and the importance of each film’s performance carries a lot of weight in terms of moving the needle,” in a quote to Variety from senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “The combination of ‘Dune,’ ‘Kung Fu Panda,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ and now ‘Godzilla’ has shown the power of a few key releases to turn the box office tide in a relatively short amount of time.”

Now get this: the fifth film in Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, “Monsterverse,” was only projected to bring in $50 million to $55 million. However, Godzilla x Kong went above and beyond the forecaster’s best guesses on performance. The total is now at $194 million “from 64 overseas territories” after three days of release.

As Variety calls it, this is the second-biggest debut in the MonsterVerse, following 2014’s “Godzilla” ($93 million) but ahead of 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island” ($61 million), 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” ($47.7 million) and 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” ($31 million while on HBO Max).

If you want to carry a $135 million production budget, this film needs to hit home with customers across the globe to justify the hefty budget. It is on pace to outgross its previous film in the franchise Godzilla vs. Kong, which was a hit during the pandemic-marred theater economy with $474 million worldwide. 

Hopefully, Godzilla and Kong keep kicking monster butt because the movie theater experience, industry, and fun of it all certainly needs it.

The post Box Office: ‘Godzilla X Kong’ Smashes the Box off With Surprising $80 Million Debut first appeared on The Source.

The post Box Office: ‘Godzilla X Kong’ Smashes the Box off With Surprising $80 Million Debut appeared first on The Source.

Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87

Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87

Louis Gossett Jr., the pioneering actor who made history as the first Black man to win both an Academy Award and an Emmy, passed away at 87.

Gossett’s nephew confirmed the news to The Associated Press. Gossett, renowned for his role in the iconic TV miniseries Roots and his Academy Award-winning performance in An Officer and a Gentleman, died Thursday night in Santa Monica, California.

Born on May 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Gossett rose to prominence with his memorable roles on stage and screen. His career included acclaimed performances in Broadway productions like A Raisin in the Sun and Hollywood films like Companions in Nightmare.

Gossett’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Fiddler in the landmark miniseries Roots, which depicted the harrowing realities of slavery. He later achieved cinematic acclaim for his role as a Marine drill instructor in An Officer and a Gentleman, for which he received an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Survived by his sons Satie and Sharron, Gossett leaves a lasting legacy as a trailblazing actor and a champion for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.

The post Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87 first appeared on The Source.

The post Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Dead at Age 87 appeared first on The Source.

Nik Richie Makes Hollywood Debut Alongside A-Listers in “Cash Out”

World Premiere of "Cash Out"

Nik Richie, the enigmatic media entrepreneur known for his bold ventures and controversial persona, has stepped into a new spotlight with his acting debut in the highly anticipated movie “Cash Out.” Directed by Ives and featuring an ensemble cast including Hollywood icons John Travolta, Kristin Davis, rapper Quavo, and actor Lucas Haas, “Cash Out” promises to be a gripping thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

World Premiere of "Cash Out"
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: (L-R) Randall Emmett, Nik Richie, and Joel Cohen attend the World Premiere of “Cash Out” on March 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images for Convergence Entertainment Group)

Famed movie producer Randall Emmett stated, “Nik Richie has a passion to entertain, his role in ‘Cash Out’ is just a start to his next chapter in Hollywood.”

Nik Richie, born Hooman Karamian, rose to prominence as the founder of the notorious gossip website “The Dirty.” With a penchant for stirring up controversy and exposing salacious scandals, Richie became a polarising figure in the media landscape, garnering both praise and criticism for his unapologetic approach to celebrity gossip.

Despite facing legal battles and public scrutiny, Richie’s entrepreneurial spirit remained undaunted, leading him to explore various ventures beyond the realm of tabloid journalism. From launching successful businesses to delving into the world of reality television, Richie has continually reinvented himself, carving out a unique niche in the entertainment industry.

World Premiere of "Cash Out"
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: (L-R) Nik Richie and Natali Yura attend the World Premiere of “Cash Out” on March 21, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images for Convergence Entertainment Group)

With “Cash Out,” Nik Richie adds a new dimension to his eclectic career portfolio, stepping into the realm of acting alongside seasoned veterans of the silver screen. In the film, Richie shares scenes with luminaries such as John Travolta, whose illustrious career spans decades, and Kristin Davis, beloved for her iconic role in the hit series “Sex and the City.”

As “Cash Out” prepares to make its mark on the silver screen April 26, Nik Richie stands poised to captivate audiences with his performance, proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment.

The post Nik Richie Makes Hollywood Debut Alongside A-Listers in “Cash Out” first appeared on The Source.

The post Nik Richie Makes Hollywood Debut Alongside A-Listers in “Cash Out” appeared first on The Source.

Sony Pictures Releases Trailer for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Trailer for 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Bad Boys 4, officially titled Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This is the fourth installment of the classic franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

The film’s synopsis reads:

This Summer, the world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

Joining the stars in the film are Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paolo Nunez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, with Tiffany Haddish and Joe Pantoliano.

The post Sony Pictures Releases Trailer for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence first appeared on The Source.

The post Sony Pictures Releases Trailer for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence appeared first on The Source.

Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington

Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington

The stars keep adding on for Spike Lee’s newest film from A24 and Apple Studios. Award nominees Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera from Godfather of Harlem are set to star in High and Low alongside icon Denzel Washington. I mean, Wright and Washington, on-screen together, already seems like an amazing one-two punch. Hadera’s addition makes the top-line cast even more enjoyable. 

Lee’s High and Low is being developed and produced by A24, best known for its slate of thought-provoking and award-worthy films. Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures are also producing. Alan Fox and Lee wrote the film. Billed as a thriller and described as the “English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller,” it begins production this month.

Thankfully, A24 is releasing the film in theaters before launching at a later date on Apple TV+.

Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures are producers.

Lee is serving as executive producer through his long-standing 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks. Mandalay’s Peter Guber is serving as executive producer, along with Juniper Productions’ Matthew Lindner, Chris Brigham, and Katia Washington. Mandalay’s Jordan Moldo is in as co-producer.

High and Low marks Washington’s second Apple Original Films project after his performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth. But get this: it’s the fifth Lee-Washington collaboration as director and actor following Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. I don’t know about you, but we’re excited for what’s to come with this one. 

The post Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington first appeared on The Source.

The post Spike Lee’s ‘High and Low’ Adds Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera to Star Opposite Denzel Washington appeared first on The Source.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer

With Dune: Part Two lighting up the box office, it’s safe to say that Warner Bros. is on a roll. Perfect timing to release the newest trailer for Furiosa, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, from director George Miller. It is the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and is billed as part of the post-apocalyptic epic Mad Max franchise. Mad Max: Fury Road was a 2015 reboot that starred Tom Hardy and outdid expectations at the box office. The new installment stars Anya-Taylor Joy to take over the titular character, whom Charlize Theron first played. Variety reports this film’s story is about the “wasteland warrior princess Imperator Furiosa.”

Diving into the reported story, Furiosa follows a young titular character as “she is ripped from her refuge in the Green Place of Many Mothers and, for the first time, forced to face the insanity of the desolate world beyond” from the Variety report. Chris Hemsworth (Avengers, Extraction) and Tom Burke star alongside Taylor-Joy.

The previous film, Fury Road, earned $380 million at the worldwide box office and received 10 Academy Award nominations, including best director, picture, cinematography, and visual effects. The film also won the award for editing, sound, production design, makeup and hairstyling, and costume design. 

Regarding longevity, Furiosa is the fifth installment in the Mad Max franchise. Mel Gibson initially led the franchise in 1981, which essentially catapulted Gibson into stardom. For Furiosa, Miller is back as director and co-wrote the script with Nico Lathouris. 

We won’t spoil the trailer, but let’s say it involves some hair-cutting and arm loss. Like its predecessor, Fury Road, there will be a lot of car craziness and wackos on the wasteland.

Furiosa is raging back to theaters on May 24, 2024. and will be available in IMAX.

The post ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer first appeared on The Source.

The post ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ Prequel ‘Furiosa’ Starring Anya Taylor-Joy Debuts New Trailer appeared first on The Source.

Teyana Taylor’s Directorial Debut: ‘Get Lite’ Set at Paramount, Starring Emmy Winner Storm Reid

Teyana Taylor Met Gala

Teyana Taylor is poised to go behind the camera in her directorial debut for Get Lite, an upcoming film at Paramount, and get this, Emmy Winner Storm Reid is starring. Reid, a rising star is producing the film through A Seed & Wings Productions her production company, and Kenya Barris is producing under his banner, Khalabo Ink Society.

Deadline exclusively reported and here’s the description:

The film follows a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker (played by Reid) who recruits him to join her Litefeet dance crew, forcing him to choose between a safe academic path and his rekindled love of dance.

Get Lite, is written by Eric Gross and will be produced by OFFBRND’s Bill Karesh, along with Reid’s mother Robyn Simpson under A Seed & Wings Productions and Anni Weisband. Taylor is executive producing and Coco Gilbert is co-producing. 

Taylor, has been more than exploring Hollywood as of late as she has been expanding her film/TV resume. This includes great reviews for her leading role in A Thousand and One, a critically acclaimed film.

Reid, who’s known for her role in Euphoria, has become one of the most in-demand young stars in Hollywood. As mentioned she’s an Emmy Winner for her guest role in HBO’s The Last of Us and was seen in Missing and The Nun 2

The post Teyana Taylor’s Directorial Debut: ‘Get Lite’ Set at Paramount, Starring Emmy Winner Storm Reid first appeared on The Source.

The post Teyana Taylor’s Directorial Debut: ‘Get Lite’ Set at Paramount, Starring Emmy Winner Storm Reid appeared first on The Source.

“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Director P. Frank Williams Launches Multimedia Venture ‘For The Culture By The Culture’

unnamed 40

P. Frank Williams, a recipient of Emmy and eight NAACP Image Awards for his work in television and film production, has launched his multimedia production company, For The Culture By The Culture Media Inc. (@FXCXC). This venture comes on the heels of his recent success directing and executive producing the highly-anticipated “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” set to premiere on HULU this Thursday, March 21. 

Williams has produced and directed several acclaimed projects centered around Black culture and music. These include TV One’s renowned documentary series “Unsung” and “Unsung Hollywood,” BET’s award-winning series “American Gangster,” “Hip Hop Homicides” executive produced by 50 Cent and Mona Scott-Young and films such as “Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan,” “A Hustler’s Ambition” by Universal/Def Jam Records, and award shows such as BET Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Williams explains, “After working in newspapers, magazines, TV, and film for over 25 years, producing content for major networks and streamers, I noticed a recurring issue: stories about people of color were often not being produced by people of color themselves. For The Culture By The Culture aims to fill that void by ensuring representation both in front of and behind the camera. Specializing in Black culture, hip-hop, sports, true crime, and music, @FXCXC is a unique one-stop content studio that handles everything from idea generation to production, editing, and delivery. @FXCXC stands out as one of the first global culture content companies led by individuals who are deeply rooted in the culture they represent.”

The launch of the new multi-media venture follows Williams’ latest project, directing and executive producing the eagerly awaited documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” in partnership with Swirl Films & Mass Appeal and co-executive produced by Jermaine Dupri, Luke Campbell, and 21 Savage. The documentary is a celebratory exploration of the boisterous times of Freaknik, the iconic Atlanta street party that drew hundreds of thousands of people in the 80s and 90s, helping put Atlanta on the map culturally. It takes a close look at the rise and fall of the event that began as a Black college cookout, impacting culture, race, politics, and the 1996 Olympics.

“Freaknik left an undeniable mark on American and Black culture. Its legacy is timeless. With ‘90s nostalgia everywhere and millennials fascinated with their parents’ fun times, it has reemerged into the pop culture consciousness,” describes Williams. “Executive produced by Black music icons like Jermaine Dupri and Luther Campbell, ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’ also breaks down how Atlanta became the capital of Black culture that it is today. It laid the foundation for the explosion of Black southern music and style that dominates the world today.” 

“For many of us golden era twenty-somethings coming of age in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Freaknik was our Woodstock, a street festival rooted in the energy of American classic films like ‘American Pie’ and ‘School Daze’. At its height in the mid ‘90s, Freaknik was a traffic-stopping, city-shuttering juggernaut cult classic non-stop party. Us Gen Xers created this weekend long rebellion against our parents and authority that still continues to resonate with audiences and people all over the world decades later.”

For The Culture By The Culture has production offices both in Burbank, CA, and Atlanta, GA. Stay tuned for official announcements regarding upcoming productions with Tube, TV One, BET, and other partners.

The post “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Director P. Frank Williams Launches Multimedia Venture ‘For The Culture By The Culture’ first appeared on The Source.

The post “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Director P. Frank Williams Launches Multimedia Venture ‘For The Culture By The Culture’ appeared first on The Source.