Just this year, Sean Wang is already a Sundance breakout and an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker. Finally, Wang’s feature debut “Dìdi” will be in theaters thanks to Focus Features.
The semi-autobiographical coming of age story of “Dìdi” follows a Taiwanese-American tween (Izaac Wang) in 2008. At 13 years old, he’s just about to begin high school and he learns “how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love his mom,” during the last month of summer, per the film’s synopsis.
Shirley Chen, Chang Li Hua, Raul Dial, Aaron Chang, Mahaela Park, Chiron Cilia Denk, Montay Boseman, Sunil Mukherjee Maurillo, Alaysia Simmons, Alysha Syed, Georgie August, and Joan Chen also star.
Wang writes, directs, and produces, with Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, and Valerie Bush also producing. The executive producers include Chris Columbus, Eleanor Columbus, Dave A. Liu, Jennifer J. Pritzker, Robina Riccitiello, Joan Chen, Chris Quintos Cathcart, and Tyler Boehm.
The semi-autobiographical coming of age story of “Dìdi” follows a Taiwanese-American tween (Izaac Wang) in 2008. At 13 years old, he’s just about to begin high school and he learns “how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love his mom,” during the last month of summer, per the film’s synopsis.
Shirley Chen, Chang Li Hua, Raul Dial, Aaron Chang, Mahaela Park, Chiron Cilia Denk, Montay Boseman, Sunil Mukherjee Maurillo, Alaysia Simmons, Alysha Syed, Georgie August, and Joan Chen also star.
Wang writes, directs, and produces, with Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, and Valerie Bush also producing. The executive producers include Chris Columbus, Eleanor Columbus, Dave A. Liu, Jennifer J. Pritzker, Robina Riccitiello, Joan Chen, Chris Quintos Cathcart, and Tyler Boehm.
- 5/14/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Metrograph Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to The Black Sea, the offbeat comedy from Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden which debuted at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. Metrograph will release the pic theatrically later this year.
Inspired by Harden’s travels to Bulgaria, and improvised by Harden and its Bulgarian cast, The Black Sea traces the journey of a charismatic dreamer from Brooklyn who inadvertently ends up as the only Black person in a small town on the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. While initially, all he wants is to get home, he becomes increasingly drawn to the unorthodox characters and unexpected connections he finds.
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. The film was produced by Izabella Tzenkova, Kotva Films, and GiveThanks. Executive producers include Andrea Leibof, Cameron Brody, Dana Høegh, Jonas Carpignano, Josh Peters, Robina Riccitiello, Ted Hope, and Ted Wright.
Inspired by Harden’s travels to Bulgaria, and improvised by Harden and its Bulgarian cast, The Black Sea traces the journey of a charismatic dreamer from Brooklyn who inadvertently ends up as the only Black person in a small town on the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. While initially, all he wants is to get home, he becomes increasingly drawn to the unorthodox characters and unexpected connections he finds.
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. The film was produced by Izabella Tzenkova, Kotva Films, and GiveThanks. Executive producers include Andrea Leibof, Cameron Brody, Dana Høegh, Jonas Carpignano, Josh Peters, Robina Riccitiello, Ted Hope, and Ted Wright.
- 5/9/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exterior. Establishing: Film Independent HQ. Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Prelap the sounds of passionate conversation and laughter. Cut To: Interior, Conference Room, Film Independent HQ. Seven new screenwriting Fellows are arrayed around a table, the Hollywood Sign visible on the distant hills outside the window. They’re here to develop six deeply personal and wholly original feature film projects under the steady guiding hand of Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab. A fun, creative, safe space.
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent has named Omer Ben Shachar, Mary Dauterman, Mg Evangelista, Naomi Iwamoto, Thomas Kivney, Juan Paulo Laserna and Jhanvi Motla as the screenwriters selected for the 26th edition of its Screenwriting Lab, an intensive program designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature scripts.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
- 4/16/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features will open its Sundance Film Festival acquisition Dìdi on July 26.
The movie from Oscar nominee Sean Wang premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical and audience acclaim, winning both the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
Inspired by Wang’s youth, the pic follows a 13-year old Taiwanese-American in the last month of summer 2008 before high school begins. The boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Wang also wrote in addition to directing.
Producers are Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush and Wang. Didi stars Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hua.
Wang’s latest film, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma), premiered at SXSW 2023 where it won the Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award and is...
The movie from Oscar nominee Sean Wang premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received critical and audience acclaim, winning both the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
Inspired by Wang’s youth, the pic follows a 13-year old Taiwanese-American in the last month of summer 2008 before high school begins. The boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Wang also wrote in addition to directing.
Producers are Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush and Wang. Didi stars Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hua.
Wang’s latest film, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma), premiered at SXSW 2023 where it won the Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award and is...
- 2/14/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features had landed the worldwide rights to Sean Wang’s feature directorial debut Dídi, which won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film is set in 2008 in the San Francisco Bay Area and, according to the film’s logline, follows an “impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.”
Izaac Wang (Good Boys) stars in the film, alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hu. The film was also awarded the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
THR‘s Sundance review of the film reads: “The film is a very solid entry in the annals of coming-of-age films, reminiscent of Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade in both its affection for its young characters and its willingness to meet them on their own terms.
The film is set in 2008 in the San Francisco Bay Area and, according to the film’s logline, follows an “impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.”
Izaac Wang (Good Boys) stars in the film, alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hu. The film was also awarded the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast.
THR‘s Sundance review of the film reads: “The film is a very solid entry in the annals of coming-of-age films, reminiscent of Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade in both its affection for its young characters and its willingness to meet them on their own terms.
- 1/31/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Sean Wang’s popular Sundance coming-of-age tale Didi, winner of the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic special jury award for best ensemble cast.
Didi is set in California’s Bay Area in 2008 and follows a group of first-generation teens seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy.
Izaac Wang stars alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, and Chang Li Hua.
Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush, and Wang served as producers on the Antigravity Academy and Spark Features production, with Chris Quintos Cathcart, Tyler Boehm, Robina Riccitiello,...
Didi is set in California’s Bay Area in 2008 and follows a group of first-generation teens seen through the eyes of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy.
Izaac Wang stars alongside Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, and Chang Li Hua.
Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush, and Wang served as producers on the Antigravity Academy and Spark Features production, with Chris Quintos Cathcart, Tyler Boehm, Robina Riccitiello,...
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
“Dìdi,” a coming-of-age drama that won the U.S. dramatic audience award at Sundance, has sold to Focus Features. The semi-autobiographical film was written, produced and directed by Sean Wang in his feature debut.
The film follows a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy in the throes of an awkward adolescence, as he enjoys the last month of summer before high school begins. He experiences the pangs of first love, becomes friends with some skaters (after promising to make videos of them), fights with his older sister and gets a hard-earned understanding of his mom. It is set in 2008, when MySpace was still a thing and TikTok had yet to explode.
Wang says he hopes that audiences will be able to see a version of themselves in the film, which stars Izaac Wang as the filmmaker’s cinematic alter-ego and Joan Chen (“The Last Emperor”) as his onscreen mother.
“’Dìdi (弟弟)’ is...
The film follows a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy in the throes of an awkward adolescence, as he enjoys the last month of summer before high school begins. He experiences the pangs of first love, becomes friends with some skaters (after promising to make videos of them), fights with his older sister and gets a hard-earned understanding of his mom. It is set in 2008, when MySpace was still a thing and TikTok had yet to explode.
Wang says he hopes that audiences will be able to see a version of themselves in the film, which stars Izaac Wang as the filmmaker’s cinematic alter-ego and Joan Chen (“The Last Emperor”) as his onscreen mother.
“’Dìdi (弟弟)’ is...
- 1/31/2024
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features said Wednesday that it has acquired global rights on Sean Wang’s Dìdi, which won the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast at the just-concluded Sundance Film Festival.
Last week, Wang was nominated for an Oscar for his documentary short Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó, which premiered at SXSW last year and won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. That movie hits Disney+ and Hulu on February 9.
Dìdi is set in 2008 in the Bay Area, and a portrait of early millennial first-generation teenagers as seen through the lens of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy, played by Izaac Wang. Pic is produced by Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush and Wang. It stars Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hua.
Dìdi is an Antigravity Academy and...
Last week, Wang was nominated for an Oscar for his documentary short Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó, which premiered at SXSW last year and won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. That movie hits Disney+ and Hulu on February 9.
Dìdi is set in 2008 in the Bay Area, and a portrait of early millennial first-generation teenagers as seen through the lens of a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy, played by Izaac Wang. Pic is produced by Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters, Valerie Bush and Wang. It stars Joan Chen, Shirley Chen and Chang Li Hua.
Dìdi is an Antigravity Academy and...
- 1/31/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2024 Sundance Film Festival winners are in, with films like “In the Summers,” “Didi,” and “Daughters” dominating across the categories. “In the Summers” filmmaker Alessandra Lacorazza, whose film centers on a fractured family in New Mexico, also won the Directing prize in U.S. Dramatic.
On Friday, January 26, the winners of juried prizes were shared out of the competition sections, including the U.S. Dramatic Competition, U.S. Documentary Competition, World Cinema Dramatic Competition, World Cinema Documentary Competition, and the Next lineup.
The 2024 Sundance jury consisted of 16 filmmakers and artists across all sections, with the U.S. Dramatic Competition jury made up of “Winter’s Bone” director/co-writer Debra Granik, “Shortcomings” screenwriter Adrian Tomine, and “Master of None” producer Lena Waithe.
“Navalny” producer Shane Boris, “The Disappearance of Shere Hite” director Nicole Newnham, and “The Sentence” director Rudy Valdez serve on the U.S. Documentary Competition jury, with “The Babadook” director Jennifer Kent,...
On Friday, January 26, the winners of juried prizes were shared out of the competition sections, including the U.S. Dramatic Competition, U.S. Documentary Competition, World Cinema Dramatic Competition, World Cinema Documentary Competition, and the Next lineup.
The 2024 Sundance jury consisted of 16 filmmakers and artists across all sections, with the U.S. Dramatic Competition jury made up of “Winter’s Bone” director/co-writer Debra Granik, “Shortcomings” screenwriter Adrian Tomine, and “Master of None” producer Lena Waithe.
“Navalny” producer Shane Boris, “The Disappearance of Shere Hite” director Nicole Newnham, and “The Sentence” director Rudy Valdez serve on the U.S. Documentary Competition jury, with “The Babadook” director Jennifer Kent,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson and Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The 40th edition of Sundance Film Festival kicks off today, and notably, queer and Himalaya-themed films take over the Asian/Asian diaspora slate of the mountain festival. In previous years, Sundance has been a frontier for Asian diaspora films. Last year alone saw a full slate of Asian diaspora films, with “Past Lives” (Celine Song), “Shortcomings” (Randall Park), “The Persian Version” (Maryam Keshavarz), and more, among others – there are considerably less Asian American films in the primary competition. This year, in the US Dramatic Competition, only one film, “Didi (弟弟)” by Sean Wang stands out amid the crowd.
Films about the Himalayas have taken center-stage in the World Cinema Competitions, however, with three titles this year: “Girls will be Girls” (Shuchi Talati), “Agent of Happiness” (Arun Bhattarai), and “Nocturnes” (Anirban Dutta). Queer Asian diaspora cinema is front and center this year as well, with “Layla” (Amrou Al-Khadi) and “Desire Lines...
Films about the Himalayas have taken center-stage in the World Cinema Competitions, however, with three titles this year: “Girls will be Girls” (Shuchi Talati), “Agent of Happiness” (Arun Bhattarai), and “Nocturnes” (Anirban Dutta). Queer Asian diaspora cinema is front and center this year as well, with “Layla” (Amrou Al-Khadi) and “Desire Lines...
- 1/20/2024
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in ‘A Real Pain’ (Courtesy of Sundance Institute)
82 films have been selected to screen during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In addition, eight episodic titles and a New Frontier interactive experience have made the cut and will be included in the upcoming festival.
17,435 projects were submitted for 2024 inclusion, setting a new festival record.
“From the first edition in 1985, Sundance Film Festival has aimed to provide a space to gather, celebrate, and engage with risk-taking artists that are committed to bringing their independent visions to audiences — the Festival remains true to that goal to this day,” stated Robert Redford, Sundance Institute Founder and President. “It continues to evolve, but its legacy of showcasing bold work that starts necessary conversations continues with the 2024 program.”
The 40th Sundance Film Festival will take place January 18 – 28, 2024, in Park City and Salt Lake City. Ticket packages and passes are currently on sale.
82 films have been selected to screen during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In addition, eight episodic titles and a New Frontier interactive experience have made the cut and will be included in the upcoming festival.
17,435 projects were submitted for 2024 inclusion, setting a new festival record.
“From the first edition in 1985, Sundance Film Festival has aimed to provide a space to gather, celebrate, and engage with risk-taking artists that are committed to bringing their independent visions to audiences — the Festival remains true to that goal to this day,” stated Robert Redford, Sundance Institute Founder and President. “It continues to evolve, but its legacy of showcasing bold work that starts necessary conversations continues with the 2024 program.”
The 40th Sundance Film Festival will take place January 18 – 28, 2024, in Park City and Salt Lake City. Ticket packages and passes are currently on sale.
- 12/6/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
It’s almost time again for me to pack my bags and head to Park City, Utah, for the 2024 edition of the Sundance Film Festival. The last few years have been challenging for the fest, with the 2021 and 2022 editions only being online due to the pandemic. The 2023 edition was a hybrid version that sported a few high-profile debuts, including A24’s horror hit Talk to Me, but overall was a bit of a modest year in terms of stuff that broke out. However, 2024 seems to be a high-end year for the fest, with tons of big stars on the way to the festival, including Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart (there with two movies), Sebastian Stan, Woody Harrelson and many more.
It’s always interesting to note the trend in storytelling at this famous indie fest. In recent years, the pandemic weighed highly on the fest, with many films acknowledging the toll it took,...
It’s always interesting to note the trend in storytelling at this famous indie fest. In recent years, the pandemic weighed highly on the fest, with many films acknowledging the toll it took,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Providing our first glimpse at the next year in cinema, the 2024 Sundance Film Festival has unveiled its lineup of 82 films, eight episodic titles, and New Frontier interactive experiences. Taking place January 18–28, 2024, in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, with a selection of titles available online nationwide from January 25–28, 2024, the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Notable highlights in this year’s edition includes Steven Soderbergh’s new Lucy Liu-led feature Presence, Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding starring Kristen Stewart, Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales starring Pedro Pascal, the Zellners’ Sasquatch Sunset, Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man, Handling the Undead starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie, the Saoirse Ronan-led The Outrun, Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples starring Jason Schwartzman, Brett Story and Stephan Maing’s Amazon Labor Union documentary Union,...
Notable highlights in this year’s edition includes Steven Soderbergh’s new Lucy Liu-led feature Presence, Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding starring Kristen Stewart, Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s Freaky Tales starring Pedro Pascal, the Zellners’ Sasquatch Sunset, Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man, Handling the Undead starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie, the Saoirse Ronan-led The Outrun, Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples starring Jason Schwartzman, Brett Story and Stephan Maing’s Amazon Labor Union documentary Union,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The trailer of the upcoming film ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’, the 7th film from the ‘Transformers’, was unveiled recently. The trailer follows the events after ‘Bumblebee’ as the film serves as a standalone sequel to ‘Bumblebee’ which was released in 2018.
The film will take audiences on a 1990s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.
The film stars Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez and Tobe Nwigwe in his film debut, as well the voice talents of Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Liza Koshy, Cristo Fernandez, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Tongayi Chirisa, Colman Domingo, and previous voice actors, Peter Cullen, John Dimaggio and David Sobolov.
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ has been directed by Steven Caple Jr from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber,...
The film will take audiences on a 1990s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.
The film stars Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Luna Lauren Velez and Tobe Nwigwe in his film debut, as well the voice talents of Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Pete Davidson, Liza Koshy, Cristo Fernandez, Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Tongayi Chirisa, Colman Domingo, and previous voice actors, Peter Cullen, John Dimaggio and David Sobolov.
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ has been directed by Steven Caple Jr from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber,...
- 4/28/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The official trailer for Paramount Pictures’ Transformers: Rise of the Beasts warns that the fate of all living beings is at stake with the arrival of Unicron. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is loaded with action scenes, with only a few short breaks from the CGI chaos to show off the human actors audiences will be rooting for in this seventh outing.
Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback (Swarm) lead a cast that includes Tobe Nwigwe, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, and Michelle Yeoh. Liza Koshy, Colman Domingo, John Dimaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Tongayi Chirisa, Pete Davidson, and Cristo Fernández also star.
Fan favorite Peter Cullen returns to voice Optimus Prime.
Steven Caple Jr (Creed II) directs from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, and Jon Hoeber. Michael Bay, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Mark Vahradian, and Duncan Henderson produce,...
Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback (Swarm) lead a cast that includes Tobe Nwigwe, Luna Lauren Velez, Dean Scott Vazquez, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, and Michelle Yeoh. Liza Koshy, Colman Domingo, John Dimaggio, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Tongayi Chirisa, Pete Davidson, and Cristo Fernández also star.
Fan favorite Peter Cullen returns to voice Optimus Prime.
Steven Caple Jr (Creed II) directs from a screenplay by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer, Josh Peters, Erich Hoeber, and Jon Hoeber. Michael Bay, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Mark Vahradian, and Duncan Henderson produce,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hit the big screen at CinemaCon on Thursday.
Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Hasbro debuted footage featuring the newest installment in the blockbuster franchise inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace during Paramount’s studio presentation. In doing so, they welcomed director Steven Caple Jr. and stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback to present the trailer on the big screen, just hours after the preview debuted online.
Caple said he’s been on the project for “quite some time, years now,” and during that time he “put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it.” He then welcomed his stars and Fishback started her comments by giving a special shout out to managers at Regal movie theaters. “I used to work at a Regal theater at Battery Park in New York. I used to dream of being in movies like this,” said Fishback, who added that...
Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Hasbro debuted footage featuring the newest installment in the blockbuster franchise inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace during Paramount’s studio presentation. In doing so, they welcomed director Steven Caple Jr. and stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback to present the trailer on the big screen, just hours after the preview debuted online.
Caple said he’s been on the project for “quite some time, years now,” and during that time he “put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it.” He then welcomed his stars and Fishback started her comments by giving a special shout out to managers at Regal movie theaters. “I used to work at a Regal theater at Battery Park in New York. I used to dream of being in movies like this,” said Fishback, who added that...
- 4/27/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts: Newest trailer shows an all-out war as Unicron descends upon Earth
The saga of the robots in disguise continues as Paramount drops the newest trailer for Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. There’s certainly more than meets the eye with this installment as it sees the introduction of the popular Unicron villain from the original cartoon. Unicron was also featured in the 1986 movie, Transformers: The Motion Picture. Fans of the series Beast Wars, which took place around the time frame that serves as the setting of this film, and featured animal incarnations of the Autobots and Decepticons, will be excited to see more peeks at the Maximals as an all-out war features a number of characters from the Autobots and Maximals fight side-by-side.
The official synopsis from Paramount reads,
“Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a...
The official synopsis from Paramount reads,
“Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a...
- 4/27/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
It's a new, flashier, and altogether more beastly era for "Transformers" these days. Paramount's consistent top-earning franchise has undergone a bit of a creative shakeup in the years since Michael Bay went his separate ways after 2017's "Transformers: The Last Knight." The makeover truly began with the Hailee Steinfeld-starring "Bumblebee," the back-to-basics spin-off/prequel film that helped return the spectacle-driven series to its roots.
Gone were the overly busy and incredibly complicated visual designs of the past, replaced by much more familiar Transformers designs and a heartwarming coming-of-age film right up director Travis Knight's alley.
This time around, the series is switching gears once more and expanding the scope to tell one of the most popular storylines in the entire franchise: "Beast Wars."
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is set to give the live-action treatment to what many fans have anxiously awaited for a long, long time.
Gone were the overly busy and incredibly complicated visual designs of the past, replaced by much more familiar Transformers designs and a heartwarming coming-of-age film right up director Travis Knight's alley.
This time around, the series is switching gears once more and expanding the scope to tell one of the most popular storylines in the entire franchise: "Beast Wars."
"Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is set to give the live-action treatment to what many fans have anxiously awaited for a long, long time.
- 4/27/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The 22nd edition of NYC’s Tribeca Film Festival appears to have star power to spare, with Michael Shannon, John Slattery, Chelsea Peretti, David Duchovny, Jennifer Esposito, Randall Park, real-life couple Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe and Steve Buscemi among those with new films premiering among the 100-plus features screening this year from June 7 through June 18.
A few interesting stats: There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. 41% of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women. And 39 of the feature films represented are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.
For the third year, the Tribeca Fest will include the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, including a celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which will highight the world premiere of “All Up in the Biz,” a documentary about hip-hop legend Biz Markie,...
A few interesting stats: There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. 41% of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women. And 39 of the feature films represented are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.
For the third year, the Tribeca Fest will include the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, including a celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which will highight the world premiere of “All Up in the Biz,” a documentary about hip-hop legend Biz Markie,...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
The 22nd edition of the Tribeca Festival unveiled a 2023 lineup with a record number of female helmers and heavy on films directed by actors like Chelsea Peretti’s First Time Female Director, John Slattery thriller Maggie Moore(s) with Tina Fey and Jon Hamm, David Duchovny’s Bucky F*cking Dent and Steve Buscemi’s The Listener.
Marvel also screens its first original documentary, Stan Lee by David Gelb, as the fest unspools June 7-18 in New York City. Also making an appearance: Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, and Eric Larue by Michael Shannon.
In all, 109 feature, narrative, documentary and animated films from 127 directors across 36 countries will showcase emerging and household names.
Tribeca is expanding its Midnight offering this year, and will also present its second annual Human/Nature award for environmental storytelling to world-premiering Common Ground by Rebecca and Josh Tickell.
Related music and live events...
Marvel also screens its first original documentary, Stan Lee by David Gelb, as the fest unspools June 7-18 in New York City. Also making an appearance: Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, and Eric Larue by Michael Shannon.
In all, 109 feature, narrative, documentary and animated films from 127 directors across 36 countries will showcase emerging and household names.
Tribeca is expanding its Midnight offering this year, and will also present its second annual Human/Nature award for environmental storytelling to world-premiering Common Ground by Rebecca and Josh Tickell.
Related music and live events...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The Val Zod series that Michael B. Jordan is set to executive produce for HBO Max has found its writers, Variety has confirmed.
Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are now set to write the project, which will focus on Val Zod, the second DC character to take up the mantle of Superman. Val is a Black Kryptonian who found his way to Earth and eventually uses his powers to fight evil, including a brainwashed Superman at one point in the comics.
HBO Max declined to comment.
Metayer and Peters most recently worked on the script for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and on the Starz series “Bmf,” which is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. They also have a number of other projects in development.
News of the Val Zod series being in development first broke back in July. Jordan is executive producing under his Outlier Society banner, though no...
Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are now set to write the project, which will focus on Val Zod, the second DC character to take up the mantle of Superman. Val is a Black Kryptonian who found his way to Earth and eventually uses his powers to fight evil, including a brainwashed Superman at one point in the comics.
HBO Max declined to comment.
Metayer and Peters most recently worked on the script for “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and on the Starz series “Bmf,” which is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. They also have a number of other projects in development.
News of the Val Zod series being in development first broke back in July. Jordan is executive producing under his Outlier Society banner, though no...
- 10/26/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters are set to write Val Zod, the HBO Max adaptation that Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society is producing for DC Entertainment and Warner Bros Television.
Val Zod is the story of another Kryptonian with powers who hails from the same doomed planet as Superman. The hero is Black, and he finds refuge on Earth 2. Like the original Man of Steel, he is sheltered on his adopted planet but eventually in the comics is pitted against a brainwashed Superman.
Metayer & Peters are prolific television and feature writers who broke onto the scene with their original pilot American Snow. Their project The Nola sold to Amazon with Sam Raimi directing. Their one-hour pilot, Hannibal, based on the life of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, they scripted for Scott Free and Endeavor Content. Apple preemptively bought it with Creed II helmer Steven J. Caple Jr attached to direct.
Val Zod is the story of another Kryptonian with powers who hails from the same doomed planet as Superman. The hero is Black, and he finds refuge on Earth 2. Like the original Man of Steel, he is sheltered on his adopted planet but eventually in the comics is pitted against a brainwashed Superman.
Metayer & Peters are prolific television and feature writers who broke onto the scene with their original pilot American Snow. Their project The Nola sold to Amazon with Sam Raimi directing. Their one-hour pilot, Hannibal, based on the life of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, they scripted for Scott Free and Endeavor Content. Apple preemptively bought it with Creed II helmer Steven J. Caple Jr attached to direct.
- 10/26/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
When Paul Bettany was approached for the title role in Alan Ball’s Uncle Frank, he was perhaps as skeptical as he was excited. “I’m a big Alan Ball fan, but also sort of a ‘glass is half empty’ type of fellow, so I went, ‘I’m going to get the one sh*t Alan Ball script,’” the actor joked. “I read it and it wasn’t, of course. But then I had lots of questions about whether I could and should play the part.”
The film written, directed and produced by Ball centers on college professor Frank Bledsoe, who takes his niece Beth (Sophia Lillis) to the South Carolina funeral of family patriarch Daddy Mac (Stephen Root). While visiting family, Frank wrestles with the sexual identity he’s long tried to hide from them, also coming to grips with a traumatic incident from his past.
The film written, directed and produced by Ball centers on college professor Frank Bledsoe, who takes his niece Beth (Sophia Lillis) to the South Carolina funeral of family patriarch Daddy Mac (Stephen Root). While visiting family, Frank wrestles with the sexual identity he’s long tried to hide from them, also coming to grips with a traumatic incident from his past.
- 8/15/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
On Tuesday, Paramount put on a virtual showcase teasing the seventh Transformers film, which recently entered production, and revealed its title: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
The centerpiece of the event was a panel, moderated by Vanity Fair’s Anthony Breznican. Panelists included director Steven Caple Jr., franchise producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, as well as Rise of the Beasts‘ stars, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, who offered new details, with regard to the upcoming actioner’s story and characters.
The new Transformers film will be set in 1994. While its central characters are based in Brooklyn, the feature will move between New York and Machu Pichu.
Our main hero, on the side of the Transformers, will once again be Optimus Prime. But Rise of the Beasts will also look to expand the big-screen world of Transformers, beyond the familiar, presenting a clash between different tribes of alien robots. One of those breeds,...
The centerpiece of the event was a panel, moderated by Vanity Fair’s Anthony Breznican. Panelists included director Steven Caple Jr., franchise producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, as well as Rise of the Beasts‘ stars, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, who offered new details, with regard to the upcoming actioner’s story and characters.
The new Transformers film will be set in 1994. While its central characters are based in Brooklyn, the feature will move between New York and Machu Pichu.
Our main hero, on the side of the Transformers, will once again be Optimus Prime. But Rise of the Beasts will also look to expand the big-screen world of Transformers, beyond the familiar, presenting a clash between different tribes of alien robots. One of those breeds,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Check your fear of heights at the door for this one. Discovery+ has set a June 5 premiere date for Pushing the Line, a docuseries about the not-for-everyone sport of highlining. Jersey Shore’s SallyAnn Salsano is executive producing via her 495 Productions. Watch a clip above.
For the uninitiated, highlining is a subset of slacklining that involves the counterintuitive act of walking on a line hundreds of feet above the ground on a 1-inch rope that’s thinner than your belt. It takes athleticism, balance and stamina to walk a long line — but it takes mental toughness even to attempt it.
The series follows some of the top highliners and the up-and-comers of the sport, who live together and push one another to take on the craziest places to set lines and break records. Pushing the Line looks at what motivates these fear-be-damned athletes to risk it all every day.
For the uninitiated, highlining is a subset of slacklining that involves the counterintuitive act of walking on a line hundreds of feet above the ground on a 1-inch rope that’s thinner than your belt. It takes athleticism, balance and stamina to walk a long line — but it takes mental toughness even to attempt it.
The series follows some of the top highliners and the up-and-comers of the sport, who live together and push one another to take on the craziest places to set lines and break records. Pushing the Line looks at what motivates these fear-be-damned athletes to risk it all every day.
- 5/11/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Dominique Fishback Joins Newest Transformers Film — Dominique Fishback, who most recently starred in best picture nominee Judas and the Black Messiah, will join Anthony Ramos (Trolls World Tour) in the latest Transformers film from Paramount. Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct. Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing, based off a script by Joby Harold . Plot details [...]
Continue reading: Dominique Fishback Joins Anthony Ramos’ Transformers Film...
Continue reading: Dominique Fishback Joins Anthony Ramos’ Transformers Film...
- 5/5/2021
- by Ean Marshall
- Film-Book
Next installment of Paramount blockbuster series arrives June 2022.
After her breakout performance in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Dominique Fishback is in final talks to join the next installment of the “Transformers” saga, which is set to release on June 24, 2022.
The new installment will be part of an ongoing revamp of the Paramount blockbuster series that began in 2018 with the spinoff “Bumblebee,” a more character-focused film based on one of the Autobots that starred Hailee Steinfeld and was directed by “Kubo and the Two Strings” filmmaker Travis Knight. The six “Transformers” films have grossed $4.84 billion worldwide since the franchise launched in 2007, but have seen grosses significantly decline in recent years with “Bumblebee” becoming the first installment to gross less than $500 million globally.
As part of the new direction, Paramount is developing multiple “Transformers” films alongside each other. In addition to Fishback’s film, another “Transformers” project led by “Charm City Kings...
After her breakout performance in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Dominique Fishback is in final talks to join the next installment of the “Transformers” saga, which is set to release on June 24, 2022.
The new installment will be part of an ongoing revamp of the Paramount blockbuster series that began in 2018 with the spinoff “Bumblebee,” a more character-focused film based on one of the Autobots that starred Hailee Steinfeld and was directed by “Kubo and the Two Strings” filmmaker Travis Knight. The six “Transformers” films have grossed $4.84 billion worldwide since the franchise launched in 2007, but have seen grosses significantly decline in recent years with “Bumblebee” becoming the first installment to gross less than $500 million globally.
As part of the new direction, Paramount is developing multiple “Transformers” films alongside each other. In addition to Fishback’s film, another “Transformers” project led by “Charm City Kings...
- 4/29/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Following her breakout role in the Oscar Best Picture-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah, Dominique Fishback has found her next role in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. Sources tell Deadline that Fishback is in final negotiations to co-star with Anthony Ramos in a Transformers movie for Paramount, eOne and Hasbro that has Steven Caple Jr directing. The film is bowing on June 24, 2022.
Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing based off a script by Joby Harold. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing. New Republic Pictures is also a co-financing partner.
While Ramos seemed like the frontrunner from the beginning, Paramount took their time meeting with a number actresses for the other lead role. Ramos screen-tested with a handful of women and in the end Fishback won over everyone involved. The opportunity to work with Ramos comes full circle for the two, who have been close friends for years...
Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing based off a script by Joby Harold. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing. New Republic Pictures is also a co-financing partner.
While Ramos seemed like the frontrunner from the beginning, Paramount took their time meeting with a number actresses for the other lead role. Ramos screen-tested with a handful of women and in the end Fishback won over everyone involved. The opportunity to work with Ramos comes full circle for the two, who have been close friends for years...
- 4/29/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Dominique Fishback, who most recently starred in best picture nominee Judas and the Black Messiah, will join Anthony Ramos in the latest Transformers take from Paramount.
Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct. Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing, based off a script by Joby Harold. Plot details are not yet known for the film, due out June 24, 2022.
EOne, the Hasbro-owned entertainment studio, is behind the film with longtime franchise studio Paramount. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing, with New Republic Pictures also co-financing.
Paramount and eOne are looking to build out the next iteration of the franchise. Along with Caple’...
Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct. Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing, based off a script by Joby Harold. Plot details are not yet known for the film, due out June 24, 2022.
EOne, the Hasbro-owned entertainment studio, is behind the film with longtime franchise studio Paramount. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing, with New Republic Pictures also co-financing.
Paramount and eOne are looking to build out the next iteration of the franchise. Along with Caple’...
- 4/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dominique Fishback, who most recently starred in best picture nominee Judas and the Black Messiah, will join Anthony Ramos in the latest Transformers take from Paramount.
Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct. Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing, based off a script by Joby Harold. Plot details are not yet known for the film, due out June 24, 2022.
EOne, the Hasbro-owned entertainment studio, is behind the film with longtime franchise studio Paramount. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing, with New Republic Pictures also co-financing.
Paramount and eOne are looking to build out the next iteration of the franchise. Along with Caple’...
Creed II helmer Steven Caple Jr. is set to direct. Darnell Metayer and Josh Peters are writing, based off a script by Joby Harold. Plot details are not yet known for the film, due out June 24, 2022.
EOne, the Hasbro-owned entertainment studio, is behind the film with longtime franchise studio Paramount. Skydance is co-financing and executive producing, with New Republic Pictures also co-financing.
Paramount and eOne are looking to build out the next iteration of the franchise. Along with Caple’...
- 4/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Topic Studios and “The Climb” filmmakers Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin have wrapped production on their second collaboration, a pandemic-set comedy from filmmaker Daniel Antebi titled “God’s Time.”
The new project comes as part of Covino and Marvin’s first-look deal with Topic Studios after working together on the Cannes-winning hit “The Climb,” which is now in theaters, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. The filmmakers serve as executive producers on “God’s Time” under their Watch This Ready banner, alongside producers Emily Korteweg, Andrew Hutcheson and Reid Hannaford. And the new project fulfills the element of the Topic Studios partnership that Covino previously told Variety excited him most — having the opportunity to promote other new talent.
“It’s exciting to work with a filmmaker like Daniel on his first film,” Covino said in a statement. “He has a distinct vision and point of view that we can’t...
The new project comes as part of Covino and Marvin’s first-look deal with Topic Studios after working together on the Cannes-winning hit “The Climb,” which is now in theaters, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. The filmmakers serve as executive producers on “God’s Time” under their Watch This Ready banner, alongside producers Emily Korteweg, Andrew Hutcheson and Reid Hannaford. And the new project fulfills the element of the Topic Studios partnership that Covino previously told Variety excited him most — having the opportunity to promote other new talent.
“It’s exciting to work with a filmmaker like Daniel on his first film,” Covino said in a statement. “He has a distinct vision and point of view that we can’t...
- 11/23/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
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