“Almost Famous” Musical Is Headed To Broadway

By Armando

DreamWorks

Plans for a stage musical version of the iconic 2000 film “Almost Famous” was announced by producers on Tuesday.

This comes after the film’s writer and director Cameron Crowe teased on Twitter a video where we see composer Tom Kitt playing a piano while the camera pans to writings on paper that featured songs from the movie and some of its characters.

Crowe told Rolling Stone: “I remember the first day of filming Almost Famous, we were standing in downtown San Diego, shooting a scene with Phillip Seymour Hoffman on the very same street where I’d first met Lester Bangs. It felt surreal. It felt like a miracle. I called a friend of mine and said, ‘How did I get here?’ He laughed and said, ‘Enjoy it, this won’t happen again.’ The current miracle is that the feeling is coming alive again.”

The original coming-of age film was semi-autobiographical, wherein Crowe used his experience as a young music journalist to write and direct the movie. It tells the story of teenage music enthusiast named William (played by Patrick Fugit) who traveled on the road with a rock band Stillwater on assignment for Rolling Stone. Crowe himself have covered legendary bands such as Eagles and Led Zeppelin.

It was released in 2000 to critical acclaim, was named by many film critics as one of the best that year. It nominated in four Academy Awards and won Best Original Screenplay. Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jason Lee were also in the film. It also featured a breakthrough performance from Kate Hudson as Penny Lane, a role which won her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Though not a huge box-office success, the film has since gained a cult following. The film’s soundtrack, which features rock classics from Led Zeppelin, The Who, David Bowie, Elton John among others, also won Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in 2001’s Grammy Award.

The cast for the musical adaptation and timeline details has not yet been announced.

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DC’s “Birds Of Prey” Release Date Set To February 2020

By Creative Media Times

Birds of Prey vol.2 #1 cover art by Ed Benes

WB/DC’s upcoming female superhero team is set to hit theaters on Febraury 7, 2020, the studio announced on Monday.

With this new date, it appears that the studio ha moved up the released a week early from previously reserved February 14.

Cathy Yan is set to direct the film, with Margot Robbie reprising her “Suicide Squad” character Harley Quinn. The actress is also producing along with Sue Kroll and Brian Unkeless.

In this film, Robbie’s Harley Quinn is set to team with a trio of supervillains. There’s not a lot of released plot details, but according to a report from The Wrap this summer, that team would include Dinah Laurel Lance / Black Canary, Helena Bertinelli / Huntress, Cassandra Cain and Renee Montoya.

The original Birds of Prey comics series was conceived by Jordan B. Gorfinkel and has seen its setting move around various locations, from Batman’s popularly known residence Gotham City, then in Superman’s Metropolis and eventually settling in 2008 in “Platinum Flats” in California.

Originally a partnership between Dinah Lance and Barbara Gordon, the team has since expanded to include other DC superheroines.

Though the future of Warner Bros.’ DC cinematic universe remains unknown, the studio has been busy with plenty of its comicbook movie properties including the much-buzzed about Todd Phillips “Joker” film starring Joaquin Phoenix.

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“Kingsman 3” Officially Sets Release Date

By Creative Media Times

20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox is officially moving forward with the third Kingsman film with its release date set on November 8, 2019.

Its interesting to note that the release date was once occupied by Bond 25, the upcoming film in the James Bond franchise which Kingsman has paid homage to.

Matthew Vaughn, who directed and co-wrote the original (Kingsman: The Secret Service) as well as last year’s sequel (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), is also back to write and direct.

No official synopsis has been revealed yet, as well as returning cast members and new characters or actors to the ensemble. Though there’s certainly a good chance that both Taron Egerton and Colin Firth will be back given that they are the series leads.

During a recent interview with Empire this summer, the English director stated that the upcoming film will be the “conclusion of the Harry Hart-Eggsy relationship,” with a spin-off titled “Kingsman: The Great Game” also on the way.

Kingsman action spy comedy films are based on the comic series “The Secret Service” by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar.

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Todd Phillips Shares Video of Joaquin Phoenix As The Joker

By Creative Media Times

We know that director Todd Phillip has begun production of the currently untitled Warner Bros. Joker film with Joaquin Phoenix set to star. So we can look forward to plenty of updates from the highly guarded production, and potentially even leaks to float around the internet.

It only makes sense that the director himself reveals a first look of what we can expect from the film, and today he posts an eerie camera test video of the actor on instagram.

The haunting video shows Phoenix looking straight at the camera and wearing plain clothes. Though he looks expressionless, we do get a sense that he is somewhat deranged, a testament to Phoenix’s ability to convey characters merely from a look.

Set to The Guess Who’s “Laughing,” we see various images projected on Phoenix’s face, too quick to recognize at first until it ends with the actor in full character makeup and giving a sinister smile.

The upcoming Joker film is set for release on October 2019. Also in the film are Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, and Marc Maron. Todd Phillips co-produce the film with Bradley Cooper and Emma Tillinger Koskoff.

Warner Bros. has a slate of upcoming films based on the DC Comics including James Wan-directed Aquaman later this year.

View this post on Instagram

Camera test (w/ sound). Joker.

A post shared by Todd Phillips (@toddphillips1) on

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Horror Film “Luz” Acquired By Screen Media

By Creative Media Times

Screen Media has acquired all North American rights to Tilman Singer’s psychotropic horror film “LUZ,” the company announced today, with a planned first quarter of 2019 theatrical release across the US.

The announcement comes ahead of the film’s US premiere at Fantastic Fest as part of it’s opening night. “Luz” premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this year, and is set to screen at next month’s Sitges Film Festival.

The film stars Luana Velis and Jan Bluthardt. Singer wrote and directed the film, as well as produced it with Dario Mendez Acosta.

“Luz” tells the story of a young cabdriver (Luana Velis) who drags herself into a run-down police station while being pursued by a woman (Julia Riedler) who is possessed by a demonic entity.

“Every so often there’s a film that really unnerves, and just flat-out scares us. LUZ does exactly that. Tilman has made a beautiful but truly terrifying movie that people are going to be talking about for sure,” Seth Needle from Screen Media commented.

“Now more than ever it is important for challenging and independent cinema to be given a platform and shown on the big screen. We’re thrilled to have found the right partner in Screen Media, who fully understand Tilman’s unique vision with LUZ and we look forward to the film being experienced – and inspiring audiences across North America,” Justin Timms on behalf Yellow Veil Pictures continued.

The film has so far received praise from critics, with Variety’s Dennis Harvey calling it “equal measures demonic-possession thriller, experiment in formalist rigor, and flummoxing narrative puzzle-box” while Hollywood Reporter’s John DeFore describing the film as “a refreshing take on demonic possession in which the usual fright-flick cliches are nowhere to be found.”

The film’s Writer and director Singer said, “to see this kind of reaction to our film, visit festivals and now release it in North America is a little bit like shooting a movie itself; It’s hard to fully grasp. Producing LUZ I had no idea where it would go and I am excited for the life that it will have.”

Luz Teaser from Yellow Veil Pictures on Vimeo.

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CM PUNK Stars In Queensbury Pictures Production: Girl On The Third Floor

Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) in GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR)
Photos by: Andy Goodwin Copyright 2018 Queensbury Pictures

Queensbury Pictures wraps production of “Girl on the Third Floor” starring Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) and Marking Travis Steven’s writing and directing debut

The recently launched production company, Queensbury Pictures, today announced the production wrap of GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, the writing and directing debut of producer Travis Stevens and starring pop culture staple and former WWE superstar, Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk).

Shooting has wrapped in the Chicago suburb of Frankfort, Illinois – in a house that has long been considered by local residents to be haunted.

A name consistently in the news and synonymous with pop culture, mixed martial artist and comic book writer Phil Brooks is best known for his record setting career in the WWE under the name CM Punk. Brooks has a recurring role in Marc Maron’s IFC comedy series Maronand will appear in the remake of David Cronenberg’s Rabid. GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOORmarks his first leading role.

“I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to take on the lead role in GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR,” said Phil Brooks. “I’m a longtime personal fan of genre films and this project was an absolute natural fit for me.”

Producer Greg Newman said, “Phil Brooks has proven his abilities as an actor outside of the ring and is a natural fit for the lead. His range and performance will surely delight and surprise those who know him best from his athletic career. We’re thrilled and honored to have him on the project.

Writer/Director of GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, Travis Stevens, has produced such acclaimed, wide-ranging films as We Are Still Hereand Starry Eyes,and Buster’s Mal Heart. Stevens will now be stepping behind the camera for the first time as a director.

Stevens said, “After many years nurturing the creative vision of other talented storytellers, I’m both grateful and humbled to receive the support of Queensbury Pictures, MPI Media and all the cast and crew who have crossed the threshold of this very strange, incredibly beautiful and unflinchingly terrifying house.”

The cast includes Trieste Dunnof Applesauce, United 93, Bansheeand many other films and TV series, Elissa Dowling, a genre veteran best known for We Are Still Hereand newcomer Sarah Brooksin a breakout role. Award-winning Special FX Technician Dan Martin(High Rise, Free Fire, Lord of Chaos) is creating the film’s jaw-dropping special make-up and creature effects. Producers on the film include Greg Newman, Giles Edwards, Nicola Goelzhaeuser and Travis Stevens.

Film Synopsis:

At the heart of the film is Don Koch (CM Punk), a man who is failing as a husband. For years he has skated by on charm and charisma, until it nearly landed him in jail. He now views fixing up an old house as a chance to make up for past mistakes. Meanwhile, his wife, Liz Koch, is concerned about the renovation timeline as they have a baby on the way. With all this pressure it’s no wonder Don responds to the flirtations of an attractive stranger. As Don tears the house apart, it begins to tear him apart as well, revealing the rot behind the drywall.

Queensbury Pictures was launched this past spring by film industry vets Greg Newman, Travis Stevens and Giles Edwards to produce films in-house as well as nurture the next wave of great filmmaking talent. The company will shepherd a wide range of projects from conception to production, distribution and exhibition. GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR marks its initial step in this direction.

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New “Captain Marvel” Trailer Released

By Creative Media Times

Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios has finally unveiled the first trailer for their upcoming superhero movie “Captain Marvel”.

The trailer first debuted on on Good Morning America on Tuesday, which introduces Brie Larson as the title character. “Captain Marvel” marks the first female led solo film from Disney’s Marvel franchise.

Also newly released by Marvel and Disney is the movie’s first poster. “Higher. Further. Faster,” the film’s tagline says on the poster.

“Captain Marvel” follows Larson’s Carol Danvers, a US Air Force Pilot who gains superhuman powers after a bizarre accident infused her with alien DNA.

This is the first look at the superhero in action since the character was first teased in the end-credits scene of Avengers: Infinity War.

In the comics, the character is the original Captain Marvel from an alien race of Kree who later adopted the identity of the recently deceased human scientist Walter Lawson. While posing as Lawson, he meets and become a mentor to Larson’s U.S. Air Force character Carol Danvers. Her DNA is melded with that of an alien after an explosion of a Kree device. It remains to be seen how much of the character origins from comics will carry over into the film.

Captain Marvel is currently slated for a March 8, 2019 release.

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“Replicas”: New Trailer For Keanu Reeves’ Sci-Fi Thriller

By Creative Media Times

Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures

Keanu Reeves is back in the sci-fi genre in Entertainment Studios’ “Replicas,” an upcoming thriller from director Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Nachmanoff last directed a full length film in 2013 with the Arnold Schwarzenegger starred “The Last Stand.”

Based on the creepy trailer, the film seems to have plenty of horror elements. Here we see Reeves’ Will Foster character attempt to bring back his family to life after a tragic car accident. “We’re going to replicate the human mind,” says Reeves’ Will Foster. “We are going to take his biological brain, imprinted that of a synthetic brain.”

But as see in the clip, things go horribly wrong and violent after synthetic body and the human mind struggle to co-exist. “Who am I,” the replica says.

Reeves has had success in the sci-fi and thriller genre before including the highly successful “The Matrix” film series, 2008’s Scott Derrickson directed “The Day the Earth Stood Still”.

He’s had career revival the past few years following the success of the neo-noir action thriller “John Wick” (2014) and its sequel “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017).

“Replicas” also stars Alice Eve, John Ortiz. The film has not been given an official US release date. A peek at its IMDB page shows the film lands in a few European countries later this year.

Here is the film’s (spoilerific) synopsis:
In this sci-fi thriller, neuro-scientist William Foster (Keanu Reeves) is on the verge of successfully transferring human consciousness into a computer when his family is tragically killed in a car crash. Desperate to resurrect them, William recruits fellow scientist Ed Whittle (Thomas Middleditch) to help him secretly clone their bodies and create replicas. But he soon faces a “Sophie’s choice” when it turns out that they can only bring three of the four family members back to life.

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New “First Man” Poster And International Trailer Released

By Creative Media Times

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures has launched the international trailer for the Ryan Gosling starrer “First Man” and it features some of the more thrilling aspects about the astronaut’s journey into space. “The most dangerous mission in human history,” it says on the trailer.

The film is getting plenty of acclaim lately after its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, including Gosling for his role as Neil Armstrong, the astronaut referred on the film’s title as the first man to walk on the moon.

The film is based on the book “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong” by James R. Hansen, and is written by Josh Singer, who won an academy award for Best Original Screenplay for Spotlight.

This is Gosling and director Damien Chazelle’s follow-up to “La La Land,” which earn a record-tying 14 Oscar nominations last year.

“First Man” is set to be released by Universal Pictures on October 12, 2018.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:

On the heels of their six-time Academy Award®-winning smash, La La Land, Oscar®-winning director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reteam for Universal Pictures’ First Man, the riveting story behind the first manned mission to the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the decade leading to the historic Apollo 11 flight. A visceral and intimate account told from Armstrong’s perspective, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the film explores the triumphs and the cost—on Armstrong, his family, his colleagues and the nation itself—of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

Written by Academy Award® winner Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post), the epic drama of leading under the pressure of grace and tragedy is produced by Wyck Godfrey & Marty Bowen (The Twilight Saga, The Fault in Our Stars) through their Temple Hill Entertainment banner, alongside Isaac Klausner (Love, Simon) and Chazelle. Steven Spielberg, Adam Merims and Singer executive produce, while DreamWorks Pictures co-finances the film.

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New Poster And Trailer For “Captive State” Revealed

By Creative Media Times

Focus Features

Focus Features has released a new poster for “Captive State” today, along with its intriguing first look trailer.

The upcoming science fiction crime thriller film is directed by Rupert Wyatt, who gave us 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the highly successful reboot of the “Planet of the Apes” original series.

Not a lot is spoiled in the teaser trailer. It didn’t reveal any aliens or much of the film’s sci-fi elements, though it did feature a look at the film’s dystopian future and featured a silhouette of what looks like a huge extra-terrestrial spacecraft.

The alien invasion film was penned by Erica Beeney and Rupert Wyatt.

Here’s the film’s official logline:
Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, CAPTIVE STATE explores the lives on both sides of the conflicts – the collaborators and the dissidents.

“Captive State” stars John Goodman, Vera Farmiga, Ashton Sanders, and Jonathan Majors and is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 29, 2019.

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