Motion Picture: Netflix Unveils Trailers for Sci-Fi Action Film 'Rebel Moon' and Murder Mystery 'Reptile'
Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror: Netflix recently released the trailer for its sci-fi film Rebel Moon, which is directed by Zack Snyder (Man of Steel). Led by Algerian actress Sofia Boutella as Kora, the film explores a group of rebels fighting against an authoritarian regime. The film takes clear inspiration from the Star Wars franchise both plot-wise and aesthetically, existing as an edgier, more violent version of the Disney-owned franchise. The film is set to release on Netflix on December 22nd.
Entertainment company Bleecker Street recently acquired the U.S. rights for sci-fi thriller I.S.S., which stars Ariana DeBose (Hamilton) and Chris Messina (Argo). Set on the International Space Station, the film follows two groups of astronauts–one American and one Russian–being ordered to assert control of the space station due to rising geopolitical tensions on Earth below. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the film is set to release in theaters in the near future through Bleecker Street.
In an interview for his film The Equalizer 3, Antoine Fuqua admitted that he has considered developing a prequel for the Denzel Washington-led franchise using de-aging visual effects. Hollywood has used de-aging effects to various results in franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but de-aging the main character throughout the entire film has yet to be pulled off. Denzel Washington, however, has yet to agree to this concept. As of right now, The Equalizer 3 is set to be the final film within the franchise and will release in theaters on September 1st.
Upcoming horror film V/H/S/85 is set to premiere at Fantastic Fest this September. Starring Freddy Rodriguez (Wu-Tang: An American Saga) as a detective on the trail of a serial killer, the project will cover five horror stories set within the 1980’s. Directed by David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Mike P. Nelson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Natasha Kermani, the experimental project will weave together multiple stories into a narrative focusing on the secrets of the 1980’s.
Angel Manuel Soto - Alberto E. Rodriguez / Stringer
Comedy/Dramedy: Ángel Manuel Soto is set to direct The Wrecking Crew, a buddy action-comedy starring Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman). Soto recently directed the first Latino DC film Blue Beetle, which received good reviews but sadly underperformed at the box office. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer won the rights to produce in late 2021, with production expected to begin sometime near after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Drama: The trailer for Netflix’s murder thriller Reptile recently released, set to drop on the streaming service on October 6th. The film stars Benecio Del Toro as an experienced detective attempting to solve a perplexing murder case under the pressure of a high stakes situation. Justin Timberlake and Alicia Silverstone also will star alongside Del Toro in the film.
The U.K. and Ireland rights to the film Femme have been acquired by Signature Entertainment after premiering to much acclaim at the Berlin International Film Festival this year. Femme focuses on a drag queen named Jules getting revenge on a man named Preston after a homophobic attack, which ruins Jules’ career. When Jules later runs into Preston at a gay sauna out of makeup, he begins to realize he has an opportunity to cause havoc within Preston’s life. Directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, the film will debut in theaters in the U.K. and Ireland later this year.
Love Is the Monster, an upcoming drama starring Madeline Zima (Doom Patrol) and Leonardo Nam (Westworld), is permitted under an interim agreement to continue production in Canada. Directed by Alex Noyer (Sound of Violence), the film will focus on a couple who attends a couples retreat in Finland run by a shaman Tiina. However, the pleasant atmosphere quickly takes a turn for the worse as the couple discovers more about the retreat.
Production company Buffalo 8 recently acquired the rights to Rule of Thirds, a thriller starring Ashley Moore and Will Hirschfeld. Directed by Patrick Faherty (Dyad) and written by Hirschfeld, the film focuses on the connection between a fashion photographer and a model, which ultimately leads to tragic results. The film is planned to be released this fall under Buffalo 8.
An upcoming British thriller, Row, will star Sophie Skelton (Outlander), Bella Dayne (Troy: Fall of a City), and Akshay Khanna (Red, White & Royal Blue). Directed by Matthew Losasso and Nick Skaugen, the film focuses on a mysterious woman who lands on the coast in a boat covered with blood. As the authorities begin to question her innocence, she must attempt to put together her unclear memory and uncover the mystery. The film will begin production in September, shooting in Scotland.
Nisha Pahuja - David Crotty / Stringer
Documentary: To Kill a Tiger, an upcoming documentary directed by Nisha Pahuja (The World Before Her), will release on October 20th at Film Forum in New York before spreading to other cities. Mindy Kaling and Dev Patel recently signed on to serve as executive producers on the film, which focuses on an Indian farmer, Ranjit, who searches for justice for his daughter after she becomes a victim of a gang rape. Speaking on the importance of the film, Patel mentions that:
“To Kill a Tiger is not only a rallying cry to dismantle the patriarchal system but also an inspiring anthem about the unwavering courage, resilience, and undeniable power of women. In my opinion, this film is one of the most important in modern Indian history.”
Carlos: The Santana Journey is set to have an exclusive premiere in select theaters ahead of its September release. These select theaters will have showings during the week before the film’s general release, which will be on September 29th. Covering the life of Grammy-award-winning musician Carlos Santana, the special release will include exclusive content with Santana and the director of the film, Ruby Valdez. The announcement comes from Sony Picture Classics and Trafalgar Releasing, who are distributing the film.
Chicken & Egg Pictures has selected ten documentary grantees to award funding, which would go to both funding these productions and impact campaigns. As part of their program Project: Hatched, the ten films, which were produced in eight countries around the world, will receive $30,000 each. The documentary films are as follows: Bad Press, Big Fight in Little Chinatown, Freedom Hill, From the Shadows #missingirls, Liquor Store Dreams, Now That We Are Together, Pay or Die, Suddenly TV, The Mind Game, and Twice Colonized.
Cherokee Film initiative
Industry Update: Cherokee Nation Businesses announced this week their Cherokee Film initiative, which will expand the tribe’s efforts in telling stories about Indigenous people through the lens of film. The initiative has four main branches: Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Commission, and Cherokee Film Institute. The tribe’s soundstage in Owasso, OK will be upgraded with this expansion, allowing for greater volume of storytelling from Cherokee Nation. Speaking on the importance of the expansion, senior director Jennifer Loren stated:
“From our Native American talent and crew databases and film rebate program to our state-of-the-art soundstage, Cherokee Nation is quickly becoming a hub for film and media production while creating job opportunities and generating economic activity throughout northeastern Oklahoma.”
After winning the reality TV series Project Greenlight: A New Generation, Meko Winbush has signed with Magnolia Entertainment as management for her future directing efforts. Project Greenlight, a TV series that had filmmakers competing for the opportunity to direct a feature film, allowed for Winbush to direct Gray Matter, a sci-fi thriller that was released on Max earlier this year. Magnolia Entertainment will manage Winbush as she directs a feature-length version of her short In The Darkness soon.
A group of 100 actors in the U.K. recently revealed support for a Green Rider contract, which would ensure better environmental practices within film productions. These riders would be included within the standard contracts of the U.K. entertainment union Equity. David Harewood, Bill Nighy, Bella Ramsey, and Hayley Atwell are among those who are in support of the Green Rider. The specific list of demands from Equity would ensure greater sustainability within film productions through demanding certain environmentally-beneficial practices within actors’ contracts.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed to represent Chilean director Felipe Gálvez, who recently debuted their first film, The Settlers, at Cannes Film Festival this year. His debut film focuses on colonialism within Chile, depicting a group of people attempting to fence off land that had been granted to a Spanish landowner.
After being rejected a few months ago, AMC’s shareholder settlement has recently been approved, allowing AMC to eliminate the APE (AMC Preferred Equity) system it had set up to raise cash over the pandemic. Facing a recent cash shortage, the company created the Preferred Equity system as a way to raise money, but the system backfired once the APEs dropped in value. AMC attempted to get rid of the APEs a few months ago, but this proposal was rejected by a Delaware Chancery Court Judge until a revised proposal was approved recently. This will secure AMC’s financial state in the future, allowing for a more stable system for shareholders.
The nonprofit Film Independent recently released four short films made by its Global Media Makers Fellows. The Global Media Makers program exists to connect international filmmakers with American ones, attempting to promote diversity within the film industry. The short films were shot using the iPhone 14 Pro and can be found on the Film Independent’s YouTube channel. The four films included were City Walls Can Talk, Once Upon a Time in LA, There We Were, and Sisterhood in Hollywood.
Joaquin Castro, a Texas Congressman, has nominated 27 Latino movies to be added to the National Film Registry. The films nominated by Castro include Latino-led films like Frida, A Better Life, and Maria Full of Grace. Upset with the frequent exclusion of Latino films from the Registry, Castro mentioned the following:
“The continued exclusion of Latinos in the film industry affects Latinos seeking opportunities in the industry and shapes how Latinos are perceived, stereotyped, and misunderstood in American life. Movies remain a crucial form of storytelling, and movies are uniquely accessible to the public. The media and entertainment industry is the narrative-creating and image-defining institution in America.”
Rotten Tomatoes recently announced three partnerships with nonprofits to promote diversity within film critics, including GALECA, Gold House, and the National Association of Black Journalists. The purpose of these partnerships is to support diverse critics including those in the LGBTQ+, Asian Pacific Islander, and black communities. Having already given over $600,000 in order to diversify film criticism, Rotten Tomatoes has a long history of promoting diversity within film critic communities.
