When it comes to the 1980s, there is no shortage of serviceable horror flicks to max out your nostalgia meter and remind us all why that particular decade reigns supreme for us horror hounds. While the 70s may have perfected the slasher with John Carpenter’s Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre– The 80s delivered on bringing to life some of the greatest creations in the genre. A dream stalking killer with knives for fingers, a summer camp slaughter committed by a giant in a hockey mask, a sadistic demon who loves pain as much as pleasure, and who could forget the slew of iconic and cult status slashers that have spawned franchises still trucking along today. I’m looking at you Leprechaun. But today, my friends, we’re going to be discussing a different kind of horror movie. A movie that breaks the mold from the prototypical horror outing.
- 4/17/2024
- by Kier Gomes
- JoBlo.com
Following up his noir melodrama Decision to Leave, Park Chan-wook ventured into the world of American television with the forthcoming Max series The Sympathizer, adapting Viet Thanh Nguyen’s acclaimed novel and teaming with Robert Downey Jr. With the limited series premiering next weekend, the director how now announced his next project, which will find him returning to South Korea.
In fact, it’s an adaptation he’s been developing since the early 2010s, that of Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, which the legendary Costa-Gavras first adapted in 2005. The black comedy thriller follows a chemist, who loses his job to outsourcing. Two years later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Here’s an expanded synopsis of the novel:
Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed,...
In fact, it’s an adaptation he’s been developing since the early 2010s, that of Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, which the legendary Costa-Gavras first adapted in 2005. The black comedy thriller follows a chemist, who loses his job to outsourcing. Two years later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Here’s an expanded synopsis of the novel:
Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
While filming the new Amazon crime thriller Play Dirty in Sydney, Australia, Mark Wahlberg is experiencing the glitz and glam of a big-budget film. However, despite the luxury of his Australian stay, he finds himself yearning for the comfort of his loved ones back home.
Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sullivan in Uncharted
His temporary residence is a staggering $100 million mansion boasting every amenity imaginable, from a private deep-water jetty to a state-of-the-art home cinema.
SUGGESTEDWill Megan Fox Return in Transformers 8? Real Reason the Bombshell Left $5.2B Mark Wahlberg Franchise
Yet, despite the breathtaking harbor views and undeniable comfort, the A-lister has recently revealed there’s one aspect of his Australian sojourn that even such an opulent property can’t provide: Family!
Mark Wahlberg Grapples with Homesickness Despite Luxurious Lifestyle
Mark Wahlberg as Sergeant Dignam in The Departed
Mark Wahlberg is currently staying in a big mansion in Sydney’s fanciest neighborhood.
Mark Wahlberg as Victor Sullivan in Uncharted
His temporary residence is a staggering $100 million mansion boasting every amenity imaginable, from a private deep-water jetty to a state-of-the-art home cinema.
SUGGESTEDWill Megan Fox Return in Transformers 8? Real Reason the Bombshell Left $5.2B Mark Wahlberg Franchise
Yet, despite the breathtaking harbor views and undeniable comfort, the A-lister has recently revealed there’s one aspect of his Australian sojourn that even such an opulent property can’t provide: Family!
Mark Wahlberg Grapples with Homesickness Despite Luxurious Lifestyle
Mark Wahlberg as Sergeant Dignam in The Departed
Mark Wahlberg is currently staying in a big mansion in Sydney’s fanciest neighborhood.
- 3/21/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios’ crime thriller Play Dirty has four new additions: Keegan-Michael Key (Wonka), Nat Wolff (Which Brings Me to You), Chukwudi Iwuji (The Day of the Jackal), and Thomas Jane (Troppo).
As previously announced, Mark Wahlberg leads the ensemble, with Lakeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, and Tony Shalhoub also set for roles. No word on the roles the new cast members will be playing.
Directed by Shane Black, Play Dirty is the first project based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark, to emerge from a pact between Amazon MGM and Team Downey in 2022. The film centers on Wahlberg’s professional thief, Parker, who after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still...
As previously announced, Mark Wahlberg leads the ensemble, with Lakeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, and Tony Shalhoub also set for roles. No word on the roles the new cast members will be playing.
Directed by Shane Black, Play Dirty is the first project based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark, to emerge from a pact between Amazon MGM and Team Downey in 2022. The film centers on Wahlberg’s professional thief, Parker, who after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still...
- 3/7/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Alita: Battle Angel star Rosa Salazar has joined the cast of Shane Black’s next film, Play Dirty. She’ll appear alongside Mark Wahlberg and Lakeith Stansfield.
After years in development, Shane Black’s thriller Play Dirty appears to be gathering pace. It was only the other day that Lakeith Stansfield was announced as a co-star alongside Mark Wahlberg; it’s now reported that he’ll be joined by Rosa Salazar, whose previous roles include the zesty anime adaptation, Alita: Battle Angel.
Deadline, the outlet that broke the story, doesn’t disclose what role Salazar will be playing in Black’s thriller, which is based on the long-running – and influential – series of novels written by Donald E Westlake.
It’s previously been reported that Play Dirty will draw on several of those novels rather than one in particular, though judging by Deadline’s synopsis, it’ll take at least a...
After years in development, Shane Black’s thriller Play Dirty appears to be gathering pace. It was only the other day that Lakeith Stansfield was announced as a co-star alongside Mark Wahlberg; it’s now reported that he’ll be joined by Rosa Salazar, whose previous roles include the zesty anime adaptation, Alita: Battle Angel.
Deadline, the outlet that broke the story, doesn’t disclose what role Salazar will be playing in Black’s thriller, which is based on the long-running – and influential – series of novels written by Donald E Westlake.
It’s previously been reported that Play Dirty will draw on several of those novels rather than one in particular, though judging by Deadline’s synopsis, it’ll take at least a...
- 1/18/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Amazon MGM‘s Play Dirty is ready to announce its female lead for director Shane Black’s upcoming film. Joining Mark Wahlberg for Black’s crime thriller is Rosa Salazar. Lakeith Stanfield also stars, with a script written by Black, Anthony Bagarozzi, and Chuck Mondry.
According to Deadline‘s exclusive report, Play Dirty focuses on the “professional thief Parker (Wahlberg), who, after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.”
Rosa Salazar’s Play Dirty role remains a mystery. However, the film is inspired by Donald E Westlake’s Parker crime novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark.
According to Deadline‘s exclusive report, Play Dirty focuses on the “professional thief Parker (Wahlberg), who, after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.”
Rosa Salazar’s Play Dirty role remains a mystery. However, the film is inspired by Donald E Westlake’s Parker crime novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark.
- 1/17/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Rosa Salazar (Captain America: Brave New World) has booked the female lead in Play Dirty, Shane Black’s crime thriller for Amazon MGM Studios, also starring Mark Wahlberg and Lakeith Stanfield. Details as to her role are under wraps.
In Play Dirty, Wahlberg plays professional thief Parker, who after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
Based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker crime fiction novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark, pic is the first project in a forthcoming Amazon MGM slate based on Westlake’s work, following a pact between the studio and...
In Play Dirty, Wahlberg plays professional thief Parker, who after being double-crossed and left for dead, sees his hunt for revenge bring with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But even with the help of his partner, actor-slash-con artist Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
Based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker crime fiction novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark, pic is the first project in a forthcoming Amazon MGM slate based on Westlake’s work, following a pact between the studio and...
- 1/17/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Lakeith Stanfield has joined Mark Wahlberg on the cast of Shane Black’s crime thriller ‘Play Dirty.’
The adaptation Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels sees Wahlberg as the hardened professional thief who is, naturally, double-crossed and left for dead. His hunt for revenge, however, brings with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But, even with the help of his partner, an actor-slash-con artist named Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
The feature will be directed by Black, who also co-wrote the script with Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Jules Daly and Marc Toberoff are the producers while Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey from Team Downey, along with Black, Mondry, Bagarozzi, and James Skotchdopole are the executive producers. Additionally, Ezra Emanuel is serving as the co-producer.
The adaptation Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels sees Wahlberg as the hardened professional thief who is, naturally, double-crossed and left for dead. His hunt for revenge, however, brings with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But, even with the help of his partner, an actor-slash-con artist named Grofield (Stanfield), he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
The feature will be directed by Black, who also co-wrote the script with Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Jules Daly and Marc Toberoff are the producers while Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey from Team Downey, along with Black, Mondry, Bagarozzi, and James Skotchdopole are the executive producers. Additionally, Ezra Emanuel is serving as the co-producer.
- 1/17/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Lakeith Stanfield, who is coming off of starring in Jeymes Samuel’s The Book of Clarence, has joined Mark Wahlberg in in Play Dirty, the crime thriller that Shane Black is directing for Amazon MGM Studios.
An adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels, the feature stars Wahlberg as the hardened professional thief who is, naturally, double-crossed and left for dead. His hunt for revenge, however, brings with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But, per the studio, even with the help of his partner, an actor-slash-con artist named Grofield, he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
Stanfield will play Grofield, the con artist.
Black, Charles Mondry, and Anthony Bagarozzi wrote the script.
Jules Daly and Marc Toberoff are producing. The project was previously being produced...
An adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels, the feature stars Wahlberg as the hardened professional thief who is, naturally, double-crossed and left for dead. His hunt for revenge, however, brings with it a shot at the biggest heist of his career. But, per the studio, even with the help of his partner, an actor-slash-con artist named Grofield, he’ll still need to outsmart a South American dictator, the New York mob and the world’s richest man if he hopes to stay alive.
Stanfield will play Grofield, the con artist.
Black, Charles Mondry, and Anthony Bagarozzi wrote the script.
Jules Daly and Marc Toberoff are producing. The project was previously being produced...
- 1/16/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Following part one of our 2024 preview, we’re counting down our 50 most-anticipated films of the year.
50. The Actor (Duke Johnson)
Duke Johnson, one half of the directing duo behind Anomalisa, makes his solo directorial (and live-action) debut with The Actor. For being based on the posthumously published novel from Donald E. Westlake, a synopsis points towards an amnesia thriller with André Holland as a New York City actor beaten and stranded in 1950s Ohio. Gemma Chan and Toby Jones co-star. As a state native I’m intrigued how they shot Budapest for small-town Ohio––the two don’t exactly scream perfect matches, but I won’t doubt the movie magic before I see it. Anomalisa was a wholly original stop-motion feature; we’re intrigued how Johnson continues that creativity in the live-action realm. – Caleb H.
49. Presence (Steven Soderbergh)
Steven Soderbergh has flirted with horror before––2018’s Unsane in particular nearly...
50. The Actor (Duke Johnson)
Duke Johnson, one half of the directing duo behind Anomalisa, makes his solo directorial (and live-action) debut with The Actor. For being based on the posthumously published novel from Donald E. Westlake, a synopsis points towards an amnesia thriller with André Holland as a New York City actor beaten and stranded in 1950s Ohio. Gemma Chan and Toby Jones co-star. As a state native I’m intrigued how they shot Budapest for small-town Ohio––the two don’t exactly scream perfect matches, but I won’t doubt the movie magic before I see it. Anomalisa was a wholly original stop-motion feature; we’re intrigued how Johnson continues that creativity in the live-action realm. – Caleb H.
49. Presence (Steven Soderbergh)
Steven Soderbergh has flirted with horror before––2018’s Unsane in particular nearly...
- 1/8/2024
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
It’s that time of year again. While some directors annually share their favorite films of the year, Steven Soderbergh lists everything he consumed, media-wise. For 2023––another year in which he not only Magic Mike’s Last Dance Review: Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum Take a Familiar, Gentle Bow”>released a new film, but dropped two TV series (Full Circle and Command Z“>Command Z) and shot another film (the Sundance-bound Presence)––he still got plenty of watching in.
Along with catching up on 2023’s new releases, Ferrari, Anatomy of a Fall, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Air, Reality, Dead Reckoning, among others), he took in plenty of classics, including Eyes Wide Shut, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Casablanca, Out of the Past, The Shining, the epic War and Peace, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, following Tom Wilkinson’s passing, Michael Clayton. He also got an early look at Pussy Island,...
Along with catching up on 2023’s new releases, Ferrari, Anatomy of a Fall, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Air, Reality, Dead Reckoning, among others), he took in plenty of classics, including Eyes Wide Shut, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Casablanca, Out of the Past, The Shining, the epic War and Peace, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, following Tom Wilkinson’s passing, Michael Clayton. He also got an early look at Pussy Island,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
2023 may not have been an excellent year for movies, but in spite of everything stacked against it (read: greedy conglomerates run amok), it turned out to be an excellent year of movies. While the fallout of the recent work stoppages will be felt for time to come, some of 2023’s losses will prove to be 2024’s gains, as much-anticipated but strike-delayed films like “Dune: Part Two,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and Luca Guadagnino’s horny tennis drama “Challengers” have all secured fresh release dates in the first half of the new year.
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
- 12/29/2023
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
Updated with statement from Silver’s rep: Iconic producer Joel Silver has been fired from the forthcoming Amazon film Play Dirty, Deadline can confirm. While the decision reportedly stemmed from alleged verbal abuse on Silver’s part toward studio execs over creative differences, Amazon has declined to comment.
The first of a number of projects in the works at Amazon centered on the Parker crime novels by Donald E. Westlake, which were written under the pen name Richard Stark, Play Dirty was at one point supposed to star Robert Downey Jr., sources said, but while he’s no longer involved in that capacity, with Mark Wahlberg now attached to star, Downey remains aboard to produce for Team Downey and had left the project well ahead of the fallout with Silver. The project was set to reunite Silver with writer-director Shane Black following their work together on such titles as The Nice Guys, Predator,...
The first of a number of projects in the works at Amazon centered on the Parker crime novels by Donald E. Westlake, which were written under the pen name Richard Stark, Play Dirty was at one point supposed to star Robert Downey Jr., sources said, but while he’s no longer involved in that capacity, with Mark Wahlberg now attached to star, Downey remains aboard to produce for Team Downey and had left the project well ahead of the fallout with Silver. The project was set to reunite Silver with writer-director Shane Black following their work together on such titles as The Nice Guys, Predator,...
- 11/30/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
For the past few years, Joel Silver has kept a relatively low profile, his most recent credit on the little-seen “SuperFly” remake of 2018. Still, the hard-charging producer behind some of the biggest hits of the ’80s and ’90s was attempting to mount a comeback. And his prospects looked promising with a series of feature film and TV projects at Amazon that were based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker noir crime novels.
Alas, the Silver comeback has hit a snag. Sources say Amazon has fired the polarizing Hollywood figure from at least two films — one starring Mark Wahlberg, the other Jake Gyllenhaal — for being verbally abusive to two female executives. But sources close to Silver say Amazon is retaliating against the producer after he pushed back on the studio’s calls to use artificial intelligence to finish a movie during the strike. Amid the chaos, Silver’s longtime friend Robert Downey Jr....
Alas, the Silver comeback has hit a snag. Sources say Amazon has fired the polarizing Hollywood figure from at least two films — one starring Mark Wahlberg, the other Jake Gyllenhaal — for being verbally abusive to two female executives. But sources close to Silver say Amazon is retaliating against the producer after he pushed back on the studio’s calls to use artificial intelligence to finish a movie during the strike. Amid the chaos, Silver’s longtime friend Robert Downey Jr....
- 11/30/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
The intent of THR‘s annual list of the 50 Most Powerful Showrunners is to provide an accurate state of the TV union — a rundown of the writer-producers selling in an increasingly fraught media climate, making culturally relevant and awards-friendly shows and serving the masses at a time when consensus entertainment has all but vanished. It’s also a great opportunity to pick some brains.
Those showrunners who made the 2023 list were polled on a variety of subjects. If Suits can become a streaming hit years after ending, what other shows deserve a similar fate? What IP are they dying to get their hands on? What’s already a pressing issue for the next WGA contract negotiation with the studios? And if they found themselves with a burner social media account, what would they do with it?
Here are some of the best answers to those and more questions.
If I...
Those showrunners who made the 2023 list were polled on a variety of subjects. If Suits can become a streaming hit years after ending, what other shows deserve a similar fate? What IP are they dying to get their hands on? What’s already a pressing issue for the next WGA contract negotiation with the studios? And if they found themselves with a burner social media account, what would they do with it?
Here are some of the best answers to those and more questions.
If I...
- 11/30/2023
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This is one of those titles that could fit a bit anywhere in terms of major film festival premiere — it all depends on how the Neon folks see the film in the awards rally. A book to film adaptation of the 2010 novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake was taken on by Duke Johnson as his first solo directing gig (his previous film was 2015’s stick figure existentialism-filled dramedy Anomalisa). The Actor stars André Holland (who replaced Ryan Gosling) toplines the ensemble comprised of Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Toby Jones, Tracey Ullman, Olwen Fouéré, Joe Cole, Tanya Reynolds, Asim Chaudhry, Youssef Kerkour, Simon McBurney and Edward Hogg.…...
- 11/6/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
When you consider the evidence, the 1970s was the greatest crime movie period since the 1930s. Maybe it’s because of the grim film stock, but those 10 years were so filled with the criminal element even a highly-rated political journalism feature like All the President’s Men (1976) is really an investigation into indictable acts. The decade is defined by Francis Ford Coppola’s first two The Godfather movies, but those tell the story of the dons who live in compounds on Long Island. Most illicit infractions are committed on the street, and so many fall between the cracks.
Crime and gangster movies historically and consistently break boundaries in motion picture art. This is especially true when independent filmmakers muscle their way in packing something heavy. The 1970s was an experimental decade for motion pictures with wildly varied visions behind the lens. Some of these films were considered old-fashioned, others have proven...
Crime and gangster movies historically and consistently break boundaries in motion picture art. This is especially true when independent filmmakers muscle their way in packing something heavy. The 1970s was an experimental decade for motion pictures with wildly varied visions behind the lens. Some of these films were considered old-fashioned, others have proven...
- 8/12/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Ryan Gosling, previously attached as lead, serves as EP.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Duke Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Duke Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
- 4/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ryan Gosling, previously attached as lead, serves as EP.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Due Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa co-director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Due Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa co-director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
- 4/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
You may recall many moons ago, “Anomalisa” animator and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Duke Johnson—he co-directed the film with writer/director Charlie Kaufman—had a new live-action film in the works called “The Actor.” The film was to star Ryan Gosling, who was also producing; it was a big screen take on Donald E. Westlake’s novel “Memory.”
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson
Gosling was to play the role of Paul Cole, a man who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Continue reading André Holland & Gemma Chan Star In ‘Anomalisa’ Helmer Duke Johnson’s Neon Film ‘The Actor,’ Which Has Completed Production at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson
Gosling was to play the role of Paul Cole, a man who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Continue reading André Holland & Gemma Chan Star In ‘Anomalisa’ Helmer Duke Johnson’s Neon Film ‘The Actor,’ Which Has Completed Production at The Playlist.
- 4/4/2023
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
André Holland (Passing) and Gemma Chan (Don’t Worry Darling) will top Neon‘s The Actor, the second feature (and first in live-action) from Oscar-nominated Anomalisa helmer Duke Johnson, which has wrapped production. Holland takes over the male lead from Ryan Gosling, who was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts but remains aboard the project as an executive producer.
André Holland behind the scenes of The Actor
The film scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney is based on the bestselling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake and tells the story of actor Paul Cole (Holland), who finds himself stranded in 1950s Ohio, suffering from severe memory loss after a brutal attack, struggling to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Additional cast set for the film includes Tracey Ullman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Toby Jones (Empire of Light), Simon McBurney (Wolfwalkers...
André Holland behind the scenes of The Actor
The film scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney is based on the bestselling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake and tells the story of actor Paul Cole (Holland), who finds himself stranded in 1950s Ohio, suffering from severe memory loss after a brutal attack, struggling to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Additional cast set for the film includes Tracey Ullman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Toby Jones (Empire of Light), Simon McBurney (Wolfwalkers...
- 4/4/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Newly minted Oscar winner Ed Berger, director, co-writer and producer of All Quiet On the Western Front, which was named Best International Film last night, is set to direct and executive produce Helltown, an eight-episode crime thriller in development at Amazon Studios from Mohamad El Masri (Severance), Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey’s Team Downey. Oscar Issac (Moon Knight) is in discussions to star in and executive produce the project, based on the book of the same name by Casey Sherman.
Casey Sherman and Mohamad El Masri
Written by El Masri, who serves as executive producer and showrunner, Helltown centers on Kurt Vonnegut (Isaac) before he was a renowned author and cultural lightning rod. In 1969 Kurt was a struggling novelist and car salesman living life with his wife and five children on Cape Cod. When two women disappear and are later discovered murdered underneath the sand dunes on the outskirts of Provincetown,...
Casey Sherman and Mohamad El Masri
Written by El Masri, who serves as executive producer and showrunner, Helltown centers on Kurt Vonnegut (Isaac) before he was a renowned author and cultural lightning rod. In 1969 Kurt was a struggling novelist and car salesman living life with his wife and five children on Cape Cod. When two women disappear and are later discovered murdered underneath the sand dunes on the outskirts of Provincetown,...
- 3/13/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
If you were packaging a film in 2004, you couldn't have rounded up a colder trio of artists than Shane Black, Val Kilmer, and Robert Downey Jr. Black had been struggling to reinvent himself as a writer after gaining notoriety as one of Hollywood's spec script kings; as a result, he hadn't sold a screenplay since 1996's "The Long Kiss Goodnight" (which New Line purchased for a then-record 4 million). Val Kilmer was the whole damn package: a movie star with method acting chops. There was a moment when he was compared to the revered likes of Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. Then came the flops and tales of rotten on-set behavior. Despite terrific performances in James Cox's "Wonderland" and David Mamet's "Spartan," Kilmer's public wasn't showing up.
And then there was Downey Jr. The son of legendary indie filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. had been on the cusp of stardom...
And then there was Downey Jr. The son of legendary indie filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. had been on the cusp of stardom...
- 12/10/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Richard Stark's Parker books are pure pulp pleasure. They're nasty, unsentimental crime novels written with a brutal economy. The prose is stiletto sharp, the stories shaved to the narrative bone. Once you read "The Hunter," which introduces us to the underworld shenanigans of a skilled robber named Parker, you have to read them all – and you can do so in a remarkably short span of time. These books are short and addictive.
Stark's work is so thrillingly vicious that you're occasionally concerned for the author's mental well-being. The author might actually be worried, too, as Stark is the pen name for legendary noir novelist Donald E. Westlake. By all accounts, Westlake, who passed away in 2008, was a lovely man, which makes Parker's adventures the most entertaining therapy sessions ever put to paper. Better to type out one's worst, repressed impulses than act on them.
Unsurprisingly, Quentin Tarantino is a massive Stark fan.
Stark's work is so thrillingly vicious that you're occasionally concerned for the author's mental well-being. The author might actually be worried, too, as Stark is the pen name for legendary noir novelist Donald E. Westlake. By all accounts, Westlake, who passed away in 2008, was a lovely man, which makes Parker's adventures the most entertaining therapy sessions ever put to paper. Better to type out one's worst, repressed impulses than act on them.
Unsurprisingly, Quentin Tarantino is a massive Stark fan.
- 11/8/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
It’s time for a new episode of the video series Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie?, and in this one we’re looking into the disturbing, tragic real world events that inspired the classic 1987 horror thriller The Stepfather (watch it Here). To find out all about it, check out the video embedded above.
Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie. Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.
Directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by popular crime novelist Donald E. Westlake (who crafted the story with
Carolyn Lefcourt and Death Wish author Brian Garfield), The Stepfather has the following synopsis:
Jerry Blake is a family man, but...
Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie. Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.
Directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by popular crime novelist Donald E. Westlake (who crafted the story with
Carolyn Lefcourt and Death Wish author Brian Garfield), The Stepfather has the following synopsis:
Jerry Blake is a family man, but...
- 10/26/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Josh Olson and Joe Dante answer fan questions and comments.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Monster A-Go-Go (1965)
Infested (2002)
Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review, Joe Dante’s review
Straw Dogs (2011)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
The Ghost And Mrs. Muir (1947) – Axelle Carolyn’s trailer commentary
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Bad Boy Bubby (1993) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Mummy (1932) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Mummy (1999)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Slappy And The Stinkers (1998)
Casper (1995)
Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man (1933) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
The Stewardesses (1969)
The Hole (2012) – Joe Dante’s US, Italian, British trailer commentaries, Dennis Cozzalio’s review
Love (2015)
Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
McCabe And Mrs.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Monster A-Go-Go (1965)
Infested (2002)
Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review, Joe Dante’s review
Straw Dogs (2011)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
The Ghost And Mrs. Muir (1947) – Axelle Carolyn’s trailer commentary
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Bad Boy Bubby (1993) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
The Mummy (1932) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
The Mummy (1999)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Slappy And The Stinkers (1998)
Casper (1995)
Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man (1933) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review
Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
The Stewardesses (1969)
The Hole (2012) – Joe Dante’s US, Italian, British trailer commentaries, Dennis Cozzalio’s review
Love (2015)
Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
McCabe And Mrs.
- 7/5/2022
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Robert Downey Jr. and Filmmaker Shane Black are set to reunite to develop a new Amazon series based on Donald E. Westlake’s ‘Parker’ crime fiction series.
Out of the stalls first will be a feature titled ‘Playing Dirty’ which will see Downey in the role of Parker, a professional thief with a brutal, mercenary work ethic.
Black will direct and co-write the adaptation alongside Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Joel Silver is attached to produce alongside Susan Downey for Team Downey and Marc Toberoff. Ezra Emanuel will co-produce.
Also in news – ‘West Side Story’ star Ariana DeBose set for ‘Kraven the Hunter’
Black and Downey had previously worked together back in 2005 on ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ alongside Susan Downey. Black made his directorial debut on the film while Downey starred opposite Val Kilmer.
Downey is set to star opposite Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ at Universal.
Out of the stalls first will be a feature titled ‘Playing Dirty’ which will see Downey in the role of Parker, a professional thief with a brutal, mercenary work ethic.
Black will direct and co-write the adaptation alongside Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Joel Silver is attached to produce alongside Susan Downey for Team Downey and Marc Toberoff. Ezra Emanuel will co-produce.
Also in news – ‘West Side Story’ star Ariana DeBose set for ‘Kraven the Hunter’
Black and Downey had previously worked together back in 2005 on ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ alongside Susan Downey. Black made his directorial debut on the film while Downey starred opposite Val Kilmer.
Downey is set to star opposite Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ at Universal.
- 3/4/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Perhaps emboldened by the A.V. Club’s recent re-evaluation of Iron Man 3 (bumping that grade from C+ to B-), Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr. are getting the (kiss kiss bang) band back together. They are collaborating on a new series of movies and TV shows based on Donald E. Westlake’s Parker series, starring Downey…...
- 3/4/2022
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr. have set up their much-anticipated reunion, after having collaborated on the cult classic "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and the criminally underrated "Iron Man 3." It was recently announced that the two would work with Amazon Studios on a series of film and TV adaptations of Donald E. Westlake's "Parker" novels, which have previously been adapted into movies that starred the likes of Jason Statham, Robert Duvall, and Mel Gibson.
Now, we may finally know what the first "Parker" adaptation will be. According to Deadline, the first project to emerge from the production deal will be a feature film...
The post Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black Set Play Dirty as Their First Parker Movie appeared first on /Film.
Now, we may finally know what the first "Parker" adaptation will be. According to Deadline, the first project to emerge from the production deal will be a feature film...
The post Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black Set Play Dirty as Their First Parker Movie appeared first on /Film.
- 3/3/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Veteran producer Joel Silver (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey’s Team Downey and Amazon Studios are partnering to develop a series of feature film and television projects based on Donald E. Westlake’s series of highly popular Parker crime fiction novels, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark.
The first project emerging from the deal will be the film Play Dirty, in which Downey Jr. (Marvel’s Avengers franchise) is set to star as Parker, a professional thief who approaches his job with a straightforward, no-nonsense work ethic. He’s a craftsman. He’s brutal, brilliant. He’s also deadly. He’s whatever it takes to get the money and get away clean. The Parker character was first introduced in 1962’s The Hunter from Pocket Books and featured in 23 other titles from Westlake, subsequently serving as the basis for such films as Parker with Jason Statham,...
The first project emerging from the deal will be the film Play Dirty, in which Downey Jr. (Marvel’s Avengers franchise) is set to star as Parker, a professional thief who approaches his job with a straightforward, no-nonsense work ethic. He’s a craftsman. He’s brutal, brilliant. He’s also deadly. He’s whatever it takes to get the money and get away clean. The Parker character was first introduced in 1962’s The Hunter from Pocket Books and featured in 23 other titles from Westlake, subsequently serving as the basis for such films as Parker with Jason Statham,...
- 3/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert Downey Jr. and writer-director Shane Black are reuniting once again. The pair are teaming at Amazon Studios to develop a series of movie and television projects adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s “Parker” crime fiction series, Variety has confirmed.
The first project emerging from the deal will be a feature film titled “Play Dirty,” in which Downey Jr. stars as Parker, a professional thief with a brutal, mercenary work ethic. Black will direct and pen the adaptation alongside Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Joel Silver is attached to produce alongside Susan Downey for Team Downey and Marc Toberoff. Ezra Emanuel will co-produce.
“Play Dirty” serves as reunion for Silver, Black and both Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey. The four worked together on the 2005 neo-noir “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which served as Black’s directorial debut and saw Downey star alongside Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan. Black and Downey Jr.
The first project emerging from the deal will be a feature film titled “Play Dirty,” in which Downey Jr. stars as Parker, a professional thief with a brutal, mercenary work ethic. Black will direct and pen the adaptation alongside Charles Mondry and Anthony Bagarozzi. Joel Silver is attached to produce alongside Susan Downey for Team Downey and Marc Toberoff. Ezra Emanuel will co-produce.
“Play Dirty” serves as reunion for Silver, Black and both Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey. The four worked together on the 2005 neo-noir “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which served as Black’s directorial debut and saw Downey star alongside Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan. Black and Downey Jr.
- 3/3/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Downey Jr. will be working once again with “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” and “Iron Man 3” filmmaker Shane Black, although this time to play a character who is markedly less charming than Tony Stark.
Downey and Black are teaming up on a new film for Amazon Studios based on the character Parker, created by author Donald E. Westlake (writing under the pseudonym Richard Stark). Black is co-writing the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi (“The Nice Guys”) and Chuck Mondry (“The Cold Warrior”), TheWrap has learned from a source close to the project.
The character of Parker first appeared in the 1962 novel “The Hunter,” where he’s introduced as a professional thief who’s left for dead by a past associate and spends the rest of the novel trying to track down his former accomplice. The book was adapted to film twice before, in 1967’s “Point Blank” starring Lee Marvin and...
Downey and Black are teaming up on a new film for Amazon Studios based on the character Parker, created by author Donald E. Westlake (writing under the pseudonym Richard Stark). Black is co-writing the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi (“The Nice Guys”) and Chuck Mondry (“The Cold Warrior”), TheWrap has learned from a source close to the project.
The character of Parker first appeared in the 1962 novel “The Hunter,” where he’s introduced as a professional thief who’s left for dead by a past associate and spends the rest of the novel trying to track down his former accomplice. The book was adapted to film twice before, in 1967’s “Point Blank” starring Lee Marvin and...
- 2/21/2022
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
After hanging up his Iron Man armor, it looks like Robert Downey Jr. is, at long last, getting interested in working with talented directors once more. He’s currently filming Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and attached to The Sympathizer series directed by Park Chan-wook. Now, he’s set to reteam with the director of one of his finest works.
Shane Black, who directed Downey Jr. in the brilliant Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (and also proved how to make a Marvel movie interesting with Iron Man 3), will reunite with the actor for a new take on the Parker character, originated by Donald E. Westlake aka Richard Stark. As reported by Matthew Belloni in his newsletter (via Comicbook.com), the crime drama is set up at Amazon Studios and will see Team Downey also produce.
The protagonist of dozens of novels by Westlake, the Parker character graced the big screen in a handful of films,...
Shane Black, who directed Downey Jr. in the brilliant Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (and also proved how to make a Marvel movie interesting with Iron Man 3), will reunite with the actor for a new take on the Parker character, originated by Donald E. Westlake aka Richard Stark. As reported by Matthew Belloni in his newsletter (via Comicbook.com), the crime drama is set up at Amazon Studios and will see Team Downey also produce.
The protagonist of dozens of novels by Westlake, the Parker character graced the big screen in a handful of films,...
- 2/21/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Move over, Jason Statham, because there's a new Parker in town. As Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. may be associated with a certain Peter Parker, but that's not the Parker that he and his old pal Shane Black are reuniting to adapt. The actor and his two-time director are reportedly headed to Amazon Studios for a new film adaptation of Donald E. Westlake's "Parker" novels.
According to the Hollywood insider newsletter, "Puck's What I'm Hearing" (via ComicBook.com), Black will script the film, though it doesn't mention if he is also directing. Black directed Downey in "Iron Man 3," of course, but their history goes...
The post Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black to Reteam For Parker Adaptation appeared first on /Film.
According to the Hollywood insider newsletter, "Puck's What I'm Hearing" (via ComicBook.com), Black will script the film, though it doesn't mention if he is also directing. Black directed Downey in "Iron Man 3," of course, but their history goes...
The post Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black to Reteam For Parker Adaptation appeared first on /Film.
- 2/20/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Every once in a while a movie makes me think, ‘this one’s too good to review, just tell them to see it and they’ll understand.’ John Cusack is a penny-ante small stakes cheat, his girlfriend Annette Bening hooks on the side while seeking a partner for ‘long cons,’ and his mother is an operative for the Mob, placing large bets at the race track to manipulate the odds on select horses. Each worships the ‘left-handed form of human endeavor’ and depends on it to the degree that human trust just can’t be maintained. Paramount’s plain wrap re-issue touts the film’s four Oscar nominations; the Stephen Frears film is the best adaptation yet of a Jim Thompson crime novel.
The Grifters
Blu-ray + Digital
Paramount
1990 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 27, 2021 / 13.99
Starring: John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, Pat Hingle, J.T. Walsh, Noelle Harling, Charles Napier,...
The Grifters
Blu-ray + Digital
Paramount
1990 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 110 min. / Street Date July 27, 2021 / 13.99
Starring: John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, Pat Hingle, J.T. Walsh, Noelle Harling, Charles Napier,...
- 9/7/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Aspiring social workers may want to check out The Gateway before submitting those Msw applications. If you believe Michele Civetta’s thriller, the job mostly involves finding dead bodies and getting involved with violent altercations with dangerous criminals; being an ex-boxer and wearing a gun is highly advised. The lead character is named Parker, and viewers shouldn’t be blamed if they confuse him with the tough-guy thief immortalized in crime novelist Donald E. Westlake’s long-running series.
Although the film strongly signals its serious intentions by being bookended with a Charles Dickens quote and statistics about how many children enter ...
Although the film strongly signals its serious intentions by being bookended with a Charles Dickens quote and statistics about how many children enter ...
Aspiring social workers may want to check out The Gateway before submitting those Msw applications. If you believe Michele Civetta’s thriller, the job mostly involves finding dead bodies and getting involved with violent altercations with dangerous criminals; being an ex-boxer and wearing a gun is highly advised. The lead character is named Parker, and viewers shouldn’t be blamed if they confuse him with the tough-guy thief immortalized in crime novelist Donald E. Westlake’s long-running series.
Although the film strongly signals its serious intentions by being bookended with a Charles Dickens quote and statistics about how many children enter ...
Although the film strongly signals its serious intentions by being bookended with a Charles Dickens quote and statistics about how many children enter ...
Buyers respond in France, Italy, Scandinavia, Latin America.
Illustrating the enduring readiness of independent theatrical buyers to step up for coveted packages with star attachments, Endeavor Content has concluded a raft of prestige international deals on noir tale The Actor with Ryan Gosling in the lead.
Following the recent North American deal with Neon, rights to the 1950’s-set story have gone in France (Metropolitan), Italy (Notorious), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Eastern Europe (Vertical Distribution), Cis (Capella Film), Middle East (Salim Ramia), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios), and Latin America (Sun).
Endeavor Content launched sales on The Actor in early March at the virtual EFM,...
Illustrating the enduring readiness of independent theatrical buyers to step up for coveted packages with star attachments, Endeavor Content has concluded a raft of prestige international deals on noir tale The Actor with Ryan Gosling in the lead.
Following the recent North American deal with Neon, rights to the 1950’s-set story have gone in France (Metropolitan), Italy (Notorious), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Eastern Europe (Vertical Distribution), Cis (Capella Film), Middle East (Salim Ramia), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios), and Latin America (Sun).
Endeavor Content launched sales on The Actor in early March at the virtual EFM,...
- 4/19/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Neon has acquired the North American rights to “The Actor,” a film noir from director Duke Johnson and starring Ryan Gosling. Additionally, filmmaker Charlie Kaufman has joined the film as an executive producer.
Neon, which was also the distributor of “Parasite,” acquired “The Actor” in a competitive bidding war. The film is based on the bestselling book “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.
Set in the 1950s, “The Actor” stars Gosling as Paul Cole, who has been stranded in Ohio after a brutal attack. As he finds himself suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Johnson, who directed the stop-motion animated “Anomalisa” along with Kaufman, wrote the script with Stephen Cooney.
Gosling is also producing “The Actor” alongside Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao. Johnson will produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner.
Neon, which was also the distributor of “Parasite,” acquired “The Actor” in a competitive bidding war. The film is based on the bestselling book “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.
Set in the 1950s, “The Actor” stars Gosling as Paul Cole, who has been stranded in Ohio after a brutal attack. As he finds himself suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Johnson, who directed the stop-motion animated “Anomalisa” along with Kaufman, wrote the script with Stephen Cooney.
Gosling is also producing “The Actor” alongside Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao. Johnson will produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner.
- 4/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Anomalisa writer-director Duke Johnson, Stephen Cooney adapted screenplay from Donald E. Westlake novel Memory.
Demonstrating the long tail of the virtual EFM, Neon has prevailed in what it said was a bidding war for North American rights to noir package The Actor in which Duke Johnson (Anomalisa) will direct Ryan Gosling.
Endeavor Content handles international sales on the 1950s-set story of an actor who sets off to reclaim his life in New York after an attack leaves him stranded with memory loss in Ohio.
Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Anomalisa, has come on board as executive producer.
Johnson and Stephen Cooney...
Demonstrating the long tail of the virtual EFM, Neon has prevailed in what it said was a bidding war for North American rights to noir package The Actor in which Duke Johnson (Anomalisa) will direct Ryan Gosling.
Endeavor Content handles international sales on the 1950s-set story of an actor who sets off to reclaim his life in New York after an attack leaves him stranded with memory loss in Ohio.
Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Anomalisa, has come on board as executive producer.
Johnson and Stephen Cooney...
- 4/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Distributor Neon has scooped up North American rights to a new movie from “Anomalisa” director Duke Johnson. Titled “The Actor,” the film is being billed as a noir and will star Ryan Gosling. It’s based on the bestselling novel “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake, and Charlie Kaufman (who co-directed “Anomalisa” with Johnson) is also on board as an executive producer. According to Deadline, the buy was in the seven-figure range.
Here’s the synopsis from Neon: “Stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack, actor Paul Cole (Gosling), suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. ‘The Actor’ follows a thrilling journey we must all make, to find home, to find love and ultimately to find ourselves.”
This will mark Duke Johnson’s first solo feature film directing credit. He most recently served as...
Here’s the synopsis from Neon: “Stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack, actor Paul Cole (Gosling), suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. ‘The Actor’ follows a thrilling journey we must all make, to find home, to find love and ultimately to find ourselves.”
This will mark Duke Johnson’s first solo feature film directing credit. He most recently served as...
- 4/12/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Parasite distributor Neon has come out on top for North American rights to Ryan Gosling package The Actor, the next movie from Anomalisa director Duke Johnson. We hear the pre-buy is in the mid seven-figure range.
Oscar-nominee Gosling will play actor Paul Cole who becomes stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack. Suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
The hot virtual EFM project is based on the best-selling noir novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney. Johnson’s Anomalisa collaborator Charlie Kaufman has newly boarded as executive producer.
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon with CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content, who are co-repping U.S. rights. Endeavor Content is handling international sales.
La La Land and First Man...
Oscar-nominee Gosling will play actor Paul Cole who becomes stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack. Suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
The hot virtual EFM project is based on the best-selling noir novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney. Johnson’s Anomalisa collaborator Charlie Kaufman has newly boarded as executive producer.
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon with CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content, who are co-repping U.S. rights. Endeavor Content is handling international sales.
La La Land and First Man...
- 4/12/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has landed the North American right to Ryan Gosling starrer The Actor.
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
- 4/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Neon has landed the North American right to Ryan Gosling starrer The Actor.
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
- 4/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First of five comic Donald E. Westlake adaptations featuring the character of Dortmunder, ex-con and master thief (sort of), played here by Robert Redford. George Segal plays Dortmunder’s brother-in-law turned partner-in-crime. Westlake, who wrote under no less than 15 pseudonyms (some of whom turned up as character names in his work), was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for The Grifters.
The post The Hot Rock appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
The post The Hot Rock appeared first on Trailers From Hell.
- 4/5/2021
- by TFH Team
- Trailers from Hell
Hard Case Crime previously published two of my favorite Stephen King novels—The Colorado Kid and Joyland—so I'm thrilled that they've teamed up with King once again to publish his new book, Later. With the supernatural noir now available in paperback, audio, and digital (ahead of its limited edition hardcover release on March 30th), we've been provided with an excerpt to share with Daily Dead readers!
Click the cover art below to read an excerpt from Later, and to learn more about King's new novel, read the official press release and visit:
https://titanbooks.com/70537-later/
Press Release: Hard Case Crime, the award-winning line of pulp-styled crime novels published by Titan Books, will publish Later, a brand-new novel by Stephen King, on March 2, 2021.
Later tells the story of Jamie Conklin, a boy whose unusual abilities could aid his single mom and her police detective lover – but only at a terrible cost.
Click the cover art below to read an excerpt from Later, and to learn more about King's new novel, read the official press release and visit:
https://titanbooks.com/70537-later/
Press Release: Hard Case Crime, the award-winning line of pulp-styled crime novels published by Titan Books, will publish Later, a brand-new novel by Stephen King, on March 2, 2021.
Later tells the story of Jamie Conklin, a boy whose unusual abilities could aid his single mom and her police detective lover – but only at a terrible cost.
- 3/4/2021
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Abigail Spencer is set for a recurring role on Rebel, ABC’s new drama series starring Katey Sagal.
Created by Krista Vernoff inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Rebel centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.
Spencer will play Misha, a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who has a painful romantic history with Nate (Kevin Zegers) but can’t resist getting involved with studying the Stonemore heart valve for fear that she may have inadvertently harmed hundreds of patients. Spencer joins previously announced recurring stars Mary McDonnell, Dan Bucatinsky, Adam Arkin, MoMcRae and Daniella Garcia, among others.
The series hails from Davis Entertainment,...
Created by Krista Vernoff inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Rebel centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.
Spencer will play Misha, a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who has a painful romantic history with Nate (Kevin Zegers) but can’t resist getting involved with studying the Stonemore heart valve for fear that she may have inadvertently harmed hundreds of patients. Spencer joins previously announced recurring stars Mary McDonnell, Dan Bucatinsky, Adam Arkin, MoMcRae and Daniella Garcia, among others.
The series hails from Davis Entertainment,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Not unlike Michael Fassbender (who recently became attached to David Fincher’s next film), Ryan Gosling has stayed relatively quiet the last few years, with his last on-screen appearance in 2018’s First Man. He’s now gearing up for a busy near future with Leigh Whannell’s Wolfman, the Russo brothers’ The Gray Man, and Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Project Hail Mary all on the table. We can now add another film to the roster.
He’s set to star in The Actor, which will be directed by Duke Johnson (who helmed Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman). Scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney as adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s 2011 crime novel Memory. Check out the synopsis below via Deadline:
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town,...
He’s set to star in The Actor, which will be directed by Duke Johnson (who helmed Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman). Scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney as adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s 2011 crime novel Memory. Check out the synopsis below via Deadline:
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Ryan Gosling already has several new projects in the works, but one more won’t hurt. Gosling is now set to star in The Actor, a thriller based on the Donald E. Westlake novel Memory. Gosling will play a 1950s actor from New York named Paul Cole, who is beaten, left for dead, and suffering from amnesia in a […]
The post ‘The Actor’ Will Star Ryan Gosling As an Actor With Amnesia Stranded in a Mysterious Small Town appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Actor’ Will Star Ryan Gosling As an Actor With Amnesia Stranded in a Mysterious Small Town appeared first on /Film.
- 2/24/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
After signing on to star in films like Leigh Whannell's Wolfman, The Gray Man, and Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling will lead The Actor, an upcoming amnesia thriller. Directed by Duke Johnson from a script he wrote with Stephen Cooney, The Actor is based on Donald E. Westlake's novel Memory. According to Deadline, Gosling will play New…...
- 2/24/2021
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
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