Jeff Skoll, the billionaire philanthropist who launched Participant 20 years ago to champion socially conscious films, is closing down the impact producer-financier behind Spotlight, Roma, and Green Book.
In a memo to staff on Tuesday morning eBay co-founder Skoll said, ”I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created, distributed and consumed.”
The statement hinted at what may have driven the Canadian’s “very difficult decision”. Studios and streamers are scrutinising their spend more than ever,...
In a memo to staff on Tuesday morning eBay co-founder Skoll said, ”I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created, distributed and consumed.”
The statement hinted at what may have driven the Canadian’s “very difficult decision”. Studios and streamers are scrutinising their spend more than ever,...
- 4/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
“Food, Inc. 2,” the follow-up to the 2008 Oscar-nominated documentary on the effects of agribusiness on American consumers, is set for a special screening event from Magnolia Pictures on April 9. The feature documentary will be released on digital platforms on April 12.
Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo direct the film from Participant and River Road, which reunites the directors with authors Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser to take a fresh look at how corporate consolidation has left the food system vulnerable.
“When the pandemic hit, the curtain was pulled back. There were whole crops being buried,” Pollan says in the trailer. “At the same time, there were shortages in the supermarket.”
In a quest for solutions, the film looks at innovative farmers, food producers, workers’ rights activists and legislators including senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are working to create a sustainable future.
“I sure as hell don’t want my...
Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo direct the film from Participant and River Road, which reunites the directors with authors Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser to take a fresh look at how corporate consolidation has left the food system vulnerable.
“When the pandemic hit, the curtain was pulled back. There were whole crops being buried,” Pollan says in the trailer. “At the same time, there were shortages in the supermarket.”
In a quest for solutions, the film looks at innovative farmers, food producers, workers’ rights activists and legislators including senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are working to create a sustainable future.
“I sure as hell don’t want my...
- 3/14/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
One of the best things about the old Star Wars Expanded Universe was that it afforded writers a chance to delve deeply into the various supporting players who would pop in and out of the original trilogy with nary an explanation for who they were or what their deal even was. One might call this the Boba Fett Syndrome. Take Lando Calrissian's (Billy Dee Williams) cyborg pal Lobot, who joined the smuggler in going legit after Lando became the Baron Administrator of Cloud City. He makes but a few wordless appearances in "The Empire Strikes Back" only to vamoose, never to be seen or mentioned again.
These days, Lobot has a wholly fleshed-out and consistent canonical backstory thanks to books like the "Lando" and "War of the Bounty Hunters" comics series. However, before Disney assumed control of the franchise, you just had to piece together the character's history as best...
These days, Lobot has a wholly fleshed-out and consistent canonical backstory thanks to books like the "Lando" and "War of the Bounty Hunters" comics series. However, before Disney assumed control of the franchise, you just had to piece together the character's history as best...
- 2/8/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Bounty hunters are amongst the most beloved subset of characters in the "Star Wars" galaxy, and it's easy to see why. There's something appealing about operating for one's self while still having some odd code of honor, operating in the gray somewhere between bad and good. It certainly doesn't hurt that so many of them just look cool, which is part of what made Boba Fett one of the most popular characters in the franchise in the first place. But Boba Fett doesn't have a monopoly on bounty hunting and today, we're here to talk about one of his counterparts; Bossk.
The reptilian-looking alien is a member of the Trandoshan race. He was first introduced to audiences in "The Empire Strikes Back" during the scene where Darth Vader assembles a group of bounty hunters to track down Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon. While he was only on screen for mere seconds,...
The reptilian-looking alien is a member of the Trandoshan race. He was first introduced to audiences in "The Empire Strikes Back" during the scene where Darth Vader assembles a group of bounty hunters to track down Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon. While he was only on screen for mere seconds,...
- 2/4/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
David Kenner, a lawyer who unsuccessfully defended convicted Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, pleaded guilty on Friday to misdemeanor criminal contempt and was sentenced to one year of probation after admitting he leaked confidential material to reporters in 2023.
Federal prosecutors said Kenner was representing Michel in the federal conspiracy case over the rapper’s role in a multimillion-dollar government influence campaign that involved both the Obama and Trump administrations. After Kenner had been provided discovery materials in order to prepare for Michel’s defense, as is typical in criminal cases,...
Federal prosecutors said Kenner was representing Michel in the federal conspiracy case over the rapper’s role in a multimillion-dollar government influence campaign that involved both the Obama and Trump administrations. After Kenner had been provided discovery materials in order to prepare for Michel’s defense, as is typical in criminal cases,...
- 1/27/2024
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Thanks to the success of billion dollar brands "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers", Paramount continues developing Hasbro Studio's "M.A.S.K.", aka 'Mobile Armored Strike Kommand', to be directed by F. Gary Gray from a screenplay by Chis Bremner, described as "a contemporary subculture movie with a youth empowerment angle":
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
- 1/13/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
This article is part of Collector’s Digest, an editorial series powered by:
The holidays are here, and there’s no better time to shower your loved ones with gifted nerdery. But because the world of collectibles is so vast, we’re here to help you pick what’s perfect to share with the people in your life. Whether it’s framed art or loose toys, we’ve got a bunch of great options for you here.
Batman Print (eBay Exclusive)
This exclusive Sideshow Collectibles print of Batman by artists Alex Pascenko and Ian MacDonald is great for geeks looking to decorate a living space. Sideshow typically gets some great art for these prints, and this is no exception. Batman gazing out over a rainy cemetery is Extremely Batman composition, and this art is powerful and exciting.
This print is great for framing and dropping behind your desk – Batman can...
The holidays are here, and there’s no better time to shower your loved ones with gifted nerdery. But because the world of collectibles is so vast, we’re here to help you pick what’s perfect to share with the people in your life. Whether it’s framed art or loose toys, we’ve got a bunch of great options for you here.
Batman Print (eBay Exclusive)
This exclusive Sideshow Collectibles print of Batman by artists Alex Pascenko and Ian MacDonald is great for geeks looking to decorate a living space. Sideshow typically gets some great art for these prints, and this is no exception. Batman gazing out over a rainy cemetery is Extremely Batman composition, and this art is powerful and exciting.
This print is great for framing and dropping behind your desk – Batman can...
- 11/24/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Dogwoof boards international sales.
Magnolia Pictures has picked up US rights to Participant and River Road’s Food, Inc. 2, the follow-up to Robert Kenner’s Oscar-nominated documentary.
Kenner co-directed with Melissa Robledo on the Telluride world premiere in which investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) take a fresh look at the nation’s food system.
Magnolia Pictures will release the film in the spring in the US. while Dogwoof has come on board to represent international sales.
While Food, Inc. fuelled a cultural conversation about the multinational corporations that control the food...
Magnolia Pictures has picked up US rights to Participant and River Road’s Food, Inc. 2, the follow-up to Robert Kenner’s Oscar-nominated documentary.
Kenner co-directed with Melissa Robledo on the Telluride world premiere in which investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) take a fresh look at the nation’s food system.
Magnolia Pictures will release the film in the spring in the US. while Dogwoof has come on board to represent international sales.
While Food, Inc. fuelled a cultural conversation about the multinational corporations that control the food...
- 11/9/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: After serving as the distributor for Participant and River Road’s Academy Award-nominated 2008 documentary Food, Inc., Magnolia Pictures has taken U.S. rights to the sequel, with Dogwoof coming aboard to rep international sales. An urgent continuation of the original film’s story, the doc is slated to premiere in the spring.
In the sequel, which world premiered at Telluride, directors Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo reunite with investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) to take a fresh look at food in the U.S. The film reveals how corporate consolidation has gone unchecked by our government, leaving us with a highly efficient yet shockingly vulnerable food system dedicated only towards increasing profits. Seeking solutions, it introduces innovative farmers, food producers, workers’ rights activists, and prominent legislators such as U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these...
In the sequel, which world premiered at Telluride, directors Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo reunite with investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) to take a fresh look at food in the U.S. The film reveals how corporate consolidation has gone unchecked by our government, leaving us with a highly efficient yet shockingly vulnerable food system dedicated only towards increasing profits. Seeking solutions, it introduces innovative farmers, food producers, workers’ rights activists, and prominent legislators such as U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these...
- 11/9/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Prakazrel “Pras” Michel has entered a motion for a new trial, claiming that his lawyer blew the closing arguments at the original hearing by relying too much on artificial intelligence to craft his final pitch.
Michel called AI “experimental” and said the program’s use resulted in a number of errors by an “unqualified, unprepared, and ineffectual” trial attorney.
Michel was convicted in April on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the top counts.
He was accused of funneling money from a Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then trying to stop a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.
His trial included testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Michel is free pending sentencing...
Michel called AI “experimental” and said the program’s use resulted in a number of errors by an “unqualified, unprepared, and ineffectual” trial attorney.
Michel was convicted in April on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the top counts.
He was accused of funneling money from a Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, then trying to stop a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.
His trial included testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Michel is free pending sentencing...
- 10/19/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
On April 20, attorney David Kenner delivered closing statements for Prakazrel “Pras” Michel in a closely watched fraud trial involving allegations that the Fugees founding member directed a sprawling conspiracy in which he funneled money from a Malaysian financier to a network of straw donors to make illegal campaign contributions to Barack Obama in 2012. But to the surprise of Michel’s new lawyers, who were retained after the artist was found guilty, Kenner’s first remarks to the jury appeared to be an admission of guilt.
“Ladies and gentleman, this case started back in 2012 when there was, as the government characterizes it, an effort to funnel money to President Obama’s reelection campaign,” Kenner said.
It turned out that Kenner used generative artificial intelligence to help craft his closing remarks, according to a court filing. Michel, who was convicted on charges of conspiring to make straw campaign donations and acting as an unregistered agent for China,...
“Ladies and gentleman, this case started back in 2012 when there was, as the government characterizes it, an effort to funnel money to President Obama’s reelection campaign,” Kenner said.
It turned out that Kenner used generative artificial intelligence to help craft his closing remarks, according to a court filing. Michel, who was convicted on charges of conspiring to make straw campaign donations and acting as an unregistered agent for China,...
- 10/17/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fugees’ Pras Michel is seeking a new trial in his federal conspiracy case, claiming that his former attorney is responsible for “ineffective representation,” which included using an AI program to write his closing argument.
The motion for a new trial was filed by Michel’s new legal team on Monday, October 16th. Among the allegations put forth by the motion against Michel’s previous lawyer, David Kenner, is a claim that Kenner “used an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to draft the closing argument, ignoring the best arguments and conflating the charged schemes, and he then publicly boasted that the AI program ‘turned hours or days of legal work into seconds’” (per Rolling Stone).
Further, the motion alleges that Kenner had “an undisclosed financial stake” in the AI program, and the usage of the program for Michel’s trial was done “so they could issue a press release afterward promoting...
The motion for a new trial was filed by Michel’s new legal team on Monday, October 16th. Among the allegations put forth by the motion against Michel’s previous lawyer, David Kenner, is a claim that Kenner “used an experimental artificial intelligence (AI) program to draft the closing argument, ignoring the best arguments and conflating the charged schemes, and he then publicly boasted that the AI program ‘turned hours or days of legal work into seconds’” (per Rolling Stone).
Further, the motion alleges that Kenner had “an undisclosed financial stake” in the AI program, and the usage of the program for Michel’s trial was done “so they could issue a press release afterward promoting...
- 10/17/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
The Fugees’ Pras Michel is arguing he deserves a new trial in his federal conspiracy case in part because his original attorney provided “ineffective representation,” even allegedly using an AI program to draft his closing argument.
Back in April, Michel was convicted on 10 counts of conspiracy and falsifying records for his role in a multimillion-dollar government influence campaign that involved both the Obama and Trump administrations. The charges against him included money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations.
Michel has repeatedly denied the charges against him, and on Monday,...
Back in April, Michel was convicted on 10 counts of conspiracy and falsifying records for his role in a multimillion-dollar government influence campaign that involved both the Obama and Trump administrations. The charges against him included money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations.
Michel has repeatedly denied the charges against him, and on Monday,...
- 10/17/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
The Burial is a legal drama film directed by Maggie Betts from a screenplay by Betts and Doug Wright. Loosely based on the true story of lawyer Willie E. Gary and his client Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe, the Prime Video film follows the story of their lawsuit against the Loewen funeral company, as it was documented by Jonathan Harr in a New Yorker article. The Burial stars Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones in the lead roles. So, if you loved the Prime Video film here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Michael Clayton (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Warner Bros.
Synopsis: Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house “fixer” at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. At the behest of the firm’s co- founder Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack), Clayton, a former prosecutor from a family of cops, takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen’s dirtiest work.
Michael Clayton (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Warner Bros.
Synopsis: Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house “fixer” at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. At the behest of the firm’s co- founder Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack), Clayton, a former prosecutor from a family of cops, takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen’s dirtiest work.
- 10/9/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Hollywood loves sequels, but in the nonfiction space it’s rare for a documentary to get a follow up. However, 15 years after Food, Inc. landed with huge impact, the sequel Food, Inc. 2 premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, bringing a fresh perspective on America’s spoiled food system.
“All of us swore we would never go to this area again,” said Robert Kenner, director of the original Food, Inc. He co-directed Participant’s Food, Inc. 2 with Melissa Robledo, a co-producer on the first film. “But I think on some levels this became such an important story to go tell that we all felt we needed to come back and we could talk about it in sort of stronger terms than we did [before].”
The catalyst for the sequel became the pandemic, which exposed the vulnerabilities of a food system dominated by a handful of massive agribusiness companies including Cargill,...
“All of us swore we would never go to this area again,” said Robert Kenner, director of the original Food, Inc. He co-directed Participant’s Food, Inc. 2 with Melissa Robledo, a co-producer on the first film. “But I think on some levels this became such an important story to go tell that we all felt we needed to come back and we could talk about it in sort of stronger terms than we did [before].”
The catalyst for the sequel became the pandemic, which exposed the vulnerabilities of a food system dominated by a handful of massive agribusiness companies including Cargill,...
- 9/4/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “Nyad,” Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” and George C. Wolfe’s “Rustin” are among the films that will screen at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, Telluride organizers announced on Wednesday.
The festival begins on Thursday, only one day after the announcement of the lineup. The late notice is a tradition at Telluride, which sells out its passes every year without revealing what films will be playing in the Colorado mountain town — although as the Toronto International Film Festival has gotten more detailed in announcing the premiere status of its bookings, it’s been increasingly easy to read between the lines of Toronto releases to figure out what’s headed to Telluride.
(This year, for example, Payne’s “The Holdovers,” which reunites the director with his “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, was listed as an international premiere by TIFF, which meant that...
The festival begins on Thursday, only one day after the announcement of the lineup. The late notice is a tradition at Telluride, which sells out its passes every year without revealing what films will be playing in the Colorado mountain town — although as the Toronto International Film Festival has gotten more detailed in announcing the premiere status of its bookings, it’s been increasingly easy to read between the lines of Toronto releases to figure out what’s headed to Telluride.
(This year, for example, Payne’s “The Holdovers,” which reunites the director with his “Sideways” star Paul Giamatti, was listed as an international premiere by TIFF, which meant that...
- 8/30/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Fugees’ Pras Michel was convicted on federal charges of conspiracy and falsifying records for his role in a multimillion-dollar government influence campaign that involved both the Obama and Trump administrations.
Michel was convicted of all 10 counts against him, as The Washington Post reports. Those charges included money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations.
As Rolling Stone outlined in a recent feature, the charges against Michel were tied to his relationship with Malaysian financier Jho Low. Low is accused of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1Mdb sovereign wealth fund,...
Michel was convicted of all 10 counts against him, as The Washington Post reports. Those charges included money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations.
As Rolling Stone outlined in a recent feature, the charges against Michel were tied to his relationship with Malaysian financier Jho Low. Low is accused of stealing $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s 1Mdb sovereign wealth fund,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Star Wars Celebration 2023 is coming to an end after a series of major movie announcements and sneak peeks at upcoming TV shows like "Ahsoka," but with Star Wars Day right around the corner and the 40th anniversary of "Return of the Jedi" unfolding all year long, there's plenty of love for our favorite galaxy far, far away. It just wouldn't be Star Wars Celebration without some cool new toys being revealed, and the latest line-up of toys and collectibles has something for everyone. Whether you like the larger, detailed Black Series line of figures or the classic Vintage Collection, there's new items from "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett," "Return of the Jedi," and "The Bad Batch."
Let's dig into the latest "Star Wars" toy reveals from Star Wars Celebration 2023!
The Book Of Boba Fett
First up, "The Mandalorian" is bringing two new figures to the table.
On the Black Series side of things,...
Let's dig into the latest "Star Wars" toy reveals from Star Wars Celebration 2023!
The Book Of Boba Fett
First up, "The Mandalorian" is bringing two new figures to the table.
On the Black Series side of things,...
- 4/10/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Whip-cracking time will be upon moviegoers once again when the first Indiana Jones movie in decades opens in late June.
And collectors and enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on Indiana Jones figures for the first time in decades as well since Hasbro is putting forth toys that will accompany Indy’s return.
At London’s Star Wars Celebration, Hasbro unveiled new additions to its Indiana Jones Adventure Series line, an upscale set of products akin to its very popular Star Wars Black Series.
While it already has figures based on characters from the original Raiders of the Lost Ark film from 1981, the new additions are based on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the James Mangold-directed installment that hits theaters June 30.
The figures revealed were of older Indy, played by Harrison Ford, and Helena Shaw, Indy’s goddaughter played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The Indy figure...
And collectors and enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on Indiana Jones figures for the first time in decades as well since Hasbro is putting forth toys that will accompany Indy’s return.
At London’s Star Wars Celebration, Hasbro unveiled new additions to its Indiana Jones Adventure Series line, an upscale set of products akin to its very popular Star Wars Black Series.
While it already has figures based on characters from the original Raiders of the Lost Ark film from 1981, the new additions are based on Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the James Mangold-directed installment that hits theaters June 30.
The figures revealed were of older Indy, played by Harrison Ford, and Helena Shaw, Indy’s goddaughter played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The Indy figure...
- 4/8/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tory Lanez has filed a motion for a new trial after being found guilty of shooting music superstar Megan Thee Stallion on a California curbside in July 2020.
Lanez’s lawyers Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma cite multiple grounds in the new paperwork filed late Wednesday, including a claim that the judge “erroneously allowed” jurors to view a September 2020 Instagram post from Lanez’s personal account claiming Megan’s now-estranged best friend Kelsey Harris was not the shooter.
The filing, obtained by Rolling Stone, includes a declaration from Lanez’s content creator,...
Lanez’s lawyers Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma cite multiple grounds in the new paperwork filed late Wednesday, including a claim that the judge “erroneously allowed” jurors to view a September 2020 Instagram post from Lanez’s personal account claiming Megan’s now-estranged best friend Kelsey Harris was not the shooter.
The filing, obtained by Rolling Stone, includes a declaration from Lanez’s content creator,...
- 3/30/2023
- by Nancy Dillon, Jon Blistein and Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
It's well known to "Star Wars" buffs that director George Lucas, when negotiating his contract with 20th Century Fox, insisted on keeping the "garbage rights" to the movie. In the mid-1970s, "garbage rights" referred to merchandising tie-ins like toys and lunchboxes. Although some movies had been successful with such merchandising in the past, no studio had ever made a notably substantial amount of money from them, hence the nickname. This move proved to be short-sighted for Fox and prescient for Lucas, as "Star Wars" kicked open the doors to a movie marketing bonanza that we are still experiencing to this day. "Star Wars" toys sold so quickly, that toy manufacturers had to sell empty boxes to fans while they produced more three-inch Luke Skywalkers. Once the toys were made available again, the boxes would be filled.
And while "Star Wars" might have kicked the door open in terms of marketing and toy manufacturing,...
And while "Star Wars" might have kicked the door open in terms of marketing and toy manufacturing,...
- 3/19/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for the second episode of "The Mandalorian" season 3.
The single most sympathetic droid in the "Star Wars" galaxy is R5-D4. Search your feelings; you know it's true. And if you're not sure which one R5-D4 is, well, that's kind of the point. R5-D4 is every actor who ever failed their audition and lost out on the role of a lifetime. He's every person who was ever passed over for a job in favor of another candidate. Even Luke Skywalker mistakes him for a generic "R2 unit" when they first meet.
To date, R5-D4's biggest claim to fame has been that he was originally chosen for purchase over R2-D2 back in 1977 in "Star Wars: A New Hope" ... before he malfunctioned, and his life took a different path. In season 3, episode 2, "The Mines of Mandalore" (chapter 18 of the series overall...
The single most sympathetic droid in the "Star Wars" galaxy is R5-D4. Search your feelings; you know it's true. And if you're not sure which one R5-D4 is, well, that's kind of the point. R5-D4 is every actor who ever failed their audition and lost out on the role of a lifetime. He's every person who was ever passed over for a job in favor of another candidate. Even Luke Skywalker mistakes him for a generic "R2 unit" when they first meet.
To date, R5-D4's biggest claim to fame has been that he was originally chosen for purchase over R2-D2 back in 1977 in "Star Wars: A New Hope" ... before he malfunctioned, and his life took a different path. In season 3, episode 2, "The Mines of Mandalore" (chapter 18 of the series overall...
- 3/8/2023
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
The majesty and mystery of the "Star Wars" universe can really be traced back to one character: Boba Fett. Although the infamous bounty hunter was first introduced in the much-maligned "Star Wars Holiday Special," everyone really remembers his original appearance alongside Ig-88, Dengar, Bossk, Zuckuss, and 4-lom in "The Empire Strikes Back." Who was this cool and calculated mercenary? What's his backstory? For dyed-in-the-wool fans of the original trilogy, Boba Fett should have remained an enigma, shrouded in secrecy.
In the decades since he ushered Han Solo away to Jabba's Palace aboard Slave-1, Boba Fett has also come to represent everything that's wrong with the "Star Wars" universe. Fans now know his backstory and then some. He's an unaltered clone of his father, Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison), who re-emerges from the Sarlacc pit 5 years after "Return of the Jedi" to take over the criminal underworld on Tatooine. A young Fett...
In the decades since he ushered Han Solo away to Jabba's Palace aboard Slave-1, Boba Fett has also come to represent everything that's wrong with the "Star Wars" universe. Fans now know his backstory and then some. He's an unaltered clone of his father, Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison), who re-emerges from the Sarlacc pit 5 years after "Return of the Jedi" to take over the criminal underworld on Tatooine. A young Fett...
- 2/15/2023
- by Drew Tinnin
- Slash Film
As Tory Lanez awaits sentencing for assaulting Megan Thee Stallion with a semiautomatic firearm, a source tells Rolling Stone the “Luv” singer feels he was misled by his trial lawyer into not testifying in his own defense.
The well-placed source says Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, wanted to take the witness stand to plead his case directly to jurors but was dissuaded by lawyer George Mgdesyan in a decision Peterson now considers misguided.
Peterson, 30, was convicted of all three charges in his case on Dec. 23 and is facing...
The well-placed source says Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, wanted to take the witness stand to plead his case directly to jurors but was dissuaded by lawyer George Mgdesyan in a decision Peterson now considers misguided.
Peterson, 30, was convicted of all three charges in his case on Dec. 23 and is facing...
- 1/19/2023
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Tory Lanez is hoping Snoop Dogg’s former criminal lawyer can convince a Los Angeles judge he deserves a new trial after a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
The “Luv” singer made his first post-conviction court appearance Tuesday and told the judge he wanted lawyers David Kenner and Matthew Barhoma to replace his outgoing trial attorney George Mgdesyan and Shawn Holley, his original defense lawyer who missed the trial due to a conflict.
Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, was wearing an orange...
The “Luv” singer made his first post-conviction court appearance Tuesday and told the judge he wanted lawyers David Kenner and Matthew Barhoma to replace his outgoing trial attorney George Mgdesyan and Shawn Holley, his original defense lawyer who missed the trial due to a conflict.
Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, was wearing an orange...
- 1/10/2023
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
It’s safe to say a lot of lives were forever changed in 1987 with the release of Robocop, led by Peter Weller in the titular role and directed by auteur Paul Verhoeven. The deliciously violent film was praised as a weirdly humorous work of outsider art rooted in deeper meaning. Seriously, can you imagine a major studio releasing this now? It’s nearly impossible to fit the movie into a box: it’s a sci-fi action picture, a horror movie, a satire, a philosophical drama about what it means to be human. It’s a hard R even by today’s standards, and yet it also targeted kids with video games and action figure tie-ins. This movie had a Toy Line from Kenner! The 80s were a helluva time.
It took a while before the inevitable happened: a remake saw the light of day in 2014 from Brazilian director Jose Padilha,...
It took a while before the inevitable happened: a remake saw the light of day in 2014 from Brazilian director Jose Padilha,...
- 1/8/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Thanks to the movie success of toy brands "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers", Paramount continues developing Hasbro Studio's "M.A.S.K.", aka 'Mobile Armored Strike Kommand', to be directed by F. Gary Gray from a screenplay by Chis Bremner, described as "a contemporary subculture movie with a youth empowerment angle":
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
- 12/27/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
George Lucas didn't just revolutionize the film business with "Star Wars" in 1977, he also turned relative unknowns Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford into overnight superstars. These actors entered homes all over the United States as Kenner action figures, and their images adorned everything from bed sheets to lunch boxes. They were recognizable superstars to children and adults alike.
There was no roadmap to deal with this kind of stardom. The three principal actors knew a second journey to that galaxy far, far away loomed on the horizon, but what they should do in the interim was something of a puzzle. Were they box-office draws outside of "Star Wars?"
Hamill and Fisher were so young and fresh-faced that it wasn't clear how they could capitalize on their unprecedented fame. They were still ingenues. Ford, however, was well into his 30s, and, after a decade-long struggle to make good on his big-screen promise,...
There was no roadmap to deal with this kind of stardom. The three principal actors knew a second journey to that galaxy far, far away loomed on the horizon, but what they should do in the interim was something of a puzzle. Were they box-office draws outside of "Star Wars?"
Hamill and Fisher were so young and fresh-faced that it wasn't clear how they could capitalize on their unprecedented fame. They were still ingenues. Ford, however, was well into his 30s, and, after a decade-long struggle to make good on his big-screen promise,...
- 12/23/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Click here to read the full article.
Adventure has a name, and it’s getting its own action figure. And this action figure looks a lot like its old action figure.
Hasbro unveiled a throwback Indiana Jones action figure at Hasbro Pulse Con, its annual convention showcasing toys and brands ranging from Star Wars and Marvel to G.I. Joe and Transformers. The company is also whipping up the Indiana Jones brand, which will be back in the cultural spotlight in 2023 with a new film featuring Harrison Ford returning as the archeologist and adventurer.
Hasbro on Saturday teed up the hero with the Indiana Jones Retro Collection, which is very much inspired by the line of action figures that Kenner put out in the early 1980s.
The 3.75-inch-scale Indy figure is detailed to look like the character from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring a quick-action...
Adventure has a name, and it’s getting its own action figure. And this action figure looks a lot like its old action figure.
Hasbro unveiled a throwback Indiana Jones action figure at Hasbro Pulse Con, its annual convention showcasing toys and brands ranging from Star Wars and Marvel to G.I. Joe and Transformers. The company is also whipping up the Indiana Jones brand, which will be back in the cultural spotlight in 2023 with a new film featuring Harrison Ford returning as the archeologist and adventurer.
Hasbro on Saturday teed up the hero with the Indiana Jones Retro Collection, which is very much inspired by the line of action figures that Kenner put out in the early 1980s.
The 3.75-inch-scale Indy figure is detailed to look like the character from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring a quick-action...
- 10/1/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
By 1983, the original Star Wars trilogy had space-docked, and George Lucas began thinking about alternative entertainment delivery systems for the galaxy far, far away. His first TV movie, Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984), was such a hit with kids, ABC secured the rights to two animated series. Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3Po and its sister series The Ewoks and Droids Adventure Hour are set between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. They were designed to capitalize on the characters’ popularity with children. The best way to start is with catchy tunes.
The subject came up when Copeland spoke with Den of Geek last year about Under the Volcano. Gracie Otto’s documentary is about Beatles producer George Martin’s Air Studios Montserrat, where Synchronicity sessions ultimately troubled the Police’s future. Copeland calls “Trouble Again,” the song he...
The subject came up when Copeland spoke with Den of Geek last year about Under the Volcano. Gracie Otto’s documentary is about Beatles producer George Martin’s Air Studios Montserrat, where Synchronicity sessions ultimately troubled the Police’s future. Copeland calls “Trouble Again,” the song he...
- 9/14/2022
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
This post contains light spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki season one.
After much speculation, we finally know the name of the next two Avengers movies! Scheduled for release in 2025, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars will cap off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which begins with Fantastic Four in 2024. We’ve known for some time that Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors, will be the prime villain of the next MCU arc, now titled the Multiverse Saga.
But Secret Wars is something of a surprise, in part because it could refer to four very different storylines. It’s pretty unlikely that the movie will integrate parts of Secret War from 2004 – 2005, a black-ops story involving Nick Fury and Shield. But the other three are all real candidates for adaptation, so let’s take a look at the storylines and what they offer.
After much speculation, we finally know the name of the next two Avengers movies! Scheduled for release in 2025, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars will cap off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which begins with Fantastic Four in 2024. We’ve known for some time that Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors, will be the prime villain of the next MCU arc, now titled the Multiverse Saga.
But Secret Wars is something of a surprise, in part because it could refer to four very different storylines. It’s pretty unlikely that the movie will integrate parts of Secret War from 2004 – 2005, a black-ops story involving Nick Fury and Shield. But the other three are all real candidates for adaptation, so let’s take a look at the storylines and what they offer.
- 8/12/2022
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Thanks to the success of billion dollar brands "G.I. Joe" and "Transformers", Paramount continues developing Hasbro Studio's "M.A.S.K.", aka 'Mobile Armored Strike Kommand', to be directed by F. Gary Gray from a screenplay by Chis Bremner, described as "a contemporary subculture movie with a youth empowerment angle":
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
"...'Matt Trakker' and his allies battle massive mutated creatures in the bowels of the Earth as an internal power struggle threatens to tear the 'M.A.S.K.' team apart. But if M.A.S.K. survives the monsters, can they survive each other?..."
Created by Kenner, then acquired by Hasbro, "M.A.S.K." originally follows the fight between an underground task force, led by 'Matt Trakker' and the criminal organization 'V.E.N.O.M.'. aka 'Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem' led by 'Myles Mahem'.
After its initial launch in 1985, the franchise spawned four series of action figures,...
- 7/1/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Suge Knight’s civil trial over allegations he negligently mowed down Terry Carter with his truck amid a dispute linked to the movie Straight Outta Compton ended in a mistrial Wednesday. Jurors deadlocked seven to five in favor of finding Knight liable. Carter’s family vowed to bring the case again.
“It was intense,” the jury foreman who asked to remain anonymous tells Rolling Stone. “It was so intense, someone walked by the jury room and thought a real fight had broken out. There was yelling.”
Carter’s widow, Lillian Carter,...
“It was intense,” the jury foreman who asked to remain anonymous tells Rolling Stone. “It was so intense, someone walked by the jury room and thought a real fight had broken out. There was yelling.”
Carter’s widow, Lillian Carter,...
- 6/22/2022
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Jurors declared themselves “deadlocked” Friday at the California civil trial over whether Suge Knight should be held liable – and pay millions in damages – for killing married Compton dad Terry Carter with his Ford Raptor truck seven years ago amid a parking lot dispute with another man linked to the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton.
The jurors told the judge their vote was split seven-to-five without confirming which way they were leaning. They need nine votes out of 12 for a verdict in the wrongful death case centered on claims of negligence and battery.
The jurors told the judge their vote was split seven-to-five without confirming which way they were leaning. They need nine votes out of 12 for a verdict in the wrongful death case centered on claims of negligence and battery.
- 6/17/2022
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
Death Row Records founder Suge Knight should be forced to pay 81 million to the family of Terry Carter, a lawyer representing his widow and his two daughters told a Los Angeles County jury Tuesday. Knight was convicted of voluntary manslaughter when he ran over Carter with his Ford Raptor truck seven years ago after trying to meet with Dr. Dre on the set of Straight Outta Compton to discuss an alleged murder-for-hire plot.
It was the first time the lawyer, Lance Behringer, put a dollar figure on the Carter family...
It was the first time the lawyer, Lance Behringer, put a dollar figure on the Carter family...
- 6/14/2022
- by Nancy Dillon
- Rollingstone.com
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