Exclusive: Joaquim De Almeida has joined the cast of Legendary’s Animal Friends, the live-action and animated hybrid pic from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. Peter Atencio directed the R-rated Road trip adventure.
He joins a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae, Lil Rel Howery, and Ellie Bamber. Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by visual entertainment services company, Dneg. The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive, Patrick Gooing.
The film will be released by Sony on August 15, 2025.
De Almeida’s past credits include Desperado, Clear And Present Danger and Behind Enemy Lines. He was recently seen in Amazon & MGM’s hit remake Road House opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and also recently reprised his role...
He joins a cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae, Lil Rel Howery, and Ellie Bamber. Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by visual entertainment services company, Dneg. The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive, Patrick Gooing.
The film will be released by Sony on August 15, 2025.
De Almeida’s past credits include Desperado, Clear And Present Danger and Behind Enemy Lines. He was recently seen in Amazon & MGM’s hit remake Road House opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and also recently reprised his role...
- 5/23/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Kraven the Hunter is seeking new hunting grounds, with the Aaron Taylor-Johnson starrer taking a release date just vacated by The Karate Kid.
On Friday evening, Sony moved the villain-centric Kraven the Hunter to the prime winter spot of Dec. 13, 2024 (back from Aug. 30, 2024). Kraven steps into a date that was occupied by fellow Sony pic The Karate Kid, a crossover event movie starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. Karate Kid now moves to May 30, 2025.
The move comes after the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai, the Netflix spinoff starring Machio as his original Karate Kid movie character Daniel Larusso, was delayed due to last year’s actors strike. Sony pushed the new Karate Kid to allow it to follow Cobra Kai‘s final season, with the summer date also seen as friendly for the all-ages audience its intended for. With an open holiday season 2024 date available, Sony opted to...
On Friday evening, Sony moved the villain-centric Kraven the Hunter to the prime winter spot of Dec. 13, 2024 (back from Aug. 30, 2024). Kraven steps into a date that was occupied by fellow Sony pic The Karate Kid, a crossover event movie starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan. Karate Kid now moves to May 30, 2025.
The move comes after the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai, the Netflix spinoff starring Machio as his original Karate Kid movie character Daniel Larusso, was delayed due to last year’s actors strike. Sony pushed the new Karate Kid to allow it to follow Cobra Kai‘s final season, with the summer date also seen as friendly for the all-ages audience its intended for. With an open holiday season 2024 date available, Sony opted to...
- 4/27/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter” is being pushed back from its August release, moving to Dec. 13, 2024. It will screen in IMAX and premium large formats.
The film takes over “Karate Kid’s” original release date, which has been changed to May 30, 2025. It will now bow in theaters after the sixth and final season of “Cobra Kai” debuts on Netflix.
With a coveted Christmastime release date open, Sony is positioning “Kraven” as an R-rated option for the end of the year.
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, “Kraven the Hunter” unpacks the origin story behind the Marvel villain, set before his notorious vendetta against Spider-Man. Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe also star.
The film is directed by J.C. Chandor, with a story by Richard Wenk and screenplay by Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. It’s produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and David Householter.
Sony has also...
The film takes over “Karate Kid’s” original release date, which has been changed to May 30, 2025. It will now bow in theaters after the sixth and final season of “Cobra Kai” debuts on Netflix.
With a coveted Christmastime release date open, Sony is positioning “Kraven” as an R-rated option for the end of the year.
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, “Kraven the Hunter” unpacks the origin story behind the Marvel villain, set before his notorious vendetta against Spider-Man. Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe also star.
The film is directed by J.C. Chandor, with a story by Richard Wenk and screenplay by Wenk, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. It’s produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and David Householter.
Sony has also...
- 4/27/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures has pushed Karate Kid from December to May 2025 and pushed back Kraven The Hunter to fill the holiday season slot.
Karate Kid had been scheduled to open on December 13 of this year and according to sources is being held back in order to follow the sixth and final season of Cobrai Kai, which was delayed due to the strikes.
Ben Wang stars in the title role as Karate Kid, alongside Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff and Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who will reprise their characters from the original franchise. Jonathan Entwistle directs from Rob Lieber’s screenplay.
Karate Kid had been scheduled to open on December 13 of this year and according to sources is being held back in order to follow the sixth and final season of Cobrai Kai, which was delayed due to the strikes.
Ben Wang stars in the title role as Karate Kid, alongside Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff and Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who will reprise their characters from the original franchise. Jonathan Entwistle directs from Rob Lieber’s screenplay.
- 4/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ellie Bamber has been cast in 'Animal Friends'.The 'Willow' actress will feature alongside Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae and Lil Rel Howery in the film that will combine both live-action and animated characters.The plot is being kept under wraps – although insiders are billing the film as an R-rated road trip adventure - and Peter Atencio is set to direct from a script by writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider.The film is being produced by entertainment company Legendary, Reynolds’ Maximum Effort banner and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios.Meanwhile, Ellie is set to play Kate Moss in the biopic 'Moss and Freud' which tells the story of the supermodel's decision to pose naked for the artist Lucian Freud – who will be portrayed in the picture by screen and stage veteran Sir Derek Jacobi.Kate has been involved in...
- 4/19/2024
- by Ayaan Ali
- Bang Showbiz
Exclusive: Legendary has cast Ellie Bamber in Animal Friends, a star-studded feature combining live-action and animated characters from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. Peter Atencio is set to direct.
Bamber joins Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae and Lil Rel Howery in the movie, the plot of which is being kept under wraps but is being billed an an R-rated road-trip adventure.
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by Dneg.
The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive Patrick Gooing.
Bamber was most recently seen in Lucasfilm’s eight-part series Willow for Disney+. She will soon commence shooting the feature Moss & Freud with Derek Jacobi, playing the lead role of Kate Moss. Her TV credits include BBC-Netflix...
Bamber joins Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, Addison Rae and Lil Rel Howery in the movie, the plot of which is being kept under wraps but is being billed an an R-rated road-trip adventure.
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by Dneg.
The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive Patrick Gooing.
Bamber was most recently seen in Lucasfilm’s eight-part series Willow for Disney+. She will soon commence shooting the feature Moss & Freud with Derek Jacobi, playing the lead role of Kate Moss. Her TV credits include BBC-Netflix...
- 4/18/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Lil Rel Howery has joined the star-studded voice cast of Animal Friends, Legendary Entertainment’s R-rated CG/live-action hybrid feature.
Peter Atencio, who last directed the 2023 action comedy The Machine, is helming the project whose call sheet includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy and Addison Rae.
Plot details are being kept under wraps but the project, written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, is being described as a road trip adventure. Howery will voice one of the animated characters.
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation are being handled by visual entertainment services company Dneg.
Howery, who jumped on audience’s radar with his performance in Jordan Peele’s Get Out, is coming off a packed 2023 in which he appeared in a slew of movies and series. He starred in the Disney+ Christmas comedy Dashing Through the Snow,...
Peter Atencio, who last directed the 2023 action comedy The Machine, is helming the project whose call sheet includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy and Addison Rae.
Plot details are being kept under wraps but the project, written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, is being described as a road trip adventure. Howery will voice one of the animated characters.
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation are being handled by visual entertainment services company Dneg.
Howery, who jumped on audience’s radar with his performance in Jordan Peele’s Get Out, is coming off a packed 2023 in which he appeared in a slew of movies and series. He starred in the Disney+ Christmas comedy Dashing Through the Snow,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dan Levy has joined the cast of 'Animal Friends'.The 'Schitt's Creek' actor is set to star alongside Ryan Reynolds in the live-action/animated hybrid movie.The R-rated road trip adventure is being directed by Peter Atencio and other cast members include Jason Momoa, Addison Rae and Aubrey Plaza.Plot details are being kept under wraps but the script has been penned by writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider.Meanwhile, Dan recently suggested that homophobia had robbed him of the chance to play "wonderful, rich, challenging roles".Asked if it is easier for stars to be open about their sexuality compared to when he started his career, the 40-year-old actor told the i newspaper: "In some ways, yes. And in some ways, no. I think there has been a shift in the sense that there are more gay celebrities than ever before."But do I think that opportunity has changed?...
- 2/23/2024
- by Alex Getting
- Bang Showbiz
Exclusive: Daniel Levy is set to join the ensemble cast of Legendary’s of Legendary’s live-action hybrid, Animal Friends, which already stars Ryan Reynolds, Addison Rae Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn and Aubrey Plaza. Emmy-winning director Peter Atencio is set to direct the R-rated road trip adventure from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider. The logline is currently being kept under wraps.
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by leading visual entertainment services company, Dneg. The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive, Patrick Gooing.
Best known for his Emmy-winning TV series, Schitt’s Creek, Levy recently made his directorial debut with Netflix’s Good Grief, which he wrote, produced, and starred in alongside Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel. His recent credits include The Big Brunch...
Producing alongside Legendary are Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and producer Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by leading visual entertainment services company, Dneg. The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows and Mider and Maximum Effort executive, Patrick Gooing.
Best known for his Emmy-winning TV series, Schitt’s Creek, Levy recently made his directorial debut with Netflix’s Good Grief, which he wrote, produced, and starred in alongside Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel. His recent credits include The Big Brunch...
- 2/22/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The scrapped “Coyote Vs. Acme” has now garnered a filmmakers vs. Warner Bros. campaign on social media.
On private Facebook group Crew Stories, “Coyote Vs. Acme” crew member Nate Bannister posted (and gave IndieWire permission to quote) his frustration. “I was Key Alm [assistant location manager] on this movie, almost died of stress pulling all the permits, we closed down the entirety of downtown Albuquerque, I had to call in every favor of my career to close an overpass with a half a days notice, I got so many angry calls from neighbors, business owners, etc day and night, working on this movie almost tore apart my relationship with my fiancée,” he wrote. “Why do I work in this industry?”
The live-action and animated hybrid film starring John Cena was officially axed by Warner Bros. November 9 as a tax write-off for its Q3 earnings, even though the film had been finished. The $70 million...
On private Facebook group Crew Stories, “Coyote Vs. Acme” crew member Nate Bannister posted (and gave IndieWire permission to quote) his frustration. “I was Key Alm [assistant location manager] on this movie, almost died of stress pulling all the permits, we closed down the entirety of downtown Albuquerque, I had to call in every favor of my career to close an overpass with a half a days notice, I got so many angry calls from neighbors, business owners, etc day and night, working on this movie almost tore apart my relationship with my fiancée,” he wrote. “Why do I work in this industry?”
The live-action and animated hybrid film starring John Cena was officially axed by Warner Bros. November 9 as a tax write-off for its Q3 earnings, even though the film had been finished. The $70 million...
- 11/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Both the WGA strike and most recently the SAG-AFTRA strike may be officially over, but I hope you didn't think that meant the studios would be finished with their nonsense just yet. Many will remember that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav made himself public enemy #1 earlier this year with some particularly poorly-considered remarks (although Disney's Bob Iger subsequently waded into the fray and did everything he could to vie for the crown himself). Well, believe me, it's my deepest displeasure to report that Zaslav is, unfortunately, at it once more.
Barely a year after Warner Bros. incited all sorts of outrage over shelving high-profile productions such as "Batgirl" and "Scoob 2" for a tax write-off, dismissing the tireless work of countless artists with the flick of a wrist and preventing anyone from actually seeing the fruit of their labor, the studio has gone and done it all over again. This time,...
Barely a year after Warner Bros. incited all sorts of outrage over shelving high-profile productions such as "Batgirl" and "Scoob 2" for a tax write-off, dismissing the tireless work of countless artists with the flick of a wrist and preventing anyone from actually seeing the fruit of their labor, the studio has gone and done it all over again. This time,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
“Coyote vs. Acme,” a live-action movie that stars John Cena, Will Forte and Lana Condor, has been shelved by Warner Bros. a year after it was completed.
This follows Warner Bros. similarly shelving nearly completed features “Batgirl” and “Scoob’s Haunted Holiday.”
“With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases. With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs Acme.’ We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film,” a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson said.
The movie was an adaptation of a 1990 short story by Ian Frazier that first appeared in the New Yorker. Development on the project began back in 2018, with Chris McKay attached as a producer. Shortly afterward, Dave Green, director of “Earth to Echo...
This follows Warner Bros. similarly shelving nearly completed features “Batgirl” and “Scoob’s Haunted Holiday.”
“With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases. With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs Acme.’ We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts, and crew, and are grateful for their contributions to the film,” a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson said.
The movie was an adaptation of a 1990 short story by Ian Frazier that first appeared in the New Yorker. Development on the project began back in 2018, with Chris McKay attached as a producer. Shortly afterward, Dave Green, director of “Earth to Echo...
- 11/9/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Keanu Reeves may have inspired the name of Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key’s hit comedy feature Keanu. But at first, it didn’t seem like Reeves wanted anything to do with the picture until an unexpected phone call.
Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key weren’t sure about a Keanu Reeves cameo Keanu Reeves | Vera Anderson/WireImage
Peele and Key already managed to take over the world of comedy with their hit show Key & Peele. But they eventually decided to try to duplicate their small-screen success on the big screen with Keanu.
Their debut comedy was simply about two average suburbanites who get entangled into a world of crime after their cat is stolen. The film features several guest appearances from celebrities like Tiffany Haddish and Method Man. And since the name of the film is titled Keanu, it seemed only fitting for the actual Keanu Reeves...
Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key weren’t sure about a Keanu Reeves cameo Keanu Reeves | Vera Anderson/WireImage
Peele and Key already managed to take over the world of comedy with their hit show Key & Peele. But they eventually decided to try to duplicate their small-screen success on the big screen with Keanu.
Their debut comedy was simply about two average suburbanites who get entangled into a world of crime after their cat is stolen. The film features several guest appearances from celebrities like Tiffany Haddish and Method Man. And since the name of the film is titled Keanu, it seemed only fitting for the actual Keanu Reeves...
- 10/7/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Jordan Peele wasn't always one of the greatest horror filmmakers in the world. First he was a prolific comedian, starring in five seasons of the late-night sketch comedy series "Mad TV," impersonating celebrities left and right. Then he created his own show with his fellow "Mad TV" alumni Keegan-Michael Key, appropriately titled "Key & Peele," and that show was a major comedy hit that's still actively memed to this day.
It made sense that, when Jordan Peele moved into the realm of movies, his first project was the phenomenally funny buddy comedy "Keanu." Peele co-wrote the screenplay and starred opposite Key as mild-mannered friends who have to step outside their comfort zone and into the world of violent crime in order to rescue their kidnapped, adorable kitten. Peele may not have directed it, but it's a delight, and established Peele as a force to be reckoned with in motion picture comedies as well as TV.
It made sense that, when Jordan Peele moved into the realm of movies, his first project was the phenomenally funny buddy comedy "Keanu." Peele co-wrote the screenplay and starred opposite Key as mild-mannered friends who have to step outside their comfort zone and into the world of violent crime in order to rescue their kidnapped, adorable kitten. Peele may not have directed it, but it's a delight, and established Peele as a force to be reckoned with in motion picture comedies as well as TV.
- 9/23/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
[This story contains spoilers from Afterparty season two, episode seven, “Ulysses.”]
Peter Atencio’s Hollywood chops have mainly been planted in the garden of comedy for his more than 20-year career — Key & Peele, the Jean-Claude Van Johnson series and this year’s satirical mobster film The Machine, to name a few.
But when old friends Phil Lord and Christopher Miller invited the 40-year-old helmer to direct what he was told would be one of the most complex and challenging episodes of the second season of The Afterparty — Apple TV+’s whodunnit murder mystery series — he tells The Hollywood Reporter that a more dramatic approach was needed to get to the core of the funny.
How serious can directing comedy get? Atencio breaks it down for The Hollywood Reporter in a recent Zoom interview.
***
How did you find your way to The Afterparty team?
I’ve known [creators] Phil [Lord] and Chris [Miller], for some time. I want...
Peter Atencio’s Hollywood chops have mainly been planted in the garden of comedy for his more than 20-year career — Key & Peele, the Jean-Claude Van Johnson series and this year’s satirical mobster film The Machine, to name a few.
But when old friends Phil Lord and Christopher Miller invited the 40-year-old helmer to direct what he was told would be one of the most complex and challenging episodes of the second season of The Afterparty — Apple TV+’s whodunnit murder mystery series — he tells The Hollywood Reporter that a more dramatic approach was needed to get to the core of the funny.
How serious can directing comedy get? Atencio breaks it down for The Hollywood Reporter in a recent Zoom interview.
***
How did you find your way to The Afterparty team?
I’ve known [creators] Phil [Lord] and Chris [Miller], for some time. I want...
- 9/5/2023
- by Demetrius Patterson
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s and watched action movies, you knew your musclemen. You had your Schwarzeneggers and Stallones. You had your Lundgrens and Van Dammes. Right out of the gate, when Jean-Claude Van Damme graced the big screen, he was magnetic. For one, he had the name people will endlessly make “Damn!” puns with. For another, he was a likable and charming actor. And for everything, he had the muscles, the looks, and the moves. Van Damme would find his calling to be reflective later in his career. He would play a Muay Thai teacher in the Kickboxer remake, Kickboxer: Vengeance, when he was the student in the original. And he would also play meta versions of himself in projects such as Jcvd and Prime Video’s Jean-Claude Van Johnson.
The director of Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Peter Atencio, recently spoke with ComicBook.com to promote his new project,...
The director of Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Peter Atencio, recently spoke with ComicBook.com to promote his new project,...
- 8/17/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Directors Guild of America members have voted to ratify the agreement that union negotiators struck with studios and streamers in early June.
Eighty-seven percent of the union voted in support of the deal in a referendum that ended on June 23, while 13 percent voted against it. Forty-one percent of the union’s 16,321 eligible voting members — a group that includes directors, assistant directors, unit production managers and stage managers, among others — turned out for the vote. The union framed this as a turnout level that “exceeded any prior DGA ratification vote.”
“I’m proud to report that DGA members have joined together to ratify a new contract that will allow every Director, Assistant Director, Unit Production Manager, Associate Director and Stage Manager to share in the success of what we create,” DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. “Our new contract secures gains on wages, global streaming residuals, safety, diversity...
Eighty-seven percent of the union voted in support of the deal in a referendum that ended on June 23, while 13 percent voted against it. Forty-one percent of the union’s 16,321 eligible voting members — a group that includes directors, assistant directors, unit production managers and stage managers, among others — turned out for the vote. The union framed this as a turnout level that “exceeded any prior DGA ratification vote.”
“I’m proud to report that DGA members have joined together to ratify a new contract that will allow every Director, Assistant Director, Unit Production Manager, Associate Director and Stage Manager to share in the success of what we create,” DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. “Our new contract secures gains on wages, global streaming residuals, safety, diversity...
- 6/24/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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As part of its agreement with Hollywood studios, the Directors Guild of America was able to secure significant increases in residuals and tie them to future worldwide subscriber growth for streaming services. But some members say that’s not enough, as they want the DGA to push for streamers to divulge viewership data, a topic that has been a common thread among all the Hollywood unions.
While some third-party data companies like Nielsen and Samba TV have gathered some public data on the most watched TV shows and films on streaming services, streamers have kept complete information on the number of viewers that watch certain titles under heavy wraps, even to their creators.
This has created industry-wide frustration among writers, showrunners, directors and actors, who are often kept in the dark...
As part of its agreement with Hollywood studios, the Directors Guild of America was able to secure significant increases in residuals and tie them to future worldwide subscriber growth for streaming services. But some members say that’s not enough, as they want the DGA to push for streamers to divulge viewership data, a topic that has been a common thread among all the Hollywood unions.
While some third-party data companies like Nielsen and Samba TV have gathered some public data on the most watched TV shows and films on streaming services, streamers have kept complete information on the number of viewers that watch certain titles under heavy wraps, even to their creators.
This has created industry-wide frustration among writers, showrunners, directors and actors, who are often kept in the dark...
- 6/21/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Early responses are beginning to come in regarding the details of the Directors Guild of America’s deal with studios and streamers, which were revealed on Wednesday night.
Amid a Writers Guild of America strike, and as performers’ union SAG-AFTRA negotiates with entertainment companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers following its own strike authorization, the DGA reached a tentative pact it called “historic.” Some of its members aren’t so sure.
During a Zoom meeting to explain the deal to membership on Thursday, DGA leadership justified the timing of the pact, struck on June 3. “We went as late as one could go within our window” and negotiated for one day later than planned, one guild executive told The Hollywood Reporter, seemingly addressing criticism that the DGA pulled the trigger too quickly rather than holding out for more leverage.
Guild negotiations team members acknowledged that the...
Amid a Writers Guild of America strike, and as performers’ union SAG-AFTRA negotiates with entertainment companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers following its own strike authorization, the DGA reached a tentative pact it called “historic.” Some of its members aren’t so sure.
During a Zoom meeting to explain the deal to membership on Thursday, DGA leadership justified the timing of the pact, struck on June 3. “We went as late as one could go within our window” and negotiated for one day later than planned, one guild executive told The Hollywood Reporter, seemingly addressing criticism that the DGA pulled the trigger too quickly rather than holding out for more leverage.
Guild negotiations team members acknowledged that the...
- 6/9/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny and Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bert Kreischer is living proof that truth is stranger than fiction.
In the mid-’90s, Kreischer went on a Florida State class trip to Russia, and to make a long story short, the Russian mafia forced the 22-year-old college kid to rob a passenger train that included his classmates. The Florida native somehow made it out of Russia unscathed, and after enough time had passed, he began telling the story on radio shows and podcasts until it became the focus of his viral stand-up comedy special, The Machine, in 2016. A few years later, Kreischer sold a movie version of The Machine to Legendary Entertainment’s Cale Boyter, who boiled the indirect pitch down to “The Godfather Part II meets The Hangover.”
The film’s premise revolves around Bert and his father, Albert (Mark Hamill), getting kidnapped by a Russian gangster (Iva Babić) as a form of payback for Bert stealing...
In the mid-’90s, Kreischer went on a Florida State class trip to Russia, and to make a long story short, the Russian mafia forced the 22-year-old college kid to rob a passenger train that included his classmates. The Florida native somehow made it out of Russia unscathed, and after enough time had passed, he began telling the story on radio shows and podcasts until it became the focus of his viral stand-up comedy special, The Machine, in 2016. A few years later, Kreischer sold a movie version of The Machine to Legendary Entertainment’s Cale Boyter, who boiled the indirect pitch down to “The Godfather Part II meets The Hangover.”
The film’s premise revolves around Bert and his father, Albert (Mark Hamill), getting kidnapped by a Russian gangster (Iva Babić) as a form of payback for Bert stealing...
- 6/5/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mark Hamill knows full well that he’s perceived as one of pop culture’s most heroic figures, so he welcomes any opportunity he can get to go against type. In the case of his latest film, The Machine, Hamill and stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer play father and son, and to put it mildly, they get caught up in quite a bit of mayhem and debauchery, allowing Hamill to show a rather new side to himself. Written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes, the Peter Atencio-directed action comedy sequelizes a true story that Kreischer has been telling for over two decades, most notably in his 2016 stand-up special, The Machine.
To make a long story short, in the mid-‘90s, Kreischer went on a Florida St. class trip to Russia, and the hard partier was forced to rob a train full of passengers by the Russian mob. So, the film,...
To make a long story short, in the mid-‘90s, Kreischer went on a Florida St. class trip to Russia, and the hard partier was forced to rob a train full of passengers by the Russian mob. So, the film,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for You Hurt My Feelings, Fubar, What Am I Eating? and The Machine.
Master Gardener premiere
Director Paul Schrader and stars Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver attended a special screening and Q&a in NYC on May 19 for their new Magnolia Pictures film, with support from Richard Gere.
Richard Gere, Sigourney Weaver and Joel Edgerton
Yellowjackets FYC event
The teen and adult casts from the Showtime drama teamed up for an FYC event in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Lauren Ambrose, Christina Ricci, Simone Kessell, Tawny Cypress, Warren Kole and Drew Comins Steven Krueger, Courtney Eaton, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Liv Hewson, Samantha Hanratty and Kevin Alves
You Hurt My Feelings premiere
Writer-director Nicole Holofcener joined stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Amber Tamblyn, David Cross,...
Master Gardener premiere
Director Paul Schrader and stars Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver attended a special screening and Q&a in NYC on May 19 for their new Magnolia Pictures film, with support from Richard Gere.
Richard Gere, Sigourney Weaver and Joel Edgerton
Yellowjackets FYC event
The teen and adult casts from the Showtime drama teamed up for an FYC event in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Lauren Ambrose, Christina Ricci, Simone Kessell, Tawny Cypress, Warren Kole and Drew Comins Steven Krueger, Courtney Eaton, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Liv Hewson, Samantha Hanratty and Kevin Alves
You Hurt My Feelings premiere
Writer-director Nicole Holofcener joined stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Amber Tamblyn, David Cross,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in The MachinePhoto: Screen Gems
Shirtless, un-pc, and sporting the daddiest of dad bods, Bert Kreischer feels like the natural outcome of a Simpsons episode in which Homer Simpson, while drunk, shirtless, and screaming in public, accidentally becomes a popular stand-up comedian. While in college,...
Shirtless, un-pc, and sporting the daddiest of dad bods, Bert Kreischer feels like the natural outcome of a Simpsons episode in which Homer Simpson, while drunk, shirtless, and screaming in public, accidentally becomes a popular stand-up comedian. While in college,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Luke Y. Thompson
- avclub.com
The Machine is loud, gross, obnoxious and overbearing. It’s also disarming, quick-witted, fast moving and becomes increasingly funny as it ends up in, of all places, Russia for its payoff scenes.
Presided over, if that is the right term, by the irrepressible Bert Kreischer, the big-gutted comedian who goes by the name The Machine and prefers to appear without a shirt on whenever possible, has landed his first big feature film at age 50 and continues the same comic shtick he’s been doing for years. Lo and behold, it’s still pretty funny stuff. This is a big picture for a big guy, and Kreischer is so persistent, and persistently off the wall, that it’s finally far easier to enjoy the party than to carp and resist.
Kreischer makes a point of performing with his shirt off when at all possible, something that becomes a tad strange in...
Presided over, if that is the right term, by the irrepressible Bert Kreischer, the big-gutted comedian who goes by the name The Machine and prefers to appear without a shirt on whenever possible, has landed his first big feature film at age 50 and continues the same comic shtick he’s been doing for years. Lo and behold, it’s still pretty funny stuff. This is a big picture for a big guy, and Kreischer is so persistent, and persistently off the wall, that it’s finally far easier to enjoy the party than to carp and resist.
Kreischer makes a point of performing with his shirt off when at all possible, something that becomes a tad strange in...
- 5/26/2023
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
Plot: Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Review: This weekend boasts two theatrical films featuring stand-up comedians with dedicated fanbases in stories about their relationship with their father. Both Sebastian Maniscalco and Bert Kreischer have performed elements of the stories at the core of their big-screen adventures, but the results could not be further apart. While About My Father is a wholesome bromance centered on the culture clash of two families, The Machine is a balls-to-the-wall action...
Review: This weekend boasts two theatrical films featuring stand-up comedians with dedicated fanbases in stories about their relationship with their father. Both Sebastian Maniscalco and Bert Kreischer have performed elements of the stories at the core of their big-screen adventures, but the results could not be further apart. While About My Father is a wholesome bromance centered on the culture clash of two families, The Machine is a balls-to-the-wall action...
- 5/26/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
"The Machine" is a new action comedy feature, directed by Peter Atencio, inspired by a 2016 stand-up routine created by Bert Kreischer, starring Kreischer, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Jessica Gabor, releasing May 26, 2023 in theaters:
"... 'Bert Kreischer' and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago...
"...while drunk on a college semester...
"...abroad in Russia..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"... 'Bert Kreischer' and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago...
"...while drunk on a college semester...
"...abroad in Russia..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 5/14/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"The Machine" is a new action comedy feature, directed by Peter Atencio, inspired by a 2016 stand-up routine created by Bert Kreischer, starring Kreischer, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Jessica Gabor, releasing May 26, 2023 in theaters:
"... 'Bert Kreischer' and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago...
"...while drunk on a college semester...
"...abroad in Russia..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"... 'Bert Kreischer' and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago...
"...while drunk on a college semester...
"...abroad in Russia..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 5/1/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Vince Vaughn will return to star in (and likely produce) a sequel to his hit 2004 comedy, Dodgeball, scripted by Jordan VanDina (The Binge), which is in early development at 20th Century Studios, Deadline has learned.
While Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote and directed the original film for 20th Century Fox, it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be involved in the sequel, and who, if not Thurber, would direct. Equally uncertain is who will join Vaughn on screen, though there’s certainly a deep bench of talent to pull from in looking back to Dodgeball‘s stacked ensemble, which included Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Justin Long, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, Joel David Moore, Chris Williams, Missi Pyle, Gary Cole, Jason Bateman and William Shatner, as well as the late Rip Torn.
A raunchy sports comedy that grossed over $168M worldwide against a $20M budget, Thurber’s Dodgeball: A True...
While Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote and directed the original film for 20th Century Fox, it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be involved in the sequel, and who, if not Thurber, would direct. Equally uncertain is who will join Vaughn on screen, though there’s certainly a deep bench of talent to pull from in looking back to Dodgeball‘s stacked ensemble, which included Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Justin Long, Stephen Root, Alan Tudyk, Joel David Moore, Chris Williams, Missi Pyle, Gary Cole, Jason Bateman and William Shatner, as well as the late Rip Torn.
A raunchy sports comedy that grossed over $168M worldwide against a $20M budget, Thurber’s Dodgeball: A True...
- 4/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Reynolds will be heading up an A-list cast for his upcoming feature “Animal Friends”.
According to Deadline, Reynolds will be starring alongside “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, “The White Lotus” standout Aubrey Plaza and Vince Vaughn in upcoming film “Animal Friends”.
Described as “an R-rated road trip adventure” that combines live-action with animation, the film will be directed by Peter Atencio (“The Machine”).
Read More: Ryan Reynolds Reveals His Secret To Not Being ‘Completely Chewed Up And Spat Out’ Early On In His Acting Career
The idea for “Animal Friends” comes from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, in collaboration with Patrick Gooing, an executive at Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort
Beyond that, details of the film are being kept under wraps.
Click to View Gallery Casting Call: Stars Nab A New Role Next Slide...
According to Deadline, Reynolds will be starring alongside “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, “The White Lotus” standout Aubrey Plaza and Vince Vaughn in upcoming film “Animal Friends”.
Described as “an R-rated road trip adventure” that combines live-action with animation, the film will be directed by Peter Atencio (“The Machine”).
Read More: Ryan Reynolds Reveals His Secret To Not Being ‘Completely Chewed Up And Spat Out’ Early On In His Acting Career
The idea for “Animal Friends” comes from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, in collaboration with Patrick Gooing, an executive at Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort
Beyond that, details of the film are being kept under wraps.
Click to View Gallery Casting Call: Stars Nab A New Role Next Slide...
- 4/20/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Legendary Entertainment is teaming up with Ryan Reynolds' production company Maximum Effort for the live-action/CGI-hybrid effort "Animal Friends." Who are these animal friends? What form will this combination of live-action and animation take? Well, that's all being kept under wraps for now, with the project remaining somewhat of a mystery beyond cast and crew announcements.
As Deadline reports, Reynolds is set to star in the upcoming movie, alongside Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, and Aubrey Plaza. "Animal Friends" will be helmed by Emmy-winning director Peter Atencio, who also directed Legendary's "The Machine" — a big screen adaptation of comedian Bert Kreischer's infamous summer spent abroad in Russia, where he somehow managed to befriend the mafia.
Aside from "Animal Friends" being described as an "R-rated road trip adventure," there's very little else in the way of plot details known at this time. We do know the script has been penned by...
As Deadline reports, Reynolds is set to star in the upcoming movie, alongside Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, and Aubrey Plaza. "Animal Friends" will be helmed by Emmy-winning director Peter Atencio, who also directed Legendary's "The Machine" — a big screen adaptation of comedian Bert Kreischer's infamous summer spent abroad in Russia, where he somehow managed to befriend the mafia.
Aside from "Animal Friends" being described as an "R-rated road trip adventure," there's very little else in the way of plot details known at this time. We do know the script has been penned by...
- 4/19/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Legendary Pictures has announced a new road trip film called “Animal Friends” that will star Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn and Aubrey Plaza in an ensemble cast directed by “Keanu” filmmaker Peter Atencio.
Plot details have not been divulged but the project is said to feature live-action and animated characters in an R-rated comedy. Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who wrote the Netflix thriller-comedy “The Package,” will handle the script.
Legendary will produce the film alongside Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios.
Also Read:
Legendary Sets $800 Million Credit Facility With J.P. Morgan
Reynolds, who most recently appeared in the Apple holiday musical “Spirited” alongside Will Ferrell, is set to return to his most famous role in “Deadpool 3,” which will start shooting this summer ahead of a 2024 release. Reynolds has also been busy away from the movie set as owner of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC,...
Plot details have not been divulged but the project is said to feature live-action and animated characters in an R-rated comedy. Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, who wrote the Netflix thriller-comedy “The Package,” will handle the script.
Legendary will produce the film alongside Reynolds’ production company Maximum Effort and Prime Focus Studios.
Also Read:
Legendary Sets $800 Million Credit Facility With J.P. Morgan
Reynolds, who most recently appeared in the Apple holiday musical “Spirited” alongside Will Ferrell, is set to return to his most famous role in “Deadpool 3,” which will start shooting this summer ahead of a 2024 release. Reynolds has also been busy away from the movie set as owner of the Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC,...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Deadline has reported that Legendary is developing Animal Friends with an all-star cast which includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, and Vince Vaughn.
Not much is known about Animal Friends, only that it will be a live-action/animated hybrid which is being described as “an R-rated road trip adventure.” As to who Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, and Vince Vaughn will be playing in Animal Friends, your guess is as good as mine at this point. But they’re all very funny folks, so we should be in for a good time. The project has been scripted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Midler, who have previously worked together on The Package for Netflix and Gentlemen Lobsters for Condé Nast. The pair also recently sold The Pick Up to Amazon, a heist comedy spec with Tim Story attached to direct and Eddie Murphey eyeing the leading role. Animal Friends...
Not much is known about Animal Friends, only that it will be a live-action/animated hybrid which is being described as “an R-rated road trip adventure.” As to who Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, and Vince Vaughn will be playing in Animal Friends, your guess is as good as mine at this point. But they’re all very funny folks, so we should be in for a good time. The project has been scripted by Kevin Burrows and Matt Midler, who have previously worked together on The Package for Netflix and Gentlemen Lobsters for Condé Nast. The pair also recently sold The Pick Up to Amazon, a heist comedy spec with Tim Story attached to direct and Eddie Murphey eyeing the leading role. Animal Friends...
- 4/18/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Legendary has set an all-star cast for their forthcoming film Animal Friends, combining live-action and animated characters from writing duo Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, with Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool 3), Jason Momoa (Fast X), Vince Vaughn (Bad Monkey) and Aubrey Plaza (Megalopolis) coming aboard for roles.
Plot details for the project, described as an R-rated road trip adventure, are being kept under wraps. Emmy-winning director Peter Atencio (The Machine) is at the helm.
The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows & Mider and Patrick Gooing, an executive at Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort. Producing alongside Legendary are Maximum Effort and Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by leading visual entertainment services company, Dneg.
Most recently starring opposite Will Ferrell in Apple’s popular holiday musical comedy Spirited, Reynolds prior to that starred in The Adam Project and Red Notice...
Plot details for the project, described as an R-rated road trip adventure, are being kept under wraps. Emmy-winning director Peter Atencio (The Machine) is at the helm.
The idea for the film came from a general meeting between Burrows & Mider and Patrick Gooing, an executive at Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort. Producing alongside Legendary are Maximum Effort and Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. Visual effects and animation will be provided by leading visual entertainment services company, Dneg.
Most recently starring opposite Will Ferrell in Apple’s popular holiday musical comedy Spirited, Reynolds prior to that starred in The Adam Project and Red Notice...
- 4/18/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures has debuted the trailer for ‘The Machine’ featuring Mark Hamill.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert (Bert Kreischer) facing a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Directed by Peter Atencio, the film stars Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Robert Maaser, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jess Gabor, Rita Bernard Shaw, Nikola Đuričko, Oleg Taktarov, Amelie Villers and Mercedes de la Cruz.
Also in trailers – “I’m a good girl… saving myself for marriage…” Hilarious trailer lands for...
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert (Bert Kreischer) facing a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Directed by Peter Atencio, the film stars Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Robert Maaser, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jess Gabor, Rita Bernard Shaw, Nikola Đuričko, Oleg Taktarov, Amelie Villers and Mercedes de la Cruz.
Also in trailers – “I’m a good girl… saving myself for marriage…” Hilarious trailer lands for...
- 3/21/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
It's not every stand-up's classic routines that become fodder for a movie script, but when you're Bert Kreischer and your material revolves around how you were apparently part of a train robbery in Russia years ago, you can see it happening. Check out the trailer for The Machine, starring Kreischer as himself and Mark Hamill as his dad…
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine (which refers to the persona Bert adopted while hanging with dodgy types in Russia years ago) finds Bert facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes.
Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while...
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine (which refers to the persona Bert adopted while hanging with dodgy types in Russia years ago) finds Bert facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes.
Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while...
- 3/21/2023
- Empire - Movies
Disney just released its first full trailer for “The Little Mermaid,” and the footage has created a massive wave of reactions online.
“Stunning” and “amazing” were just some of the ways Halle Bailey’s “The Little Mermaid” was described after the film’s first full-length trailer dropped during the 95th Academy Awards Sunday. The movie stars Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King, Simone Ashley Jacob Tremblay, David Diggs, Lin-Manuel, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and more.
As social media always does, it reacted with some responses praising the film, while others shared their criticisms of it.
Also Read:
First Full Trailer for Disney’s Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Makes a Splash (Video)
“Y’all that ‘little mermaid’ trailer was everything! @HalleBailey looked absolutely stunning as Ariel and I can’t wait to watch!” one Twitter user wrote.
Some users weren’t too happy with it, saying Bailey’s film “deserved better.” And other...
“Stunning” and “amazing” were just some of the ways Halle Bailey’s “The Little Mermaid” was described after the film’s first full-length trailer dropped during the 95th Academy Awards Sunday. The movie stars Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer-King, Simone Ashley Jacob Tremblay, David Diggs, Lin-Manuel, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem and more.
As social media always does, it reacted with some responses praising the film, while others shared their criticisms of it.
Also Read:
First Full Trailer for Disney’s Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Makes a Splash (Video)
“Y’all that ‘little mermaid’ trailer was everything! @HalleBailey looked absolutely stunning as Ariel and I can’t wait to watch!” one Twitter user wrote.
Some users weren’t too happy with it, saying Bailey’s film “deserved better.” And other...
- 3/13/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Bert (Bert Kreischer) and Sponge (Martyn Ford) in Screen Gems The Machine.
Hitting theaters on May 26 is the upcoming comedy The Machine.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Based on the breakout Bert Kreischer stand-up routine, check out the red-band trailer. Grab your tickets now for with a Live pre-show with Bert May 25! Website: http://www.TheMachine.Movie
Catch the very funny Kreischer on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80238360
The cast includes Bert Kreischer,...
Hitting theaters on May 26 is the upcoming comedy The Machine.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Based on the breakout Bert Kreischer stand-up routine, check out the red-band trailer. Grab your tickets now for with a Live pre-show with Bert May 25! Website: http://www.TheMachine.Movie
Catch the very funny Kreischer on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80238360
The cast includes Bert Kreischer,...
- 2/24/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
23 years ago, comedian Bert Kreischer was better known for his partying antics as "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," according to Rolling Stone. He ended up spending a summer in Russia that went kind of haywire, earning him the nickname "The Machine" and giving him an impressive story to tell for the rest of his life about being a part of a train robbery while not even speaking Russian. His shirtless stand-up story is the stuff of internet legend and kickstarted Kreischer's career as a comedian. Now, decades later, he's starring in a movie that returns him to where it all began, with Russians, robberies, and a whole lot of ridiculous antics.
The red-band trailer has arrived for "The Machine," which follows a fictionalized version of Kreischer and his dad (played by Mark Hamill!) after they're kidnapped by Russians and forced to be a...
The red-band trailer has arrived for "The Machine," which follows a fictionalized version of Kreischer and his dad (played by Mark Hamill!) after they're kidnapped by Russians and forced to be a...
- 2/23/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
"Bert - take off that shirt and show those SOBs who you really are!" Sony Pictures has revealed the full red band trailer for the wild and crazy comedy movie The Machine, from comedy filmmaker Peter Atencio, known for directing "Key & Peele" and their film Keanu previously. We featured the teaser last fall, now get ready for the entire story. From Legendary Pictures, this is an adaptation of comedian Bert Kreischer's crazy (true?) story of that time he was an exchange student in Russia. He ended up studying Russian at university and while on a trip there got the nickname "The Machine" because of his mad drinking abilities. Then he unwittingly helped the Russian mafia with a train robbery. Bert's drunken past then catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad.
- 2/23/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)
Long before Ryan Reynolds stepped in as Deadpool, Detective Pikachu, or the co-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C., most people knew him as the star of "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." But did you know that the titular seventh-year senior was actually based on a real person? The charismatic character was based on a Florida State University student that was profiled by Rolling Stone in 1997. Dubbed "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," that student's name was Bert Kreischer.
Now known for his stand-up comedy (which he performs without a shirt on), the St. Petersburg native has proven that his life gets much Wilder than anything that inspired Reynolds' breakout role. One...
Long before Ryan Reynolds stepped in as Deadpool, Detective Pikachu, or the co-owner of the Welsh football club Wrexham A.F.C., most people knew him as the star of "National Lampoon's Van Wilder." But did you know that the titular seventh-year senior was actually based on a real person? The charismatic character was based on a Florida State University student that was profiled by Rolling Stone in 1997. Dubbed "the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country," that student's name was Bert Kreischer.
Now known for his stand-up comedy (which he performs without a shirt on), the St. Petersburg native has proven that his life gets much Wilder than anything that inspired Reynolds' breakout role. One...
- 1/9/2023
- by Ben F. Silverio
- Slash Film
Comedian and star Bert Kreischer’s The Machine will laugh its way into theaters on May 26, the beginning of the long Memorial Day weekend. Legendary Star Wars actor Mark Hamill co-stars opposite Kreischer.
Sony and Legendary announced the film’s release date on Wednesday. The two companies recently announced a multi-year distribution deal.
The film is an adaptation of a story Kreischer told onstage about getting involved with the Russian mob while studying abroad in college. The tale of Kreischer’s exploits quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 85 million times, according to Legendary.
Peter Atencio (Key & Peele, Keanu) is directing The Machine from a script by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Kresischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić...
Sony and Legendary announced the film’s release date on Wednesday. The two companies recently announced a multi-year distribution deal.
The film is an adaptation of a story Kreischer told onstage about getting involved with the Russian mob while studying abroad in college. The tale of Kreischer’s exploits quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 85 million times, according to Legendary.
Peter Atencio (Key & Peele, Keanu) is directing The Machine from a script by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes.
Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Kresischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić...
- 1/5/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures will open Legendary Pictures’ The Machine on May 26.
The Peter Atencio directed movie takes place 23 years after the original story that inspired it. In the pic, comedian-star Bert Kreischer faces a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Kreischer will perform an exclusive live pre-show event at 6 p.m. May 25 in Los Angeles at a Tba theater location. The pre-show, which will be simulcast across 1,000+ theaters nationwide, will be followed by the first preview screening of the film. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.
The Peter Atencio directed movie takes place 23 years after the original story that inspired it. In the pic, comedian-star Bert Kreischer faces a familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.
Kreischer will perform an exclusive live pre-show event at 6 p.m. May 25 in Los Angeles at a Tba theater location. The pre-show, which will be simulcast across 1,000+ theaters nationwide, will be followed by the first preview screening of the film. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.
- 1/5/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Legendary Entertainment and AfterShock Media have closed a deal for a feature adaptation of the latter’s graphic novel Party & Prey from creators Steve Orlando & Steve Foxe, in a competitive situation. Patrick Brice (Creep) has been tapped to direct from a script by Rob Forman (iZombie).
Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
AfterShock Media and Legendary will produce the film adaptation alongside Lee Kramer, David Sigurani and Jon Kramer, with Orlando and Foxe exec producing, and Max Zupanovic serving as co-producer.
Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
AfterShock Media and Legendary will produce the film adaptation alongside Lee Kramer, David Sigurani and Jon Kramer, with Orlando and Foxe exec producing, and Max Zupanovic serving as co-producer.
- 12/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sometimes, comedians tell stories that are much too funny to be true. Surely no one's life actually contains mind-boggling hijinks, quotable one-liners, and situations that so carefully toe the line between hilarious and life-threatening? And yet, Bert Kreischer walks among us, living a life that sounds more akin to an R-rated comedy than reality. Which is why it makes so much sense that his stories keep getting grafted onto the big screen.
Here's where it started: when Kreischer was in college in the late '90s, he became the topic of a Rolling Stone article that dubbed him "the top partyer at the Number One Party School." That story not only gave him the push he needed to move to NYC and pursue a career in stand-up comedy but also served as the inspiration for National Lampoon's Van Wilder. Just like that — thanks to some Hollywood magic — Kreischer's life became a movie.
Here's where it started: when Kreischer was in college in the late '90s, he became the topic of a Rolling Stone article that dubbed him "the top partyer at the Number One Party School." That story not only gave him the push he needed to move to NYC and pursue a career in stand-up comedy but also served as the inspiration for National Lampoon's Van Wilder. Just like that — thanks to some Hollywood magic — Kreischer's life became a movie.
- 11/5/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
"Oh my god… I'm your origin story!" An early teaser trailer has debuted for a new comedy from filmmaker Peter Atencio, known for directing "Key & Peele" and their film Keanu previously. Produced by Legendary Pictures, the film is an adaptation of comedian Bert Kreischer's crazy (true?) story of that time he was an exchange student in Russia. He ended up studying Russian at university and while on a trip there got the nickname "The Machine" because of his drinking abilities. Then he unwittingly helped the Russian mafia with a train robbery. Bert's drunken past then catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad. The comedy stars Iva Babic, Mark Hamill, Bert Kreischer, Jimmy Tatro, Nikola Djuričko, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Martyn Ford, and others. This looks crazy so far!
- 11/3/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Jimmy Tatro is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Tatro most recently...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Tatro most recently...
- 6/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mercedes de La Cruz is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
- 6/9/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stephanie Kurtzuba is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. Jess Gabor is also on board. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Kurtzuba’s past credits include Bad Education,...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Kurtzuba’s past credits include Bad Education,...
- 5/5/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jess Gabor is set to join Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill in the upcoming feature film The Machine, based on Kreischer’s hit viral story. The film will be directed by Peter Atencio and written by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes. Kreischer will also produce along with Legendary’s Cale Boyter and Levity’s Judi Marmel.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Gabor is recognized for her performance on Season...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, the film is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Kreischer’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine The Machine, which has been viewed more than 85 million times. In it, his past catches up with him when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Philip Waley will executive produce, Jay Ashenfelter will associate produce, and Jonathan English will co-produce alongside Serbian production company Balkanic Media.
Gabor is recognized for her performance on Season...
- 4/27/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Legendary has set filmmaker Peter Atencio to direct The Machine with Comedian Bert Kreischer and Mark Hamill set to co-star in the film inspired by Kreischer’s hit viral story. Atencio, Kreischer and Judi Marmel are producing the project.
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, The Machine is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Bert’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine “The Machine,” which has been viewed more than 85 million times. Bert’s drunken past catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Atencio directed all 55 episodes of Key & Peele “Key & Peele. He earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series along with multiple other Emmy nominations, a Peabody Award and an American Comedy Award. He is repped by UTA and managed...
Described as The Hangover meets Midnight Run, The Machine is a genre-bending comedy inspired by Bert’s real-life adventures and subsequent breakout stand-up routine “The Machine,” which has been viewed more than 85 million times. Bert’s drunken past catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.
Atencio directed all 55 episodes of Key & Peele “Key & Peele. He earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series along with multiple other Emmy nominations, a Peabody Award and an American Comedy Award. He is repped by UTA and managed...
- 4/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
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