There is always a shortlist of actors deserving of an Academy Award. Ralph Fiennes is one of them. He earned a Supporting Actor nomination in 1994 for “Schindler’s List,” but lost out to Martin Landeau for “Ed Wood.” He landed a Best Actor nod in 1997 for “The English Patient,” but Geoffrey Rush had that one in the bag for “Shine.” And in the almost three decades since, he’s been overlooked for incredible work in films such as “The End of the Affair,” “The Constant Gardner,” “Coriolanus,” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” That may change with his celebrated performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence in Edward Berger’s adaptation of Robert Harris‘ novel, “Conclave.”

READ MORE: For his contemporary “Conclave,” Edward Berger embraces the discourse [Interview]

The fact Fiennes is not synonymous with the Oscars is sort of head-scratching.

Continue reading Ralph Fiennes Isn’t Distracted By Oscar Buzz For ‘Conclave,’ Just Doing “Good Work” at The Playlist.

In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo goes on a joyride with one of the stars of “The Bikeriders.” The film follows the members of a Chicago-area biker gang from their innocent inception in the 1960s to their descent into a darker underworld. The Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “Midnight Special,” “Take Shelter”) film stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Boyd Holbrook, and more. 

Continue reading ‘The Bikeriders’: Jodie Comer On Her Motorcycle Drama, Ending ‘Killing Eve,’ Danny Boyle’s ’28 Years Later’ & More [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.

After much hemming and hawing and a little bit of teases about his appearance, Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy has been confirmed for Sony’s “28 Years Later” horror thriller.

Sony chief Tom Rothman revealed the news in a new interview with Deadline. “Yes [Murphy will return], but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way,” Rothman said.

Continue reading Cillian Murphy Confirmed For Danny Boyle’s ‘28 Years Later’ at The Playlist.

Sometimes, a film project comes together really quickly. That seems to be the case with the forthcoming “28 Years Later.” Prior to a few months ago, the film was more theoretical. Wouldn’t it be cool if it happened? Now, not only is it happening, but it’s the start of a new trilogy, we have two major directors attached, and the cast is really incredible, thus far. Now, “28 Years Later” might be one of our most anticipated films.

Continue reading ’28 Years Later’: Jack O’Connell Joins The Cast Of Danny Boyle’s Sequel at The Playlist.

Two decades after British filmmaker Danny Boyle resurrected the then-ailing zombie genre with his post-apocalyptic rage-virus movie (technically, not zombies, but close enough), the long-belated sequel to “28 Days Later” is finally taking shape. Titled “28 Years Later,” and reuniting Boyle with his original screenwriter Alex Garland, late yesterday, the main cast was revealed.

Deadline reports that Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (“Bullet Train”), and Ralph Fiennes (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) have all joined the cast.

Continue reading ‘28 Years Later’: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor Johnson & Ralph Fiennes Join Danny Boyle’s Zombie Thriller at The Playlist.

Is Nia DaCosta headed back to the horror genre? Deadline reports that the “Candyman” director is in talks with Sony Pictures to direct the second film in the upcoming “28 Years Later” trilogy. If DaCosta does signs on, she’ll shoot her installment immediately after Danny Boyle wraps the first one later this year.  

READ MORE: ’28 Years Later’: Cillian Murphy Says “Watch This Space” About Whether He’ll Star

And that means Sony, Boyle, and writer Alex Garland are working fast to make this new trilogy a reality.

Continue reading ’28 Years Later’: ‘Candyman’ Director Nia DaCosta In Talks To Direct Part Two In New Trilogy at The Playlist.

Last week, in an interview with U.K. outlet, The Guardian, British filmmaker Alex Garland (“Civil War“) reiterated his plans to pause directing efforts for “the foreseeable future.” For some, that’s been distilled and reduced to Garland announcing formal plans to “retire” from filmmaking, something the filmmaker has taken great issues with. So, in a brand new interview with IndieWire, the writer/director has attempted to once again clarify his statements, stressing that he’s taking a break from filmmaking, not retiring, and that the pressures of making his new A24 “Civil War” political thriller had nothing to do with his decision.

Continue reading Alex Garland Clarifies He Isn’t Retiring, Just Stepping Away From Directing For “Foreseeable Future” at The Playlist.

Following comments made last year during the “Men” press tour that he would step away from directing and stick with screenwriting, filmmaker Alex Garland evidently hasn’t changed his mind after helming his latest film, “Civil War.”

In a new interview with The Guardian, the U.K. outlet spoke with the filmmaker about his latest political thriller and, in the process, learned Garland is sticking to his previous claim.

Continue reading Alex Garland Reiterates Plan To Stop Directing After ‘Warfare’: “I’m Not Planning To Direct Again In The Foreseeable Future” at The Playlist.

Belated legacy sequels are still all the rage in Hollywood, and joining the ranks of this trend is “28 Years Later,” the long-overdue sequel to director Danny Boyle’s zombie/rage-virus thriller, “28 Days Later,” and its sequel “28 Weeks Later.”

While Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, who are reuniting for the first time in almost two decades, have teased a third film in the rage virus trilogy, one never materialized until just a few weeks ago when the surprise sequel was announced.

Continue reading ‘28 Years Later’: Cillian Murphy Says “Watch This Space” About Whether He’ll Star at The Playlist.

Thanks to “Oppenheimer,” all of Hollywood wants a piece of Cillian Murphy. So is it any surprise that Sony shelled out a ton for the latest in the “28 Days Later” franchise? THR reports that the studio won the bidding war for a new sequel in the zombie franchise, which comes with an additional sequel if all goes well. As of right now, however, Murphy is only on board officially as an executive producer.

Continue reading New ‘28 Years Later’ Franchise Lands At Sony, Cillian Murphy Joins As Producer & May Appear at The Playlist.

Back in 2019, we started to hear rumblings from Danny Boyle that he was interested in directing a new film in the “28 Days Later” franchise. He kept saying that it was all in the hands of writer Alex Garland, whether or not it happened. Then the pandemic hit and the sequel discussion seemed to have disappeared a bit. However, in a new Inverse profile of the original “28 Days Later,” both Garland and Boyle have expressed renewed interest in a proper sequel to their film, tentatively titled “28 Years Later.” 

READ MORE: Danny Boyle Is “Very Tempted” To Direct A New ’28 Days Later’ Sequel & Says Alex Garland’s Script Features “A Lovely Idea”

Released back in 2002, “28 Days Later,” directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, was a big hit and reignited fan interest in the zombie horror genre.

Continue reading ’28 Years Later’: Danny Boyle And Alex Garland Are Talking About A New ’28 Days Later’ Sequel “Quite Seriously, Quite Diligently” at The Playlist.