John Madden Archives - The Playlist

‘Madden’: Nicolas Cage To Play John Madden In New David O. Russell Film

Edward Davis — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:07:30 +0000

Well, we can assume those talks didn’t work out. Back in early summer 2023, it was reported that Will Ferrell was in talks to play legendary former football coach turned beloved NFL sports commentator John Madden, as directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker David O. Russell (“American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”). But according to new reports from various trade outlets, the role has gone to Nicolas Cage (“Raising Arizona,” “The Rock”) instead.

Continue reading ‘Madden’: Nicolas Cage To Play John Madden In New David O. Russell Film at The Playlist.

‘Operation Mincemeat’ Review: Colin Firth & Matthew Macfadyen Outsmart The Nazis In A WWII Potboiler

Mitchell Beaupre — Tue, 10 May 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Operation Mincemeat was a covert British plan during World War II designed to disguise the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily. To do this, two members of British intelligence disguised the body of an already-deceased man named Glyndwr Michael as an officer of the Royal Marines, a fictitious man named William Martin. They strategically placed manufactured correspondence on Michael’s body and dumped him on the southern coast of Spain, where he would be picked up by Spanish fishermen.

Continue reading ‘Operation Mincemeat’ Review: Colin Firth & Matthew Macfadyen Outsmart The Nazis In A WWII Potboiler at The Playlist.

‘Operation Mincemeat’ Trailer: Colin Firth To Thwart Nazis In New WWII Drama

Christopher Marc — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 15:04:02 +0000

Actor Colin Firth is no stranger to war films having played a general in Sam Mendes‘ fantastically shot WWI pic “1917” and is taking a bigger role with his new film “Operation Mincemeat” taking place during WWII, a particularly brutal campaign for the Britsh as they had endured bombardments from German war planes while North American allies weren’t as exposed to the Nazi war machine as British citizens were.

Continue reading ‘Operation Mincemeat’ Trailer: Colin Firth To Thwart Nazis In New WWII Drama at The Playlist.

Jessica Chastain Is A Force Of Nature In The Pulse-Pounding ‘Miss Sloane’ [Review]

Nick Schager — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 21:27:09 +0000

Jessica Chastain is a great actress, but with “Miss Sloane,” she also proves that she’s a great movie star. Headlining the sort of pulse-pounding adult thriller that studios rarely produce anymore — and, as evidenced by this past May’s “Money Monster,” even more rarely succeed with at the domestic box office — Chastain is a one-woman force of nature as a dominant D.C. lobbyist mired in a fierce political battle with her former firm.

Continue reading Jessica Chastain Is A Force Of Nature In The Pulse-Pounding ‘Miss Sloane’ [Review] at The Playlist.

Jessica Chastain Gets Ruthless In The First Trailer For Political Thriller ‘Miss Sloane’

The Playlist — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:09:23 +0000

One of the many reasons we love Jessica Chastain is that she’s constantly doing new things. Ever since the busy 2011 that introduced, we’ve seen her vast range, from embodiment of maternal love in “The Tree Of Life” to comic relief in “The Help,” and she’s only continued to mix up ever since: in the last twelve months alone, we’ve seen her as a fearsome villainess in “Crimson Peak,” a compassionate space commander in “The Martian,” and an ass-kicking warrior in “The Huntsman: Winter’s War.”

But her next film, and the one that could put her into awards contention again, looks in some respects to be a return to past glories, playing a complex, potentially unlikable role in a movie tackling a hot-button issue, just as her last Oscar-nominated turn in “Zero Dark Thirty” did.

Continue reading Jessica Chastain Gets Ruthless In The First Trailer For Political Thriller ‘Miss Sloane’ at The Playlist.

The 10 Best & 10 Worst Follow-Ups To Best Picture Oscar Winners

The Playlist Staff — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:03:30 +0000

The 10 Best & 10 Worst Follow-Ups To Best Picture Oscar Winners

Continue reading The 10 Best & 10 Worst Follow-Ups To Best Picture Oscar Winners at The Playlist.

Watch: Check Into The ‘Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ With The First Trailer

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:51:03 +0000

Watch: Check Into The 'Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' With The First Trailer

Continue reading Watch: Check Into The ‘Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ With The First Trailer at The Playlist.

Peter Jackson Calls 48fps & 3D A “Gift To His Style Of Filmmaking,” And Says Fran Walsh Directed The Best Scene In ‘The Two Towers’

The Playlist Staff — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:05:05 +0000

Peter Jackson Calls 48fps & 3D A "Gift To His Style Of Filmmaking," And Says Fran Walsh Directed The Best Scene In 'The Two Towers'

Continue reading Peter Jackson Calls 48fps & 3D A “Gift To His Style Of Filmmaking,” And Says Fran Walsh Directed The Best Scene In ‘The Two Towers’ at The Playlist.

Charlize Theron Gets Caught In A ‘Murder Mystery’ For John Madden Penned By ‘Zodiac’ Scribe James Vanderbilt

The Playlist Staff — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:40:41 +0000

Charlize Theron Gets Caught In A 'Murder Mystery' For John Madden Penned By 'Zodiac' Scribe James Vanderbilt

Continue reading Charlize Theron Gets Caught In A ‘Murder Mystery’ For John Madden Penned By ‘Zodiac’ Scribe James Vanderbilt at The Playlist.

Awesome Explosion: Michael Sheen & Lizzy Caplan To Star In Showtime Series ‘Masters Of Sex’

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:00:02 +0000

Awesome Explosion: Michael Sheen & Lizzy Caplan To Star In Showtime Series 'Masters Of Sex'

Continue reading Awesome Explosion: Michael Sheen & Lizzy Caplan To Star In Showtime Series ‘Masters Of Sex’ at The Playlist.

Drawn Out Miramax Deal Delays John Madden’s ‘The Debt’ & Guillermo Del Toro Produced ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark’

Simon Dang — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:23:00 +0000

Miramax Films’ lengthy, drawn out buy-out process has now affected its upcoming slate with two of its films withdrawn from their winter releases.

John Madden’s part-thriller, part romantic drama, “The Debt,” and Troy Nixey’s Guillermo Del Toro-produced “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark” were scheduled to hit theaters on December 29th and January 21st respectively but have now been postponed until Miramax’s new owners — construction magnate Ron Tutor and Tom Barrack’s Santa Monica-based Colony Capital — put together their new shingle, Filmyard.

Continue reading Drawn Out Miramax Deal Delays John Madden’s ‘The Debt’ & Guillermo Del Toro Produced ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark’ at The Playlist.

John Madden’s ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ Begins Filming October 10

Edward Davis — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:45:00 +0000

Johnny-come-lately reports will mislead you, but be certain; there’s almost nothing new in Fox Searchlight’s press release about John Madden’s “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” which starts principal photography in India later this week, but a reminder of the project doesn’t hurt.

The cast already includes Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and one new element is that fact that Peter O’Toole no longer seems to be part of the ensemble (and Smith replaced Julie Christie a few months ago, so there’s been a few bits of juggling going round).

Continue reading John Madden’s ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ Begins Filming October 10 at The Playlist.

Carey Mulligan Confirms Link To John Madden’s ‘My Fair Lady’ Remake, Says She ‘Would Love To Do It If It Happens’

Simon Dang — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:45:00 +0000

After playing a game of cat and mouse with the media earlier this year, first being unveiled by Emma Thompson and then denying any involvement, Carey Mulligan has finally confirmed her link to the gestating remake of “My Fair Lady” noting that while she is in talks to star, the project isn’t going to be happening for a while yet.

“It’s not happening this year,” Mulligan told WorstPreviews. “I’ve definitely spoken about it, and I would love to do it if it happens, but it’s just not happening right now.”

“I read the script and the script is incredible.

Continue reading Carey Mulligan Confirms Link To John Madden’s ‘My Fair Lady’ Remake, Says She ‘Would Love To Do It If It Happens’ at The Playlist.

Maggie Smith To Replace Julie Christie In John Madden’s ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’?

Kevin Jagernauth — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:05:00 +0000

Eager to reclaim their 2008 awards season glory with “Slumdog Millionaire,” last month it was reported that Fox Searchlight was booting up another India-based film in the shape of “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

Based on the book “These Fine Things” by Deborah Moggach, the project “is a comedy of Eastern and Western manners with the shrewd Indian executive who sees a gap in the market when he notices that a lot of elderly folk in the UK are farmed out to dismal retirement developments.

Continue reading Maggie Smith To Replace Julie Christie In John Madden’s ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’? at The Playlist.

Trailer: ‘The Debt’ Starring Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren & Tom Wilkinson

Edward Davis — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:22:00 +0000

Yesterday we got one of our first looks at “The Debt.” Today there’s more.

A remake of the 2007 Israeli film of the same name, we were pleasantly surprised when we read the script to this — it’s by writing team Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman (“Stardust”, “Kick-Ass”) and it’s certainly one of the best things they’ve written. Part thriller, part dark romantic drama, the cast is pretty high caliber, with Sam Worthington, Marton Csokas and hotly-tipped young star Jessica Chastain playing the young agents, and Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson and Helen Mirren playing their older equivalents.

Continue reading Trailer: ‘The Debt’ Starring Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren & Tom Wilkinson at The Playlist.

First Look & New Photos: ‘Hungry Rabbit Jumps,’ ‘The Debt,’ ‘The Town, & ‘Easy A’

Edward Davis — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:55:00 +0000

The latest issue of EW has a few first looks and new photos that we thought we’d parse. The most notable is probably the first look at “The Hungry Rabbit Jumps” starring Nicolas Cage and “Mad Men” actress GQ cover girl January Jones.

Directed by “Species” filmmaker Roger Donaldson it centers on a man whose life is turned upside down when his wife (Jones) is assaulted and he makes a deal with a mysterious group offering vigilante justice.

Continue reading First Look & New Photos: ‘Hungry Rabbit Jumps,’ ‘The Debt,’ ‘The Town, & ‘Easy A’ at The Playlist.

Fox Searchlight Books ‘Exotic Hotel’ With Dev Patel, Julie Christie, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson & Peter O’Toole In Talks

Kevin Jagernauth — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:43:00 +0000

If it worked once in Hollywood, lord knows they’ll try it again. Eager to recapture the box office and awards season glory of their 2008 film “Slumdog Millionaire,” Fox Searchlight have started work on another India-set film titled, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”

Based on the book “These Fine Things” by Deborah Moggach, the project practically reeks of awards season bait. The story — which is basically “Cocoon” set in India sans aliens — follows the travails of a bunch of old white people who live in a retirement home in Bangalore who “find a new lease on life.” Here’s the full synopsis of the book from Amazon:

Dr Ravi Kapoor has reached the end of his tether.

Continue reading Fox Searchlight Books ‘Exotic Hotel’ With Dev Patel, Julie Christie, Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson & Peter O’Toole In Talks at The Playlist.

John Madden Still Directing ‘My Fair Lady,’ Aiming For A 2011 Shoot

Kevin Jagernauth — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:03:00 +0000

The remake of “My Fair Lady” lives on. Correcting his earlier story that director John Madden had left the film due to disagreements over who to cast in the role of Professor Henry Higgins (the role was most recently attached to Hugh Grant, a favorite of screenwriter/actress/friend Emma Thompson), MailOnline writer Baz Bamigboye has learned that Madden is still set to direct but that filming definitely won’t happen until 2011.

As for Hugh Grant, it looks like he’s out as casting is still underway for the roles of Professor Henry Higgins and his student Eliza Doolittle.

Continue reading John Madden Still Directing ‘My Fair Lady,’ Aiming For A 2011 Shoot at The Playlist.

Did John Madden Walk Away From ‘My Fair Lady’ Because Of Hugh Grant?

Kevin Jagernauth — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:03:00 +0000

It looks like the long-gestating remake of “My Fair Lady” is going back to the drawing board. Again.

It appears that John Madden, who joined the troubled production in December of last year has quit the film. Rumor has it that disagreements over who to cast in the role of Professor Henry Higgins led him to leave the film that was going to try to get in front of cameras later this year, or in early 2011.

Continue reading Did John Madden Walk Away From ‘My Fair Lady’ Because Of Hugh Grant? at The Playlist.

Carey Mulligan Will Take The Lead In ‘My Fair Lady’; Hugh Grant Still A Maybe

Oliver Lyttelton — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:28:00 +0000

There’s been a bit of a merry-go-round in the casting for John Madden’s upcoming film version of the classic musical “My Fair Lady;” Keira Knightley was linked to the film for years, but parted ways toward the end of last year, in favor of David Cronenberg’s “The Talking Cure” and Noah Baumbach’s “The Emperor’s Children” (can you blame her?) as well as a rumored role in “Captain America.” Similarly, Daniel Day-Lewis and Colin Firth were both believed to be interested in the male lead, Professor Henry Higgins, but both seem to have been ruled out.

Continue reading Carey Mulligan Will Take The Lead In ‘My Fair Lady’; Hugh Grant Still A Maybe at The Playlist.

Will Hugh Grant Play Henry Higgins In John Madden’s ‘My Fair Lady’?

Kevin Jagernauth — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:16:00 +0000

Ever since John Madden took the reigns of the long-gestating “My Fair Lady” in December, it seems the film has been losing more cast members than adding them. First, Keira Knightley, long attached to take the lead role of Eliza Doolittle, dropped out and then a month later, the hotly tipped Carey Mulligan denied any involvement in the picture. We began to wonder if Madden was just another director on the merry-go-word that has also included Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry at various stages.

Continue reading Will Hugh Grant Play Henry Higgins In John Madden’s ‘My Fair Lady’? at The Playlist.

UK Film Council Reveals New Projects For James Marsh, Oliver Hirschbiegel, Paddy Considine

Oliver Lyttelton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:05:00 +0000

The idea of government-subsidized filmmaking is almost unheard of in the States, but in the rest of the world it’s almost essential for the independent filmmaking world to receive some kind of financial support from a funding body. The UK Film Council, which looks after such handouts, with funding from the National Lottery, have announced their latest round of development grants, and it’s revealed some projects we weren’t previously aware of, as well as a few extra details on some that we were.

Continue reading UK Film Council Reveals New Projects For James Marsh, Oliver Hirschbiegel, Paddy Considine at The Playlist.

Where Will Miramax’s Six Leftover Films Go?

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:35:00 +0000

All hail Miramax, the seminal independent film studio that revolutionized the industry in the ’90s under the aegis of the Weinstein brothers Harvey and Bob and then floundered in the mid-aughts under Disney and then died its eventual death last week (RIP). But what of the leftover films that Miramax was scheduled to release this year? Well according to the New York Times, Disney (the parent company owner of Miramax) is quietly looking to sell off titles to other studios.

Continue reading Where Will Miramax’s Six Leftover Films Go? at The Playlist.

Andrea Arnold Heads To ‘Wuthering Heights’; John Madden Is ‘The Outcast’ & Death Cab For Cutie Honor John Hughes

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:59:00 +0000

Andrea Arnold, who has quickly made a name for herself with “Red Road” and “Fish Tank,” has signed on to direct an adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic “Wuthering Heights.” While the story has been adapted already countless times, this production, written by Olivia Hetreed (“Girl With A Pearl Earring”) promises to “emphasize the youthful, teenage aspect of the protagonists in the original source material.” Natalie Portman, Abbie Cornish and Gemma Arterton have all been attached at one point to play the iconic lead role of Cathy, the doomed lover, who is forced to choose between her husband and her passion for Heathcliff.

Continue reading Andrea Arnold Heads To ‘Wuthering Heights’; John Madden Is ‘The Outcast’ & Death Cab For Cutie Honor John Hughes at The Playlist.

Keira Knightley Drops Out Of ‘My Fair Lady’ Musical Remake

Oliver Lyttelton — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:31:00 +0000

The planned remake of “My Fair Lady” has been in the works for many, many years at this point — Danny Boyle came very close to doing it, and approached Daniel Day Lewis to star, leaving the project when he couldn’t land him. Joe Wright was rumored to be on board, but it turned out that he’d turned the project down, and now “Shakespeare in Love” helmer John Madden is in the director’s chair.

All through this process, Keira Knightley has been loosely attached to play Eliza Doolittle, although she’s never officially signed on.

Continue reading Keira Knightley Drops Out Of ‘My Fair Lady’ Musical Remake at The Playlist.