“Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One” did not do well at the box office.  Despite an extensive promotion campaign which included a heavily circulated clip of Tom Cruise literally driving a motorcycle off the cliff of a mountain, the movie just did not click with audiences.  Failing to capture the lightning in a bottle success of Cruise’s previous 2022 effort “Top Gun: Maverick.”  Some attributed the movie’s poor performance to the ‘Barbenheimer’ craze that took over summer 2023. 

Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Teaser: Tom Cruise Returns for Newest Spy Thriller Installment In May at The Playlist.

“The Place Beyond The Pines” director Derek Cianfrance returns to theaters next year with his first film since 2016: the true-crime pic “Roofman.” And THR reports that Cianfrance has the film’s lead cast lined up now, too.  Channing Tatum headlines in the movie’s title role, while Kirsten Dunst and Peter Dinklage co-star.

READ MORE: Channing Tatum Still Wants To Make A ‘Gambit’ Solo Film & Says It’s In “Kevin Feige’s Hands”

But what’s “Roofman” about?  Based on a true story, Tatum stars as a former Army Ranger and struggling dad who resorts to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs (hence the film’s title).   But after getting arrested, he escapes from prison and starts a new life hiding out in a toy story, falling in love with a single mom and two daughters.  His chance at redemption can’t last, however, as it all hinges on one final robbery…

Along with directing, Cianfrance co-writes the script for “Roofman” with Kirt Gunn.

Continue reading ‘Roofman’: Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst & Peter Dinklage To Star In Derek Cianfrance’s Upcoming True-Crime Pic at The Playlist.

Awards season quickly approaches. And one of the hottest films expected to make a push later this year is “September 5.” The period thriller about the ABC Sports crew that covered the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis was picked up by Paramount Pictures and will make it into theaters in November, with an expected wider release in December. Reviews for the movie have been very positive thus far, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “an enlightening, altogether gripping experience.” There have been comparisons to similarly compelling newsroom dramas like “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight.”

Like those films mentioned, particular praise may appear in the form of Oscar nominations early next year.

Continue reading ‘September 5’ Trailer: Peter Sarsgaard-Starring Munich Olympics Thriller Arrives November 29 at The Playlist.

“The Godfather, Part III” is universally regarded as the disappointing third sibling of “The Godfather” franchise, but outside of unofficially ending Sofia Coppola‘s acting career, it is known for one famous line. At a pivotal moment in the film, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), mutters, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” That phrase is more than appropriate to describe the dance between Shari Redstone and Skydance Media over control of the studio that released the Francis Ford Coppola drama, Paramount.

Continue reading Report: Skydance And Shari Redstone Finally Have A Deal For Paramount at The Playlist.

Is the hype on “Smile 2” starting?  Paramount at least wants to incite the process, as Total Film reports the studio has begun its viral social media campaign for Parker Finn‘s horror sequel. Don’t believe us? Head over to Instagram and X to check out a fan page for the fictional pop star Skye Riley and see for yourself.

READ MORE: ‘Possession’: Robert Pattinson To Team Up With ‘Smile’ Director Parker Finn For Remake Of Andrzej Żuławski’s 1981 Cult Classic

The new marketing campaign highlights the horror movie’s new main character, played by Naomi Scott, and her latest chart-topper “Blood In White Satin” (a horror-tinged riff on a song by The Moody Blue, which Rob Zombie immortalized in his “Halloween 2“).

Continue reading ‘Smile 2’ Teasers: Paramount Begins Its Marketing Campaign For Its Upcoming Horror Sequel On Social Media at The Playlist.

Ridley Scott has never been a filmmaker afraid of an epic scale, but according to actor Joseph Quinn, he may have outdone himself on “Gladiator 2.” IndieWire reports (via GQ) that Quinn often filmed sequences of the upcoming sequel with eight cameras, sometimes even on single scenes. Scott would then piece together camera shots to get what he wanted.

READ MORE: ‘Gladiator 2’ Shows Its Teeth For Paramount Pictures At CinemaCon

“I was like, ‘Eight cameras?’ and he’s like ‘You gotta know where to f*cking put ’em,’” Quinn told the publication.

Continue reading ‘Gladiator 2’: Joseph Quinn Says Ridley Scott Used Up To Eight Cameras At Once While Shooting Upcoming Sequel at The Playlist.

LAS VEGAS – Things are rocky for Paramount Pictures at the moment. While studio CEO and Chairman Brian Robbins and his team presented highlights of their upcoming 2024 slate, reports were breaking of corporate shareholders coming out publicly against a proposed merger with Skydance Media. Robbins acknowledged the “elephant in the room” joking that the studio’s head of distribution Chris Aronson was setting up a GoFundMe to buy the company himself.

Continue reading ‘Gladiator II’ Shows Its Teeth For Paramount Pictures At CinemaCon at The Playlist.

While “Star Trek” has flourished on the small screen and within many of Paramount+’s series like “Picard,” Trekkies haven’t experienced a film in theaters since 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond.” But there seems to be some tentatively good news on the horizon regarding the long-in-development “Star Trek 4.” Variety reports that the studio has hired Steve Yockey to write the newest incarnation of the “Star Trek 4” script, which is being described as a final installment.

Continue reading ‘Star Trek 4’: Paramount Hires ‘Flight Attendant’ Co-Creator Steve Yockey To Pen Final Film at The Playlist.

Are you ready for the return of bumbling detective Frank Drebin to the big screen? Wait, chances are if you are under 35 you have no idea what we’re referring to. The character was a masterstroke of deadpan humor played by Leslie Nielsen in three motion pictures beginning with “The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad!” in 1988. Today, Paramount Pictures revealed the long-rumored reboot starring Liam Neeson will arrive in theaters on July 18, 2025.

Continue reading Liam Neeson’s ‘Naked Gun’ Reboot Set For July 2025 at The Playlist.

Jeff Nichols was just at the Telluride Film Festival last weekend for the world premiere of his upcoming film, “The Bikeriders.” And while he was there, the director hopped on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast to talk about his new movie, failed pitches for projects like “Aquaman,” and other topics. That includes “Alien Nation,” a long-gestating project of Nichols’ that never panned out (and is the reason for seven years between “The Bikeriders” and 2016’s “Loving” and “Midnight Special“) but came closer to being made than anyone realizes.

Continue reading Jeff Nichols Says ‘Alien Nation’ Was Actually An Original Sci-Fi Film That He May Still Make Without That Branding at The Playlist.

Ever since 1990, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” have had a footprint on the big screen. While a new live-action film is years away, producer/co-writer Seth Rogen (“The Boys“) is behind a brand new take on the ‘Ninja Turtles’ franchise with the upcoming animated movie, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” As the quirky new animated pic releases this summer, Paramount has released a brand new trailer.

Continue reading ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Trailer: Seth Rogen’s Take On The Franchise Arrives In August at The Playlist.

For the glory of Rome! This summer will see filmmaker Ridley Scott return to the period epic genre with a sprawling sequel to his acclaimed 2000 pic “Gladiator.” And while he’s already assembled quite the cast for the film, one of his high-profile actors has sadly dropped out. According to Deadline, recent Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin“) will exit due to a scheduling conflict.

Continue reading ‘Gladiator 2’: Ridley Scott’s Sequel Adds ‘Moon Knight’ Breakout May Calamawy, Fred Hechinger, Peter Mensah & More While Barry Keoghan Exits at The Playlist.

More casting news for Ridley Scott‘s upcoming blockbuster sequel “Gladiator 2.” Deadline reports that Connie Nielson will return to reprise her role as Lucilla from the 2000 original film, while “Stranger Things” breakout star Joseph Quinn lands the role of Emperor Caracalla. The pair join the already stacked cast of Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Denzel Washington.

Continue reading ‘Gladiator 2’: Connie Nielson Returns As Lucilla While Joseph Quinn Will Play Emperor Caracalla In Ridley Scott’s Upcoming Sequel at The Playlist.

Yesterday, it was announced that veteran writer Steven Knight (“Spencer,” “Eastern Promises“) would be joining the next untitled “Star Wars” film to help prepare a script ahead of the sci-fi adventure movie’s eventual production. Now there’s even more news about Knight’s upcoming film projects, and the latest one announced by Deadline is certainly a doozy for fans of classic thrillers.

READ MORE: ‘Point Blank’: Robert Downey Jr.

Continue reading ‘Vertigo’: Robert Downey Jr. & Steve Knight Team For Remake Of Classic Alfred Hitchcock Thriller At Paramount at The Playlist.

It’s been over 20 years since Ridley Scott rocked the period action film genre with his beloved “Gladiator,” eventually earning Best Picture and Best Actor wins at the Academy Awards in 2001. A long-gestating sequel is finally going in front of cameras this summer, with recent Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal (“Aftersun“) taking the lead role and Scott returning to the director’s chair.

READ MORE: ‘Gladiator 2’: Paramount Slates Ridley Scott’s Upcoming Sequel With Paul Mescal For November 22, 2024

Now another high-profile Irish actor looks to join “Gladiator 2” as The Hollywood Reporter backs up rumors that fellow Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin“) is in talks for a major role in the Roman Empire epic.

Continue reading ‘Gladiator 2’: Barry Keoghan To Play Emperor Geta In Ridley Scott’s Roman Empire Sequel at The Playlist.

Can’t wait until “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” has its world premiere at South By Southwest in Austin on March 10? Well, here’s a new TV spot for the film to tide things over, exclusively for Super Bowl LVII.

Chris Pines leads the film’s ensemble cast as a charming bard who risks it all to steal a relic that could help save the world from being enslaved by evil.

Continue reading ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Super Bowl TV Spot: The TTRPG Adaptation Hits Theaters Everywhere On March 31 at The Playlist.

Joseph Quinn‘s Eddie Munson didn’t survive the Demobats of the Upside Down in “Stranger Things” Season 4 (it’s not a spoiler anymore, guys). Now, EW reports (via Deadline), Quinn will take on a different monster altogether as he’s in talks to join Lupita Nyong’o in the upcoming spinoff to the “A Quiet Place” series.

READ MORE: ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’: Lupita Nyong’o To Star In New ‘Day One’ Spinoff

“A Quiet Place: Day One” is the next installment in Jon Krasinski‘s alien invasion series, but it won’t feature the Abbott Family from the first two films.

Continue reading ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’: ‘Stranger Things’ Star Joseph Quinn In Talks To Join Lupita Nyong’o In Upcoming Spinoff Film at The Playlist.

As we mentioned in our post regarding the contest we are running for “Army of Darkness,” it’s spooky season, and there isn’t a better way to celebrate than with a horror movie. So, why not give our readers another contest? 

One fan-favorite franchise this time of year is the “Scream” franchise and this year, “Scream 2” turns 25. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film, Paramount Pictures has released “Scream 2” in newly remastered 4K both on Digital and in a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray set that includes bonus content.

Continue reading ‘Scream 2’ Contest: Win A Copy Of The Beloved Sequel on 4K UHD/Blu-Ray [Contest] at The Playlist.

It doesn’t happen too often, especially from modern studio fare, but Parker Finn’s “Smile” is the kind of horror movie that earns the unique qualification of “genuinely scary.” Credit to Finn, the writer/director making his feature debut here, for achieving this with a strong and simple visual hook: possessed characters who smile, a sign to the witness that something is about to go horrifically wrong. It’s always creepy when actors here suddenly force a wide grin onto their faces, gradually baring their full teeth and pointing their eyes in a fashion that would barely be welcoming in a photo.

Continue reading ‘Smile’ Review: Parker Finn’s Debut Film Is Jump-Scare Horror Done Really, Really Well at The Playlist.

The 2009 cult film “Orphan” ends with (SPOILER) Esther’s body floating in a pond after her neck is broken, so when the trailer for“Orphan: First Kill” dropped, we were surprised to tell you that this film is going to be a prequel. We were surprised because, regardless of it being 13 years later, returning to her role of orphan Esther is Isabelle Fuhrman.  

This return will be made possible by a combination of make-up effects and camera tricks to make her still look believable in the role.

Continue reading ‘Orphan: First Kill’ Contest: Win A Digital Copy Of Will Brent Bell’s Horror Prequel at The Playlist.

When the first trailer for “Sonic The Hedgehog” dropped online, it wasn’t apparent that the film would end up being a smashing success as the beloved video game character’s bizarre design led fans to ask the studio to “fix” the look of Sonic to a more traditional version and, surprisingly, it happened. Thanks to Paramount taking that advice and putting together an audience-pleasing pic, the two installments have earned them a combined $721.5 million at the global box office. 

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ Going Head-To-Head With ‘Avatar 3’ In 2024 at The Playlist.

We’ll be seeing actor Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night In Miami“) taking on the role of legendary Reggae singer Bob Marley in a new biopic film at Paramount Pictures that is being helmed by “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green. The combination of director and actor gives the impression that it could end up becoming a festival/awards darling as another impressive addition to the cast has been announced.

Continue reading Paramount’s Bob Marley Biopic Casts Lashana Lynch As Iconic Singer’s Wife, Rita Marley at The Playlist.

Whether or not you were a “Nickelodeon Kid” in the late ’90s or early 2000s, there is a pretty good chance that you’ve seen “Good Burger,” starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. If you haven’t, that’s okay because this is your chance to not only watch the film but own it. 

“Good Burger,” based on Thompson and Mitchell’s famous sketch from show “All That,” tells the story of Dexter Reed, who takes his mother’s car on a joyride and is involved in an accident with his teacher Mr.

Continue reading Contest: Win An 25th Anniversary Copy of ‘Good Burger’ at The Playlist.

Chris Pine was arguably once known as the “forgotten Chris” (next to Evans, Hemsworth), but boy is that wrong, and boy do we love him. We couldn’t be more excited that he will be gracing the big screen again alongside his “Hell Or High Water” co-star Ben Foster in Paramount Pictures’ new film, “The Contractor.”

READ MORE: ‘Hell Or High Water’ Is A Coens-Esque Caper With Personality & Zest [Review]

The film, being released on April 1, 2022, is categorized as an action-packed thriller.

Continue reading Contest: Win A Digital Copy Of Chris Pine’s New Film ‘The Contractor’ at The Playlist.

Shooting any film during the pandemic has been a challenge, but it sounds like “Mission: Impossible 7” has taken the cake. Despite Tom Cruise’s viral outburst chastising crew members, it doesn’t look like the brass were taking COVID-19 safety seriously enough on the shoot. An in-depth piece from The Hollywood Reporter has revealed some shocking details about the rough production that eventually resumed during the heat of the pandemic in multiple countries including The United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, and Abu Dhabi.

Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible 7’: Christopher McQuarrie Was Reportedly Hospitalized With Severe COVID After Multiple Outbreaks On Set at The Playlist.