We’re just over a month away from 2024 end, and with the New Year on the Horizon, Empire Magazine is jumping ahead with some previews of some of the significant franchise content coming in 2025. The first of them? The new “Jurassic World Rebirth” installment, the latest continuation in the “Jurassic Park” saga, takes place after “Jurassic World Dominion” and introduces an entirely new cast.

Continue reading New Look: Scarlett Johansson in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ Gareth Edwards Says Film Has An “Embarrassment Of Riches” at The Playlist.

Can the cast of “Sing” take on a Halloween thriller? They’re about to find out in the special short “Sing: Thriller.” This time, the cast performs a spirited version of the hit Michael Jackson song. The real thrills occur when Buster Moon and the team find themselves at a spooky party. What follows is an homage to classic horror and the famous music video for Jackson’s song.

Continue reading ‘Sing: Thriller’ Trailer: Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon & Matthew McConaughey Voice New ‘Sing’ Halloween Short For Netflix at The Playlist.

How did friends become bitter enemies? The surprising story of Optimus Prime and Megatron is revealed in “Transformers One.” This animated prequel shows the iconic characters working together to save Cybertron. Using the fictional planet as its setting has some fans recalling the ‘80s classic “The Transformers: The Movie,” but producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura sees a stark difference between them. “They’re so not comparable because that’s so dark, and this has so much humanity,” Bonaventura told Variety.

Continue reading New ‘Transformers One’ Trailer: Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson & More Voice The Next Animated Adventure at The Playlist.

What’s that meme about “the perfect movie doesn’t exist—” followed by a contradictory abrupt cut revealing, well, actually it does? Well, apply that to “Fly Me To The Moon,” the exuberant, tightly-crafted, endlessly charming, and near pitch-perfect space race film. Part comedy, part drama, part romance, and part race-against-the-clock and overcoming obstacles-to-pull-off-an-impossible feat thrill rush, it’s simply terrific, and maybe very unexpectedly so. Yes, this rare breed of movie, a mix of “Apollo 13,” “Mad Men”-era Madison Avenue advertising, and hell, even a little bit of ticking countdown “Oppenheimer” filtered through the champagne sparkle of the most intoxicating rom-com dramedy and you’ve got a shimmering delight that’s immediately engaging and front to back fully dialed in and compelling.

Continue reading ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ Review: Channing Tatum & Scarlett Johannson Deliver Delightful Movie Magic Charm at The Playlist.

This is arguably where there’s smoke, there’s fire of a story, but it lends credence to a lot of recent online rumors growing louder and louder and hard to ignore. In a recently unearthed clip from W Magazine from nine years ago, Scarlett Johansson says she first met with Marvel she met for the characters Black Widow, The Scarlett Witch, The Wasp, and The Blonde Phantom, a project she is heavily rumored to be involved with.

Continue reading Scarlett Johannson Says She Originally Met Marvel For ‘Blonde Phantom,’ A Project She Is Rumored To Be Developing For Disney+ at The Playlist.

The latest reboot of the “Jurassic Park” franchise is coming sooner than many of us expected. It was only just announced several months ago, but with an aggressive 2025 release date, casting announcements happened fairly quickly, and filming is apparently going on right now. Perhaps the biggest name in the cast is none other than Scarlett Johansson. And according to the actor, starring in a ‘Jurassic’ film is actually a huge dream of hers.

Continue reading Scarlett Johansson Is “A Huge Nerd” For ‘Jurassic Park’ & Has Been Trying To Land A Role In The Franchise “For Over 10 Years” at The Playlist.

Before Wes Anderson skipped this year’s Oscars to film “The Phoenician Scheme” in Germany, fans already knew which actors would be at the heart of the director’s latest ensemble.  Benecio del Toro and Mia Threapleton star as a father and daughter whose family business leads them into a dark espionage tale, with Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, and Anderson regular Bill Murray also starring.  

Continue reading ‘The Phoenician Scheme’: Wes Anderson’s Espionage Flick Reportedly Also Stars Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe & More at The Playlist.

An Academy Award winner might be joining the ranks of the “Jurassic World” franchise. According to various trade reports, two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali (who won Academy prizes for “Moonlight” and “Green Book”) is in talks to join the untitled “Jurassic World” film due in the summer of 2025.

The film has been described as a sequel but also a “semi-reboot” starting from the events of “Jurassic World: Dominion,” but integrating new characters, locations, and dinosaurs.

Continue reading Mahershala Ali Joins New ‘Jurassic World’ Film Alongside Scarlett Johansson at The Playlist.

Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey have their first “Jurassic World” co-star. THR reports that Rupert Friend is the latest actor cast to star in Gareth Edward‘s upcoming installment.  Friend also joins Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, the only other name on the call sheet, as the film inches closer to its mid-June production start.

READ MORE: Glen Powell Passed On New ‘Jurassic World’ & ‘Bourne’ Films & Says He Won’t Do A Marvel Project

Friend in a big-budget blockbuster?  Maybe it was bound to happen.  The British actor’s biggest career roles up to this point have been for Wes Anderson, in “The French Dispatch, “Asteroid City,” and “The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar And Three More.” But Friend, typically in supporting roles, has a career that stretches back two decades.  Other recent roles include the Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and the Apple TV+ series “High Desert.”  

Meanwhile, Universal is moving fast on its new “Jurassic World” film, a soft reboot of the franchise centered around a brand-new set of characters.  The blockbuster starts shooting next month before a rapid post-production, so the film hits July 2, 2025 theatrical release.  Edwards directs a script from “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World” screenwriter David Koepp.  Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley returns to produce Edwards’ film through Kennedy-Marshall, with Steven Spielberg executive producing through Amblin Entertainment.  Sara Scott also serves as executive vice president in production development, with Jacqueline Garell overring the film for Universal.

Continue reading ‘Jurassic World’: Rupert Friend The Latest To Join Gareth Edwards’ Upcoming Franchise Installment at The Playlist.

How did friends become rivals? The Transformers venture into their past with “Transformers One.” This time, the popular franchise explores the backstories of Optimus Prime and Megatron. These legendary characters were not always enemies, instead existing side-by-side. The film takes a cue from the cult classic “The Transformers: The Movie” and opts for animation over live-action.

A first look during CinemaCon had the audience cheering.

Continue reading ‘Transformers One’ Trailer: Chris Hemsworth & Scarlett Johansson Lead A New Animated Adventure Coming In September at The Playlist.

Universal and Amblin aren’t wasting any time revamping the dinosaur-centric “Jurassic World,” “Jurassic Park” franchise, as the two studios are looking to begin shooting the seventh film in the series. To be directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One,” “The Creator”) and already starring Scarlett Johansson (“Black Widow,” “Marriage Story“), Deadline reports that Jonathan Bailey (“Bridgerton,” “Fellow Travelers”) is in early talks to join “Jurassic World 4,” which has been described as a soft reboot without any characters or actors from the other films expected to appear (although that could change).

Continue reading ‘Jurassic World 4’: ‘Bridgerton’ Star Jonathan Bailey To Join Scarlett Johansson In Universal’s Reboot at The Playlist.

Originally titled “Project Artemis,” Apple Studios’ original space-race rom-com is now known as “Fly Me To The Moon.” Directed by Greg Berlanti (“Love, Simon,” and the overseer of the CW’s Arrowverse), the 1960s space film star Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Not much has been known about the movie until today, but today, Apple’s distributor, Sony Pictures, released the first trailer for the film, pulling back some of the curtain and details.

Continue reading ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ Trailer: Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Space Race Rom-Com Arrives In July at The Playlist.

While “The Zone Of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer may still be embattled with criticism about his Oscar speech—the filmmaker caused much uproar during the Academy Awards ceremony for condemning the violence, “dehumanization,” and war in Gaza— the director is seemingly carrying on with business as usual.

Glazer is the latest filmmaker to direct an ad for Prada, which reunites the helmer with his “Under The Skin” star Scarlett Johansson, as part of a Prada Galleria bag series to “celebrate the art of performance.”

READ MORE: ‘The Zone of Interest’ Wins The 2024 International Film Oscar

In the ad, Johansson struggles to recite Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” and “Macbeth” during a screen test, culminating with tears of frustration.

Continue reading Jonathan Glazer Directs Scarlett Johansson In Haunting New Prada Ad Celebrating Performance at The Playlist.

Universal Pictures and Amblin are quickly moving forward with a fourth “Jurassic World” movie, securing filmmaker Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “The Creator”) in the director’s chair after talks with contender David Leitch (“The Fall Guy”) broke down. Puck News reports in their recent newsletter that Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence (“Silver Linings Playbook”) was offered a lead role in “Jurassic World 4” but has passed on the dinosaur action pic. 

Continue reading ‘Jurassic World 4’: Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Star As Jennifer Lawrence Passes On Next Franchise Installment at The Playlist.

It seems like when actors finish their Marvel Cinematic Universe run, they finally get back down to serious business. Robert Downey Jr. is poised to win a Best Supporting Oscar for “Oppenheimer,” and is seemingly heading onto a new chapter of his career; Chris Evans is working with Ethan Coen and ostensibly doing the same, and now the third in the holy MCU trinity, Scarlett Johansson is mounting her feature-length directorial debut titled, “Eleanor The Great.”

READ MORE: ‘Featherwood’: Scarlett Johansson To Star In Andrea Arnold’s True-Crime Drama About Neo-Nazis

According to Variety, actors are assembling, and “Eleanor The Great” has a rather impressive cast, too.

Continue reading Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut ‘Eleanor The Great’ To Star Chiwetel Ejiofor, June Squibb & More at The Playlist.

It’s been nearly eight years (2016’s “American Honey”) since we last saw a narrative feature from director Andrea Arnold. Since then, things haven’t been really easy for the filmmaker. Sure, she released an acclaimed documentary, “Cow,” back in 2021, but people probably remember the issues she experienced while working on Season 2 of “Big Little Lies.” There was reported behind-the-scenes drama that resulted in a he-said/she-said between Arnold and HBO.

Continue reading ‘Featherwood’: Scarlett Johansson To Star In Andrea Arnold’s True-Crime Drama About Neo-Nazis at The Playlist.

TORONTO – The biggest surprise in Kristin Scott Thomas’ directorial debut, “North Star,” doesn’t occur in front of the camera. In this case, Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, and Emily Beecham deliver exactly what you’d expect as three sisters reuniting for their mother’s latest marriage in the British countryside. Instead, it’s Scott Thomas’ abilities behind the camera that will raise eyebrows. The Best Actress Oscar winner demonstrates an impressive ability to stage a film with a glossy studio flick aesthetic that would make Nancy Meyers green with envy.

Continue reading ‘North Star’ Review: Scarlett Johansson & Sienna Miller Can’t Save This Messy Dramedy [TIFF] at The Playlist.

Already in limited release, Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” opens in a wider release this weekend, Friday, June 23. Essentially split into two parts, the film centers on a grieving father (Jason Schwartzman) who travels with his tech-obsessed family to a small rural ‘Asteroid City’ to compete in a junior stargazing event, only to have his perspective on life— his cosmology as it where— disrupted forever by world-altering events.

Continue reading ‘Asteroid City’: Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Jeffrey Wright & More Talk Uncertainty, Meaning & Wes Anderson’s Stargazing Creation at The Playlist.

CANNES – For someone who is notoriously media-shy, Wes Anderson was in a delightful mood at the press conference for his new film, “Asteroid City.” And considering the star power alongside him on the dias, he dominated the conversation. Maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise considering the power of his cinematic brand.

READ MORE: Robert De Niro finds Trump parallel in his real life ‘Killers of The Flower Moon’ character [Cannes]

Releasing in theaters next month, the 1955-set drama centers on a bunch of strangers who, along with their teenage children, are quarantined in a remote desert town after an extraterrestrial visit.

Continue reading ‘Asteroid City’: Wes Anderson Talks Aliens, Actors & Secret Animatics [Cannes] at The Playlist.

Wes Anderson is a genre; one of decorative embellishment, ornamental whimsy, baroque fantasy, and symmetrical precision. It wasn’t always this way, and it’s also not just superficial embroidery. “Rushmore” had a moving bittersweetness anchoring its fanciful formal wit, and “The Royal Tenenbaums” refined Anderson’s patented wistful stories about romantics, failed dreams, and faded glories within imaginative color-coded costumes and increasingly meticulous aesthetics.

READ MORE: 2023 Cannes Film Festival: 21 Must-See Movies To Watch

Somewhere in the middle, the American filmmaker became a little unsure of his identity amidst sudden reproach (‘Life Aquatic,’ ‘Darjeeling Limited’); however, he quickly realized his inimitable cinematic handwriting made him unique.

Continue reading ‘Asteroid City’ Review: Wes Anderson Explores The Loneliness Of The Cosmos & Our Place In It Through Creation & Grief [Cannes] at The Playlist.

Scarlett Johansson is one of the most famous people on the planet and one of the most in-demand actors around. But in the mid-to-late-2000s, that was far from the truth. She was a young, struggling actor who was being given opportunities that didn’t interest her with no clear, exciting path forward in her career. And apparently, Johansson was almost broken down completely after losing the lead role in “Gravity.” 

READ MORE: Scarlett Johansson & Gwyneth Paltrow Deny Rumors Of Feud On ‘Iron Man 2’ Set, Johansson Says She’s “Done” With MCU: “Chapter Is Over”

In a new interview with Variety, Scarlett Johansson talked about a tough time in her career.

Continue reading Scarlett Johansson Says She Felt “Frustrated And Hopeless” After Getting Turned Down For ‘Gravity’ & ‘Iron Man 2’ at The Playlist.

CinemaCon has had its share of big news coming out the event this week. One of the biggest?  Paramount has its “Transformers” franchise back in gear, with “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” in theaters on June 9. And apparently, the studio’s plans for the franchise have just begun. The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood reports that Paramount also has “Transformers One” in the pipeline, the first animated “Transformers” movie in almost 40 years.

Continue reading ‘Transformers One’: Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson & Brian Tyree Henry Headline Voice Cast Of Upcoming Animated Prequel at The Playlist.

Variety reports that on a recent episode of “The Goop Podcast,” Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow discussed their time in the MCU, including working together on “Iron Man 2.” And no, sorry Marvel fans, the actresses didn’t have a feud on that movie’s set.

READ MORE: Scarlett Johansson Feels Like Hollywood “Groomed” Her As A “Bombshell-Type” Actress In Her Early Career

“People ask me, ‘Is it true that you and Scarlett Johansson didn’t get along on “Iron Man”?” started Paltrow, to which Johansson replied, ““Is that a rumor?

Continue reading Scarlett Johansson & Gwyneth Paltrow Deny Rumors Of Feud On ‘Iron Man 2’ Set, Johansson Says She’s “Done” With MCU: “Chapter Is Over” at The Playlist.

Directors like Wes Anderson are meticulous, with hyper-detailed work that usually only comes every two-three years at best. But the American ex-pat, who lives in France full-time now, has been working at a super-fast clip lately—some of that due to the pandemic pile-up. Last year was “The French Dispatch,” a movie about American ex-pats and a kind of love letter to The New Yorker, and this year, Anderson already has another film in the can and debuting in June.

Continue reading ‘Asteroid City’ Trailer: Wes Anderson Tackles Phenomenons, Aliens & More With An All-Star Cast In June at The Playlist.

When it was announced that Netflix was going to foot the $130 million bill for the new Nancy Meyers rom-com with an A-list cast, there were many (myself included) who thought it was a bit crazy. That’s a superhero film budget, not necessarily the type of money you throw at an adult-focused romantic comedy. Sure, it’s Nancy Meyers, but a nine-figure budget? Wow. Well, it appears Netflix ended up thinking the same thing. 

Continue reading Nancy Meyers’ New Rom-Com With Scarlett Johansson, Michael Fassbender & More Searching For New Home After Netflix Bails at The Playlist.