Actualités

Exclusive: Off the success of their viral short film The Crossing Over Express, writing duo Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason have signed with Kaplan-Stahler for literary representation.

Amassing nearly two million views and an outpouring of messages from people around the world since its release last month on X, the short tells the story of a man seeking one last conversation with his late mother. The project came together 20 years after Barnett’s own mom passed away when he was just 17. With only “a handful of pictures and zero videos” of her, on his birthday a couple of years ago he received a text message from an unknown number which simply said “Happy Birthday” and contained a YouTube link.

“I clicked it, and my heart stopped. It was my mom,” Barnett recalled on X. In the video, she was “telling me how proud she was of me and how she wondered what I’d become.

Mike Flanagan is producing a new zombie movie featuring familiar stars from previous horror projects. The best known Mike Flanagan movies and TV shows are all part of the horror genre, including the Stephen King adaptations Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep. He also created quite a few popular Netflix horror miniseries including The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher.

Per Deadline, the upcoming zombie action-horror movie Epilogue has cast Kate Siegel and David Dastmalchian in the lead roles. The movie will be produced by Mike Flanagan and directed by The Fall of the House of Usher's Michael Fimognari from a screenplay by Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason, who previously collaborated as co-stars on the Barnett-penned 2020 comedy Faith Based. Read the official synopsis of the movie below:

Set one year after the zombie apocalypse has supposedly come to an end,...

The Women Podcasters Network is excited to reveal the winners of the 2024 Women in Podcasting Awards, a people’s choice event where listeners and fans from around the globe voted to celebrate their favorite women podcasters.

This year, the awards highlighted the power of community and audience connection, with votes determining the most-loved voices in podcasting.

Almost 400 nominees participated in this year’s awards. Over 15,000 thousand listeners participated in the voting process, showing their support for the women who inspire, entertain, and engage them through their podcasts. The following podcasters and podcasts, as chosen by the people, have been recognized as the winners in their respective categories:

Podcasts Detail Best Broadcast: Jen Hardy Show Best Expert Guest: Lisa McCourt Best Arts & Design Podcast: In Ten Years Time Best Authors & Books Podcast: The Cc & Jt Amateur Hour Best Business Podcast: The Courage of a Leader Best Careers Podcast: Women Changing Leadership...

A couple of years ago, Luke Barnett heard from his mother – even though it had been 20 years since she died. The actor-filmmaker received a text from an unknown number with a YouTube link to a video his mother had made when he was 16, telling him how proud she was of him. It was particularly jarring, as he didn’t have many photos and no video of her. It turned out, his friend Jon’s father had recently discovered it on an old VHS tape and had it put online.

“The video really shook me up,” says Barnett. “It took me back to my last conversation with my mom. She was in the hospital, in a coma, and they let me go in one last time.” He was just 17 at the time, and says it ended up being more like a confession. “From talking to people years later, I learned that...

Alejandro Monteverde, whose Sound Of Freedom was the top grossing independent film of 2023, is back in theaters this weekend with Cabrini, also from Angel Studios, in wide release. The true story of an indomitable Italian nun on a mission to aid immigrants living in misery and poverty in late 19th century New York City, stars Cristiana Dell’Anna as waif-like Francesca Cabrini. She navigates a Pope, an Archbishop, the mayor of New York and the Italian Senate among others to build a charitable empire starting with one orphanage in the immigrant slum called Five Points (last seen in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York). Giancarlo Giannini plays Pope Leo; David Morse is Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan; and John Lithgow a villainous Mayor Gould — men Cabrini lectured, sparred with, cajoled and threatened to realize her life’s work. Canonized in 1946, she is the Patron Saint of Immigrants.

In a Q&a with Deadline,...

Back in November, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Funny or Die regular Luke Barnett, who co-wrote, acted in, and produced the Christian film industry satire Faith Based, had signed on to star in a thriller called Teacher’s Pet. That project has since made its way through production, and our friends at Bloody Disgusting – along with director Noam Kroll himself – have confirmed that Barnett is joined in the cast by Clayton Royal Johnson (Stranger Things), Kevin Makely (Young Rock), Drew Powell (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Sara Tomko (Resident Alien), Josh Pafchek, genre icon Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), and newcomers Michelle Torian, Alexe-Anne Godin, and Makenna Ginn.

Kroll wrote a blog entry about the making of the film, complete with behind-the-scenes images, that can be read at This Link. Kroll made his feature directorial debut with the 2012 drama Footsteps and has followed that up with the mystery thriller Shadows on the Road, the thriller Psychosynthesis,...

Faith Based actor Luke Barnett is set to star in Teacher’s Pet, the fourth feature from writer and director Noam Kroll.

Launch Releasing will finance, produce and distribute the indie set to start production in Los Angeles in early January 2024. The project signed a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement just before the Hollywood actors strike ended.

A Funny or Die regular, Barnett co-wrote, acted in and produced Faith Based, a satire on the Christian film industry, which was toplined by Jason Alexander, Lance Reddick and Margaret Cho. He also produced Your Lucky Day, which starred the late Angus Cloud.

Barnett will appear in the fourth season of AppleTV+’s sci-fi drama For All Mankind and the indies Tapawingo, opposite Jon Heder, and Tonic, with Lori Petty.

Teacher’s Pet is set to portray a malevolent new high school teacher with a sinister past who becomes disturbingly fixated on a brilliant female student.

Sometimes you read a headline that feels so impossibly off-balance with the world, you can't help but wonder if you're living in a simulation or the world's worst season of "The Truman Show." Today was one of those days, as we tragically lost Lance Reddick, one of the most remarkable figures in film and television. Reddick was best known for playing Cedric Daniels on the hit HBO series "The Wire," which led to a fruitful career playing other authority figures because no one on the planet can pull off a uniform quite like he could.

But Lance Reddick was so much more than a cool bald guy in a freshly-pressed suit with optional wire-rim glasses. The man was also a formidable presence in genre projects, both big and small. He was one of those performers who could elevate any story simply by being on screen, exuding an immeasurable amount of...

Updated with Ian McShane’s tribute: A week ahead of John Wick: Chapter Four hitting theaters, star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski are mourning the loss of their co-star Lance Reddick, who died today at 60.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” the pair said in a statement. “He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”

Related: Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries

Related Story ‘The Wire’ Actors Wendell Pierce & Isiah Whitlock Jr. Remember Costar Lance Reddick As Hollywood Pays Tribute Related Story Lance Reddick Dies: 'John Wick', 'The Wire', 'Fringe' & 'Bosch' Actor Was 60 Related Story Lionsgate Dates...

Lance Reddick, a prolific actor who played Charon in all four John Wick films and was a series regular on The Wire, Fringe and Bosch among dozens of other roles spanning a quarter-century, died today. He was 60.

His rep at Portrait PR confirmed the news, saying he died of natural causes but not providing other details.

Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story 'Bosch' Universe Expands With 2 New Series In Works At Amazon Studios Centered On Jerry Edgar & Renee Ballard Characters Related Story Al Brown Dies: Col. Stan Valchek On 'The Wire' Was 83

The actor had been doing interviews for the upcoming John Wick: Chapter Four starring Keanu Reeves just this week. He also was set to appear in the franchise-spinoff pic Ballerina.

Reddick began his screen career in the mid-1990s, guesting on such series as The Nanny and New York Undercover.

Truly shocking news today, as it’s being reported that actor Lance Reddick, a staple of the John Wick franchise from the beginning, has passed away at just 60 years old.

TMZ reports, “Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … Lance’s body was discovered at his Studio City home Friday morning around 9:30 Am. His cause of death is currently unclear, but our law enforcement sources say it appears to be natural.”

In addition to the John Wick movies, which saw him play the role of Charon – the fourth film will be released this year – Lance Reddick also recently appeared in Netflix’s short-lived “Resident Evil” television series, stealing the entire show as iconic character Albert Wesker. Reddick humorously ended up playing four different versions of the character in the series.

Lance Reddick is also known for his roles in the TV shows “The Wire,” “Fringe,” “Oz,” Lost,” and “Bosch,” with his...

Alicia Allain, a producer and actress who started in the business as a hair stylist, has died according to a social media post by her husband, John Schneider. She was 53.

“This is a time of unimaginable sorrow for me,” former Dukes of Hazzard star Schneider wrote after his wife’s passing. “Grief is much too small a word. I’ve heard it said that ‘with great love comes great sorrow.’ I had no idea what that meant until now. Alicia was the fuel that ran my biggest dreams. The inspiration behind every creative thought. The very fabric of my soul. The glue that held me together. I miss her more than any words could possibly describe.”

Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Denise Richards & John Schneider Join Teenage Cyber-Bully Faith Based Pic 'Switched' Related Story 'Diligence' Drama From Sheldon Turner & Jennifer Klein In Works At AMC

Schneider also asked,...

Back in July, when film sales company Mpx cut a distribution pact with 1091 Pictures for “Electric Jesus,” a comedy about a never-famous ‘80s teen Christian hair metal band co-starring Brian Baumgartner (NBC’s “The Office”), it negotiated Nft (non-fungible token) and digital collectible rights as part of the deal. Given that NFTs — unique data files that use blockchain technology to provide verifiable proof of ownership — are probably the most talked- about and least understood trend in the worlds of investing, art and technology, it’s reasonable to wonder exactly this means.

So Variety talked to Mpx CEO Andrew James Felt, who co-founded the company with senior VP of sales and acquisitions Ryan Bury in late 2019, about how NFTs can be a viable revenue stream for filmmakers and what part they will play in his sales strategy at AFM, where Mpx is representing 45 films ranging from the comedy “Faith Based...

Virtual Cannes market slate includes Wired Shut, Hudson, Student Body, All In My Power.

Los Angeles-based sales agency Motion Picture Exchange (Mpx) has hired veteran sales agent Marcy Rubin as VP of international sales on the eve of the virtual Cannes market.

Rubin will oversee Mpx’s slate of documentary and completed films including Alexander Sharp’s newly acquired horror thriller Wired Shut; road trip dramady Hudson directed by Sean D. Cunningham; female-led thriller Student Body; and documentary All In My Power, a first-hand account of healthcare workers’ response to Covid during the initial weeks of the pandemic in Manhattan.

Motion Picture Exchange has acquired worldwide sales rights on the coming-of-age horror film “Student Body,” and will be launching it out of the Cannes Virtual Market next week.

Written and directed by Lee Ann Kurr in her feature debut, the film features Montse Hernandez, Cheyenne Haynes (“Camping”), Harley Quinn Smith, Austin Zajur (“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”), Anthony Keyvan, and Christian Camargo. “Student Body” is produced by the breakout, all female creative team of Rachel Liu, Sandra Leviton and Kurr.

The story centers around high school student Jane Shipley (Hernandez), who seeks to mend her splintering relationship with childhood best friend Merritt (Haynes), and fit in with Merritt’s rebellious clique. When Jane’s math teacher (Camargo) oversteps his bounds, an apathetic high school administration forces Jane and Merritt to take matters into their own hands, driving their relationship into further turmoil and inciting deadly consequences.

“For me,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday revealed the 366 feature films that are eligible for consideration at the 93rd Oscars, which are set to air April 25 live on ABC.

The total number of films is up from last year’s 344 films in contention.

This year’s list was compiled based on tweaked eligibility rules implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has pushed the ceremony to its latest date ever. For this year, feature films had to open by February 28 in a commercial motion picture theater for a seven-day qualifying run in at least one of six metro areas: Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Miami and Atlanta. Drive-in theaters open nightly were included as qualifying venues, as were films intended for theatrical release but because of the lockdown made available first via streaming, VOD service or other broadcast.

Today’s news comes...

Working with friends to make a movie can sometimes create resounding critical and financial success, while other times, the collaboration is just a self-indulgent and futile attempt to gain fame. The filmmaking trio behind the new religious-based comedy satire, ‘Faith Based,’ including Vincent Masciale, Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason, is part of the former group, […]

The post Video Interview: Vincent Masciale, Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason Talk Faith Based (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.

The latest teaser for the Christian movie satire Faith Based features a toupee-wearing Jason Alexander poking fun at the faith-based film industry by playing a dodgy film producer.

“The only thing standing between you and your dreams is you and your dreams,” Alexander, who plays CEO Nicky Steele, says among many other new-age platitudes. Faith Based co-stars Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason as slacker filmmakers who decided to make a Christian movie for quick cash.

“I wanted to make the best Christian movie Jesus has ever seen. It’s time to show my dad what we can do,”...

The latest teaser for the Christian movie satire Faith Based features a toupee-wearing Jason Alexander poking fun at the faith-based film industry by playing a dodgy film producer.

“The only thing standing between you and your dreams is you and your dreams,” Alexander, who plays CEO Nicky Steele, says among many other new-age platitudes. Faith Based co-stars Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason as slacker filmmakers who decided to make a Christian movie for quick cash.

“I wanted to make the best Christian movie Jesus has ever seen. It’s time to show my dad what we can do,”...

"Action: space monsters!" Gravitas has released an official trailer for an indie comedy titled Faith Based, a film about filmmakers trying to make a film. This originally premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival earlier this year. When two slacker friends come to the realization that every "faith based" movie makes buckets of cash, they set out on a mission to make one of their own. Their project: A Prayer in Space, about the story of the first prayer ever to be prayed... in space. With the majority of the movie taking place in LA's San Fernando Valley, the filmmakers went to renowned local artist Phill Bourque to create the original, hand drawn poster (as seen below). The film stars Luke Barnett, Tanner Thomason, Margaret Cho, David Koechner, with Lance Reddick, and Jason Alexander. It's always amusing to see films about the kookiness of filmmaking, and this looks like it's...

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American distribution rights to Faith Based, the Luke Barnett-scripted indie comedy that stars Jason Alexander, Tanner Thomason, Margaret Cho, David Koechner, Lance Reddick, as well as Barnett. Vincent Masciale directed the film which will be available in select theaters and on digital, cable, and satellite VOD platforms on October 9.

The plot focuses on two slacker friends who come to the realization that every low budget Christian movie starring 90’s TV actors makes millions of dollars. They soon set out on a mission to make “A Prayer in Space”, the story of the first prayer ever to be prayed… in space.

Christoph Sanders, Carly Craig, Richard Riehle, Marlon Young, Danielle Nicolet, YouTube star Lisa Schwartz, Chris Marquette, and Danny Woodburn round out the cast.

Barnett, Masciale, Thomason, and Tim Kerigan produced the pic, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Apologies if this offends anyone, but faith based films almost exclusively are terrible. In fact, they’re ripe for parody. After all, movies made on the cheap, appealing to an audience that only cares about quality in the broadest sense of the word, and can almost be assured of turning a profit, are easy targets. The upcoming film Faith Based takes a comedy and satirical look at what would happen if a couple of regular guys, on the hunt for a quick buck, opted to make one themselves. The premise has a lot of potential, which luckily for audiences, leads to a charming flick with more on its mind than simply having a laugh at this inherently silly genre. The movie is, as mentioned, a comedy, centering on two fairly dim-witted friends. Luke (Luke Barnett) and Tanner (Tanner Thomason) are buds who love cinema, aren’t the smartest, and need to make some money.

For the first teaser for Christian film industry satire Faith Based, rather than simply show clips of the film — which is having its world premiere in competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival — stars Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason have also chosen to read out comments from Fox News and Breitbart readers.

Based around two friends (Barnett and Thomason, both Funny or Die regulars) who set out to make a film to capitalize on the lucrative Christian movie industry, Faith Based has managed to stir up some sizable anger from conservative news channels, where it has been labeled ...

For the first teaser for Christian film industry satire Faith Based, rather than simply show clips of the film — which is having its world premiere in competition at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival — stars Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason have also chosen to read out comments from Fox News and Breitbart readers.

Based around two friends (Barnett and Thomason, both Funny or Die regulars) who set out to make a film to capitalize on the lucrative Christian movie industry, Faith Based has managed to stir up some sizable anger from conservative news channels, where it has been labeled ...

Exclusive: Margaret Cho and David Koechner have been set to round out the cast of the satirical indie comedy Faith Based, joining Luke Barnett, Tanner Thomason, Jason Alexander, Lance Reddick, Danielle Nicolet, Carly Craig, Danny Woodburn and Christoph Sanders.

Directed by Vincent Masciale, the pic is about two friends who come to the realization that all “faith based” films are extremely profitable and set out on a mission to make one of their own.

Cho will play the CEO of ChristFlix, a Netflix for Christian cinema, while Koechner is Butch Savage, a washed up 1980s action star the main characters are trying to get to star in their movie.

Production is currently underway. Lone Suspect is producing with Giles Daoust of Title Media, Thomason and Tim Kerigan. Catherine Dumonceaux, Reddick, and Matthew Emerson are executive producers.

Cho is repped by Wme and manager Sarah Martin.

In today’s film news roundup, Sarah May Sommers is starring in “American Cherry,” Jason Alexander has signed on to a film, Outfest has a new leader and BAFTA has awarded student prizes.

Castings

Jason Alexander has joined the cast of “Faith Based,” a comedy from director Vincent Masciale and writer Luke Barnett.

The satire of the Christian film industry follows two friends, played by “Funny or Die” regulars Barnett and Tanner Thomason, who come to the realization that all “faith based” films are extremely profitable and set out on a mission to make one of their own.

Alexander will play the eccentric head of a weight loss tea pyramid. The previously announced ensemble includes Lance Reddick, Danielle Nicolet, Carly Craig, Danny Woodburn, and Christoph Sanders.

The news was first reported by Deadline.

****

Sarah May Sommers, who plays a Manson Family member in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” is...

Exclusive: Last Man Standing actor Christoph Sanders and Carly Craig (ABC’s American Housewife) have signed on for the satirical comedy film Faith Based, from director Vincent Masciale and writer Luke Barnett. Rounding out the cast are Danny Woodburn (Seinfeld), YouTuber Lisa Schwartz, Richard Riehle (Office Space), Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers), Marlon Young (Entourage), and David Ury (Lodge 49). Barnett and Tanner Thomason are starring in pic about two idiot friends who come to the realization that all “faith based” films make buckets of cash, so they set out on a mission to make one of their own. Lance Reddick (John Wick films) and Danielle Nicolet (The Flash) previously were announced as part of the cast. Producers are Lone Suspect, Giles Daoust for Title Media, Thomason and Tim Kerigan. Catherine Dumonceaux and Matthew Emerson are executive producers. Sanders, known for his role as Ned Banks in the CBS series Ghost Whisperer,...