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To many, he will always be Frodo Baggins, the brave little furry-footed hobbit who volunteers to bear the burden of carrying the dreaded One Ring as he leaves his bucolic existence behind while sacrificing himself to save Middle-earth in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

But Elijah Wood has had quite a varied career beyond the Shire ever since he made his film debut at 8-years-old with a small part as Video Game Boy #2 in 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II.” He would go on to land the coveted central role in the epic fantasy franchise based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduring classic when he was 18. But his early output on the big screen consisted of a string of so-so ‘90s titles such as “Radio Flyer,” “Paradise” and “Forever Young.” However, he often earned praise for his part in even mediocre projects.

But when he reached his teens, Wood...

Do you know which Vin Diesel movie is rated the highest on Rotten Tomatoes? It's 1999's "The Iron Giant," the timeless animated classic in which Diesel voices the titular 50-ft. tall metal-eating robot, who emerges as a strong emotional anchor in the narrative. In addition to featuring stellar voice work, the film is a beautiful, engaging tale about the everyday issues that plague us, all the way down to its highly emotional climax. But while "The Iron Giant" sits at a thoroughly deserved 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, let's shift our attention to the actor's lowest-rated film on the platform. No, it's not "The Last Witch Hunter" (although that is a strong contender for Diesel's worst movie). Rather, it's a sci-fi action flick that not only flopped at the box office, but whose theatrical cut was also disowned by its director. I'm talking about Mathieu Kassovitz's wildly convoluted, mind-bogglingly outlandish "Babylon A.D,...

The Last Witch Hunter was among Lionsgate’s first-ever 4K releases back in 2016, and now it’s returning to the format with a SteelBook 4K Uhd + Blu-ray + Digital edition.

Coming exclusively to Amazon on January 28, the 2015 sci-fi fantasy film is presented in 4K with Hdr and DTS:x audio.

Breck Eisner (The Crazies) directs from a script by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless (Morbius) and Cory Goodman (Priest). Vin Diesel stars with Elijah Wood, Rose Leslie, Julie Engelbrecht, and Michael Caine.

Special Features on the Blu-ray disc include:

Audio Commentary by Director Breck Eisner Crafting the Magic: The Last Witch Hunter Animated Short Films: The Origins of the Axe and Cross The Last Witch Hunter Sizzle Reel Deleted Scenes

In the movie, “Immortal witch hunter Kaulder has spent centuries tracking down those who practice evil magic. When history’s deadliest witches resurrect their bloodthirsty queen, Kaulder becomes humanity’s last hope as...

Exclusive: Walden Media has snapped up the life rights of Brian Schwartz, an advertising exec turned lawn care philanthropist known as “The Lawn Ranger,” for the development of a dramatic feature titled Grassroots.

Based on Schwartz’s true story, the film will explore his journey from corporate executive to a beacon of hope, as he selflessly mowed lawns for seniors, veterans, and the disabled during the Covid-19 pandemic and started a national movement. In Theory’s Samuel Kochman and Aperture’s Adam Goldworm will serve as producers, with Walden’s Frank Smith and Benjamin Tappan serving as executive producers.

In early 2020, when Schwartz faced the daunting challenge of unemployment after being let go from his advertising job, he found himself navigating a whirlwind of personal crises: his wife’s pregnancy and his father’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis. Initially seeking solace in mowing his own lawn,...

Riddick: Furya gets a new tease from Vin Diesel, who shares an image hyping a desert action sequence. The upcoming fourth installment in the Chronicles of Riddick franchise sees Diesel returning to the titular role once again and reteaming with director David Twohy. After the mixed reception to 2013's Riddick, the story for Riddick: Furya will feature Diesel's character returning to his home planet where he finds fellow Furyans fighting for their survival against a dangerous new enemy.

Diesel now shares a new post on Instagram, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the Riddick: Furya production. Check it out below:

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Vin Diesel (@vindiesel)

The image features Diesel in costume behind the wheel of a dune buggy-type vehicle, with a camera rig fitted to the interior. As for the location, Diesel's image teases a very Furyan desert backdrop.

Will Riddick 4 Reinvigorate The Franchise? The...

Vin Diesel has worked his way up to being one of Hollywood’s A-list movie stars and has starred in some big franchises including The Fast and Furious, XXX, and The Chronicles of Riddick. He has also voiced Groot in the MCU. Outside of acting, Diesel is also a big film nerd and interestingly a big fan of Dungeons & Dragons.

Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto in Fast X | Universal Pictures

The actor loved playing with his D&d character Melkor in the games and was highly obsessed with him. In addition to making a feature film based on the character, the actor had its name tattooed on his stomach which audiences got to see in the XXX films.

Vin Diesel Had His Favorite Dungeon & Dungeons Character’s Name Tattooed On His Stomach

2002’s XXX spawned a new franchise for Vin Diesel | Sony Pictures Releasing

Vin Diesel is now a...

Vin Diesel's dominance in Fast & Furious is ending, but Kojak could begin his next action franchise. Kojak's reboot faces an uncertain future, but its similarity to Fast & Furious makes it a worthy project for Diesel. Diesel's potential shift from criminal racer to cop signifies a fresh start in a possible Fast & Furious-like series.

Vin Diesel's days of playing Dominic Toretto are numbered, but the actor has already found his perfect Fast & Furious replacement. Diesel landed a major breakout role in the early 2000s thanks to The Fast and the Furious. The original 2001 street racing crime movie became the springboard for a sprawling franchise that has lasted over two decades. The success of the Fast & Furious movies transformed Vin Diesel's career, turning him into an even bigger star - especially in the action genre. Nevertheless, Fast & Furious 11 is planned as the final chapter for...

Stars: Marshall Vargas, Kayden Bryce, Carlie Allen, Stephen Nicholas Knight, Debbie Scaletta, Bill Schroeder | Written and Directed by Eddie Lengyel

Want to grow fur, fangs and howl at the moon? Well, in Byte, the new film from writer/director Eddie Lengyel there’s an app for that.

Jett, April, Nora (Carlie Allen) and Damon are hanging out on Halloween when Jett gets a bright idea. He downloads an app that claims, if you buy werewolf blood from them and perform the proper ritual, you can become a werewolf. It’s Halloween and there’s a full moon, so why not? Nobody seems surprised when the blood shows up almost immediately after he orders it, as if delivered by some lycanthropic DoorDash.

They’re also not surprised when the ritual seems to have no effect. But later that night, a woman walking home is torn apart by something large and hairy,...

Exclusive: Sony has preemptively closed a deal for film rights to Grady Hendrix’s short story “Ankle Snatcher,” tapping Hendrix to adapt it for the screen, sources tell Deadline. Hendrix is also set to produce alongside Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw, as well as Aperture Entertainment’s Adam Goldworm.

The first short story Hendrix has taken to market, after setting up numerous novels and original screenplays for adaptation, “Ankle Snatcher” was released in September 2023 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Creature Feature collection comprised of six original stories written by New York Times bestselling authors, the others being Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Jason Mott, and Chandler Baker.

Hendrix’s story follows Marcus, who grew up believing his father killed his mother — then blamed it on the boogeyman under the bed. Always leave the lights on, his father warned, or the boogeyman will get you.

Vin Diesel is best known for portraying Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, making him one of the highest-grossing actors globally. Although Dominic Toretto is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, the exact ethnicity of the actor who portrays him remains a mystery.

Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto in Fast & Furious franchise

Born as Mark Sinclair, the movie mogul’s mother has Scottish, English, Irish and German ancestry. Though he is supposed to have African-American heritage, he doesn’t know much about his biological father. Even his mother isn’t sure about his dad’s complete ethnic background.

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor has also acknowledged the historical context of his parents’ relationship—which was considered illegal in certain US states at the time of his birth.

Suggested“It’s fun playing the villain”: Jason Momoa Reveals He Still Hasn’t Seen Fast and Furious...

Vin Diesel has been pretty busy for the last few years with his long-running franchise, Fast & Furious. Despite their huge fan-following and impressive track record, the popularity of the franchise has been dwindling. Yet, the actor will be giving the movie series a last chance as he is reportedly working on the last ever movie of the franchise.

Vin Diesel in Fast Five

While fans have been giving mixed reactions to the end of the F&f franchise, Diesel’s knack for franchises does not seem to be ending soon. As per his recent Instagram post, the actor seems to hint that he might be working to bring a sequel to the $146 million critically panned movie, The Last Witch Hunter.

Vin Diesel Reportedly Working On A Sequel To The Last Witch Hunter

Vin Diesel in The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

Vin Diesel‘s Fast & Furious franchise seems to have...

Quick Links The Last Witch Hunter 2 Latest News The Last Witch Hunter 2 Is Confirmed As In Development The Last Witch Hunter 2 Cast What The Last Witch Hunter 2's Story Could Be About The Last Witch Hunter 2: Further News & Info The Last Witch Hunter 2: Further News & Info Vin Diesel has teased the development of The Last Witch Hunter 2 on Instagram. Despite Diesel's championing, the sequel's development does not guarantee its release. The potential storyline of The Last Witch Hunter 2 may focus on Kaulder's quest to defeat the Witch Queen.

With all the uncertainty around a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, it's understandable why so many have wondered whether The Last Witch Hunter 2 will happen. The original was a fun but forgettable fantasy adventure that suffered from poor reviews, which brings into question the potential for Vin Diesel to return for more.

Screen Rant's Pitch Meeting for Gods of Egypt hilariously points out plot issues and the excessive budget spent on the film. The movie's low critical reception could be credited as due to the writers' negative track record and the director's decline in critical success. Whitewashing casting choices and competition with other films contributed to Gods of Egypt's box office failure.

Screen Rant's Pitch Meeting series is going fantastically ancient as the latest episode explores Gods of Egypt. The 2016 action movie revolved around a young thief named Bek who partners with the Egyptian God of Air Horus to restore his powers and bring down the maniacal Set after he claims dominion over mankind in a brutal coup. Gerard Butler led the ensemble Gods of Egypt cast alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites, Élodie Young, Chadwick Boseman and Geoffrey Rush.

Just over eight years after the movie hit theaters, Screen Rant's...

It’s an interesting month on HBO and Max this March, as two acclaimed films hit the streamer along with some intriguing original programming.

First up in the movies arena is the streaming debut of Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet. From beloved Paddington director Paul King, the film follows the adventures of a young Willy Wonka as he looks to become the world’s best (and weirdest) chocolatier. Later in March on Max, there’s also Dream Scenario, a highly-regarded comedy boasting Nicolas Cage as Paul Matthews, who suddenly starts appearing in people’s dreams for unknown reasons, and who naturally becomes very famous as a result of this strange phenomena.

Series-wise, the biggest show on Max this month is The Regime. It packs a solid cast, including Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton, and Hugh Grant, and tells the story of “life within the walls of a modern...

If there’s one positive thing even the many people he’s had feuds with might say about Vin Diesel, it’s that when he latches onto a character or concept, he doesn’t let them go. He may have skipped the first sequel to The Fast and the Furious, but once he did return to the role of Dominic Toretto, he made sure the sequels kept reaching theatres at a fast and furious pace. Few movie-goers seem to care about the Richard B. Riddick character beyond Pitch Black, but that hasn’t stopped Diesel from continuing to push sequels forward – and apparently Riddick 4 isn’t far off from production. Then there’s his 2015 fantasy/action film The Last Witch Hunter, which didn’t gain a lot of fans (although JoBlo’s own Alex Maidy dug it). Diesel liked it, so we might just get a The Last Witch Hunter...

Vin Diesel teases that a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter is in development and reveals that playing Kaulder was very important to him. The Last Witch Hunter earned mostly negative reviews upon its release in 2015. The film was also a commercial disappointment, casting doubt on a sequel getting made at the same budget level.

The Last Witch Hunter star Vin Diesel shares a new throwback image and teases The Last Witch Hunter 2. Released in 2015, the action fantasy film is directed by Breck Eisner, with Diesel starring as Kaulder, the last of his kind and the final line of defense between humanity and a plague created by witches. Despite being a dud with critics and not being particularly successful at the box office, Diesel has long teased a sequel.

In a new post on his Instagram account, Diesel shares a throwback image of himself in costume as Kaulder and...

Matthias Schoenaerts and Kate Winslet in ‘The Regime’ (Photograph by Miya Mizuno/HBO)

Max’s March 2024 streaming lineup includes the premiere of The Regime starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet as a paranoid chancellor with major control issues. The streaming service’s March slate also includes the debut of The Girls on the Bus starring Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Behnam, and Christina Elmore as political journalists.

Documentaries A Revolution on Canvas and The Lionheart along with the comedy docuseries Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show will premiere in March 2024. And Wonka and Dream Scenario make their streaming debuts.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In March 2024

March 1

127 Hours (2010)

Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015)

Baby Mama (2008)

The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Bullet Head (2018)

Cabaret (1972)

Captain Fantastic (2016)

Deadpool (2016)

Dear White People (2014)

Dope (2015)

The Expendables (2010)

The Expendables 2 (2012)

The Expendables 3 (2014)

The Farewell (2019)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Godzilla...

Sony Pictures’ recent release Madame Web is directed by S.J. Clarkson from a screenplay she co-wrote with Claire Parker and a writing team of Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. The movie stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim and more.

The movie is a suspense thriller that follows the story of Madame Web’s origin story in a standalone universe. Madame Web is a part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and opened up to negative reviews from the critics as well as the audience. Dedicated fans of Marvel Comics mentioned how the writers of the movie do not have a single successful movie under their kitty.

Suggested“We all owe The Rock an apology”: Fans are Turning to the Dcu After Madame Web’s Horrific Reviews Leave Them Disappointed

Dakota Johnson, Sydeny Sweeney and Isabela Merced

Madame Web’s writer Matt Sazama criticized for back-to-back...

It seems that Madame Web has unwittingly become a smash hit, falling squarely into the category of “so bad it’s good.” In the past few months, the only thing the film has managed to get right is making tons of headlines be it all for the wrong reasons, but the film was anything but forgettable, at least in the news cycle. Now, folks are itching to know what all the fuss is about. Despite nobody taking it seriously as an actual superhero flick and a string of bad reviews, thanks to its wonky dialogue and choppy editing, people are still lining up for a peek. It’s a marvel, just not the kind anyone expected!

Dakota Johnson in Madame Web

Everything That is Wrong with Madame Web!

In hindsight, it seems like Madame Web was practically set up for failure from the get-go. With a budget of only around $80 million,...

Well, although people had high hopes for the Dakota Johnson-Valentine release this year, Madame Web has been all over the place. From sloppy marketing to confusing script with dialogue disasters, the film’s journey has been anything but smooth. With a dismal 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s safe to say Madame Web missed the mark.

But hold on, Johnson isn’t alone here! Turns out, the writers are in a bit of a pickle, churning out one dud after another. That’s why @CultureCrave on X cooked up a spicy list, showcasing the Rotten Tomato scores from the writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless’ previous ventures. And it does not look good on them.

Dakota Johnson in Madame Web

1. Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel in The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

Dakota Johnson and her crew aren’t the only ones suffering from shoddy scriptwriting. Vin Diesel and his 2015 flick, The Last Witch Hunter,...

Elijah Wood, a renowned American actor, has captivated audiences with his versatile and impressive performances for over three decades. Born on January 28, 1981, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Wood’s career as an actor began at a young age. He has starred in numerous films and television series, most notably as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s blockbuster The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. This article delves into the life and career of this iconic actor, showcasing his incredible journey from child star to accomplished Hollywood actor.

Early Life and Childhood Elijah Wood. Depostiphotos

Elijah Jordan Wood was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as the second of three children to Debbie Krause and Warren Wood. His parents managed a local delicatessen together. Wood’s ancestry includes English, German, Austrian, and Danish roots. As a child, Wood displayed a natural talent for performing, which led his mother to take him to the...

Vin Diesel, born Mark Sinclair on July 18, 1967, is an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter who has captured the hearts of millions around the world. Best known for his role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, Diesel has made a name for himself as a versatile and talented performer. This article explores the life and career of Vin Diesel, from his humble beginnings to becoming a household name in Hollywood.

Early Life and Career Beginnings Vin Diesel. Depostiphotos

Vin Diesel was born and raised in Alameda County, California, to an astrologer mother and a theater manager father. Diesel and his fraternal twin brother, Paul, were exposed to the world of performing arts from a young age. Despite facing financial struggles, Diesel’s parents encouraged their sons to pursue their dreams.

Vin Diesel began his acting career in the New York City theater scene, performing in various plays...

Nobody sets out to make a movie that will fail, be it a tiny independent production or the biggest of big blockbusters from a major studio. On the flip side, occasionally arrogance of a sort sets in and there is an element of presumed success with a film, and those projects -- more often than not -- feel doomed to fail. Such was the case with Lionsgate's 2016 big-budget fantasy play "Gods of Egypt," which bombed spectacularly upon its initial release. Yet, lofty ambitions existed as this was eyed as just the first entry in a brand new franchise. Before it all went to hell, that is.

The film, directed by Alex Proyas, cost a whopping $140 million to produce before marketing, putting it firmly in gigantic blockbuster territory. But it made a paltry $31 million in total at the domestic box office and topped out at $150 million worldwide. Per Variety, Lionsgate...

Four “Hunger Games” movies are coming to Fox’s free streaming service Tubi beginning May 1. The games begin with one girl and one boy from each district trained in the art of survival and ultimately, battling to the death. Unless your character is played by Jennifer Lawrence, in which case, all bets are off.

Watch the trailer for “The Hunger Games”:

Also coming is the Tubi original comedy “Pastacolypse” on May 21. When a global ban on gluten destroys the life of billionaire celebrity chef Alfredo Manicotti, he leads a pasta uprising that threatens humanity. It’s up to his spoiled heiress daughter to save the world.

The true-crime story of Joseph DeAngelo arrives May 10. A devoted family man and police officer, DeAngelo was also the Golden State Killer. For 40 years, he raped and murdered women in California. “Evil Among Us: The Golden State Killer” reveals how a genetic match...

Vin Diesel's breakout role in Hollywood was playing antihero Richard B. Riddick in Pitch Black, and now a wild Riddick theory ties every movie he's made into the same universe. The success of the sci-fi sleeper hit, in which Riddick battled aliens on a remote planet, spawned two sequels, The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick, but more importantly, it made Diesel an action-star, which he parlayed into the xXx movies, the mega-franchise Fast and Furious, and the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Currently, he's gearing up for Fast 10, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and at some point, another entry into the Chronicles of Riddick franchise.

Between hopping from one blockbuster franchise to another, Diesel has also appeared in dramas like Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, broad comedies like The Pacifier, and fantasy movies based on his passions, like the Dungeons & Dragons- esque The Last Witch Hunter.

The Luther: The Fallen Sun trailer has been unleashed upon the world, revealing the return of Idris Elba's iconic detective John Luther. He originated the role on the BBC series Luther, which ran for five seasons from 2010 through 2019. The series followed Luther, the Detective Chief Inspector for the Serious and Serial Unit, as the crimes he is so skilled at stopping begin to eat away at his soul and fill him with a raging darkness.

Today, Netflix dropped the trailer for their Luther follow-up movie Luther: The Fallen Sun.

The trailer opens on returning character Dsu Martin Schenk (Dermot Crowley) being informed that Luther has escaped prison. However, the troubled detective has a very good reason for doing so in Luther: The Fallen Sun's story: Andy Serkis’ tech mogul serial killer David Robey is on the loose, wreaking havoc with his control over surveillance technology, and must be stopped.

New images from the upcoming Luther movie reveal Idris Elba's return as the iconic character. Luther originally began its life as a TV series, airing on BBC One for five seasons between 2010 and 2019. Elba played the detective John Luther, who must work with the murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) to help solve a variety of cases.

Today, Empire shared two first-look images at the film follow-up to Luther, which wrapped production this Spring. The first shows the detective stalking across a barren snowy landscape that likely mimics the heightened drama and stakes of the film's plot. The second is a closer look at Elba back in his iconic Luther getup. Check out the full-size images below:

Related: Luther Movie News & Updates

2 Images

Close Everything We Know About The Luther Movie

As these images reveal, the film will be transplanting Luther from his headquarters in London into a grander adventure.

Kevin Bacon has finally entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though it is in an incredibly surprising way. He will be playing himself in the forthcoming "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" set to premiere on Disney+ on November 25, 2022. Thanks to mergers and multiverses, Bacon technically already is in the MCU, as he played Sebastian Shaw in "X-Men: First Class," but this is his official introduction to the current slate.

Because Bacon will be playing himself, it immediately brings to mind the incredibly fun game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." The man has appeared in so many films for over 40 years now, in both leading and supporting parts, that it feels like he has worked with every actor out there. Surprisingly, this holiday special will be the first time he has worked with every actor that makes up the Guardians team. That means playing Six Degrees with this cast is pretty fun.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Tuesday that it is inviting 397 artists and executives to join the Oscar organizer’s membership ranks. The prospective 2022 class includes 71 Oscar nominees and 15 winners, with 44 of the invitees women, and 37 of the group belongs to underrepresented communities.

See the full list below.

Among this year’s Oscar winners on the list are Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur, and Kotsur’s Coda writer-director Siân Heder, who has been invited into both the Directors and Writers branches. Among those invited into multiple branches, the new member must pick one. There are a total of 17 AMPAS branches, along with 25 who today received members-at-large invitations.

Others on the list include this year’s Oscar Original Song winners Billie Eilish and brother Finneas O’Connell; actors Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Jesse Buckley, Michael Greyeyes, Olga Merediz, Jesse Plemons, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Anya Taylor-Joy; writers Zach Baylin,...

Anya Taylor-Joy, Billie Eilish, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan and Disney exec Dana Walden are among the 397 artists and executives invited to join the membership of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. If all of this year’s invitees accept membership, it will bring the total number of Academy members to 10,665, with 9,665 eligible to vote for the 95th Oscars set to take place on March 12, 2023.

The 2022 class is 44 women, 37 belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 50 are from 53 countries and territories outside the United States. There are 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, among the invitees. Some of the big names invited are recent winners Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) and Troy Kotsur (“Coda”), and nominees Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”). Also invited are a slew of global artists and artisans such as actors Robin de Jesús, Olga Merediz...

Oscar winners Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur and Billie Eilish and nominees Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons are among the 397 film professionals invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy announced on Monday.

Invitations were also extended to actors Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Renate Rensve and Anya Taylor-Joy, directors Reinaldo Marcus Green, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Sian Heder and Jonas Poher Rasmussen, writers Zach Baylin, Takamasa Oe and Alex Ross Perry and film critic Leonard Maltin, who was invited to join as a member at large.

Four people were invited by two different branches, and must choose which branch they wish to join. Hamaguchi, Heder and Pawo Choyning Dorji were invited by both the Directors and Writers Branches, while Rasmussen was invited by the Directors Branch and the Documentary Branch.

Also Read:

Marlee Matlin, Jason Reitman and Jason Blum Elected to Oscars Academy...

Click here to read the full article.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 397 members of the global film community to join the organization, it was announced Tuesday.

Among those who will henceforth be able to vote for the Oscar nominations and winners if they accept, as the vast majority of people who have received invites historically have: newly-minted Oscar winners Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (music branch) and Ariana DeBose and Troy Kotsur (actors); Paramount chief Brian Robbins and Disney general entertainment chief Dana Walden (executives); and film critic Leonard Maltin (members-at-large).

According to an Academy-provided breakdown of the new invitees, 44 percent are women, 37 percent are non-white and 50 percent are non-Americans (54 different countries are represented). If they all accept, the Academy’s overall membership will be 34 percent female, 19 percent non-white and 23 percent non-American.

Seven branches invited more women than men (actors, casting directors, costume designers, documentary,...

Exclusive: Inbar Lavi (Lucifer), Jake McLaughlin (Black Bird), Ray Panthaki (The Serpent Queen) and Shaun Sipos (Outer Range) have signed on to star in the indie thriller Black Diamond, from writer-director Judd Bloch.

The film centers on a young woman who would appear to be living an idyllic life with her hedge funder boyfriend atop a ski mountain in Telluride. But a late afternoon misstep with a local cowboy handyman shatters that life and turns it into a deadly triangle of lust, obsession and murder.

Warner Davis and Todd Friedman are producing for Hemlock Circle Productions, alongside Dominic Rustam of Three Six Zero Group, and Brian Levy.

Lavi has previously appeared in films including Sorry for Your Loss, The Last Witch Hunter and For the Love of Money, along with such series as Lucifer, Stumptown, Imposters, The Last Ship, Castle and Sons of Anarchy. She’ll next be seen in...

Stars: Matthew Lawrence, Danielle C. Ryan, Dawn Olivieri, Kevin Joy, Mo Gallini | Written by Cj Walley | Directed by Shane Stanley

Jimmy has just lost his brother and is taking his ashes to the coast to scatter them in the ocean. As bad as that is, things promptly get worse when a stop at a convenience store puts him in the middle of what seems to be a very well-armed robbery. Only the cashier, her name is Natasha takes out the robbers with a shotgun and a throwing knife before grabbing her backpack and bolting.

But Jimmy’s bad day is far from over as he finds Natasha has stowed away in his vehicle and a couple of big black SUVs full of goons are on their trail. He’s not sure whether to be relieved or terrified when she easily dispatches them.

Writer Cj Walley and director Shane Stanley, who...

Take a look at more footage from director Daniel Espinosa's upcoming "Morbius" live-action 'superhero' feature based on Marvel Comics 'anti-hero' character, opening exclusively in movie theaters, April 1, 2022:

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", starring Jared Leto ("Suicide Squad") and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), co-stars Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics, 'Dr. Michael Morbius', a gifted intellect,...

Director Daniel Espinosa's "Morbius" live-action feature film, starring Oscar winner Jared Leto based on the Marvel Comics character, has been pushed back (again) from January 28, 2022 to April 1, 2022, because of a sickening surge in the deadly 'Covid-19' virus :

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", also stars Matt Smith ("Doctor Who")  and Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' (Leto) experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' (Arjona) who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics,...

Take a look at more footage from director Daniel Espinosa's hideous "Morbius" live-action 'superhero' feature based on the Marvel Comics character, opening exclusively in movie theaters, January 28, 2022:

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", starring Jared Leto ("Suicide Squad") and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), co-stars Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics, 'Dr. Michael Morbius', a gifted intellect,...

Exclusive: Production has begun on the fourth season of the global hit Israeli series Fauda, from Tel Aviv-based yes Studios. The new season will return with four new cast members led by Inbar Lavi, along with Mark Ivanir, Amir Boutrous, Lucy Ayoub and Loai Noufi. Character details are being kept under wraps.

The 10-episode Season 4, which will be filming throughout Israel and in the Ukraine, picks up after Season 3’s heartbreaking loss of one of the unit’s core members. Doron, played by series co-creator Lior Raz and the team face simultaneous unrest on two fronts – by Hezbollah activists from Lebanon and Palestinian militants in the West Bank.

Lavi, Ivanir, Boutrous, Ayoub and Noufi join returning cast members Itzik Cohen (Captain Ayub) Rona-Lee Shimon (Nurit) Idan Amedi (Sagi) Doron Ben David (Steve) Yaacov Zada Daniel (Eli) and Meirav Shirom (Dana)

Fauda,...

Take a look at more footage from director Daniel Espinosa's "Morbius" live-action feature film, based on the Marvel Comics character, opening January 22, 2022:

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", starring Jared Leto ("Suicide Squad") and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), co-stars Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics, 'Dr. Michael Morbius', a gifted intellect, expert biologist, biochemist and neuroradiologist with a Ph.

Exclusive: Monarch Media has optioned Leah Kunnath’s comedy script Foreign and Familiar, and are currently setting it up as a film, which Steve Barnett and Alan Powell will produce for the company.

Loosely based on Kunnath’s own teen years, Foreign and Familiar tells the story of a rebellious first-generation Indian-American teen who embarrasses her traditional Indian family, resulting in her parents sending her to high school in India to learn more about her culture.

Monarch’s Vicky Patel will executive produce the project with Adam Goldworm of Aperture Entertainment.

Kunnath’s first comedy feature script earned her a fellowship position with the Blacklist’s Minority Report initiative, and was also a semifinalist at the Austin Film Festival.

Other projects in the works at Monarch, from Barnett, Powell and Patel, include Chris Pratt starrer The Black Belt, which Paul Briganti is directing from the Black List script by Randall Green,...

Exclusive: Aimee Carrero has joined the cast of Searchlight’s The Menu.

The film, directed by Mark Mylod, is a darkly comedic psychological thriller set in the world of eccentric culinary culture, centering on a young couple who visit an exclusive restaurant on a remote island where an acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu.

Previously announced cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, John Leguizamo, Nicholas Hoult, and Hong Chau.

Carrero, a Puerto Rican/Dominican American actress from Miami, Fl, has a long list of credits in both TV and film. On the small screen, she’s appeared in The Mentalist, The Americans, Level Up, and Young & Hungry, among others. And in The Last Witch Hunter, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Holidate, and most recently, Wander Darkly, for the big screen.

She’s most famously known for voicing Disney’s first...

Director Daniel Espinosa's "Morbius" live-action feature film, starring Oscar winner Jared Leto based on the Marvel Comics character, has been pushed back to a January 22, 2022 release, because of a surge in the deadly 'Covid-19' virus:

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", also stars Matt Smith ("Doctor Who")  and Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' (Leto) experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' (Arjona) who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics,...

Exclusive: Inbar Lavi and Jack Kesy have signed on to star in Vronika, a psychological thriller from writer/director Geert Heetebrij.

Heetebrij’s debut feature centers on strong-willed Roni (Lavi) and her ambitious husband Stephen (Kesy), a stay-at-home crypto-currency day trader who manifests a twin version of his wife named Vronika (also played by Lavi), to assist him in winning trades.

Vronika is being exec produced by Sid Jansma, Jr. and Kelly James Clark with Wolverine Films in cooperation with producers Eric Machiela, Zach Runge, and Ross Vande Waa of Grla. Pic is currently in production, filming in locations throughout West Michigan.

Lavi has appeared on the TV side in series including Lucifer, Stumptown, Imposters, Prison Break and The Last Ship. On the film side, she has appeared in Collin Friesen’s Sorry for Your Loss, Breck Eisner’s The Last Witch Hunter and more.

Vin Diesel loves to talk about Vin Diesel projects, and who can blame him? You’d do the same if you were Vin Diesel. One of Diesel’s favorite topics involves sequels to his various films. Hell, last year he even teased a potential sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, which I’m pretty sure no one but Diesel […]

The post ‘Riddick 4’ Could Actually Happen, Promises Vin Diesel Promoter Vin Diesel appeared first on /Film.

There are just a few people in Hollywood that can get a major blockbuster film made based almost completely on their star power. One of those people is Vin Diesel. This is a man that, over the years, has been able to make multiple ‘Riddick’ films, “The Last Witch Hunter,” “Babylon Ad,” “XXX: The Return of Xander Cage,” and most recently, “Bloodshot.” Obviously, those ‘Fast & Furious’ films help give him credibility, but it’s damn impressive that Diesel has been able to get these blockbusters made, even if they aren’t well-received critically and don’t make a ton of money at the box office.

Continue reading Vin Diesel Teaming With Universal To Bring ‘Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots’ Film To The Big Screen at The Playlist.

For Rena Owen, it was the role of a lifetime.

Since rocketing to international prominence in 1994 in Lee Tamahori’s Once Were Warriors, in which she played an abused wife in a family descended from Maori warriors, the New Zealand actor has had a steady career of film and TV roles, including parts in Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) and George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2002), alongside Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood in The Last Witch Hunter (2015), and in recurring roles in Freeform fantasy series Sirens, and Seth MacFarlane’s The ...

For Rena Owen, it was the role of a lifetime.

Since rocketing to international prominence in 1994 in Lee Tamahori’s Once Were Warriors, in which she played an abused wife in a family descended from Maori warriors, the New Zealand actor has had a steady career of film and TV roles, including parts in Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) and George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2002), alongside Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood in The Last Witch Hunter (2015), and in recurring roles in Freeform fantasy series Sirens, and Seth MacFarlane’s The ...

Director Daniel Espinosa's "Morbius" live-action feature film, starring Oscar winner Jared Leto based on the Marvel Comics character, has been pushed back to an October 8, 2021 release, because of a surge in the deadly 'Covid-19' virus:

Columbia Pictures "Morbius", starring Jared Leto ("Suicide Squad") and Matt Smith ("Doctor Who"), co-stars Adria Arjona ("Narcos") as 'Martine Bancroft'. 

"...when arrogant scientist 'Michael Morbius' experiments to cure himself of a rare blood disease..

"...it's rich socialite 'Martine Bancroft' who helps him keep a connection to his humanity, after he becomes a vampire.

"She stays by his side while Michael tries to discover a cure for his monstrous condition.

"However, tragedy strikes when circumstances lead to Martine herself being transformed into a vampire at Michael's hand..."

"Morbius: The Living Vampire" is scripted by Burk Sharpless ("Dracula Untold") and Matt Sazama ("The Last Witch Hunter").

Created by writer Roy Thomas and illustrator Gil Kane for Marvel Comics,...

Sony are once again hedging their bets on an interconnected superhero franchise, despite the relative failure of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 already causing them to abandon the idea once before and strike the unprecedented licensing agreement with Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios, which led to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker becoming an integral part of the McU.

This time they’ll have to do it without their most marketable asset, because while details of the new deal signed last summer haven’t been made clear, most people are operating under the impression that Marvel will handle solo Spidey movies, but Holland will show up in the Spumc from time to time.

Venom was a monster hit that raked in over $850 million at the box office, and this summer’s sequel Let There Be Carnage is poised to do big business, but there are no guarantees that Morbius will experience a similar level of success.

Even the most ardent comic book fans would struggle to justify the existence of a Madame Web solo movie, but that hasn’t stopped Sony from putting the project into active development for a second time.

Back when The Amazing Spider-Man franchise was set to launch a litany of sequels and spinoffs that failed to materialize, Cassandra Webb was just one of many names linked to their own adventure, which has to be up there with the rumored Aunt May prequel as one of the most pointless ideas floated in the studio’s offices.

Undeterred, though, Madame Web was announced once again in September 2019 as part of the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, with Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless tasked with writing the script. And given that the duo’s previous works include Dracula Untold, The Last Witch Hunter and Gods of Egypt, expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

Now,...