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Josh Lucas is set to reprise his role as the younger version of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton in Yellowstone Season 5. He’ll return in a recurring capacity to the series. He previously appeared in the show’s second season back in 2019.

It’s great to hear that he’s coming back and that we’ll get a little more backstory on John Dutton’s history. Other returning recurring cast members include Kylie Rogers and Kyle Red Silverstein, who play the younger versions of main characters Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), and Jacki Weaver, who plays Caroline Warner. Previous recurring cast members Moses Brings Plenty and Wendy Moniz have been upped to series regulars for the new season.

In addition, Kai Caster (American Horror Story) will play Rowdy, a young cowboy. Lainey Wilson will play Abby, a musician. Lilli Kay (Your Honor, Rustin) will play Clara Brewer, a new assistant on the Dutton family ranch. Dawn Olivieri (1883) will a new character Sarah Atwood, a corporate shark new to Montana.

Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, a powerful Montana clan that operate the largest cattle ranch in the United States, as they navigate inter-personal rivalries and external forces seeking to gain control of the ranch’s land.

Costner headlines the series, which also stars Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham, Gil Birmingham, Jen Landon and Kathryn Kelly.

Damn, I love this show, and it’s set to return on November 13th!

Paramount+ has released the first teaser trailer for Sylvester Stallone‘s upcoming mob crime series Tulsa King. Stallone plays New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi, and it looks like this is going to be an awesome role for him.

The story follows the New York City Italian mobster who is forced to relocate to the most unlikely of places—Tulsa, Oklahoma, after spending 25 years in prison after being unceremoniously exiled by his boss. The series is set in present day, and the mobster is faced with the startling task of reestablishing his Italian mafia family to the modernized, straight-shooting town of Tulsa. There, Sal encounters surprising and unsuspecting characters who follow him along his unconventional path to power.

The series comes from Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone, 1883, Mayor of Kingstown) and Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire). These guys know how to tell great stories, so I’m excited to see how this one plays out!

The show also stars Andrea Savage (I’m Sorry), Martin Starr (Silicon Valley), Max Casella (The Tender Bar), Domenick Lombardozzi (The Irishman), Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire), Jay Will (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), A.C. Peterson (Superman & Lois) with Garrett Hedlund (The United States vs. Billie Holiday).

Tulsa King is set to premiere on November 13th, 2022.

Paramount Pictures and producer J.J. Abrams have been trying to figure out what to do with the Star Trek film franchise since Star Trek Beyond. There have been a few concepts and attempts over the years. The most recent Star Trek 4 project is being developed by director Matt Shakman (WandaVision), and he’s also been supervising the script, which is being written by Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires.

Before that, though, there was a sequel in the works that would have united Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk with his father, George Kirk, who was played by Chris Hemsworth. This project was in the works six years ago and at that time Abrams said it was his “favorite Star Trek story that we’ve had.” But, that movie never moved forward.

I always thought it would have been fun to see Hemsworth reprise his role as George Kirk, and he’s totally open to it! He would just need to get that call from Abrams to ask him. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Hemsworth said:

“There was talk about me doing the film with Chris Pine at one point. The script was sort of put together and then it fell apart. If J.J. Abrams called me tomorrow and said ‘Chris Pine and I want to do it,’ I’d probably say ‘Yeah, let’s go for it!'” 

The actor went on to talk about how he initially landed the George Kirk gig in the Star Trek reboot saying:

“I got called into J.J. Abrams’ office. There was no information about what it was for, I knew it was for Star Trek but I didn’t know what character or anything. And it was basically based on an audition I had for the lead role that Chris Pine had played twelve months prior… So I came in and he handed me the script and I just read through the scene, and I did something right. I remember not really understanding what I was a part of potentially, which was a good thing. If I had known it was going to be the relaunching of Star Trek and become the film it became, I’m sure I would have been a lot more intimidated but I had auditioned on a Friday and then was shooting on the Monday. So there wasn’t a whole lot of time for me to process what it was.”

Hemsworth then shared what happened with his career after Star Trek saying:

“I shot Star Trek and then I had about eight or nine months where I couldn’t get a job. Then the film came out and it gave me some momentum. And I had auditioned for Thor a few times-didn’t get a call back. Then had another opportunity to have another callback. Star Trek had come out, Kenneth Branagh had seen it. I do think it helped in many, many ways. And I think J.J. Abrams and Kenneth had a conversation. The initial audition I sent, or the tape, was with my mum and I, and my mum was reading as Anthony Hopkins. I don’t know, maybe it was her read that somehow swayed the vote there.”

I’d be surprised if we ever saw Hemsworth as George Kirk again. I just think that time has passed. But who knows!? Would you like to see Hemsworth play the character again?

Warner Bros. has shared a first look photo featuring Rayn Gosling as Ken in Margot Robbie’s upcoming Barbie movie, which is being directed by Greta Gerwig. As you can see, Gosling is ridiculously perfect for the role of Ken. He’s sporting that bleach blonde hair, a spray tan, and the whole jean outfit just makes me laugh.

We already shared an image of Robbie in the role of Barbie, which you can check out here. These two are sure going to make a great couple.

Gerwig co-wrote the script for the film with her partner and collaborator Noah Baumbach. The supporting cast includes America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Issa Rae, Michael Cera and more.

Liu described the Barbie movie as being “wild” and “incredibly unique,” and said, “I wish I could just show you what we do day-to-day because it’s crazy… When you’re doing a scene and it’s working, you hear, ‘HAHAHAHA!’ It’s the best feeling in the world. If you’re an asshole on a Greta Gerwig set, there’s no hope for you.”

While there are no plot details to share, it’s said that several Barbie and Ken characters factor into the plot. Liu is one of them, and he had to wax his entire body for the role, which he called “one of the most painful experiences of my life.”

Barbie will open in theaters July 21st, 2023 from Warner Bros.

Shudder has released a trailer for a new documentary film titled This Is GWAR, which tells the story of the cult heavy metal band, GWAR. These guys are absolutely insane! I’ve actually been to a couple of their concerts back in the day, and they were, by far, the craziest-ass concerts that I have ever been to and I had an absolute blast at them! Those are concert experiences I will never forget. The memories are still seared into my brain.

I really know nothing about the history of the band, though, and the people involved, so I’m actually looking forward to learning a bunch of cool and interesting stuff about them! They are known for their wild and grotesque costumed characters and their fluid-soaked stage shows.

This is GWAR is “the powerful story of the iconic heavy metal art collective, as told by the humans who have fought to keep it alive for over thirty years. The feature documentary includes interviews with the band members, both past and present, and other artists, including Weird Al Yankovic, Thomas Lennon, Alex Winter, Bam Margera, and Ethan Embry, including never seen footage of legendary GWAR frontman Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus).”

Shudder General Manager Craig Engler said in a statement: “For more than three decades, GWAR has set the standard for heavy metal horror with larger-than-life personas and gore-filled stage shows that were unlike anything anyone had ever seen. But even their most ardent fans have never seen them like this, as the band and director Scott Barber reveal in moving detail the literal blood, sweat and tears that have made GWAR the true legends they are today.”

GWAR added: “GWAR is founded on horror, humor, and heavy metal. Of course, we love Shudder! It’s our favorite. Every movie is like a home movie for us. Are you kidding me?? Monsters, demons, the undead, dinosaurs? Those are our people! GWAR and Shudder. Two terrifying tastes that taste terrifying together.”

This is GWAR is directed by Scott Barber (Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story), with producers Tommy Avallone (Bill Murray Stories) and Josh Goldbloom (V/H/S/94). Executive Producers include Bill Parks, Zach Blair, Matthew Helderman, and Luke Taylor.

Shudder will release it on July 21, 2022.

In Episode 20 of Secret Level, we discuss one of our favorite films from the ‘80s, The Monster Squad! The 1987 movie comes from director Fred Dekker and writer Shane Black, and it’s one of the craziest movies to come out of the ‘80s that was made for kids!

This movie is actually pretty freakin’ bonkers, and there’s no way a film like this would get made today. This is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle movies that technically shouldn’t exist, but it does, and it’s awesome! We love this movie, and it was a lot of fun to talk about and dig up some behind the scenes details that we weren’t aware of before.

This is a great movie to revisit and we hope you enjoy the podcast!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook – @GTSecretLevel

Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for its film adaptation of Roald Dahl‘s Matilda the Musical. It features the main cast and showcases some of the musical numbers.

The story is based on the classic book, and the story centers on “a precocious and gifted girl who uses her powers to overcome bullies, including her family and her school’s principal and protect her friends.”

Emma Thompson stars in the series as the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull, and when you see her in this trailer, she’s completely unrecognizable! She is joined by newcomer Alisha Weir as the book-loving heroine Matilda, Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die) as the kindly teacher Miss Honey, and Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as Matilda’s parents, the money-hungry and superficial Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood.

The movie was directed by Matthew Warchus, who also directed the hit Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical. He said in a statement: “Matilda will be an imaginative and fresh retelling of the award-winning musical, Matilda, featuring talented young newcomers, alongside established stars. I look forward to introducing this beloved and powerful story to a new generation of fans around the world.”

The movie will be released this holiday season. Check out the trailer and let us know what you think!

The full voice cast has been announced for Warner Bros. Animation and New Line Cinema’s upcoming J.R.R. Tolkien anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The cast included Brian Cox, Gaia Wise and Miranda Otto, who is set to reprise her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, from the original trilogy. She will serve as the tale’s narrator.

The story takes place two centuries before the events of Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and it will “explore the exploits of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, and the creation of Helm’s Deep, the stronghold.” That stronghold was featured in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Brian Cox will provide the voice to the Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan, who is a character from the Tolkien book’s appendix. The concept art above features Helm Hammerhand.

The movie is set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films. “A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Hera, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.”

Gala Wise (A Walk in the Woods) will play Hammerhand’s daughter Hera; and Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) will portray Wulf. The rest of the voice cast includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Netflix’s Bridgerton), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Benjamin Wainwright (BBC One’s World on Fire), Laurence Ubong Williams (Gateway), Shaun Dooley (Netflix’s The Witcher), Michael Wildman (Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation), Bilal Hasna (BBC’s Sparks) and Janine Duvitski (ITV’s Benidorm).

The movie is being directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and it will be produced by Joseph Chou through his anime studio Sola Entertainment.

It’s been explained that The War of the Rohirrim is going to “draw much of its creative DNA from Jackson’s six features set in Middle-earth.” Philippa Boyens, who was part of the screenwriting team for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, is executive producing the film. She said in a statement: “I’m in awe of the creative talent who have come together to bring this epic, heart-pounding story to life, from the mastery of Kenji Kamiyama to a truly stellar cast.”

Phoebe Gittins, Boyens’ daughter, and writing partner Arty Papageorgiou are writing the script, which was previously worked on by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews. The rest of the creative team includes Richard Taylor, who won Oscars for makeup and visual effects for Jackson’s films, and Tolkien illustrator John Howe.

The film is currently in production at Sola Entertainment and the movie will be released in theaters on April 12th, 2024. I’m in credibly excited about this!

Netflix has announced a reality competition series inspired by the hit show Squid Game titled Squid Game: The Challenge. Netflix says that this will be “the biggest reality competition series ever,” hosting the largest cast and offering the largest lump sum cash prize in reality television history as 456 players compete for $4.56 million.

The contestants will compete in a series of games inspired by the original Netflix show, “plus new additions, which are all intended to test their strategies, alliances, and character as others are eliminated around them.” But, don’t expect anyone to die, they aren’t going to kill any contestants.

Recruitment for the series is currently open to English-language speakers from anywhere in the world. Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of unscripted and documentary Series shared in a statement:

“Squid Game took the world by storm with Director Hwang’s captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment. Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.”

The 10-episode competition series is a co-production between Studio Lambert and The Garden, and will be filmed in the U.K.

For more information about joining the show, visit SquidGameCasting.com. Are any of you going to try to get on the show!? It actually sounds like it would be fun to be a part of!

Source: Variety

Sony Pictures has confirmed that a Gran Turismo film is in development and that District 9 director Neill Bomkamp will helm it. It was also revealed that the movie will be released on August 11th, 2023.

I’m a fan of the racing game franchise, and I’ve always enjoyed Blomkamp’s filmmaking style. This is just such a different kind of film project for him, and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the story.

When it comes to that story, Sony Pictures confirmed that it will be based on actual events! The film “is the ultimate wish-fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional race car driver.”

This teen was able to translate his Gran Turismo gaming skills into real life through a series of Nissan competitions, resulting in him becoming a professional race car driver. This is actually a pretty cool story and it seems like it would work great for the movie.

With the film set to be released next year, the project will go into production soon. I imagine we’ll have some casting news to share in the near future. Stay tuned!

What do you all think about Neill Blomkamp directing Gran Turismo and the story that it will tell?

Source: Deadline