ID Channel Orders Fifth Episode of Limited Exposé Docuseries QUIET ON SET: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS TV

ID Channel has ordered a fifth episode to cap off their hit exposé docuseries, Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. The series delves into the toxic and dangerous culture behind some of the most iconic kids’ television shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s, including allegations of abuse, sexism and racism. 

Premiering Sunday, April 7 8/7c on ID, Breaking the Silence will feature former Nickelodeon child stars from the early 2000s, including Drake Bell. Some reunite for the first time to share their reactions to Quiet on Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV.

Participants previously featured in Quiet on Set, including Bell, All That cast members Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne, Hearne’s mother, Tracey Brown,as well as new voices including former All That cast member Shane Lyons, will appear on the episode with O’Brien for a discussion about the industry, then and now.

“With Breaking the Silence, we’re digging deeper into the crucial conversations the docuseries ignited and exploring the lingering questions left in their wake to provide further insight from the brave voices who’ve spoken out previously and those who are coming forward again,” said Jason Sarlanis, President, TNT, TBS, TruTV, ID & HLN, Linear and Streaming.

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV has been watched by more than 16 million viewers, according to ID and Max/discovery+, with the largest audience of an unscripted series since the launch of Max. Building off the revelations explored in the first four episodes, journalist Soledad O’Brien will lead the conversation in the new episode to discuss where the industry can go from here. 

Over its four-parts, Quiet on Set, which first premiered on Sunday, March 17, offered unprecedented access to key cast members, writers, and crew spanning Dan Schneider’s popular series at Nickelodeon and spotlighted their emotional accounts. It also chronicles a pattern of gross, emotionally and verbally abusive, and manipulative behavior that unfolds across decades and recounts stories about child predators on set. In the docuseries, former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell, shared publicly, for the first time ever, the abuse he suffered at the hands of Brian Peck – his former dialogue coach who was convicted in 2004 for crimes against Drake and ordered to register as a sex offender.  

via: Deadline

Courteney Cox Reportedly Coming Back for SCREAM VII with Patrick Dempsey in Talks

After Neve Campbell confirmed she’s returning to play Sydney Prescott in Scream VII, we are now hearing that Courteney Cox has reportedly closed her deal to return as Gale Weathers and that Patrick Dempsey is currently in talks to return as Detective Mark Kincaid. It was previously rumored that the studio wanted him to return.

This casting news comes from Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman. The last time with saw Kincaid was in Scream 3, and he was supposed to reprise the role for Scream 4, but a scheduling conflict with Transformers: Dark of the Moon forced him to drop out.

It was strongly hinted in the 2022 Scream movie that Mark and Sidney were married, and that was later confirmed by directors Radio Silence. So, if this casting news is true, it looks like the film will pick up with these two characters being married.

It’s also said that Courteney Cox is “a lock” to return as Gale Weathers, which isn’t surprising to lean at all.

Scream creator and writer Kevin Williamson is set to direct Scream VII. While this project has gone through a lot of drama over the past several months, it looks like the franchise is in good hands.

TOP GUN 3 Has a Story That Tom Cruise Likes, So They’re Developing It

A couple of months ago it was announced that Paramount Pictures was moving forward with a third Top Gun movie. Joseph Kosinski is returning to direct along with star Tom Cruise and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Bruckheimer recently offered an update on Top Gun 3 and it turns out that Kosinski has cracked a story that Cruise really liked. During an interview with Screen Rant, the producer offered the following update:

“It will be Tom Cruise. Tom is amazing. We spent time with him. We have a story. Joe Kosinski had a wonderful story idea for it, and he [Tom Cruise] said I really like that, so we’re developing it.”

As for when the movie will actually get made, it’ll be a while because Cruise is just an crazy busy actor who is lining up all kinds of film projects. The producer added:

“But you never know when it’s going to get made because Tom is so busy. He’s doing Mission: Impossible right now, he’s got a picture after it. Hopefully, we’ll get a screenplay that he loves, and we’ll be back in the air again.”

No plot details have been revealed but I hope that the movie reaches the bar that Top Gun: Maverick set!

DUNE Director Denis Villeneuve Will Only Make DUNE: MESSIAH If It’s Better Than PART TWO

It sounds like Dune: Messiah isn’t really as sure of a thing as we thought it was. The director of the first two films, Denis Villeneuve, still isn’t sure if he will return to make the third film. While Warner Bros. wants a third movie, and Villeneuve has been working on the script, he is planning on making another film before ultimately deciding if he wants to make another Dune movie. During a recent interview with Empire, the filmmaker said:

“I did both movies back-to-back, which makes absolute sense for me. I felt that it was a good idea to move forward right after Part One. We were already designing, writing, et cetera. But it also meant that for six years I was on Arrakis non-stop, and I think it will be healthy to step back a little bit. First, make sure that we have a strong screenplay. The thing I want to avoid is not having something ready. I never did it, and now I feel it could be dangerous because of the enthusiasm. We need to make sure all the ideas are on paper.”

He then went on to say he won’t make a third Dune movie if it’s not better than the second one:

“If we go back, it needs to be real, it needs to be relevant. If ever I do Dune Messiah, [it’s] because it’s going to be better than Part Two. Otherwise, I don’t do it.”

I mean, I get it, but I hope that he does make Dune: Messiah because he left the story wide open for it at the end of the sequel! It would be a shame and a waste to not definitively finish the story that he started.

The filmmaker Previously discussed his plans for a third movie, saying, “There is Dune’s second book, The Messiah of Dune, which could make an extraordinary film. I always saw that there could be a trilogy; after that, we’ll see. It’s years of work; I can’t think of going further than that.”

Dune is a mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, and tells the story of Paul Atreides, “a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.”

Part Two explores the “mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

Dune: Messiah takes place several years after the events of the first book and follows Paul Atreides, now Emperor of the Known Universe. Paul’s rule is marked by political intrigue, religious fervor, and the consequences of his prescient visions. As he navigates the complexities of his position, Paul faces challenges from various factions, including the powerful Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, who seek to control his bloodline. Amidst this turmoil, Paul’s relationship with his wife, Chani, and his young children adds a personal dimension to his struggles.

Marvel Actress Gwyneth Paltrow Says Hollywood Can Only Make So Many Good Superhero Films

The superhero film genre is going through some growing pains right now with the studios, filmmakers, and fans. Many of the recently released comic book movies have been box-office disappointments and rough to watch due to their lack of quality.

Gweneth Paltrow has spent a good amount of time in the MCU as Pepper Potts, and she recently shared her thoughts on the genre and believes that Hollywood can only make so many good superhero films.

While a guest on The Hot Ones YouTube talk show, Paltrow she was asked to comment on the recent Academy Awards speech from Cord Jefferson, who won Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on American Fiction. I wrote an article highlighting his speech that you can read here. He said:

“It’s a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given. I understand that this is a risk averse industry, I get it, but 200 million dollar movies are also a risk, and it doesn’t always work out. But, you take the risk anyway. And instead of making one 200 million dollar million movie, try making ten 20 million dollar movies, or 50 four million dollar movies!”

In response to his speech, Paltrow said:

“I absolutely understand where he’s coming from. You want to have the best chance of having a strong ROI. People put a lot of money into these things and they want them to be profitable. But I think if I look at the industry as a whole, this big push into superhero movies … you can only make so many good ones that feel truly original, and yet they’re still always trying to reach as many people as possible, which sometimes hinders quality or specificity or real point of view.”

A lot of fans will agree with these comments and right now both Marvel and DC are in the process of making big changes in an attempt to start making great movies and get fans excited about watching these kinds of movies again. Paltrow went on to explain her reasoning, adding:

“I grew up doing those [mid-budget] movies and I sometimes lament the fact that I look back at some movies I made in the ’90s and think that just wouldn’t get made now. You get more diversity of art when there is less at stake and people can, sort of, express their true voice and make a film the way they want to make it. And I think those are generally the more resonant ones.”

I would love for Hollywood to get back to that place. While there is always room for the big tent poll films, I think the studios should start focusing more on mid-budget films that tell great stories! Some studios are doing it, but we need more of them to make an actually impact.

What are your thoughts on the current state of Hollywood and what Paltrow said about superhero movies?

Update on Netflix’s GHOSTBUSTERS Animated Series Project

A couple of years ago it was announced that Netflix was developing a new Ghostbusters animated series. That project is being developed by Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan who brought us Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. They will be executive producing the series through their Ghost Corps, Inc. production company.

There’s been radio silence on this series, but it is still moving forward. Kenan offered an update on the project during an interview with ScreenRant, saying:

“I just watched an entire art presentation for the show. I’ve seen the sets and the environments, and I just saw my first glimpse at a world of supernatural characters as realized by our brilliant creative team. All I can say is the work is being done as we speak. It’s in what we call full development. Scripts are being written, art is being created, and it’s a great time to be a Ghostbuster.”

While the project is moving forward, it sounds like there’s still a long way to go if the creative team is still only in the development stage. I loved the original cartoon series, The Real Ghostbusters, and I hope that whatever this new one comes out to be, it has the same spirit and zany energy of that original series.

The Real Ghostbusters aired from 1986 – 1991 and the cast members include Dave Coulier as Peter Venkman; Frank Weller as Ray Stantz, Slimer, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man; and Arsenio Hall as Winston Zeddemore. A limited series, Extreme Ghostbusters, aired in 1997 and starred a college-aged group of Ghostbusters led by OG Ghostbuster Egon Spengler.

Teaser Trailer for Yorgos Lanthimos KINDS OF KINDNESS Starring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Jesse Plemons

Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos has teamed back up with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe for a new film titled Kinds of Kindness, and the first teaser trailer has been released. The film’s cast also includes Margaret Qualley, Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer.

Kinds of Kindness is a “triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.”

It looks like Lanthimos has spun another wild tale for his fans to enjoy. He certainly enjoys making incredibly unique films. Searchlight will release the film on June 21.

The Full Short Film THE SPIDER WITHIN: A SPIDER-VERSE STORY Officially Released

Sony Pictures has officially released the animated short film The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story for all of you to watch. Sony Pictures Animation partnered with the Kevin Love Fund to produce the seven-minute animated short film that promotes mental health. The short is part of a new mental health-focused lesson plan, titled “The Hero Within.” 

The short focuses on “what happens when Miles Morales (once again played by Shameik Moore) starts to feel the pressure of his life as Spider-Man, which results in a scary, trippy little jaunt through his subconscious.”

The short was directed by Jarelle Dampier, and the synopsis reads: “Miles Morales struggles to balance his responsibilities as a teenager, friend, and student while acting as Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. After a particularly challenging day living with these pressures, Miles experiences a panic attack that forces him to confront the manifestations of his anxiety and learn that reaching out for help can be just as brave an act as protecting his city from evil.”

In the story, Miles’s mind starts to spiral and he find himself having an anxiety attack and it escalates into his mind conjuring up a shadow figure of himself, who then transforms into a giant spider and an army of small spiders. Once Miles gets his mind under control, he asks his dad for some advice.

Check out the short film below and let us know what you think.

Insanely Brutal Trailer for the Chinese Remake of ANACONDA

The first trailer has been released for the Chinese remake of the ‘90s creature feature film Anaconda, and this movie looks insanely brutal! The trailer is packed full of people being savagely attacked by giant-ass snakes!

In the movie, “A group of circus performers, on their way to what they think is a new performance location, become stranded in a lush rainforest after the boat they were on, and the captain leading the way, are eaten and destroyed by an anaconda. They cross paths with a deadly poacher who is hunting the anaconda, who realizes that he might now have enough bait to catch him. But being circus performers, they have a few survival tricks up their sleeves.”

This movie comes from directors Xiang Qui Liang and Xiang He Sheng, and as you’ll see, they wanted to bring the giant snake carnage.

There’s actually a new movie in development in Hollywood, but I have no idea where that project currently stands.

In the 1997 movie follows a film crew that is taken hostage by an insane hunter, who forces them along on his quest to capture the world’s largest – and deadliest – snake.

This Anaconda remake comes from Canno Studio Pictures, Xiang Bros Studios, and Sony Pictures Television. There’s no word yet on when it will be released in the US.

STAR WARS: THE ACOLYTE Did Not Shoot on the Volume; More Easter Egg Insights

Star Wars: The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland (Russian Doll) has shared some additional insight on the series. One of the more interesting things she confirmed was that the project was not shot using the Volume. She said they “didn’t use the Volume at all” to shoot the series.

While the Volume is a great filmmaking tool, I would like to see the Star Wars projects move away from it a little more. Star Wars: Andor also didn’t use the Volume and everything about it just looked better and more real. I liked that! So, I do like the fact that they shot the series on real set and real locations.

Headland went on to share some insights on the Easter eggs we’ll see in the series, saying: “You will see a little bit of Vernestra Rwoh from the High Republic novels. She ends up being live-action for the first time, so that’s definitely a cameo for that audience, I would say. You see a lot of cameos of alien species that I don’t think I’ve seen in post-Disney live-action, meaning a Zygerrian Jedi and a half-Theelin, half-human Jedi.”

She added: “There’s also a lot of stuff from the EU that I got to utilize. Nobody stopped me, so I did it. So if you’re a fan, there will be a species that you might recognize. There are also certain narrative elements. Basically, there are enough Easter eggs if you’re a fan of the Original Trilogy, the Prequels or The Clone Wars. And then there’s some EU sprinkled in.”

The Acolyte is set at the end of the Star Wars franchise’s High Republic era, approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). It sees a respected Jedi Master investigating a series of crimes that bring him into conflict with a former Padawan learner and reveal sinister forces.

The cast includes Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.

I’m keeping my expectations in check for Star Wars: The Acolyte. I hope it’s better than what everyone is expecting it to be. The series arrives on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on June 4. 

Source: THR