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Welcome to Random Roles, wherein we talk to actors about the characters who defined their careers. The catch: They don’t know beforehand what roles we’ll ask them to talk about.

The actor: Dave Bautista was king of the WWE ring for a big chunk of his 20-year professional wrestling career.

On screen, we’ve already seen Michael B. Jordan conduct an art heist of sorts – that brilliantly memorable museum scene in Black Panther, in which his Killmonger liberates artefacts shamelessly nabbed by the British during colonial rule. Now, get ready for a different kind of Jordan-pilfers-precious-art outing – the man is getting ready to step into the shoes of Steve McQueen and Pierce Brosnan, as the latest incarnation of super-smooth criminal mastermind Thomas Crown. A new take on The Thomas Crown Affair is officially on the way – with Jordan not only set to take the title role (a notion that's been hanging around in Hollywood since 2016), but also to direct.

As reported by Deadline, Jordan is lining up his second feature as director, following Creed III – and the new Thomas Crown looks set to be it. He’ll be producing via his Outline Society production banner for Amazon MGM Studios – with...

Sofia Boutella desperately needed a break from action, and J.J. Perry’s The Killer’s Game provided exactly that.

After devoting nearly the entirety of 2022 to her most physically demanding role yet as Kora/Arthelais in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon franchise, Boutella was relieved that she didn’t have to bear the burden of being the primary action hero in Perry’s action-comedy. Instead, she was charmed by the romantic role she was offered alongside her former Hotel Artemis co-star Dave Bautista. Her Rebel Moon character also didn’t have the greatest luck in the romance department, so The Killer’s Game’s more hopeful love story likely appealed to her as well.

The Algerian actor’s physical background is still on full display in the opening sequence, as her character, Maize, is a ballet dancer who’s eying retirement when she meets Bautista’s assassin character, Joe Flood.

“I enjoyed...

It wasn’t the action that piqued Dave Bautista’s interest in The Killer’s Game; it was the chance to play a proper romantic lead for the very first time. Like a lot of actors, Bautista is most intrigued by the roles that frighten him, and so the chance to play lovestruck assassin Joe Flood was something he’d been committed to intermittently since 2019. Based on The Killer’s Game novel by Jay Bonansinga, Flood is diagnosed with a neurodegenerative brain condition that leaves him with only months to live, so he takes out a contract on his own life so that the love of his life, Maize (Sofia Boutella), can collect his life insurance policy. The rub is that he was misdiagnosed by three different labs and it’s too late to cancel said contract.

The film adaptation of The Killer’s Game has gone through nearly three decades of development,...

As August comes to a close, Autumn is popping out, which means Amazon Prime Video has a whole new slate of movies falling onto the streamer in September.

Whether you’re into sci-fi-fantasy films, crime thriller or an action-packed movie that keeps you on your toes, these films are worth adding to your watch list. While Prime Video’s list of new films in September stretch way beyond these seven titles, TheWrap wanted to point your attention to best ones on its lineup.

Check out our picks for the best new movies on Prime Video in September 2024 below.

“Basic Instinct” (1992) “Basic Instinct” (TriStar)

When a mysterious and beautiful crime novelist named Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) becomes a suspect in the murder of a rock star, she plots onthe case’s investigator, Nick Curran (Michael Douglas), by seducing him into a intense, lust-filled relationship that complicates his job. And in the midst of that,...

After a busy August with the Season 2 premiere of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” which continues throughout September with new episodes through Oct. 3, “Batman: Caped Crusader,” and more, Amazon streaming services Prime Video and Freevee will have a comparably quiet September.

Most of the action for the month will come from Prime Video’s sports options. After the Sept. 5 Kickoff Game at Arrowhead Stadium with the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs going up against the Baltimore Ravens, Prime Video’s third season of Thursday Night Football begins with AFC East champs Buffalo Bills taking on the Miami Dolphins in Miami. The WNBA and Nwsl also continue their seasons on Prime Video, with matches all month long from New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Angel City Fc, and more top teams.

But Prime Video will welcome a few new series this month, including the highly publicized...

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of August titles. The Tubi August 2024 slate features new Tubi Originals and numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library: over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 Fast channels.

You can watch the Tubi August 2024 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals

Documentary

Defying Death:...

After waging war with House Atreides in Dune: Part Two, Dave Bautista trades his Harkonnen armor for something more discrete as he slips into the role of a hitman on borrowed time in The Killer’s Game trailer. Lionsgate shared the first trailer, poster, and images for the upcoming action comedy from director J.J. Perry. The promo features the former wrestler-turned-Hollywood superstar as an assassin with a dry wit fighting for his life after receiving a false diagnosis from his doctor. Thinking he’s suffering from a terminal illness and only has three months to live, Bautista’s hitman, Joe Flood, must survive an onslaught of savvy killers looking to collect his head.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Killer’s Game courtesy of Lionsgate:

In the new action-comedy The Killer’S Game, when top hitman Joe Flood (Dave Bautista) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into...

Ostensibly a big-screen reboot of the 1980s television series of the same name, “The Fall Guy” is actually director and former stunt performer David Leitch’s love letter to both his wife, producer Kelly McCormick, and the undersung art of stunt work — only not always in that order.

Working closely with screenwriter and executive producer Drew Pearce, who previously scripted his “Fast and the Furious” spinoff “Hobbs & Shaw,” Leitch creates a clearinghouse of gobsmacking stunts (some truly record-breaking) while chronicling the tumultuous relationship between veteran stunt man Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) and first-time director Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). It’s quick-witted (and quick-footed) fun that bridges multiple generations of Hollywood moviemaking, melding together rom-coms and bombastic action into one blockbuster package.

Since making his screenwriting debut on Shane Black’s “Iron Man 3,” Pearce has developed an aptitude for conceiving stories that maintain a singular yet cohesive tonal balance.

Exclusive: The Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson sci-fi thriller Mercy is adding four with A Star Is Born‘s Rafi Gavron, Chris Sullivan, Kenneth Choi and Kylie Rogers.

Timur Bekmambetov directs the Amazon MGM Studios project, which was penned by Marco van Belle. It follows a detective (Pratt) who is accused of a violent crime, and must prove his innocence is a future where capital crime has swelled.

True Detective: Night Country‘s Kali Reis and Blinders’ Annabelle Wallis also star in the movie which is hitting theaters on Aug. 15, 2025.

Gersh, Affirmative Entertainment repped Gavron began his career with a breakout lead role in Anthony Minghella’s Breaking and Entering, for which he earned a nomination for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the British Independent Film Awards. In addition to A Star Is Born, he also starred in the limited series Ghosts of Beirut, two seasons of Godfather of Harlem for MGM+,...

Documentary fans have a lot to be excited about this month on HBO and Max. April begins with the premiere of The Synanon Fix, a docuseries that follows the rise and fall of the cult-like drug rehabilitation program Synanon. The documentary Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion takes a deep-dive into the controversial “one size fits most” clothing brand Brandy Mellville and the impact of fast fashion on the planet.

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th looks at the surge of political violence and anti-government sentiment that led to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing, and the effects still felt nearly 30 years later. HBO is also returning with a second part to their popular docuseries The Jinx, with filmmakers continuing their investigation of Robert Durst.

But if documentaries aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty of popular films hitting Max in April, like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,...

It's a new month, and HBO and Max will be showering their subscribers with gifts all April long! This month, the Wbd properties will welcome the arrival of unscripted projects like the premiere of Conan O’Brien’s new travel comedy series “Conan O’Brien Must Go” and the fourth season of the Emmy Award-winning drag-centric “We're Here.” Plus, Park Chan-wook and A24’s “The Sympathizer” limited series and the highly anticipated continuation of “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” will all be available to stream throughout the month.

Find out everything coming to Max this April, including The Streamable’s top picks to add to your watch list!

Sign Up $9.99+ / month Max.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Max in April 2024? “Alex Edelman: Just For Us” | Saturday, April 6

Filmed in front of a live audience at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in August 2023, Alex Edelman brings his solo special,...

Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki continues his investigation of convicted murderer Robert Durst in The Jinx – Part Two, a six-episode documentary series premiering on Max on April 21, 2024. The streaming service’s April lineup also includes the seven-episode limited series The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and starring Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr in multiple roles.

Comedian Alex Edelman hosts a brand new comedy special, and Conan O’Brien visits favorite fans from his podcast series in the four-episode unscripted series Conan O’Brien Must Go. The documentary series The Synanon Fix exploring the drug rehabilitation program joins Max’s lineup on April 1st. And the streaming service has set April premiere dates for the documentaries Brandy Hellville & The Cult Of Fast Fashion and An American Bombing: The Road To April 19th.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In April 2024

April 1

American Renegades (2018)

Basquiat (1996)

Black Swan (2010)

Body of Lies (2008)

Bridget Jones’s Diary...

Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy Photo: Universal Pictures/Eric Laciste Fresh off of his show-stopping performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars, Ryan Gosling headed to South By Southwest to support his next project, The Fall Guy, where he introduced the film before its world premiere. He...

Exclusive: Zosia Mamet is set to co-star alongside Ann Dowd in upcoming horror thriller The Undertaker’s Children, producer and seller The Exchange has announced as it rolls out sales at the EFM.

Mamet, whose credits include the HBO TV series Girls and The Flight Attendant, has been seen most recently in Columbia Pictures action-sci fi picture Madame Web.

Inspired by real events, The Undertaker’s Children is about a reclusive undertaker (Dowd), who is forced to take in the children of a deceased distant relative.

When the older sister uncovers her sinister plan to get rid of them, she contacts a child welfare nurse (Mamet), pleading for help. As things escalate, the girl has no choice but to escape with her brother before helps arrives, unleashing an evil that knows no bounds in the process.

Alex Gayner makes his directorial debut on the movie, after working as a second...

Mark Duplass (Safety Not Guaranteed) creates an indie post-apocalyptic comedy/drama in Biosphere, starring just him and Sterling K. Brown (Hotel Artemis). In the film, two characters are trapped in a bunker, outliving the end of the world as we know it.

Synopsis:

Billy (Mark Duplass) and Ray (Sterling K. Brown) are lifelong best friends, brothers from another mother – and the last two men on earth. Their survival is largely due to Ray, a brilliant scientist who designed a domed structure with all the systems necessary to sustain life on a planet that could no longer support it.

Their custom biosphere is outfitted with basic necessities and creature comforts that make it possible to...

Summer is heating up on Max.

Back in May, Max added programming from TLC, HGTV and Food Network. That means Discovery’s popular Shark Week will be available to stream when it kicks off on July 23, with programming to be announced soon.

For fans of unscripted series, Season 3 or “90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise: Pillow Talk” (July 4) and Season 5 of “90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way” (July 10) are both streaming, as well as the series premiere of “90 Day Fiancé: UK.”

Home renovation fans will want to catch Season 16 of “Barnwood Builders” (July 6) and the special “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge” (July 16), hosted by Ashley Graham, just in time for the feature film.

Also Read:

Here’s What’s New on Amazon Prime Video in July 2023

“Project Greenlight” (July 13) returns, with executive producer Issa Rae along with Kumail Nanjiani and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as mentors throughout the season.

Finally, the six-episode Max Original limited series “Full Circle,...

Max is following DC’s lead with its list of new releases for July 2023.

The two big ticket items this month are of the superhero variety. My Adventures with Superman arrives to Max on July 7 after making its Adult Swim premiere the night before. The end of the month sees Harley Quinn season 4 making its long-awaited debut on July 27. Other original TV titles of note are the Steven Soderbergh-directed Full Circle (July 13) and the third and final season of How To With John Wilson on July 28.

On the movie side of things, documentary Glitch: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia premieres on July 20. Before that on July 13 is both a fresh reboot of filmmaking competition Project Greenlight and the movie that came of it, Gray Matter. Library movies in July include Pulp Fiction, V for Vendetta, Lethal Weapon, and more on July 1.

Here is everything else coming to HBO and Max this month.

The original Max series “Full Circle” debuts on July 13. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the new drama investigates a kidnapping gone wrong in New York, revealing the secrets and lies of multiple characters. Or as the trailer warns: “Everything is connected.” The six-episode limited series stars Zazie Beetz, Claire Danes, Jim Gaffigan, Jharrel Jerome, Timothy Olyphant, and Dennis Quaid.

Watch the “Full Circle” trailer:

The four-part documentary “Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York” is set in the early 1990s as the AIDS crisis worsens. The media’s distorted coverage of the gay victims, coupled with the homophobic biases of the criminal justice system, undermine the investigation. The docuseries — which premieres on Max on July 9 — illustrates how the LGBTQ+ community fought to solve the murders and demand attention for those murdered.

Preview “Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York”:

Arriving on the platform on...

Timothy Olyphant, Claire Danes, and Dennis Quaid in ‘Full Circle’ (Photograph by Sarah Shatz)

Max’s July 2023 schedule includes the premiere of the drama Full Circle and the return of Shark Week. The hot summer month’s lineup also includes the final season of How To With John Wilson, the premiere of Project Greenlight, and the final episodes of the popular comedy The Righteous Gemstones.

The two-part documentary The Golden Boy about the life and career of Oscar De La Hoya joins the streaming service’s lineup on July 24th. Shaun White: The Last Run, a docuseries about the Olympian, is set to premiere on July 6th.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In July 2023:

July 1

300 (2006)

17 Again (2009)

20th Century Women (2016)

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

American Sniper (2014)

Angels Sing (2013)

Ballet 422 (2014)

Barbershop (2002)

Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)

Beauty Shop (2005)

Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

Brandi Carlile: In the...

He’s baaack! Zachary Quinto appeared in the first two “American Horror Story” installments as gay homeowner Chad Warwick (Season 1’s “Murder House”) and as fan-fave serial killer Bloody Face (Season 2’s “Asylum”), but then he took a nine-year hiatus before popping up last year as erotic art curator Sam (Season 11’s “NYC”). Well, “AHS” viewers won’t have to wait another nine years to see Quinto again, as he’ll return to the franchise in Season 12’s “Delicate” in a mysterious role, which brings his tally to four total characters.

Quinto confirmed the news at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his movie “He Went That Way.” Speaking about new “AHS” cast member Kim Kardashian, the bearded actor told reporters, “I did a cameo on this season of ‘American Horror Story’ and I got to meet her. She was so lovely and warm and, really, I don’t think she needs my advice.

Charlie Day is a talented guy. The man has brought the humor for years thanks to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. And yes, Mr. Day shined in many a feature film including Fist Fight, Hotel Artemis, and the Lego Movie franchise. The actor is back, and this time he’s the writer, director, and producer of his latest, Fool’s Paradise. Taking on the insanity of Hollywood, Fool’s also features a terrific collection of talent that includes Kate Beckinsale, Ken Jeong, Jason Sudeikis, Adrien Brody, Ray Liotta, and even a few of his Sunny cast members. It’s a satire with sweetness, and it’s incredibly charming.

Recently, we spoke with Kate Beckinsale and Ken Jeong about their latest, and I even got a laugh or two out of them. The two opened up about taking on the craziness of a crazy town. They even talked about whether or...

With the start of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival now only two weeks away, sales at the Cannes Market this year begin to trickle out. And there’s already been some intriguing movies announced for the market already, like “Andorra,” “One For The Money,” and “The Invite.” Add another to the list: Deadline reports that FilmNation has an action thriller starring Dave Bautista for sale on the Croisette this year titled “Cooler.” “Hotel Artemis” director Drew Pearce is on board to direct.

Continue reading ‘Cooler’: Dave Bautista Bouncer Actioner At The Cannes Market From ‘Hotel Artemis’ Director Drew Pearce at The Playlist.

Exclusive: Drew Pearce’s upcoming action thriller Cooler, starring Dave Bautista, which we first told you about, is launching sales at the Cannes market, we hear from sources.

FilmNation Entertainment’s newly formed production label Infrared won the package in a competitive bid in September, and we understand that FilmNation will be handling international sales. CAA Media Finance, WME Independent and FilmNation are tending to U.S. sales.

In Cooler, South Beach bouncer Ray Sagona (Bautista) is on the brink of finding redemption and getting his family back. But when a drug-filled safe is stolen from the super club where he works, Ray is blackmailed into finding it before the Miami Pd narcotics bureau comes to retrieve it on Sunday night. Now, as his past and present collide in ever-more dangerous ways, Ray must survive an epic 36-hour odyssey across Miami Beach to get that safe back … one final Herculean...

Evan Jones has signed with Buchwald for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. In addition, Jones has landed a recurring guest star role in the upcoming HBO Max crime drama series “Duster” from J.J. Abrams and Latoya Morgan. Jones will continue to be represented by Artists First and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.

Jones is best known for his roles in films like “8 Mile,” in which he played Cheddar Bob, and “Jarhead,” in which he played Fowler. Jones’ other notable film roles include “Den of Thieves,” “The Book of Eli,” “Guardians of the Galaxy 2,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” “Shot Caller,” and “Hotel Artemis.”

In television, Jones has appeared in shows like “October Road,” “Houdini,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Midnight, Texas,” and “CSI: Cyber.”

“Duster” was picked up to series at HBO Max in February. The eight-episode series is set in 1972. Per the official logline, “the first Black female...

Dave Bautista may not be in a rom-com just yet, but the action star is taking on a gritty surreal adventure story with his next film.

The “Knock at the Cabin” star teased his upcoming project with screenwriter Drew Pearce as a combination of the Safdie Brothers and Martin Scorsese sensibilities.

“I have a project in the works with Drew Pearce again, and we’ve collaborated on this film called ‘The Cooler,'” Bautista told Collider. “It’s basically about this crazy weekend of this guy who’s a bouncer in Miami who is just trying to redeem himself. So it’s that, but it’s kind of an ‘After Hours’ meets ‘Uncut Gems.’ It’s quirky and funny and suspenseful and thrilling, but also a lot of heart. I really insist on doing stuff that’s got heart at the core of it.”

Bautista gave an update on the script process,...

In case you missed the memo, Dave Bautista is leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe behind him. Over the years since 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy" catapulted his movie career to the next level, the world's greatest wrestler turned actor (with John Cena coming in second) has proven his dedication to the craft, collaborating with the likes of Denis Villeneuve, Sam Mendes, and Rian Johnson while also lending his talents to smaller, off-kilter projects ("Hotel Artemis") and even international genre films ("Master Z: Ip Man Legacy"). Suffice it to say, Bautista is the real deal, and he's here to stay.

With Bautista now collecting accolades for his performance in M. Night Shyamalan's "Knock at the Cabin" (which Chris Evangelista reviewed for /Film), he's already started 2023 off on the right foot. What's more, his dramatic turn in Shyamalan's thriller stands in sharp contrast to his broadly comedic work as Drax the...

Of all the professional wrestlers that pivoted to a career acting in Hollywood, none have a filmography as varied, celebrated, and high-profile as Dave Bautista. Whereas many of Bautista's former pro wrestler contemporaries have since leaned into conventional action and comedy roles, Bautista has broadened his range considerably. While Bautista has certainly played characters that reflect his physical stature, he has also taken on roles that play against type in a growing number of genres, from thrillers to hard science fiction. 

More than just a breadth of genres, Bautista is working with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the industry today, including M. Night Shyamalan, Denis Villeneuve, and Sam Mendes, each taking full advantage of Bautista's talents. A fearless actor in his own right, Bautista's performances can go from vulnerable to intimidating in an instant, as he shows increasing amounts of depth with each subsequent project. That's part...

H​e can be controversial. Not really for anything he has done, but if you mention the name Zack Snyder, you’re not sure how fans will react. We’ll have to see how they react to Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon. Some hated his take on the DC Universe. Others loved it, and the voices were so loud that Warner Bros. had no choice but to finish and release the SnyderCut finally. Many have applauded his update to the Romero classic Dawn Of The Dead. Purists hate that the zombies run in the film. Comic fans love his adaptation of Watchmen. Fanboys deride the film as something that should never have been made.

N​o matter what, most fans have some sort of opinion of Zack Snyder. Love him or hate him, his films make a lot of money. So, of course, that means that studios love him. After he left the Dceu,...

Santa Monica-based mini-studio Lionsgate has struck a deal with Canada’s Cineplex Pictures that will see Lionsgate’s 2023 theatrical slate released in Canadian cinemas.

The lineup spans 11 feature films over the course of the year, of which three release in the first quarter: “Plane,” starring Gerard Butler and Mike Colter; “Jesus Revolution,” starring Kelsey Grammer; and the highly anticipated “John Wick: Chapter 4,” starring Keanu Reeves.

The full 2023 slate also includes: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” “About My Father,” “The Blackening,” an untitled Adele Lim comedy, “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” “The Expendables 4,” the next installment of the “Saw” horror franchise, and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the prequel to the multibillion dollar “Hunger Games” franchise.

Cineplex Pictures is the genre film releasing subsidiary of the Cineplex stock market-listed Cineplex conglomerate that also includes some 170 cinemas. Its recent releases included “The Good House,...

Lionsgate has entered into a theatrical distribution agreement with Canada’s Cineplex Pictures for its 2023 slate which counts 11 titles.

Starting with Gerard Butler’s Plane on Jan. 13, Cineplex Pictures will release throughout Canada such movies as Jesus Revolution starring Kelsey Grammer and John Wick: Chapter 4 starring Keanu Reeves. There’s also Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, About My Father, The Blackening, the untitled Adele Lim comedy, White Bird: A Wonder Story, The Expendables 4, the next installment of the billion-dollar box office Saw franchise and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

“We’re delighted to expand our collaboration with our partners at Cineplex in this key theatrical market,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Theatrical Distribution David Spitz. “With Cineplex’s name recognition, distribution prowess and expertise in the Canadian marketplace, our slate is in great hands in Canada.”

“Cineplex has a longstanding relationship...

Many, many wrestlers have attempted to transition into acting over the years. This has come with mixed results, ranging from disastrous to impressive. Heck, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is arguably the biggest, most recognizable star on the planet. Then, we have guys like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin who have little to show beyond direct-to-video fares, such as "Hunt to Kill." But, in the eyes of director Rian Johnson, one wrestler-turned-actor stands tall above the rest: Dave Bautista.

Johnson recently worked with Bautista in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," which is now streaming on Netflix (read our review here). In a recent interview with The Atlantic, the filmmaker explained that he originally hadn't thought of a guy like Bautista for the role of right-wing video game streamer, Duke Cody. "When I was writing [his character], I was picturing a scrawny dude who's trying to overcompensate. When Bautista was brought up, I was...

The "John Wick" universe continues to grow: original franchise actor Lance Reddick is now onboard for "Ballerina," the Ana de Armas-led spinoff film, according to Variety. Reddick plays the role of Charon, the concierge at the Hotel Continental who caters to its criminal underworld guests. He will join returning cast members Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Huston in the film, with de Armas taking over the role of the vengeful assassin ballerina who appeared in "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum."

Reddick's return is a welcome one, in part because the growing returning cast list is a sign that Lionsgate isn't just building a disposable or tangentially related "John Wick" spinoff, but something more integral to the story that action fans have shown up for again and again. "Ballerina" isn't the only additional Wick-verse project on the horizon. The Continental is also set to get its own story, a Starz...

Jodie Foster has been a working actress for over half a century. She started acting when she was only three and was cast in a famous Coppertone sun tan lotion commercial. The appearance led to numerous other commercials and guest appearances on practically all the popular TV shows of that era such as “Bonanza”, “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”, and “Gunsmoke”. She would also take over Tatum O’Neal’s Oscar-winning role in “Paper Moon” when that show was made into a television series. While she worked steadily none of her television series were particularly successful which probably helped her avoid the typecasting that kids from “The Brady Bunch” and other shows faced.

She only began to earn name recognition in her early teen years when she starred in a number of successful films, some directed by Martin Scorsese. In 1976 she would earn an Oscar nomination at the age of...

Female action stars put the badass in what they do in their own unique ways. They’ve been around for years, but don’t seem to get as much screen time or as high-budget films as their male counterparts. Through the years, plenty of ladies have shown us what they can do and that whatever the boys can do, they can do it better. Sometimes in heels.

Who are our 5 favorites? Who are the best ones in our hearts? Who deserves to be on this list? Who do we keep going back to again and again? Look no further!

Lily Li aka Lily Li Li-li

An early female action star, Lily Li is from the golden age of Shaw Brothers films. If you do not know who the Shaw Brothers (or Shaw Bros) are, you need to go find some of their films and educate thyself! They had mostly male stars,...

Zachary Quinto won the Critics Choice Award and Gold Derby Award for playing Dr. Oliver Thredson, aka Bloody Face, during “American Horror Story: Asylum” (2012-13). His spooky performance of a 1960s psychiatrist-turned-serial killer also earned him his first Emmy nomination as Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor, though he lost to his co-star James Cromwell. Nine years later, Zachary Quinto returns at long last to FX’s anthology series in the upcoming 11th season, titled “American Horror Story: New York City.”

As of this writing, little is known about Quinto’s role in “AHS: NYC,” though IMDb lists his character’s name as “Sam.” It’ll actually be his third character on the series, as he first appeared as a guest star during the first season, “American Horror Story: Murder House,” as a gay homeowner named Chad Warwick who was murdered by Rubber Man and became a ghost. Quinto returned in “Asylum” as a series regular,...

I sincerely admire Dave Bautista's dedication to being a legit character actor. It would've been hard to blame him, had the former WWE star elected to turn himself into a "brand" (à la Dwayne Johnson or Ryan Reynolds) after breaking out with "Guardians of the Galaxy," given his dire financial situation heading into that film. Instead, he's taken it upon himself to actively seek out a wide range of exciting projects to work on.

Denis Villeneuve, Rian Johnson, M. Night Shyamalan — Bautista has singled out some of the most captivating storytellers in the biz to collaborate with of late, in between reprising Drax the Destroyer and popping up in shows like "See." His next project, "Cooler," is no exception. The original action thriller reunites Bautista with writer/director Drew Pearce for the second time after 2018's "Hotel Artemis," a futuristic neo-noir flick that, while a bit of a mess,...

Dave Bautista may not be the branding juggernaut fellow wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson is, but the former WWE superstar has certainly chosen some interesting roles for the image he has. He had played a soft-spoken replicant in Blade Runner 2049, a lovable goofy warrior in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, and he recently can be seen in the trailer for Knock at the Cabin as a deeply conflicted, disturbed stranger.

Bautista does not shy away from the action genre, though, and his next project, according to Deadline, comes from writer and director Drew Pearce, and is a bouncer action thriller called Cooler. Bautista will be playing a South Beach bouncer named Ray Sagona. A safe containing drugs is stolen from his club, and Ray is blackmailed into finding it before the Miami Pd narcotics bureau comes to retrieve it on a Sunday night. Ray is on the path to redemption,...

Exclusive: FilmNation Entertainment’s newly formed production label Infrared has won a great package in a competitive bid, snapping up Drew Pearce’s action thriller pitch Cooler. Dune and Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista will star. Production is expected to start in summer 2023, and Pearce is directing off his script.

Cooler is the first project to come out of the recently announced first-look deal between Infrared and Bautista’s Dogbone Entertainment.

The film follows a South Beach bouncer Ray Sagona, played by Bautista, who is on the brink of finding redemption and getting his family back. But when a drug-filled safe is stolen from the club he works at, Ray is blackmailed into finding it before the Miami Pd narcotics bureau comes to retrieve it on Sunday night. Now, as his past and present collide in ever-more dangerous ways, Ray must survive an epic 36-hour odyssey across Miami...

Ann Dowd will star in “The Undertaker’s Children.” The thriller is currently in pre-production. The Exchange will introduce the title to buyers at the upcoming 2022 Cannes Film Market.

Dowd stars as a secretive undertaker forced to take in two orphans. When her sinister plan for getting rid of the kids in her care is revealed, the children plan a daring escape and find themselves facing evil forces.

Dowd is no stranger to ratcheting up the tension. She is perhaps best known for her role as Aunt Lydia on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” in which she is a stern enforcer of dystopian discipline. For her performance, Dowd won a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series in 2017. This year, Dowd was nominated for a BAFTA for best supporting actress for her searing work in “Mass,” a look at the fallout from a school shooting.

“The Undertaker’s...

Exclusive: Jenny Slate has signed with CAA for representation.

The actress, author and comedian gained recognition for co-writing, producing, and voicing the short film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, with Dean Fleisher-Camp. A feature-length version of the 2014 short, which went viral, recently premiered at Telluride Film Festival and was acquired by A24.

Slate’s breakout performance came in the 2014 film Obvious Child in the role of Donna, for which she won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy. She will next be seen opposite Charlie Day in Amazon’s I Want You Back, written and produced by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger. She will also be seen in Dan Kwan’s Everything Everywhere All At Once for A24, opposite Michelle Yeoh. Additional feature credits include Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks, Marc Webb’s Gifted, and Drew Pearce’s Hotel Artemis.

Slate’s comedy special Stage Fright...

Stars: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Chloe Coleman, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino, Paul Giamatti | Written by Navot Papushado, Ehud Lavski | Directed by Navot Papushado

Gunpowder Milkshake tells the story of Sam (Karen Gillan), who was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal.

But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl – Emily (Chloe Coleman). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates: The Librarians.

Jeff Goldblum joins the absurd world of Search Party in a recurring role for the HBO Max series’ fifth season.

From creators Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers and Michael Showalter, Search Party stars Alia Shawkat, John Reynolds, John Early and Meredith Hagner. The first three seasons followed best friends Dory (Shawkat), Drew (Reynolds), Elliott (Early) and Portia (Hagner) through a messy private investigation, semi-accidental murder, absurd cover-up and sensational trial. In Season 4, Dory was held prisoner by her psychotic stalker (Cole Escola), forcing Drew, Elliott and Portia to again become a search party – but this time for Dory.

The Emmy-nominated actor will recur in Season 5 as Tunnel Quinn, a charismatic tech billionaire who enters a very public business partnership with Dory on the other side of her near death experience. Dory folds her old friends Portia, Elliott and Drew into the venture as they embark on an altruistic but terrifying journey.

Exclusive: CAA has inked actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian and director Charlie Day, Deadline has learned.

Day is known for playing Charlie Kelly on the award-winning Fxx sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the longest-running live-action comedy series in American television history, for which he also executive produces, writes, and serves as a co-creator.

Up next, he will lead the upcoming Amazon romantic comedy I Want You Back, opposite Jenny Slate, with Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, and Scott Eastwood, and directed by Jason Orley.

Currently, Day is an executive producer for the AppleTV+ comedy series Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet, which he co-created with Megan Ganz and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia castmate Rob McElhenney.

Day recently made his directorial debut with the comedy El Tonto, which he also wrote, produced, and will star in. The film also stars Adrien Brody, Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco and John Malkovich. In the comedy,...

CAA has signed actor and producer Sterling K. Brown.

Brown’s first big break came in 2016 when he portrayed prosecutor Christopher Darden in FX’s highly-rated award-winning television event series American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson. He earned rave reviews for the role and would go on to win an Emmy Award and Critics’ Choice Award for the role and was nominated for a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and NAACP Image Award for the role. He would follow that part up the next year with his star making role as Randal Pearson aka one of the big three in NBC’s critically acclaimed drama series This Is Us. The first season was not only a huge hit but earned him a second straight Emmy for Best Actor in a drama series. In addition to his Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG accolades for his performance, Brown has won...

Dave Bautista is always looking for a challenge. The Guardians of the Galaxy films may have transformed the former professional wrestler into a household name, but he’s not resting on his laurels. He’s constantly working, headlining action movies, stretching his comedic chops, and lending unexpected gravitas to science fiction […]

The post ‘Army of the Dead’ Star Dave Bautista on Bringing Emotion to a Zombie Movie and the Future of Drax in the MCU [Interview] appeared first on /Film.

Florence Pugh is attached to star in a sci-fi courtroom drama called “Dolly” about a sex robot that murders its billionaire owner. Though the film has not yet been greenlit, Apple TV+ acquired it in a bidding war, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Vanessa Taylor and Drew Pearce are writing the script, which is still being developed. No director is currently attached.

“Dolly” is inspired by a short story from Elizabeth Bear that first appeared in “Asimov’s Science Fiction” in 2011. The story follows a billionaire who is killed by a sex robot, forcing police to determine whether the robot was the murder weapon or the actual murderer. The bot then shocks the world by asking for a lawyer and pleading not guilty in the ensuing court case.

Apple Studios would produce the film along with Pearce through his production company Point of No Return Films.

Jodie Foster is without a doubt one of the most talented actresses of the modern era, but the 58 year-old hasn’t been particularly active in front of the camera over the last decade. Of course, that’s understandable when you remember that the former child star has spent more than half a century in the industry, and has already cemented her legacy with two Academy Awards under her belt.

Foster has starred in just four movies in the last ten years, directing and acting alongside Mel Gibson in black comedy The Beaver, lending support in Neill Blomkamp’s misguided sci-fi Elysium, and taking top billing in Roman Polanski’s forgotten Carnage and dystopian thriller Hotel Artemis. Instead, the focus has largely been on getting behind the camera, with the Taxi Driver star helming episodes of Black Mirror, Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards, along with feature film Money Monster.

Out of Hollywood’s three former professional wrestlers that decided to step away from the squared circle and focus on the silver screen, Dave Bautista is arguably the best actor, as well as the most interesting in terms of the roles he chooses.

Dwayne Johnson might be the biggest and highest-paid star in Hollywood with charisma for days, but he’s become averse to taking any sort of risks, and can be found almost exclusively in big budget blockbusters where he plays variations of the same character over and over again.

John Cena, meanwhile, is an underrated comic talent, but he too is happy to split his time between action-orientated fare like Fast & Furious 9 and The Suicide Squad and standard studio comedies such as Playing with Fire and Blockers without testing himself in more dramatic territory. Of course, Bautista is still part of the most popular franchise on...

Kevin Macdonald is setting his sights on the American justice system via “The Mauritanian,” the director’s upcoming legal drama that centers on a Guantánamo Bay detainee. Distributor STXfilms unveiled the trailer for the upcoming film on Tuesday.

Per STXfilms, the synopsis reads: Captured by the U.S. Government, Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim) languishes in prison for years without charge or trial. Losing all hope, Slahi finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley). Together they face countless obstacles in a desperate pursuit for justice. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), eventually reveals a shocking and far reaching conspiracy.

The film is slated to premiere in the United States on February 19, 2021. “The Mauritanian” is based on Mohamedou Ould Salahi 2015 “Guantánamo Diary” memoir, which centered on the author’s detainment in the...