ITV

Category: Hollywood

  • Alibaba’s Tmall.com partners Disney to distribute movie merchandise

    Alibaba’s Tmall.com partners Disney to distribute movie merchandise

    MUMBAI: China’s third-party B2C platform for brands and retailers Tmall.com, which is a part of the Alibaba Group, has teamed up with The Walt Disney Company as the first exclusive distributor of their Marvel Studio’s 2015 film Avengers: Age of Ultron merchandise.

     

    This is the first time Alibaba Group has opened up its resources in connecting brands and filmmakers to establish a convenient model in developing a movie-related merchandise market made available online for movie fans.

     

    By leveraging Alibaba Group’s strong foundation of merchants and user base, Tmall.com partners with Taobao ticketing platform to collaborate with more than 40 premium brands including Audi, Lego, Ecovacs, Hasbro, Li Ning, etc., to bring a selection of genuine Avengers: Age of Ultron merchandise to Chinese consumers as the movie opens yesterday in cinemas across China. These superhero themed merchandise are available on Disney’s flagship store on Tmall.com.

     

    “We are pleased to be working with Disney and brands on Tmall to bring genuine movie merchandise to our online consumers. This marks another effort into further enhancing the collaboration between the participants within our platforms and to also fully utilize the resources we have across Alibaba,” said Tmall.com director of co-marketing Sherry Lang.

     

    For the first time, Alibaba Group worked with Taobao ticketing platform and Tmall.com to establish a convenient connection between filmmakers and authorized intellectual property merchants on the website.

     

    Avengers: Age of Ultron sequel topped US box office for the second weekend in a row with an estimated $77.2 million according to Rentrak as of 10 May, 2015. The movie opened in theatres in China yesterday.

     

    Merchandise ranging from superhero themed t-shirts, gold pendants, cleaning robots, and special designed cars are available on Tmall.com.

  • Shoot begins for Tom Hanks & Irrfan Khan starrer ‘Inferno’

    Shoot begins for Tom Hanks & Irrfan Khan starrer ‘Inferno’

    MUMBAI: Principal photography has commenced on Inferno, the new film in Columbia Pictures’ Robert Langdon series, which has taken in more than $1.2 billion worldwide to date. The film is slated for release on 14 October, 2016.

     

    In the film, Academy Award winner Tom Hanks reprises his role as Langdon. An international cast of actors, including Felicity Jones, Irrfan Khan, Omar Sy, Ben Foster, and Sidse Babett Knudsen, joins him. The film is directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer and Howard.

     

    The screenplay is by David Koepp, based on the book by Dan Brown. The project’s executive producers are David Householter, Dan Brown, Anna Culp, and William M. Connor.

     

    Inferno continues the Harvard symbologist’s adventures on screen: when Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Sienna Brooks, a doctor he hopes will help him recover his memories and prevent a madman from releasing a global plague connected to Dante’s Inferno.

     

    Howard said, “I’m so excited to be starting production on our third Robert Langdon film. Audiences everywhere have shown a tremendous appetite for the Robert Langdon adventures and Inferno has all of the intrigue and action they could want.”

     

    The film will be shot on location in such exotic cities as Florence, Venice and Budapest. Howard’s production team includes director of photography Salvatore Totino, production designer Peter Wenham, editors Dan Hanley and Tom Elkins, and costume designer Julian Day.

  • Fox to bring down curtains on ‘American Idol’ in 2016; lines up new shows

    Fox to bring down curtains on ‘American Idol’ in 2016; lines up new shows

    MUMBAI: Popular reality show American Idol will begin its 15th – and final – season in January 2016 on Fox.

     

    A season-long celebratory event, American Idol XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final Idol superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols.

     

    The reality show began in 2002 and was a huge success. Over the years, American Idol has been responsible for churning out singing stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.

     

    NEW SHOWS

     

    Additionally, Fox also announced that its old hit The X-Files will debut with a special two-night event beginning 24 January, following the NFC Championship Game, and continuing with its time period premiere on 25 January. The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

     

    Come September, Fox will also be bringing back the new TV hit Empire. The show is expected to run up to 18 episodes next season, up from the 12 this year.

     

    Fox will also introduce a series of new shows in 2016 like the devilish drama Lucifer, which is based on a DC Comics story and modern gothic action series The Frankenstein Code; and two comedies, The Guide To Surviving Life and animated Bordertown.

     

    In addition, two new dramas – the futuristic Minority Report and the Miami-set Rosewood will debut this fall. Based on Steven Spielberg’s international blockbuster film and the first of his films to be adapted for television, Minority Report follows the partnership between a man (Stark Sands) haunted by the future and a cop (Meagan Good) haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes before they happen.

     

    Ryan Murphy will return with a new show, Scream Queens, which stars Emma Roberts and Jamie Lee Curtis. Additionally, John Stamos will lead a new comedy titled Grandfathered, and Rob Lowe and Fred Savage will star in The Grinder. New Girl returns to the Tuesday comedy block in January with a season of uninterrupted episodes.

     

    As previously announced, Grease:Live, a three-hour production of the massively popular crossover musical Grease, starring superstar singers, dancers and actresses Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens, will air live on 31 January, 2016 on Fox.

     

    Additional Fox series include: Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, Bob’s Burgers, Boom!, Bones, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bullseye, Family Guy, Gotham, Hell’s Kitchen, Masterchef, Masterchef Junior, The Simpsons, Sleepy Hollow, So You Think You Can Dance and World’s Funniest.

  • ‘Superhero’ to be Hugh Jackman’s last X Men movie

    ‘Superhero’ to be Hugh Jackman’s last X Men movie

    MUMBAI: Much to the dismay of Wolverine fans all over, Hugh Jackman confirmed that his final appearance as Wolverine will be in 2017 with the movie X-Men Superhero in the third Wolverine spin-off film, reports Independent.

     

    The actor made the announcement while making an appearance on the American talk show Dr. Oz.

     

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, rumours of Jackman’s last appearance as Wolverine have been floating on social media ever since the actor uploaded a picture on Intagram with the caption: ‘Wolverine. One last time.’ 

     

    Over the years, Jackman was almost synonymous as Wolverine amongst the X Men fans worldwide. When the actor was asked his reasons for giving up such a character that has brought him so much love and respect, Jackman said, “It just felt like it was the right time to do it. And let’s be honest, 17 years. I never thought in a million years it would last, so I’m so grateful to the fans for the opportunity of playing it.”

     

    Jackman has starred in two spin-off films: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine and is due to appear in a third. Wolverine III, as it is currently known, will be released in 2017. When Jackman finally says goodbye to his role in 2017, he will have appeared in nine movies as Wolverine.

  • Next two ‘Avengers’ movies to be shot with Imax cameras

    Next two ‘Avengers’ movies to be shot with Imax cameras

    MUMBAI: The upcoming two movies of the Avengers franchise – Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 & 2 will be shot entirely with Imax cameras. This will mark the first time a feature film has been shot in full with Imax cameras.

     

    The footage will be captured with the Imax / ARRI next generation 2D digital camera. The camera is a customized digital version of ARRI’s new large format camera, the Alex 65. Before filming Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 & 2, directors Joe and Anthony Russo will be using the Imax / ARRI 2D digital camera for select action scenes in the upcoming Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War (playing in Imax theatres May 2016).

     

    “The intent with the Infinity War films is to bring 10 years of accumulative storytelling to an incredible climax. We felt that the best way to exploit the scale and scope required to close out the final chapter of these three phases, was to be the first films shot entirely on the Imax/ARRI Digital camera.” said Joe and Anthony Russo.

     

  • Abu Dhabi restructures film industry; to invest $100+ million

    Abu Dhabi restructures film industry; to invest $100+ million

    MUMBAI: Abu Dhabi’s Media Zone Authority is restructuring its film business and has set aside a corpus of over $100 million (AED 400 million) for the next five years for the same.

     

    The money will be used for film and TV production in Abu Dhabi. Additionally it is also shutting down the Abu Dhabi Film Festival to make way in order to focus on for future targeted initiatives to further support local and Arab filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi in the region via the Sanad Fund. The move marks the next phase in the Abu Dhabi’s maturing film industry. 

     

    The Media Zone Authority will continue its efforts in supporting Emirati and Arab filmmakers through the Sanad Fund, which provides financial support for film projects during their development and post-production stages. The Fund enables filmmakers to develop and complete feature narrative or documentary films. Details of the next session of submissions for Sanad will be announced soon. Additionally, twofour54’s creative lab will continue its role in supporting local talent in the UAE.

     

    Going forward, the Media Zone Authority will focus on promoting Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a regional hub for film and TV productions through Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 per cent cash-back rebate on all qualifying spend of films and projects shot in Abu Dhabi.

     

    Media Zone Authority CEO Noura Al Kaabi said, “Over the last few years we have built a strong foundation for a self-sustaining film and television industry. It is now the right time to deepen our commitment and further develop programmes to take the local industry to the next level. We attracted several major international and regional productions to shoot in the Emirate over the past two years alone, which brought large-scale investment, further built the film industry infrastructure in the region, and created significant opportunities for local talent. These projects include Universal Pictures’ Fast and Furious 7 and Disney’s Star Wars: Episode VII, as well as regional productions Al Ikhwa, Iftah Ya SimSim and ET Bil Arabi.”

     

    Al Kaabi also noted that the UAE is represented at international film festivals through Dubai International Film Festival and Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival.

     

    Image Nation Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak added, “Now that Image Nation Abu Dhabi has become part of the Media Zone Authority, our efforts towards building the media sector can be more coordinated and effective. Image Nation’s combination of Hollywood film relationships and its local talent and production knowledge is uniquely valuable to this new phase of our industry.”

     

    Image Nation Abu Dhabi invested approximately AED 30 million ($8.2 million) towards local production last year. Over the next five years, the Media Zone Authority partner anticipates injecting over AED 400 million ($108 million) into the UAE economy through direct spending in the country on film and television production and jobs creation.

     

    Local feature film production has hit a new stride with an impressive and aggressive slate. From A to B, directed by Ali Mostafa and co-produced by twofour54 and Image Nation, topped iTunes charts across the Middle East last week and is set to release theatrically in the UK and Italy this year. And Zinzana, helmed by Emirati first-time feature director Majid Al Ansari, is currently in post-production with a launch in the UAE planned later this year.

     

    twofour54 upgraded its post-production centre this month – the most advanced facility in the region with the latest editing, audio and colour correction capabilities. This first one-stop-shop for post-production will further enhance the industry ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.

     

    Training and development programs continue to expand for Emirati and regional filmmakers. In its fourth year, Arab Film Studio now includes both documentary and narrative programmes, and a new programme for Emirati high school students launches this summer at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

  • Bob Bain named executive producer for 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

    Bob Bain named executive producer for 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

    MUMBAI: Bob Bain has been named as the executive producer for the 2015 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

     

    This marks his first year as the executive producer of the awards. Among the categories recognized and awarded at the Creative Arts Emmys are those for excellence in television’s guest actors and actresses, choreography, costume design, music, and for the first time this year, Outstanding Variety Sketch Series.

     

    “Bob is one of the industry’s leading producers of ‘next generation’ event television. We are thrilled to have him on board,” said Television Academy chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum.

     

    Bain is revered as one of the most prolific and versatile event, variety and televised award show producers working in Hollywood. For over a decade Bob Bain Productions has been at the helm of the popular Teen Choice Awards, Kids Choice Awards and the Critics Choice Awards. Bain has also produced Fox’s New Year’s Eve LIVE Special as well as the Billboard Music Awards, Miss America Pageant, American Country Awards and numerous music specials.

     

    The Creative Arts Emmys will take place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. on 12 September.

  • Sabine Azéma to preside over Caméra d’or Jury at Cannes

    Sabine Azéma to preside over Caméra d’or Jury at Cannes

    MUMBAI: French actress Sabine Azéma will preside over the Caméra d’or Jury this year, to select the best first film presented in Cannes.

     

    Following in the footsteps of Bong Joon-Ho, Gael García Bernal, Carlos Diegues and Nicole Garcia, Azéma is getting ready to dedicate her enthusiasm and love of cinema to the directors of their first film.

     

    She will be accompanied by the director Delphine Gleize, the actor Melvil Poupaud, Claude Garnier representing the AFC (French Association for Cinematographers), Didier Huck, representing the FICAM (Federation of Cinema, Audiovisual and Multimedia Industries), Yann Gonzalez, representing the SRF (Society of Film Directors) and Bernard Payen, representing the SFCC (French Union of Cinema Critique).

     

    The Caméra d’or, created in 1978, is awarded to the best first film presented in the Official Selection (In Competition, Out of Competition and Un Certain Regard), during La Semaine de la Critique or the Directors’ Fortnight, which represents a total of 26 films in 2015.

     

    The Caméra d’or boosts a filmmaker’s career by offering him exemplary visibility and international opportunities. Jim Jarmusch, Mira Nair, Naomi Kawase, Bahman Ghobadi and Steve McQueen were awarded this in the past. In 2014, the award went to the French film Party Girl, presented in the Official Selection, Un Certain Regard.

     

    The Jury president will award the Caméra d’or 2015 during the Awards Ceremony on 24 May.

  • South Korean trio sweeps Far East Asian awards in Italy

    South Korean trio sweeps Far East Asian awards in Italy

    NEW DELHI: South Korea swept the main awards at the 17th Far East Film Festival in Italy over the weekend.

     

    The Festival was held in Udine from 24 April to 2 May. The results were announced after midnight following a closing gala screening of The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D.

     

    With an average score of 4.44/5 from the audience, J.K. Youn’s Ode to My Father was the most popular film. The drama traces the remarkable globetrotting journey of a man who made immense sacrifices for his family.

     

    The runner-up awards went to Lee Won-suk’s The Royal Tailor and E J-Yong’s My Brilliant Life. Lee won the audience award two years ago with his debut film, How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013).

     

    Royal Tailor also won the My Movies Audience Award, voted by users of the Italian film website.

     

    Youn, E and Lee are former guests of the festival. Youn attended with Sex is Zero (2002); E has been a regular guest since An Affair (1998) at the event’s first edition; Lee has attended the event with both his films.

     

    With an average score of 4.15/5.00, Sotho Kulikar’s The Last Reel won the Black Dragon Award, chosen by the festival’s die-hard supporters who purchase premium passes. It is the first Cambodian film to have screened at the event.

     

    The festival also handed awards to Joe Hisaishi, Jackie Chan and Nansun Shi at this year’s edition.

     

    Hisaishi conducted a concert of his music on the eve of the festival. Shi attended last night’s closing film and held an on-stage talk with Marco Muller.

  • ‘Atanarjuat’ dethrones ‘Mon once Antoine’ as Canada’s most memorable film

    ‘Atanarjuat’ dethrones ‘Mon once Antoine’ as Canada’s most memorable film

    NEW DELHI: Toronto International Film Festival has announced the results Canada’s All-Time Top Ten List, an international poll of industry and academics on the most memorable Canadian films.

     

    This is the fourth edition of TIFF’s All-Time Top Ten List; previous lists were released in 1984, 1993 and 2004.

     

    “In our 40th year we are celebrating our national cinema by revisiting the list of top Canadian films, with help from our esteemed colleagues in the industry and academia. It is encouraging to see new filmmakers and films establishing themselves on the list alongside the classics,” said TIFF director and CEO Piers Handling.

     

    “With more than a decade since our last survey, much has changed in Canadian cinema, and in the results of the survey. Atanarjuat has dethroned the long-standing No. 1 film, Mon once Antoine, and we welcome filmmakers including Guy Maddin, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Sarah Polley and Jean-Marc Vallee to the list for the first time. It’s an exciting group of films indicative of our rich cinematic tradition,” added TIFF senior programmer Steve Gravestock.

     

    Canada’s All-Time Top Ten List of Canadian films:

     

    1. Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, Zacharias Kunuk (2001)

    2. Mon oncle Antoine, Claude Jutra (1971)

    3. The Sweet Hereafter, Atom Egoyan (1997)

    4. Jesus de Montreal, Denys Arcand (1989)

    5. Leolo, Jean-Claude Lauzon (1992)

    6. Goin‘ Down the Road, Don Shebib (1970)

    7. Dead Ringers, David Cronenberg (1988)

    8. C.R.A.Z.Y., Jean-Marc Vallee (2005)

    9. My Winnipeg, Guy Maddin (2007)

    10. Stories We Tell, Sarah Polley (2012)Les Ordres, Michel Brault (1974)

     

    “The Directors Guild of Canada takes pride in shining the spotlight on our national cinema at every opportunity. The filmmakers featured here have contributed much to our country’s cultural voice and history. It is inspiring to be able to experience them again with a new generation of viewers,” said DGC national president Tim Southam.

     

    The films on the All-Time Top Ten List will be screened free of charge at TIFF Bell Lightbox in July and August. Screening times and more details will be announced 20 May.

     

    The upcoming issue of Montage magazine published by the DGC and includes individual participants’ votes alongside essays on each of the selected films.