You are listening to the Expresso Entertainment update. Here is the latest news from the world of Hollywood brought to you by The Indian Express.
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Let’s start today’s bulletin with news about actor Woody Allen. He recently told Alec Baldwin in a live interview on Instagram that he was considering retiring from his filmmaking career and said directing had lost its luster. The two men — each facing significant controversy — refrained from addressing either the abuse allegations against Woody Allen or last year’s filming on Baldwin’s movie set.
Allen, 87, said filmmaking isn’t as exciting now that his films spend a few days in theaters and then go straight to streaming. He said: “A lot of the thrill is gone, it’s not as comfortable as it was.” Still, he plans to shoot his next film in Paris later this year. ”
“Meanwhile, American Horror Story star Emma Roberts is the latest addition to the cast of the upcoming superhero film Madame Web, starring Dakota Johnson. The film is from Sony Pictures, which is developing several projects to expand its Spider-Man universe, dubbed the Sony Universe of Marvel Characters.
According to Deadline, details about Roberts’ role in the film, her first superhero film, are under wraps. Madame Web is an origin story of the titular psychic mutant who excels at predicting the future specifically of spider-themed superheroes, having mentored not only Spider-Man but also several generations of heroes calling themselves Spider-Woman. Roberts recently wrapped production on the upcoming rom-com Maybe I Do.
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“The sequel to the 1993 fantasy comedy ‘Hocus Pocus’ will be released September 30th on Disney Plus Hotstar.
Directed by Anne Fletcher, Hocus Pocus 2 brings back the legendary trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as three witches named Winifred, Sarah and Mary, dubbed the Sanderson sisters. Set 29 years after the events of the original, the sequel follows three high school students who must work together to stop the Sanderson sisters, who have returned to modern-day Salem. Hocus Pocus 2 will also feature Doug Jones, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson.
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“On the other hand, contrary to all speculation, Johnny Depp’s future in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains uncertain. Recent reports claimed that the actor would sign a $301 million deal to return to the adventure franchise. A source told PopTopic: “Disney is very interested in repairing their relationship with Johnny Depp. They are very hopeful that Johnny will forgive them and return as his iconic character.”
However, a rep for the actor told NBC News, “This is made up.” In early May, Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer was asked if Depp would return for future projects. He told the Sunday Times: “Not at this point,” adding that “the future has yet to be decided”.
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French Dispatch actor Jason Schwartzman will star in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel film to The Hunger Games. The upcoming movie is the latest project in the young adult dystopian franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. According to Deadline, Schwartzman will play Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the contest host and ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, who would become the voice of Panem. Francis Lawrence, who directed three of the four Hunger Games films, returns to direct the upcoming Lionsgate production. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is scheduled for release on November 17, 2023.”
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Christian Bale is willing to reprise his Batman role in the franchise’s fourth installment, on one condition. The actor, who is set to move from the DC Extended Universe to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is poised to return to the former as Cape Crusader when Christopher Nolan directs. The Academy Award-winning actor told ComicBook.com that the studio made no attempt to bring him or Nolan back to make a fourth film. He said: “If he ever chose to do it again and if he chose to come back to me then yes, I would consider it because that was always our pact with each other, us would just stick to it.”
Popular Hollywood actor Jason Momoa plays the role of protector of the deep, but since the world’s oceans are under threat in real life, he takes the fight off-screen as well.
Speaking at an event on a Portuguese beach in front of the United Nations Ocean, Mamoa said: “Without healthy marine life, our planet as we know it would not exist”. The event is scheduled to take place from Monday. Around 7,000 people, from heads of state to environmental activists, are expected to attend the conference, which was postponed from 2020 to this year due to the corona pandemic. Dozens of youth activists from different countries clapped and cheered as Jason Momoa.
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Finally, actors Kajol and Suriya, director and writer Reema Kagti and documentary filmmakers Sushmit Ghosh-Rintu Thomas are among some of the prominent Indian names invited to be part of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences this year. Oscar winners Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur and Billie Eilish are also among the 397 people invited to attend the Academy.
This year’s cast invitees include Anya Taylor-Joy, Jessie Buckley, Gaby Hoffman, Belfast co-stars Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe, as well as Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. While an Oscar nomination isn’t a requirement, it’s often a starting point. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles.
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