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Claes Bang stars as a Kgb counterintelligence officer in “Billion Dollar Spy,” a cold war thriller headlined by Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey (“Industry”).

Directed by BAFTA winner Amma Asante (“A Way of Life”), the film is produced by Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures.

Now shooting in Budapest, “Billion Dollar Spy” is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author David E. Hoffman’s book by the same name, about the true story of Soviet spy Adolf Tolkachev. Ben August and Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan (“Traffic”) penned the screenplay. Variety revealed a first look of the film last week, as Cannes market kicked off.

Crowe stars as Tolkachev, who was among the CIA’s most invaluable assets during the Cold War. Disillusioned with the Soviet regime, Tolkachev risked his life to pass thousands of pages of top-secret intelligence to the United States.

Lawtey plays his CIA handler inside Moscow Station. The...

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This May, Prime Video is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the much-anticipated sequel of A Simple Favor to the release of the raunchy comedy-drama series Overcompensating. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Prime Video this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 7 best films that are coming to Prime Video in May 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

All Quiet on the Western Front (May 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98% Credit – Universal Pictures

All Quiet on the Western Front is a pre-Code anti-war film directed by Lewis Milestone. Based on the 1929 novel of the same name by German author Erich Maria Remarque, the 1930 film follows a naive soldier who enlists to fight in World War I and soon comes face-to-face with the horror of war,...

A decades-long star is heading from the courtroom to the Cold War. Law & Orderstar Tony Goldwynhas been cast in Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures' upcoming spy thriller filmBillion Dollar Spy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor has been tapped for the project alongside two other big names: Rufus Sewell and Justin Theroux. All three of them will join the previously announced Russell Crowe, who will star in the film. Fans won't have to wait long, either, as it was also announced that filming on the project has begun.

The film will tell the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, a Soviet citizen who became disillusioned with his country and decided to become a CIA asset. Tolkachev risked his life to pass thousands of pages of top-secret intelligence to the United States. A portrait of Tolkachev, with spy camera in hand, still hangs in the CIA's Langley, Virginia, headquarters. His...

Principal photography has begun in Hungary on Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures’ Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy directed by Amma Asante, with Tony Goldwyn, Rufus Sewell, and Justin Theroux joining Russell Crowe on the cast.

Hanway Films handles international sales, and CAA Media Finance represents US rights.

The true story of Soviet spy Adolf Tolkachev stars previously announced Crowe in the lead, with Harry Lawtey as his Moscow-basedCIA handler Tom Lenihan, Vera Farmiga as Tolkachev’s wife Natasha, and Willa Fitzgerald as Lenihan’s wife Mae.

Bafta winner Asante, whose directing credits include Belle and A Way Of Life,...

Walden Media and Weed Road Pictures’ Billion Dollar Spy has added a slew to the Russell Crowe-Harry Lawtey Cold War thriller as production gets underway in Budapest, Hungary.

Joining are Tony Goldwyn as CIA case officer Burton Gerber, Rufus Sewell as CIA Moscow Bureau Chief Gus Hathaway and Justin Theroux as CIA case officer Van Spencer. Additionally, Tennyson Crowe joins as Sasha Tolkachev, Adolf’s son in the Amma Asante directed adaption of Pulitzer Prize-winning author David E. Hoffman’s book.

Billion Dollar Spy tells the true story of Soviet spy Adolf Tolkachev, played by Crowe. Lawtey portrays Tolkachev’s CIA handler inside Moscow Station. Previously announced, Vera Farmiga is playing Tolkachev’s wife Natasha, while Willa Fitzgerald is playing Mae Lenihan. Tolkachev was among the CIA’s most invaluable assets during the Cold War. Disillusioned with the Soviet regime, Tolkachev risked his life to pass thousands of...

The Sundance Institute has revealed the fellows for the 2025 directors, screenwriters and Native labs. The Native lab begins in-person April 28 through May 3 in Santa Fe, N.M. while the directors lab returns for its 45th anniversary June 1 through 16 in Estes Park, Colo. The 2025 screenwriters lab will be held online from June 24 through 27, offering filmmakers an “Immersive environment to develop their projects and refine their artistic voice under the guidance of accomplished creative advisors,” according to a press release.

The 2025 Native lab fellows are: Jared Lank, (Mi’kmaq), Isabella Dionne Madrigal (Cahuilla/Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), Alex Nystrom (Ojibwe) and Jordan Waunch (Métis). The 2025 Native lab artists-in-residence are Sabrina Saleha (Diné) and Svetlana Romanova (Sakha/Even). All six filmmakers will receive guidance from creative advisors including Bryson Chun (Kanaka Maoli), Sarah Friedland, Kiva Reardon, and Erica Tremblay (Seneca-Cayuga). The Native Lab is overseen by Sundance Institute Indigenous program director Adam Piron (Kiowa...

The Sundance Institute has announced the fellows selected for the 2025 edition of its Directors, Screenwriters, and Native Labs.

Taking place since the mid-’90s, the Native Lab kicks off in person today, continuing through May 3 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to artists named below, artists-in-residence Sabrina Saleha (Diné) and Svetlana Romanova (Sakha/Even) will be participating. The Lab is designed for artists of Native and Indigenous backgrounds who aim to center Indigeneity in their work. Over five days, fellows refine their scripts for feature and episodic projects in one-on-one feedback sessions, screenplay readings, and roundtable discussions with advisors, while building community on Native land in Santa Fe.

The Native Lab is overseen by Adam Piron (Kiowa and Mohawk), Director of the Institute’s Indigenous Program, alongside Senior Manager Ianeta Le’i. Creative advisors will include Bryson Chun (Kanaka Maoli), Sarah Friedland, Kiva Reardon, and Erica Tremblay (Seneca-Cayuga).

“Every year...

Known for his iconic performances in movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, Harrison Ford has a reputation for being a brilliant actor. He’s not the kind of man who seems to have many professional regrets; however, one role that he regrets having turned down was that of a CIA operative in the 2005 political thriller movie Syriana.

George Clooney eventually played Bob Barnes. He did a great job and even won the prestigious Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his exceptional performance.

The role of a lifetime that got away from Ford

Harrison Ford speaks about the regret he has about not going ahead with the part. In an exclusive interview with Radar he talks about his reasons for saying no to it. Ford admitted that he had initial concerns about the scripts authenticity and that is why he had declined the role.

Harrison Ford in Shrinking(Credit:Apple TV+)

Later,...

James Patterson and Amazon MGM Studios might just be one another’s match made in heaven. Today, Deadline announced that the author has paired with the studio for another project, with the duo’s series, Cross, now in the rearview. The company struck a deal with Patterson and his co-scribe, Duane Swierczynski, to bring their upcoming book Billion-Dollar Ransom to feature-length form. Joining the efforts to adapt the book will be Academy Award-winning writer Stephen Gaghan, who, in the past, has penned favorites like Rules of Engagement and Traffic.

At this time, no casting has been announced, but A-list stars like Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Aldis Hodge have joined Patterson-centered productions in the past, so it’s likely the film will load up on star power. As for the plot, we can get an idea of the story set to unfold through the book, which is set to hit...

Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios has landed film rights to James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski’s forthcoming book, Billion-Dollar Ransom. The feature take is currently in the works with Traffic Oscar winning scribe Stephen Gaghan adapting.

Producers include 6th & Idaho’s Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris and James Patterson Entertainment’s James Patterson. 6th & Idaho’s Rafi Crohn and James Patterson Entertainment’s Bill Robinson and Patrick Santa will executive produce.

The action thriller, which will publish by Little, Brown and Company in September, follows five members of a billionaire’s family, kidnapped at the same moment, from different locations—for the unthinkable ransom of a billion dollars.

The project reteams Amazon MGM Studios with James Patterson Entertainment, the banner behind Cross starring Aldis Hodge, which premiered on Prime Video on November 14 and debuted at No. 1 on Nielsen’s weekly streaming rankings with 1.36 billion minutes watched in just four days.

James...

Exclusive: Oscar-nominated actress Vera Farmiga is boarding Walden Media’s Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy opposite Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey. Cameras are about to roll.

Adapted from the acclaimed book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David E. Hoffman, Billion Dollar Spy follows Adolf Tolkachev (Crowe), who in real life risked everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the U.S. Despite repeated rejections by a wary CIA, Tolkachev persisted, embodying the courage to stand against a regime that betrayed its own people.

Finally finding an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey), Tolkachev was able to shift the balance of power, proving that true patriotism lies not in blind allegiance, but in the willingness to challenge a government when it strays from its ideals.

Farmiga will play Natasha, Tolkachev’s wife.

BAFTA winner Amma Asante is directing. Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan wrote the most recent draft,...

Exclusive: Strange Darling‘s Willa Fitzgerald is starring opposite Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey in Walden Media’s Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy, we can tell you first.

Fitzgerald will play Mae Lenihan, wife of CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey).

Adapted from the book by David E. Hoffman and produced by Walden Media and Weed Road, the feature project is based on the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, an ordinary man whose extraordinary bravery made him the Pentagon’s most valuable spy.

Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the late Cold War, Billion Dollar Spy follows Tolkachev (Crowe), as he risks everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the United States. Despite repeated rejections by a wary CIA, Tolkachev persisted, embodying the courage to stand against a regime that betrayed its own people.

Finally finding an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey), Tolkachev was...

Russell Crowe and Industry'sHarry Lawtey will be starring in the upcoming film adaptation of the Cold War spy thriller novel, Billion Dollar Spy. Akiva Goldsman (producer of the recent Star Trek series) will be reuniting with Crowe, as they both worked on A Beautiful Mind, per Deadline.

Amma Asante, who won a BAFTA for A Way of Life, is directing and Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan has written the latest draft with Benjamin August (Remember) having penned an earlier draft. The original novel was written by David E. Hoffman, who covered the White House during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush years. He was the Washington Post's Moscow Bureau Chief for several years.

Billion Dollar Spy was originally set to star Armie Hammer and Mads Mikkelsen, but Hammer's controversies saw him fired in 2021, and the film went into limbo.

The film adaptation is beyond the development stage and already in...

A gripping Cold War espionage thriller is in the works, with iconic actor and Gladiator star Russell Crowe set to lead a high-stakes true story of secrets, betrayal, and courage.

According to Deadline, Crowe is set to lead Billion Dollar Spy, a Cold War thriller based on David E. Hoffman’s bestselling book. The film, produced by Walden Media and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road Pictures, tells the true story of Adolf Tolkachev, a Soviet engineer who risks everything to pass classified intelligence to the CIA.

Directed by Amma Asante, the project is currently in pre-production. Harry Lawtey joins Crowe as Tom Lenihan, the CIA operative who forms a bond with Tolkachev as they navigate the dangers of espionage behind the Iron Curtain. The screenplay for Billion Dollar Spy comes from Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of Traffic with Benicio del Toro and Syriana.

The film promises a tense, character-driven narrative,...

Amma Asante’s The Billion Dollar Spy, starring Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey, is in pre-production ahead of a 10-week Hungary shoot which begins April 14.

Post-production work will take place in the UK.

The producers areFrank Smith, Benjamin Tappan and Cher Hawrysh for Walden Media with Akiva Goldsman and Greg Lessans for Goldsman’s Weed Road Pictures. Jane Hooks is executive producer; Ildiko Kemeny, David Minkowski and Ferenc Szále of Pioneer Stillking Films are on board as co-producers.

HanWay Films is handling international sales.

Bafta-winnerAsante, whose credits includeBelle,A United Kingdomand episodes ofThe Handmaid’s Tale,is directing from a script by Stephen Gaghan,...

Russell Crowe and Harry Lawtey are to lead the cast of 'Billion Dollar Spy'.The pair are set to feature in the Cold War thriller that has been penned by Oscar-winning scribe Stephen Gaghan and directed by BAFTA-winner Amma Asante.The screenplay has been adapted from the best-selling book of the same name by David E. Hoffman and the flick - which is being made by Walden Media and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road Pictures - is currently in pre-production.'Billion Dollar Spy' centres on Adolf Tolkachev (Crowe), an ordinary man who risks it all to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the US despite constant rejection from the wary CIA.Tolkachev finally finds an ally in the CIA in the form of agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey) and is able to fundamentally shift the balance of power in the conflict, proving that true patriotism is not in...

Three-time Academy Award nominee Russell Crowe is set to headline a new Cold War thriller. The movie is adapted from David E. Hoffman's bestseller, The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal, which tells a riveting story within the final years of the Cold War based on previously classified CIA documents and interviews. Crowe is best known for his performance as Maximus in Ridley Scott's 2000 Oscar-winner Gladiator.

Per Deadline's report, Billion Dollar Spyhas tapped Crowe and Industry's Harry Lawtey as the lead stars with a script by Ben August and revised by Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan. Amma Asante will direct. In the movie, Crowe plays an ordinary man named Adolf Tolkachev, who is set on a highly dangerous mission to give top-secret Soviet intelligence to the United States. Lawtey will play a CIA agent named Tom Lenihan, who aids Crowe's character in challenging the Soviet government.

Exclusive: Walden Media and Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road Pictures are making the Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy, with Oscar winner Russell Crowe and Industry’s Harry Lawtey set to headline.

Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan wrote the most recent draft, revising a script penned by Ben August. The screenplay is adapted from the bestselling book by David E. Hoffman.

Amma Asante

BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante will direct. The project is in pre-production.

Set against the high-stakes backdrop of the late Cold War, Billion Dollar Spy follows Adolf Tolkachev (Crowe), an ordinary man who risks everything to pass thousands of pages of top-secret Soviet intelligence to the U.S. Despite repeated rejections by a wary CIA, Tolkachev persisted, embodying the courage to stand against a regime that betrayed its own people. Finally finding an ally in CIA agent Tom Lenihan...

There was a time when Activision decided to bring in a popular Hollywood writer to write a Call of Duty game and the result was 2013’s Call of Duty: Ghosts, an underrated gem of the Call of Duty franchise. Not many will agree with that statement. However, every fan will agree that the game featured some innovative ideas that were ahead of their time. In fact, many elements of modern Call of Duty games originated from that game.

Stephen Gaghan wrote the campaign of Call of Duty: Ghosts (Image via Activision)

What’s crazy is that the same writer who wrote the campaign of Ghosts is the one who wrote and directed actor Robert Downey Jr.’s first movie after he left the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 2020’s Dolittle was expected to be another Stephen Gaghan’s hit, however, it turned out to be a box-office bomb.

Stephen Gaghan wrote the...

(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)

"At that point I was bulletproof. I was the guru of all genre movies." Those are the words of Robert Downey Jr. in 2023 as "Oppenheimer" was making its way to theaters. That film went on to win "Best Picture" and made nearly $1 billion worldwide. It also won Rdj an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The point in time he was talking about? Around 2017 when he was cast in a film called "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle," later shortened to just "Dolittle."

The resounding success of "Oppenheimer" cemented Downey as an unquestioned A-lister, even outside of the confines of "Iron Man" in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His turn as Tony Stark for more than a decade revived his career beyond even wildest expectations.

Stephen Gaghan's 2020 film "Dolittle," based on Hugh Lofting's "Doctor Dolittle" novels published in the 1920s and 1930s, was notable in that it was Robert Downey Jr.'s first major acting job in five years that wasn't part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey's five previous credits were for Avengers movies, wherein he played the inimitable Iron Man. The MCU, as well as Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" movies, made Downey a wealthy worldwide superstar and a widely recognized household name. His 2010s fame, however, didn't seem to lead to other notable acting gigs. In 2009, Downey appeared in "The Soloist," and 2010 saw the release of the road comedy "Due Date," but neither of those were huge smashes. Downey starred in and produced "The Judge" in 2014, but that film attracted more attention for his co-star Robert Duvall than for his own performance. 

In 2020, when "Dolittle" was released, it seemed to many that Downey was adrift.

“The Bikeriders” is taking a trip from original to adapted screenplay Oscar consideration.

Focus Features’ drama, directed and written by Jeff Nichols, will compete for the Academy Award in the best adapted screenplay category, Variety has learned exclusively.

The movie stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. It premiered at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, garnering rave reviews despite the ongoing Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild strikes. Initially scheduled for release by 20th Century Studios on December 1, 2023, the film’s launch was delayed. Focus Features later acquired the project and released it in June. Before this acquisition, Variety exclusively confirmed that although the film draws inspiration from Danny Lyon’s iconic photobook, it was initially positioned as an original screenplay. However, those plans have shifted.

Read: You can see Academy Award predictions in all 23 categories on one page on the Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars.

“The Bikeriders” tells a fictionalized...

It's that time again! Time to say goodbye to a bunch of great movies and TV shows that are leaving Netflix. Summer has just started, and June is drawing to a close to make room for warm July. A new month always brings new titles to Netflix, but it also means several other titles will be departing — that's the nature of streaming. It's a fleeting thing; deals only last so long, and then it's time to say goodbye. So let's take a look at some of the best movies leaving Netflix in July, shall we? Act quickly, because soon, these titles will be gone, and who knows where they might end up next? Maybe nowhere!

Read more: The 95 Best Horror Movies Ever

The Matrix

While some of not-so-great "The Matrix" sequels have diluted things, you just can't beat the original "Matrix." I can distinctly remember seeing the film opening weekend,...

Glen Powell has been attached to star in Paramount’s reimagining of Heaven Can Wait. More on the project below.

Glen Powell truly is the man of the moment. He’s only just coming off the unexpected success of Sony’s Anyone But You and about to headline the summer’s windiest blockbuster Twisters, but he’s now eyeing up a body-switch comedy.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Powell will star in Paramount’s reimagining of Heaven Can Wait, based on Harry Segall’s play of the same name. The play was most famously adapted in 1978 and starred Warren Beatty as an NFL football player who suffers an unfortunate, untimely death but returns to Earth in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.

Warren Beatty also directed the film, which received nine Oscar nominations, winning Best Art Direction as it was called at the time. Segall’s play has also...

Glen Powell is to star in a reimagining of 'Heaven Can Wait'.The 35-year-old actor has been cast in a new take on the 1978 movie with Oscar-winning screenwriter Stephen Gaghan penning the project.Based on Harry Segall's 1930s stage play, the original movie starred Warren Beatty as an NFL quarterback who dies prematurely after mistakenly being taken to heaven by his guardian angel before returning to Earth in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.Beatty directed the film alongside Buck Henry and it was nominated for nine Academy Awards – including for Best Picture.Segall's play has also been adapted for the big screen in the 1941 picture 'Here Comes Mr. Jordan', in which the main character was a boxer, and then again in the 2001 comedy 'Down to Earth' that centred on a comedian played by Chris Rock.Glen's version is not thought to be a...

Glen Powell is staying busy with upcoming projects, including a remake of Heaven Can Wait. The remake, under Paramount Pictures, will be penned by Stephen Gaghan, based on Harry Segall's play. The original film, starring Warren Beatty, was a critical and commercial success, grossing $81.6 million.

Glen Powell is continuing his upward trend of being one of the busiest leading men in Hollywood. Since his supporting turn in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell has stacked up roles in several major projects, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. Following his involvement in the reboot of The Running Man, the actor is adding another remake to his list of upcoming projects.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Powell is set to star in a remake of Heaven Can Wait, which is in the early development stages at Paramount Pictures. Stephen Gaghan, who won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his 2000 crime film Traffic,...

Just when you thought Glen Powell couldn't be more booked and busy, along comes word that he's adding another potential project to his To Do list. He's now attached to star in a new version of Heaven Can Wait for Paramount.

As originally reported by Puck's What I'm Hearing… newsletter and since confirmed by the likes of The Hollywood Reporter, Powell will play a man who dies prematurely due to an antsy angel and returns to Earth in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.

Stephen Gaghan, who wrote Traffic and wrote/directed Syriana, is on board to script this one.

Originally a 1938 play by Harry Segall, Heaven Can Wait was first turned into a 1941 film by Alexander Hall called Here Comes Mr. Jordan. That outing featured a boxer given a second chance. More famously, it has since crossed the paths of Warren Beatty and Chris Rock, who brought us 2001 comedy Down To Earth,...

There are only a few people on this planet more in-demand in Hollywood as Glen Powell. After the success of “Top Gun: Maverick” and the recent “Anyone But You,” the actor has been landing gig after gig. And his latest one might be one of the biggest yet. You see, Glen Powell is set to star in a remake of the Oscar-nominated film “Heaven Can Wait.”

Read More: Glen Powell Being Eyed For Role In J.J.

Continue reading ‘Heaven Can Wait’: Glen Powell To Star In Remake Of Classic Film Written By Stephen Gaghan at The Playlist.

Chalk up another project for Glen Powell. Recently, the Hit Man star was announced to be in talks for the new unknown J.J. Abrams project. He was also announced to star in the thriller Huntington, which puts him alongside Margaret Qualley and Ed Harris, as well as joining Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern for the legal drama titled Monsanto. The Hollywood Reporter has now revealed that Powell is now set to star in a reimagining of Warren Beatty’s Heaven Can Wait for Paramount. Stephen Gaghan, who won an Academy Award for his script for Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 crime film Traffic, has been tapped to pen the screenplay for this update.

The 1978 Warren Beatty film was based on Harry Segall’s play of the same name and garnered nominations for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture; however, the movie would only post a win for Best Art Direction. In the original,...

A remake of Heaven Can Wait is in early development at Paramount with Glen Powell, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Stephen Gaghan, an Oscar winner for his script for Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 crime film Traffic, is writing the project for Powell to star. Based on Harry Segall’s play of the same name, the original 1978 movie Heaven Can Wait starred Warren Beatty and was nominated for nine Oscars including best picture, with the film notching a win for best art direction.

Heaven Can Wait centered on Beatty as an NFL quarterback who dies prematurely due to an antsy angel and returns to Earth in the body of a recently murdered millionaire. Beatty directed the film with Buck Henry and co-wrote the script with Elaine May.

Segall’s play Heaven Can Wait had previously been adapted for the 1941 feature Here Comes Mr. Jordan, with the lead character being a boxer, and...

In 2014, controversial actor Kevin Spacey ventured into the realm of video games with Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Spacey portrayed Jonathan Irons, the CEO of a powerful private military corporation, in a move that marked a significant departure for his film and TV-focussed career.

Speaking with The Guardian, Spacey described how his role in the game’s development was much more than simply lending his voice and likeness, as well as the pitfalls he wanted to avoid in order to make his character as authentic as possible.

Kevin Spacey Went The Whole 9 Yards With Motion Capture

Spacey participated in the full-fledged mocap process, complete with hats, cameras, and dots | Activision

Spacey delivered a full mocap performance, which allows for the creation of realistic, in-game characters based on an actor’s movements and expressions. The innovative technology aligned with Activision’s stated goal of “advancing gaming” in 2014 by placing a greater...

Quick Links Clooney Suffered a Serious Accident During Torture Scene George Clooney's Medical Journey Clooney Absolved Mark Strong of Wrongdoing Clooney's Ongoing Battle With Spinal Injury and an Oscar Win George Clooney's Oscar win for Syriana sparked debate on award categorization due to his limited screen time vs. top billing. Clooney suffered a serious head injury during a brutal torture scene filming for Syriana, leading to a life-changing spinal injury. Despite ongoing chronic pain from his spinal injury, Clooney's Best Supporting Actor Oscar win remains a bittersweet career highlight.

George Clooney has had some perilously close calls throughout his lifetime, including two dangerous motorcycle accidents about a decade apart while still in the prime of his career. His closest brush with death, though, came as the result of an acting role as CIA officer Bob Barnes in the film Syriana. A critically lauded movie, Syriana peered into global politics...

With Robert Downey Jr. finally winning an Oscar for Oppenheimer and co-starring in the acclaimed HBO miniseries The Sympathizer, Awfully Good Movies is looking back at Rdj’s first and failed attempt at a post-Marvel franchise in the failed family fantasy Dolittle!

Right after Tony Stark’s epic exit from the MCU, Downey hopped on to star in and co-produce alongside his wife Susan a new adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s children’s book series about the veterinarian who can talk all the languages of his animal patients, this time without any overlong musical numbers from Rex Harrison or silly mugging from Eddie Murphy. However, much like the 1998 version, Dolittle’s animals would be voiced by a huge array of talented actors, including Rdj’s former Avengers co-star Tom Holland and future Oppenheimer co-star Rami Malek, and the long-awaited teaming of Dame Emma Thompson and John Cena that we’ve...

Dolittle brings to life a classic children's tale with a stellar voice cast and live-action allure, marking Rdj's return to the screen. While it bombed at the box office, the film's true magic lies in its enchanting cadre of CGI animals and an all-star voice cast. A celebration of conversing with animals, Dolittle injects a family-oriented zest with a diverse and talented vocal ensemble.

Starring the charismatic Robert Downey Jr. as the titular character, Dolittle marries a stellar voice cast with its live-action allure. Helmed by Stephen Gaghan and drawing inspiration from Hugh Lofting's classic 1922 children's tale, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, this live-action/CGI spectacle marks Downey Jr.'s much-anticipated return to the silver screen following his epic swan song in the previous year's cinematic titan, Avengers: Endgame.

While Dolittle boasts on-screen talents such as Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, and Jessie Buckley, the film's true magic...

Heath Ledger's tragic death while working on a film project left a lasting impact on those involved in the industry. Stephen Gaghan opened up about the emotional experience of Ledger's passing and his hopes of working on more movies together. Ledger was found with a copy of the book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking on his nightstand, as well as a draft of Gaghan’s screenplay.

Even 16 years later, the tragic death of The Dark Knight star Heath Ledger continues to weigh heavily on Hollywood. Now, Academy Award winning filmmaker Stephen Gaghanhas discussed the details of Ledger’s passing and the impact it had during an appearance on Malcolm Gladwell‘s Revisionist History podcast. Ledger, who passed away in 2008 after an accidental overdose of prescription medication, was found with a copy of Gladwell’s book Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking on his nightstand, as well...

Heath Ledger remains an unforgettable star in the hearts of fans. Initially known for teen heartthrob roles, he transitioned to diverse and challenging characters across genres. While his career featured many great performances, his iconic portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight stands out prominently.

Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight

It is unfortunate that Heath Ledger wasn’t with us to witness the acclaim he received for his role as The Joker, which earned him a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor passed away at the age of 28, leaving his promising career unfinished. In fact, Ledger was actively working on a movie at the time of his death, and the director of that film recently shared memories of his time with Ledger.

Suggested“That’s the moment that changed my career”: Dune 2 Star Austin Butler Had to Work in 1 TV Show Almost Immediately After...

Heath Ledger is a star who fans can not forget at any cost. Starting with teen heartthrob roles, he quickly shed that image to tackle challenging characters across genres. He had done many great roles but none come close to his iconic portrayal of The Joker in “The Dark Knight”.

A still from Dark Knight

It is, however, very unfortunate that Ledger wasn’t between us to see all the praise he got for his role, which resulted in a posthumous Academy Award. The Australian actor was just 28 at the time of his death and had his whole career ahead of him. He was already working on a movie at the time, and the director of that movie recently recalled his moments with Ledger.

Suggested“They were hooking up”: Heath Ledger Took a Secret to the Grave – He Was Dating Avengers Star’s Sister

Heath Ledger Passed Away With...

Filmmaker Stephen Gaghan has opened up about the film he almost made with late Hollywood star Heath Ledger and recalled the horrible moment he learned about the actor’s death.

Stephen spoke about Ledger, who gained universal acclaim and global spotlight with his performance as the chaotic character of Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’, during his appearance on Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast miniseries ‘Development Hell’.

The director and actor back then wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, ‘Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking’, which talks about the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.

Stephen received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 in January, 2008, due to accidental overdose of medications.

“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,...

During his recent appearance on Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast miniseries, Development Hell, director Stephen Gaghan talked about the film he almost made with Heath Ledger. And the phone call that ended that dream.

Gaghan and Ledger wanted to adapt Gladwell’s book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, which explores the kind of thinking that happens in a blink of an eye.

Then he received a phone call from Ledger’s father and his close friend. Ledger had been found dead in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 28 on Jan. 22, 2008.

“They were there with the body, and our script was in bed with him, and your book was on the bedside table,” Gaghan told Gladwell. “I think my number was on the script — like written. These guys are in, as you can imagine, they are in shock. And they dialed that number, and I don’t know why.

While 2000’s “The Tipping Point” was writer Malcolm Gladwell‘s first book, it was 2005’s “Blink” that put him on the map. And the bestseller, all about the adaptive unconscious, captured the public’s imagination so much that Gladwell and screenwriter Stephen Gaghan had plans to make the book into a feature film. But tragedy derailed those plans, and THR reports that the pair talked about the unproduced screenplay for “Blink” on a new limited series for Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History.”

Read More: The Most Anticipated Films Of 2024

The premiere episode of “Development Hell,” all about Hollywood projects that never managed to get greenlit, hits close to home for Gladwell and Gaghan.

Continue reading Stephen Gaghan Reveals ‘Blink’ Project Was Originally Set To Star Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger at The Playlist.

The hype leading up to The Dark Knight in 2008 was the closest we’ve come to reliving Bat-Mania that took over pop culture in 1989 leading up to the first Batman. Much of the hype came from the revelation of Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker. Christopher Nolan’s star was on the rise as people resonated with his 2005 reboot Batman Begins, and his interpretation of the clown prince of crime was a fresh burst of energy. A number of photos and a teaser from the film was released when the world was dealt the devastating news about the passing of Heath Ledger. Ledger’s career had gained immense steam after performances in Monster’s Ball and Brokeback Mountain.

A new detail was revealed about the day Heath Ledger was found unresponsive as Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of Traffic, appeared on a new limited series podcast called Development Hell. According to The Hollywood Reporter,...

Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast launched a new limited series today titled Development Hell that offers deep dives into Hollywood projects that never made it on screens big or small. The New York Times best-selling author — who serves as co-founder of audio content company Pushkin Industries, home to his podcast — kicked off the series by investigating one of his own, an adaptation of his second book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, with Oscar winner Stephen Gaghan.

The longer than 40-minute conversation offers new details about their partnership and strategy in adapting the 2005 book about instincts, snap judgments and first impressions. But the chat took a devastating turn when Gaghan revealed why, after years of development and a package that once included A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio, he let go of it for good following the tragic death of Heath Ledger.

Ledger was found dead inside a Manhattan apartment on Jan.

As Robert Downey Jr. looks back on his career, he feels some of his “best work” didn’t get the attention it deserved because of the superhero genre.

The actor made a recent appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast where he opened up about past experiences that didn’t go as planned but turned into teachable moments that ultimately made him better.

“Sometimes it’s those turning points too where we have been out in the cold and said, ‘What am I supposed to learn now?'” he said. “And I think those things can forge a bit of a new version of the same identity that is not so brittle, a little more malleable but also more capable.”

Downey admitted that he was feeling at the top of his career in 2019 following his 11-year run as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which he...

Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster comedy “Barbie” has been deemed an adapted screenplay by the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, despite campaigning for original screenplay, Variety has exclusively learned.

When official Oscar nomination voting opens Thursday, Jan. 11, eligible voting members of the branch will only be able to cast votes for the script written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in adapted screenplay.

The film tells the story of Barbie (Margot Robbie), who suffers an identity crisis in Barbie World, leading her on a quest with her beau Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world to seek the answers regarding her existence.

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.

Variety had previously reported that “Barbie” would be campaigned for best original screenplay for the upcoming awards season rather than in adapted screenplay, as had been presumed. The decision...

“Barbie” is a box office smash, along with its acclaim from critics and audiences alike. If you follow the social media chatter and the general feeling from most pundits, it could be a viable awards contender for Warner Bros. One category being debated is where the screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach would be able to compete — whether in original or adapted screenplay. The answer lies in how the WGA classifies it and whether the Academy could or would overrule that choice.

Variety confirms there are ongoing conversations with strategists and Warner Bros regarding where “Barbie” would compete at next year’s ceremony.

On the title cards, it reads “Based on ‘Barbie’ by Mattel,” which is, of course, a toy company. At the same time, there have been multiple CGI films and TV series featuring the fashion doll since its debut in the late 1980s (42 to be precise). This...

Few actors have enjoyed as much success as Robert Downey Jr. in the last 15 years. The unofficial leader of the Marvel Cinematic Universe played Tony Stark in numerous blockbusters and helped turn the franchise into the one of the most lucrative in the history of Hollywood. But ask Downey if “Iron Man” or “Avengers: Endgame” were the “most important films” he’s made in the last two decades, and the two-time Oscar nominee will say no.

Speaking to the New York Times, Downey said the two projects he’d point to as having an outsized impact on this stage of his career are a pair of poorly reviewed kids’ movies: 2006’s “The Shaggy Dog” and 2020’s flop “Dolittle.”

“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in ‘Dolittle.’ I had some reservations. Me and my...

Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about Dolittle, the 2020 film that was ill-reviewed and has a 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a recent interview, Downey said the movie directed by Stephen Gaghan and based on Hugh Lofting’s second Doctor Dolittle book was one of the most important films he’s done in the past two decades.

“I finished the Marvel contract and then hastily went into what had all the promise of being another big, fun, well-executed potential franchise in Dolittle,” he told The New York Times Magazine. “I had some reservations. Me and my team seemed a little too excited about the deal and not quite excited enough about the merits of the execution. But at that point I was bulletproof. I was the guru of all genre movies.”

He continued, “Honestly, the two most important films I’ve done in the last 25 years are The Shaggy Dog...

George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh were guests at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood last weekend for a showing of their 2001 production “Ocean’s Eleven.”

During the Ben Mankiewicz-hosted chat, Clooney and Soderbergh explained where they were in their careers when they first linked up and prepped to make 1998’s “Out of Sight.” Clooney was coming off of “Batman & Robin,” a project he frequently talks about as a humbling experience with rubber nipples attached. Soderbergh had a flop with “The Underneath”. After things turned around and Soderbergh delivered “Erin Brockovich,” which won an Oscar for Julia Roberts as Best Actress plus four other nominations, and “Traffic,” which won an Oscar for himself as Best Director, plus Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro, Best Adapted Screenplay for Stephen Gaghan, and Best Editing, the planets aligned for the smart, sexy, and snappy “Ocean’s Eleven.”

“People really wanted to work with Steven,...

Film sets can be dangerous places to work. There are so many moving pieces — actors, crew, cameras, props, sets, stunts — that are often in motion, sometimes simultaneously, that things can too easily go wrong. And on the stunt front, where sequences intentionally put performers in physical danger, situations may get downright deadly.

Thankfully, most sets employ experienced stunt coordinators to make sure everything happens as planned. Ted Sharon, a teacher at the Society of American Fight Directors, explained the role of a stunt coordinator to Backstage. "A qualified stunt coordinator will be able to describe as well as demonstrate, or have an assistant who can execute the sequence," he said. "Good stunt coordinators have a healthy regard for actor safety as well as for the director's vision. They are the guardians of both on set."

Still, no matter how much care is taken to make sure everyone has rehearsed, equipment's been checked,...

Matthew McConaughey has had one of the strangest career arcs of any actor working today. McConaughey rose to prominence in the 1990s thanks to his collaborations with great directors. Having worked with Richard Linklater, Joel Schumacher, Robert Zemeckis, John Sayles, and Steven Spielberg, McConaughey had no shortage of experienced filmmakers to draw inspiration from. He became the rare actor who could do comedic, dramatic, and action-heavy roles eually well.

However, the quality of McConaughey's work began to decline in the early 21st century. He starred in a series of disastrous romantic comedies that didn't showcase his range. There's only so much that an actor can bring to a role if it is not well written. However, McConaughey's career rebounded in the 2010s. He went back to starring in interesting projects, and even won an Academy Award for best actor for his moving performance in "Dallas Buyers Club." Shortly thereafter, he...