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Julia Stiles makes her first appearance as director with Wish You Were Here, a romantic drama that balances expected elements with fresh introspection. Based on Renée Carlino’s novel, the film examines love, loss, and self-discovery through Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman), a young woman searching for purpose, and Adam (Mena Massoud), an artist facing terminal illness during their brief romance. Stiles brings genuine warmth to the storytelling.

The film’s structure stands out most. The story moves through scattered vignettes, reflecting how love stays in our memory—brief moments of connection, passion, and vulnerability that pass like dreams. By showing events out of sequence, the film draws attention to what might have happened instead of what did, creating deep feelings about time’s temporary nature.

The film speaks to a generation experiencing uncertainty. Charlotte’s search for direction and Adam’s optimism show the worries of millennials in an often confusing world.

Julia Stiles is back! The beloved Y2K teen star, who largely stepped away from acting after several successful roles, has returned to the spotlight — this time for her directorial debut. Stiles, now 43, celebrated a screening of her romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here, with her cast last night. She teamed up with another 2000s icon, her longtime friend Vanessa Carlton.

Julia Stiles at the ‘Wish You Were Here’ screening on January 15, 2025 | Aeon/Gc Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Stiles walked the red carpet in a beautifully tailored satin jumpsuit. The pleated, robin’s egg blue piece complemented the Down to You actor’s blonde hair, which she wore in barely-there waves down her back. Vanessa Carlton joined the Save the Last Dance star to celebrate. The “A Thousand Miles” singer and her husband of 11 years, John McCauley, composed the score for the rom-com, which stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud,...

With “Wish You Were Here,” author Renée Carlino provides the blueprint for a romantic drama that could easily be misconstrued as treacly or saccharine. Her novel features a star-crossed love affair, a devastating terminal illness and a young woman caught at a crossroads in her life. Yet instead of fashioning these elements into a mimeographed iteration of “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Dying Young” or pretty much anything from Nicholas Sparks’ oeuvre, director Julia Stiles constructs something fresh. The actor-turned-filmmaker, who co-adapts with Carlino, instills the source material with a clear-eyed sense of emotional authenticity, from its fantastical romanticism to the characters’ delicately-faceted relationship dynamics.

Twentysomething Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) is directionless, waitressing at an unpopular Mexican dive bar with her roommate Helen (Gabby Kono-Abdy). Together the besties are annoyed by the mundanity of their jobs, from fielding ridiculous customer complaints to suffering the indignity of having their service summoned by...

Julia Stiles makes a very rare red carpet appearance with husband Preston J. Cook while attending a screening of her directorial debut Wish You Were Here!

The 43-year-old Save the Last Dance actress wowed in an icy blue dress while attending the event, which was hosted at the Crosby Street Hotel in New York City.

She was joined by many of the movie’s stars and a few other celebrities who were involved in its creation.

Keep reading to find out more…

Castmates Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Gabby Kono-Adby, Antonique Smith, Josh Caras and Mike Carlsen all posed on the red carpet. As did Vanessa Carlton and her husband John McCauley, who did the music for the event.

Renee Carlino, who wrote the best-selling novel that Wish You Were Here is based on, was also present!

Here’s a synopsis of the movie: The story follows Charlotte (Fuhrman) as she...

Ronda Cooper, who had a long career as a Canadian talent agent, including at The Characters Talent Agency for 35 years, has died. She was 77.

Cooper passed away on Jan. 1 in Toronto after a year-long battle with dementia, Characters agency president Jennifer Goldhar Gossack told The Hollywood Reporter.

Born May 1, 1947 in Toronto, Cooper first aspired to become an actress and studied at York University and then at a drama school in London, England. She returned to Toronto in 1979 and found work as a talent agent at the Penny Noble Talent Agency in her hometown and New York City. In 1986, the Characters agency founder Larry Goldhar was looking for a new agent and client and stage and TV actor Jonathan Welsh recommended Cooper.

On ringing her, Goldhar discovered Cooper had just moved back to Toronto from New York City. The two met together over lunch and a week later Cooper joined Characters.

“Wish You Were Here” is a new romantic ‘dramedy’, directed by actress Julia Stiles, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jimmie Fails, Kelsey Grammer and Jennifer Grey, opening January 17, 2025 in theaters:

“…leave the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. Now, when the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, ‘Charlotte’ searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Exclusive: Independent producers Floriane Andersen, Marianne Bourg, Yessi Sanchez, and Nina Seul have announced the launch of Artak Pictures, a new U.S.-based production company committed to fostering fresh voices and innovation in today’s entertainment landscape.

With roots in France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany, the producing quartet are part of the next wave of European talent with ambitions to make a global impact. Their company is set to debut three feature films in 2025, all from first-time female directors: Julia Stiles’ romantic drama Wish You Were Here, on which Bourg is EP; Julie Pacino’s psychological thriller I Live Here Now; and Perfect from music video maestro Millicent Hailes.

A romantic drama based on Renée Carlino’s bestselling novel of the same name, Wish You Were Here will be released by Lionsgate on January 17. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer star. Utopia is handling worldwide sales...

Actor Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut with romantic comedy Wish You Were Here. Here, have a trailer and a synopsis.

Julia Stiles made her name in hugely popular films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Down To You, Save the Last Dance and The Prince and Me. She went on to star in indie dramas like The Business of Strangers, before starring opposite Matt Damon in the Bourne franchise. In recent years she has appeared in films like Hustlers and, most recently Heather Graham’s Chosen Family. She has also worked on the small screen, starring in Amazon Original comedy series The Lake.

Now? She makes her directorial debut with romantic drama Wish You Were Here.

The cast for the feature includes Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, wirh Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey and Frasier actor Kelsey Grammer.

Stiles directs from a screenplay she co-wrote with Renée Carlino,...

The official trailer for Julia Stiles’ directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, is here!

The story follows Charlotte (Isabelle Fuhrman) as she struggles to find meaning in her seemingly ordinary life. After an unforgettable night with a stranger ends abruptly, Charlotte’s quest for answers takes her on an emotional adventure that leads to a life-changing revelation.

The film features Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails (The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Gabby Kono-Abdy (Baker’s Dozen),Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer.

Keep reading to find out more…

The upcoming romantic drama, based on the best-selling novel by Renée Carlino, also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Renée. It hits theaters on January 17, 2025, and will be available on digital platforms starting February 4, 2025. Watch the trailer below!

Wish You Were Here Trailer...

“Wish You Were Here” is a new romantic ‘dramedy’, directed by actress Julia Stiles, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jimmie Fails, Kelsey Grammer and Jennifer Grey, opening January 17, 2025 in theaters:

“…leave the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. Now, when the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, ‘Charlotte’ searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

I am starting to question if Lionsgate has an under-the-table deal with Kleenex because, after watching the studio’s Wish You Were Here trailer, I think this movie will make people cry. And not just a little; I’m talking about Niagara Falls, Frankie. Niagara Falls. Wish You Were Here offers an intimate look at Julia Stiles‘s feature directorial debut. In February, the Golden Globe-nominated actress-turned-filmmaker told Deadline she’s “been looking for years for the right story to tell” as a director, and she’s finally found it with an adaptation of Renee Carlino’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Here’s the official synopsis for Wish You Were Here courtesy of Lionsgate:

“Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in a brilliantly warm and romantic film based on the bestselling novel, Wish You Were Here. Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jennifer Grey and Kelsey Grammer star in a...

"Do you believe in soulmates?" Lionsgate has revealed the official trailer for a new romantic drama movie titled Wish You Were Here, marking the feature directorial debut of actress Julia Stiles after directing some TV eps previously. This is set for a release in theaters at the end of January 2025 before it's available to watch on VOD after. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Renée Carlino, described as a second chance love story about a young woman who reunites with a soulful artist after their magical one-night stand. A woman searching for a spark finds a whirlwind night of romance with a man only to discover he is terminally ill and commits to helping him spend his last days living life to the fullest. Wish You Were Here stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer. A sweet...

It feels like it’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Julia Stiles. While she has consistently been acting, the last role to really break through with her was in 2019’s “Hustlers.” Well, it appears she’s ready to take a stab at directing, with the upcoming drama “Wish You Were Here.”

Read More: The 20 Best Films Of 2024

As seen in the new trailer for the film, “Wish You Were Here” is a romance about a woman, Charlotte, who is dealing with the aftermath of the perfect night with a perfect stranger that ends suddenly.

Continue reading ‘Wish You Were Here’ Trailer: Isabelle Fuhrman & Mena Massoud Star In Julia Stiles’ Directorial Debut at The Playlist.

After starring in hit films ranging from “10 Things I Hate About You” to “The Bourne Identity,” Julia Stiles is ready for the next phase of her artistic career.

The beloved actress makes her directorial debut on the upcoming film “Wish You Were Here,” which explores the way a fleeting romantic connection can start a ripple effect that leads to massive change in an individual’s life.

An official synopsis for the film reads, “When the perfect night with a perfect stranger ends suddenly the next morning, Charlotte searches for answers and meaning in her disappointing life until she uncovers a secret that changes everything.”

“Wish You Were Here” is adapted from Renée Carlino’s 2017 novel of the same name, with Carlino co-writing the script with Stiles. The film stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Grey, Mena Massoud, Jimmie Fails, and Gabby Kono-Abdy.

While “Wish You Were Here” marks Stiles...

Zoe Saldaña is set to receive the Spotlight Award at the 27th annual CDGAs (Costume Designers Guild Awards).

This honor recognizes an actor who embodies a long-lasting dedication to excellence, with particular respect for the impact of costume design. Past Spotlight Award winners include Angela Bassett, Andrew Garfield, Charlize Theron, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, and, this past year, Annette Bening.

“Widely known for powerful roles which captivate audiences, Saldaña can inhabit a costume and make the character come alive no matter how elaborate or otherworldly,” read an official press release. “From Neytiri in the ‘Avatar’ films and Gamora in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ franchise, Saldaña embraces being immersed in her costumes. For those respective roles, Saldaña worked with 2023 Cdga Career Achievement Award honoree Deborah L. Scott and 2017 Excellence in Fantasy Film winner Alexandra Byrne and 2013 Cdga Career Achievement Award honoree Judianna Makovsky.

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

28 Days Later Apparel from Alternate Ending

In honor of the 28 Years Later trailer drop, Alternate Ending has been infected by 28 Days Later apparel.

The end is nigh with two promo-style T-shirts ($28), a hat ($27), four 12×18 posters ($10), and three stickers ($4).

Pre-orders run through December 22 and will ship 4-8 weeks later.

Jack Frost Figure from Distinctive Dummies

‘Tis the season for holiday horror, so Distinctive Dummies has crafted a 1:9 scale Jack Frost figure.

The 9″ collectible comes with two swappable heads (regular and melted), four swappable arms, axe, stop sign, and display base are included.

Limited to 50, the killer snowman costs $129.99 at Monsters in Motion. Shipping is slated for early January.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Vinyl from...

Naomi Scott is best known for her work in Aladdin and Charlie’s Angels. She was recently seen in the horror film Smile 2, which has reportedly received positive acclaim from critics and has earned $109 million at the box office. Scott has a long lineup of films, including her debut as a producer in Eternal Return.

Ever since her Aladdin days, Scott’s ethnicity has been under scrutiny. While Disney’s live-action adaptation sought to correct the racial stereotypes propagated by the animated original, Scott’s casting was controversial due to Princess Jasmine being largely believed to be Middle-Eastern or Indian. However, Scott’s ethnicity is actually pretty interesting.

What Is Naomi Scott’s Ethnicity? A still from Power Rangers | Credits: Lionsgate Films

Naomi Scott hails from London and was born on May 6, 1993. According to Empire, the actress’s father Christopher Scott was British with possible Scottish roots while her mother,...

Lionsgate has renewed its long-standing film slate deal with Grindstone Entertainment Group after signing new agreements with Grindstone president and CEO Barry Brooker and principal Stan Wertlieb.

The new deal, set to run through 2027, will cover upcoming releases like action-thriller Alarum, starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Mike Polish; Dito Montiel-directed Riff Raff, starring Jennifer Coolidge and Ed Harris and recently acquired in Toronto; Wish You Were Here, Julia Stiles’ directorial debut toplined by Isabelle Fuhrman, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Grey, and Mena Massoud; and prolific genre director Brian Skiba’s The Gunslingers, starring Stephen Dorff, Nicolas Cage, and Heather Graham.

Lionsgate last re-upped its near-17 year deal with Grindstone in 2020 and before that in 2017.

“Our relationship has been a model of success for nearly 20 years because Barry and Stan anticipate and understand what the market wants and needs in a way that has been consistently profitable for both of our companies,...

Lionsgate has extended its deal with Grindstone Entertainment Group through 2027.

Lionsgate and Grindstone count a near 17-year working relationship in what is a 700-title content library.

Among Grindstone’s recent releases are the thriller Fall, Damaged, with Sam Jackson and Vincent Cassell; How the Gringo Stole Christmas, starring George Lopez, Desperation Road, Manadrome with Jesse Eisenberg; and Lamborghini with Frank Grillo, Mira Sorvino and Gabriel Byrne.

The new agreement includes such upcoming releases as action-thriller Alarum, starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by Mike Polish; Riff Raff from director Dito Montiel starring Bill Murray, Jennifer Coolidge, Pete Davidson, Ed Harris, and Gabriel Union; Wish You Were Here, Julia Stiles’ directorial debut, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Kelsey Grammer, Jennifer Grey, and Mena Massoud; The Gunslingers, starring Stephen Dorff, Nicolas Cage, and Heather Graham; and Fall 2 from the Spierig brothers. Other future titles are Hotel Tehran with Zachary Levy and Liam Neeson, The Beast in Me...

Here’s everything we know about Aladdin 2 ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Disney dropped the bombshell back in 2020: Aladdin 2 was officially a go! Fans were ready for another magic carpet ride after the unexpected 2019 smash-hit success of Guy Ritchie’s live-action remake. But, as the year passed, the sequel’s genie seemed to slip back into the lamp. Are there any updates from Disney? Virtually silent. The excitement? Well, it hit a snag — a few times.

Mena Massoud: The Leading Man’s Frustration

Mena Massoud, who dazzled audiences as Aladdin, wasn’t shy about the project’s rollercoaster ride. “They were trying to get it off the ground for a long time,” he confessed post-2023 strike but then came the gut punch. “It’s been six years since we wrapped the project,” Massoud added resignedly. Despite initial buzz, Aladdin 2 felt like it had slipped into a sandstorm of uncertainty,...

Disney is set to reimagine yet another classic character with a live-action twist, this time bringing Prince Charming into the spotlight. With Paul King, the visionary behind “Paddington” and “Wonka,” in the director’s seat, fans can expect a fresh and whimsical take on one of Disney’s most famous fairy-tale heroes.

Paul King will also be co-writing the script along with Simon Farnaby and Jon Croker, making it a creative collaboration between familiar names. The film aims to reintroduce Prince Charming—typically a supporting figure overshadowed by the princess—to center stage, giving audiences a deeper insight into his story. The details on plot specifics are still largely under wraps, but it’s anticipated that Disney will try to add more complexity and depth to the character’s well-worn archetype.

The decision to cast Paul King suggests Disney wants to lean into a blend of humor, heart, and family-friendly charm.

It’s been a minute — well, more like a year and a half — since the Season 4 finale of “9-1-1: Lone Star.” With the fifth and final season of the Fox first responder series premiering Monday night, here are some of the key events and personal developments to remember.

Happily, nearly everyone was in a stable relationship when we last saw them, while some faced heartbreak and more than one person quit the 126.

Benito Martinez as Gabriel Reyes on “9-1-1: Lone Star” (Credit: Kevin Estrada/Fox) Carlos’ Dad Gabriel Was Murdered

In a shocking twist, Carlos (Rafael Silva)’s Texas Ranger father Gabriel was gunned down in his own home by an unknown assailant, leaving Carlos to become obsessed with finding his father’s killer.

Tk (Ronen Rubinstein) and Carlos (Rafael Silva) got married in the “Lone Star” Season 4 finale (Credit:Kevin Estrada/Fox. Tk and Carlos Got Married

Tk (Ronen Rubinstein...

Press Play Films has revealed its latest project, “Spaceman,” a genre-bending film that blends sci-fi, fantasy and coming-of-age elements.

The film, written and directed by emerging filmmaker Dan Abramovici, features a cast including Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), Mena Massoud (“Aladdin”) and Trevor Copp.

The story follows an artist’s journey to reclaim his lost creative passion. Copp stars as the titular Spaceman, who must confront his imposter syndrome (played by Simmons) and team up with his passion (Massoud) to rediscover himself. The narrative explores themes of identity, artistic expression and mental health.

“Spaceman” aims to combine classic Hollywood techniques reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton with cutting-edge practical effects and hopes to draw comparisons to the work of Michel Gondry and Baz Luhrmann with its approach. It employs an array of techniques, including mime, stop motion, classic animation and theatrical elements.

The film builds on Abramovici’s previous work,...

Rising to overnight popularity and turning into an internet sensation, the Hawk Tuah girl aka Haliey Welch has become a stark example of the dangers posed by content creators in the entertainment industry. After reports emerged surrounding Welch getting sought for Hollywood projects, netizens rallied on social media against this particular issue plaguing the film industry.

Ke Huy Quan in a still from Everything Everywhere All At Once | A24, Iac Films

Citing examples of legendary actors and iconic talents who have been struggling in the industry for a while, fans highlighted Hollywood’s missteps in offering substantial roles to influencers. Shedding light on why the movie business is failing, netizens criticized the lack of connection between merit and opportunity in the industry.

Offered with Film Projects, The Hawk Tuah Girl Turned Them Down

Partying in Nashville last month, Haliey Welch was filmed on the street by content creators Tim & Dee TV,...

Exclusive: Writer Jeffrey Reddick, creator of the long-running Final Destination horror franchise, is teaming with producer Todd Slater and more on Bloody Mary: Origins, a chilling new take on the classic urban legend.

Hailing from Slater’s Convoke Media, Vast Entertainment and DreamPunk Entertainment, the film is based on the New York Times bestseller Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan. The story focuses on a group of teenage girls who discover an ancient spell that conjures the real Bloody Mary. When the terrifying entity pulls one of the girls through the mirror, she becomes trapped in the past living out the real Mary Worth’s last days. With time running out, the others must discover a way to save their friend in the past while vanquishing a terrorizing Bloody Mary in the present.

Reddick wrote the script with John Stancari, who passed away in 2018 after a long battle with cancer.

Will Smith is a veteran actor who has been a part of Hollywood for several decades. With a plethora of movies to his name including Oscar winners and fan favorites, Smith has had quite the experience in the film industry.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) | Columbia Pictures

Well, the actor is promoting the release of his film Bad Boys: Ride or Die and has been a part of several interviews and promos in the past few days. Talking about the trend of streaming vs. people going to the cinema, Smith made some sage remarks about why people have stopped going to theaters!

Will Smith Reveals Why People Stopped Going To The Cinemas!

It all started in the year 2020 when streaming services rose to fame as people spent time in their homes watching Netflix or Prime Video from the comforts of their seats. After the lockdown was lifted,...

The world of Disney has never once disappointed when it comes to musicals. With sprawling tales of epic love stories and star-crossed lovers finding their way to each other, the studio has never once failed to craft a saga that doesn’t bring a tear or two to the eye. Fairy tales like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty gave way to more ambitious adaptations such as Aladdin and Pocahontas.

Aladdin (1992) [Credit: Walt Disney Pictures]However, without original creations to fill the void left behind by such age-old mythologies, a dozen different adaptations of the same story would mark the downfall of an industry that runs on selling love, hope, and eternity. Now, word through the grapevine suggests that the studio is set on fixing the error of its ways by bringing a new princess into the scene as soon as possible.

Disney Family Expands as a Princess Arrives From India

In...

Studiocanal’s Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” debuted atop the U.K and Ireland box office with £2.77 million ($3.4 million), according to numbers from Comscore.

It was neck-and-neck for the second spot. Entertainment Film Distributors’ “Civil War,” directed by Alex Garland and starring Kirsten Dunst, debuted with £1.82 million, including previews. In its third weekend, Universal’s “Kung Fu Panda 4” collected £1.75 million over the three-day weekend for a running total of £17.29 million.

In fourth place, in its third weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” took in £1.18 million for a total of £11.89 million. Rounding off the top five, in its fourth weekend, Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” earned £787,000 for a total of £14.06 million.

There were two debuts in the top 10, both from India. Rft Films’ Malayalam-language “Aavesham,” starring Fahadh Faasil, opened in ninth place with £207,300, while Yash Raj Films’ Bollywood film “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” with Akshay Kumar,...

Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry will star in AGC’s Naseem Hamed boxing drama Giant, which starts shooting later this month in the UK after the producers relocated from Malta to benefit from the country’s recently announced Independent Film Tax Credit.

Zygi Kamasa’s True Brit has acquired UK distribution rights to the project which Rowan Athale, whose credits include Gangs Of London, will direct from his screenplay.

Strike-induced production delays meant the producers had to reconfigure the cast after Paddy Considine and Mena Massoud were originally announced as the leads.

Principal photography will take place in Leeds. Brosnan...

Exclusive: Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress Julia Stiles has wrapped production on her directorial debut, Wish You Were Here, based on the bestseller by Renee Carlino. The cast includes Isabelle Fuhrman (The Novice), Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Jimmie Fails (The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Gabby Kono (Magic Carpet Rides), Jennifer Grey (A Real Pain) and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).

Adapted for the screen by Stiles, the film tells the story of Charlotte, a woman who finds herself in a rut, searching for a spark that seems just out of reach. After she has a whirlwind night of romance and imagining a future with a man named Adam, he ghosts her. But when Charlotte finally discovers that Adam is terminally ill, she helps him spend his last days living life to the fullest.

In a statement to Deadline, Stiles shared that she’s “been looking for years for the right story to tell” as director,...

Disney loves a live-action remake. The House of Mouse has discovered that instead of coming up with new ideas they can simply remake their classic animated flicks into live action. The results have been pretty darn profitable, and the studio shows no signs of stopping — there are currently live-action remakes of "Moana" and "Lilo and Stitch" on the way. One of their successful live-action remakes was the 2019 take on "Aladdin," helmed by — believe it or not — Guy Ritchie. The film was a smash, hauling in over $1 billion worldwide and going on to become the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019.

When you make numbers like that, a sequel can't be far behind. Sure enough, in 2019 the film's producer, Dan Lin, revealed that Disney was in the early stages of developing a sequel. But that's the last we've really heard of the potential follow-up. The live-action "Aladdin" starred Will Smith as the Genie...

Signature Entertainment has acquired the U.K. and Irish rights to the family adventure animation film Butterfly Tale from sales company Pink Parrot. Its voice cast features Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, She-Hulk), Mena Massoud (Aladdin, Star Wars: Ahsoka) and Tristan D. Lalla (Long Shot).

Butterfly Tale tells the story of Patrick (voiced by Massoud), “a gutsy and loveable, yet inept one-winged butterfly, who stows away in a milkweed trailer in order to be part of the migration journey of a lifetime,” according to a plot description. “Along with his best friend, a goofy caterpillar named Marty, and Jennifer (Maslany), a butterfly who is afraid of heights, Patrick will become an unlikely hero.”

The movie, produced by Marie-Claude Beauchamp (The Legend of Sarila) and Emely Christians (All Creatures Big and Small), was directed by Sophie Roy (Double Dribble) from a script written by Heidi Foss (Pup Academy) and Lienne Sawatsky (The Guava Juice Show...

At best, Guy Ritchie's reputation errors on the side of eclectic. The British-born director has embraced a multitude of genres, breathing new life into crime thrillers in the early days of his career before banking a hard left to experiment with historical fiction, romance, and war. The films got bigger, and slicker, as Ritchie progressed as a filmmaker. He's worked hard to launch franchises, to build heightened worlds that run on intrigue and irreverence above all. And though not every project has worked out in Ritchie's favor, his sure-footed style has always been a heady joy to watch.

Sure, Ritchie's over-the-top style is at times easy to poke fun at. He's more or less made the same movie over and over, regardless of genre. "Sherlock Holmes" is not unlike "The Man from U.N.C.L.E," nor is "Snatch" all that far off from "RockNRolla." But there's something...

Mena Massoud has cast doubt on the possibility of an 'Aladdin' sequel.The 32-year-old actor played the title role in Guy Ritchie's 2019 live-action remake of the Disney feature and explained that he is ready to move on from the project as progress on a follow-up film seemingly hasn't been made due to the Hollywood strikes this year.Mena told Screen Rant: "I don't have any updates. I think like you said, the strike kind of just put everything on hold. I know they were trying to get it off the ground for a long time but I have no idea where it's at."Listen, we shot in 2017. It's been six years now since we shot and wrapped the project. To me, at a certain point, life just goes on."He continued: "I'm sure they have their reasons. I know they were trying for a long time,...

It's Christmas of 1971, and students Clara (Georgia Acken) and Samantha (Madison Baines) are stuck at the Blackvale School for Girls with their empathetic teacher (Chloë Levine) and the school's resourceful chef (Gus Kenworthy). But while the quartet does their best to embrace the spirit of the season, a sacrificial cult led by Maisie (Olivia Scott Welch) and Jude (Mena Massoud) soon arrives on their front step with sinister intentions that are far more scary than any door-to-door Christmas carolers... although by the end of the night it just might be the cult members who wish they had never crashed the festivities at the Blackvale School for Girls.

Such is the intriguing seasonal setup for The Sacrifice Game, the new movie from director/co-writer Jenn Wexler. If, like me, you loved the subversive scares of Wexler's 2018 film The Ranger, you'll find plenty of macabre moments to enjoy in The Sacrifice Game,...

‘Tis the season of abundance! Celebrate more being more with director Jenn Wexler’s “The Sacrifice Game,” a campy new Shudder release that imagines what would happen if the cast of “The Holdovers” got a Christmas visit from the Manson Family at an all-girls boarding school with a witchy secret.

Co-written by Wexler and Sean Redlitz, this grab-bag seasonal period flick — shot in snowy Canada and set in 1971 — is more gruesome than scary and takes a handful of decidedly silly turns. Be it fruit cake, stuffed stocking, whatever your holiday metaphor, the fantasy horror adventure of students Samantha (Madison Baines) and Clara (Georgia Acken) gifts audiences steadily stranger fun almost all the way through. It’s a genre blend that’s delightful, baffling, and surprisingly ruthless in its decisive direction with a holiday twist that isn’t necessary for the plot but certainly ties the zany concept together.

What begins...

Last seen in Disney’s Aladdin, Mena Massoud is among an excellent roster of actors in this intriguing alt-horror about cult killers in the 1970s

Putting a festive twist on what at first appears to be a series of Manson family-style slayings before evolving into something more like a home invasion thriller, Jenn Wexler’s second feature is set during Christmas 1971 at the slightly ominously named Blackvale Catholic girls’ boarding school. A couple of misfit students, Samantha (Madison Baines) and Clara (Georgia Acken), remain at the school over the winter break, supervised by their teacher Rose (Chloë Levine) and her boyfriend Jimmy (Olympic medallist turned actor Gus Kenworthy). Neither of the girls are happy about having to stay there kicking their heels, but as events unfold it transpires that boredom will be the least of their worries.

There’s an art to keeping an audience guessing, although different genres have...

Watching Christmas horror movies is a proud tradition for spooky fiends looking to escape their post-Halloween blues and the agonizing two months of forced consumerism and awful music blasting in every department store. The films in this very specific category are known for subverting the cheer and innocence associated with the holiday, and often focus on characters experiencing isolation because their family situation is far from those depicted in generic Hallmark Christmas movies. Every year, we are treated to new ideas on how to make Christmas creepy, and this year fans should be snuggling up on the couch to view is The Sacrifice Game.

Co-written with her husband Sean Redlitz, The Sacrifice Game is the sophomore feature for director Jenn Wexler, produced by Heather Buckley (who previously worked with Wexler on The Ranger), as well as Philip Kalin-Hajdu and Albert Melamed. The story is set in the 1970s, pulling inspiration...

Director/Producer Jenn Wexler’s sophomore feature, The Sacrifice Game, arrives on Shudder on December 8, just in time to spread holiday fear for the season.

With co-writer Sean Redlitz, Wexler’s latest infuses Yuletide horror with a maniacal Satanic cult set at a boarding school in the ’70s.

Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, Chloë Levine, Madison Baines, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre and Georgia Acken star.

Bloody Disgusting spoke with Wexler about her devilishly fun Christmas horror feature, where she discussed her influences and ensured a movie titled The Sacrifice Game delivers on the bloodletting.

At the gooey center of a violent, bloody holiday horror tale lies the charming friendship between two teen girls held hostage by a deranged cult. Not only does friendship become the emotional backbone, but Wexler reveals that her horror movies ultimately speak to her childhood.

The filmmaker tells us, “The stories I want to tell,...

Plot: Murderers seeking to summon a demon raid a boarding school on Christmas Eve, holding the few people there captive… then they get more than they bargained for when the demon is revealed.

Review: Five years ago, Jenn Wexler made her feature directorial debut with the very entertaining throwback slasher The Ranger, which put a group of punk-style criminals up against a psychotic forest ranger – and came off like the closest we’ll probably ever get to seeing a Psycho Cop 3. For her follow-up, Wexler has made a ‘70s throwback supernatural horror film. And while The Ranger wasn’t directly said to be set in the ‘80s or early ‘90s, The Sacrifice Game is very clear about when it’s set: December 1971, in the days leading up to Christmas.

Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Derek Johns, and Laurent Pitre play a quartet of murderers who have been racking up a substantial body count this December,...

Poster for Sundance Now’s ‘The Lovers’

AMC+’s December 2023 lineup includes the premiere of Sundance Now’s The Lovers series, a holiday special with Harry Hamlin, and new episodes of BBC America’s Planet Earth III. The streaming service will also host the Shudder original films It’s a Wonderful Knife and The Sacrifice Game.

AMC+ also announced The Killing starring Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman will be available for binge-watching on December 4, 2023. Season one of UK’s Being Human with Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, and Aidan Turner streams beginning on December 14, with additional seasons arriving on Thursdays. Plus, the quickly canceled Pan Am starring Margot Robbie and Christina Ricci flies in on December 21.

AMC+ December 2023 Lineup The Lovers – Premieres Thursday, December 7 on AMC+ and Sundance Now; New Episodes Continue Every Thursday Until the Season Finale on January 4

The series follows Janet, a foul-mouthed supermarket worker who doesn’t care about anything,...

"Christmas Killers strike again." Streaming horror network Shudder has revealed a trailer for indie horror film The Sacrifice Game, made by filmmaker Jenn Wexler. This premiered at the 2023 Fantasia Festival & FrightFest London, along with appearances at Fantastic Fest and the Telluride Horror Show. Available to stream on Shudder this December. Set in the 1970s at the ominously named The Blackvale School for Girls. It's bad enough that boarding school students Samantha and Clara can't go home for the holidays (so The Holdovers as horror?), but things take a deadly turn when a murderous gang arrives on their doorstep - just in time for Christmas. The horror film stars Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy, Madison Baines, Derek Johns, Laurent Pitre, Chloë Levine, and Georgia Acken. Looks like your standard group of demented killers thriller with all the usual tropes and lots of yelling and everything else. // Continue Reading ›...

I've been eagerly awaiting Jenn Wexler's next film since seeing The Ranger, and thankfully that wait is nearly over, as her next movie, The Sacrifice Game (co-written by Wexler and Sean Redlitz), will begin streaming December 8th on Shudder, and we have a look at the film's official trailer that pits boarding school students against murderous cult members during a bloody Christmas of 1971!

You can watch the official trailer below, and in case you missed it, read Emily von Seele's 5-star Fantastic Fest review of The Sacrifice Game!

Synopsis: "The Blackvale School for Girls, 1971. It's bad enough that students Samantha (Madison Baines) and Clara (Georgia Acken) can't go home for the holidays, but things take a deadly turn when a gang of cult killers arrives at their doorstep—just in time for Christmas."

Director: Jenn Wexler

Screenwriters: Jenn Wexler, Sean Redlitz

Starring: Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott Welch, Gus Kenworthy,...

The 1970s-set supernatural horror film The Sacrifice Game, the new film from The Ranger (you can read my 8/10 review Here) director Jenn Wexler, is scheduled to start spreading holiday fear on the Shudder streaming service on December 8th – and with that date just weeks away, a trailer for the film has arrived online! You can check it out in the embed above.

Olivia Scott Welch of the Fear Street trilogy stars in the film alongside Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Gus Kenworthy (American Horror Story: 1984), Chloë Levine (The Oa), Derek Johns (The Wolf and the Lion), Laurent Pitre (Under the Banner of Heaven), Madison Baines (1Up), and newcomer Georgia Acken.

Wexler wrote the screenplay for The Sacrifice Game with Sean Redlitz, crafting a story that’s set at The Blackvale School for Girls, 1971. It’s bad enough that students Samantha and Clara can’t go home for the holidays, but things take...

From director Jenn Wexler (The Ranger), The Sacrifice Game is headed to Shudder for the holiday season, and the official trailer has come down the chimney this afternoon.

The Sacrifice Game spreads holiday fear on Shudder beginning December 8, 2023.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review for Bd, “What begins as something all too familiar eventually gives way to something more satisfying and charming. The Sacrifice Game may be a holiday ruiner for many of its characters, but for audiences, it’s a holiday horror treat.”

Fantasia described The Sacrifice Game as “a gripping and stylish ‘70s-set chiller involving school girls, power-mad killers and occult prophecy,” filled with both “gore and lore.”

In the upcoming horror movie…

“The Blackvale School for Girls, 1971. It’s bad enough that students Samantha and Clara can’t go home for the holidays, but things take a deadly turn when a gang of cult killers arrives at...

AMC and AMC+ have more than 650 hours of holiday programming planned for this year’s “Best Christmas Ever” lineup kicking off on November 26 and running through December 26, 2023. The lineup includes classic Christmas films, including Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Elf, and Christmas Vacation. For those who like to celebrate their winter holidays with a serving of horror, Shudder’s offering a new Joe Bob’s Creepy Christmas Special and the original film The Sacrifice Game.

This year’s “Best Christmas Ever” schedule also features Christmas with the Campbells, The Apology, and marathons of John Candy, Reese Witherspoon, and Bill Murray films.

Best Christmas Ever 2023:

The Sacrifice Game – Debuts December 8 on Shudder and AMC+

It’s bad enough that boarding school students Samantha and Clara can’t go home for the holidays, but things take a deadly turn when a murderous gang arrives at their doorstep – just in time for Christmas.

"Butterfly Tale" is a new Canadian-German-produced animated feature directed by Sophie Roy, starring Tatiana Maslany and Mena Massoud, now playing in theaters:

"...set along the diverse, picturesque and ever- changing backdrop of the great 'Monarch' butterfly migration, a one-winged butterfly, named 'Patrick' stows away in a milkweed trailer in order to be part of the journey of a lifetime. 

"With his best friend, a goofy caterpillar named 'Marty' and 'Jennifer', a butterfly who is afraid of heights, Patrick will become an unlikely hero. 

"But first he must face his fear, embrace his uniqueness and triumph over adversity while battling changing weather patterns, humans and three evil birds bent on revenge..."

Click the images to enlarge...

The 1970s-set supernatural horror film The Sacrifice Game, the new film from The Ranger (you can read my 8/10 review Here) director Jenn Wexler, won the gold in the Best Canadian Feature category at the Fantasia International Film Festival back in August. More genre fans are going to have their chance to see the movie in just a couple months, as it has been announced that The Sacrifice Game is going to be released through the Shudder streaming service on December 8th!

Olivia Scott Welch of the Fear Street trilogy stars in the film alongside Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Gus Kenworthy (American Horror Story: 1984), Chloë Levine (The Oa), Derek Johns (The Wolf and the Lion), Laurent Pitre (Under the Banner of Heaven), Madison Baines (1Up), and newcomer Georgia Acken.

Wexler wrote the screenplay for The Sacrifice Game with Sean Redlitz, crafting a story that’s set at The Blackvale School for Girls,...

From director Jenn Wexler (The Ranger), The Sacrifice Game is headed to Shudder for the upcoming holiday season, and we’ve been provided with a release date this week.

The Sacrifice Game spreads holiday fear on Shudder beginning December 8, 2023.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review out of Fantasia, “What begins as something all too familiar eventually gives way to something more satisfying and charming. The Sacrifice Game may be a holiday ruiner for many of its characters, but for audiences, it’s a holiday horror treat.”

Fantasia described The Sacrifice Game as “a gripping and stylish ‘70s-set chiller involving school girls, power-mad killers and occult prophecy,” filled with both “gore and lore.”

In the upcoming horror movie…

“The Blackvale School for Girls, 1971. It’s bad enough that students Samantha and Clara can’t go home for the holidays, but things take a deadly turn when a gang of cult killers...

Leighton Meester and Robbie Amell discover coming home for Christmas can be just a little stressful when they star in the Amazon Freevee original romantic comedy EXmas from BuzzFeed Studios, set to premiere on Nov. 17.

Amell plays Graham, who decides to surprise his family by traveling home for the holidays, only to encounter an unexpected guest of honor, Ali (Meester), who also happens to be his ex-fiancée. The two exes battle it out to see who the family will pick to stay through Christmas Day, and who must go.

EXmas is directed by Jonah Feingold and written by Dan Steele. The film will launch exclusively on the free streamer Freevee in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Austria, while also playing on Prime Video in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Amazon owns and operates Freevee alongside its more premium Prime Video offering, and uses the free streamer...