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Before “Iron Man” and “Thor,” before “Spider-Man” and “X-Men,” there was “Blade.” Starring Wesley Snipes as the titular daywalking half-vampire vampire slayer, the movie debuted in 1998 at a time when Marvel comics had yet to enjoy a successful feature film adaptation. The New Line Cinema production was enough of a hit — grossing $131.2 million worldwide — that Snipes returned for two sequels, establishing the company’s first ever bona fide movie franchise. Had “Blade” bombed, the Marvel Cinematic Universe may never have happened.

So when Marvel Studios announced in 2019 that two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was going to bring the character to the MCU, it seemed like a total no brainer.

Five years later, however, “Blade” has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic and two major guild strikes, faced three release date changes, lost two directors, and hired at least a half dozen screenwriters in what could be the most protracted development process...

Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) has been tapped for a role in the newest film from Wes Anderson, Deadline can confirm.

Details as to the plot of the untitled feature, as well as Ahmed’s role are under wraps. But this is the actor’s first project with Anderson, who is coming off his first Oscar win for his Netflix short The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, based on the story by Roald Dahl. Michael Cera will also be introduced to Anderson’s world in the new film, as previously reported, with his regular collaborators Benicio del Toro and Bill Murray on board for roles, too.

Currently filming in Berlin, the film is written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, whose collaboration goes back to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. No word yet as to who will serve as its distributor. Anderson hinted at the project in a September 2023 interview with Deadline,...

“Lupin” star Omar Sy, “Fast X” director Louis Leterrier and “Gangs of London” producer Thomas Benski have launched Carrousel Studios, a European independent production company with offices in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Senegal.

The banner will finance and produce film and TV projects, with an emphasis on elevated action, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and comedy. The company will look to tap into tax credits, European incentives and brands to finance content. CAA Media Finance architected the financing for the venture.

Sy, Leterrier and Benski, who have worked together on several series and films, said the name of the company, Carrousel, reflects its inclusive DNA. “A carrousel’s sole purpose is to entertain, no matter where the riders come from, no matter their age or background,” explained the trio in a joint statement. “Additionally, the word carrousel is understood around the globe and associated with magical moments. Our Carrousel will have that same feel,...

Exclusive: Riz Ahmed and his Left Handed Films have come aboard the 2023 SXSW Audience Award winner Mustache, marking the feature directorial and screenwriting debut of Imran J. Khan, as executive producers.

In addition to Ahmed and Left-Handed’s Allie Moore, exec producers on the project include The Bear creator Christopher Storer, as well as Tyson Bidner and Josh Senior. Christina Won and Jessica Sittig produced, with Parker Mays co-producing alongside Cooper Wehde of American Light & Fixture. UTA Independent Film Group is handling worldwide sales.

Khan comes to the partnership with Ahmed and Left Handed a year after being named one of the inaugural participants of the Pillars Artist Fellowship, their filmmaker program created with Pillars, as a means of mentoring and championing rising Muslim talents.

An homage to coming-of-age films, ’90s nostalgia, and awkward teenage transitions, Mustache takes place in mid-’90s Northern California, where 13-year-old Pakistani American Ilyas...

The BAFTAs have a soft spot for home-grown talent. Earlier this year, “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” scored four bids at the British Academy Film Awards, including Best Actor (Daryl McCormack) and Best Actress (Emma Thompson). Before that, in 2022, Adeel Akhtar snuck into the Best Actor lineup for “Ali & Ava” and Joanna Scanlan won Best Actress for “After Love.”

This pattern of Brits recognizing Brits could bode well for Daniel Kaluuya this year, who makes his directorial debut with the new Netflix drama “The Kitchen.” The film depicts a dystopian London in which all social housing has been eliminated. The focus in the story are the residents of The Kitchen, a community that refuses to leave their homes despite their struggles. At the heart of the film is Kane Robinson‘s (also known as Kano) Izi, who takes Jedaiah Bannerman‘s young boy under his wing and tries...

In the upcoming film Fingernails, technology is used to predict true love, but Anna isn't convinced. The movie takes place in an alternative reality where technology helps people find their perfect match. Fingernails features a star-studded cast including Jessie Buckley, Jeremy Allen White, and Riz Ahmed.

Can technology predict real love? That's the question that Greek filmmaker Christos Nikou tries to answer in upcoming Apple TV+ original movie Fingernails, a drama that feels take right out of Black Mirror. The movie is set to debut next month at Toronto International Film Festival before its official release at the streaming platform on November third. Boasting an all-star trio in Jessie Buckley (I'm Thinking of Ending Things), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), the first trailer for the film has now been released.

It's just a feeling. Try to hold it in. Enjoy this first look at Fingernails,...

The SAG-AFTRA strikes have taken Hollywood by storm and affected it in more ways than one as their impact has affected global Film Festivals.

As of now, Locarno Film Festival has said that some of its high profile stars such as Riz Ahmed will not appear, and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard will still come, but won’t accept his award in solidarity with the strikers.

Earlier, the Venice Film Festival was affected much in the same way as several high profile stars, directors and producers refused to attend. As reported by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, Riz Ahmed, best known for his roles in films such as ‘Venom’ and ‘Sound of Metal’, was set to receive the Davide Campari Excellence Award, will now no longer attend the festival.

However, the world premiere of his latest film, ‘Dammi’, will still take place on the opening night, while the screening of ‘Mughal Mowgli’ in...

Blanchett is executive producer of Noora Niasari’s ‘Shayda’.

Actors Riz Ahmed and Stellan Skarsgard will both miss next month’s Locarno Film Festival as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike, while negotiations are ongoing for the participation of Cate Blanchett.

Ahmed was due to receive the Davide Campari Excellence award, but will no longer attend the festival. Locarno will still play the world premiere of Yann Demange’s short Dammi starring Ahmed on its opening night, and Bassam Tariq’s 2020 title Mogul Mowgli, starring and co-written by Ahmed.

Skarsgard has chosen to forgo his honorary Leopard Club award in solidarity with the strike.

UK star Riz Ahmed will be feted with a career achievement award at the upcoming 76th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, running August 2 and 12.

The Sound Of Metal actor will be presented with the Excellence Award Davide Campari at the opening night ceremony on the festival’s landmark Piazza Grande open-air cinema.

The ceremony will premiere Yann Mounir Demange’s semi-autobiographical short film Dammi, in which Ahmed participated alongside Isabelle Adjani, Souheila Yacoub, Sandor Funtek and Suzy Bemba.

The tribute will also screen Bassam Tariq’s 2020 rapper drama Mughal Mowgli, which Ahmed starred in and also produced and co-wrote, as part of it program.

Locarno announced the tribute during its announcement on Wednesday of its full 2023 line-up.

French directorial duo Fiona Gordon and Dominique Abel’s The Falling Star will open the festival as part of the Piazza Grande program, which also features Justine Triet’s 2023 Cannes d’Or Winner Anatomy of a Fall,...

The cast of the 2023 Netflix animated movie Nimona is full of talented and famous names, including the actress who plays the titular character. The film is based on the 2015 graphic novel of the same name by Nd Stevenson and reimagines the Middle Ages. A futuristic medieval setting serves as the backdrop of the animated feature, which revolves around a rambunctious shapeshifter named Nimona who becomes the sidekick of a fugitive named Ballister Boldheart as they try to clear his name in the kingdom.

Following multiple production delays, Nimona premiered on June 30, 2023, and was met with widespread acclaim. Many critics and fans praised the adaption for its unique animation style, cast performances, dynamic storytelling, and more. But since Nimona is an animated movie, it's always interesting to see the faces behind the characters' voices, and the Netflix film contains a lot of recognizable faces.

Chloë Grace Moretz As Nimona

Chloë Grace...

Black Mirror season 6 saved some of the best actors in its ensemble for the cast of the finale episode, “Demon 79.” Set in Northern England in the titular year, “Demon 79” is a horror-styled episode of Black Mirror in which a timid sales assistant is tasked with committing unspeakable acts in order to prevent a catastrophe. Stylistically, the episode is modeled after classic Italian giallo films from legendary directors like Dario Argento. “Demon 79” is written by series creator Charlie Brooker and Ms. Marvel head writer Bisha K. Ali and directed by Toby Haynes, who previously helmed the acclaimed Black Mirror season 4 premiere episode, “USS Callister.”

As the anthology series’ profile continues to rise, the cast of every new season of Black Mirror is more star-studded than the last. From Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul to Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy to House of Cards’ Kate Mara, the cast of Black Mirror season 6 is full of huge names.

Dda is making a series of key hires and promotions. Ryan Langrehr recently joined the entertainment communications company as U.S. head of awards, based out of Los Angeles. He joins from Block-Korenbrot Public Relations and will work alongside Dda partner Dana Archer and awards strategist Mj Peckos, who formed an exclusive partnership with Dda in 2021 and collaborated on a slate of films in the international and documentary category. These included Spain’s “The Good Boss” and Germany’s “I’m Your Man,” both of which were shortlisted for international feature Oscars.

The Dda L.A. awards offering is a complement to the company’s existing U.K. awards business, which it says will offer studios and filmmakers a “cohesive strategy across both sides of the Atlantic.” The U.K. offering is led by Sam Ross in his newly upped role of director of awards, and his team works closely with Dda partner Neil Bhatt.

Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia are teaming again for a modern, London-set British Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

The pair won the 2022 best live action short film Oscar for “The Long Goodbye,” which they co-wrote, Ahmed starred in and Karia directed.

WME Independent will launch international sales at the Cannes Film Market, while co-representing North American rights with CAA.

Ahmed stars as Hamlet, haunted by his father’s ghost and driven to increasingly unstable heights. Moving from elite London to the city’s underground, from Hindu temples to homeless tent cities, he goes to rash and violent lengths to avenge his father’s murder, ultimately questioning his own role in the family’s corruption and who he has become.

Morfydd Clark (“Saint Maud”) is attached to play Ophelia and Joe Alywn (“Conversations with Friends”) will play Laertes.

Karia, whose feature debut “Surge” played in competition at Sundance, will direct...

Brand executive Rich Santiago has joined Vice Media Group as senior vice president of brand strategy and creative experience, Variety has learned exclusively. He will report to Nadja Bellan-White, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Vice Media Group, who announced the news on Wednesday.

Santiago joins the company from Meta (formerly Facebook), and will partner with Vice’s existing creative and editorial teams.

“Vice Media is an innovative media company that consistently delivers thought provoking and edgy news and content,” said Bellan-White. “Rich’s addition to our growing team will elevate our creative work across all Vmg brands.”

Santiago added that the company “continues to skyrocket with their award-winning, impactful content and storytelling. Now, more than ever, I am honored to join this team of creative and thought-provoking minds as we navigate new and exciting frontiers.”

Prior to joining Vice Media, Santiago was a creative leader at Bbdo Worldwide, Meta (formerly Facebook), Live Nation,...

The animated film Nimona, scrapped following the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios amid Disney’s acquisition of Fox, has landed at Netflix, with Chloë Grace Moretz (Mother/Android), Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal) and Eugene Lee Yang (Spring Bloom) set to star. The adaptation of Nd Stevenson’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel—originally to have been directed by Patrick Osborne, but now being helmed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise)—will debut on the streamer in 2023.

In the LGBTQ+-themed Nimona, Knight Ballister Boldheart (Ahmed) is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and the only person who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Moretz), a shape-shifting teen who might also be a monster he’s sworn to kill. Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is an inclusive story about the labels we assign to people...

On Thursday, Vice Media Group announced that the company has acquired full ownership of Pulse Films, after buying a controlling interest in 2016. Pulse Films was founded by CEOs Thomas Benski and Marisa Clifford in 2005. The brand will join Vice Studios’ portfolio and be managed by Vice Studios president Kate Ward.

Benski and Clifford are stepping down after 16 years of leading the company, although Benski will continue to executive produce and co-produce Pulse projects including “Gangs of London” and Olivia Wilde’s feature “Perfect.”

Pulse’s output includes the Sky/AMC series “Gangs of London,” Cannes Film Festival winner “American Honey,” films such as “Pig”, and “Mogul Mowgli,” music documentaries including Beyonce’s “Lemonade” and the Emmy-nominated documentary “Beastie Boys Story,” as well as the HBO Max reunion special “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.”

Said Benski in a statement, “Leaving Pulse Films is for us a watershed moment. When...

Vice Media Group has taken full control of “Gangs of London” producer Pulse Films.

Pulse co-founders Thomas Benski and Marisa Clifford, who founded the edgy production outfit back in 2005, have departed the company following the takeover, although Variety understands it was their decision to step down ahead of the acquisition. It’s believed the duo will continue to work together in another capacity.

Vice took a controlling stake in Pulse Films in 2016, long before the youth-skewing media brand overseen by Nancy Dubuc launched its own in-house production arm in Vice Studios. Pulse won’t be folded into the company, Variety can confirm, and will remain a distinct brand.

Pulse will be managed by the newly appointed global creative director of non-fiction Diene Petterle; chief operating officer of scripted Jamie Hall; and global president of commercials and entertainment Davud Karbassioun. They will all report into Vice Studios CEO Kate Ward.

The...

Aaron Pierre, an actor known for “Krypton,” “Old” and “The Underground Railroad,” has joined Mahershala Ali in the cast of Marvel’s new “Blade” film, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

It’s unclear what role Pierre will play in the film, but he joins a cast that also includes Delroy Lindo. Bassam Tariq, who is best known for directing Riz Ahmed in “Mogul Mowgli,” is attached to direct. And playwright Stacy Osei-Kuffour, who was a story editor and writer on HBO’s “Watchmen,” is writing the script for “Blade.”

Marvel had no comment.

Ali will star as the iconic half-man and half-vampire who fights to protect the human race, with abilities as a master swordsman and marksman. Wesley Snipes famously starred as the vampire hunter Blade in the franchise that began with the 1998 film “Blade,” written by David S. Goyer and directed by Stephen Norrington, as...

Riz Ahmed received his first Oscar nomination last year for his leading role as a drummer losing his hearing in “Sound of Metal.” This year he’s already back with his second nomination, but it’s not for acting. He’s in the running for Best Live Action Short for “The Long Goodbye,” which he co-wrote, produced, and stars in. He’s only the fifth Oscar-nominated actor to also receive a nomination for Best Live Action Short. And he would be just the second to win it.

In “The Long Goodbye,” he plays Riz, whose British-Pakistani family encounters far-right marchers with terrible consequences. He’s nominated alongside the film’s director/co-writer Aneil Karia, but this isn’t the first time Ahmed has worked behind the camera. He was also a co-writer and producer of the feature film “Mogul Mowgli,” and he’s an executive producer of “Flee,” which earned...

Disney confirmed today Delroy Lindo is joining the cast of the upcoming Blade reboot. He’ll co-star opposite two-time Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali, who is stepping into the role of the titular character, a half-vampire, half-mortal hero.

While Ali’s casting was announced at Comic-Con in 2019, Lindo is the only other actor cast in the project since, though his exact role is unclear. The film has, however, added a writer and director.

Playwright Stacy Osei-Kuffour signed on to pen the Marvel reboot. Bassam Tariq, best known for directing the Riz Ahmed film Mogul Mowgli, will helm the the new adaptation of the popular comic.

Created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, Blade first appeared in the 1973 comic book The Tomb of Dracula. The human-vampire hybrid is a protector of the mortal race while slaying evil vampires. Wesley Snipes played the part in the original Blade trilogy from New Line.

Marvel...

Riz Ahmed knows about breaking barriers. For one, he was the first Muslim and the first South Asian actor to win a lead acting Emmy Award (in 2017 for “The Night Of ”). But the actor, producer and rapper has long followed a specific mantra when it comes to choosing his projects.

“I want to know, ‘Does it stretch me? Does it stretch culture?’” says Ahmed.

That’s what led him to his Oscar-nominated turn in last year’s “Sound of Metal,” in addition to creating tracks for his 2020 concept album “The Long Goodbye,” which takes a look at the U.K.’s historical and current relationship with South Asians and British Asians. It is also why he is receiving this year’s Variety Creative Change Award at Mipcom.

Later this year, Ahmed will be seen in director Michael Pearce’s “Encounter,” which has already premiered at festivals to strong praise for the actor.

Per the laws of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, details are hush-hush about the upcoming “Blade” reboot. Based on the comics created by Marv Wolfman, Wesley Snipes first portrayed the half-vampire slayer with supernatural abilities and adroit martial arts skills. Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali will now portray the daywalking specter and while production won’t begin until July 2022, some of the film’s specs are coming into focus.

To get an idea of the fiery vision that might inform the new “Blade,” check out Bassam Tariq’s just-released sophomore feature “Mogul Mowgli,” now in theaters and starring Riz Ahmed as a rapper suffering from a degenerative illness. Tariq brings often surreal visuals to the realistic drama (and in a boxy aspect ratio), which should make for an artful contribution to the MCU.

While speaking to IndieWire about “Mogul Mowgli,” Ahmed said, “Mahershala keeps texting me saying, ‘Dude, Bassam is out of this world.

An Oscar-nominated actor; a documentarian-turned-butcher; a diaspora hip-hop drama. What reads as a disparate set of elements is alchemy in practice with “Mogul Mowgli,” Bassam Tariq’s fiery debut. The protagonist is a London-born Pakistani rapper (Riz Ahmed): As Zed to his fans, Zaheer to his friends, and Zuzu to his mum, his identity is split between east and west and not fixed in either.

Ahmed and Tariq dive into that schism of the self in a sometimes surreal movie that also has Ahmed tap into his real-life rap and spoken-word battle skills as a musician. (He performs under the moniker Riz Mc.) “Mogul Mowgli,” shot a few months after his Oscar-nominated turn in “Sound of Metal” wrapped production in late 2018, again tasks the London-born Pakistani actor to play an artist coping with degenerative illness. His “Sound of Metal” drummer was going deaf; Zed is losing control of his...

Telling the story of Zed (Riz Ahmed), a British Pakistani rapper on the cusp of success when he begins experiencing a debilitating muscular condition, Bassam Tariq’s Mogul Mowgli fills in its narrative with hyper-specific details about the Muslim community and, more specifically, Zed’s resistance to finding his place in it. Others involve the integrity (or lack thereof) involved in the pursuit of fame, as a rival rapper with impersonally cringey lyrics threatens to steal Zed’s upward momentum. Throughout the film, these issues are dissected with surreal flourishes: what on paper might sound like a conventional narrative takes on a visceral, […]

The post “I’ll Never, Ever Shoot in 4:3 Again”: Bassam Tariq on Mogul Mowgli first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Telling the story of Zed (Riz Ahmed), a British Pakistani rapper on the cusp of success when he begins experiencing a debilitating muscular condition, Bassam Tariq’s Mogul Mowgli fills in its narrative with hyper-specific details about the Muslim community and, more specifically, Zed’s resistance to finding his place in it. Others involve the integrity (or lack thereof) involved in the pursuit of fame, as a rival rapper with impersonally cringey lyrics threatens to steal Zed’s upward momentum. Throughout the film, these issues are dissected with surreal flourishes: what on paper might sound like a conventional narrative takes on a visceral, […]

The post “I’ll Never, Ever Shoot in 4:3 Again”: Bassam Tariq on Mogul Mowgli first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

What appears to be a dimly lit forest canvas parts, revealing itself to be a green stage curtain — one from which Riz Ahmed emerges, swaying as if possessed by some religious delirium while words tumble out of his mouth like a prayer. This is his church, and rap is his religion.

Ahmed stars in "Mogul Mowgli," the debut narrative feature from documentary filmmaker Bassam Tariq, as Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper who is just about to get the biggest break of his moderately successful career: he's been asked to be the opening act for a popular artist's international tour. But...

The post Mogul Mowgli Review: A Revelatory Riz Ahmed Returns to His Roots in a Surreal Rap Drama appeared first on /Film.

Bassam Tariq, who helmed the new Riz Ahmed film "Mogul Mowgli," is set to bring Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Mahershala Ali playing the daywalking half-human/half-vampire. In a recent interview, Tariq confirmed that yes, he's directing "Blade." He also provided some hints as to the film's approach to the character. Specifically, Tariq says that he's not too concerned with sticking to a specific canon, because the character doesn't really have a specific canon in the comics. Whether or not you agree with that, reader, is another matter.

Word that Bassam Tariq would direct "Blade" broke back in July, and in case...

The post Blade Director Bassam Tariq on Bringing the Character Into the MCU: 'There is No Blade Canon' appeared first on /Film.

“Mogul Mowgli” is one hell of a film with what might be Riz Ahmed’s best performance of his career. The fact that it marks the narrative feature debut for filmmaker Bassam Tariq is incredibly impressive. And on this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Tariq joins the show to talk about everything that went into the creation of his acclaimed drama, “Mogul Mowgli.”

Read More: ‘Mogul Mowgli:’ Riz Ahmed Stuns In His Most Vulnerable Performance Yet [Review]

For those unaware, “Mogul Mowgli,” is co-written by Tariq alongside Riz Ahmed, who also stars in the film.

Continue reading Bassam Tariq Talks ‘Mogul Mowgli,’ Working With Riz Ahmed & Directing The ‘Blade’ Reboot [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

In his roles as either a Silicon Valley super-villain (Venom) or Hannah Horvath’s baby daddy (Girls), Riz Ahmed has had to do the same as countless other Hollywood actors: conceal his British roots by adopting an American accent. Yet this is to ignore a further aspect of his identity, that of a Pakistani descendant. As an actor who’s had to deal with one layer of assimilation upon another as he’s become more famous, he feels like one of the few thespians who could use a semi-autobiographical passion project as something illuminating rather than vain.

As co-writer and star of Mogul Mowgli, Ahmed plays Zed, a Pakistani-British rapper who seems partly based off the beginnings of his own extremely successful hip-hop career. While making a name for himself with distinctly political rap, Zed gets a reality call when reminded by an ex-girlfriend that—for someone who constantly talks...

Apple TV+ might not have the most subscribers amongst streaming services. The platform might not have the most awards, either. However, you’d be hardpressed to find a streaming service that can compete with Apple TV+ when it comes to sheer star power. And that’s on display in the second season of “Truth Be Told.”

Read More: ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Trailer: Riz Ahmed Stars In A ‘Sound Of Metal’-esque Tale Of Stardom, Hip Hop & Illness

As seen in the trailer for Season 2 of “Truth Be Told,” Octavia Spencer returns as the host of a true-crime podcast that once again finds herself drawn into a murder mystery that she must help to solve.

Continue reading ‘Truth Be Told’ Season 2 Trailer: Octavia Spencer & Kate Hudson Investigate A Mystery In Apple TV+ Series at The Playlist.

Last year, Sound of Metal found Riz Ahmed earning an Oscar nomination for his role as drummer whose life is turned upside when he begins to lose his hearing. Soon we’ll see the Rogue One star in similar story that was actually completed and premiering at film festivals before Sound of Metal was ever released. […]

The post ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Trailer: Riz Ahmed’s Rap Career is Sidelined by a Degenerative Disease appeared first on /Film.

Earlier this year, Riz Ahmed was Oscar-nominated for his stunning lead performance in the music drama “Sound Of Metal,” and in many ways, that should boost your excitement for a somewhat similar music drama, “Mogul Mowgli.” But the timing of this indie couldn’t be better because now the anticipation for the film has to be even higher: award-winning filmmaker Bassam Tariq, the “Mogul Mowgli” director, has been chosen to direct Marvel’s “Blade,” which has got to be a big co-sign on ‘Mowgli’ considering not that many people have seen it and Tariq really hasn’t made a lot of more notable films other than the celebrated indie doc “These Birds Walk” (which earned Tariq the title of a Filmmaker to watch by Filmmaker Magazine).

Continue reading ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Trailer: Riz Ahmed Stars In A ‘Sound Of Metal’-esque Tale Of Stardom, Hip Hop & Illness at The Playlist.

Marvel's upcoming Blade reboot has found its director. After what is said to have been a thorough search that has involved meeting a variety of potential candidates since last year, the project has zeroed in on Bassam Tariq to helm the new movie with Mahershala Ali starring as a new incarnation of the titular vampire slayer. Stacy Osei-Kuffour is penning the screenplay for the new Blade with Marvel President Kevin Feige producing.

Per Deadline, Feige and Ali have joined studio execs in meeting with at least a dozen candidates going back to the fall. There were plans at one point to hire a writer-director to take on both the screenplay and directing duties, but the choice was later made to separate the two. It has since been announced that Osei-Kuffour was on board to write the script, but the search for a director was still underway. Tariq reportedly made the...

“Mogul Mowgli” director Bassam Tariq is in talks to direct Marvel Studios’ “Blade” movie, starring Mahershala Ali.

The two-time Oscar winner was announced to portray the vampire hunter at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019. The highly anticipated film is currently undated, but expected to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four.

In February, “Watchmen” writer Stacy Osei-Kuffour was confirmed to write the movie’s script, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige producing.

Wesley Snipes previously played the half-vampire superhero in a trilogy of box-office blockbusters, beginning with 1998’s “Blade.” The series, which included 2002’s “Blade II” and 2004’s “Blade Trinity,” focused on the vigilante, a human who possesses vampire strength and protect humans from the bloodsuckers. Feige was a co-producer on “Trinity.”

The long-anticipated reboot came together after Ali, who starred in the Marvel series “Luke Cage” for Netflix, made it known to Marvel Studios that he wanted...

The Blade reboot set to star Mahershala Ali as the ass-kicking Daywalker himself has found a director. Bassam Tariq, who helmed the upcoming Riz Ahmed film Mogul Mowgli, is in talks to take on the Marvel movie. Stacy Osei-Kuffour is penning the script, which will resurrect the half-human/half-vampire Blade within the continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Deadline has […]

The post Marvel’s ‘Blade’ Reboot Finds Its Director in Bassam Tariq appeared first on /Film.

Exclusive: After a thorough search that involved months of meeting a slew of talent, Marvel’s new Blade movie has found its director. While a deal is not yet done, sources tell Deadline that Bassam Tariq, best known for directing the Riz Ahmed film Mogul Mowgli, is in talks to helm the the new adaptation of the popular comic with Mahershala Ali set to play the iconic vampire hunter. Stacy Osei-Kuffour is on board to pen the script with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige producing.

Marvel had no comment.

Feige, Ali and studio execs have been meeting with dozen of candidates going all the way back to the fall, at one point considering writer-director options before ultimately separating the two and tapping Osei-Kuffour to pen the script. Since her hiring, Marvel shortened its list of possible director choices and started another round meetings that started in March and went through June.

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to “Cicada,” Matthew Fifer’s Brooklyn-set debut feature, which premiered last year at several festivals, including Frameline, Outfest and BFI London.

“Cicada” was written and directed by Fifer and Kieran Mulcare. The film was inspired by events in Sheldon Brown’s and Fifer’s own lives. Fifer headlines the film alongside Brown, who also co-wrote the script.

The film follows Ben (Fifer), a young bisexual man who, after a string of unsuccessful and awkward encounters, meets Sam (Brown), a man of color struggling with deep wounds of his own. As the summer progresses and their intimacy grows, their pasts begin to crawl to the surface.

“We’re thrilled to be working on Matt’s debut feature ‘Cicada.’ It’s a thrilling and promising new voice, one that fits our family of auteurs,” said Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing.

The film also stars Cobie Smulders,...

After being closed for over a year due to Covid-19, Bam Rose Cinemas will reopen Friday, June 11 for in-person screenings of first-run and repertory films, the Brooklyn mainstay has today announced. All four screens will reopen, with approximately 20 to 50 seats available in each theater, in accordance with reduced capacity New York State guidelines.

The theater will also be implementing a variety of enhanced safety measures, including mandatory masks unless eating or drinking (concessions will be available), socially-distanced seating, enhanced Hvac filtration, and increased time between screenings to facilitate thorough cleaning and minimize interactions.

The theater will play a variety of new releases and older selections when it opens, including several titles that initially premiered as virtual cinema titles, such as Ousmane Sembène’s “Mandabi,” which first played on the virtual platform in February. “Sembène is an artist I love to see on the big screen,” senior film programmer Jesse Trussell told IndieWire.

It’s finally April, which means awards season is in its home stretch after delays that, by this point, need no further explaining. One upside, or downside, depending on how you look at it, is shorter show running times. In the case of the 27th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards this Sunday, April 4, the normally two-hour-long broadcast is now unfolding as a one-hour celebration, simulcasting on TNT and TBS at 9 p.m. Et and 6 p.m. Pt. An encore showing will follow on TNT at 8 p.m. Pt and 11 p.m. Et.

Here are all the other ways you can watch the show. In addition to linear broadcast, TNT and TBS subscribers can watch the SAG Awards live using the networks’ websites, mobile apps (TNTdrama.com and TBS) and connected device apps.

Be sure to tune in to the official live pre-show, too. SAG Awards Sunday will be kicked...

Festival helped attract audiences back to cinemas for first time.

Jasmila Žbanić’s Quo Vadis, Aida? picked up the top international prize at a Facebook Live virtual ceremony on Sunday evening (March 14) as this year’s Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival drew to a close.

Žbanić’s film walked away with the $25,000 Knight Marimbas Award, supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the event’s international competition strand for new narrative feature films that best exemplify richness and resonance for cinema’s future.

Marking its North American debut, Žbanić’s multi Bafta-nominated and Oscar long-listed...

Jasmila Žbanić’s film based on the true events of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia, “Quo Vadis, Aida?,” took home the top prize at the Miami Film Festival.

The Balkan war drama earned the $25,000 Knight Marimbas Award for its richness and resonance for cinema’s future, in addition to the Rene Rodriguez Critics Award. Representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is also shortlisted for the Oscars and is nominated for the Independent Spirit Awards and British Academy Film Awards.

The 38th year of the Miami Dade College festival ran March 5-14 both virtually and in-theater. Making its North American premiere, Roberto Salinas’ documentary “Cuban Dancer” won the Knight Made in Mia Feature Film Award. The film earned the $45,000 prize for its use of setting in its story about a Cuban ballet dancer’s culture shock upon relocating to Florida. The jury singled out Edson Jean’s “Ludi” for a special mention...

This year’s contenders are a crew of motley, scrappy, more-indie-than-usual films, led by frontrunners “Nomadland” (Searchlight) and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Paramount/Netflix). Which factors will determine those that cross the nomination finish line?

Here’s what I have gleaned about what’s likely in the two-months delayed voting period (March 5-10), when 9,362 Oscar voters (up 893 from 2020) from 17 branches may pick the final contenders in 23 categories. Nominations come March 15, ahead of the latest-ever Oscars on April 25.

1. Besides actors, international Academy voters carry the most sway.

This year, 49 percent of invited new Academy members came from overseas, including such Europeans as the music branch’s Bernie Taupin (“Rocket Man”), director Ladj Ly (“Les Miserables”), and actors Florence Pugh (“Little Women”) and Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”).

Look at overseas awards for clues of which films have support. It helps to know that Denmark’s “Another Round,” starring popular Mads Mikkelsen,...

This year’s contenders are a crew of motley, scrappy, more-indie-than-usual films, led by frontrunners “Nomadland” (Searchlight) and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Paramount/Netflix). Which factors will determine those that cross the nomination finish line?

Here’s what I have gleaned about what’s likely in the two-months delayed voting period (March 5-10), when 9,362 Oscar voters (up 893 from 2020) from 17 branches may pick the final contenders in 23 categories. Nominations come March 15, ahead of the latest-ever Oscars on April 25.

1. Besides actors, international Academy voters carry the most sway.

This year, 49 percent of invited new Academy members came from overseas, including such Europeans as the music branch’s Bernie Taupin (“Rocket Man”), director Ladj Ly (“Les Miserables”), and actors Florence Pugh (“Little Women”) and Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet”).

Look at overseas awards for clues of which films have support. It helps to know that Denmark’s “Another Round,” starring popular Mads Mikkelsen,...

“Rocks,” “His House” and “The Father” were the leaders at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), which were announced Thursday.

Coming-of-age drama “Rocks” won best British independent film, with Kosar Ali winning the awards for both best supporting actress and most promising newcomer with her young co-star D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu winning best supporting actor. Lucy Pardee’s best casting award, which was among the craft award winners announced in January, takes the “Rocks” tally to five.

Remi Weekes won best director and Wunmi Mosaku won best actress for horror film “His House.” The film also won the best production design and effects awards.

Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of an ageing man in “The Father” won best actor, and the film also won best screenplay for writer-director Florian Zeller and Christopher Hampton, and best editing for Yorgos Lamprinos.

In a year when awards were spread evenly, “Saint Maud,” “Mogul Mowgli,” “Misbehaviour” and...

On Sunday the 7th of February, the London Critics Circle held the annual awards ceremony which saw the improvised American road movie ‘Nomadland‘ win three top honours including Film of the Year.

The virtual ceremony also saw the film’s lead Frances McDormand, named Actress of the Year, while writer-director Chloé Zhao won Screenwriter of the Year. Acclaimed British dramatic horror ‘Saint Maud’ also won three awards: British/Irish Film of the Year, British/Irish Actress of the Year for Morfydd Clark, and Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker for writer-director Rose Glass.

The late Chadwick Boseman also won Actor of the Year for ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, and his award was accepted in a moving video message from costar Coleman Domingo. Maria Bakalova also appeared virtually to accept Supporting Actress of the Year for ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.’

Double winners included Sarah Gavron’s London coming-of-age drama ‘Rocks’, with lead actress Bukky Bakray...

The London Film Critics Circle are to the BAFTAs as the New York Film Critics Circle are to the Oscars — more influential than predictive. And the BAFTAs, which will announce nominations March 9 (their longlists are here), are quite predictive of the Oscars, which reveal their nominations six days later. (The full list of London Film Critics winners is listed below.)

Clearly the Lfcc, a group of 160 critics, adores smart horror flick “Saint Maud,” which won Breakthrough British or Irish Filmmaker for Rose Glass, and Best British or Irish Actress for Morfydd Clark (who beat Carey Mulligan in “Promising Young Woman”). But the London critics gave three top awards to American road movie “Nomadland,” which won Best Film and Screenplay for Chloé Zhao, and Actress for Frances McDormand.

Accepting Best Director for his Emmy-eligible “Small Axe” series from Amazon Studios, Steve McQueen said: “I’m trying to find out who we are,...

The London Film Critics Circle are to the BAFTAs as the New York Film Critics Circle are to the Oscars — more influential than predictive. And the BAFTAs, which will announce nominations March 9 (their longlists are here), are quite predictive of the Oscars, which reveal their nominations six days later. (The full list of London Film Critics winners is listed below.)

Clearly the Lfcc, a group of 160 critics, adores smart horror flick “Saint Maud,” which won Breakthrough British or Irish Filmmaker for Rose Glass, and Best British or Irish Actress for Morfydd Clark (who beat Carey Mulligan in “Promising Young Woman”). But the London critics gave three top awards to American road movie “Nomadland,” which won Best Film and Screenplay for Chloé Zhao, and Actress for Frances McDormand.

Accepting Best Director for his Emmy-eligible “Small Axe” series from Amazon Studios, Steve McQueen said: “I’m trying to find out who we are,...

“Nomadland” and “Saint Maud” took top honors at the 41st London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, with three wins each, while the late Chadwick Boseman won actor of the year for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

American road movie “Nomadland” won film of the year, while lead Frances McDormand was named actress of the year, and writer-director Chloé Zhao won screenwriter of the year.

British horror film “Saint Maud” won British/Irish film of the year, British/Irish actress of the year for Morfydd Clark, and breakthrough British/Irish filmmaker for writer-director Rose Glass.

Steve McQueen won director of the year for his “Small Axe” anthology, while Shaun Parkes won supporting actor of the year for the first drama in the collection, “Mangrove.” Riz Ahmed won British/Irish actor of the year for his work in “Sound of Metal” and “Mogul Mowgli.” The short that Ahmed wrote, produced and starred in, “The Long Goodbye,...

Chloé Zhao’s road movie Nomadland won three honors, including Film of the Year, at the 41st London Critics‘ Circle Film Awards, which were held in a virtual ceremony on Sunday night.

Frances McDormand was named Actress of the Year, while writer-director Zhao won Screenwriter of the Year. Scroll down for the full list of winners.

Acclaimed British dramatic horror Saint Maud also won three awards: British/Irish Film of the Year, British/Irish Actress of the Year for Morfydd Clark, and Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker for writer-director Rose Glass.

Double winners on the night included Sarah Gavron’s London coming-of-age drama Rocks, with lead actress Bukky Bakray named Young British/Irish Performer of the Year and Lucy Pardee given the Technical Achievement Award for casting.

Steve McQueen was presented with Director of the Year for his five Small Axe films, while Shaun Parkes won Supporting Actor of the Year...

“Saint Maud,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Nomadland,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Ammonite” are among the leading films on the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ (BAFTA) longlist for annual British Film Awards that were announced Thursday.

The publication of the longlists follows the BAFTA 2020 Review, where over 120 wide-ranging changes were introduced across voting, membership and campaigning to address a lack of diversity in the 2020 Film Awards nominations. As part of these changes, a new longlisting initial round was introduced for the awards, resulting in three rounds of voting. Round one voting, which took place from Jan. 12-26, produced the longlists in all categories.

The directing category sees the BAFTA make an effort towards gender parity. To determine this longlist, in Round One, the directing chapter voted and the top eight female and top eight male directed films were automatically longlisted. The remaining two female and two...