Apple Original Films Releases Trailer for Anya Taylor-Joy’s Survival Action Film “The Gorge”

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Anya Taylor-Joy is in survivor mode… with a side of romance.

Apple Original Films has officially debuted the thrilling first trailer for the survival action film The Gorge, starring the 28-year-old Argentine American Golden Globe-winning actress.

Sparks fly between Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller in the trailer for the film, which takes the duo to a remote corner of the world to protect a highly-guarded secret threat.

The Gorge, which premieres February 14 on Apple TV+, was written by Zach Dean and directed by Scott Derrickson.

Taylor-Joy and Teller star as Drasa and Levi, two elite snipers appointed to guard posts on opposite sides of a deep, highly-classified gorge that protects the world from the mysterious evil lurking below.

“You need to stop what’s in the gorge from coming out,” Levi’s comrade tells him. “The gorge is the door to Hell, and we’re standing guard at the gate.”

Forbidden from communicating with the outside or even with each other, it doesn’t take long before he and Drasa get bored and start flirting with binoculars and notepads.

When their security is breached, Levi falls into the gorge and Drasa goes after him. Now, they must work together to keep the secret of the gorge buried.

“This place is evil,” she says.

The film also stars Sigourney Weaver as the government official who sends Levi on his year-long mission

Cameron Diaz In Talks to Star in Apple Original Films’ Dark Comedy “Outcome”

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Cameron Diaz is looking at all possible outcomes…

The 51-year-old Cuban American actress is in final talks to co-star opposite Keanu Reeves in Apple Original Films’ dark comedy Outcome.

Jonah Hill will direct and star in the film.

Co-written by Hill and Ezra Woods, Outcome follows Reef (Reeves), a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into the dark depths of his past to confront his demons and make amends after he is extorted with a mysterious video clip.

An Apple Studios production, the film will be produced by Matt Dines, Ali Goodwin and Hill under their Strong Baby banner.

The film marks the latest collaboration for Hill and Apple Original Films; they are also developing a Grateful Dead biopic with Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, to be directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Hill is starring and producing under Strong Baby with Dines and Goodwin.

After taking a long break from acting, Diaz, known for her roles in such hits as Bad Teacher, The Mask and There’s Something About Mary, is making a strong return, starring this year in the Netflix action comedy Back in Action opposite Jamie Foxx.

Outcome will mark her first role since Sony’s Annie in 2014.

Since then, Diaz has still been busy on other fronts when she added author to her list of accomplishments with the 2014 publication of the New York Times bestseller The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body, followed by The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time in 2017.

In 2020, Cameron and serial entrepreneur Katherine Power launched Avaline, a collection of organically farmed wines.

Rodrigo Prieto to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at GuadaLAjara Film Festival

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Rodrigo Prieto is earning a special award…

The 57-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated cinematographer will be honored with the 2023 Árbol de la Vida, a lifetime achievement award, at the 13th edition of the GuadaLAjara Film Festival on November 1.

Taking place at the Theater at the Ace Hotel in Downtown L.A., Prieto will be honored at the opening night gala celebration. Past honorees have included Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, in addition to stars such as Xolo Maridueña, Rosario Dawson and Danny Trejo.

Prieto has garnered worldwide acclaim for his work on various feature films, collaborating with some of cinema’s most vital masters. He has picked up his three Oscar nods for Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (2005) and two with Martin Scorsese — Silence (2016) and The Irishman (2019).

He’s teamed up with the iconic filmmaker again for Killers of the Flower Moon, the story of a group of men that murdered Osage tribe members in the 1920s. The Apple Original Films and Paramount Pictures co-distributed feature stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.

Prieto also lensed Greta Gerwig’s billion-dollar Mattel meta-comedy Barbie from Warner Bros — now the highest grossing release of 2023.

Curated with Latinx and BIPOC communities in mind, GLAFF’s programming is a mix of films that aim to attract cinephiles and art and culture enthusiasts. The 2023 program and official selection includes a special Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) centerpiece gala screening of the 1960s Mexican classic Macario from director Roberto Gavaldón. More films will be announced in the coming weeks.

“GLAFF continues its mission to be a bridge between Latin America and U.S.-based Latinx/BIPOC creators,” says Ximena Urrutia, festival director. “Being part of a festival run by Latina women, we strive to add to the efforts of ensuring domestically and internationally Latinx representation.”

The GuadaLAjara Film Festival is supported by the University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, the Grodman Legacy Family Foundation and the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG).

Alfred Molina to Star in the Apple Original Films’ “The Instigators”

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Alfred Molina is an instigator…

The 69-year-old half-Spanish English actor has joined the cast of Apple Original Films’ The Instigators, starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.

Molina is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Ving Rhames and Ron Perlman.

The A-list ensemble also includes Hong Chau, Paul Walter Hauser and Michael Stuhlbarg. Doug Liman is directing.

The film follows two thieves who go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a robbery goes awry. The script was penned by Chuck MacLean and Casey Affleck and was developed by Robinov, Graham and Casey Affleck.

Damon and Ben Affleck are producing through their banner Artists Equity, along with Jeff Robinov and John Graham through Studio 8 and Kevin Walsh through his The Walsh Company.

Molina is coming off reprising role as Doc Ock in Spider-Man: No Way Home and also was seen in the most recent season of FX’s Feud.

Anya Taylor-Joy to Star in Skydance’s “The Gorge”

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Anya Taylor-Joy is preparing for a Gorge-ous role…

The 26-year-old Argentine American actress will star opposite Miles Teller in Skydance’s The Gorge.

In addition, Apple Original Films has boarded the genre-bending love story.

Scott Derrickson will direct with Zach Dean penning the script, which he sold on spec to Skydance last year.

In addition to starring, Teller will serve as executive producer on the film.

Plot details are being kept under wraps other then it being described as a high-action, genre-bending love story.

The project gained some serious momentum this summer when Teller began eyeing it as his next film following the global success of his summer tentpole Top Gun: Maverick. Derrickson had been previously attached but was also weighing other projects following the success of one of the years biggest horror films The Black Phone but once Teller committed to the film, Derrickson was quick to name it his next directing job and the project was fast-tracked by Skydance.

Given Apple and Skydance’s first-look partnership, the studio looked to be in pole position to land the film and once Taylor-Joy signed on, Apple was quick to make it official.

Taylor-Joy, a SAG Award and Golden Globe winner, currently appears in David O. Russell’s Amsterdam.

The Queen’s Gambit star will next appear in the dark comedy The Menu, which also stars Ralph Fiennes and Nicholas Hoult.

She recently wrapped production on the highly-anticipated Furiosa, a spin-off film from George Miller, which is based on the character from Mad Max: Fury Road. She is also set to voice Princess Peach in Universal and Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. movie.

Apple Releases Trailer for Selena Gomez’s New Documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me”

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Selena Gomez is opening up about her mental health struggles…

The 30-year-old Mexican American actress/singer and Only Murders in the Building star addresses her struggles in the upcoming Apple Original Films documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.

Apple released the first trailer for the documentary.

“How do I learn how to breathe my own breath again?” Gomez asks during the clip from the film, which chronicles the actor’s years-long journey through such health issues as lupus and bipolar disorder.

Directed and produced by Alek Keshishian, the trailer was released on World Mental Health Day, in support of global mental health education and awareness.

Apple describes the doc like his: “After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.”

Gomez has sold more than 210 million singles worldwide and amassed over 45 billion global streams of her music.

This year, she received a Grammy nomination for her first all-Spanish EP and an Emmy nomination as a producer for Only Murders in the Building, in which she stars opposite Steve Martin and Martin Short.

This new documentary marks the second project for Apple with producers Lighthouse Management + Media and Interscope Films following their collaboration on the Emmy Award-nominated documentary Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry.

Apple Original Films Acquires Global Rights to Selena Gomez Documentary “Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me”

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

You’ll soon be able to take a closer look at Selena Gomez’s life…

Apple Original Films has landed the global rights to a new documentary feature about the 30-year-old Mexican American singer, songwriter, actress, producer, entrepreneur and activist.

Entitled Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me, the film is directed and produced by Alek Keshishian.

The documentary focuses on Gomez, who after years in the limelight, achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

As a recording artist, Gomez has sold more than 210 million singles worldwide and amassed over 45 billion global streams of her music. This year, she received a Grammy nomination for her first all-Spanish EP and an Emmy nomination for her role in the critically acclaimed series Only Murders in the Building, in which she stars opposite Steve Martin and Martin Short.”

Javier Bardem Joins Voice Cast of Animated Film “Spellbound”

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Javier Bardem is officially feelin’ the magic…

The 53-year-old Spanish Oscar-winning actor has joined the voice cast of the animated film Spellbound.

Led by West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler, the recently expanded voice cast also includes Bardem’s Being the Ricardos co-star Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, Jenifer Lewis, André De Shields and Jordan Fisher.

The upcoming musical from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation will have Kidman voicing Ellsmere, the kind and just, yet hyper-precise Queen of Lumbria, with Bardem as Lumbria’s boastful yet big-hearted King, Solon. Together, they are the parents of Princess Ellian (Zegler), who they join on her daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms them into monsters and threatens to cover Lumbria in darkness forever.

Lithgow and Lewis will voice Princess Ellian’s royal advisors, Minister Bolinar and Minister Nazara Prone, with Lane and De Shields as The Oracles of the Sun and Moon that Ellian seeks out to break the spell on her parents and the kingdom.

Additional characters aiding Ellian throughout her journey include the young nomad Callan, voiced by Fisher.

Academy Award winner Alan Menken is providing the film’s original score and songs, with song lyrics by Glenn Slater. Chris Montan is serving as executive music producer.

Bardem, who landed his fourth nom for his portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos, recently appeared in Dune and Fernando León de Aranoa’s comedy The Good Boss.

His upcoming projects include Columbia Pictures’ adaptation of the children’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid and Dune: Part Two.

Apple Original Films & Skydance Animation Release Teaser Trailer of Eva Noblezada’s Animated Film “Luck”

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Noblezada’s luck is changing…

Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation have dropped the first teaser trailer for Luck, featuring the voice of the 26-year-old half-Mexican American Tony Award-nominated actress and singer.

The animated film reps the first feature film from Skydance Animation.

Luck will debut on Apple TV+ globally on Friday, August 5.

The film, directed by Peggy Holmes, centers around the story of Sam Greenfield (Noblezada), the unluckiest person in the world. When she discovers the never-before-seen Land of Luck, Sam must unite with the magical creatures there to turn her luck around.

The Land of Luck is revealed in the trailer, via a nice tour of the place conducted by Bob (Simon Pegg), a lucky black cat. Flula Borg, Lil Rel Howery, Colin O’Donoghue, John Ratzenberger and Adelynn Spoon also star alongside Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg.

Kiel Murray penned the original screenplay. John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and David Eisenmann are producing for Skydance Animation.

Exclusive first-look footage of Luck will be shared at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s Work in Progress sessions in June.

Rachel Zegler to Voice Lead Role in Apple Original Films & Skydance Animation’s Animated Musical “Spellbound”

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rachel Zegler is preparing for the royal treatment…

The 20-year-old half-Colombian American Golden Globe-winning actress and singer will voice the character of Princess Ellian, the lead role in Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation’s new animated musical feature Spellbound.

Ellian is a tenacious princess who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters and threatens to cover Lumbria in darkness forever.

Vicky Jenson is directing the film with Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Linda Woolverton penning the script.

The original score for the film hails from Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Chris Montan serves as executive music producer.

Zegler has had a great year following her award-winning breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. The film played a big part in her landing the role as the titular character in Disney’s new Snow White film, which is currently in production.

She’ll next be seen alongside Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu in D.C. Comics’ Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

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