Aug
27

News: Inside the Stefan and Damon casting on The Vampire Diaries: Sebastian Stan, Matt Czuchry, and more (exclusive)

Entertainment Weekly – The “Thunderbolts*” and “Gilmore Girls” stars were in the running for the future CW hit — plus more secrets from casting.

Before there was Paul Wesley’s Stefan on The Vampire Diaries, there was Sebastian Stan.

For I Was Feeling Epic: An Oral History of The Vampire Diaries — a new book out Sep. 9 — author and Entertainment Weekly’s own executive TV editor Samantha Highfill somehow managed to find new intel after years of reporting on the hit CW show. That includes some factoids on the casting process for leads Stefan and Damon.

In an exclusive excerpt from the book, key members of the show’s team reveal that Stan (the future Marvel superstar behind the character of Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier) took a meeting for the role of Stefan, the brooding vampire hottie eventually portrayed by Wesley on The Vampire Diaries.

At the time, Stan was on “that movie with all the hot boys” — the phrase series co-creator Julie Plec uses to describe 2006’s The Covenant, which also starred Steven Strait (The Expanse), Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl), Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), and Toby Hemingway (In Time). Stan also read for the role of Damon, Ian Somerhalder’s future part, while Strait was considered for Stefan too. Stan had to bow out, however, over commitments to Kings, the 2004 King David-inspired NBC drama.

As Highfill reports in her book, another name considered for Stefan included Nathaniel Buzolic (the future “Original” vampire Kol Mikaelson), while Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls), Jesse Bradford (Bring It On), and Travis Van Winkle (The Last Ship) were in conversation for Damon.

[…]

GREG ORSON: There was a meeting with a star for Stefan.

LESLI GELLES-RAYMOND: It was Sebastian Stan. He came over to meet, so we got to spend some time chatting with him. It was very cool. We were totally interested in him, and he was discussed at the studio the first time we tested Stefan, but we couldn’t do it because he was tied to another show when this happened, so it didn’t work out. He was tied to Kings.

[…]
LESLI GELLES-RAYMOND: For a while, their dream cast would’ve been Steven Strait [for Stefan] and Sebastian Stan [for Damon], because Sebastian also read for Damon. That was Stefan and Damon for a while. But Sebastian was on Kings, so that wasn’t going to work out.

Aug
13

Photo/Video: ‘The Apprentice’ French Blu-Ray Interview (w/ Screen Captures)

Surprise! I managed to get my hands on a French Blu-Ray Copy of ‘The Apprentice‘ that featured the full EPK interview for the film. I’ve added screencaps to the gallery and a video of the full almost ten minute EPK interview below. Enjoy.

Aug
10

News: ‘Frankenstein in Romania’: Sebastian Stan Set to Star in Film That Radu Jude Is Writing

The Hollywood Reporter – The free-spirited iconoclast also plans to next shoot a movie “about immigration and about Romanians working abroad.”

Romanian auteur Radu Jude (Kontinental ’25, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World) is world premiering his much-anticipated new feature, Dracula, at the Locarno Film Festival on Sunday, but he is already writing a movie about a popular character from another iconic horror novel – Frankenstein. And none other than Marvel Cinematic Universe star Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice, A Different Man, Pam & Tommy, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) is set to star in it.

“I’m writing a film now,” Jude tells THR. “It’s a Frankenstein film in Romania. Frankenstein in Romania, it’s going to be called.”

Stan and the iconoclast previously discussed their interest in a collaboration, but Jude didn’t immediately have an idea. Then he pitched the star, who was born in Romania before moving to the U.S. with his mother, his idea for the Frankenstein film, which Stan liked, according to Jude. The auteur tells THR that he envisions Stan playing “both roles,” that of Victor Frankenstein and his monster.

The story is understood to combine the real-life existence of a secret CIA prison in Romania in the past with the legend of the Frankenstein monster.

Guillermo del Toro’s dark reimagining of Frankenstein, featuring Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth, a Netflix production, was recently unveiled as being part of the selection for the Venice Film Festival competition lineup.

Auteur Jude has had a busy 2025. Earlier this year, he world premiered Kontinental ’25, an absurdist comedy-drama about Romania’s housing crisis and the country’s conflicted middle class, at the Berlin Film Festival. It ended up winning the Silver Bear for best screenplay.

Jude world premieres Dracula, his dissection of the Dracula myth that is full of the black comedy for which he has developed a reputation, in the main competition program of the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland later on Sunday afternoon. “This film features scenes that could shock the sensitivity of some viewers,” the fest website notes.

After Locarno, Jude plans to shoot another film. “It’s like a very distant dialogue with The Diary of a Chambermaid, the novel by [Octave] Mirbeau,” the auteur tells THR. “I want to speak about immigration and about Romanians working abroad. It’s about a woman who works for a French family in Bordeaux while her own small daughter remains home. So it’s a film around these dramatic issues.”

That means its tone will be less Dracula-ish. “It’s more comparable to Kontinental ’25 in a certain way; it’s a bit more serious,” Jude explains. “I’m interested in exploring this connection between the Western world and Romania and Eastern Europe through the story of a character.”

Aug
06

News: Radu Jude will make a movie with Sebastian Stan. Jude: “I want to make Romanian movies.”

culturaladuba-ro

Something I really liked in the end. So I’m also going to do a Frankenstein in Romania, with Sebastian Stan, who invited me to work together.

Sebastian contacted me a while ago, he said he would like to collaborate, but I had no idea. Finally, I thought, while I was working on the sound for Dracula , that I could propose a film that would start from the reality of the CIA prisons in Romania, from 20 years ago, and combine these ideas with another cinematic myth, that of the Frankenstein monster. Sebastian said yes , so I started writing the script, but it will take some time.

Why did you think of it? Is it also a marketing strategy?

Because I really appreciate him, he’s a great actor and he seems like a very curious guy, so I said: why not?

It’s important to admit, maybe it’s not very sexy for me to say this, but I don’t have any kind of ideal or dream project that I obsessively think about. If I have an idea, I try to do it, if I can, that’s all.

Jul
25

Photo: (New/Old) Miami Film Festival GEMS Honors Sebastian Stan With Precious GEM Award

I’ve added 7 new photos to the gallery UHQ/Untagged of Sebastian at Miami Film Festival GEMS Honors Sebastian Stan With Precious GEM Award. These photos are from Miami Dade College.

Jul
22

Video: ‘Thunderbolts*’ VFX Breakdown Videos


Jul
11

Photo: ‘A Different Man’ Stills + Artwork

I’ve added 6 new UHQ A Different Man Stills as well as 3 pieces of promotional artwork from the japan release to the gallery enjoy.

Jul
03

News: Amy Taylor on her second novel ‘Ruins’, finding inspiration and getting optioned for film

russh

Amy Taylor didn’t set out to write a novel destined for the screen, but sometimes, stories carry their own momentum. Before Ruins reached the shelves, it was optioned for film, with Vanessa Kirby and Sebastian Stan already attached to bring its intensity to life. For the Melbourne-based author and screenwriter, this next chapter feels both surreal and strangely inevitable.

Written mostly from her desk at home, Ruins expands on the emotional precision of Taylor’s debut, Search History, but it does so with a slower, more cinematic gaze. Set in idyllic Athens, the novel traces the lives of Emma, Julian, and Lena — three characters brought together by proximity, and pulled apart by things unsaid. It’s a triangle of sorts, but not in the traditional sense.

Taylor describes writing the book as a process of looking outward and inward at once. Moving to third person, compared to using first in her debut novel, gave her a new space to breathe, and to shape perspective at arm’s length. The result is a novel that moves with restraint, carrying its heartbreak not in big gestures, but in the small, shifts of human connection.

Cinematic in tone and tightly rendered in structure, Ruins was shaped as much by film as by fiction. Taylor drew inspiration from works like Aftersun and The Lost Daughter, resonating with their slow ache and attention to memory.

Here, we speak with Amy Taylor on her inspiration for her latest novel, writing rituals, and scenes she’s excited to see play out on screen.

1. Ruins follows a tangled triangle between Emma, Julian and Lena. What first sparked the idea for this story?

I first set out to explore the idea of a couple who learn they have entirely opposing visions for their future together. Should they compromise on the things they desire? What if a compromise isn’t possible? Can they still find a way to fight their doomed fate? It then followed organically that some form of love triangle complication would drive the story forward and force the characters to face these questions head-on.

2. How did the process of writing Ruins compare to your debut, Search History? Did your writing approach change?

Absolutely. Ruins unfolds on a more linear, tighter timeline, and I planned the beats of the story out before I started writing, both of which made the process more straightforward. Writing from a third-person perspective, instead of first—like I did with Search History—also allowed the scenes to flow more easily. First-person perspective is very intimate, but also quite limiting. I definitely appreciated the freedom of narrating from the outside this time around.

3. When it comes to writing, do you have a sacred space or ritual that grounds you in the process?

It’s less of a ritual and more of a pragmatic chore, but I try to make sure my desk is clean and ready for the next day of writing. Having to tidy it in the morning before I write is an obstacle to getting started. Pre-emptively removing the obstacles is a little gift I can give my future self. (Caffeine helps too.)

4. Ruins feels very atmospheric — did you have any visuals, films, or music in mind while writing?

I wanted to capture a creeping feeling of tension—a presentiment that something bad is going to happen—but anchor it to a very real place, so that the setting seems to be apathetic to the drama unfolding in the story. Throughout the process, I thought a lot about the way the films Aftersun and The Lost Daughter adaptation encapsulate that tone perfectly.

5. Do you have an author that you look up to or admire the most?

The first name that comes to mind is Lorrie Moore. I’ll always be enamoured with her skill for combining humour and pathos. No one does it quite like her. I treasure her books.

6. Congratulations on Ruins now being optioned, with Oscar nominees Vanessa Kirby and Sebastian Stan set to star and produce – what was your reaction to this news?

Pure excitement! Vanessa and Sebastian are wildly talented. In conversation with them, I was really able to feel the personal connection they had to the characters and the story. I knew immediately that they’d do an incredible job of bringing Emma and Julian to life. I’m so thrilled to be working with them and the rest of the passionate team at Miramax, Scott Free Productions and Linden Entertainment.

7. Did you ever think about how the book might be adapted for the screen while you were writing it? Are there any scenes you’re especially curious to see play out on screen?

Although the novel is set in Athens, I wrote the vast majority of it from my desk in Melbourne. On reflection, I think this really forced me to use my imagination and visualise the scenes unfolding like they would in a film. There are a fair few scenes that I would love to see play out on screen, but to avoid any spoilers, I’ll just say this: The balcony scene is probably the top of my list…

8. Looking forward, you have already achieved incredible success with your two books, are you already thinking about writing a third?

I do have an idea for another novel, although my son, Teddy—who’s currently 6 weeks old—has a pretty big say in my schedule at the moment. I’ll be writing at a slower pace this time around. I also feel quite pulled towards screenwriting at the moment. I have a couple of projects I’m considering leaping into—I’d love to try my hand at writing an original screenplay (even if it’s just for fun!)

Jul
01

Photo: ‘Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers)’ Movie (& Extras) Screen Captures

I’ve added over 1,500+ UHQ Screencaptures from ‘Thunderbolts* (The New Avengers)‘ to the gallery from the film including things from the Gag Reel, Deleted Scene, Assembling A Team To Remember [Featurette], All About Bob, Sentry, & The Void [Featurette] that were also released on digital that are included in the upcoming physical media releases (Blu-Ray/DVD/4K). Enjoy.

Jun
19

News: ‘Thunderbolts*’; Arrives On Digital July 1 & On 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD July 29, 2025 From Marvel Studios

Screen Connections

Marvel Studios has officially announced and detailed their home entertainment releases for ‘Thunderbolts*’. The film will arrive home early on Digital beginning July 1, followed by the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD releases on July 29, 2025. A Limited Edition 4K UHD Steelbook and a Walmart Exclusive Pop-up Blu-ray will also be available.

DIVE INTO ACTION-PACKED FUN AS MARVEL STUDIOS’ THUNDERBOLTS* DEBUTS ON DIGITAL JULY 1 AND ON 4K UHD™, BLU-RAY™ & DVD JULY 29

Unexpected Heroes Shine in All-New Exclusive Bonus Extras including a Cinematic World Tour, Gag Reel, Deleted Scenes, Filmmaker Commentary and More!

BURBANK, CA (June 18, 2025) – Thunderbolts* turns up the heat this summer as it blasts onto digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home on July 1, before making its explosive entry on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on July 29.

The Thunderbolts are The New Avengers, the ultimate surprise to both audiences and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine as this misfit team of burned assets rallies their powers and unites against all odds. Their namesake movie Thunderbolts* is an action-packed, international adventure, with audiences embracing the film’s super-powered humor and adrenaline. Critics lovingly call Thunderbolts* “one of the best Marvel movies of all time” (BJ Colangelo, Slashfilm) and “one of the most enjoyable, fun, and genuinely moving MCU films” (Ross Bonaime, Collider).

Bring home the energy and fun of Thunderbolts* in breathtaking 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® for a truly cinematic superhero experience, complete with stunning visuals and immersive sound. The digital, 4K UHD, and Blu-ray releases include hours of exclusive bonus content – featuring deleted scenes, a gag reel, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and filmmaker commentary by director Jake Schreier. For collectors, the 4K Ultra HD edition will also be available in a limited-edition SteelBook® featuring custom artwork and premium packaging.

Also available in the U.S., a Walmart exclusive pop-up Blu-ray package unleashes the strength, grit and powerful presence of the Thunderbolts into 3D existence, capturing them in moments of utter determination and focused battle.

Film Synopsis

Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes with Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission. Forced to confront the darkest corners of their pasts, will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite before it’s too late?

Bonus Features:

Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn’t make the final cut.
Door is Unliftable
Gary Announcement

Assembling a Team to Remember – Spend a bit of quality time with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts* as they divulge how the film’s fictional team of superpowered mavericks, misfits and antiheroes was assembled.
Around the World and Back Again – Discover the eclectic locations and astounding production design that helped make Thunderbolts* a rousing reality, including a visit to the sprawling sets in Kuala Lumpur where we join Florence Pugh performing stunts atop one of planet Earth’s tallest buildings and blowing up buildings on the streets.
All About Bob, Sentry & The Void – Deep dive into the making of three different characters: Bob, Sentry, and The Void – all performed by Lewis Pullman.
Gag Reel – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Thunderbolts*.
Director’s Audio Commentary – Watch the film with audio commentary by director Jake Schreier.

*Bonus features may vary by product and retailer