Category: Articles

Sep
06

Sebastian Stan Doesn’t Know Why He’s Always Cast As A Bad Boy, But He Does It So Well

Refinery29.com — In a world full of rom-coms, when was the last time you cried over an onscreen breakup that actually stuck? No grand gestures to save the day, just pure, raw, lust and heartbreak. If you want to get so deep in your feels you forget if you’re actually heartbroken or just bleary-eyed over someone else’s love story, then you may need to subscribe to the church of Drake Doremus.

The director is known for his mostly improvised, chill-inducing romantic dramas (Like CrazyNewnessEquals) and his latest is a tender-to-the-touch look at a modern love triangle in Endings, Beginnings, which premieres Sunday at Toronto Film Festival. Much like his previous work, Endings, Beginnings is clever and cutting, but also soft and quiet. Shailene Woodley is at the heart of the film playing Daphne, a thirty-something artist (her specialty is hand-painted tea pots, which she sells on Etsy) who recently and abruptly quit her job and ended her long-term relationship with her boyfriend (Matthew Gray Gubler, in his third Doremus film).

Looking for a hard reset on life, Daphne moves into the pool house of her much more together older half-sister. She also stops drinking, focuses on looking for a new job, and cuts men out of her life. Until, of course, she meets two men at a New Year’s Party. One’s brooding, asking her for a light of a cigarette in the most drunken and charming of ways. He’s wearing a shearling jacket, worn-in with adventures. The other’s in LA’s version of a suit — he’s put together, and looks at her with the steady intentness. Daphne should be avoiding both, but she quickly becomes enamored with bad boy Frank (Sebastian Stan), a nomad who drinks absinthe, and good boy Jack (Jamie Dornan), an academic who has a dog and dreams of moving to Europe. What starts as innocent text-flirting evolves into two full-blown relationships. Oh, and the guys are best friends.

When Stan first read for the film, he read for both Frank and Jack’s role, but what really attracted him to the heady rom-dram was Dormeus himself, of whom he’s been a huge fan. “I met him and I said, ‘I gotta tell you, I don’t know which one of these people you are seeing me as, but I really relate to both of them. I love both,’” he says over the phone to Refinery29. Stan’s in London where he’s filming the spy-thriller 355, a movie he says is “stylistically and tonally very different,” than Endings, Beginnings, but with “a couple of similarities here and there.”

“And we just got very deep. We got into relationships and being in our 30s and the world we are in right now, and all our experiences.” The vulnerability seen on-screen between Woodley, Stan, and Dornan is something special, and almost entirely improvised, based on just 80 pages of notes. Endings, Beginnings is a far cry from the big budget Marvel movies you’re used to seeing Stan in (he plays Captain America’s pal Bucky Barnes in seven Marvel movies and one upcoming spin-off series.)

It’s those real adult experiences and emotions that come through in the film, along with the clever text message visualizations that pop up between the three romantic leads, that make this film both timely and nostalgic. Ahead, Stan talks about the vulnerability of improv, being type-cast as a “bad boy,” and the weird, but totally plausible, idea of him appearing in the Gossip Girl reboot.

This interview contains mild spoilers for Endings, Beginnings.

I was reading your Instagram post earlier gushing about working on this film with Drake. When did you become a fan of his, and why did you two think Frank was the role for you? 

“I was aware of [Drake] for awhile. Like everyone else, I loved Like, Crazy, and then I also like his recent movie with Nicholas Hoult, Equals. I was also just really interested in doing a movie and improvising  —  because the entire movie is practically improvised. I never worked in that medium before. I got a call saying, Hey do you want to meet with Drake and talk about this movie [and] read the draft?, which was basically like 80 pages. There were two guy [parts] at the time. I met him and I said, ‘I gotta tell you, I don’t know which one of these people you are seeing me as, but I really relate to both of them. I love both.’ And we just got very deep. We got into relationships and being in our 30s and the world we are in right now, and all our experiences. Again, I didn’t really know that is where we were gonna go, but he was very honest with me and I was honest with him. We parted ways, and the next thing I knew he called me to have a session with somebody at the time that he was thinking of for the role as Daphne, and I went in and had a 3-hour improv session with him, then he called me and told me that he wants me to do the Frank role and I was fine with that.”

Only 80 pages. Everything else is improv? All the film’s dialogue?

“Yes, that is all literally on the day, in the moment, happening real-time. Basically, the script that he had was just the outline: Daphne comes out a recent relationship and moves in with her best friends. They’re having a New Years Party, and she runs into Frank who asks her for a cigarette. It was all outlines, but in terms of the dialogue and how we would get there, that was all improvised. That was an interesting experience because I had never worked that way and no take is ever the same. I walked away from that experience feeling very vulnerable. You’re not hiding behind any lines.”

The improvisation really added to the film. I left it feeling more emotional than I expected. 

“We’ve all had relationships, and we know how tricky they are. They’re complex and there’s many layers. I don’t know — I have always loved romantic comedies. I grew up on When Harry Met Sally and all that, but I sometimes feel that relationships aren’t entirely depicted as messy and as raw and as painful as they are. That’s why I loved working with him because I feel like he gets to the core of situations. I’m happy to hear you related to it because that is what he wants. He wants you to go, ‘I’ve had that conversation…been in that situation.’”

There’s been a resurgence in romantic comedies, but not so much romantic dramas like this. Do you think there’s a reason why?

“I love romantic comedies and there is a space for them, but [rom coms] are hopeful. Sometimes when I go to the movies, I don’t want to necessarily see what my life is. I want to be like, Hey! It’s nice to think that maybe that could be that way. If you want to be inspired, or laugh a little bit — there’s that element of it. And sometimes you want to see a movie that makes you feel less alone in your experience. A lot of European films are much closer to this, and I think Drake loves a lot of European films and is influenced by them and the personal quality. Structurally in romantic comedies, you have bigger things happening, right? Whereas [in this movie], there are big things happening, but there’s a much more subtle transition through everything.”

Frank is the “player” of the film, while Jack is the “good guy,” for lack of a better phrase. You’ve said before that you didn’t really know why you were often cast as the “bad boy.”  Do you still not know why?

“I don’t know! [Groans] I don’t know. The truth is, the reason I was saying [I could play] Jack was that I talk a lot in my life. I philosophize a lot. I try to read things. Then I think about it, and then I wanna talk about it. I relate to that [aspect of Jack]. And actually, there was a lot to Frank and Daphne that we shot that was funny. They had a lot of their own back and forth, but what ended up being in the movie —  I think Drake never forgot the vision that he had for Frank — [was him] being much darker than we shot. I am happy it ended up that way because there needed to be a contrast.

But I don’t know! I am glad they think I can do this. I am one of the most over-thinking, neurotic people I know. So I don’t know how it happens, but it keeps happening.”

I thought a big part of Frank also was his big shearling jacket. Since most of the movie was improvised, did you have anything to do with his outfits?

“Oh yeah, I kept that jacket, first of all. It’s a great jacket. What’s great about Drake is that he was like, ‘Hey, listen, people wear the same stuff all the time. If something works, let’s just it.’ I was like yeah, the guy probably kind of flies by the seat of his pants anyways so he just has a few things. I think I wore some of my own jeans. The boots I wore were mine. Drake definitely wanted us to wear our own stuff so we could feel comfortable in it.”

This was originally called No, No, No, Yes and ended as Endings, Beginnings. How did the title change shape the movie?

“It was always a working title. I saw that it was paired up with her experience — every no and every yes was paired to one of the relationships that she was going through. Endings, Beginnings is a little more specific. I know for awhile he was even contemplating a title that was even just made up of emojis which I thought would have been really fun.”

Oh yeah. I loved the texting aspect in this movie.

“There is an element of texting in the time period we are in, and there is this new language to it. They got it in the sense that both Jack and Frank have their very specific ways of texting. Jack probably uses punctuation, and Frank does not. [Laughs]”

You’ve worked with a few of the Big Little Lies women now. Do you have plans to work with the others like Zoe Kravitz, Reese Witherspoon, or Laura Dern?

“That has not hit me — that’s kinda funny. I don’t think I have ever met Reese Witherspoon and I’ve met Laura Dern. If the opportunity presents itself then great. I certainly wouldn’t have had a problem if there had been a role in the second season. I would have done it in a second. I loved the first season.”

I have one more that I have to ask about — obviously Gossip Girl is getting rebooted, and Chace [Crawford] said it made him feel “old,” but he’d be down. Have you thought about it at all? 

“[Laughs] I don’t even… it’s so weird. Somehow a lot of people talk to me about Gossip Girl, and I always thought I was just a guest star. It was a very special show. It certainly defined those years, and we all got our start there in a way. It would be hilarious and weird and crazy. He’s right — we are old! I don’t know what business they’d have with me, but, Jesus. If there was some funny little witty thing and they called and we’re like, ‘We’re doing this thing and we have everybody….’ I’m not gonna be the asshole that says no. Maybe I’ll be in the background scooping some ice cream.”

Sep
06

First Look: Shailene Woodley, Sebastian Stan in ‘Endings/Beginnings’

HollywoodReporter.com — Jamie Dornan also stars in the romantic drama about a 30-something woman navigating love and heartbreak over the course of a year.
Shailene Woodley and Sebastian Stan get cozy in this first-look still from Drake Doremus’ Endings/Beginnings, premiering at TIFF on Sept. 8.

The drama — also starring Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy) — is set in present day L.A. and sees Woodley, most recently appearing in Big Little Lies, play Daphne, a 30-something woman navigating through love and heartbreak over the course of one year. During that time, she will unlock the secrets to her life in a sudden turn of events and in the most surprising of places.

Written by Doremus and Jardine Libaire (White Fur), the film has been developed, produced and financed by CJ Entertainment. Tae-sung Jeong, Francis Chung, Doremus and Robert George produce, Jerry Ko executive produces and Fred Lee and Jihyun Ok co-produce.

Protagonist Pictures is handling international sales outside of Asia, which is being repped by CJ Entertainment. UTA is repping domestic.

Aug
24

TV Guide: Everything We Know About The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+

TVGuide.com — Although Avengers: Endgame concluded what has now become known as the Infinity Saga earlier this year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes on. In addition to a number of films currently in the works as part of Phase Four, some of your favorite Avengers will also be venturing to the small screen for limited series on Disney+, Disney’s streaming service, which is set to launch Nov. 12.

The first series coming our way will be The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which finds Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprising their fan-favorite roles as Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, respectively. As is the case with everything Marvel related, details surrounding the series are still pretty scarce, but here’s everything we know so far.

It’s coming in 2020. Although we would like to have it streaming directly into our eyeballs much, much sooner, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier won’t be available to stream until fall of 2020.

There will reportedly be six episodes. Each of Marvel’s new series will be limited in nature, but as we’ve learned recently, that word doesn’t really have any meaning in Hollywood anymore. Maybe if we’re good and ask really nicely Marvel will grant us more seasons?

Zemo is back. We knew there was a reason Daniel Bruhl’s Zemo lived at the end of Captain America: Civil War, and during Marvel’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige revealed it’s because he’s returning to stir up trouble for Cap’s two best friends.

Sharon Carter is also back. Kevin Feige announced Emily VanCamp is also returning to play Peggy’s niece during the D23 Expo on Friday, Aug. 23.

John Walker will be played by Wyatt RussellIn the comics, John Walker is (currently) known as U.S. Agent, but before that, he also was known as Super-Patriot, who openly opposed Captain America — the OG Captain America, Steve Rogers. It’ll be interesting to see if that’s still the case, considering that the mantel has now been passed off to Sam.

It takes place after the events of Endgame. This is pretty obvious, especially when you consider the iconic shield that is part of the show’s logo design, but the series will pick up in the wake of Endgame. This means that Sam will likely be dealing with having to live up to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as Captain America.

It will be directed by Kari Skogland. Skogland, whose recent credits include The Handmaid’s TaleThe Loudest Voice, and The Punisher, is on board to direct the show.

Disney+ launches on Nov. 12. Find out what else is coming to the new streaming service.

Aug
20

Universal’s Spy Thriller ‘355’ Gets 2021 Release Date

Deadline.com — Universal has set a January 15, 2021 release date for 355, the ensemble spy thriller that came together during last year’s Cannes Film Festival. The pic directed and co-written by Simon Kinberg stars Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Fan Bingbing.

The hope is to launch a franchise based on an idea by Chastain of a Bourne Identity-like thriller revolving around female spies from agencies around the world. The women must bond together, overcoming their suspicions and conflicts, to use all their considerable talents and training to stop an event from occurring that could thrust our teetering world into total chaos. Along the way, these strangers and enemies become comrades and friends, and a new faction is formed and code-named “355” (a name they adopt from the first female spy in the American Revolution).

Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez are also in the cast and the pic began production in early July with shoots in Paris, London and Morocco.

Kinberg co-wrote the script with Theresa Rebeck, and Chastain and Kelly Carmichael are producing via Chastain’s Freckle Films with Kinberg via his Genre Films. Richard Hewitt is executive producer.

In a unique arrangement, the actresses and filmmakers are understood to have equity stakes in the movie, which was a magnet for distributors worldwide in Cannes. Its strong components, novel approach and female empowerment messaging combined to make it the right package at the right time.

Universal had previously set aside the January 2021 date for an event film. So far, the release schedule is thin at that time, with only a Universal-Blumhouse movie and Paramount’s Rugrats staking out dates that month.

May
27

Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez Join Spy Thriller ‘355’

HollywoodReporter.com — Marion Cotillard, who was part of the film’s splashy market presentation last year, has since dropped out.
355 is back on track.

The film — which marked last year’s biggest sale at the Cannes market but hit a roadblock when one of its stars, Fan Bingbing, became embroiled in a tax evasion scandal in her native China — has filled out its cast with Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez.

The duo join Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz and Fan in the action pic about a group of female spies who must bond together to stop an event from occurring that could thrust the world into total chaos. They form a faction code-named 355, a shout-out to the first female spy in the American Revolution.

Marion Cotillard, who was part of the Cannes presentation last year as one of the film’s stars, has since dropped out, citing personal reasons.

The film, which was acquired by Universal and will be directed by Simon Kinberg, is set to begin principal photography in Paris in July. Shooting also will take place in London and Morocco.

Chastain is producing through her Freckle Films banner alongside Kelly Carmichael and Kinberg. Theresa Rebeck, whose credits include NBC’s Smash, wrote the screenplay.

Stan is currently onscreen in Avengers: Endgame and recently appeared in I Tonya. He is repped by ICM and Brookside Artist Management.

May
27

Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie are teaming up in ‘Falcon and The Winter Soldier’ on Disney+

This news originally broke back in early April. I’ve compiled all the information about the upcoming miniseries below.

    Post summary:

  • Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie will star in a Disney+ miniseries titled ‘Falcon and The Winter Soldier’
  • The show will begin filming in October in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Daniel Bruhl and Emily Van Camp will reprise their MCU roles.
  • The series will premiere in 2020 with a reported 6 episodes.
  • Malcolm Spellman is set to serve as the writer and showrunner.
  • Disney+ will debut November 12, 2019 for $6.99 a month.

Marvel.com — Announced during The Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige shared Marvel Studios’ excitement to explore long-form stories in ways we’ve never done before.

Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson have been enemies, and they’ve been friends. Get ready for more adventures from them in “Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan.

It is also worth noting how the individual shows Disney+ aims to create will affect future theatrical releases from the MCU. You can read more below..

Vulture.com — And most importantly for continuity fans, Feige did say that developments in Marvel shows will impact narrative developments in upcoming superhero theatrical releases. “A post-Endgame MCU will be extremely different and extremely focused on Disney+ tying into our future,” Feige told the crowd. In other words, you have to subscribe to Disney+ if you really want to know what’s going on in the MCU.

On May 20th Deadline announced who will be directing the upcoming The Falcon and the Winter Soldier miniseries.

In addition to who will be directing they’re also reported that Captain America: Civil War’s Daniel Bruhl and Emily Van Camp will also be joining Sebastian and Anthony for the series and will air in August 2020.

Kari Skogland has been set to direct the six-part Disney+ miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Avengers: Endgame‘s Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan starring. Sources said Captain America: Civil War‘s Daniel Bruhl and Emily Van Camp are also in talks to join. The miniseries will air in August 2020.

I’d heard that Mackie’s accepting the shield from Captain America at the end of Avengers: Endgame will figure into the miniseries, but the studio had no comment on where it goes.

Bruhl played Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, the mastermind who drove a wedge between Captain America and Iron Man that factored into the Avengers films, and the murderer of Black Panther’s father. Malcolm Spellman (Empire) has been writing.

ComicBook.com reports Sebastian revealed his expectations for the series at a recent comic convention. You can read what he had to say below:

“I think it’s time for Bucky to go out there and have an identity outside of the circumstances that we’ve met him through,” Stan said. “So, I don’t know, he might do all kinds of things. He might even go on a date. I don’t know. Scary world out there, you know? Apps, things like that. I don’t know what he’s gonna do. I can’t see him on an iPhone…I think it’s gonna be a lot of dealing with Anthony’s character and Anthony himself which is always another character.”

Sebastian also revealed the series would begin filming in October, though he did not give an exact date. The series will reportedly film in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Winter Soldier actor also praised his co-star, Anthony Mackie, saying:

“I have a blast working with Anthony. It’s very funny half the time. It’s just gonna be a lot of that move your seat up thing, I’m gonna tell him that if we’re gonna be in the car, I’m gonna be in the passenger’s seat and he’s gonna be in the back, or I should be in the driver’s seat.”

For those who aren’t familiar with Disney+ here is some key information about the upcoming streaming service:

Launching on November 12, 2019, at $6.99 a month, Disney+ will be the ultimate streaming destination for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. From The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, Disney+ will offer ad-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live action and animated series and short-form content, along with unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment. The service will also be the exclusive streaming home for films released by The Walt Disney Studios in 2019 and beyond, including “Captain Marvel,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Toy Story 4,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” and “Star Wars Episode IX.”

Jan
20

Sebastian Stan’s Career Was Transformed By ‘I, Tonya,’ So He Went Looking for More Indies

IndieWire.com — Nearly a decade into his turn as Marvel’s Bucky Barnes — otherwise known as The Winter Soldier — actor Sebastian Stan is busier than ever, but not with the kind of safe commercial bets that other franchise players might be pursuing. A year after taking on the risky role of former criminal and national laughingstock Jeff Gillooly in Craig Gillespie’s Oscar-winning “I, Tonya,” Stan is still chasing unconventional supporting roles in smaller features.

In Karyn Kusama’s “Destroyer,” he acts opposite Nicole Kidman as an undercover police officer helping Kidman’s no-nonsense detective through a dangerous mission that destroys her life. It’s a tricky r ole for any actor to hold their own opposite a proven movie star in dark, moody thriller, but Stan said that “I, Tonya” opened him up to embrace that sort of challenge.

“It was definitely a transformative year for me, in terms of what I want,” Stan said in an interview, and he credited “I, Tonya” with shifting his priorities. “It kind of set the bar for me in what I wanted going forward.”

The rest of his current schedule speaks to the actor’s interest in peering beyond the commercial realm: He starred in Stacie Passon’s Shirley Jackson adaptation “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” which debuted at LAFF earlier this year, and he recently wrapped roles in Todd Robinson’s true-life war drama “The Last Full Measure” and Argyris Papadimitropoulos’ romantic drama “Monday.”

After years of working in franchise mode, “I, Tonya” opened the actor up to exploring these opportunities. “It led me to want to look for that again, to find more things that scare me, and that are challenging,” he said. “I came out of that movie feeling like, ‘I don’t know how I’m gonna find the situation again.’ I was really wanting to find that again, and lo and behold, I actually did.”

However, “Destroyer” nearly slipped beyond his grasp. Stan originally met with Kusama to discuss the role of cult leader Silas, played in the film by Toby Kebbell, though he had some initial reservations about taking on another dark role. “I was actually concerned, after ‘I, Tonya,’ because I was like, ‘God, this is gonna be another really dark, dark role, I don’t know if I can sort just get into that again,’” he said.

He wanted to work with Kusama and Kidman, but walked away from the meeting wondering if the role was a fit, and even made his own audition tape as the character to further feel it out.

“I put a scene on my iPhone, and I sent it to her,” he said. “I said, ‘Hey, look, I just got inspired, and I want you to check this out, and you let me know what you think, obviously, you know, whatever you feel is best.’” Weeks went by without an update and Stan figured he didn’t make the cut. In October 2017, Kusama finally called. “She said, ‘You know, I loved your tape, but actually I feel like you’d be better in this role, the other role,’” he said.

As a choosy performer who takes his time pursuing various roles, Stan admits he wasn’t immediately comfortable with Marvel superstardom.

“I don’t think it came naturally to me,” Stan said of his ease with his fans and fame. “Even if you look back a few years ago, I remember doing interviews and just being so scared and just trying to take it all in. I feel like I’ve learned a way to sort of embrace it.” He added with a laugh, “You can see it, if you go on YouTube.” (Admittedly, in some of Stan’s earliest video interviews for “Captain America: First Avenger,” he looks ready to jump out of his skin.)

These days, he appears more comfortable with the role. His Instagram account is filled with pictures and videos of him interacting with fans, and happily so. He’s a vocal supporter of the charity Our Big Day Out, which aims to provide shelter and a better way of life for children in Stan’s home country Romania. It’s raised thousands of dollars over the years, with big pushes often spearheaded by the actor’s fans in honor of the star.

He’s understandably tight-lipped about what to expect from future Marvel movies (he’s credited on the upcoming “Avengers: Endgame,” but isn’t entirely sure what stuff he filmed will be in the final cut). But he’s quick to talk about his latest projects, including an untitled romance directed by Drake Doremus, which allowed him to stretch his improv muscles. As for other genres he’d like to explore, he’s interested in doing a period piece like “Game of Thrones,” something that would let him play around with “a great accent.”

And he’s not saying no to more big films, though it’s the smaller ones that seem most top of mind.

“Look, I would never necessarily say no to a lead in a franchise,” he said. “I love all movies, so I’m game. … I think I’ve been so lucky to have this Marvel universe to go back to. I’ve learned a tremendous amount in 10 years. They’ve given me so many opportunities, and one of the opportunities that they’ve given me is a chance to go out there and find something that’s gonna stretch me in some way, and challenge me in a way that’s gonna be different. … I mean, how much better than that can it get?”

Jan
20

‘Destroyer’ Director Karyn Kusama Discusses Sebastian’s role Chris in the film

TheMarySue.com — While the movie focuses on Erin and her past and present, Chris plays an important role in how Erin exists in the modern day. He’s only in the movie for maybe ten minutes, but his role is so important to the Erin we meet later in her life, and his presence is felt throughout the film thanks to his performance:

“Thankfully, Sebastian brought so much intelligence and complexity and genuine tenderness to the role so you really felt, by that last scene, that he is so desperately in love with her and that he’s going to do something so foolish in service to those feelings.”

Erin and Chris are head over heels in love (and continually high on drugs as they get further into their undercover mission), but there are aspects of their characters that reach into the audience and make us care for them both:

“He (Sebastian Stan) brought a lot of layers to it that just told us that these guys were not ready for what happened, and Sebastian is just such a lovely guy that there is something about him and Nicole. It was so instant that I was like, ‘We’re going to be okay.’ I feel like the chemistry between them is very real and genuine and, I don’t know, just truly emotionally connected. And I know that, in some respects, the audience isn’t sure, initially—when we discover that they really are a couple—we’re not sure what’s really driving that, but by the end, to learn that they are crazy about each other, it makes it heartbreaking.”

Their love is told in a way that brings a contrast to the film, separating the two sides of Erin’s story, and it’s important to uphold the significance of her relationship with Chris:

“She opens herself up to him, and in doing so immediately ensnares him in a plan that’s so wrong-headed, and she lives with that for the rest of her life.”

Oct
31

Falcon-Winter Soldier Limited Series in the Works With ‘Empire’ Writer

Variety.com — Marvel heroes Falcon and Winter Soldier are teaming up for a potential limited series at the Disney streaming service.

Variety has learned exclusively that Malcolm Spellman has been tapped to write a series featuring the two superheroes, which is currently in development at the streamer. It is the first of the proposed Marvel limited series to find a writer.

Marvel and Disney declined to comment.

Falcon and Winter Soldier, played by Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan respectively, have both appeared in multiple Marvel films to date, including the recent blockbuster “Avengers: Infinity War.”

While Winter Soldier was a key character in the second “Captain America” film, the character who became the Winter Solider — Bucky Barnes — first appeared in the original “Captain America” film in 2011. Falcon made his first appearance in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

Spellman previously worked as a writer and co-executive producer on the hit Fox series “Empire” and wrote the screenplay for the feature film “Our Family Wedding.” He is repped by CAA and Industry Entertainment Partners

News of the development comes after Variety exclusively reported that Marvel and Disney were prepping multiple limited series centered on characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe who had yet to appear in their own standalone films. At that time, it was reported that characters like Loki and Scarlet Witch would also be the subject of their own limited series. The series are expected to be six to eight episodes.

Unlike other Marvel shows like “Daredevil” and “The Punisher,” the series on the Disney streaming service will be produced by Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige, who has headed up the MCU for years. The shows are also expected to have large budgets compared to other television projects.

The news also comes as Netflix canceled Marvel shows “Iron Fist” and “Luke Cage,” which both ran for two seasons. The two street-level heroes were part of the four-hero crew that made up the limited Netflix series “The Defenders,” which included Daredevil and Jessica Jones. “Jessica Jones” has already been renewed for a third season, while “Daredevil” launched its third season earlier this month. “The Punisher” was renewed for a second season at Netflix back in December.

Oct
18

Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, Sebastian Stan & Matthew Gray Gubler Lead Drake Doremus Film

Deadline.com — Big Little Lies star Shailene Woodley, 50 Shades of Grey and A Private War star Jamie Dornan, Captain America‘s Sebastian Stan and Criminal Minds veteran Matthew Gray Gubler have been set to lead Drake Doremus’ next movie, which gets underway in Los Angeles this week.

To Star In Miss World Film ‘Misbehaviour’ For Left…
CJ Entertainment is developing, financing and producing the untitled pic with Like Crazy director Doremus, who co-wrote the original screenplay with novelist Jardine Libaire (White Fur). Protagonist Pictures has boarded international sales (CJ will rep Asia) and will launch the buzzy package at the American Film Market in two weeks. UTA Independent Film Group handles domestic.

The movie is set in present day Los Angeles and follows Daphne (Woodley), a thirtysomething woman navigating love and heartbreak over the course of one year. During that time, she will unlock the secrets to her life in a sudden turn of events and in the most surprising of places.

Producing the film will be Tae-sung Jeong, CEO of CJ Entertainment; Francis Chung, CJ’s VP Global Co-Productions and Head of U.S. Production; Doremus; and Robert George. CJ’s Jerry Ko is executive producing. Fred Lee, CJ Entertainment’s Los Angeles-based director of development, and Jihyun Ok, CJ’s Seoul-based director of development, will oversee production Adam Mehr of Pryor Cashman negotiated the producing deal on behalf of CJ, while UTA Independent Film Group negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.

“The more time we spend with Drake, the more we realize just how brilliant a storyteller he is, and the confidence talent have in his vision and direction,” Chung said. “Shailene, Jamie, Matthew and Sebastian are actors at the top of their game and to see this quartet unite for our film, with Drake at the helm, gives us great confidence that we’ll have something very special to deliver to audiences.”