What's news: The director of the Yellowjackets season finale discusses that shocking death. Lionsgate confirms that John Wick 5 is in the works. Daniel Boone performer Ed Ames dies at age 95. Alice Rohrwacher talks about her Cannes competition film La Chimera. — Ryan Gajewski
Cannes: 'How to Have Sex' Wins Best Film in Un Certain Regard
►How to get noticed at Cannes. Molly Manning Walker's Cannes Film Festival breakout How to Have Sex has won the prize for best film in the 2023 Un Certain Regard sidebar. The debut, following three British teens out for a summer holiday in Greece that turns dark, was among the most talked-about movies on the Croisette this year. Four African films also took home awards at the Un Certain Regard ceremony. The story.
—Complaint alleges the contract was terminated amid a market slowdown. Comedian Bobby Lee is suing Wondery for breach of contract after the audio company allegedly canceled a multiyear ad sales and distribution deal for his podcast, TigerBelly, that he co-hosts with Khalyla Kuhn. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles on behalf of Lee's TigerBelly company, alleges that Wondery was "under pressure to cut expenses and roll back its financial commitments" in anticipation of a podcast market slowdown in 2023, leading the company to terminate its 39-month deal with the TigerBelly podcast in early April. The story.
—He had a memorable Tonight Show visit in the 1960s that involved a tomahawk. Ed Ames, the deep-toned baritone pop singer and actor who portrayed the faithful Cherokee sidekick Mingo on the 1960s NBC series Daniel Boone, has died. He was 95. The obituary.
—"When that 5 movie comes, it will be organic." Lionsgate's motion picture group chair Joe Drake teased development of a fifth movie in the studio's John Wick franchise during an earnings call that has fans abuzz. The March 24 release of the Chad Stahelski-directed John Wick: Chapter 4 was another hit for the assassin franchise starring Keanu Reeves, topping $363 million globally. Its success instantly raised questions about the potential for a fifth film. The story.
'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Star Unpacks Finale
►"Cathartic is always the word that comes to mind." THR's Christy Piña talks to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan about the finale for her Emmy-winning series. The actress discusses the show's legacy, Midge and Lenny Bruce's final scene together and the last day on set for the cast and crew. The interview.
—"She's been carrying this terrible shame of taking on that role."THR's Jackie Strause talks to Yellowjackets director Karyn Kusama about helming the Showtime series' finale for season two. The filmmaker spoke all about the episode's shocking death and looks ahead to what the twists mean for the already renewed third season. The interview.
Cannes Film Review: Josh O'Connor in 'La Chimera'
►"Invigoratingly strange and lyrical." THR's chief film critic David Rooney reviews the tomb-raider tale La Chimera, premiering in competition at Cannes. Josh O'Connor stars in filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher's feature that is set in Italy. The review.
—"Compassionate if a bit schematic at times."THR's Jordan Mintzer reviews The Old Oak, premiering in competition at Cannes. Director Ken Loach's film centers around a northern English pub owner whose community welcomes a group of Syrian refugees. The review.
—"Sly, often playful but ultimately moving."THR's Leslie Felperin reviews The Mother of All Lies following its Cannes debut. Filmmaker Asmae El Moudir's Moroccan documentary won the best director prize in the festival's Un Certain Regard section. The review.
Mark Hamill Talks 'The Machine' and His 'Star Wars' Future
►"The reason why I was concerned was disproven right away." THR's Brian Davids interviews Mark Hamill about playing against type opposite Bert Kreischer in the Sony comedy The Machine. The actor also discusses his Star Wars future and his excitement about re-teaming with his The Fall of the House of Usher creator Mike Flanagan on the Stephen King project The Life of Chuck. The interview.
—"Machines can't make mistakes." Director Alice Rohrwacher spoke to THR Roma about how lockdown inspired La Chimera, her Cannes competition film about criminal archeologists. She also chatted about her creative relationship with actress sister Alba and why artificial intelligence will never replace "organic dumb" cinema. The interview.
—"Every 13-year-old wants to be on Disney Channel, you know?"THR's Sydney Odman interviews Sadie Stanley about the second season of Freeform's murder-mystery anthology series Cruel Summer. The actress, recently seen in Ray Romano's Somewhere in Queens, recalls getting her start with Kim Possible after begging her parents to act when she was just a teen. The interview.
This Week's Must Reads
►On the cover. With Emmy campaigning gearing up, THR's award-winning Roundtable series is back! For the annual Drama Actor Emmy Roundtable, Pedro Pascal, Kieran Culkin, Jeff Bridges, Michael Imperioli, Evan Peters and Damson Idris join Lacey Rose for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the myth of leaving your demons on set, the weirdest fan obsessions and who's really in that Mandalorian suit. Watch the full roundtable.
—"Our attitude was, 'Audiences are smarter than you think.'" Oscar-winning duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller open up to THR's second-nicest man Aaron Couch about the intense pressure of the long-awaited Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. They also discuss their upcoming "filthy" talking dog movie, Strays. The profile.
—Anonymous strike diary.THR's series of frank accounts of the writers strike continues. The Well-Known Creator is back, and in his latest picket-line dispatch, the showrunner recalls the time a producer accidentally sent him back his own script for thoughts on how it could be improved. The diary.
—The latest Emmy predictions. Ahead of the 2023 Emmy nominations, THR awards expert Scott Feinberg offers his updated picks for 24 categories. The Feinberg Forecast.
—James Poniewozik writes that, unlike previous rich-people series like Dallas, Succession argues that the problems of the hyper-wealthy inevitably become ours too [NYT]
—According to Leila Latif, Yellowjackets has taken the survival horror of Lord of the Flies to new heights [Guardian]
—Heather Schwedel wants to know what's happening with the outfits on Selling Sunset [Slate]
—Todd Martens interviews one of Disneyland's leaders in bringing diverse, adventurous entertainment to the parks [LAT]
—Samantha Chery dives into the drama involving Taylor Swift, Matty Healy and Ice Spice [WaPo]
Today...
Today's birthdays: Paul Bettany (52), Lily-Rose Depp (24), Lorne MacFadyen (33), Bella Heathcote (36), Shanola Hampton (46), Joseph Fiennes (53), Peri Gilpin (62), Richard Schiff (68), Jack McBrayer (50), Chris Colfer (33), André 3000 (48), Steven Brill (61), Brad Peyton (45), Jamie Oliver (48)
Marlene Clark, the statuesque actress who portrayed Lamont's fiancée on Sanford and Son and stood out in such 1970s films as Ganja & Hess, Switchblade Sisters and Slaughter, has died. She was 85. The obituary.
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