Chinese-born and L.A.-based Filmmaker ChloĂŠ Zhao won accolades with 2017’s The Rider and since then has signed-on to direct Marvel’s The Eternals. Coming next is her Film, NOMADLAND starring and produced by Frances McDormand which will be doing the Festival rounds at at the New York, Venice and Toronto International Film Festival. The latter two will premiere on September 11, 2020. Telluride also will be hosting a special Drive-In Screening in lieu of their Festival being cancelled this year.
Synopsis:
NOMADLAND marks the first project between Zhao and Searchlight and the fifth between McDormand and Searchlight. McDormand won an Oscar for her performance in Martin McDonaghâs film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which Searchlight released globally in 2017. Zhao adapted NOMADLAND from journalist Jessica Bruderâs 2017 non-fiction book Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century following McDormand and producer Peter Spearsâ acquisition of the literary adaptation rights shortly after publication. The film follows Fern (McDormand), a woman who, after the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. The film features real nomads Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells as Fernâs mentors and comrades in her exploration through the vast landscape of the American West.
Searchlight Pictures release NOMADLAND this Fall.
(Photo credit: Searchlight Pictures)
Disney held their annual D23 Expo in Anaheim, California today and several announcements were made and unveiled including some exciting casting additions to Marvel’s The Eternals. The Cast of FROZEN 2Â even did a performance!
Check-out some of the highlights!
LUCASFILM
President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy and âStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerâ director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams showcased the riveting conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Kennedy and Abrams revved up the audience, introducing nine stars from the filmâmany of whom marked this as their first D23 Expo appearance: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Billy Dee Williams, plus special appearances from R2-D2, BB-8 and the new droid D-O. A brand-new poster was revealedâand gifted to the entire audience. And all were given a look back at the incredible legacy of Star Wars storytelling and treated to a sneak peek of âStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,â which opens in theatres on Dec. 19, 2019.
MARVEL STUDIOS
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, kicked off his presentation with a surprise visit from âBlack Pantherâ director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Together, they revealed that âBlack Panther 2â (working title) will hit theatres on May 6, 2022.
Feige segued to next yearâs âThe Eternals,â inviting cast members from the much-anticipated film to the stage: Richard Madden, who portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani, who plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff, who portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek, who plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh, who portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee, who plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie, who stars as the fierce warrior Thena. Feige revealed concept art images of each character, and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event. Directed by ChloĂŠ Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film âThe Rider,â âThe Eternalsâ opens in theatres on Nov. 6, 2020.
Feige concluded with âBlack Widow,â the Cate Shortland-directed first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which hits theatres on May 1, 2020. Feige shared a pre-recorded greeting featuring stars Scarlett Johansson, who reprises her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; David Harbour, who was cast as Alexei the Red Guardian; and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. The audience was also treated to an exclusive look at the upcoming film.
DISNEY LIVE ACTION
Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, took the audience through upcoming releases for the studio, including next summerâs âJungle Cruise,â a rousing adventure inspired by the classic theme-park attraction. Star Dwayne Johnson, who plays riverboat captain Frank Wolff, entered Hall D23 aboard an original Jungle Cruise boat, introducing a âtrailerâ that showed off his characterâso much so, that co-star Emily Blunt, who portrays Dr. Lily Houghton, arrived via classic car to share with fans her own âtrailer,â offering a different perspectiveâBailey laughingly informed Johnson and Blunt that neither trailer was official. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Disneyâs âJungle Cruiseâ hits theatres on July 24, 2020.
Bailey welcomed Angelina Jolie back to the stage to present exclusive footage and details about Disneyâs âMaleficent: Mistress of Evil,â the exciting follow-up to the hit 2014 film. Maleficent, portrayed by Jolie, and her goddaughter Aurora, played by Elle Fanning, begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies and new dark forces at play. Auroraâs imminent marriage to Prince Phillip is cause for celebrationâhowever, Prince Phillipâs mother, Queen Ingrith, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer, challenges Maleficentâs role as Auroraâs mother figure. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Connal, one of the leaders of the dark fey who becomes Maleficentâs ally. Ejiofor, Pfeiffer and Fanning were all welcomed to the stage by an enthusiastic audience. Directed by Joachim Rønning, who co-helmed 2017âs âPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,â âMaleficent: Mistress of Evilâ arrives in theatres on Oct. 17, 2019.
Bailey next introduced acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro, director of âMulan,â the upcoming live-action reimagining of the 1998 classic animated film. Caro expressed to fans her passion for the project, sharing several minutes of footage from the epic adventure inspired by one of Chinaâs fiercest warriors. In Disneyâs âMulan,â which opens in theatres on March 27, 2020, the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders. So, the eldest daughter of an honored but ailing warrior masquerades as a man, transforming into a heroic warrior to ultimately earn her the respect of a grateful nation and a proud father.
Next up, Bailey shared details about âCruella,â an all-new feature film starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. Stone, who plays the iconic âCruella,â sent D23 Expo fans a greeting from the London-based set with help from a spotted, four-legged co-star. Fans also got a glimpse of an image of Stone in full costume with Cruellaâs signature black-and-white hair. Director Craig Gillespie, who helmed âI, Tonyaâ and âThe Finest Hours,â brings âCruellaâ to the big screen on May 28, 2021, with a fresh, 1970s, punk-rock approach.
PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS
Pixar Animation Studiosâ Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter guided the audience through Pixarâs upcoming film slate of originals. Docter began with next summerâs release, âSoul,â which he directs. The film journeys from the streets of New York City to the never-before-seen cosmic realms and âThe You Seminar,â the fantastical place where we all discover our unique personalities. Producer Dana Murray, co-director/writer Kemp Powers and writer Mike Jones joined Docter on stage, and together they set up the film for the audience and shared a sneak peek. The team revealed members of the voice cast who joined them on stage, including Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, Tina Fey and Jamie Foxx. Foxx lends his voice to Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is playing jazz. Fey plays 22, a soul-in-training who has an unexpected encounter with Joe when he accidentally finds his way to the âYou Seminar.â Together, the two are going to find a way to get Joe back to Earth, making him think again about what it truly means to have soul. Filmmakers also revealed that globally renowned musician Jon Batiste will be writing original jazz music for the film, and OscarÂŽ-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (âThe Social Networkâ), from Nine Inch Nails, will compose an original score that will drift between the real and soul worlds. Disney and Pixarâs âSoulâ opens in theatres on June 19, 2020.
Docter next introduced director Dan Scanlon and producer Kori Rae, who shared details and more than ten minutes of exclusive footage from Pixarâs upcoming feature film âOnward.â The movie, which opens in theatres on March 6, 2020, stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in the world. Set in a modern fantasy world, Disney and Pixarâs âOnwardâ is inspired by Scanlonâs personal experiences with his brother. Holland, Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfusâwho voices Mom in the movieâjoined the filmmakers on stageâmuch to the delight of the audience, who all received an exclusive âOnwardâ poster.
WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS
Walt Disney Animation Studiosâ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee presented an overview of the studioâs next two features, beginning with the Thanksgiving 2020 fantasy-action-adventure, âRaya and the Last Dragon.â Directors Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins (âBig Hero 6,â âFrozenâ), producer Osnat Shurer (âMoanaâ) and writer Adele Lim (âCrazy Rich Asiansâ) joined Lee on stage to set up the film, which introduces Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. The D23 Expo crowd was the first to get a look at the new film, viewing an exclusive three-minute piece. They also met two newly announced members of the voice cast: Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the Last Dragon, who was left on Earth in case dark forces return to the world, and Cassie Steele voices the lead character, Raya. Exploring themes of community and hope, and inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, the fantasy-action-adventure âRaya and the Last Dragonâ opens in theatres on Nov. 25, 2020.
Lee, who directs âFrozen 2â with Chris Buck, and wrote the screenplay, invited Buck to join her on stage as the OscarÂŽ-winning duo revealed new details about the upcoming film, which opens in theatres on Nov. 21. Lee and Buck introduced two new âFrozen 2â cast members: Sterling K. Brown, who voices Lieutenant Destin Mattias, and Evan Rachel Wood, who voices Queen Iduna, Anna and Elsaâs mother. The crowdâwho received an exclusive D23 Expo âFrozen 2â posterâsaw never-before-seen footage of the new characters, including a scene that featured Wood as Iduna singing to young Elsa and Anna. The song, âAll Is Found,â is one of seven all-new original songs by OscarÂŽ-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The audience also saw a sequence from the movie that showcased Elsaâs yearning for answers about the past, culminating in another song, âInto the Unknown.â And a climactic performance of the song âSome Things Never Changeâ by Menzel, Bell, Groff and Gad brought the audience to its feet, capping off the studio presentation in extraordinary style.
(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)
Some exciting stuff coming out of Comic-Con this weekend in San Diego! A Series of announcements have been made as to the next set of Films to come out in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of them features our v. own Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) in the titual role of Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings!
THE ETERNALS
Feige kicked off with an overview of the feature film âThe Eternals,â an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige introduced the director, ChloĂŠ Zhao, followed by stars from the film, including, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh and Angelina Jolie as Thena.
âThe Eternalsâ will make their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in theatres on November 6, 2020.
THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER
Feige brought news on the Disney+ original series âThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier,â which pairs up two of the Marvel Cinematic Universeâs most popular heroesâSam Wilson aka The Falcon and Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldierâin a series of action-filled adventures as they fight together against evil after the events of âAvengers: Endgame.â
Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) came on stage to greet the fans, and it was revealed that Daniel BrĂźhl will return as the villain, Baron Zemo.
âThe Falcon and The Winter Soldierâ is set to debut on Disney+ in the fall of 2020.
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS
Feige spoke about the feature film âShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsâ and detailed how the legend has been hinted at in the MCU films since the first âIron Man.â
In an unanticipated surprise for all, Kevin Feige then announced the confirmed casting of Simu Liu in the title role of Shang-Chi and both the actor and the director, Destin Daniel Cretton, came on stage to greet the audience. Kevin also shared with the audience the casting of Awkwafina in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Then, Kevin revealed to the Hall H audience that the real Mandarin will be played by celebrated Chinese actor Tony Leung.
âShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsâ will be in theatres on February 12, 2021.
WANDAVISION
Next, Feige offered the latest on âWandaVision,â a Disney+ original series where Paul Bettany reprises the role of Vision and Elizabeth Olsen returns to her role of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.
Bettany and Olsen were joined on stage by MCU newcomer Teyonah Parris, and Feige announced that Parris will be playing the grown-up version of Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in âCaptain Marvel.â
âWandaVisionâ premieres on Disney+ in the spring of 2021.
LOKI
Feige offered news on âLoki,â a Marvel Studios original series streaming on Disney+ in the spring of 2021. Tom Hiddlestonâback in his role of the mercurial Loki, the god of mischief and everyoneâs favorite villainâreceived a huge welcome from fans when Feige brought him out on stage.
Then to the delight of the audience, Hiddleston answered the biggest question from âAvengers: Endgameâ: âWhere did Loki go when he took the Space Stone?â
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Feige introduced the second film in the âDoctor Strangeâ franchise, âDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,â and called the director, Scott Derrickson, and star Benedict Cumberbatch to the stage to a rousing welcome.
In a surprise twist, Feige brought out Elizabeth Olsen, who also stars in âDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,â and they talked about how âWandaVisionââthe Disney+ series that Olsen will star in as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witchâconnects directly to the feature-film storyline.
âDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessâ hits theatres on May 7, 2021.
WHAT IF�
Feige offered new information on âWhat IfâŚ?,â the first animated series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. âWhat IfâŚ?â is being created exclusively for Disney+ and features stories that present alternate realities in the Marvel universe.
Feige mentioned that many actors from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe will reprise their roles as voice talent in the series. He then surprised the audience by bringing Jeffrey Wright to the stage and introducing him as the voice of the popular character The Watcher in the new series.
âWhat IfâŚ?â joins the Disney+ lineup in the summer of 2021.
HAWKEYE
Jeremy Renner came on stage and revealed the previously undisclosed title of the Hawkeye Disney+ original series. He joined Kevin Feige to give exciting news about âHawkeye,â including details about Kate Bishop, a character well-known in Marvel comics, who will be an integral part of the series.
âHawkeyeâ launches on Disney+ in the fall of 2021.
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER
Feige talked about the next Thor film, âThor: Love and Thunder,â which will be the fourth feature film in the âThorâ franchise. It was revealed that Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman, will become the Mighty Thor, the goddess of Thunder.
Director Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman all came on stage for the presentation, eliciting a wild response from the Hall H audience who are looking forward to the filmâs November 5, 2021 debut in theatres.
BLACK WIDOW
Feige officially announced the feature film âBlack Widow,â which is slated for a May 1, 2020 release in theatres, making it the first film of Phase Four to hit the big screen.
Feige surprised the audience with the first footage from âBlack Widow,â which is currently in production. The film is directed by Cate Shortland who was on hand to greet the Hall H audience along with Scarlett Johansson, reprising her role of Natasha Romanoff, as well as newcomers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian, Florence Pugh as Yelena, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina.
BLADE
Following the âBlack Widowâ presentation, Feige had another big surprise up his sleeve for the enthusiastic Hall H crowd. He was joined on stage by actor Mahershala Ali and then announced the new Marvel Studios feature film âBladeâ that Ali will star in.
(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Canada)
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