In the aftermath of Cannes, we’ve had a busy week of movie news. Martin Scorsese has been committing to roughly 80,000 projects, rumours about production delays continue to harras Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming movies and Robert Eggers’ long-awaited Nosferatu remake wraps filming. Read ahead to learn more and catch up on all the movie news you might have missed in the past week.

Movie Updates

The Second-to-Last Temptation of Christ (Scorsese Eying Up A New Film About Jesus)

The busiest man in showbusiness, Martin Scorsese, is set to make another movie about Jesus Christ, following his 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ. Scorsese announced the project after a meeting with Pope Francis, who encouraged him to continue exploring religious themes in his work. 

Paul Thomas Anderson New Film Potentially Delayed

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s upcoming film is in the pre-production phase, with a potential delay due to the ongoing writers’ strike. The film is expected to start shooting in July 2023, pending the resolution of the writers’ strike.

The film, rumoured to be an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland,” has a star-studded cast lined up, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Rachael Taylor, Viggo Mortensen, and Vicky Krieps. However, Joaquin Phoenix, initially rumoured to be attached to the project, has since departed.

Ruben Ostlund Plans Next Film

Swedish director Ruben Östlund, known for his Palme d’Or-winning films, is planning his next project titled “The Entertainment System is Down”, which will star Woody Harrelson. The film, set to shoot in the fall of 2024, will take place on a long-haul flight where the entertainment system fails, forcing passengers to confront their own thoughts and boredom. 

Wes Anderson Plans Roald Dahl Anthology

Despite Wes Anderson already having released the film Asteroid City in 2023, he is working on an anthology film based on Roald Dahl’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.” The film will feature four of Dahl’s adult-oriented, darker, and twisted stories, with a cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, and Richard Ayoade.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer Rated R

Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming historical epic, “Oppenheimer,” has received an R rating. The film, which marks Nolan’s first collaboration with Universal after parting ways with Warner Bros., is just under three hours long. This is Nolan’s first R-rated film since his 2002 thriller Insomnia.

“Oppenheimer” follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, the physicist often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb.” The ensemble cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Casey Affleck, Gary Oldman, James Remar, Josh Hartnett, and Alden Ehrenreich. The film is set to premiere in theatres on July 21.

Robert De Niro Hints at Another Scorsese/Dicaprio Collaboration 

In a recent interview with Variety, Robert De Niro hinted at a potential future collaboration with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. De Niro, who has a long history of working with Scorsese, mentioned that he has been discussing an idea with Scorsese for years and hopes it will materialise into a project. 

While no specific details about the potential project were revealed, the prospect of another collaboration between De Niro, Scorsese, and DiCaprio has sparked excitement among fans. De Niro also commented on Scorsese’s recently announced film about Jesus, stating that while he doesn’t know what role he might play, he trusts Scorsese to find something suitable for him.

Filming/Production News

Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ Wraps Filming

Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated remake of the classic horror film Nosferatu has completed filming. The production took place in Prague, with Eggers at the helm. The film stars Lily-Rose Depp and Bill Skarsgård, who will be stepping into the role of the iconic vampire. 

The film is a passion project for Eggers, who has wanted to remake the 1922 silent film for years. Eggers’ version is expected to stay true to the source material while adding his unique touch. The release date is yet to be announced.

David Mamet’s ‘Assassination’ To Start Shooting in September

David Mamet’s new film “Assassination” is set to start shooting in September. The film, which marks Mamet’s first since 2008’s Redbelt, boasts a star-studded cast including Al Pacino, Viggo Mortensen, John Travolta, Courtney Love, and Shia La Beouf. 

The plot revolves around the notorious Chicago mobster Sam Giancana arranging the assassination of President John F Kennedy. The film will be shot in Vancouver and is expected to be released in 2024.

Andrea Arnold’s ‘Bird’ Production News

Andrea Arnold’s next film, “Bird,” is set to start production next week. The film, which A24 is producing, will star Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski. While no plot details have been released, the film has caused Keoghan to step away from the Gladiator sequel due to scheduling conflicts. 

Safdie-Sadler Film Delayed

The Safdie Brothers’ next film, starring Adam Sandler and Gael García Bernal, has been delayed again. The film, set in the world of high-end sports card collecting in the 1990s, is now expected to start shooting in August. The locations for the shoot are New York City and Atlantic City, with Netflix backing the project. This is the first project where the Safdie brothers have split their roles, with only Josh directing this film.

Filming for ‘The Batman: Part II’ Delayed

The much-anticipated sequel to The Batman, titled “The Batman: Part II,” has reportedly faced delays in its filming schedule. The production, initially set to begin in early 2023, is now expected to start later in the year. 

The delay is attributed to script revisions and scheduling conflicts among the cast. The sequel will see Robert Pattinson reprise his Batman role, with Matt Reeves returning as director. The delay in filming means that the release date, initially set for 2024, may also be pushed back.

Shia LaBeouf Writing A Abel Ferrara Auschwitz Film

Actor Shia LaBeouf is reportedly collaborating with director Abel Ferrara on a new film project centred around Auschwitz. The project is said to be a deeply personal one for LaBeouf, who is of Jewish descent. The film will mark a new direction for LaBeouf, primarily known for his acting roles. Details about the plot and casting are yet to be revealed. Still, the project has already garnered significant interest due to the historical significance of its subject matter and the unique pairing of LaBeouf and Ferrara.

Premiers

Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘How Do You Live?’ – No Plans For Festivals

Hayao Miyazaki‘s highly anticipated film, “How Do You Live?” is set to be released in Japan on July 14th. Studio Ghibli head Toshio Suzuki has confirmed that the film will be 125 minutes long. Despite efforts from Cannes director Thierry Frémaux to include the film in competition, Miyazaki has shown no interest in participating in film festivals. 

It seems that Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli are content with premiering their latest film to the Japanese public before the rest of the world, as they have done with almost every other film in the past. No US release date has been set for the film, but signs point towards a fall release.

Roman Polanski’s‘ The Palace’ at the Venice Film Festival?

Roman Polanski‘s upcoming film “The Palace” is rumoured to be eyeing a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film’s team is reportedly pushing hard for this premiere, and given that Polanski’s last film won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice, it seems plausible. The film will star John Cleese, Mickey Rourke, and Fanny Ardant.

Bruno Dumont’s ‘The Empire’ To Be Released in 2024

Bruno Dumont’s upcoming sci-fi drama “The Empire” is set to be released in March 2024 in France. The film is currently in pre-production and will star Lily-Rose Depp, Anamaria Vartolomei, Camille Cottin, and Fabrice Luchini. 

The story revolves around two opposing forces from outer space who unleash an apocalyptic conflict on Northern France’s picturesque Opal Coast. Despite being offered the opening night slot at the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs (Directors’ Fortnight) at Cannes, Dumont reportedly refused the invite.

Other News

Justine Triet in Hot Water Thanks to her Palme d’Or Speech

Justine Triet, the French filmmaker who recently won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes for her courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall, has stirred controversy with her acceptance speech.

Triet, only the third female director to receive the honour, used her platform to criticise President Emmanuel Macron and the French government’s austerity programmes, including major cuts to cultural programmes and pension reforms. She dedicated her award to young directors struggling to make films in today’s hostile environment. Her remarks were met with a swift response from French culture minister Rima Abdul Malak, who defended the French film financing model and expressed surprise at Triet’s comments.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things Poster Unveiled

The poster for Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming film “Poor Things” has been unveiled. The film, a Frankenstein-like tale based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray, stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, and Christopher Abbott. The poster was revealed in a Vogue interview with Lanthimos and Stone. 

The film, which is set to release on September 8th, tells the story of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Dafoe). Bella runs off with a lawyer, Duncan Wedderburn (Ruffalo), and embarks on a whirlwind adventure across continents, standing for equality and liberation.