From censorship disputes to auteur production announcements, it has been yet another eventful week. Rumours have been circulating about the line-up for the Venice Film Festival, and we have received updates regarding Zack Snyder’s space opera Rebel Moon. Additionally, it seems that the disgraced director Bryan Singer is attempting to make something of a comeback.
There is never a dull moment in the world of movies, and this week has been no exception. Keep reading to get your dose of movie news you may have missed over the past week
Movie Updates
Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon Split Into Two Halves Due To Netflix Interference
Zack Snyder’s upcoming space opera, “Rebel Moon,” has been split into two parts due to Netflix’s preference for films under two hours. The decision came after Netflix’s Scott Stuber expressed concern over the original 172-page script’s length, which would have resulted in a film exceeding the two-hour mark.
In response, Snyder proposed splitting “Rebel Moon” into two parts, allowing him to maintain the integrity of the story and characters. The film, described as Snyder’s R-rated take on Star Wars, follows a peaceful colony on the galaxy’s edge that sends out a mysterious woman to find warriors to face off against a tyrannical regent and his armies. The ensemble cast includes Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Michiel Huisman, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, E. Duffy, Djimon Hounsou, and Ed Skrein.
Interestingly, Snyder also revealed that each movie will have two different cuts. One version will be a film “that anyone can enjoy and watch,” while an alternate cut will be aimed at adults, offering a “deeper, harder dive” into the material for Snyder’s dedicated fanbase. The first part of “Rebel Moon” will be released on Netflix on December 22, 2023, with the second part shortly after.
First Look at Gladiator 2 Sets
Ridley Scott‘s much-anticipated sequel to his 2000 historical epic, “Gladiator,” is finally underway, with production starting this month. New set photos from the film’s location in Morocco reveal the construction of a new Colosseum.
The sequel, titled “Gladiator 2,” is set 25 years after the original and will follow the story of Lucius, the son of Lucilla and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix’s villainous Commodus. The cast includes Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Djimon Hounsou, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn. The film is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024.
Production News
Jia Zhangke’s We Shall Be All
Acclaimed Chinese auteur filmmaker Jia Zhangke is back with his next feature directing project, “We Shall Be All,” his first in five years since Ash Is Purest White, which premiered at Cannes in 2018. The film is set across the first two decades of the 21st century.
The film has been in the making for 22 years, with the first elements shot as far back as 2001. The rest of the film will be shot later this year. The film is co-written by Jia and Wan Jiahuan, who previously collaborated on Jia’s 2020 documentary Swimming Out Till The Sea Turns Blue. The film will star Zhao Tao, a highly acclaimed actor and Jia’s wife, who has appeared in all of Jia’s fiction films since his 2000 film Platform.
Leos Carax Shooting ‘C’est Pas Moi’
French master Leos Carax is currently producing his next film, “C’est Pas Moi.” Carax, known for his Cannes-winning film Annette, is expected to be in the Cannes competition next year if the film is finished on time. It wasn’t expected that Carax would so quickly make a new film as he is known for taking years between making films, with his filmography composed of just six films: 1984’s Boy Meets Girl, 1986’s Mauvais Sang, 1991’s Lovers on the Bridge, 1999’s Pola X, 2012’s Holy Motors, and 2021’s Annette.
“C’est Pas Moi” is described as a “free format film” and a self-portrait that revisits more than 40 years of Carax’s filmography. The film is set for a 2024 release in France.
Kathryn Bigelow Starts Shooting Her Next First Project Since 2017
Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow has begun filming her new project, “Smuggler,” six years after the release of her last film, Detroit. Cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan shared the news on his Instagram stories. It is currently unknown if “Smuggler” is a movie, TV series, or advertisement.
Bigelow’s career spans over 40 years, dating back to her first directed short, The Set Up, in 1978. She has directed three films since 2008: The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, and Detroit. For “The Hurt Locker,” Bigelow became the first woman to win Best Director at the Oscars. The film won six Oscars in total, including Best Picture.
Claire Denis Shooting Next Film In Cameroon
Claire Denis is preparing to shoot her next film in Cameroon. This news comes after Denis had previously speculated that her film Both Sides of the Blade might be her last amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she released two films in 2022, both of which won prizes at Berlin and Cannes.
Denis has just finished writing her new feature and will start location scouting in Cameroon this month. The French auteur, who grew up in Cameroon, has previously shot her 1988 debut, Chocolat, and 2009’s White Material in the country. The new project is expected to carry the same autobiographical elements as her previous films. Despite her global acclaim, Denis has only one César nomination to her name, highlighting the often-overlooked brilliance of her work.
Releases
Woody Allen’s ‘Coup de Change’ Venice Bound
Woody Allen‘s 50th film, “Coup de Chance,” is reportedly headed to the Venice Film Festival at the end of August. The film, described as a “terrific new murder-drama,” has received positive early word of mouth. The film is high on the list for Venice director Alberto Barbera, and it is suggested that it might be too good not to program at the festival.
“Coup de Chance” has a French distributor and is hoping to have a theatrical release in the US this fall. The film had two private screenings in NYC in March and April, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with some saying it is Allen’s “best film in years.” The first teaser for the film has been released, although it currently lacks subtitles.
Other
The French Connection Censorship Controversy
The classic William Friedkin 1971 film, The French Connection, has recently been at the centre of a censorship controversy. A re-edited version of the film, which removes a racial slur, has been made available on multiple platforms, including the Criterion Channel, iTunes, and during repertory screenings.
The scene in question involves the character Popeye Doyle, played by Gene Hackman, using a racial slur. This edited version of the film has been shown on the Criterion Channel, a streaming service owned by Disney after the 20th Century Fox merger. The film’s original cut, with the scene intact, is still being shown on Disney+ Italy.
The censorship of the film has been met with backlash from fans and critics alike, who argue that such alterations can lead to a form of revisionism that obscures the reality of history. Critics also point out that the edited version of the film was not clearly labelled as altered, which is particularly concerning given that the Criterion Channel is aimed at hardcore movie fans.
Bryan Singer Returns?
Bryan Singer, the once-acclaimed director known for his work on films like X-Men, Superman Returns, and The Usual Suspects, is reportedly planning a comeback. Singer has been living in Israel since 2019 and is now working on a self-financed documentary about himself, addressing the allegations of sexual misconduct that have stalled his career.
In addition to the documentary, Singer plans to return to his indie roots by developing three low-budget narrative features set in and around Israel. These films, each with a budget of $10 million, are currently in the early stages of development, with Singer meeting with potential investors.
Singer’s career took a hit in 2017 when he was fired from Bohemian Rhapsody production due to reports of absences and conflicts with the cast and crew. Shortly after his firing, Singer was sued by Cesar Sanchez-Guzman, who accused the director of raping him while he was underage in 2003. Singer agreed to a $150,000 settlement to end the lawsuit in 2019.
Bronze Screen Dream 