Month: April 2022

Frank Langella has been let go from Netflix’s limited series The Fall of the House of Usher, following an investigation into his alleged misconduct on set. Mark Hamill, Carla Gugino and Mary McDonnell are among the cast members involved in the series, inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

The 84-year-old Langella, who earned a best actor Oscar nomination for 2008’s Frost/Nixon, was set to play Roderick Usher in the streamer’s eight-episode horror project inspired by multiple Edgar Allan Poe tales. The investigation was completed with the series midway through production, and the actor’s role will be recast. Footage of Langella will not be used, according to a source.

The investigation began after Langella was accused of making inappropriate remarks to a female co-star. Netflix declined to comment, and a representative for Langella did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Salma Hayek has joined the cast of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, replacing Thandiwe Newton, who has stepped away from the project.  A spokesperson for Warner Bros. said in a statement: “Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters.”

Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third in the series franchise, is currently in production in London. The third film will premiere on HBO Max, once again starring Channing Tatum in the titular role. Steven Soderbergh is returning to direct, based off a script by Reid Carolyn.

The first two films — Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015) grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, and inspired the stage show ‘Magic Mike Live,’ which was launched in 2017.

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Larry David revealed that the improvisational comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm will return for a 12th season. The actor, who stars in the series derived as a follow up to the 1999 HBO comedy special Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, revealed the news at an HBO Max-presented Directors Guild of America Emmys event hosted by Rich Eisen.

Eisen wrote on Twitter: “So, I was honored to emcee an [Emmys] panel for Curb Your Enthusiasm tonight here in L.A. with most of the cast and asked Larry David the ultimate question: Will there be another season of Curb?” “He said yes.” Ahead of the season 11 premiere in October, David told Eisen that he was unsure whether another season was in the cards. He said: “It’s too soon. It’s way too soon. I need to see how I feel, you know. It’s a huge mountain to climb to — first of all — to write it, to shoot it, to edit. It’s about 18 months from beginning to end. So it’s a big obligation.”

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Netflix has released the first trailer for Season 4 of Stranger Things.  The trailer shows the town of Hawkins facing a demonic threat with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) being told, “Without you, we can’t win this war” and is set to Journey’s 1983 classic “Separate Ways.”

The official description of Season 4 reads: “It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time — and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.”

The season is being split into two parts. “Volume 1” of season four will debut May 27 (three years after season three aired); and the second half of the fourth season, “Volume 2,” will debut July 1.

Netflix also recently announced that the show’s fifth season will be its last. Take a look at the Season 4 trailer of Stranger Things – here.

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“Fast & Furious” franchise star Vin Diesel has publicly welcomed Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson to the ‘F&F’ family. Diesel wrote in an Instagram post, which included a photo of him and Larson laughing together, “Yeah yeah yeah… you see this angel over my shoulder cracking me up, you say to your self ‘that’s captain Marvel. Clearly there is love and laughter in this image. What you don’t see however, is the character you will be introduced to in Fast10. You have no idea how timeless and amazing she will be in our mythology. Beyond her beauty, her intellect… her Oscar, haha is this profound soul who will add something you might not have expected but yearned for. Welcome to the FAMILY Brie. @brielarson.”

Larson has publicly expressed her desire to join the blockbuster franchise, saying in a past interview: “Please, please tell everybody I would, of course, want to be in a Fast & Furious movie. I’m obsessed. I love them. I think they’re so good. They’re so fun. And they’ve made me appreciate cars. And it’s something that should be appreciated. They’re incredible. So of course, please.”

Plot details for Fast10 have not been disclosed, but just a few months ago Jason Momoa was announced as the newest member of the Fast & Furious family. Fast 10 will see the return of Justin Lin, who directed the latest installment of the blockbuster series, as well as previously announced cast members including Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez, Sung Kang, and Daniela Melchior

Shooting on the movie is slated to begin this spring with a release date set for release May 19, 2023.

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Comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at age of 67, according to a post on social media written by his family.  The statement read: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”   According to Glenn Schwartz, Gottfried’s longtime friend and publicist, the comedian died on Tuesday from Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.

Gottfried performed stand-up comedy for over 50 years, and according to his representative, became known as “the comedian’s comedian” because his live performances put aside political correctness while he delivers jokes that know no boundaries.  Gottfried’s comedic career led to roles in films including “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Problem Child,” “Look Who’s Talking II” and “The Aristocrats.” He was also notably the voice of the wise cracking parrot Iago in Disney’s iconic animated film “Aladdin.”  In 2017, he was the subject of the documentary “Gilbert,” about his life. He also co-hosted a podcast, “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!”, where he and Frank Santopadre interviewed Hollywood icons and legends.

Gottfried is survived by his wife Dara, daughter Lily, 14, son Max, 12, sister Karen, and nephew Graham.

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