Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos have a sense of comic timing that rivals Nichols and May.
Case in point: When I ask Lanthimos how he became aware of Stone, the 50-year-old Greek director hesitates for a moment before addressing his 35-year-old muse.
“I was aware of her work,” he says. “I thought of her for ‘The Lobster,’ but didn’t use her.”
“Do you want to say why?” Stone asks.
“Do you want me to say?” Yorgos responds.
“Tell him why it didn’t work out,” Stone says. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“The reason I didn’t actually go to her,” Yorgos says, “is because there’s a lisping character in ‘The Lobster,’ and I didn’t want her to be that character. But Emma has a lisp of her own, so I was like, ‘That’s going to be confusing. If someone who’s not the lisping woman in the script has a lisp,...
Case in point: When I ask Lanthimos how he became aware of Stone, the 50-year-old Greek director hesitates for a moment before addressing his 35-year-old muse.
“I was aware of her work,” he says. “I thought of her for ‘The Lobster,’ but didn’t use her.”
“Do you want to say why?” Stone asks.
“Do you want me to say?” Yorgos responds.
“Tell him why it didn’t work out,” Stone says. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“The reason I didn’t actually go to her,” Yorgos says, “is because there’s a lisping character in ‘The Lobster,’ and I didn’t want her to be that character. But Emma has a lisp of her own, so I was like, ‘That’s going to be confusing. If someone who’s not the lisping woman in the script has a lisp,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Stephen Rodrick
- Variety Film + TV
Michael Cera would be up for a Barbie spinoff focusing on his character, Allan.
The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, where he discussed Greta Gerwig’s eight-time Oscar-nominated film and his now-beloved take on Ken’s best friend.
“[It was an] amazing thing to be a part of,” he told Jimmy Fallon of being in the biggest film of 2023. “I mean, I couldn’t believe that I had a chance to be a part of it. It just came out of nowhere for me. I think I was like a last-minute replacement of someone, the person they actually wanted.”
Cera was right. Barbie casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan revealed that Jonathan Groff was the first person they approached to portray Allan in the film. They explained to Vanity Fair that Groff couldn’t take the role because of scheduling conflicts. “Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like,...
The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, where he discussed Greta Gerwig’s eight-time Oscar-nominated film and his now-beloved take on Ken’s best friend.
“[It was an] amazing thing to be a part of,” he told Jimmy Fallon of being in the biggest film of 2023. “I mean, I couldn’t believe that I had a chance to be a part of it. It just came out of nowhere for me. I think I was like a last-minute replacement of someone, the person they actually wanted.”
Cera was right. Barbie casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan revealed that Jonathan Groff was the first person they approached to portray Allan in the film. They explained to Vanity Fair that Groff couldn’t take the role because of scheduling conflicts. “Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Husband-and-wife duo Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick have landed roles together in a movie for the first time in two decades, with The King of Queens creator Michael J. Weithorn penning and directing Connescence.
Principal photography kicked off this week on the movie from Victoria Hill and Greg Clark’s Fibonacci Films, with Bacon and Sedgwick playing the leads, joined by White Lotus star Brittany O’Grady and Oscar-nominated The Fabelmans actor Judd Hirsch.
Bacon plays Stan Olszewski, a sharp, funny, but chronically underachieving security guard, who breaks up an attempted robbery at the home of Cynthia Rand (Sedgwick), a successful urologist married to brilliant former Watergate prosecutor Warren Rand (Judd Hirsch). From this chance encounter grows a charged and dynamic friendship – first as late-night text sessions filled with humor and intimate revelations, growing into something that shakes the foundation of both their lives.
Bacon and Sedgwick, who married in...
Principal photography kicked off this week on the movie from Victoria Hill and Greg Clark’s Fibonacci Films, with Bacon and Sedgwick playing the leads, joined by White Lotus star Brittany O’Grady and Oscar-nominated The Fabelmans actor Judd Hirsch.
Bacon plays Stan Olszewski, a sharp, funny, but chronically underachieving security guard, who breaks up an attempted robbery at the home of Cynthia Rand (Sedgwick), a successful urologist married to brilliant former Watergate prosecutor Warren Rand (Judd Hirsch). From this chance encounter grows a charged and dynamic friendship – first as late-night text sessions filled with humor and intimate revelations, growing into something that shakes the foundation of both their lives.
Bacon and Sedgwick, who married in...
- 1/30/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Barbie led all films with eight wins at the Astra Film Awards on Saturday night, but the biggest winner of all may have been the Hca — an organization of “critics, entertainment journalists, content creators, industry insiders and creatives” formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association and recently rebranded as the Hollywood Creative Alliance — which appears to have weathered external criticisms and internal dissension, given the sizable talent turnout at its flagship event.
Among those who came to the Biltmore in downtown L.A. to collect honors during a weekend packed with awards season activities leading up to the Golden Globe Awards: Barbie’s Greta Gerwig, who collected the best picture and best original screenplay prizes, the former with producer David Heyman, who, in turn, collected Margot Robbie’s best actress prize; Mark Ronson, who accepted best original song (“I’m Just Ken”) and, on behalf of Ryan Gosling, best supporting...
Among those who came to the Biltmore in downtown L.A. to collect honors during a weekend packed with awards season activities leading up to the Golden Globe Awards: Barbie’s Greta Gerwig, who collected the best picture and best original screenplay prizes, the former with producer David Heyman, who, in turn, collected Margot Robbie’s best actress prize; Mark Ronson, who accepted best original song (“I’m Just Ken”) and, on behalf of Ryan Gosling, best supporting...
- 1/7/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s wild that we don’t have more recognition for the art of casting. Casting directors have a guild with an Academy branch, but not their own Oscar category. While the work can often seem alchemical or opaque to outsiders, casting directors are really in the first line of storytellers who collaborate on a film; they have to see and expand on a director’s vision for the film’s world and find the actors who will embody what the filmmakers aim to create. So IndieWire is bringing back an old pre-pandemic feature to celebrate the storytelling work of casting.
We reached out to a number of the film industry’s top casting directors to ask them to nominate one outstanding work from this year. As it turns out, though, the casting directors we spoke to had lots of films with casting they loved this year. “Being asked to...
We reached out to a number of the film industry’s top casting directors to ask them to nominate one outstanding work from this year. As it turns out, though, the casting directors we spoke to had lots of films with casting they loved this year. “Being asked to...
- 1/4/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Sandra Hüller in ‘The Zone of Interest’ (Photo Credit: A24)
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) voted The Zone of Interest starring Sandra Hüller and Christian Friede as Best Film of 2023, with Barbie‘s Greta Gerwig collecting Best Director honors. The critics group also recognized Killers of the Flower Moon, American Fiction, The Holdovers, and The Boy and the Heron as Eda Awards winners.
“2023 was an exceptional year with so many women playing major creative roles in high-profile projects,” said AWFJ President Jennifer Merin. “AWFJ always focuses on and supports women’s contributions in all aspects of film production, and we are delighted that this year’s AWFJ Eda Awards honor women creatives in six of our ten non-gendered Best Of categories, as well as in all of our Female Focus categories. We hope this female forward trend will continue in 2024.”
2023 Eda Awards Winners
Best Film
American Fiction
Anatomy Of A Fall...
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) voted The Zone of Interest starring Sandra Hüller and Christian Friede as Best Film of 2023, with Barbie‘s Greta Gerwig collecting Best Director honors. The critics group also recognized Killers of the Flower Moon, American Fiction, The Holdovers, and The Boy and the Heron as Eda Awards winners.
“2023 was an exceptional year with so many women playing major creative roles in high-profile projects,” said AWFJ President Jennifer Merin. “AWFJ always focuses on and supports women’s contributions in all aspects of film production, and we are delighted that this year’s AWFJ Eda Awards honor women creatives in six of our ten non-gendered Best Of categories, as well as in all of our Female Focus categories. We hope this female forward trend will continue in 2024.”
2023 Eda Awards Winners
Best Film
American Fiction
Anatomy Of A Fall...
- 1/4/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Ana Cruz Kayne, Sharon Rooney, Alexandra Shipp, Margot Robbie, Hari Nef, and Emma MacKey in ‘Barbie’ (Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) announced their 2023 Eda Awards nominees, with voting members showing their support of awards season favorites including Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Past Lives. The 95 voting members also showered The Holdovers, Oppenheimer, and The Zone of Interest with multiple nominations.
The year-end awards are divided into three main categories: Best Of, Eda Female Focus (for women only), and Special Mention.
“2023 has been a banner year for women working in film. We are particularly proud that this year’s member-determined roster of nominees included a goodly number of female contenders in non-gender specific categories, including Greta Gerwig, Justine Triet, and Celine Song, who are nominated in both the Best Director category and Best Screenplay categories,” stated Jennifer Merin,...
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) announced their 2023 Eda Awards nominees, with voting members showing their support of awards season favorites including Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Past Lives. The 95 voting members also showered The Holdovers, Oppenheimer, and The Zone of Interest with multiple nominations.
The year-end awards are divided into three main categories: Best Of, Eda Female Focus (for women only), and Special Mention.
“2023 has been a banner year for women working in film. We are particularly proud that this year’s member-determined roster of nominees included a goodly number of female contenders in non-gender specific categories, including Greta Gerwig, Justine Triet, and Celine Song, who are nominated in both the Best Director category and Best Screenplay categories,” stated Jennifer Merin,...
- 12/25/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Are you a fan of The Office? Did you know that Steve Carell almost didn’t play the iconic role of Michael Scott?
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
- 12/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Matt Bomer revealed to Vanity Fair that he sent in a self-taped audition to play one of the many iterations of Ken in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster comedy “Barbie,” but he ultimately decided not to join the movie so he could prioritize spending time with his family. He was offered a shot at auditioning and was interested in the project enough to send a self-tape to Gerwig and the casting directors.
“I recorded it on my own, played a bunch of different Kens — and I dressed differently for all of them,” Bomer said. “I recorded the lines of the other person’s dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond.”
Per Vanity Fair: “He then spoke with director Greta Gerwig about joining the blockbuster, but ultimately walked away from the opportunity, choosing not to spend extensive time away from his family.”
Bomer is hardly the only actor...
“I recorded it on my own, played a bunch of different Kens — and I dressed differently for all of them,” Bomer said. “I recorded the lines of the other person’s dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond.”
Per Vanity Fair: “He then spoke with director Greta Gerwig about joining the blockbuster, but ultimately walked away from the opportunity, choosing not to spend extensive time away from his family.”
Bomer is hardly the only actor...
- 11/22/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Matt Bomer was a Ken that got away from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie.
The Fellow Travelers star revealed he was among the many men who auditioned to play a Ken in the film in a new interview with Vanity Fair. Bomer, who seems like a natural visual fit for the role, revealed that it was actually he who turned down the opportunity.
The Doom Patrol and White Collar actor directed himself before sending the tape to the casting team. “I recorded it on my own, played a bunch of different Kens — and I dressed differently for all of them,” Bomer said. “I recorded the lines of the other person’s dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond.”
It was only after speaking with Gerwig about the role that Bomer said he decided to walk away, “choosing not to spend extensive time away from his family,...
The Fellow Travelers star revealed he was among the many men who auditioned to play a Ken in the film in a new interview with Vanity Fair. Bomer, who seems like a natural visual fit for the role, revealed that it was actually he who turned down the opportunity.
The Doom Patrol and White Collar actor directed himself before sending the tape to the casting team. “I recorded it on my own, played a bunch of different Kens — and I dressed differently for all of them,” Bomer said. “I recorded the lines of the other person’s dialogue on my recorder and then gave myself space to respond.”
It was only after speaking with Gerwig about the role that Bomer said he decided to walk away, “choosing not to spend extensive time away from his family,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Are you a fan of The Office? Did you know that Steve Carell almost didn’t play the iconic role of Michael Scott?
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
While the show went on to become a massive success over its nine seasons, there were several stars who were considered for the role before Steve ultimately landed it. In fact, according to Andy Greene‘s book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, at least 35 actors were considered and two even declined the role.
Imagine how different the show might have been if someone else had played Michael Scott!
The Office continues to be a beloved and highly influential show in modern television history, thanks in no small part to Steve Carell‘s iconic portrayal of Michael Scott.
Find out who almost played Michael Scott in The Office…
Keep reading to find out more…
Paul Giamatti
Producer Ben Silverman and casting...
- 11/13/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
“Barbie” co-casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan revealed to the MPA’s “The Credits” series that several wannabe Ken actors took off their shirts during the audition process thinking showing off their bodies was a total Ken move. Any actor auditioning for the role of Ken’s arch-rival Ken (a role that ultimately went to Simu Liu) auditioned with the now-beloved “beach off” fight scene.
“Those scenes were fun to audition,” Bevan said. “Some of the Kens would take off their T-shirts, and we were like, no, no, you don’t need to take off your T-shirt. But Simu [Liu] just nailed that [line] in the film.”
“The thing that Greta did always stress was that none of these people were sarcastic or winking at the camera. They were really Kens and Barbies,” Jones added.
“There were certain scenes we used to audition, and the fine line between the comedy and...
“Those scenes were fun to audition,” Bevan said. “Some of the Kens would take off their T-shirts, and we were like, no, no, you don’t need to take off your T-shirt. But Simu [Liu] just nailed that [line] in the film.”
“The thing that Greta did always stress was that none of these people were sarcastic or winking at the camera. They were really Kens and Barbies,” Jones added.
“There were certain scenes we used to audition, and the fine line between the comedy and...
- 8/15/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
No shirt, no “Barbie.”
The star-studded “Barbie” auditions had one strict rule: Don’t take yourself too seriously, and please, keep your shirt on, according to co-casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan. The duo shared with Motion Pictures.org that a slew of A-listers auditioned to play various Ken characters, who were notably portrayed by Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and more onscreen in the Greta Gerwig-directed film.
“Huge actors went on tape with only seeing a few pages of dialogue,” Jones said, adding that since “everybody was Barbie in the script,” Jones and Bevan had to send tapes to Gerwig to identify different talents for Barbies and Kens.
“She really made the characters for who she liked best in different auditions,” Jones said, citing the “beach off” Ken played by Liu and President Barbie portrayed by Issa Rae. “The thing that Greta did always stress was that none...
The star-studded “Barbie” auditions had one strict rule: Don’t take yourself too seriously, and please, keep your shirt on, according to co-casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan. The duo shared with Motion Pictures.org that a slew of A-listers auditioned to play various Ken characters, who were notably portrayed by Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and more onscreen in the Greta Gerwig-directed film.
“Huge actors went on tape with only seeing a few pages of dialogue,” Jones said, adding that since “everybody was Barbie in the script,” Jones and Bevan had to send tapes to Gerwig to identify different talents for Barbies and Kens.
“She really made the characters for who she liked best in different auditions,” Jones said, citing the “beach off” Ken played by Liu and President Barbie portrayed by Issa Rae. “The thing that Greta did always stress was that none...
- 8/15/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie is killing it at the box office. Friendly debates about whether to schedule your "Barbenheimer" screenings with "Barbie" first or second have took over social media, and of course, there are lots of pundits complaining about how "Barbie" is going to make your little girls want to reach for their dreams and how that's horrible or something. Whatever. It's a brilliant movie that features Ryan Gosling singing a song about how Ken dolls are unappreciated, and if that doesn't suck you in, nothing will.
Gosling plays the main Ken, with other Kens played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, and Scott Evans, with John Cena appearing as a Mermaid Ken. Between the delightful outfits, smiling faces, and stellar choreography, lots of actors wanted in on the Ken doll action. Sadly, a few big names didn't make the cut, thanks to Covid shooting restrictions, according...
Gosling plays the main Ken, with other Kens played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, and Scott Evans, with John Cena appearing as a Mermaid Ken. Between the delightful outfits, smiling faces, and stellar choreography, lots of actors wanted in on the Ken doll action. Sadly, a few big names didn't make the cut, thanks to Covid shooting restrictions, according...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
EntertainmentThe 47-year-old Peaky Blinders actor said he would happily "have a conversation" to discuss getting involved with the sequel of Barbie. TwitterOppenheimer star Cillian Murphy says he wants to play Ken in the sequel of Margot Robbie-starrer Barbie. The 47-year-old Peaky Blinders actor said he would happily "have a conversation" to discuss getting involved with the sequel of Barbie, reports aceshowbiz.com. Speaking to Omelete, Cillian said, "Would I play a Ken in Barbie 2? Sure, yeah. Let's read the script, let's have a conversation." Despite both Barbie and Oppenheimer being released at the same time, he shared it is "great for cinema" to have such major box office draws going head-to-head. He said, "I can't wait to see [Barbie]. I can't wait to see the movie. I think it's great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer." Barbie casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones recently...
- 7/27/2023
- by AkchayaaR
- The News Minute
‘Oppenheimer’ star Cillian Murphy says he wants to play Ken in the sequel of Margot Robbie-starrer ‘Barbie’. The 47-year-old ‘Peaky Blinders’ actor said he would happily “have a conversation” to discuss getting involved with the rival blockbuster, reports aceshowbiz.com.
Speaking to Omelete, Cillian said: “Would I play a Ken in ‘Barbie 2’? Sure, yeah. Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation.” Despite both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ being released at the same time, he shared it is “great for cinema” to have such major box office draws going head-to-head.
He said, “I can’t wait to see (Barbie). I can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”
‘Barbie’ casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones recently discussed how they had gathered the perfect ensemble to play the different Kens in the film,...
Speaking to Omelete, Cillian said: “Would I play a Ken in ‘Barbie 2’? Sure, yeah. Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation.” Despite both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ being released at the same time, he shared it is “great for cinema” to have such major box office draws going head-to-head.
He said, “I can’t wait to see (Barbie). I can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”
‘Barbie’ casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones recently discussed how they had gathered the perfect ensemble to play the different Kens in the film,...
- 7/27/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Cillian Murphy is open to playing a Ken in a ‘Barbie’ sequel.The 47-year-old actor is currently promoting his movie ‘Oppenheimer’ at the same time as Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are promoting their film about the beloved Mattel dolls, and the ‘Peaky Blinders’ star admitted he would happily “have a conversation” to discuss getting involved with the rival blockbuster.Speaking to ‘Omelete’, Cillian said: “Would I play a Ken in ‘Barbie 2’? Sure, yeah. Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation.”Despite both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ being released at the same time, Cillian insisted it is “great for cinema” to have such major box office draws going head-to-head.He said: “I can’t wait to see [Barbie]. I can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”‘Barbie’ casting directors Lucy Bevan and...
- 7/26/2023
- by Viki Waters
- Bang Showbiz
Cillian Murphy is receiving massive praise for his leading role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The film opened opposite Barbie over the weekend to record-breaking numbers.
With both films being promoted at the same time, some reporters got a little creative with their questioning. During an interview with Omelete, Murphy was asked if he would be open to starring as a Ken in a potential Barbie sequel.
“Would I play a Ken in Barbie 2? Sure, yeah,” Murphy replied. “Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation.”
He continued, “I can’t wait to see [Barbie]. I can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”
Barbie casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones recently talked about getting the perfect ensemble for the Greta Gerwig-directed film.
“We needed actors who could get the fact...
With both films being promoted at the same time, some reporters got a little creative with their questioning. During an interview with Omelete, Murphy was asked if he would be open to starring as a Ken in a potential Barbie sequel.
“Would I play a Ken in Barbie 2? Sure, yeah,” Murphy replied. “Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation.”
He continued, “I can’t wait to see [Barbie]. I can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”
Barbie casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones recently talked about getting the perfect ensemble for the Greta Gerwig-directed film.
“We needed actors who could get the fact...
- 7/26/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Barbie casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones are spilling the tea on how they landed with the perfect set of Barbies and Kens.
“We needed actors who could get the fact that our Barbies only knew pleasant things,” Jones told Vanity Fair during a recent interview.
Margot Robbie plays Stereotypical Barbie, while Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Ana Cruz Kayne, and Dua Lipa, to name a few, play different variants of Barbie.
Ryan Gosling landed the role of Beach Ken with Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa, and John Cena, to name a few, playing other versions of Ken.
Due to Covid restrictions, some potential Kens were not able to make the shoots in London where they would’ve had to spend three months. The directors revealed that Bowen Yang, Dan Levy and Ben Platt ultimately didn’t land a role in the film due to scheduling conflicts.
“We needed actors who could get the fact that our Barbies only knew pleasant things,” Jones told Vanity Fair during a recent interview.
Margot Robbie plays Stereotypical Barbie, while Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Ana Cruz Kayne, and Dua Lipa, to name a few, play different variants of Barbie.
Ryan Gosling landed the role of Beach Ken with Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa, and John Cena, to name a few, playing other versions of Ken.
Due to Covid restrictions, some potential Kens were not able to make the shoots in London where they would’ve had to spend three months. The directors revealed that Bowen Yang, Dan Levy and Ben Platt ultimately didn’t land a role in the film due to scheduling conflicts.
- 7/25/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
These actors could have been Ken-tenders.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, “Barbie” casting director Allison Jones revealed which actors almost got to play Kens in the blockbuster.
Read More: Amy Schumer Has A Delightful Take On ‘Barbie’ After Overcoming Past ‘Creative Differences’
“Saturday Night Live” star Bowen Yang, “Dear Evan Hansen” star Ben Platt and “Schitt’s Creek” alum Dan Levy were all in the running to star as one of the Kens.
“They were, I’m not kidding,” Jones said, adding that she was “really bummed they couldn’t do it.”
Read More: BTS’ Jimin Thanks Ryan Gosling For Sending Him Ken’s Guitar After His Cowboy Look Appeared In ‘Barbie’
All three actors unfortunately had to opt out of the movie due to scheduling issues, as did actor Jonathan Groff, who had been approached to play Ken’s friend Allan.
“Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like, ‘I can...
In an interview with Vanity Fair, “Barbie” casting director Allison Jones revealed which actors almost got to play Kens in the blockbuster.
Read More: Amy Schumer Has A Delightful Take On ‘Barbie’ After Overcoming Past ‘Creative Differences’
“Saturday Night Live” star Bowen Yang, “Dear Evan Hansen” star Ben Platt and “Schitt’s Creek” alum Dan Levy were all in the running to star as one of the Kens.
“They were, I’m not kidding,” Jones said, adding that she was “really bummed they couldn’t do it.”
Read More: BTS’ Jimin Thanks Ryan Gosling For Sending Him Ken’s Guitar After His Cowboy Look Appeared In ‘Barbie’
All three actors unfortunately had to opt out of the movie due to scheduling issues, as did actor Jonathan Groff, who had been approached to play Ken’s friend Allan.
“Dear, dear Jonathan Groff was like, ‘I can...
- 7/25/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Saturday Night Live‘s Emmy-nominated scene stealer Bowen Yang nearly booked himself a trip to Barbieland, but got stopped at the proverbial boarding gate.
Barbie, the Mattel and Warner Bros. blockbuster, raked in $162 million domestically with its opening weekend, marking the biggest U.S. opening ever for a non-superhero film or sequel, as well as the biggest opening ever for a female director, Greta Gerwig.
More from TVLineBarbie Meets Secret Invasion: Did Seeing Murderous 'Gravik' Become Meek 'Ken' Give You Whiplash?Ms. Marvel's Kamala Khan Gets a Crash Course in Superheroics in The Marvels' Official TrailerThe Flash Movie Cameo Mystery...
Barbie, the Mattel and Warner Bros. blockbuster, raked in $162 million domestically with its opening weekend, marking the biggest U.S. opening ever for a non-superhero film or sequel, as well as the biggest opening ever for a female director, Greta Gerwig.
More from TVLineBarbie Meets Secret Invasion: Did Seeing Murderous 'Gravik' Become Meek 'Ken' Give You Whiplash?Ms. Marvel's Kamala Khan Gets a Crash Course in Superheroics in The Marvels' Official TrailerThe Flash Movie Cameo Mystery...
- 7/25/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
The search for the perfect Barbie and Ken actors in Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking blockbuster “Barbie” fell to casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones, who recently revealed to Vanity Fair that “Saturday Night Live” Emmy nominee Bowen Yang, “Schitt’s Creek” Emmy winner Dan Levy and “Dear Evan Hansen” Tony winner Ben Platt were all in the running to land roles as different variations of Ken.
“They were definitely really different, but they had to feel like a cohesive group,” Bevan said about the search for the perfect Ken ensemble. “You wanted to cast people who were really going to get on and be great and enjoy it.”
“Barbie” was shot in London under strict Covid protocols, which meant every cast member was required to spend three months in the city close to production. Flying back and forth to the U.S. was not an option. That created a logistical issue for Yang,...
“They were definitely really different, but they had to feel like a cohesive group,” Bevan said about the search for the perfect Ken ensemble. “You wanted to cast people who were really going to get on and be great and enjoy it.”
“Barbie” was shot in London under strict Covid protocols, which meant every cast member was required to spend three months in the city close to production. Flying back and forth to the U.S. was not an option. That created a logistical issue for Yang,...
- 7/25/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Image Source: Everett Collection
Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie is overflowing with Ken-ergy, thanks in large part to its star-studded cast, which includes Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and Kingsley Ben-Adir as various Kens. For a handful of actors, though, the dream of portraying Barbie's "long-term, long-distance, low-commitment, casual" boyfriend on screen was just out of reach: in an interview with Vanity Fair on July 20, casting director Allison Jones revealed the names of three actors who, unfortunately, had to turn down supporting roles as Ken in the film.
Due to Covid-19 restraints, the cast and crew were required to spend three months in London, where a large part of the film was shot. Ultimately, the logistics of the filming process resulted in scheduling conflicts that pushed Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt out of the running to play Ken. "They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it,...
Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie is overflowing with Ken-ergy, thanks in large part to its star-studded cast, which includes Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and Kingsley Ben-Adir as various Kens. For a handful of actors, though, the dream of portraying Barbie's "long-term, long-distance, low-commitment, casual" boyfriend on screen was just out of reach: in an interview with Vanity Fair on July 20, casting director Allison Jones revealed the names of three actors who, unfortunately, had to turn down supporting roles as Ken in the film.
Due to Covid-19 restraints, the cast and crew were required to spend three months in London, where a large part of the film was shot. Ultimately, the logistics of the filming process resulted in scheduling conflicts that pushed Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt out of the running to play Ken. "They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it,...
- 7/24/2023
- by Chanel Vargas
- Popsugar.com
Curated by the IndieWire Crafts team, Craft Considerations is a platform for filmmakers to talk about recent work we believe is worthy of awards consideration. In partnership with HBO, for this edition, we look at how the team behind “White House Plumbers” found a way to marry comedy, history, and the paranoid atmosphere of 1970s political thrillers.
There’s a scene in Episode 4 of “White House Plumbers” where Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson), one of the masterminds behind the Watergate break-in, receives a call from reporter Bob Woodward. It’s the other side of the exact phone call dramatized from Woodward’s perspective in “All the President’s Men” — the 1976 movie about how Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s reporting helped bring down Hunt, his partner-in-crime G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux), and the Nixon White House.
“I like to think of [‘White House Plumbers’] as existing almost in parallel to ‘All the President’s Men,’” said director...
There’s a scene in Episode 4 of “White House Plumbers” where Howard Hunt (Woody Harrelson), one of the masterminds behind the Watergate break-in, receives a call from reporter Bob Woodward. It’s the other side of the exact phone call dramatized from Woodward’s perspective in “All the President’s Men” — the 1976 movie about how Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s reporting helped bring down Hunt, his partner-in-crime G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux), and the Nixon White House.
“I like to think of [‘White House Plumbers’] as existing almost in parallel to ‘All the President’s Men,’” said director...
- 5/31/2023
- by Chris O'Falt
- Indiewire
‘White House Plumbers’ Review: Woody Harrelson & Justin Theroux Make Fine Stooges in Watergate Farce
Just before G. Gordon Liddy (Justin Theroux) embarks on his very public trial for conspiracy, burglary, and illegal wiretapping — all tied to the 1972 Watergate scandal — his wife, Fran (Judy Greer), stops him outside the courthouse. “Are you sure you don’t want me to be there?” she asks her husband. “Oh, no, no, no,” Liddy replies. “I am going to act like a jackass — piss off the prosecution, force a few errors, send the whole thing to appeals, and get it all thrown out. If I see you in the gallery, I might be forced to remember my manners.”
Liddy’s trial prep is but one of many, many bad plans the former FBI agent cooks up over the course of “White House Plumbers,” HBO’s five-part limited series about the inept burglars behind the infamous Watergate break-in. But few so succinctly summarize his perpetually cocky, off-kilter demeanor, or what...
Liddy’s trial prep is but one of many, many bad plans the former FBI agent cooks up over the course of “White House Plumbers,” HBO’s five-part limited series about the inept burglars behind the infamous Watergate break-in. But few so succinctly summarize his perpetually cocky, off-kilter demeanor, or what...
- 5/1/2023
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Margot Robbie as Barbie, Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer (Photos: Warner Bros./ Universal Pictures)Graphic: The A.V. Club
Imagine it’s July 21, 2023. You and your friends decide to spend Friday night at the movies, and you want to see something opening that day. You walk up to the box office (or...
Imagine it’s July 21, 2023. You and your friends decide to spend Friday night at the movies, and you want to see something opening that day. You walk up to the box office (or...
- 4/27/2023
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Bridget Fonda began her acting career when she was four years old and her rich career leaves plenty to learn about her. Fonda’s first movie came out when she was only five. With dozens of movie credits to her name, Bridget Fonda is easily recognizable for her role in the 1992 film Single White Female. Starring opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fonda plays the role of Allison Jones, and Leigh plays the role of obsessed stalker Hedra Carlson. Fonda played her role to perfection, and the hits kept coming for her. Widely regarded as one of the most successful actresses of...
- 3/24/2023
- by Tiffany Raiford
- TVovermind.com
Emma Stone featured in many noteworthy projects to enjoy the career she currently has. But on her way to the top, Stone experienced a few less than favorable auditions to get to where she is.
Emma Stone was once screamed at in her worst audition Emma Stone | Theo Wargo/WireImage
Stone has auditioned for quite a few roles when she was beginning to make a name for herself in Hollywood. But before she became one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors, she found herself striking out on a couple of major opportunities.
One of the opportunities she was up for was the hit series Heroes. Stone tried out for the part that would eventually go to Hayden Pantettire on the sci-fi show.
“I could hear that, in the other room, a girl had just gone in and they were saying, ‘You are our pick … On a scale of 1 to 10 you...
Emma Stone was once screamed at in her worst audition Emma Stone | Theo Wargo/WireImage
Stone has auditioned for quite a few roles when she was beginning to make a name for herself in Hollywood. But before she became one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors, she found herself striking out on a couple of major opportunities.
One of the opportunities she was up for was the hit series Heroes. Stone tried out for the part that would eventually go to Hayden Pantettire on the sci-fi show.
“I could hear that, in the other room, a girl had just gone in and they were saying, ‘You are our pick … On a scale of 1 to 10 you...
- 3/24/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
To say The Office made Jenna Fischer’s career isn’t an understatement. Fischer herself has revealed that she was ready to quit acting and gave herself one more year, during which she won the role of Pam. During her struggling time, Fischer also reveals that Alyson Hannigan was the most frequent competition she came up against.
Jenna Fischer | Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
Brian Baumgartner reran Fischer’s appearance on his Off the Beat podcast on March 7. During their conversation she described her many run-ins with Hannigan.
Jenna Fischer vs. Alyson Hannigan before ‘The Office’
Both The Office and How I Met Your Mother began in 2005. Prior to that, Fischer reveals that Hannigan was always the first choice in her auditions. Only The Office wasn’t looking for a star.
“That little caveat in the casting call that said unknown actors only, that was why this was my big break,...
Jenna Fischer | Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
Brian Baumgartner reran Fischer’s appearance on his Off the Beat podcast on March 7. During their conversation she described her many run-ins with Hannigan.
Jenna Fischer vs. Alyson Hannigan before ‘The Office’
Both The Office and How I Met Your Mother began in 2005. Prior to that, Fischer reveals that Hannigan was always the first choice in her auditions. Only The Office wasn’t looking for a star.
“That little caveat in the casting call that said unknown actors only, that was why this was my big break,...
- 3/12/2023
- by Fred Topel
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
That 70s Show is probably at the top of the list of iconic sitcoms of the late ’90s and early 2000s. The show ran for eight seasons and still remains one of the most beloved shows to have aired.
Following a group of teenagers in the ’70s navigating that crazy decade, That ’70s Show made its mark on TV, not only with its great and funny storylines but also with its huge lineup of guest stars. One star appeared for an episode on the show before hitting it big with The Office.
Jenna Fischer’s role on ‘That ’70s Show’
Not every actor hits it big overnight. Some of the A-listers in Hollywood began by taking on smaller roles to build up their resume before becoming the sensations they are today. Jenna Fischer appeared in the 12th episode of the 7th season of That ’70s Show, playing Stacy Wanamaker. Fischer...
Following a group of teenagers in the ’70s navigating that crazy decade, That ’70s Show made its mark on TV, not only with its great and funny storylines but also with its huge lineup of guest stars. One star appeared for an episode on the show before hitting it big with The Office.
Jenna Fischer’s role on ‘That ’70s Show’
Not every actor hits it big overnight. Some of the A-listers in Hollywood began by taking on smaller roles to build up their resume before becoming the sensations they are today. Jenna Fischer appeared in the 12th episode of the 7th season of That ’70s Show, playing Stacy Wanamaker. Fischer...
- 2/25/2023
- by Produced by Digital Editors
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Though Jenna Fischer has played a number of roles over the course of her career, Pam Beesly is undoubtedly her most iconic. For nine seasons, Fischer portrayed Pam on the hit NBC series, The Office. Naturally, spending so much time as the receptionist turned office manager made Fischer feel extremely protective over Pam. In fact, Fischer deliberately held back from doing certain things to keep her character authentic.
‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer | Byron Cohen/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Jenna Fischer explains how she kept her character, Pam Beesly, authentic
Fischer was relatively unknown when she booked her role on The Office. However, once the show started to gain traction, she became a household name. As a celebrity in the entertainment industry, there’s often pressure to look a specific way. However, Fischer deliberately held back from altering her physical appearance in big and small ways so that Pam still...
‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer | Byron Cohen/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Jenna Fischer explains how she kept her character, Pam Beesly, authentic
Fischer was relatively unknown when she booked her role on The Office. However, once the show started to gain traction, she became a household name. As a celebrity in the entertainment industry, there’s often pressure to look a specific way. However, Fischer deliberately held back from altering her physical appearance in big and small ways so that Pam still...
- 1/28/2023
- by Abeni Tinubu
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It should be one of the most famous TV casting stories out there. Two days before production began on “What We Do in the Shadows,” Harvey Guillen, now known for playing the vampires’ human servant Guillermo, wasn’t in pre-production — in fact, he hadn’t even been cast.
“It was Martin Luther King weekend, on a Sunday, and I knew they started production that Tuesday,” Guillén told IndieWire over Zoom. “I booked it on a Sunday afternoon, through Taika [Waititi] and Jemaine [Clement]. I had to call my agents and tell them that I booked it — they didn’t even call them, they called me directly and one day later I was in a fitting and the next day I was on set.”
Guillen was one of the only actors auditioned from the United States, the other being contenders for Mark Proksch’s role as energy vampire Colin Robinson. But when a...
“It was Martin Luther King weekend, on a Sunday, and I knew they started production that Tuesday,” Guillén told IndieWire over Zoom. “I booked it on a Sunday afternoon, through Taika [Waititi] and Jemaine [Clement]. I had to call my agents and tell them that I booked it — they didn’t even call them, they called me directly and one day later I was in a fitting and the next day I was on set.”
Guillen was one of the only actors auditioned from the United States, the other being contenders for Mark Proksch’s role as energy vampire Colin Robinson. But when a...
- 1/3/2023
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
Netflix’s Stranger Things, HBO’s Euphoria, HBO’s The White Lotus, Disney+ docuseries The Beatles: Get Back and CBS and Paramount+ special Adele: One Night Only were the big winners at the Creative Arts Emmys, collecting five awards apiece over the two nights.
Netflix’s Squid Game and animated series Arcane were close behind with four apiece (Arcane included three juried awards).
Lee Yoo-mi — exclaiming “I’m so very happy” — won the Emmy for guest actress in a drama for playing Ji-yeong in Squid Game, making her the first Korean actress to win this category. Colman Domingo won the Emmy for guest actor in a drama series for his work as Ali on Euphoria. For both, it was their first Emmy.
Nathan Lane won his first Primetime Emmy, for guest actor in a comedy series, for his role as Teddy Dimas in...
Netflix’s Stranger Things, HBO’s Euphoria, HBO’s The White Lotus, Disney+ docuseries The Beatles: Get Back and CBS and Paramount+ special Adele: One Night Only were the big winners at the Creative Arts Emmys, collecting five awards apiece over the two nights.
Netflix’s Squid Game and animated series Arcane were close behind with four apiece (Arcane included three juried awards).
Lee Yoo-mi — exclaiming “I’m so very happy” — won the Emmy for guest actress in a drama for playing Ji-yeong in Squid Game, making her the first Korean actress to win this category. Colman Domingo won the Emmy for guest actor in a drama series for his work as Ali on Euphoria. For both, it was their first Emmy.
Nathan Lane won his first Primetime Emmy, for guest actor in a comedy series, for his role as Teddy Dimas in...
- 9/5/2022
- by Carolyn Giardina, Hilary Lewis and Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and HBO’s “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus” led the field Sunday with five wins apiece on the second night of the 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, handed out Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Netflix’s “Squid Game” took home four trophies, including the history win for guest actress in a drama series for Lee You-mi. HBO had the largest haul of the night among platforms with 17, followed by Netflix (11), Hulu (8) and Apple TV+ (4), including two wins for its buzzy freshman drama series “Severance.”
ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” kicked things off with the win for casting in a comedy series. HBO’s “Barry” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” both collected three wins, including guest actor in a drama series for Nathan Lane’s turn in “Only Murders.”
“Euphoria’s” haul included guest actor in a drama series honoros for Colman Domingo.
Netflix’s “Squid Game” took home four trophies, including the history win for guest actress in a drama series for Lee You-mi. HBO had the largest haul of the night among platforms with 17, followed by Netflix (11), Hulu (8) and Apple TV+ (4), including two wins for its buzzy freshman drama series “Severance.”
ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” kicked things off with the win for casting in a comedy series. HBO’s “Barry” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” both collected three wins, including guest actor in a drama series for Nathan Lane’s turn in “Only Murders.”
“Euphoria’s” haul included guest actor in a drama series honoros for Colman Domingo.
- 9/5/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Emma Stone is known for her fiery red hair, but did you know that the Academy Award-winning actress is actually a natural blonde? Stone began her career with her natural hair but has been best recognized for her red mane since the early 2000s. The actress dyed her hair for the first time to snag the role of Jules in "Superbad," the blockbuster comedy that launched her legacy.
"Superbad" is a hilarious cultural staple about two boys, played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, who want to lose their virginity before heading off to college. When their classmate Jules throws a party on one of the final days of senior year, the boys think it may be their last chance to get laid. The pair sets off on an epic quest to acquire alcohol for the party and finally impress the girls they are crushing on, Jules (Stone) and Becca...
"Superbad" is a hilarious cultural staple about two boys, played by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, who want to lose their virginity before heading off to college. When their classmate Jules throws a party on one of the final days of senior year, the boys think it may be their last chance to get laid. The pair sets off on an epic quest to acquire alcohol for the party and finally impress the girls they are crushing on, Jules (Stone) and Becca...
- 8/31/2022
- by Shae Sennett
- Slash Film
Casting directors typically work offscreen, sifting through dozens, if not hundreds, of self-taped auditions and in-person sessions to find the perfect performers for each pivotal role. But what if the perfect performer is the casting director? What if they’re asked to act on not one, but two Emmy-nominated HBO comedies? What if, rather than sitting behind a desk, they’re asked to sit behind a desk in front of a camera?
Well, if you’re Allison Jones, you do your job — even if its unconventional accompaniments aren’t exactly enticing.
“She approached it somewhere between getting a lethal injection and a root canal,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” showrunner Jeff Schaffer said about Jones’ appearance in Season 11. “She’s like, ‘Really? You don’t need me to do this.’ We’re like, ‘No, no, we do. We do.'”
In her day job, Jones is an industry titan. She’s responsible...
Well, if you’re Allison Jones, you do your job — even if its unconventional accompaniments aren’t exactly enticing.
“She approached it somewhere between getting a lethal injection and a root canal,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” showrunner Jeff Schaffer said about Jones’ appearance in Season 11. “She’s like, ‘Really? You don’t need me to do this.’ We’re like, ‘No, no, we do. We do.'”
In her day job, Jones is an industry titan. She’s responsible...
- 8/18/2022
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
The making of "Superbad" was a blessed event. Everything from the heartwarmingly puerile script by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to the hiring of highly underrated indie filmmaker Greg Mottola, seemed to go just right. The high school comedy about two affable, yet far-from-popular best friends (Michael Cera and Jonah Hill) who scheme to deliver a bounty of liquor for a year-end, senior-year bash perfectly captures the uncertain yearning of that strange pre-college summer. The film has since earned its place in the teen comedy firmament alongside the sacred likes of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "The Breakfast Club," and "Clueless."
While you can't ascribe the success of "Superbad" to one single factor, there are certain key elements that elevated the film to classic status. No disrespect to Emma Stone or the pitch-perfect soundtrack, but if we're going to spotlight one essential ingredient, we're slotting Christopher Mintz-Plasse's thunderbolt-of-overconfident-nerdery portrayal...
While you can't ascribe the success of "Superbad" to one single factor, there are certain key elements that elevated the film to classic status. No disrespect to Emma Stone or the pitch-perfect soundtrack, but if we're going to spotlight one essential ingredient, we're slotting Christopher Mintz-Plasse's thunderbolt-of-overconfident-nerdery portrayal...
- 8/17/2022
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
McLovin’ originally was McHated.
“Superbad” co-screenwriters Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg remembered how lead actor Jonah Hill “hated” newcomer co-star Christopher Mintz-Plasse at first on set. Casting director Allison Jones had put up flyers at local Southern California high schools to cast the 2007 teen comedy, leading Mintz-Plasse to audition.
“Jonah immediately hated him. He was like, ‘That was fucking with my rhythm. I couldn’t perform with that guy,'” Rogen, who also starred in the film, told Vanity Fair as part of the 15th anniversary oral history for the iconic film.
Executive producer Judd Apatow added, “Jonah said, ‘I don’t like that guy. I don’t want him doing it.’ And I said, ‘That’s exactly why we’re hiring him. It couldn’t be more perfect. The fact that it bothers you is exactly what we want.'”
According to Apatow, Mintz-Plasse was “very caustic and attacked...
“Superbad” co-screenwriters Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg remembered how lead actor Jonah Hill “hated” newcomer co-star Christopher Mintz-Plasse at first on set. Casting director Allison Jones had put up flyers at local Southern California high schools to cast the 2007 teen comedy, leading Mintz-Plasse to audition.
“Jonah immediately hated him. He was like, ‘That was fucking with my rhythm. I couldn’t perform with that guy,'” Rogen, who also starred in the film, told Vanity Fair as part of the 15th anniversary oral history for the iconic film.
Executive producer Judd Apatow added, “Jonah said, ‘I don’t like that guy. I don’t want him doing it.’ And I said, ‘That’s exactly why we’re hiring him. It couldn’t be more perfect. The fact that it bothers you is exactly what we want.'”
According to Apatow, Mintz-Plasse was “very caustic and attacked...
- 8/17/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Steve Carell has taken on plenty of memorable roles in his life, from the depressed scholar Frank in "Little Miss Sunshine" to the sexually frustrated Andy in "The 40-year old Virgin" to sweet supervillain Gru in "Despicable Me." Yet no matter how many great performances he puts in, he'll always be known first and foremost to many people as Michael Scott from "The Office." The tactless, cringe-inducing, hilarious boss of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company is the sun around which all the show's workplace chaos revolves.
"The Office" wouldn't have succeeded without Carell's faux-sly glances to camera, perfectly uncomfortable line deliveries, and contagious outbursts of laughter. Yet as with so many great roles, it almost went to someone else. In fact, lots of familiar names were considered for the role.
In Andy Greene's authoritative oral history book, "The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s," the...
"The Office" wouldn't have succeeded without Carell's faux-sly glances to camera, perfectly uncomfortable line deliveries, and contagious outbursts of laughter. Yet as with so many great roles, it almost went to someone else. In fact, lots of familiar names were considered for the role.
In Andy Greene's authoritative oral history book, "The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s," the...
- 8/16/2022
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
After 11 seasons and more than two decades on HBO, Emmy voters are still finding “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to be, in Larry David parlance, “pretty … pretty … pretty good.”
Since the comedy series’ debut in 2000, “Curb” has amassed a staggering 51 nominations — including two wins — with the most recent season adding four noms to its total. After 110 episodes, “Curb’s” tightly plotted yet semi-improvised approach remains fresh and admired enough to continue its enviable showing at the Emmys, not to mention a point of pride to executive producer and showrunner Jeff Schaffer.
“Look, I know we’re not like a new sparkly, trendy choice and we’ve been around since the year 2000,” Schaffer says. “But I’m really proud that we’re still doing shows that are super funny and that we’re still doing things that people are talking about and are shocked that we’re doing, whether it’s Larry enlisting...
Since the comedy series’ debut in 2000, “Curb” has amassed a staggering 51 nominations — including two wins — with the most recent season adding four noms to its total. After 110 episodes, “Curb’s” tightly plotted yet semi-improvised approach remains fresh and admired enough to continue its enviable showing at the Emmys, not to mention a point of pride to executive producer and showrunner Jeff Schaffer.
“Look, I know we’re not like a new sparkly, trendy choice and we’ve been around since the year 2000,” Schaffer says. “But I’m really proud that we’re still doing shows that are super funny and that we’re still doing things that people are talking about and are shocked that we’re doing, whether it’s Larry enlisting...
- 8/13/2022
- by Scott Huver
- Variety Film + TV
When “Barry” first began (four long years ago), it felt like we were meeting Bill Hader’s depleted hitman at rock bottom. Bored with a dangerous profession glamorized by the movies, Barry Berkman has no family, no friends, and no passion. His only contact is his boss, Fuches (Stephen Root), and their only conversations are about the job Barry wants to quit. Then Hollywood comes calling, and as Barry walks under the bright spotlight of Gene Cousineau’s (Henry Winkler) acting school, a light clicks on behind his eyes. Finally, a passion. A purpose. Surely, things have to get better from here.
[narrator voice] They do not. If the Season 3 tagline — “You can’t bury your past” — isn’t clear enough, the prior two seasons push Barry to a breaking point. Beyond his inability to give up hits for hire, he kills his friend, he kills a cop, and, in a blind rage over Fuches’ betrayal,...
[narrator voice] They do not. If the Season 3 tagline — “You can’t bury your past” — isn’t clear enough, the prior two seasons push Barry to a breaking point. Beyond his inability to give up hits for hire, he kills his friend, he kills a cop, and, in a blind rage over Fuches’ betrayal,...
- 4/18/2022
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
A year and a half after the fictional Larry David’s coffee “spite store” burned down in a hilarious blaze of glory, the real life writer and actor has returned for an 11th season of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The new season opens with Larry discovering that a burglar has drowned in his pool because it did not have proper fencing, kicking off a blackmail attempt by the burglar’s family that interferes with Larry’s latest creative endeavor. Always audacious and unpredictable, “Curb” missed out on Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations last year, but could this long-running series make a comeback?
According to our current SAG Awards predictions, “Curb” is in the race. It ranks among the Top 10 for Comedy Ensemble and David ranks in the Top 12 for Comedy Actor. To make it into the top five in each of those categories, “Curb” will have to overcome some...
According to our current SAG Awards predictions, “Curb” is in the race. It ranks among the Top 10 for Comedy Ensemble and David ranks in the Top 12 for Comedy Actor. To make it into the top five in each of those categories, “Curb” will have to overcome some...
- 12/7/2021
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
You’ll have heard that young people don’t watch television anymore, which might come as some surprise to young people. They absolutely still watch television, just on their own schedule, not that of a broadcaster, and not the way it used to be done, anchored to a single spot or even a single screen.
If young people didn’t watch television, then The Office: An American Workplace wouldn’t have been streamed for 57 billion minutes in the US in 2020, because it’s far from only those of us who’ve experienced the mundanity of office life who love The Office. Increasingly, it’s youngsters who find in Dunder Mifflin a kind of refuge. They stream The Office like the middle-aged pour a glass of wine after a long day – liberally and probably more often than is good for them. Teenage superstar Billie Eilish told the ‘An Oral History of...
If young people didn’t watch television, then The Office: An American Workplace wouldn’t have been streamed for 57 billion minutes in the US in 2020, because it’s far from only those of us who’ve experienced the mundanity of office life who love The Office. Increasingly, it’s youngsters who find in Dunder Mifflin a kind of refuge. They stream The Office like the middle-aged pour a glass of wine after a long day – liberally and probably more often than is good for them. Teenage superstar Billie Eilish told the ‘An Oral History of...
- 11/10/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Three years after MTV struck gold with the true story of seven strangers, a new competition series rolled onto the network. Premiering 25 years ago today, Road Rules was meant to bring together five telegenic youths for the ultimate cross-country scavenger hunt that saw them completing tasks (think: shearing sheep, spending a night gambling in Vegas) as they sought out clues as to where to pilot their shared Rv next. "We had no idea what we were doing," Access anchor Kit Hoover said in 2018 of the first season that saw she and Mark Long, Carlos "Los" Jackson, Allison Jones and Shelly Spottedhorse traveling everywhere from a circus to a nudist trailer...
- 7/19/2020
- E! Online
Cast is rounding out on counterfeiting comedy Queenpins ahead of a planned shoot in Los Angeles later this year, with Vince Vaughn and Paul Walter Hauser joining Leslie Jones and Kristen Bell in the pic.
Emmy-nominated husband and wife team Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (Beneath The Harvest Sky) are writing and directing the movie, which is inspired by the true story of the largest coupon counterfeit in the history of the U.S.. When two suburban housewives stumble upon a way to make a little money with fake coupons, they soon find themselves in over their heads as their scheme grows to a $40M criminal venture.
Independent financier Align has joined AGC Studios, Aloe Entertainment, and Marquee Entertainment to provide financing and co-produce the project. AGC’s Head of Production Linda McDonough is producing via her Marquee Entertainment banner alongside Adrian Politowski and Martin Metz of Align, AGC, in...
Emmy-nominated husband and wife team Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (Beneath The Harvest Sky) are writing and directing the movie, which is inspired by the true story of the largest coupon counterfeit in the history of the U.S.. When two suburban housewives stumble upon a way to make a little money with fake coupons, they soon find themselves in over their heads as their scheme grows to a $40M criminal venture.
Independent financier Align has joined AGC Studios, Aloe Entertainment, and Marquee Entertainment to provide financing and co-produce the project. AGC’s Head of Production Linda McDonough is producing via her Marquee Entertainment banner alongside Adrian Politowski and Martin Metz of Align, AGC, in...
- 7/7/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Scott of NBC’s “The Office” is one of the most definitive sitcom characters of the 21st Century, and it turns out there were well over 30 actors considered for the role before Steve Carell landed the part. In Andy Green’s book “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s” (via Uproxx), producer Ben Silverman and casting director Allison Jones confirm that the Michael Scott role was originally offered to Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti. Both actors declined the role.
As for the actors who at least made it to the “consideration stage,” the list includes: “David Arquette, Jason Lee, Dave Foley, Dan Castellaneta, Thomas Lennon, Horatio Sanz, Ben Falcone, Owen Wilson, David Koechner, Hank Azaria, Rick Moranis, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, Jon Favreau, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, Jason Segal, Andy Richter, Jeff Garlin, Cedric the Entertainer, Richard Kind, Matthew Broderick, William H. Macy,...
As for the actors who at least made it to the “consideration stage,” the list includes: “David Arquette, Jason Lee, Dave Foley, Dan Castellaneta, Thomas Lennon, Horatio Sanz, Ben Falcone, Owen Wilson, David Koechner, Hank Azaria, Rick Moranis, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, Jon Favreau, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, Jason Segal, Andy Richter, Jeff Garlin, Cedric the Entertainer, Richard Kind, Matthew Broderick, William H. Macy,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Michael Scott of NBC’s “The Office” is one of the most definitive sitcom characters of the 21st Century, and it turns out there were well over 30 actors considered for the role before Steve Carell landed the part. In Andy Green’s book “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s” (via Uproxx), producer Ben Silverman and casting director Allison Jones confirm that the Michael Scott role was originally offered to Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti. Both actors declined the role.
As for the actors who at least made it to the “consideration stage,” the list includes: “David Arquette, Jason Lee, Dave Foley, Dan Castellaneta, Thomas Lennon, Horatio Sanz, Ben Falcone, Owen Wilson, David Koechner, Hank Azaria, Rick Moranis, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, Jon Favreau, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, Jason Segal, Andy Richter, Jeff Garlin, Cedric the Entertainer, Richard Kind, Matthew Broderick, William H. Macy,...
As for the actors who at least made it to the “consideration stage,” the list includes: “David Arquette, Jason Lee, Dave Foley, Dan Castellaneta, Thomas Lennon, Horatio Sanz, Ben Falcone, Owen Wilson, David Koechner, Hank Azaria, Rick Moranis, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, Jon Favreau, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, Jason Segal, Andy Richter, Jeff Garlin, Cedric the Entertainer, Richard Kind, Matthew Broderick, William H. Macy,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Thompson on Hollywood
Armando Iannucci’s HBO series “Avenue 5” feels like the catastrophe comedy perfectly suited for our unprecedented times. The freshman series chronicles a futuristic, luxurious journey around Saturn that goes horrendously off course thanks in part to the horribly inept leadership of its actor-turned-captain Ryan Clark (Hugh Laurie) and a revolution amongst its privileged passengers.
The show spotlights and satirizes the failures of leadership during a major crisis and the follies of those who disbelieve scientific truths, but despite this unintentional timeliness in the age of a global pandemic “Avenue 5” lags significantly in the Comedy races in our combined Emmy odds.
See our video interview with ‘Avenue 5’ star Suzy Nakamura
Yet the freshman series also boasts similarities to Iannucci’s preceding HBO comedy series “Veep” that could foreshadow some Emmy success come nominations morning. Not only did Iannucci reassemble much of his creative team from “Veep” to work on “Avenue 5,...
The show spotlights and satirizes the failures of leadership during a major crisis and the follies of those who disbelieve scientific truths, but despite this unintentional timeliness in the age of a global pandemic “Avenue 5” lags significantly in the Comedy races in our combined Emmy odds.
See our video interview with ‘Avenue 5’ star Suzy Nakamura
Yet the freshman series also boasts similarities to Iannucci’s preceding HBO comedy series “Veep” that could foreshadow some Emmy success come nominations morning. Not only did Iannucci reassemble much of his creative team from “Veep” to work on “Avenue 5,...
- 5/29/2020
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
This is the fifth installment of Rolling Stone’s Music in Crisis series, which looks at how people all across the music industry are coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Elvis Francois was all but destined to do something musical. Just before he was born, his mother had a vivid dream that she was at an Elvis concert with her son, whom she had originally planned to call Gregory. That name quickly went out the window.
“Thank God she wasn’t a Bon Jovi fan, because ‘Bon Jovi Francois’ would be a little rough,...
Dr. Elvis Francois was all but destined to do something musical. Just before he was born, his mother had a vivid dream that she was at an Elvis concert with her son, whom she had originally planned to call Gregory. That name quickly went out the window.
“Thank God she wasn’t a Bon Jovi fan, because ‘Bon Jovi Francois’ would be a little rough,...
- 4/28/2020
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
Steve Carell’s decision to leave “The Office” during the show’s seventh season wasn’t entirely his own, according to crew members quoted in a new book about the show.
According to excerpts of Andy Green’s oral history, “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s,” Carell was pushed off the show by ambivalent executives at NBC. The book quotes several former crew members who said that Carell left the show because no one asked him to stay.
“He didn’t want to leave the show,” hairstylist Kim Ferry said in an excerpt published in Collider. “He had told the network that he was going to sign for another couple of years. He was willing to and his agent was willing to. But for some reason, they didn’t contact him. I don’t know if it was a game of chicken or what…...
According to excerpts of Andy Green’s oral history, “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s,” Carell was pushed off the show by ambivalent executives at NBC. The book quotes several former crew members who said that Carell left the show because no one asked him to stay.
“He didn’t want to leave the show,” hairstylist Kim Ferry said in an excerpt published in Collider. “He had told the network that he was going to sign for another couple of years. He was willing to and his agent was willing to. But for some reason, they didn’t contact him. I don’t know if it was a game of chicken or what…...
- 3/25/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
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