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In summer 2021, as a surge in Covid-19 cases linked to the delta variant quickly scuttled vacation plans, the satirical HBO series The White Lotus transported viewers to an idyllic Hawaiian setting.
The Emmy contender is the latest in a line of series — from Gilligan’s Island to Baywatch to Lost — taking fans from the couch to the beach, but the show’s exploration of privilege and mystery particularly hearken back to 1970s escapist gem Fantasy Island. Created by Gene Levitt and produced by Aaron Spelling, it premiered 45 years ago, first as a pair of TV movies and then as an episodic series that focused on a mysterious island that made visitors’ wishes come true for a hefty price. Ricardo Montalbán played the suave and enigmatic Mr. Roarke, who ran the resort with sidekick Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize), known for excitedly greeting arriving guests by shouting,...
In summer 2021, as a surge in Covid-19 cases linked to the delta variant quickly scuttled vacation plans, the satirical HBO series The White Lotus transported viewers to an idyllic Hawaiian setting.
The Emmy contender is the latest in a line of series — from Gilligan’s Island to Baywatch to Lost — taking fans from the couch to the beach, but the show’s exploration of privilege and mystery particularly hearken back to 1970s escapist gem Fantasy Island. Created by Gene Levitt and produced by Aaron Spelling, it premiered 45 years ago, first as a pair of TV movies and then as an episodic series that focused on a mysterious island that made visitors’ wishes come true for a hefty price. Ricardo Montalbán played the suave and enigmatic Mr. Roarke, who ran the resort with sidekick Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize), known for excitedly greeting arriving guests by shouting,...
- 6/7/2022
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox is hot on Fantasy Island.
The network is considering a second season of the summer drama series, which is a reboot of the 1977 original.
Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn told Deadline that as its “first real, recent attempt at a cost effective” drama series, the network and producers Sony Pictures Television are “really proud of it”.
Thorn said that the series, which premiered to a 0.4 in 18-49 and 1.97M viewers, “held its own this summer”. “We’re really high on it and it’s been exciting for us to cross pollinate some of the stars that we have in other series and do other exciting turns on Fantasy Island. We definitely see a potential second season and it’s something that we’re talking about now. We’re very pleased with the show and Liz [Craft] and Sarah [Fain] did a very good job,” he said,
Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke,...
The network is considering a second season of the summer drama series, which is a reboot of the 1977 original.
Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn told Deadline that as its “first real, recent attempt at a cost effective” drama series, the network and producers Sony Pictures Television are “really proud of it”.
Thorn said that the series, which premiered to a 0.4 in 18-49 and 1.97M viewers, “held its own this summer”. “We’re really high on it and it’s been exciting for us to cross pollinate some of the stars that we have in other series and do other exciting turns on Fantasy Island. We definitely see a potential second season and it’s something that we’re talking about now. We’re very pleased with the show and Liz [Craft] and Sarah [Fain] did a very good job,” he said,
Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke,...
- 9/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC, which steadily won primetime over the course of its 2020 Tokyo Olympics coverage, returned to top Tuesday viewership and ratings with America’s Got Talent. The competition show’s two-hour quarterfinals aired to 6.86 million viewers and earned a 0.9 rating int he 18-49 demo, per fast affiliates. America’s Got Talent was the highest-rated and most-watched program on Tuesday evening.
ABC won the first post-Olympics primetime on Monday with the Season 17 finale of The Bachelorette, but failed to take the throne on Tuesday. The network had a quieter night defined by family sitcoms including The Goldbergs, Home Economics, The Conners and black-ish – all of which competed against AGT in the 8-10 p.m. slot. For ABC, The Goldbergs was the most-watched show and tied with To Tell The Truth in ratings
Fox’s Tuesday primetime took a trip to the magical Fantasy Island for the reboot’s premiere. Fantasy Island, which...
ABC won the first post-Olympics primetime on Monday with the Season 17 finale of The Bachelorette, but failed to take the throne on Tuesday. The network had a quieter night defined by family sitcoms including The Goldbergs, Home Economics, The Conners and black-ish – all of which competed against AGT in the 8-10 p.m. slot. For ABC, The Goldbergs was the most-watched show and tied with To Tell The Truth in ratings
Fox’s Tuesday primetime took a trip to the magical Fantasy Island for the reboot’s premiere. Fantasy Island, which...
- 8/11/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
“Devious Maids” star will play a descendant of Ricardo Montalbán’s character from the original series
“Devious Maids” and “Grand Hotel” alum Roselyn Sanchez has been tapped to star in Fox’s reboot of “Fantasy Island,” TheWrap has learned.
The actress will star as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Ricardo Montalbán’s character Mr. Roarke from the original series. The character is described as “sophisticated, insightful and always charming,” with a “calm exterior [that] masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.”
She joins previously announced cast members Kiara Barnes (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), who plays Ruby Okoro, a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life; and John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier, the island’s pilot and head of transportation.
According to Fox’s description, “The reboot...
“Devious Maids” and “Grand Hotel” alum Roselyn Sanchez has been tapped to star in Fox’s reboot of “Fantasy Island,” TheWrap has learned.
The actress will star as Elena Roarke, a descendant of Ricardo Montalbán’s character Mr. Roarke from the original series. The character is described as “sophisticated, insightful and always charming,” with a “calm exterior [that] masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.”
She joins previously announced cast members Kiara Barnes (“The Bold and the Beautiful”), who plays Ruby Okoro, a young woman with an old soul who arrives on Fantasy Island with a terminal illness and is given a new lease on life; and John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier, the island’s pilot and head of transportation.
According to Fox’s description, “The reboot...
- 4/27/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Roselyn Sanchez has been tapped as the lead in Fantasy Island, Fox’s contemporary version of the classic drama series that has a straight-to-series order to debut Aug. 10. Sanchez will play Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original series’ enigmatic Mr. Roarke, in the project, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures TV and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.
Fantasy Island is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez) who set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.
Sanchez joins previously...
Fantasy Island is set at a luxury resort, where literally any fantasy requested by guests is fulfilled, although they rarely turn out as expected. The resort is run by Elena Roarke (Sanchez) who set aside her own ambitions, and even the love of her life, to uphold her family’s legacy. Sophisticated, insightful and always charming, Elena’s calm exterior masks the challenges of the responsibilities she has assumed as steward of this mysterious island.
Sanchez joins previously...
- 4/27/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The Bold and the Beautiful star Kiara Barnes has been cast as a series regular and John Gabriel Rodriquez (If Loving You Is Wrong) as heavily recurring in Fantasy Island, Fox’s contemporary version of the classic drama series that has a straight-to-series order to air this summer. The project hails from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain as well as Sony Pictures TV and its Gemstone Studios label, which co-produce with Fox Entertainment.
Actress-singer Barnes has been tapped for Fantasy Island as she is finishing her last year on CBS’ long-running daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful, Deadline has learned. Barnes, who has played Zoe Buckingham since 2018, will be wrapping production on the soap soon.
The reboot is keeping the semi-anthological format of the original Fantasy Island with three main characters, two played by Barnes and Rodriquez, who live/work on the island and new guests arriving in every episode.
Actress-singer Barnes has been tapped for Fantasy Island as she is finishing her last year on CBS’ long-running daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful, Deadline has learned. Barnes, who has played Zoe Buckingham since 2018, will be wrapping production on the soap soon.
The reboot is keeping the semi-anthological format of the original Fantasy Island with three main characters, two played by Barnes and Rodriquez, who live/work on the island and new guests arriving in every episode.
- 4/21/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to do an installment of my Phantom Thread series, but I’m finally back on the beat and this newest entry is quite an oddball in the realm of Phantom of the Opera-related adaptations. Directed by Gene Levitt and starring the likes of Peter Lawford, Jack Cassidy, Broderick Crawford, and Jackie Coogan (who most genre fans know from his role as Uncle Fester in the Addams Family TV series), this made-for-tv movie first aired on CBS in February 1974 and features a mysterious masked entity who is stalking the backlot of Worldwide Films as the studio prepares to sell the property off to the highest bidder.
And while there’s a lot of unevenness to The Phantom of Hollywood that makes its plotting feel choppy at times, as someone who adores the history of Old Hollywood, I...
And while there’s a lot of unevenness to The Phantom of Hollywood that makes its plotting feel choppy at times, as someone who adores the history of Old Hollywood, I...
- 2/23/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
A reboot of the iconic TV show “Fantasy Island” has been ordered straight to series at Fox, the broadcast network said Tuesday.
The show comes from Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, who co-created the short-lived ABC drama “The Fix,” and is set to premiere in summer 2021. According to Fox’s description, “The reboot is a modern semi-anthology series that delves into the ‘what if’ questions, both big and small, that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.”
The “Fantasy Island” reboot shares co-production between Sony Pictures Television, which produced the original series, Sony’s Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.
Created by Gene Levitt, the original “Fantasy Island” ran from 1977 to 1984 on ABC. The show starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant Tattoo,...
The show comes from Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, who co-created the short-lived ABC drama “The Fix,” and is set to premiere in summer 2021. According to Fox’s description, “The reboot is a modern semi-anthology series that delves into the ‘what if’ questions, both big and small, that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.”
The “Fantasy Island” reboot shares co-production between Sony Pictures Television, which produced the original series, Sony’s Gemstone Studios and Fox Entertainment.
Created by Gene Levitt, the original “Fantasy Island” ran from 1977 to 1984 on ABC. The show starred Ricardo Montalbán as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant Tattoo,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Fox is heading to Fantasy Island for the summer. The network has given a straight-to-series order to a contemporary version of the classic drama series. The project, from writer-producers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain (The 100), Sony Pictures TV and Gemstone Studios, will air next summer.
This marks the first green light for Gemstone Studios, Sony TV’s boutique label dedicated to premium independent production in a creative and efficient way. Gemstone and Sony TV will co-produce with Fox Entertainment.
Keeping the semi-anthological format of the original with a handful of main characters living on the island and new guests arriving in every episode, the new Fantasy Island, written and executive produced by Craft and Fain, delves into the “what if” questions that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.
This marks the first green light for Gemstone Studios, Sony TV’s boutique label dedicated to premium independent production in a creative and efficient way. Gemstone and Sony TV will co-produce with Fox Entertainment.
Keeping the semi-anthological format of the original with a handful of main characters living on the island and new guests arriving in every episode, the new Fantasy Island, written and executive produced by Craft and Fain, delves into the “what if” questions that keep us awake at night. Each episode will tell emotional, provocative stories about people who walk in with a desire, but end up reborn to themselves through the magical realism of Fantasy Island.
- 12/15/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Over four decades after the original TV series premiered on ABC in 1977, Blumhouse took viewers back to Fantasy Island this year in theaters, and soon Sony will bring the movie's seemingly idyllic paradise to screen at homes with their Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital releases of the new horror film.
Blumhouse's Fantasy Island will arrive on Digital on April 14th, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on May 12th, with bonus features that include deleted scenes and an unrated version of the film that also comes with a commentary by director Jeff Wadlow and members of the cast.
Directed by Wadlow from a screenplay he wrote with Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs (based on the TV series created by Gene Levitt), Fantasy Island stars Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, and Michael Rooker. The film is produced by Jason Blum and Marc Toberoff,...
Blumhouse's Fantasy Island will arrive on Digital on April 14th, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on May 12th, with bonus features that include deleted scenes and an unrated version of the film that also comes with a commentary by director Jeff Wadlow and members of the cast.
Directed by Wadlow from a screenplay he wrote with Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs (based on the TV series created by Gene Levitt), Fantasy Island stars Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, and Michael Rooker. The film is produced by Jason Blum and Marc Toberoff,...
- 3/30/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Somewhere, someone has been desperately hoping that Hollywood would get around to making a movie adaptation of the late-’70s TV show “Fantasy Island.” Meanwhile, it would seem that the rest of us — that is, the filmgoing public — are just extras in an elaborate cautionary tale designed to teach that person a lesson. The point being: Be careful what you wish for; such corny old TV series are better suited for reruns than for reboots. As suave yet sinister host Mr. Roarke warns the half-dozen expendable douchebags — er, guests — who’ve traveled to this enchanted retreat to live out their wildest dreams, “Fantasies rarely play out as you would expect.”
This one at least packs the novelty of having been reconfigured into a Blumhouse horror movie. That means a chance to explore the shadowy corners of a property originally designed to accommodate a parade of flashy guest stars, à la...
This one at least packs the novelty of having been reconfigured into a Blumhouse horror movie. That means a chance to explore the shadowy corners of a property originally designed to accommodate a parade of flashy guest stars, à la...
- 2/14/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Take a look at more new footage from the supernatural, horror feature "Fantasy Island", directed by Jeff Wadlow ("Kick-Ass 2"), loosely based on the TV series of the same name created by Gene Levitt, starring Michael Peña, Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen and Michael Rooker, opening February 14, 2020:
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery...
"...in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery...
"...in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
- 1/30/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
A new twist on Gene Levitt's TV series that starred Ricardo Montalbán and Hervé Villechaize and originally ran on ABC from 1977–1984, Blumhouse's Fantasy Island (which reteams Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow with star Lucy Hale) will arrive in theaters on Valentine's Day, and ahead of its release, a new trailer has been revealed, warning you to "be careful what you wish for."
"In Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island, the enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island is written by Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs and is produced by Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff and Jeff Wadlow."
Columbia Pictures will release Blumhouse's Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday,...
"In Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island, the enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island is written by Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs and is produced by Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff and Jeff Wadlow."
Columbia Pictures will release Blumhouse's Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday,...
- 1/29/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
A new twist on Gene Levitt's TV series that starred Ricardo Montalbán and Hervé Villechaize and originally ran on ABC from 1977–1984, Blumhouse's Fantasy Island (which reteams Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow with star Lucy Hale) will arrive in theaters on Valentine's Day, and ahead of its release, a new set of photos have been revealed, featuring the characters ensnared in the sinister secrets of paradise.
"In Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island, the enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island is written by Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs and is produced by Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff and Jeff Wadlow."
Columbia Pictures will release Blumhouse's Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday,...
"In Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island, the enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow, Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island is written by Jeff Wadlow & Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs and is produced by Jason Blum, Marc Toberoff and Jeff Wadlow."
Columbia Pictures will release Blumhouse's Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday,...
- 1/15/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Take a look at more new footage from the supernatural, horror feature "Fantasy Island", directed by Jeff Wadlow ("Kick-Ass 2"), loosely based on the TV series of the same name created by Gene Levitt, starring Michael Peña, Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen and Michael Rooker, opening February 14, 2020:
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery...
"...in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery...
"...in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
- 11/26/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"The plane... it's here." A new twist on the ABC TV series that starred Ricardo Montalbán and Hervé Villechaize and originally ran from 1977–1984, Blumhouse's Fantasy Island (which reteams Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow with star Lucy Hale) will arrive in theaters on Valentine's Day, and ahead of its release, Sony has unveiled the film's official trailer that shows how quickly paradise can become a living hell.
Directed by Wadlow from a screenplay he wrote with Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs (based on the TV series created by Gene Levitt), Fantasy Island stars Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, and Michael Rooker. The film is produced by Jason Blum and Marc Toberoff, with Jeff Wadlow, Couper Samuelson, and Jeanette Volturno executive producing.
Sony will release Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday, February 14th, aka Valentine's Day. You can check out the official trailer and poster below,...
Directed by Wadlow from a screenplay he wrote with Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs (based on the TV series created by Gene Levitt), Fantasy Island stars Michael Peña, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, and Michael Rooker. The film is produced by Jason Blum and Marc Toberoff, with Jeff Wadlow, Couper Samuelson, and Jeanette Volturno executive producing.
Sony will release Fantasy Island in theaters on Friday, February 14th, aka Valentine's Day. You can check out the official trailer and poster below,...
- 11/11/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Your wildest dreams are about to come true, but with a twist. “Fantasy Island” is a horror film where your deepest fantasies become a horrifying reality.
If that premise sounds familiar that’s because it’s inspired by the classic ’70s and ’80s adventure and comedy show “Fantasy Island,” which was created by Gene Levitt. Blumhouse and Sony Pictures are teaming up for the film that casts Michael Peña in the Ricardo Montalban role as Mr. Roarke.
In the original show, which also starred Hervé Villechaize alongside a cavalcade of rotating guest stars, visitors to Fantasy Island via “ze plane” would find their greatest fantasy realized, but things rarely played out as expected. The twist for Blumhouse’s “Fantasy Island” is that those same fantasies get morphed in gruesome ways.
Also Read: Michelle Monaghan Joins 'The Craft' Remake for Columbia and Blumhouse
“We weren’t brought here to have our own fantasies,...
If that premise sounds familiar that’s because it’s inspired by the classic ’70s and ’80s adventure and comedy show “Fantasy Island,” which was created by Gene Levitt. Blumhouse and Sony Pictures are teaming up for the film that casts Michael Peña in the Ricardo Montalban role as Mr. Roarke.
In the original show, which also starred Hervé Villechaize alongside a cavalcade of rotating guest stars, visitors to Fantasy Island via “ze plane” would find their greatest fantasy realized, but things rarely played out as expected. The twist for Blumhouse’s “Fantasy Island” is that those same fantasies get morphed in gruesome ways.
Also Read: Michelle Monaghan Joins 'The Craft' Remake for Columbia and Blumhouse
“We weren’t brought here to have our own fantasies,...
- 11/11/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Take a look at new footage from "Fantasy Island", the supernatural horror feature directed by Jeff Wadlow ("Kick-Ass 2"), loosely based on the TV series of the same name created by Gene Levitt, starring Michael Peña, Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen and Michael Rooker, opening February 14, 2020:
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
"...enigmatic 'Mr. Roarke' (Michael Peña), makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort.
"But when fantasies turn to nightmares, guests have to solve the island's mystery in order to escape with their lives..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Fantasy Island"...
- 11/11/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Exclusive: Michael Peña has been tapped to play the iconic Mr. Roarke in the Sony Pictures and Blumhouse-produced Fantasy Island film adaptation from director Jeff Wadlow (Truth Or Dare).
Peña is taking on a role that was originated by Ricardo Montalban when the TV series, from Aaron Spelling, launched in 1978 on ABC. Mr. Roarke, joined by his sidekick, Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize), was the mysterious overseer of the island who granted the fantasies of visitors for a price. Created by Gene Levitt, the series dealt with dark themes and the supernatural as visitors come to the island to live out their fantasy wishes.
Wadlow co-wrote the screenplay with Truth or Dare scribes Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. Jason Blum is producing with Ryan Turek overseeing for the company, which is also co-financing the project. Wadlow and Blumhouse’s Couper Samuelson will serve as exec producers.
Sony holds the rights to property and will distribute.
Peña is taking on a role that was originated by Ricardo Montalban when the TV series, from Aaron Spelling, launched in 1978 on ABC. Mr. Roarke, joined by his sidekick, Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize), was the mysterious overseer of the island who granted the fantasies of visitors for a price. Created by Gene Levitt, the series dealt with dark themes and the supernatural as visitors come to the island to live out their fantasy wishes.
Wadlow co-wrote the screenplay with Truth or Dare scribes Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. Jason Blum is producing with Ryan Turek overseeing for the company, which is also co-financing the project. Wadlow and Blumhouse’s Couper Samuelson will serve as exec producers.
Sony holds the rights to property and will distribute.
- 10/8/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Sokol Joseph Baxter Jan 29, 2020
Mr. Roarke is back, played by Michael Peña, ready to host guests in a Fantasy Island reboot, which is actually a horror movie!
"De plane! de plane!," alerted Hervé Villechaize's Tattoo to Ricardo Montalbán’s Mr. Roarke before hitting the tarmac to greet weekly crafts filled with wealthy life fetishists on ABC’s classic life-affirming adventure television series, Fantasy Island; words that will undoubtedly be shouted once again by another actor – this time to star Michael Peña – in the 2020 movie reboot of said series from the horror auteurs at Blumhouse.
Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow helms the film. Ryan Turek will oversee for Blumhouse and Matt Milam will oversee for Sony. Wadlow, who also directed the features Cry Wolf, Never Back Down, True Memoirs of an International Assassin, and Kick Ass 2, is also writing alongside Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. The film is being distributed by Sony Pictures.
Mr. Roarke is back, played by Michael Peña, ready to host guests in a Fantasy Island reboot, which is actually a horror movie!
"De plane! de plane!," alerted Hervé Villechaize's Tattoo to Ricardo Montalbán’s Mr. Roarke before hitting the tarmac to greet weekly crafts filled with wealthy life fetishists on ABC’s classic life-affirming adventure television series, Fantasy Island; words that will undoubtedly be shouted once again by another actor – this time to star Michael Peña – in the 2020 movie reboot of said series from the horror auteurs at Blumhouse.
Truth or Dare director Jeff Wadlow helms the film. Ryan Turek will oversee for Blumhouse and Matt Milam will oversee for Sony. Wadlow, who also directed the features Cry Wolf, Never Back Down, True Memoirs of an International Assassin, and Kick Ass 2, is also writing alongside Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. The film is being distributed by Sony Pictures.
- 7/31/2018
- Den of Geek
These days, the American movie going public is quite accustomed to seeing major motion picture based on a prior television series, as well as the opposite movement from big to small screen. But back in 1956, this wasn’t quite as common an adaptation, which may explain the lack of enthusiasm surrounding Foreign Intrigue, a beautifully photographed film directed by Sheldon Reynolds based on his successful television series of the same name, which aired 1951 to 1955. As retooled with matinee idol Robert Mitchum, the film’s rather schizophrenic narrative jumps freely between being a colorfully lush romantic European entanglement and espionage tinged noir narrative.
On the way to visit his enigmatic and mysterious employer, press agent Dave Bishop (Mitchum) finds his boss collapsed and barely breathing. The man expires in his arms, and it’s ruled his death was the cause of a heart attack. Or was it? Immediately, Bishop informs his...
On the way to visit his enigmatic and mysterious employer, press agent Dave Bishop (Mitchum) finds his boss collapsed and barely breathing. The man expires in his arms, and it’s ruled his death was the cause of a heart attack. Or was it? Immediately, Bishop informs his...
- 8/11/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Filming for 'The Phantom of Hollywood' took place during the actual dismantling of the MGM backlot in the 70's which makes for an Easter-egg extravaganza for anyone with vast knowledge of classic film and television. For everyone else the film won't be nearly as easy to appreciate.
The Setup
Worldwide Films was the biggest of the big, the grandest of the grand. But the era of dream factories has gone, replaced by the era of quick-bucks real estate. It’s time to sell the studio, parcel by parcel. Not so fast, a mysterious someone says – someone who has secretly lived amid the sets and soundstages for decades, someone who will kill to preserve his backlot home.
Director: Gene Levitt
Writers: George Schenck, Robert Thom
Stars: Skye Aubrey, Jack Cassidy and Jackie Coogan
This made-for-tv film isn't really much different than the direct-to-dvd horror/thriller releases of today and...
The Setup
Worldwide Films was the biggest of the big, the grandest of the grand. But the era of dream factories has gone, replaced by the era of quick-bucks real estate. It’s time to sell the studio, parcel by parcel. Not so fast, a mysterious someone says – someone who has secretly lived amid the sets and soundstages for decades, someone who will kill to preserve his backlot home.
Director: Gene Levitt
Writers: George Schenck, Robert Thom
Stars: Skye Aubrey, Jack Cassidy and Jackie Coogan
This made-for-tv film isn't really much different than the direct-to-dvd horror/thriller releases of today and...
- 10/7/2011
- Cinelinx
Edward J. Lakso, the prolific Hollywood scribe who wrote scripts for TV classics Star Trek and Charlie's Angels, has died at the age of 76.
Lakso, who also worked as a producer, composer and lyricist, passed away at his Beverly Hills, California home last Saturday of complications from Parkinson's disease.
He was heavily involved with the Charlie's Angels TV series during its 1976-1981 run, writing 25 episodes, producing 28 and composing the music for two.
Lakso also penned scripts for Combat!, The Rockford Files and Adventures in Paradise, among several others.
And he was keen to help others break into the entertainment industry - mentoring Gene Levitt, E. Jack Neuman and Aaron Spelling.
Lakso, who also worked as a producer, composer and lyricist, passed away at his Beverly Hills, California home last Saturday of complications from Parkinson's disease.
He was heavily involved with the Charlie's Angels TV series during its 1976-1981 run, writing 25 episodes, producing 28 and composing the music for two.
Lakso also penned scripts for Combat!, The Rockford Files and Adventures in Paradise, among several others.
And he was keen to help others break into the entertainment industry - mentoring Gene Levitt, E. Jack Neuman and Aaron Spelling.
- 5/29/2009
- WENN
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