Here’s a first look at the final trailer for Ridley Scott’s THE DOG STARS. The film, a riveting, cinematic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice, opens exclusively in theaters, IMAX, and premium large formats August 28.
The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. But when Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exist.
Based on Peter Heller’s captivating bestseller, “The Dog Stars” features a critically acclaimed ensemble, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.
The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, based upon the novel by Peter Heller, and the producers are Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts, p.g.a., with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.
Here’s a first look at the new trailer and poster for director Ridley Scott’s THE DOG STARS. The film, a riveting, epic thriller set in a world where survival is instinct, but humanity is a choice, opens exclusively in theaters August 28.
The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. But when Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exist.
Based on Peter Heller’s captivating bestseller, THE DOG STARS features Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.
The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, based upon the novel by Peter Heller, and the producers are Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts, p.g.a., with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.
Paul Mescal plays Lucius and Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.
Director Ridley Scott returns to the world of ancient Rome with GLADIATOR II. GLADIATOR is an iconic film which made Joaquin Phoenix a star and starred Russell Crowe in this greatest role but this enduringly popular epic didn’t particularly feel like it needed a sequel as it felt pretty complete. Yet here we are. Actually, GLADIATOR II is a combination of sequel and remake, and has an excellent cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. Paul Mescal star as Lucius, whose story both reflects and connects to Russell Crowe’s Maximus’ tale. Two members of the original cast return, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Derek Jacobi as Gracchus, and while Jacobi’s screen time is brief, Nielsen plays a major role. Yet despite a fiery, Oscar-worthy performance by Denzel Washington and good work by the rest of the cast, plentiful gladiator fight scenes, and impressive sets, costumes and visual effects, the sequel/remake does not have the same energy and narrative drive as the original.
Taking place some years after the original, we return to a Roman empire ruled by a pair of red-headed, debauched brother Caesars, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and his more blood-thirsty but less rational brother Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). Meanwhile, in a distant land Lucius (Paul Mescal) and his warrior wife are preparing to defend their city from a Roman army led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Things don’t go well, and the wife ends up dead and Lucius ends up as a galley slave and then a gladiator, owned by wealthy former gladiator Macrinus (Denzel Washington). But when Macrinus brings his prize gladiator to Rome, we learn this Lucius is the grown-up son of the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) who, as it happens, is married to Pedro Pascal’s honorable General Acacius, whom Lucius has sworn to kill to avenge his wife.
That is no spoiler as it the film’s synopsis and not hard to guess anyway. The film embarks on a tale of intrigue, ambition, revenge and plentiful of bloody spectacle set in ancient Rome which parallels the original in many ways. Paul Mescal is a gifted actor but doesn’t have the big screen charisma of Russell Crowe. The twin emperors are appropriately awful, and Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are entertainingly crazy, together and separately, but they are not the brainy plotters that Joaquin Phoenix’s emperor was. The true source of evil intriguing is more diffuse and concealed until well into the story. Not everyone is as good or bad as they seem at the film’s start, making this epic more twisty than a straightforward heroic tale like the original.
The most striking performances are Connie Nielsen’s, as the older Lucilla, harkening back to her earlier character and moving this new tale forward, and the flashy, fabulous one by Denzel Washington, in a part that starts out echoing Oliver Reed’s memorable turn as the gladiator-turned-entrepreneur, but taking his character much further. Washington is irresistible every time he’s on screen, with a knowing, sly humor, and exuding style and sophistication. It is Denzel Washington’s best performance in years in a rich role he can really mine for all its complexities. Watching him work is perhaps the major delight of this film.
The problem is that the original story was pretty complete, and although writers Peter Craig and David Scarpa did come up with a clever way to continue that tale, while also recapping it, it never feels like a necessary story. The director may have recognized that as the film has several clips of the original, often as Paul Mescal repeats scenes Russell Crowe did first. While it reminds the audience of the beloved original, it also takes out of this story. It is this choice, plus the weaker, less straight-forward story, that limits the film, despite the best efforts of the cast and the spectacular effects and lush visual world it created.
But if you are just here for the spectacle, GLADIATOR delivers on that, in a big way. The recreation of Rome is eye-popping, with a mix of physical sets and visual effects, and there is plenty of bloody battle and gladiator fights to please action fans and lavish costume drama gorgeousness to delight those fans. Stunt work is great and the CGI creatures are impressive.
On the downside, the film plays very fast and loose with real history, even more so than the original, with an ending so far from the facts that is rivals INGLORIOUS BASTERDS’ Nazi alt-history fantasy. I fear for any poorly-educated young person who might take fantastical yarn this for history.
Still, while revisiting the world of Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR is enjoyable, there is little in GLADIATOR II that adds much to that, beyond the visual delights and Denzel Washington’s crazy good performance.
“Gladiator is a hard act to follow, but Sir Ridley Scott proves still to be a master working up a Roman orgy of excitement that proves a worthy successor in every way,” says Pete Hammond (Deadline) in his review of GLADIATOR II.
WAMG has your free passes to one of the most highly anticipated films of the year – GLADIATOR II!
From legendary director Ridley Scott, GLADIATOR II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people. The film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.
GLADIATOR II IS ONLY IN THEATRES, DOLBY CINEMA, PREMIUM LARGE FORMATS, AND IMAX ON NOVEMBER 22, 2024.
Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington and Fred Hechinger were on hand for the highly anticipated “Gladiator II” Special Screening on Friday Night. It was followed by a Q&A and Reception at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles, California.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jacqueline Coley.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Guests attend a “Gladiator II” Special Screening, Q&A and Reception at Paramount Pictures Studios on October 18, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
The long-awaited sequel to the Oscar winning 2001 film, from director Ridley Scott, GLADIATOR II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
(L-R) Jacqueline Coley, Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington and Fred Hechinger (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
The buzz from the various trades and socials praised the film. While it might not quite match the original, GLADIATOR II was generally considered a solid addition to the franchise.
Scott Mantz, KTLA journalist, wrote on X: “GLADIATOR II is indeed the REAL DEAL! An epic sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor — great action, amazing visual effects, stellar performances across the board (esp. PAUL MESCAL & DENZEL WASHINGTON)! A return to form for director RIDLEY SCOTT!”
Drew Taylor of The Wrap said: “rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent.”
(L-R) Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger and Denzel Washington (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
2-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington garnered the highest praise with some speculating he will receive his third Academy Award for his performance. The Hollywood Reporter says of last night’s Q&A: Washington also has a prominent part in the film as Macrinus, a wealthy arms dealer and former gladiator who plots to control Rome. The actor joked during the Q&A, “He’s misunderstood. He’s a nice fellow.”
“He’s trying to use everybody. He’d use his mother, he’d use his own children; he’s already used up his soul, so he didn’t have any left. He’s in bed with the devil,” Washington continued, explaining that Scott made their work easy by building life-size sets as they shot in Malta. “When you would walk around, you were in Rome, and it seemed like 10,000 extras and horses. It was make-believe, it was play, it was fun; just put the gear on, put the dress on and go, that’s the way I look at it. I’m putting this dress on, these rings and I’m going crazy.”
Still a hard pill to swallow, Scott lost Best Director Oscar to Steven Soderbergh for TRAFFIC. Best Picture and Actor among others went to GLADIATOR. It took home five awards at the 73rd Academy Awards, and was nominated for an additional seven.
GLADIATOR II opens in cinemas on November 22 and is rated R for Strong Bloody Violence.
“This is the biggest film I’ve been on. It’s huge. Cecil B. DeMille on steroids.” says actor Denzel Washington of director Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR II.
Paramount Pictures has released a “Making of an Epic” featurette for the upcoming film.
GLADIATOR II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
In case you missed the new trailer, check it out below.
GLADIATOR II stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington. Scott and Washington worked together previously on the 2007 film AMERICAN GANGSTER, which co-starred Russell Crowe.
Director Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal on the set of Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.
“Lucius. Take your father’s strength. His name was Maximus, and I see him in you.”
From legendary director Ridley Scott, GLADIATOR II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
The a-list cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.
While the first teaser was more than a little underwhelming, this is fantastic! Along with the score from Hans Zimmer, more from Washington and Nielsen, the battles in the Arena, this…THIS is the sequel fans of the first film have been waiting for.
GLADIATOR, released on May 5, 2000, won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor for Russell Crowe, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound and Best Costume Design, and was nominated for an additional seven.
The film grossed over $460 million worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of 2000. It was the highest earning Best Picture nominee, with $186.6 million in domestic box office receipts.
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.
The story is by Peter Craig and David Scarpa with the screenplay by David Scarpa.
GLADIATOR II will be in theaters on November 22, 2024.
Pedro Pascal, Director Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal on the set of Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.
Milan and the beaches of Italy were recently besieged by Xenonorphs from ALIEN: ROMULUS. The highly anticipated movie is set to hit theaters on August 16, 2024.That’s just a week away!
The Xenomorph is the most perfect specimen in the universe, as well as the ultimate weapon. It has concentrated acid for blood, does not require food, and can survive in any atmosphere. It has a skeletal humanoid shape with an elongated, cylindrical head and a bony tail.
Check out these cool videos below!
Even during the Olympics, France had time for the Alien
Social media reviews are also in today from an early screening of the movie:
#AlienRomulus The bitch is back. Was skeptical going in, but this is easily one of the better films in the franchise. Fede Álvarez doesn't disappoint. Awesome sound design and world-building. The practical effects are so good that the film gave me nightmares. pic.twitter.com/Z46KNWxYhn
Ladies and Gentlemen, Alien Romulus is by far the best movie of the year. It’s the best in the franchise, and may be my new favorite horror. Can’t wait to see it again and I’m so excited for the world to enjoy this masterpiece like we did tonight. -hat guy🦒 (video taken by the… pic.twitter.com/cDLj64ub27
— The Escape Pod Podcast (@EscapePodcastAA) August 9, 2024
#ALIENROMULUS is one of the movies of the year omg..
WAMG also caught up with the slimy beasties in Hollywood at The Grove LA.
“My ambition is for the generation who saw the original movie to love this film and for those who have never seen an ‘Alien’ movie to be introduced to this incredible universe through our film,” says director/co-screenwriter/executive producer Fede Alvarez. “With any horror movie, you want the people to be terrified and have an experience that leaves them breathless.”
In Thailand, 20th Century Studios has invited fans to the ALIEN: ROMULUS experience.
— 20th Century Studios Thailand (@20thCenturyTH) July 30, 2024
ALIEN: ROMULUS takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu.
Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. “Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) serving as executive producers.
The score is from composer Benjamin Wallfisch (“IT” and “IT: Chapter Two,” “Shazam!” “Annabelle: Creation”).
The time has come. See ALIEN: ROMULUS in theaters and IMAX on August 16.
With all the excitement coming out of Comic-Con for Fede Alvarez’s ALIEN: ROMULUS panel, fans can tell the filmmaker gets it. For those of us who saw Alien and Aliens in the cinema opening night in 1979 and 1986, along with the screams and cheers from the audience, he knows what a Alien movie should be! He’s sticking with canon and it’s going to be vicious fun.
With an energetic enthusiasm for the franchise, Alvarez decided to go back to the basics when shooting the film. “I knew that I wanted to take this chapter back to the beginning, not only story-wise but in terms of visual style,” explains Alvarez. “I wanted to keep it simple and focus on a few characters you could get to know and love.”
A new sneak peek from Alvarez’s ALIEN: ROMULUS has been released. Check it out, as well as these scary new posters.
A truly terrifying cinematic experience from director/writer Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) and producer Ridley Scott, “Alien: Romulus” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide August 16, 2024, and will be available in IMAX®, Dolby Cinema®, Screen X, 4DX, and premium screens everywhere.
“Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.
“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) serving as executive producers.
To create a visually spectacular world that transports audiences to the darkest corners of the universe, director/co-screenwriter/executive producer Fede Alvarez recruited an impressive creative team, including director of photography Galo Olivares (“Gretel & Hansel”), production designer Naaman Marshall (“Don’t Breathe”), editor Jake Roberts, ACE (“Civil War”), visual effects supervisor Eric Barba (“Oblivion”), costume designer Carlos Rosario (“Shogun”), set decorator Zsuzsanna Sipos (“Dune: Part Two”), prosthetics makeup designer Ivān Pohārnok (“Midsommar”), property master Graeme Purdy (“Spider-Man: Far From Home”), and special effects supervisor Gábor Kiszelly (“Poor Things”).
The score is by Golden Globe®-, BAFTA-, two-time GRAMMY Award®-, Emmy Award®-, and five-time World Soundtrack Award-nominated composer Benjamin Wallfisch. (“IT” and “IT: Chapter Two,” “Shazam!” “Annabelle: Creation” and music based on Elgar’s Enigma Variations for “Dunkirk.” His most recent project is “Kraven the Hunter,” directed by J. C. Chandor, to be released in the fall of 2024.)
ALIEN: ROMULUS will make it’s UK premiere on August 15 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and will open the Midnight Madness program.
Don’t forget to purchase advance tickets today for the sci-fi/horror-thriller at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: Guests in cosplay attend the Alien: Romulus Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Director/writer Fede Alvarez and cast members from the upcoming sci-hi/horror-thriller “Alien: Romulus,” including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, and Spike Fearn took to the stage of Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center earlier today for a special Comic-Con panel in partnership with IMAX®.
The marketing for the movie is now in high gear and we caught a glimpse of it over the weekend at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin with this amazing billboard for the film.
During the panel, which featured exclusive footage from the film as well as special taped content from Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro, and Dan Trachtenberg, a swarm of facehuggers flooded the room, overtaking the stage and facehugging a few attendees in the process.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: (L-R) Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson speak onstage during the Alien: Romulus Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
The culmination of the stunt was the iconic chestburster moment on the floor of Hall H, which surprised and terrified Comic-Con attendees. At the conclusion of the panel, the 6,000+ guests were gifted their own facehugger mask, which they wore for a group photo with Alvarez and the cast.
RUN. San Diego terrorized by facehuggers and chestbursters at Comic-Con. #SDCC
“Alien: Romulus” takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Fede Alvarez directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.
The path from inception to filming results from several creative breakthroughs on Alvarez’s part. “There is a deleted scene in ‘Aliens,’ where a bunch of kids are running among the workers in the colony,” explains Alvarez. “I remember thinking about what it would be like for teenagers to grow up in a colony so small and what would happen to them when they reached their early 20s.”
The premise gave birth to the story of “Alien: Romulus,” while giving the franchise a new spin. Alvarez’s and Sayagues’s original story is set roughly 20 years after the first “Alien” movie and about 37 years before “Aliens.” While scavenging a decommissioned space station, hoping to find the technology necessary to leave their doomed planet behind, a group of young colonists unwillingly awaken the most terrifying organism in the universe
“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott, who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss, and Walter Hill, with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon, Brent O’Connor, and Tom Moran serving as executive producers.
Tickets are now available for purchase at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold. The film from producer Ridley Scott opens exclusively in theaters nationwide August 16, 2024.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: (L-R) Spike Fearn, Fede Álvarez, Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux and Isabela Merced pose onstage during the Alien: Romulus Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
