Michael Bay Fast and Loose
Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
In The Industry News, Bad Boys are back. Lionsgate is a Professional. Fifth Season is Here.
Actor Spotlight: The Penguin’s helper and Ron Perlman on the radio.
Indie Filmmaker Spotlight: Neon’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig and Cannes Critics Week Julie Keeps Quiet.
International News: Losing your memory in the Dominican Republic.
Let’s go!
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THE INDUSTRY NEWS
Will Smith is in final negotiations to reunite with director Michael Bay for the Netflix action film Fast and Loose, harkening back to their past collaboration on the Bad Boys franchise. The film follows a man with no memory who discovers he’s been living dual lives as a crime kingpin and undercover CIA agent.
After Smith recently dropped out of the thriller Sugar Bandits, speculation went wild about a possible Bay team-up for his next film. Both of these guys could use a freshen-up in the spotlight with Smith's recent controversies and Bay's string of flops. Netflix is very excited and treating this 30-year reunion as a big team-up and an event movie.
But Mr. Bay, what does this mean for your Skibidi toilet franchise?
No news yet on release but it's probably going to be coming in a bit fast and loose (on the budget) if you know what I am saying.
Universal is the next to take a turn at a Colleen Hoover novel, landing the rights to her 2022 romance story Reminders of Him.
Official Synopsis:
Keena Rowan, a troubled young mother who yearns for a shot at redemption in her life after a tragic mistake.
Sony’s success with Hooveer’s Blake Lively-led It Ends With Us grossed $345 M worldwide and sparked Universal’s interest.
Reminders of Him has sold over 5 M copies domestically and 6.5 M copies globally, making it another potential box office hit for the author. Two of her bestselling novels, Verity (2018) and Regretting You (2019), are being adapted into feature films by Amazon MGM and Paramount Pictures, respectively.
With Hoover attached as a producer, Universal is planning for a Valentine’s Day release of Reminders of Him on Feb. 13th of 2026.
Chad Stahelski, the architect of the John Wick universe (director of films 1-4 + spinoffs), is producing The Professionals with Lionsgate.
Here’s the official synopsis:
A combustible mix of Clue and John Wick. The story follows a group of contract killers stranded in an English countryside estate when one of them is murdered and the remaining group has to solve the death.
The original script was written by Hunter Perot (Ross Perot’s grandson) and Madison Turner (stunts: The Dark Knight Rises)—no word on the production date.
Nicole Kidman isn’t turning down any limited series anytime soon, set to join the TV adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s (author: Nine Perfect Strangers) recently released novel Here One Moment.
The project will reunite:
Fifth Season (Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers), which won the rights to the novel
Producer: Bruna Papandrea’s Made-Up Stories (HBO’s Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers)
Producer: Per Saari’s Blossom Films (Big Little Lies, Rabbit Hole)
Founded by Kidman
This marks the first project announced for Kidman since she won Venice’s Best Actress award last month for the A24 thriller Babygirl (trailer). No official word on whether Kidman will star in Here One Moment or just be attached as a producer,
Tidbit:
Fandango launches FanClub. This new $9.99/month subscription offers members a $10 movie ticket, waived fees, and additional perks. Members also earn rewards, including two free tickets after a 7-day free trial and more benefits. Currently, it is in the pilot phase, but it will see a wider release by 2025.
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
There’s an internalized skittishness that allows Rhenzy Feliz to shine in HBO’s The Penguin. He plays Oz’s (Colin Farrell) assistant, who helps in all manner of tasks from planting jewels to slicing off fingers to burying dead bodies.
But his moral dilemma between his dream girl (emblematic of his past) and his criminal boss (emblematic of his future) is great to watch.
Feliz, who has a perfected stutter in The Penguin, is far from a first-time actor; he played Tye Sheridan’s pragmatic college friend in The Tender Bar (2021) and voiced Camilo in Disney’s Oscar-winning Encanto (2021).
The Penguin (trailer) has only released the first three episodes, and I’m hooked. More to come…
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Ron Perlman has joined the cast of Aaron Harvey’s thriller Come With Me. He will portray Dalton Kirby, a sharp-tongued radio host who influences a working-class man, played by Theo Rossi, with his dark rants. This is a big deal and marks a reunion for Perlman and Rossi, who previously worked together on Sons of Anarchy. The film recently wrapped production in Mississippi and is directed by Harvey, who co-wrote the script with Jonathan Croom.
In Sons Perlman's "Clay" had a complicated friendship with Rossi's "Juice" many times manipulating him but under that there was a deep comradery that sadly ended in a tragedy. Clip.
It will be great to see these two play off of each other, Come With Me recently wrapped production in Mississippi and is directed by Harvey, who co-wrote the script with Jonathan Croom.
Tidbit:
Veteran actor Ed Wheeler, known for roles in Law & Order, Broadcast News, and stage productions, died at 88. He has appeared in TV, film, and many commercials, earning a Living Legend Award in 2017. He will be missed.
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
After a long and winding road, Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig just dropped a heart-pounding trailer.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble.
The nearly three-hour film, which was filmed covertly in Iran, has been on a wild festival spree:
Cannes
Winner: Special Prize
Telluride
Official Selection
TIFF
Official Selection
NYFF
Official Selection
Before the film screened at Cannes, the director Rasoulof (Berlin Golden Bear winner There Is No Evil) was barred from traveling to France under Islamic State police in Iran and sentenced to eight years in prison after he refused to pull out of the festival. So he fled Iran on foot through a mountain and MADE IT TO THE SCREENING.
Rasoulof stated at the time:
“I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran. With a heavy heart, I chose exile.”
Read his full statement here.
In addition, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is Germany’s official selection for the Oscars, and Neon is distributing it.
Release date November 27th.
Cannes Critics Week Julie Keeps Quiet is a foreboding meditation on the asymmetrical power structures in competitive tennis.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Julie is a star player at an elite tennis academy. When her coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended, all of the club's players are encouraged to speak up. But Julie decides to keep quiet.
The film, directed by Leonardo Van Dijl just got North American distribution with Film Movement, who stated:
“Leo [Van Dijl] is a very talented young director who puts a societal, hot-button topic under the microscope in a powerful first feature,” said Rosenberg. “From its extraordinary camera work and perceptive screenplay to the impressive debut performance from Tessa Van den Broeck, it’s an undeniable and thought-provoking film.”
Here’s the haunting trailer.
The film will be released theatrically in early 2025.
Hawaii’s largest indie feature, Makawalu is slated to begin production next spring.
Here’s the official synopsis:
A typical July 4th “luau” on the island of Oahu through eight different perspectives. The word Makawalu, in modern ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) terminology, references “different perspectives of a situation.”
What’s fascinating about this is native Hawaiians view time as a series of moments; perhaps this will be their Rashomon.
The film will be co-directed by eight native Hawaiian filmmakers:
Justyn Ah Chong (American Killing)
Scott W. Kekama Amona (Location Manager: Murder Mystery 2)
Katherine Wong
The filmmakers have been supported by the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Actor Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) will EP, stating:
“Makawalu represents an important step in recognizing Native Hawaiian filmmakers and the power of their stories. As someone who’s worked with this talented group firsthand, it’s been an honor to be able to amplify their voices and help this project come to life.”
The film is set for release in early 2026.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Universal Pictures is getting Amnesia with Samana Sunrise (Amanece en Samaná).