Steven Spielberg unveils intense new film footage during Universal's theater tribute
Steven Spielberg was the guest of honour at Universal Studios on Thursday night, where the studio officially named its new, state-of-the-art screening room after the legendary director. The event brought out a star-studded crowd including the Daniels, Seth Rogen, Ava DuVernay, Colman Domingo, and Vin Diesel.
Taking the stage at the emotional gathering, Spielberg, 77, reflected on his decades-long relationship with the studio - from directing his first project Duel in 1971 to recent releases like The Fabelmans. 'It feels like we keep getting remarried,' he joked. 'But tonight is definitely a milestone.'
As if to prove he's far from slowing down, Spielberg also gave guests an exclusive first look at behind-the-scenes footage from his mysterious upcoming film, slated for release in 2026. While plot details remain under wraps, the cast includes Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson, and Colin Firth. The preview teased high-stakes action: Blunt's character flees ominous black vehicles, a harrowing train collision unfolds, and Firth appears to be a shadowy figure pulling strings from what looks like a high-tech command centre.
Although Spielberg hasn't confirmed the film's theme, the chase sequences, underground labs, and eerie suspense suggest a sci-fi edge, possibly even the long-rumoured UFO plot.
NBCUniversal's Donna Langley and Comcast's top brass hosted the ceremony, describing the new 'Spielberg Theater' as the heart of their expanded film campus. Fitted with Dolby Vision and Atmos tech, as well as 35mm and 70mm projectors, the venue will be used by future directors to perfect their cuts, a detail not lost on Spielberg. 'This isn't just my past,' he said. 'It's about tomorrow's storytellers too.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Steven Spielberg unveils intense new film footage during Universal's theater tribute
Steven Spielberg was the guest of honour at Universal Studios on Thursday night, where the studio officially named its new, state-of-the-art screening room after the legendary director. The event brought out a star-studded crowd including the Daniels, Seth Rogen, Ava DuVernay, Colman Domingo, and Vin Diesel. Taking the stage at the emotional gathering, Spielberg, 77, reflected on his decades-long relationship with the studio - from directing his first project Duel in 1971 to recent releases like The Fabelmans. 'It feels like we keep getting remarried,' he joked. 'But tonight is definitely a milestone.' As if to prove he's far from slowing down, Spielberg also gave guests an exclusive first look at behind-the-scenes footage from his mysterious upcoming film, slated for release in 2026. While plot details remain under wraps, the cast includes Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson, and Colin Firth. The preview teased high-stakes action: Blunt's character flees ominous black vehicles, a harrowing train collision unfolds, and Firth appears to be a shadowy figure pulling strings from what looks like a high-tech command centre. Although Spielberg hasn't confirmed the film's theme, the chase sequences, underground labs, and eerie suspense suggest a sci-fi edge, possibly even the long-rumoured UFO plot. NBCUniversal's Donna Langley and Comcast's top brass hosted the ceremony, describing the new 'Spielberg Theater' as the heart of their expanded film campus. Fitted with Dolby Vision and Atmos tech, as well as 35mm and 70mm projectors, the venue will be used by future directors to perfect their cuts, a detail not lost on Spielberg. 'This isn't just my past,' he said. 'It's about tomorrow's storytellers too.'
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
The shark's not working'
In the summer of 1975, a film about a killer shark hit theatres and changed Hollywood forever. But behind the scenes, Jaws nearly capsized under the weight of its own ambition — with mechanical failures, sea-sick actors, and a young director teetering on the edge of collapse, narrates Variety in an ode to the film's 50-year anniversary. "The shark's not working" became a dreaded refrain on set, heard so often over walkie-talkies that it became a kind of dark inside joke. For Steven Spielberg, then just 27, those words were a nightmare. With three mechanical great whites - all named "Bruce" — frequently out of commission, production stalled again and again. Shooting on open water near Martha's Vineyard only made things worse. Waves, weather, and wayward boats disrupted filming, and each delay sent costs spiraling. The film's original budget of $4 million eventually doubled, and the schedule stretched more than three months past deadline. Universal Pictures executives were reportedly close to pulling the plug. "We didn't know how they were ever going to finish this movie," remembered Jeffrey Kramer, who played a sheriff's deputy in the film. "There were rumours all around the set that the studio was going to shut us down." But Spielberg refused to crack under pressure. Co-writer Carl Gottlieb recalled that the director's nerves only showed through the state of his hands. "His nails were bitten to the stubs," Gottlieb said, "but that was the only manifestation of his nerves. Steven knew he needed to lead by example. That meant concentrating on his job and keeping his cool even when everything around him was going to hell." That "hell" included not just the malfunctioning sharks, but the cast's off-screen tensions. Robert Shaw, cast as grizzled fisherman Quint, frequently clashed with Richard Dreyfuss, who played oceanographer Matt Hooper. Their rivalry, sometimes fuelled by alcohol, added a layer of real animosity to their performances — though at the time, it was yet another stressor on a fraught set. Shooting at sea was Spielberg's idea. He believed it would lend authenticity, but quickly discovered it made everything harder: lighting was a nightmare, camera equipment malfunctioned, and even simple continuity became a daily challenge thanks to the shifting tides. The director later admitted that the production seemed doomed from the outset. "Jaws should never have been made," he told Time shortly after the film's release in 1975. "It was an impossible effort." Achieving the impossible Yet somehow, this effort yielded one of the most influential films of the 20th century. Upon release, Jaws shattered box office records, earning USD260.7 million domestically and becoming the highest-grossing film in history at the time. More importantly, it changed the way Hollywood thought about films. Until Jaws, summer was considered a dumping ground for lower-tier films. Big prestige pictures typically premiered in the fall or winter. But Universal, sensing something special, took a gamble. They released Jaws on June 20, 1975, at the start of summer vacation, and backed it with a then-massive $1.8 million marketing campaign. It paid off — teenagers and families flocked to theatres, and a new formula was born. "This movie changed cinema, and you still can't go to a summer blockbuster or to the beach without thinking about it," said horror filmmaker Eli Roth. "So much of the language of cinema comes from this film. [Spielberg] created all of it." What began as a troubled thriller became the blueprint for modern blockbusters. Without Jaws, there may be no Star Wars, no Jurassic Park, no Marvel Cinematic Universe. Key to success "It's a great story of what Steven Spielberg accomplished by surviving what was a nightmare," said filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. "If that person hadn't made it, it probably wouldn't have been made at all. It certainly wouldn't be a classic." Even five decades on, the impact of Jaws is undeniable. Jason Blum, founder of horror juggernaut Blumhouse, said it remains a touchstone for emerging filmmakers. "When directors bring us ideas, Jaws is still referenced as much as any other movie... Even young filmmakers say, 'It's going to be like the shark in Jaws.' That's incredible for a film that's 50 years old." Ironically, when the film was first in production, few at Universal expected it to succeed. "Nobody thought much about it," recalled production designer Joe Alves. "People at Universal were much more excited about this George C Scott film called The Hindenburg." Even industry insiders were sceptical. "Everywhere we went, people treated us with sympathy, like we had some kind of illness," joked producer David Brown in an interview weeks before release. But test screenings told a different story. Audiences shrieked, popcorn flew, and the studio immediately recognised the film's potential. In one fell swoop, Spielberg went from a director on the brink of disaster to the architect of a new cinematic era. Today, the legacy of Jaws swims through every summer blockbuster. It's a reminder that behind some of cinema's biggest successes lie stories of risk, failure, and sheer determination. And it all began th a shark that didn't work.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Disney, NBCU wage war against AI: Midjourney gets slapped with lawsuit
The Walt Disney Co. and NBCUniversal have filed a lawsuit against AI company Midjourney, alleging that the company's image-generating service infringes on their copyrighted works. This legal action, lodged in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, marks the first significant lawsuit studios have initiated against an AI company. The lawsuit accuses Midjourney of functioning as a 'virtual vending machine' for unauthorized copies of copyrighted characters, specifically targeting Disney's and Universal's intellectual properties. The studios claim Midjourney generates high-quality, downloadable images featuring well-known characters like Disney's Darth Vader and NBCUniversal's Minions, in response to simple text prompts from users. These images, the lawsuit argues, are blatant copies, circumventing the need for the studios to invest in their creation. The complaint asserts that Midjourney's actions are a form of piracy, as the service generates copyrighted content without permission. The studios are seeking maximum statutory damages, an accounting of Midjourney's earnings from the alleged infringement, and injunctive relief to prevent further violations. At the heart of the lawsuit is the issue of AI training. Midjourney's use of copyrighted material to train its image-generation model is a contentious issue in the AI industry. The studios suggest that Midjourney's new video service could also be infringing their copyrights, making the matter even more urgent. Horacio Gutierrez, senior executive vice president of Disney, stated, 'Piracy is piracy, and the fact that it's done by an AI company does not make it any less infringing.' NBCUniversal's Kim Harris echoed the sentiment, calling the infringement 'blatant' and stressing the importance of protecting the work of artists and creators. The lawsuit highlights the growing tension between content creators and AI companies, as the Motion Picture Association has argued that existing copyright law should be sufficient to address these issues. However, the studios maintain that Midjourney's practices constitute clear copyright infringement. Representatives for Midjourney have not yet responded to requests for comment.
