Latest news with #Skydance
Gizmodo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘The Old Guard 2' Cast on Making a Sequel That Bleeds, Thinks, and Fights Harder
On July 2, Netflix and Skydance will finally unleash The Old Guard 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2020 action hit starring Charlize Theron as an immortal warrior protecting humanity. Ahead of the release, io9 caught up with returning stars KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Marwan Kenzari, as well as franchise newcomer Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, Snake Eyes), to talk about stepping back into the brutal, secretive world of the Image Comics universe and what it took to bring its next chapter to life. Isaiah Colbert, io9: Nile's evolution from a wide-eyed recruit to a seasoned immortal takes center stage in this movie. What aspects of her growth—whether through the grit of her action sequences or the deepening bonds with her team—were the most rewarding for you to bring to life? KiKi Layne: For sure Nile's growth physically. The stunts I got to do, the choreography, having a weapon, that was really fun to push my physicality to new levels for the second film. That was definitely the highlight for me for Nile's journey this time around. io9: Joe and Nicky's bond continues to anchor the heart of this story. How did you and Luca Marinelli navigate the evolution of their dynamic, balancing their centuries-old intimacy with a renewed sense of purpose as they face the film's escalating threats together? Marwan Kenzari: To be honest with you, we are developing our friendship off-set. We're talking constantly. If [Marinelli] is in his trailer, I'll visit him. We'll sit and spend an hour or two together talking about so many different things and aspects of life that we, ultimately, automatically brought that [with us] when the camera's rolling. That's just a gift that we have. We don't have to pretend that we love each other. I genuinely love this man. That makes it a lot easier to do the job. io9: Since the first film, Copley has transformed from a reluctant ally to a mortal fighting shoulder to shoulder with immortals as an integral member of the crew. How did stepping into that more physically demanding role—while still carrying the weight of his humanity—challenge or deepen your performance this time around? Chiwetel Ejiofor: I enjoyed it. In the first one, I was a little bummed that I was standing on the edge of all the action. They got to get involved [and] have all the fun. I was really excited when I was reading the script, and it was like, 'Oh, Copley gets into this now?' That's great. He needs a tap on the shoulder sometimes—people tell him he's not immortal, too. I love the idea of him—not just in the technical sense—helping the team organize and deal with the operations using his skillset. The actual getting onto the field and really getting stuck in is a really great addition to Copley's character. io9: Tuah marks your entry into an ensemble stacked with action heavyweights. Coming off your lead role in Snake Eyes, you're no stranger to intense choreography, but how did you find your rhythm within this team? And were there any moments on set that reminded you just how physically demanding The Old Guard's world can be in comparison to G.I. Joe's? Henry Golding: I was a big fan of the first film. I think that opening sequence down in the kill room was phenomenal. It was action that we hadn't really seen. The design of it was so visceral. I knew we were going to bring back some of the choreography. Sadly, I didn't get as much as I'd love to, but what I did get was so much fun to be a part of. The great thing about The Old Guard is the balance. The real story is the human aspect of living as an immortal. The action is the consequence of the world around them. Finding that balance is crucial. It was absolutely fun to get stuck in. io9: This film has had a longer road to release than expected, with delays and reshoots delaying its timeline. In the face of those production challenges, what helped you all rally as a cast and crew to keep the energy and focus alive, and your connections to your characters? Ejiofor: Films take the time they take. As an actor and a cast, you're always excited to get involved. We're familiar with these characters now in a way where it's not easy, but it's okay to jump back in. We're always able to jump back into stuff, and I think everyone understands that making films is complex. Sometimes they take a little bit longer, and you've got to figure out how to do that, and that's great. io9: The combat in The Old Guard 2 aims to be more intense and personal. How did you all prepare for sequences this time around? Kenzari: As Chiwetel mentioned, it's a part of your muscle memory. The choreography that the stunt team comes up with, you go through them, and you get better at them—you increase speed. It's a fun part of the pre-production of a shooting day where, at the end of it, you just want to master the choreography as good as you can. That's the way we prepped part one, and that's the same way we worked on [part two]—it's just that the choreography is different and more than what we had in the first one. io9: If you could pit any iconic action movie stars against each other in an immortal vs. immortal fight like Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman, who would you like to see square off? Kenzari: Good question. Layne: Uma versus Charlize is pretty up there. Ejiofor: Atomic Blonde against Predator Arnie. That's what I'd like to see—hand to hand. Put the guns away. Kenzari: Predator Arnie is good. Golding: I like that. Kenzari: Skin on skin. Everyone: (laughs) Ejiofor: Damn. Golding: How do you beat that? Next question. Kenzari: Does Home Alone count as an actor? Everyone: (laughs) io9: It's been five years since fans first met the Guard. What do you each hope audiences take away from this chapter, not only to satisfy that long wait but to remind them why this story was worth holding onto? Kenzari: The whole mortality, immortality element is a huge highway in the arch of the storytelling in this one. I think that is the question, even with us in the last few days of interviews. It's the question that keeps coming back: What would you rather have [in] either one of these two? So much in the movie is about that fragile, sensitive aspect of people healing and not healing—dying and not being able to die—is something that the audience will think about after the movie finishes. Ejiofor: I think they're great characters, and I think that's what you'll remember and have missed—these really great characters and this incredible team. And there are things to think about. There are philosophical questions in there and deep emotional resonances with their history. There's a lot there. The Old Guard 2 premieres on Netflix July 2. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
NY Mayoral Chaos, Robo-Taxis & Paramount Deal Drama
Lydia Moynihan and Charles Gasparino break down the political shockwaves after Zohran Mamdani clinched the Democratic nomination for NYC mayor. They examine Andrew Cuomo's next move and whether the DNC is ready for what comes next. Turning to tech headlines, Tesla's rollout of a small fleet of robo-taxis raises big questions about the future of driverless vehicles. Plus, the pair weigh in on Skydance's promise to seal the Paramount deal by summer's end—and the obstacles that could still derail it. To close, they name this week's winners and losers across business and politics.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
‘South Park' dispute escalates as creators accuse Paramount's buyers of meddling
The team behind Comedy Central's 'South Park' raised allegations that Skydance Media and its associates overstepped their authority by meddling in Paramount Global's business before they take control of the storied company. The Los Angeles Times previously reported that negotiations over a 'South Park' streaming deal have stalled amid Paramount's protracted $8-billion sale to David Ellison's Skydance Media. Skydance balked at a proposed $2-billion overall deal with 'South Park' creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, sources have said. Federal securities laws forbid 'gun-jumping,' a term that describes a company that exerts too much control over a business it is in the process of buying before the transaction closes. Under the terms of the merger deal, Paramount gave Skydance the ability to approve major deals while the sale is pending. But this week, Park County — the business entity behind the long-running satirical cartoon — alleged that Ellison's associates crossed the line by interfering with its negotiations with other companies. In a series of letters, Park County questioned the conduct of Jeff Shell, a former NBCUniversal chief executive who is part of Ellison's bidding team. Shell is a senior executive with RedBird Capital Partners, a private equity firm that is helping Skydance finance the Paramount deal. In a Tuesday letter to RedBird's general counsel, which was viewed by The Times, Park County's lawyers accused Shell of committing 'intrusive, unauthorized, and gun jumping misconduct' by inserting himself into the auction for 'South Park' streaming rights and attempting to depress the show's value. The lawyers contended that 'not one word' in the 160-page sale agreement between Skydance and Paramount authorized Skydance or Redbird to 'intrude' into negotiations over 'South Park' streaming deals. 'This misconduct is already causing destruction not only to the business of 'South Park'... but also the productive decades-long relationship between artists and studio on an iconic show,' the lawyers wrote. A spokeswoman for Skydance disputed misconduct by Shell, adding, 'Any accusation that Jeff Shell tried to lower the price or devalue the franchise in any way is not only nonsensical but patently false.' 'Under the terms of the transaction agreement, Skydance has the right to approve material contracts,' the spokeswoman continued. The dispute comes as the 'South Park' creators work to line up a new streaming deal after its five-year pact with Warner Bros. Discovery's Max service ended this week. Paramount wants to make the long-running Comedy Central show available on its Paramount+ platform. However, given the high cost of the show, Paramount wants to share the rights to the 333 episodes with another streaming service. Knowledgeable people have said they expect 'South Park' distribution fees to be valued at more than $200 million a year. But Skydance hasn't signed off, believing the deals to be too rich, according to multiple sources. Paramount executives think the show is worth the big bucks given its enduring global popularity and legacy. Park County has alleged Shell inserted himself into negotiations with two prospective partners: Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Both have expressed interest in licensing the show. Park County accused Shell of calling executives at those companies to lower their bids for 'South Park,' which would deprive Parker, Stone and Paramount of a higher licensing fee. Paramount owns half of a joint venture called South Park Digital Studios, which controls the streaming rights to the show. Stone and Parker control the other half of the venture that dates back to 2007. 'Mr. Shell's proposed changes worsen the deal for South Park Digital Studios, and they appear to be designed to cheapen the business of Skydance Media's acquisition target, Paramount Global,' Park County lawyer Joseph R. Taylor wrote in a Monday letter to Paramount executives. 'This misconduct is already causing destruction not only to the business of South Park through depressing offers for the [Subscription Video On Demand] rights, but also the productive decades-long relationship between artists and studio on an iconic show,' Taylor wrote. 'Further misconduct of this nature will naturally force legal action.' Two sources close to the matter said that Skydance has objected to the 10-year span of the proposed deals with Paramount+ and Max (soon to be renamed HBO Max) as well as the 10-year span for the overall deal with Parker and Stone. Skydance, the sources said, preferred five-year deals due to changes in the market. Max's current deal to stream 'South Park' ended this week. However, due to the company's interest in bidding for the rights, the episodes will remain on the service until a new deal can be worked out, said one person close to the company who was not authorized to speak publicly. Paramount leaders want to lock down 'South Park' streaming rights in the U.S. and abroad and were interested in extending Paramount's $900-million overall deal with the 'South Park' creators to guarantee the production of new episodes. But that deal doesn't expire for another two years, and Skydance executives don't want to extend that deal before they take control of Paramount, according to sources. New episodes run first on Paramount's basic cable network Comedy Central. 'South Park' is one of Paramount's most important TV franchises. Along with 'The Daily Show' with Jon Stewart, the four boys from the fictional Colorado hamlet of South Park put Comedy Central on the map for basic cable viewers. During a May earnings call, Paramount co-Chief Executive Chris McCarthy — who runs Paramount's media networks as well as Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios — told investors that 'South Park' episodes would begin streaming on Paramount+ in July, although that deal has not been nailed down.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Lakshmi Manchu on ban on Pakistani actors in India: ‘How insecure are you?'
South Park's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are in negotiations with Paramount to extend their contract expiring in 2027, potentially worth billions. However, they have accused Skydance, the prospective buyer of Paramount, of interfering in these negotiations. This dispute has strained relationships between Paramount's future owners and the show's creators, complicating the deal ahead of its closure.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Joju George's Churuli row explained: Why the Malayalam actor's remarks sparked online frenzy
South Park's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are in negotiations with Paramount to extend their contract expiring in 2027, potentially worth billions. However, they have accused Skydance, the prospective buyer of Paramount, of interfering in these negotiations. This dispute has strained relationships between Paramount's future owners and the show's creators, complicating the deal ahead of its closure.
