Latest news with #Twilight
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iran Film, Dakota Johnson, Stellan Skarsgard, Peter Sarsgaard, Vicky Krieps Honors Set for Karlovy Vary
A film from Iran that has been kept secret so far to ensure the safety of its delegation, along with Dakota Johnson, Stellan Skarsgård, Peter Sarsgaard and Vicky Krieps, has joined the lineup for the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). Known as a popular stop on the film festival circuit for many stars, Karlovy Vary had previously already unveiled a visit from Michael Douglas this year. More from The Hollywood Reporter BBC Introduces News Paywall for U.S. Users Catherine Hardwicke Praises Heath Ledger, Talks 'Twilight' at Mediterrane Film Festival Masterclass Disney+ Sets July Premiere for Korean Treasure-Hunt Drama 'Low Life' The 12th and final film of this year's Karlovy Vary Crystal Globe main competition program is Iran's Bidad from director Soheil Beiraghi, which tells the story of young singer Seti who refuses to accept the fact that women in Iran are not allowed to perform in public. 'In defiance of her country's religious laws, she decides to sing in the street,' according to a synopsis. 'Her performances quickly gain in popularity, and Seti becomes a star for a young generation that no longer wants to be oppressed by the regime.' Bidad was made as an independent production. 'Otherwise, it would never have been approved by the censors because of its critical tone,' KVIFF highlighted. 'Even so, director Soheil Beiraghi was investigated by the authorities during filming. It was necessary to withhold announcement of the film's inclusion in the festival's program until he and the members of his crew could safely travel out of Iran. A few days ago, the festival team was overjoyed to hear that they were on their way.' While the stars have aligned for the world premiere of Bidad, the stars have also lined up to travel to the Czech festival. Swedish film and theater actor Skarsgård, recipient of a Golden Globe award, will return to Karlovy Vary to be presented the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. He will also present his new film Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, which won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival. At the KVIFF opening ceremony, the KVIFF President's Award will be presented to Krieps (Phantom Thread, Bergman Island), winner of a European Film Award for best actress for Marie Kreutzer's Corsage and 'one of today's exceptional acting talents,' said KVIFF organizers. The festival will be showing Anna Cazenave Cambet's film Love Me Tender, starring Krieps. Also at the opening ceremony, the fest will present the KVIFF President's Award to Sarsgaard, who most recently starred in director Tim Fehlbaum's September 5. He has also wrapped production on Warner Bros.' The Bride!, which also stars Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley and is set for release later this year. Directed by his wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film takes place in 1930s Chicago and puts a spin on the classic Frankenstein story. In Sarsgaard's honor, the festival will screen the journalism drama Shattered Glass (2003). Also on the first weekend of KVIFF 2025, namely on Sunday, July 6, Johnson will be honored with the KVIFF President's Award and present her two latest films, Michael Angelo Covino's Splitsville and Celine Song's Materialists. 'Dakota Johnson continues her family's multigenerational acting tradition, as represented by her grandmother Tippy Hedren and both of her parents, award-winning Hollywood stars Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson,' fest organizers said. It should thus not come as a surprise that her film debut was at age 10, when she appeared in Crazy in Alabama (1999, directed by Antonio Banderas).' In addition to this year's festival honorees, various other big names are also expected in Karlovy Vary. For example, the world premiere of Out of Love will be presented by the film's star, French actress Camille Cottin, whom audiences know from Call My Agent! and House of Gucci, among others. The international premiere of Rebuilding will be presented by Max Walker-Silverman, who returns to Karlovy Vary three years after presenting his feature film debut A Love Song there. Another American coming to town is Jay Duplass, who will attend the screening of his comedy The Baltimorons. Mexican director Michel Franco returns to Karlovy Vary after just one year to screen his latest film Dreams, which stars Jessica Chastain and had its world premiere at this year's Berlinale. Also, Mstyslav Chernov, winner of a Pulitzer Prize and an Oscar for his 20 Days in Mariupol, will be in town to present his latest documentary, 2000 Metres to Andriivka. Finally, the historical drama Two Prosecutors, which had its world premiere in the main competition in Cannes, will be introduced by its director, Sergei Loznitsa. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Denis Villeneuve to Direct Next James Bond Film
Denis Villeneuve is going from Dune to 007. The filmmaker has been tapped to direct the next James Bond movie, the first from Amazon MGM Studios. Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve's artistic partner and wife, will serve as an executive producer, along with Villeneuve. As previously announced, Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers. More from The Hollywood Reporter BBC Introduces News Paywall for U.S. Users Catherine Hardwicke Praises Heath Ledger, Talks 'Twilight' at Mediterrane Film Festival Masterclass Disney+ Sets July Premiere for Korean Treasure-Hunt Drama 'Low Life' 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come,' said Villeneuve. 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.' Pascal and Heyman added, 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.' Bond is one of the most sought-after franchises for filmmakers. Reportedly, directors who met for this film also included Edward Berger, Edgar Wright and Paul King. Villeneuve was last in theaters with Dune: Part 2, which earned over $700 million at the box office and several Oscar nominations, including best picture, winning best sound and best visual effects. Currently, he is in prep on the third Dune film, which is scheduled to shoot this summer. It's unclear when Bond will begin production, but the search is underway for a screenwriter who will work with Villeneuve to bring the newest incarnation of the secret agent to the big screen. The new Bond will mark the franchise's 26th title and the follow-up to 2021's No Time to Die, which was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and served as Daniel Craig's swan song as 007. This film will also mark the first Bond outing following Amazon's $8.45 billion takeover of 007's long-standing backer MGM. In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, which allowed the tech/entertainment company the rights to distribute all future James Bond films. But, until this year, there was little movement due to the impasse between Amazon executives and the longtime shepherds of all things Bond, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. In February, it was announced that Wilson and Broccoli were pursuing a deal with Amazon that would allow the studio to control the creative on future productions. Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, commented, 'We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond's next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself.' In a 2021 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Villeneuve said, 'I would deeply love one day to make a James Bond movie.' It appears that day has come. June 25, 6:50 p.m. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Villeneuve would be the second non-British director of a Bond movie. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Couple spent just $360K on this modest Oregon home featured in 'Twilight' movies — now they're making $140K a year renting it out to fans
Talk about taking a bite out of an opportunity. Amber and Dean Neufeld didn't originally set out to run a short-term rental empire. But after purchasing the unassuming St. Helen's, Oregon house featured as Bella Swan's residence in the 'Twilight' film franchise, the couple has turned a piece of cinematic history into a steady income stream. The five-bedroom property — which is instantly recognizable to the saga's devoted followers — draws in guests from around the world, many of whom are eager to recreate scenes from the vampire romance series that exploded into pop culture in 2008. Advertisement 10 Amber and Dean Neufeld have turned the Oregon home featured in the Twilight movies into a lucrative business, earning up to $140,000 annually in gross revenue from fans eager to stay where Bella Swan once lived onscreen. Airbnb 10 A still from the film showing Bella Swan's famous red truck in front of the home. Summit Entertainment The pair purchased the home for $360,000 back in 2018 for $10,000 over asking in order to outbid competing buyers, according to Fortune. Advertisement Their offer included a personal letter and a sizable down payment — a move that secured them not just a house, but a fan landmark. 'I had come up and visited all the filming locations,' Amber said in the Fortune interview. 'When the house popped up on the market, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I know that house.'' 10 After buying the five-bedroom house for $360,000—$10,000 over asking—the couple invested another $20,000 restoring it with authentic film props and details. Airbnb 10 A still from the film showing Bella Swan played by Kristen Stewart in her bedroom at the home. Summit Entertainment Advertisement Now, the Neufelds earn as much as $140,000 in annual gross revenue by renting the home directly through their website, the outlet explained. While the home's original flooring, fixtures and exterior remained the same from when it was used for filming the movie — to transform the rest of the home into a near replica of its on-screen appearance, the Neufelds invested an additional $20,000, sourcing original and imitation props. They even managed to snag the kitchen table used in the film — and the home's rental listing describes it as 'Charlie's actual dining table.' The home's rooms are styled to reflect characters from the series, including Bella's bedroom and a 'Jacob Black guest room.' Advertisement The couple worked as a team on the home project — Amber scoured auction sites for pieces, while Dean handled most of the physical work. 'I would go work my nine-to-five, and then I'd go to the house and be there from five until bedtime just fixing stuff,' he told Fortune. 10 The 'Twilight Swan House' quickly became a fan pilgrimage site, fueled by viral TikToks and renewed Gen Z interest in the saga, with bookings selling out within minutes. Airbnb 10 The cast of Twilight in the living room of the home. Everett Collection / Everett Col The home was originally listed for rent in 2019, and the couple struggled to get consistent bookings at first. Eventually, interest in staying at the home skyrocketed following a viral TikTok video in 2020, which showed a guest reenacting a scene of Bella gazing out her bedroom window. According to Dean, the response overwhelmed Airbnb's system — where the listing originally lived, which caused the couple to create a website for the home and rent it through there. 'Life was never the same,' he said. 'Our bookings were filled the moment they were open, and it's never slowed down ever since.' Advertisement 10 Despite the high demand, the Neufelds keep rates around $400 a night to remain accessible, bringing in over $60,000 in annual profit after expenses. Airbnb 10 A still from Twilight filmed in the kitchen of the home. Summit Entertainment While rates hover around $400 per night, the Neufelds have resisted the temptation to raise prices despite overwhelming demand. 'We don't really want to charge more,' Amber said. 'It's not just, 'How can we make the most money?' It's really always been, 'How much can we charge and still put money back into the house and pay the mortgage?'' Advertisement After paying mortgage payments and maintenance costs, the couple profits around $60,000 a year. 10 This bedroom is known as 'Jacob Black's guest room.' Airbnb Overall, preserving the home's cinematic identity is as important as financial returns. When buying the house, Amber said in her interview with Fortune that she was more concerned about saving the house and not letting it lose its 'fiming history.' Advertisement Even all these years later, the movie remains incredibly popular, now appreciated by a second generation of fans discovering 'Twilight' through streaming platforms and social media. 'What actually happened, surprisingly often, was the teenagers — the second generation — getting into Twilight too,' Amber added. 10 Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, and Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson, in one of the bedrooms of the home. Kimberley French Advertisement Guests often describe the experience in emotional terms. One fan told Amber, 'It was amazing to spend two nights where the Twilight movie was filmed. It was a dream come true.' Another called it 'unforgettable' and said, 'There are no words to describe the feeling and joy.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Eclipse' turns 15: Every Twilight Saga movie, ranked
Movie franchises come and go, but The Twilight Saga is truly immortal. The supernatural drama series, an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's best-selling young adult novels, follows the against-all-odds romance of high schoolers Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Unlike most teen love affairs, the couple's relationship is complicated by the reality that Edward is secretly a centenarian vampire with a thirst for blood. Bella's life is thrown into further disarray when she befriends Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a fledgling werewolf who descends from a pack that has an uneasy relationship with the Cullen clan. 'Twilight' turns 20: Here's your refresher on the iconic vampire books Following the 2008 debut of "Twilight," the franchise exploded into a pop culture phenomenon, raking in $3.4 billion worldwide across five films. Bella and Edward's star-crossed romance, which includes an angsty love triangle with Jacob, inspired legions of "Twihards" to declare their allegiance to "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob." In honor of the third installment "Eclipse," released 15 years ago on June 30, 2010, we take a fresh bite and rank the movies from worst to best: Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie, TV recommendations right in your inbox 5. 'Breaking Dawn – Part 2' (2012) How do you say goodbye to a group of vampires who live forever? The conclusion of The Twilight Saga makes a mighty attempt, focusing on Bella's long-awaited transformation into a vampire and the raising of Bella and Edward's half-human, half-vampire daughter Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). Despite the cuteness of it all, that CGI face of newborn Nessie was ... a choice. The thrill of Bella exploring her vampiric powers is truly a treat; the lamb becomes the lioness thanks to her own super-speed, inexhaustible strength and nifty force field-generation. On the parenting front, Bella and Edward are thrust into a race against time, albeit a sluggishly paced one, as they gather family witnesses to prove to the Volturi that Renesmee is not a threat to vampirekind. 4. 'Twilight' (2008) Arizona transplant Bella attempts to acclimate to life in Forks, Washington, after moving in with her divorced father (Billy Burke), only to become captivated by aloof classmate Edward and his equally enigmatic group of siblings. Bella and Edward's meet-cute is fraught with painfully awkward conversations, sullen stares and a near-death by runaway van. The exposition required by their oil-and-water dynamic means the film isn't as action-heavy as its sequels (with the exception of a rogue trio of murderous vampires, of course). But the suspenseful mystery packed into Bella's pursuit of Edward's true identity, enhanced by cinematographer Elliot Davis' eerie visuals, makes for a riveting introduction to the franchise. And with an immaculate soundtrack boasting moody alternative-rock, "Twilight" is a haunting you won't want to exorcise. 3. 'Breaking Dawn – Part 1' (2011) For a paranormal love story, "Breaking Dawn − Part 1" is probably as close as Twihards will ever get to a feel-good flick. The film kicks off in a haze of marital bliss as Bella and Edward prepare for their wedding, after Edward proposes marriage as a condition for turning Bella into a vampire (leave it to an undead bloodsucker to keep tradition alive.) Unfortunately, the couple's newlywed fun is cut short when Bella unexpectedly finds herself pregnant on their honeymoon. Shockingly, Bella successfully gives birth in a body-horror extravaganza that is both gut-wrenching and mesmerizing. And if your heart wasn't pounding already, Edward saves Bella from a post-delivery death in a nail-biting finale. 2. 'New Moon' (2009) Bella hits rock bottom in this somber yet action-packed follow-up to "Twilight." After Edward abruptly breaks up with her − in a cloaked effort to shield her from the dangers of the vampire world − grief-stricken Bella copes with a rebellious adrenaline junkie phase and her deepening friendship with Jacob. Jacob, who has secrets of his own as he comes to terms with his werewolf power, is a shaft of earthy sunshine compared to Edward's often icy veneer. Don't get me wrong: The intense smolder of a bloodthirsty vampire would make my heart flutter, too. But Jake is cut from a softer cloth, and his warmth is an emotional salve for our distraught heroine Bella. Bella's brewing situationship with Jacob is thwarted by a whirlwind reunion with Edward in Italy. The happy ending is undoubtedly a win for the hopeless romantics (and not to mention Team Edward stans), but the pragmatist in me can't help but root for the underwolf and his grounded charm. 1. 'Eclipse' (2010) It's not just the anniversary talking, folks. "Eclipse" is the soapy, hormonally charged climax of the franchise that solidifies the trifecta of Bella's intense bonds with Edward and Jacob. Bella's reconciliation with Edward reaffirms her desire to become a vampire, while Jacob, futilely, maintains his dogged pursuit of her affections. The push and pull lends itself to some juicy dramatic tension, with Jacob even taking a punch to the face after a spur-of-the-moment kiss goes awry. The impending invasion of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) and her army of newborn vampires inspires an unlikely alliance between the Cullen coven and Jacob's Quileute pack, setting the stage for some kickass action sequences. In the afterglow of their victory, Bella tells a battle-injured Jacob that she's chosen Edward as her partner in a finale that's as heartbreaking as it is infuriating.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Owners of home made famous in Twilight movies rake in $140K a year by renting property to obsessed fans
A pair of homeowners have turned a humble Oregon movie landmark into a money-making juggernaut by renting the property to Twilight-obsessed fans. Amber and Dean Neufeld are reeling in as much as $140,000 a year in Airbnb bookings from diehard fans desperate to sleep where Bella Swan once brooded over her vampire crush. The Neufelds paid $360,000 for the five-bedroom house immortalized in the $3 billion film franchise and their gamble appears to have paid off spectacularly. The couple even paid $10,000 over the asking price, fighting off rival bidders with a heartfelt letter and a hefty down payment. The couple now manages the property as a full-time gig, with bookings selling out in minutes and guests lining up to pose at Bella's green staircase or dine at her on-screen kitchen table. Twilight exploded onto the big screen in 2008, and Bella's home, complete with its creaky floors and faded trim, became immortalized in vampire-movie lore. Far from a typical rental, the 'Twilight Swan House' has become a pilgrimage site, its popularity now supercharged by viral TikTok clips and a fresh wave of Gen Z Twilight devotees discovering the saga on streaming services. 'Life was never the same,' Dean told Fortune, recalling the flood of requests that crashed Airbnb 's servers and forced the couple to manage bookings through their own website. Bookings sell out within minutes every quarter. 'I had come up and visited all the filming locations,' Amber said. 'When the house popped up on the market, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I know that house."' Their $360,000 purchase included movie-accurate details, but the Neufelds poured another $20,000 more into refurbishing fixtures and recreating props, even scouring auction sites to find Bella's dining table and other set pieces. Amber scoured the internet for authentic movie props while Dean clocked hours after his day job repairing floorboards, patching faucets, and fixing water heaters. 'I would go work my nine-to-five, and then I'd go to the house and be there from five until bedtime just fixing stuff,' Dean explained. Fans now gladly pay about $400 a night to step into their teenage dreams. 'What actually happened, surprisingly often, was it was the teenagers - the second generation - getting into Twilight too,' Amber said. Even after mortgage payments and upkeep, the couple says their profits top $60,000 a year. But they also say that money isn't the only reward and they want to keep the house preserved for movie posterity. Team Edward fans can 'sleep in the "lookout" room, overlooking the front yard, which is where Bella looks out the window to see Edward parked up The hosts say encourage renters to recreate their favorite Twilight scenes including dining at Charlie's actual dining table that was used in filming 'What if somebody changes it, and we lose that filming history?' Amber said. 'I just wanted to save it.' The AirBnb listing exploded following a viral TikTok in 2020 that showed a guest recreating the iconic scene of Bella peering out her window. 'Life was never the same,' Dean recalled. 'Our bookings were filled the moment they were open, and it's never slowed down ever since.' Fans stay in bedrooms styled to match the movie, including Bella's actual bedroom, or the 'Jacob Black guest room.' The couple invites guests to 'dine at Charlie's actual dining table that was used in filming', according to their listing, and encourages visitors to recreate their favorite Twilight scenes. One second-generation fan told Amber, 'It was amazing to spend two nights where the Twilight movie was filmed. It was a dream come true.' Another guest added, 'Was unforgettable, was awesome! There are no words to describe the feeling and joy.' The two-storey, four-bedroom home hit the market in 2019 for $349,900 but the Neufeld's paid $10,000 over the asking price in order to secure the property for themselves The couple has refused to raise rates dramatically despite the wild demand, aiming to keep prices affordable for everyday fans while still investing in the house. 'We don't really want to charge more,' Amber explained. 'It's not just, "How can we make the most money?" It's really always been, "How much can we charge and still put money back into the house and pay the mortgage?"' Even now, 17 years after Twilight debuted, its cultural bite seems unstoppable. With Midnight Sun released, a fresh wave of Gen Z fans streaming the saga, and TikTok fanning the flames, the Swan House appears to be more popular than ever.
