Author: Alizee Ali Khan

Emile Hirsch always believed in Speed Racer. The world just needed time to catch up. $94 million at the box office against a $120 million budget made this the most unforgivable flop of 2008. Plus, it was the Wachowskis’ first film since The Matrix trilogy, and that fact alone has to compound the disappointment. Critics did not hold back. The film was almost unanimously panned, and even their few positive reviews weren’t exactly effusive, more like tossing a bone. Years passed. Something quietly shifted. Hirsch started seeing signs of reappraisal around the film’s tenth anniversary, when he watched his then…

First look images from coming supernatural horror The Punishing have arrived, and the cast alone is worth the attention. Cara Delevingne is headlining the marketplace horror film alongside Star Wars alum John Boyega. This is a project that has already started to heat up at Cannes. The film is written and directed by Chris Sparling of Buried and currently in post. Based on Scandinavian folklore it is set on a remote Icelandic island. A place “where a man miraculously recovers from a terminal illness. But his wife soon discovers the land’s healing powers come at a terrifying price.” That foundation…

A curated collection of AI-generated short films using erotic magazine photo spreads has made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. The collection used photoshoots published 50 years ago. The collection is now streaming on Cultpix, with physical releases on Blu-ray and VHS coming from Klubb Super 8. The project is from Thomas Meier of Norwegian company Multiformat. They used generative AI tools to turn 1976 magazine photo spreads into full-motion video. The video is complete with color, synced sound, dialogue, and voiceover. It’s an odd bet even for Cannes. However, transmuting still photos from half a century ago into…

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Christopher McQuarrie are moving forward with King Conan, the long-awaited Conan the Barbarian sequel. Schwarzenegger told fan outlet TheArnoldFans that the project is eyeing a 2027 start for production, with the announcement timed to the 44th anniversary of the original 1982 film. McQuarrie, who helmed the four most recent Mission: Impossible films, is attached to write and direct the follow-up for 20th Century Studios. Schwarzenegger would reprise his role as the sword-wielding barbarian, a part that became one of his earliest signature performances. Fredrik Malmberg of Conan Properties International, producer on the project, confirmed that a deal…

Aqua, the Danish-Norwegian Eurodance band who produced one of the 1990s’ most popular pop anthems, have announced their decision to split as a live act. The announcement came from members Lene Nystrøm, René Dif, and Søren Rasted on Instagram Monday, May 18. “After many incredible years, we have decided to close the chapter of AQUA as a live band.” “When you’ve been together for this long, you also learn when it’s time to protect what you’ve created together. For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong, and while the love for…

Lionsgate is taking The Housemaid from screen to stage. The studio is developing a stage adaptation of the psychological thriller for live theatre. British production company Melting Pot and playwright Bekah Brunstetter are set to helm the project. Melting Pot is run by Tony winner Hanna Osmolska, producer Simon Friend and Tony nominee Brunstetter. The company comprises the award-winning Life of Pi play, plus the upcoming Paranormal Activity Broadway production. Brunstetter, who adapted The Notebook into a Broadway musical, will write the stage treatment. The play draws from both the 2022 novel by Freida McFadden and the film coming out…

South Park is back this fall, and the premiere date is finally set. Season 29 will premiere on Comedy Central on September 16 at 10 p.m. The episodes will also stream the next day on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The premiere date was officially announced by Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone during their appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on May 19. It was announced in true South Park fashion, only this time in just 10 seconds instead of 45 seconds. The promo opens with Cartman sitting on a toilet and saying “Hang on, hang on” before…

A24 has taken home one of Cannes 2026’s hottest titles. Club Kid, Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut, has landed a major sale worth $17 million after a weekend of heated bidding in the South of France. A24 outbid virtually every other major indie and studio distributor, including Focus Features, Searchlight, Netflix, and MUBI, to secure the film. Warner Bros.’ new indie label Clockwork also drew interest before bowing out early, while Neon was considered a potential suitor but already had a packed 2026 slate. Multiple studio suitors were in for the movie, with the deal growing and growing following its premiere…

“I fucking love actresses,” said Julianne Moore at this year’s Kering Women in Motion Awards gala. It was there that she made a passionate case for the need for more women’s stories. The Oscar winner was presented the award on May 17 at a packed Place de la Castre in Cannes. It’s our future, it’s our stories, and “I fucking love actresses,” Moore said, as the observer understood a rallying cry. “I want to know where they feel invisible, why they feel invisible, and have we been cultured to only be seen by a particular audience,” “I’m also curious at…

Keanu Reeves is set to lend his voice to the title role of Hidari. The project is a Japanese stop-motion action feature currently in development from director Masashi Kawamura, and was announced by the film’s producers at Cannes. The feature expands Kawamura’s viral 2023 proof-of-concept short of the same name. Since its release, the short has racked up close to 5 million views on YouTube. The announcement was made at the Annecy Animation Showcase of the 79th Cannes International Film Festival. The pilot film screened at the event, alongside a talk with Kawamura and producer Noriko Matsumoto. They presented the…