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Finding a star for ‘Wednesday’ who embodies ‘Family’ values with her own kooky twist | CNN

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Finding a star for ‘Wednesday’ who embodies ‘Family’ values with her own kooky twist | CNN



CNN
 — 

There was rather a lot using on the casting selection for the titular character of the brand new Netfilx collection “Wednesday.” Along with somebody who may pull off creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky, the function of raven-haired, pigtail-braided Wednesday Addams wanted to go to a younger actress who may rise to the event of taking part in a personality from such an iconic property.

“It’s at all times a bit of bit daunting while you begin a course of with such legacy and storied roles round it,” casting director John Papsidera stated in a chat with CNN.

The present marks a return to the Addams Household world, primarily based on the cartoons by Charles Addams and first introduced on display screen within the iconic Sixties black-and-white sitcom and later within the much-loved early 90s movies by Barry Sonnenfeld. Within the new collection, Wednesday finds herself at a boarding faculty known as the Nevermore Academy the place all method of outcast and freak can roam free.

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For these anticipating a tongue-in-cheek rehash of “The Addams Household” – full with the double-snap theme music – suppose once more. This “teen-centric darkish comedy,” as described by showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar, shouldn’t be a reboot, however slightly a better examination and celebration of the majorly macabre and sharp-as-a-razor older sister of the Addams clan.

In looking for their excellent Wednesday, Gough and Millar labored with casting administrators Papsidera and Sophie Holland, amongst others, and stated in an electronic mail to CNN that it “was at all times our intention to solid a Latina actress” for the function, as a result of they wished to honor Gomez Addams’s heritage. Whereas the character of household patriarch Gomez was portrayed by White actor John Astin within the “Addams Household” sitcom from the Sixties, he was portrayed by Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia within the Sonnenfeld motion pictures. In “Wednesday,” Gomez is performed by veteran performer Luis Guzmán, additionally from Puerto Rico.

The function of daughter Wednesday ultimately went to teen it-girl Jenna Ortega (“Scream,” “You,” “X”), an actress of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. Gough and Millar knew they’d discovered their Wednesday as quickly as they met Ortega, they stated.

“I had talked about Jenna rather a lot in going into (the casting course of),” Papsidera stated of Ortega. “It’s additionally a skinny world of ladies that may be primary on the decision sheet and deal with the stress of that, and likewise is achieved in her personal proper. Whenever you begin to discuss a younger Latina actress, she rises to the highest of the heap.”

Millar and Gough stated the present employed a Mexican artistic marketing consultant to “assist make sure that the scripts mirrored Jenna’s particular heritage.”

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“This era is all about authenticity. We have been very intentional in each side of the casting course of,” the showrunners added. “We wished to make sure the scholars at Nevermore Academy have been really reflective of recent American society. It’s not solely about collection regulars, it’s in regards to the depth of casting throughout the complete collection, together with background extras.”

One other coup scored by the casting workforce on “Wednesday” was to snag actress Christina Ricci, who timelessly portrayed the character in Sonnenfeld’s motion pictures, within the smaller function of Marilyn Thornhill. It nearly didn’t occur, as a result of Ricci’s schedule and dedication to her hit Showtime collection “Yellowjackets.”

“It was actually a stunning lengthy sport with Christina,” Papsidera stated. “We had at all times talked about her from the start. And it wasn’t till nearly the very finish that her schedule opened up, after which we pivoted there and Tim (Burton, director of “Wednesday”) obtained on the telephone along with her and all of it labored out.”

Ricci and Burton, who marks his first foray into directing a tv collection with the brand new collection, had beforehand labored collectively on the 1999 movie “Sleepy Hole.”

“I feel the thought of working with Tim once more was most likely the largest bonus in our camp,” Papsidera stated of touchdown the veteran actress. “I additionally suppose that she obtained the thought of collaborating in one thing that she loves too, that it was actually particular for everyone concerned.”

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“Wednesday” definitely wastes no time in surreptitiously honoring Ricci’s contributions to the character. With out spoiling an excessive amount of, the pilot episode incorporates a group of individuals dressed as pilgrims who meet with an unlucky destiny, calling to thoughts Ricci’s more-than-memorable Thanksgiving scene in 1993’s “Addams Household Values.”

“There’s a sure serendipity to the entire collection in that manner,” Holland added of nabbing Ricci. “It’s like issues got here collectively typically final minute, typically once we have been pulling our hair considering, ‘We will’t discover this, we are able to’t discover this.’ After which one thing would lock into place. And the entire collection, you’ll see when you watch the entire thing, is that all of it type of works collectively nearly like a Rubik’s dice.”

“Wednesday” additionally stars Gwendoline Christie, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Pleasure Sunday, amongst others.

The casting workforce operated underneath the course of Burton, who Papsidera stated had a transparent imaginative and prescient for the present and characters.

“If something, that’s the place all of us sort of began and ended our discussions – with what Tim noticed and who he felt he was drawn to as these characters,” Papsidera stated.

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Venturing into such a longtime world, the purpose was to “try to reinvent what it’s with out throwing away the spirit of it,” he added.

“There’s a certain quantity of stress as a result of additionally…we’re followers,” echoed Holland.

Holland stated she wished to “fulfill everyone’s wants and needs” and provides “correct care to what we do” with regard to the franchise.

“You need the essence of what these authentic characters have been, however you need it in a brand new manner. In order that’s at all times the problem, and the reward while you get it,” Papsidera stated.

“Wednesday” is streaming now on Netflix.

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: In ‘The Idea of You,’ a boy band is center stage but Anne Hathaway steals the show

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Movie Review: In ‘The Idea of You,’ a boy band is center stage but Anne Hathaway steals the show

In the warmly charming rom-com “The Idea of You,” Anne Hathaway plays a 40-year-old divorcee and Silver Lake art gallery owner who, after taking her teenage daughter to Coachella, becomes romantically involved with a 24-year-old heartthrob in the boy band August Moon. They first meet after she mistakes his trailer for the bathroom.

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There are a few hundred things about this premise that might be farfetched, including the odds of finding love anywhere near the porta johns of a music festival. But one of them is not that a young star like Hayes Campbell would fall for a single mom like Solène .

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Solène is stylish, unimpressed by Hayes’ celebrity and has bangs so perfect they look genetically modified. And, most importantly, she’s Anne Hathaway. In the power dynamics of “The Idea of You,” Hayes may be a fictional pop star but Hathaway is a very real movie star. And you don’t forget it for a moment in Michael Showalter’s lightly appealing showcase of the actor at her resplendent best.

“The Idea of You,” which debuts Thursday on Prime Video, is full of all the kinds of contradictions that can make a rom-com work. The highly glamorous, megawatt-smiling Hathaway is playing a down-to-earth nobody. The showbiz veteran in the movie is played by Galitzine, a less well-known but up-and-coming British actor whose performance in the movie is quite authentic. And even though the whole scenario is undeniably a glossy high-concept Hollywood fairy tale, Showalter gives it enough texture that “The Idea of You” comes off more natural and sincere than you’d expect.

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The only thing that really needs to make perfect sense in a movie like “The Idea of You” is the chemistry. The film, penned by Showalter and Jennifer Westfeldt from Robinne Lee’s bestseller, takes its time in the early scenes between Solène and Hayes — first at Coachella, then when he stops by her gallery — allowing their rapport to build convincingly, and giving each actor plenty of time to smolder.

Once the steamy hotel-room encounters come in “The Idea of You,” the movie has, if not swept you away, then at least ushered you along on a European trip of sex and room service. At the same time, it stays faithful to its central mission of celebrating middle-aged womanhood. The relationship will eventually cause a social media firestorm, but its main pressure point is whether Solène can stick with Hayes after her ex-husband cheated on her. This is a fairy tale she deserves.

While Showalter has long showed a great gift for juggling comedy and drama at once, “The Idea of You” leans more fully into wish-fulfillment romance. That can leave less to sustain the film, which has notably neutered some of the things that distinguished the book.

The May-December romance has been shrunk a little. In the book, the singer is 20. Given that Galitzine is 29 and the 41-year-old Hathaway is no one’s idea of old, this is more like a July-September relationship. In the book, the daughter is a huge admirer of the pop singer, adding to the awkwardness, but in the movie, August Moon is “so 7th grade” to her.

There are surely more interesting and funnier places “The Idea of You” could have gone. But Hathaway and Galitzine are a good enough match that, for a couple hours, it’s easy to forget.

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But the most convincing thing about “The Idea of You”? August Moon. The movie nails the look and sound of boy bands so well because it went straight to the source. The original songs in the film are by Savan Kotecha and Carl Falk, the producer-songwriters of, among other pop hits, “What Makes You Beautiful,” One Direction’s debut single.

That connection will probably only further the sense that “The Idea of You” is very nearly “The Idea of Harry Styles.” The filmmakers have distanced the movie from any real-life resemblances. But one thing is for sure: With August Moon following 4Town of “Turning Red” , we are living in the golden age of the fictional boy band.

“The Idea of You,” an Amazon MGM Studios release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for some language and sexual content. Running time: 115 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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Mavis Leno joins husband Jay at a premiere after dementia revelation: 'I feel great'

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Mavis Leno joins husband Jay at a premiere after dementia revelation: 'I feel great'

Jay and Mavis Leno donned their date-night best Tuesday at the red-carpet premiere of Jerry Seinfeld’s forthcoming film “Unfrosted.”

The premiere marked the couple’s second public outing since the former talk show host in January filed for a since-granted conservatorship over his wife following her advanced dementia diagnosis. The 77-year-old philanthropist previously attended her husband’s April 3 stand-up show at the Hollywood Improv.

Gracing the red carpet, the couple — who have been married since 1980 — flashed smiles and peace signs at the assembled photographers.

“I feel great,” Mavis told “Entertainment Tonight,” with her husband saying, “We have a great time. Forty-four years [married], so we’re doing good.”

Jay Leno, 74, also added that the two were glad to “come to something fun for a change.”

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“Everything is so controversial. Just to come to a funny, silly movie ― it’s great. I think people will have a great time,” he said.

Last month, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted Jay Leno’s request for conservatorship after his wife’s court-appointed legal counsel, Ronald E. Ostrin, in March filed a report recommending the decision.

In Ostrin’s report, he said that during his investigation, he learned that Mavis Leno has “major neurocognitive disorders,” “cognitive impairment” and “sometimes does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth,” The Times previously reported.

Ostrin also included in his report comments from Mavis Leno’s neurologist, Dr. Hart Cohen, who told Ostrin she “has a lot of disorientation” and “will ruminate about her parents who have both passed and her mother who died about 20 years ago.” Ostrin “reviewed substantial medical records which supported Dr. Cohen’s opinions,” the report said.

In his January filing, Jay Leno said that he sought a conservatorship in order to structure a living trust and other estate plans to make sure that his wife has “managed assets sufficient to provide for her care” in the event that he dies before she does, according to a copy of the petition previously obtained by The Times.

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The petition said that Mavis Leno “has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years,” rendering her “incapable of executing the estate plan.” It also said she is under treatment for “dementia and mood disorder,” though it is still unclear when she was diagnosed with either.

At the April hearing, Ostrin said Mavis Leno was “in agreement” with the conservatorship and “receiving excellent care with her husband, Mr. Leno,” People reported.

The judge agreed, saying, “I think she’s in the least restrictive environment. I think she’s in very good care with Mr. Leno.”

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Film Review: Civil War is Too Timid to Be Interesting

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Film Review: Civil War is Too Timid to Be Interesting

A24

2/5 stars

When I heard that Alex Garland was making a film about a new American civil war to be released in the middle of an extremely contentious election year, I was hyped. The idea seemed more daring and provocative than we have seen in quite some time. Sadly, Civil War lacks any real courage and Garland remains frustratingly “apolitical” with a story that should be inherently political. The result is a thrilling but shallow action movie with little to say with its fascinating premise beyond the tired old cliche that “war is hell.”

Set in a near future in which the United States has devolved into warring factions, we follow photojournalist Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) who is traveling with several other journalists to interview the nebulously tyrannical president (Nick Offerman) before the “Western Forces,” a combined alliance between Texas and California, attack Washington D.C.

The film remains steadfast in its refusal to explain any of the factors involved in this conflict. Who are the Western Forces and what do they want? What has the president done to bring about a full-on civil war? Garland doesn’t even bother to ask these questions, failing to give audiences a sense of urgency. There is also some striking imagery reminiscent of footage from Vietnam and Bosnia. Seeing these images played out on American soil feels like they should be ripe for analysis, but there is no message behind them. The film says nothing about modern warfare or even photojournalism and only leaves us with sheer spectacle. The timid approach to politics gives us a film that feels like it wants to be The Battle of Algiers but becomes White House Down.

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Written and directed by Alex Garland // Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jefferson White, Nelson Lee, Evan Lai, Vince Pisani, Justin James Boykin, Jess Matney, Greg Hill, Edmund Donovan, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, and Jesse Plemons // 109 minutes // A24 // Rated R

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