Anya Taylor-Joy is preparing for her next royal excursion…
Illumination and Nintendo have announced the powerhouse voice cast for their upcoming Super Mario Bros. animated film, which includes the 25-year-old Argentine American actress.
Taylor-Joy, who earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in Queen’s Gambit, will star as Princess Peach in the film, which will hit cinemas on December 21, 2022.
Playing the fraternal, mushroom digesting plumbers and squashers of turtles are Chris Pratt as Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi.
Playing bad guy Bowser is Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.
“Each voice actor was cast for their ability to capture the unique spirit of their character,” reads the release.
The co-financed feature between Universal and Nintendo will be directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who previously collaborated on the animated series Teen Titans Go!and the film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.
The film’s screenplay will be written by Matthew Fogel, whose credits include The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Partand the upcoming Illumination feature Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Future offshore release dates will be announced.
“Mario and Luigi are two of the most beloved heroes in all of popular culture, and we are honored to have the unique opportunity to work so closely with Shigeru Miyamoto and the widely imaginative team at Nintendo to bring these characters to life in an animated movie, unlike any film Illumination has made to date,” said Chris Meledandri who is also an outside director of Nintendo.
“We are collaborating with Chris and his experienced team to not just create a character licensed film, but a new piece of entertainment which brings Super Mario Bros. to life on the screen, and allows everyone to enjoy whether or not they know about the game. The production so far is constructive and going very well, and both parties are learning a lot from each other. We humbly ask that fans wait just a little longer for the premiere, and we hope they look forward to seeing the unique characters from Super Mario Bros. on the big screen,” said Miyamoto.
Super Mario Bros. is a huge franchise play for Universal and Illumination. Already, there’s a Super Mario Bros. land open at the Universal Japan theme park with others under construction at Universal Hollywood and Universal Orlando.
The movie has been a long awaited revival for fans. There was a live action movie in 1993 starring Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi and Dennis Hopper as baddie King Koopa. There was also in the late 1980s The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! animated series which starred Captain Lou Albano as the voice of Mario and Danny Wells as the voice of Luigi.
Mario Brothers was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Gunpei Yokoi, Nintendo’s chief engineer in 1983. Super Mario Bros. the subseries, was launched in 1985. It is the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with more than 758.06 million copies of games sold, including 388.92 million for the Super Mario games alone.
The 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor has joined the cast of HBO Max’s pirate comedyOur Flag Means Death, joining stars Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi.
The series hails from writer David Jenkins, Garrett Basch and Dan Halsted.
Created by Jenkins, who also serves as showrunner, Our Flag Means Death is based loosely on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet (Darby), a pampered aristocrat who abandoned his life of privilege to become a pirate.
Armisen joins the cast in a recurring role. Details about his character have not been revealed.
The ensemble cast also includes Ewen Bremner, David Fane, Nat Faxon, Nathan Foad, Joel Fry, Leslie Jones, Samson Kayo, Guz Khan,Rory Kinnear, Matt Maher, Kristian Nairn, Con O’Neill and Vico Ortiz.
Our Flag Means Death is executive produced by Waititi, Jenkins, Basch and Halsted.
Armisen’s recent credits include Portlandia, Los Espookysand Documentary Now!
The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress will star in Spin Me Round, an indie comedy directed by Jeff Baena from a script he wrote with Alison Brie, who will also star.
In addition to Plaza, best known for her work on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, and Brie, the cast also includes Alessandro Nivola, Molly Shannon and Lil Rel Howery.
The film will be produced by the Duplass Brothers Productions and Limelight, the latter of which is fully financing the picture. Production begins next month in Italy.
Tim Heidecker, Ben Sinclair, Fred Armisen, Ayden Mayeri, Debby Ryan, Zach Woods, Ego Nwodim, Lauren Weedman, and Jake Picking round out the cast.
Brie plays the manager of the Bakersfield, California franchise of the Italian chain eatery Tuscan Grove. She wins an all-expenses trip to the company’s gorgeous “institute” outside of Florence, Italy, and the chance to meet the restaurant chain’s wealthy and charismatic owner (Nivola). Along with a mismatched group of local American franchise managers, Amber finds a far different adventure than the romantic fantasy she had imagined.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to Too Late, a horror comedy starring the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian.
The film marks the debut feature from director D.W. Thomas and writer Tom Becker.
In addition to Armisen, the film also stars Alyssa Limperis, Ron Lynch, Will Weldon, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jenny Zigrino, Jack De Sena and Brooks Wheelan.
Set in the Los Angeles indie comedy scene, the film centers on Violet (Limperis), who works a thankless job as the assistant to Bob Devore (Lynch), famed comedian and host of the live variety show Too Late. But what only Violet knows is that Bob is a monster both literally and figuratively. Resigned to her fate, Violet is caught by surprise when she meets aspiring comedian Jimmy Rhodes (Weldon) and sparks fly. But as her feelings for Jimmy grow and Bob starts to doubt her loyalty, she and Jimmy could end up as Bob’s next meal.
The film will bow day and date in select theaters, and on digital platforms on VOD on June 25.
“Too Late is the perfect blend between monster movie and comedy, and one that fans of both genres will be able to enjoy over and over again,” said Brett Rogalsky, Gravitas Ventures’ manager of acquisitions.
Netflix has released the new trailer for The Mitchells vs. The Machines, featuring the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian.
The animated film centers on a quirky, dysfunctional but loving clan’s together time that becomes a battle to save the planet. And if these folks are the last hope for humankind, well maybe the inanimates have the upper metal hand.
When Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson), a creative outsider, is accepted into the film school of her dreams, her plans to meet “her people” at college are upended when her nature-loving dad Rick (Danny McBride) determines the whole family should drive Katie to school together and bond as a family one last time. Maya Rudolph voices the mom, and Michael Rianda is the kid brother.
Directed by Mike Rianda from a script he wrote with Jeff Rowe, the film’s voice cast includes Eric Andre, Armisen, Beck Bennett, Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Charlyne Yi, Blake Griffin, Conan O’Brien, Sasheer Zamata, Elle Mills, Alex Hirsch, Jay Pharoah, Doug the Pug and Olivia Colman as Pal.
Sony Pictures sold worldwide rights to the animated feature to Netflix in January, after it had bounced around the release calendar during the pandemic.
Netflix will debut it as a streaming-only film on April 30.
Fred Armisen is ready to save the world next month…
Netflix has announce an April 30 release date for its animated comedy, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, featuring the 54-year-old half-Venezuelan American actor/comedian among the voice cast.
In addition to Armisenm new cast members include Beck Bennett, Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend, Charlyne Yi, late-night host Conan O’Brien, Sasheer Zamata, Jay Pharaoh, Alex Hirsch, Griffin McElroy and relative newcomer Elle Mills.
Previously announced members of the Mitchells cast include Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric André and Olivia Colman, among others.
Written and directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe, The Mitchells vs. The Machines centers on Katie Mitchell (Jacobson), a young woman who is accepted into her dream film school. While driving to campus, she and her family come across a tech uprising, which leaves them to figure out how to save the world.
The Mexican actor/comedian has been cast alongside Michelle Ortiz as series regulars inPunk Ass Bitch,Hulu’s half-hour comedy pilot starring up-and-coming comedian Chris Estrada and produced by ABC Signature.
Written by Estrada and Jake Weisman, Matt Ingebretson and Pat Bishop, withJonathan Groff supervising, Punk Ass Bitch is based on Estrada’s comedy and reflects his Latino identity.
It’s inspired by Estrada’s life in South Central Los Angeles and nearby Inglewood, where, by his own recollection, he spent his formative years running from loose pit bulls, getting robbed, and geeking out over comic books and punk rock.
The series centers on Julio Lopez (Estrada), a punk-ass bitch with a heart of gold who goes out of his way to help everyone but himself. Inspired by the life and stand-up comedy of star, co-creator and real-life punk ass bitch Estrada, the cinematic half-hour comedy explores Julio’s attempts to better his community, overcome his codependency issues with his family and navigate working class life in South Central.
Quinones plays Luis, a tatted up gangster who’s just finished eight years in prison, tough, aggressive, macho, yet immature. He’s not just a hard ex-gangster, he’s someone who also has not grown up yet emotionally.
Ortiz portrays Maggie. Feisty, strong-willed and fierce, Maggie is Julio’s ex, and it’s clear that they still have a spark and hang out together even though they both drive each other crazy.
Estrada executive produces with Fred Armisen, Groff, under his overall deal at ABC Signature, Weisman, Ingebretson and Bishop.
The pilot will be directed by Bishop, who directed all episodes of the Comedy Central seriesCorporate. Bishop and his Corporate collaborators Weisman and Ingebretson will serve as showrunners.
Quinones was a series regular in TBS comedy series The Dress Up Gang. He also was a member of the voice cast in Victor & Valentinoand guest-starred on The Guest Book, among other credits.
Ortiz was a series regular on MADtv. She was most recently seen in recurring roles in Gentefied and Tacoma F.D., and she previously guest-starred on Mom.
The 47-year-old Mexican actor/singer and Jane The Virgin scene-stealer has been cast in Steven Soderbergh’s next film, the New Line Max Original featureKIMI, with Zoë Kravitz on board to star. Byron Bowers is also on board.
The film will premiere exclusively on HBO Max. David Koepp penned the script and will produce along with Michael Polaire.
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
Camil can next be seen starring opposite Cecily Strong, Keegan-Michael Key, Jane Krakowski, Fred Armisen, Alan Cumming, Ariana DeBose and Kristen Chenoweth in the upcoming Apple+ musical comedy series Schmigadoon!from executive producer Lorne Michaels. He previously starred as fan and critic favorite in the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning series Jane the Virgin. Most recently he starred in and executive produced the CBS comedy series Broke, becoming the first Latino lead in a comedy series for CBS since Desi Arnaz in I Love Lucy.
Camil is also teaming up with Jane the Virgin show creator Jennie Synder Urman and writer/comedian Al Magrigal to develop the single-camera comedy seriesGuerrillas through ABC, which he’ll co-executive produce and star in.
Joe Rodríguez & Javier Nuño are celebrating their latest recognition…
The Guild of Music Supervisors has announced the nominees for its 11th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards, with the Latino music supervisors earning a nod.
Rodríguez and Nuño were nominated in the Best music supervision for film budgeted under $5 million for their work on Netflix’s Mexican Spanish- language musical drama film I’m No Longer Here (Ya No Estoy Aquí), which was written and directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra.
Last year, Rodríguez and Nuño were named to Variety’s Music Supervisors to Watch after rocketing from obscurity by providing the soundtrack to Fred Armisen, Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega’s cult HBO hit Los Espookys.
The Guild of Music Supervisors Awards nominations recognize the craft of music supervision in film, television, games, advertising and trailers.
The awards will be presented virtually on April 11.
Here’s a complete list of nominees:
FILM Best song written and/or recorded for a film
“Turntables” from All In: The Fight for Democracy
Writer: George “George 2.0” A. Peters II, Janelle “Django Jane” Monáe, Nathaniel Irvin III
Performed By: Janelle Monáe
Music Supervisor: Andrew Gross
“Love Myself” from The High Note
Writer: Greg Kurstin, Sarah Aarons
Performed By: Tracee Ellis Ross
Music Supervisor: Linda Cohen
“Make It Work” from Jingle Jangle
Writer: John Stephens
Performed By: Forest Whitaker, Anika Noni Rose
Music Supervisor: Julia Michels
“Carried Me With You” from Onward
Writer: Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth
Performed By: Brandi Carlile
Music Supervisor: Tom MacDougall
“Hear My Voice” from The Trial of Chicago 7
Writer: Celeste Waite, Daniel Pemberton
Performed By: Celeste
Music Supervisor: Peter Afterman, Alison Litton
Best music supervision for film budgeted over $25 million
Jonathan Leahy – Bill & Ted Face The Music
Becky Bentham – Eurovision
Julia Michels – Jingle Jangle
Tom MacDougall – Soul
Angela Leus (uncredited) – Trolls World Tour
Best music supervision for film budgeted under $25 million
Season Kent – Happiest Season
Linda Cohen – The High Note
Dan Wilcox – I’m Your Woman
Kevin Edelman – I Still Believe
Dawn Sutter Madell – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Best music supervision for film budgeted under $10 million
Tracy McKnight – The Half Of It
Liz Gallacher – Military Wives
Robin Urdang – Palm Springs
Susan Jacobs – Promising Young Woman
Best music supervision for film budgeted under $5 million
Jessica Moore – Babyteeth
Greg Danylyshyn – Burden
Dondrea Erauw, Michael Perlmutter – The Cuban
Joe Rodríguez & Javier Nuño – I’m No Longer Here (Ya No Estoy Aquí)
Adèle Ho, Graham Kurzner – Yellow Rose
TELEVISION Best song written and/or recorded for television
Title: “Build It Up”
Songwriter: Ingrid Michaelson
Artist: Ingrid Michaelson
Program: Little Fires Everywhere
Episode: #108 “Find a Way”
Music Supervisor: Mary Ramos
Title: “Memorized”
Songwriters: Taylor Goldsmith, Siddhartha Khosla
Artist: Blake Stadnik
Program: This Is Us
Episode: #401 “Strangers”
Music Supervisors: Manish Raval, Tom Wolfe
Title: “One Less Angel”
Songwriters: Thomas Mizer, Curtis Moore
Artist: Darius de Haas
Program: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Episode: #301 “Strike Up the Band”
Music Supervisor: Robin Urdang
Title: “The Way It Used to Be”
Songwriters: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Artists: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Program: Watchmen
Episode: #106 “This Extraordinary Being”
Music Supervisor: Liza Richardson
Title: “The Whole of the Moon”
Songwriter: Michael Scott
Artist: Fiona Apple
Program: The Affair
Episode: #511
Music Supervisor: Michael Hill
Best music supervision – television drama
Ashley Neumeister – American Soul – Season 2
Thomas Golubić – Better Call Saul – Season 5
Amanda Krieg Thomas, Alexis Martin Woodall, Ryan Murphy – Hollywood – Season 1
Sarah Bromberg, Stephanie Diaz-Matos – P-Valley – Season 1
Liza Richardson – Watchmen – Season 1
Best music supervision – television comedy or musical
Andrea von Foerster – Daybreak – Season 1
Manish Raval, Alison Rosenfeld, Tom Wolfe – High Fidelity – Season 1
Kier Lehman – Insecure – Season 4
Robin Urdang – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Season 3
Matt Biffa – Sex Education – Season 2
Best music supervision – reality television
Robin Kaye, Ashley Viergever – American Idol – Season 4
Cathy Duncan – America’s Most Musical Family – Season 1
Matthew Hearon-Smith – Legendary – Season 1
Meryl Ginsberg – The Masked Singer – Season 3
Best music supervision – television movie
Mandi Collier, Frankie Pine – Patsy & Loretta
Liz Gallacher – The Sleepover
Marius de Vries – Stargirl
Warren Fischer, Laura Webb, Lindsay Wolfington – To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
DOCUMENTARIES Best music supervision for a documentary
Liz Gallacher – Belushi
Aminé Ramer – Crip Camp
Ian Neil – Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan
Chris Robertson – Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President
Ed Gerrard – Mr. Soul!
Best music supervision in a docuseries
Jon Ernst – Cheer (Note: Everyone on the committee is aware of current legal allegations going on against some of the cast members of the show. However, we decided to push this docuseries through, because the Doc Committees’ job was to analyze the music supervision done in this docuseries.)
Willa Yudell – Helter Skelter: An American Myth
Rudy Chung – The Last Dance
Dan Wilcox – Street Food: Latin America
TRAILERS Best music supervision in a trailer
Mike Lynn – Judas And The Black Messiah
Brian Murphy – Jungleland
Gregory Sweeney – Land
Chase Casanova – Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Mike Lynn – Pieces of A Woman
ADVERTISING Best music supervision in advertising (synch)
David Lapinsky – Procter & Gamble “The Choice”
Andy Hamm – Apple “A Journey Into The Valley Of Fire – Shot on iPhone”
Mike Ladman – New York Times “Life Needs Truth”
Mike Ladman – Facebook “Never Lost”
Andrew Kahn, Morgan Thoryk – Zillow “The Real Value of Home”
Best music supervision in advertising (original music)
Rebecca Grierson – JaxJox “The All-In-One Interactive Studio”
Andrew Kahn, Morgan Thoryk – Xfinity Mobile “Go Your Own Way”
Jessie Kalikow – Apple – “The Magic Of Mini feat. Tierra Whack”
Jonathan Wellbelove – Apple iPhone 12 Pro – “Make Movies Like The Movies”
Mike Ladman – Hennessy “Maurice And The Black Bear School”
VIDEO GAMES Best music supervision in a video game
Karyn Rachtman – “BEYOND BLUE”
Eric Craig – “Cyberpunk 2077”
Cybele Pettus – “FIFA 21”
Eric Kalver – “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2”
Mary Ramos – “Wasteland 3”
Apatow will direct and produce the film, as well as co-write the script with Pam Brady.
The film follows a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a film. The film couldn’t be more timely as more and more productions are ramping back up even as COVID-19 remains in full effect around the world.
Once Netflix boarded the project, it quickly was fast-tracked with a plan to start shooting at the top of 2021. The plan also always has been to deliver a cast that rivals previous A-list ensembles like those for The Disaster Artistand Knives Out.
