The Rock Returns for Fast X

When casting the saga, for many years now Fast and Furious has aimed to put the muscle in muscle car (and Jason Momoa only enters later this year). Still, many of you have likely noticed the conspicuous absence of a certain World Wrestling Legend after their well-received incorporation into the Fast Family. The nasty rift between series leads Vin Diesel and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is the stuff of petty legend, but it seems all that’s in the rearview: Johnson is confirmed as returning for the tenth instalment in the series. Is that diesel or something the Rock’s cookin’?

Let’s go back to that time. Though rumours of on-set tensions were plenty, the feud was really on (at least to the interminably online) once Johnson posted about his upcoming entry in the franchise on Instagram. The Rock had this to say:

“My female co-stars are always amazing and I love ’em. My male co-stars however are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand-up men and true professionals, while others don’t. The ones that don’t are too chicken shit to do anything about it anyway. Candy asses. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling—you’re right.”

Once Johnson exited the franchise for good (or so it had seemed), co-star Vin Diesel publicly pleaded for the actor to make a return for the furious finale, once again via Instagram:

“My little brother Dwayne… the time has come. The world awaits the finale of Fast 10. As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don’t send well wishes… but the time has come. Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10! I say this out of love… but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play. Hobbs can’t be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.”

With Johnson’s return now confirmed, let’s contemplate the star’s thoughts on those prior comments:

“It wasn’t my best day, sharing that. I shouldn’t have shared that. Because at the end of the day, that goes against my DNA. I don’t share things like that. And I take care of that kind of bullshit away from the public. They don’t need to know that. That’s why I say it wasn’t my best day.”

Likely more to do with The Rock’s NDA than it would with his DNA, but hopefully the film is, indeed, stronger for his inclusion.

Trailer for Lanthimos’ Poor Things Gives Peculiar First Look

A plot synopsis that would be hard to discern from this cryptic, maddeningly enticing trailer: The young woman Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) is brought back to life by scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Wanting to see more of the world, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, and travels across continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella demands equality and liberation. Mark Ruffalo, Jerrod Carmichael, Margaret Qualley and Ramy Youssef also feature.

Lanthimos has long had a penchant for dressing and filming spaces so that they feel… wrong. Though the settings of The Lobster and The Favourite are curious by nature, they are ‘realistic’. His latest has gone over the edge into high gothic romanticism, and there could be no more exciting development. May he forever keep fish-eye lenses by his bedside table.

WGA Strike

As the just strike continues for the foreseeable future, here are a few shows currently impacted by the work stoppage:

Abbott Elementary, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Loot, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Talk, The Daily Show, Bunk’d, Real with Bill Maher, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Last of Us, Hacks, Night Court, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Big Mouth, Cobra Kai, Stranger Things, Unstable, Evil, Yellowjackets, The Venery of Samantha Bird, Power Book III: Raising Kanan AND the Tonys.

2023 Academy Survey Results

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang made the results of their 10,000 member survey public recently. Following a major low point in the aftermath of the “Will Smith slapping a presenter live on air before pitching a set of un-airable comments and then winning the Academy Award for Best Actor” situation, this year’s survey indicates Academy Members have warmed to the ceremony following the 2023 service. Returning “below-the-line” categories to the broadcast in full seems a popular opinion, whilst removing gimmicks along the lines of the hilariously rigged “Oscars Fan-Favourite” audience polls held hostage by rabid fans.

Per the Hollywood Reporter, some of the survey’s findings include:

1. Member attitudes toward the Academy have improved from last year — from 75% positive and 5% negative last year to 83% positive and 3% negative this year. Members response of “very positive” increased from 30% to 40%.
2. There was a dramatic improvement in members’ view of the Oscars show this year versus the previous year — 82% positive and 2% negative this year, compared with 22% positive and 32% negative last year.
3. Regarding the Oscars, 85% of members said it was important to have all awards live on the show, and only 31% of members said there are other components of filmmaking they would like to see recognized during the Oscars show.
4. 87% of members say the theatrical experience is important to them.
5. 76% of members say that in-person member screenings are important to them.
6. 94% of members like to be connected to the Academy via the Academy Screening Room.
7. 85% of members say it is important for the Academy to lead on representation, inclusion, and equity. This is a 5% increase from last year.
8. 83% of members say it is important for the Academy to facilitate education and engagement for members on sustainability and climate action in the industry.
9. The top three ways members want to engage with the Academy are via film screenings, branch and member receptions, and film festival events and programs. 71% of members said they like to be connected with the Academy via the weekly Academy Member Bulletin.

There were also requests from members, which the Academy lists as:

1. Add more engagement opportunities and activities in NY, SF and outside of the U.S.
2. Treat all branches equitably.
3. Travel Academy Museum programming outside of Los Angeles.
4. Add more inter-branch events and interaction.
5. Continue to improve communications — especially from the branches.
6. Create a clearer way to provide suggestions to their branches.
7. Keep films up on the Academy Screening Room portal longer and place them on the portal sooner.
8. Address Academy Screening Room bandwidth issues.
9. Allow for easy searching of films on the Academy Screening Room.
10. Randomize the order of films appearing on the Academy Screening Room.