The Trades with Reuben Schwartz (Season 32)

 

Hello again and welcome to another edition The Trades, my annual look at the news, casting, rumors, and general happenings at the studio each season.

Things are certainly trending in the right direction for Season 32, with Round 5 being the strongest yet. All three films this round made money (some more than others) and had a Metascore above 70. The Golden Reel Awards got their first real heavyweight with Escape, which possesses an undeniably star-studded package. A juicy true story penned by an expert writer, two A-list stars, and one of the most sure-handed directors in the game. As Jeff Stockton put in his Round-Up, we’ll surely be hearing its name again come GRAs.

Another trend this season thus far has been comebacks of all sorts. Gargoyles won Most Wanted Sequel way back in Season 7 after being a good-sized hit. The wait has been long but that greenlight was finally cashed in, albeit with a new writer at the helm. Unfortunately, it seems like the gap was a little too long as profits made a real dip. Phantasm, on the other hand, is a cult franchise that hasn’t seen a wide release since the 1980s. Thus, it is fair to say that the collective of John Malone, Roy Horne, David Robert Mitchell, and J.J. Abrams injected some vibrant new life into the franchise with the lauded Awakening. And finally, this season saw a writer comeback 22 seasons in the making with Clive Steinbeck’s latest creature feature, Bigfoot.

As is often the case, a lot of GRA categories seem like real question marks outside of Escape. Will any other film from the first half make it into Best Picture? It is tough to say, as there haven’t been many films to really blow critics away as of yet. It seems like there have been compelling performances in films like Mr. Happy and Of Live and Living (both featuring Adele Exarchopolous!) but will their darker undertones turn away awards voters? One genre that is typically awards-friendly is the music biopic and so does that mean we could see Taylor Swift land a nomination for her first leading acting role? I think that is certainly going to be a point of intrigue, especially considering that the depth of contenders for that category can often be on the lighter side.

Looking ahead, the success of Captain America: Winter’s End certainly turns eyes ahead to The Avengers at the end of the season. In the meantime, we will also see the anticipated follow-up to Scarlet with Sadie Sink fully becoming Scarlet Witch in Round 6. Could this be the season where we see the momentum fully swing in the direction of Marvel after DC’s epic Justice League War last season? I think Gareth Edwards and crew will really need to land the plane with The Avengers in order for that momentum shift to fully take place.

Elsewhere, it sounds like the studio has a lot of fun genre stuff coming up in the next few rounds with a horror biopic from D.R. Cobb, a throwback thriller from Dwight Gallo, a new western from Jimmy Ellis, and a new original zombie film from Matt Parker, among others. I know I’m looking forward to some good weeks ahead at the movies!

GOSSIP RAG (SEASON 32)

 

In this segment, we will delve into the inside dirt on some of the latest and upcoming LRF releases and the studio's stars....

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is stepping into Joni Mitchell's shoes for the first time in Songbird, directed by Cameron Crowe, marking her film star debut as the headliner of a major biopic. Known for her meticulous approach to music, Swift reportedly poured the same dedication into her portrayal of Mitchell, diving deep into the singer-songwriter's life and catalog. She spent months studying Mitchell's unique vocal delivery and guitar technique, even learning to play a dulcimer, one of Mitchell’s signature instruments. Swift’s commitment went beyond music, as she immersed herself in the emotional highs and lows of Mitchell’s career, aiming to capture her resilience and introspective spirit. “Taylor approached the role with the kind of authenticity Joni would respect,” Crowe commented, noting that Swift’s connection to Mitchell’s lyrics helped her bring the folk icon’s story to life. The project has been a milestone for Swift, giving her the chance to explore new depths as both an artist and actress.

Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell faced unexpected discomfort on the set of his latest film, On Life and Living, due to its intense sexual content, particularly in scenes with co-star Adèle Exarchopoulos. Known for his grounded performances, Bell reportedly found the explicit nature of certain scenes challenging, opting to take extra steps to maintain a sense of professionalism and comfort. To ease the tension, the production ensured an intimacy coordinator was present at all times, carefully choreographing scenes to foster a respectful and secure environment. Bell also brought along his wife, actress Kate Mara, who was a steady support and helped him stay grounded amid the film’s demanding scenes. The film, which dives into complex and vulnerable territory, benefited from these precautions, allowing Bell and Exarchopoulos to focus on delivering compelling performances.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen is set to bring authenticity and grit to his role as an Argentinian vintner in his latest film, using his fluent Spanish and natural Argentinian accent to fully immerse himself in the role. The actor, known for his intense preparation, spent weeks at a real vineyard in rural Argentina, embracing the complete winemaking process from the ground up. Mortensen was determined to learn every step of the craft firsthand, from planting and picking grapes to the complex art of fermenting and bottling wine, all on his own. “He wanted to embody the character through the work itself,” shared a crew member. Mortensen’s dedication to the role not only brings depth to his performance but also pays homage to Argentina’s rich winemaking tradition. His hands-on approach, coupled with his language fluency, has crafted what insiders are calling one of his most grounded and evocative roles to date. And reportedly the wine he crafted was quite tasty.

Jessica Chastain

When Jessica Chastain was offered a pivotal supporting role in Dean, a biopic of Democrat politician Howard Dean with George Clooney attached as both star and director, she jumped at the chance to work under Clooney’s direction. However, as pre-production progressed, rumors surfaced that writer Alex Conn was considering replacing Clooney with another director, sparking tension behind the scenes. Chastain, known for her loyalty and strong principles, immediately informed the studio that her involvement hinged on Clooney’s role at the helm, making it clear she would withdraw from the project if he was removed as director. Her unwavering support ultimately reinforced Clooney’s position, and the film is now moving forward with the acclaimed actor-filmmaker back in charge.

Glen Powell
In true superhero spirit, Glen Powell, who stars as Captain America in the upcoming Avengers reboot, has organized a special charity event to benefit children’s hospitals. Known for his affable personality, Powell has rallied several of his A-list co-stars to join him at the event, where they will appear in costume to pose for photos and bring smiles to young fans. Alongside Powell will be Keanu Reeves as the Silver Surfer (though opting to go sans costume), John Krasinski as Mister Fantastic, Orlando Bloom as Doctor Doom, Mila Kunis as Black Widow, and Tom Selleck as Tony Stark, among others. The event promises to raise substantial funds, with all proceeds dedicated to covering medical treatments for children in need. Powell’s initiative has not only highlighted the camaraderie of the Avengers cast but also underscored the impact of superheroes, both on and off-screen.

PREMIERE MAGAZINE #315

 

The Roundup with Jeff Stockton (Season 32 Round 5)

 

 

That's a wrap on the first half of Season 32 as we enter our little mid-season break. Here's The Roundup....

3. The Avengers

I must say that the ending of Captain America: Winter's End has me amped up for the first Avengers film from LRF due out at the end of this season.

2. Captain America: Winter's End

I dug the Commando style vibe Cobb and Berg went for with Captain America 2. It helped the film not feel too stale despite covering similar ground that the Disney MCU already tackled.

1. Escape

What a tour-de-force. I'll be stunned if Reese Witherspoon doesn't win the Best Actress GRA for her role here. We now have a legitimate Best Picture candidate now as well.

3. N/A

2. Mr. Happy

Mr. Happy was certainly not a bad film, but I also didn't find it be amazing. It didn't quite stick the landing and execution despite a very intriguing premise. 

1. GRA Races

Aside from Escape, I still am not seeing a ton of award contenders. Which I hope just means that this will be one of those seasons that are more second-half heavy.

On Location (Season 32 Round 5)

 

Captain America: Winter's End

- Baltimore, Maryland, USA

- Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Mr. Happy

- Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Escape

- Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Box Office Breakdown (Season 32 Round 5)

 

Captain America: Winter's End

Budget: $160,000,000

Total Box Office: $636,096,655

Total Profit: $242,610,970

Mr. Happy

Budget: $18,000,000

Total Box Office: $40,306,329

Total Profit: $2,094,007

Escape

Budget: $56,000,000

Total Box Office: $103,248,405

Total Profit: $12,000,041

Box Office Facts

Captain America: Winter's End

Profits were down slightly for this sequel, but the two Captain America films have now combined for just under $500 million in profits ($496 million to be precise).

Mr. Happy

Jesse Plemons has starred in two projects in a row for writer Wyatt Allen. While the reviews have been good, the box office is a bit more of a mixed bag (to put it nicely). The two films have combined for a box office gross of $83 million and a total loss of $7 million from a combined budget of $41 million.

Escape 

David Fincher has now directed nine films for the studio - six of which have now managed to earn profits.

Genre Rankings

Captain America: Winter's End

Action: #64

Superhero: #42

Mr. Happy

Drama: #252

Thriller: #115

Escape 

Drama: #100

Biography: #25

Season 32 Round 5

Total Box Office: $779,651,389

Total Profit: $256,705,018

Season 32 Totals

Total Box Office: $2,854,892,771

Total Profit: $667,119,154

Season 32 Summary

1. Red Lantern Corps : $647,663,032

2. Captain America: Winter's End : $636,096,655

3. Monopoly : $459,560,933

4. Gargoyles: A Tale Old as Time : $429,582,229

5. Phantasm: Awakening : $171,990,049

6. Songbird : $161,140,388

7. Escape : $103,248,405

8. An Irish Rendezvous : $60,209,570

9. Bigfoot : $43,830,645

10. Mr. Happy : $40,306,329

11. Orange Blossom : $30,706,907

12. Love, Death, Revolution : $25,599,887

13. H.H. : $21,940,944

14. On Life and Living : $13,514,798

15. A Tale of Love and Darkness: $9,502,000

Release: Escape

 

Escape

Genre: Drama/Biography

Director: David Fincher

Writer: Lon Charles

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, Jade Pettyjohn, Montana Jordan, Violet McGraw, Gabriella Sengos, Mia Kirshner, Annalise Basso, Anja Savcic, Linda Hamilton, Jim Parrack, Sharon Leal

Budget: $56,000,000

Domestic Box Office: $66,040,159

Foreign Box Office: $37,208,246

Total Profit: $12,000,041

Reaction: David Fincher films are far from a sure thing at the box office for LRF, so it is obviously nice seeing this one reach profits is nice.

"Escape is a harrowing and unflinching look at the oppressive world of the FLDS compound, elevated by Reese Witherspoon's career-best performance as Carolyn Jessop. Fincher's direction is precise and atmospheric. Harrison Ford and Al Pacino lend support in charismatic and menacing fashion. Though the film’s bleakness may be too much for some, its portrayal of Carolyn’s resilience and the high stakes of her escape is both devastating and powerful." - Gregory Fletcher, Los Angeles Times-Journal

"Reese Witherspoon's commanding performance is one to talk about for years to come as she's the clear favorite for Best Actress of not this season but the decade in it. Fincher again uses his element of darken filmmaking to only elevate the tension for her character's horrible hard journey. Trust me when you see this, you won't be able to escape it." - Tiffany Lynch, Knoxville News Sentinel

"Reese Witherspoon delivers a powerhouse performance as a mother desperately fighting to protect her children from dangerous forces using religion as a weapon. In one of David Fincher’s more personal films, the story captures Carolyn’s struggle to shield her kids while witnessing her eldest (a standout performance from newcomer Jade Pettyjohn) fall into the same trap she once did. Harrison Ford is chillingly ruthless, making him a villain you love to hate. With its gripping tension and strong performances, this is easily one of the season’s best films." - Liv Simmons, Rogue River Press

Rated R for thematic material, language, sexual content, and some violent content

Fact to Film: Escape

 

For this latest edition of Fact to Film, we are taking a look at the cast of the latest film from director David Fincher (The Dogs of Winter, Heights) - the Reese Witherspoon-led drama Escape, about the true story of a mother's escape from a dangerous religious compound. The film has been written by Fact to Film regular Lon Charles (The Big Top, The Diplomat).