Latest news with #AmericanDreamer
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Never too old for this s**t! Mel Gibson, 69, reunites with Lethal Weapon co-star Donald Glover, 78, at Q&A - 38 years after launching film franchise
It was a catchphrase that followed them across four blockbuster films, but Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were evidently not too old for this s**t as they reunited on Saturday. The co-stars were onstage at a fan expo in Philadelphia, during which they fielded questions about the hugely successful film franchise and its previously announced and long delayed fifth instalment, which will be directed by Gibson. Glover, 78 - whose Detective Roger Murtaugh famously claimed he was 'too old for this s**t' in all four Lethal Weapon instalments - was back in the spotlight some three years after his last screen appearance in 2022 black comedy American Dreamer. Joining the veteran star, Gibson, 69 - Murtagh's unpredictable and highly volatile partner Martin Riggs - showed off an enormous, greying beard as he took to his seat at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during Saturday's expo. Gibson previously confirmed that long-time co-star Danny will make an appearance in the latest film, reprising his role as LAPD Sergeant Murtaugh. The Australian star also told how he asked for Glover's blessing to direct the movie following the death of director Richard Donner - who took charge of the first four films. Reiterating his intention to direct the feature in 2022, Gibson told Entertainment Tonight: 'Yeah, I am directing that. I'm really looking forward to it.' The star went on to add that his place behind the camera was bittersweet following the death of Donner in 2021. He added: 'I wish I wasn't directing it. I wish Richard Donner was still here to do it but left us untimely, and he actually asked me, he said "Hey kid, if I don't make it, you'll take the reins, huh?" I told him to shut up. 'I think it's an honour for me to be able to carry the flag for him'. And after getting Richard's blessing, Gibson told how he then turned to Glover to ask his thoughts on him directing, also confirming that his former co-star had agreed to reprise his iconic role. Gibson added: 'I called Danny [Glover] up, of course, and said "Hey, dude, is it okay with you if I direct this?", to which Glover replied "Yeah, let's go". He also insisted on having complete faith in Glover, adding: 'I know Danny's going to pull it off real well, too. He's kind of like the show pony in this one'. Gibson made the big announcement about the new film in 2021, where he began his address by paying tribute to the filmmaker who had previously spearheaded the action-comedy franchise. Mel Gibson in Philadelphia on Saturday (left) and playing Detective Martin Riggs in 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2 (right) 'The man who directed all the Lethal films, Richard Donner, he was a big guy,' he expressed. Gibson also recalled that the filmmaker had given him his blessing to continue the series in the future. He remarked that Donner 'was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, "Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it." And I said: "Shut up."' Gibson then noted that the filmmaker made a point of telling various individuals that the actor was more than capable of keeping the franchise going after his death. 'But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn't say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So I will be directing the fifth one.' It's understood that plans to shoot the new film are now underway after years of delays, with original screenwriter Shane Black also onboard. The film franchise also spawned a TV series, which ran for three seasons for 2021 with Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh.
The Guardian
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
American Dreamer review – Peter Dinklage is charmer in oddball tale of eccentric inheritance
This low-key oddity has the potential for some proper horsepower given the odd but intriguing casting of Peter Dinklage and Shirley MacLaine, but it never manages to build up much comic or dramatic speed – much like Dinklage's electric scooter, his main mode of transport throughout. The film feels ill-considered somehow, like one of the half-sketched fantasies that Dinklage's protagonist, a university lecturer named Phil, often indulges in, such as imagining a pair of identical twins (Rebecca Olson) are his sister wives ready to minister to his every need. There's a reason why it's best not to know other people's dreams. Phil's other big desire is to own a proper home instead of the shabby condo he rents near the lesser-level Massachusetts college where he teaches cultural economics. One day Phil finds a deal that looks too good to be true. If he buys a granny flat inside the sprawling mansion occupied by eccentric widow Astrid (Shirley MacLaine on sparky form) as a live-in, he will inherit the full $5m spread when she dies. Advised to go for it his by his greasy friend/realtor Dell (Matt Dillon), Phil scrapes together every bit of cash he can and moves in. There are a number of baffling strings attached, of course, including hangers-on who may or may not be Astrid's children; one of whom, Maggie (Kimberly Quinn), is a lawyer specialising in probate, so she's naturally keeping a close eye on things. Nevertheless, like nearly every woman in the film, she eventually falls into bed with him, unable to resist that rumbling voice and languid charisma. The script is by Theodore Melfi, who wrote and directed the similarly languid St Vincent with Bill Murray, and an air of disappointed masculinity resonates in both films; they are easy to consume but don't give back much, like the protagonists themselves. American Dreamer is on digital platforms from 17 March.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Teresa Palmer, Russell Crowe, and Nina Dobrev team up for ‘Bear Country'
Teresa Palmer has officially joined the cast of the upcoming action-thriller Bear Country, starring alongside Russell Crowe and Nina Dobrev. Directed by Derrick Borte, the film is currently in production in Australia. Palmer, known for Warm Bodies and A Discovery of Witches, plays the female lead, Sunny, the razor-sharp girlfriend of Manco Kapak (Crowe), an aging but formidable club owner. Kapak's plans to sell his club and retire take a hit when a masked gunman robs him, forcing him into a dangerous pursuit. The film also features Kartiah Vergara in a key role. Bear Country is based on Strip, a novel by Thomas Perry, with a screenplay by Borte and Daniel Forte (American Dreamer). Production is backed by Nickel City Pictures, A Higher Standard, G2 Dispatch, and Life & Soul Pictures. Palmer's upcoming projects include the limited series The Family Next Door and the drama series The Last Anniversary, based on Liane Moriarty's novel and executive-produced by Nicole Kidman. She recently starred in the rom-com Addition, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and David Leitch's The Fall Guy. Over the weekend, Palmer received the Excellence in Film & Television Award at the 2025 G'Day USA Arts Gala, honoring Australian talent in the U.S. She is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, Shanahan Management, and Sloane Offer.
