Latest news with #AnnLee
Perth Now
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Amanda Seyfried and Scoot McNairy join The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd cast
Amanda Seyfried and Scoot McNairy are to star in prison break thriller 'The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd'. Written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, the upcoming motion picture tells the story of a teacher in an abusive marriage who falls for a convict after landing a job at a maximum-security prison. The movie will be a reunion for 39-year-old Seyfried and Nelson, who will star opposite one another in forthcoming historical musical film 'Ann Lee', in which Amanda portrays the titular founding leader of the Shakers religious sect. Nelson is quoted by Deadline as saying: "I feel deeply fortunate to be able to tell this story with such an extraordinary lead cast. "I have always admired Amanda, and getting to work with her on Mona Fastvold's film 'Ann Lee' last summer confirmed for me what an extraordinary person she is aside from her talent." Nelson admitted McNairy's role is a "demanding part", but he is looking forward to seeing the 47-year-old actor "accomplish" the role. He added: "As for Scoot, it's great to be able to offer him such a demanding part. "No one has seen him do what he's about to accomplish in this role. "It will be magnificent to be on set with these two performers." 'The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd' - which will be produced by Julie Buck, Nelson, Ryan Bartecki, Miles David Romney, and Billy Hines - is in production in Georgia. Nelson said: "It's a difficult story, but also one meant to grab its audience and not let go. "We've assembled a cast and crew of people dedicated to making something not only compelling but unforgettable." In December, it was revealed Seyfried is to lead the cast of 'Ann Lee', a movie put together by the team behind the Golden Globe-nominated historical drama film 'The Brutalist'. It is described as an "epic fable" about the religious leader Ann Lee, the founding member of the Shaker Movement, who was proclaimed by followers as the female Christ and ended up building one of the largest utopian societies in the history of the United States.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amanda Seyfried on the Possibility of Another ‘Mamma Mia!' Installment: ‘Show Me the Money!'
Here we go again…again. Well, maybe. As much fervor as there is for another 'Mamma Mia!' installment, the film series' main star, Amanda Seyfried knows that things in this business take a long time and there are certain considerations studios must undertake, especially in regards to building on IP. There are also certain considerations Seyfried has in mind too. 'Show me the money!' Seyfried said with a laugh during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She added that producer Judy Craymer is 'working on it,' but she believes Universal only likes to work on musical at a time, as the first 'Wicked' was stalled due to 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.' With the release of 'Wicked: For Good' still ahead, Seyfried doesn't think there's any pressure for the studio to push it forward. More from IndieWire 'Creede U.S.A.' Review: An Engaging Documentary Sees a Small Colorado Town as a Model to Restore American Civility The Comic Masterpiece That Currently Sits at 0% on Rotten Tomatoes 'It's an either/or situation with musicals,' she said. 'And I have this theory that Universal just knows we're going to do it, so they're not in any rush. And it's just going to cost double.' Another factor involved in doing another 'Mamma Mia!' is the involvement of Meryl Streep, who appeared in the first film, but was killed off in the second one — a recommendation, Seyfried said, came from Streep herself. If a third film were to be made however, many fans are hoping for her miraculous return. 'Maybe that's the stall,' said Seyfried. 'They still haven't figured out how to bring her back from the dead. From what I was told, that was her choice — so maybe it's on her to write it. I'm sure she has ideas. Meryl's a genius. But I hope they figure it out. The one day that she was on set for the last movie was when it finally felt like we were all together again.' Thankfully, Seyfried did still have a chance to show off her stunning singing chops in a new upcoming original musical film directed by Mona Fastvold from a script she co-wrote with husband and partner on 'The Brutalist,' Brady Corbet. Set in colonial times, 'Ann Lee' follows the story of the Shakers founder and leader of the same name. 'It's really crazy,' Seyfried told THR. 'I haven't seen it. But Brady just texted me that he saw the first cut. He loves it, and he's not biased about his own work. He's not one to fucking blow smoke. Brady and Mona are dear friends of mine. They've scraped by making incredible indie movies. This is what they're good at. And I got to play a famous cult leader in a musical set in the 1770s!' No release date has been set for 'Ann Lee,' but it will likely make its debut at one of the global festivals this summer. It co-stars Thomasin McKenzie, Christopher Abbott, Lewis Pullman, and Tim Blake Nelson. Seyfried can next be seen in the crime mystery series 'Long Bright River,' streaming on Peacock this Wednesday, March 13. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
New York Times
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
In ‘Long Bright River,' Amanda Seyfried Serves and Protects
For Amanda Seyfried, the first day on set for 'Long Bright River,' a limited series for Peacock, was awful. She stood under the lights in a mock-up of a police morgue, in her patrol cop uniform, unsure how to move or speak. 'Every first day of work, I never know what the [expletive] I'm doing,' she told me later. Seyfried overprepares for most roles. She researches; she memorizes; she asks question after question. But then suddenly she's on a soundstage somewhere, with the lights blazing and the cameras pointed at her face, and the terror rushes in. If she has an acting process, she said, 'it's all based on the fear that I'm not going to be good enough.' Seyfried, 39, was speaking on an icy February morning. We'd met for a late breakfast at a cafe on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, near where Seyfried keeps an apartment. (She and her husband, the actor Thomas Sadoski, and their two children, spend most of their time on a farm upstate.) She was in town to shoot a Paul Feig movie, 'The Housemaid,' and to promote 'Long Bright River,' a moody eight-episode suspense series that premieres on March 13. She had recently wrapped 'Ann Lee,' a historical musical by Mona Fastvold. Does this sound like a lot? It was. 'I think I'm falling apart,' Seyfried said as she looked at the menu. She had recently injured her back on 'The Housemaid' and was taking muscle relaxants. 'I'm fine now,' she said. 'I mean, I'm not. I'm struggling, but I'm walking.' Seyfried has been in the business for more than two decades, and has moved, gradually, from comedy ('Mean Girls') and romance ('Mamma Mia') to more complex roles. Her performance as the actress Marion Davies in the Netflix film 'Mank' earned her an Oscar nomination, and she won an Emmy for her portrayal of the convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes in the Hulu mini-series, 'The Dropout.' With those roles and those accolades secure, she has finally been recognized as a gifted dramatic actress. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SoCal Fire Fund From CAA and Sean Penn's CORE Raises $5.9 Million to Support Wildfire Victims
The SoCal Fire Fund has raised $5.9 million to support victims of the Los Angeles wildfires since the January devastation. The relief and recovery effort was launched by the CAA Foundation, Sean Penn and Ann Lee's nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort and the Los Angeles Unified School District. 'We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of our donors who have helped us raise more than $5 million to directly support impacted individuals and families,' Natalie Tran, executive director of the CAA Foundation, said on Wednesday. 'Each dollar raised supports a holistic approach to recovery, one that will be alongside our neighbors as they navigate the long and complicated road ahead.' The SoCal Fire Fund is orchestrated by the Entertainment Industry Foundation and serves as a support reserve that provides a number of resources, including financial assistance, case management and mental health services to those who were affected by the natural disasters. Per a release, so far, more than 5,000 individuals and families have received support. 'CORE knows that survivors need a range of committed support over the next few years. Partnering with CAA Foundation, LAUSD Education Foundation and EIF enables this,' CORE co-founder and CEO Lee shared. 'The immediate impacts are clear — delivering over $1 million in cash, helping our most vulnerable families navigate a complex recovery process and getting people home as quickly as possible. We are there for these families from the beginning and will be with them through their new beginnings.' In another statement, Sara Mooney, interim executive director of the LAUSD Education Foundation, said the relief efforts have made a crucial and positive impact on the lives of students and staff members. 'Schools are the heartbeat of a community. After the devastating fires across our region, SoCal Fire Fund investment is making a direct impact in the lives of educators, students, and families,' she said. 'We have been able to revitalize classrooms, celebrate our communities' resilience and support our dedicated educators whose lives have been impacted. We are privileged to stand alongside partners like CORE, EIF and the CAA Foundation in our collective service to those who need it the most.' The SoCal Fire Fund remains open for donations. The Palisades and Eaton fires that caused most of the destruction in the Los Angeles area are both 100% contained after the initial Jan. 7 flare-ups that terrorized and devastated tens of thousands of residents who suddenly have nowhere to live. The total economic loss is estimated at $250 billion or more, easily among the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, with at least 29 deaths reported and nearly 40,000 acres burned. The Palisades fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed more than 6,800 structures; the Eaton fire claimed 14,021 acres and 9,400 structures. Another 2,400 acres were claimed by smaller blazes in the area, including the Hurst, Kenneth, Auto, Sunset, Woodley, Lidia and Archer fires. Federal officials said nearly 150,000 people have applied for emergency post SoCal Fire Fund From CAA and Sean Penn's CORE Raises $5.9 Million to Support Wildfire Victims appeared first on TheWrap.
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
La Grange area candidates invited to make election pitches online
The La Grange Area League of Women Voters has been around for over a century, but its next round of candidate forums will be anchored in the internet age as it takes the informative sessions online. Residents will be able to submit questions to candidates for the La Grange Park Village Board, La Grange School District 102 Board of Education and the Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education. League member Ann Lee said they've 'transitioned to Zoom Candidate Forums since COVID,' and have stayed with the format because of several advantages, including not needing a venue, and making it easier for candidates to participate . Trained moderators will be chosen for the events, and the online format will help them manage the time allotted to each candidate while avoiding audience disruptions. The League is hosting forums only in contested races and has scheduled forums for La Grange School District 102 (Feb. 4), La Grange Park Village Board (Feb. 5), and Lyons Township High School District 204 (Feb. 11). Each will be an hour long and will begin with candidates' opening statements that will include their backgrounds, qualifications and reasons for running for office. Residents can submit questions at LaGrangeLWV@ for LWV moderators to ask candidates but the League won't guarantee using them, citing time restraints. For other information on how to participate is on the League's web site, The forums will be recorded and posted the following day on the League's website. In La Grange Park four candidates are running for three trustee seats: incumbents Jamie Zaura, Karen Koncel and Jermaine Stewart, and newcomer Nick Diaferio. Village President James Discipio and Clerk Meghan Kooi are running for reelection unopposed. Four seats are open for the Lyons Township High School District 204 Board. Incumbent Gioia Giannotti Frye is facing challengers Elias Lopez, Christine Kozelka Campbell, and Shawn Kennedy. Frye was appointed last year to fill the seat of a board member who was moving away. Board President Jill Grech and board members Arlene Farolan Cabana and Michael Thomas are not running for reelection. A new board president will be chosen among board members after the election. With none of the incumbents running for the three open seats on the La Grange School District 102 Board, the district will seat three new members. The candidates are Joanna Lago, Brian M. Grogan, Jr., Jordan Beach, Shannon Rischow and Erik K. Toman. Although no forum is planned for La Grange village elections, there are four candidates running for three open seats, including incumbents Lou Gale, Peggy Peterson, and Glenn Thompson. A fourth candidate, newcomer Carla Carter, an attorney specializing in intellectual property and a La Grange resident since 2018, is also vying for one of the three trustee positions. La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler and Clerk Paul Saladino are running for reelection unopposed.
