Latest news with #BennySafdie
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Adam Sandler Asks Bad Bunny to Be His Caddy Daddy in ‘Happy Gilmore 2' Trailer
Adam Sandler has called in his team of all-stars for 'Happy Gilmore 2.' Yes, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 1996 sports comedy is actually finally happening, and there are more than a few starry cameos on the green. Sandler reprises his role as the titular unsuccessful ice hockey player turned unlikely golf pro. He is joined again by Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald, who both are back in the roles they starred in for the 1996 original. Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Kid Cudi, and Sandler's 'Uncut Gems' director Benny Safdie also are in the sequel, with Sandler telling IndieWire that Safdie has a 'juicy part.' Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris also star. More from IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Teaser: Oscar Isaac Resurrects Jacob Elordi in Gothic Retelling Netflix Shares First Look and Release Date for 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' 'Happy Gilmore 2' is directed by Kyle Newacheck ('Workaholics,' 'What We Do in the Shadows'), who also previously helmed Sandler's 2019 film 'Murder Mystery.' Sandler cowrote 'Happy Gilmore 2' with Tim Herlihy, who also cowrote the original. Sandler recently lamented the loss of former 'Happy Gilmore' actor, alligator Morris, who died at an estimated age of 80. In the 1996 film, Morris infamously is confronted by Sandler's Happy; Morris grabs a golf ball on the green, leading Happy to realize that it is the same gator who chomped on the hand of his mentor, Chubbs (Carl Weathers). 'Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you,' Sandler tweeted after the news of Morris' passing was made public May 12. 'You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers — really anyone with arms or legs — but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film.' Sandler recalled how much the animal actor was missed on set for the sequel, saying, 'I know your character's decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note,' he quipped. 'I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.' 'Happy Gilmore 2' premieres July 25 on Netflix. Check out the trailer below. 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
The Province
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
New trailer: Dwayne Johnson as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine
The movie directed by Benny Safdie was shot in Metro Vancouver last summer and stars wrestler The Rock as early UFC fighter Mark Kerr Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson pictured at 2024's Daytona 500, where he acted as grand marshal. He spent part of that year in Vancouver shooting The Smashing Machine. Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. An almost 'unrecognizable' Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson is the focus of a new trailer for his upcoming movie The Smashing Machine that dropped on YouTube on Tuesday morning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Johnson plays Mark Kerr, a star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) when the mixed martial arts phenomenon was in its infancy. The movie is directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), based on his own script crafted from Kerr's own true story. It was filmed in and around Metro Vancouver from May to July 2024. Johnson nursed the project through all the stages of its development and acted as executive producer, before setting up in Hollywood North to play the title character last summer. Johnson also endured a radical transformation in the makeup chair each day of filming to portray Kerr, who was a huge star and multiple champion in the early years of UFC/MMA, then fell on hard times as the new millennium dawned before getting sober in recent years. Johnson's co-star Emily Blunt described him as 'unrecognizable' in the role. The trailer, which also features Blunt as Kerr's partner, offers a hint of what to expect. Just like the early UFC days it depicts, it's gritty, rough and bloody, mirroring its 2022 documentary counterpart (also called The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr). The Smashing Machine opens in theatres on Oct. 3. Watch the trailer below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. jruttle@ Read More Vancouver Canucks News Local News Baseball Vancouver Whitecaps
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dwayne Johnson, future Oscar nominee? With ‘The Smashing Machine,' the box-office draw makes his prestige play
After A24 released the first trailer for The Smashing Machine with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, it didn't take long for awards pundits and journalists to start speculating about its future as an Oscar player. Truth be told, Johnson has been considered a potential Best Actor nominee for months, with only a still photo of his transformation into UFC fighter Mark Kerr in his war chest. However, now that The Smashing Machine trailer has arrived, it seems fair, even at this early stage in the calendar, with the movie still months from its debut, to wonder aloud whether Johnson could leap from popcorn star and beloved WWE wrestler to Academy Award nominee. More from GoldDerby Tony Talk: Our final 2025 nominations predictions in the top 12 categories 'Matlock' creator drops juicy Season 2 spoilers: Twists, turns, and working with Kathy Bates Bruce Springsteen on Jeremy Allen White portraying him in the upcoming film 'Deliver Me From Nowhere': 'It was quite emotional' If it happens, don't act too surprised, especially since, on paper, The Smashing Machine has a lot in its favor. Based on the documentary of the same name, and written and directed by Benny Safdie (flying solo for the first time as a director without his brother, Josh Safdie), The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Kerr, a mixed martial artist and fighter who rose to fame in the early days of the UFC while also battling a significant drug addicition. To play Kerr, Johnson underwent a substantial physical transformation with the help of two-time Oscar-winning prosthetic makeup designer Kazu Hiro (Darkest Hour, Bombshell). 'I look what I look like,' Johnson said in an interview with GQ last year. 'I am what I am. There is no: 'Oh, Rock is just gonna disappear.' You know what I mean? However, to be able to do that in Smashing Machine, with the greatest of makeup artists — in a way, it was really freeing for me.' 'It was just funny because I remember him walking around and you'd hear people saying, 'When's The Rock going to get here? I wonder when he's going to get here,'' Benny Safdie said of the transformation. 'You'd hear all these people talking, and meanwhile he's walking amongst them.' The connection between the Oscar nominations for Best Hair and Makeup and acting is well-documented. Several times in recent years an eventual acting Oscar winner has carried the hair and makeup category as well, including Marion Cotillard (La vie en Rose), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour), Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Brendan Fraser (The Whale), and Emma Stone (Poor Things). Nominees in both categories since 2008 include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (which won hair and makeup and was nominated in Best Actor for Brad Pitt), Foxcatcher (nominated for hair and makeup and acting bids for Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo), The Revenant (nominated for hair and makeup and won Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio), Vice (which won hair and makeup and received three acting bids for Christian Bale, Sam Rockwell, and Amy Adams), Bombshell (which won hair and makeup and was nominated in the acting categories for Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie), Joker (which was nominated for hair and makeup and won Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix), Judy (which was nominated for hair and makeup and won Best Actress for Renée Zellweger), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (a winner for hair and makeup and acting nominee twice over for Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman), Mank (a hair and makeup nominee nominated in the acting categories for Oldman and Amanda Seyfried), Elvis (a hair and makeup nominee and Best Actor nominee for Austin Butler), Maestro (a hair and makeup nominee and acting nominee for Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan), Oppenheimer (a hair and makeup nominee, an acting winner for both Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. and a nominee for Emily Blunt), The Substance (a hair and makeup nominee and an acting nominee for Demi Moore), and Wicked (a hair and makeup nominee and an acting nominee for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande). 'You really understand the fears, the love, the sadness, the happiness,' Safdie said of Johnson's transformation. 'If somebody's open to doing that and talking about that stuff, then they're going to be able to give a great performance. Because of how physically strong he is, I don't know if a lot of people give him that opportunity.' However, even beyond its potential bids in Best Actor and Best Hair and Makeup, Johnson and The Smashing Machine could hit a sweet spot with the Academy. Several times in recent years, actors portraying fighters — either boxers or wrestlers — have been nominated for Oscars, including winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and nominees Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), Will Smith (Ali), and Denzel Washington (The Hurricane). Playing a real person is also proven to be appealing to the Academy, as evidenced by the multiple nominees and winners who have been recognized over the last two decades. Fourteen times in the previous 25 years, the Best Actor winner has triumphed by playing a real-life figure. Even Johnson's stature within the industry could become a feature, not a bug. Best known for playing action heroes in blockbuster titles like the Fast and Furious franchise and the Jumanji movies, Johnson could join a select list of actors primarily known for their box-office prowess as an unlikely Oscar nominee, including Moore, Smith, Sandra Bullock, and Julia Roberts (both of whom also won Oscars for playing real people). Regardless of the eventual awards outcome for Johnson and The Smashing Machine — and note that the movie doesn't even come out until October, and its place as a contender largely depends on the response it gets during the fall — the movie does feel like a pivot point for Johnson. Recently, he was attached to a new film with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio that has been compared to The Departed. He has also discussed reuniting with Safdie and A24 in the future. 'It's such a psychological thing here,' Johnson said of The Smashing Machine last year. 'But you know, from the moment I walk out of my house, I can't hide. But in a way, when I could disappear in a movie like Smashing Machine, and some of the other things now that we're developing, where it will allow me to disappear, with a Benny again or an A24. … Man, I love it.' Now, we wait to see if the Academy does, too. Best of GoldDerby Wes Anderson movies: All 11 films ranked worst to best Penelope Cruz movies: 16 greatest films ranked worst to best Audrey Hepburn movies: 15 greatest films ranked worst to best Click here to read the full article.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The Smashing Machine trailer: Dwayne ‘The Rock' Johnson is battered in Mark Kerr biopic
Dwayne Johnson stars in the intense sports drama, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie. The film follows the life of UFC fighter Mark Kerr and features an all-star cast including Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, and Oleksandr Usyk. The trailer highlights Johnson's transformation into Kerr and his rise in combat sports, with a release date of October 3.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Odyssey Cast: Benny Safdie Joins Star-Studded Christopher Nolan Movie
The Good Time star Benny Safdie has been tapped to join cast for Universal Pictures' upcoming epic drama, which serves as the latest adaptation of the classic Greek poem of the same name. Further details about his character are still under wraps. The movie is currently scheduled to make its debut in theaters on July 17, 2026. The project hails from Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan, who previously worked with Safdie on 2023's acclaimed biographical drama Oppenheimer. Besides The Odyssey, Safdie is also set to star in Netflix's upcoming Happy Gilmore 2 movie, which will see Adam Sandler reprising his iconic role. Just like all Nolan's previous movies, the upcoming project will boast a star-studded cast including Robert Pattinson, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, and Jon Bernthal, with Holland set for the leading character. The original story follows Greek hero Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who heads back home after the Trojan War. Presumed dead, Odysseus' wife Penelope and son Telemachus contend with various suitors who compete for Penelope's hand in Odysseus' absence.' Described as a mythic action epic, The Odyssey will be written and directed by Nolan, based on Greek poet Homer's classic story of the same name. This project marks the Oscar-winning filmmaker's latest collaboration Universal Pictures following the commercial and critical success of Cillian Murphy's Oppenheimer biopic. The film will be produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas. Production is expected to begin sometime in late February. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter) The post The Odyssey Cast: Benny Safdie Joins Star-Studded Christopher Nolan Movie appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
