Latest news with #ChristopherLandon
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Former ‘Scream VII' director discusses his ‘painful' exit from the franchise
When writer-director Christopher Landon departed 'Scream VII' in 2023, there was what he says really happened and then there was a perceived story of what went down. Landon – helmer of popular horror tiles including 'Happy Death Day' in 2017 and 2020's 'Freaky,' and the son of 'Little House on the Prairie' star Michael Landon – left the 'Scream' franchise shortly after then-star Melissa Barerra was fired from the project, following social media posts she shared around that time about the war in Gaza. 'There was no movie anymore. The whole script was about her,' Landon said in the newly published book, 'Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror' by Ashley Cullins, via Entertainment Weekly. 'I didn't sign on to make 'a 'Scream' movie. I signed on to make that movie. When that movie no longer existed, I moved on.' And while he said he left the project 'about a week after' Barrera's exit, the narrative that played out on social media painted him as 'some sort of villain' who had a hand in the actress' firing. 'They were all screaming at someone who wasn't even on the movie anymore. There were a lot of people who thought I was some sort of villain. That really got in my head. It was painful, and it was painful to lose a dream job in such a sudden and bizarre way,' Landon said. Days after Barerra's exit from the film – the seventh installment in the popular horror franchise that launched in 1996 and was rebooted in 2022 – her costar from the previous two slasher sequels Jenna Ortega also dropped out, adding to the hysteria around the next installment's production status and ultimate fate. Landon added in the new book that his decision to speak out about his departure publicly became necessary 'after the threats got too intense.' 'I was still sorting through my feelings about everything that had happened. When it all went down, it was something I was trying to process in a private and balanced way,' he said. 'When you're a public‑facing person, often people don't like that. People want an immediate reaction, and they want you to agree with them.' Instead of 'Scream VII,' Landon ultimately focused on 'Drop,' the thriller he wrote and directed starring 'White Lotus' star Meghann Fahy, which released to favourable reviews. 'It took a minute,' he said about the pivot he navigated in his career at the time, but 'it ended up being the best decision of my life.' 'Scream VII,' meanwhile, found new life, with original 'Scream' (1996) scribe Kevin Williamson on board to direct. Returning with him are original franchise stars Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, along with a whole host of other former 'Scream' stars who were killed off in prior installments, including David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley. The new film is slated for release in February 2026.
CNN
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Former ‘Scream VII' director discusses his ‘painful' exit from the franchise
When writer-director Christopher Landon departed 'Scream VII' in 2023, there was what he says really happened and then there was a perceived story of what went down. Landon – helmer of popular horror tiles including 'Happy Death Day' in 2017 and 2020's 'Freaky,' and the son of 'Little House on the Prairie' star Michael Landon – left the 'Scream' franchise shortly after then-star Melissa Barerra was fired from the project, following social media posts she shared around that time about the war in Gaza. 'There was no movie anymore. The whole script was about her,' Landon said in the newly published book, 'Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror' by Ashley Cullins, via Entertainment Weekly. 'I didn't sign on to make 'a 'Scream' movie. I signed on to make that movie. When that movie no longer existed, I moved on.' And while he said he left the project 'about a week after' Barrera's exit, the narrative that played out on social media painted him as 'some sort of villain' who had a hand in the actress' firing. 'They were all screaming at someone who wasn't even on the movie anymore. There were a lot of people who thought I was some sort of villain. That really got in my head. It was painful, and it was painful to lose a dream job in such a sudden and bizarre way,' Landon said. Days after Barerra's exit from the film – the seventh installment in the popular horror franchise that launched in 1996 and was rebooted in 2022 – her costar from the previous two slasher sequels Jenna Ortega also dropped out, adding to the hysteria around the next installment's production status and ultimate fate. Landon added in the new book that his decision to speak out about his departure publicly became necessary 'after the threats got too intense.' 'I was still sorting through my feelings about everything that had happened. When it all went down, it was something I was trying to process in a private and balanced way,' he said. 'When you're a public‑facing person, often people don't like that. People want an immediate reaction, and they want you to agree with them.' Instead of 'Scream VII,' Landon ultimately focused on 'Drop,' the thriller he wrote and directed starring 'White Lotus' star Meghann Fahy, which released to favorable reviews. 'It took a minute,' he said about the pivot he navigated in his career at the time, but 'it ended up being the best decision of my life.' 'Scream VII,' meanwhile, found new life, with original 'Scream' (1996) scribe Kevin Williamson on board to direct. Returning with him are original franchise stars Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, along with a whole host of other former 'Scream' stars who were killed off in prior installments, including David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley. The new film is slated for release in February 2026.
CNN
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Former ‘Scream VII' director discusses his ‘painful' exit from the franchise
When writer-director Christopher Landon departed 'Scream VII' in 2023, there was what he says really happened and then there was a perceived story of what went down. Landon – helmer of popular horror tiles including 'Happy Death Day' in 2017 and 2020's 'Freaky,' and the son of 'Little House on the Prairie' star Michael Landon – left the 'Scream' franchise shortly after then-star Melissa Barerra was fired from the project, following social media posts she shared around that time about the war in Gaza. 'There was no movie anymore. The whole script was about her,' Landon said in the newly published book, 'Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror' by Ashley Cullins, via Entertainment Weekly. 'I didn't sign on to make 'a 'Scream' movie. I signed on to make that movie. When that movie no longer existed, I moved on.' And while he said he left the project 'about a week after' Barrera's exit, the narrative that played out on social media painted him as 'some sort of villain' who had a hand in the actress' firing. 'They were all screaming at someone who wasn't even on the movie anymore. There were a lot of people who thought I was some sort of villain. That really got in my head. It was painful, and it was painful to lose a dream job in such a sudden and bizarre way,' Landon said. Days after Barerra's exit from the film – the seventh installment in the popular horror franchise that launched in 1996 and was rebooted in 2022 – her costar from the previous two slasher sequels Jenna Ortega also dropped out, adding to the hysteria around the next installment's production status and ultimate fate. Landon added in the new book that his decision to speak out about his departure publicly became necessary 'after the threats got too intense.' 'I was still sorting through my feelings about everything that had happened. When it all went down, it was something I was trying to process in a private and balanced way,' he said. 'When you're a public‑facing person, often people don't like that. People want an immediate reaction, and they want you to agree with them.' Instead of 'Scream VII,' Landon ultimately focused on 'Drop,' the thriller he wrote and directed starring 'White Lotus' star Meghann Fahy, which released to favorable reviews. 'It took a minute,' he said about the pivot he navigated in his career at the time, but 'it ended up being the best decision of my life.' 'Scream VII,' meanwhile, found new life, with original 'Scream' (1996) scribe Kevin Williamson on board to direct. Returning with him are original franchise stars Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, along with a whole host of other former 'Scream' stars who were killed off in prior installments, including David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley. The new film is slated for release in February 2026.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
New on Peacock: Full List of Movies, Shows Hitting the Streaming Platform in July 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Things are heating up on Peacock in July as the final few episodes of Love Island USA play out, with the grand finale landing on July 13, where one couple will be crowned this year's winners. However, that's not all there is to watch on Peacock. The streaming service has announced everything coming throughout July, and the first of the month sees the best of it when 60+ movies hit the platform. Among those titles are Forrest Gump, Twister, King Kong, and Titanic. NBCUniversal Logos – Pictured: " NBCUniversal Logos – Pictured: " NBCUniversal Also joining the platform is Drop, Christopher Landon's 95-minute thriller, Drop, which hit movie theaters in April. The film arrives on Peacock on July 11, along with season three of Friends The Next Chapter and the premiere of season 19 of The Real Housewives Of Orange County. There is plenty to see on Peacock over the next few weeks, and you can discover everything new on Peacock in July 2025 below. What's New on Peacock in July 2025? July 1 10 Items Or Less 13 About My Father* Airplane! American Pie Aquamarine Are We There Yet?* Barbershop Barbershop 2: Back In Business Beauty Shop Big Momma's House The Brothers Chance of Snow Contraband Couples Retreat The Croods Daniel Isn't Real Dante's Peak Dazed And Confused Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw The Fate Of The Furious First Blood Forrest Gump Friday The Friday After Next Furious 7 Goodfellas Hall Pass The High Note* Hot Tub Time Machine Hotel Transylvania* Hotel Transylvania 2* I Am Woman Iris King Kong The King of Staten Island* Legally Blonde Legally Blonde 2: Red, White And Blonde Liar, Liar Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Making Babies Mission: Impossible Next Friday Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Rambo III Rambo: First Blood Part II Ray Repo Men Robin Hood (2010) Role Models Sausage Party* Self/Less Semi-Pro Sisters Street Fighter Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby* The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, Season 2 - Premiere (Bravo) The Real Murders of Atlanta, Season 3 - Premiere, All Episodes (Oxygen) Titanic Tropic Thunder The Turning* Twister War Of The Worlds Waterworld Whitey: United States Of America V James Bulger Yes, Chef!, Season 1 - Finale (NBC) July 2 Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, Season 1 - Finale (E!) July 3 The American Society Of Magical Negroes* Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Poker Face, Season 2 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 4 Curry Inc: The Business of Stephen Curry - Premiere (CNBC) Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Macy's 4th of July Fireworks July 5 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 6 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* She Said* July 7 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 8 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Survival Mode, Season 1 - Premiere (NBC) July 10 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Poker Face, Season 2 - Finale, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 11 Drop - Premiere (Peacock Exclusive)* Friends The Next Chapter, Season 3 (LEGO) Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* The Real Housewives Of Orange County, Season 19 - Premiere (Bravo) July 12 Love Island USA, Season 7 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 13 Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 - Premiere, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Love Island USA, Season 7 - Finale, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 14 Kings Court, Season 1 - Premiere (Bravo) Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, Seasons 16-17 (WeTV) July 15 Bahar: Esencia de Mujer, Season 1 - Premiere (Telemundo) July 16 Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, Season 1 - Premiere (E!) July 17 Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 18 Transplant, Season 4 - Finale (NBC) July 20 Violent Night* July 21 Rizzoli & Isles, Season 1-7 (TNT) July 23 The Valley After Show, Season 1 - Finale (Bravo Digital) July 24 Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Season 1 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* July 27 Tár* July 28 Adaptive: Paris (Vitium Productions LLC) Unlocked, Season 2 (CNBC) July 29 Unknown Serial Killers of America, Season 1 - Premiere, All Episodes (Oxygen) July 30 Destination X, Season 1 - Finale (NBC) Top Chef VIP, Season 4 - Premiere (Telemundo) July 31 Love Island: Beyond the Villa (Season 1 - New Episode, 60 min (Peacock Original)* Twisted Metal, Season 2 - Premiere, 30 min (Peacock Original)* Note: * = is exclusive to Peacock, and (++) = New episodes of Reelz original series stream live on the Reelz Channel and are available on demand the next day.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Drop serves killer looks
DROP, the American thriller directed by Christopher Landon, arrives with an irresistible premise: a first date that spirals into a nightmare of anonymous threats, escalating dangers and rising suspicion. Add in the backing of genre powerhouses Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes and expectations naturally soar. But while Drop delivers gorgeously polished visuals and performances, its narrative leans heavily on familiar tricks, asking viewers to stay patient as it unfurls its tangled threads. There is no denying that Drop is a feast for the eyes. Cinematographer (who deserves applause here) bathes the upscale restaurant setting in moody lighting, gleaming surfaces and just the right touches of noirish shadow. Every glass of wine, flicker of candlelight and nervous glance is captured with surgical precision. This is a film where even a cell phone notification looks cinematic. But as sharp as the visuals are, the plot sometimes struggles to keep pace. Familiar recipe (but still tasty enough) Let us be clear: Drop does not reinvent the thriller wheel. The core premise: a protagonist trapped in a confined, elegant space while an unseen tormentor pulls the strings, echoes everything from Phone Booth to Panic Room. Add in a widowed protagonist with a tragic backstory, a too-charming date and a parade of suspicious side characters and the setup feels more comfort-food familiar than groundbreaking. Yet despite the sense of déjà vu, Drop remains a solid watch. This is thanks largely to Meghann Fahy's magnetic presence as Violet, the frazzled yet determined single mom trying to navigate both dating jitters and escalating danger. Fahy brings an emotional vulnerability that grounds the more outlandish moments, making the audience root for her even when the plot feels like it is jogging in place. Brandon Sklenar's Henry, meanwhile, plays the charming date with just the right amount of 'Is he or isn't he?' ambiguity. The supporting cast, including Violett Beane as Violet's sister and Gabrielle Ryan as the sharp-eyed bartender, fill out the ensemble with texture, even if many of them serve more as set dressing for Violet's rising paranoia. Let tension build Here is the key to enjoying Drop: approach it knowing that it is not a nonstop thrill ride. This is not one of those breathless, edge-of-your-seat thrillers where the plot fires off twists every ten minutes. Instead, Landon crafts a deliberately slow burn, teasing out the tension piece by piece. For some, this will be a treat, a rare thriller that luxuriates in mood, atmosphere and simmering dread. For others, it might test their patience. There are stretches where the movie seems to coast on its vibes rather than push the story forward and the central mystery occasionally feels padded out to stretch the runtime. But for viewers willing to sink into the slow-building unease, Drop offers a satisfying payoff. Visual that outshines its plot It bears repeating: the real star of Drop is its visual design. The film's upscale restaurant setting is a living, breathing character, full of reflective surfaces, shadowy corners and a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Director Landon, known for stylish genre hits like Happy Death Day and Freaky, brings his playful touch here, making even the most mundane objects: a phone, a cocktail glass, a note scribbled on a napkin, pop with cinematic flair. The visuals are so compelling that they often distract from the more predictable beats of the story. There is a sense that Landon and his team know they are working with a somewhat familiar script, so they lean hard into the atmosphere, ensuring the film at least looks fresher than it reads. For thriller fans who value aesthetics and mood, this attention to detail makes Drop worth the ticket price alone. Worth a watch, with right expectations Drop is not the most original thriller to hit screens this year, but it does not need to be. It knows what it is doing, delivering a tense, visually stunning cat-and-mouse game wrapped in a glossy package and it does it well enough to satisfy. Sure, the plot relies on familiar tropes and the pacing demands a patient viewer, but the overall experience is polished, suspenseful and anchored by strong lead performances. Audiences looking for groundbreaking twists or adrenaline-pumping action might walk away wishing for more. But for those content to settle in for a stylish, slow-burning thriller with a killer aesthetic, Drop delivers just enough thrills to keep them watching and admiring how good it all looks along the way. DIRECTOR: Christopher Landon CAST: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Reed Diamond, Gabrielle Ryan, Violett Beane E-VALUE: 7/10 PLOT: 7/10 ACTING: 8/10
