Latest news with #EdwardBerger
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Conclave author reveals Ralph Fiennes was third choice for lead role in Oscar nominated film - behind two other A-list Hollywood actors
His acclaimed performance as a liberal cardinal in Conclave secured him an Oscar nomination – but Ralph Fiennes was not the first choice for the part. Both Hollywood legend Robert de Niro and Spanish star Javier Bardem were in line to take the lead role, author Robert Harris has revealed. But negotiations with both actors' representative broke down, opening the way for 62-year-old Fiennes. His casting also meant a change to his character. In Harris's original 2016 novel, the dean of the council of cardinals was an Italian called Jacopo Baldassare Lomeli. But once Fiennes was cast, he became the English Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. The author told the Hay-on-Wye literary festival: 'For a long time, Robert De Niro was supposed to play the Fiennes role, but that fell through, and then Javier Bardem was supposed to do it.' But again a deal could not be struck, so producers turned to Fiennes, best known for playing evil Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter blockbusters and M in the Bond films. It was Fiennes and director Edward Berger who decided to change the character's nationality, Harris revealed. 'They came to lunch and told me they wanted to change the nationality of Cardinal Lomeli, because Ralph wanted to play an Englishman. I looked across the table and thought, ''Do I really want to lose Ralph Fiennes?'' And of course, it doesn't make any difference at all.' Harris – whose other bestselling novels include Fatherland and Enigma – also told the Hay audience that film producers had been circling around his novel before he had finished writing it. But after the initial clamour, the executives decided to hold back the film's release – which turned out to be fortuitous as it ended up in cinemas just before the real Vatican conclave to select Pope Francis's successor. Harris, 68, said: 'They sat on it for a year to prevent it being swamped by other films, which was a stroke of genius as it got a lot of attention. There was this rolling interest in conclaves, and I found myself peculiarly having written a primer on conclaves.' Among those who watched the film this year was American Cardinal Robert Prevost, who saw it just before the conclave voted him to become Pope, subsequently taking the name Leo XIV. Conclave, which also starred Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, was nominated for eight Academy Awards, but secured only the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Peter Straughan's script. Two Oscar voters later told trade magazine Variety that they hadn't backed Fiennes as they wrongly believed he had won the award before.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
With A New Pope, ‘Conclave' Becomes The Most Relevant Movie Of The Year
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. Edward Berger's 'Conclave' had perfect timing. That's probably what a lot of people thought on Thursday after the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was announced following a two-day conclave. At the ancient ritual, cardinals gather in secrecy to elect a pope — complete with smoke signals, deliberations and theatrics that could've rivaled its Hollywood depiction. The ins and outs of the centuries-old papal process hadn't become a mainstream topic until 'Conclave' emerged as one of last year's biggest films. Buzz surrounding the movie got so big that it even earned its own dedicated stan account on X, Pope Crave, a parody of celeb news account Pop Crave, that has almost 100,000 followers. Now, with a new pope in place, the film has garnered interest again. Social media was quick to point out how the release of 'Conclave' funnily coincided with real-life developments at the Vatican this week: the more i think about the more insane it is that conclave came out within the last 8 months to coincide with all of this like that movie will be in the cultural zeitgeist forever — club hathaway (@NtiAning) May 8, 2025 they dropped conclave (2024) at the perfect time ik whoever was in charge of scheduling that movie is cheesing mad as hell — cay (@koralinadean) May 8, 2025 Conclave (2024) is gonna be one of those fucking movies where everyone is just gonna say "you HAD to be there" cause no other movie could have this level of not massive but just plain insane pop culture to real life madness. The pope actually DYING is just the tip of the ICEBERG — 🐢Benitez Hype Guy🐢 (@bntz_04) May 7, 2025 This is how you know Conclave probably should have won best picture. People are obsessed with the new process. We are gonna look back in 10 years and remember that movie the most. — Totally Kyle (@KBeezy1001) May 8, 2025 Who can blame them, though? It's hard to ignore the uncanny arrival of 'Conclave' mere months before the death of Pope Francis. As a result of his death, we seemingly got to experience the movie's events all over again, now in real life. It's interesting to see just how relevant 'Conclave' has remained since its release in October. The film, based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel of the same name and starring three-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes, earned rave reviews and won several awards, including an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The 'Conclave' buzz could've stopped there, but the film surged back into the zeitgeist last month after Francis died. Some wondered if the election of his successor would echo the events of 'Conclave,' which depicted the notoriously top-secret rite against the backdrop of Vatican politics and power struggles. Predictions weren't too far off based on how this week's conclave went. Aside from some fictionalized details — like unearthed scandals and corruption surrounding the mysterious death of a former pope — 'Conclave' is a pretty accurate depiction of the titular process (save for excluding some deeply spiritual aspects), thanks to thorough research conducted by Harris and those behind the film. 'We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful. So it was a big research project, really,' 'Conclave' screenwriter Peter Straughan told USA Today. Speaking to The National Catholic Reporter last year, Fiennes added of the film: 'If we were to be taken seriously, I knew we had to get the rituals right. … I hate when… it's not done properly or if it's messy. For those who are in these spaces, those elements are important.' The response to the movie's meticulous detail is a testament to its theatrical success and real-life impact, as it became a helpful guide for some of the 133 cardinal-electors who had little experience with conclave protocol until this week. 'Some have watched ['Conclave'] in the cinema,' one cleric told Politico about the preparation to select Prevost, who's now taken the name Pope Leo XIV. According to his brother John Prevost, the new pope also watched the film before his election, 'so he knew how to behave.' 'Conclave' has had a similar impact on its Pope Crave fan account, run by artist Susan Bin, which went from sharing film updates to actual papal process updates for inquiring minds. 'The pivot to me was natural,' Bin shared in a recent interview with Time Magazine. 'When we started with the whole Oscar thing and with 'Conclave,' people still wanted to learn about conclave and its actual practice.' And demand remains high for anything that demystifies the practice, as, per CBS News, sales for Harris' historical novel are 'up tenfold.' Luminate reported that the viewership of 'Conclave,' currently streaming on Prime Video, also spiked by 283% one day after Francis' death. Already, 'Conclave' appears to be the most relevant movie of the year, whether by coincidence or providence. The inner workings of Vatican affairs now have a spotlight unlike we've ever seen in pop culture, giving 'life imitates art' a whole new meaning. If the discourse continues, 'Conclave' just might become the go-to reference for all things papal. Robert Francis Prevost Makes History As First U.S. Pope Chosen To Lead Catholic Church New Pope's Brother Shares Unexpected Detail About Conclave Prep And Baseball Loyalty The New Pope Faces Scrutiny On LGBTQ+ Rights
CNET
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
How to Stream Conclave: Yes, the New Pope Has Seen the Movie Too
If you were a member of the College of Cardinals, and a new movie came out about the process whereby you and your fellow Cardinals elect a new pope, wouldn't you watch it? Yes, yes, you likely would. And so too has the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, who was elevated to the papacy on Thursday, the first American pope ever. The new pope, formerly known as Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, has seen Conclave, the 2024 film about a fictional papal election. His brother John Prevost of New Lenox, Illinois, told NBC Chicago that his brother has indeed watched the film -- and also shared that the pope plays Wordle, Words with Friends, and roots for the Chicago White Sox. Read more: Hey Wordle Players, the New Pope Is One of Us Prevost was elected on Thursday on the second day of the papal conclave, a heavily traditional event that's at the heart of the Conclave movie Even before Prevost was chosen, a report from Politico confirmed that some of the real-life Cardinals had seen the film. The site reports that a cleric involved in the real papal conclave said of the cardinals, "Some have watched it in the cinema." And now we know the new pope was one of them. The movie is fiction, but based on fact Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), Conclave centers on the election of a new pope after the reigning pope's sudden death. Ralph Fiennes leads a powerhouse cast as a cardinal who finds himself at the center of a conspiracy during the papal election. John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci all deliver memorable performances. Based on a book by Robert Harris (Enigma, The Ghost), Conclave draws from real-life Vatican tradition, but cranks up the drama for entertainment value. The secrecy, the symbolism, the power struggles -- they're all rooted in truth, but the film leans into betrayals, high-stakes revelations and a jaw-dropping twist. In reality, the election of a pope is a solemn, procedural affair. In Conclave, it's a powder keg of political intrigue and personal secrets -- less about incense and prayer, more about shadows and suspense. It's obviously not a documentary, but that's what makes it gripping. Here's all the info on where to stream Conclave. Where to watch Conclave Streaming: Amazon Prime Video : You can now stream Conclave for free as long as you're a Prime subscriber. Rental and purchase: Concave is a highly acclaimed film, having been nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning one -- for best adapted screenplay. Conclave currently holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4/10 on IMDb. You can also read the 2016 novel by Robert Harris, which has been out almost a decade, and is likely to be in your library or available in used and new bookstores near you. Harris was inspired to write the novel after watching the news coverage of the 2013 conclave, which elected the late Pope Francis. Whether you're interested in the intricacies of Vatican politics or just want to enjoy a gripping thriller, Conclave is a timely and engaging watch or read. And as a viewer, you'll be in good company, right up there with Pope Leo XIV.
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Beyond Conclave: 10 other movies that feature the Vatican
If you've seen Conclave, Edward Berger's excellent political thriller, you'll have some idea of what goes on behind the scenes at the secretive papal conclave. So with all eyes on Rome this week as cardinals meet to elect a successor to Pope Francis from behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, here's a look at five other films set in or around the Vatican... THE GODFATHER PART III (1990) While the first installment of Francis Ford Coppola's magnum opus was set in New York City, and the second largely in Sicily, much of Part III was based in Rome - particularly around the Vatican City, as Michael Corleone becomes involved in nefarious business dealings involving the Vatican Bank. THE DA VINCI CODE (2006) & ANGELS AND DEMONS (2009) Both of Dan Brown's novels were adapted for the big screen in 2006 and 2009, and while both had scenes set within the Vatican - Angels & Demons opens with the death of a pope and preparations for a conclave - the church unsurprisingly denied Ron Howard permission to film there. Instead, other venues around Rome doubled for interior scenes, while Winchester Cathedral was a stand-in for the Vatican in The Da Vinci Code. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III (2006) The world's most famous Scientologist breaking into the seat of the Catholic Church? It happened in M:I3, when Tom Cruise donned a cassock to go undercover in the Vatican - which was really Reggia di Caserta near Naples. However, some exterior shots were filmed in St. Peter's Square. ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953) Of course one of the most timeless Rome-set films ever made had to feature the Vatican in some way. St. Peter's Basilica features in the film's opening sequence, while the nearby Castel Sant'Angelo also features during a scene where Audrey Hepburn dances with Gregory Peck before a brawl breaks out. EUROTRIP (2004) Bet you weren't expecting this one. If the Church doesn't allow some of the world's most esteemed filmmakers to shoot within the Vatican City, you can bet they didn't let the makers of this 2004 goofy 'teen sex comedy'. Nevertheless, a sequence is set within the Vatican when main characters Scott and Cooper break into the Pope's private quarters in the midst of a conclave. THE TWO POPES (2019) Well, the clue is in the title: of course the Vatican is going to feature in some way. In Fernando Meirelles's 2019 drama, we witness a fictionalised discussion between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and the then-Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) in the wake of the Vatican leaks scandal. Much of the film is set within the walls of the Vatican, although the actual filming locations were spread across Rome and a full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel was constructed at Rome's Cinecittà Studios. MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED (2012) It's not just live action movies that feature the Eternal City; in Madagascar 3, a group of intrepid animals find themselves pursued across Europe as they attempt to get back to New York City. One scene features King Julien, the ring-tailed lemur, kissing the Pope's ring in the Vatican. LA DOLCE VITA (1960) Fellini's best film? La Dolce Vita is certainly one of the iconic Italian director's most celebrated works. Set in Rome, one sequence heavily features the Vatican as jaded journalist Marcello pursues a woman up the 551 steps of St. Peter's Dome, which overlooks the magnificent square. As with The Two Popes, a replica of the dome was built at Cinecittà Studios. SPECTRE (2015) It only took fifty years for film's most famous spy to land in Rome. much of Spectre was shot in the Italian capital, while a thrilling car chase through its streets passes up the cobbled Via della Conciliazione, with St. Peter's Basilica looming majestically in the background.
NDTV
08-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Conclave Movie Serves As Guidance For Cardinals Voting For Next Pope
New Delhi: Before entering the papal elections to pick the next pope, several Catholic cardinals reportedly watched the film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, to get a sense of the traditions and political undercurrents of the process. The film, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris's novel, unexpectedly became a guide for many of the 133 cardinal-electors who entered the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday. Released four months before Pope Francis' death on April 21, the movie served as an unintended primer for those less familiar with the inner workings of the Vatican. A majority of the cardinals participating in this conclave were appointed by Pope Francis himself and have never experienced the intricate ceremony of papal election. Many also come from smaller, historically overlooked dioceses, mirroring the background of characters portrayed in the film. One cleric, speaking to Politico, confirmed that several participants "watched it in the cinema" as part of their informal preparation. In the film, Mr Fiennes plays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals. He deals with intense rivalries, leaked dossiers, and the surprise appearance of a little-known cardinal from a remote region. Even though dramatised, many procedural elements were spot on, like the paper ballot voting system and the famous smoke signal from the chimney indicating the election result. The movie also accurately showed how the Sistine Chapel is sealed before voting begins. Windows are shuttered, phones are taken away, and electronic jammers are used to block communication. While this protects the secrecy of the process, information often leaks out afterwards just like it did in 2005, when it became known that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) was a top contender before he was eventually elected in 2013. The film also captures the power struggles within the College of Cardinals. But experts, as per The Washington Post, said that most of the serious discussions and lobbying usually took place during the general congregations before the conclave started. These meetings, held off-camera and often influenced by Vatican gossip and media speculation, were where the real positioning happened. Joanne M Pierce, a professor emerita at the College of the Holy Cross, said the film crossed church rules by showing cardinals casually chatting and campaigning - something forbidden. The Vatican even has a saying, "He who enters the conclave a pope, exits a cardinal." Meaning anyone who wants the job too much or isn't humble is not chosen. The film also has dramatic touches like nuns speaking during meals and the idea of a surprise cardinal secretly appointed by the pope, known as 'in pectore'. While this practice exists, it is extremely rare and unlikely to affect a conclave. The storyline also touched upon themes of money and influence, hinting at bribery and political games. Though exaggerated, it wasn't entirely off base. Wealthy conservative groups have tried to sway outcomes by backing certain candidates. But since 80 per cent of the current cardinal-electors were appointed by Francis, such efforts had limited impact, The Washington Post said. The film got several details right. From the cardinals' modest accommodations to the solemn atmosphere. Author Robert Harris had confirmed that both his book and the film were carefully researched.
