Latest news with #JavierBardem
Los Angeles Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Envelope Emmys Roundtable
Elizabeth Banks, Javier Bardem, Sacha Baron Cohen, Stephen Graham, Brian Tyree Henry, Jenny Slate and Renée Zellweger talk dream roles, how to leave it on set and taking risks (subverting expectations) on the Envelope Limited Series & Television Movie Friday night at 9pm PST time. Presented by Marvel Studios
Daily Mail
6 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.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
HBO Max travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go ‘makes me really happy', says star. Here's why
US television host and comedian Conan O'Brien's new show on HBO Max plays like a video postcard of silly and enlightening adventures, as he and his crew travel around the world to meet fans and experience different cultures. Advertisement Season two of Conan O'Brien Must Go lands him in Spain, where the high jinks included cuddling with actor Javier Bardem and doing Spanish voice-overs; and New Zealand, where he got lessons from one of the country's leading cultural advisers and attempted to break a haka world record with filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi The three-episode season ends in Austria. Here, O'Brien discusses stand-out moments from this season of Conan O'Brien Must Go, which has been renewed for a third season. You cuddled with Javier Bardem. You did Spanish voice-overs. You dressed as [Austrian neurologist Sigmund] Freud. You went to the snow globe museum. What moment stood out for you from these trips?
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Hollywood hits top gear: Brad Pitt's ‘F1' movie wows drivers ahead of global premiere
MONACO, May 23 — Formula One drivers declared Brad Pitt's new F1 movie a winner that would bring fresh fans to the sport after being given an exclusive pre-release screening at the Monaco Grand Prix. The Apple Original film, with action scenes filmed at race weekends with the sport's cooperation, is due in cinemas internationally on June 25 and in North America on June 27. Formula One is hoping it will be an even bigger hit than the Netflix Drive to Survive docu-series that has helped raise the sport's appeal globally and take it to a new and younger demographic. 'Honestly, I enjoyed the whole thing,' Williams driver Carlos Sainz, sworn to secrecy on the plot like all those present, told reporters on Thursday. 'There were things that really surprised me. 'Not talking about the story, but the quality of footage they got. It's insane. Honestly insane. That's for me the best part of all of it. 'The team have done an outstanding job in putting together a very good Hollywood movie.' Haas rookie driver Oliver Bearman, 20, agreed. 'I think it really depicts in a great way what we go through, in a bit of a Hollywood way as you would expect, but that makes it really interesting,' said the Briton. 'I think the goal of the movie is going to be achieved. I think it's going to be a huge hit and it's going to make people want to watch F1, which is really the goal of it.' Directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame, the movie also stars Javier Bardem as owner of a team on the verge of failure. British actor Damson Idris is hotshot Joshua Pearce alongside ageing redemption-seeking racer Sonny Hayes, played by Pitt who is 61 in real life. Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, a co-producer, has said the movie will deliver an authentic feel. 'The storytelling is really cool and the images are just incredible,' said Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who won his home Monaco race last year. Red Bull boss Christian Horner also gave a glowing verdict. 'We are probably the worst possible audience to watch that movie because you're going to look and scrutinise every detail, every gear change, every pit stop, and it was very authentic,' said the Briton. Red Bull's reigning four-times world champion Max Verstappen, new father of a baby daughter, was a prominent absentee. 'I wanted to spend more private time,' he said. 'There was the opportunity to watch it but if we watch it now or in three or four weeks its fine as well.' — Reuters
FACT
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Regional premiere of Brad Pitt's F1 movie to take place in Abu Dhabi
The capital revs up to welcome Brad Pitt and other F1 stars once again. When it comes to big-budget blockbusters, the UAE — especially Abu Dhabi — has long been a magnet for Hollywood's elite. From the sandy shots in Dune to high-octane stunts in the Fast & Furious franchise, the capital's cinematic appeal has been undeniable. And now, F1 is joining the list with a regional film premiere set to take place in Abu Dhabi. After filming key scenes at Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport and the twofour54 Studios during the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, F1 is making a full-throttle return to the capital. On 25 June, Abu Dhabi will host the Middle East premiere of the film ahead of its global release on 26 June. Fans can expect a star-studded night as Brad Pitt touches down in the capital once again. He'll be joined by co-stars Javier Bardem and Damson Idris, members of the film crew, and even a few real-life Formula 1 legends, along with many other crew members of the Hollywood release. F1 follows the fictional story of Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, a former F1 prodigy whose career was cut short by a crash. Decades later, he's pulled back into the world of racing to help save his struggling team. Abu Dhabi has become a hotspot for movie premieres. Back in 2022, the capital also hosted the regional premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which brought Tom Cruise to town. Now, all eyes are on the capital once again as F1 gets ready to drop the flag. The upcoming F1 premiere is shaping up to be one of the most exciting entertainment events of the year in Abu Dhabi. With Brad Pitt and many F1 racers heading down to the capital once again, it's going to be one glamorous night on the red carpet. GO: Visit for more information.
