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Showing posts with label Amazon Prime. Show all posts
company Spin Master Ltd. (TSX:TOY; AMAZON PRIME VIDEO SETS NOVEMBER 1 DEBUT FOR SECOND SEASON OF ACTION-THRILLER TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN
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Amazon's "The Boys" has been picking up tremendous steam in the lead-up to its premiere. With a giant promotional visit to San Diego Comic Con, news also broke that the show had already been renewed for a second season. In a market some would describe as over-saturated with superhero content, what's most refreshingly subversive about "The Boys" is that it takes a deconstructed approach to telling stories about superheroes.
Show-runner Eric Kripke is positive in his sentiments towards Amazon's support of the show. "They were the perfect choice because they bought the pitch. They have [given] an incredible amount of creative freedom, the streaming format allows you to really open up the world and explore the characters and get as outrageous as the show wants and needs to be. They have the budgets, it has to have the quality of the superhero stuff that's happening in the movies. It cannot eel like a parody. They have the resources to give us that and they've been amazing in giving us the chance to make this show."
The cast is full of familiar faces from fans of film and television media. Karl Urban is no stranger to major franchises, and other stars include Antony Starr ("Banshee"), Simon Pegg is guest-starring as Hughie's father (a fact made all the more amusing due to the fact that Hughie in the comics was a character based on Pegg himself), Chace Crawford ("Gossip Girl"), and Karen Fukuhara ("Suicide Squad"). It's especially important for Fukuhara to be taking on this role, as Japanese talents are very rarely included on big projects like these, and Fukuhara has previously shared on the show's press tour that her character "the Female" was gifted a name. This was a much needed update to the source material.
Fukuhara's previous forray into action was in the Academy-Award winning, hit blockbuster "Suicide Squad". The Female will be something entirely new for Fukuhara to play. "The main thing is that I'm not wielding a sword, but I had a conversation with Eric at the beginning of shooting last year. He wanted something more animalistic, something that's not refined. Katana was more martial arts and very deliberate action. I love playing the Female because you just never know what's going to come because the way she fights is out of the ordinary."
Jack Quaid was elated upon learning that Simon Pegg would be playing his father. "Simon's my hero. I absolutely love all of his work and when I first read the script, I didn't realise immediately that it was based on a comic book. I just thought somebody took the world that we live in today and put superheroes in it. After I got the role, I devoured all the comics and I realised, 'Okay, that guy looks familiar.' It's not necessarily like he's played the role but I did feel like I was stepping into some pretty big shoes. But just the fact that I got to work with him as my dad, that was a dream come true. He's the greatest."
Despite his many appearances in big franchises, Karl Urban is moved by the experience of working on this show. "I've just had such a fantastic time working on the show with this incredibly talented cast. I love working in the world of The Boys. What appealed to me about this show was these blue-collar young men and women who decide to take on The Man, the most super powerful. I was very intrigued as to how you sustain that conflict when you have people of supreme power. How do you take them down? For me personally, it seems like every time I turn on the television these days, I get to see it in current events. I think our show is quite timely and I can't wait for it to get out there."
"The Boys" will premiere on Amazon Prime on July 26.
Watch the press conference for "The Boys" from SDCC here:
Amazon's "Carnival Row" is fully embracing the 'Fear of the Other' theme that has become increasingly prevalent in works of fiction over the last few years. With the world's sociopolitical climate growing more tumultuous it's no surprise that content creators are drawing inspiration from these issues when developing stories and character for audience to empathise with. The world of "Carnival Row" uses a fantastical premise of fairy-like creatures which symbolize the Other that this society's most privileged are prone to discriminating against. When the show visited San Diego Comic Con, Amazon included it in its roster of experiences and won many over with its effective immersion and efficiency in introducing these themes to those who went through this experience.
Series lead Orlando Bloom portrays a human, Rycroft Philostrate, and found the show's material to be rich and easy to connect to. "First of all, the great gift and opportunity of stepping into this show was because it was so timely and it did feel like it spoke to a lot of the issues and with relevance to what's happening in the world today. Alongside that, because we're in this fantastical world in this remarkable brain child of Travis Beacham, we're able to examine with real humanity some of the really tragic and desperate situations that are happening in the world but with an objective and an empathetic view because we're looking at the fae folk, as we call them. It enables us to step outside of ourselves and look at this situation and think around it. It was so beautifully handled by both Travis and Mark in the writing that it was a gift for all of us. Of course, I think as actors, we feel a certain sense of responsibility to deliver on that. That's really down to the show-runners and in the writing and that was the very good fortune that we had with them."
With established names like Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne leading the show, it begs the question of whether more diverse faces will be included in the conversation. Actor David Gyasi, who portrays Agreus, chimes in on this discussion of the show's relevance to the world we all live in.
"I have two kids and I'm of African origin. They're showing signs of wanting to get into this business. There's the African side of me that's like, 'Well you have the option of being a lawyer, doctor, or an engineer.' Then there's the other side of me that I think... when you want to get into this business the best advice that I give people is, go out and talk to people and listen. That helps you to get a perspective on life and how humans work and so, as an actor, when you get an opportunity and a script that feels like it's speaking about our world that we recognise, it's a real gift and like Orlando says, an honour. That's how we approached it."
Producer Travis Beacham adds his perspective as a writer on the show. "It's important. I think the thing that art has a chance to do is get people to look at issues and discuss those issues. I don't know if it necessarily needs to be more than that. That alone is a very substantial lift. I think a lot of our problems that we have as a society stem from the fact that we don't talk about things anymore. It's considered rude to discuss politics. As a result, we all have placed ourselves in these bubbles. The nice thing about art is it can maybe, hopefully, jump-start some of those conversations. If you have those conversations, it's ultimately healthy for our society."
"Carnival Row" will premiere on August 30 on Amazon Prime.
Listen to the full press conference or "Carnival Row" from SDCC here:
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Amazon Prime has set up a series of Experiences for Comic-Con goers to gain the opportunity to dive into the worlds of their different shows including "The Expanse," "The Boys," and "Carnival Row." Whether you're going onto a strange new planet (The Expanse) or attempting to solve a crime committed by out-of-control superheroes (The Boys), there are many adventures to be had. But by far, the most meaningful and powerful Experience of the group is "Carnival Row."
The attendees are split into two groups, humans and fae (or anything pertaining to the broader supernatural world). Immediately there is a stark contrast in the manner of treatment. Humans are spoken to with respect and consideration while anyone belonging to the supernatural world is berated, has their documents meticulously inspected, and generally handled with a sense of distrust.
What's particularly powerful about this premise and the world-building that's established throughout the Experience is that it not only effectively introduces the attendees to the world of the show, but strikes a resonant and timely chord with current events. As a result, this is the experience that becomes most memorable. After entering a marketplace, you are gradually ushered off into a dark but sultry club that fosters feelings of wonder and secrecy (please remember that this Experience is intended for 18+ people only).
The club is filled with entertainment ranging from seductive dancing, peep-holes, and lush vocals. We'll refrain from spoiling the final plot development of the Experience's arc but when all is said and done, one can't help but feel compelled to bookmark the show as a must-watch to gain an even deeper insight into the world of "Carnival Row" and all the socially relevant layers in the storytelling.
All's well that ends well, as attendees are treated to one last parting gift: the opportunity to take flight and pose as a fairy complete with a stylish cape. This Experience is not to be missed!
Now Playing In Select Theaters
Everywhere Friday
Watch the trailer here:
Only In Theaters
August 23rd, 2019
"The Boys" is an exciting new television series set to premiere on Amazon Prime in 2019. Based on the comic series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the show boasts a cast full of quality talents including Karl Urban ("Star Trek"), Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead"), Antony Starr ("Banshee"), and Karen Fukuhara ("Suicide Squad"). Series leads and producers visited New York Comic Con to offer up a first look at this subversive addition to the superhero genre.
With an upspike in superhero content in both films and television series, the task becomes all the more necessary to set oneself apart when creating and adapting new properties in the genre to bring something new and fresh to both casual viewers and fans alike. The premise is interesting and highly relevant to today's world, as the superheroes in the story are not upstanding beacons of morality. Instead, they embrace the unethical privileges take come with fame and celebrity. The group known as "the boys" are a group of vigilantes that work together to take down these corrupt superheroes. These 'boys' come from a more blue collar background and offer a dynamic contrast to the privileged elites.
Karen Fukuhara was the first thing that drew me to the project, as it's rare to find other Japanese women finding success in Hollywood without having to portray stereotypes. It was at first disheartening to find out her character was known as "The Female" and that she doesn't speak in the role. At first glance it's hardly an advancement for us as a whole. But upon being asked about these matters, she is more than happy to clarify that her character will have more depth than the original source material would've allowed.
"What drew me to the character was that, when I spoke with Eric on the phone before we started filming, I found out that we were going to stray away from the Female's back story that was in the original comics and create a new one. That had a lot to do with how she joins the Boys and the direction the Boys go in during season one. I think she's an essential part of the Boys, which drew me to the character, and, exciting news, she gets a name. I am named!" shares Fukuhara.
Producers elaborate that this development of her character was very important in bringing her to the screen. An additional surprise revelation at the show's panel is that the character of Hughie, who was artistically rendered in the comics to resemble Simon Pegg, will have a father in the show portrayed by Pegg himself. The audience erupts into cheers when Pegg is called to the stage as a surprise addition to the panel. Actor Jack Quaid will be portraying Hughie and the banter between him and Pegg bodes well for the chemistry to be portrayed in the show itself.
"I've never been more insecure in my life that I wasn't Simon Pegg," says Quaid. "Especially since Simon Pegg is my literal hero, genuinely. I've got a British dad now. He is literally in my phone as 'British dad', I'm not joking."
Pegg also shares about the journey from getting the call that he was 'in' the comics through character design to now being in the show. "I'm thrilled and I always anticipated this moment would happen. When it was announced, I knew I wasn't gonna play Hughie. I knew it would go to a brilliant young actor. I didn't realise quite how brilliant, I'm so proud of my son!"
"Best moment of my young life," Quaid chimes in.
"It was a very weird thing," says Pegg. "I think Darick Robertson who drew the comic book was a bit of a fan of obscure British comedy. Back in 2004 when he was drawing it, he'd seen 'Space' which was a show I'd done in the UK. It was a little sitcom in the UK in the late 90's and I think Darick saw me in that and thought, 'Oh he'll never amount to anything, I'll draw him.' Then suddenly around the time 'Shaun of the Dead' came out I heard from Darick and I found out that my face was being used in this comic book and I was extremely flattered and thrilled and I was very much in favour of it. DC, who published it at the time wrote me a frightened letter just saying 'Please don't sue us!' I said, well of course I'm not gonna do that. I'm absolutely flattered beyond belief. So I spent that time as Hughie and it was always going to become something visual cause it's such an amazing story. It really lends itself to an adaptation. I'm so happy that when this happened and then I got a call about maybe being in the show. We discussed how and it seems so perfect to be Jack's father.
Karl Urban responds with some banter of his own. "That's a great answer but the real reason that Simon is in 'The Boys' is because we have a competition between us about who can be in the most franchises. He kind of edged ahead after being in Star Wars after we were together in Star Trek. I'm like, 'Hey I'm gonna be in The Boys' and he was like, 'Me too!'"
"What are you gonna do? We're a couple of franchise-whores!" jokes Pegg.
Watch the New York Comic Con panel for "The Boys" here:
Amazon horror anthology series "Lore" brought a promotional panel to New York Comic Con in anticipation of it's second season. With cast and crew in attendance, clips were played to tease at the new stories set to be told, and various insights were offered in the ever-expanding scope of the show's stories that were largely adapted from episodes of the "Lore" podcast.
Though multiple episodes were teased from the upcoming series, one episode preview in particular stuck out. Actors Josh Bowman and Alicia Witt were in attendance to promote episode 6, "Jack Parsons: The Devil and the Divine" in which Bowman and Witt portray Jack Parsons and Marjorie Cameron. Bowman introduces his character first.
"Jack Parsons [was] mentioned before, he's the father of modern rocketry. He created solid rocket fuel which eventually obviously lead to Neil Armstrong going to the moon. So he was a part alchemist, part magician, really amazing guy, ahead of his time. At thirteen this guy apparently summoned the devil. From that, which apparently scared him shitless, but from that he did take an amazing interest in Alistair Crowley and sex magic is what it ended up being. It was sex, drugs, and rocket fuel."
Witt introduces Marjorie Cameron next. "He referred to her as his elemental woman, believing somehow that he had conjured her into being.
"By masturbating onto, seriously, masturbating onto magical tablets..." Bowman chimes in.
"He had been seeing visions of this woman all in red since he was a child," continues Witt. "Since around the time he conjured the devil he believed this woman was also somebody he was going to conjure. Then she appears in his life and he is like, 'Oh it's you. I conjured you," and she's like, 'I don't think you did. I'm an actual person. What if you're my muse? What is you're my inspiration?'"
Bowman goes on to explain how Jack Parsons was best friends with Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, and Witt shares how this wasn't an aspect that wasn't explored in the episode. The audience is then treated to a sneak-peek of the episode. In the clip, Jack Parsons and Marjorie Cameron partake in some hallucinogenic drugs that prelude an orgy though nothing too graphic is played in the preview. The movements seem to slow as the drugs kick in, and Marjorie appears to grow increasingly horrified while staring at Jack staring back at her while surrounded by women.
The clip relies on a tremendous amount of post-production editing, which begs the question of how the actors were written or directed to behave in order to execute this hallucinogenic effect.
"That's a good question, actually," says Bowman. "It really is kind of not doing a lot I guess. No, I'm deadly serious. I don't think playing into tripping out is going to be helpful. But they did an amazing job in post so that certainly helps."
"For Majorie it was two different versions," says Witt. "It was the real Marjorie who's taken a bit of whatever the hallucinogen is that is causing this effect and she doesn't like it. But she's also seeing the love of her life, her twin flame being consumed by something that she perceives as something so dark and so evil and so irretrievable that it's in direct collision with the man that she loves, the person she's gonna love for the rest of her life. That was easy to play because you can see that darkness in a person without a hallucinogen. It's just like a flash of intuition where you're like, 'Oh shit. That's not the person I thought they were.' That's kind of what's happening to her but multiplied."
"This is every day for Jack," says Bowman. "The guy was on everything. Amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, mushrooms..."
Witt addresses Bowman directly. "It was really cool watching you because I think you just instinctively assumed this role. It was beautiful to watch."
Season 2 of "Lore" premieres on Amazon Prime on October 19.
Watch the full "Lore" panel here:
With such a substantial amount of programming and exhibits to choose from at New York Comic Con, it's no wonder that the convention garners an increasingly high attendance rate with each passing year. Networks and studios will send films, television series, and any other content or merchandise to promote at the event. One such example of this is the "Good Omens" booth, set up for a fun, interactive experience to generate excitement among fans about the new series (as if a television series co-starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen, based on a book co-written by Neil Gaiman wasn't enticing enough).
When first you begin the experience, you wait for an elevator to take you to your destination. You enter and are greeted by a poshed-up elevator-man one would expect in an old-timey luxury hotel. The character is played and dressed to a tee, as he operates the buttons with gloved hands and informs those inside that we are to be judged on whether we've been good enough to make it to Heaven or Hell. Naturally, there's only destination and it's to go downward. But at least the elevator-man is kind enough to do a funny dance while we wait for the doors to open, to accompany the entirely necessary elevator-music.
Upon getting inside, those running the booth instruct us to go one at a time to stand on the artwork surrounded by candles so we can pose for photos. The first is designed so that we can choose a pose that will be in response to some light beaming down that's added through special software after the photo has been taken. The second pose each person takes is whatever they'd like it to be, independent of the premise of the first one.
"Good Omens" is an upcoming series based on the 1990 novel "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman is also responsible for writing the screenplay for the series. The cast is highly star-studded, including David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Anna Maxwell Martin, Jon Hamm, Josie Lawrence, Adria Arjona, Michael McKean, and Jack Whitehall. Tennant and Sheen portray Crowley (a demon) and Aziraphael (an angel) respectively, who serves as the representatives of Hell and Heaven on Earth. As they have grown accustomed to life on Earth, they will seek to prevent the coming of the antichrist and the consequently final battle between Heaven and Hell. The series is set to premiere on Amazon Prime in 2019, followed by a conventional airing on BBC Two in the United Kingdom.
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