Motion Picture: O’Shea Jackson Jr. To Build ‘Den Of Thieves’ Franchise, Colman Domingo To Star in ‘The Running Man’
O’Shea Jackson Jr. - Alexander Tamargo
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: O’Shea Jackson Jr. is back in action with Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, now in theaters via Lionsgate. The sequel sees Jackson Jr.’s Donnie teaming up with Gerard Butler’s Big Nick for a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist. Packed with intense stunts and a compelling bromance, Jackson Jr. credits his tactical training and chemistry with Butler for bringing authenticity to the film. Reflecting on his career, he aspires to build the Thieves franchise to rival juggernauts like Fast & Furious. Beyond the big screen, Jackson Jr. is eyeing voiceover work, anime projects, and indie films while balancing life as a dad and hosting a wrestling podcast.
The New York City premiere of Cameron Diaz’s comeback film Back in Action was canceled due to the Los Angeles fires, Netflix announced, citing concern for those affected. Diaz, returning after an 11-year acting hiatus, stars alongside Jamie Foxx in the spy action comedy, set to premiere on Netflix on Jan. 17. The fires have also disrupted several other events, including LA premieres, award luncheons, and extended Oscar nomination voting deadlines, with the nominations now set for Jan. 19 and the Oscars hosted by Conan O’Brien on March 2.
Colman Domingo has been cast as the host of the dangerous game show in Paramount and Edgar Wright's The Running Man, joining Glen Powell in the titular role. The reimagining of Stephen King’s 1982 novel, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, also stars Josh Brolin, Karl Glusman, Katy O’Brian, and Daniel Ezra, with a release date set for November 7, 2025. While the 1987 adaptation with Arnold Schwarzenegger featured an iconic host played by Richard Dawson, Wright’s version shifts focus to Brolin’s TV exec as the primary villain, though Domingo’s role remains pivotal. Wright is co-writing with Michael Bacall and producing alongside Nira Park and Simon Kinberg. Domingo, acclaimed for Rustin and his Emmy-winning performance in Euphoria, continues a standout year, adding this role to recent projects like Sing Sing, Netflix’s The Madness, and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film.
Cara Jade Myers takes the spotlight in Day of Reckoning, a western produced by Ali Afshar’s ESX Entertainment. Directed by Shaun Silva, the film follows Myers as Emily Rouse, a notorious outlaw who becomes the target of lawman John Dorsey (Zach Roerig) and U.S. Marshal Butch Hayden (Billy Zane). As the story unfolds, Emily and John must join forces to survive against her husband's dangerous gang, creating a tense and gripping narrative. Day of Reckoning marks ESX Entertainment's 25th film, continuing the company's impressive legacy of hits on streaming platforms. The film is produced by Afshar, Christina Moore, Daniel Aspromonte, and Don Lepore.
Jon m. chu - John Shearer
Comedy/Dramady/Musical: The title of the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, has sparked mixed reactions since its December reveal, but director Jon M. Chu defends the change, emphasizing it reflects the film's thematic destination, unlike the generic “Part Two.” Referencing the iconic Broadway song performed by Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), Chu explained it was always labeled For Good in the script. At the National Board of Review Awards gala, the Wicked team received the best film honor, with Chu awarded best director. Stars Erivo and Grande also earned a spotlight award for their collaboration, highlighting their mutual trust and artistic partnership. The film, which has become the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history, continues to captivate audiences with its sing-along screenings and cultural impact.
RaMell Ross - Dan Steinberg
Drama: RaMell Ross’ Nickel Boys adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel with a visceral, experimental approach, telling the story of Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson) as they endure the horrors of a reform school. Shot in Louisiana but set in 1960s Florida, the film combines naturalistic production design by Nora Mendis, who emphasized historical accuracy and subtle details, with Jomo Fray’s innovative cinematography, creating a “sentient image” that immerses viewers in the boys’ perspectives. The visuals shift between Elwood’s real-time experiences and Turner’s fragmented memories, with nuanced design elements like clock faces missing hands to symbolize the distortions of trauma. Through meticulous detail and bold storytelling, the film captures resilience amidst systemic injustice.
Yessi Sanchez - Unique Nicole / Stringer
Industry Update: Independent producers Yessi Sanchez, Floriane Andersen, Marianne Bourg, and Nina Seul have launched Artak Pictures, a U.S.-based production company aiming to elevate fresh voices and innovation in entertainment. Rooted in France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany, the quartet plans to debut three films in 2025: Julia Stiles' romantic drama Wish You Were Here, Julie Pacino's psychological thriller I Live Here Now, and Millicent Hailes' Perfect. Artak is also developing projects like the period drama Wilde Versus England, the thriller Adverse Effects, and the drama Baby Moon. The company’s mission is to bridge U.S. and European cinema, focusing on empowering underrepresented voices and reshaping global storytelling.
ROUNDTABLE
Directors Roundtable: RaMell Ross is an accomplished filmmaker and photographer known for his work that blends documentary storytelling with artful visual compositions. His most prominent work is the 2018 documentary Hale County This Morning, This Evening, which explores life in Hale County, Alabama, and captures the complexities of Black life in the rural South. Ross is an advocate for the idea that documentary filmmaking can transcend traditional forms by giving the camera a sense of agency, allowing it to become an "organ" that brings life to the subjects it captures.
There’s something about the documentary genre that predisposes you to truth. When you watch a doc, you’re like, 'I’m encountering truth.'
I tried to situate a certain type of Black aesthetics, a certain type of open poetic image in this space of truth. Because when someone sees this image that's strategically ambiguous, you don't really know what's happening, you're forced to complete the image with your imagination. Then you go out into the world and see the world with that same ambiguity.
Actors on Actor: Saldaña reflects on the journey that led her to the project Emilia Pérez and highlights the importance of challenging herself artistically. She describes how, after being involved in large-scale successful films like Avatar, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy, she was searching for new ways to stretch her creative abilities. She was initially hesitant about the role, especially considering her lack of Mexican heritage and musical experience, but her passion and connection with director Jacques Audiard ultimately led her to accept the challenge.
Reflecting on her decision to embrace this challenge, Saldaña says
I’ve always been a little bit cynical about the relationship that we have with the universe, and yet the universe has always been talking to me directly whenever I’ve sought direct advice and guidance.
Saldaña also praises Audiard’s vision for the film, highlighting his ability to depict the complexity of the women in the story.
He wasn't afraid of how complex they were, and these are women with really damaged lives — very fragile, very desperate. And yet they were deserving of love. They were deserving of freedom on their journey.
