Chlöe Bailey, Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson to Star in Adaptation of Bob Dylan Musical ‘Girl From the North Country’

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Chlöe Bailey, Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson will lead a big screen adaptation of “Girl From the North Country,” a Broadway musical featuring Bob Dylan songs.

Conor McPherson, the playwright behind the stage show, is writing and directing the film. “Girl From the North Country” uses Dylan’s expansive music library — including “Forever Young,” “All Along the Watchtower” and “Like a Rolling Stone” — to score a Depression-era story about Midwesterners who cross paths at a turning point in their lives. Despite positive reviews, the musical struggled to sell tickets in its post-COVID run and closed after its months-long stint on Broadway.

Blueprint Pictures is backing the film, with executives Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin serving as producers. CAA Media Finance will represent the film’s domestic sales with Rocket Science launching international sales at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival. 

Based in 1934 in Duluth, Minn., during the Great Depression, “Girl From the North Country” centers on a group of wayward travelers as their lives intersect in a guesthouse. Things are spiraling out of control for proprietor Nick Laine (Harrelson), whose wife Elizabeth (Colman) is suffering from dementia. All the while, the bank is foreclosing on their home and their adopted daughter Marianne (Bailey) has a closely guarded secret that no one can explain. But when an escaped convict Joe Scott (Tosin Cole) seeks shelter at the guesthouse, a relationship develops between Marianne and Joe that will change everything for everyone forever.

The musical originated at the Old Vic in London and had an off-Broadway run in 2018 at the Public Theater before transferring to Broadway. It has since played in the West End, Toronto and Australia.

“Girl From the North Country” comes with Dylan’s stamp of approval.

“To be associated with Conor is one of the highlights of my professional life,” he said in a statement. “It goes without saying the man is a genius for putting this thing together and I’m thrilled to be a part of the experience. My songs couldn’t be in better hands. The play had me crying at the end. I can’t even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was.”

McPherson called it a privilege to bring Dylan’s songs to life.

“Having Bob Dylan’s trust to create a story using his incomparable songs is a huge privilege which has brought nothing but joy to my world,” said McPherson. “But working with this incredible cast to bring these characters to life is almost beyond imagining. I’m also especially thrilled to be working with Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and the whole Blueprint team who have given cinema audiences some of the greatest movies of recent times.”

Bailey is best known as one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle and for her work on ABC’s sitcom “Grown-ish” and “Black-ish.” She recently appeared in the feature film “Jane,” starring Melissa Leo.  Bailey will next be seen in Will Packer and Tim Story’s film “Praise This,” as well as the Amazon Prime Video series “Swarm” from Donald Glover.

Colman, the Oscar and Emmy winning actor of “The Favourite” and “The Crown,” most recently starred in the Sam Mendes drama “Empire of Light.” In film, she appears next in the musical “Wonka” alongside Timothée Chalamet, as well as Thea Sharrock’s “Wicked Little Letters With Jessie Buckley.” On television, Colman will act in “Great Expectations” and “Secret Invasion.” 

Harrelson was recently seen in the Ruben Östlund Palme d’Or-winning satire “Triangle of Sadness.” He has been nominated for three Oscars, most recently for Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” He also has nine Emmys for his work on “True Detective” and “Cheers.” Up next, he’s starring in the Special Olympics comedy “Champions.”

Bailey is repped by CAA. Cole is represented by CAA, Curtis Brown Group, Sherpa Management and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Colman is repped by CAA, United Agents and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Harrelson is represented by 7 Deuce Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham. McPherson is repped by Curtis Brown Group.

Source: variety.com – Chlöe Bailey, Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson to Star in Adaptation of Bob Dylan Musical ‘Girl From the North Country’

‘Empire Of Light’ Set As BFI London Film Festival Gala Screening

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The 66th BFI London Film Festival has set Empire Of Light, the latest film from Sam Mendes, as its American Express Gala screening.

Starring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward (Blue Story, Top Boy), and Colin Firth, the film will receive its European Premiere on Wednesday, October 12 at the Southbank Centre in the Royal Festival Hall. Mendes will attend the screening with Producer Pippa Harris alongside key cast members, including Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Michael Ward, and Toby Jones.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be included in this year’s BFI London Film Festival as the AMEX Gala screening. Empire of Light is a very personal movie for me, and I can’t wait to show it in my hometown,” Mendes said in a statement.

The film will mark Mendes’s first solo screenwriting credit and reunites the director with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins whom he worked with on 1917 and Skyfall.

In a statement, Tricia Tuttle, BFI London Film Festival Director, added: “When I read that Sam Mendes’ next project was centred around a cinema, I was so excited about the possibility of being able to present it in the BFI London Film Festival. Mendes is a masterful storyteller and here vividly captures a sense of the South coast of England, in the 1980s. Empire of Light explores the importance of community, the power of storytelling and of the movies, specifically the thrill of watching a film in a dark cinema, and the tactile pleasures of celluloid. And these are themes so close to our hearts at the BFI.”

Empire of Light is produced by Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris’ Neal Street Productions, in partnership with Searchlight Pictures. The film will release theatrically in the US on December 9 following its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September and in the UK on January 13.

The 66th BFI London Film Festival runs in partnership with American Express and takes place October 5-15, 2022.

Source: deadline.com – ‘Empire Of Light’ Set As BFI London Film Festival Gala Screening

Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Luke Evans to Star in Netflix Animated Film ‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’

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Olivia Colman (“Landscapers”), Jessie Buckley (“Men”) and Luke Evans (“Crossing Swords”) will voice parts in Netflix’s CG animated feature “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol.”

The film is a supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas story. With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. Evans voices Scrooge, Colman voices the Ghost of Christmas Past, Buckley Isabel Fezziwig, Johnny Flynn Bob Cratchit, Fra Fee Harry Huffam), Giles Terera Tom Jenkins, Trevor Dion Nicholas the Ghost of Christmas Present, James Cosmo Mr. Fezziwig, and Jonathan Pryce voices Jacob Marley.

The film is directed by Stephen Donnelly (“Monster High: Welcome to Monster High”) and features re-imagined songs from the late two-time Oscar and Grammy winner Leslie Bricusse (“Doctor Dolittle,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Superman,” “Home Alone”). The songs are arranged and produced by Jeremy Holland-Smith, who has also provided the original score.

Donnelly said: “It’s been a fascinating challenge to adapt such a beloved and often-told story. I think this version will give those who know ‘A Christmas Carol’ all the things they expect, but not as they’ve experienced them before. There are more than enough psychedelic, time-travelling and musical surprises to keep those familiar with the story on the edge of their seats, while the authentic essence of Dickens has been retained for those coming completely fresh to the classic tale. I can’t wait to share this new version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with the world and sincerely hope audiences embrace it this year and for many to come.”

The streamer revealed a raft of European animated titles last month, of which “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol” is one. The film will bow on Netflix in December.

source: variety.com – Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Luke Evans to Star in Netflix Animated Film ‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’

First look at The Crown’s Olivia Colman in new movie as release date is confirmed

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Olivia Colman, star of The CrownHeartstopper and many, many other things, has a new film on the way, and a first-look image and its release date have just been revealed.

Joyride stars the actress as a solicitor named Joy who, alongside a baby, finds herself in the back seat of a taxi that’s been hijacked by a 12 year old boy. The boy in question, Mully, had a wad of cash with him and is desperate to get as far away from his father as possible.

But as this unlikely pair journey across Ireland, the dramatic circumstances of their meeting slowly give way to a growing friendship between them, as they help each discover what they were both missing in their lives.

Emer Reynolds, director of documentaries like Songs for While I’m Away and editor of films like My Name is Emily, got behind the camera for this film, which releases in cinemas on July 29.

Despite appearing in countless films and TV shows, Colman admitted last year that there is one aspect to acting that still terrifies her: live performance.

“I worry that as I get older and slightly more recognisable then all these people will watch when you f**k it up and say: ‘We went to see that person we have seen on the telly; not that good on stage,'” she said. “I think I’ve built it up so much. I did love it. I need to get over it.

“The moment just before the lights go down: ‘I f**king hate this job, I f**king hate myself and I’m going to vomit or wee and suddenly you are on stage. It’s an awful feeling.”

As it turns out, Colman did actually have such an accident on stage once, so you could say her fear was justified.

Joyride will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland July 29, 2022.

Source: digitalspy.com – First look at The Crown’s Olivia Colman in new movie as release date is confirmed

Costumes from multi-award-winner The Favourite go on display at Blenheim Palace

A collection of costumes, made by esteemed British designer Sandy Powell for the 2019 film The Favourite, have gone on display at Blenheim Palace as part of a new exhibition, ‘Battlefields & Baroque’, a retrospective celebrating the life of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. 

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The pieces, which are historical representations of period dress made with modern fabrics, will be held at the residency for the public to enjoy until 19 June. 

Powell, who has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design 15 times, winning three awards for the films Shakespeare in Love (1998), The Aviator (2004), and The Young Victoria (2009), chose the monochrome style of black and white for the court characters in The Favourite, in order to differentiate them from the outside world. 

The film, which was based on Queen Anne’s escapades at court, starred Olivia Colman as the monarch (who won an Oscar for her performance) and Rachel Weisz as Sarah, 1st Duchess of Marlborough, alongside Mark Gatiss as Churchill. 

Queen Anne gifted the duke his title following his victories over Louis XIV in 1697, which ‘forever changed the face of Europe’. However, the duke fell out of favour with the sovereign due to his supposed scheming at court, and was exiled from the country, only to return safely after her death in 1714. 

According to letters and diaries accumulated from the period, Churchill married his wife Sarah for love, despite the traditional concept of marriage as being largely a business transaction aimed at optimising power and wealth. 

The costumes will be displayed alongside 18th-century armour, instruments, maps, documents and artefacts from the Blenheim archive. 

The palace, which is the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of ‘palace’, is currently the stately seat owned by the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

The exhibition will run from now until 19 June 2022. For more information visit blenheimpalace.com

Source: tatler.com – Costumes from multi-award-winner The Favourite go on display at Blenheim Palace 

Olivia Colman’s metallic Dior Oscars dress took 200 hours to make

The 2022 Oscars, which took place last night at the Dolby Theatre in LA, marked a welcome return to the ceremony in its full glory, after a smaller, socially distanced event was held last year.

Naturally, the annual Academy Awards calls for some high-octane glamour, and Olivia Colman was one of the stars to embrace high-shine metallics on the Oscars red carpet last night. The actress stepped out wearing a silver pleated lamé Dior gown, custom-made for her by womenswear creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri.

The elegant dress featured a high neck and belted waist, with theatrical exaggerated flared sleeves. It had a team of four people working on the intricate design, and took a total of 200 hours to construct and finish.

Colman’s longtime stylist, Miranda Almond, collaborated with Dior on the bespoke design, which took inspiration from the brand’s Grecian-themed Cruise 2022 collection.

“The idea was to create something that would float down the carpet and feel super light, yet have an old-school glamour element,” Almond tells us, of the dress. “[I wanted to] help Olivia shine.”

The pair have been working together for years, so much so that Almond now intuitively knows what the actress will love and look good in.

“It’s so nice to know instinctively what will work and what won’t, but to push it in new but subtle ways sometimes,” she explains, adding that when dressing a client for the red carpet she’s always aiming to create “something magical that doesn’t overwhelm the wearer. She has to feel comfortable but special and glamorous and empowered.”

Naturally, this meant that Colman loved the gown the second she tried it on. “It made her glow from the first fitting,” says the stylist.

They added glittering Chopard jewellery as the perfect finishing touch – in the form of delicate droplet earrings and matching diamond rings.

Colman had been nominated in the Leading Actress category for the 2022 Academy Awards, thanks to her performance in The Lost Daughter. Despite losing out to Jessica Chastain, the actress looked in high spirits, later attending one of the many after-parties with her husband, Ed Sinclair.

Source: harpersbazaar.com – Olivia Colman’s metallic Dior Oscars dress took 200 hours to make

Olivia Coleman dazzles at the Oscars in a floor-length metallic silver gown

Best actress nominee Olivia Coleman looked stunning in a metallic silver pleated gown as she graced the red carpet at the Oscars 2022.

The Oscar-winning actress, who was nominated for her role in The Lost Daughter this year, turned heads in the floor-length number by Dior.

The gown had a high neckline, a flowing A-line skirt, and a flattering marked waist thanks to a thin silver belt.

It came complete with dramatic flute sleeves in a look that was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour. Ed Sinclair, her husband since 2001, joined her on the red carpet.

To compliment the glitz, the actress wore stunning diamond chandelier earrings by Chopard.

The 94th annual Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Olivia Coleman was nominated for her leading role in The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, but the accolade was won by Jessica Chastain for her role in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, later in the evening.

The much-celebrated actress previously took home the best actress award in 2019 for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite.

It wasn’t just Olivia’s outfit that conjured up images of classic Hollywood glamour.

Nicole Kidman walked the red carpet in a stunning, custom-made designer gown to mark her best actress nomination for her role in Being the Ricardos. While Judi Dench stunned in an all white ensemble as she attended the event.

However, hearts were stolen by Jamie Lee Curtis’ very special guest, an adorable puppy.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com – Olivia Coleman dazzles at the Oscars in a floor-length metallic silver gown

Olivia Colman to star in BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations

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Olivia Colman is to appear in the BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel Great Expectations, playing the role of wealthy spinster Miss Havisham.

The Oscar-winning actor 48, will star in the six-part series chronicling the life of an orphan named Pip.

The cast will also feature Fionn Whitehead as Pip, alongside Ashley Thomas, Johnny Harris, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Hayley Squires, Owen McDonnell, Trystan Gravelle and Matt Berry.

The Bafta-winning writer Steven Knight created the series, which will be executive produced by the team behind the BBC’s 2019 adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Lucy Forbes, who previously worked on BBC series This Is Going to Hurt, will act as lead director with Mark Kinsella as producer. Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol are the first two in a series of adaptations of Dickens’ novels that have been commissioned by the BBC and FX Productions.

Great Expectations, published in 1861, was initially released as a series of weekly chapters before it was published as a novel.

Martita Hunt played the role of Miss Havisham in the 1946 film version.

Source: theguardian.com – Olivia Colman to star in BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations