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 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

Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins join ‘Wonka’ as UK shoot starts

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Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson and Sally Hawkins have joined Warner Bros’ Wonka as production got underway in the UK on Wednesday (September 29).

The trio join Timothée Chalamet in the lead role as Willy Wonka in the studio’s Roald Dahl spin-off. New cast include Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Tom Davis, Simon Farnaby, Rich Fulcher, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Paterson Joseph, Keegan-Michael Key, Colin O’Brien, Natasha Rothwell, Rakhee Thakrar and Ellie White.

Paul King of the Paddington films directs and Harry Potter universe producer David Heyman produces alongside Luke Kelly, who produced the recent feature adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches as well as the upcoming Matilda, and Alexandra Derbyshire, who was executive on the Paddington films.

Wonka takes place prior to events in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and imagines the origins of the young inventor. King wrote the screenplay with Paddington 2 co-writer Farnaby (with prior writers including Simon Rich, Simon Stephenson, Jeff Nathanson, and Steven Levenson). Michael Siegel and Rosie Alison are executive producers.

Wonka is scheduled to open on March 17, 2023. Warner Bros handles global distribution.

Source: screendaily.com – Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins join ‘Wonka’ as UK shoot starts

Olivia Colman and Matt Lucas join forces for exciting GOSH initiative

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Comedian Matt Lucas and actress Olivia Colman have joined forces with Great Ormond Street Hospital’s play team to launch their new Power of Play hub – a new free online activity resource for children.

The hub came about following research by GOSH Charity, which discovered that two thirds (66%) of parents polled were concerned that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on how children play will have long-term impacts on their child’s wellbeing.

Three-quarters (74%) of parents said that play has “helped their child cope” as the world around them has changed beyond recognition.

The Power of Play hub provides an outlet for children to express themselves and their emotions, with brand new stories, audio recordings, activities and ideas that use play to help children (and their parents) cope with all types of childhood challenges.

Actress Olivia Colman voices a TV advert to support the campaign, while Little Britain star Matt Lucas narrates a poem featuring Tweedledee and Tweedledum about the pair being separated due to illness.

Matt Lucas said: “What is Tweedledee without Tweedledum? As we discover in this beautiful new poem, he is worried and anxious at being far away from his much-loved brother. It was a moving experience to step back into the characters of Dee and Dum once more, and share their feelings with other children and parents who might have struggled with being far away from their loved ones, especially during the last 18 months.

“I hope the raucous, playful game that Alice introduces them to in this poem will inspire parents and children alike to turn to play as a way of coping during times of sadness.”

The online hub also has a new Peter Pan story, in which Peter feels lonely but Tinker Bell devises a game to give Peter the confidence he needs to tackle his worries and make new friends.

Beano fans will gain support from the website’s exclusive comic, where Dennis and Gnasher use play and pranks to come to terms with a cancer diagnosis. And there’s new animation of Hey Duggee, who uses play to help Frog when her new siblings arrive, and things feel different.

Coming soon to the hub in October is a new Horrid Henry animation and an audiobook from CBeebies’ JoJo & Gran Gran.

The free animations, audiobooks and activities are designed to help parents and children deal with themes including loss, loneliness, sadness, illness and isolation, which many children have experienced during the pandemic.

Laura Walsh, Head of Play at Great Ormond Street Hospital says: “Play is a superpower at the fingertips of all children, and it’s especially important at times of change or worry, when building our children’s resilience can help them to cope with life’s challenges.

“While the last 18 months have seen children adapt to circumstances none of us could have imagined, this September they’ll also have the ordinary childhood experiences likes starting school and making new friends.

“Using our years of experience as play specialists at GOSH, we have teamed up with GOSH Charity and some much-loved children’s characters to create our Power of Play hub and bring to life the transformative power of play. We’re really proud to offer parents free, trustworthy, practical tips and resources to help their children embrace play to overcome their worries and discover all that life has to offer them.”

Source: hellomagazine.com – Olivia Colman and Matt Lucas join forces for exciting GOSH initiative

Olivia Colman among stars making Cameo videos to raise money for Afghan refugees

Olivia Colman in Stella McCartney. Photo: AFP

UK charity Choose Love has banded together a group of celebrities to raise money for Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban.

A host of stars, including Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, Game of Thrones stars Lena Headey and Wilf Scolding, author Dolly Alderton, Bastille singer-songwriter Dan Smith, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan and TV presenter Ben Fogle, have joined the charity and personalised video platform Cameo. They will donate 100 per cent of their videos’ profits to the non-governmental organisation.

Fans will be able to buy custom video messages from each of the stars, with Colman selling clips from $750. Coughlan’s start at $500 and Headey’s $325. Also on board are Homeland star Nazanin Boniadi and James McVey of The Vamps, both with videos going from $100.

“We are so excited to be partnering with Cameo and some of our favourite supporters, who will bring you exclusive personalised video messages for you or your loved ones! And we can’t wait to share with you the rest of the supporters who are also joining,” Choose Love wrote on Instagram.

“All proceeds will go to support projects providing vital aid and services to Afghan people who have fled the country, such as clothes, shelter, support for children and groups protecting women and children’s rights.”

You can opt to pay more than the stated amount, if you wish to donate more money.

Choose Love is a UK NGO, which advocates for and provides humanitarian aid to refugees around the world.

The charity’s target was £250,000 ($340,630) and at the time of writing, it had raised £259,342.95.

Source: thenationalnews.com – Olivia Colman among stars making Cameo videos to raise money for Afghan refugees