YOUNG ADULT NOVEL “EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING” NOW A ROMANTIC FILM

Press release

Based on the bestselling book by Nicola Yoon comes Warner Bros. Pictures' new romantic drama Everything, Everything. The tells the unlikely love story of Maddy, a smart, curious and imaginative 18-year-old who due to an illness cannot leave the protection of the hermetically sealed environment within her house, and Olly, the boy next door who won’t let that stop them.

Everything, Everything stars Amandla Stenberg as Maddy and Nick Robinson as Olly, and also stars Ana de la Reguera and Anika Noni Rose.

“I wanted to import the whole book into the movie,” says director Stella Meghie. “There was just so much between Maddy and Olly, the little moments that I wanted to get in, like every text conversation. Nicola wrote something so funny and sweet and honest and even fantastical, and it was important to me that the film feel like that, too.”

Though her main characters are both 18, Nicola Yoon’s initial inspiration for the book came when she was a new mother. “I thought my daughter was going to eat dirt and catch a cold and all the things that moms are nervous about,” she confesses. “Then I started thinking about what life would be like for a girl who needed protection the way you protect an infant, but for her whole life. Next I switched from the mom’s perspective to the girl’s, thinking how a normal teenager wants to rebel against her parents, but what if you can’t, I mean really can’t?

“And then,” Yoon continues, “what if one day a super cute boy moves in next door and this girl’s whole life changes? Because super cute boys change everything all the time,” she smiles.

Producer Leslie Morgenstein offers, “Throughout the book and now the film, we experience things as Maddy does, so we meet Olly through Maddy’s point of view. We instantly feel her curiosity pique, and as she gets to know him, so do we. He’s a little bit dark, which is probably due to problems at home, but despite that, he’s funny and he has a big heart. He’s the spark that ignites within her this desire to get out of her house, to risk her life to have a chance at love.”

Scene photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Producer Elysa Dutton concurs. “I think this urgency for love really resonates for people, especially at the age these characters are. First love is so exciting, and for Maddy, she’s missed a lot of firsts so she’s not going to miss this. Even though she knows this is potentially a life-threatening decision, there’s no choice for her but to take this risk, to really live.”

“I think Stella’s love for Nicola’s book, and her incredible understanding of what is both mainstream and unique as a filmmaker, made her able to craft a tone in this movie,” actress Amandla Stenberg says. “It completely complements the book, but it’s its own thing, too.”

“I just feel that we can all relate to this story about testing your limits, about taking your shot at life. I definitely did,” Meghie relates. “And falling in love for the first time is beautiful to watch at any age. We’ve all been there…or will be.”

Opening across the Philippines on June 21, 2017, Everything, Everything distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select international territories by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.

THE WOMEN LIFEGUARDS OF “BAYWATCH” ARE READY TO MAKE WAVES

Press release

Three feisty women – Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach and Ilfenesh Hadera – play essential and iconic members of the Emerald Bay lifeguard team in Paramount Pictures’ big-screen reinvention of Baywatch (in Philippine cinemasMay 31, 2017).

Photo credit: UIP

Baywatch follows devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) as he butts heads with a brash new recruit (Zac Efron). Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.

Alexandra Daddario (San Andreas) plays hyper-competent aspiring lifeguard Summer Quinn. “Summer really gives Brody (Efron) a run for his money because she’s smart and tough and really bests him in every interaction,” director Seth Gordon explains.

“It was exciting to read a script with strong, distinct characters with their own personalities,” says Daddario. “I appreciated that every character gets an opportunity to be badass in their own way.”

Daddario was thrilled to reunite with Johnson, her San Andreas co-star. “It’s very cool to be able to say I’ve been in two movies with ‘The Rock,’” says Daddario. “Dwayne is one of the most genuine, kind and hardworking people I’ve ever met, and it’s a joy to work with him.”

“Alex is a fantastic actress and a beautiful person in every conceivable way,” praises Johnson. “She’s whip-smart and funny and always in on the joke.”

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kelly Rohrbach plays free-spirited C.J. Parker, the role made famous of the legendary Pamela Anderson. The character’s cultural significance was not lost on Rohrbach, a lifelong fan of the series.

“My sisters think it’s hilarious, because Baywatch was the only thing we watched growing up,” Rohrbach recounts. “One of my earliest memories is sucking my thumb and watching Baywatch. It’s such an iconic piece of pop culture. Everybody has a memory attached to it in one way or another, and I loved the script’s cheeky take on the series.”

Like Anderson before her, Rohrbach provides many of Baywatch’s famous slo-mo running scenes. “Something Seth came up with that I think is brilliant is whenever anyone sees C.J. running, she seems to be in slow motion,” says Flynn. “It’s one of the best remembered parts of the show, and I have no doubt they’re going to be some of the best remembered scenes of the movie.”

Ilfenesh Hadera (Showtime’s Billions) plays Stephanie Holden, Mitch’s highly regimented, by-the-book second in command.

“If Mitch is the group’s father figure, Stephanie would be their mom,” says Hadera. “She’s a little older, wiser and there to crack the whip, but also takes the less experienced lifeguards under her wing.”

“Like her character, Ilfenesh is tough and smart, and does her homework,” praises Gordon. “She’s a wonderful actress who I think is going to have a breakout year.”

Baywatch is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

JUDE LAW IN “KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD”

Press release

JUDE LAW STEALS THE THRONE IN “KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD”

British actor Jude Law plays the villain Vortigern with equal measures of dignity and desperation in Warner Bros. Pictures' new epic action-adventure King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (read my non-spoiler review here), in Philippine cinemas May 17, 2017.

Photo credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is the bold new story that introduces a streetwise young Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) who runs the back alleys of Londonium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur—and with it, his future.

Instantly challenged by the power of Excalibur, Arthur is forced to make some hard choices. Throwing in with the Resistance and a mysterious young woman named Guinevere (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey), he must learn to master the sword, face down his demons and unite the people to defeat the tyrant Vortigern (Law), who stole his crown and murdered his parents, and become King.

Law reveals, “Vortigern rules through fear. He’s purging the country of mages and the old ways in order to harness the control solely for himself. But the way he came to rule preys on his conscience, on his soul. It’s very dark and very twisted. And over time, he’s almost developed an addiction to the control, to his supremacy, so he’s a man wrestling with his inner devil, that devil being his own ego. It doesn’t matter that Arthur has no awareness of his own status; he’s a perceived threat to Vortigern’s delicate hold on the power he craves.”

Director Guy Ritchie notes, “We wanted Vortigern to be more than just a bad guy, and Jude isn’t a predictable choice for the villain. I had total faith in him and he gave us a really layered bad guy who you love to watch.”

Law adds, “Vortigern believes he is the righteous king, and he thinks Arthur, this peasant whippersnapper, can’t possibly bring anything to the throne. Within the reimagining of this mythology, the writers were clearly curious about the layers to this character, and for an actor, those were good discussions to have. That, and stomping around in armor with hundreds of soldiers and dogs and men on black horses, made this film truly fun to be a part of.”

Law worked with Hunnam several years prior, on the film Cold Mountain. Law recalls, “In that film, Charlie played the villain and I was the good guy! He’s a great actor, very collaborative, and has a solid work ethic.”

During filming on King Arthur, Hunnam became an even bigger fan of his co-star. “I think Jude is terrific, and I think his performance in this film is one of his best to date. He did sensational work.”

Opening across the Philippines on May 17, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. www.kingarthurmovie.com

"WONDER WOMAN" And STEVE TREVOR In One Poster

Press release

Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor joins Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in the main poster art for Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated “Wonder Woman,” in Philippine cinemas June 1, 2017.

Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” AMC’s “The Killing”).

Joining Gadot in the international cast are Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films), Robin Wright (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Netflix’s “House of Cards”), Danny Huston (“Clash of the Titans,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” films, “The Theory of Everything”), Connie Nielsen (Fox’s “The Following,” “Gladiator”), Elena Anaya (“The Skin I Live In”), Ewen Bremner (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Snowpiercer”), Lucy Davis (“Shaun of the Dead,” FX’s “Better Things”), Lisa Loven Kongsli (upcoming “Ashes in the Snow”), Eugene Brave Rock (AMC’s “Hell on Wheels”) and Saïd Taghmaoui (“American Hustle”).

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, raised on a sheltered island paradise and trained to be an unconquerable warrior. When an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat.  Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

Patty Jenkins directs the film from a screenplay by Allan Heinberg, story by Zack Snyder & Allan Heinberg and Jason Fuchs, based on characters from DC.  Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston.

The film is produced by Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder and Richard Suckle, with Stephen Jones, Geoff Johns, Jon Berg, Wesley Coller and Rebecca Steel Roven serving as executive producers.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Tencent Pictures, an Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual production, “Wonder Woman.”  The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

ROCKING THE GALAXY AT AYALA MALLS CINEMAS’ GREENBELT 3

Press release

Ayala Malls Cinemas, together with Disney Philippines, brought the latest out-of-this-world cinema experience during its recently concluded special invitational screening of Marvel Studios’ blockbuster sequel “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (read my non-spoiler review here) attended by celebrities, influencers and fans who also geared up as their favorite Guardians character.       

Jinri Park

                Spotted during the screening were Martin Nievera with son Ram Nievera; Inigo Pascual; The Voice Kids’  Kyle Echarri and Darren Espanto; Paolo Paraiso; Joross Gamboa; Lougee Basabas-Alejandro and Ali Alejandro; Yael Yuson and the rest of SpongeCola; YouTube stars Niana and Ranz Kyle Guerrero; Marie Lozano, Director Mark Reyes with Encantadia cast Pancho Magno, Max Collins, Ara San Agustin, Mikee Quintos, Phytos Ramirez and Carlo Gonzalez; RX 93.1’s Chico Garcia, Rica Garcia and Gino Quillamor; Niño Alejandro; Jillian Gatcheco-Cantada; Tracy Abad; Myx VJ Ai dela Cruz; Dawn Chang; Jinri Park; Isa Litton.

                Picking up where “Guardians of the Galaxy”—2014’s highest grossing film of the summer—left off, Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the action-packed, irreverent, epic space adventures of Peter Quill a.k.a Star-Lord and his gang of eccentric characters as they patrol and protect the universe, doing mercenary work in the wake of the popularity and fame they garnered from saving Xandar.

                Set at the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, the story follows the team as they fight to keep their newfound family together while traversing the outer reaches of the cosmos to unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.                                                                                                                   

                As a treat to valued movie patrons, Ayala Malls Cinemas hosted a Movie Fan Night at Glorietta 4, TriNoma, Solenad and MarQuee Mall. Fans got a limited-edition Groot figurine, popcorn & drinks as a special bundle to their movie tickets. Guardians of the Galaxy novelty items were also given away to some lucky fans who joined the movie trivia.

                Check out Ayala Malls Cinemas’ social pages - Ayala Malls Cinemas (Facebook), @iloveSureSeats (Twitter) and @iloveAyalaMallsCinemas (Instagram) for the latest promotions, schedule and updates of the latest movies in town.

                Experience it best at Ayala Malls Cinemas!

HEROISM AT ITS FINEST IN “DUNKIRK” OFFICIAL MAIN TRAILER

Press release

In Christopher Nolan's new epic film Dunkirk, when 400,000 men couldn’t get home, home came for them.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Watch Dunkirk's official main trailer at https://youtu.be/j8LQ0a0JQRg.

(The trailer may also be viewed at https://web.facebook.com/warnerbrosphils/videos/1657705537592314/.)

Nolan (Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy) directs Dunkirk from his own original screenplay, utilizing a mixture of IMAX® and 65mm film to bring the story to the screen.

Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

Dunkirk features a prestigious cast, including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy as well as newcomer Fionn Whitehead. The ensemble cast also includes Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, James D’Arcy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan and Tom Glynn-Carney.

Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing Dunkirk worldwide and has slated the film for a July 20, 2017 release in the Philippines.

HORROR FAN-FAVORITE JAMES WAN TO PRODUCE NEW LINE'S “THE NUN”

Press release

Corin Hardy Directs Latest in The Conjuring Universe

BURBANK, CA – May 3, 2017 – Filmmaker James Wan, director of the record-setting horror hits “The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2,” explores another dark corner of that universe with New Line Cinema’s “The Nun.”

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Helmed by award-winning director Corin Hardy (“The Hallow”), the new fright-fest has begun production on location in Romania. It will be produced by Wan through his Atomic Monster production company, along with Peter Safran, who has produced all of the films in “The Conjuring” franchise. “The Nun” is set for release on July 13, 2018.

When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in “The Conjuring 2,” as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

“The Nun” stars Oscar nominated Demian Bichir (“A Better Life”) as Father Burke, Taissa Farmiga (TV’s “American Horror Story”) as Sister Irene, Jonas Bloquet (“Elle”) as local villager Frenchie, Charlotte Hope (TV’s “Game of Thrones”) as the abbey’s Sister Victoria, Ingrid Bisu (“Toni Erdmann”) as Sister Oana, and Bonnie Aarons, reprising her “Conjuring 2” role as the title character.

Wan’s Atomic Monster slate includes “Annabelle” and “Lights Out,” as well as the upcoming “Annabelle: Creation,” with Wan serving as producer on all. Co-creator of the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises, Wan directed the worldwide hit “Furious 7,” and is next set to helm the highly anticipated feature “Aquaman.”

Safran also produced the sequel “Annabelle: Creation,” opening August 10th and is producing “Aquaman.”

Hardy will direct “The Nun” from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman (upcoming “It”), story by Dauberman & James Wan.

Serving as executive producers are Gary Dauberman and Todd Williams, with Michael Clear as co-producer.

Joining Hardy behind the scenes are director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Voices,” upcoming “Annabelle: Creation”), production designer Jennifer Spence (“Lights Out,” the “Insidious” films), editor Michel Aller (“Lights Out,” “Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension”), and costume designer Sharon Gilham (TV’s “Black Mirror”).

“The Nun” is a New Line Cinema presentation, an Atomic Monster / Safran Company production, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.