In a new profile in The Hollywood Reporter, Scott recalls a meeting with Disney after the entertainment giant acquired Fox. Scott had a long history of collaborating with Fox, but Disney wanted to take their partnership in a different direction. And the Oscar winner was not interested. Scott directed some of the most iconic science fiction films of all time, but apparently, fantasy was a bridge too far for the 84-year-old filmmaker....

On paper, the single location and dialogue-driven scenario readymade for the stage. Yet writer and director Sarah Polley, with her first feature in a decade, has transformed Toews’ novel into an absorbing ensemble piece informed as much by the power of the close-ups of the women as it is by their debate. Polley made the successful transition from celebrated actress to filmmaker years ago, having garnered an Oscar nomination for her 2006 directorial debut “Away from Her,” but that movie and 2012 romantic drama “Take This Waltz” were both two-handers....

“This kid named Leonardo DiCaprio was the only one who nailed the audition,” Stone wrotes, mentioning she auditioned a handful of teen actors for the role of The Kid. “In my opinion he was the only one who came in and cried, begging his father to love him as he died in the scene.” Stone recalls the studio telling her, “Why an unknown, Sharon, why are you always shooting yourself in the foot?...

In describing this achievement, expect to see a record use of the word “record,” especially after the initial showing for “West Side Story.” The word would be a tonic to show that theaters have a bright future. Estimates range from $120 million-$200 million. It opens on a weekend that has become one of the year’s most important: Before 2015 and the “Star Wars” franchise reboot “The Force Awakens,” blockbusters often waited until December 25 or avoided the competitive Christmas season entirely....

Initially reported via The Hollywood Reporter, Rae will be providing the voice for Jessica Drew, otherwise known as one of the earliest Spider-Man spin-off characters, Spider-Woman. Rae’s name is the first new performer to be attached to the sequel. Both Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld will return as main character Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen, respectively. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, as well as David Callaham, will be the credited screenwriters with Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K....

On Friday, December 17, HBO Max released the first three episodes of its dynamite limited series “Station Eleven.” The cast is populated largely with relative unknowns and a few familiar faces, including Gael García Bernal (“Mozart in the Jungle”) and Mackenzie Davis (“Halt and Catch Fire”). But in Episode 3, “Hurricane,” a supporting player takes center stage and serves as the catalyst for the core story the series aims to tell....

On the historical drama front, “The Great” (Hulu) finally broke through in Season 2 with an impressive win for period costumes, while “Bridgerton” (Netflix) took period hairstyling, and “The Gilded Age” (HBO Max) earned period/fantasy production design. On the downside, Marvel’s mind-bending “Moon Knight” only managed one win (sound editing), while the time-bending “Loki” was shut out. On the animation front, “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” (Disney+) became the first-ever animated film to win Television Movie, while Netflix took Animated Program honors for first-time streaming winner “Arcane” and Short Form once again for “Love Death + Robots....