Filming is now underway in Los Angeles on Fox Searchlight’s Battle of the Sexes starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell. The film revisits the battle on court and in the media between tennis greats Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, with Emma Stone tackling the role of the legendary Billie Jean King and Steve Carell playing Bobby Riggs. The Little Miss Sunshine filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are directing from a script by Slumdog Millionaire‘s Simon Beaufoy. Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, and Robert Graf are on board as producers.
The cast also includes Elisabeth Shue, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming, Andrea Riseborough, Eric Christian Olsen, Natalie Morales, Austin Stowell, Wallace Langham, Jessica McNamee, Mickey Sumner, and Bill Pullman.
“If all men and women worked as well together as Jon Dayton and Valerie Faris,” stated Boyle and Colson, “the world would be a more harmonious place. Together with Emma, Steve and the rest of our fabulous cast they are the perfect team to realize Simon Beaufoy’s brilliant ballad of Billie and Bobby–the perfect odd couple.”
“The irony isn’t lost on us that we are a husband-and-wife team directing the Battle of the Sexes. As soon as we read Simon’s script we knew we had to make this film. We feel so fortunate to have gathered such an amazing group of artists, both behind and in front of camera,” added Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
The Battle of the Sexes Plot: The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Stone) and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Carell) was billed as the BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The match caught the zeitgeist and sparked a global conversation on gender equality, spurring on the feminist movement. Trapped in the media glare, King and Riggs were on opposites sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. With a supportive husband urging her to fight the Establishment for equal pay, the fiercely private King was also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy and reputation in a bid to relive the glories of his past. Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animated the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.
After a glitch that found Sony’s teaser reel screening minus any audio (it was eventually corrected), Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman launched the studio’s CinemaCon presentation by saying they’ve doubled down on their film output with their slate reflecting both familiarity and freshness. Rothman said Sony’s slate has films with high name recognition, kicking off the presentation with the first look at Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
Directed by Life of Pi‘s Ang Lee, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk will be something “different from what we have seen before, but it will prove powerful,” explained Rothman. The film is a story of individual and collective bravery with parts of the war footage utilizing ultra high frame rate, giving the audience a real feel for the contrast between the intensity of war and Billy’s home life. After pointing that out Rothman was quick to add, “But technology is always second to story.” Sony then showed off some incredible footage from the film and although the effects were unfinished, the footage really grabbed our attention.
Next up was a preview of Passengers, the sci-fi/action/drama/romance starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. Rothman said the film’s script was as compelling as anything he’s ever read and he knew the project would require exceptional actors. Complimenting Lawrence, Rothman called her authentic and powerful, adding that she and Pratt are “sexy as hell together” in Passengers.
Pratt and Lawrence then joined Rothman on stage, with Lawrence explaining that in the film her character, a writer, goes on a 120 year journey to another planet. Pratt’s character, Jim, is also along for the ride. Jim’s a mechanic who fixes things but he became obsolete on Earth so he’s traveling to a new world and hopefully a new future where he can feel useful again. Reading from the teleprompter, Lawrence and Pratt both tried out the line, “They couldn’t be more opposite!” before deciding to quit using the teleprompter and just go for it. Pratt told the National Association of Theatres Owners members in the audience to stock up on goodies and sodas because they’ll need them when Passengers hits theaters later this year. He then dropped the mic after finishing up that joke, dropping the microphone on Jennifer Lawrence’s foot. Unfinished footage was screened and the on screen chemistry between Lawrence and Pratt was palpable. The footage showed the sci-fi effects aren’t going to overpower the story, and there was even whistling from the audience in response to the preview footage.
Rothman got in a quick swipe at a competitor after the footage screened. “I see that and I think to myself, let’s see Netflix do that.”
Rory Bruer, President of Worldwide Distribution, took over the hosting job, saying that audiences are more diverse and discerning than ever before. He then showed off a little Trainspotting 2 teaser with the full cast reuniting with director Danny Boyle (filming starts in May). Quick clips also followed of Baby Driver from Edgar Wright as well as more from Money Monster with Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Caitriona Balfe, and Jack O’Connell.
Kristine Belso, President of Sony Pictures Animation, then spoke about the new Nativity animated film that will be told from the point of view of the animals and will feature a donkey as the unsung hero. Smurfs: The Lost Village returns the weird blue creatures to a fully animated film in which they’ll have a big adventure in a lush world, with Demi Lovato voicing Smurfette. The Emoji Movie will arrive in August 2017 and will feature the secret world inside of our smart phones. Emojis from the text app will venture into the world of the wallpapers, with each icon becoming a unique world. Streaming music is literally a stream of music, etc… The animated slate also includes Hotel Transylvania 3 (September 2018) which will find the creatures traveling the globe on an adventure, but it will still maintain its focus on a multi-generational family.
Then it was time for the Ghostbusters cast to show they’re not afraid of ghosts or of NATO members. Director Paul Feig handled the interview duties, asking the film’s stars – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon – about their characters. McCarthy says she believes in ghosts because she grew up on a farm and didn’t have any friends other than ghosts to talk to. McKinnon’s happy about her character because it channels her “lifelong love of taking stuff apart.” Wiig joked she went back to college to learn about particles and chemicals, which led to Feig throwing in that the cast has great chemistry. “I love an underdog story. I love when unlikely people become heroes,” said McCarthy about her involvement in the project. Jones said putting the Ghostbusters suit on made it real for her, and she felt badass in the costume. McKinnon added, “I was so relieved there was room for my crotch to breathe all summer.” Sony then screened the first scene from the film which involved Wiig getting slimed. A lengthy trailer also played showing more of Chris Hemsworth as the handsome but dumb receptionist, and there was the reveal of a special cameo that I won’t spoil but that won over the audience.
Director Antoine Fuqua and Chris Pratt then hit the stage to promote The Magnificent Seven. Fuqua explained, “The DNA [of the film] is redemption. The pursuit of justice is something that always resonates with us all.” Pratt said he’s always wanted to do a Western and that it’s his dad’s favorite genre. After starring in The Magnificent Seven Pratt says he now really understands where his dad’s love for the genre was coming from. Describing his character, Pratt revealed, “He’s somebody that you don’t want to cross.” And on the diverse cast of the film, Fuqua added, “I wanted it to look like the world we live in today.” Pratt said he loves Fuqua’s movies and that the cast and crew “worked our asses off on this movie.” Pratt described it as real and action-packed, and believes it will speak to today’s audiences. “I’ve seen this movie and it’s f**king awesome!” said Pratt. The action-heavy footage was just that, and the cinematography was simply stunning.
The Sony presentation finished up with the reveal of the new title for Spider-Man – Spider-Man: Homecoming. [Read more about that portion of the presentation here.]
Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman used the studio’s presentation at CinemaCon to announce the official title of the upcoming Spider-Man reboot, Spider-Man: Homecoming. The announcement came at the very end of the two-hour presentation that included footage from Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Passengers, Ghostbusters, and The Magnificent Seven. Rothman joked that he held off on the Spider-Man news to use it as his Steve Jobs moment – you know, Jobs used to wait until the end to do a “oh, by the way…” sort of lead-in to a huge new product reveal.
The new Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Tom Holland, took the studio’s private jet from the red carpet Hollywood premiere of Captain America: Civil War in order to make it in time for the end of Sony’s presentation at Caesars Palace in Vegas. Disney’s screening Captain America: Civil War at CinemaCon and it features the first appearance of the new Spidey on screen. When Holland joined Rothman on stage he declared, “I’m your new Spider-Man!”
The new title Spider-Man: Homecoming has dual meanings according Rothman and Holland. Rothman says it’s a homecoming to the Marvel cinematic universe. Holland added, “It really is a homecoming for the character throughout the story he really is trying to find his true identity and where he really belongs in this world.” The first preview footage was screened featuring Holland as Parker coming home to find his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) sitting on a couch with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr). Stark’s there because Peter applied for and won a special grant, which has Peter confused but going with the flow. Sony also showed off the clip from Captain America: Civil War featuring the first appearance of the new Spider-Man.
Jon Watts is directing Spider-Man: Homecoming and Sony is targeting a July 7, 2017 theatrical release.
Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig), and Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) in ‘Vikings’ (Photo by Jonathan Hession | HISTORY)
The good news is there’s a new episode of Vikings on April 14, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT followed by another new episode next week. The bad news is the series will then take a break and won’t return for the second half of season four until later this year. History extended the season four episode order but split the season into two 10 episode halves, meaning fans of the series might have to be patient and wait for the outcome of the battle between King Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his traitor brother, Rollo (Clive Standen). That is, unless Vikings wraps up that storyline in the final two episodes of the first half of season four, which doesn’t seem likely.
Episode eight killed off three interesting albeit at times irritating characters: Count Odo (Owen Roe), Yidu (Dianne Doan), and Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey). None of the deaths were expected, and Yidu and Kwenthrith’s murders were particularly disturbing. Ragnar really seemed to have a connection with Yidu who was filling a void in his life left by Athelstan, and Kwenthrith was such an intriguing character it’s a shame the writers killed her off. It’ll be interesting to see if the killing off of supporting characters continues with the final two episodes of season four’s first half.
The Death All ‘Round Plot: The labors of the Vikings eventually bear fruit as, within sight of Paris, they re-launch their boats but this time along with some interesting structures that Floki has made. Aethelwulf and Alfred eventually arrive in Rome and honors are conferred by Pope Leo but relations are not so cordial in Wessex between King Ecbert and the disgruntled King Aelle.
Duke Rollo (Clive Standen) in ‘Vikings’ (Photo by Jonathan Hession | HISTORY) Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) in ‘Vikings’ (Photo by Jonathan Hession | HISTORY)Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) is the epitome of fierce and formidable (Photo by Jonathan Hession | HISTORY)
Here’s hoping all of the remaining fan favorites will survive The 100‘s third season. Recent episodes have proven no one is safe, with The 100 going all Game of Thrones on main characters. Season three continues with episode 11 titled ‘Nevermore’ and airing on April 14, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT. Fans can expect to see Raven (Lindsey Morgan) being further manipulated by Alie (Erica Cerra) while her friends continue to fight those now in charge.
Directed by Ed Fraiman (he also directed season 3, episode 4 ‘Watch the Thrones’), ‘Nevermore’ was written by Kim Shumway. The cast includes Eliza Taylor as Clarke, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia, Paige Turco as Abby, Christopher Larkin as Monty, Devon Bostick as Jasper, Henry Ian Cusick as Kane, Isaiah Washington as Jaha, Bob Morley as Bellamy, and Richard Harmon as Murphy.
The Season 3 Episode 11 Plot: RAVEN’S DARK SIDE COMES OUT — Alie (Cerra) forces Raven’s (Morgan) dark side to come out, and Jasper’s (Bostick) anger continues to grow. Meanwhile, Octavia (Avgeropoulos) wrestles with her place in the world, and Monty (Larkin) is forced to make a split second decision.
Margot Robbie stars in Warner Bros Pictures’ ‘Suicide Squad.’
Warner Bros Pictures set the bar high with the sheer amount star power they brought to Las Vegas for the 2016 CinemaCon. The annual gathering of National Association of Theatre Owners members normally has studios flying in their big guns to promote upcoming films, but Warner Bros went all out this year. Among the stars who took the stage at Caesars Palace were Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Adam Beach, Jai Courtney, Russell Crowe, Emilia Clarke, James Wan, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Teresa Palmer, Kevin Hart, Alexander Skarsgard, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Bradley Cooper, Andy Samberg, Katie Crown, Will Arnett, Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Colin Farrell.
Kicking off Warner Bros’ presentation of their upcoming slate of films, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘s Ben Affleck and Amy Adams were introduced after Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed Affleck will direct and star in a stand-alone Batman movie. Affleck and Adams are also a part of the Justice League movie directed by Zack Snyder, and Affleck said it’s “tremendously exciting to be part of the DC Universe.”
The DC Universe was also represented by a video from the set of Justice League in London featuring director Snyder, Jason Momoa, Henry Cavill, and Gal Gadot.
Next up was one of the presentation’s most anticipated films: Suicide Squad. Director David Ayer said, “Every film’s a journey. Every journey leads to the theater.” Ayer also said his film isn’t just a movie, it’s an event and should be seen on the big screen. The entire main cast then took the stage but it was Will Smith who did all of the talking. Will got the CinemaCon crowd worked up, saying he was very, very proud to be in Vegas with this particular film. “This group of people, we’ve bonded,” said Smith, adding that they’re friends who have created something special and spectacular. Before the lengthy clip full of bad guys doing good things played, Ayer said the film’s like “spending a couple of hours with the coolest kids in school.” The clip was action-packed and featured a lot of new scenes of Jared Leto as The Joker as well as Margot Robbie being completely badass as Harley Quinn. Based solely on the trailers and clips, Suicide Squad is going to give Deadpool a run for its money as the most entertaining superhero film of 2016.
Russell Crowe did what you’d expect Russell Crowe to do…he ignored the teleprompter and just winged it. Actually, he gave the script a chance but quickly found it lacking. “I was told they’ve written me a script to say to you today. We’ll see,” joked Crowe. Reading what was scripted, Crowe said, “Ryan [Gosling] would have loved to have been here today,” before going off-script to say, “That’s bullshit.” Laughing, Crowe said Gosling wouldn’t have loved it. He called his The Nice Guys co-star a cineast who’s a great student of film and then paid him a huge compliment by comparing him to Gene Wilder. Crowe said he loved working with Gosling and that after 49 movies over 25 years, Gosling made him break character more than he had in his other movies combined. The NATO crowd was definitely won over by the combination of Crowe winging it and the clips. The extended clips had the CinemaCon crowd laughing out loud and I actually overheard one theater owner saying, “That’s going to be a big hit.”
Next up was a preview of Me Before You with Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) representing the film. Clarke said, “It was a privilege to bring Jojo’s brilliant novel to the screen.” Clarke promised the film will be moving, romantic, and also inspiring, with the clip focusing on the relationship between Clarke and Sam Claflin’s characters.
Horror was the focus of the next portion of the presentation. Director James Wan was joined by his The Conjuring 2 stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson to talk about the horror sequel. Wan said the sequel explores one of the Warrens’ most intriguing and controversial cases, and Farmiga added that it was compelling and more than a little frightening even for the Warrens. After Wilson complimented Wan as being in a class by himself, an extended trailer had the audience jumping in their seats.
The Conjuring 2 was followed by Lights Out produced by James Wan and Lawrence Grey and directed by David F. Sandberg. The film is inspired by Sandberg’s short film which became a viral hit. Sanderg said, “The way this film came together couldn’t have come together better.” Lights Out star Teresa Palmer accompanied director Sandberg on stage and said we can all relate to the film because we all remember what it’s like to be alone in the dark.
A taped message from Dwayne Johnson served to introduce Central Intelligence director Rawson Marshall Thurber and Kevin Hart. Thurber called Hart one of the funniest actors around and said Johnson is one of the biggest action stars on the planet, a label that Hart took issue with. Hart said he’s been working out every single day and has the guns to prove it. In fact, he’s in such good shape physically that he thinks he’d actually be able to take Johnson if they fought. Hart also joked that Central Intelligence is the perfect summer movie because he’s in it. The special clip showed more of Johnson in a fat suit and explained how it is that Johnson recruits Hart as his partner.
They didn’t walk on the stage accompanied by the classic Tarzan yell or accompanied by any animals, but that was perfectly fine for the crowd which was apparently made up of quite a few Alexander Skarsgard admirers. A few whistles and hoots were heard before Skarsgard, joined by his The Legend of Tarzan co-stars Christoph Waltz, Margot Robbie, and Samuel L Jackson, joked about the film being from people who made some movie about somebody named Harry Potter or something like that. He also said he had a good time making the movie, with Robbie confirming Jane in this Tarzan story is no damsel in distress. Jackson promised big sets and big action, and Waltz added that they’re very proud of this film.
War Dogs was next in the lineup and it was producing partners Todd Phillips (The Hangover movies) and Bradley Cooper who were on hand in Vegas to chat up the movie. Cooper recalled it was in a parking lot across the street where Ken Jeong shot the scene in which he’s naked in the trunk of a car and winds up juggling his balls on Bradley’s neck. Bradley joked it took eight hours to shoot the scene…because he kept asking for more takes. War Dogs marks the first film from Phillips and Cooper’s production company, but it was Phillips’ fifth time in six years making the trek to Vegas for CinemaCon. Turning serious, Phillips thanked Warner Bros for being willing to take chances and supporting filmmakers. He also acknowledged that he’s not a fan of public speaking but said this year he has something important to say. “There is disruption coming on the horizon,” said Phillips, in a reference to alternate means of releasing films, saying now is the time it needs to be discussed. “Why are we in such a rush to take the thing that separates us from a physical group in a movie theater and do away with it?” asked Phillips. Phillips believes movies are meant to be a group experience; films are made to be watched with 500 strangers in a darkened theater. He spoke passionately about his desire to make sure films go to theaters first before being offered up on alternate platforms.
Warner Bros also used their hour and a half panel to promote their animated slate, with filmmakers Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Nicholas Stoller on hand to talk about the animated films slate that includes The LEGO Batman Movie, Small Fry, Scooby Doo, Ninjago, and The LEGO Movie 2. LEGO Batman‘s Will Arnett says this movie will explore what, other than the fact he watched his parents die, makes Batman so bummed out and we’ll find out what it is that drives him. Then director Doug Sweetland and Andy Samberg and Katie Crown took the stage to represent Storks. Samberg gave a shout-out to his mom and called Storks the “best movie ever made,” noting that he has discerning taste.
Finishing out the presentation, Warner Bros Pictures is revisiting the world of Harry Potter with the new fantasy adventure film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne and set in America. Redmayne, Colin Farrell, Alison Sudol, and Dan Fogler took the stage to introduce a behind-the-scenes video and the new trailer. Sticking to the script on the teleprompter for the most part, the cast said this new film will feature new wizards and witches along with new creatures. They expressed how happy they were to be a part of the team that brings Rowling’s vision to life on the screen, calling their time on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find an “amazing experience.” Farrell, however, veered from the script, saying hello to the crowd in an effort to, in his words, “cut the tension” which built up from his co-stars reading from the teleprompter.
Overall, the biggest hits of the presentation were Suicide Squad and The Nice Guys (Russell Crowe should be signed up to host the presentation next year), with The Legend of Tarzan following not far behind. At least that’s my decidedly non-scientific appraisal, based on the level of applause.
Disney and Marvel unveiled a new teaser trailer along with a poster for the comic book-inspired Doctor Strange. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, the much-anticipated drama’s new trailer debuted during Jimmy Kimmel Live! and quickly made its way online along with a new poster featuring Mr. Cumberbatch as the title character. Directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Deliver Us From Evil), the cast also includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Scott Adkins, Amy Landecker, and Mads Mikkelsen. Doctor Strange opens in theaters on Friday, November 4, 2016.
The Plot: Doctor Strange follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.
A scene from box office blockbuster ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.
How well did movies perform in theaters in 2015? The question was answered at 2016’s CinemaCon when National Association of Theatre Owners President John Fithian and MPAA Chairman Chris Dowd presented the numbers to the convention during the State of the Industry Address. 2015’s box office revenue totaled a record $38.3 billion, increasing by more than 6% over 2014’s numbers.
Dodd made a point of stressing those numbers are a reflection of the strength and importance of the international box office. Only $11.1 billion of the total came from North American box offices and Dodd predicted China will soon be bigger than the North American market.
Crediting diverse moviegoing audiences, Fithian confirmed teenagers are helping to drive the market. Although teens turn to their iPads and other mobile devices to watch videos, they’re still turning out to movies in healthy numbers. “Teenagers remain the strongest segment of moviegoers,” said Fithian. “Last year per capita ticket sales for Americans aged 12 to 17 was 7.3, with the highest growth rate of any age demographic.”
Fithian also said that teenagers tend to spend more in theaters and will pay the premium price for watching films in 3D and IMAX more than any other demographic does. However, according to Fithian teens just aren’t that interested in television.
Speaking to the diversity issue, with international cinema selling tickets in record numbers, Dodd said, “One issue that our country continues to face is the need to do a better job reflecting and cultivating diversity.” He does believe the film industry is working toward being more diverse and is taking “productive steps” in that direction.
Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark and Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden in ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ (Photo Credit: FX Networks)
FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story not only drew rave reviews from critics, it also turned out to be the most watched new cable series of the year. The series was a behind-the-scenes look at what was dubbed the Trial of the Century: the People versus former NFL star O.J. Simpson. Simpson was accused of the brutal murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman but was found not guilty by a Los Angeles jury.
According to FX, the series averaged 12.6 million viewers over its first eight episodes, and the network expects that figure to rise after the final two episodes are added in. The 10 episode limited series was in the top 10 in adults 18-49, with more than 143.9 million hours spent watching the series.
In addition to ranking first among new cable series, The People v. O.J. Simpson is #2 among all (new and returning) cable shows with only AMC’s zombie apocalypse series The Walking Dead surpassing its numbers. It’s also FX’s most watched new series in the network’s history.
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Plot:The People v. O.J. Simpson is a limited series that takes you inside the O.J. Simpson trial with a riveting look at the legal teams battling to convict or acquit the football legend of double homicide. Based on the book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin, it explores the chaotic behind-the-scenes dealings and maneuvering on both sides of the court, and how a combination of prosecution overconfidence, defense shrewdness, and the LAPD’s history with the city’s African-American community gave a jury what it needed: reasonable doubt. From Executive Producers Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Falchuk, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story stars John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Sterling K. Brown, Nathan Lane, Kenneth Choi, Christian Clemenson and Bruce Greenwood.
Tituss Burgess and Ellie Kemper in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 2 (Photo by Eric Liebowitz/Netflix)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt returns for its second season on Netflix April 15, 2016. Ellie Kemper stars as the title character, survivor of a cult trying to make a new life for herself with her roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) and her employer Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski). We got to sit in a roundtable with Burgess and Krakowski to ask them questions about the new season.
Season one actually ended with a lot of cliffhangers. A former wife from Titus’s past returns, and Jacqueline moves back to her adopted family’s Indiana reservation after her divorce. Season two picks up right where they left off, and all episodes of season two are available to binge on the 15th.
Jane Krakowski and Tituss Burgess Interview:
Do you feel pressure to top season one?
Tituss Burgess: “I don’t ever feel pressure to top myself on anything. I do feel an obligation to be as invested and not just go, ‘Oh, well, people like us now, we don’t have to worry.’ But the material is so funny. There’s really not even much time to really think about that I suppose. And also, you can’t control it. Either they’re going to like it or they’re not.”
Jane Krakowski: “I think I felt more of a curiosity of where they were going to bring all of our characters the second season. It’s also a very different feeling to make a show, do all 13 episodes and then present all of them completed. We had no idea whether people would like it or not when it first came out, and we were so thrilled and thankful for the reaction that the show got, especially with the story of us not going to NBC and coming to Netflix. It was so exciting to get that reception and then I think I felt curiosity where now that we were fully making a show for Netflix would take us. I actually think season two is even richer than season one for all the characters.”
Tituss Burgess: “I do too. You go further down the rabbit hole of everyone’s journey and backstory so there’s a lot of answered questions and a lot of new questions. It makes it easy and fun to act because we have such great writers. I trust them completely.”
What did you think when you found out the backstories for season two?
Jane Krakowski: “In episode 13 they had so many cliffhangers. It was wonderful that we start with all of the cliffhangers. We answer all those questions in the first episode, which was amazing for us. This is great for us to be together today because we’re never together. I’m always like, ‘What’s happening in Titus’s storyline?’ When I watched episode one, I actually thought your story with your wife was so beautiful. It was one of the most charming moments we’ve made when they dance. I don’t want to give anything away. I think there’s a lot more heart in these episodes.”
Tituss Burgess: “We’re a lot more vulnerable, that’s for sure.”
Jane Krakowski: “[Jacqueline] really is dealing with not being Mrs. Voorhees anymore. I’m not Jacqueline White. I’m thrilled that we’ve spent a lot of time actually learning about her early years and her childhood and her fighting for her family’s rights, which was a surprise to me that we would grow that storyline so fully this season but we really do. The outcome of that, they try to go Jacqueline into more of a fully formed human being which has been lovely. I feel like Jacqueline grew a lot and learned a lot.”
Tituss Burgess: “I think Jacqueline has to get her money back though someday.”
Jane Krakowski: “I’d like that. I don’t know if it will happen and I also think watching the episodes, they really go into depth for all of the characters. I think all the characters really grow so much through season two which is what you hope for really when you take on a series. You don’t want to stay the same person. I think we also have our continuing humorous throughline but I think they’ve helped us all grow quite a bit.”
How are things in Titus and Kimmy’s apartment?
Tituss Burgess: “They look exactly the same but the dynamic has tightened, I think. They need each other a lot more this season I think than they did last season. I think the lovely thing about Kimmy and Titus’s relationship is that Kimmy really teaches Titus, particularly in that first episode [of season 2] how important it is to be kind and to not be so self-absorbed. It’s a lesson that has been a long time coming. Titus has a hard time being open or letting himself be really seen or considering someone else’s feelings. I think this season a great deal, as you’ll find out in terms of the relationship, he cares about other people and puts other people’s needs before his own and I think that’s lovely. And he’s still as sassy and flowery as he was last season but it’s nice to see him not be so self-involved.”
Since you’re playing a character named Titus do people ever mistakenly think that’s really you, or is it maybe closer to you than we realize?
Tituss Burgess: “I don’t think I’m — do you think I’m like him?”
Jane Krakowski: “No. I mean, I think there’s adorable elements of you. There’s a clear difference.”
Tituss Burgess: “I’m certainly very much an introvert and I don’t enjoy attention as much as people may think I do. I think some people, when they meet me, are expecting him, but he’s fake. He’s not real life. I think the only thing we might share is our sense of humor and a love for theater, but I very much care about people, unlike him.”
Are Titus’s ambitions the same this season? Does Jacqueline have new ambitions?
Jane Krakowski: “I think Jacqueline definitely, through the influence of Kimmy, and I think all the characters do try to grow to care more about others than just themselves, which is a big leap for Jacqueline. Absolutely, I think she’s trying to stand on her own two feet this season and trying to not only have her own identity but to use her identity to help others. I think in her humorous way, she succeeds in a few ways, and also fails with a little heartbreak. She tries and I think that’s the biggest growth we can get. Love is in the cards for a lot of the characters as well.”
Tituss Burgess: “I don’t know that Titus set out to find that but to have a successful relationship is probably the biggest ambition on this season that he has. He also still really wants to be famous. There is a one man show that he does.”
Jane Krakowski: “It’s unbelievable.”
Tituss Burgess: “So he’s still pursuing that and he gets a job, you’ll find. He’s still very much desirous of that life but then you see him at odds, because he’s so comfortable in this new relationship so it’s actually quite interesting to watch that play out. He’s at a little bit of a crossroads by the end of the season so that’s interesting to see what he chooses.”
Jane Krakowski: “I think also one of Jacqueline’s biggest ambitions this year, instead of running away from her family roots and to change, is to help them. To make change if she can for them.”
Jane Krakowski in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ season 2 (Photo by Eric Liebowitz/Netflix)
What did the Emmy love mean to each of you?
Jane Krakowski: “It was crazy awesome!”
Tituss Burgess: “This is the honest truth. My dream was to be on a comedy, a series regular on a TV show whose writing I respected. Awards season was not something that I had factored into the realm of possibility. I was and still am reeling from having this beautiful job that I get to go to and work with all these wonderful people that I just wasn’t even thinking about that. When it was time to do the Emmy campaign, I was like, ‘What are you talking about? What does that mean?’ When I got the call, I was just in shock. A larger dream was dreamed for me outside of myself obviously. Winning a Tony is something I felt much closer to than even being nominated for an Emmy award so it really blew my mind. Very exciting, and if it never happens again, it happened.”
Jane Krakowski: “I also think the release and the reception we got for the show granted us season two. So we’re all so thankful and I think the Emmy nominations for the entire show gives you more time on the air. That’s the best that we could ask for and it means we all got to come back and we get to play these great characters that I know we all love so much that we get to make it longer. So the day I think we got the call, it was like not only do people like the show but this kind of reception and now we’ll definitely have another season, hopefully even longer. I think that stuff really does help for the longevity of your show. We’re so thankful for that. It was so wonderful to come back for season two, because a lot of that had all happened after we had finished filming, and just high five the crew and all the creative teams and give them hugs and say, ‘Oh my God, people got it. We made this and people liked it.’ That’s a wonderful thing to get to do.”
What do you think they got?
Jane Krakowski: “I think it’s Ellie Kemper’s, Kimmy’s optimism. Happiness through adversity. I think when you describe the show to people before it came on, people were like [Makes crazy noise]. Then when people saw it, they saw what was in the creative genius minds of Tina and Robert Carlock. What was lovely is that they gave us the chance. They didn’t just go, ‘Oh, that doesn’t sound like what I want to watch.’ They gave us a chance. What I find really lovely is that we found that one of our largest audiences is young girls, preteen and teenage girls. I actually quite like, even though she has had the 15 years of tough times, coming out of it she’s such an optimistic character for young girls to look up to. And I think that’s amazing that we still have that. There’s a great innocence in Kimmy. To see that girls are reacting to that is lovely. It makes me sort of hopeful for our future generations of girls. They’re happy to have a light and happy role model.”
What has it meant to you, Jane, to have three successful comedies, with this, 30 Rock and Ally McBeal?
Jane Krakowski: “Again, a little bit like Tituss, maybe I would do more in the theater and I don’t know how I’ve been on TV for almost 15 years now and I couldn’t be more thankful. I get teary eyed because I still say it to Tina and Robert now, I don’t know what good luck bestowed on me the day I went to Broadway Video to audition for the role of Jenna. I’ve had 10 years of employment from them and comic moments and comic expansion of just me as an actor that I never thought I would have in my life. I’m just so thankful.”
