19062025-LSTL-01.qxd 6/18/2025 7:53 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Her voice Life Amanda Seyfried has voiced her frustration with Hollywood’s reliance on sequels, sharing that they are often driven by profit rather than creative vision. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 19 JUNE 2025 Back to Jurassic period Jurassic World: Rebirth takes fans back to dangerous dinosaur realm Scarlett Johansson’s role in Jurassic World: Rebirth made her recall her earliest memories of the dinosaur film franchise. The Black Widow actor recalled watching the first Jurassic Park film at the theatre when she was 10 years old. “It imprinted on me very deeply,” she said at the London premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. “For the next three decades, I was like, I would have done anything to be in a Jurassic movie in any capacity,” she added. The franchise, created by author Michael Crichton, has spawned several films, merchandising deals and video games. Jurassic World: Rebirth, directed by Gareth Edwards, follows a team of specialists that embarks on an expedition to a forbidden island, home to a research facility for the original Jurassic Park. Some of the specialists include Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, who must obtain DNA samples from three dinosaurs to achieve a life-saving medical breakthrough. The Universal Pictures film arrives in theatres on July 2. For Rupert Friend, who also plays one of the specialists, this instalment in the franchise is exhilarating. “I love adventure. I love being taken on a ride where you don’t know what’s going to happen. I love the unknown,” he said. For wellknown science fiction director, Edwards, the pressure for the film to succeed did not hit until he arrived at the premiere. “It’s all front and centre here. It feels a bit weird, to be honest. I can’t quite get my head around it,” he added. — Reuters (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) JONATHAN BAILEY, MAHERSHALA ALI, RUPERT FRIEND, SCARLETT JOHANSSON & LUNA BLAISE The famous Ishaan from Taare Zameen Par makes his OTT debut with Gamerlog Darsheel’s game plan Success formula Filmmaker Joseph Kosinski says he grew up on adventure movies like Top Gun and Raiders of the Lost Ark in the ‘80s and he tries to recreate that big theatrical experience through his cinema be it Tom Cruise-led Top Gun: Maverick or his upcoming Brad Pitt-starrer F1. Before directing Cruise in Maverick, the director worked with the actor on Oblivion, a sci-fi story that he first wrote as a graphic novel. Kosinski has also directed Tron: Legacy and Only the Brave. Set in the world of Formula One racing, F1, like Kosinski’s earlier work, is shot on a massive scale, features fast-paced action and A-list stars like Pitt and Javier Bardem. “I love making films for the big screen. I think now it’s more important than ever that we get people out of their homes to see this. So you have to give them a reason to go to the theatre, and that’s what I’m hoping to do with F1,” the filmmaker said in an interview. Kosinski remembers Director Joseph Kosinski is giving viewers a reason to go to the theatre with his latest offering, F1 seeing a documentary on Formula One racer Ayrton Senna years ago and then watching Netflix’s Drive to Survive. He realised that it would be great to set a “big screen experience” within this world. F1 revolves around a once- promising racer Sonny Hayes (Pitt), whose former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Bardem) ropes in Pitt as a last-ditch effort to reverse the ailing fortunes of his F1 team. The team also has a successful rookie Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris). Asked how is it to direct big stars like Pitt and Cruise, the filmmaker said both the stars love new challenges. “I think both Brad and Tom are at the top of their game and incredible professionals. They have great taste in films and stories. They understand how to develop a character. They’re both incredible actors. And Brad was someone I always wanted to work with. “I thought this would be the perfect role for him. And luckily, he did, too, and it was just an incredible collaboration. I had an incredible time. And yeah, I’m excited for people to see his performance in this film, because I think it’s really special,” he added. F1 will be released in India on June 27 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. — PTI Honorary Oscars for Cruise Mona TOM CRUISE AND DEBBIE ALLEN Every story has been told before, it’s how you tell it makes all the difference, believes Darsheel Safary. The famous Ishaan from Taare Zameen Par recently made his OTT debut with Gamerlog. One of its kind young adult show, Gamerlog explores the world of e-sport. An avid gamer himself, Darsheel was overjoyed when he was offered this character, which is an extension of his real self. What’s more, even the makers are as crazy about gaming. “Arya Deo sir (director), Abhinay Deo sir and Neeta Shah ma’am (producers) are into gaming too and it was fantastic to shoot and put this unique show together,” he says. After becoming a star overnight after the release of his debut film, Darsheel went back to finish his studies, did a few projects here and there, joined theater. His comeback vehicle, a slice of life comedy, Gamerlog, has its share of action. Darsheel shares, “It was like being transported to a Hollywood actioner, I loved every bit of it.” As the show opened up to a good response, Drasheel’s resolve to do hatke work gets a boost. Two of his films are in the post-production but what makes him emotional right now is the release of Sitaare Zameen Par this Friday. “Taare Zameen Par got me so much love. It is still talked about. Everyone is looking forward to Sitaare Zameen Par for they know it’s going to be a good film. Even my building watchman is excited about it even though he knows I’m not part of it.” When not acting, Darsheel loves to play, sing, dance or spend time in nature, “I can’t be at one place – I am ADHD Pro Max,” he laughs. Gamerlog is streaming on Amazon MX player. BRAD PITT & JAVIER BARDEM IN F1 c m y b Actor and producer Tom Cruise, choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, and production designer Wynn Thomas will receive Academy Honorary Awards, announced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on Tuesday. These awards are also known as the Governors’ Awards. Music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton will be recognised with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. All four Oscar statuettes will be presented at the 16th annual Governors Awards, which is set to take place on November 16. The ceremony will be held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood. “This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmak- The actor to receive the award alongside Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen & Wynn Thomas ing community continue to leave a lasting impact,” said Janet Yang, Academy President, as quoted on the AMPAS website. Cruise, one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood history, has long been an advocate for theatrical exhibition. Known for performing his own stunts, Cruise’s accolades include three acting Oscar nominations for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire and Magnolia. His credits also include Risky Business, A Few Good Men and the Mission: Impossible franchise. As for Debbie Allen, she has choreographed the Academy Awards ceremony seven times, as well as films including Forget Paris, A Jazzman’s Blues and The Six Triple Eight. Parton, a globally revered musician and actor, will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades of philanthropic work. With over 100 million records sold and 49 studio albums, Parton has also starred in classics such as Nine to Five and Steel Magnolias. As for the production designer Thomas, his film credits include Lee’s Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X. Other notable credits from his career include the Best Picture-winning A Beautiful Mind, as well as Cinderella Man, to name a few. — ANI