Merman X Pulse–launched a couple of months ago by global content studio Pulse Films and transatlantic comedy production outfit Merman–has signed British director Peter Lydon, who recently wrapped a (SHOPATHON)RED spot starring Scarlett Johansson for Bono’s (RED) shopping extravaganza, which features the likes of Snoop Dogg, The Weeknd, and Meryl Streep, co-produced by VICE Media. The spot premiered on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Lydon’s credits span TV series such as Showtime’s Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Channel 4’s Shameless, and the BBC’s Mistresses as well as commercials for Ikea, Carlsberg, Samsung and Sky Broadband. For the latter Lydon helmed the successful Fairytale campaign in which The Princess and the Pea, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf were reimagined. His recent commercial work features stars who included Al Pacino, Benedict Cumberbatch and Joanna Lumley. In addition, Lydon wrote and directed the short film Dating Eliza which won several awards, including multiple honors at the L.A. Comedy Film Festival….L.A.-based creative studio Eskimo has added indie-bred filmmaker Nicole Dorsey to its directorial roster. The Toronto native brings a multi-faceted skillset to Eskimo, having not only worked on short and long-form films, but commercials for the likes of Arla, Nike, Nestle and Kashi….Editor Micah Scarpelli, who’s worked with brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Subway, Reebok, Gillette and Volvo, has officially opened the doors to his own full-service, New York City-based editorial/postproduction company, Uppercut, which also features Joe Wenkoff as partner/creative director of VFX including finishing and color correction, and editor Alvaro del Val….
Is “Glicked” The New “Barbenheimer”? “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Hit Theater Screens
"Barbenheimer" was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn't stopped people from trying to make "Glicked" — or even "Babyratu" — happen.
The counterprogramming of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office.
And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, "Saw Patrol" ).
This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation "Wicked" opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic "Gladiator II." Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: "Wickiator," "Wadiator," "Gladwick" and even the eyebrow raising "Gladicked" have all been suggested.
"'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more," actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of "Gladiator II" this week. "I think we should all band around 'Glicked.' It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it."
As with "Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, "Glicked" also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging... Read More