Director Martin Krejci–who’s handled for commercials and branded content by Ruffian in the U.S. and Merman in the U.K.–has made his feature film debut with the just released The True Adventures of Wolfboy starring Jaeden Martell in the title role and a cast that includes Sophia Giannamore, Eve Hewson, Chris Messina, Chloe Sevigny and John Turturro. The True Adventures of Wolf Boy is an emotionally charged story about a boy living with a rare physical condition who goes on a life-changing journey of discovery. Martell’s character Paul has hypertrichosis, a condition that causes a thick coat of hair to grow over the entirety of his body, including his face. As a result he suffers intense bullying and isolation from his peers. On his 13th birthday, Paul receives a mysterious gift that compels him to run away and seek out the mother he has never known. Along the way, he encounters and befriends an assortment of vivid misfits, and ends up being pursued by both the police and criminals. Paul must come to terms with his appearance, and ultimately learn the secret history of his familial heritage. In the commercialmaking arena, Krejci has directed for such brands as IKEA, Ford, Stella Artois, Heineken, Phillips, Guinness and Nike….
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