From the first shots, in glorious black-and-white (cinematography by Erik Messerschmidt) on the road through the California desert, music swelling, we enter the territory of Film Noir. Mank, directed by David Fincher with a screenplay by his father, Jack Fincher (who died in 2003), tells the story of Herman J Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), co-screenwriter of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane. Mank arrives at North Verde Ranch to write, recover from injury, and sober up. With him are John Houseman (Sam Troughton), his German nurse Fräulein Frieda (Monika Gossmann), and Rita Alexander (Lily Collins), who will take dictation.
The set-up with Mank and Rita resembles that of Richard Quine’s fabulous 1964 Paris When It Sizzles, a comedy about the strenuous task of writing a movie. William Holden plays a frequently inebriated Hollywood screenwriter...
The set-up with Mank and Rita resembles that of Richard Quine’s fabulous 1964 Paris When It Sizzles, a comedy about the strenuous task of writing a movie. William Holden plays a frequently inebriated Hollywood screenwriter...
- 12/8/2020
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
[Editor’s note: This article contains major spoilers about the plot of “Mank.”]
“Mank” is a lot to take in. Diehard fans of classic Hollywood cinema and “Citizen Kane” obsessives alike may be well-suited to parse David Fincher’s complex portrait of world-weary screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, but even then, this intricate black-and-white drama draws on a lot of reference points that a many audience members may not grasp the first time around.
The movie tracks two dueling narratives: Mank’s experiences in Hollywood throughout the ’30s, as he undergoes a falling out with Hollywood and studio moguls over their politics, and his decision to use his experiences in that world to write his greatest work — inspired by his former proximity to media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who became the template for the affluent mystery at the center of “Citizen Kane.”
But there’s more to “Mank” than that: Fincher, who draws on a script written decades ago by his late father Jack,...
“Mank” is a lot to take in. Diehard fans of classic Hollywood cinema and “Citizen Kane” obsessives alike may be well-suited to parse David Fincher’s complex portrait of world-weary screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, but even then, this intricate black-and-white drama draws on a lot of reference points that a many audience members may not grasp the first time around.
The movie tracks two dueling narratives: Mank’s experiences in Hollywood throughout the ’30s, as he undergoes a falling out with Hollywood and studio moguls over their politics, and his decision to use his experiences in that world to write his greatest work — inspired by his former proximity to media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who became the template for the affluent mystery at the center of “Citizen Kane.”
But there’s more to “Mank” than that: Fincher, who draws on a script written decades ago by his late father Jack,...
- 12/5/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Mank is an undertaking. What the David Fincher film accomplishes is simply awe-inspiring. After all, at the heart of Fincher’s latest work is making what many in the world consider the greatest film of all-time, Citizen Kane.
Now, not one day of shooting that iconic film is shown. This tale focuses on its drunken-brilliant wizard of a screenwriter, Herman Mankiewicz -- or Mank as he insisted people call him.
Why Mank works so well is it is not how did they make this classic movie film. Instead, there are electrically illuminating layers to creating this masterpiece for those of us who make witnessing Orson Welles’ work a yearly endeavor.
Everyone who saw the Welles film immediately knew who he was playing. It was common knowledge that the titular character was none other than William Randolph Hearst -- the newspaper titan, who from his Xanadu home (otherwise known as Hearst...
Now, not one day of shooting that iconic film is shown. This tale focuses on its drunken-brilliant wizard of a screenwriter, Herman Mankiewicz -- or Mank as he insisted people call him.
Why Mank works so well is it is not how did they make this classic movie film. Instead, there are electrically illuminating layers to creating this masterpiece for those of us who make witnessing Orson Welles’ work a yearly endeavor.
Everyone who saw the Welles film immediately knew who he was playing. It was common knowledge that the titular character was none other than William Randolph Hearst -- the newspaper titan, who from his Xanadu home (otherwise known as Hearst...
- 12/5/2020
- by Joel Amos
- TVfanatic
Brought to life by a stellar cast of A-listers, David Fincher's Golden Era-styled Netflix drama, Mank, hops back and forth in time to develop a rounded picture of its troubled genius subject, screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman). A love letter to the early days of Hollywood showbiz, the black-and-white film mostly follows the development of Citizen Kane. But how much of Mank is based on a true story, and how much of it is proverbial movie magic? While there's the occasional Hollywood flourish here and there, much of Mank is rooted in reality.
Did Mankiewicz Write Citizen Kane at a Ranch?
Early in the film, Mankiewicz, an established critic-turned-screenwriter, emerges from a car accident. He ends up at a quiet ranch in Victorville, CA, with a secretary named Rita Alexander (Lily Collins), who helps him type up the script for Citizen Kane. Filmmaker Orson Welles (Tom Burke) occasionally phones...
Did Mankiewicz Write Citizen Kane at a Ranch?
Early in the film, Mankiewicz, an established critic-turned-screenwriter, emerges from a car accident. He ends up at a quiet ranch in Victorville, CA, with a secretary named Rita Alexander (Lily Collins), who helps him type up the script for Citizen Kane. Filmmaker Orson Welles (Tom Burke) occasionally phones...
- 12/4/2020
- by Stacey Nguyen
- Popsugar.com
"It's a modern day version of Quixote!" Netflix has debuted one final trailer for David Fincher's new film Mank, now available on Netflix today for everyone to watch. Fincher directed a script originally written by his late father, Jack Fincher, about the writer of Citizen Kane, named Herman J. Mankiewicz. The black & white film follows "Mank's" tumultuous development of Orson Welles' iconic masterpiece Citizen Kane as he races to finish it in record time. The film stars Gary Oldman as Herman J. Mankiewicz, with a stellar cast including Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, Lily Collins as Rita Alexander, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, as well as Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Ferdinand Kingsley, Tuppence Middleton, Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore, Monika Grossman, Charles Dance, and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. Reviews say that it's "quite moving... tight and layered and complex." Enjoy. Here's the final official...
- 12/4/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
As we enter the throes of awards season more and more films are starting to make their qualifying runs in what is expected to be a very different kind of season. For starters, Searchlight Pictures is set to release Chloe Zhao’s buzzy pic of existential wanderlust Nomadland starring Frances McDormand for its virtual qualifying run starting today before expanding in 2021.
The film, which is set to run virtually at the Film Lincoln Center through December 11, follows Fern in the midst of the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada. We take a journey alongside Fern as she packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. This marks the third feature for Zhao and features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration...
The film, which is set to run virtually at the Film Lincoln Center through December 11, follows Fern in the midst of the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada. We take a journey alongside Fern as she packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. This marks the third feature for Zhao and features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration...
- 12/4/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Class is now in session for Film History 101. And this will be on the final. Hopefully, that didn’t inspire too many nervous flashbacks, though I always looked forward to the few cinema courses I could take. Now the intro is spot on because this new film is mainly about another film that did make history, for lots of reasons. It truly stood out despite being produced during the second greatest year of Hollywood’s Golden Age (just two years after the prolific 1939). Yes, like 2012’s Hitchcock it is a biography of a very creative artist, but it focuses on one seminal work (Psycho for that earlier film). Oh, and instead of a director we now shine a much-deserved spotlight on the lowly, neglected writer, much like 2015’s Trumbo. Well perhaps in this case not too neglected since he shared in the classic film’s only Oscar win. That iconic masterpiece is Citizen Kane,...
- 12/4/2020
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
(Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you haven’t seen David Fincher’s “Mank.”)
In David Fincher’s “Mank,” Lily Collins’ character Rita Alexander hears that her boss, “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, helped 100 people flee out of Nazi Germany. But is that true?
Somewhat. In Richard Meryman’s biography “Mank: The Wit, World and Life of Herman Mankiewicz,” Meryman wrote, “Herman became the official sponsor for hundreds of German refugees and took responsibility for total strangers fleeing to America. Sam Jaffe protested that he could not possibly fulfill these obligations. Herman continued to sign a stack of affidavits and said, ‘Yes, but the government doesn’t know that.'”
According to “Film History Vol. 1, No.4,” Mankiewicz was among others in Hollywood like Carl Laemmle and William Wyler who were involved in rescuing German refugees. Wyler, for example, was involved in trying to rescue 25 people, while Laemmle helped 300 people; for each case,...
In David Fincher’s “Mank,” Lily Collins’ character Rita Alexander hears that her boss, “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, helped 100 people flee out of Nazi Germany. But is that true?
Somewhat. In Richard Meryman’s biography “Mank: The Wit, World and Life of Herman Mankiewicz,” Meryman wrote, “Herman became the official sponsor for hundreds of German refugees and took responsibility for total strangers fleeing to America. Sam Jaffe protested that he could not possibly fulfill these obligations. Herman continued to sign a stack of affidavits and said, ‘Yes, but the government doesn’t know that.'”
According to “Film History Vol. 1, No.4,” Mankiewicz was among others in Hollywood like Carl Laemmle and William Wyler who were involved in rescuing German refugees. Wyler, for example, was involved in trying to rescue 25 people, while Laemmle helped 300 people; for each case,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Because David Fincher’s “Mank” is set in the Hollywood of the 1930s and early ’40s, the director wanted the film to look and feel like exactly that. The film is a re-evaluation of Hollywood through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay for Orson Welles of “Citizen Kane.” And so “Mank,” which releases on Netflix on December 4 following a limited theatrical run to qualify the film for Oscars, transports you to that period through its visuals and sound design, which Fincher recently discussed in an extensive New York Magazine interview.
“Ren Klyce, who is the sound designer, and I started talking years ago about how we wanted to make this feel like it was found in the UCLA archives — or in Martin Scorsese’s basement on its way to restoration,” Fincher said. “Everything has been compressed and...
“Ren Klyce, who is the sound designer, and I started talking years ago about how we wanted to make this feel like it was found in the UCLA archives — or in Martin Scorsese’s basement on its way to restoration,” Fincher said. “Everything has been compressed and...
- 10/24/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
David Fincher fans looking for more “Mank” content following this week’s official trailer debut are in luck thanks to a “secret website” composer Trent Reznor touted on social media. The website, which goes by the name “The White Wine Came Up With The Fish,” contains a 210-page slide show featuring official stills and behind-the-scenes photos from the making of Fincher’s Netflix drama. Turn on the website’s sound and a first-listen preview of Reznor and Atticus Ross’ “Mank” original score plays.
“Mank” is Fincher’s highly anticipated return to feature filmmaking after 2014’s “Gone Girl.” “Darkest Hour” Oscar winner Gary Oldman stars as Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. The script, written by Fincher’s late father Jack Fincher, follows Mankiewicz as he races to finish the script for Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” The supporting cast includes Tom Burke as Orson Welles, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies,...
“Mank” is Fincher’s highly anticipated return to feature filmmaking after 2014’s “Gone Girl.” “Darkest Hour” Oscar winner Gary Oldman stars as Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. The script, written by Fincher’s late father Jack Fincher, follows Mankiewicz as he races to finish the script for Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” The supporting cast includes Tom Burke as Orson Welles, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies,...
- 10/21/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Gary Oldman stars as Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz in the new trailer for Mank, the latest film from director David Fincher (The Social Network, Gone Girl, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). The film will premiere in select theaters this November, followed by a global release on Netflix on December 4th.
Set in Thirties Hollywood, Mank portrays Mankiewicz as an alcoholic and a scathing social critic, re-evaluating the social and political ties in his industry as he races to finish the screenplay for Orson Welles’ magnum opus on time.
Set in Thirties Hollywood, Mank portrays Mankiewicz as an alcoholic and a scathing social critic, re-evaluating the social and political ties in his industry as he races to finish the screenplay for Orson Welles’ magnum opus on time.
- 10/21/2020
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Gary Oldman is a smooth-talking screenwriter who really needs to get to writing in the trailer for David Fincher’s upcoming Netflix film, “Mank.”
Set in 1930s Hollywood, Fincher’s film explores the legendary controversy over who deserves the credit for the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Citizen Kane”: was it director and star Orson Welles, or his satirist writing partner, Herman J. Mankiewicz?
In the black-and-white “Mank,” Oldman plays Mank himself and you can get a tasted of how tortured the charming, critical, alcoholic screenwriter is while he tries to complete the first draft of the “Kane” script.
Along the way, Mankiewicz and Welles (played by Tom Burke) butt heads over nearly every element of the film’s story. That feud that would continue beyond the film’s release as Mankiewicz believed Welles was trying to take credit for his work and spent the rest of his life resenting him for it.
Set in 1930s Hollywood, Fincher’s film explores the legendary controversy over who deserves the credit for the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Citizen Kane”: was it director and star Orson Welles, or his satirist writing partner, Herman J. Mankiewicz?
In the black-and-white “Mank,” Oldman plays Mank himself and you can get a tasted of how tortured the charming, critical, alcoholic screenwriter is while he tries to complete the first draft of the “Kane” script.
Along the way, Mankiewicz and Welles (played by Tom Burke) butt heads over nearly every element of the film’s story. That feud that would continue beyond the film’s release as Mankiewicz believed Welles was trying to take credit for his work and spent the rest of his life resenting him for it.
- 10/21/2020
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
"At this rate you will never finish." Netflix has revealed the full-length trailer + poster for David Fincher's new film Mank, arriving in theaters this fall. Fincher is back!! He's directing a script originally written by his late father, Jack Fincher, about the writer of Citizen Kane, named Herman J. Mankiewicz. The black & white film follows "Mank's" tumultuous development of Orson Welles' iconic masterpiece Citizen Kane as he races to finish it. Starring Gary Oldman as Herman J. Mankiewicz, with a stellar cast including Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, Lily Collins as Rita Alexander, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Ferdinand Kingsley, Tuppence Middleton, Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore, Monika Grossman, Charles Dance, and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. This looks absolutely incredible! No surprise. And all the black & white adds even more layers to this story. And all of the spectacular footage...
- 10/21/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
David Fincher’s upcoming feature “Mank” doesn’t just tell the story of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz attempting to finish the script for “Citizen Kane” in 1930s Hollywood, it lives and breathes as a film straight out of the 1930s itself. Producer Eric Roth said as much in June when he teased the film, saying, “It’s an incredible piece. He did a black-and-white ’30s movie. It looks like a ’30s movie and feels like one.” The 1930s essence of “Mank” is on full display in the official trailer, embedded below.
Netflix’s brief synopsis for “Mank” reads: “1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for ‘Orson Welles.’”
Fincher’s return to moviemaking after 2014’s “Gone Girl” is headlined by Gary Oldman, recent Oscar winner for “Darkest Hour. “Mank” marks...
Netflix’s brief synopsis for “Mank” reads: “1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for ‘Orson Welles.’”
Fincher’s return to moviemaking after 2014’s “Gone Girl” is headlined by Gary Oldman, recent Oscar winner for “Darkest Hour. “Mank” marks...
- 10/21/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
"Tell the story you know." Netflix has unveiled a short teaser trailer for David Fincher's new film Mank, arriving this fall. Yes, it'll be out before the end of the year! Fincher is back!! This time he's directing a script originally written by his late father, Jack Fincher, about the writer of Citizen Kane, named Herman J. Mankiewicz. The black & white film follows "Mank's" tumultuous development of Orson Welles' iconic masterpiece Citizen Kane (1941) as he races to finish it. Starring Gary Oldman as Herman J. Mankiewicz, with a fantastic cast including Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, Lily Collins as Rita Alexander, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Ferdinand Kingsley, Tuppence Middleton, Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore, Monika Grossman, Charles Dance, and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. There isn't too much footage in this teaser, but it's just enough to whet our appetites for more.
- 10/8/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
When it comes to Old Hollywood screenwriters, there are few names that loom larger than Mankiewicz. That is probably because between two very different Mankiewicz brothers, some of the greatest screenplays of all-time were penned. In the case of Herman J. Mankiewicz that included The Wizard of Oz (1939), San Francisco (1936), The Pride of the Yankees (1942), and a little movie called Citizen Kane (1941). And it’s in the latter’s style filmmaker David Fincher is visiting Mank’s life.
In Fincher’s first film at Netflix, the modern filmmaker is teaming with Gary Oldman, still fresh off his Oscar win for playing Winston Churchill, to offer a highly stylized and intriguing interpretation of the life and times of Herman “Mank” Mankiewicz at time when the silver screen was still black and white, and life in a smoke-filled Tinseltown took on an ambiguous gray.
With a teaser trailer absolutely dripping with atmosphere,...
In Fincher’s first film at Netflix, the modern filmmaker is teaming with Gary Oldman, still fresh off his Oscar win for playing Winston Churchill, to offer a highly stylized and intriguing interpretation of the life and times of Herman “Mank” Mankiewicz at time when the silver screen was still black and white, and life in a smoke-filled Tinseltown took on an ambiguous gray.
With a teaser trailer absolutely dripping with atmosphere,...
- 10/8/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
It’s been six long years since David Fincher’s last feature film, Gone Girl, but in less than two months, we’ll be getting a brand-new movie from the director. Mank is his black-and-white biopic of Citizen Kane scribe Herman J. Mankiewicz, scripted by the director’s late father, Jack Fincher, and led by Gary Oldman. Ahead of a Netflix release on December 4 and a limited theatrical run prior, the first trailer has now landed.
Bringing to life 1930s Hollywood as scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles, the film features a score by, once again, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, cinematography from Mindhunter‘s Erik Messerschmidt, and editing by Fincher regular Kirk Baxter,
One of Fincher’s past collaborators also got a chance to get an early peek. “It’s so freaking good,” Aaron Sorkin said...
Bringing to life 1930s Hollywood as scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles, the film features a score by, once again, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, cinematography from Mindhunter‘s Erik Messerschmidt, and editing by Fincher regular Kirk Baxter,
One of Fincher’s past collaborators also got a chance to get an early peek. “It’s so freaking good,” Aaron Sorkin said...
- 10/8/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Arguably the most famous controversy of Hollywood’s Golden Age is who deserves the credit for the Oscar-winning screenplay for “Citizen Kane”: was it director and star Orson Welles, or his satirist writing partner, Herman J. Mankiewicz? David Fincher will explore that debate — and the dark side of 1930’s Hollywood — in “Mank,” a new biopic coming to Netflix in December and which just got its first trailer.
In the trailer, which you can see above, “Mank” casts Hollywood in the same black-and-white as “Citizen Kane,” with Gary Oldman playing Mankiewicz as he races to complete the first draft of the “Kane” script. Along the way, Mankiewicz, known throughout Hollywood as a charming but deeply cynical alcoholic, locks horns with Welles over nearly every element of the film’s story. That feud that would continue beyond the film’s release as Mankiewicz believed Welles was trying to take credit for...
In the trailer, which you can see above, “Mank” casts Hollywood in the same black-and-white as “Citizen Kane,” with Gary Oldman playing Mankiewicz as he races to complete the first draft of the “Kane” script. Along the way, Mankiewicz, known throughout Hollywood as a charming but deeply cynical alcoholic, locks horns with Welles over nearly every element of the film’s story. That feud that would continue beyond the film’s release as Mankiewicz believed Welles was trying to take credit for...
- 10/8/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Mank, David Fincher’s movie about Oscar-winning Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his tumultuous development of the Orson Welles classic, will hit Netflix on December 4 following a November release in theaters. Take a look at the official teaser above.
The movie is one of many Netflix 2020-21 awards-season contenders; its latest Aaron Sorkin-directed political drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 is currently in movie theaters and dropping October 16 on the streaming service.
In Mank, Gary Oldman plays Mankiewicz, Lily Collins is Rita Alexander, Amanda Seyfried plays Marion Davies, Tom Burke is Welles, Charles Dance is William Randolph Hearst, and Tom Pelphrey is Joseph Mankiewicz.
Mank has been a long-gestating dream project from the two-time Oscar-nominated director of The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, with a script by Fincher’s late father Jack Fincher. Cean Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski are producers.
The movie is one of many Netflix 2020-21 awards-season contenders; its latest Aaron Sorkin-directed political drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 is currently in movie theaters and dropping October 16 on the streaming service.
In Mank, Gary Oldman plays Mankiewicz, Lily Collins is Rita Alexander, Amanda Seyfried plays Marion Davies, Tom Burke is Welles, Charles Dance is William Randolph Hearst, and Tom Pelphrey is Joseph Mankiewicz.
Mank has been a long-gestating dream project from the two-time Oscar-nominated director of The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, with a script by Fincher’s late father Jack Fincher. Cean Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski are producers.
- 10/8/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The long wait for new David Fincher film footage has ended thanks to Netflix’s premiere of the first trailer for “Mank,” the director’s first feature film since the 2014 theatrical release of “Gone Girl.” Along with Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy,” Fincher’s “Mank” is one of the streaming giant’s top Oscar prospects this year. “Mank” will be getting a theatrical release before it arrives on streaming at the start of December.
“Mank” is a long-in-the-works passion project for Fincher as his father, Jack, wrote the screenplay before passing away in April 2003. The story centers on Herman J. Mankiewicz, the Oscar-winning co-writer of “Citizen Kane,” as he overcomes personal and professional battles to finish the script for Orson Welles’ iconic drama. “The Souvenior” breakout Tom Burke stars as Welles, The cast also includes Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies,...
“Mank” is a long-in-the-works passion project for Fincher as his father, Jack, wrote the screenplay before passing away in April 2003. The story centers on Herman J. Mankiewicz, the Oscar-winning co-writer of “Citizen Kane,” as he overcomes personal and professional battles to finish the script for Orson Welles’ iconic drama. “The Souvenior” breakout Tom Burke stars as Welles, The cast also includes Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies,...
- 10/8/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Lily Collins’ Netflix series “Emily in Paris” shot to the top of the streaming giant’s most-watched TV chart in the days after its October 2 premiere, and it’s not the only Netflix hit the actress is expected to have before the end of the year. Collins stars opposite Gary Oldman in David Fincher’s Netflix original film “Mank,” the director’s highly anticipated first film since 2014’s “Gone Girl.” Having two big Netflix projects debut back to back is appropriate considering Collins worked on “Emily in Paris” and “Mank” at the same time. Juggling both projects required Collins to leave Paris on the weekends for just 24 hours to attend “Mank” rehearsals with Fincher in Los Angeles.
“The process of how I even got involved with ‘Mank’ was crazy,” Collins told Variety in a recent interview. “I put myself on tape the week before I left for Paris, sent the tape in,...
“The process of how I even got involved with ‘Mank’ was crazy,” Collins told Variety in a recent interview. “I put myself on tape the week before I left for Paris, sent the tape in,...
- 10/5/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The first look at David Fincher’s highly anticipated drama “Mank” was revealed Saturday to coincide with the 79th anniversary of “Citizen Kane’s” wide theatrical opening.
The film is Fincher’s first feature directing effort since 2014’s “Gone Girl” and chronicles Herman Mankiewicz’s (Gary Oldman) race to finish the “Citizen Kane” screenplay for Orson Welles (Tom Burke).
Fincher shot on location at Kemper Campbell Ranch in Victorville, Calif., where Mankiewicz spent more than two months laboring on the first draft of a screenplay widely considered to be among the greatest ever written. Mankiewicz, notorious in Hollywood for his heavy drinking, stayed clean due to the ranch’s strict no-alcohol policy. That left him free to focus on Welles’ script.
Mankiewicz delivered a 300-page script to Welles, titled “American” which was then heavily edited. He spent time tweaking the script with input and revisions from Welles, whittling things down to a more manageable 156 pages.
The film is Fincher’s first feature directing effort since 2014’s “Gone Girl” and chronicles Herman Mankiewicz’s (Gary Oldman) race to finish the “Citizen Kane” screenplay for Orson Welles (Tom Burke).
Fincher shot on location at Kemper Campbell Ranch in Victorville, Calif., where Mankiewicz spent more than two months laboring on the first draft of a screenplay widely considered to be among the greatest ever written. Mankiewicz, notorious in Hollywood for his heavy drinking, stayed clean due to the ranch’s strict no-alcohol policy. That left him free to focus on Welles’ script.
Mankiewicz delivered a 300-page script to Welles, titled “American” which was then heavily edited. He spent time tweaking the script with input and revisions from Welles, whittling things down to a more manageable 156 pages.
- 9/5/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Although the fall film festivals are now underway, one title not making an appearance is perhaps our most-anticipated of the year. As Netflix sits out of Venice, TIFF, NYFF, and beyond, they will still unveil David Fincher’s Mank before 2020 is up. The director’s first feature in six years is a black-and-white biopic of Citizen Kane scribe Herman J. Mankiewicz scripted by the director’s late father, Jack Fincher, and led by Gary Oldman.
Timed with “Citizen Kane Day”––which took place on September 5, 1941 and was dubbed by Rko as the day when Welles’ film made its wider release across the United States––the first official images from the film have now finally arrived. Along with it, we have an official logline: “1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Timed with “Citizen Kane Day”––which took place on September 5, 1941 and was dubbed by Rko as the day when Welles’ film made its wider release across the United States––the first official images from the film have now finally arrived. Along with it, we have an official logline: “1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
- 9/5/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins enter the glamorous world of 1930s Hollywood in the first look images for David Fincher’s Mank.
In the photos for the drama set before Citizen Kane hit the big screen, Oldman transforms into famed Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and Seyfried becomes starlet Marion Davies. The Netflix drama, written by Jack Fincher, follows the titular screenwriter as he rushes to get the Oscar-winning film’s screenplay to Orson Welles.
The first look photos, which Netflix released on social media platforms Saturday, also see Lily Collins as Rita Alexander, sharing a toast with Oldman’s Mankiewicz. Netflix revealed the insider look at Fincher’s re-imagining of Hollywood’s classic age on the 79th anniversary of Citizen Kane‘s wide theatrical release.
Mank also stars Arliss Howard, Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Tuppence Middleton, Ferdinand Kingsley and Tom Burke. Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore,...
In the photos for the drama set before Citizen Kane hit the big screen, Oldman transforms into famed Hollywood screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and Seyfried becomes starlet Marion Davies. The Netflix drama, written by Jack Fincher, follows the titular screenwriter as he rushes to get the Oscar-winning film’s screenplay to Orson Welles.
The first look photos, which Netflix released on social media platforms Saturday, also see Lily Collins as Rita Alexander, sharing a toast with Oldman’s Mankiewicz. Netflix revealed the insider look at Fincher’s re-imagining of Hollywood’s classic age on the 79th anniversary of Citizen Kane‘s wide theatrical release.
Mank also stars Arliss Howard, Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Tuppence Middleton, Ferdinand Kingsley and Tom Burke. Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore,...
- 9/5/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
First look images from Mank, David Fincher’s biopic of Citizen Kane co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, were released Saturday — subsequently the 79th anniversary of “Citizen Kane Day.”
Mank, the nickname for Mankiewicz, will show a 1930s Hollywood re-evaluated through the eyes of the scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Gary Oldman will portray Mankiewicz, who alongside collaborating with Welles, had an outsized influence in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Amanda Seyfried is also set to star in the film as Marion Davies. Lily Collins will star as Rita Alexander in the film and Charles Dance ...
Mank, the nickname for Mankiewicz, will show a 1930s Hollywood re-evaluated through the eyes of the scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Gary Oldman will portray Mankiewicz, who alongside collaborating with Welles, had an outsized influence in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Amanda Seyfried is also set to star in the film as Marion Davies. Lily Collins will star as Rita Alexander in the film and Charles Dance ...
First look images from Mank, David Fincher’s biopic of Citizen Kane co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, were released Saturday — subsequently the 79th anniversary of “Citizen Kane Day.”
Mank, the nickname for Mankiewicz, will show a 1930s Hollywood re-evaluated through the eyes of the scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Gary Oldman will portray Mankiewicz, who alongside collaborating with Welles, had an outsized influence in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Amanda Seyfried is also set to star in the film as Marion Davies. Lily Collins will star as Rita Alexander in the film and Charles Dance ...
Mank, the nickname for Mankiewicz, will show a 1930s Hollywood re-evaluated through the eyes of the scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Gary Oldman will portray Mankiewicz, who alongside collaborating with Welles, had an outsized influence in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Amanda Seyfried is also set to star in the film as Marion Davies. Lily Collins will star as Rita Alexander in the film and Charles Dance ...
It’s a set of slimmer fall film festivals that will launch in Venice, Toronto and New York. There’s a total absence of Netflix movies and while there’s the occasional “Ammonite” (Neon), “On the Rocks” (A24 and Apple TV+), or “Nomadland” (Searchlight), others held back in favor of unveiling closer to the delayed awards season that ends with the Oscars on April 25, 2021.
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, recently promoted to co-ceo with founder Reed Hastings, said he made the no-festival decision back in March, at the start of the lockdown.
“At that time it looked pretty bleak, and the idea of getting folks together to go to the mountains and watch movies in small dark rooms didn’t seem that appealing to a lot of people,” he said on IndieWire’s Screen Talk. “Not only that, when we had to commit to these festivals in that time frame, the...
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, recently promoted to co-ceo with founder Reed Hastings, said he made the no-festival decision back in March, at the start of the lockdown.
“At that time it looked pretty bleak, and the idea of getting folks together to go to the mountains and watch movies in small dark rooms didn’t seem that appealing to a lot of people,” he said on IndieWire’s Screen Talk. “Not only that, when we had to commit to these festivals in that time frame, the...
- 8/28/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
It’s a set of slimmer fall film festivals that will launch in Venice, Toronto and New York. There’s a total absence of Netflix movies and while there’s the occasional “Ammonite” (Neon), “On the Rocks” (A24), or “Nomadland” (Searchlight), others held back in favor of unveiling closer to the delayed awards season that ends with the Oscars on April 25, 2021.
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, recently promoted to co-ceo with founder Reed Hastings, said he made the no-festival decision back in March, at the start of the lockdown.
“At that time it looked pretty bleak, and the idea of getting folks together to go to the mountains and watch movies in small dark rooms didn’t seem that appealing to a lot of people,” he said on IndieWire’s Screen Talk. “Not only that, when we had to commit to these festivals in that time frame, the films were in various states of being complete.
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, recently promoted to co-ceo with founder Reed Hastings, said he made the no-festival decision back in March, at the start of the lockdown.
“At that time it looked pretty bleak, and the idea of getting folks together to go to the mountains and watch movies in small dark rooms didn’t seem that appealing to a lot of people,” he said on IndieWire’s Screen Talk. “Not only that, when we had to commit to these festivals in that time frame, the films were in various states of being complete.
- 8/28/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
For many moviegoers around the world, David Fincher’s return to filmmaking with “Mank” is the single most anticipated film event of 2020. The “Fight Club” and “Social Network” auteur has not released a feature since 2014’s “Gone Girl,” and adding to the anticipation is the fact “Mank” is a longtime passion project for Fincher. The director’s father, screenwriter Jack Fincher, wrote the “Mank” script before his passing in 2003.
One of the producers on “Mank” is Oscar-winning “Forest Gump” screenwriter Eric Roth, who last worked with Fincher as the screenwriter of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In a discussion on “Pardon My Take” (via Film Stage) published this week, Roth says the drama is set for a release on Netflix this October. Netflix is behind “Mank” and has not announced a release date yet.
“Mank” stars Gary Oldman as “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Fincher’s location manager...
One of the producers on “Mank” is Oscar-winning “Forest Gump” screenwriter Eric Roth, who last worked with Fincher as the screenwriter of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In a discussion on “Pardon My Take” (via Film Stage) published this week, Roth says the drama is set for a release on Netflix this October. Netflix is behind “Mank” and has not announced a release date yet.
“Mank” stars Gary Oldman as “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Fincher’s location manager...
- 6/12/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Marking his first feature film since 2014’s Gone Girl, David Fincher will finally return this year with the highly-anticipated Mank. A black-and-white biopic of Citizen Kane scribe Herman J. Mankiewicz scripted by the director’s late father, Jack Fincher, and led by Gary Oldman, the Netflix production is reportedly skipping out on fall festivals, but when will it arrive? Today finally brings an update from seasoned screenwriter Eric Roth, who produced the film.
In an appearance on Pardon My Take (and a hat tip to Joe Frady for spotting), Roth reveals the film is set for an October release on Netflix. “It’s an incredible piece,” he says. “He did a black-and-white ’30s movie. It looks like a ’30s movie and feels like one.” He also joked, “Six people will go see it, but it’s pretty amazing.” Later in the chat, he also revealed a Truffaut-style biopic on The Doors...
In an appearance on Pardon My Take (and a hat tip to Joe Frady for spotting), Roth reveals the film is set for an October release on Netflix. “It’s an incredible piece,” he says. “He did a black-and-white ’30s movie. It looks like a ’30s movie and feels like one.” He also joked, “Six people will go see it, but it’s pretty amazing.” Later in the chat, he also revealed a Truffaut-style biopic on The Doors...
- 6/12/2020
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
The new year is almost upon us and it goes without saying that David Fincher’s “Mank” is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2020, right up there with Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley,” and Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet.” “Mank” is Fincher’s first feature directorial effort since 2014’s “Gone Girl” and marks a reunion between the director and Netflix, the home of his serial killer drama series “Mindhunter.” Fincher’s longtime location manager William Doyle told Daily Press just before Christmas that “Mank” is roughly 50% done with principal photography.
The “Mank” production spent most of December filming at Kemper Campbell Ranch in Victorville, California. Doyle was keen on using the ranch for “Mank” considering the location has direct ties to the film’s storyline. “Mank,” written by the director’s late father Jack Fincher, tells the true story of Herman J. Mankiewicz...
The “Mank” production spent most of December filming at Kemper Campbell Ranch in Victorville, California. Doyle was keen on using the ranch for “Mank” considering the location has direct ties to the film’s storyline. “Mank,” written by the director’s late father Jack Fincher, tells the true story of Herman J. Mankiewicz...
- 12/26/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins have been cast in Mank, David Fincher’s Netflix biopic about Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The actresses will be joined by Game of Thrones‘ Charles Dance in the film, which will reportedly be shot in black-and-white. Gary Oldman is set to portray the titular character, as Variety previously reported.
According to THR, Seyfried, 33, will play screen star Marion Davis, while Collins, 30, will play Rita Alexander, Mankiewicz’s secretary.
Arliss Howard, Ferdinand Kingsley, Jamie McShane, Joseph Cross, Sam Troughton, Toby Leonard Moore, Tom Burke, Tom Pelphrey, and Tuppence Middleton are also joining the film.
The actresses will be joined by Game of Thrones‘ Charles Dance in the film, which will reportedly be shot in black-and-white. Gary Oldman is set to portray the titular character, as Variety previously reported.
According to THR, Seyfried, 33, will play screen star Marion Davis, while Collins, 30, will play Rita Alexander, Mankiewicz’s secretary.
Arliss Howard, Ferdinand Kingsley, Jamie McShane, Joseph Cross, Sam Troughton, Toby Leonard Moore, Tom Burke, Tom Pelphrey, and Tuppence Middleton are also joining the film.
- 10/16/2019
- by Eric Todisco
- PEOPLE.com
20 years ago on this day, Fight Club was released. Since his cult hit, David Fincher has made six films but the wait for his seventh will be the longest yet. After briefly flirting with a World War Z sequel, it was confirmed this summer that the director would be next helming Mank, a black-and-white biopic of Citizen Kane scribe Herman J. Mankiewicz scripted by his late father, Jack Fincher, led by Gary Oldman, and funded by Netflix.
Now, with production kicking off in mere weeks, the ensembled has been unveiled. First up, the question on many minds was who would be playing actor, director, writer, and producer Orson Welles. The answer has now arrived as THR reports that Tom Burke, recently seen in The Souvenir, will take the role of the legendary auteur.
In additional casting, Amanda Seyfried will play star Marion Davies, Lily Collins will play Rita Alexander, Mankiewicz’s secretary,...
Now, with production kicking off in mere weeks, the ensembled has been unveiled. First up, the question on many minds was who would be playing actor, director, writer, and producer Orson Welles. The answer has now arrived as THR reports that Tom Burke, recently seen in The Souvenir, will take the role of the legendary auteur.
In additional casting, Amanda Seyfried will play star Marion Davies, Lily Collins will play Rita Alexander, Mankiewicz’s secretary,...
- 10/16/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Mubi is exclusively premiering online the new restorations of Hot Thrills and Warm Chills (1967) and The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds (1965) as part of the series ByNWR. I think it was Quentin Tarantino who said that the grindhouse enthusiast not only has to drink a lot of milk to get to the cream, they have to drink a lot of curdled milk. And I generally figured I would leave that to someone else because it didn't sound too appetizing. So I have to be grateful to Nicholas Winding Refn, a sturdier trashonaut than I, who has performed curatorial duties, rediscovering and restoring two prime examples of cultist cream, thick, clotted and soured and probably very bad for your figure. I shouldn't, I really shouldn't. But I'm going to.Hot Thrills and Warm Chills (1967) accompanies its nonsensical title with some really exciting Latin rhythms, credited to "Dario de Mexico" (who has...
- 11/1/2017
- MUBI
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