Page 1071 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24

Film

Remember that prequels, sequels and remakes aren’t all bad

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s version of
Dune. Photograph: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

Ordinarily, Hollywood’s reliance on sequels prompts jaded eye-rolling from film fans,
but this year’s franchise extensions are more enticing than usual. First, and most
impatiently awaited after its planned 2023 release was delayed by the actors’ strike,
Denis Villeneuve returns with Dune: Part Two, the next chapter in his spectacular
adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi tome, in March. May brings George Miller’s Mad
Max prequel Furiosa, with Anya Taylor-Joy inheriting the role Charlize Theron made
famous. In October there’s Joker: Folie à Deux, in which Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn
joins Joaquin Phoenix’s tortured supervillain – and yes, it’s said to be a musical.

We’ll have to wait until November, meanwhile, for the long-gestating Gladiator 2, with
Paul Mescal stepping into Russell Crowe’s sandals, and Paddington in Peru, which sees
everyone’s favourite gentleman bear returning to his Amazonian roots. And speaking of
talking animals, who knows what to expect from the unlikely pairing
of Moonlight director Barry Jenkins and Disney’s blockbuster prequel Mufasa: The
Lion King? As for outright remakes, gourmet prospects include Robert
Eggers’s Nosferatu, but it’s feminist French auteur Audrey Diwan (Happening) taking
on the softcore landmark Emmanuelle that has us most intrigued. GL

Art

Discover the work of sculptor Ronald Moody at a groundbreaking retrospective