Gerard Butler's 700-Year Crime Thriller Set for Netflix Streaming Gerard Butler’s 2026 filmography has faced mixed results, with his latest project, Greenland 2: Migration, marking a significant financial setback. The sequel to the 2020 disaster film leaned heavily into sci-fi elements, costing Lionsgate an estimated $90 million to produce. Despite its ambitious scope, the film only recouped $44 million globally, positioning it as one of the most notable sci-fi flops in recent years. However, Butler remains active in the industry, with multiple projects in development. Among these is a third installment of Den of Thieves, set to begin production this summer, and a live-action sequel to How to Train Your Dragon, which will feature Cate Blanchett reprising her role as Valka. One of Butler’s most anticipated ventures is In The Hand Of Dante, a historical crime thriller spanning over 700 years. The film alternates between two distinct time periods: the 1300s, where Dante Alighieri drafts The Divine Comedy, and the early 2000s, which follows an older reincarnation of Dante entangled in a plot to steal and authenticate the iconic manuscript. Based on the novel by Nick Tosches, the project is directed and written by Julian Schnabel, with a star-studded ensemble including Butler, Oscar Isaac, Al Pacino, Jason Momoa, Martin Scorsese, Gal Gadot, John Malkovich, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, Benjamin Clementine, and Paolo Bonacelli. Netflix has secured distribution rights for In The Hand Of Dante, emerging victorious in a competitive bidding process. The streaming giant has not yet announced a specific release date for the film. The movie premiered in September 2025 at the Venice Film Festival, where it was screened for a limited audience of critics.#netflix #venice_film_festival #lionsgate #julian_schnabel #gerard_butler
Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, Al Pacino, and Gerard Butler Star in New Netflix Movie Netflix has secured the rights to a forthcoming drama featuring a star-studded cast. The film, titled In the Hand of Dante, is directed by Julian Schnabel and written by Schnabel and Louise Kugelberg. While no official release date has been announced, the project is anticipated to be a major release, bolstered by its impressive lineup of actors. The film’s cast includes Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Louis Cancelmi, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, Benjamin Clementine, Paolo Bonacelli, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year, where Schnabel received the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award for his contributions to the arts. In the Hand of Dante is an adaptation of the 2002 novel by Nick Tosches. Oscar Isaac portrays two dual roles: the author Tosches in the 21st century and Dante Alighieri in the 14th century. The film’s logline describes the connection between the two characters, stating that a New York author in the modern era and Dante Alighieri in the 14th century are linked through time and their shared obsession with love, beauty, and the divine. Schnabel, known for films such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Before Night Falls (which launched Javier Bardem’s career), brings his distinctive style to this project. The film’s blend of historical and contemporary narratives, along with its eclectic cast, positions it as a significant release for Netflix. The project’s announcement highlights the streaming platform’s continued investment in high-profile, narrative-driven cinema.#venice_film_festival #jason_momoa #gal_gadot #al_pacino #gerard_butler
Netflix Acquires Julian Schnabel's 'In the Hand of Dante' Netflix has acquired Julian Schnabel's film In the Hand of Dante, an adaptation of Nick Tosches' 2002 novel. The project, which features a star-studded cast including Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Louis Cancelmi, Sabrina Impacciatore, Franco Nero, Benjamin Clementine, Paolo Bonacelli, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa, premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year. Schnabel, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, was honored with the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award at the event for his contributions to cinema. The film follows Nick Tosches, a New York author played by Isaac, who is hired by a mafia don to verify and steal a priceless manuscript believed to be Dante Alighieri's original Divine Comedy. Isaac portrays both Tosches in the 21st century and Dante in the 14th century, navigating a narrative that spans time to explore themes of greed, faith, desire, and the pursuit of meaning. The story intertwines elements of crime, spirituality, and tragedy, transforming a thriller about a stolen book into a meditation on immortality, art, and love. Schnabel and Louise Kugelberg adapted Tosches' novel, with the film marking Schnabel's first project since his 2018 Oscar-nominated biopic At Eternity's Gate, which focused on Vincent van Gogh. The production is backed by a list of prominent producers, including Jon Kilik, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Olmo Schnabel, Gabriele Bebe Moratti, Vito Schnabel, and Julian Schnabel himself. Schnabel, who was recently recognized at the Texas Film Awards for his ties to the Lone Star State, grew up in Brownsville, Texas, a location that influenced both his artistic and cinematic work.#netflix #venice_film_festival #martin_scorsese #julian_schnabel #nick_tosches
The Indian theatrical release of Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” has been blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to the film’s distributor. The film, which recounts the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed in a Gaza car attack, is being censored due to its political sensitivity, distributor Manoj Nandwana of Jai Viratra Entertainment told Variety. Nandawana submitted the film for censorship approval in February and had planned a March 6 release to coincide with the March 16 Oscars. However, the CBFC has not cleared the film, with a member reportedly warning that its release “would break up the India-Israel relationship.” Nandawana disputed this claim, stating that the film has already been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, and other countries with strong ties to Israel. The CBFC did not respond to Variety’s request for comment. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September and won the Silver Lion, has faced challenges in India despite its international success. Last year, the CBFC also halted the release of Indian director Sandya Suri’s Oscar-shortlisted film “Santosh,” which explored caste and religious tensions in northern India. The censorship of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” comes amid heightened diplomatic ties between India and Israel. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to Israel marked the first such trip by an Indian leader in 25 years, strengthening economic and technological partnerships. Modi’s support for Israel contrasts with India’s historical alignment with Palestinian causes, raising questions about the CBFC’s decision to block the film’s release.#venice_film_festival #central_board_of_film_certification #manoj_nandwana #hind_rajab #jai_viratra_entertainment
Lady Gaga Teases Wedding Date and Shares Romantic Details with Bruno Mars Lady Gaga has shared updates about her upcoming wedding to fiancé Michael Polansky, including a heartfelt moment during a TikTok Live appearance with Bruno Mars. In a bonus clip from Mars’ Romantic Radio TikTok Live on March 6, Gaga spoke about her plans for the big day. “Me and my fiancé have been traveling all year,” she said, adding that they were “getting married soon” and asked Mars to choose a special song for the ceremony. Mars, who had previously popped the question to Gaga with a blade of grass, suggested a track from his latest album. “I would go with ‘Risk It All,’ track one,” he said, dedicating the song to both Gaga and Michael. He also made sure to include Michael in the tribute, saying, “Michael this is for you too.” While the exact wedding date remains undisclosed, Gaga hinted at the significance of the event during an interview with E! News in March 2025. “I’m desperately trying to keep that so private,” she said, but added, “I can promise that it will be the best day of my life.” The couple, who have been together for seven years, also reflected on their relationship’s impact on Gaga’s music. She revealed that their engagement inspired one of her most personal songs, “Blade of Glass.” Writing the track alongside Michael, she described the process as “haunting,” recalling a moment during the song’s creation when she joked, “I’ll give you something, but it’s no diamond ring.” Michael responded with, “The air that I’m breathing.” Gaga’s love for Michael took center stage during her acceptance speech for the Best Pop Album award at the 2025 Grammys. “I have to say thank you first to my partner, Michael,” she said, acknowledging his role as co-executive producer on her album Mayhem.#lady_gaga #michael_polansky #bruno_mars #venice_film_festival #gabriel_attal
