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Paul Schrader‘s next feature, The Basics of Philosophy, is rounding out its cast.

Daniel Zovatto (Woman of the Hour), Bill Pullman (Lost Highway), Shiloh Fernandez (The Odyssey), Dana Delany (Tulsa King) and Karl Glusman (Nocturnal Animals) have been added to the film, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Jack Huston (House of Gucci) and Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon) were previously reported as stars of the movie that wrapped principal photography late last month.

The Basics of Philosophy focuses on a repressed philosophy professor (Huston) who has been grappling with lingering guilt over a decision from his past when the victim suddenly returns to his life. The project continues Schrader’s “man in a room” stories that began with his script for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and have also included the features First Reformed, The Card Counter and Master Gardener that count Schrader as writer and director.

Schrader helmed The Basics of Philosophy from his own script. Serving as producers are Braxton Pope and David Wulf, who both previously collaborated with Schrader on The Card Counter, which Focus Features released in 2021 following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Sean Price Williams (Good Time) served as cinematographer on The Basics of Philosophy for his first project with Schrader.

“A character I’ve returned to over the years — the taxi driver, a drug dealer and a card player — is now a professor of philosophy,” Schrader says. “His father’s death free-falls him into the past. A similar man wearing a new mask.”

Adds Pope, “Paul is a singular, original voice in American cinema — creating a new chapter in the book of his creative life with our superb cast has been deeply rewarding.” And Wulf notes, “Schrader’s mastery of the subtlety of characters and experiences drives an authenticity rarely found in modern films — it’s a remarkable feat watching Paul test and transcend generational boundaries and norms tackling troubling issues with ease.”

After his breakout success with Taxi Driver, Schrader worked on the scripts for such Scorsese projects as Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ and Bringing Out the Dead. Schrader has directed such movies as American Gigolo, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and First Reformed, with the script for the latter earning the filmmaker his first Oscar nomination.

Huston is represented by CAA and 111 Media. Boutella is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and 42 Management & Production. Zovatto is repped by Gersh. Pullman is repped by CAA. Delany is repped by UTA. Fernandez is repped by Untitled Entertainment and Ziffren Brittenham. Glusman is repped by Paradigm and manager Ilene Feldman.

The official cause of the death of talent manager Brandon Blackstock, the ex-husband of pop star and daytime television host Kelly Clarkson, was revealed by the local coroner on Monday. 

Blackstock, who was married to the American Idol winner from 2013-22, was revealed last week to have died of cancer as initial reports about his death came out. On Monday, the Silver Bow County coroner announced that Blackstock died of melanoma, a form of skin cancer that had been present for three years. The professional talent manager died Aug. 7 at age 48. 

“The cause of death was melanoma; the manner of death was natural,” Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollos told The Hollywood Reporter by phone Monday when asked about Blackstock. He reportedly died at home under hospice care surrounded by loved ones.  

His death was initially announced by Blackstock’s management company, Starstruck, which was founded by his father, in a statement posted to its Instagram account: “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Late on Wednesday, Clarkson had announced to her fans that she was postponing the August dates of her Las Vegas residency, citing that Blackstock “had been ill” as a reason. The vocal and TV mega-talent said that she needed “to be fully present” for their two children, whom they have been co-parenting for years. “While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them. I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding,” she said.

Leading up to the death of her ex-husband, with whom Clarkson has been co-parenting daughter River and son Remy since their divorce, she had missed the taping of several episodes of her hit eponymous talk show, prompting concern from fans. Clarkson and Blackstock first met at a rehearsal for the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2006.

In addition to his children with Clarkson, Blackstock is survived by his two children from a previous marriage and one grandchild.

KARACHI:

After months of buzz, shifting release dates, and political storm clouds, Fawad Khan’s latest Bollywood film ‘Abir Gulaal’ is finally set to hit the screens worldwide, but not in India because of a ban on Pakistani artists.

As per Biz Asia, the film will release worldwide on August 29, with its big premiere set overseas but not in India. According to another Indian media report, the movie will release in theatres in over 75 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Directed by Aarti S Bagdi, known for Chalti Rahe Zindagi, Abir Gulaal is expected to be a cross-cultural film that highlights the chemistry between Fawad and Vaani. The film is produced by Indian Stories, A Richer Lens, and Aarjay Pictures. It is co-produced by Vivek B Agarwal, Avantika Hari, and Rakesh Sippy.

Playing the role of a UK-based chef, Fawad appears opposite Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor. Abir Gulaal will be an addition to the romantic comedy genre. It will mark Fawad’s return to Bollywood after nine years. Lisa Hayden, Ridhi Dogra, Parmeet Sethi and veteran Farida Jalal are also part of the cast.

Abir Gulaal was originally slated to release on May 9. However, the film remains banned in India. The ban on Pakistani actors was implemented by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) following the Palagham attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April.

Many trade organisations, including All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western lndia Cine Employees (FWICE), also pressed for a ban on Pakistani artists in the Indian film industry.

Hence, the release of Sardaar JI 3 which starred Pakistani actor Hania Aamir and Abir Gulaal that cast Fawad in lead role were both halted. The film had generated buzz among fans, particularly due to Fawad’s return to the Bollywood scene.

Fawad made his Bollywood debut in 2014 with Khoobsurat, starring opposite Sonam Kapoor. He went on to appear in Dharma Productions’s Kapoor & Sons and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which was his last Indian project before the ban on Pakistani artists in 2016.