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On The Set: Nicholas Stoller And His 'Five-Year Engagement' Cast Talk Their Improvisational Process

  • By Leah Zak
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  • March 1, 2012 1:00 PM
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  • 0 Comments
Features
Many months ago, on what began as a rainy morning in the hills of Sonoma, California, The Playlist -- part of a small contingent of press -- rolled up to the vineyard-turned-movie-set of this spring’s relationship dramedy “The Five-Year Engagement.” And over the course of what turned out to be a sunny and pleasant afternoon, met with the stars and filmmakers to talk about the film, as well as see first hand what has become the trademark directing style of helmer Nicholas Stoller. Previously behind comedies “Get Him to the Greek” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Stoller has again teamed with co-writer and star Jason Segel to assemble another cast of funny folks, and let the cameras roll.
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More: Five-Year Engagement, Nicholas Stoller, Jason Segel, David Paymer, Jacki Weaver, Interview

James Bobin & Nicholas Stoller Sign On For 'Muppets' Sequel, Jason Segel Too Busy To Co-Write This Time

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • March 1, 2012 12:48 PM
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  • 3 Comments
News
While the $153 million worldwide take for "The Muppets" probably was a bit below the numbers Disney were looking for with their franchise reboot, there are some things to note. Of all the Muppet movies so far, that film was the most financially successful at the box office, and on a purely creative/enjoyment level, we're not so sure any of the other films matched the wit and warmth that Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller brought to their take on the iconic characters. But either way, Disney is happy and the good news is that we're going to be seeing more of our felt-covered friends soon.
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More: James Bobin, Nicholas Stoller, Jason Segel, The Muppets

Judd Apatow-Produced 'The Five-Year Engagement' With Jason Segel & Emily Blunt To Open 2012 Tribeca Film Festival

  • By Oliver Lyttelton
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  • February 29, 2012 10:01 AM
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  • 0 Comments
News
While his own films have yet to cross over the awards threshold, Oscar nominations for last year's "Bridesmaids" in the Original Screenplay and Supporting Actress categories signify a new respectability for the comedies of Judd Apatow, the man who more than any other is responsible for the rebirth of the genre in the last few years. Films like "Anchorman," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" have brought in the big bucks over the last few years, but now they seem to be getting legitimate respect from cinephiles, something that only seems to be continuing with the writer-director-producer's next film.
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More: Five-Year Engagement, Tribeca Film Festival, Judd Apatow, Jason Segel, Nicholas Stoller, Emily Blunt

John Hawkes Wanted For 'The Walking Dead'; Kevin Bacon Faces A Serial Killer For Kevin Williamson & More

  • By Simon Dang
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  • February 5, 2012 8:49 AM
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  • 1 Comment
Television
We'll try to dance around spoilers but the finale of the second season of "Boardwalk Empire" was shocking not only in terms of storyline but also with the fact they tore out the heart of the show, or at least what/who we thought was being developed as such. We're fascinated to see where the show goes from here, but at the very least, it looks like they'll be gaining one great character actor.
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More: Kevin Bacon, John Hawkes, Nicholas Stoller, Michael Angarano, Bobby Cannavale, The Walking Dead, Kevin Williamson

Nicholas Stoller Talks Revamping ‘The Muppets’ For The Modern Age & The “Core Sweetness” That Runs Through All His Work

  • By Todd Gilchrist
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  • November 22, 2011 11:20 AM
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  • 0 Comments
News
As the director of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and co-writer and director of “Get Him To The Greek,” Nicholas Stoller has found enormous success shepherding original ideas onto the silver screen. But when he decided to pair up with his ‘Sarah Marshall’ screenwriter and star Jason Segel for an update of “The Muppets,” he faced a considerable challenge, not only in handling a beloved property, but figuring out a way to reintroduce it to audiences who, unlike himself and Segel, might not automatically be as in love with Kermit and company.
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More: Nicholas Stoller, The Muppets, Five-Year Engagement

Mindy Kaling, Chris Parnell & Jim Piddock Join Increasingly Awesome Cast Of 'Five-Year Engagement'

  • By Oliver Lyttelton
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  • April 26, 2011 1:30 AM
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  • 0 Comments
For the last few years, Hollywood's holy grail has seemed to be the R-rated relationship comedy -- it seems that every other script on the annual Black List is an attempt at the genre, and the summer is stuffed with examples. But only this morning, with the trailer for "What's Your Number?," we've seen that things aren't as simple as taking the traditional romantic comedy template and liberally sprinkling the words "fuck" and "vagina" over it -- there's an alchemy to the blend of crudity and heart that few have mastered.
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More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Nicholas Stoller, Five-Year Engagement, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Mindy Kaling

Chris Pratt Joins Jason Segel & Emily Blunt In 'Five Year Engagement'; Rhys Ifans In Talks

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • March 4, 2011 12:05 AM
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  • 1 Comment
The last time we saw the names Jason Segel, Emily Blunt and Nicholas Stoller all together, it was for absolutely wretched "Gulliver's Travels." That said, the talent lining up for the Segel and Stoller-penned "Five Year Engagement" is proving to be promising, and if it lands anywhere in the ballpark of their previous collaborative efforts like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek," we'll be pleased as punch.
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More: Films, Actors, Nicholas Stoller, Five-Year Engagement, Rhys Ifans, Chris Pratt

'Community' and 'Mad Men' Star Alison Brie Joins Nicholas Stoller's 'Five-Year Engagement'

  • By Oliver Lyttelton
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  • March 3, 2011 1:37 AM
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  • 0 Comments
Emily Blunt Confirmed As Female Lead Opposite Jason SegelAMC's "Mad Men" is pretty much the best drama series on television; "Breaking Bad" might give it a run for its money, but we reckon the period piece has the edge. While it's more divisive (including within the staff of The Playlist) NBC's "Community" is, for this writer, the best comedy on television -- with an ambition and, generally speaking, a level of execution (the show can be patchy occasionally) above even the excellent "Parks and Recreation" and "30 Rock." And there's one person that links the two: 27-year-old actress Alison Brie.
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More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Nicholas Stoller, Five-Year Engagement, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Alison Brie

Jason Segel Talks 'Five-Year Engagement,' Aiming For Classic Rom-Com Vibe

  • By Oliver Lyttelton
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  • December 22, 2010 2:30 AM
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  • 0 Comments
"Our Goal Is 'Annie Hall' Or 'When Harry Met Sally'," Film Likely To Shoot In April We've said it before, but the state of the modern romantic comedy is a pretty lamentable one. Contrived, lazy, laugh-free films such as "Leap Year," "Confessions of a Shopaholic" and "Valentine's Day" have tainted to the genre to the extent that when the decent, but flawed, likes of "(500) Days Of Summer" come along, they're treated like the second coming of Preston Sturges.
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More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Nicholas Stoller, Five-Year Engagement, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt

Angela Lansbury Joins 'Mr. Poppers Penguins'

  • By Kevin Jagernauth
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  • October 28, 2010 7:28 AM
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  • 0 Comments
Penguins, She WroteWe have a small degree of hope that Jim Carrey's upcoming family film "Mr. Popper's Penguins" will have something of value for those of us who can now reach the kitchen sink without having to use a chair. The film already boasts a not-too-shabby cast of Carrey, Carla Gugino, Philip Baker Hall, Ophelia Lovibond, David Krumholtz, Clark Gregg, James Tupper and Andrew Stewart-Jones. Now the esteemed and totally awesome Angela Lansbury has come aboard the project.
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More: Films, Actors, Actresses, Nicholas Stoller, Mark Waters, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Jim Carrey, Philip Baker Hall, Carla Gugino, Ophelia Lovibond, Sean Anders, John Morris

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