Latest news with #SimonBaker
Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Simon Baker shocks as the Aussie actor attends major film festival in open-toe Birkenstocks
Simon Baker has popped up in Italy, where he attended an exclusive media event looking every part the quintessential casual Australian. The Aussie A-lister attended the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival at Forte Village in Cagliari, Sardinia alongside other Hollywood Talent on Thursday. The film and television event, now in its 8th edition, will present more than 70 films, which are either Italian or world premieres, until Sunday, with the aim of spotlighting Italian and international cinema and supporting talent. Baker is set to receive the Filming Italy Excellence Award. The 55-year-old looked dapper as posed with the festival's General Director, Tiziana Rocca, and Twilight star, actress Ashley Greene. Baker donned his signature glasses, which he paired with a pair of jeans, a belt, and a light-coloured shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. However, it was the Boy Swallows Universe star's choice of footwear that baffled fans. Baker opted for a pair of moss-green Birkenstock slides instead of dress shoes for the occasion. The actor proudly paraded his unique style as Tiziana stood beside him and pointed to the famed Australian. A close-up shot of his shoes showed that they appeared slightly worse for wear but were still in good condition. "I love his simplicity," one fan wrote on Instagram. "He looks great," another person said. Baker traded the Hollywood lights for a country getaway in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, near where he grew up, in 2016. The laid-back celebrity in April championed the "beautiful frankness" of Down Under after having immersed himself in many parts of the world. "Once you start to assimilate back into our culture, you also realise there's a beautiful frankness to Australians that is priceless," he told Esquire Australia. "There's no flowery way of putting things; it's just direct. "And that level of authenticity is grounding. It's like a cosy blanket. It's very comfortable and familiar for me." The actor, who rose to fame as consultant Patrick Jane in The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015, broke his silence in April on the status of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and whether he'll reprise his role in the upcoming sequel. Baker played the elusive Christian Thompson in the 2006 hit and revealed to he's unlikely to make a comeback. "I haven't got the call up yet," he said. "So I don't know- probably not, no." It comes as there has been no word on whether Anne Hathaway's character, Andy Sachs, will return ahead of the sequel next May. The follow-up is expected to explore Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) grappling with the decline of the magazine industry while former assistant Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt) returns for a dramatic showdown.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Simon Baker cuts a casual figure in Birkenstock slides at Italian festival
Simon Baker has stepped out on the world stage in true Australian fashion - in open toed footwear. The acclaimed TV actor, 55, attended the opening night of the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival in a crisp shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of Birkenstock slides. He is among the Hollywood talent attending the 8th edition of the unique festival designed to promote Italian and international cinema and support young talent. Simon looked every inch the laidback A-lister as he posed with Twilight star Ashley Greene and General Director of the festival Tiziana Rocca at a press conference on Thursday. Simon, who returned to Australia last year to star as Gus and Eli's alcoholic father in the acclaimed Netflix hit Boys Swallows Universe, will receive the Filming Italy Excellence Award. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Simon will engage in masterclasses with young students from schools and universities of the Academy Cinema, alongside actors Alec Baldwin, Heather Graham, Jane Seymour, and Fran Drescher. In 2016, the Emmy-winning star traded the Hollywood studios of Los Angeles for his childhood home in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, and 'indie' projects far from the world of The Mentalist. 'Once you start to assimilate back into our culture, you also realise there's a beautiful frankness to Australians that is priceless,' he told Esquire Australia in April. 'There's no flowery way of putting things, it's just direct. And that level of authenticity is grounding. It's like a cosy blanket. It's very comfortable and familiar for me.' Simon, who played the elusive Christian Thompson in The Devil Wears Prada, recently broke his silence on whether he will appear in the long-awaited sequel alongside his old co-stars Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. 'I haven't got the call up yet,' he told SkyNews. 'So I don't know- probably not, no.' The actor, who landed the career-changing role in 2006, went on to reveal that his very blonde eyebrows have put him off ever watching the movie. His friend's wife had pointed out his bizarre look in the popular film. 'What the f*** is going on with your eyebrows in that movie?' she asked him. When he probed her for more details about his appearance in the movie, she told him: 'They just had like their own f***ing thing going on. When asking another friend about his eyebrows in the flick, they told him they were just 'surfy', sun-bleached and needed a bit of a 'trim'. The comments have left a lasting impression on actor, who decided to never watch the film as a result. 'It's gotten to the point now where The Devil Wears Prada is such a beloved movie that it's literally like baiting the hook and throwing it overboard and getting a bite straight away, whenever I say that I've never seen it,' he said.
Daily Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Julia Savage talks 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussie actress Julia Savage is just 18 years old, but already she has marked more than a decade in the industry. The teenager has a Best Actress AACTA nomination under her belt for her incredible performance in the 2022 psychological drama Blaze, and has starred opposite leading Australian actors Simon Baker and Guy Pearce. Savage will now appear alongside fellow AACTA nominee Teresa Palmer and British actor Jim Sturgess in the upcoming four-part Aussie miniseries Mix Tape, which premieres on BINGE on June 12. And even though she began acting at seven years old, starring on hits such as The Clearing and Mr Inbetween, the young star doesn't take any of it for granted and is always ready to give it her all. Julia Savage stars in the upcoming Binge Original Series Mix Tape. Picture: LisaThe 18-year-old has been in the acting industry since she was seven years old. Picture:'Every time I'm on a set and I'm lucky enough to be invited to come on, I'm so grateful,' she told from the Sydney set. 'I've been very lucky to grow up in an environment surrounded by adults who are validating me in my craft and following creative physics pursuits and my passions. But sets are my favourite place in the world. It's something I'm very lucky to be able to do at the level and with the people that I do.' In Mix Tape, Palmer and Sturgess play former 80s high-school sweethearts Alison and Daniel who are now living in Sydney and Sheffield, respectively, but reconnect in the modern world through songs from their shared past. Stream Mix Tape on BINGE from June 12, available on Hubbl. The cast of Mix Tape (from left to right) Ben Lawson, Julia Savage, Teresa Palmer, Jim Sturgess, Chika Ikogwe and Jacqueline McKenzie filmed for 12 days in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Photo credit BINGE Savage plays Alison's daughter Stella, who triggers her memories about Daniel. And when a chance encounter brings the former flames together after 20 years, they are forced to confront their past. Savage and Palmer filmed intensely for 12 days in Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands before production on the Lucy Gaffy-directed film moved to Dublin, Ireland. The filming schedule was intense, but Savage was ready to do the hard work on the miniseries, which is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Jane Sanderson. Filming of the flashback scenes then took place in Dublin with Rory Walton-Smith and Florence Hunt playing the younger versions of Palmer and Sturgess' characters. Photo: Binge 'It has been a whirlwind, but it's been amazing. I just take it one day at a time every day and do the best I can do,' Savage said. 'I think in an industry where the projects you create can't go forward without every single person giving their 100 per cent, it's so important to remember that this really is the most collaborative kind of art you can make and it's the most labour-intensive art you can make. 'I think remembering that and remembering that everyone here is doing a job and they're all here to make art and make something beautiful.' Sturgess and Palmer play high school sweethearts Daniel and Alison who reconnect through songs from their past. Picture: Binge Young Alison (Hunt) and Daniel (Walton-Smith) fall in love as teenagers before life takes them in different directions. Picture: Supplied Naturally, Palmer – a soon to be mum-of-five – took Savage under her wing on set and the young star can't sing her praises enough. 'Teresa is one of the most beautiful people inside and out. She's really a ray of sunshine. She always makes me laugh on set,' Savage said. 'In terms of having to play mother-daughter, it's always felt very easy with Theresa. It's never felt there was anything forced and there was always just this amazing sense of trust between us and I'm really grateful to have had that.' Savage puts on an incredible performance as Palmer's troubled daughter Stella in the miniseries. Picture: Binge Palmer's Alison is triggered by Stella's circumstances and grows nostalgic of her life with Daniel. Picture: Binge And it's not just Palmer who has given Savage some sage advice on set. The rising star says Simon Baker was a great father-figure three years ago when they filmed Blaze, where she played a young girl who, after witnessing a violent event summons an imaginary dragon to help her process her trauma. 'When I worked with him on Blaze, he was very nurturing as my father,' she said. 'I've learned a lot of amazing things from the actors I've worked with. They've given me lots of life lessons, especially to do with my craft. I really take with me things like pause, take your time and to not think about what's going on around me and just do what I'm here to do.' Savage and Simon Baker in the 2022 film Blaze, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the AACTAs. Picture: Causeway films 'It's been very validating, especially in an industry where I'm usually the youngest person on set, to have older actors trusting me and trusting what I'm doing and helping me to do the work.' Despite her success at such a young age, Savage says she has faced her fair share of criticism. But she drowns out the noise by surrounding herself with the right people. 'I'm younger, so there's obviously a little bit of scepticism regarding whether I'm happy doing what I'm doing,' she said. 'I can attest to the fact that I definitely love this job, but it's definitely something that you learn to deal with. 'But everyone's been super supportive. It's amazing to have such a strong foundation of support, be it on crew, be it your family, be it your friends. It's a very valuable thing to have.' Mix Tape premieres Thursday, June 12 at 8:30pm on BINGE, available on Hubbl and watch On Demand on Foxtel Originally published as Rising star Julia Savage talks 'whirlwind' 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Rising star Julia Savage talks ‘whirlwind' 12-day filming schedule on new Aussie miniseries Mix Tape
Aussie actress Julia Savage is just 18 years old, but already she has marked more than a decade in the industry. The teenager has a Best Actress AACTA nomination under her belt for her incredible performance in the 2022 psychological drama Blaze, and has starred opposite leading Australian actors Simon Baker and Guy Pearce. Savage will now appear alongside fellow AACTA nominee Teresa Palmer and British actor Jim Sturgess in the upcoming four-part Aussie miniseries Mix Tape, which premieres on BINGE on June 12. And even though she began acting at seven years old, starring on hits such as The Clearing and Mr Inbetween, the young star doesn't take any of it for granted and is always ready to give it her all. 'Every time I'm on a set and I'm lucky enough to be invited to come on, I'm so grateful,' she told from the Sydney set. 'I've been very lucky to grow up in an environment surrounded by adults who are validating me in my craft and following creative physics pursuits and my passions. But sets are my favourite place in the world. It's something I'm very lucky to be able to do at the level and with the people that I do.' In Mix Tape, Palmer and Sturgess play former 80s high-school sweethearts Alison and Daniel who are now living in Sydney and Sheffield, respectively, but reconnect in the modern world through songs from their shared past. Stream Mix Tape on BINGE from June 12, available on Hubbl. Savage plays Alison's daughter Stella, who triggers her memories about Daniel. And when a chance encounter brings the former flames together after 20 years, they are forced to confront their past. Savage and Palmer filmed intensely for 12 days in Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands before production on the Lucy Gaffy-directed film moved to Dublin, Ireland. The filming schedule was intense, but Savage was ready to do the hard work on the miniseries, which is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by Jane Sanderson. 'It has been a whirlwind, but it's been amazing. I just take it one day at a time every day and do the best I can do,' Savage said. 'I think in an industry where the projects you create can't go forward without every single person giving their 100 per cent, it's so important to remember that this really is the most collaborative kind of art you can make and it's the most labour-intensive art you can make. 'I think remembering that and remembering that everyone here is doing a job and they're all here to make art and make something beautiful.' Naturally, Palmer – a soon to be mum-of-five – took Savage under her wing on set and the young star can't sing her praises enough. 'Teresa is one of the most beautiful people inside and out. She's really a ray of sunshine. She always makes me laugh on set,' Savage said. 'In terms of having to play mother-daughter, it's always felt very easy with Theresa. It's never felt there was anything forced and there was always just this amazing sense of trust between us and I'm really grateful to have had that.' And it's not just Palmer who has given Savage some sage advice on set. The rising star says Simon Baker was a great father-figure three years ago when they filmed Blaze, where she played a young girl who, after witnessing a violent event summons an imaginary dragon to help her process her trauma. 'When I worked with him on Blaze, he was very nurturing as my father,' she said. 'I've learned a lot of amazing things from the actors I've worked with. They've given me lots of life lessons, especially to do with my craft. I really take with me things like pause, take your time and to not think about what's going on around me and just do what I'm here to do.' 'It's been very validating, especially in an industry where I'm usually the youngest person on set, to have older actors trusting me and trusting what I'm doing and helping me to do the work.' Despite her success at such a young age, Savage says she has faced her fair share of criticism. But she drowns out the noise by surrounding herself with the right people. 'I'm younger, so there's obviously a little bit of scepticism regarding whether I'm happy doing what I'm doing,' she said. 'I can attest to the fact that I definitely love this job, but it's definitely something that you learn to deal with. 'But everyone's been super supportive. It's amazing to have such a strong foundation of support, be it on crew, be it your family, be it your friends. It's a very valuable thing to have.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Producer of Peaky Blinders and Big Brother ‘drafts bid' for ITV
The French entertainment business behind Peaky Blinders, Banijay Group, is reportedly drawing up plans for a takeover offer for ITV or its studio arm. The group, which has also produced Big Brother, has held early talks with ITV about buying the whole business or just its studio production division, according to reports. ITV Studios is one of the world's biggest production companies, making shows for the UK commercial public broadcaster as well as selling content to other platforms such as the BBC and Netflix. It produced Disney's Rivals, Netflix's thriller Fool Me Once and the BBC's Showtrial. Related: TV nostalgia continues with new gameshow based on musical chairs There has been persistent speculation about the possible sale of ITV Studios. Shares in ITV have risen by about 10% this year amid chatter about a possible deal. Some City analysts have argued the studios business could be worth more than all of ITV's current £3bn market value. A full takeover of ITV would probably mean that Banijay would look for third-party investors to support the deal, according to the Financial Times. The discussions with ITV are at a very early stage with no guarantee that it will progress to any deal, according to its sources. ITV has also reportedly held separate talks with RedBird IMI, an Abu-Dhabi backed venture that recently acquired All3Media, the producer behind the hit TV show Traitors, for £1.2bn. ITV considered an acquisition of All3Media in 2023, judging that it would be a good fit with its studio business, but it was ultimately outbid by Redbird IMI. Earlier this year, there were reports that ITV and RedBird IMI had discussed merging ITV Studios and All3Media. A deal would create one of the biggest production companies in Europe. Profits at ITV jumped last year, buoyed up by record earnings at the production arm. While revenue at the FTSE 250 company slipped by 3% to £4.1bn in 2024 compared with the previous year, adjusted profits rose by 11% to £542m. Dame Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of ITV, is under pressure to increase revenues and the company's share price. The traditional TV part of the business, where programmes are broadcast at set times, has been hit by a slowdown in advertising and as viewers shift to online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+. Analysts at Bernstein believe a takeover of ITV as a whole is an 'unlikely scenario', with the best bet a deal involving ITV's production assets outside the UK. 'We see little commercial logic to a combination of ITV's broadcasting business with any overseas broadcaster or production company,' said Simon Baker, in a note on Monday. '[However], a spin off of ITV Studios' non-UK business could crystallise value and offer the prospect of synergies being unlocked.' A deal to acquire ITV Studios would at a stroke hugely reduce Banijay's large dependence on non-scripted shows. Banijay was founded in 2008. Seven years later it merged with Zodiak, owner of UK producers including the Faking It maker RDF. In 2019, Banijay struck a $2.2bn (£1.6bn) deal to buy Endemol Shine Group, the maker of shows including MasterChef, Big Brother and Black Mirror, to create the largest TV producer outside the US. Its parent company, Banijay Group, is listed in Amsterdam and has a market capitalisation of €3.6bn (£3.1bn). Earlier this year, Patrick Holland, the executive chair of Banijay UK, discussed the difficulties British broadcasters are facing in funding premium drama productions in the era of deep-pocketed streamers such as Netflix. 'There is a reset going on rather than a catastrophe,' he told the Guardian. 'It is definitely the case that there is a huge amount of pressure in commissioning and the costs are very high. Drama costs have risen exponentially. 'I am ever the optimist. We have got to try and reset and work out a way to build slates that are sustainable, rather than one show that costs a fortune, making it impossible to see other shows through.' ITV shares fell by 3% on Monday. ITV declined to comment. Banijay and RedBird IMI were approached for comment. Sign in to access your portfolio
