Director Guild nominates 'Three Identical Strangers,' more movie news

THE MOVIE “Three Identical Strangers”

THE DEAL Tim Wardle’s film about Long Island-born triplets is now an official nominee for the best documentary award from the Directors Guild of America. The Guild earlier this week announced its five finalists, which include “Free Solo,” about a rock climber who uses no equipment; “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” Morgan Neville’s film about Fred Rogers; “RBG,” a tribute to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” about black residents of the Deep South. The DGA nomination strengthens the chances of “Three Identical Strangers” making it to Oscar night; the film is also a nominee for a Producers Guild Award. Oscar nominations voting closes Monday. 

THE MOVIE “Venom”

THE DEAL A sequel to the superhero smash is in the works with Kelly Marcel  returning as a writer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Venom," a surprise success from late last year, stars Tom Hardy as a journalist who develops superpowers when his body is invaded by an alien parasite. The film met with uncommonly hateful reviews, but fans turned “Venom” into an $855 million worldwide smash. Screenwriting credits for Marcel, who is also an actress and a producer, include “Saving Mr. Banks” and “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

THE MOVIE “Alita: Battle Angel”

THE DEAL Robert Rodriguez’s unusual-looking new film, featuring Rosa Salazar as a cyborg with larger-than-life eyes, will be preceded by an “immersive experience” available to moviegoers in New York City starting Jan. 26. Called Passport to Iron City, the event at 470 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn, will bring patrons into the film’s futuristic world, where they will interact with citizens, solve puzzles and perhaps walk away with an Iron City souvenir. “Alita: Battle Angel," which also stars Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly and Mahershala Ali, opens nationwide Feb. 14. For more information, go to alitaexperience.com.