Podcast – Marvin Emetom, Actor, Producer, and Writer • The Indie Magazine & Podcast

This week, we had the opportunity to talk with Marvin Emetom, an Atlanta-based actor, producer, and writer. We discuss Marvin’s education, time as an athlete, transition to acting full time, and how those experiences have helped shape the way he approaches every script and role. He discusses the ins and outs of acting schools, and a bit about his instructors at the Howey Acting Studio in Arizona. We also discuss how he’s used the last couple years to bring a few ideas from script to screen, including a new short, X’s and O’s.

We really enjoyed talking with Marvin Emetom, and his passion, dedication, and knowledge for the craft and storytelling really shine throughout the interview. Madison and Tristan close out today’s episode discussing Shōgun Episode 4.

We hope you enjoy this week’s episode, please share it with friends and family, and send it to anyone wanting to learn about acting, writing, and producing.

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How ‘Land of Bad’ Distributor The Avenue Is Disrupting the Action Thriller Space

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“It’s been four years since The Avenue first launched, and the indie distributor just scored its first top 10 film with William Eubank’s “Land of Bad.” “
“The action flick starring Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle and Milo Ventimiglia opened on Feb. 16, had the fourth-highest per screen average over the holiday weekend and was the only independent film in the top 10.”
“While indie films in awards contention can often make a modest box office dent, it’s unusual for an action film like “Land of Bad” to reach such heights: the actioner’s four-day total on opening weekend was $2.1 million from 1,057 screens.”
“Small-but-mighty The Avenue is Highland Film Group’s U.S. distribution division, helmed by CEO Arianne Fraser and COO Delphine Perrier, and handling all aspects of distribution, from theatrical through home entertainment to television, SVOD and AVOD. It also boasts a partnership with Paramount Home Entertainment to handle Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, and Digital distribution.”
“So what’s the secret sauce for a project from The Avenue? Of course, Highland Film Group titles most often make the cut, but the distributor also works with third party acquisitions. “We look for films that have broad appeal and that are very commercial, so we are very committed to action thrillers,” Caruth says. “And then for me on the domestic side, I look for the star power that’s really going to have some built-in awareness. We also look to partner with great directors.””
““We’re obviously learning every day, so we’re going to be building on that success. One of my priorities is to keep delivering films that will generate box office. I want to build on a relationship with exhibition,” Caruth says. “We want to be able to keep doing that at least with one or two films a year.””

Jake Gyllenhaal Says Playing Batman ‘Would Be an Honor Always,’ Two Decades After Losing ‘Batman Begins’ Despite Being Co-Writer’s Top Choice

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“Jake Gyllenhaal was a serious contender to play Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, but it appears losing the role to Christian Bale never impacted Gyllenhaal’s desire to play Batman on the big screen. Making the press rounds in support of his new Prime Video action movie “Road House,” Gyllenhaal was asked by Screen Rant if he was still interested in playing Batman.”
““Oh, man. That’s a classic [role]. It’s an honor,” Gyllenhaal answered. “Speaking of playing roles that other incredible actors have played in the past … When I think about it, I’m going to play Iago in ‘Othello’ with Denzel Washington, and I think about like the history of actors that have played that role throughout time, and I’m intimidated by that. So that’s the first level. That’s what I’m working on right now. But of course. It would be an honor always. Those types of things and those roles are classics.””
“While Robert Pattinson currently plays Batman on the big screen (Warner Bros. recently moved the release date for “The Batman Part II” to Oct. 2, 2026), a new Batman actor will soon be found to star in “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.” That film is being directed by “The Flash” and “It” helmer Andy Muschietti and will officially bring Batman into the new universe that is being created by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. Pattinson’s Batman remains a standalone. Might Gyllenhaal be this new Batman? It sounds like he’d certainly be open to the idea.”
“Acting in a Marvel movie was such a big change of pace for Gyllenhaal that it resulted in bouts of anxiety on set. Or as Gyllenhaal put it, “I was freaking out. It was a scene with [Samuel L.] Jackson, Tom [Holland] … There were a number of actors in that scene. And I remember not being able to remember my lines. I was the wooden board. And they were like, ‘Whoa’.””
“Gyllenhaal continued, “And I went up to Tom Holland and was like, ‘Dude, help me out’. He’s like, ‘It’s all good, man. Just relax’. It was like he was me in so many situations. And I finally did. I just put a lot of pressure on [myself] because I love that world. I had to walk up [to people on set] and be like, ‘Look man, I just came off Broadway doing a one-man show for an hour and a half onstage, so I got this. Please, believe me’.””

American Cinematheque Launches Major New L.A. Documentary Festival This Is Not a Fiction (EXCLUSIVE)

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“The American Cinematheque is kicking off a robust new Los Angeles nonfiction film festival dubbed This Is Not a Fiction, running from April 10-18. The festival opens with docuseries “Thank You, Good Night: The Bon Jovi Story,” with Jon Bon Jovi in-person at the Aero Theatre for the L.A. premiere screening.”
“Other premieres will include “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus,” “Power,” “Strong Island,” “Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg,” a restoration of “Lumumba: Death of a Prophet” and “Incident,” plus special presentations of Morgan Neville’s “Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces” and “Girls State.” A celebration of the 15th anniversary of “30 for 30” will feature a panel discussion with VP and executive producer of ESPN Films Marsha Cooke, producer Daniel Silver and filmmakers Kopple, Morgen and Tremaine.”
““’This Is Not A Fiction’ goes beyond the limits of genre, with the lineup reflecting the boundless possibilities of non-fiction storytelling,” said co-founders Chris LeMaire, Senior Film Programmer, and Cindy Flores, Film Programmer. “The festival is a celebration of non-fiction as a form of filmmaking and its profound impact on our lives, from its influence in art and entertainment to its power in education, political advocacy and social discourse.””
“The tribute to Berlinger will include screenings of “Brother’s Keeper” and “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills.” Berlinger said, “I’m excited to include the work I made with the late Bruce Sinofsky, and it is especially gratifying to screen these archival 35mm prints, giving L.A. audiences the intended experiences on their original celluloid formats.””