Steven Spielberg, stars of his “Fabelmans” movie Michelle Williams and Paul Dano, plus Jordan Peele, Cate Blanchett, Keegan Michael Key, and dozens more A listers all gathered last night for an old fashioned Hollywood soiree at the Sunset Tower Hotel.
It was really like old pre-pandemic times as the movie world got together to celebrate Universal Pictures and its dynamic, ultra-successful chief, Donna Langley. She’s not just the most powerful woman in Hollywood, she’s the most everything. Langley, like a a great card player, has all the hits in her hand! Fabelmans, Tar, Puss N Boots, She Said, even Bros — she’s had quite a season.
So there was Spielberg et al, plus Nina Hoss from “Tar,” Judd Apatow, Patricia Clarkson, Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon, the whole gang from “RRR,” The Bangles’ Susannah Hoffs and director husband Jay Roach, Beverly D’Angelo (currently have a major Renaissance) plus the Fabelmans star kid Gabe Labelle, award winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, director Adam Rifkin, the directors of She Said and Puss n Boots, and so on.
The evening was a toast to Langley in between the Golden Globes (which everyone in the room agreed was a disaster on Tuesday) and the coming Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night (on the CW Network).
Speaking of Kumail, I did ask him about his incredible buff up for Marvel’s “The Eternals.” He got plenty of press for turning into a gym rat, building up muscle so he could be a superhero. “I’m losing it now,” he said, with a sigh. “It’s going away!” PS I asked– he did not use those kettle bells you read about. He didn’t go that far!
Michelle Williams was glowing after so much acclaim for “The Fabelmans.” I told she perfectly captured the real life Leah Spielberg, who she plays in the great film. After four Oscar nominations she’s ready for a win, deservedly so. Williams was one of the guests also on Thursday night at the amazing discussion on stage between Spielberg and his 90 year old composer, John Williams. They’ve been working together for 50 years!
Spielberg, by the way, stayed at the party until the end. He’s our greatest filmmaker and he’s reaping the rewards of a landmark film. What an achievement!
PS I took that picture– that’s the very attractive Ms. Langley sandwiched between Spielberg and Peele.
