George Clooney Unveils Acting Rule and Upcoming Film at Venice Masterclass
At the Venice Film Festival masterclass, George Clooney discussed his guiding principle, the challenges of acting success, and his next film project.
Netflix's film adaptation of 'Better Than the Movies' adds confirmed cast members today, including Deacon Phillippe and Judy Greer.

Netflix has officially expanded the cast of its upcoming film adaptation of Better Than the Movies. The announcement, reported by Deadline on September 3, reveals that notable actors Deacon Phillippe, Nicole Bruner, Luke Kirby, and Judy Greer are among eight new additions.
As production began today in Chicago, the film welcomed a diverse lineup. Joining the previously announced leads Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono, the newly cast actors include Deacon Phillippe playing Michael Young, Nicole Bruner as Jocelyn, Luke Kirby as Brian Buxbaum, and Judy Greer in the role of Helena. Other newcomers include Claire Coffee, Ora Duplass, Veronica Garrubbo, and Kynlee Heiman. The screenplay is crafted by Heather Flanders and Julia Hart, who also directs the film.
Better Than the Movies is adapted from the #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Lynn Painter, published by Simon & Schuster in 2021. The story follows Liz Buxbaum, portrayed by Beatrice Kitsos, as her romantic escapades unfold through her love of rom-coms, involving schemes with her neighbor, played by David Iacono. The narrative is a contemporary reimagining of classic romantic tropes, making it particularly appealing to younger audiences and fans of the romance genre.
The film's adaptation is significant, given the book's popularity, maintaining a presence on various New York Times bestseller lists for over three years. This production aims to resonate not only with fans of the book but also with romantic comedy enthusiasts who appreciate modern twists on familiar themes. Such adaptations are increasingly relevant in a streaming landscape constantly seeking to captivate younger viewers drawn via platforms like BookTok.
Julia Hart, known for her acclaimed work in the coming-of-age genre, will helm the project. Her recent film, Don’t Say Good Luck, achieved notable success on Netflix, gathering millions of views shortly after its release and receiving critical acclaim. Hart, together with her creative partner Jordan Horowitz, aims to bring a nuanced portrayal of youth and humor to the screen, positioning Better Than the Movies as a critical venture for Netflix.
With filming officially underway, fans can anticipate more news regarding the film's release and further casting details as production progresses. Given the continuous popularity of romantic comedies and current cultural trends surrounding YA literature, Better Than the Movies is poised to be a key player in the upcoming Netflix slate.
For additional insights into Better Than The Movies and other upcoming projects, visit our site for the latest entertainment updates.
For more information on similar films, check out our coverage of Rob Deacon's New Film Finance Initiative and Joe Swanberg's Indie Rock Dramedy.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: Deadline. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.