Alexander Payne's next movie The Menu (To whom may know Alexander Payne)

[ZaEry]

I guess Alexander Payne's next movie will be The Menu. As of right now it will star Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes. It's about a young couple who travel to an island getaway with designs to dine at an exclusive, ultra-fancy restaurant run by an acclaimed chef who has prepared a lavish tasting menu, along with some shocking surprise. Emma Stone will play one of the couple and Ralph Fiennes will play the chef.

This might be an odd question but does anyone on here know Alexander Payne or have some like you know run into him? The reason why I ask is because you know how I said Emma Stone's character will travel to an island, note her character has to be from somewhere. I know it will be up to Alexander Payne himself but how about Emma Stone's character be from Omaha. To anyone who may know Alexander Payne or to someone who runs into him on a basis, see if he could bring Emma Stone to Omaha for this. Even if only a small number of scenes are filmed here similar to Downsizing with Matt Damon. See if Alexander Payne could give Emma Stone a taste of Omaha like he did with Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Jack Nicholson, and Matt Damon. Like I said its Alexander Payne's movie and it be up to him but try to convince him to bring Emma Stone to Omaha, even if only a small number of her scenes are filmed here while the rest is some island or wherever they may film it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O..

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him bring Emma Stone to Omaha...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[RockHarbor]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O..

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him bring Emma Stone to Omaha...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Oh, wow! You know Alexander Payne and went to school with him? How interesting. Did he always talk about making films?

[Coyote]

I graduated in his class (Prep '79) He was making films in HS.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O..

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him bring Emma Stone to Omaha...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Oh, wow! You know Alexander Payne and went to school with him? How interesting. Did he always talk about making films?

Alex and I were even alter boys at our church when we were kids, lol.. I remember as far back as being 11 and 12 year olds.. He talked about films, but I never remember him talking about making films. That was later, as Coyote said, when we were in high school...

True story- when we were in high school, we both dated the same girl when we were 15 or 16. I barely remember that one, I’m sure he doesn’t ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

Of course he choreographed the best senior prank in Prep's history, the shoot out at the OK Coral, in the
Library. He got in Mega Trouble for that, I still don't know how he pulled that off, since every student knew when and where it was going to happen and filled the Library to watch it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Of course he choreographed the best senior prank in Prep's history, the shoot out at the OK Coral, in the
Library. He got in Mega Trouble for that, I still don't know how he pulled that off, since every student knew when and where it was going to happen and filled the Library to watch it.

I remember hearing about that one. For Burke High senior 1979 prank, The JB’s Big Boy statue was placed right in front of the entrance of school, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ZaEry]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O..

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him bring Emma Stone to Omaha...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

About his roots, you are not kidding. Alexander Payne is dedicated to Nebraska. I hope no one on here takes me for some celebrity stalker. Emma Stone, I really admire as an actress and hearing that she'll be in the next Alexander Payne, I'm like please bring her to Omaha even if only a small number of scenes get filmed her. I know Alexander Payne spends a lot of time here and my reason for creating this post was for people who may know him or see him, tell Alexander Payne make Emma Stone's character an Omaha Native. I want to believe that there is a good chance that some of her scenes will be filmed here. I haven't read the script but when it said she visits an island, I'm assuming most likely her character will get some type of invite to the island or win a trip to that island and she'll have to come from somewhere. I don't know what will be on the island but I assume most likely the island scenes will be filmed else where, and I'm pretty sure they won't be able to disguise Omaha as an island. Although, hopefully the beginning could be filmed here and possibly the end if he has her character go back home.

Also, could somebody ask Alexander Payne if he would ever like to cast Nick Nolte is something. I know we really don't see him in movies anymore but Nick Nolte is from Omaha and I think it would be nice if Alexander Payne brought him back to Omaha for a movie. Maybe even Gabrielle Union or Adam Devine. Speaking of Gabrielle Union, I don't know if people saw her movie Breaking In that came out last year. When you see it, you'll want her to lead more action flicks.

[RockHarbor]

So weird to hear these "intimate details" of growing up with him! It's also strange how well both forumers -- Coyote & "Cia..Lao..Peace" (Omaha Cowboy) -- know each other. I always felt you two had some bond beyond the forum. I sensed it, I felt it. Now, I know why... I almost can get you two mixed up sometimes, to be honest, because you both seem like "alike people", and you both have rustic, western names.

I'm glad Alex Payne has used Omaha & Nebraska a lot in movies. However, I also like his other films that don't use Nebraska or Omaha. I have several of his movies. He's good at making films with real, strong emotion in them, imo... I thought "Downsizing" was kinda a strange mix of many different ideas & things, yet it worked somehow. After Matt Damon went through a sudden, unexpected, surprise divorce, you could really feel the pain he felt losing his wife...

Emma Stone: I don't know much about her. Nick Nolte: I've always liked him, and knew he was from Omaha. I think of that every time I see him. Great actor.

[Coyote]

Cowboy and I definitely do not look like each other, you would never mix us up.

[RockHarbor]

Cowboy and I definitely do not look like each other, you would never mix us up.

Well, I never claimed you two looked like each other. Lol... At this point, though, I think of you BOTH as "George Strait" types from Omaha. lol

[Coyote]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

[RockHarbor]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

Lol... You're hilarious. There's actually a lot of men in that category. Im thinking, in general, women like a man that overall takes care of them and their needs, but still lets them feel "in charge" overall. I dont think a lot of men find that easy. And, not all women are that way either. Its all so complex.

Ive also seen very nice men, ones that treated their wife like she's everything, like Matt Damon's character in "Downsizing", betrayed by their wife -- just adding to the "Nice guys finish last" thing. I dont respect women like that. I also dont respect women that talk down to men all the time, but dont to other women -- because they know women can be very catty back if they do, and they fear it. Men typically arent that way. That shouldnt mean less respect.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

Lol..

Also, I find myself making multiple inquiries about purchasing additional life insurance and have pretty much cut dairy out of my diet. Important decisions to be made as we’re entering the AARP zone...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

Lol... You're hilarious. There's actually a lot of men in that category. Im thinking, in general, women like a man that overall takes care of them and their needs, but still lets them feel "in charge" overall.

Well, If you find any of those type of ladies in Reno, send ‘em our way, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Uffda]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

Hey!!!

[RockHarbor]

Well, we are both pushing AARP membership and are not lucky with women, but you can put Uffda in that group as well.

Lol... You're hilarious. There's actually a lot of men in that category. Im thinking, in general, women like a man that overall takes care of them and their needs, but still lets them feel "in charge" overall.

Well, If you find any of those type of ladies in Reno, send ‘em our way, lol...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Oh, I will... I couldnt love them, anyways, as I wouldnt let any wife be any bit "in charge" of me. I have seen too many weak, passive men w/ controlling women. It just makes me cringe... If that works for a couple, then fine. But, it doesnt work for me. On the flipside, I'm not interested in being "in charge" of her either. I like the idea of a healthy, balanced union.

What about the man that was formerly in the military, that has traded the respectable uniform for wigs & a dress, that took an interest in me, out here... Should I send him somebody's way, too? No thanks. Not into that either.

(Lol...Im totally joking. Yet, that did happen...)

By the way, watch women/people around men that have money. Its so funny; A man can have any look, and if he has money, a seemingly nonstop flow of continuous women are suddenly very available & very flirty. He doesnt even have to try. Its amazing how shallow & fake many people really are, when somebody has something they want. I think at our age, the need for warm, fuzzy feelings & ideal of "real love", that maybe came with the high school sweetheart, have faded in many, and many people are only interested in what somebody can do for them, ultimately. Its sad, imo.

[edsas]

I guess I'll throw in my own Alexander Payne story.

I met him five or six times out in California. He frequently spoke at The Nebraska Coast Connection which is a group of entertainment industry professionals (mostly from Nebraska, but not entirely) who meet up once a month. The organizer is a friend of mine and a close friend of Alexander's. They lived in the same small apartment building in the 1990s/early 2000s and would co-host parties where they opened up the two top-floor apartments and let guests wander back and forth between the two. On one such occasion, they had the apartments open during the 2003 Oscars (which covered the 2002 year in film). Payne was nominated for best adapted screenplay for About Schmidt. When they called his name with the other nominees (and briefly showed him sitting in his tuxedo), I was standing in his living room with 30 other guests, leaning against his book shelf.

He truly seems like a great guy, but I never got to speak with him for any length. My friend strangely refused to ever introduce us. He's a film producer and we were working on a project together in the early 2000s. He introduced me to a number of Hollywood professionals but, weirdly, never to Alexander -- despite having been around him half a dozen times.

As for the original question about Emma Stone's character being from Omaha. You don't really have to convince Payne to make any of his characters hail from Omaha. More often than not, he just does it. If Stone's character doesn't come from Omaha, there's likely an interesting reason for it (such as the case with Clooney's character in The Descendants or Giamatti's character in Sideways).

[RockHarbor]

Interesting story... Interesting that he was living in an LA apartment with his first Oscar. Wonder what is the deal with your friend not introducing you over & over? Talk about strange.

I read some on IMDB about him. It says his parents ran a Greek restaurant in Omaha. I wonder which one? Surely it's not Greek Islands? That is soooo good, and the mural is so beautiful in there. I also love Jim & Jennies near 90th & Maple. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0668247/

IMBD also points out that his movies often involve adultery. I wonder why he themes that subject in every one of his movies? I can't help but wonder. (Yet, I dont think "King of California" involved that subject.) And, I never knew he was married to that Sandra Oh gal at one time. And, I never knew he went to Stanford. Wow.

Funny, his past involves that "Catholic altar boy" thing. I remember feeling/thinking he must have had a religious background of some sort, watching one of his movies one time. (Course, although he directs, that doesn't mean he writes the movie script. Still, I felt that.)

Creighton Prep: Sometimes I wish I went there. Yet, I'm not Catholic. There's this whole culture involving Creighton Prep in Omaha. It almost seems like a prestigious "Boys Club" or something. It must have been nice to be part of that. Although I've driven by it a million times, I've never even set foot on their grounds, I don't think. I wonder if AP was there when the tornado of 1975 struck?

Speaking of Hollywood, I just noticed this: https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebr ... smsnnews11 Jennifer Garner? Good for her, but she's personally not my favorite -- or anything. Honestly, I don't even look at People's "Most Beautiful" list, and I haven't for years & years. Any "Most Beautiful" list that features many imperfect-looking males every year, but leaves perfect, Ken-faced Casper Van Dien (a major actor) off that list year after year after year, it is not any "Beautiful list" I pay attention to. Casper Van Dien: https://st.depositphotos.com/1814084/17 ... n-dien.jpg No, it's not a "gay thing" here. It's a human-to-human, man-to-man. justice/fairness thing -- is what it is. I'm just very impressed with his male looks (he was even nicknamed "Ken" in college, and fights broke out with other males even). He belongs on that list more than most people, and if PEOPLE MAG are gonna leave people off that are strangely "too good for their own good", then I don't pay any attention to the silly shots they call every year. Their opinion means nothing to me. Why should it? It's all so very stupid, imo.

In that showbizzy world, I notice many people often have such a deep need to call the shots on who deserves the "top slot" -- because it must make them feel powerful, for at least a moment in their life, or whatever. It's so funny... If you're gonna call shots on others, have the courage to give credit where credit is really due. I would love to see what those people look like in that PEOPLE office that call these annual shots on people.

[nativeomahan]

Apropos of very little, I realize, but I graduated Prep in 1975. Yes, the year the tornado tore off the roof. The morning of the day of the tornado someone in our physics class asked the teacher, Ron Bruno, whether he would grant any exemptions from taking the physics final exam to students with great grades. Ron’s response, and I kid you not, was “only if the physics department were to get hit by a tornado.”
I still believe that the tornado was the only way I passed physics!

[RockHarbor]

Apropos of very little, I realize, but I graduated Prep in 1975. Yes, the year the tornado tore off the roof. The morning of the day of the tornado someone in our physics class asked the teacher, Ron Bruno, whether he would grant any exemptions from taking the physics final exam to students with great grades. Ron’s response, and I kid you not, was “only if the physics department were to get hit by a tornado.”
I still believe that the tornado was the only way I passed physics!

That is so strangely ironic & coincidental. Wow, thanks for sharing that. It almost is along the lines of me learning that Elvis Presley had a tour that involved the words "tornado" and "Omaha" happening around the time of the tornado, but before the tornado. (Here it is: Tornado Over Omaha by Elvis Presley. It was in 1974. https://www.elvisdvdcollector.com/produ ... -omaha-dvd. I guess he also had a "Black Tornado" tour in 1971.) Ironic. Ive read that the alerts were out from the morning onward on May 6, 1975, and people felt/sensed tornadic weather was on its way all day, so the teacher probably had tornadoes on his mind. Yet, he had no idea the tornado would come up 72nd Street and actually hit the school, sparing you the physics test -- of course. Good for you! Physics is challenging, for sure. I like mathematics, and science, and always have, and I had to work extra hard passing physics in college. It was almost "scary hard" with certain aspects, imo.

[edsas]

Interesting story... Interesting that he was living in an LA apartment with his first Oscar. Wonder what is the deal with your friend not introducing you over & over? Talk about strange.

He moved out of that building shortly after that. The building itself was really nice, though. Don't think of it as an "apartment." It was a four-plex that were more like townhomes. The architecture was Mediterranean style built sometime between 1920 and 1950. Payne had been living there for about 10 years (before his directing career started all the way up to when he started experiencing A-list success). By the time I had made it to these parties (2000/2001), he definitely could have afforded a different place, but he was by no means "slumming it" in this building.

[RockHarbor]

Interesting story... Interesting that he was living in an LA apartment with his first Oscar. Wonder what is the deal with your friend not introducing you over & over? Talk about strange.

He moved out of that building shortly after that. The building itself was really nice, though. Don't think of it as an "apartment." It was a four-plex that were more like townhomes. The architecture was Mediterranean style built sometime between 1920 and 1950. Payne had been living there for about 10 years (before his directing career started all the way up to when he started experiencing A-list success). By the time I had made it to these parties (2000/2001), he definitely could have afforded a different place, but he was by no means "slumming it" in this building.

That was exactly what I was picturing -- down to the Mediterranean style. Los Angeles has a lot of those. I knew several people, one at Capitol Records and one a publicist, in the entertainment business that lived in that same type place out there...

[zippy]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O.

I graduated in his class (Prep '79) He was making films in HS.

It's almost a reunion! I also graduated from Prep in '79, and I think Alex might have been in the Jazz Band with me.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I grew up with Alex and we graduated high school the same year.. I haven’t spoken to him since we were in our college years.. But knowing him, he has never forgotten his roots and always pays homage to the Big O.

I graduated in his class (Prep '79) He was making films in HS.

It's almost a reunion! I also graduated from Prep in '79, and I think Alex might have been in the Jazz Band with me.

Nice! We could probably have a ‘79 graduating class 40 year reunion forum meet ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

It's almost a reunion! I also graduated from Prep in '79, and I think Alex might have been in the Jazz Band with me.

You played on the Jazz Band? So did I.

[iamjacobm]

Well it turns out that Payne did not end up directing The Menu, would have been a very different movie. The actress Anya Taylor Joy ended up in Emma Stone's role and she was from Grand Island in the movie.

Payne does have a new movie coming out. If you look closely at the beginning of the trailer one of the student's names is Brinker Harding which I imagine has to be a reference to the current city council member. They are probably close in age would imagine they have crossed paths.

Also the movie is set at an all boys school, would not be shocked if a Prep reference or two was snuck in there.

[Greg S]

I really like Paul Giamatti. This looks good.

[ricko]

I used to go to the movies twice a month or so. I can’t remember the last time I went, or what I saw. Payne is the only director I follow anymore. In the 90’s I rented his first movie (Citizen Ruth) from Blockbuster’s, and I’ve been following him ever since. I look forward to seeing his films, and will visit the theater to see this one.

[nativeomahan]

Yes it looks like a good film from the trailer.

[Coyote]

THE HOLDOVERS Trailer (2023) Paul Giamatti, Alexander Payne



THE HOLDOVERS Trailer (2023) Paul Giamatti, Alexander Payne, Dominic Sessa, Comedy Movie

[omahahawk]

If you have not seen this movie you owe it to yourself to check it out. It was excellent.

[Cermak]

If you have not seen this movie you owe it to yourself to check it out. It was excellent.

I’ve heard good things about it. His movies are usually pretty good. About Schmidt has been my favorite.

[ricko]

If you have not seen this movie you owe it to yourself to check it out. It was excellent.

Saw it this evening. I’d be surprised if it didn’t get a few Oscar nominations.

[Uffda]

I saw it a week ago and thought it was very good. I caught an Omaha friend’s name on one of the tests booklets that’s passed out at the beginning. He and Payne have been friends for years.

[Coyote]

Making Of “The Holdovers” with Director Alexander Payne



The Holdovers - Behind the Scenes



From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them -- a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) -- and with the school's head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). Take a look behind the scenes and hear from the cast & crew.

[Coyote]

‘I’d rather be making a film’:
Before walking Oscars red carpet,
Alexander Payne sits down with FFP

Mike’l Severe’s freewheeling Flatwater Free Conversation with the famed film director, on “The Holdovers,” going to the Oscars, growing up Greek in Omaha, Giamatti, Costco and doing work at the Elkhorn Public Library.

Flatwater Free Conversation - Alexander Payne