J.D.Dillard: Last News

Film Fest 919 in Chapel Hill, N.C., will open its fifth edition with the screening of action-drama “Devotion,” starring Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell, on Oct. 19. Along with the opening night screening, FF919 will also honor “Devotion” director J.D. Dillard with the New Horizon Award. Set during the Korean War, “Devotion” follows the U.S. Navy’s first Black aviator and his wingman, both of whom confront geopolitical uncertainty and racist hostility. The screening will be followed by a moderated conversation with Dillard. This year’s festival will close with the screening of Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” on Sunday, Oct. 23. Set at a private estate on a Greek island, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns to solve another murder mystery in the upcoming whodunit sequel.

EXCLUSIVE: “Neo, sooner or later you’re going to realize just as I did that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path,” states Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus to Keanu Reeve’s character in the Lilly Wachowski’s co-penned and co-helmed The Matrix.

When people talk about fighter pilot movies from the past year, many will probably think about “Top Gun: Maverick.” And though that film is great, there’s another fighter pilot film out now that might actually be, dare I say, better? That movie is “Devotion,” directed by J.D. Dillard.

When people talk about fighter pilot movies from the past year, many will probably think about “Top Gun: Maverick.” And though that film is great, there’s another fighter pilot film out now that might actually be, dare I say, better? That movie is “Devotion,” directed by J.D. Dillard.

Brent Lang Executive Editor “Devotion,” a drama about a group of elite fighter pilots during the Korean War, will screen at the opening night of the Urbanworld Film Festival. The Sony Pictures and Black Label Media production was directed by J.D. Dillard and stars Jonathan Majors, who will serve as the festival’s official ambassador. HBO will return as a founding partner of the Urbanworld Film Festival, and Visa will serve as presenting partner. The festival will take place from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30. “This year’s slate is incredibly impressive,” said Karen McMullen, head of programming. “We have some of the top artists in the industry as well as exciting new voices premiering their films at Urbanworld. It has been a privilege working alongside this organization as we move into our 26th year as a festival. We can’t wait to see everyone in person in New York City to help us celebrate our dynamic films and filmmakers.”

EXCLUSIVE: Serinda Swan is set to play a young Elizabeth Taylor in Black Label Media’s war movie Devotion, which also stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Christina Jackson. Joe Jonas and Thomas Sadorski were also recently set to join the cast. Sleight director J.D. Dillard will direct.

Joe Jonas is ready to make his dramatic film debut!The performer announced on Tuesday that he would be joining stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell and Thomas Sadoski in the upcoming war film, sharing s article about his casting and writing, «Let’s get it!!! Can’t wait to start filming ✈️ #Devotion @glenpowell @jgdillard.» centers on the real-life story of Jesse LeRoy Brown and Tom Hudner — played by Majors and Powell, respectively -- two “elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who form a firm friendship” while serving their country in the years leading up to the Cold War.