Stephen Colbert calls on Alabama filmmaker to save ‘Late Show’ opening

Stephen Colbert calls on Alabama filmmaker to save ‘Late Show’ opening

On the cusp of Oscar glory, the Daniels are everywhere.

That’s fitting, considering their film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” stands to win multiple Academy Awards during Sunday’s ceremony. But before they hit the red carpet, they helped Stephen Colbert out of a late night jam.

With his filmmaking partner Daniel Kwan, Alabama native Daniel Scheinert appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” when the host revealed a dog had eaten episode’s opening credits (just go with it…), so he enlisted the help of the Oscar-nominated writer/directors to cut a new reel before showtime.

As the Daniels appeared backstage (in a pre-taped segment), Colbert thanked them for coming and praised their film as “a fun wild, ride,” listing its memorable moments like “hot dog hands” and “singing racoons.”

“Oh, thank you, yeah. We didn’t do any of that for this,” a deadpan Scheinert told the host. Kwan then said they went with something more “calm” and “meditative” to give his audience a break. They aired their spin on the credits, gently narrated by what sounds like an whispering ASMR specialist, as images fit for an art film played and ultimately lulled Colbert’s audience to sleep.

“We need energy,” Colbert told the Daniels. “I wanted explosions, I wanted fights, I wanted somebody to kick through a wall!”

The bit then turns into a send-up of their multiverse adventure, with Colbert eventually bursting through a wall to greet his adoring fans as Scheinert and Kwan cheer him on. Watch the segment in the video above.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” leads all Oscar nominees with 11 total including best picture, director, screenplay, actress, supporting actor and supporting actress — and it just got a step closer to Academy Award glory after nearly sweeping the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The film won best acting ensemble, lead actress (Michelle Yeoh), supporting actress (Jamie Lee Curtis) and supporting actor (Ke Huy Quan).

Read the full list of the 2023 Oscar nominees. The ceremony airs on ABC at 7 p.m. CST Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Among the film’s Oscar nominees are Alabama natives Scheinert (who co-wrote and co-directed the movie with his filmmaking partner Daniel Kwan; they form the “Daniels” duo) and Paul Rogers (nominated for best film editing).

The film stands a good chance to win multiple Oscars, including the top prize in best picture, after sweeping various award shows including the all-important guilds like the Directors Guild, Producers Guild and Screen Actors Guild — all of which traditionally indicate future Oscar-winners.

The best part of all: You can watch the movie right now. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is currently streaming on Showtime Anytime and Paramount+ (with a Showtime subscription).

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is one of the best-reviewed movies of the year. The film has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%. The consensus says, “Led by an outstanding Michelle Yeoh, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ lives up to its title with an expertly calibrated assault on the senses.”

READ: 10 times Birmingham made it to the Academy Awards

The film has also earned $107 million at the global box office, making it the highest grosser in distributor A24′s history.

It follows an aging Chinese immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) swept up in an insane adventure, where she alone can save the world by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.

Co-writer/director Scheinert was born in Birmingham, where he attended Oak Mountain Elementary and Middle Schools before going to high school in Shades Valley. His parents, Ken and Becky, now live in Guntersville. His dad said Scheinert got into filmmaking through local competitions and musical theater during high school.

The film’s editor, Rogers, was born in Birmingham and went to Homewood schools. He’s the son of Birmingham photographer Melissa Springer. After attending the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, Rogers worked at Alabama Public Television.

More on ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’:

Daniels shout out Sidewalk Film Festival during Independent Spirit Awards sweep

What Steven Spielberg learned from Oscar-nominated Alabama filmmaker

Alabama filmmakers’ ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ leads all Oscar nominees with 11

Alabama filmmaker wins big at Critics Choice Awards for ‘Everything Everywhere’

One of the Daniels on his Alabama roots, fitting his state into ‘Everything Everywhere’