Projects Announced
VH1 Is Looking For A Few Good Cheerleaders Casting is underway for a pilot episode of what looks like an upcoming new original VH1 series (you mean it’s not a reality TV show??) titled simply “Bounce,” which Sanaa Hamri is attached to direct. Details are sparse, but the series will center around a professional dance/cheer team for the fictional L.A. Devils basketball team called the Devil Girls; specifically, on one young black woman who dreams of being a part of the Devil Girls (following in her disapproving mother’s foosteps), and works her way onto the team, only to learn just how cut-throat and competitive it is; and the challenges she faces have more to do with the personalities on the team with her, as well as her superiors, than her talent. As can be expected, some are threatened by her ability and stunning good looks, the current star and leader of the Devil Girls (also black, by the way) being one of them. http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/casting-underway-for-sanaa-hamri-directed-pilot-set-in-cut-throat-cheer-dance-world-starring-black-leads Simon Cowell Has Another Idea For A Reality Competition Simon Cowell is getting into the spin of things. “The X Factor” and “America’s Got Talent” executive producer is developing a reality competition series searching for the world’s best DJ. Cowell’s SYCO Entertainment is partnering with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television to launch the format, which is expected to be shopped internationally and domestically. “DJ’s are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show,” Cowell said in a statement announcing the news. The as yet untitled DJ show joins “The X Factor,”" America’s Got Talent,”" American Inventor,”" Celebrity Duets Pop Idol” — and “American Idol” — and a slew of other reality competition series that Cowell has had a hand in. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simon-cowell-dj-talent-show-jada-pinkett-smith-284898 Nigerian Novel “Half Of A Yellow Sun” Gets The Movie Treatment Andrea Calderwood and Gail Egan have fully financed, thanks to help from both Nigerian private equity and the British Film Instute, their adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling novel “Half of a Yellow Sun.” The novel, which won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2007, is set during the Nigerian-Biafran War of 1967-1970, when the south of Nigeria attempted to secede and form their own country, the Republic of Biafra, and tracks a revolutionary university professor, his lover, her sister, a British ex-pat, and their houseboy, who are cought up in the conflict across the 1960s. Nigerian playwright Biyi Bandele is making his directorial debut with the project, and he’s assembled quite an impressive cast, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dominic Cooper and Thandie Newton all locked into the film. http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/chiwetel-ejiofor-dominic-cooper-thandie-newton-to-star-in-adaptation-of-bestseller-half-of-a-yellow-sun Might We Be Seeing The Return Of “The Saint”? The last time Simon Templar – AKA The Saint – was seen on cinema screens, the avenging angel was played by Val Kilmer and didn’t exactly spawn a franchise (despite doing decent, if unspectacular business at the box office). Now someone has decided they want to try to bring him back, with RKO Pictures hiring “Eagle Eye” writer Travis Wright to begin crafting a script. For those who never saw the Kilmer film or the Roger Moore-starring ‘60s TV series, Templar is a sort of charming Robin Hood type, a man who uses unorthodox (and skirting the edge of illegal) methods to take down corrupt politicians, businessmen and other wrong ‘uns. http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32968 Russell Brand Brings His High Pitched, Grating, Wordy Brand Of Funny To “Hauntrepreneur” Russell Brand, the star of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and the remake of “Arthur,” will star in Paramount and Platinum Dunes’ “Hauntrepreneur.” The English comic will play an odd man who calls himself the “Hauntrepreneur,” whom a family that is new in town hires to help them fit in. The Hauntrepreneur puts together a haunted house to bring them together. Scott Rosenberg wrote the script. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/russell-brand-star-paramount-platinum-dunes-hauntrepreneur-34793 Project Updates
With Stars Getting Their Pay Days Set, “Hangover 3″ Looks Like A Go Warner Bros. is going to pay a hefty bar tab to get another “Hangover.” Dealmaking on the studio’s third installment in the raunchy comedy franchise is wrapping up after dragging on for months due in part to the salary demands of its three stars. Sources close to the negotiations say Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are presenting a united front and asking for $15 million each (against backend) to reprise their roles, and they now are likely to get it. Warners hopes the next film, a Los Angeles-based story that will deviate from the forgotten-debauchery formula of the first movies, can shoot this summer and be ready for a Memorial Day 2013 release. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hangover-3-bradley-cooper-zach-galifianakis-ed-helms-salary-284538 Ethan Hawke Getting Some Hot Company In “Vigilandia” It was reported a couple of weeks back that Ethan Hawke planned to star in James DeMonaco’s sci-fi thriller “Vigilandia.” Now he’s being joined by Lena Headey, who has been cast in the female lead. DeMonaco and his producers are keeping story details strictly under wraps for now. What is known is this: the film will be very low budget, with it being described as somewhere around the level of “Insidious.” That’s not shocking, since that film’s producer Jason Blum is also helping to get this one made. His Blumhouse company is working alongside Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes to drum up the cash, and now Universal has agreed to provide the much-needed boost. http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=32959 Thursday’s Comic Book Adaptations Update Our friends at Comic Book Resources have some fun stuff today about “Man of Steel,” “The Walking Dead,” “Amazing Spider-Man” and “Chronicle,” among others. Plenty of juicy bits, and always worth your time. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36605 Demi’s Out, Chloë’s In … “Lovelace” That Is Chloë Sevigny has joined the cast of “Lovelace,” the biopic of one of the most famous adult film actresses of all time, Linda Lovelace. The casting comes a day after Demi Moore dropped out of the film due to her “seeking professional assistance to treat her exhaustion and improve her overall health,” according to her reps. “Lovelace” sees Amanda Seyfried as the woman who starred in “Deep Throat.” The ensemble cast includes Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth, Sharon Stone, Juno Temple, Debi Mazar, Wes Bentley, Romeo Brown, Robert Patrick, Eric Roberts. James Franco is making a cameo as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. Sevigny will play a feminist journalist on freelance assignment for a men’s magazine to find out who the real Linda Lovelace is. The production began shooting in Los Angeles on December 20, 2011 with Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman behind the camera. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chloe-sevigny-demi-moore-linda-lovelace-amanda-seyfried-284845 “Star Wars: Underworld” Gets A Little Closer To TV While doing press for the historical action picture “Red Tails,” LucasFilm producer Rick McCallum “let slip” a few details about what might become the highly anticipated live-action Star Wars television series. Purported to take place in the interim between the Prequels and the Original Trilogy, it is currently in development under the title “Star Wars: Underworld” and will deal with the shady world of organized crime, bounty hunters and smugglers that have always existed in the Star Wars universe behind the saga of the Jedi. Apparently it is only the “Hollywood-level” budget of each episode ($5 million each, due to the desire for full CG characters) that is at this point keeping the show from being made despite McCallum’s assurance that “fifty unbelievable scripts” have already been written. http://www.newsarama.com/tv/star-wars-underworld-tv-show-speculation-120124.html Pilot Season
CBS Orders A Cop Drama That Sounds … Different CBS has added another drama to its pilot orders. ”Widow Detective,” which counts “CSI” mastermind Carol Mendelsohn as an executive producer, certers on a decorated police detective who becomes a surrogate husband, lover and father to the families of three partners lost in the line of duty. David Hubbard is attached to write and executive produce the CBS TV Studios project, with Julie Weitz, head of development at Mendelsohn’s production company, on board to executive produce. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-widow-detective-csi-carol-mendelsohn-284948 He Shoots! He Scores! Mark Gordon Gets Another Greenlight ABC is back in business with prolific producer Mark Gordon. The network has ordered the cast-contingent comedy pilot, “White Man Van,” with the “Grey’s Anatomy” producer’s company attached to produce. The single-camera project is based on the British format, which centers on a man who is forced to put his dreams on hold in order to take over the family handyman business from his father. “Van,” which is set up at ABC Studios, is being penned by “Raising Hope” scribe Bobby Bowman. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/abc-mark-gordon-white-man-van-284952 Kurt Warner Gives Out Second Chances At USA Expanding beyond its stable of successful dramas, the USA Network announced Wednesday that it has picked up the nine-episode reality series “The Moment,” in which Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner will give people a second chance to return to abandoned careers.Warner knows about second chances: He famously went from bagging groceries to leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory in just 18 months. http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/usa-picks-kurt-warner-reality-series-moment-offers-2nd-chances-abandoned-careers-34759 A Dwight Schrute Spinoff? Yes, It Just Might Happen Dwight Schrute, your moment has finally arrived. Reports have NBC developing an “Office” spinoff built around Rainn Wilson’s long-suffering second banana, to launch in early 2013. The in-the-works offshoot, which would be introduced in an “Office” episode set to air later this season, would find Dwight running his oft-mentioned Schrute family beet farm and bed and breakfast. http://www.tvline.com/2012/01/the-office-rainn-wilson-spinoff/ Acquisitions/Film Festivals
Roadside, Lionsgate Seek A Little “Arbitrage” Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate have bought Nicholas Jarecki’s “Arbitrage.” This thriller set in the high finance world stars Richard Gere as billionaire hedge fund tycoon Robert Miller who on the eve of his sixtieth birthday finds himself desperately trying to sell his trading empire before the extent of his fraud is discovered. The film has been gaining buzz for a strong performance by Gere. The film marks the narrative feature debut for director Jarecki, who directed the documentary “The Outsider” in 2005, which followed the making of James Toback’s “When Will I Be Loved.” Film also stars Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth and Brit Marling. http://www.indiewire.com/article/roadside-attractions-and-lionsgate-team-up-to-buy-arbitrage We Cannot Describe How Excited We Are For This Particular (And Strange) Film Festival With the return in popularity of the moustache, the organizer of New England’s largest moustache pageant, No Umbrella Media, is introducing the world’s first known International Moustache Film Festival in 2012. The festival will be be held immediately before the fifth annual Stache Pag on March 30, 2012. The film selection committee must receive all film submissions by March 24, 2012. This festival is open to film makers the world over. The finalists will have their 8 minute or less films shown and judged at the festival. The winner will be chosen and awarded a cash prize. Silly as this may sound, the festival is quite serious. The beneficiaries of the festival and 5th Annual Stache Pag will be Northeast Historic Film, MENSK and Mystache Fights Cancer. The events put on by No Umbrella Media are designed to preserve the arts and save lives. Some of the many film categories will be: Best Foreign Moustache Film, Best Growth Story, Best Collection of Moustaches in One Film and Best Fake Moustache Movie. http://www.movieline.com/2012/01/25/finally-moustaches-get-their-own-film-festival/ The First Winners Are Announced At Sundance, And The List Is (Ahem) Short The Sundance Institute has revealed this year’s jury prizes and honorable mentions in short filmmaking at the festival. Winners include “Waste Land” director Lucy Walker, for her non-fiction short “The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom”; “Fishing Without Nets,” helmed by Cutter Hodierne; and “The Black Balloon” by Benny and Josh Safdie. The award recipients will be honored at the festival’s awards ceremony, hosted by Parker Posey on Saturday, January 28. http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance-announces-jury-prizes-in-short-filmmaking “Red Lights” Gets A Distribution Deal From Millenium Entertainment In today’s Sundance news, Millenium Entertainment has signed a deal for the U.S. distribution rights to “Red Lights,” the new thriller from “Buried” director Rodrigo Cortés that premiered at the festival last Friday. Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver and Elizabeth Olsen star as a team of paranormal skeptics out to debunk a famous telekinetic played by Robert De Niro. Last week, Millenium picked up the romantic dramedy “A Little Bit of Heaven,” starring Kate Hudson and Gael Garcia Bernal. Unlike “Heaven,” for which Millenium is planning a multi-platform release, “Red Nights” will be deployed under a more a standard theatrical distribution plan. http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/millenium-picks-up-red-lights Who Wants To Spin Off Their Film Festival? San Sebastian Does! The San Sebastian International Film Festival will spin off as the independent New Directors Section, organizers announced Wednesday. The section, which will continue to showcase the first and second films of directors worldwide, sees participants vie for the Kutxa-New Directors Award, worth a cash prize of €90,000 ($117,000) for the director and distributor of the film in Spain. The award will now only be granted to films screened in this section, and not to first and second films presented in other sections of the festival. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/san-sebastian-film-festival-new-directors-284805 Stephanie Allain Takes Up Director Mantle For LA Fest Film Independent has announced that Stephanie Allain will succeed Rebecca Yeldham as the Festival Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival. She will start immediately, and join a team that includes Festival Managing Director Gloria Campbell and Festival Artistic Director David Ansen, as well as Associate Director of Programming Doug Jones, Senior Programmer Maggie Mackay and Programming Coordinator Jenn Wilson. http://www.indiewire.com/article/film-independent-names-stephanie-allain-head-of-los-angeles-film-festival Sundance Latest: “Robot & Frank” Gets Picked Up Jake Schreier’s “Robot & Frank,” which stars Frank Langella as an old man with a declining memory who befriends a robot, has been picked up by Sony Pictures Worldwide and Samuel Goldwyn Films. Set in the near future, Frank (Frank Langella) a retired jewel thief gets a new lease on life when he is introduced to a surprising new companion. With the help of his new friend, he attempts to woo a local librarian (Susan Sarandon) and resume his criminal escapades. “Robot & Frank” is directed by first time filmmaker Jake Schreier, written by Christopher Ford, and produced by Galt Niederhoffer, Sam Bisbee, Jackie Kelman Bisbee and Lance Acord. “Robot & Frank” is Park Pictures Features’ first film. http://www.indiewire.com/article/sony-and-samuel-goldwyn-will-partner-on-sundance-crowdpleaser-robot-frank Anderson Silva Documentary “Like Water,” Introduces The Spider To The World “Like Water,” a documentary about Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champ Anderson Silva, will be distributed in North America by Cinedigm, the company said Wednesday. First-time filmmaker Pablo Croce won best new documentary director at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival for the movie. Silva is the longest-reigning UFC middleweight champion and is considered one of the best mixed martial arts fighters ever. The documentary shows Silva’s life leading up to his win over Chael Sonnen. It also offers a surprising look at his life in Brazil with his wife, three sons and two daughters and his training in Los Angeles. Lionsgate will handle domestic ancillary distribution. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/anderson-silva-documentary-goes-cinedigm-34777 Business/Legal News
Steve Buscemi Is Strolling Over To “30 Rock” For all of Steve Buscemi’s much-lauded Golden Globe-winning success on the small screen in the last few years, thanks to his starring role on “Boardwalk Empire,” it’s not been the only finger the veteran character actor has had in the television pie. In the last few years, he’s also directed six episodes of Showtime’s hit series “Nurse Jackie,” and shown his comedic side with an occasional guest role on Tina Fey’s consistently excellent “30 Rock.” And good news for fans of his downtrodden private eye Lenny Wosniak: the character will be returning to Rockefeller Center. Buscemi will not only guest-star, but also direct an episode of the show set to air on February 16th. http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/steve-buscemi-to-return-to-30-rock-direct-guest-star-in-an-episode The Line Of People Suing James Cameron Over “Avatar” Just Got Longer The ranks of those suing James Cameron for stealing the idea for “Avatar” is swelling to Comic-Con proportions as yet another individual has brought forth claims for being the true genius behind the mega-blockbuster film. The latest individual who thinks he can beat the odds and not end up being ordered by a judge to pay Cameron’s legal bill is Elijah Schkeiban, who says he’s the creator and author of “Bats & Butterflies,” a franchise of products first created in 1988, based on a novel and WGA-registered script by the same name, about a main character named Joshua who fights with thugs and gets injured. Joshua travels to a planet, Altair, and gets lost in a forest. There, he meets indiginous species and is caught up in a battle between the bats and the butterflies. He’s held captive by the butterlies and meets the queen, whose daughter teaches him about their ways. Joshua’s bonds grow and he flies on the backs of the butterflies and fights for them. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/james-cameron-lawsuit-avatar-284803 Alan Ball Gets One Step Closer To Being The Writer Of Every Show On Television Alan Ball is working double time for HBO. The premium cabler’s sibling network, Cinemax, has given a series order to Ball’s crime drama “Banshee,” ordering 10 episodes of the project that will be executive produced by the “True Blood” showrunner. Jonathan Tropper and David Schicker will pen the drama, which revolves around a criminal who steps into the identity of the Banshee, Penn., where he continues his shady ways while being hunted by gangsters he crossed in his past. In addition to “Banshee” and “True Blood,” Ball also has “Wichita,” an hourlong medical drama in development at HBO about a Kansas surgeon who inadvertently becomes the focal point of a contemporary political, cultural and ethical war surrounding late-term abortions. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/drama-true-blood-alan-ball-cinemax-series-284841 Netflix Signs Catalog Deal With FremantleMedia Classic British comedy series “Men Behaving Badly,” Emmy winning drama “The Naked Civil Servant” and Australian crime drama “The Strip” are among the titles Netflix will offer in the U.K. and Ireland. The streaming video service has struck a deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises for a slew of comedy and drama content for its recently-launched service here. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the deal with Fremantle indicates the company’s international expansion plans. Netflix has acquired 115 hours of FME’s catalog. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-signs-extensive-catalog-deal-284785 Jimmy Fallon’s Status As A Late Night Host Is Official: He’s Being Sued Lawsuits and late night is an all-too-common combination, but in the case of “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” a new gender-based suit takes on an unusual twist. In an industry that is typically regarded as a “boys club,” former “Late Night” staffer Paul Tarascio has filed papers claiming that he was removed from his position as first stage manager because of his gender, and was replaced by a “totally incompetent woman” in early 2010. According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Tarascio claims that director David Diomdi said: “Jimmy just prefers to take direction from a woman.” Jimmy Fallon and NBCUniversal are accused of “gender bias” in the suit, with Tarascio seeking punitive damages and lost wages. The plaintiff also claims that additional male staffers were replaced by women at Fallon’s request. NBCU has not yet responded to the suit. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jimmy-fallon-law-suit-late-night-nbcuniversal-gender-bias-284954 Industry Moves Ineffable Pictures Hires An SVP Of Production Ineffable Pictures, the company founded by producer Raphael Kryszek, is expanding and has made a new executive hire. Formerly of Alcon Entertainment, Jesse Israel has joined Ineffable Pictures as its Senior Vice President of Production starting on Monday. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jesse-israel-joins-ineffable-pictures-svp-production-284840 Rosie’s OWN Show Makes A Sizeable Change On the air for just three months, and already Rosie O’Donnell’s ratings-challenged OWN show is getting a makeover. The struggling cable network announced Wednesday that it had hired Emmy-winning producer and former O’Donnell collaborator Shane Farley (“Rachel Ray,” “Rosie O’Donnell Show”) to replace Page Hurwitz as executive producer of “The Rosie Show.” What’s more, the Chicago-based talk show is moving into a significantly smaller 70-seat studio, a bid to inspire a sense of intimacy and lower costs on a series that now averages just more than 200,000 viewers. The new space will feature O’Donnell’s own art and photos and is said to be inspired by her home art studio in New York. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rrosie-odonnell-own-talk-show-new-studio-284915 Bill Myers And Starz Have A Parting Of The Ways Starz Entertainment President Bill Myers is stepping down. Myers, who also serves as chief operating officer, has been with the company for a decade. He had been responsible for all day-to-day operations of the company, including sales, marketing, programming and engineering. There is not yet a succession or restructuring plan in place, nor is there a timeline for such events. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tca-starz-boss-kelsey-grammer-281802 Guess What! It’s Promotion Day At Paramount! Paramount has promoted production executive Eben Davidson to vice president of acquisitions and production. In his expanded duties, he’ll be in charge of acquiring films for the studio, as well as pursue remake opportunities. “Eben has an innate sense of what we’re looking for, both in terms of pictures to pick up, and filmmakers to target,” Paramount Film Group president Adam Goodman said in announcing the promotion, which comes as the Sundance Film Festival winds down. “We can’t wait to see what he does with these new responsibilties.” Davidson, who began his career in film as an assistant to Scott Rudin, likewise joined Paramount as an assistant before working his way up the ranks, ultimately being named vice president of production. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eben-davidson-paramount-head-of-acquisitions-284938 Technology/Multi-Platform Content
Academy Set To Implement Electronic Voting System For Next Year The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has partnered with Everyone Counts, Inc to implement an electronic voting system for next year’s Academy Awards. Everyone Counts will work with PwC, the Academy’s accounting firm of record, whose role in tabulating Academy members’ votes will remain unchanged. Over the next year, the Academy will undertake a rigorous security and user-acceptance testing process. The selection of Everyone Counts is the result of an 18-month search conducted by the Academy. http://www.indiewire.com/article/academy-set-to-implement-electronic-voting-system-for-2013-oscars Video Game Maker Gets Out Of The Kids Licensed Entertainment Bidness Video game maker THQ Inc. unveiled a new business strategy on Wednesday, saying that it will exit the kids’ licensed entertainment business. As part of the new focus, THQ is already in the process of ending its relationships with kids’ licensed entertainment companies, such as Viacom’s Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation, but said it would continue to sell certain previously released titles. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-game-firm-thq-exit-284797 Around The Web
Can You Guess Which Legendary Game Show Host Was Drunk On The Air? — TVSquad
Why John Hawkes Thought It Was Worth It To Suffer For His Art — MovieLine
Just In Case You Can't Get Enough Of Brad Pitt Discussing "Moneyball" — THR.com
How Does One Accurately Describe Today's Animation? — EmpireOnline
Your Chance To Listen To Some Of The "John Carter" Score — IndieWire
"Hugo" Has More Noms, But "The Artist" Is The Frontrunner, According To — The Wrap
Website to Watch
http://www.againstourwill.org/
This site taps into a student-led movement to end modern-day slavery by providing young people with information on the issue and easy ways to take a stand against it. The campaign was launched in September 2011 at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in partnership with Free the Slaves, Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and The Polaris Project. Today at noon, the website is hosting a 30-minute special streaming on-demand that will feature interviews with survivors of human trafficking and active students and roundtable discussions on the matter with students. The special will also air a couple of music videos from musicians Lil Wayne and Rise Against. When you have the time, do check the site out. Ending a serious worldwide problem starts with awareness and then action, this website enables you to do both. Additional Source:
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