UK-based sales agent Rapt Films International has acquired international sales rights outside of Australia and New Zealand for Gabriel Carrubba’s debut feature Sunflower.
Sunflower premiered at Sydney Film Festival in June last year, going on to further Australian events including Melbourne the following month.
The semi-autobiographical film follows a teenage boy who struggles to understand and embrace his sexuality as he comes of age in the working-class suburbs of Melbourne. It stars Liam Mollica, alongside Luke J. Morgan, Olivia Fildes, Daniel Halmarick and Elias Anton.
Writer-director Carrubba produced the film alongside Zane Borg for Australia’s Pancake Originals.
Sunflower...
Sunflower premiered at Sydney Film Festival in June last year, going on to further Australian events including Melbourne the following month.
The semi-autobiographical film follows a teenage boy who struggles to understand and embrace his sexuality as he comes of age in the working-class suburbs of Melbourne. It stars Liam Mollica, alongside Luke J. Morgan, Olivia Fildes, Daniel Halmarick and Elias Anton.
Writer-director Carrubba produced the film alongside Zane Borg for Australia’s Pancake Originals.
Sunflower...
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree film continues to take shape, with Simon Farnaby writing the script. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy are to star.
The latest family adventure from screenwriter Simon Farnaby has nabbed a pair of proper A-listers for its cast, with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy joining the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novels, The Faraway Tree series.
The plot of the film sees Polly (Foy), Tim (Garfield) and their children move to the English countryside, where they encounter a magical tree which transports them to extraordinary lands. Featuring beloved characters like Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man, the four books in the series have become children’s classics since the first was published in 1939.
This marks the second time Garfield and Foy have played an on-screen couple after 2017’s polio drama, Breathe (pictured).
Farnaby said: “To have two actors of...
The latest family adventure from screenwriter Simon Farnaby has nabbed a pair of proper A-listers for its cast, with Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy joining the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novels, The Faraway Tree series.
The plot of the film sees Polly (Foy), Tim (Garfield) and their children move to the English countryside, where they encounter a magical tree which transports them to extraordinary lands. Featuring beloved characters like Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man, the four books in the series have become children’s classics since the first was published in 1939.
This marks the second time Garfield and Foy have played an on-screen couple after 2017’s polio drama, Breathe (pictured).
Farnaby said: “To have two actors of...
- 5/3/2024
- by James Harvey
- Film Stories
Action comedy The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt heads the new titles at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, opening in 702 cinemas through Universal.
Directed by David Leith, The Fall Guy is written by Drew Pearce and loosely based on a 1980s TV series of the same name about stunt performers.
Gosling plays a stuntman working on his ex-girlfriend’s directorial debut action film, where he becomes involved in a conspiracy surrounding the lead actor.
The Fall Guy debuted at SXSW on March 12; it is Gosling’s first credit as producer since his 2014 directorial debut Lost River.
Directed by David Leith, The Fall Guy is written by Drew Pearce and loosely based on a 1980s TV series of the same name about stunt performers.
Gosling plays a stuntman working on his ex-girlfriend’s directorial debut action film, where he becomes involved in a conspiracy surrounding the lead actor.
The Fall Guy debuted at SXSW on March 12; it is Gosling’s first credit as producer since his 2014 directorial debut Lost River.
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy are to reunite to star in the adaptation of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the project follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Soon after the family arrives in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Garfield will play Tim while Foy takes on the role of Polly. The pair have previously starred together in Andy Serkis’ 2017 offering ‘Breath’.
Also...
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the project follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Soon after the family arrives in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Garfield will play Tim while Foy takes on the role of Polly. The pair have previously starred together in Andy Serkis’ 2017 offering ‘Breath’.
Also...
- 5/3/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Enid Blyton adaptation The Magic Faraway Tree has found key cast in the shape of two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider Man) and two-time Emmy winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers).
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are behind the movie which is being adapted by BAFTA-winner Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2) and will be directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia).
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the feature will follow Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Garfield will play Tim and Foy will take on the role of Polly.
Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree,...
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance are behind the movie which is being adapted by BAFTA-winner Simon Farnaby (Paddington 2) and will be directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia).
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the feature will follow Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Garfield will play Tim and Foy will take on the role of Polly.
Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy will lead the film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree.
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
The story from the author, based on her The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!, Hacksaw Ridge) will play Tim and two-time Emmy Award-winner Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers, The Crown) will take on the role of Polly.
Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group, and Ashland Hill Media Finance will produce, with principal photography to begin in June 2024 and additional casting currently underway.
Screenwriter Simon Farnaby, British star of Wonka and Paddington 2, said: “To have two actors of the quality of Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy is a dream for any screenwriter.”
“I have long admired their warmth,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have joined the cast of magical family adventure feature “The Magic Faraway Tree,” based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
- 5/3/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy will lead the adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s book The Magic Faraway Tree, with principal photography to begin in June.
The film is produced by Pippa Harris for Neal Street Productions, with Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group and Jane Hooks. Executive producers are Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross, and Palisade Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ben Gregor is directing from a script by Wonka and Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby. The Magic Faraway Tree is based on Blyton’s The Faraway Tree novel series. It follows a...
The film is produced by Pippa Harris for Neal Street Productions, with Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group and Jane Hooks. Executive producers are Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson and Jonathan Bross, and Palisade Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ben Gregor is directing from a script by Wonka and Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby. The Magic Faraway Tree is based on Blyton’s The Faraway Tree novel series. It follows a...
- 5/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
U.S. and U.K.-based global sales outfit Palisades Park Pictures has revealed a star-studded slate for Hong Kong’s film rights market FilMart.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
John Travolta, Katherine Heigl and Christopher Walken lead romantic comedy “That’s Amore!,” which is in pre-production. Written and directed by “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga, the film follows two emotionally damaged people who attempt to date one another, and when their families get involved, comedy ensues.
The producers are Vallelonga (Vallelonga Prods.), Cassian Elwes (Elevated Films), Brenda Emmett and Vince Emmett (American Troubadours), David Polemeni; Tamara Birkemoe and Mark Damon, for Palisades Park Pictures, serve as executive producers.
Director Phillip Noyce has completed action-thriller “Fast Charlie,” starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin and James Caan, and adapted from Victor Gischler’s novel “Gun Monkeys” by Richard Wenk (“The Equalizer”).
Brosnan plays Charlie Swift, a hitman who has been working for his aging mob boss, Stan (Caan), for two decades.
- 3/11/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin’s European Film Market was the first big test of the post-strike indie film market. Executives were cautiously optimistic ahead of the EFM, reporting a “flood” of big, star-stocked projects that came together just ahead of the market, including A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (Margot Robbie’s first film post-Barbie), The Materialists (Celine Song’s first film post-Past Lives, which has Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal circling) and action packages featuring box office draws Will Smith, Dave Bautista, Channing Tatum and Bob Odenkirk.
Coming out of Berlin, the mood has shifted from “cautiously” to just plain optimistic.
“It was good, really good,” says Palisades Park CEO Tamara Birkemoe, noting several international sales for The Magic Faraway Tree, an adaptation of the beloved Enid Blyton children’s book by British director Ben Gregor, which Wonka writer Simon Farnaby is adapting for the screen. “I felt people...
Coming out of Berlin, the mood has shifted from “cautiously” to just plain optimistic.
“It was good, really good,” says Palisades Park CEO Tamara Birkemoe, noting several international sales for The Magic Faraway Tree, an adaptation of the beloved Enid Blyton children’s book by British director Ben Gregor, which Wonka writer Simon Farnaby is adapting for the screen. “I felt people...
- 2/26/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nicolas Winding Refn’s next project will mark his first feature film since 2016’s The Neon Demon. More here.
Nicolas Winding Refn is one of those provocative directors who seems to revel in controversy. After wowing the world with the incredibly stylish Drive in 2011, the director follow it with two projects that foregrounded violence and other shocking elements such as necrophilia and cannibalism in his next two films: Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon.
Then Refn all but disappeared from feature filmmaking, choosing instead to dabble in a seres of left-field short films and focus on TV work, including the slow-moving crime drama series Too Old To Die Young for Amazon Prime Video in 2019. He also recently produced an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five for the BBC.
Whatever he’s dabbled in, Refn has seemed keen to avoid Hollywood, claiming back in 2022 on a Deadline podcast...
Nicolas Winding Refn is one of those provocative directors who seems to revel in controversy. After wowing the world with the incredibly stylish Drive in 2011, the director follow it with two projects that foregrounded violence and other shocking elements such as necrophilia and cannibalism in his next two films: Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon.
Then Refn all but disappeared from feature filmmaking, choosing instead to dabble in a seres of left-field short films and focus on TV work, including the slow-moving crime drama series Too Old To Die Young for Amazon Prime Video in 2019. He also recently produced an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five for the BBC.
Whatever he’s dabbled in, Refn has seemed keen to avoid Hollywood, claiming back in 2022 on a Deadline podcast...
- 2/23/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
One month ago, heading into the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the most anticipated title for buyers was not necessarily the action-adventure anthology with Pedro Pascal (Freaky Tales) or the Kristen Stewart-fronted post-apocalyptic love story (Love Me). It was Dídi, a coming-of-age film about a 13-year-old in the Bay Area from a first-time feature director with no notable U.S. stars. It quickly landed a deal with Focus Features, while films with shinier stars and higher concepts are still in negotiations for deals.
The U.S. has long been known as the great arbiter of “bigger is better.” But being risk-averse, given current economic conditions and industry trends back home (Disney, Paramount Global, Amazon MGM, and others are currently undergoing layoffs), may, says one U.S. buyer, “no longer mean getting a massive star or big director — it means costing less.” Yet, internationally, the mandate seems to be business as usual,...
The U.S. has long been known as the great arbiter of “bigger is better.” But being risk-averse, given current economic conditions and industry trends back home (Disney, Paramount Global, Amazon MGM, and others are currently undergoing layoffs), may, says one U.S. buyer, “no longer mean getting a massive star or big director — it means costing less.” Yet, internationally, the mandate seems to be business as usual,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Scott Roxborough and Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: UK Director Ben Gregor says his upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree will tap into children’s post-pandemic anxiety and retreat into screens as it celebrates the joy of being outdoors in nature, in a subtext that will chime with parents worldwide.
Wonka and Paddington 2 actor and writer Simon Farnaby’s screenplay transposes Blyton’s 1943 classic – about the adventures of three children who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood – to modern Britain.
The new version will revive the tree’s ragbag collection of characters such as Moonface, Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, Silky, Angry Pixie and Mister Watzisname as well as the lands at the top of the tree including the Land of Goodies and the Land of Birthdays.
For its contemporary reboot, the three protagonists are uprooted from their hi-tech home in an ultra-modern London Nine Elms-Battersea Power Station-style development to a ramshackle...
Wonka and Paddington 2 actor and writer Simon Farnaby’s screenplay transposes Blyton’s 1943 classic – about the adventures of three children who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood – to modern Britain.
The new version will revive the tree’s ragbag collection of characters such as Moonface, Saucepan Man, Dame Washalot, Silky, Angry Pixie and Mister Watzisname as well as the lands at the top of the tree including the Land of Goodies and the Land of Birthdays.
For its contemporary reboot, the three protagonists are uprooted from their hi-tech home in an ultra-modern London Nine Elms-Battersea Power Station-style development to a ramshackle...
- 2/16/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
If you were to design a global sales agent in a lab, they would come out looking a lot like Tamara Birkemoe.
Born in Italy to Chilean parents and raised between Sweden and Rome before moving to the U.S. for film school, the multilingual exec has been a force on the indie film scene since her first job, straight out of UCLA, for Mark Damon’s Mdp Worldwide. For the next 16 years, Birkemoe put in time at Mdp (later Media 8 Entertainment) and then at Foresight Unlimited, the production and sales group Damon set up in 2005. The slate she oversaw ranged from studio-released big-budget action fare, such as Peter Berg’s Lone Survivor and Baltasar Kormákur’s 2 Guns, both Universal Pictures films, which grossed $155 million and $132 million worldwide, respectively; to Kevin Costner starrer The Upside of Anger, a New Line release that earned $28 million worldwide; and Patty Jenkins’ low-budget true-crime drama Monster,...
Born in Italy to Chilean parents and raised between Sweden and Rome before moving to the U.S. for film school, the multilingual exec has been a force on the indie film scene since her first job, straight out of UCLA, for Mark Damon’s Mdp Worldwide. For the next 16 years, Birkemoe put in time at Mdp (later Media 8 Entertainment) and then at Foresight Unlimited, the production and sales group Damon set up in 2005. The slate she oversaw ranged from studio-released big-budget action fare, such as Peter Berg’s Lone Survivor and Baltasar Kormákur’s 2 Guns, both Universal Pictures films, which grossed $155 million and $132 million worldwide, respectively; to Kevin Costner starrer The Upside of Anger, a New Line release that earned $28 million worldwide; and Patty Jenkins’ low-budget true-crime drama Monster,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree is finally heading to the movies, with Simon Farnaby writing the script. More here.
For many years, there’s been talking of bringing Enid Blyton’s much-loved children’s tale The Magic Faraway Tree to the big screen. The book’s character names changed over time – there’s no Fanny anymore – but it’s still continued to find a new audience.
Once upon a time, the idea of a film of The Magic Faraway Tree was something being set up at Studiocanal. However, when personnel left Studiocanal to set up Elysian, the film went with them. Simon Farnaby has long been attached to write the script, and he’s remained a constant as the project bumbles along in limbo.
But it sounds as if it’s just found fresh life.
Still with Elysian, funding has now been chipped in too via Neal Street Productions.
For many years, there’s been talking of bringing Enid Blyton’s much-loved children’s tale The Magic Faraway Tree to the big screen. The book’s character names changed over time – there’s no Fanny anymore – but it’s still continued to find a new audience.
Once upon a time, the idea of a film of The Magic Faraway Tree was something being set up at Studiocanal. However, when personnel left Studiocanal to set up Elysian, the film went with them. Simon Farnaby has long been attached to write the script, and he’s remained a constant as the project bumbles along in limbo.
But it sounds as if it’s just found fresh life.
Still with Elysian, funding has now been chipped in too via Neal Street Productions.
- 1/12/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Exclusive: The long-gestating modern-day movie adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree has got fresh impetus with new financiers and creatives aboard and a start date lined up for June of this year.
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
- 1/11/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Mediapro Studios has boarded Nicolas Winding Refn’s reimaginging of The Famous Five.
The Madrid-based content house has struck a production deal with BBC Studios includes distribution rights to the upcoming kids series in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
The series is a retelling of the bestselling Enid Blyton novels published between 1942 ands 1963, and comes from Winding Refn’s byNWR and BBC Studios-backed indie Moonage Pictures, which is behind The Pursuit of Love and Bodies, with The Mediapro Studio now an associate producer.
Danish auteur Winding Refn co-created the series with Moonage’s Matthew Read, and both are exec producers. It is being made for the BBC in the UK and Zdf in Germany, with BBC Studios already pre-selling it to France’s TF1.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline ahead of Mipcom Cannes in October, where The Famous Five launched, Winding Refn said he...
The Madrid-based content house has struck a production deal with BBC Studios includes distribution rights to the upcoming kids series in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
The series is a retelling of the bestselling Enid Blyton novels published between 1942 ands 1963, and comes from Winding Refn’s byNWR and BBC Studios-backed indie Moonage Pictures, which is behind The Pursuit of Love and Bodies, with The Mediapro Studio now an associate producer.
Danish auteur Winding Refn co-created the series with Moonage’s Matthew Read, and both are exec producers. It is being made for the BBC in the UK and Zdf in Germany, with BBC Studios already pre-selling it to France’s TF1.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline ahead of Mipcom Cannes in October, where The Famous Five launched, Winding Refn said he...
- 12/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Enid Blyton’s iconic series of adventure novels, “The Famous Five,” is being made into a TV series, thanks to a pact forged by the BBC Studios, Germany’s Zdf and Spain’s The Mediapro Studio, in the latter’s continued bid to partner in more English-language productions.
Produced by Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn’s byNWR, the series is an ambitious adaptation of the iconic children’s adventure novels by the English author.
Said The Mediapro Studio CEO Laura Fernández Espeso: “This significant agreement with BBC Studios to co-produce forward ‘The Famous Five’ aligns seamlessly with our objective of augmenting English-language content production at the company.”
“It not only contributes to our international expansion but also solidifies a partnership with an exceptionally prestigious collaborator, engaging in a major production inspired by a literary saga of immense global acclaim,” she added. The Mediapro Studio will hold distribution rights to Spain,...
Produced by Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn’s byNWR, the series is an ambitious adaptation of the iconic children’s adventure novels by the English author.
Said The Mediapro Studio CEO Laura Fernández Espeso: “This significant agreement with BBC Studios to co-produce forward ‘The Famous Five’ aligns seamlessly with our objective of augmenting English-language content production at the company.”
“It not only contributes to our international expansion but also solidifies a partnership with an exceptionally prestigious collaborator, engaging in a major production inspired by a literary saga of immense global acclaim,” she added. The Mediapro Studio will hold distribution rights to Spain,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Nicolas Winding Refn has swapped ultraviolence for Enid Blyton. His The Famous Five adaptation is coming to Cbbc on 9 December.
The Famous Five, Nicolas Winding Refn’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s classic series of children’s adventure books, is set to air its first feature-length programme on BBC on 9 December, at 5.25pm.
The series will consist of three episodes, all of them lasting 90 minutes. While the first episode is set to air on Cbbc and BBC iPlayer next week, the two remaining episodes won’t be available until sometime in 2024. The first episode of The Famous Five will also be broadcast on BBC One between Christmas and New Year.
The series, as well as the books, follows four young adventurers and their dog as they “encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets” as described by the BBC.
Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen, Flora Jacoby Richardson and...
The Famous Five, Nicolas Winding Refn’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s classic series of children’s adventure books, is set to air its first feature-length programme on BBC on 9 December, at 5.25pm.
The series will consist of three episodes, all of them lasting 90 minutes. While the first episode is set to air on Cbbc and BBC iPlayer next week, the two remaining episodes won’t be available until sometime in 2024. The first episode of The Famous Five will also be broadcast on BBC One between Christmas and New Year.
The series, as well as the books, follows four young adventurers and their dog as they “encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets” as described by the BBC.
Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen, Flora Jacoby Richardson and...
- 11/30/2023
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
For the last five years, January has meant one thing to the cast of Ghosts: trundling over to West Horsley Place in Surrey to film the next series. Not in 2024. The BBC comedy’s final episode is set to air this Christmas, and after that, what do this in-demand lot have planned?
Plenty, it turns out. They’ll be popping up on screen and stage, as well as writing new projects both individually and together. As Larry Rickard told Den of Geek, “It’s not like we’re [famously fractious 70s soft rock band] The Eagles and we hate each other!” A Ghosts reunion down the line “wouldn’t be a mountain to climb,” says Rickard. “It’s a door that’s shut but obviously, doors have hinges and handles.”
And ghosts can just walk through them, we venture? “Well exactly, they haven’t even got to go to the effort of opening them.”
“We were quite definite,...
Plenty, it turns out. They’ll be popping up on screen and stage, as well as writing new projects both individually and together. As Larry Rickard told Den of Geek, “It’s not like we’re [famously fractious 70s soft rock band] The Eagles and we hate each other!” A Ghosts reunion down the line “wouldn’t be a mountain to climb,” says Rickard. “It’s a door that’s shut but obviously, doors have hinges and handles.”
And ghosts can just walk through them, we venture? “Well exactly, they haven’t even got to go to the effort of opening them.”
“We were quite definite,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: There is a little-discussed Hollywood rumor, explains Nicolas Winding Refn and his long-time collaborator Matthew Read, that Scooby Doo only came to be because Warners failed to land the rights to adapt The Famous Five.
And when you look at the two properties and their uncanny similarities, this argument does begin to hold some weight. Both have daring female characters from a bygone era, ridiculous story-of-the-week capers that always end neatly, and, of course, those lovable pooches — in the former case Scooby and in the latter, Timmy.
If the rumor is true, Winding Refn is thankful for how things played out, as he credits both generation-traversing works with influencing his career and driving his love for the screen. Now, more than 50 years on from when Warner Bros. allegedly failed to land the rights, the Denmark-born director has become the latest to take on best-selling English children’s writer Enid Blyton’s iconic novel series,...
And when you look at the two properties and their uncanny similarities, this argument does begin to hold some weight. Both have daring female characters from a bygone era, ridiculous story-of-the-week capers that always end neatly, and, of course, those lovable pooches — in the former case Scooby and in the latter, Timmy.
If the rumor is true, Winding Refn is thankful for how things played out, as he credits both generation-traversing works with influencing his career and driving his love for the screen. Now, more than 50 years on from when Warner Bros. allegedly failed to land the rights, the Denmark-born director has become the latest to take on best-selling English children’s writer Enid Blyton’s iconic novel series,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2023 MIPCOM Cannes international television market kicks off Monday against the backdrop of the violence in the Middle East with the Israel-Hamas War, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a worldwide TV industry that has seen its business models, built on the promise of global streaming revenues, collapse with little to replace them.
The importance of the latter issue pales against the gravity of the two wars on the edge of Europe, but it will likely be the one most on the minds of industry execs on the Croisette, who have come to Cannes to try and figure out how to weather the downturn everyone knows is coming (or is already here).
“It’s been bad, and everyone I speak to expects it to get a lot worse,” says Ida Martins, CEO of European indie sales group Media Luna. “Coming out of Covid at [MIPCOM] last year there was hope, but...
The importance of the latter issue pales against the gravity of the two wars on the edge of Europe, but it will likely be the one most on the minds of industry execs on the Croisette, who have come to Cannes to try and figure out how to weather the downturn everyone knows is coming (or is already here).
“It’s been bad, and everyone I speak to expects it to get a lot worse,” says Ida Martins, CEO of European indie sales group Media Luna. “Coming out of Covid at [MIPCOM] last year there was hope, but...
- 10/16/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bye-bye, Peak TV. After more than a decade of unprecedented production growth, the international television industry is bracing for an era of tighter budgets and more bean counting.
“Instead of subscriber growth at all costs, now the focus is on production and investment and getting the balance sheet right,” says Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, the sales arm of the production giant behind reality TV hits Big Brother and high-end dramas Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror. “I hate using the phrase because everyone says it, but the focus now is on ‘fewer, better, bigger shows.’ ”
The variety of shows on offer at this year’s global TV market in Cannes, MIPCOM, suggests every buyer, at every budget, should find something to fill their slots. And while THR’s annual hot list of the market’s best new drama series ranges from a by-the-book NBC procedural to an erotic comedy...
“Instead of subscriber growth at all costs, now the focus is on production and investment and getting the balance sheet right,” says Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, the sales arm of the production giant behind reality TV hits Big Brother and high-end dramas Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror. “I hate using the phrase because everyone says it, but the focus now is on ‘fewer, better, bigger shows.’ ”
The variety of shows on offer at this year’s global TV market in Cannes, MIPCOM, suggests every buyer, at every budget, should find something to fill their slots. And while THR’s annual hot list of the market’s best new drama series ranges from a by-the-book NBC procedural to an erotic comedy...
- 10/15/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new Mexican Netflix Original, The Chosen One, is out, and so far, it has been one of the most interesting pieces of fantasy fiction to have come out on the platform this year. This coming-of-age drama is about a bunch of kids who are trying to understand the significance of the divine power that has been bestowed upon one of their closest friends. There are many characters in The Chosen One, and by the looks of it, this engaging drama involving kids might get a second season.
Jodie, Tuka, Magda, Hipotila, and Wagner have been friends for a while. The kids are an integral part of each other. They seem too inseparable, and it showcases the bond they share. Jodie looks American but has lived most of his life in Mexico. Just like any other children their age, they prefer to have a sense of adventure and want to discover many new things.
Jodie, Tuka, Magda, Hipotila, and Wagner have been friends for a while. The kids are an integral part of each other. They seem too inseparable, and it showcases the bond they share. Jodie looks American but has lived most of his life in Mexico. Just like any other children their age, they prefer to have a sense of adventure and want to discover many new things.
- 8/17/2023
- by Smriti Kannan
- Film Fugitives
So what’s Nicolas Winding Refn been up to lately, besides advocating for WGA and SAG guild members to “burn it all down”? He’s hard at work in the UK shooting his next TV series after “Copenhagen Cowboy.” And it’s a strange project for Refn to do, to say the least. The Danish director is adapting Enid Blyton‘s “The Famous Book” children’s book series for the BBC.
Continue reading ‘The Famous Five’ First Look: Nicolas Winding Refn’s Adaptation Of UK Book Series Sees ‘Game Of Thrones’ Star Jack Gleeson Return To Acting at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Famous Five’ First Look: Nicolas Winding Refn’s Adaptation Of UK Book Series Sees ‘Game Of Thrones’ Star Jack Gleeson Return To Acting at The Playlist.
- 7/28/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
London, July 28 (Ians) Irish actor Jack Gleeson, who plays the cruel and sadistic King Joffrey Baratheon in ‘Game of Thrones’, is set to feature in the TV adaptation of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Famous Five’ novels, and by the first look of his character, it appears to be another villainous one.
Gleeson has transformed into Wentworth for a first-look at the BBC’s reboot of ‘The Famous Five’ and looks very different from his role as Joffrey Baratheon.
His fair golden hair, which was synonymous with the Lannisters in ‘Game of Thrones’ is gone and instead, Gleeson cuts a rather villainous figure, as per Express UK.
The actor sports short dark locks and a thin moustache as he shoots a terrifying look at the camera.
His character Wentworth is dressed in a blue pinstripe suit with white shirt and striped scarf, which is fastened in a bow.
Completing his evil look,...
Gleeson has transformed into Wentworth for a first-look at the BBC’s reboot of ‘The Famous Five’ and looks very different from his role as Joffrey Baratheon.
His fair golden hair, which was synonymous with the Lannisters in ‘Game of Thrones’ is gone and instead, Gleeson cuts a rather villainous figure, as per Express UK.
The actor sports short dark locks and a thin moustache as he shoots a terrifying look at the camera.
His character Wentworth is dressed in a blue pinstripe suit with white shirt and striped scarf, which is fastened in a bow.
Completing his evil look,...
- 7/28/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Casting
Casting for the beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton, which are being reimagined for the BBC and Zdf by Nicolas Winding Refn, has been revealed.
Diaana Babnicova is playing the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage.
Making up the fifth member of the “Famous Five” is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog. The cast also includes Jack Gleeson (“Game of Thrones”), Ann Akinjirin (“Moon Knight”), James Lance (“Ted Lasso”) and Diana Quick (“Father Brown”).
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR...
Casting for the beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton, which are being reimagined for the BBC and Zdf by Nicolas Winding Refn, has been revealed.
Diaana Babnicova is playing the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage.
Making up the fifth member of the “Famous Five” is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog. The cast also includes Jack Gleeson (“Game of Thrones”), Ann Akinjirin (“Moon Knight”), James Lance (“Ted Lasso”) and Diana Quick (“Father Brown”).
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR...
- 7/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Nicholas Winding Refn’s ‘Famous Five’ Adaptation Sets Cast
The BBC’s upcoming Famous Five adaptation from Nicholas Winding Refn has set cast and unveiled first look images. Diaana Babnicova will play the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage. Joining the five are Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones) as Wentworth, Ann Akinjirin (Moon Knight) as Fanny, James Lance (Ted Lasso) as Quentin and Diana Quick (Father Brown) as Mrs Wentworth. The series is being co-produced for Zdf and comes from Drive creator Winding Refn’s byNWR along with Moonage Pictures. The show will be based on Enid Blyton’s iconic 21 stories with filming set to take place shortly across the south west of the UK. Famous Five is one of the highest-profile series to come out of the...
The BBC’s upcoming Famous Five adaptation from Nicholas Winding Refn has set cast and unveiled first look images. Diaana Babnicova will play the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage. Joining the five are Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones) as Wentworth, Ann Akinjirin (Moon Knight) as Fanny, James Lance (Ted Lasso) as Quentin and Diana Quick (Father Brown) as Mrs Wentworth. The series is being co-produced for Zdf and comes from Drive creator Winding Refn’s byNWR along with Moonage Pictures. The show will be based on Enid Blyton’s iconic 21 stories with filming set to take place shortly across the south west of the UK. Famous Five is one of the highest-profile series to come out of the...
- 7/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Bet you weren’t expecting the eyebrow-raising TV news of the day to involve a new adaptation of beloved children’s author Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. But the surprising twist in the BBC’s announcement today didn’t concern the bestselling series of whimsical, jolly-hockey-sticks children’s adventure novels from the 1940s-1960s – rather the creator behind this new series: Nicolas Winding Refn.
Considering this Danish director is famous for stylish but graphically violent films like The Neon Demon, Only God Forgives and Drive, The Famous Five will be somewhat of a left turn for him.
The series will have three 90-minute episodes drawing on Blyton’s 21 Famous Five novels, which detailed the adventures of five daring young explorers – Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy – as they spend their school holidays gallivanting around the English countryside and coastline, solving mysteries, finding treasure and catching criminals. Filming...
Considering this Danish director is famous for stylish but graphically violent films like The Neon Demon, Only God Forgives and Drive, The Famous Five will be somewhat of a left turn for him.
The series will have three 90-minute episodes drawing on Blyton’s 21 Famous Five novels, which detailed the adventures of five daring young explorers – Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy – as they spend their school holidays gallivanting around the English countryside and coastline, solving mysteries, finding treasure and catching criminals. Filming...
- 6/26/2023
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
The Danish director behind stylish actioner Drive and ultra-violent thriller Only God Forgives will create a three-part series
Nicolas Winding Refn, the maverick Danish director known for his dramatically stylish and visceral way with sex and violence, is to adapt Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books for the BBC.
Refn, whose films include Drive, Only God Forgives, the Pusher trilogy, a biopic of Charles Bronson and The Neon Demon, a blackly comic look at necrophilia in LA’s fashion world, will act as creator and executive producer on the mini-series, which has begun shooting in the south-west.
Nicolas Winding Refn, the maverick Danish director known for his dramatically stylish and visceral way with sex and violence, is to adapt Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books for the BBC.
Refn, whose films include Drive, Only God Forgives, the Pusher trilogy, a biopic of Charles Bronson and The Neon Demon, a blackly comic look at necrophilia in LA’s fashion world, will act as creator and executive producer on the mini-series, which has begun shooting in the south-west.
- 6/26/2023
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
It’s safe to say that no one saw this one coming. Danish enfant terrible Nicolas Winding Refn, director of Drive, The Neon Demon and the Pusher trilogy, has been tapped to reboot The Famous Five, based on Enid Blyton’s classic series of children’s books.
Blyton wrote 21 books on the adventures of the group of four children — Julian, Dick, Anne and George, along with their dog Timmy — beginning with Five on a Treasure Island, first published in 1942. The books have been adapted for television multiple times.
Refn will act as creator and producer on a new The Famous Five limited series adaptation, which has begun filming across the southwest of the U.K. The Danish director is executive producing through his byNWR Originals company together with BBC Studios-backed Moonage Pictures (Amazon Prime’s The Pursuit of Love) for the BBC and German public broadcaster Zdf. Tim Kirkby,...
Blyton wrote 21 books on the adventures of the group of four children — Julian, Dick, Anne and George, along with their dog Timmy — beginning with Five on a Treasure Island, first published in 1942. The books have been adapted for television multiple times.
Refn will act as creator and producer on a new The Famous Five limited series adaptation, which has begun filming across the southwest of the U.K. The Danish director is executive producing through his byNWR Originals company together with BBC Studios-backed Moonage Pictures (Amazon Prime’s The Pursuit of Love) for the BBC and German public broadcaster Zdf. Tim Kirkby,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton are being reimagined for the BBC and Zdf by Nicolas Winding Refn.
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR) and Matthew Read (Moonage Pictures), in co-production with Zdf in Germany. The French territory is already presold to TF1.
Filming is currently underway across the southwest of the U.K.
The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, senior head of children’s commissioning 7+ and the commissioning editor for the BBC is Amy Buscombe. The commissioning editors of Zdf are Frank Seyberth and Katharina Kremling. It is directed by Tim Kirkby. BBC Studios, who have a minority stake in Moonage, will oversee...
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR) and Matthew Read (Moonage Pictures), in co-production with Zdf in Germany. The French territory is already presold to TF1.
Filming is currently underway across the southwest of the U.K.
The series was commissioned by Sarah Muller, senior head of children’s commissioning 7+ and the commissioning editor for the BBC is Amy Buscombe. The commissioning editors of Zdf are Frank Seyberth and Katharina Kremling. It is directed by Tim Kirkby. BBC Studios, who have a minority stake in Moonage, will oversee...
- 6/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Drive auteur Nicolas Winding Refn is forging a TV adaptation of The Famous Five for the BBC and Zdf.
Enid Blyton’s legendary book series will be turned into three 90-minute features for the two European broadcasters and the show has already sold to France’s TF1.
The Famous Five follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy – daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets in an odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie between young heroes.
The 21 books are some of the bestselling children’s novels of all time and have already been adapted twice for ITV over the past four decades, along with being made into a 2012 German-language movie.
Copenhagen Cowboy’s Winding Refn, who will create and EP, said: “All my life I’ve fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure. By reimagining The Famous Five,...
Enid Blyton’s legendary book series will be turned into three 90-minute features for the two European broadcasters and the show has already sold to France’s TF1.
The Famous Five follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy – daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets in an odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie between young heroes.
The 21 books are some of the bestselling children’s novels of all time and have already been adapted twice for ITV over the past four decades, along with being made into a 2012 German-language movie.
Copenhagen Cowboy’s Winding Refn, who will create and EP, said: “All my life I’ve fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure. By reimagining The Famous Five,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival
Japanese director Kawase Naomi will lead the international competition jury of the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (Nov. 13-22).
Kawase won the Caméra d’Or for best debut feature film at Cannes for “Moe no Suzaku” (1997) and also won awards there for “Mogari no Mori” (2007) and “Hikari” (2017). In 2000, her film “Hotaru” won the Fipresci award at Locarno.
Cairo festival president Hussein Fahmy said that Kawase has had a distinguished career and possesses great experience that qualified her to obtain prestigious awards from various international festivals.
Festival director Amir Ramses added that the presence of an award-winning female director with such a successful career and rich filmography is a great inspiration to female filmmakers in Egypt.
Solidarity
The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (Icfr) has declared solidarity with all those in Iran who stand up for their basic human rights and the freedom of expression.
“This is a revolution...
Japanese director Kawase Naomi will lead the international competition jury of the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (Nov. 13-22).
Kawase won the Caméra d’Or for best debut feature film at Cannes for “Moe no Suzaku” (1997) and also won awards there for “Mogari no Mori” (2007) and “Hikari” (2017). In 2000, her film “Hotaru” won the Fipresci award at Locarno.
Cairo festival president Hussein Fahmy said that Kawase has had a distinguished career and possesses great experience that qualified her to obtain prestigious awards from various international festivals.
Festival director Amir Ramses added that the presence of an award-winning female director with such a successful career and rich filmography is a great inspiration to female filmmakers in Egypt.
Solidarity
The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (Icfr) has declared solidarity with all those in Iran who stand up for their basic human rights and the freedom of expression.
“This is a revolution...
- 10/12/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Last month, a new indie pop star emerged — and she’s making the main character anthems of everyone’s dreams. After nearly four years of writing, workshopping, and recording music, New Zealand’s Indy made her big debut with “Threads,” a sweeping, sparkling song that captures the chaos of being in love and watching a relationship unravel.
It’s just the beginning for the 23-year-old artist, who has dreamt of pursuing music since she was in primary school. She grew up surrounded by artists: her mother Sonja Yelich is a poet and her sister Ella,...
It’s just the beginning for the 23-year-old artist, who has dreamt of pursuing music since she was in primary school. She grew up surrounded by artists: her mother Sonja Yelich is a poet and her sister Ella,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Brittany Spanos
- Rollingstone.com
The film director, 62, on chapatis and jam, having twins in her late 40s, and her three-year struggle to get Bend It Like Beckham green-lit
I wear the scars of the immigrant experience, marked on my forehead forever. I was two when we arrived in England from Kenya, our family rented a single bedroom in London. When our landlord’s son pushed me face-first into a metal bed frame, I cried and cried; mum was devastated but couldn’t say anything. I still remember the indignity and injustice.
I ran away from home aged 10, for all of 45 minutes. I packed a box with knickers and baked beans, barely making it down the road before returning. I loved Enid Blyton books back then; I think this “escape” was an attempt to be more British. It’s why I refused to eat Indian food for a while, taking jam and butter on my chapatis.
I wear the scars of the immigrant experience, marked on my forehead forever. I was two when we arrived in England from Kenya, our family rented a single bedroom in London. When our landlord’s son pushed me face-first into a metal bed frame, I cried and cried; mum was devastated but couldn’t say anything. I still remember the indignity and injustice.
I ran away from home aged 10, for all of 45 minutes. I packed a box with knickers and baked beans, barely making it down the road before returning. I loved Enid Blyton books back then; I think this “escape” was an attempt to be more British. It’s why I refused to eat Indian food for a while, taking jam and butter on my chapatis.
- 8/13/2022
- by Michael Segalov
- The Guardian - Film News
Her rendition of the bearded lady’s number from The Greatest Showman caused a sensation. But, as the Hawaiian-born star joins Sister Act, she reveals how the reaction may have contributed to her mini-stroke
Keala Settle, best known for her barnstorming performance as the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman, is on the phone from Manchester, where she’s rehearsing for the musical Sister Act. The American will appear alongside Jennifer Saunders and Beverley Knight in a show she says is full of spirit, uplift and love. But more than a job, it’s something of a homecoming for the actor and singer, whose father is from Oldham. “This whole country, but specifically Manchester, feels like my people,” says Settle, who has moved from the US to London. “I live here. I’m going to die here and get cremated and dumped in the North Sea.”
Now 46, Settle has taken...
Keala Settle, best known for her barnstorming performance as the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman, is on the phone from Manchester, where she’s rehearsing for the musical Sister Act. The American will appear alongside Jennifer Saunders and Beverley Knight in a show she says is full of spirit, uplift and love. But more than a job, it’s something of a homecoming for the actor and singer, whose father is from Oldham. “This whole country, but specifically Manchester, feels like my people,” says Settle, who has moved from the US to London. “I live here. I’m going to die here and get cremated and dumped in the North Sea.”
Now 46, Settle has taken...
- 7/19/2022
- by Lyndsey Winship
- The Guardian - Film News
Aimee Lou Wood Leads UK Comedy Cast
Seize Them!, the UK comedy being helmed by Curtis Vowell (Baby Done), has confirmed its cast as shooting gets underway. Starring will be Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Lolly Adefope (Shrill), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (W1A). Written by Andy Riley (Veep), the story is set in the Dark Ages in Britain, following a queen who is toppled by a revolution, leaving her with a bounty on her head. Producing are Damian Jones and Matthew James Wilkinson. The film is financed by Entertainment Film Distributors, which will release in the UK and Ireland.
Garrone’s Next Feature Underway
Dogman director Matteo Garrone is underway with filming on his next project, Io Capitano. The film is shooting in Dakar, Senegal, and stars newcomers Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall. The project is an epic tale following the hazardous journey...
Seize Them!, the UK comedy being helmed by Curtis Vowell (Baby Done), has confirmed its cast as shooting gets underway. Starring will be Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Lolly Adefope (Shrill), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (W1A). Written by Andy Riley (Veep), the story is set in the Dark Ages in Britain, following a queen who is toppled by a revolution, leaving her with a bounty on her head. Producing are Damian Jones and Matthew James Wilkinson. The film is financed by Entertainment Film Distributors, which will release in the UK and Ireland.
Garrone’s Next Feature Underway
Dogman director Matteo Garrone is underway with filming on his next project, Io Capitano. The film is shooting in Dakar, Senegal, and stars newcomers Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall. The project is an epic tale following the hazardous journey...
- 3/21/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
London-headquartered IP and production outfit Dominion of Drama has optioned YA supernatural romance novel “The Wanderer.”
Written by Josie Williams, the pen name for author Kirsty Moseley, whose books have sold more than 860,000 copies in English, “The Wanderer” is described as a “heart-wrenching romance about first loves and lives lost.” Dominion of Drama will immediately begin developing the book for television.
The deal was announced at Series Mania, Europe’s leading co-production forum for television development, which is currently underway in Lille, France.
Norton previously oversaw the production company Awesome Media & Entertainment, and set up Dominion of Drama in 2020. The “Wanderer” deal marks a continuation of his work adapting literary properties for the screen. In 2019, through Awesome, he developed, packaged and executive produced the adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story “The Small Hand” for Paramount-backed U.K. broadcaster Channel 5, in co-production with Two Rivers Media.
Norton...
Written by Josie Williams, the pen name for author Kirsty Moseley, whose books have sold more than 860,000 copies in English, “The Wanderer” is described as a “heart-wrenching romance about first loves and lives lost.” Dominion of Drama will immediately begin developing the book for television.
The deal was announced at Series Mania, Europe’s leading co-production forum for television development, which is currently underway in Lille, France.
Norton previously oversaw the production company Awesome Media & Entertainment, and set up Dominion of Drama in 2020. The “Wanderer” deal marks a continuation of his work adapting literary properties for the screen. In 2019, through Awesome, he developed, packaged and executive produced the adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story “The Small Hand” for Paramount-backed U.K. broadcaster Channel 5, in co-production with Two Rivers Media.
Norton...
- 3/21/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
In response to the global Covid-19 crisis and the health and safety challenges facing live, in-person events, Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival (Gff) has announced revised dates for its 4th edition, now set to run Oct. 23-31, a month after it was originally planned.
Gff director Intishal Al Timimi said in a statement: “Several film festivals have been impacted by the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic and their return to the scene will send a positive signal that the world is on its way to normalcy. At Gff, we choose to live in this hope and positivity and continue our commitment to make a contribution to the development of cinema internationally and in the region, and to ensure a safe yet enjoyable experience for all participants.”
This year’s festival will be the first public event held in the newly built 8,000 square-meter Gouna Conference and Culture Center. The festival program...
Gff director Intishal Al Timimi said in a statement: “Several film festivals have been impacted by the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic and their return to the scene will send a positive signal that the world is on its way to normalcy. At Gff, we choose to live in this hope and positivity and continue our commitment to make a contribution to the development of cinema internationally and in the region, and to ensure a safe yet enjoyable experience for all participants.”
This year’s festival will be the first public event held in the newly built 8,000 square-meter Gouna Conference and Culture Center. The festival program...
- 6/29/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The Best Drama Supporting Actress Emmy line-up is stuffed with top-tier talent, with five actresses in our early odds with 800-plus users picking each of them to earn a spot on the ballot. Right now,”The Crown’s” Helena Bonham Carter as Britain’s charismatic Princess Margaret has the lead with 19/5 odds. She is also far ahead with eight out of 10 experts and seven out of 11 editors placing her in the win column.
Next is the mighty Meryl — as in Streep — with 9/2 odds for her meddlesome matriach who is out to make trouble for the Monterey Five ladies on the second season of “Big Little Lies.” Both actresses are best known for their big-screen work. Both actresses have won Emmys previously, with Bonham Carter claiming an international version of the award for her performance in 2009’s “Enid” as British children’s author Enid Blyton. La Streep, meanwhile, won best actress...
Next is the mighty Meryl — as in Streep — with 9/2 odds for her meddlesome matriach who is out to make trouble for the Monterey Five ladies on the second season of “Big Little Lies.” Both actresses are best known for their big-screen work. Both actresses have won Emmys previously, with Bonham Carter claiming an international version of the award for her performance in 2009’s “Enid” as British children’s author Enid Blyton. La Streep, meanwhile, won best actress...
- 3/26/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The UK producer and Bafta chair talks about her working day, first job in the industry and her desire to take a meeting with Bong Joon Ho.
Pippa Harris is the Bafta-winning producer of Sam Mendes’s First World War drama 1917.
She runs London-based film, TV and theatre company Neal Street Productions with Mendes, Caro Newling and Nicolas Brown and has a full slate executive producing series 10 of Call The Midwife for the BBC, a new Penny Dreadful spin-off Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels for Showtime, series three of Britannia for Sky Atlantic and is developing an adaptation of...
Pippa Harris is the Bafta-winning producer of Sam Mendes’s First World War drama 1917.
She runs London-based film, TV and theatre company Neal Street Productions with Mendes, Caro Newling and Nicolas Brown and has a full slate executive producing series 10 of Call The Midwife for the BBC, a new Penny Dreadful spin-off Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels for Showtime, series three of Britannia for Sky Atlantic and is developing an adaptation of...
- 2/4/2020
- by ¬0¦Pippa Harris¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Helena Bonham Carter is primarily known for her big-screen roles ranging from her 1985 debut, “A Room With a View,” to being villainous Bellatrix Lestrange in the “Harry Potter” franchise. She was Oscar-nominated as a lead in 1997’s “The Wings of the Dove” and for her supporting role as King George VI’s wife and mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret in 2010’s “The King’s Speech.”
But Bonham Carter has also been lauded for a fair number of her TV efforts as well. In fact, she has received more recognition for her small-screen work at the Golden Globes, with four previous nominations for a miniseries or a TV film: 1993’s “Fatal Deception: Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald,” 1998’s “Merlin,” 2002’s “Live From Baghdad” and 2013’s “Burton and Taylor.” As for Emmys, her lone win was an International Emmy for her performance in 2009’s “Enid” as British children’s author Enid Blyton.
But Bonham Carter has also been lauded for a fair number of her TV efforts as well. In fact, she has received more recognition for her small-screen work at the Golden Globes, with four previous nominations for a miniseries or a TV film: 1993’s “Fatal Deception: Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald,” 1998’s “Merlin,” 2002’s “Live From Baghdad” and 2013’s “Burton and Taylor.” As for Emmys, her lone win was an International Emmy for her performance in 2009’s “Enid” as British children’s author Enid Blyton.
- 12/19/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Netflix The four children, who are the prime protagonists, unravel the mystery and prove to be the biggest strength of the series.Geetika MantriAn almost forgotten childhood trauma. An old family home. A new family moving into it, setting off spooky, inexplicable incidents. A string of deaths. Sound familiar? It would be, if you have watched enough horror films. The story arc, no doubt, isn’t new. But if you are a fan of the genre, you’d know that more often than not, it’s the treatment of the combination of the same elements that can make all the difference between a nail-biting watch and a dud. However, Netflix’s newest Indian horror offering, Typewriter, doesn’t fall neatly into either category. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh of Kahaani fame, the series maintains the suspense for the most part, but fails to leave you with scares that you haven’t experienced before.
- 7/22/2019
- by Geetika
- The News Minute
To his credit, the high-profile Karan Johar gave us three stars, or maybe just two, in Student Of The Year. Now, the sequel promises to give us two stars again. They are Ananya Panday and Tara Sutaria, one an industry girl and the other an outsider -- so Kangana Ranaut should be happy. The other protagonist Tiger Shroff is already a star. He balances out the glam-factor on both sides. This is Kuch Kuch Hota Hai dropped down to ground level.
Tiger jumps high, somersaults and flips through the trailer with high-octane gusto. He is a pleasure to behold. The two debutante leading ladies can't even dream of matching strides with our Tiger in the woods. They don't even try. Strutting in brief skirts, they look like eyecandy at their candiest. Can't run because the high heels are too high, types.
The first Student Of The Year gave us at...
Tiger jumps high, somersaults and flips through the trailer with high-octane gusto. He is a pleasure to behold. The two debutante leading ladies can't even dream of matching strides with our Tiger in the woods. They don't even try. Strutting in brief skirts, they look like eyecandy at their candiest. Can't run because the high heels are too high, types.
The first Student Of The Year gave us at...
- 4/13/2019
- GlamSham
Written by Ridley Pearson | Art by Ile Gonzalez | Format: Paperback, 160pp | Published by DC Zoom
DC Zoom, of which this volume is one of the launch titles, is an imprint aimed at the 8-12 age range. That, of course, was probably the age range comics were actually aimed at once upon a time, until the comics ended up growing up with their fans. This left young fans a bit adrift, though admittedly both DC and Marvel have had several stabs at all age comics over the last three decades. DC Zoom is important because DC have been putting some real effort into it, recruiting some big name authors and launching some major marketing. I love the concept, but what about the execution? Let’s take a look.
As much as we all love Superman and Batman, I think it’s fair to say kids find them a tad difficult to relate to.
DC Zoom, of which this volume is one of the launch titles, is an imprint aimed at the 8-12 age range. That, of course, was probably the age range comics were actually aimed at once upon a time, until the comics ended up growing up with their fans. This left young fans a bit adrift, though admittedly both DC and Marvel have had several stabs at all age comics over the last three decades. DC Zoom is important because DC have been putting some real effort into it, recruiting some big name authors and launching some major marketing. I love the concept, but what about the execution? Let’s take a look.
As much as we all love Superman and Batman, I think it’s fair to say kids find them a tad difficult to relate to.
- 3/21/2019
- by Dean Fuller
- Nerdly
Superman, Batman, Iron Man: can a little boy be rescued from their vice-like grip?
I shouldn’t be surprised, really, because I gave him a hero’s name. Names are a kind of parental prayer, and I wanted him to be kind and strong. So I gave him a king’s name (which I am keeping to myself) – not George, something better and more optimistic (none of the Georges was happy), and not Henry, which preens too much – and hoped for the best.
I hoped for other things, too, based on my ideal (it can only be an ideal: I was brought up with a sister) of what a happy boy should be. It is vaguely prewar, this ideal – an urchin with a conker in his pocket – and inspired by what made me happy as a child, which was being dirty and outdoors, or reading books and daydreaming about access...
I shouldn’t be surprised, really, because I gave him a hero’s name. Names are a kind of parental prayer, and I wanted him to be kind and strong. So I gave him a king’s name (which I am keeping to myself) – not George, something better and more optimistic (none of the Georges was happy), and not Henry, which preens too much – and hoped for the best.
I hoped for other things, too, based on my ideal (it can only be an ideal: I was brought up with a sister) of what a happy boy should be. It is vaguely prewar, this ideal – an urchin with a conker in his pocket – and inspired by what made me happy as a child, which was being dirty and outdoors, or reading books and daydreaming about access...
- 11/10/2018
- by Tanya Gold
- The Guardian - Film News
Simon Farnaby is attached to the Magic Faraway Tree project Photo: Studiocanal Studiocanal has announced it is in development with Neal Street Productions on Enid Blyton’s children's classic Magic Faraway Tree. Paddington 2 screenwriter Simon Farnaby is attached to script the adaptation. Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown from Neal Street Productions will produce.
It is the latest film by the studio aiming for the family franchise market, following their success with Paddington and its sequel and marks the first time that Blyton's books about a group of children's adventures in a tree which leads to magic lands have been adapted for the big screen.
Neal Street Productions has optioned all four books in the Blyton series - The Enchanted Wood, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Folk Of The Faraway Tree and Up The Faraway Tree - from Hachette Children’s Group, brand owners of Enid Blyton Entertainment.
Farnaby said:...
It is the latest film by the studio aiming for the family franchise market, following their success with Paddington and its sequel and marks the first time that Blyton's books about a group of children's adventures in a tree which leads to magic lands have been adapted for the big screen.
Neal Street Productions has optioned all four books in the Blyton series - The Enchanted Wood, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Folk Of The Faraway Tree and Up The Faraway Tree - from Hachette Children’s Group, brand owners of Enid Blyton Entertainment.
Farnaby said:...
- 11/20/2017
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Studiocanal and Neal Street Productions are developing a feature adaptation of Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree with Paddington 2‘s Simon Farnaby attached to write. Neal Street’s Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown will produce. English writer Blyton, who has been called the Jk Rowling of her time, was born in 1897 and is one of the biggest selling children's authors in history with global sales of over 500M books. The Magic Faraway Tree series was written between 1939 and…...
- 11/20/2017
- Deadline
StudioCanal, fresh off the U.K. box-office success of Paddington 2, is building on its slate of family titles.
The growing studio is set to adapt Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree, having teamed with Neal Street Productions, the All3Media-owned company behind TV shows such as Penny Dreadful and Call the Midwife and films including Revolutionary Road and Jarhead.
Simon Farnaby — who co-wrote Paddington 2 with director Paul King — will pen the adaptation, with Neal Street's Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown producing.
Magic Faraway Tree — which will be the first-ever feature film based on Blyton's Magic Faraway...
The growing studio is set to adapt Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree, having teamed with Neal Street Productions, the All3Media-owned company behind TV shows such as Penny Dreadful and Call the Midwife and films including Revolutionary Road and Jarhead.
Simon Farnaby — who co-wrote Paddington 2 with director Paul King — will pen the adaptation, with Neal Street's Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown producing.
Magic Faraway Tree — which will be the first-ever feature film based on Blyton's Magic Faraway...
- 11/20/2017
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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