Exclusive: Universal Pictures has acquired for Syfy Films Lights Out, a Jay Frasco screenplay and the rights to the manuscript of his unpublished sci-fi thriller novel. While waiting to hear from publishers, Frasco adapted his manuscript into the screenplay and has notched his first spec sale. Details of the story are being kept under wraps, but the story focuses on an teenage boy trapped in his house with his sister when a deadly intruder enters the home, and mysterious events occur during the captivity. Frasco, who most recently set-up his thriller The Rising at Bold Films, also wrote the family film Puddle Jumpers for The Animation Company and producer Brian Manis. Frasco is repped by Apa, attorney Darren Trattner, manager Dannie Festa and lit agent Jennifer DeChiara. Maybe the publishing crowd will give Frasco’s book another look. Since Syfy Ventures partnered with Universal on Syfy Films in late 2010 with...
- 8/22/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Dimension Films has found a writer for its reboot of Short Circuit. Variety reports that Matt Lieberman has been hired to write a script that will be directed by Tim Hill (Hop). All details are being kept under wrap, but the film will be a reimagining of the 1986 family film.
The original film followed "Johnny Five, an experimental military robot that develops intelligence and self-awareness after being struck by lightning. With the help of a troubled young boy, the robot tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he's truly alive."
The project has been in the works since 2009, when Dimension optioned remake rights. When Hill signed on to direct in August, the project gained momentum. David Foster, who produced the original, is producing along with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde, and Brian Manis. Production is slated to begin at the end of the year, for a scheduled release next summer.
The original film followed "Johnny Five, an experimental military robot that develops intelligence and self-awareness after being struck by lightning. With the help of a troubled young boy, the robot tries to evade capture and convince his creator that he's truly alive."
The project has been in the works since 2009, when Dimension optioned remake rights. When Hill signed on to direct in August, the project gained momentum. David Foster, who produced the original, is producing along with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde, and Brian Manis. Production is slated to begin at the end of the year, for a scheduled release next summer.
- 2/3/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Matt Lieberman has been signed by Dimension Films to write Short Circuit, a remake of the 1986 movie about a runaway robot. Tim Hill, who helmed Hop and Alvin and the Chipmunks, is attached to direct the feature, which is aiming for a summer 2013 release that will be aimed at the family audiene. David Foster, who produced the original, is producing with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde and Brian Manis. “Dimension has had great success with the Spy Kids family series which grossed over $500 million worldwide,” Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Co., who oversees the
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- 2/3/2012
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dimension Films have announced the hiring of screenwriter Matt Lieberman to pen a remake of the 1986 cult favorite Short Circuit. An Honors film grad from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Lieberman wrote a draft of the Doctor Dolittle sequel Doctor Dolittle: First Dog, and another couple projects that have never gone into production, including Disney's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. He's a graduate of the Disney screenwriting program, and has uncredited worked on a bunch of the Disney live-action film projects from the past few years. Despite my jab headline, Lieberman seems like an up-and-comer. He is set to work closely with director Tim Hill (Hop, Alvin and the Chipmunks). The press release says that "details of the new take are currently being kept under wraps" but its pretty obvious that they are aiming for something much tamer than the original film. It is very clear...
- 2/3/2012
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Dimension Films has announced that Matt Lieberman, a recent alumni of the Disney writers program, will write their upcoming remake of Short Circuit . As announced last summer , Tim Hill will direct. .Dimension has had great success with the 'Spy Kids' family series which grossed over $500 million worldwide,. said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company. .We are looking for 'Short Circuit' to be our next family franchise and are excited to be working with Matt Lieberman and Tim Hill, who has had great International success with 'Hop' and 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'." David Foster, who produced the original, is producing with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde and Brian Manis. Shooting is scheduled for the end of the year with a release in Summer 2013.
- 2/2/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The Animation Picture Company is set to develop the 3D animated feature "Zombie Pet Shop" reports Variety.
The story concerns a mysterious plague that sweeps through a mall pet shop, turning all of the animals into zombies. An ordinary pug must find the antidote that will save his four-legged friends, as well as the humans that might take them home.
E.L. Katz ("Autopsy," "Pop Skull") penned the original script which John Davis, Brian Manis, Ash Shah, Dan Chuba and Mark Dippe will produce.
The story concerns a mysterious plague that sweeps through a mall pet shop, turning all of the animals into zombies. An ordinary pug must find the antidote that will save his four-legged friends, as well as the humans that might take them home.
E.L. Katz ("Autopsy," "Pop Skull") penned the original script which John Davis, Brian Manis, Ash Shah, Dan Chuba and Mark Dippe will produce.
- 2/24/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Jason Segel is in negotiations and Emily Blunt has been offered to sign up for "Gulliver's Travels," Fox's Jack Black-starring modern re-imagining of Jonathan Swift's classic tale.
Rob Letterman is directing the story of free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black), who on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of industrious yet tiny people.
Blunt would play the island's princess and the love interest of Horatio, Segel's character, a Lilliputian who befriends Gulliver.
Nicholas Stoller, who directed Segel in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," wrote the screenplay with Joe Stillman.
John Davis is producing with Black and his Electric Dynamite partner Ben Cooley.
Steve Asbell is overseeing project for Fox, and Brian Manis is overseeing for Davis.
Principal photography begins in March.
Segel, one of the stars of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother," next appears on the big...
Rob Letterman is directing the story of free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black), who on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of industrious yet tiny people.
Blunt would play the island's princess and the love interest of Horatio, Segel's character, a Lilliputian who befriends Gulliver.
Nicholas Stoller, who directed Segel in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," wrote the screenplay with Joe Stillman.
John Davis is producing with Black and his Electric Dynamite partner Ben Cooley.
Steve Asbell is overseeing project for Fox, and Brian Manis is overseeing for Davis.
Principal photography begins in March.
Segel, one of the stars of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother," next appears on the big...
- 1/29/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Funnyman Jack Black is set to star in Gulliver's Travels, Fox's contemporary re-imagining of the classic Jonathan Swift tale, report the trades. The story centers on Lemuel Gulliver, a free-spirited travel writer who, on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle, suddenly finds himself a giant among men when he washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of industrious, yet tiny, people. Rob Letterman, director of the animated flick Shark Tale and the upcoming Monsters vs. Aliens, is attached to helm the film. Nicholas Stoller (Fun With Dick and Jane) is currently polishing a script by Joe Stillman (Shrek). Producing the project are John Davis (Avp: Alien vs. Predator) and Electric Dynamite, Black's production company with Ben Cooley. Fox's Steve Asbell is overseeing the project for the studio. Brian Manis (Garfield) is overseeing for Davis. Principal photography begins in March, but no location has yet been picked.
- 11/6/2008
- by James Cook
- TheMovingPicture.net
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox is prepping a re-imagining of the classic tale “Gulliver’s Travels” in which Jack Black is set to star. The film centers on free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black) on assignment in Bermuda who suddenly finds himself a giant among the tiny inhabitants of the hidden island of Liliput. “Shark Tale” helmer Rob Letterman will direct, with Nicholas Stoller ("Fun With Dick and Jane") polishing a script by Joe Stillman ("Shrek"). So, in other words, don’t get your hopes up. Producing the project are John Davis and Electric Dynamite, Black’s production company with Ben Cooley. Fox’s Steve Asbell is overseeing the project for the studio. Brian Manis is overseeing for Davis. Principal photography begins in March, but no location has yet been picked. Black next will be seen in the Judd Apatow-produced “The Year One” for Columbia in June, while Letterman helms “Monsters vs.
- 11/6/2008
- UGO Movies
Jack Black will star in Fox's re-imagining of the classic tale "Gulliver's Travels."
The film centers on free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black) on assignment in Bermuda who suddenly finds himself a giant among the tiny inhabitants of the hidden island of Liliput.
"Shark Tale" helmer Rob Letterman will direct, with Nicholas Stoller ("Fun With Dick and Jane") polishing a script by Joe Stillman ("Shrek").
Producing the project are John Davis and Electric Dynamite, Black's production company with Ben Cooley. Fox's Steve Asbell is overseeing the project for the studio. Brian Manis is overseeing for Davis.
Principal photography begins in March, but no location has yet been picked.
Endeavor reps Black and Letterman, who both have new films coming to theaters in the first part of 2009. Black next will be seen in the Judd Apatow-produced "The Year One" for Columbia in June, while Letterman helms "Monsters vs. Aliens," due in March from DreamWorks Animation.
The film centers on free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black) on assignment in Bermuda who suddenly finds himself a giant among the tiny inhabitants of the hidden island of Liliput.
"Shark Tale" helmer Rob Letterman will direct, with Nicholas Stoller ("Fun With Dick and Jane") polishing a script by Joe Stillman ("Shrek").
Producing the project are John Davis and Electric Dynamite, Black's production company with Ben Cooley. Fox's Steve Asbell is overseeing the project for the studio. Brian Manis is overseeing for Davis.
Principal photography begins in March, but no location has yet been picked.
Endeavor reps Black and Letterman, who both have new films coming to theaters in the first part of 2009. Black next will be seen in the Judd Apatow-produced "The Year One" for Columbia in June, while Letterman helms "Monsters vs. Aliens," due in March from DreamWorks Animation.
- 11/5/2008
- by By Leslie Simmons and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim Hill is developing with an eye to direct an untitled animal-themed romantic comedy for Fox.
Davis Entertainment's John Davis (The Heartbreak Kid) and Brian Manis are producing the project, written by Dale Kutzera and David Mickel. John Fox is overseeing for the studio.
Hill is becoming Fox's go-to guy for animal-themed movies. He directed Alvin and the Chipmunks, which has grossed $214 million at the domestic boxoffice since December, and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties. He's repped by Gersh, Ensemble Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen.
Davis Entertainment's John Davis (The Heartbreak Kid) and Brian Manis are producing the project, written by Dale Kutzera and David Mickel. John Fox is overseeing for the studio.
Hill is becoming Fox's go-to guy for animal-themed movies. He directed Alvin and the Chipmunks, which has grossed $214 million at the domestic boxoffice since December, and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties. He's repped by Gersh, Ensemble Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen.
- 3/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Animation Picture Co. has optioned the feature rights to Sierra Entertainment's Spyro the Dragon franchise, with plans to produce a stereoscopic 3-D computer-animated feature.
Brothers Steve and Daniel Altiere will adapt the screenplay from the "Legend of Spyro" trilogy of games. The story follows Spyro, a rare purple dragon of prophecy, on a voyage of self-discovery as he struggles to come to terms with his potential while finding himself embroiled in an epic struggle against evil.
Animation Picture principals Dan Chuba, John Davis, Mark Dippe, Brian Manis and Ash Shah will produce.
The Altiere brothers' credits include the fourth "Dr. Dolittle" feature. They are repped by Paradigm, manager Jonathan Hung and attorney Robert Szymanski.
The Spyro games have generated more than $525 million in sales and shipped more than 20 million units worldwide since its introduction in 1998.
Sierra Entertainment is a division of Vivendi Games.
Brothers Steve and Daniel Altiere will adapt the screenplay from the "Legend of Spyro" trilogy of games. The story follows Spyro, a rare purple dragon of prophecy, on a voyage of self-discovery as he struggles to come to terms with his potential while finding himself embroiled in an epic struggle against evil.
Animation Picture principals Dan Chuba, John Davis, Mark Dippe, Brian Manis and Ash Shah will produce.
The Altiere brothers' credits include the fourth "Dr. Dolittle" feature. They are repped by Paradigm, manager Jonathan Hung and attorney Robert Szymanski.
The Spyro games have generated more than $525 million in sales and shipped more than 20 million units worldwide since its introduction in 1998.
Sierra Entertainment is a division of Vivendi Games.
- 10/26/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
20th Century Fox has acquired screenwriters Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon's Tokyo Ghost Story for Davis Entertainment to produce. The supernatural thriller is based on a Japanese myth about a Yurei, or the ghost of a jilted lover who commits suicide but returns to lead the offending lover to destruction and/or death. Peter Kang is the executive on the project. Davis Entertainment's executive vp production Brian Manis brought the script to Davis president Wyck Godfrey, who took it to Kang.
Tony Bill's My Bodyguard is next up for the remake treatment. The re-do of the 1980 film, which starred Chris Makepeace, Adam Baldwin and Matt Dillon, is being set up at Dimension Films. Jeff Lieber is penning the script about a boy who enlists his new school's most feared kid when he finds himself being bullied. John Davis is producing with Marc Toberoff, chairman of Intellectual Property Worldwide, who acquired exclusive rights to the property. IPW's president of production, J. Todd Harris, who brought the project to Davis, also will produce. Davis executives Wyck Godfrey and Brian Manis will executive produce. IPW's vp production Craig Roth will co-produce.
- 7/28/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Regency Enterprises is in negotiations to acquire Ernie Altbacker's spec script Twist, with Fox-based John Davis on board to produce. Altbacker developed the script with Freaky Friday helmer Mark S. Waters, who is attached to direct for Regency. The project is described as a comedic version of Total Recall, centering on a man who goes on a vacation in the body of another person -- an agent for the CIA. Davis will produce through his Davis Entertainment along with Jill Bernheimer and Keetgi Kogan. At Regency, the project is being overseen by senior vp production Kara Francis and director of development Alexa Amin for production topper Sanford Panitch. At Davis Entertainment, executive vp production Brian Manis is overseeing for the producer. Altbacker is repped by David Boxerbaum at Metropolitan Talent Agency and manager Anna Barber. Waters, who is directing Mean Girls for Paramount Pictures and Broadway Video, is repped by CAA.
- 11/21/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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