Denzel Washington, Anna Kendrick, Tom Cruise, Jeremy RennerScreenshot: Sony, Photo: Lionsgate, Paramount
Every streaming service offers a wide range of film genres, but Amazon Prime Video seems to be particularly focused on the action-adventure sector. If you’re looking for pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thrills, the streamer makes for a solid starting point.
Every streaming service offers a wide range of film genres, but Amazon Prime Video seems to be particularly focused on the action-adventure sector. If you’re looking for pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thrills, the streamer makes for a solid starting point.
- 1/31/2024
- by The A.V. Club
- avclub.com
It’s Frasier Week at IndieWire. Grab some tossed salad and scrambled eggs, settle into your coziest easy chair, and join us. We’re listening.
Nothing against Seattle’s most famous fictional therapist, but Frasier Crane isn’t Kelsey Grammer’s best TV role. That title belongs to premium cable’s scariest (and on occasion campiest) mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane: the menacing title character in Starz’s gone-to-soon political drama “Boss.”
“I knew Kelsey’s work through ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier,’ but he was playing a really different character here,” said Gus Van Sant, who directed the first episode and recalled working with Grammer in a recent phone interview for IndieWire.
“He had played so many different parts in his career on stage that it wasn’t something he hadn’t played before,” the Oscar-nominated director said. “But he wasn’t nearly as lighthearted or as humorous as he...
Nothing against Seattle’s most famous fictional therapist, but Frasier Crane isn’t Kelsey Grammer’s best TV role. That title belongs to premium cable’s scariest (and on occasion campiest) mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane: the menacing title character in Starz’s gone-to-soon political drama “Boss.”
“I knew Kelsey’s work through ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier,’ but he was playing a really different character here,” said Gus Van Sant, who directed the first episode and recalled working with Grammer in a recent phone interview for IndieWire.
“He had played so many different parts in his career on stage that it wasn’t something he hadn’t played before,” the Oscar-nominated director said. “But he wasn’t nearly as lighthearted or as humorous as he...
- 10/10/2023
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Jonas Dassler (The Golden Glove) has been tapped to play German pastor and theologian-turned-spy Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the thriller God’s Spy, based on a true story.
Others set for the pic written and directed by Sully scribe Todd Komarnicki include Flula Borg (The Suicide Squad), David Jonsson (Industry), August Diehl (A Hidden Life), Moritz Bleibtreu (World War Z) and BAFTA Award nominee Clarke Peters (The Wire).
The film currently in production is set in Berlin during the time of the Third Reich, examining Bonhoeffer’s determination to live his life with uncompromising political and spiritual courage, while speaking truth to power, in his attempt to save countless Jewish lives. Bonhoeffer was among only a few clergy who were early to recognize the danger of Hitler’s anti-Semitic rhetoric, and while the German church acquiesced to Hitler, Bonhoeffer took him on. First, from the pulpit — and then from the front lines.
Others set for the pic written and directed by Sully scribe Todd Komarnicki include Flula Borg (The Suicide Squad), David Jonsson (Industry), August Diehl (A Hidden Life), Moritz Bleibtreu (World War Z) and BAFTA Award nominee Clarke Peters (The Wire).
The film currently in production is set in Berlin during the time of the Third Reich, examining Bonhoeffer’s determination to live his life with uncompromising political and spiritual courage, while speaking truth to power, in his attempt to save countless Jewish lives. Bonhoeffer was among only a few clergy who were early to recognize the danger of Hitler’s anti-Semitic rhetoric, and while the German church acquiesced to Hitler, Bonhoeffer took him on. First, from the pulpit — and then from the front lines.
- 1/12/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Mel Gibson and Sean Penn are both actors that tend to divide opinion among movie fans, but with two Academy Awards each, you can’t deny that they’re among the finest talents of their generation, regardless of how you feel about their personal beliefs or opinions. So throw them together in a prestige drama about the creation of the dictionary and you’ve got… well, you’ve got something that will interest some people a lot more than others.
The Professor and the Madman is a biographical period drama that stars Gibson as the former and Penn as the latter, which is admittedly simplifying things an awful lot. The Lethal Weapon star plays Professor James Murray, who undergoes the arduous task of compiling the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1870s. Gathering up the definition for every word in existence is no easy task, but one helpful fellow submits over 10,000 entries,...
The Professor and the Madman is a biographical period drama that stars Gibson as the former and Penn as the latter, which is admittedly simplifying things an awful lot. The Lethal Weapon star plays Professor James Murray, who undergoes the arduous task of compiling the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the 1870s. Gathering up the definition for every word in existence is no easy task, but one helpful fellow submits over 10,000 entries,...
- 11/18/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
‘The Call of the Wild.’
In a lousy weekend at Australian cinemas, the combination of Harrison Ford and a bionic dog in The Call of the Wild proved unappealing, while a long-delayed historical drama which Mel Gibson had virtually disowned was an abject failure.
Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite was among the few bright spots, ringing up $653,000 on 135 screens, now in week 35, delivering $4.7 million for Madman Entertainment.
The top 20 titles generated $10.8 million, 32 per cent down on the previous frame, according to Numero.
Paramount’s live action/CGI adaptation of the Sega videogame Sonic the Hedgehog won the weekend virtually by default.
The feature debut of director Jeff Fowler, the adventure comedy raked in nearly $2.8 million, dropping by a reasonable 28 per cent in its second frame, propelling the total to $7.1 million.
The No 1 title worldwide, the film starring Jim Carrey, James Marsden and the voice of Ben Schwartz has clocked an...
In a lousy weekend at Australian cinemas, the combination of Harrison Ford and a bionic dog in The Call of the Wild proved unappealing, while a long-delayed historical drama which Mel Gibson had virtually disowned was an abject failure.
Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite was among the few bright spots, ringing up $653,000 on 135 screens, now in week 35, delivering $4.7 million for Madman Entertainment.
The top 20 titles generated $10.8 million, 32 per cent down on the previous frame, according to Numero.
Paramount’s live action/CGI adaptation of the Sega videogame Sonic the Hedgehog won the weekend virtually by default.
The feature debut of director Jeff Fowler, the adventure comedy raked in nearly $2.8 million, dropping by a reasonable 28 per cent in its second frame, propelling the total to $7.1 million.
The No 1 title worldwide, the film starring Jim Carrey, James Marsden and the voice of Ben Schwartz has clocked an...
- 2/24/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Ben Affleck is heading back to the director’s chair with the historical drama ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’. He will also serve as a producer on the feature.
The film is said to be inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
‘Apocalypto’ co-scribe Farhad Safinia is attached to adapt the script. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia.
Also in the news – Dexter Fletcher set to helm ‘Dracula’ story ‘Renfield’
Affleck was last behind...
The film is said to be inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
‘Apocalypto’ co-scribe Farhad Safinia is attached to adapt the script. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia.
Also in the news – Dexter Fletcher set to helm ‘Dracula’ story ‘Renfield’
Affleck was last behind...
- 11/22/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Actor Ben Affleck will direct and produce the historical drama titled "King Leopold's Ghost", set in the early 20th century in the Congo.
Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner.
Also Read:?Harrison Ford gears up for upcoming action-adventure film
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild's best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium's plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back, reports variety.com.
The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
Affleck starred in and directed "Argo" and "The Town".
His key leading roles include "Justice League", "The Accountant", "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", "Gone Girl" and the upcoming "The Way Back.
Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner.
Also Read:?Harrison Ford gears up for upcoming action-adventure film
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild's best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium's plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back, reports variety.com.
The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
Affleck starred in and directed "Argo" and "The Town".
His key leading roles include "Justice League", "The Accountant", "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", "Gone Girl" and the upcoming "The Way Back.
- 11/22/2019
- GlamSham
Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town) is getting behind the camera for a new movie called King Leopold’s Ghost, a true story of rebellion against genocide in the Congo in the late 1800s. Affleck will produce alongside Martin Scorsese, and the script will be written by Apocalypto screenwriter Farhad Safinia. Get the details below. Deadline says Affleck has added […]
The post Ben Affleck Will Direct ‘King Leopold’s Ghost,’ a True Story About a Rebellion in the Congo appeared first on /Film.
The post Ben Affleck Will Direct ‘King Leopold’s Ghost,’ a True Story About a Rebellion in the Congo appeared first on /Film.
- 11/22/2019
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Ben Affleck will direct and produce the historical drama “King Leopold’s Ghost,” set in the early 20th Century in the Congo.
The project will be developed by One Community. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
One Community is a co-financer on Warner Bros.’ drama “Just Mercy,” starring Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson.
The project will be developed by One Community. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
One Community is a co-financer on Warner Bros.’ drama “Just Mercy,” starring Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson.
- 11/21/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Affleck has unveiled his next directorial project, and it's a fact-based drama titled King Leopold's Ghost. The film boasts a script written by Apocalypto scribe Farhad Safinia, and will center on the plunder of the Congo by Belgium’s King Leopold II in the late 1800s. In addition to directing the film, Affleck will also produce through his Pearl…...
- 11/21/2019
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Ben Affleck has found his next directorial project, as he’s set to direct “King Leopold’s Ghost,” a drama that details the true story of the oppression of the Congo in Africa by European rulers in the early 20th century.
Scott Budnick’s One Community, which is behind “Just Mercy” upcoming later this year, is financing the film. Affleck will also produce for his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese for Sikelia Productions. Farhad Safinia (“Apocalypto”) is attached to write the script based on the non-fiction book by Adam Hochschild, “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa.”
Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing the film along with Emma Koskoff-Tillinger for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Also Read: Ridley Scott Revenge Tale 'The Last Duel' to Open Christmas 2020
“King Leopold’s Ghost” is based on...
Scott Budnick’s One Community, which is behind “Just Mercy” upcoming later this year, is financing the film. Affleck will also produce for his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese for Sikelia Productions. Farhad Safinia (“Apocalypto”) is attached to write the script based on the non-fiction book by Adam Hochschild, “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa.”
Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing the film along with Emma Koskoff-Tillinger for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Also Read: Ridley Scott Revenge Tale 'The Last Duel' to Open Christmas 2020
“King Leopold’s Ghost” is based on...
- 11/21/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Ben Affleck will direct King Leopold’s Ghost, a fact-based drama about the plunder of the Congo by Belgium’s King Leopold II in the late 1800s. One Community, which co-financed Just Mercy, is financing development with an option to co-finance the film. Farhad Safinia (Apocalypto) is writing the script. Affleck is producing through his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese and Emma Koskoff-Tillinger through his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing, with Pearl Street’s Madison Ainley exec producing.
Safinia is basing his script on the Adam Hochschild book: King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. The film covers an atrocious piece of history that is every bit as bad as the subtitle infers. Set at a moment when European countries were racing to find ways to carve up the natural resources of Africa, Leopold became...
Safinia is basing his script on the Adam Hochschild book: King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. The film covers an atrocious piece of history that is every bit as bad as the subtitle infers. Set at a moment when European countries were racing to find ways to carve up the natural resources of Africa, Leopold became...
- 11/21/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
I don’t have a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary in front of me but the OxfordDictionaries.com website defines “boredom” as “the state of feeling bored.” Which is about as insightful as anything one can find in “The Professor and the Madman.”
The film, credited to “Pb Shemran” — a pseudonym for Farhad Safinia, who co-wrote Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto” — stars Gibson as James Murray, the man responsible for compiling and completing most of the Oed before his death. The astoundingly thorough compendium of every word in the English language was a mammoth undertaking and required significant assistance from a wide variety of sources. One of those sources happened to be confined to a mental institution after committing murder.
Sean Penn co-stars as Dr. William Chester Minor, a Civil War solider and doctor with paranoid delusions that led him to chase a stranger through the streets and gun him down.
The film, credited to “Pb Shemran” — a pseudonym for Farhad Safinia, who co-wrote Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto” — stars Gibson as James Murray, the man responsible for compiling and completing most of the Oed before his death. The astoundingly thorough compendium of every word in the English language was a mammoth undertaking and required significant assistance from a wide variety of sources. One of those sources happened to be confined to a mental institution after committing murder.
Sean Penn co-stars as Dr. William Chester Minor, a Civil War solider and doctor with paranoid delusions that led him to chase a stranger through the streets and gun him down.
- 5/11/2019
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
‘The Professor and the Madman’ Director Sides With Mel Gibson on Film’s Release Following Settlement
“The Professor and the Madmen” director Farhad Safinia is standing behind Mel Gibson’s statement after a long legal tussle over the release of the film.
Though Gibson settled with the production company behind the movie, Voltage Pictures, in April, he said in a statement that it was “unfortunate for all concerned that this film was never finished as written” and denied producers’ claims that he and Safinia walked off set and forced the movie to go over-budget. In a new statement, Safinia backed up Gibson, agreeing with him on the version audiences will end up seeing.
“I would like to add to Mel Gibson’s recent statement regarding ‘The Professor and The Madman,’ ” Safinia wrote. “I echo Mel’s correction of the record that neither of us ever walked off set, nor caused the film to ever go over budget. I would also like to clarify some misreporting saying...
Though Gibson settled with the production company behind the movie, Voltage Pictures, in April, he said in a statement that it was “unfortunate for all concerned that this film was never finished as written” and denied producers’ claims that he and Safinia walked off set and forced the movie to go over-budget. In a new statement, Safinia backed up Gibson, agreeing with him on the version audiences will end up seeing.
“I would like to add to Mel Gibson’s recent statement regarding ‘The Professor and The Madman,’ ” Safinia wrote. “I echo Mel’s correction of the record that neither of us ever walked off set, nor caused the film to ever go over budget. I would also like to clarify some misreporting saying...
- 5/10/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Brian Sher Inks First-Look Deal With Ucp & Wilshire Studios; Sets Lil Yachty Comedy From Ian Edelman
Exclusive: Manager/producer Brian Sher has signed a first-look deal with Ucp and Wilshire Studios to develop both scripted and unscripted programming. Sher has set his first project under the pact, a scripted comedy Public Figures at Ucp from How To Make It in America creator Ian Edelman starring rapper/actor Lil Yachty (How High 2).
Created by Edelman, Public Figures is inspired by Lil Yachty’s real life experiences, before fame and before music, when he moved from Atlanta to Harlem with five dollars to his name. The series follows a group of late teens/early 20 somethings as they pursue their dreams in New York City.
Sher, Edelman, Yachty and Gregory Jones will executive produce, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas via their Quality Control banner.
NBCUniversal’s scripted-focused Ucp and unscripted-centric Wilshire Studios are both run by President Dawn Olmstead.
“Ucp has become the gold standard in scripted television,...
Created by Edelman, Public Figures is inspired by Lil Yachty’s real life experiences, before fame and before music, when he moved from Atlanta to Harlem with five dollars to his name. The series follows a group of late teens/early 20 somethings as they pursue their dreams in New York City.
Sher, Edelman, Yachty and Gregory Jones will executive produce, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas via their Quality Control banner.
NBCUniversal’s scripted-focused Ucp and unscripted-centric Wilshire Studios are both run by President Dawn Olmstead.
“Ucp has become the gold standard in scripted television,...
- 5/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Back in 1998 when Simon Winchester’s book “The Professor and the Madman” was published, a film version was already imagined by quite a few reviewers, spurred on not only by the subject’s eminently dramatic trajectory but also by Mel Gibson’s much publicized interest. It seemed implausible: Gibson wasn’t the obvious choice for a Victorian-era biopic about James Murray, the man commissioned to bring the Oxford English Dictionary (Oed) to life, but his involvement made it more likely that a dictionary compiler’s story could be packaged as something marketable to a general public. The star decided not to direct, novice filmmaker Farhad Safinia was brought in, and shooting wrapped in 2016. That’s when grumblings began to be heard publicly.
Officially, Safinia and Gibson wanted to add a few weeks of shooting at Oxford University to boost the authenticity. Voltage Picture’s CEO Nicolas Chartier balked, complaining they...
Officially, Safinia and Gibson wanted to add a few weeks of shooting at Oxford University to boost the authenticity. Voltage Picture’s CEO Nicolas Chartier balked, complaining they...
- 4/12/2019
- by Jay Weissberg
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The long legal tussle involving Mel Gibson and director Farhad Safinia against Voltage Pictures over The Professor and the Madman was settled confidentially this week, but the man who once played Mad Max is not happy with the results.
“As the settlement details are confidential, I will not be commenting but I would like to set the record straight as a number of articles have been released that are factually inaccurate,” the Oscar winner told Deadline on Friday following the April 2 settlement (read it here) between Gibson’s Icon Productions and the Nicolas Chartier-run Voltage that was unveiled in Los Angeles Superior Court. A final settlement hearing is now on the Lasc calendar for April 15.
“First, neither Farhad Safinia nor I ever walked off of the set, or cause the film to ever go over budget,” says Gibson, who portrays the 19th century Oxford Dictionary co-creator Professor James...
“As the settlement details are confidential, I will not be commenting but I would like to set the record straight as a number of articles have been released that are factually inaccurate,” the Oscar winner told Deadline on Friday following the April 2 settlement (read it here) between Gibson’s Icon Productions and the Nicolas Chartier-run Voltage that was unveiled in Los Angeles Superior Court. A final settlement hearing is now on the Lasc calendar for April 15.
“First, neither Farhad Safinia nor I ever walked off of the set, or cause the film to ever go over budget,” says Gibson, who portrays the 19th century Oxford Dictionary co-creator Professor James...
- 4/6/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Mel Gibson has settled a legal battle with Voltage Pictures over “The Professor and the Madman,” a film that tells the gothic backstory of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Gibson sued the production company in 2017, alleging that it had reneged on a deal to give him approval of the final cut. Gibson stars as Professor James Murray, the lexicographer who edited the original Oed. Sean Penn plays the role of William Minor, who contributed to the dictionary from the confines of a lunatic asylum.
The film is set for a limited release on May 10.
Gibson and director Farhad Safinia walked off the set in January 2017, after Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier balked at shooting scenes at the University of Oxford. Chartier alleged that the film was already behind schedule and over budget, and wanted to shoot the scenes instead at Trinity College in Dublin.
At one point, Gibson’s side accused Chartier...
Gibson sued the production company in 2017, alleging that it had reneged on a deal to give him approval of the final cut. Gibson stars as Professor James Murray, the lexicographer who edited the original Oed. Sean Penn plays the role of William Minor, who contributed to the dictionary from the confines of a lunatic asylum.
The film is set for a limited release on May 10.
Gibson and director Farhad Safinia walked off the set in January 2017, after Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier balked at shooting scenes at the University of Oxford. Chartier alleged that the film was already behind schedule and over budget, and wanted to shoot the scenes instead at Trinity College in Dublin.
At one point, Gibson’s side accused Chartier...
- 4/3/2019
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Mel Gibson's Icon Productions and Voltage Pictures have reached a settlement in their dispute over the film The Professor and the Madman.
Icon in 2017 sued Voltage, claiming Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the co-producer violated their agreement by making key decisions without Gibson's approval. Voltage countersued, claiming Gibson, Davey and director Farhad Safinia were attempting to "hijack" the pic.
The terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed, but attorneys ...
Icon in 2017 sued Voltage, claiming Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the co-producer violated their agreement by making key decisions without Gibson's approval. Voltage countersued, claiming Gibson, Davey and director Farhad Safinia were attempting to "hijack" the pic.
The terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed, but attorneys ...
Mel Gibson's Icon Productions and Voltage Pictures have reached a settlement in their dispute over the film The Professor and the Madman.
Icon in 2017 sued Voltage, claiming Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the co-producer violated their agreement by making key decisions without Gibson's approval. Voltage countersued, claiming Gibson, Davey and director Farhad Safinia were attempting to "hijack" the pic.
The terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed, but attorneys ...
Icon in 2017 sued Voltage, claiming Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the co-producer violated their agreement by making key decisions without Gibson's approval. Voltage countersued, claiming Gibson, Davey and director Farhad Safinia were attempting to "hijack" the pic.
The terms of the settlement haven't been disclosed, but attorneys ...
"The language is developing faster than our progress." Vertical Entertainment has debuted another new official trailer for Farhad Safinia's film The Professor and the Madman, which will actually be getting a release in theaters this May. In the film, Mel Gibson stars as James Murray, a professor at Oxford who is hired to work on compiling the very first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. During the course of his fastidious work, he receives over 10,000 entries from a patient and convincted murderer at the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, a man known as Dr. William Chester Minor, played by Sean Penn. The cast also includes Steve Coogan, Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, Jennifer Ehle, Ioan Gruffudd, Jeremy Irvine, Aidan McArdle, Brendan Patricks, and Adam Fergus. Not that sure this will be worth seeing. Here's the second official trailer for Farhad Safinia's The Professor and the Madman, from YouTube: You can...
- 3/26/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Updated, 4:55 Pm: A California judge has thrown out a copyright-infringement lawsuit filed against Voltage Pictures by the writer-director Farhad Safinia over its upcoming Mel Gibson-Sean Penn film The Professor and the Madman. Safinia had claimed ownership of the copyright after penning a 2007 revision of its original 2001 script.
In granting Voltage’s motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall wrote: “The undisputed evidence demonstrates Plaintiff does not own rights in the Screenplay. Plaintiff therefore lacks standing for his copyright infringement claim against Defendants.” Read the ruling here and details of the case below.
Vertical Entertainment, which picked up U.S. rights to The Professor and the Madman, is set to release the film during the second quarter of 2019.
Previously, September 2017: The multi-front legal battle between Voltage Pictures and seemingly everyone else over The Professor and The Madman starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn saw...
In granting Voltage’s motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall wrote: “The undisputed evidence demonstrates Plaintiff does not own rights in the Screenplay. Plaintiff therefore lacks standing for his copyright infringement claim against Defendants.” Read the ruling here and details of the case below.
Vertical Entertainment, which picked up U.S. rights to The Professor and the Madman, is set to release the film during the second quarter of 2019.
Previously, September 2017: The multi-front legal battle between Voltage Pictures and seemingly everyone else over The Professor and The Madman starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn saw...
- 3/21/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Litigation-plagued The Professor and the Madman is one step closer to being released, as Voltage Pictures has defeated a copyright infringement suit from its director.
Farhad Safinia in September 2017 sued Voltage, claiming the film about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary and starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn infringes on his copyright in the screenplay because they never finished his directing deal, and tacked on a defamation claim over statements given to the press.
Gibson also sued Voltage, through his company Icon Productions, claiming his deal required his approval on any material changes to the project, like ...
Farhad Safinia in September 2017 sued Voltage, claiming the film about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary and starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn infringes on his copyright in the screenplay because they never finished his directing deal, and tacked on a defamation claim over statements given to the press.
Gibson also sued Voltage, through his company Icon Productions, claiming his deal required his approval on any material changes to the project, like ...
- 3/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Litigation-plagued The Professor and the Madman is one step closer to being released, as Voltage Pictures has defeated a copyright infringement suit from its director.
Farhad Safinia in September 2017 sued Voltage, claiming the film about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary and starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn infringes on his copyright in the screenplay because they never finished his directing deal, and tacked on a defamation claim over statements given to the press.
Gibson also sued Voltage, through his company Icon Productions, claiming his deal required his approval on any material changes to the project, like ...
Farhad Safinia in September 2017 sued Voltage, claiming the film about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary and starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn infringes on his copyright in the screenplay because they never finished his directing deal, and tacked on a defamation claim over statements given to the press.
Gibson also sued Voltage, through his company Icon Productions, claiming his deal required his approval on any material changes to the project, like ...
- 3/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Vertical Entertainment to release in North America.
The Us District Court for the Central District of California has ruled in favour of Voltage Pictures and thrown out a copyright infringement case concerning The Professor And The Madman starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn.
Writer-director Farhad Safinia, who wrote a revision in 2007 of a 2001 screenplay, brought a suit in which he claimed he had signed an agreement with an affiliate of Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions to write the screenplay and that all work he performed related to the film would constitute a “work made for hire” under the Us Copyright Act.
The Us District Court for the Central District of California has ruled in favour of Voltage Pictures and thrown out a copyright infringement case concerning The Professor And The Madman starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn.
Writer-director Farhad Safinia, who wrote a revision in 2007 of a 2001 screenplay, brought a suit in which he claimed he had signed an agreement with an affiliate of Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions to write the screenplay and that all work he performed related to the film would constitute a “work made for hire” under the Us Copyright Act.
- 3/21/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
‘The Professor and the Madman’ Trailer: Mel Gibson and Sean Penn Craft the Oxford English Dictionary
In a bit of against-type casting, The Professor and The Madman stars Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, but Gibson is, in fact, not playing the latter character. Rather, in the story of crafting the Oxford English Dictionary, he plays Professor James Murray, who took up the challenge only to discover that one man (Penn), convicted for murder and at an asylum for the criminally insane, submitted over 10,000 words.
Although production on the film began back in 2016, it was caught up in legal troubles, and now with Apocalypto co-screenwriter Farhad Safinia, who helmed the film, taking his name off the project (now credited to the fictitious P.B. Shemran), it’s finally seeing the light of day. The film will be arriving in other countries this spring, though Vertical Entertainment has not yet announced a U.S. release date. The first international trailer has now arrived for the adaptation of Simon Winchester’s novel.
Although production on the film began back in 2016, it was caught up in legal troubles, and now with Apocalypto co-screenwriter Farhad Safinia, who helmed the film, taking his name off the project (now credited to the fictitious P.B. Shemran), it’s finally seeing the light of day. The film will be arriving in other countries this spring, though Vertical Entertainment has not yet announced a U.S. release date. The first international trailer has now arrived for the adaptation of Simon Winchester’s novel.
- 3/12/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
"When I read, I can fly out of this place on the backs of books..." The first official trailer has debuted for a film titled The Professor and the Madman, a drama from Iranian filmmaker Farhad Safinia, who wrote the screenplay for Mel Gibson's Apocalypto. In Safinia's The Professor and the Madman, Mel Gibson stars as James Murray, a professor at Oxford who is hired to work on compiling the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. During the course of his fastidious work, he receives over 10,000 entries from a patient and convincted murderer at the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, a man known as Dr. William Chester Minor, played by Sean Penn. The cast also includes Natalie Dormer, Jennifer Ehle, Ioan Gruffudd, Jeremy Irvine, Aidan McArdle, Brendan Patricks, and Adam Fergus. We've all been curious to see what the footage looks like, considering Penn and Gibson are odd picks,...
- 3/11/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Professor and the Madman Trailer Farhad Safinia‘s The Professor and the Madman (2019) movie trailer stars Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Natalie Dormer, Jennifer Ehle, and Ioan Gruffudd. The Professor and the Madman‘s plot synopsis: “The film is based on the 1998 book, the true story of the creation of [...]
Continue reading: The Professor And The Madman (2019) Movie Trailer: Mel Gibson & Sean Penn Compile the Oxford English Dictionary...
Continue reading: The Professor And The Madman (2019) Movie Trailer: Mel Gibson & Sean Penn Compile the Oxford English Dictionary...
- 2/6/2019
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
You might not think that the creation of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary would be exciting or interesting. But this new movie, The Professor and The Madman, tells this story, and it actually actually looks really good!
Mel Gibson takes on the role of Professor James Murray, who begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century. He ends up receiving over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum , Dr William Minor, who is played by Sean Penn.
The film is said to delve into the “madness, genius and two obsessive men who changed the course of literary history.”
The movie comes from screenwriter Farhad Safinia (Apocalypto), and he will make his feature directing debut on the film. The movie also stars Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones), Ioan Gruffudd (San Andreas), Jeremy Irvine (Mamma Mia! Here...
Mel Gibson takes on the role of Professor James Murray, who begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century. He ends up receiving over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum , Dr William Minor, who is played by Sean Penn.
The film is said to delve into the “madness, genius and two obsessive men who changed the course of literary history.”
The movie comes from screenwriter Farhad Safinia (Apocalypto), and he will make his feature directing debut on the film. The movie also stars Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones), Ioan Gruffudd (San Andreas), Jeremy Irvine (Mamma Mia! Here...
- 2/4/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Mel Gibson’s ‘The Professor And The Madman’ To Get Theatrical Release Via Vertical After Legal Fight
Exclusive: The Mel Gibson-Sean Penn period film The Professor and the Madman will be getting a theatrical release with Vertical Entertainment after the distributor took U.S. rights to the Voltage Pictures production. A theatrical release is planned for the second quarter of this year.
Gibson and his Icon Productions had tried to block the release of the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester’s book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. This was spurred by a disagreement with Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier over the pic’s shooting location. Gibson and director Farhad Safinia wanted key scenes shot in Oxford, England instead of Trinity College in Dublin. Voltage argued the pic was already over budget and behind schedule, with Gibson and Safinia reportedly walking off the pic.
In the movie Gibson plays Professor James Murray and Penn portrays William Minor, an asylum inmate. Together they...
Gibson and his Icon Productions had tried to block the release of the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester’s book about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. This was spurred by a disagreement with Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier over the pic’s shooting location. Gibson and director Farhad Safinia wanted key scenes shot in Oxford, England instead of Trinity College in Dublin. Voltage argued the pic was already over budget and behind schedule, with Gibson and Safinia reportedly walking off the pic.
In the movie Gibson plays Professor James Murray and Penn portrays William Minor, an asylum inmate. Together they...
- 1/14/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Mel Gibson has joined Charlie Hunnam in the upcoming action film “Waldo,” foreign sales group Imr International announced on Monday.
Imr will handle foreign sales for the film starting this week at the American Film Market, with CAA Media Finance handling the domestic rights. The film also stars Eiza Gonzalez and is directed by Tim Kirkby, who most recently directed the Johnny Knoxville comedy “Action Point” for Paramount.
Also Read: Mel Gibson Joins Charlie Hunnam Action Film 'Waldo'
Based on the novel “Last Looks” by Howard Gould, “Waldo” stars Hunnam as disgraced Lapd detective Charlie Waldo, whose life off the grid comes to a hard end when he is dragged back into the city as a private detective to investigate the death of an eccentric TV star’s wife. Filming is set to start early next year.
Gibson, who was last seen in theaters in last year’s comedy “Daddy...
Imr will handle foreign sales for the film starting this week at the American Film Market, with CAA Media Finance handling the domestic rights. The film also stars Eiza Gonzalez and is directed by Tim Kirkby, who most recently directed the Johnny Knoxville comedy “Action Point” for Paramount.
Also Read: Mel Gibson Joins Charlie Hunnam Action Film 'Waldo'
Based on the novel “Last Looks” by Howard Gould, “Waldo” stars Hunnam as disgraced Lapd detective Charlie Waldo, whose life off the grid comes to a hard end when he is dragged back into the city as a private detective to investigate the death of an eccentric TV star’s wife. Filming is set to start early next year.
Gibson, who was last seen in theaters in last year’s comedy “Daddy...
- 10/29/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The director of the troubled dictionary film “The Professor and the Madman” is accusing the producer of trying to defraud Ireland’s tax rebate program.
Farhad Safinia is locked in a battle with Voltage Pictures over the unfinished film, which stars Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, and chronicles the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson and Safinia have accused Voltage of failing to shoot essential scenes at Oxford, opting instead to save money by shooting at Trinity College Dublin. Safinia is pursuing a copyright lawsuit in federal court, accusing Voltage of exploiting the screenplay without his permission.
In a new filing on Thursday, Safinia’s attorneys ask the court to allow them to question Voltage executives about the film’s expenses and its rebate applications to the Irish Film Board. Ireland offers a generous 32% rebate to productions that spend more than $307,000 there.
Safinia alleges that producer Zev Foreman asked...
Farhad Safinia is locked in a battle with Voltage Pictures over the unfinished film, which stars Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, and chronicles the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson and Safinia have accused Voltage of failing to shoot essential scenes at Oxford, opting instead to save money by shooting at Trinity College Dublin. Safinia is pursuing a copyright lawsuit in federal court, accusing Voltage of exploiting the screenplay without his permission.
In a new filing on Thursday, Safinia’s attorneys ask the court to allow them to question Voltage executives about the film’s expenses and its rebate applications to the Irish Film Board. Ireland offers a generous 32% rebate to productions that spend more than $307,000 there.
Safinia alleges that producer Zev Foreman asked...
- 7/12/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Mel Gibson has lost a key round in his battle for control of “The Professor and the Madman,” potentially clearing the way for the release of the star-crossed film about the origins of a dictionary.
The picture is based on Simon Winchester’s book about the collaboration between Professor James Murray and William Minor, an inmate in a mental asylum, to create the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson has long wanted to produce the film, and in 2015 struck a production deal with Voltage Pictures.
The film was shot in late 2016, with Gibson playing the professor and Sean Penn in the role of the madman. But late in the production, shooting came to a standstill when Gibson and director Farhad Safinia insisted that certain scenes be shot in Oxford, England, instead of Trinity College in Dublin. Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier refused, arguing that the film was already over budget and behind schedule.
The picture is based on Simon Winchester’s book about the collaboration between Professor James Murray and William Minor, an inmate in a mental asylum, to create the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson has long wanted to produce the film, and in 2015 struck a production deal with Voltage Pictures.
The film was shot in late 2016, with Gibson playing the professor and Sean Penn in the role of the madman. But late in the production, shooting came to a standstill when Gibson and director Farhad Safinia insisted that certain scenes be shot in Oxford, England, instead of Trinity College in Dublin. Voltage CEO Nicolas Chartier refused, arguing that the film was already over budget and behind schedule.
- 6/20/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The multi-front legal battle between Voltage Pictures and seemingly everyone else over the Mel Gibson and Sean Penn starrer The Professor and The Madman saw a federal judge stop the efforts of the film's director to stop the pic from going forward. "Plaintiff fails to satisfy the necessary four-prong test for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction," wrote U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall on Friday in an order rejecting Farhad Safinia desire (read it…...
- 9/25/2017
- Deadline
The escalating legal drama over The Professor and the Madman took another turn on Thursday with the screenwriter and director of the Mel Gibson movie being accused of committing a fraud on the U.S. Copyright Office.
The film is based on Simon Winchester's book of the same name about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. It stars Gibson and Sean Penn and is directed by Farhad Safinia, who previously worked with Gibson on Apocalypto and is also preparing an adaptation of Brave New World with Leonardo DiCaprio attached and The Allen Counter Project for Will Smith to star in.
Gibson's production company...
The film is based on Simon Winchester's book of the same name about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. It stars Gibson and Sean Penn and is directed by Farhad Safinia, who previously worked with Gibson on Apocalypto and is also preparing an adaptation of Brave New World with Leonardo DiCaprio attached and The Allen Counter Project for Will Smith to star in.
Gibson's production company...
- 9/21/2017
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Farhad Safinia, the screenwriter and director of The Professor and the Madman, has just filed a lawsuit that is anything but ordinary. In California federal court, he alleges that he never came to a deal to shoot the picture and that Voltage Pictures is committing copyright infringement with respect to the movie about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary that stars Mel Gibson and Sean Penn. Plus, he's asserting defamation.
His lawsuit follows one in August from Mel Gibson's Icon Productions, which must be discussed first for context.
Icon claims that Gibson was entitled to sign-off on...
His lawsuit follows one in August from Mel Gibson's Icon Productions, which must be discussed first for context.
Icon claims that Gibson was entitled to sign-off on...
- 9/19/2017
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Where's the harm in depriving Mel Gibson of his asserted right to control The Professor and the Madman, his "labor of love" film about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary?
That's essentially the question posed in a demurrer motion filed by Voltage Pictures in response to a lawsuit filed by Gibson's Icon Productions.
Gibson is alleging that his deal required his sign-off on any material changes to the screenplay, a change of director from Farhad Safinia, filming locations and so forth. His complaint also contends that he'd be allowed to see the final production budget and schedule, and if necessary, select a final...
That's essentially the question posed in a demurrer motion filed by Voltage Pictures in response to a lawsuit filed by Gibson's Icon Productions.
Gibson is alleging that his deal required his sign-off on any material changes to the screenplay, a change of director from Farhad Safinia, filming locations and so forth. His complaint also contends that he'd be allowed to see the final production budget and schedule, and if necessary, select a final...
- 9/19/2017
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Times have really changed in Hollywood when Mel Gibson can file a lawsuit against somebody for treating him unfairly, but that’s just how great the movie industry’s capacity for forgiveness is. According to Variety, Gibson is suing production company Voltage Pictures because it has allegedly breached its contract to produce his dictionary movie The Professor And The Madman. It sounds like there are a number of issues here, including Voltage’s refusal to develop a final budget, its failure to finalize the contract with director Farhad Safinia, its failure to reimburse Gibson’s own production company for certain expenses, for screwing up the Australian distribution rights, and for refusing to secure important filming locations in Oxford, England.
The contract also specifically gives Gibson the power to choose between Safinia’s cut of the film and one made by Voltage, but since Safinia hasn’t been able to shoot...
The contract also specifically gives Gibson the power to choose between Safinia’s cut of the film and one made by Voltage, but since Safinia hasn’t been able to shoot...
- 8/1/2017
- by Sam Barsanti
- avclub.com
Mel Gibson is suing Voltage Pictures for "jeopardizing" The Professor and the Madman by failing to honor their co-production deal and allegedly engaging in fraudulent behavior.
Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book of the same name about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. The actor-producer was set to star in the film, alongside Sean Penn, with Farhad Safinia writing the screenplay and directing. The project "was, and is a labor of love" for the producers and director, according to the complaint filed Monday in...
Gibson and his producing partner Bruce Davey spent nearly two decades developing the movie, which is based on Simon Winchester's book of the same name about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. The actor-producer was set to star in the film, alongside Sean Penn, with Farhad Safinia writing the screenplay and directing. The project "was, and is a labor of love" for the producers and director, according to the complaint filed Monday in...
- 8/1/2017
- by Ashley Cullins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lawsuit claims breach of contract, fiduciary duty.
Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey’s Icon Productions has filed a claim against the producers of The Professor And The Madman claiming among other things they did not provide a final budget or secure a completion bond.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, has emerged after production on the drama about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary began production in autumn 2016.
Papers lodged on behalf of Icon Productions accuse Voltage Pictures, Voltage Productions, Christchurch Productions and Voltage head Nicolas Chartier of breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and promissory fraud, among other complaints.
The plaintiffs said The Professor And The Madman, based on the book by Simon Winchester, has been a “labor of love” for Icon and writer-director Farhad Safinia for nearly two decades. Safinia wrote Apocalypto for Gibson and makes his feature directorial debut on Professor.
Gibson was cast...
Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey’s Icon Productions has filed a claim against the producers of The Professor And The Madman claiming among other things they did not provide a final budget or secure a completion bond.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, has emerged after production on the drama about the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary began production in autumn 2016.
Papers lodged on behalf of Icon Productions accuse Voltage Pictures, Voltage Productions, Christchurch Productions and Voltage head Nicolas Chartier of breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and promissory fraud, among other complaints.
The plaintiffs said The Professor And The Madman, based on the book by Simon Winchester, has been a “labor of love” for Icon and writer-director Farhad Safinia for nearly two decades. Safinia wrote Apocalypto for Gibson and makes his feature directorial debut on Professor.
Gibson was cast...
- 7/31/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
As the film-business-crowds move through meetings designed to meet all sorts of movie-related objectives in this vast mix of people, and the movie-going public lines up for films in the Competition, Out-of-Competition, Panorama, Forum and Retrospectives; and families attend the Generation series, some for kindergarteners and others for preteens and some for those 14 and up, and as the constant exchange of ideas continues, there is lots of buzz, mostly positive about the Hungarian Competition film “On Body and Soul”.“On Body and Soul” by Ildikó Enyedi
Buzz continues the next day both pro and con about Oren Moverman’s Competition film, “The Dinner” which is definitely a must-see for each to decide on one’s own response to it. As Scott Roxborough in The Hollywood Reporter says, it “looks like just the political dish the times demand.” Produced by Caldecot Chubb, the script was originally to be written by Moverman for Cate Blanchett to direct.
Buzz continues the next day both pro and con about Oren Moverman’s Competition film, “The Dinner” which is definitely a must-see for each to decide on one’s own response to it. As Scott Roxborough in The Hollywood Reporter says, it “looks like just the political dish the times demand.” Produced by Caldecot Chubb, the script was originally to be written by Moverman for Cate Blanchett to direct.
- 2/28/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Irish Film Board backs production funding for the directoral debut from the Intermission and Boy A writer.
The directional debut from writer Mark O’Rowe (Intermission, Boy A) is among a number of projects backed by the Irish Film Board in its latest round of funding decisions.
O’Rowe will direct his own screenplay for relationship drama The Delinquent Season, which has been granted $707,220 (€650,000) in production funding. Parallel Films will produce.
The Delinquent Season received the largest single commitment from the Ifb in one of several projects backed by the board for production funding.
They include The Man Who Invented Christmas which will be directed by Barhat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) and scripted by Susan Coyne, which was given funding of $163,200 (€150,000). Parallel Films is producing.
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest film The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which recently wrapped filming in Cincinnati and stars Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, was awarded...
The directional debut from writer Mark O’Rowe (Intermission, Boy A) is among a number of projects backed by the Irish Film Board in its latest round of funding decisions.
O’Rowe will direct his own screenplay for relationship drama The Delinquent Season, which has been granted $707,220 (€650,000) in production funding. Parallel Films will produce.
The Delinquent Season received the largest single commitment from the Ifb in one of several projects backed by the board for production funding.
They include The Man Who Invented Christmas which will be directed by Barhat Nalluri (Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) and scripted by Susan Coyne, which was given funding of $163,200 (€150,000). Parallel Films is producing.
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest film The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which recently wrapped filming in Cincinnati and stars Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman, was awarded...
- 10/24/2016
- ScreenDaily
Believe it or not, Natalie Dormer does in fact exist in the year 2016 along with the rest of us, even though she seems to spend high percentage of her workdays in period costume. Perhaps it’s that mysterious compulsion for old-timey clothes that attracted her to Mel Gibson’s long-planned origin tale of the Oxford English Dictionary, The Professor And The Madman.
In the Farhad Safinia-directed film, Dormer will be taking on the role of a 19th Century woman who grieves the death of her husband while entering into a strange love affair with his murderer, the brilliant but psychotic Dr. William Chester Minor (Sean Penn), The Hollywood Reporter disclosed. (It might also be worth noting that mourning slain husbands is also well-trod territory for the Game Of Thrones star.)
Dormer, who was actually born in the year 1982, made her film debut as an 18th- century Venetian ...
In the Farhad Safinia-directed film, Dormer will be taking on the role of a 19th Century woman who grieves the death of her husband while entering into a strange love affair with his murderer, the brilliant but psychotic Dr. William Chester Minor (Sean Penn), The Hollywood Reporter disclosed. (It might also be worth noting that mourning slain husbands is also well-trod territory for the Game Of Thrones star.)
Dormer, who was actually born in the year 1982, made her film debut as an 18th- century Venetian ...
- 9/1/2016
- by Dennis DiClaudio
- avclub.com
Game of Thrones alum Natalie Dormer has landed a role opposite Sean Penn and Mel Gibson in the upcoming adaptation of Professor and the Madman, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
In the works at Icon Productions, it’s understood the addition of Dormer is one of the final pieces to fall into place for the long-gestating project, which will now be readied to shop to international buyers at Tiff 2016 before entering production in earnest late September. It hasn’t been for lack of trying, considering that Gibson – who embodies one half of that title duo as Professor James Murray – has been attempting to nudge the wheels into motion for close to 18 years with little success. That’s all changed now, thankfully, and Simon Winchester’s bestseller is finally bound for the silver screen.
There’s also a creative reunion in the cards as Apocalypto scribe Farhad Safinia is set to...
In the works at Icon Productions, it’s understood the addition of Dormer is one of the final pieces to fall into place for the long-gestating project, which will now be readied to shop to international buyers at Tiff 2016 before entering production in earnest late September. It hasn’t been for lack of trying, considering that Gibson – who embodies one half of that title duo as Professor James Murray – has been attempting to nudge the wheels into motion for close to 18 years with little success. That’s all changed now, thankfully, and Simon Winchester’s bestseller is finally bound for the silver screen.
There’s also a creative reunion in the cards as Apocalypto scribe Farhad Safinia is set to...
- 8/31/2016
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games star Natalie Dormer has scored one of the female leads in The Professor and The Madman, a movie about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary that's being headlined by Mel Gibson and Sean Penn. THR has the breakdown of the story:
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who in 1857 set about compiling the Oed, one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. Penn will play Dr. W.C. Minor, who submitted more than 10,000 entries but also was an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.Dormer will play a widow whose husband was killed by Penn and whose family he wants to help. A complicated romance ensues.
Complicated, indeed. Sounds bizarre, but that seems to fit pretty well with this whole movie, which seems like a really strange project to begin with.
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Apocalypto for Mel Gibson back in 2006, is directing this project,...
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who in 1857 set about compiling the Oed, one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. Penn will play Dr. W.C. Minor, who submitted more than 10,000 entries but also was an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.Dormer will play a widow whose husband was killed by Penn and whose family he wants to help. A complicated romance ensues.
Complicated, indeed. Sounds bizarre, but that seems to fit pretty well with this whole movie, which seems like a really strange project to begin with.
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Apocalypto for Mel Gibson back in 2006, is directing this project,...
- 8/31/2016
- by Ben Pearson
- GeekTyrant
Natalie Dormer has been cast in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of “The Professor and the Madman,” also staring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, TheWrap has learned. The film, based on of Simon Winchester’s best-selling novel about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, is being produced out of Icon Productions. Farhad Safinia, who wrote Gibson’s “Apocalypto,” is directing. It’s been a passion project for Gibson since 1998, who hasn’t been able to get the movie made until now. Cameras start rolling toward the end of September. Known for her roles on HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and also the “Hunger Games” series,...
- 8/31/2016
- by Meriah Doty
- The Wrap
Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer will star opposite Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman, Icon Productions' adaptation of Simon Winchester’s best-seller about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Gibson’s Apocalypto, is directing the project, which Gibson has been trying to get off the ground since 1998. Eighteen years later, it’s about to happen, as principal photography begins in late September.
Voltage is repping the international rights and will be selling the film at Tiff. Gibson is producing with Bruce Davey.
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who ...
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Gibson’s Apocalypto, is directing the project, which Gibson has been trying to get off the ground since 1998. Eighteen years later, it’s about to happen, as principal photography begins in late September.
Voltage is repping the international rights and will be selling the film at Tiff. Gibson is producing with Bruce Davey.
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who ...
- 8/31/2016
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer will star opposite Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman, Icon Productions' adaptation of Simon Winchester’s best-seller about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Gibson’s Apocalypto, is directing the project, which Gibson has been trying to get off the ground since 1998. Eighteen years later, it’s about to happen, as principal photography begins in late September.
Voltage is repping the international rights and will be selling the film at Tiff. Gibson is producing with Bruce Davey.
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who ...
Farhad Safinia, who wrote Gibson’s Apocalypto, is directing the project, which Gibson has been trying to get off the ground since 1998. Eighteen years later, it’s about to happen, as principal photography begins in late September.
Voltage is repping the international rights and will be selling the film at Tiff. Gibson is producing with Bruce Davey.
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who ...
- 8/31/2016
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Well, there's a headline I never thought I'd write.
The Hollywood Reporter says Mel Gibson is set to star in The Professor and The Madman, a film about — and this is not a joke — the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Sean Penn is in negotiations to play a lead role opposite Gibson, while Apocalypto writer Farhad Safinia wrote the screenplay and will direct the movie, which "delves into madness, genius and two obsessive men who changed the course of literary history."
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who in 1857 set about compiling the Oed, one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. Penn will play Dr. W. C. Minor, who submitted more than 10,000 entries but was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.
This has been a passion project of Gibson's for nearly twenty years. He acquired the rights to Simon Winchester's bestselling book of...
The Hollywood Reporter says Mel Gibson is set to star in The Professor and The Madman, a film about — and this is not a joke — the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Sean Penn is in negotiations to play a lead role opposite Gibson, while Apocalypto writer Farhad Safinia wrote the screenplay and will direct the movie, which "delves into madness, genius and two obsessive men who changed the course of literary history."
Gibson will play Professor James Murray, who in 1857 set about compiling the Oed, one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken. Penn will play Dr. W. C. Minor, who submitted more than 10,000 entries but was also an inmate at an asylum for the criminally insane.
This has been a passion project of Gibson's for nearly twenty years. He acquired the rights to Simon Winchester's bestselling book of...
- 8/2/2016
- by Ben Pearson
- GeekTyrant
Sean Penn is in early talks to board Mel Gibson’s long-gestating Professor and the Madman, an adaptation of Simon Winchester’s bestseller about the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson has been working to adapt the book for the best part of two decades. Voltage Pictures has come on-board to finance and sell. Gibson’s Apocalypto writer Farhad Safinia, who also penned the script, will direct. Bruce Davey, Gibson’s longtime partner at Icon, is…...
- 8/2/2016
- Deadline
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