HBO is developing Londongrad, a limited series based on Alan Cowell’s book The Terminal Spy, about poisoned Kbg agent Alexander Litvinenko, with Benedict Cumberbatch set to star as Litvinenko, Deadline has confirmed. Cumberbatch also will executive produce the project via his Sunnymarch production banner.
Written by David Scarpa, Londongrad tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, played by Cumberbatch, the former Kgb agent poisoned by the radioactive isotope Polonium-210 in 2006 in England.
Scarpa will executive produce with Cumberbatch. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage also will executive produce alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
On the television side, Cumberbatch received Emmy and BAFTA award nominations for his role as detective Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s Sherlock. He also recently starred as the title character in Showtime limited series Patrick Melrose. Cumberbatch received a leading actor Oscar nomination for his...
Written by David Scarpa, Londongrad tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, played by Cumberbatch, the former Kgb agent poisoned by the radioactive isotope Polonium-210 in 2006 in England.
Scarpa will executive produce with Cumberbatch. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage also will executive produce alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
On the television side, Cumberbatch received Emmy and BAFTA award nominations for his role as detective Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s Sherlock. He also recently starred as the title character in Showtime limited series Patrick Melrose. Cumberbatch received a leading actor Oscar nomination for his...
- 10/28/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
This news is putty in our hands: Play-Doh Squished, a family competition special hosted by Modern Family vet Sarah Hyland, will premiere Friday, Dec. 10, exclusively on IMDb TV.
The one-hour program features three teams of two kids and two adults “going Doh-to-Doh in a series of fun and highly entertaining physical and creative challenges,” per the official description. “The holiday-themed reality competition special is set in a Play-Doh winter wonderland, where each team must combine imagination, inspiration, and holiday spirit to win the final cash prize.”
More from TVLineWhere Are Mia Ghosts? Which Holiday Fave Will Gac Steal Next? Best Seal Team Flashback Casting?...
The one-hour program features three teams of two kids and two adults “going Doh-to-Doh in a series of fun and highly entertaining physical and creative challenges,” per the official description. “The holiday-themed reality competition special is set in a Play-Doh winter wonderland, where each team must combine imagination, inspiration, and holiday spirit to win the final cash prize.”
More from TVLineWhere Are Mia Ghosts? Which Holiday Fave Will Gac Steal Next? Best Seal Team Flashback Casting?...
- 10/28/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star in the limited series “Londongrad” currently in development at HBO, Variety has learned exclusively.
Based on the book “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell, the series tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the Kgb agent and later defector killed by poisoning with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in 2006 in England. Cumberbatch will star as Litvinenko and will also serve as an executive producer on the project under his Sunnymarch banner.
David Scarpa is writing “Londongrad” and will also executive produce. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage will executive produce as well alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
Cumberbatch has held multiple highly-regarded TV roles during his career. Perhaps most famously, he played the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series “Sherlock,” for which he earned multiple Emmy and BAFTA nominations. He also recently...
Based on the book “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell, the series tells the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the Kgb agent and later defector killed by poisoning with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in 2006 in England. Cumberbatch will star as Litvinenko and will also serve as an executive producer on the project under his Sunnymarch banner.
David Scarpa is writing “Londongrad” and will also executive produce. Bryan Fogel will direct and executive produce via Orwell Productions. Len Amato of Crash&Salvage will executive produce as well alongside Adam Ackland and Claire Marshall of Sunnymarch.
Cumberbatch has held multiple highly-regarded TV roles during his career. Perhaps most famously, he played the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series “Sherlock,” for which he earned multiple Emmy and BAFTA nominations. He also recently...
- 10/28/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
South African singer and songwriter Johnny Clegg, one of the few white artists to openly confront the apartheid government in the late 1970s and 1980s, died on Tuesday, July 16th. He was 66 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Two years ago, he embarked on The Final Journey, his last world tour. He was accompanied by his two sons, one of whom is a talented video artist and the other of whom is a wonderful singer/songwriter.
I corralled my son David and the two of us made a pilgrimage to San Diego on October 30, 2017 to see Johnny Clegg one last time. Clegg was, as always, passionate about his music and fully committed to social justice. He and his collaborators fused Western and African cultural influences and defied racial separation at a time and place where this could cost you your life.
I first encountered Johnny Clegg and Savuka...
I corralled my son David and the two of us made a pilgrimage to San Diego on October 30, 2017 to see Johnny Clegg one last time. Clegg was, as always, passionate about his music and fully committed to social justice. He and his collaborators fused Western and African cultural influences and defied racial separation at a time and place where this could cost you your life.
I first encountered Johnny Clegg and Savuka...
- 7/26/2019
- by Elizabeth Stanley
- Trailers from Hell
Rupert Wyatt scored this summer with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Fox is already moving forward with the development [1] of another Apes film that Wyatt is provisionally set to direct. But that sequel isn't yet written, so Wyatt has a chance to do something else until Fox pulls together a working Apes script. That something may be Londongrad, a Warner Bros. film about Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in 2006 and accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of masterminding the attempt on his life. Furthermore, for a star Warner Bros. is looking to another man who helped Fox this summer: X-Men: First Class star Michael Fassbender. Deadline [2] announces the possible deal, but doesn't have many more details. There was a point where Mike Newell was going to make the movie (it had the title The Terminal Spy at one point) and the David Scarpa script that Wyatt...
- 11/7/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" director Rupert Wyatt and "X-Men: First Class" actor Michael Fassbender look to be teaming for the true story thriller "Londongrad" for Warner Bros. Pictures says Variety.
Based on the Alan Cowell tome "Sasha's Story," the story revolves around former Soviet Kgb officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned by polonium-210 in 2006, blaming Russian secret service agents and Vladimir Putin before his death.
Fassbender is circling the Litvinenko role while Wyatt is in early talks to helm from a script by David Scarpa. Johnny Depp and Graham King will produce.
Based on the Alan Cowell tome "Sasha's Story," the story revolves around former Soviet Kgb officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned by polonium-210 in 2006, blaming Russian secret service agents and Vladimir Putin before his death.
Fassbender is circling the Litvinenko role while Wyatt is in early talks to helm from a script by David Scarpa. Johnny Depp and Graham King will produce.
- 11/5/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
One would be remiss to argue that anybody emerged from Rise of the Planet of the Apes looking better than director Rupert Wyatt and star Andy Serkis. The proof is in the picture, but this was reinforced just yesterday when the actor was the first person signed by Fox for a return (the director and screenwriters were already attached for sequels). But Wyatt isn’t being limited to the Apes franchise; Deadline tells us that a new project has landed in his lap, and it sounds terrific.
This is Londongrad, a spy drama based on the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Kgb operative who was poisoned and died in 2006. His demise was, as is always the case with spies mysterious. Litvinenko accused Russian secret service and his then-president, Vladimir Putin, of carrying out the hit, but the case was never solved — and likely never will be. If Wyatt signs on,...
This is Londongrad, a spy drama based on the true story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Kgb operative who was poisoned and died in 2006. His demise was, as is always the case with spies mysterious. Litvinenko accused Russian secret service and his then-president, Vladimir Putin, of carrying out the hit, but the case was never solved — and likely never will be. If Wyatt signs on,...
- 11/4/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Londongrad may snag Rupert Wyatt, Michael Fassbender. After the success of the excellent Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Rupert Wyatt has is now in demand, and may make Londongrad his next gig at the wheel, reports Variety. Michael Fassbender is in talks for the leading role in true story of former Soviet Kbg officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned by polonium-210 in 2006 and blamed Vladimir Putin as well as Russian secret service agents before dying. Warner Bros. Pictures film is being produced by Infinitum Nihil's Johnny Depp and Graham King. David Scarpa adapts the script which is based on the book by Alan Cowell called "Sasha's Story: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy."...
- 11/4/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Londongrad may snag Rupert Wyatt, Michael Fassbender. After the success of the excellent Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Rupert Wyatt has is now in demand, and may make Londongrad his next gig at the wheel, reports Variety. Michael Fassbender is in talks for the leading role in true story of former Soviet Kbg officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned by polonium-210 in 2006 and blamed Vladimir Putin as well as Russian secret service agents before dying. Warner Bros. Pictures film is being produced by Infinitum Nihil's Johnny Depp and Graham King. David Scarpa adapts the script which is based on the book by Alan Cowell called "Sasha's Story: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy."...
- 11/4/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Rise of the Planet of the Apes helmer Rupert Wyatt is in early talks to direct Londongrad for Warner Bros. Pictures, reports Variety . Johnny Depp and Graham King will produce through Depp's Infinitum Nihil from a script by David Scarpa. The film is based on a true story of poisoned former Soviet Kbg officer Alexander Litvinenko. The trade says that X-Men: First Class star Michael Fassbender is circling Litvinenko role. Based on the Alan Cowell novel "The Terminal Spy: A True Story of Espionage, Betrayal and Murder," which is described as follows: On November 1, 2006, Alexander Litvinenko sipped tea in London's Millennium Hotel. Hours later the Russian émigré and former intelligence officer, who was sharply critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin, fell...
- 11/4/2011
- Comingsoon.net
It's been nearly two years since it was first announced that Jerry Bruckheimer was developing an updated Lone Ranger movie for Disney. Since that announcement, it has been revealed that Johnny Depp will play the title hero's trusty partner, Tonto, and that screenwriter Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) has been hired to work on the script. However, there's still no lead actor or director attached.
Director Mike Newell (Love in the Time of Cholera) was once rumored to be helming the Ranger's updated exploits, but he recently told MTV that there is no truth to the rumor connecting him to the movie They've never talked to me about The Lone Ranger.
That being said, Newell did admit that he would jump at the chance to direct the movie and even added a little rumor fuel of his own to The Lone Ranger fire.
The thing that interested me was those two...
Director Mike Newell (Love in the Time of Cholera) was once rumored to be helming the Ranger's updated exploits, but he recently told MTV that there is no truth to the rumor connecting him to the movie They've never talked to me about The Lone Ranger.
That being said, Newell did admit that he would jump at the chance to direct the movie and even added a little rumor fuel of his own to The Lone Ranger fire.
The thing that interested me was those two...
- 2/24/2010
- by BrentJS Sprecher
- Reelzchannel.com
I'm still in awe of and can imagine a film version of yesterday's news item where a team of assassins played dress up, staked out a swanky hotel and took out a leader of the Hamas...if that headliner has got me thinking of a better version of Munich, then I have every reason to believe that despite not knowing the film's true villain, that Alexander Litvinenko's true life story might translate well on screen with the Cold War, spy vs spy elements - I'm still in awe of and can imagine a film version of yesterday's news item where a team of assassins played dress up, staked out a swanky hotel and took out a leader of the Hamas...if that headliner has got me thinking of a better version of Munich, then I have every reason to believe that despite not knowing the film's true villain, that Alexander...
- 2/18/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Newell's film will be based on the book The Terminal Spy about the former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko who was thought to have been poisoned in a London hotel in 2006
The Bafta-winning British director Mike Newell is to shoot a film about the former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who accused the then Russian president Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his murder as he lay dying in a London hospital bed in 2006. Variety reports that the movie is at an advanced stage of development, though no casting details have emerged. David Scarpa, writer of 2008's big budget remake of science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still, will work on the screenplay.
Litvinenko's death was the subject of enormous speculation in the press, with reports suggesting he was killed by the Russian secret services. A postmortem found that he died as the result of imbibing a tiny amount of...
The Bafta-winning British director Mike Newell is to shoot a film about the former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who accused the then Russian president Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his murder as he lay dying in a London hospital bed in 2006. Variety reports that the movie is at an advanced stage of development, though no casting details have emerged. David Scarpa, writer of 2008's big budget remake of science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still, will work on the screenplay.
Litvinenko's death was the subject of enormous speculation in the press, with reports suggesting he was killed by the Russian secret services. A postmortem found that he died as the result of imbibing a tiny amount of...
- 2/17/2010
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire helmer Mike Newell will co-write and direct a movie about the death of ex-kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko. Newell is to team with Warner Bros and screenwriter David Scarpa for the political thriller, which is based on Alan Cowell's book The Terminal Spy. Former Russian agent Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium-210 radiation in 2006. As he lay dying in his London hospital (more)...
- 2/16/2010
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Mike Newell has agreed to write and direct the adaptation of The Terminal Spy, the book written by Alan Cowell based on the real life events surrounding the mysterious death of ex-Russian Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko.
The Prince Of Persia and Donnie Brasco helmer will tell the story of Litvinenko who was poisoned in 2006 and while laying in his London hospital bed, personally accused then-Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind his murder. No cast has yet been attached to the project, which doesn't have an official title yet, but it is said to be in "an advanced stage of development" over at Warner Bros.
Georgine Waller
>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 15 February 2010...
The Prince Of Persia and Donnie Brasco helmer will tell the story of Litvinenko who was poisoned in 2006 and while laying in his London hospital bed, personally accused then-Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind his murder. No cast has yet been attached to the project, which doesn't have an official title yet, but it is said to be in "an advanced stage of development" over at Warner Bros.
Georgine Waller
>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 15 February 2010...
- 2/15/2010
- Screenrush
Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton 'Faceman' Peck in The A-Team
Photo: 20th Century Fox Cooper Goes Grey: Bradley Cooper is sticking with his A-Team director Joe Carnahan and has signed on to star for the director in The Grey, a thriller written by Carnahan and Ian Jeffers based on a short story written by Jeffers. The story centers on survivors of a plane crash who are then hunted by a pack of wolves. [Variety]
Three Join Magnificent Eleven: Irvine Welsh, author of "Trainspotting," is set to direct the direct gritty UK comedy The Magnificent Eleven with Sean Bean, Dougray Scott and Robert Vaughan already set to star. The film is a modern day remake of The Magnificent Seven, which itself is a re-imagining of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, and as it would happen Vaughn is the last surviving cast member from the original John Sturges-directed western. In Magnificent Eleven,...
Photo: 20th Century Fox Cooper Goes Grey: Bradley Cooper is sticking with his A-Team director Joe Carnahan and has signed on to star for the director in The Grey, a thriller written by Carnahan and Ian Jeffers based on a short story written by Jeffers. The story centers on survivors of a plane crash who are then hunted by a pack of wolves. [Variety]
Three Join Magnificent Eleven: Irvine Welsh, author of "Trainspotting," is set to direct the direct gritty UK comedy The Magnificent Eleven with Sean Bean, Dougray Scott and Robert Vaughan already set to star. The film is a modern day remake of The Magnificent Seven, which itself is a re-imagining of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, and as it would happen Vaughn is the last surviving cast member from the original John Sturges-directed western. In Magnificent Eleven,...
- 2/15/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The mysterious poisoning death of former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko was one of the most sensational news stories of 2006. Afforded political asylum from Russia in the United Kingdom, Litvinenko died of "acute radiation syndrome" three weeks after being exposed to polonium-210. On his deathbed, Litvienenko accused then-President and current Prime Minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, with his murder.
If you think the story sounds like the plot of a spy movie, you would be right. Or rather, it will be, as two studios are looking to adapt the true-life espionage story for the big screen. Michael Mann (Public Enemies) announced that he planned to produce and direct an adaptation of Litvinenko's story for Sony back in January 2007. Now, Variety is reporting that Mike Newell, director of Disney's upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, will write and direct a second adaptation of Litvinenko's story for Warner Bros.
Newell's as-yet-untitled...
If you think the story sounds like the plot of a spy movie, you would be right. Or rather, it will be, as two studios are looking to adapt the true-life espionage story for the big screen. Michael Mann (Public Enemies) announced that he planned to produce and direct an adaptation of Litvinenko's story for Sony back in January 2007. Now, Variety is reporting that Mike Newell, director of Disney's upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, will write and direct a second adaptation of Litvinenko's story for Warner Bros.
Newell's as-yet-untitled...
- 2/15/2010
- by BrentJS Sprecher
- Reelzchannel.com
Lots of film news going on right now, and here is the latest from around the Web:
- Madonna is stepping behind the camera again, as she gets ready to direct "W.E.," a period piece centering on King Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson. Madonna is penning the script with Alex Keshishian. Madonna also helmed "Filth and Wisdom." (Variety)
- How about this? Martin Scorsese plans a mobster flick with Robert De Niro. "There's no doubt about that. We're working on something like that, but it's from the vantage point of older men looking back, none of this running around stuff," the master said at the Berlin Film Festival. Woohoo! (Reuters)
- Mike Newell, who has "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" coming up, will write and helm a film about the death of ex-kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium-210 several years ago. The project...
- Madonna is stepping behind the camera again, as she gets ready to direct "W.E.," a period piece centering on King Edward VIII's affair with Wallis Simpson. Madonna is penning the script with Alex Keshishian. Madonna also helmed "Filth and Wisdom." (Variety)
- How about this? Martin Scorsese plans a mobster flick with Robert De Niro. "There's no doubt about that. We're working on something like that, but it's from the vantage point of older men looking back, none of this running around stuff," the master said at the Berlin Film Festival. Woohoo! (Reuters)
- Mike Newell, who has "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" coming up, will write and helm a film about the death of ex-kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium-210 several years ago. The project...
- 2/15/2010
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
Former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko died just weeks after he was poisoned in London in late 2006, while he lay dying in his hospital bed and British and Russian authorities clashed while determining the cause, Litvinenko placed the blame on Russian president Vladmir Putin.
The story occupied the front pages and was ubiquitous in the TV news for weeks and it seemed the Cold War was frosting up again. Governments fought over extraditions, accusations were met with fierce denials and counter accusations, even now several key questions are still unanswered.
The New York Times London bureau chief Alan Cowell wrote the story up as the book The Terminal Spy, which has been picked up by Warner Bros. for development and director Mike Newell is reported by Variety to be the man Warners want behind the camera. There is much intrigue inherent in the story and the book has been a great success for Cowell,...
The story occupied the front pages and was ubiquitous in the TV news for weeks and it seemed the Cold War was frosting up again. Governments fought over extraditions, accusations were met with fierce denials and counter accusations, even now several key questions are still unanswered.
The New York Times London bureau chief Alan Cowell wrote the story up as the book The Terminal Spy, which has been picked up by Warner Bros. for development and director Mike Newell is reported by Variety to be the man Warners want behind the camera. There is much intrigue inherent in the story and the book has been a great success for Cowell,...
- 2/13/2010
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Variety is reporting that British director Mike Newell is attached to write and direct an untitled feature about the mysterious death of former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Project is based on the book "The Terminal Spy" by New York Times' London bureau chief Alan Cowell.
Litvinenko was a former Kgb spy who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Litvinenko accused then Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible.
Story became one of the most mysterious and perplexing crimes of the post-Cold War era, triggering an international investigation and diplomatic tension between British and Russian officials.
Newell and David Scarpa will pen the script.
Source: Variety ...
Project is based on the book "The Terminal Spy" by New York Times' London bureau chief Alan Cowell.
Litvinenko was a former Kgb spy who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Litvinenko accused then Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible.
Story became one of the most mysterious and perplexing crimes of the post-Cold War era, triggering an international investigation and diplomatic tension between British and Russian officials.
Newell and David Scarpa will pen the script.
Source: Variety ...
- 2/13/2010
- by Kellvin Chavez
- AMC - Script to Screen
Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time") is attached to write and direct a film about the Alexander Litvinenko scandal for Warner Bros. Pictures says Variety.
Litvinenko was a former Kgb spy who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Litvinenko accused then Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible.
Newell and David Scarpa will pen the script using Alan Cowell's "The Terminal Spy" book for much of the details.
Litvinenko was a former Kgb spy who died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Litvinenko accused then Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible.
Newell and David Scarpa will pen the script using Alan Cowell's "The Terminal Spy" book for much of the details.
- 2/13/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Coming off the upcoming Prince Of Persia, director Mike Newell (Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire) has reportedly signed on for his next project.
According to Variety, Newell will be writing and directing a yet-to-be-titled feature adaptation of the novel, “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell. The book is about the mysterious death of ex-Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in 2006.
Read more on Mike Newell to direct The Terminal Spy…...
According to Variety, Newell will be writing and directing a yet-to-be-titled feature adaptation of the novel, “The Terminal Spy” by Alan Cowell. The book is about the mysterious death of ex-Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in 2006.
Read more on Mike Newell to direct The Terminal Spy…...
- 2/13/2010
- by Joshua Brunsting
- GordonandtheWhale
Mike Newell (Prince of Persia, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donnie Brasco) has signed on the write and direct a yet-to-be-officially-titled feature film based on the book The Terminal Spy by Alan Cowell, the New York Times' London bureau chief when the events narrated in this book reached their climax.. The 448-page book is about the mysterious death of ex-Russian Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in 2006 and while laying in his London hospital bed, personally accused then-Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind his murder.No cast has been attached to the project, which is said to be in "an advanced stage of development" over at Warner Bros. You can read the official plot synopsis from the book, below: In a page-turning narrative that reads like a thriller, an award-winning journalist exposes the troubling truth behind the world’s first act of nuclear terrorism. On November...
- 2/12/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Variety is reporting that Mike Newell (upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time ) is attached to write and direct an untitled Warner Bros. pic about the mysterious death of former Kgb spy Alexander Litvinenko. The ex-Russian spy, who was poisoned in 2006 by polonium-210, personally accused then-Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind his murder as he lay dying in a London hospital bed. Newell is developing the project with scriptwriter David Scarpa. No talent is attached yet to the project, which is said to be in an advanced stage of development. The movie is based on the book "The Terminal Spy" by New York Times ' London bureau chief Alan Cowell.
- 2/12/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Each year, Hollywood executives name the best screenplays of the year that have yet to be made. In previous years, their list has catapulted dozens of scripts into production and screenwriters out of oblivion. Some of this year’s crop have moved into production; others are stuck in development hell. See what you think.
It’s called the Black List — film executives' favorite scripts written in, or somehow uniquely associated with, this year but not be released in theaters during this calendar year.
In previous years, the list has catapulted dozens of scripts into production and screenwriters out of oblivion. Diablo Cody's Juno, Nancy Oliver's Lars And The Real Girl, Scott Neustader's and Michael Weber's 500 Days Of Summer, are just some of the scripts that were made after appearing on the list.
Ninety-seven screenplays appear on the just-released version, according to Deadline Hollywood. Here are the Top...
It’s called the Black List — film executives' favorite scripts written in, or somehow uniquely associated with, this year but not be released in theaters during this calendar year.
In previous years, the list has catapulted dozens of scripts into production and screenwriters out of oblivion. Diablo Cody's Juno, Nancy Oliver's Lars And The Real Girl, Scott Neustader's and Michael Weber's 500 Days Of Summer, are just some of the scripts that were made after appearing on the list.
Ninety-seven screenplays appear on the just-released version, according to Deadline Hollywood. Here are the Top...
- 12/17/2009
- doorQ.com
Since 2004, Franklin Leonard — now an exec at Universal — has compiled a list of the “most liked” scripts in Hollywood. What started as a means to find good reading material for the Christmas holiday has become an annual tradition in December. Players from various Hollywood businesses (this year the number of people grew to 311) select their top 10 favorite scripts and the votes shake out into “The Black List.”
These elite scripts typically get noticed by agencies and studios around town and wind up on the screen or the Academy category for “Best Original/Adapted Screenplay.” In an industry where unoriginality means financial blockbuster, “The Black List” is a reminder that talented screenwriters still exist.
The number one script (out of 97) with 47 mentions is newcomer Christopher Weekes’ The Muppet Man, a biopic about late puppeteer Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Company has purchased the rights and is producing.
The second script is...
These elite scripts typically get noticed by agencies and studios around town and wind up on the screen or the Academy category for “Best Original/Adapted Screenplay.” In an industry where unoriginality means financial blockbuster, “The Black List” is a reminder that talented screenwriters still exist.
The number one script (out of 97) with 47 mentions is newcomer Christopher Weekes’ The Muppet Man, a biopic about late puppeteer Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Company has purchased the rights and is producing.
The second script is...
- 12/12/2009
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
The Black List of 2009 continues with the screenplays that received the most votes from 300+ Hollywood professionals. Miss the first part of The Black List? It's right here.
12 Votes:
Celeste & Jesse Forever by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
“A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.”
Overture. Team Todd producing.
Conviction by Jonathan Herman
“After serving five years in prison after a botched heist, a mastermind bank robber is forced by a tenacious FBI agent to entrap his former protege who has embarked on a multi-million-dollar bank-robbing spree.”
Warner Brothers. Silver Pictures producing.
Neighborhood Watch by Jared Stern
“A suburban ‘neighborhood watch’ group, actually a front for dads to get some male bonding time away from the family, uncovers a plot bent on destroying the world.”
Fox. 21 Laps Entertainment producing.
13 Votes:
Book Smart by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins
“Two overachieving high school seniors realize...
12 Votes:
Celeste & Jesse Forever by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
“A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.”
Overture. Team Todd producing.
Conviction by Jonathan Herman
“After serving five years in prison after a botched heist, a mastermind bank robber is forced by a tenacious FBI agent to entrap his former protege who has embarked on a multi-million-dollar bank-robbing spree.”
Warner Brothers. Silver Pictures producing.
Neighborhood Watch by Jared Stern
“A suburban ‘neighborhood watch’ group, actually a front for dads to get some male bonding time away from the family, uncovers a plot bent on destroying the world.”
Fox. 21 Laps Entertainment producing.
13 Votes:
Book Smart by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins
“Two overachieving high school seniors realize...
- 12/12/2009
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Last December, we introduced you to Franklin Leonard and The Black List, the list of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Since then, Leonard has been named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top 35 executives under 35 working in Hollywood and his list has gained even more prominence. This year's list consists of 97 scripts with 311 people contributing to the ranking -- up from 260 in 2008. The top 10 (actually, 11, thanks to a tie in 10th place) is filled with mostly up-and-comers, with the exception of Aaron Sorkin and David Scarpa. All of the scripts are in some stage of development around Hollywood,...
- 12/11/2009
- by Nicole Sperling
- EW - Inside Movies
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