Exclusive: Kim Kardashian’s foray into film and TV continues with another high-profile sale, this one hitting close to home for the reality star and entrepreneur. After a competitive bidding that went through the week, sources tell Deadline that Netflix has landed for development Calabasas, a TV series which Kardashian is executive producing with her American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts, Pretty Little Liars creator I. Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan (Tár). Insiders say there were two other offers from major buyers with Netflix putting in the winning bid by week’s end.
Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner, with King set to write the adaptation and serve as showrunner.
In the vein of The O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210, Calabasas follows Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down...
Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner, with King set to write the adaptation and serve as showrunner.
In the vein of The O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210, Calabasas follows Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down...
- 4/20/2024
- by Justin Kroll and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor and writer Melissa Navia has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.
Navia can currently be seen starring in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The series, a spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery and a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore new worlds around the galaxy. Navia stars as ‘Lieutenant Erica Ortegas,’ the charismatic helmsman of the USS Enterprise. Season 2 premiered on June 15 and has already been renewed for a third season.
Also on the small screen, Navia recently recurred on the CBS series Bull and AMC’s Dietland. She also guest starred on NBC’s New Amsterdam and Billions and Homeland for Showtime.
On the big screen, she has appeared in a variety of indie films and shorts. In 2013, she won the award for Best Actress at the Wild...
Navia can currently be seen starring in the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The series, a spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery and a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they explore new worlds around the galaxy. Navia stars as ‘Lieutenant Erica Ortegas,’ the charismatic helmsman of the USS Enterprise. Season 2 premiered on June 15 and has already been renewed for a third season.
Also on the small screen, Navia recently recurred on the CBS series Bull and AMC’s Dietland. She also guest starred on NBC’s New Amsterdam and Billions and Homeland for Showtime.
On the big screen, she has appeared in a variety of indie films and shorts. In 2013, she won the award for Best Actress at the Wild...
- 10/17/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor Esai Morales is in negotiations to star in the action thriller Shadow, which XYZ Films has boarded and will introduce to buyers this week in Cannes.
XYZ acquired world sales — minus select territories — to the pic, which is inspired by true events. Colombian filmmaker Antonio Negret (Overdrive) is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Daniel Negret.
The film will begin production in the fall in Colombia. Plot follows a real-life Colombian police dog named Sombra (Spanish for “Shadow”) who, after piling up hundreds of arrests, became the cartel’s public number one enemy. As a result, a bounty is put on her head. After the cartel’s new leader sets a trap to abduct the dog, Sombra’s once reluctant handler must risk his life and career to save his partner.
Cast features Colombian actors Juan Pablo Raba (Peppermint) and Natalia Reyes (Terminator: Dark Fate...
XYZ acquired world sales — minus select territories — to the pic, which is inspired by true events. Colombian filmmaker Antonio Negret (Overdrive) is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Daniel Negret.
The film will begin production in the fall in Colombia. Plot follows a real-life Colombian police dog named Sombra (Spanish for “Shadow”) who, after piling up hundreds of arrests, became the cartel’s public number one enemy. As a result, a bounty is put on her head. After the cartel’s new leader sets a trap to abduct the dog, Sombra’s once reluctant handler must risk his life and career to save his partner.
Cast features Colombian actors Juan Pablo Raba (Peppermint) and Natalia Reyes (Terminator: Dark Fate...
- 5/15/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Gabrielle Union is set to be the prime suspect in a murder mystery at Amazon’s Prime Video.
The actress will star in and executive produce Pretty Little Wife, a thriller in the works from A+E Studios and Amazon Studios. It’s based on Darby Kane’s best-selling novel of the same name, with Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin and Kristen SaBerre adapting the book.
Pretty Little Wife is described as “a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily (Union), the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s facade to reveal what really lies beneath.”
The project is the latest book adaptation for Prime Video, which has recently put projects based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s 56 Days and Jennifer L.
The actress will star in and executive produce Pretty Little Wife, a thriller in the works from A+E Studios and Amazon Studios. It’s based on Darby Kane’s best-selling novel of the same name, with Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin and Kristen SaBerre adapting the book.
Pretty Little Wife is described as “a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily (Union), the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s facade to reveal what really lies beneath.”
The project is the latest book adaptation for Prime Video, which has recently put projects based on Catherine Ryan Howard’s 56 Days and Jennifer L.
- 4/24/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Darby Kane’s bestselling suspense novel Pretty Little Wife is getting the small screen treatment. Amazon Studios is developing a series based on the book with Gabrielle Union set to star and executive produce. Meredith Lavender, Marcie Ulin and Kristen SaBerre will write and executive produce the project for Prime Video, from A+E Studios and Range Media Partners.
Based on Kane’s international bestseller, Pretty Little Wife is a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily, the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s façade to reveal what really lies beneath.
Project is executive produced by Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson for A+E Studios, Range Media Partners and Union via her I’ll...
Based on Kane’s international bestseller, Pretty Little Wife is a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily, the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s façade to reveal what really lies beneath.
Project is executive produced by Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson for A+E Studios, Range Media Partners and Union via her I’ll...
- 4/24/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon is developing a series version of the Darby Kane novel “Pretty Little Wife” with Gabrielle Union attached to star.
The project is described as “a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily (Union), the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s façade to reveal what really lies beneath.”
Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin are co-writing and executive producing along with Kristen SaBerre. Union will executive produce in addition to starring via I’ll Have Another Productions. Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson of A+E Studios will also executive produce along with Range Media Partners. A+E Studios and Amazon Studios will produce for Amazon’s Prime Video.
Union most recently starred in the third...
The project is described as “a cat-and-mouse thriller with a pulpy edge and some sexy soap that centers around two brilliant — and very different — Black women: Lily (Union), the pretty little wife suspected of murdering her husband, and Ginny, the detective on the case. Upon entering each other’s lives, they begin to crack open each other’s façade to reveal what really lies beneath.”
Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin are co-writing and executive producing along with Kristen SaBerre. Union will executive produce in addition to starring via I’ll Have Another Productions. Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson of A+E Studios will also executive produce along with Range Media Partners. A+E Studios and Amazon Studios will produce for Amazon’s Prime Video.
Union most recently starred in the third...
- 4/24/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Showrunner and producer Ingrid Escajeda has signed a first look deal with Universal TV to develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
Escajeda also launched her own shingle, Sugarwitch Productions. Under the Sugarwitch banner, she will write, develop and produce her own projects as well as collaborate with other writers to supervise and produce their passion projects.
“I’m over the moon to be working with Utv,” said Escajeda in a statement. “My goal has always been to have a production company where writers feel inspired and protected. Given the incredible enthusiasm and support the Utv team has always shown me, I knew they were the perfect partners for it.”
“We’re thrilled to be able to continue working with Ingrid as a writer and showrunner, while at the same time becoming the home for her as a producer,” said Adam Giagni, Sr. Vice President, Drama Development for Universal Television.
Escajeda also launched her own shingle, Sugarwitch Productions. Under the Sugarwitch banner, she will write, develop and produce her own projects as well as collaborate with other writers to supervise and produce their passion projects.
“I’m over the moon to be working with Utv,” said Escajeda in a statement. “My goal has always been to have a production company where writers feel inspired and protected. Given the incredible enthusiasm and support the Utv team has always shown me, I knew they were the perfect partners for it.”
“We’re thrilled to be able to continue working with Ingrid as a writer and showrunner, while at the same time becoming the home for her as a producer,” said Adam Giagni, Sr. Vice President, Drama Development for Universal Television.
- 3/28/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed Hacks actor Johnny Sibilly for representation.
Best known for his role as Wilson in the first two seasons of HBO Max’s Emmy-winning comedy series Hacks, Sibilly will return for Season 3 this year.
Sibilly previously starred as Noah Hernandez in the Peacock Original series, Queer As Folk. He has also appeared opposite CAA client Billy Porter in the FX series Pose, and alongside CAA client Liza Koshy in YouTube’s Liza On Demand.
As a content creator, Sibilly is a fervent advocate for LGBTQ+ and Latino rights, growing a considerable social following as a result of his progressive and comedic voice that includes his popular online character, “Julissa.” He has also partnered with brands including Viktor&Rolf, AT&T, 21 Seeds, Smirnoff, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nissan, Oculus, and Bonobos.
Sibilly is managed by Lisa Filipelli and Paul Luckenbaugh at Select Management, and attorneys Jr McGinnis and Star Tyner...
Best known for his role as Wilson in the first two seasons of HBO Max’s Emmy-winning comedy series Hacks, Sibilly will return for Season 3 this year.
Sibilly previously starred as Noah Hernandez in the Peacock Original series, Queer As Folk. He has also appeared opposite CAA client Billy Porter in the FX series Pose, and alongside CAA client Liza Koshy in YouTube’s Liza On Demand.
As a content creator, Sibilly is a fervent advocate for LGBTQ+ and Latino rights, growing a considerable social following as a result of his progressive and comedic voice that includes his popular online character, “Julissa.” He has also partnered with brands including Viktor&Rolf, AT&T, 21 Seeds, Smirnoff, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nissan, Oculus, and Bonobos.
Sibilly is managed by Lisa Filipelli and Paul Luckenbaugh at Select Management, and attorneys Jr McGinnis and Star Tyner...
- 3/16/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Prolific producer and actor DeVon Franklin has set up two new scripted development projects at BET+ under his overall deal with CBS Studios, which is the studio for both.
The first project, Played, is a comedy in which Franklin would star. The second project, Closure, for BET and BET+, is a family drama inspired by the life of baseball Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson turned funeral home owner. Franklin would executive produce both projects via his Franklin Entertainment.
Written by Devon Shepard (The Ms. Pat Show), in Played, Franklin stars as a TV personality in the comedy which chronicles the trials of a dysfunctional dater.
Here’s the official logline: “What if the life of a dysfunctional dater is punctuated by his conscience being a fully-produced talk show hosted by real-life tv personality and producer DeVon Franklin? Every time our guy is faced with one of life’s many dilemmas, he...
The first project, Played, is a comedy in which Franklin would star. The second project, Closure, for BET and BET+, is a family drama inspired by the life of baseball Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson turned funeral home owner. Franklin would executive produce both projects via his Franklin Entertainment.
Written by Devon Shepard (The Ms. Pat Show), in Played, Franklin stars as a TV personality in the comedy which chronicles the trials of a dysfunctional dater.
Here’s the official logline: “What if the life of a dysfunctional dater is punctuated by his conscience being a fully-produced talk show hosted by real-life tv personality and producer DeVon Franklin? Every time our guy is faced with one of life’s many dilemmas, he...
- 2/27/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CSI: Vegas co-executive producer Safia M. Dirie is expanding her relationship with the companies behind the CSI sequel: CBS, CBS Studios and Bruckheimer Television.
Dirie has signed a two-year overall deal with CBS Studios. Under the pact, she has teamed with Bruckheimer Television for Cambridge, a drama series which has been set at CBS for development.
Written by Dirie, Cambridge centers on Dr. Diana “Cambridge” Clark, a gutsy, world-class pathologist who returns to the hospital she abruptly quit when she is assigned to lead a team of medical investigators – her former colleagues – as they diagnose the country’s most mysterious diseases.
Dirie executive produces with Bruckheimer TV’s Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed.
Previously, Dirie was a co-executive producer on Showtime’s Super Pumped and did stints on CBS’ God Friended Me and Starz’s Power. She is repped by CAA and Jr MCGinnis of Ftsamr.
Dirie has signed a two-year overall deal with CBS Studios. Under the pact, she has teamed with Bruckheimer Television for Cambridge, a drama series which has been set at CBS for development.
Written by Dirie, Cambridge centers on Dr. Diana “Cambridge” Clark, a gutsy, world-class pathologist who returns to the hospital she abruptly quit when she is assigned to lead a team of medical investigators – her former colleagues – as they diagnose the country’s most mysterious diseases.
Dirie executive produces with Bruckheimer TV’s Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed.
Previously, Dirie was a co-executive producer on Showtime’s Super Pumped and did stints on CBS’ God Friended Me and Starz’s Power. She is repped by CAA and Jr MCGinnis of Ftsamr.
- 11/9/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Olli Haaskivi (Oppenheimer) is the latest actor to join Apple TV+’s six-episode Huey P. Newton series The Big Cigar in a recurring role. He joins an ensemble fronted by André Holland, which also includes the previously announced Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, Pj Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Jordane Christie and Moses Ingram.
Based on the Playboy magazine article of the same name by Argo‘s Joshuah Bearman, The Big Cigar will tell the extraordinary, hilarious, almost-too-good-to-be-true story of how Black Panther leader Newton (Holland) relied on his best friend, Bert Schneider (Nivola) — the Hollywood producer behind Easy Rider — to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI.
Haaskivi will play Artie Ross, the screenwriter behind such titles as Brubaker and Creature from the Black Lagoon, who was at one point blacklisted as the Red Scare infiltrated Hollywood.
The Big Cigar‘s showrunner...
Based on the Playboy magazine article of the same name by Argo‘s Joshuah Bearman, The Big Cigar will tell the extraordinary, hilarious, almost-too-good-to-be-true story of how Black Panther leader Newton (Holland) relied on his best friend, Bert Schneider (Nivola) — the Hollywood producer behind Easy Rider — to elude a nationwide manhunt and escape to Cuba while being pursued into exile by the FBI.
Haaskivi will play Artie Ross, the screenwriter behind such titles as Brubaker and Creature from the Black Lagoon, who was at one point blacklisted as the Red Scare infiltrated Hollywood.
The Big Cigar‘s showrunner...
- 8/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kate Del Castillo, the Mexican actress who stars in Telemundo’s hit drama La Reina del Sur, has signed with Buchwald.
One of the highest rated Spanish-language series in the world, La Reina del Sur adapts the bestseller by Spanish novelist Arturo Perez-Reverte. In the crime drama, which recently wrapped filming for Season 3, Del Castillo plays Teresa Mendonza, a woman from Mexico who becomes the most powerful drug trafficker in southern Spain.
Castillo recently completed a two-series deal with Telemundo. Her production company, Cholawood, has a first-look development deal with Boomdog, the Mexico City-based division of Endemol Shine North America.
The actress starred opposite Will Smith as the villain in Sony’s Bad Boys for Life, also recently featuring on NBC’s sitcom Mr. Mayor, from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and the Netflix animated series Maya and the Three, created by Jorge R. Gutiérrez. She gained notoriety...
One of the highest rated Spanish-language series in the world, La Reina del Sur adapts the bestseller by Spanish novelist Arturo Perez-Reverte. In the crime drama, which recently wrapped filming for Season 3, Del Castillo plays Teresa Mendonza, a woman from Mexico who becomes the most powerful drug trafficker in southern Spain.
Castillo recently completed a two-series deal with Telemundo. Her production company, Cholawood, has a first-look development deal with Boomdog, the Mexico City-based division of Endemol Shine North America.
The actress starred opposite Will Smith as the villain in Sony’s Bad Boys for Life, also recently featuring on NBC’s sitcom Mr. Mayor, from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and the Netflix animated series Maya and the Three, created by Jorge R. Gutiérrez. She gained notoriety...
- 3/21/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Selena Gomez, Tanya Saracho and Gabriela Revilla Lugo are teaming up to develop a TV comedy spin on John Hughes’ beloved 1984 coming-of-age film “Sixteen Candles.”
Titled “15 Candles,” the half-hour series will follow four young Latinas in high school, navigating feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind as quinceañera season approaches. The series, set at Peacock, hails from Universal Content Productions.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Productions banner, and Lugo write and executive produce “15 Candles,” while Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Ojalá’s Christine Dávila co-executive produces.
Gomez stars in the recently renewed Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. Saracho served as a writer, director and producer of the Starz drama “Vida.” Lugo is a writer, director and producer who has worked on projects like “Whiplash,” “Palm Springs” and “A Million Little Things.”
Written and directed by Hughes,...
Titled “15 Candles,” the half-hour series will follow four young Latinas in high school, navigating feelings of invisibility while exploring what it means to leave childhood behind as quinceañera season approaches. The series, set at Peacock, hails from Universal Content Productions.
Saracho, under her Ojalá Productions banner, and Lugo write and executive produce “15 Candles,” while Gomez also executive produces under her July Moon Productions. Ojalá’s Christine Dávila co-executive produces.
Gomez stars in the recently renewed Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building” alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short. Saracho served as a writer, director and producer of the Starz drama “Vida.” Lugo is a writer, director and producer who has worked on projects like “Whiplash,” “Palm Springs” and “A Million Little Things.”
Written and directed by Hughes,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Actor-producer Kristen Bell today announced the launch of Dunshire Productions, a new Los Angeles-based creative content and production studio that she’s partnered on with longtime creative collaborators including director-producer Morgan Sackett, director, producer and editor Dean Holland, Bailey Brand Management founder Troy Bailey and multidisciplinary designer and creative director, Benjamin Hart.
Dunshire will focus on producing creative advertising content and campaigns for brands, including traditional TV spots and short-form digital content, and will also have an entertainment content arm to develop, produce, and create various entertainment projects. The company will partner with its sister agency, Brains on Fire, to offer a full suite of services from branding to web, social media, experiential and beyond, with Bailey’s marketing- and advertising-driven agency providing direct access to top talent for advertising campaigns.
Bell and her partners have...
Dunshire will focus on producing creative advertising content and campaigns for brands, including traditional TV spots and short-form digital content, and will also have an entertainment content arm to develop, produce, and create various entertainment projects. The company will partner with its sister agency, Brains on Fire, to offer a full suite of services from branding to web, social media, experiential and beyond, with Bailey’s marketing- and advertising-driven agency providing direct access to top talent for advertising campaigns.
Bell and her partners have...
- 2/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“La Reina del Sur” star Kate del Castillo is set to play the lead in “A Beautiful Lie,” a modern take in Spanish on Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina.”
Del Castillo will also executive produce the series out of her Cholawood Productions label, along with two other forces on the upscale Spanish-language TV scene, premium U.S. Spanish-language streaming platform Pantaya and Endemol Shine Boomdog, a division of Banijay Americas.
The six-part series co-production, based on the 2015 adaptation from Banijay-owned Endemol Shine Australia, will represent a modern retelling of Tolstoy’s celebrated novel, his first real novel by his own estimation and reckoned by many to be one of the greatest works of fiction ever written.
“A Beautiful Lie” is announced as an event series – a status that is almost inevitable in any major fiction starring Del Castillo and backed by companies of the ambition of Esb and Pantaya.
“Elite...
Del Castillo will also executive produce the series out of her Cholawood Productions label, along with two other forces on the upscale Spanish-language TV scene, premium U.S. Spanish-language streaming platform Pantaya and Endemol Shine Boomdog, a division of Banijay Americas.
The six-part series co-production, based on the 2015 adaptation from Banijay-owned Endemol Shine Australia, will represent a modern retelling of Tolstoy’s celebrated novel, his first real novel by his own estimation and reckoned by many to be one of the greatest works of fiction ever written.
“A Beautiful Lie” is announced as an event series – a status that is almost inevitable in any major fiction starring Del Castillo and backed by companies of the ambition of Esb and Pantaya.
“Elite...
- 11/11/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Amblin Partners has acquired rights to the Truly*Adventurous article “The Richest Black Girl in America,” penned by Lauren Henley, and has tapped Azia Squire to adapt it into a feature script.
Squire will use the article as well of thousands of pages of archival documents to help with research on the true story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old Black girl in Jim Crow America, who is given reparations in the form of uninhabitable land by the U.S. government. After oil reservoirs are discovered beneath her land, Sarah almost immediately becomes one of the wealthiest people in America. But the government intervenes, once again, to insist that white conservators manage her finances for her. Remarkably, even with the deck stacked against her, teenage Sarah learns to outwit the system and take back what she’s owed.
Matthew Pearl and Charlie Wachtel will produce the film with Greg Nichols and David Rabinowitz exec producing.
Squire will use the article as well of thousands of pages of archival documents to help with research on the true story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old Black girl in Jim Crow America, who is given reparations in the form of uninhabitable land by the U.S. government. After oil reservoirs are discovered beneath her land, Sarah almost immediately becomes one of the wealthiest people in America. But the government intervenes, once again, to insist that white conservators manage her finances for her. Remarkably, even with the deck stacked against her, teenage Sarah learns to outwit the system and take back what she’s owed.
Matthew Pearl and Charlie Wachtel will produce the film with Greg Nichols and David Rabinowitz exec producing.
- 10/19/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mila Kunis’ Orchard Farm Productions has sold its comedy The Masters of Mini-Golf to Warner Bros. for HBO Max, the company announced today.
Ashton Kutcher will star in the film, which is currently in development. It centers on a golf hustler (Kutcher) and his older brother who decide to take their schemes from the PGA to the Masters of Mini Golf. They quickly realize, thereafter, that while the holes might be smaller, the competitors and the challenges are much, much bigger.
Ava Tramer and Ari Berkowitz are set to script the feature, which Kunis will produce with Kristina Sorensen, with Orchard Farm partners Lisa Sterbakov and Cami Curtis exec producing.
Tramer and Berkowitz are a writing duo also currently at work on a holiday movie for Paramount Players. The pair have also worked on features for Warner Bros. Animation and TriStar, while staffing and developing independently in TV,...
Ashton Kutcher will star in the film, which is currently in development. It centers on a golf hustler (Kutcher) and his older brother who decide to take their schemes from the PGA to the Masters of Mini Golf. They quickly realize, thereafter, that while the holes might be smaller, the competitors and the challenges are much, much bigger.
Ava Tramer and Ari Berkowitz are set to script the feature, which Kunis will produce with Kristina Sorensen, with Orchard Farm partners Lisa Sterbakov and Cami Curtis exec producing.
Tramer and Berkowitz are a writing duo also currently at work on a holiday movie for Paramount Players. The pair have also worked on features for Warner Bros. Animation and TriStar, while staffing and developing independently in TV,...
- 10/7/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Actors Brandon Grace, Éanna Hardwicke and Paulina Chávez are joining the cast of Fate: The Winx Saga in Season 2, which is now in production in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Grace will play Grey, with Hardwick portraying Sebastian; Chavéz has been cast as Flora.
Fate: The Winx Sagaga is based on Nickelodeon animated series Winx Club, which was created and produced by Rainbow Group’s founder and CEO, Iginio Straffi. The show follows the coming-of-age journey of five unlikely friends attending a magical boarding school known as Alfea. At the school, they must learn to master their magical powers, all the while navigating love, rivalries and the monsters that threaten their very existence.
Brian Young (The Vampire Diaries) returns in Season 2 as showrunner and executive producer. Additional exec producers include Judy Counihan and Kris Thykier of Archery Pictures, as well as Joanne Lee and Cristiana Buzzelli from Rainbow.
The...
Grace will play Grey, with Hardwick portraying Sebastian; Chavéz has been cast as Flora.
Fate: The Winx Sagaga is based on Nickelodeon animated series Winx Club, which was created and produced by Rainbow Group’s founder and CEO, Iginio Straffi. The show follows the coming-of-age journey of five unlikely friends attending a magical boarding school known as Alfea. At the school, they must learn to master their magical powers, all the while navigating love, rivalries and the monsters that threaten their very existence.
Brian Young (The Vampire Diaries) returns in Season 2 as showrunner and executive producer. Additional exec producers include Judy Counihan and Kris Thykier of Archery Pictures, as well as Joanne Lee and Cristiana Buzzelli from Rainbow.
The...
- 7/20/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Chloe East, Oakes Fegley and Isabelle Kusman join the cast of Steven Spielberg’s next film, based loosely on his childhood. The three young actors will play high school classmates of the young aspiring filmmaker at the center of the story.
They join a cast that includes Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, Gabriel Labelle, Julia Butters, and Sam Rechner. The script was co-written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner, and they also produce with Kristie Macosko Krieger.
East stars on the HBO Max series Generation and most recently wrapped production on Stampede Ventures’ Going Places. She most recently was seen in Orion Classics’ The Wolf of Snow Hollow. She is represented by Link Entertainment, Vault Entertainment, A3 Artists Agency and J.R. McGinnis at Felker Toczek Suddleson.
Fegley has starred in The Goldfinch, Wonderstruck, The War with Grandpa opposite Robert De Niro, Pete’s Dragon and Fort Bliss. Fegley is repped by ICM Partners,...
They join a cast that includes Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, Gabriel Labelle, Julia Butters, and Sam Rechner. The script was co-written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner, and they also produce with Kristie Macosko Krieger.
East stars on the HBO Max series Generation and most recently wrapped production on Stampede Ventures’ Going Places. She most recently was seen in Orion Classics’ The Wolf of Snow Hollow. She is represented by Link Entertainment, Vault Entertainment, A3 Artists Agency and J.R. McGinnis at Felker Toczek Suddleson.
Fegley has starred in The Goldfinch, Wonderstruck, The War with Grandpa opposite Robert De Niro, Pete’s Dragon and Fort Bliss. Fegley is repped by ICM Partners,...
- 7/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Almost a year after inking a development deal with UCP, Tanya Saracho is turning up the volume for Latinx voices in Hollywood, as promised.
The Vida creator and the studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, launched the Ojalá Ignition Lab on Monday. Under the umbrella of Saracho’s deal, the 26-week long incubator program will provide five writers and their own proposed projects with mentoring from experienced showrunners and EPs, including self-described “den mother” Saracho and an extended network to draw on for the future.
Putting real money where most merely put just good intentions and checked boxes, the aim of Ojalá is to foster a pilot script to completion with a commission by UCP at the end.
Applications for the program run from today until July 19. Interested parties should submitted a one-page TV pilot proposal, as well as an existing example of their writing. Find more information here.
The Vida creator and the studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, launched the Ojalá Ignition Lab on Monday. Under the umbrella of Saracho’s deal, the 26-week long incubator program will provide five writers and their own proposed projects with mentoring from experienced showrunners and EPs, including self-described “den mother” Saracho and an extended network to draw on for the future.
Putting real money where most merely put just good intentions and checked boxes, the aim of Ojalá is to foster a pilot script to completion with a commission by UCP at the end.
Applications for the program run from today until July 19. Interested parties should submitted a one-page TV pilot proposal, as well as an existing example of their writing. Find more information here.
- 6/21/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Supergirl star Melissa Benoist is moving into production and sticking with Warner Bros.
The actor, who plays Kara Danvers aka Supergirl in The CW drama that is coming to an end with its sixth season, has launched her own production company, Three Things Productions.
She has signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, which produces Supergirl and the other shows in the Arrowverse.
Benoist has tapped Anonymous Content creative executive Sahar Kashi, who has worked on shows such as Apple TV+’s Home Before Dark and Netflix’s Thirteen Reasons Why, as Vice President of Development of Three Things Productions. Kashi previously worked at Netflix and Fox.
The exclusive, multi-year deal is for Benoist to develop and produce original television shows, including comedies and dramas, for all platforms including HBO Max, third party streamers, cable networks and broadcast nets.
There is hope that Benoist will also launch her...
The actor, who plays Kara Danvers aka Supergirl in The CW drama that is coming to an end with its sixth season, has launched her own production company, Three Things Productions.
She has signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, which produces Supergirl and the other shows in the Arrowverse.
Benoist has tapped Anonymous Content creative executive Sahar Kashi, who has worked on shows such as Apple TV+’s Home Before Dark and Netflix’s Thirteen Reasons Why, as Vice President of Development of Three Things Productions. Kashi previously worked at Netflix and Fox.
The exclusive, multi-year deal is for Benoist to develop and produce original television shows, including comedies and dramas, for all platforms including HBO Max, third party streamers, cable networks and broadcast nets.
There is hope that Benoist will also launch her...
- 2/12/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“Supergirl” star Melissa Benoist has formed a new production company, Three Things Productions, and inked an exclusive, multiyear overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.
Through Three Things — inspired by the Mary Oliver poem “Three Things to Remember” — Benoist and her team will develop and produce original TV programming for all platforms. That includes drama, comedy, event series and other formats for WarnerMedia outlets such as HBO Max, in addition to other streaming services, cable channels and broadcasters. Three Things’ mission is to “meaningful projects that are unapologetic, brave, and authentic, with a goal to explore stories that lead with impact.”
The deal is Benoist’s first overall with a studio as a producer, and extends her ties to Warner Bros. TV, which produces Greg Berlanti’s DC superhero series. “Supergirl” is set to end with its sixth season on The CW when it returns this year.
“I’ve had...
Through Three Things — inspired by the Mary Oliver poem “Three Things to Remember” — Benoist and her team will develop and produce original TV programming for all platforms. That includes drama, comedy, event series and other formats for WarnerMedia outlets such as HBO Max, in addition to other streaming services, cable channels and broadcasters. Three Things’ mission is to “meaningful projects that are unapologetic, brave, and authentic, with a goal to explore stories that lead with impact.”
The deal is Benoist’s first overall with a studio as a producer, and extends her ties to Warner Bros. TV, which produces Greg Berlanti’s DC superhero series. “Supergirl” is set to end with its sixth season on The CW when it returns this year.
“I’ve had...
- 2/12/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Vida is over, but series creator Tanya Saracho now has a newly created production company and a former executive from Warner Bros content studio Stage 13 to help her run it.
Christine Dávila has been hired as Head of Development and Production for Saracho’s Ojalá Productions. The hire comes just over three months after Saracho inked a wide-ranging development deal with UCP that also includes the creation of a lab and incubator program for Latinx voices by the activist former playwright and showrunner.
“It is a dream come true to be able to bring such a talented, energetic and accomplished Latina to help me kick off Ojalá,” Saracho told Deadline on Tuesday from the UK. “With Christine’s impeccable taste, undeniable intellect and boundless spirit, the possibilities are endless for us.”
“I’m grateful and truly invigorated to work with such an undeniable voice as Tanya’s,” Dávila said of the producer-writer.
Christine Dávila has been hired as Head of Development and Production for Saracho’s Ojalá Productions. The hire comes just over three months after Saracho inked a wide-ranging development deal with UCP that also includes the creation of a lab and incubator program for Latinx voices by the activist former playwright and showrunner.
“It is a dream come true to be able to bring such a talented, energetic and accomplished Latina to help me kick off Ojalá,” Saracho told Deadline on Tuesday from the UK. “With Christine’s impeccable taste, undeniable intellect and boundless spirit, the possibilities are endless for us.”
“I’m grateful and truly invigorated to work with such an undeniable voice as Tanya’s,” Dávila said of the producer-writer.
- 12/1/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Vida creator Tanya Saracho is getting into business with Ucp, signing a development deal with the studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. Under the pact, Saracho will develop and create original content for television as well as podcasts via the studio’s Ucp Audio extension. As part of the deal, Saracho will establish a lab and incubator program for Latinx voices.
“To say that I’m immensely enthusiastic about this union is not enough. This partnership with Ucp is a vital opportunity to keep amplifying the voices and stories that matter to me – those brown, queer narratives which have been missing from the landscape, and which are so important to tell,” said Saracho.
“I’m also elated and looking forward to establishing a lab and incubator program aimed to nurture, amplify and empower intersectional Latinx voices,” Saracho added. “And on a personal level, it is greatly gratifying to find...
“To say that I’m immensely enthusiastic about this union is not enough. This partnership with Ucp is a vital opportunity to keep amplifying the voices and stories that matter to me – those brown, queer narratives which have been missing from the landscape, and which are so important to tell,” said Saracho.
“I’m also elated and looking forward to establishing a lab and incubator program aimed to nurture, amplify and empower intersectional Latinx voices,” Saracho added. “And on a personal level, it is greatly gratifying to find...
- 8/19/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Iman Benson, who stars as Drea Barris in Netflix comedy #BlackAF, has signed to UTA.
The actor has signed with the agency in all areas.
Benson’s character Drea is the moral center and narrator of Kenya Barris’ series; her university application documentary is the framing device for the show, which centers around a Black family living in Los Angeles and is loosely based on Barris’ own life. It was recently picked up for a second season.
Benson has also starred in USA Network’s Suits, Shonda Rhimes’ ABC drama Station 19, Netflix teen comedy Alexa & Katie and ABC’s Uncle Buck remake.
In addition to UTA, she continues to be represented by Margot Menzel at Luber Roklin Entertainment and attorney J.R. McGinnis at Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson Llp.
The actor has signed with the agency in all areas.
Benson’s character Drea is the moral center and narrator of Kenya Barris’ series; her university application documentary is the framing device for the show, which centers around a Black family living in Los Angeles and is loosely based on Barris’ own life. It was recently picked up for a second season.
Benson has also starred in USA Network’s Suits, Shonda Rhimes’ ABC drama Station 19, Netflix teen comedy Alexa & Katie and ABC’s Uncle Buck remake.
In addition to UTA, she continues to be represented by Margot Menzel at Luber Roklin Entertainment and attorney J.R. McGinnis at Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson Llp.
- 7/24/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Alison Schapker, executive producer of Netflix series “Altered Carbon,” has signed an exclusive, multi-year overall deal with Skydance Television, the studio behind the sci-fi series, a spokesperson for SkyDance confirmed to TheWrap.
Under the deal, Schapker will move up to the role of sole showrunner for “Altered Carbon,” taking over the reins for season two from previous showrunner Laeta Kalogridis, who will continue to serve as an executive producer. Schapker will also develop and produce original scripted series for Skydance TV.
“Alison is an outstanding storyteller and first-class executive producer and showrunner. We are incredibly proud of the work she’s done on the second season of ‘Altered Carbon’ and are beyond thrilled at the opportunity to continue collaborating with her,” said Marcy Ross, president of Skydance Television.
“I’m excited to expand my relationship with the team at Skydance and to partner with a studio that’s making some...
Under the deal, Schapker will move up to the role of sole showrunner for “Altered Carbon,” taking over the reins for season two from previous showrunner Laeta Kalogridis, who will continue to serve as an executive producer. Schapker will also develop and produce original scripted series for Skydance TV.
“Alison is an outstanding storyteller and first-class executive producer and showrunner. We are incredibly proud of the work she’s done on the second season of ‘Altered Carbon’ and are beyond thrilled at the opportunity to continue collaborating with her,” said Marcy Ross, president of Skydance Television.
“I’m excited to expand my relationship with the team at Skydance and to partner with a studio that’s making some...
- 5/23/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Altered Carbon executive producer Alison Schapker is expanding her relationship with Skydance Television, the studio behind the Netflix sci-fi drama series, signing an exclusive, multi-year overall production deal.
Schapker joined Altered Carbon as executive producer and co-showrunner for Season 2 alongside creator, executive producer and Season 1 showrunner Laeta Kalogridis. Under her pact with Skydance, Scandal alumna Schapker has been named sole showrunner on Altered Carbon, which is in production on its second season. Kalogridis will continue to serve as executive producer. Schapker will also develop and produce original scripted series for the indie studio.
Kalogridis wrote the Season 2 opener, which introduces Anthony Mackie as the new Takeshi Kovacs, with Schapker penning the Season 2 finale and running the show on the ground.
Based on the classic science fiction novels by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon is set centuries into the future when the human mind has been digitized and the soul...
Schapker joined Altered Carbon as executive producer and co-showrunner for Season 2 alongside creator, executive producer and Season 1 showrunner Laeta Kalogridis. Under her pact with Skydance, Scandal alumna Schapker has been named sole showrunner on Altered Carbon, which is in production on its second season. Kalogridis will continue to serve as executive producer. Schapker will also develop and produce original scripted series for the indie studio.
Kalogridis wrote the Season 2 opener, which introduces Anthony Mackie as the new Takeshi Kovacs, with Schapker penning the Season 2 finale and running the show on the ground.
Based on the classic science fiction novels by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon is set centuries into the future when the human mind has been digitized and the soul...
- 5/23/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kate del Castillo, whose wildly popular run as Teresa Mendoza in Telemundo’s La Reina del Sure series even drew the headline-making attention of El Chapo, will return to the New York stage this summer in the Off Broadway production of Isaac Gomez’s the way she spoke, directed by Jo Bonney as the next Audible Theater production at the Minetta Lane Theatre.
Previews begin Monday, July 8, with opening night set for Thursday, July 18. The Minetta Lane, in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, is home base for Audible’s live performances, with productions recorded and released by Audible as audio plays.
the way she spoke follows an actress who enters a theater, picks up a script, and begins to read a story that reveals “disturbing and haunting accounts of the murder of thousands of women in Juarez, Mexico and one playwright’s journey of discovery and responsibility.” According to Audible’s description,...
Previews begin Monday, July 8, with opening night set for Thursday, July 18. The Minetta Lane, in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, is home base for Audible’s live performances, with productions recorded and released by Audible as audio plays.
the way she spoke follows an actress who enters a theater, picks up a script, and begins to read a story that reveals “disturbing and haunting accounts of the murder of thousands of women in Juarez, Mexico and one playwright’s journey of discovery and responsibility.” According to Audible’s description,...
- 5/3/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz has put in development Kin, a multi-generational family drama from writer Davita Scarlett and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
Kin follows three generations of women who are thrust together when their dynamic and controversial matriarch moves back to town. The series is a compelling and complex exploration of racial identity, integrity and the notion that blood is thicker than water.
Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter (Are You Sleeping) will serve as executive producers for Hello Sunshine alongside Scarlett who developed the project with Chester Jones III (Hey Diddle Diddle).
“The opportunity to work in partnership with Davita Scarlett as well as Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine on this series is serendipitous,” said Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming for Starz. “Hello Sunshine puts women at the forefront of the stories they are telling, and that fits perfectly into Starz’ overall programming strategy...
Kin follows three generations of women who are thrust together when their dynamic and controversial matriarch moves back to town. The series is a compelling and complex exploration of racial identity, integrity and the notion that blood is thicker than water.
Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter (Are You Sleeping) will serve as executive producers for Hello Sunshine alongside Scarlett who developed the project with Chester Jones III (Hey Diddle Diddle).
“The opportunity to work in partnership with Davita Scarlett as well as Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine on this series is serendipitous,” said Carmi Zlotnik, President of Programming for Starz. “Hello Sunshine puts women at the forefront of the stories they are telling, and that fits perfectly into Starz’ overall programming strategy...
- 2/21/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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