A half-hour comedy about a Broadway has-been starring Kevin Kline is among MGM+’s new slate of series. “American Classic” is one of several other scripted shows and docuseries to be developed at the premium linear channel and streaming service, including one documenting the rise of underground disco.
Formerly known as Epix and rebranding to MGM+ on Jan. 15 (coinciding with the “Godfather of Harlem” Season 3 premiere), the platform unveiled a slew of upcoming programming, joining already announced series like limited show “A Spy Among Friends” with Guy Pearce (March 12), the second season of sci-fi “From” (April 23) and true-crime docuseries “Murf the Surf” (Feb. 5). There were also sophomore renewals for “Rogue Heroes” and “Billy the Kid.”
Below is a full lineup of the newly announced slate:
Also Read:
AMC Studios Head Says Network Is ‘Optimally Positioned’ Following Layoffs, Scrapped Shows “The Emperor of Ocean Park” (scripted)
From John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television,...
Formerly known as Epix and rebranding to MGM+ on Jan. 15 (coinciding with the “Godfather of Harlem” Season 3 premiere), the platform unveiled a slew of upcoming programming, joining already announced series like limited show “A Spy Among Friends” with Guy Pearce (March 12), the second season of sci-fi “From” (April 23) and true-crime docuseries “Murf the Surf” (Feb. 5). There were also sophomore renewals for “Rogue Heroes” and “Billy the Kid.”
Below is a full lineup of the newly announced slate:
Also Read:
AMC Studios Head Says Network Is ‘Optimally Positioned’ Following Layoffs, Scrapped Shows “The Emperor of Ocean Park” (scripted)
From John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
MGM+, formerly Epix, unveiled its programming lineup and development slate that includes a new John Wells drama based on a Stephen L. Carter novel, a period drama about Harlem crime boss Stephanie St. Clair, based on an MGM movie, and a docuseries about the disco era.
The newly rebranded premium linear channel and streaming service will launch on January 15 in conjunction with the season three premiere of Godfather of Harlem starring and executive produced by Forest Whitaker and created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein.
The development slate includes scripted series The Emperor of Ocean Park, Hoodlum, based on the 1997 movie starring Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth and Andy Garcia, Earth Abides, based on a George R. Stewart book, Ark, based on Stephen Baxter’s books and Kevin Kline comedy American Classic, which was previously announced. See full details below.
These series will join previously greenlit series Hotel Cocaine and San...
The newly rebranded premium linear channel and streaming service will launch on January 15 in conjunction with the season three premiere of Godfather of Harlem starring and executive produced by Forest Whitaker and created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein.
The development slate includes scripted series The Emperor of Ocean Park, Hoodlum, based on the 1997 movie starring Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth and Andy Garcia, Earth Abides, based on a George R. Stewart book, Ark, based on Stephen Baxter’s books and Kevin Kline comedy American Classic, which was previously announced. See full details below.
These series will join previously greenlit series Hotel Cocaine and San...
- 1/10/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Riot Games has hired veteran executive Mandy Beckner as its global head of live action development, film and TV. She joins the developer and publisher after a stint as director of content for the original indie film group at Netflix. In her new role, Beckner will be in charge of developing live-action film and TV content for all of Riot’s “League of Legends”-related IP.
Beckner will report to Brian Wright, Riot Games’ chief content officer.
“Mandy is a dynamic executive with a successful track record that speaks to the kind of entertaining and engaging IP that Riot is known for,” Wright said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Riot family.”
In addition to creating such games as “League of Legends” and “Valorant,” Riot has also produced the Emmy-winning animated series “Arcane.”
While at Netflix, Beckner worked on Prentice Penny’s feature directorial debut “Uncorked,...
Beckner will report to Brian Wright, Riot Games’ chief content officer.
“Mandy is a dynamic executive with a successful track record that speaks to the kind of entertaining and engaging IP that Riot is known for,” Wright said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Riot family.”
In addition to creating such games as “League of Legends” and “Valorant,” Riot has also produced the Emmy-winning animated series “Arcane.”
While at Netflix, Beckner worked on Prentice Penny’s feature directorial debut “Uncorked,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Epix has put four scripted projects into development including a pair of comedies with one starring A Fish Called Wanda star Kevin Kline.
Kline is to star in American Classic, which would mark the actor’s second TV project if it goes to series. He recently signed up to star alongside Cate Blanchett in Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer for Apple.
In the half-hour American Classic, Kline plays Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean, who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his tiny hometown and the family-run theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance.
When he arrives, he is shocked to discover that his father, the former artistic director, has slipped into a puppet-filled dementia, and that the once-respected theater run by his brother, played by The Closer’s Jon Tenney, and his wife, who is now the town’s mayor, has become, by necessity,...
Kline is to star in American Classic, which would mark the actor’s second TV project if it goes to series. He recently signed up to star alongside Cate Blanchett in Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer for Apple.
In the half-hour American Classic, Kline plays Broadway star and notorious narcissist Richard Bean, who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns to his tiny hometown and the family-run theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance.
When he arrives, he is shocked to discover that his father, the former artistic director, has slipped into a puppet-filled dementia, and that the once-respected theater run by his brother, played by The Closer’s Jon Tenney, and his wife, who is now the town’s mayor, has become, by necessity,...
- 2/3/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan have a very Irish romance in the brand new trailer for “Wild Mountain Thyme,” released on Tuesday.
Set in Ireland, the movie centers on Anthony (Dornan), who works in the fields under the constant belittling of his father (Christopher Walken), who has threatened to leave the family farm to Anthony’s American cousin Adam (Jon Hamm). A shy and worn-down Anthony doesn’t notice that Rosemary (Blunt), a childhood friend, has been attracted to him for years, despite feeling resentment for having been shamed by Anthony earlier. Caught between their families’ land dispute, sparks fly between the couple. Meanwhile, Rosemary’s mother, Aoife (Dearbhla Molloy), strives to unite the families before it is too late.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” is directed by John Patrick Shanley, and the film is adapted from his Broadway play “Outside Mullingar” from 2014. The original play starred Brian F. O’Byrne, Dearbhla Molloy,...
Set in Ireland, the movie centers on Anthony (Dornan), who works in the fields under the constant belittling of his father (Christopher Walken), who has threatened to leave the family farm to Anthony’s American cousin Adam (Jon Hamm). A shy and worn-down Anthony doesn’t notice that Rosemary (Blunt), a childhood friend, has been attracted to him for years, despite feeling resentment for having been shamed by Anthony earlier. Caught between their families’ land dispute, sparks fly between the couple. Meanwhile, Rosemary’s mother, Aoife (Dearbhla Molloy), strives to unite the families before it is too late.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” is directed by John Patrick Shanley, and the film is adapted from his Broadway play “Outside Mullingar” from 2014. The original play starred Brian F. O’Byrne, Dearbhla Molloy,...
- 11/10/2020
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
Emily Blunt is an Irish farmer in John Patrick Shanley’s upcoming drama Wild Mountain Thyme, out December 11h.
The trailer features Blunt’s character Rosemary Muldoon, who’s spent her life in love with Anthony Reilly (Jamie Dornan), her neighbor at a nearby farm. Not only is Anthony oblivious to her feelings, but his father Tony (Christopher Walken) is choosing to sell the farm to his nephew (Jon Hamm) instead of him. “I don’t see a clear path,” Walken’s character tells Anthony, “from me to you.”
Later,...
The trailer features Blunt’s character Rosemary Muldoon, who’s spent her life in love with Anthony Reilly (Jamie Dornan), her neighbor at a nearby farm. Not only is Anthony oblivious to her feelings, but his father Tony (Christopher Walken) is choosing to sell the farm to his nephew (Jon Hamm) instead of him. “I don’t see a clear path,” Walken’s character tells Anthony, “from me to you.”
Later,...
- 11/10/2020
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
Emily Blunt, Jon Hamm, Christopher Walken and Dearbhla Molloy have joined the cast of John Patrick Shanley’s Wild Mountain Thyme.
They join A Private War’s Jamie Dornan in the romance feature, which is an adaptation of Shanley’s Outside Mullingar. Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger, who was originally set to star.
Anthony (Dornan) always seems to be out in the fields working, worn down by his father’s (Walken) constant belittling. But what really stings is his father’s threat to bequeath the family farm to his American cousin Adam (Hamm). Rosemary (Blunt) at first seems to hold a grudge for having been shamed by Anthony in childhood, but the sparks between them would keep a bonfire blazing through the night. Her mother Aoife (Molloy) strives to unite the families before it is too late.
Principal photography kicks off later this month in Ireland and Bleecker Street has acquired U.
They join A Private War’s Jamie Dornan in the romance feature, which is an adaptation of Shanley’s Outside Mullingar. Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger, who was originally set to star.
Anthony (Dornan) always seems to be out in the fields working, worn down by his father’s (Walken) constant belittling. But what really stings is his father’s threat to bequeath the family farm to his American cousin Adam (Hamm). Rosemary (Blunt) at first seems to hold a grudge for having been shamed by Anthony in childhood, but the sparks between them would keep a bonfire blazing through the night. Her mother Aoife (Molloy) strives to unite the families before it is too late.
Principal photography kicks off later this month in Ireland and Bleecker Street has acquired U.
- 9/3/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger in the role of Rosemary.
Emily Blunt and Jon Hamm have joined Jamie Dornan in the cast of John Patrick Shanley’s Irish drama Wild Mountain Thyme, with Bleecker Street and Lionsgate acquiring Us and UK rights respectively on the title.
Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger as the female lead, with Grainger dropping out due to a scheduling conflict. Further new cast including Christopher Walken and Dearbhla Molloy.
HanWay Films negotiated the deal with Lionsgate UK; CAA and Andrew Kramer handled the Us sale.
HanWay has also closed deals for Switzerland (Pathé Ag); Spain (A Contracorriente); Latin...
Emily Blunt and Jon Hamm have joined Jamie Dornan in the cast of John Patrick Shanley’s Irish drama Wild Mountain Thyme, with Bleecker Street and Lionsgate acquiring Us and UK rights respectively on the title.
Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger as the female lead, with Grainger dropping out due to a scheduling conflict. Further new cast including Christopher Walken and Dearbhla Molloy.
HanWay Films negotiated the deal with Lionsgate UK; CAA and Andrew Kramer handled the Us sale.
HanWay has also closed deals for Switzerland (Pathé Ag); Spain (A Contracorriente); Latin...
- 9/3/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Emily Blunt has joined “Wild Mountain Thyme” as Jamie Dornan’s star-crossed love interest in John Patrick Shanley’s adaptation of his Broadway smash hit, “Outside Mullingar.” Blunt replaces Holliday Grainger, who was previously announced as Dornan’s co-star in May.
Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy, and Christopher Walken have also signed on for the movie, which starts shooting at the end of the month.
Bleecker Street has already acquired the U.S. rights for the film, and Lionsgate U.K. has Britain.
The film, which is set in Ireland, follows Anthony (Dornan), who is always out in the fields working and is worn down by the constant belittling from his father (Walken). His father has threatened to bequeath the family farm to his American cousin Adam (Hamm). Rosemary (Blunt) holds a grudge for having been shamed by Anthony in childhood, and the sparks between them fly. Her mother, Aoife (Molloy...
Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy, and Christopher Walken have also signed on for the movie, which starts shooting at the end of the month.
Bleecker Street has already acquired the U.S. rights for the film, and Lionsgate U.K. has Britain.
The film, which is set in Ireland, follows Anthony (Dornan), who is always out in the fields working and is worn down by the constant belittling from his father (Walken). His father has threatened to bequeath the family farm to his American cousin Adam (Hamm). Rosemary (Blunt) holds a grudge for having been shamed by Anthony in childhood, and the sparks between them fly. Her mother, Aoife (Molloy...
- 9/3/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Wild Mountain Thyme,” a lyrical romance that will star Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan playing star-crossed lovers, the distributor announced Monday.
Lionsgate UK has also acquired the U.K. rights to “Wild Mountain Thyme,” which is based on the play “Outside Mullingar” by John Patrick Shanley. Shanley is writing and directing the film that will begin principal photography on Sept. 30 and will shoot on location in Ireland.
Blunt and Dornan star as lovers whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms. The film also stars Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy and Christopher Walken. Holliday Grainger was originally attached to star in Blunt’s role.
Here’s the synopsis:
Anthony (Dornan) always seems to...
Lionsgate UK has also acquired the U.K. rights to “Wild Mountain Thyme,” which is based on the play “Outside Mullingar” by John Patrick Shanley. Shanley is writing and directing the film that will begin principal photography on Sept. 30 and will shoot on location in Ireland.
Blunt and Dornan star as lovers whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms. The film also stars Jon Hamm, Dearbhla Molloy and Christopher Walken. Holliday Grainger was originally attached to star in Blunt’s role.
Here’s the synopsis:
Anthony (Dornan) always seems to...
- 9/3/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Jamie Dornan (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) and Holliday Grainger (“Animals”) have been tapped to star in John Patrick Shanley’s romance “Wild Mountain Thyme,” an adaptation of his Tony-nominated 2014 play “Outside Mulingar.”
HanWay Films has acquired the international sales rights and will commence sales at Cannes, with CAA Media Finance handling the North American rights.
“Wild Mountain Thyme,” Shanley’s love letter to his ancestral homeland, is set against the breath-taking landscapes of rural Ireland, where everyone is half mad with loneliness or love, and the weather is terrible. Dornan and Grainger will play obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms.
Acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and director Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, including his 2005 Tony and Pulitzer-winning drama “Doubt,...
HanWay Films has acquired the international sales rights and will commence sales at Cannes, with CAA Media Finance handling the North American rights.
“Wild Mountain Thyme,” Shanley’s love letter to his ancestral homeland, is set against the breath-taking landscapes of rural Ireland, where everyone is half mad with loneliness or love, and the weather is terrible. Dornan and Grainger will play obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms.
Acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and director Shanley is the author of more than 23 plays, including his 2005 Tony and Pulitzer-winning drama “Doubt,...
- 5/3/2019
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Jamie Dornan (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) and Holliday Grainger (“The Borgias”) will star in “Wild Mountain Thyme,” directed by John Patrick Shanley, the Oscar-winning writer of “Moonstruck,” and the Oscar-nominated scribe of “Doubt.”
HanWay Films has acquired the international sales rights and will commence sales at Cannes with CAA Media Finance handling the North American rights.
“Wild Mountain Thyme,” which is set in ireland, is an adaptation of Shanley’s Broadway hit “Outside Mullingar.” Dornan and Grainger play “obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms.”
The film was developed by Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Port Pictures, and is being produced by Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, Alex Witchel and Martina Niland. Andrew Kramer will executive produce.
It will go into production this summer in Ireland and New York.
HanWay Films has acquired the international sales rights and will commence sales at Cannes with CAA Media Finance handling the North American rights.
“Wild Mountain Thyme,” which is set in ireland, is an adaptation of Shanley’s Broadway hit “Outside Mullingar.” Dornan and Grainger play “obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms.”
The film was developed by Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Port Pictures, and is being produced by Leslie Urdang, Anthony Bregman, Alex Witchel and Martina Niland. Andrew Kramer will executive produce.
It will go into production this summer in Ireland and New York.
- 5/3/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
HanWay Films and CAA will sell the film at Cannes.
Jamie Dornan and Holliday Grainger have signed to star in John Patrick Shanley’s Wild Mountain Thyme, an adaptation of his Broadway play Outside Mullingar, which will shoot in Ireland and New York this summer.
Dornan and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2009 Grainger will play star-crossed lovers whose families are caught in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land separating their two farms.
HanWay Films has acquired international sales rights, excluding North America, and will start selling the film at Cannes. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.
Jamie Dornan and Holliday Grainger have signed to star in John Patrick Shanley’s Wild Mountain Thyme, an adaptation of his Broadway play Outside Mullingar, which will shoot in Ireland and New York this summer.
Dornan and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2009 Grainger will play star-crossed lovers whose families are caught in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land separating their two farms.
HanWay Films has acquired international sales rights, excluding North America, and will start selling the film at Cannes. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.
- 5/3/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Jamie Dornan (A Private War) and Holliday Grainger (Animals) have been set to star in romance Wild Mountain Thyme from John Patrick Shanley (Doubt) who is adapting his hit Broadway stage play Outside Mullingar.
HanWay will launch sales in Cannes on the project, which is set against the landscapes of rural Ireland. Dornan and Grainger will play obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.
Playwright, screenwriter and director Shanley is the author of more than twenty-three plays. His feature adaptation of his successful Broadway play Doubt garnered five Oscar nominations.
Pic was developed by Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Port Pictures and is produced by Leslie Urdang (The Seagull), Anthony Bregman (Foxcatcher) with Alex Witchel, and Martina Niland (Once) of Port Pictures. Andrew Kramer will executive produce.
HanWay will launch sales in Cannes on the project, which is set against the landscapes of rural Ireland. Dornan and Grainger will play obstinate star-crossed lovers, whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested patch of land that separates their two farms. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.
Playwright, screenwriter and director Shanley is the author of more than twenty-three plays. His feature adaptation of his successful Broadway play Doubt garnered five Oscar nominations.
Pic was developed by Mar-Key Pictures, Likely Story and Port Pictures and is produced by Leslie Urdang (The Seagull), Anthony Bregman (Foxcatcher) with Alex Witchel, and Martina Niland (Once) of Port Pictures. Andrew Kramer will executive produce.
- 5/3/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Women’s Image Awards has announced its 2018 nominations, with the BBC miniseries “Little Women” that aired on PBS’ “Masterpiece” series earning a leading six bids on the TV side. As for films, “Mary Queen of Scots” secured five spots on the ballot, followed by the Ruth Bader Ginsberg biopic “On the Basis of Sex” and Melissa McCarthy’s “Can Your Ever Forgive Me,” both with four.
Given the #MeToo and Time’s Up movement’s push against sexual harassment and lack of equal opportunity for women in Hollywood, the fact that an organization like Women’s Image Awards exists is more important than ever. The group that is celebrating its 20th anniversary has just announced its nominations in 18 categories. The TV and film nominees are selected from a field of submissions from networks and studios.
SEESaoirse Ronan discuss her role as Mary Stuart in ‘Mary Queen of Scots”
TV...
Given the #MeToo and Time’s Up movement’s push against sexual harassment and lack of equal opportunity for women in Hollywood, the fact that an organization like Women’s Image Awards exists is more important than ever. The group that is celebrating its 20th anniversary has just announced its nominations in 18 categories. The TV and film nominees are selected from a field of submissions from networks and studios.
SEESaoirse Ronan discuss her role as Mary Stuart in ‘Mary Queen of Scots”
TV...
- 12/21/2018
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Michael Mayer's bountiful adaptation (with screenwriter Stephen Karam) of The Seagull stars Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss, and Brian Dennehy with Corey Stoll, Billy Howle, Jon Tenney, Michael Zegen, Glenn Fleshler, and Mare Winningham Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
On the morning of the theatrical première in New York, Michael Mayer joined me for a conversation on The Seagull. He explained producer Tom Hulce's role, their meeting with Annette Bening, that Saoirse Ronan was in-between starring in John Crowley's adaptation of Colm Tóibín's Brooklyn and being cast in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird, and why producer Leslie Urdang suggested Elisabeth Moss for Nina.
He told me how costume designer Ann Roth, production designer Jane Musky and cinematographer Matthew J Lloyd were vital collaborators for the look of the film.
Michael Mayer on Ann Roth: "She stuck cookie crumbs into Brian Dennehy's jacket pocket." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Michael...
On the morning of the theatrical première in New York, Michael Mayer joined me for a conversation on The Seagull. He explained producer Tom Hulce's role, their meeting with Annette Bening, that Saoirse Ronan was in-between starring in John Crowley's adaptation of Colm Tóibín's Brooklyn and being cast in Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird, and why producer Leslie Urdang suggested Elisabeth Moss for Nina.
He told me how costume designer Ann Roth, production designer Jane Musky and cinematographer Matthew J Lloyd were vital collaborators for the look of the film.
Michael Mayer on Ann Roth: "She stuck cookie crumbs into Brian Dennehy's jacket pocket." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Michael...
- 5/15/2018
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
A dozen new specialty titles packed theaters this weekend. Sony Classics’ The Seagull and Roadside Attractions/30West’s Beast edged out the competition, grossing $80,607 in six locations and $52,078 in four theaters respectively.
The big screen version of Russian dramatist Anton Checkhov’s The Seagull opened in six New York and Los Angeles locations Friday, scoring the best per theater average of the specialty newcomers. Directed by Michael Mayer and starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Corey Stoll and Elisabeth Moss, the feature grossed $80,607, averaging $13,434. Spc picked up the title in 2017, but held off releasing while it opened Bening starrer Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. The producers showed an early version of The Seagull to Spc co-president Michael Barker, who gave notes.
“We addressed those notes in the final edit,” said producer Leslie Urdang in a conversation earlier this week about the film. “We give real kudos to him for helping us.
The big screen version of Russian dramatist Anton Checkhov’s The Seagull opened in six New York and Los Angeles locations Friday, scoring the best per theater average of the specialty newcomers. Directed by Michael Mayer and starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Corey Stoll and Elisabeth Moss, the feature grossed $80,607, averaging $13,434. Spc picked up the title in 2017, but held off releasing while it opened Bening starrer Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. The producers showed an early version of The Seagull to Spc co-president Michael Barker, who gave notes.
“We addressed those notes in the final edit,” said producer Leslie Urdang in a conversation earlier this week about the film. “We give real kudos to him for helping us.
- 5/13/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
An abundance of new Specialty releases will roll into theaters and on-demand this weekend, including newcomers with Hollywood A-listers such as Sony Pictures Classics’ drama The Seagull, based on the Chekhov play and starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan and Elisabeth Moss. Olivia Holt, Skyler Gisondo, Kristin Chenoweth and Bruce Dern star in Cinedigm Entertainment’s comedy-romance Class Rank, making a day and date bow this weekend, while a cross-section of documentaries will open, hoping to tap some of the momentum of last weekend’s successful launch of non-fiction title Rbg. Good Deed Entertainment is opening Always At the Carlyle by Matthew Miele with a cast of stars effusing about the legendary Upper East Side New York hotel. Sara Driver’s Boom For Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat about the late artist’s pre-fame years in a now lost downtown Manhattan begins its run via Magnolia Pictures (which...
- 5/11/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
The great director Sidney Lumet brought a beautifully acted version of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull to the screen in 1968, but apparently it has taken another half-century to get a another version that gives Chekhov’s 1895 play a new spin in movies.
I have to say, the new The Seagull compares favorably to any previous attempt, particularly in bringing out the lighter aspects of what is a very funny piece. Lumet’s version had the likes of James Mason and Vanessa Redgrave among others, and the 2018 model is similarly blessed with a brilliant cast at the top of their game. And though director Michael Mayer and screenwriter Stephen Karam come largely from the American theater, this sparkling version feels anything but theatrical; it has been gloriously shot and is beautifully cinematic.
But as I say in my video review above, it is all on the page and in the playing.
I have to say, the new The Seagull compares favorably to any previous attempt, particularly in bringing out the lighter aspects of what is a very funny piece. Lumet’s version had the likes of James Mason and Vanessa Redgrave among others, and the 2018 model is similarly blessed with a brilliant cast at the top of their game. And though director Michael Mayer and screenwriter Stephen Karam come largely from the American theater, this sparkling version feels anything but theatrical; it has been gloriously shot and is beautifully cinematic.
But as I say in my video review above, it is all on the page and in the playing.
- 5/10/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Feature premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival.
The Seagull, Michael Mayer’s drama that recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, has been picked up for UK distribution by Thunderbird Releasing.
Starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss and Corey Stoll, the film focuses on eight people at a country estate in Russia, all grappling with various romantic entanglements while exploring the dangerous nature of narcissism.
The film’s UK release is slated for summer 2018.
The deal was negotiated by Edward Fletcher, managing director of Thunderbird Releasing, and Carl Clifton, president of sales representative Hyde Park International. On the acquisition,...
The Seagull, Michael Mayer’s drama that recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, has been picked up for UK distribution by Thunderbird Releasing.
Starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss and Corey Stoll, the film focuses on eight people at a country estate in Russia, all grappling with various romantic entanglements while exploring the dangerous nature of narcissism.
The film’s UK release is slated for summer 2018.
The deal was negotiated by Edward Fletcher, managing director of Thunderbird Releasing, and Carl Clifton, president of sales representative Hyde Park International. On the acquisition,...
- 5/3/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan star in Chekhov classic.
Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park International has taken international sales on The Seagull in the run-up to Cannes next month.
Annette Bening and Saoirse Ronan star in the adaptation of the Anton Chekhov play that is in the final stages of post-production. Wme and CAA jointly represent North American rights.
The Seagull cast includes Corey Stoll, Elisabeth Moss, who is riding high on rave reviews for Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, and newcomer Billy Howle.
Stephen Karam adapted the play, which centres on eight people – all in love with the wrong person – and explores the dangerously seductive nature of narcissism.
Michael Mayer directs and is best known as the Tony Award-winning director of hit Broadway musicals Spring Awakening, American Idiot, and Hedwig And The Angry Inch as well as feature A Home At The End Of The World.
Producing are [link...
Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park International has taken international sales on The Seagull in the run-up to Cannes next month.
Annette Bening and Saoirse Ronan star in the adaptation of the Anton Chekhov play that is in the final stages of post-production. Wme and CAA jointly represent North American rights.
The Seagull cast includes Corey Stoll, Elisabeth Moss, who is riding high on rave reviews for Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, and newcomer Billy Howle.
Stephen Karam adapted the play, which centres on eight people – all in love with the wrong person – and explores the dangerously seductive nature of narcissism.
Michael Mayer directs and is best known as the Tony Award-winning director of hit Broadway musicals Spring Awakening, American Idiot, and Hedwig And The Angry Inch as well as feature A Home At The End Of The World.
Producing are [link...
- 4/27/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Ashley Prentice’s bestselling novel, The Chocolate Money is set to make its way onto the big screen in the near future. Kate Beckinsale has signed on to star in and produce the forthcoming adaptation, which centers on an impossibly rich chocolate heiress and her precocious young daughter, while Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has boarded as the film’s director. Production is set to begin later this spring.
The announcement arrives ahead of the Berlin Film Festival, which begins February 9 and is where producers try to sell their upcoming productions to curious investors. Beckinsale will be joined by fellow producers Mar-Key Pictures’ president Leslie Urdang, Miranda Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton (which is not my mother, even though they share the same name) on the upcoming project. Novelist Emma Forrest, meanwhile, wrote the screenplay for the new film.
Here’s what Urdang told THR:
Emma Forrest wrote a profoundly witty and...
The announcement arrives ahead of the Berlin Film Festival, which begins February 9 and is where producers try to sell their upcoming productions to curious investors. Beckinsale will be joined by fellow producers Mar-Key Pictures’ president Leslie Urdang, Miranda Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton (which is not my mother, even though they share the same name) on the upcoming project. Novelist Emma Forrest, meanwhile, wrote the screenplay for the new film.
Here’s what Urdang told THR:
Emma Forrest wrote a profoundly witty and...
- 1/27/2017
- by Will Ashton
- We Got This Covered
The big-screen adaptation of Ashley Prentice Norton's hit 2012 novel, The Chocolate Money, set to star Kate Beckinsale, has found itself a director.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray, A Walk to Remember) has been brought on board to helm the feature, which Beckinsale also is producing. The film will tell the story of an impossibly rich chocolate heiress and her precocious young daughter.
Beckinsale will produce together with Mar-Key Pictures president Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton, with Emma Forrest having written the screenplay. Production is due to start in New York in the spring.
Set in...
Adam Shankman (Hairspray, A Walk to Remember) has been brought on board to helm the feature, which Beckinsale also is producing. The film will tell the story of an impossibly rich chocolate heiress and her precocious young daughter.
Beckinsale will produce together with Mar-Key Pictures president Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton, with Emma Forrest having written the screenplay. Production is due to start in New York in the spring.
Set in...
- 1/27/2017
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Hairspray” and “Rock of Ages” director Adam Shankman has signed on to direct Kate Beckinsale in an adaptation of Ashley Prentice Norton’s novel “The Chocolate Money.” The coming-of-age film, which Beckinsale will also produce, stars the actress as a rich chocolate heiress, Babs Ballentyne, and her relationship with precocious young daughter, Bettina. Beckinsale is producing together with Mar-Key Pictures’ President Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton. Emma Forrest wrote the screenplay. The film will to go into production this spring in New York. Also Read: 'Underworld: Blood Wars' Review: Kate Beckinsale Slinks Through Another...
- 1/27/2017
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Cornerstone Films will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm.
Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has signed up to direct Kate Beckinsale in the film adaptation of Ashley Prentice Norton’s novel The Chocolate Money.
Beckinsale will also produce with Leslie Urdang of Mar-Key Pictures, alongside Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton. The film is scheduled to shoot in New York in Spring 2017.
London-based Cornerstone Films is handling international rights and will commence sales at next month’s European Film Market (Feb 9-17). UTA is overseeing Us sales.
The novel, adapted for the screen by Emma Forrest and co-written by Beckinsale, is set in 1980s New York, following the heiress to one of American’s largest chocolate fortunes. The twisted comedy-drama tale follows the heiress’s daughter, who develops a crush on her mother’s married lover.
Leslie Urdang commented: “Emma Forrest wrote a profoundly witty and moving script with a role that could easily become [link=nm...
Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has signed up to direct Kate Beckinsale in the film adaptation of Ashley Prentice Norton’s novel The Chocolate Money.
Beckinsale will also produce with Leslie Urdang of Mar-Key Pictures, alongside Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton. The film is scheduled to shoot in New York in Spring 2017.
London-based Cornerstone Films is handling international rights and will commence sales at next month’s European Film Market (Feb 9-17). UTA is overseeing Us sales.
The novel, adapted for the screen by Emma Forrest and co-written by Beckinsale, is set in 1980s New York, following the heiress to one of American’s largest chocolate fortunes. The twisted comedy-drama tale follows the heiress’s daughter, who develops a crush on her mother’s married lover.
Leslie Urdang commented: “Emma Forrest wrote a profoundly witty and moving script with a role that could easily become [link=nm...
- 1/27/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
©A.M.P.A.S.
Starz announced today it has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to The Family Fang, and is planning a significant 2016 theatrical release through Starz Digital, its multi-platform releasing team.
A comedic family drama directed by Jason Bateman (Bad Words) The Family Fang stars Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole, The Hours, Moulin Rouge!); Bateman (The Gift, Horrible Bosses, “Arrested Development”), and co-stars Academy Award-winner Christopher Walken (Jersey Boys, Catch Me If You Can, Wedding Crashers) and Maryann Plunkett (“House of Cards,” Blue Valentine, The Squid and the Whale).
The film was well received by critics and audiences at its recent premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Based on the best-selling novel by Kevin Wilson, The Family Fang was written by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Following the theatrical release, The Family Fang will have an on-demand release, and an exclusive TV premiere on Starz. The deal was...
Starz announced today it has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to The Family Fang, and is planning a significant 2016 theatrical release through Starz Digital, its multi-platform releasing team.
A comedic family drama directed by Jason Bateman (Bad Words) The Family Fang stars Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole, The Hours, Moulin Rouge!); Bateman (The Gift, Horrible Bosses, “Arrested Development”), and co-stars Academy Award-winner Christopher Walken (Jersey Boys, Catch Me If You Can, Wedding Crashers) and Maryann Plunkett (“House of Cards,” Blue Valentine, The Squid and the Whale).
The film was well received by critics and audiences at its recent premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Based on the best-selling novel by Kevin Wilson, The Family Fang was written by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Following the theatrical release, The Family Fang will have an on-demand release, and an exclusive TV premiere on Starz. The deal was...
- 10/9/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It’s not just the writer, director and docu lab fellows that are the long term beneficiaries of the support offered by the Sundance Institute. In this last decade, they’ve added a full gamut of artist programs ranging from theatre, film composing, new platforms and producer labs — even the mythic ranch services at Skywalker Sound are involved. While at the Sundance Film Festival this past January, I had the chance to interview Riel Roch Decter (he just launched a conceptually cool side project for short films), a burgeoning film producer who recently benefitted from the lab experience.
We discussed how he whetted his appetite for indie film production (learned the ropes from working on projects such as Rabbit Hole and Beginners for Leslie Urdang’s prod co. Olympus Pictures), we brought up his experience with the Sundance Institute workshopping on Aaron Beckum’s Microchip Blues at the Creative Producing...
We discussed how he whetted his appetite for indie film production (learned the ropes from working on projects such as Rabbit Hole and Beginners for Leslie Urdang’s prod co. Olympus Pictures), we brought up his experience with the Sundance Institute workshopping on Aaron Beckum’s Microchip Blues at the Creative Producing...
- 8/25/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
An actor, musician and a playwright who sort of came swanning into the driver’s seat in 2012 stringing the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and ranking just below Whiplash on the 2012 Black List with the aptly titled Stockholm, Pennsylvania. The double mention jettisoned the first-time writer-director into Sundance’s Directors Lab for June of last year and went into production in early February. Saoirse Ronan and Cynthia Nixon toplined this party-pooper item — which promises to visit a truly dark place in the child survivor psyche, and as the trades suggested at the time, might be shockingly accurate in terms of some baffling real life events that occurred for the captive women they found in Cleveland. Bravura performances are almost assured in what might be a pin-drop subject matter stunner. Arnaud Potier (Mélanie Laurent’s Cannes debuted Respire) and oft Sundance film editor Joe Kloytz are among the tech fold.
- 11/13/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
La-based nonprofit Film Independent has unveiled the nine filmmakers and eight projects selected for the 14th annual Producing Lab, a four-week intensive program designed to train aspiring independent producers. Producers bring a feature-length narrative work-in-progress to the Lab for further development, while meeting film professionals and advisors on the craft and business of independent filmmaking. This year’s advisors and guest speakers include Ram Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Karin Chien, Eric d’Arbeloff, Lindsay Doran, Cathy Schulman, and Leslie Urdang. The Lab offers year-round support to Fellows, including access to Film Independent’s annual film educational offerings and the Los Angeles Film Festival. Film Independent also awarded the eighth annual Sloan Producing Grant to producer Summer Shelton for feature film project "The Buried Life" by Joan Schimke and Averie Storck. Shelton received a $30,000 production grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,...
- 10/28/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: The Mazur/Kaplan Company and Olympus Pictures have optioned Holly Goldberg Sloan’s bestselling novel Counting By 7s. They’ve attached Oscar-nominated Beasts Of The Southern Wild star Quvenzhané Wallis and will build the movie around her. The bestseller centers on Willow Chance, a bright young girl who, after the death of her adoptive parents, is taken in by an unlikely surrogate family and an unfit guidance counselor. In the wake of tremendous loss, she rises to build a community that she heals and that heals her.
“I am honored to play the role of Willow in Counting by 7s,” Wallis said. “I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life.” Wallis just wrapped her first big studio film in the musical Annie, and also will star in the upcoming adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,...
“I am honored to play the role of Willow in Counting by 7s,” Wallis said. “I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life.” Wallis just wrapped her first big studio film in the musical Annie, and also will star in the upcoming adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,...
- 9/30/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Universal Cable Productions has optioned Robert Charles Wilson Novel, “Spin,” for a TV event series. “Northern Exposure” actor Rob Morrow via his Bits And Pieces production company (“Maze”) and movie producer Leslie Urdang of Olympus Pictures (“Beginners,” “Rabbit Hole”) have signed on as executive producers. The project is one of the first under Ucp's new development executive vice president Dawn Olmstead, who joined in January. Also read: Dawn Parouse Olmstead to Head Scripted Development for Universal Cable Productions “‘Spin’ is beloved in the sci-fi world for its dynamic characters and engaging storylines. We're excited to bring this masterpiece to life with Rob Morrow and.
- 6/9/2014
- by Jethro Nededog
- The Wrap
Universal Cable Productions has acquired the rights to the Hugo Award winning, best-selling science fiction novel Spin by Robert Charles Wilson with the goal of developing it into an event TV series. Read on for the details.
The deal marks one of the first project commitments under Dawn Olmstead, who recently joined Universal Cable Productions as Executive Vice President, Development, and underscores the caliber of genre content and compelling stories in development.
Additionally, the studio has signed Bits and Pieces Pictures' Rob Morrow (“Northern Exposure,” Quiz Show) and Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang (Beginners, Rabbit Hole) to produce, rounding out its growing slate of powerhouse auspices.
"Spin is beloved in the sci-fi world for its dynamic characters and engaging storylines. We’re excited to bring this masterpiece to life with Rob Morrow and the team at Olympus Pictures," said Olmstead.
Spin follows three childhood friends who, while playing one night, witness...
The deal marks one of the first project commitments under Dawn Olmstead, who recently joined Universal Cable Productions as Executive Vice President, Development, and underscores the caliber of genre content and compelling stories in development.
Additionally, the studio has signed Bits and Pieces Pictures' Rob Morrow (“Northern Exposure,” Quiz Show) and Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang (Beginners, Rabbit Hole) to produce, rounding out its growing slate of powerhouse auspices.
"Spin is beloved in the sci-fi world for its dynamic characters and engaging storylines. We’re excited to bring this masterpiece to life with Rob Morrow and the team at Olympus Pictures," said Olmstead.
Spin follows three childhood friends who, while playing one night, witness...
- 6/9/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Universal Cable Prods has acquired the rights to Robert Charles Wilson’s Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel Spin to develop into an event series. The deal marks one of the first project commitments under Dawn Olmstead, who recently joined Universal Cable Prods as Evp Development. Additionally, the studio has signed Bits And Pieces Pictures’ Rob Morrow and Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang to produce. Spin follows 3 childhood friends, who while playing one night, witness the stars in the sky mysteriously vanish. Nasa probes reveal a black energy barrier has surrounded the earth and time is traveling a billion times faster outside of the barrier. Civilization learns that it has five years left before the sun expands and consumes the planet. As the children grow, they go their separate ways trying to save the world from annihilation, but with time running out, will their friendship and mankind survive? “Spin is beloved in...
- 6/9/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Robert Charles Wilson's best-selling sci-fi novel Spin may be coming to the small screen. Universal Cable Productions has acquired the rights to the Hugo Award-winning novel with the goal to adapt the post-apocalyptic book as an event series, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Bits and Pieces Pictures' Rob Morrow (Northern Exposure, Quiz Show) and Olympus Pictures' Leslie Urdang (Beginners, Rabbit Hole) will produce Spin, the first book in Wilson's trilogy. A network is not currently attached. Story: The 'Bible' Effect and the Resurrection of TV Miniseries The drama follows three childhood friends who witness the
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- 6/9/2014
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Qed International handles sales in Cannes on Jason Bateman’s feature directorial follow-up to Bad Words as the producer roster swells to accommodate Red Crown.
Bateman and Nicole Kidman star in The Family Fang. Principal photography is scheduled to kick off in July on the story about a pair of siblings from a performance artist family whose parents suddenly disappear.
Walken will play the siblings’ father, Caleb Fang. David Lindsay-Abaire adaptated the novel by Kevin Wilson.
Producers are Red Crown’s Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech, Blossom Films partners Kidman and Per Saari and Aggregate Films partners Bateman and Jim Garavente.
Qed International’s Bill Block and Red Crown’s Dan Crown serve as executive producers.
Block’s Cannes sales slate includes David Ayer’s WWII tank film Fury starring Brad Pitt, Barry Levinson’s Rock The Kasbah starring Bill Murray and Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind with Richard Gere...
Bateman and Nicole Kidman star in The Family Fang. Principal photography is scheduled to kick off in July on the story about a pair of siblings from a performance artist family whose parents suddenly disappear.
Walken will play the siblings’ father, Caleb Fang. David Lindsay-Abaire adaptated the novel by Kevin Wilson.
Producers are Red Crown’s Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech, Blossom Films partners Kidman and Per Saari and Aggregate Films partners Bateman and Jim Garavente.
Qed International’s Bill Block and Red Crown’s Dan Crown serve as executive producers.
Block’s Cannes sales slate includes David Ayer’s WWII tank film Fury starring Brad Pitt, Barry Levinson’s Rock The Kasbah starring Bill Murray and Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind with Richard Gere...
- 5/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Qed International handles sales in Cannes on Jason Bateman’s feature directorial follow-up to Bad Words as the producer roster swells to accommodate Red Crown.
Bateman and Nicole Kidman star in The Family Fang. Principal photography is scheduled to kick off in July on the story about a pair of siblings from a performance artist family whose parents suddenly disappear.
Walken will play the siblings’ father, Caleb Fang. David Lindsay-Abaire adaptated the novel by Kevin Wilson.
Producers are Red Crown’s Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech, Blossom Films partners Kidman and Per Saari and Aggregate Films partners Bateman and Jim Garavente.
Qed International’s Bill Block and Red Crown’s Dan Crown serve as executive producers.
Block’s Cannes sales slate includes David Ayer’s WWII tank film Fury starring Brad Pitt, Barry Levinson’s Rock The Kasbah starring Bill Murray and Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind with Richard Gere...
Bateman and Nicole Kidman star in The Family Fang. Principal photography is scheduled to kick off in July on the story about a pair of siblings from a performance artist family whose parents suddenly disappear.
Walken will play the siblings’ father, Caleb Fang. David Lindsay-Abaire adaptated the novel by Kevin Wilson.
Producers are Red Crown’s Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech, Blossom Films partners Kidman and Per Saari and Aggregate Films partners Bateman and Jim Garavente.
Qed International’s Bill Block and Red Crown’s Dan Crown serve as executive producers.
Block’s Cannes sales slate includes David Ayer’s WWII tank film Fury starring Brad Pitt, Barry Levinson’s Rock The Kasbah starring Bill Murray and Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind with Richard Gere...
- 5/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
It happens, man. You're walking along and minding your own business, and then Boom! You're thrown into the back of a van with a mysterious captor whom you end up falling madly in love with. Trouble is... there are consequences. Deadly consequences.
Deadline is reporting that Saoirse Ronan (pictured; The Lovely Bones, Byzantium) and Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and the City") have been set to star in psychological thriller Stockholm, Pennsylvania, which is scripted and to be directed by Nikole Beckwith.
The film is an adaptation of a play, and the script made the 2012 Black List and won the 2012 Nicholl Fellowship and came through the Sundance Screenwriting Lab. Greg Ammon is producing through his banner Fido Features in association with Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dan Halsted.
Ronan stars as developmentally stunted Leia, a young woman raised by a kidnapper who now struggles to acclimate to her actual parents after 20 years of separation.
Deadline is reporting that Saoirse Ronan (pictured; The Lovely Bones, Byzantium) and Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and the City") have been set to star in psychological thriller Stockholm, Pennsylvania, which is scripted and to be directed by Nikole Beckwith.
The film is an adaptation of a play, and the script made the 2012 Black List and won the 2012 Nicholl Fellowship and came through the Sundance Screenwriting Lab. Greg Ammon is producing through his banner Fido Features in association with Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dan Halsted.
Ronan stars as developmentally stunted Leia, a young woman raised by a kidnapper who now struggles to acclimate to her actual parents after 20 years of separation.
- 2/8/2014
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Exclusive: Saoirse Ronan and Cynthia Nixon have been set to star in Stockholm, Pennsylvania, a drama scripted and to be directed by Nikole Beckwith. Pic marks her feature helmer debut and production begins next week in Los Angeles. The film is an adaptation of the play, and the script made the 2012 Black List and won the 2012 Nicholl Fellowship and came through the Sundance Screenwriting Lab. Greg Ammon is producing through his banner Fido Features in association with Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dan Halsted. Ronan stars as developmentally stunted Leia, a young woman raised by a kidnapper who now struggles to acclimate to her actual parents after 20 years of separation. Nixon plays the girl’s grief-stricken mother, who goes to extreme lengths to recapture her daughter’s love. Jason Isaacs plays her captor, and David Warshofsky plays her father. Fido Features is a production/finance company that recently wrapped Shiva & May,...
- 2/7/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Saoirse Ronan ( The Host , Atonement ) is lined up to headline director Nikole Beckwith's Stockholm, Pennsylvania , Deadline reports. The film, also written by Beckwith, made the 2012 Black List with the following official logline: A young woman (Ronan), kidnapped when she was a kid, returns home to the family she barely remembers and struggles to feel .at home.. Also attached to star are Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and the City") and David Warshofsky ( Taken ) as Ronan's character's parents and Jason Isaacs (The Harry Potter franchise) as the girl's captor. Greg Ammon is producing through Fido Features and Dan Halsted and Leslie Urdang producing through Olympus Pictures. (Photo Credit: Daniel Demma / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com)...
- 2/7/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Jason Bateman is set to both star in and direct Nicole Kidman in the film adaptation of Kevin Wilson's novel "The Family Fang" for Qed.
The story follows a couple of performance artists who routinely sucked their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events.
When the resentful fully grown children return home, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring and mysterious final performance by their parents.
David Lindsay-Abaire is adapting the script, while Kidman, Leslie Urdang, Per Saari and Dean Vanech will produce. Shooting will take place sometime next year.
Bateman made his directorial debut on the comedy "Bad Words" which premiered in Toronto ahead of a release early next year.
Source: Deadline...
The story follows a couple of performance artists who routinely sucked their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events.
When the resentful fully grown children return home, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring and mysterious final performance by their parents.
David Lindsay-Abaire is adapting the script, while Kidman, Leslie Urdang, Per Saari and Dean Vanech will produce. Shooting will take place sometime next year.
Bateman made his directorial debut on the comedy "Bad Words" which premiered in Toronto ahead of a release early next year.
Source: Deadline...
- 11/4/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Los Angeles, Nov 4: Actor Jason Bateman will direct and act in an upcoming comedy film titled "The Family Fang". The movie will also feature actress Nicole Kidman.
Based on writer Kevin Wilson's book of the same name, the film's story is centred on two performance artists who force their children to participate in their strange events, reports deadline.com.
"No filmmaker can better realise this heartbreaking and funny story than Jason Bateman. This is a dream collaboration," said producers Leslie Urdang and Per Saari.
This will Bateman's second directorial venture. His first directorial venture was "Bad Words",.
Based on writer Kevin Wilson's book of the same name, the film's story is centred on two performance artists who force their children to participate in their strange events, reports deadline.com.
"No filmmaker can better realise this heartbreaking and funny story than Jason Bateman. This is a dream collaboration," said producers Leslie Urdang and Per Saari.
This will Bateman's second directorial venture. His first directorial venture was "Bad Words",.
- 11/4/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
Exclusive: Jason Bateman, who made an auspicious feature directorial debut with the Toronto festival smash Bad Words, next will direct Nicole Kidman in The Family Fang, the adaptation of the Kevin Wilson bestseller. Bateman will also star in the film. The script is by David Lindsay-Abaire, who adapted his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole as a vehicle that got Kidman an Oscar nomination. Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech will produce with Blossom Films partners Kidman and Per Saari, Aggregate Films partners Bateman and Jim Garavente, and Qed International’s Bill Block. Qed will finance, and principal photography will begin next year. The Family Fang is about a couple of performance artists who routinely sucked their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events. When the full-grown children return home in a state of crisis, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring...
- 11/2/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Clearly, TNT loves Jon Tenney.
And the feeling is mutual, since the actor has worked for the cable network for the better part of the past decade. After his long run as FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard -- longtime friend and eventual husband of Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda Leigh Johnson on "The Closer," a role he's occasionally reprised on the spinoff "Major Crimes" -- Tenney launches a new TNT crime drama as "King & Maxwell" premieres Monday (June 10).
He and Rebecca Romijn play Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, former Secret Service agents now partnered as private detectives. The characters originated in best sellers by David Baldacci ("Absolute Power"), and they're odd-couple opposites: He's more refined while she's the street-wise one.
Michael O'Keefe ("Caddyshack") and Chris Butler co-star as FBI operatives in the show that includes Shane Brennan ("NCIS," "NCIS: Los Angeles") among its executive producers.
The friendly Tenney says his conversations...
And the feeling is mutual, since the actor has worked for the cable network for the better part of the past decade. After his long run as FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard -- longtime friend and eventual husband of Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda Leigh Johnson on "The Closer," a role he's occasionally reprised on the spinoff "Major Crimes" -- Tenney launches a new TNT crime drama as "King & Maxwell" premieres Monday (June 10).
He and Rebecca Romijn play Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, former Secret Service agents now partnered as private detectives. The characters originated in best sellers by David Baldacci ("Absolute Power"), and they're odd-couple opposites: He's more refined while she's the street-wise one.
Michael O'Keefe ("Caddyshack") and Chris Butler co-star as FBI operatives in the show that includes Shane Brennan ("NCIS," "NCIS: Los Angeles") among its executive producers.
The friendly Tenney says his conversations...
- 6/10/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
New York Stage and Film Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director Thomas Pearson, Executive Director Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang, Producing Directors and Vassar College Ed Cheetham, Producing Director recently announced the line-up of their 2013 Powerhouse Theater Season, which runs fromJune 21st - July 28th at Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York. The 2013 season will include fully staged productions of new plays by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld andMozhan Marno, as well as two exciting musical workshops the Steve Martin amp Edie Brickell collaboration Bright Star featuring music from their newly released recording Love Has Come For You, directed by Tony Award-winner Walter Bobbie Chicago and A new musical inspired by The Brooklyn Hero Supply Company, music and lyrics by Peter Lerman, book by Simon Rich, based on characters created by Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer Spring Awakening. The casts met the press earlier...
- 6/4/2013
- by Jennifer Broski
- BroadwayWorld.com
New York Stage and Film Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director Thomas Pearson, Executive Director Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang, Producing Directors and Vassar College Ed Cheetham, Producing Director have announced the line-up of their 2013 Powerhouse Theater Season, which includes new works from actor, writer and prolific, Grammy Award-winning musician Steve Martin and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Broadway'sIn the Heights, among many others. The 2013 Powerhouse Theater Season runs from June 21st - July 28th at Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York, and a full calendar and description of events are below. Casting is underway and will be announced shortly.
- 4/24/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Lionsgate has bought Stuart Blumberg's sex addiction dramedy "Thanks For Sharing" starring Mark Ruffalo, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim Robbins. The Toronto International Film Festival world premiere will be a joint theatrical release by Lionsgate and sister company Roadside Attractions. The directorial debut of Blumberg from a script he wrote with Matt Winston, the film was produced by Class 5 Films’ William Migliore and David Koplan, and Olympus Pictures’ Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, and Miranda de Pencier. Edward Norton executive produced through Class 5. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Lionsgate by Jason Constantine, president of acquisitions and co-productions, with Eda Kowan, senior VP of acquisitions and Wendy Jaffe, executive VP of business and legal affairs. UTA Independent Film Group and Wme Global brokered the sale of the film.
- 9/12/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Olympus Pictures and Paul Haggis’ Hwy 61 announced today it is moving forward with a father-son project inspired by the relationship between Espn sports commentator Selema “Sal” Masekela and his father Hugh Masekela, the jazz musician featured on Paul Simon’s Graceland album and South African apartheid activist who was exiled for more than 30 years. South African filmmaker Mukunda Michael Dewil has been hired to write and direct the film. The project follows a son emerging out of the shadow of his successful but troubled father set against a backdrop of music, surfing, and South Africa’s racism. The untitled Masekela project will be produced by Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech of Olympus Pictures, Haggis and Michael Nozik of Hwy 61 Films, and Selema Masekela. “I first met Sal when he was a teenager working with his father on the Graceland tour,” said Urdang. “We met again many years later and the...
- 8/16/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
2010 certainly wasn’t a lackluster year for film, perhaps that’s why “Shortbus” helmer John Cameron Mitchell’s emotionally gripping “Rabbit Hole” was seemingly swept aside. Telling the story of a grieving couple coming to terms after their young son dies in a horrific accident, it was a heartbreaking tale that we liked quite a bit, and so we were pleased to hear last February that Kidman would be teaming up again with “Rabbit Hole” producers for the familial comedy-drama “The Family Fang.” Now it looks as if producers are hoping to add a little more of what made their previous film work so well, in the form of a script by “Rabbit Hole” playwright and screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire.
Deadline is reporting that Lindsay-Abaire will be taking up writing duties on “The Family Fang,” the adaptation of the Kevin Wilson bestseller which follows a couple of performance artists who regularly...
Deadline is reporting that Lindsay-Abaire will be taking up writing duties on “The Family Fang,” the adaptation of the Kevin Wilson bestseller which follows a couple of performance artists who regularly...
- 5/9/2012
- by Benjamin Wright
- The Playlist
"Rabbit Hole" playwright and scribe David Lindsay-Abaire is re-teaming with Nicole Kidman for an adaptation of Kevin Wilson's bestseller "The Family Fang" says Deadline.
Kidman will star in and produce the story about a couple of performance artists who routinely pulled their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events.
When the resentful full-grown children return home in a state of crisis, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring and mysterious final performance by their parents
Kidman, Per Saari, Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech will produce.
Kidman will star in and produce the story about a couple of performance artists who routinely pulled their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events.
When the resentful full-grown children return home in a state of crisis, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring and mysterious final performance by their parents
Kidman, Per Saari, Leslie Urdang and Dean Vanech will produce.
- 5/9/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Nicole Kidman will reunite with her Rabbit Hole scribe David Lindsay-Abaire on The Family Fang, the adaptation of the Kevin Wilson bestseller that Kidman will star in and produce. Kidman won a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Rabbit Hole, which Lindsay-Abaire adapted from his Pulitzer-winning play about a husband and wife grieving the loss of their child. The Family Fang is about a couple of performance artists who routinely sucked their kids into taking part in a variety of bizarre events. When the full-grown children return home in a state of crisis, they are unwittingly enlisted to help in the execution of a daring and mysterious final performance by their parents, who are hellbent on achieving the act of a lifetime. Their kids harbor more than a little resentment and blame the performance art for how badly their own lives have turned out. Kidman and her Blossom Films partner...
- 5/8/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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