Drew Barrymore has signed to direct When the Street Lights Go On, a coming-of-age suburban murder mystery written by newcomers Eddie O’Keefe and Chris Hutton.
The Tracking-Board learned exclusively that Barrymore has signed and the project is being fast-tracked by producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer via their Imagine Entertainment company. Imagine acquired the spec script in July, and it recently placed third on TB’s “2011 Hit List” and second on this year’s prestigious “Black List,” annual compilations of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays.
It’s unclear if Street Lights will be Barrymore’s next film, or one of a multitude of others she is reportedly involved with, like New Line’s How to Be Single based on Liz Tuccillo’s novel. It’s about a series of New Yorkers navigating relationship curves, and a potential structural follow-up to the studio’s other marketing monsters (Valentine’s Day,...
The Tracking-Board learned exclusively that Barrymore has signed and the project is being fast-tracked by producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer via their Imagine Entertainment company. Imagine acquired the spec script in July, and it recently placed third on TB’s “2011 Hit List” and second on this year’s prestigious “Black List,” annual compilations of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays.
It’s unclear if Street Lights will be Barrymore’s next film, or one of a multitude of others she is reportedly involved with, like New Line’s How to Be Single based on Liz Tuccillo’s novel. It’s about a series of New Yorkers navigating relationship curves, and a potential structural follow-up to the studio’s other marketing monsters (Valentine’s Day,...
- 12/12/2011
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Is it just me, or is the Wizard of Oz prequel film sounding better and better? Mila Kunis (Black Swan) is the most recent addition to the cast. According to Variety, Mila Kunis has agreed to the part of Theodora in Oz: The Great and Powerful. The film, set up as a prequel to the Wizard of Oz books and movies that the world is familiar with, chronicles the story of the snake-oil salesman caught in a Kansas tornado who becomes the Wizard of Oz himself. James Franco is set to play the part of the Wizard; Theodora will be the sister of Glinda, the good witch. After the Wizard rejects her advances Theodora is turned to the dark side, to become the Wicked Witch herself.
The Oz stories have been through a lot of revisions. The initial series of children's books by L. Frank Baum introduced the Land of...
The Oz stories have been through a lot of revisions. The initial series of children's books by L. Frank Baum introduced the Land of...
- 3/26/2011
- Shadowlocked
If anybody knows romantic comedies, it’s Drew Barrymore. Which is lucky, because she’s just signed up to helm one entitled How To Be Single. Though word last year was that Barrymore - who made her directorial debut with 2009’s Whip It - could next helm Wizard Of Oz sequel Surrender Dorothy, she now seems to have turned her attention to Liz Tuccillo’s novel How To Be Single. Barrymore is romcom royalty in front of the camera, but Tuccillo has her own impressive credits – including a stint as a story editor on Sex...
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- 3/16/2011
- by Josh Winning
- TotalFilm
After Alice in Wonderland made a billion dollars at the box office, Hollywood went wild with envy, greenlighting and setting up their own fairy tale variations all over town. One such public domain property is 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, considered an untouchable classic until recently.
Most studios have been dancing around the story, refusing to outright remake the story. Disney is developing a prequel with Sam Raimi titled The Great and Powerful Oz and Summertime Entertainment is producing an animated sequel, as well as Drew Barrymore’s Surrender Dorothy and other, more gothic takes on the wonderful land of Oz.
Not to be outdone, Warner Bros is in “early talks” with Robert Zemeckis to direct a live-action remake using the very same script performed in the original. According to Deadline, Warner Bros owns the screenplay, credited to 19 different writers, as part of a deal in 1996 to purchase the Turner Broadcasting System.
Most studios have been dancing around the story, refusing to outright remake the story. Disney is developing a prequel with Sam Raimi titled The Great and Powerful Oz and Summertime Entertainment is producing an animated sequel, as well as Drew Barrymore’s Surrender Dorothy and other, more gothic takes on the wonderful land of Oz.
Not to be outdone, Warner Bros is in “early talks” with Robert Zemeckis to direct a live-action remake using the very same script performed in the original. According to Deadline, Warner Bros owns the screenplay, credited to 19 different writers, as part of a deal in 1996 to purchase the Turner Broadcasting System.
- 11/18/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
Robert Zemeckis has spent the last few years creating animated films with motion-capture, but he’ll possibly be making his return to live-action films with a remake of the classic, The Wizard of Oz. Deadline Hollywoodreports that Zemeckis is in early talks with Warner Bros. to direct a live-action remake of the classic. However, this adaptation will be looking to use the original script from the 1939 film.
The script was originally owned by MGM, but Warner Bros. got hold of it after the studio bought Ted Turner’s empire. This makes the third adaptation based on the property, with Sam Raimi directing The Great and Powerful Oz to serve as a prequel, and Surrender Dorothy with Drew Barrymore attached to direct.
Update: The Wrap gets word that Zemeckis will Not be directing the film, but will instead be concentrating on his remake of Yellow Submarine for 2012.
The script was originally owned by MGM, but Warner Bros. got hold of it after the studio bought Ted Turner’s empire. This makes the third adaptation based on the property, with Sam Raimi directing The Great and Powerful Oz to serve as a prequel, and Surrender Dorothy with Drew Barrymore attached to direct.
Update: The Wrap gets word that Zemeckis will Not be directing the film, but will instead be concentrating on his remake of Yellow Submarine for 2012.
- 11/17/2010
- by Matt Keith
- Killer Films
Lions, tigers, remakes, oh my! Yes, readers, one of the most beloved films of all-time, The Wizard of Oz, could be heading for Remakesville if Warner Bros have their wicked way and convince Robert Zemeckis to shoot a live action update.
It’s a crazy world we live in and we’ve had sequels to Oz before but not a redo proper. Its cultural influence can be felt and seen in everything from David Lynch’s Wild At Heart to The Simpsons. There are probably fewer movies with such a cult fan base, too.
Warner Bros. are even planning on using the original script (written by nineteen Hollywood hacks) and plotting to outdo Disney’s rival project, The Great and Powerful Oz. What a world, what a world. The reason The Wizard Of Oz is such a timeless classic is because it’s perfect and so etched into people’s imaginations.
It’s a crazy world we live in and we’ve had sequels to Oz before but not a redo proper. Its cultural influence can be felt and seen in everything from David Lynch’s Wild At Heart to The Simpsons. There are probably fewer movies with such a cult fan base, too.
Warner Bros. are even planning on using the original script (written by nineteen Hollywood hacks) and plotting to outdo Disney’s rival project, The Great and Powerful Oz. What a world, what a world. The reason The Wizard Of Oz is such a timeless classic is because it’s perfect and so etched into people’s imaginations.
- 11/17/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
Rumour has it that director Robert Zemeckis (Back To The Future) is making another move back towards live-action with a remake of The Wizard of Oz. According to Deadline, Warner Bros. would prefer the script to stick as close as possible to the original 1939 version. Warner Bros owns the screenplay since Ted Turner bought it along with the MGM library before selling his empire to Warner. So technically the studio doesn’t need to make any changes to the screenplay, but than why remake one the greatest films of all time, especially if your not going to make any changes to it? Well the answer to that question is money and one could argue that it is their way to counter the Disney/Sam Raimi Oz film titled The Great and Powerful Oz. That film, which Sam Raimi will direct, is currently in pre-production with Robert Downey Jr set to star as the wizard,...
- 11/17/2010
- by Staff
- SoundOnSight
Old is new again as Alice in Wonderland turned Hollywood’s collective fickle attention to the power of retreading the world’s classic fairy tales. Of course, the remake industry was already churning in that direction with its never-ending trample of childhoods, but when Tim Burton’s re-imagining broke $1 billion the studios ran, not skipped, back into fantasy land.
1939’s The Wizard of Oz has been revisited before, namely an ill-conceived sequel, a bizarre Michael Jackson tribute, and a Muppet incarnation, but the classic is at the heart of at least four modern trips down the yellow brick road. Sam Raimi and Robert Downey Jr. are committed to Disney’s own re-telling, titled Oz: The Great and Powerful. Comic book artist Todd MacFarlane is shepherding a dark, twisted version. Drew Barrymore was rumored to be producing Surrender Dorothy about Dorothy’s great-great-granddaughter and her dusty, ruby red slippers.
Then there...
1939’s The Wizard of Oz has been revisited before, namely an ill-conceived sequel, a bizarre Michael Jackson tribute, and a Muppet incarnation, but the classic is at the heart of at least four modern trips down the yellow brick road. Sam Raimi and Robert Downey Jr. are committed to Disney’s own re-telling, titled Oz: The Great and Powerful. Comic book artist Todd MacFarlane is shepherding a dark, twisted version. Drew Barrymore was rumored to be producing Surrender Dorothy about Dorothy’s great-great-granddaughter and her dusty, ruby red slippers.
Then there...
- 11/2/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
As today's Google doodle celebrates 71 years of The Wizard of Oz, we present 71 things you might not know about the musical classic starring Judy Garland
1) So frightening was Margaret Hamilton's performance as the Wicked Witch of the West that most of her scenes were heavily edited or cut entirely.
2) When the script was written, the part of the Wizard had been earmarked for Wc Fields.
3) Judy Garland's white dress was actually pink as it was easier to shoot in Technicolor.
4) A sequel using the original cast was mooted, but scrapped after Garland became such a big star and Hamilton expressed doubts over the feasibility of such a project.
5) The film has numerous lines in Premiere magazine's poll to find the 100 Greatest Movie Lines. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" came in at No 24.
6) "There's no place like home" came in at No 11.
7) "Toto, I have...
1) So frightening was Margaret Hamilton's performance as the Wicked Witch of the West that most of her scenes were heavily edited or cut entirely.
2) When the script was written, the part of the Wizard had been earmarked for Wc Fields.
3) Judy Garland's white dress was actually pink as it was easier to shoot in Technicolor.
4) A sequel using the original cast was mooted, but scrapped after Garland became such a big star and Hamilton expressed doubts over the feasibility of such a project.
5) The film has numerous lines in Premiere magazine's poll to find the 100 Greatest Movie Lines. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" came in at No 24.
6) "There's no place like home" came in at No 11.
7) "Toto, I have...
- 8/13/2010
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Prepare yourselves now, because the profusion of Wizard of Oz projects hitting in the next few years may start to get a little overwhelming. In no particular order, we already have lined up: Oz, the Great and Powerful, starring Robert Downey Jr. and (potentially) directed by Sam Raimi; Drew Barrymore's proposed Wizard of Oz sequel, Surrender Dorothy; the Polish brothers' Oz prequel; Dorthy of Oz, an animated outing; and one of two Warner Bros. remakes, which could either be the Todd McFarlane-produced re-envisioning or the simply titled Oz, written by Darren Lemke (co-writer of Bryan Singer's upcoming Jack the Giant Killer). That enough Oz mayhem for you? Or do you think we need one more? Yup, Universal thinks we need one more. To fill out that already full roster, there's the upcoming musical adaptation Wicked, a prequel to the classic Wizard of Oz tale that's told from the perspective of the witches.
- 7/11/2010
- by Adam Quigley
- Slash Film
Drew Barrymore was in a chic floral dress as she left a shoot with photographer Steven Meisel in NYC yesterday. She's been spending the Summer in the Big Apple, catching up with friends and dining her way around town. Next up for Drew will be her second directorial project with the Wizard of Oz sequel called Surrender Dorothy. She'll first spend a few weeks promoting Going the Distance before its Aug. 27 release, and Drew will have company on the press tour from her costar and real-life love, Justin Long. View 10 Photos › To see more photos of Drew in NYC, just read more. View 10 Photos ›...
- 6/30/2010
- by PopSugar
- Popsugar.com
Everything old is/will be new again in Hollywood. And it's not just the standard issue remakes, sequels, and prequels that are responsible for it, but thanks to the success of Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland, the studios are searching the public domain vaults for recognizable, crowd-pleasing titles that they can get for free.
The most popular title in this new trend is without question The Wizard of Oz. Currently, there are four - count 'em, four - projects in various stages of development based on L. Frank Baum's characters and story. Sam Raimi will direct Oz: The Great and Powerful starring Robert Downey, Jr., Drew Barrymore has been mentioned to helm the sequel Surrender Dorothy, and Todd McFarlane is still working on a dark, gothic version of the story. That's nothing new to Oz: The 1939 movie everybody knows was the 13th attempt at a film adaptation in 20 years.
The most popular title in this new trend is without question The Wizard of Oz. Currently, there are four - count 'em, four - projects in various stages of development based on L. Frank Baum's characters and story. Sam Raimi will direct Oz: The Great and Powerful starring Robert Downey, Jr., Drew Barrymore has been mentioned to helm the sequel Surrender Dorothy, and Todd McFarlane is still working on a dark, gothic version of the story. That's nothing new to Oz: The 1939 movie everybody knows was the 13th attempt at a film adaptation in 20 years.
- 6/21/2010
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
In part because of the runaway success of Alice in Wonderland, a story like The Wizard of Oz is hot stuff in Hollywood right now. So there are loads of Oz-related projects in the works: Disney's Oz, the Great and Powerful, to be directed by Sam Raimi with Robert Downey, Jr. starring; the Polish Brothers' Oz; a Wizard of Oz sequel called Surrender Dorothy potentially to be directed by Drew Barrymore; and the animated Dorothy of Oz. We've now got a set of character sketches for the animated film, which at the very least demonstrate that it won't be subject to any unsavory 'dark fantasy' whims. For that reason alone I'm willing to think about giving it a shot. Collider dug up these sketches at the film's official site; they show the full range of the character designs for the film. The influence of a wide range of L. Frank Baum...
- 6/19/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Hollywood is going crazy with Wizard of Oz sequels, prequels, reboots and re-imaginings. Earlier this week it was confirmed that Sam Raimi had signed on to direct the Wizard of Oz prequel Oz The Great and Powerful starring Robert Downey Jr. It has been previously rumored that Drew Barrymore is planning to direct a Wizard of Oz sequel titled Surrender Dorothy. Meanwhile, Universal have their Wicked film (based on the Oz-related musical of the same name) somewhere along the pipeline. And I'm sure there are others in various stages of development. A teaser trailer has appeared online today (found via the playlist) for a new film from Michael and Mark Polish titled Oz. It appears to be a Wizard of Oz prequel, as the clip features a younger-than-normal Dorothy walking down a hallway with the Cowardly Lion (who is played by a realistic-looking lion and not a man in lion...
- 6/16/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Sam Raimi is now officially on board to direct Disney's Wizard of Oz prequel, according to Deadline.
The Spider-man filmmaker was earlier reported to be in talks.
Oz, The Great and Powerful will show how a circus wrangler becomes the supreme ruler of the mysterious land after being transported there by tornado.
Robert Downey Jr is attached to the lead role but has asked for script rewrites and hasn't yet signed.
In the 1939 film, the Wizard was revealed as an ordinary man hiding behind a curtain and using various props and tricks to give the illusion of power and sorcery. He was also from Kansas and had been brought there by a runaway hot-air balloon.
In L. Frank Baum's original book, the Wizard is a circus magician hailing from Omaha, Nebraska. Various other depictions have been seen in the numerous versions of the story.
And there are more adaptations on the way.
The Spider-man filmmaker was earlier reported to be in talks.
Oz, The Great and Powerful will show how a circus wrangler becomes the supreme ruler of the mysterious land after being transported there by tornado.
Robert Downey Jr is attached to the lead role but has asked for script rewrites and hasn't yet signed.
In the 1939 film, the Wizard was revealed as an ordinary man hiding behind a curtain and using various props and tricks to give the illusion of power and sorcery. He was also from Kansas and had been brought there by a runaway hot-air balloon.
In L. Frank Baum's original book, the Wizard is a circus magician hailing from Omaha, Nebraska. Various other depictions have been seen in the numerous versions of the story.
And there are more adaptations on the way.
- 6/15/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Update: Deadline confirmed Raimi signed a deal Monday night to direct the Disney film. This is his first post-Spider-Man movie. Downey Jr. is not set to star… yet.
Sam Raimi may be taking a trip down the yellow brick road to direct Disney’s Oz, the Great and Powerful, a prequel to the 1939 classic.
NY Magazine’s Vulture blog reported that Raimi was offered the position Friday morning over possible contenders Adam Shankman and Sam Mendes. No word on whether the Spider-Man trilogy filmmaker accepted, or if he’ll be too busy on WB’s Warcraft epic for the foreseeable future.
As far as I know, Robert Downey Jr. is still attached to play the Wizard in the origin story written by by Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yards) about the man behind the curtain.
The Disney project is one of many Oz movies in development. Warner Bros also...
Sam Raimi may be taking a trip down the yellow brick road to direct Disney’s Oz, the Great and Powerful, a prequel to the 1939 classic.
NY Magazine’s Vulture blog reported that Raimi was offered the position Friday morning over possible contenders Adam Shankman and Sam Mendes. No word on whether the Spider-Man trilogy filmmaker accepted, or if he’ll be too busy on WB’s Warcraft epic for the foreseeable future.
As far as I know, Robert Downey Jr. is still attached to play the Wizard in the origin story written by by Mitchell Kapner (The Whole Nine Yards) about the man behind the curtain.
The Disney project is one of many Oz movies in development. Warner Bros also...
- 6/15/2010
- by Jeff Leins
- newsinfilm.com
"Spider-Man" helmer Sam Raimi has apparently been offered the job of director on Disney's upcoming prequel "Oz: The Great and Powerful" reports New York Magazine.
Though the likes of Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") and Adam Shankman ("Hairspray") were previously rumoured, the paper's sources claim Raimi has already received an official offer.
Robert Downey Jr. will star in the film which tells of how the Wizard arrived in Oz and became the ruler of the Emerald City. Mitchell Kapner penned the script.
The project is one of at least a half dozen projects based on L. Frank Baum's classic literary property currently in the works, most being original spins on the property rather than direct adaptations.
The list includes the 'Wizard' sequel Surrender Dorothy" which Zach Helm ("Stranger Than Fiction") penned and Drew Barrymore is rumoured to be directing; the animated musical "Dorothy of Oz" announced last Friday; the film...
Though the likes of Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") and Adam Shankman ("Hairspray") were previously rumoured, the paper's sources claim Raimi has already received an official offer.
Robert Downey Jr. will star in the film which tells of how the Wizard arrived in Oz and became the ruler of the Emerald City. Mitchell Kapner penned the script.
The project is one of at least a half dozen projects based on L. Frank Baum's classic literary property currently in the works, most being original spins on the property rather than direct adaptations.
The list includes the 'Wizard' sequel Surrender Dorothy" which Zach Helm ("Stranger Than Fiction") penned and Drew Barrymore is rumoured to be directing; the animated musical "Dorothy of Oz" announced last Friday; the film...
- 6/14/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Spider-Man director Sam Raimi may be taking a trip down the yellow brick road to helm Disney's upcoming Oz the Great And Powerful. It's been reported that Raimi was offered the position on Friday morning, beating other contenders Adam Shankman and Sam Mendes. As yet, we have no word on whether the filmmaker accepted, as it's possible he'll be too busy working on his Warcraft epic for the foreseeable future.
As far as we know, Robert Downey Jr. is still attached to play the wizard himself in a story written by by Mitchell Kapner about the man behind the curtain, which will act as a prequel to the 1939 classic. The Disney project is one of many Oz movies in development: Warner Bros. also has a darker version, simply called Wizard Of Oz, in the works and there's another a sequel floating around called Surrender Dorothy, which Drew Barrymore was rumored to be directing.
As far as we know, Robert Downey Jr. is still attached to play the wizard himself in a story written by by Mitchell Kapner about the man behind the curtain, which will act as a prequel to the 1939 classic. The Disney project is one of many Oz movies in development: Warner Bros. also has a darker version, simply called Wizard Of Oz, in the works and there's another a sequel floating around called Surrender Dorothy, which Drew Barrymore was rumored to be directing.
- 6/14/2010
- Screenrush
We all know there's no place like home, but is there a place big enough for seven - yes, seven - more cinematic follow-ups to that classic musical it's okay to like, The Wizard of Oz (1939)?
L. Frank Baum's classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, has had its fair share of screen adaptations since it was released way back in 1900, but it appears as though a spell has been placed on Hollywood, with producers seeing big pots of gold somewhere over the rainbow.
It was revealed in April that a prequel titled Oz The Great and Powerful, which details the Wizard's early life, was gathering momentum, and came hot on the heels of news that two sequels - one about Dorothy's granddaughter, and the other about Dorothy's great-great granddaughter - were in early development.
Of course, these mooted projects are not even the half of it, with two...
L. Frank Baum's classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, has had its fair share of screen adaptations since it was released way back in 1900, but it appears as though a spell has been placed on Hollywood, with producers seeing big pots of gold somewhere over the rainbow.
It was revealed in April that a prequel titled Oz The Great and Powerful, which details the Wizard's early life, was gathering momentum, and came hot on the heels of news that two sequels - one about Dorothy's granddaughter, and the other about Dorothy's great-great granddaughter - were in early development.
Of course, these mooted projects are not even the half of it, with two...
- 6/13/2010
- by Jim Pembry
- JustPressPlay.net
Drew Barrymore (Whip It) is reportedly attached to direct a long-delayed sequel to The Wizard of Oz, titled Surrender Dorothy for Warner Bros. and Flower Films. The original script by Zach Helm (Stranger Than Fiction) was about the great, great granddaughter of Dorothy who has to learn how to use the ruby slippers to keep the Wicked Witch of the West from taking control of Earth and Oz.
Pajiba reports that Barrymore was originally set to star in the movie as far back as 2002 and is now considering it as her directorial follow-up to, Whip It.
Pajiba reports that Barrymore was originally set to star in the movie as far back as 2002 and is now considering it as her directorial follow-up to, Whip It.
- 5/24/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
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