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Shut up! A Princess Diaries 3 is in the works with a scribe, director and star Anne Hathaway attached.

The first film, starring Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Caroline Goodall, Mandy Moore, Sandra Oh and more in 2001. A sequel, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, arrived in 2004 with the addition of Chris Pine as Nicholas Devereaux and John Rhys-Davis as Viscount Mabrey.

For everything we know about Princess Diaries 3, read on.

When is Princess Diaries 3 coming out?

The film is still in the early stages, so a release date wouldn’t be set for a while as it hasn’t even gone into production yet.

Will Anne Hathaway be back for Princess Diaries 3? Who else will be in the film?

Anne Hathaway will reprise her role as Mia Thermopolis Renaldi, Genovian princess. She confirmed her return for the threequel on Instagram, proving miracles do, indeed, happen.

As for Hathaway’s...

Anne Hathaway might have worn a crown in The Princess Diaries, but behind the scenes, it wasn’t all royal bliss. Sure, it shot her to fame, but that sparkling tiara came with a heavy price tag—a career rut. Even with a big fat paycheck, Hathaway wasn’t thrilled about being typecast as the sweet, clumsy princess. After Mia Thermopolis, everyone seemed to forget she could be more than a teen rom-com star.

Anne Hathaway in Ocean’s 8 | Credits: Warner Bros

It took years of dodging typecasting traps and taking on daring roles to finally break free of The Princess Diaries’ shadow. And while the role made her a household name, Hathaway had to work twice as hard to prove she wasn’t just another princess on the big screen.

Anne Hathaway’s $400K Breakout Role Came with a Price: The Princess Diaries Pigeonholed Her Career Hathaway in The Princess Diaries.

The Princess Diaries 3 is currently in development at Disney but Chris Pine, who starred in the 2004 sequel, is unsure of his involvement in the project. Pine played the love interest of Anne Hathaways Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which earned over $134 million at the global box office. The Oscar-winning actress recently confirmed her involvement in the next installment, leaving fans wondering if they'll see more of Mias romance with Pines character, Lord Nicholas Devereaux. The Star Trek actor doesn't know the status of his role in the third film, so hes calling on fans to reach out to Disney boss Bob Iger directly to get the tea.

Based on the bestselling book series by Meg Cabot, the first Princess Diaries movie was released over 20 years ago, in 2001. Starring Hathaway and Julie Andrews, it earned over $165 million worldwide. Garry Marshall, who passed away in 2016, directed the film...

Chris Pine is reacting to the news that another Princess Diaries film is underway.

While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, Pine addressed the big announcement that Anne Hathaway will return to star in a Princess Diaries 3. Pine starred alongside Hathaway in The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement which marked his film debut at the time.

In the film, Pine portrayed Nicholas Devereaux, who fell in love with Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis. They professed their love to each other at the end of the 2004 sequel.

“It’s been 20 years. It’s been a long time. Can’t believe it’s been that long. But I have more people probably come up to me about that than anything I’ve ever done. And I’m very happy. It was an incredible experience,” Pine told Fallon.

Despite the excitement, Pine admitted that he has no details to share about the film.

Chris Pine is as curious about “Princess Diaries 3” as the rest of us.

The actor, who co-led the 2004 franchise sequel “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” said during “Today With Hoda & Jenna” that he has not been contacted about returning for the upcoming third film.

“Princess Diaries 3” was confirmed by Disney in 2022. Flora Greeson is writing the script, with “Joy Ride” filmmaker and “Crazy Rich Asians” co-screenwriter Adele Lim directing.

“I don’t know anything,” Pine said. “Call Disney! Call [Disney CEO] Bob Iger!”

He added, “The answer is, I’ve got to see. I don’t know anything about it. I think it’s fantastic.”

Pine played Nicholas, who was part of an enemies to lovers storyline with Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis. The sequel ended with their marriage. The third film will serve as a continuation of the original film series, which began in 2001 and was based on Meg Cabot’s novel series.

Chris Pine is clueless when it comes to “The Princess Diaries 3,” which Variety confirmed earlier this month is officially in development at Disney. The “Star Trek” favorite made his film acting debut in the 2004 sequel “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” He played Nicholas, the slow-burning love interest of Anne Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis. The film ended with the two characters coupled up, so “The Princess Diaries 3” will have to star Pine or be forced to explain Nicholas’ absence.

“I don’t know anything,” Pine said on “Today With Hoda & Jenna” when the topic of the third “Princess Diaries” came up. “Call Disney! Call Bob Iger!”

“Today” co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager expressed shock over Pine being out of the loop on the sequel. “You don’t know anything?” Hager asked.

“The answer is I’ve gotta see,” Pine added. “I don’t know anything about it.

The Princess Diaries is officially coming back, with Anne Hathaway attached to return as Mia. The coming-of-age film premiered in 2001 and it became the ultimate cult classic.

The Princess Diaries starred Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis, who finds out she is actually the heir to the throne to Genovia, a kingdom in Europe. The film, which also starred the iconic Julie Andrews, returned in 2004 with the sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. A third film has been in talks for almost a decade, but now Anne Hathaway confirmed on Instagram she's packing her bags and heading to Genovia again.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Anne Hathaway (@annehathaway)

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The Academy Award-winning actress shared a video...

The Princess Diaries 3 is moving ahead as Disney has picked someone with fun experience to handle the new sequel in the Disney franchise!

Based on the young adult novels by Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries tells the story of Mia Thermopolis, a typical nerdy high school student who’s rocked when her grandmother drops into town and reveals the truth: Mia’s father was the crown prince of the country of Genovia and Mia is now in line for the throne. After a makeover to transform her into a knockout beauty, Mia is trained to become a royal while wanting to keep her normal life.

The film premiered in 2001 with a then-unknown Anne Hathway as Mia and Disney legend Julie Andrews as her grandmother, Clarisse. The film was a massive hit, grossing $165 million, and instantly made Hathaway a star. She and Andrews returned for a 2004 sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Anne Hathaway is returning for Princess Diaries 3.

The actress confirmed the news on Instagram hours after Deadline exclusively reported that director Adele Lim had boarded the threequel.

In the video she posted, Hathaway counted to three with cuts of her younger self as Mia Thermopolis and Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi both saying, “Shut up!”

Lim, who wrote Disney’s animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) and made her directorial debut with Lionsgate’s R-rated comedy Joy Ride (2023) starring Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu. Lim’s credits also include being a writer-producer on One Tree Hill and Lethal Weapon as well as co-showrunning Star-Crossed. She also wrote the Jon Chu-directed rom com Crazy Rich Asians based on the book by Kevin Kwan.

Hathaway most recently starred in Prime Video’s The Idea of You (2024) as Solène Marchand alongside Nicholas Galitzine. The romantic comedy...

By royal decree, we shall all be returning to the principality of Genovia! Yup, you heard us right — after two whole decades of waiting for the return of Queen Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Disney's long rumoured Princess Diaries 3 is officially happening. Per Deadline's reporting, Raya And The Last Dragon writer and Joy Ride director Adele Lim has signed up to direct the third movie in Disney's beloved '00s royal franchise. And what's more, a follow-up Instagram post from Queen Mia herself, Anne Hathaway, looks to confirm the Idea Of You star's return to the role that made her famous. Check it out:

"The fairy tale continues," wrote Hathaway in her Instagram post, which has attached a video of the actor's Mia Thermopolis saying her iconic "shut up!" from the first two films, before reiterating the line a third time herself over screen grabs of the third film's announcement...

Miracles happen! Development on “Princess Diaries 3” is moving along with Adele Lim signing on to direct.

“As a diehard fan of the original ‘Princess Diaries,’ I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life,” Lim said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”

The film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, who originated the film franchise starring Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis, the down-to-earth teen-turned-queen of the fictional kingdom of Genovia, and Julie Andrews as her regal grandmother. Hathaway will also produce under her Somewhere Pictures banner. Naia Cucukov will executive produce the film alongside Melissa Stack.

Hathaway shared her excitement and confirmed her return by posting Variety’s announcement with a video reciting the iconic “Princess Diaries” quote, “Shut up!”

View this post on Instagram

A...

Disney is returning to Genovia.

The studio is embarking on a new installment of the coming-of-age movie series The Princess Diaries, hiring Adele Lim, a scribe who has worked on Crazy Rich Asians and Joy Ride, to direct the feature.

Anne Hathaway, who became a star thanks to the 2001 surprise hit and its 2004 sequel, will star and produce. “The fairy tale continues,” the star wrote on Instagram Friday.

The studio is planning to shoot the feature next year.

“As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life,” Lim said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”

Gary Marshall directed the original, which adapted the book by Meg Cabot and told of a teen named Mia Thermopolis who discovers...

Exclusive: Adele Lim is returning to work with Disney as director of the third installment of its prized Princess Diaries franchise.

It’s the second time Lim will be behind the camera after writing Disney’s animated 2021 movie, Raya and the Last Dragon. Lim made her directorial debut with the raunchy Lionsgate R-rated female Asian American comedy Joy Ride.

Debra Martin Chase is producing Princess Diaries 3. EPs include Lim’s producing partner Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack. Flora Greeson is writing the screenplay.

Disney launched The Princess Diaries in 2001, catapulting Anne Hathaway into a marquee name at the box office. There was also a 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. Both also starred Julie Andrews and were directed by the late Garry Marshall. Together both pics grossed $300M WW. The first movie followed Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis, who learns she’s the heir apparent to the throne of Genovia. She...

Exclusive: Veteran UTA Motion Picture Literary Agent Bill Zotti has joined Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment as a manager. Zotti spent the last five years at UTA and before that at CAA, repping high profile writers, directors, and producer that included Scott Neustadter & Michael Weber (Daisy Jones & the Six), Katie Silberman (Don’t Worry Darling), Dan Gregor & Doug Mand (Naked Gun), Gemma Burgess (My Lady Jane), Leah McKendrick (Scrambled), Flora Greeson (The High Note), Carrie Solomon (Ocean’s Prequel), Amy Aniobi (Insecure), Tess Morris (Sooner Or Later), Darren Lemke (Kung Fu Panda), Dave Green (Coyote Vs. Acme), Mike Mitchell (Kung Fu Panda), Yassir Lester (War Machine), Rodney Barnes (Winning Time), and Ryan Kalil & Blake Griffin. Zotti was at CAA for 12 years prior to joining UTA.

They are figuring out which clients he’ll rep as manager, but by all accounts the move is an amicable one.

“Bill is a wonderful person...

Experience the stylish and contemporary female lead comedy The High Note, available on Digital Download 17th August and on DVD 31st August 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Tracee Ellis Ross (Blackish) stars as Grace Davis, a music icon who elevates her career to the next level with the help of Maggie, her ambitious assistant (Dakota Johnson), in the delightful and glamorous film that brings a lighthearted humor to the illustrious and trendy LA music scene. Directed by Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) and written by Flora Greeson, a former personal assistant in the music industry, The High Note features a showstopping cast alongside Ross and Johnson including Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Luce), Bill Pullman (The Sinner), Zoë Chao, and June Diane Raphael (The Disaster Artist) with Eddie Izzard (Ocean’s Thirteen) and Ice Cube (Ride Along).

Set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes...

From director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) and screenwriter Flora Greeson, the romantic dramedy The High Note tells the story of music superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a phenomenally talented singer who has reached unbelievable heights in her career, only to now be stifled by the safe bets that her long-time manager (Ice Cube) and record label are pushing for her to focus on. Secretly wondering if she should take a chance and record new music, Grace has to decide whether to follow her heart or the advice that she’s being given, all while her overworked personal assistant …...

From director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) and screenwriter Flora Greeson, the romantic dramedy The High Note tells the story of music superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a phenomenally talented singer who has reached unbelievable heights in her career, only to now be stifled by the safe bets that her long-time manager (Ice Cube) and record label are pushing for her to focus on. Secretly wondering if she should take a chance and record new music, Grace has to decide whether to follow her heart or the advice that she’s being given, all while her overworked personal assistant …...

The Focus Features musical dramedy The High Note is looking to hit exactly that as it lands on-demand starting today. Directed by Late Night‘s Nisha Ganatra from a script by Flora Greeson, the film was originally set to hit theaters on May 8 but, like many films, the film adapted and shifted to a digital. However, with theaters slowly opening their doors, the film will be singing its way to approximately 100 theaters — most of the drive-in theaters.

Set in the world of the Los Angeles music scene, The High Note follows singing superstar diva Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross) and her overworked personal assistant Maggie (Dakota Johnson) who has dreams of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

As it...

Dakota Johnson stars as the assistant to an internationally renown music superstar who dreams of becoming a producer in Nisha Ganatra’s latest romantic comedy The High Note. Produced by Working Title Films, this is the second big blockbuster film to be made available by Universal on digital at a premium price during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Written by newcomer Flora Greeson, the film does a great job in laying out an interesting premise but is sadly let down by a screenplay which feels hugely outdated and, let’s face it, more than a little contrived.

After 3 years as long suffering personal assistant to global superstar Grace Davis (a fantastically acerbic Tracee Ellis Ross), Maggie (Johnson) has set her eyes on a brand new career as producer. Although inexperienced, Maggie has a great ear for music and it soon transpires that she knows far more about the business than your average lowly assistant.

It’s a cool idea: cast Tracee Ellis Ross as a pop superstar very much in the mold of her mother, diva supreme Diana Ross. Just don’t expect an imitation. In her first major musical role, the Golden Globe-winning star of ABC’s Black-ish acts and sings her role with a blazing ferocity and feeling that are distinctly her own. What a drag that The High Note mostly muffles the Ross fireworks in a by-the-numbers dramedy about the music biz that delivers the usual blah-blah about how humanity is...

“The High Note” began life as a screenplay titled “Covers,” and at times the music-themed drama turns into a tribute to the power of a cover song performed by someone other than the person who originated it: Aretha Franklin with Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Share Your Love,” the Staples Singers with the Band’s “The Weight,” P.P Arnold with Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” the Dixie Chicks with Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” …

And the movie, which was directed by Nisha Ganatra (“Late Night”) and written by Flora Greeson, would like to take some familiar material and put a fresh spin on it, too. How well is succeeds depends on one’s tolerance level for understatement and for unabashed corn, both of which are found in the film, though obviously not at the same time.

Instead, it bounces around like a musical artist determined to show off...

Do You Know Where You’re Going To?: Ganatra Gets Off-key with Recycled Formula

Same shit, different day could have been a potential tagline for The High Note, the fourth feature from director Nisha Ganatra, which treads a similar pattern of racial intersections as concerns women in the entertainment industry akin to her 2019 breakout Late Night. Despite the inspired casting of Tracee Ellis Ross as a fading pop diva, Ganatra’s latest, based on a script from first-time scribe Flora Greeson, chooses an archaic refrain rather than embracing the diverse possibilities of those assembled on its mainstream platform.

While it shines a necessary light on the difficulty faced by women, especially women of color, to attain or retain agency and equality in any industry, it’s prizing of a white, privileged perspective cancels out its potential.…...

For what initially looks like a slightly above average tearjerker of a slog through a castoff Lifetime movie of the week, the new dramedy, The High Note, from Focus Features proves to be a surprisingly delightful tale that showcases the talents of its two leads, Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross, and makes for a refreshing change of pace from the action and/or adventure films that have traditionally kicked off the summer film season.

The High Note is set amidst the Los Angeles music scene and centers on preparations for the upcoming greatest hits tour of superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a singer whose talent, and ego, have climbed to great heights, and Maggie (Dakota Johnson), Davis’ overworked personal assistant. Although she is relegated to running errands for her demanding boss, Maggie aspires to become a record producer, and seems to find the perfect artist to help her...

Nisha Ganatra’s “The High Note,” has a Tracee Ellis Ross problem, meaning that there isn’t enough of her in the movie. The script, procured by Flora Greeson, focuses chiefly on Dakota Johnson, which isn’t a bummer trade at all: Her deceptively breezy charm has enough strength to hold up even the hollowest pictures, no matter how many shades of grey they’re brushed with.

Continue reading ‘The High Note’: Dakota Johnson & Tracee Ellis Ross Have Chemistry, But White Faces Intrude On Black Spaces [Review] at The Playlist.

A personal assistant gets a front row seat to both the most glamorous and mundane moments in their employer’s life. There are opportunities for some pretty funny, as well as rather dramatic, moments within that concept. The musical drama The High Note, hitting Premium Video on Demand this week, takes that concept and uses it as a decent jumping off point. There’s a ton of familiarity to the plot, though the cast does put their own unique spins on the material. While the film is nothing to go crazy about, it’s charming, enjoyable, and goes down easy. As the latest high profile flick to skip theaters entirely and premiere in homes, it’s likely to grab a nice sized audience this weekend, arguably bigger than it would have had otherwise. The movie is a musical drama, focused on Maggie (Dakota Johnson), assistant to superstar singer Grace Davis...

Nisha Ganatra's new movie The High Note starts off fairly promising. It's about an assistant who wants to be a producer and an acclaimed singer who's torn between the safety of a Vegas residency where she'd only play hits and taking a gamble on a new album. That's a great premise, especially when you have the opportunity to watch two women collaborate on an artistic project. But then Flora Greeson's screenplay decides that's not enough, so really the assistant has to pose as a producer to help an aspiring artist. From there, you'…...

Grace is a superstar singer trying to figure out the next act in her career. Maggie is her ambitious personal assistant who harbors her own big musical dreams. A less mean-spirited take on “Devil Wears Prada,” Nisha Ganatra’s “The High Note” instead While “The High Note,” originally known as “Covers” when Flora Greeson’s script appeared on the Black List in 2018, is ostensibly built on the relationship between its central women, a series of silly contrivances, unwelcome twists, and off-kilter pacing ensure it too often forgets what could have made it special.

At least stars Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross are occasionally allowed to make some magic, an inspired pairing that finds the actresses doing their best work together. The strength of the pair’s chemistry — with Johnson cast as the smart but starry-eyed Maggie and Ross doing a lighter spin on her own real-life mother’s mythos...

While it’s an understandably strange time to review a film, it feels refreshing to review a nice film. The High Note, directed by Nisha Ganatra, tells the story of a passionate assistant determined to make it as a music producer. Maggie (Dakota Johnson) has spent three years working for famous singer Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), navigating menial tasks, an aloof hanger-on (June Diane Raphael), and a no-nonsense manager (Ice Cube).

Written by Flora Greeson, this is a comfortable piece of work. Johnson has never been more charming and Ross (real-life daughter of legend Diana Ross) commands the screen. Aside from a third act twist that dips into the realm of sitcom territory, Ganatra is smart to keep the focus on a young woman trying to make her mark and an established woman trying to stay relevant. Alongside the singing (the music is great here), Maggie and Grace’s...

After chronicling the struggles of a talented junior writer to be seen and given a deserving opportunity by a ferocious female titan of their field in Late Night, director Nisha Ganatra steers the wish-fulfilment scenario from network television to the music industry in The High Note. While the script by newcomer Flora Greeson doesn't have the amusing commentary on race, class and sexism of Mindy Kaling's screenplay for the earlier film — let alone Emma Thompson's regally acerbic bite — the Focus Features release from Working Title does have much to recommend it, at least during these lean times....

After chronicling the struggles of a talented junior writer to be seen and given a deserving opportunity by a ferocious female titan of their field in Late Night, director Nisha Ganatra steers the wish-fulfilment scenario from network television to the music industry in The High Note. While the script by newcomer Flora Greeson doesn't have the amusing commentary on race, class and sexism of Mindy Kaling's screenplay for the earlier film — let alone Emma Thompson's regally acerbic bite — the Focus Features release from Working Title does have much to recommend it, at least during these lean times....

Tracee Ellis Ross couldn’t celebrate the release of her first single with the people she loves in person, but that didn’t stop friends Michelle Obama, Lena Waithe, and Janelle Monáe from popping into an Instagram Live party with 10,000 other viewers. Even Ross’ mom, the inimitable Diana Ross, couldn’t be kept from her daughter’s big night.

“It was better than I could have imagined,” Ross says the next day, calling from her Los Angeles home. “Strangely, due to the pandemic, I actually was able to share the...

The High Note starring Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross will premiere at home on demand May 29th.

Watch Tracee’s video announcement here .

This summer’s feel-good comedy about the dazzling world of the La music scene starring Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ice Cube, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Diplo

Starting on May 29th, The High Note will be available on demand for a 48-hour rental period for $19.99.

Set in the dazzling world of the La music scene comes the story of Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights, and Maggie (Dakota Johnson), her overworked personal assistant. While stuck running errands, Maggie still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

"The High Note" is the new 'romantic comedy-drama' feature directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Flora Greeson, starring Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Zoë Chao, Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard and Ice Cube, scheduled to be released May 29, 2020, as video on demand:

"...set in the world of the La music scene comes the story of 'Grace Davis', a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. 'Maggie' is Grace's overworked personal assistant who's stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The High Note"...

Nisha Ganatra’s follow-up to Late Night had been scheduled to open theatrically on May 8.

Focus Features and Working Title’s feelgood Los Angeles music scene drama The High Note starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson is to get a digital-first Pvod release on May 29.

The story centres on the dynamic between Grace Davis, a musical star with an inflated ego, and her overlooked personal assistant Maggie, who dreams of making it as a music producer.

When Grace’s manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with...

“The High Note,” a romance drama starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson, will skip its planned run in theaters and instead debut May 29 on video-on-demand.

Focus Features, the specialty branch of Universal Pictures, is releasing the film, which was initially scheduled to open on May 8. “The High Note” will be available to rent for $19.99 for a 48-hour period on most on-demand platforms, including Amazon, Apple, Comcast and Fandango.

“The High Note” is the latest in a growing line of titles that had been scheduled for theatrical release prior to the pandemic and are opting for VOD instead with theaters expected to remain closed until midsummer.

Universal Pictures previously sent “Trolls World Tour” and “The King of Staten Island” straight to digital release, sparking a war with AMC Theatres. After Universal’s CEO Jeff Shell announced the studio would release some movies simultaneously on-demand and in theaters, AMC Theatres declared...

Focus Features has shifted the originally scheduled May 8 theatrical release for the Nisha Ganatra-directed drama The High Note, with it now to be released on digital platforms May 29. The Working Title film, set in the world of the Los Angeles music scene, stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson.

Written by Flora Greeson, the story follows Grace Davis (Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights, and Maggie (Johnson), her overworked personal assistant. While stuck running errands, Maggie aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (played by Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

Kelvin Harrison Jr., Zoe Chao, Eddie Izzard, Bill Pullman and Diplo co-star. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner produced the pic with executive producers Nathan Kelly and Alexandra Loewy.

For her new film “The High Note,” Tracee Ellis Ross is borrowing some of her mother Diana Ross’ star power and soul, playing a legendary recording artist who finds the next chapter in her life thanks to encouragement from her plucky young assistant, played by Dakota Johnson.

“The High Note” is the latest film from Nisha Ganatra, who last year directed Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling in the Sundance darling “Late Night.” This film has that same feminine energy about a legendary, aging woman in entertainment and her protégé, only this time set in the world of the La music scene.

Ross plays Grace Davis, a superstar whose talent and ego have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie (Johnson) is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. Davis is then faced with the choice of a Las...

The summer movie season is around the corner and first out of the gate as far as indie films are concerned will be a new comedy from “Late Night” director Nisha Ganatra. “The Hight Note,” formerly titled “Covers,” is a music business-set comedy that turns the beloved Tracee Ellis Ross into a music superstar and indie darling Dakota Johnson into a personal assistant with dreams of making it big in the Los Angeles music scene. The supporting cast includes “Waves” and “Luce” breakout Kelvin Harrison Jr., playing opposite Ice Cube, Zoe Chao, Eddie Izzard, Bill Pullman, and Diplo.

Focus Features’ official synopsis for “The High Note” reads: “Set in the dazzling world of the La music scene comes the story of Grace Davis (Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights. Maggie (Johnson) is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires...

In today’s film news roundup, Tobin Bell, David Walton, Majandra Delfino and Mickey Rourke are cast; “Dark Waters,” “Covers” and “Albanian Gangster” get release dates.

Castings

“Saw” actor Tobin Bell will star in the independent comedy “Mouth to Mouth,” Variety has learned exclusively.

The project will be produced by Dean C. Jones, Starr Jones, and David Shoenfeld under their Atlantic & Pacific Studios banner. The screenplay, written by Spyder Dobrofsky, centers on a scrawny nerd from the Midwest who accidentally lands the head lifeguard job at the hottest country club in Los Angeles even though he doesn’t know how to swim.

Bell portrayed the iconic John Kramer/Jigsaw character in all eight “Saw” movies between 2004 and 2017. His demented character — a former engineer — tested others’ will to live by placing them in deadly traps as symbols of what he saw as a moral flaws in the victims, in hopes...

Todd Haynes’ next film, which stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo, just landed a new title and an awards-friendly November release date.

Focus Features will release Haynes’ “Dark Waters” in limited release on Nov. 22, 2019, the distributor announced Monday. The Thanksgiving release puts it up opposite Sony’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and Disney’s “Frozen 2.”

“Dark Waters” is inspired by the true story of a tenacious attorney (Ruffalo) who uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life – to expose the truth.

The feature is based on Nathaniel Rich’s New York Times Magazine article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare,” regarding the notable chemical company DuPont.

Studio also announces it will produce coming-of-age tale Boogie.

Focus Features has set a November 22 release for Todd Haynes’ Big Pharma drama Dark Waters, one of its awards hopefuls alongside Civil Rights drama Harriet and Downton Abbey.

The Participant Media drama is based on a true story and stars Mark Ruffalo as an attorney who risks his life to expose the connection between a corporation and a growing number of unexplained deaths.

The film will open in limited release and expand wide on November 29. Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan wrote the screenplay, and the cast includes Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins,...

In today’s film news roundup, Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard, Diplo and Nina Dobrov get cast and Treehouse Pictures is developing John Grisham’s “The Confession” as a movie; Uzo Adaba’s “Miss Virginia” gets sold.

Castings

Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard and Diplo have joined the cast of the Focus Features comedy “Covers” opposite Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Ice Cube.

“Covers” is set within the talent, fame and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene. “Late Night” director Nisha Ganatra is helming from a screenplay by Flora Greeson. Production is currently underway in Los Angeles.

Pullman’s credits include “Battle of the Sexes” and USA Networks’ “The Sinner.” Izzard most recently starred in “Victoria & Abdul.” Diplo has worked with artists including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Madonna. His most recent acting credit was in Detective Pikachu.

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Nina Dobrev is executive producing and starring in the female-driven comedy “Sick Girl,...

The superstar DJ known simply as Diplo has signed on to join Dakota Johnson in the upcoming comedy Covers along with Eddie Izzard and Bill Pullman, it was announced Thursday. Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross and Ice Cube are set to co-star in the film, which Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) is directing from a script by newcomer Flora Greeson. Haling from Focus Features and Working Title, Covers is set in the fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene, so Diplo's casting makes a lot of sense... or at least more sense than his cameo in Detective …...

Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard and music producer/DJ Diplo have joined the cast of Covers, the Focus Features and Working Title comedy being directed by Late Night‘s Nisha Ganatra that already stars Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Ice Cube.

The film, penned by Flora Greeson, is set amid the talent, fame and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene. Production is already underway in Los Angeles. Kelvin Harrison Jr, Zoe Chao and June Diane Raphael also star.

Diplo, whose acting credits include the recent Detective Pikachu, is a Grammy-winning producer and DJ who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Madonna. He also is a member of LSD with Labyrinth and Sia, and Silk City with Mark Ronson and Major Lazer.

Pullman is repped by ICM Partners and Anonymous Content. Izzard is with Apa and Conway van Gelder Grant. Diplo is repped by Paradign and managed by Tmwrk.

Production underway in Los Angeles on Nisha Ganatra’s Late Night follow-up.

Eddie Izzard, Bill Pullman and Us DJ Diplo have joined the comedy Covers from Focus Features and Working Title, the next film by Late Night director Nisha Ganatra.

Production is currently underway in Los Angeles. The new arrivals join previously announced Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Ice Cube in the film, which takes place against the backdrop of the Hollywood music scene. Flora Greeson wrote the screenplay.

Izzard’s multi-pronged career of stand-up comedy, writing and political activism has encompassed many films, among them Victoria & Abdul, Valkyrie,...

Exclusive: Focus Features and Working Title Films have added Grace and Frankie star June Diane Raphael to the cast of Covers, the Nisha Ganatra-directed comedy that is set among the talent, fame and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene. Raphael joins previously announced cast Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelvin Harrison Jr and Zoe Chao.

Written by Flora Greeson, the plot follows an aspiring music producer who endures an exhausting job as the assistant to a legendary singer while trying to launch her own career. Filming is currently underway.

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Wt are producing the project with Alexandra Loewy as executive producer. Focus will distribute the film in the U.S. and Universal Pictures International will distribute internationally.

Raphael, most recently seen on the big screen opposite Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen in the Lionsgate comedy Long Shot, is set to return for the...

Focus Features announced today that Ice Cube will join the cast of Covers, their new film with Working Title. Set among the talent, fame, and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene, which Ice Cube knows of first-hand, Covers is directed by Late Night director Nisha Ganatra with a screenplay by Flora Greeson.

Ice Cube will star alongside the previously announced Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson in the upcoming comedy. Production is currently underway.

A multifaceted rapper, songwriter, performer, actor, producer and founder of his own production company, Cube Vision, Ice Cube’s notable acting credits include the Friday franchise, 21 Jump Street, Boyz n the Hood, and the Ride Along series.

Ice Cube was also a producer on the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton. The film received numerous award nominations, including one for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. See our story on the press conference Here.

He is represented by Wme,...

Exclusive: Ice Cube is in the midst of making deals to star in a pair of movies. He has just closed with Focus Features to join the cast of the Working Title-produced film Covers, directed by Late Night helmer Nisha Ganatra. Production is just getting underway and he is starring alongside Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson. The Flora Greeson-scripted comedy is set among the talent, fame and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene. Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner are producing.

Cube is separately negotiating to team with Dave Bautista in The Killer’s Game, the Simon Kinberg & Rand Ravich-scripted adaptation of the Jay Bonansinga novel that DJ Caruso will direct in October for Stx and Endurance. In that film, Bautista (opening soon in Stuber and My Spy) plays an elite hitman named Joe Flood who learns he will die of a terminal disease. A devout Catholic, he won’t kill himself,...

Exclusive: Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Zoe Chao are set to co-star opposite Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross in Covers, the Focus Features and Working Title Films comedy being directed by Late Night helmer Nisha Ganatra. Plot details are vague, but the pic is set among the talent, fame, and fast-paced world of Hollywood’s music scene.

Flora Greeson wrote the screenplay, which Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce with Alexandra Loewy as executive producer. Focus will distribute the film in the U.S. and Universal Pictures International will distribute internationally. A release date has yet to be announced.

Harrison Jr. has had a busy past couple of years, appearing in a number of films including It Comes at Night, Mudbound and Monsters and Men, among others. He’ll next be seen opposite Octavia Spencer and Naomi Watts in the Sundance pic Luce, out this August,...

Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross are set to star in “Covers,” the next film from the director of “Late Night,” Nisha Ganatra, Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski announced Monday.

Focus is partnering with Working Title Films on the comedy that is set within Hollywood’s music scene.

Ganatra is directing with a screenplay written by Flora Greeson. Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce with Alexandra Loewy serving as executive producer. Focus Features will distribute the film in the U.S., and Universal Pictures International will distribute internationally.

Also Read: Dakota Johnson Has 'Secret' Second Part in 'Suspiria'

“Together Dakota and Tracee are an undeniable force of comedic talent, and along with our friends at Working Title and our director Nisha, we can’t wait to see them go head to head on this new project,” Kujawski said in a statement.

Johnson most recently...