News

Exclusive: Hannah Peterson has been tapped to adapt and direct Daniel Hornsby’s critically acclaimed novel, Via Negativa for the big screen. The film is being produced by Complementary Colors.

Via Negativa tells the story of a spurned priest who goes on a mythic road trip with a wounded coyote, a loaded pistol, and a mission to avenge his best friend. Hornsby’s 2020 debut novel tells the story of Father Dan, whose Toyota Camry becomes a mobile confessional for all the troubled and fascinating characters he meets along the way.

Producing for Complementary Colors are founding partner Jonah Disend (Mayday) and Bobby Hoppey (Pig) who recently joined the company as Vice President, Production and Development.

Peterson most recently collaborated with Chloé Zhao on Marvel Studio’s Eternals as well as this year’s Oscar winner for best picture, Nomadland.

Her short film, East of the River, premiered at Tribeca Film...

Pig tells the story of a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped. Director: Michael Sarnoski Story By: Michael Sarnoski & Vanessa Block Producers: Kyle Eaton, Bobby Hoppey, Adam Paulsen, Dori A. Rath, Joseph Restaino, and Steven Weisman Cast: Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, Nina Belforte, David Knell, Darius Pierce, and Elijah Ungvary Distributor: Neon Pig is in theaters Everywhere July 16

The post “Pig” Starring Nicolas Cage first appeared on HollywoodNews.com.

Neon has released the trailer for “Pig,” which follows Nicolas Cage on a rescue mission to find his swine friend.

Cage’s character, Rob, is a truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness and enlists the help of a truffle salesman (Alex Wolff) to search for his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.

While speaking to Variety’s Marc Malkin on the “Just for Variety” podcast, Wolff said that Cage became one of his “best friends” and “one of the most loyal people in my life” after working on “Pig” together.

“We talk almost every few days,” he said. “We text all day and he FaceTimed me like two days ago, and we really support each other and help each other with things. We started making the movie when we were both going through very similar personal things in our life and we bonded over it immediately...

Exclusive: The writing trio known as Murder Ink, which consists of Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana and Jana Savage, has inked with APA.

Currently, Murder Ink’s feature film, Praise This, is in pre-production at Universal Studios, with Will Packer producing. On the film side, Broussard, Obayuwana and Savage are also developing an untitled comedic thriller produced by MacRo for New Line. Additionally, they are penning Riding for Compton for Everlast Pictures. Everlast’s Adonis Tountas, Michael Spanos II, and Bobby Hoppey will produce the latter title alongside Kristina Sorensen.

On the TV side, the writers recently closed a deal for the comedy pilot, Committed, which is to be produced by 40 Years a Prisoner‘s Confluential Films.

Broussard, Obayuwana and Savage previously wrote and executive produced Netflix’s romantic comedy feature, #RealityHigh. First working together on YouTube sketch show Purple Stuff TV, the trio earned their name while rewriting 2016 romantic comedy,...

In today’s film news roundup, casting executives Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood land at Paramount, sci-fi thriller “Volition” finds a home and Everlast Pictures launches in Los Angeles.

Casting Executives

Veteran casting executives Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood have been hired as executive VPs of casting for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television Studios.

The duo will act as one cohesive team, but Aquila will run point on TV, reporting to Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios; Wood will run point for the film side, reporting to Wyck Godfrey, president of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. Geraldine Leder, Paramount’s senior VP of sasting will report to Aquila, while VP of Casting Monika Mikkelsen has transitioned to a new role as the casting executive for Paramount Animation.

Wood and Aquila previously headed Aquila Wood Casting on behalf of Lionsgate. Aquila’s most recent films include Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War,...

Michael Spanos II and Adonis Tountas have launched Everlast Pictures, which will focus on financing and producing premium content that offers a platform for filmmakers to tell stories that inspire, empower, and entertain audiences across feature films. Based in Los Angeles, both co-founders will will oversee development while Tountas will handle production.

From family comedies to psychological thrillers, Everlast Pictures plans on having a wide range of films. Tountas has been developing Everlast’s slate for the past year. He is producing the upcoming Sam Hayes-directed indie Pools.

Spanos is veteran of the National Football League. His family owns the Los Angeles Chargers and he spent three years in New York at the NFL League office prior to joining the Chargers’ front office in 2016.

John Hilary Shepherd, who served as the co-executive producer of the Oscar-winning 1917, will be on the Everlast board of advisors. He was also on the...

Michael Spanos II and Adonis Tountas have launched a new production company called Everlast Pictures — both will serve as co-founders and will oversee development, while Tountas will handle production.

The Los Angeles-based film company will specialize in financing and producing premium content, and has a range of projects already in development, from family comedy to psychological thrillers.

“We aren’t going to limit ourselves to the types of stories we want to tell,” said Tountas. For example, Tountas has been developing Everlast’s slate for the past year, and is producing the upcoming Sam Hayes-directed indie film “Pools,” which is set to begin production this year.

Also Read: Sports Illustrated to Develop and Produce Film and TV Content With 101 Studios

Spanos has spent the past three years cultivating a network of executives. He is an eight-year corporate veteran of the National Football League and spent three years in New...

Joseph Baxter Oct 18, 2019

Daniel Kaluuya is teaming with Mattel Films to produce a new live-action Barney the Dinosaur film.

Barney, the eponymous purple dinosaur of popular 1990s PBS children’s program Barney & Friends, appears to be next in line for a comeback in an era in which comebacks are nigh-obligatory and retro reigns supreme. In this case, the recently-minted toy company studio arm, Mattel Films, is developing a new live-action film project, joined in the endeavor by, intriguingly enough, Oscar-nominated Get Out and Black Panther actor Daniel Kaluuya. – And no, this won’t be a bizarre, satirically-laced Jordan Peele-directed horror rendition.

It has been announced that the untitled Barney live-action revival movie is in development from producers in the aforementioned Mattel Films along with Kaluuya via his 59% banner, also represented by his partners, Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow. Also onboard to produce are Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey.

Someone wake up Baby Bop: “Barney” the Purple Dinosaur is getting his own movie, thanks to a collaboration between Mattel Films and Daniel Kaluuya.

The live-action project will mark the first collaboration between Mattel Films, Valparaiso Pictures and “Get Out” star Kaluuya’s 59% production company. In addition to Kaluuya, 59%’s Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow will also executive produce the movie, as will Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey, and Kevin McKeon of Mattel Films.

“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to ‘Barney’ that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films said in Friday’s announcement. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”

“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,...

Mattel Films, Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% banner and Valparaiso Pictures are partnering to develop a live-action motion picture based on Barney, Mattel’s iconic purple dinosaur.

“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to ‘Barney’ that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” said Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”

Mattel Films will co-produce “Barney” alongside Academy Award nominee Kaluuya, Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow at 59%, as well as Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey. Kevin McKeon will also shepherd the project for Mattel Films. “Barney” represents the first partnership between the production companies and Mattel Films.

“Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood,” said Kaluuya, 59%. “We’re excited to explore...

Mattel announced it is teaming with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya’s production company 59%, and Valparaiso Pictures to develop a live-action motion picture based on Barney, Mattel’s Jurassic Era lovable purple dinosaur.

Mattel Films will co-produce Barney alongside Academy Award-nominee Get Out and Black Panther star Daniel Kaluuya and his 59% cohorts Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow, along with Valparaiso’s David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey. Kevin McKeon will also shepherd the project for Mattel Films.

“Working with Daniel Kaluuya will enable us to take a completely new approach to ‘Barney’ that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations,” said Robbie Brenner, Mattel Films. “The project will speak to the nostalgia of the brand in a way that will resonate with adults, while entertaining today’s kids.”

The Barney brand was an obsession of the pint-sized set in the 1990s, after Barney and Friends began its long run as...

Barney is headed to the big screen. Mattel Films is partnering with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya to produce a live-action movie based on the ubiquitous purple dinosaur.

Barney & Friends, which was produced from 1992 to 2009, was a childhood staple and introduced viewers to Barney, an imaginary and perpetually optimistic tyrannosaurus rex that teaches lessons about friendship through song and dance.

Kaluuya will produce the project through his newly formed 59% banner, along with Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow, as well as David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey for Valparaiso (Sound of Silence). Kevin McKeon will ...

Barney is headed to the big screen. Mattel Films is partnering with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya to produce a live-action movie based on the ubiquitous purple dinosaur.

Barney & Friends, which was produced from 1992 to 2009, was a childhood staple and introduced viewers to Barney, an imaginary and perpetually optimistic tyrannosaurus rex that teaches lessons about friendship through song and dance.

Kaluuya will produce the project through his newly formed 59% banner, along with Rowan Riley and Amandla Crichlow, as well as David Carrico, Adam Paulsen and Bobby Hoppey for Valparaiso (Sound of Silence). Kevin McKeon will ...

Five participants and projects announced.

La-based Vaparaiso Pictures, producers on Pig and The Line, have partnered on an inaugural script lab with organisers Christina Campagnola and Emery Matson.

The 2019 participants in the Writers Out Of Office lab (Wooo), set to take place in Joshua Tree, California, from October 11-14, were announced on Friday (11).

Campagnola of Apa agency (pictured at left), and Matson, a former development executive, launched the lab to champion unique voices, and integrate discussions and wellness activities aimed to strengthen the writers’ sense of self.

Valparaiso Pictures principal David Carrico and head of development Bobby Hoppey are on board as lab partners.

Five participants and projects announced.

La-based Valparaiso Pictures, producers on Pig and The Line, have partnered on an inaugural script lab with organisers Christina Campagnola and Emery Matson.

The 2019 participants in the Writers Out Of Office lab (Wooo), set to take place in Joshua Tree, California, from October 11-14, were announced on Friday (11).

Former literary agent Campagnola (pictured at left), and Matson, a former development executive, launched the lab to champion unique voices, and integrate discussions and wellness activities aimed to strengthen the writers’ sense of self.

Valparaiso Pictures principal David Carrico and head of development Bobby Hoppey are on board as lab partners.

Five participants and projects announced.

La-based Valparaiso Pictures, producers on Pig and The Line, have partnered on an inaugural script lab with organisers Christina Campagnola and Emery Matson.

The 2019 participants in the Writers Out Of Office lab (Wooo), set to take place in Joshua Tree, California, from October 11-14, were announced on Friday (11).

Campagnola of Apa agency (pictured at left), and Matson, a former development executive, launched the lab to champion unique voices, and integrate discussions and wellness activities aimed to strengthen the writers’ sense of self.

Valparaiso Pictures principal David Carrico and head of development Bobby Hoppey are on board as lab partners.

Exclusive: Strand Releasing has acquired the American Rights to James Sweeney’s feature film debut Straight Up which made its premiere earlier this year at Frameline in San Francisco and screened at Outfest in Los Angeles. Strand Releasing is slating a U.S. theatrical release in the spring.

Written, directed and starring Sweeney, the comedy follows Todd (Sweeney), a persnickety half-virgin diagnosed with Ocd who thinks maybe he was socially conditioned to be gay. Rory (How To Get Away With Murder‘s Katie Findlay) is a whip-smart aspiring actress with her own set of insecurities, sexual and otherwise. Over time, Rory’s stagnant career and Todd’s self-doubt begins to dismantle their odd couple routine, despite their unwillingness to let each other go.

“We’re thrilled to have James’ singular and humorous vision, his knack for snappy dialogue and smart visuals are inspired by period screwball comedies and create such...

In today’s film news roundup, Cim Group sells Hollywood & Highland but retains the Dolby Theatre, “The Matrix” gets re-released and the comedy “Straight Up” gets bought.

Property Sale

Cim Group has sold the Hollywood & Highland retail-entertainment center to Gaw Capital and Djm while retaining ownership of the Dolby Theatre, site of the Academy Awards.

Cim acquired the Hollywood & Highland complex in 2004, three years after it debuted. It also signed a 20-year contract in 2012 with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to maintain the annual Academy Awards at the Dolby and recently made a programming deal with the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to bring Broadway shows to the Dolby.

Gaw Captial and Djm said Monday that they plan to renovate Hollywood & Highland over the next 24 to 30 months. The deal does not include the adjacent Tcl Chinese Theatre, owned by Elie Samaha and a consortium of investors.

“The retail landscape has shifted,...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Valparaiso Pictures and Permut Presentations have snapped up screen rights to Ashley and April Spicer’s hot-read Daily Beast article Centurians Of Rome: How a Bank Robber Made The Most Expensive Gay Porno Of All Time.

Published last month, the article recounts the wild story surrounding George Bosque, a Brink’s security guard who stole $1.85M in the early 80s and disappeared into thin air. During his time on the run, he produced and financed Centurians Of Rome, the cult 1981 gay porn film set during the Roman Empire. Bosque was finally apprehended after a global search. He was prosecuted by a young aggressive attorney named Robert Mueller and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Released in 1986, he died five years later at the age of only 36 of a suspected drug overdose.

This was one of the biggest heists of its day and colorful character Bosque,...

Alex Wolff has been set to star in The Line, a thriller in the works that will be directed by Ethan Berger in his feature narrative debut. John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden and Lewis Pullman have also joined the cast of the movie.

Lije Sarki, who won the SXSW audience award for Peanut Butter Falcon, is producing with Valparaiso Pictures’ David Carrico and Adam Paulsen. Bobby Hoppey is executive producer. A fall shooting start is being eyed.

The film, co-written by Berger and Alex Russek, is being described as a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates the wild excitement of being young and the dangers of living without fear of consequences.

“The Line will be a profoundly nuanced portrait of a young man being sucked into this seemingly glamorous, rambunctious and familial unit,” Wolff said. “Its heartbreak echoes a larger issue with men and their painful need for approval,...

Hereditary actor Alex Wolff will star in thriller The Line.

The ensemble cast also includes John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden (The Lobster) and Lewis Pullman (Bad Times at the El Royale).

The story is being described as ‘a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates both the wild excitement of being young, and the dangers of living without fear of consequences.’

Ethan Berger and Alex Russek penned the script, with Berger set to direct. Lije Sarki is producing, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures. Bobby Hoppey is exec producing.

Wolff, who is set for ...

Hereditary actor Alex Wolff will star in thriller The Line.

The ensemble cast also includes John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden (The Lobster) and Lewis Pullman (Bad Times at the El Royale).

The story is being described as "a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates both the wild excitement of being young, and the dangers of living without fear of consequences."

Ethan Berger and Alex Russek penned the script, with Berger set to direct the pic. Lije Sarki is producing, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures. Bobby Hoppey is executive producing.

Wolff, who is set ...

Lije Sarki and David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures produce.

Hereditary star Alex Wolff, John Malkovich and Scoot McNairy are among an ensemble that has joined upcoming thriller The Line, set to begin production in autumn.

Jessica Barden, and Lewis Pullman round out the key cast at this stage on the project, described as a coming-of-age thriller set on a university campus.

Ethan Berger, currently in post on an untitled documentary with Uninterrupted, will mark his feature directorial debut from a screenplay he wrote with Alex Russek. Lije Sarki, who produced this month’s SXSW narrative spotlight audience...

Part psychological thriller, part horror comedy, “Stranger Things” writer Kate Trefry’s totally clever first film — the short “How to Be Alone,” which just debuted at SXSW in its Midnight Shorts section — takes its eponymous idea and runs with it, straight into some unexpected new avenues.

The film features “It Follows” and “The Guest” star Maika Monroe “as a woman whose deepest fears seem to manifest physically when her husband, played by Joe Keery, leaves for the night shift.” From standard scares like “creepy things in the closet” and “dark corners” to some more, well, specific chills, Trefry’s first film cleverly toes the line between the scary and the silly. Snappily edited, Trefry also knows when to pull back when things are getting too icky (be aware: there’s plenty of fake blood) and lean back into something a touch more humorous.

And, like all good shorts, “How to...

30West co-represents the film with UTA.Show Fullscreen

Kumail Nanjiani is attached to star in the upcoming spy action comedy No Glory for Valparaiso Pictures with Adam McKay among the producers.

Sam Bain (Corporate Animals) is adapting the screenplay based on the upcoming manuscript No Glory by National Security Operative and author Scott Shephard about his time in service to the country, described as “The Rambunctious Patriotism and World-Wide Shenanigans of a First Generation American in the Clandestine Service of a Grateful and Mostly Unwitting Nation.”

Valparaiso Picture’s David Carrico and Adam Paulsen are producing alongside Gary Sanchez Productions’ McKay,...

Kumail Nanjiani is set to star in Valparaiso Pictures’ “No Glory,” a spy comedy that will be produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell.

“No Glory” is based on a manuscript written by a National Security Operative and author Scott Shephard about the operative’s time in service to the country. The unique account is described as “The Rambunctious Patriotism and World-Wide Shenanigans of a First Generation American in the Clandestine Service of a Grateful and Mostly Unwitting Nation.”

“I can’t wait to dig into this government operative and incredible story,” McKay said. “With Kumail at the helm this has a chance to be really ‘special,’ as Kumail likes to say.”

Sam Bain (“Corporate Animals”) is adapting the script. No director has been set.

Along with McKay and Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions, the film’s producers are Valparaiso Picture’s David Carrico and Adam Paulsen, and Gary Sanchez Productions’ Chris Henchy.

Kumail Nanjiani will star in the upcoming fact-based spy action comedy “No Glory,” which will be adapted by Sam Bain (“Corporate Animals”).

No director is attached yet. Bain is adapting the feature based on the original manuscript of the same name. Valparaiso Picture’s David Carrico and Adam Paulsen are producing alongside Gary Sanchez Productions’ Adam McKay, Chris Henchy and Will Ferrell. Valparaiso’s head of development Bobby Hoppey will executive produce. McKay and Nanjiani are overseeing the script, while 30West is co-repping the film with UTA.

The manuscript for “No Glory,” written by a former national security operative and author Scott Shephard about the operative’s time in service, was described as “The Rambunctious Patriotism and World-Wide Shenanigans of a First Generation American in the Clandestine Service of a Grateful and Mostly Unwitting Nation.”

“I can’t...

The Big Sick Oscar nominee Kumail Nanjiani has boarded the spy action comedy No Glory which Sam Bain is adapting from a yet to be published manuscript.

The Big Short Oscar winner and recent three-time Vice Oscar nominee Adam McKay will oversee Bain’s script with Nanjiani.

Valparaiso Picture’s David Carrico and Adam Paulsen are producing the project alongside Gary Sanchez Productions’ McKay, Chris Henchy and Will Ferrell. Valparaiso’s head of development Bobby Hoppey will serve as Ep. 30West is co-repping the project with UTA. No director is attached as of yet to No Glory.

No Glory is based on the manuscript which was written by a National Security Operative and author Scott Shephard about the operative’s time in service to the country, a unique account described as “The Rambunctious Patriotism and World-Wide Shenanigans of a First Generation American in the Clandestine Service of a Grateful and Mostly Unwitting Nation.

Kumail Nanjiani is going under cover for No Glory.

The Big Sick star will lead the spy comedy that is based on the original manuscript by national security operative and author Scott Shephard about his time in service to the country. Sam Bain, the writer behind Sundance comedy Corporate Animals, is adapting for the screen.

Adam McKay, Chris Henchy and Will Ferrell will produce under their Gary Sanchez Productions banner, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen via their Valparaiso Pictures banner, which was behind recent Sundance drama Sound of Silence. Valparaiso's Bobby Hoppey will exec produce. 

McKay said of the project: "...

Kumail Nanjiani is going under cover for No Glory.

The Big Sick star will lead the spy comedy that is based on the original manuscript by national security operative and author Scott Shephard about his time in service to the country. Sam Bain, the writer behind Sundance comedy Corporate Animals, is adapting for the screen.

Adam McKay, Chris Henchy and Will Ferrell will produce under their Gary Sanchez Productions banner, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen via their Valparaiso Pictures banner, which was behind recent Sundance drama Sound of Silence. Valparaiso's Bobby Hoppey will exec produce. 

McKay said of the project: "...

Exclusive: Adam Paulsen, a former VP at 30West and CAA film finance agent, has joined venture capitalist David Carrico’s indie production company Valparaiso Pictures as managing partner. The company, which launched in August to produce and invest in film and TV projects, also said today it elevated Bobby Hoppey to VP Development to help oversee the slates.

Valparaiso’s pipeline already includes After Perfect, a feature film based on Christina McDowell’s 2016 memoir that is being adapted by What They Had director Elizabeth Chomko and produced with Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Joshua Thurston. It also is producing and financing Straight Up, the feature directorial debut of James Sweeney who stars in the romantic comedy alongside Katie Findlay.

The company also executive produced The Sound of Silence, which is world premiering in competition at next month’s Sundance Film Festival.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner...

Exclusive: Venture capitalist and entrepreneur David Carrico has launched Valparaiso Pictures, a Los Angeles-based film and TV development, production and finance company. It already has its first project in the works in After Perfect, a feature film based on Christina McDowell’s 2016 memoir that is being adapted by Elizabeth Chomko and produced with Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Joshua Thurston.

Carrico is co-founder of music and entertainment tech consulting firm Cmg LLC among other companies, and has invested in more than 20 startups. He has brought aboard as director of development Echo Lake Entertainment’s Bobby Hoppey, who oversaw Echo Lake’s film slate and worked with its management clients.

“We’re so excited to be launching Valparaiso with After Perfect and the talented Elizabeth,” Carrico said. “It’s an exciting time in the media industry, and we’re thrilled to be here to champion our fellow filmmakers, whether it...