In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Elon Musk laments his breakup from Amber Heard, saying he was "really in love" with the actress. The Justice League and Aquaman actress and the Tesla CEO split this past summer. Following months of public sightings of the two that spurred dating rumors, they went public with their romance this past spring, about a year after Heard filed for divorce from her husband of one year, Johnny Depp, and Musk's wife Talulah Riley filed for divorce. Rolling Stone writer and famed The Game author Neil Strauss talked to Musk this past summer about his love life in an interview published on...
- 11/15/2017
- E! Online
dick clark productions and Tubefilter announced today that the 6th Annual Streamy Awards, which honor the best in online video and the creators behind it, will be hosted by television and online multi-hyphenate King Bach. The finalists for the Audience Choice Awards, “Entertainer of the Year” and “Show of the Year” were also announced today. The annual awards show takes place on Tuesday, October 4th at 9pm Et from The Beverly Hilton.
Read More: Streamy Awards Announce Nominees for Sixth Annual Online Video Awards (Full List)
Andrew Bachelor, better known by his online personality “King Bach,” is a Canadian-born American actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer. A Guinness Book World Record-holder for the most followed account on Vine, King Bach has more than 15 million subscribers and 5 billion views on the platform and won the inaugural “Viner” award at last year’s Streamys. In addition to his own production company, Bach Enterprises,...
Read More: Streamy Awards Announce Nominees for Sixth Annual Online Video Awards (Full List)
Andrew Bachelor, better known by his online personality “King Bach,” is a Canadian-born American actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer. A Guinness Book World Record-holder for the most followed account on Vine, King Bach has more than 15 million subscribers and 5 billion views on the platform and won the inaugural “Viner” award at last year’s Streamys. In addition to his own production company, Bach Enterprises,...
- 9/21/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
The actor has signed up for the film version of Neil Strauss’s memoir about infiltrating a secret society of seducers with questionable methods
Fresh from his adaptation of John Steinbeck’s trade union epic In Dubious Battle, which premiered at the Venice film festival last week to mixed reviews, James Franco has signed up for another movie version of a bestelling book.
The actor is set to play Mystery, arch pickup artist and mentor to the protagonist in The Game, which is being adapted from Neil Strauss’s infamous memoir of the same name.
Continue reading...
Fresh from his adaptation of John Steinbeck’s trade union epic In Dubious Battle, which premiered at the Venice film festival last week to mixed reviews, James Franco has signed up for another movie version of a bestelling book.
The actor is set to play Mystery, arch pickup artist and mentor to the protagonist in The Game, which is being adapted from Neil Strauss’s infamous memoir of the same name.
Continue reading...
- 9/8/2016
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
Navigating the complex world of male-female relationships used to be a tedious chore of demonstrating mutual respect and polite conversation, with only the flimsiest guarantee of it ending in a hot threesome. Fortunately, as Neil Strauss’ The Game outlined in 2005, all the frustrating vagaries of romance can be avoided if you just follow the pickup artist’s instruction booklet, mashing various “negging” and “pawning” buttons until at last you defeat the boss level of a woman’s natural precautions. It’s a subversive, proudly sleazy, ultimately shallow approach to human sexuality—so naturally, James Franco is all up in that.
Deadline reports that Franco has signed on to co-produce and star in an adaptation of Strauss’ bestseller set to begin production next year, with Franco donning the big, furry hats and tiny, furry soul patches of master pickup artist Mystery, whose seduction skills remain the envy of less sexually ...
Deadline reports that Franco has signed on to co-produce and star in an adaptation of Strauss’ bestseller set to begin production next year, with Franco donning the big, furry hats and tiny, furry soul patches of master pickup artist Mystery, whose seduction skills remain the envy of less sexually ...
- 9/7/2016
- by Sean O'Neal
- avclub.com
James Franco and Demian Gregory have entered into a new agreement to produce four feature films together, with the first film they will produce being an adaptation of “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists” by Neil Strauss. Strauss’ book chronicles his real-life experiences in the world of pick up artists, most notably with the Pua known as Mystery. The book is part-memoir and part-how-to-guide for those who wish to learn how to get better at meeting women. Franco will star as Mystery, as well as executive produce alongside his partner Vince Jolivette. Gregory will also serve as an executive.
- 9/7/2016
- by Joe Otterson and Pamela Chelin
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Demian Gregory and James Franco have partnered to produce four feature films with budgets in the $15 million-$20 million range. The first title under the deal is The Game, based on the bestselling book — part memoir, part how-to guide — by Neil Strauss about how to become a successful pick-up artist. Franco will star as Mystery, a man who serves as Strauss' "wingman" in the book. The New York Times bestseller is enjoying its 11th year in print this…...
- 9/7/2016
- Deadline
Former Relativity Studios president Tucker Tooley is expanding into television at his monied shingle Tooley Productions. The indie production company has optioned Neil Strauss’ non-fiction book Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life to develop it as a drama television series with comedic bent. In Emergency, best-selling journalist and author Strauss (The Game), concerned about the state of the world, moved his family offshore and remade himself as a survivalist. He…...
- 6/23/2016
- Deadline TV
“The View” co-host Michelle Collins thinks Donald Trump is taking his strategy straight out of “The Game” by Neil Strauss. “You know if you’re at a bar and a guy comes up and insults you, it’s called negging,” Collins said. “When he insults you, you think he must have something great going on.” Negging is a term used in the pick-up artist community, in which a man will give a woman a backhanded compliment in a way that undermines her confidence. The idea is that she will subconsciously seek his approval from then on. See video: 'The View...
- 12/1/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Between "Ocean's Thirteen," "Rounders," and "Runner Runner," Brian Koppelman and David Levien know more than a few things about powerful men with lots of money, and it looks like they are putting that knowledge to good use in the upcoming Showtime series "Billions." The first teaser has arrived and it looks pretty damn ferocious. Read More: 'Solitary Man' Team Brian Koppleman & David Levien To Rewrite & Direct Neil Strauss' 'The Game' The multi-talented pair have penned a drama starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis about the face-off between a U.S. attorney and a hedge fund king. It's money versus politics, it's finance versus the rule of law, and it looks potentially explosive. Here's the official synopsis: Billions is a bold, contemporary drama that melds the worlds of ultra-wealth, influence and corruption as personified in two highly ambitious opposing figures: hard-charging, blue-blooded, politically connected...
- 7/8/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Marvel Comics
Masked vigilantes and mythically powered superheroes can do a lot of things us mere mortals and fraidy cats never could. They stand up for the little people when we cower in fear, take responsibility for their lives whilst we sit around on Facebook all day, bravely battle cosmic menaces when we’re busy taking photos of it to send to our pals with a caption of “omg galactus!!!1″ and a scared emoji. That’s the whole reason we read comic books, isn’t it? They’re an escapist fantasy, a chance to look at a world as we would like it to be.
It doesn’t just stop with the heroic goings on, mind. The living gods that appear in the pages of Marvel and DC Comics also have a total handle on this relationship business and all. Spider-Man, the scrawny, bullied teen ended up dating a string...
Masked vigilantes and mythically powered superheroes can do a lot of things us mere mortals and fraidy cats never could. They stand up for the little people when we cower in fear, take responsibility for their lives whilst we sit around on Facebook all day, bravely battle cosmic menaces when we’re busy taking photos of it to send to our pals with a caption of “omg galactus!!!1″ and a scared emoji. That’s the whole reason we read comic books, isn’t it? They’re an escapist fantasy, a chance to look at a world as we would like it to be.
It doesn’t just stop with the heroic goings on, mind. The living gods that appear in the pages of Marvel and DC Comics also have a total handle on this relationship business and all. Spider-Man, the scrawny, bullied teen ended up dating a string...
- 6/5/2014
- by Tom Baker
- Obsessed with Film
Eva Mendes and Will Smith have zero chemistry, but with equal parts bromance and romance, along with a star turn from Kevin James, it's the perfect movie to while away a rainy day
Read more from the My guilty pleasure series
First some disclaimers: despite its classic line, "Hitch: is that a noun or a verb?", this film is not a treatise on grammar. Sorry to disappoint you, @guardianstyle. And it does not pass the Bechdel test. Doesn't even try. Nor does its central character, Alex Hitchins, the New York "date doctor" who helps men woo women they'd have no hope of securing on their own, fill my feminist heart with joy. He embodies the principles in Neil Strauss's sleazy hook-up manual, The Game, which came out the same year.
Yet I still have a genuine fondness for this 2005 Will Smith vehicle and not only because it saved...
Read more from the My guilty pleasure series
First some disclaimers: despite its classic line, "Hitch: is that a noun or a verb?", this film is not a treatise on grammar. Sorry to disappoint you, @guardianstyle. And it does not pass the Bechdel test. Doesn't even try. Nor does its central character, Alex Hitchins, the New York "date doctor" who helps men woo women they'd have no hope of securing on their own, fill my feminist heart with joy. He embodies the principles in Neil Strauss's sleazy hook-up manual, The Game, which came out the same year.
Yet I still have a genuine fondness for this 2005 Will Smith vehicle and not only because it saved...
- 4/22/2014
- by Nancy Groves
- The Guardian - Film News
The guy who gave the world "The Game" -- the famous guide to picking up chicks no matter how ugly you are -- is getting married, but not before he has a funeral ... to bury his freedom. Neil Strauss is throwing the morbid celebration at the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery --and calling it "Death of a Ladies' Man." He even bought a tombstone and funeral plot. If you forgot what "The Game" is -- Neil,...
- 8/23/2013
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Harry Styles has reportedly been using tips from The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists to help him seduce women. The book is a memoir by Neil Strauss, detailing his journey into the 'seduction community' and documenting his attempts at becoming the world's most successful pick-up artist. Olly Murs, who supported One Direction on their recent Us tour, introduced him to the dating guide, The Mirror reports. A source told the newspaper: "Believe it or not, Harry hasn't always been 100% confident around the ladies. So when Olly told him about the book, he was gripped straight away and read it in a week. "Harry has been joking that since reading it, his methods of seduction have become foolproof. His favourite tips are the ones involving talking to hot girls in group situations. "He now knows it's actually (more)...
- 7/10/2012
- by By Greg Laing
- Digital Spy
When New Zealand authorities raided in January of this year the $24 million compound of Kim Dotcom, the indicted founder of shuttered file-sharing service Megaupload, they found with the eccentric hacker a life of self-documentation and promotion. Dotcom was no stranger to showing his lavish lifestyle on YouTube, creating over-produced music videos, such as the uncomfortable “Mega Song,” publicity stunts, and travelogues, even as the government and entertainment world closed slowly in. However, as the eccentric hacker now faces over 50 years in jail on copyright infringement charges tracking more than $500 million in losses, show business types have been quick to forgive, tapping a number of different projects for Dotcom to tell his side of the story.
THR reports that, according to business associates and close acquaintances, Kim Dotcom is eyeing a documentary, biography, and album for release in the next few years. Actor Donovan Leitch is producing the doc, currently titled “Mega Conspiracy,...
THR reports that, according to business associates and close acquaintances, Kim Dotcom is eyeing a documentary, biography, and album for release in the next few years. Actor Donovan Leitch is producing the doc, currently titled “Mega Conspiracy,...
- 5/10/2012
- by Charlie Schmidlin
- The Playlist
While Sony is celebrating the success of "21 Jump Street" and the rest of Hollywood dusts off various TV reboots they've had sitting in drawers, for Vince Vaughn, he's been there and done that already. In 2004 he teamed with Owen Wilson and director Todd Phillips for "Starsky & Hutch" carrying the film to over $170 million worldwide, which is not a bad chunk of change at all. And it looks like Universal are hoping the actor can work the same magic on a property they have been developing.
Deadline reports that Vaughn will produce and take the lead in "The Rockford Files," based on the hit show that made James Garner a star. If you're too young to remember, the show followed a private investigator who used his wits, not necessarily his brawn, to solve a new case each week. And the show was largely carried by Garner's charm, and of course, he always found time for romance.
Deadline reports that Vaughn will produce and take the lead in "The Rockford Files," based on the hit show that made James Garner a star. If you're too young to remember, the show followed a private investigator who used his wits, not necessarily his brawn, to solve a new case each week. And the show was largely carried by Garner's charm, and of course, he always found time for romance.
- 4/17/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
"The Book of Mormon" star Josh Gad will be trading in his magic underwear for shiny bikini briefs and some hair gel when he hits the big-screen adaptation of creeper seduction manual "The Game."
Indie Wire reports that Gad will play the book's author, Neil Strauss, who poses as an unlucky-in-love average Joe who looks to Mystery for help doing a 180 on his dating life.
James Franco signed onto the project last month as tourniquet pant-wearing ladies' man Mystery, whose method of picking up ladies has been the subject of Strauss' book, VH1 show "The Pickup Artist," and much derision from women who don't fancy a man in a boa.
The script is being written and directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levein, two guys who know a thing or two about film seduction — the pair are the brains behind eye candy-fest "Ocean's Thirteen" and porn star Sasha Grey's major debut in clothing,...
Indie Wire reports that Gad will play the book's author, Neil Strauss, who poses as an unlucky-in-love average Joe who looks to Mystery for help doing a 180 on his dating life.
James Franco signed onto the project last month as tourniquet pant-wearing ladies' man Mystery, whose method of picking up ladies has been the subject of Strauss' book, VH1 show "The Pickup Artist," and much derision from women who don't fancy a man in a boa.
The script is being written and directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levein, two guys who know a thing or two about film seduction — the pair are the brains behind eye candy-fest "Ocean's Thirteen" and porn star Sasha Grey's major debut in clothing,...
- 2/6/2012
- by Sarah Crow
- NextMovie
Exactly a month ago today we were talking about James Franco taking the lead role in "The Game," the latest project from the writing and directing pair Brian Koppelman and David Levein (who also penned "Ocean's Thirteen" and "The Girlfriend Experience" for Steven Soderbergh). The film will be based on Neil Strauss' autobiographical bestseller which follows the author's experiences infiltrating the guys club world of pick-up artists. Franco will play Mystery, a sexual guru who teaches others how to transform from nerd to stud and use secret techniques to pick up women. Deadline now reports that the man in negotiations to undergo that transformation from nerd to stud is "Book of Mormon" star Josh Gad. For those unfamiliar with Gad's work on Broadway, he's probably best known on the big screen for his role in "Love and Other Drugs" -- in which his character is caught jerking off to...
- 2/6/2012
- The Playlist
According to Deadline.com, Tony nominee Josh Gad will now not only executive produce NBC's 1600 Penn, but also star in it. The series is about 'a dysfunctional family that just happens to live at the most famous address in America.' Gad will executive produce the project along with Jon Lovett and Jason Winer.Additionally, Gad is in talks to star in Brian Koppelman and David Leviens The Game, opposite James Franco. Gad will star as 'a Rolling Stone journalist who is a great writer but is not great at picking up women.'...
- 2/3/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Exclusive: I’ve learned that NBC is about to hand out a late pilot order to 1600 Penn, a White House family comedy from Book Of Mormon star Josh Gad, Modern Family director Jason Winer and former speechwriter to President Barack Obama Jon Lovett. The order comes after Gad, originally only attached as co-writer and executive producer, also has agreed to also star in the project, produced by 20th Century Fox TV where Winer is under an overall deal. Additionally, Gad is in negotiations to play the lead opposite James Franco in Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s feature The Game at MGM produced by the Weitz Brothers. The movie is based by the book by Neil Strauss chronicling his efforts to become a pick-up artist. Gad will play Strauss, a Rolling Stone journalist who is a great writer but is not great at picking up women. He goes undercover and his life changes.
- 2/3/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Either he has a secret identical twin brother named Frank Jameso or he's taking the same drug Bradley Cooper was on in "Limitless," but it's starting to become a cliché that James Franco appears in like 100 movies a year.
Now the actor/inventor of the 28-hour day has taken on yet another ambitious project, this time a biopic on New York photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
Indiewire reports that Franco, who bears a decent resemblance, will play the art world figure whose beautiful black and white portraits of everything from celebrities to ultra-explicit sexual acts continue to spark controversy and high auction prices long after his 1989 death from AIDS. His former-lover/friend Patti Smith and mentor/companion Sam Wagstaff are just some of the juicy roles yet to cast.
"Mapplethorpe" is the feature debut of documentarian Ondi Timoner, whose brilliant 2009 film "We Live In Public" is one of the most fascinating deconstructions...
Now the actor/inventor of the 28-hour day has taken on yet another ambitious project, this time a biopic on New York photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
Indiewire reports that Franco, who bears a decent resemblance, will play the art world figure whose beautiful black and white portraits of everything from celebrities to ultra-explicit sexual acts continue to spark controversy and high auction prices long after his 1989 death from AIDS. His former-lover/friend Patti Smith and mentor/companion Sam Wagstaff are just some of the juicy roles yet to cast.
"Mapplethorpe" is the feature debut of documentarian Ondi Timoner, whose brilliant 2009 film "We Live In Public" is one of the most fascinating deconstructions...
- 1/12/2012
- by Max Evry
- NextMovie
James Franco is in talks to star in "The Game," based on the best-selling book about picking up women by Neil Strauss, who was a student of Mystery, the teacher on the VH1 reality series "The Pick-Up Artist." Franco will play Mystery in the adaptation, which is part memoir, part how-to guide and will detail the author's effort to learn the tricks to become a successful pick-up artist. The project was originally set up at Columbia with Chris Weitz attached to direct. Then Spyglass, Lionsgate and Fox Searchlight all attempted to bring the book to the big screen. Now, MGM is giving it a shot and have hired Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Solitary Man, Knockaround Guys) to write and direct. Mystery on "Conan":...
- 1/8/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Filed under: Movie News
As if you didn't have enough James Franco news this week, let's drop his name a few more times, shall we? The ubiquitous actor-director-novelist-host and mentor to super-intelligent apes is in negotiations to star in 'The Game,' MGM's adaptation of the best-selling book about picking up women. Franco would star as Mystery, the man who taught author Neil Strauss how to become a successful pick-up artist. The real-life Mystery went on to star in a VH1 reality series called 'The Pick-Up Artist,' which, given Franco's love of all things meta (he's playing himself in 'The Apocalypse' and taught a class on himself), we wouldn't rule out as his next career move.
Continue Reading...
As if you didn't have enough James Franco news this week, let's drop his name a few more times, shall we? The ubiquitous actor-director-novelist-host and mentor to super-intelligent apes is in negotiations to star in 'The Game,' MGM's adaptation of the best-selling book about picking up women. Franco would star as Mystery, the man who taught author Neil Strauss how to become a successful pick-up artist. The real-life Mystery went on to star in a VH1 reality series called 'The Pick-Up Artist,' which, given Franco's love of all things meta (he's playing himself in 'The Apocalypse' and taught a class on himself), we wouldn't rule out as his next career move.
Continue Reading...
- 1/7/2012
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
James Franco is in negotiations to star in the film adaptation of the best-selling 'how to pick up women' guide "The Game" at MGM says The Hollywood Reporter.
The book follows author Neil Strauss and his efforts to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist. Franco would star as Mystery, a man who serves as Strauss' mentor.
Brian Koppelman and David Levien are writing and directing the project which has been in development for years at various studios. Several different directors have been attached to helm in that time including Chris Weitz and Rawson Marshall Thurber.
Meanwhile Franco's "Franchophrenia", a film he co-directed using footage from his stint on the soap "General Hospital", will premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival at the end of the month.
Called a "humorous psycho-thriller", Franco and his co-director Ian Olds penned a script to incorporate existing footage shot on Gh of...
The book follows author Neil Strauss and his efforts to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist. Franco would star as Mystery, a man who serves as Strauss' mentor.
Brian Koppelman and David Levien are writing and directing the project which has been in development for years at various studios. Several different directors have been attached to helm in that time including Chris Weitz and Rawson Marshall Thurber.
Meanwhile Franco's "Franchophrenia", a film he co-directed using footage from his stint on the soap "General Hospital", will premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival at the end of the month.
Called a "humorous psycho-thriller", Franco and his co-director Ian Olds penned a script to incorporate existing footage shot on Gh of...
- 1/7/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Actor James Franco is in negotiations to star in an adaptation of the non-fiction, autobiographical book "The Game: Penetrating The Secret Society Of Pickup Artists", written by investigative reporter Neil Strauss as a chronicle of his journey and encounters in the 'seduction community'.
The film adaptation will be written and directed by David Levien and Brian Koppleman :
"...hidden somewhere, in nearly every major city in the world, is an underground seduction lair. And in these lairs, men trade the most devastatingly effective techniques ever invented to charm women. This is not fiction. These men really exist. They live together in houses known as 'Projects'..."
Click the images to enlarge...
The film adaptation will be written and directed by David Levien and Brian Koppleman :
"...hidden somewhere, in nearly every major city in the world, is an underground seduction lair. And in these lairs, men trade the most devastatingly effective techniques ever invented to charm women. This is not fiction. These men really exist. They live together in houses known as 'Projects'..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 1/7/2012
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Oh, James Franco, you make the most fun decisions! According to THR, actor-author-writer-director-unsatisfied Oscar host-student-man about town-seeker-performance artist-soap star Franco is in negotiations to star in MGM’s adaptation of Neil Strauss‘s The Game, a “part memoir, part how-to guide” on how to land chicks. Not content to stay in any sort of performance box at all, Franco won’t be starring as the Strauss surrogate, but as Mystery. You know Mystery. Even if you don’t know Mystery, you know Mystery. Mystery is better known as “The Pick-Up Artist,” the self-declared title he uses to shill his lady-getting techniques, the very same that he taught Strauss on his mystical, magical journey to be a dude in demand. Mystery even had his own VH1 reality show! Called, you guessed it, The Pick-Up Artist! Oh, also, he’s not attractive in the least and looks as if he shops almost exclusively at Spencer’s Gifts. I...
- 1/7/2012
- by Kate Erbland
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
If you’re a guy and have been experiencing some bad luck with the ladies, then you’ve probably come across a book called The Game, written by Neil Strauss, about how to pick up girls and how to meet them and talk to them. It may seem like a weird book to adapt at first, but honestly it would have happened at some point anyway. Now THR is reporting that MGM is in the works to adapt the novel into a movie format and have approached James Franco to star in the film as Mystery, the man who taught Stauss’ the tricks of the trade at a mysterious boot camp. Mystery was also the host of the VH1 reality series called “The Pick Up Artist.”
Solitary Man directors Brian Koppelman & David Levien are writing & directing. The project was originally started over at Sony Pictures Chris Weitz attached to direct,...
Solitary Man directors Brian Koppelman & David Levien are writing & directing. The project was originally started over at Sony Pictures Chris Weitz attached to direct,...
- 1/6/2012
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
Reading The Game was an adventure, to say the least. It's one of the oddest books we've ever read, and since we weren't single at the time there was no way to test out some of the pick-up techniques it talks about ... so, instead, we just made our friend do it. And the funniest thing about the book's overtly sexist pick-up tips is that they actually kind of work. Or at least they did for our buddy. But the book isn't just a how-to guide for men who want to pick up women, it's actually a fascinating story about how some boring, dopish reporter named Neil Strauss not only infiltrated the world of professional pick-up artists, but he actually became one himself. And now, naturally, Hollywood wants to make a movie based on the book...
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- 1/6/2012
- by Erik Davis
- Movies.com
Actor James Franco is in negotiations to take on the lead role in the Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Solitary Man) film adaptation of The Game. The film is based on a book by Neil Strauss which is part memoir, part how-to guide, and "details Strauss's effort to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist, even moving into a Sunset Strip mansion filled with other competing players to find love." Yes, the movie is about picking up women. This seems like it role that Franco could have some fun with.
Franco would take on the role of Mystery, a man who serves as Strauss' teacher in the book. According to THR Mystery later starred in a VH1 reality series called The Pick-Up Artist, which is a series that I never watched because I don't watch MTV or VH1.
What do you think about Franco taking on this role?...
Franco would take on the role of Mystery, a man who serves as Strauss' teacher in the book. According to THR Mystery later starred in a VH1 reality series called The Pick-Up Artist, which is a series that I never watched because I don't watch MTV or VH1.
What do you think about Franco taking on this role?...
- 1/6/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
James Franco.s name has been poppuig up with regards to multiple projects, from Seth Rogen.s The Apocalypse, which potentially is being supported by Sony, to Lovelace, the Linda Lovelace biopic that.s envisioning Franco as Hugh Hefner. But because the Rise of the Planet of the Apes star simply can not stay busy enough, he.s attaching his name to The Game, as well. THR says Franco is in talks to play the lead in a planned adaptation of the how-to-pick-up-women guide by Neil Strauss. The trade says Brian Koppelman and David Levien will write and direct the adaptation, which bounced around from Columbia to Lionsgate and Spyglass before MGM settled in as the driving force behind the project. Franco would play Mystery, the stage name of Canadian dating coach Erik von Markovik who, in the book, taught Strauss the tricks of the dating trade. Mystery later went...
- 1/6/2012
- cinemablend.com
It turns out not everything James Franco does in 2012 will be some kind of elaborate performance piece. The actor and artist has landed a pretty interesting new film, one that will find him in full command of his skills with the ladies. THR reports that Franco has taken the lead role in "The Game," the latest from "Solitary Man" writing and directing pair Brian Koppelman and David Levien. First signing on to the project over the summer, the pair have made quick work adapting Neil Strauss' breakout bestseller, a book that is part memoir and part exposé, chronicling the author's own adventures in the guys club world of pick-up artists and his experiences and successes with the techniques he learned in how to score with women. Helping him on his journey is Mystery, the man who teaches Strauss and many others all of his secrets on how to go from nerd to stud,...
- 1/6/2012
- The Playlist
James Franco is in talks to headline the big screen adaptation of Neil Strauss' best-selling book, The Game , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . First announced for adaptation back in July , the film will be written and directed by David Levien and Brian Koppleman. The book, released in 2005, is officially described as follows: Hidden somewhere, in nearly every major city in the world, is an underground seduction lair. And in these lairs, men trade the most devastatingly effective techniques ever invented to charm women. This is not fiction. These men really exist. They live together in houses known as Projects. And Neil Strauss, the bestselling author, spent two years living among them, using the pseudonym Style to protect his real-life identity. The result is one of...
- 1/6/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The Game, a six-year-old book about being passive-aggressive to women as a means of courting, will soon become a film. The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pick-up Artists will be produced by MGM and will be written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, the men behind A Solitary Man, Ocean's 13, and The Girlfriend Experience. The Game, written by Neil Strauss, explains how making acerbic observations, demonstrating blatant favoritism among groups of women, and being generally unpleasant is a foolproof recipe for attracting certain types of women and getting what you want. How does such a movie get the green light? Below, we imagine the conversation at MGM . . .
- 7/11/2011
- Vanity Fair
MGM has picked up the rights to Neil Strauss's infamous exposé of a group of 'seduction artists', with writers of The Girlfriend Experience set to direct
MGM has picked up the rights to film Neil Strauss's best-selling book, The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, according to Slashfilm.
The studio has employed David Levien and Brian Koppleman, writers of Rounders and The Girlfriend Experience, to write and direct an adaptation of Strauss's infamous book, which is part exposé, part seduction manual.
The book explains the pick-up techniques of a group of men who call themselves the "seduction community". Strauss explains how members use techniques like "negging" ("to momentarily lower a woman's self-esteem and to suggest an intriguing disinterest") to attract women. Strauss spent a number of months with the community and be-friended key members (who went by pseudonyms such as "Mystery" and "Rasputin") and first...
MGM has picked up the rights to film Neil Strauss's best-selling book, The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, according to Slashfilm.
The studio has employed David Levien and Brian Koppleman, writers of Rounders and The Girlfriend Experience, to write and direct an adaptation of Strauss's infamous book, which is part exposé, part seduction manual.
The book explains the pick-up techniques of a group of men who call themselves the "seduction community". Strauss explains how members use techniques like "negging" ("to momentarily lower a woman's self-esteem and to suggest an intriguing disinterest") to attract women. Strauss spent a number of months with the community and be-friended key members (who went by pseudonyms such as "Mystery" and "Rasputin") and first...
- 7/11/2011
- by Henry Barnes
- The Guardian - Film News
MGM has picked up the rights to adapt Neil Strauss's New York Times bestselling memoir The Game. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the project has finally landed at MGM, who have tasked Brian Koppelman and David Levien to rewrite and direct the adaptation. Strauss's memoir details his journey into the seduction community and documents his attempts at becoming the world's most successful pick-up artist. Koppelman and Levien are no strangers (more)...
- 7/10/2011
- by By Tom Ayres
- Digital Spy
MGM has picked up the rights to adapt Neil Strauss's New York Times bestselling memoir The Game. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the project has finally landed at MGM, who have tasked Brian Koppelman and David Levien to rewrite and direct the adaptation. Strauss's memoir details his journey into the seduction community and documents his attempts at becoming the world's most successful pick-up artist. Koppelman and Levien are no strangers (more)...
- 7/10/2011
- by By Tom Ayres
- Digital Spy
Brian Koppelman and David Levien ("Rounders," "Solitary Man") are set to rewrite and direct "The Game" for MGM says The Hollywood Reporter.
An adaptation of Neil Strauss' best-selling part memoir and part how-to guide, the story details Strauss's effort to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist, even moving into a Sunset Strip mansion filled with other competing players to find love.
Chris and Paul Weitz are attached to produce. The project was previous set up at Sony Pictures, Spyglass, Lionsgate and even Fox Searchlight.
An adaptation of Neil Strauss' best-selling part memoir and part how-to guide, the story details Strauss's effort to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist, even moving into a Sunset Strip mansion filled with other competing players to find love.
Chris and Paul Weitz are attached to produce. The project was previous set up at Sony Pictures, Spyglass, Lionsgate and even Fox Searchlight.
- 7/10/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
MGM has purchased the rights to Neil Strauss' best-selling novel, The Game, and have hired Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Solitary Man). THR reports that Koppelman and Levien will rewrite and direct the adaptation about picking up women. The film be based on the book which is part memoir, part how-to guide and "it details Strauss's effort to learn the tricks to becoming a successful pick-up artist, even moving into a Sunset Strip mansion filled with other competing players to find love."
This project has bumped from studio-to-studio. It was first at Columbia with Chris Weitz attached to direct, then it shacked up with Spyglass with D.B. Weiss writing. Later, Lionsgate made a pass at an incarnation with Rawson Marshall Thurber attached to helm. Fox Searchlight also flirted with the project, but Game has now made its way to MGM, with Chris and Paul Weitz are attached to produce.
This project has bumped from studio-to-studio. It was first at Columbia with Chris Weitz attached to direct, then it shacked up with Spyglass with D.B. Weiss writing. Later, Lionsgate made a pass at an incarnation with Rawson Marshall Thurber attached to helm. Fox Searchlight also flirted with the project, but Game has now made its way to MGM, with Chris and Paul Weitz are attached to produce.
- 7/9/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
No book or author/personality has been as sleazy in recent memory as Neil Strauss. His breakout bestseller "The Game" is part memoir and part expose, chronicling Strauss’ own adventures in the guys club world of pick-up artists and his experiences and successes with the techniques he learned from these guys that more or less involves reducing women to a bunch of base stereotypes. Basically, it’s kind of total douchebag stuff that at the same time is repulsively fascinating. So while we're a little bummed that "Solitary Man" team Brian Koppelman and David Levien have made this their next film, we're…...
- 7/8/2011
- The Playlist
Neil Strauss’ best-selling book and pick-up guide The Game experienced more than its share of false starts heading into its current acquisition by MGM. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Weitz was hired to direct the movie at Columbia. Lionsgate attempted to produce the book with Rawson Marshall Thurber set to direct and later Fox Searchlight expressed some interest. MGM pushed all those failed attempts at making a movie out of Strauss’ pick-up guidebook to the past and promptly hired Solitary Man co-directors Brian Koppelman and David Levien to bring the book to the big screen.
- 7/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Neil Strauss’ best-selling book and pick-up guide The Game experienced more than its share of false starts heading into its current acquisition by MGM. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Weitz was hired to direct the movie at Columbia. Lionsgate attempted to produce the book with Rawson Marshall Thurber set to direct and later Fox Searchlight expressed some interest. MGM pushed all those failed attempts at making a movie out of Strauss’ pick-up guidebook to the past and promptly hired Solitary Man co-directors Brian Koppelman and David Levien to bring the book to the big screen.
- 7/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Neil Strauss’ best-selling book and pick-up guide The Game experienced more than its share of false starts heading into its current acquisition by MGM. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Weitz was hired to direct the movie at Columbia. Lionsgate attempted to produce the book with Rawson Marshall Thurber set to direct and later Fox Searchlight expressed some interest. MGM pushed all those failed attempts at making a movie out of Strauss’ pick-up guidebook to the past and promptly hired Solitary Man co-directors Brian Koppelman and David Levien to bring the book to the big screen.
- 7/8/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Columbia Pictures has purchased the rights to Neil Strauss' nonfiction book "Emergency!: This Book Will Save Your Life" as a possible starring role for Robert Downey Jr.According to Variety, Downey Jr. will produce along with Susan Downey and Michael De Luca. Allan Loeb ("Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps") will write the script.The book tells the motivational story of one man's journey to survive and protect his loved ones by learning to survive in the wild.Strauss' previous books include "The Game," "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell With Marilyn Manson" and "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star With Jenna Jameson." Downey Jr. can next be seen in Warner Bros.' "Due Date," which opens November 5.
- 10/21/2010
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Columbia Pictures have recently optioned the rights to Neil Strauss's non-fiction book Emergency!: The Book Will Save Your Life. This is the same author that wrote the pickup book The Game: Penetrating The Secret Society of Pickup Artists, which has already been in film development for a couple of years now.
Robert Downey Jr. is producing the new film project as a something he will possibly star in, depending on what he schedule is like, the guy is incredibly busy. They've also hired screenwriter Alan Loeb (Wall Street 2, Dilemma) to write the script.
This could end up being a very interesting and fun film, depending on the style the do it in.
Here the official book description:
Terrorist attacks. Natural disasters. Domestic crackdowns. Economic collapse. Riots. Wars. Disease. Starvation. What can you do when it all hits the fan? You can learn to be self-sufficient and survive without the system.
Robert Downey Jr. is producing the new film project as a something he will possibly star in, depending on what he schedule is like, the guy is incredibly busy. They've also hired screenwriter Alan Loeb (Wall Street 2, Dilemma) to write the script.
This could end up being a very interesting and fun film, depending on the style the do it in.
Here the official book description:
Terrorist attacks. Natural disasters. Domestic crackdowns. Economic collapse. Riots. Wars. Disease. Starvation. What can you do when it all hits the fan? You can learn to be self-sufficient and survive without the system.
- 10/21/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Columbia Pictures has optioned the rights for the non-fiction book Emergency!: This Book Will Save Your Life by Neil Strauss to be developed into a feature film produced by Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Michael DeLuca. This was announced today by Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures. The project is being considered as a possible starring vehicle for Downey as well. Allan Loeb (Wall Street 2, Dilemma) is writing the screenplay.
Emergency traces one man’s story of a dangerous world– and how to stay alive in it or die trying. It is Strauss’s white-knuckled journey through a country that’s lost its sense of safety, as one man equips himself with the tools necessary to save himself and his loved ones from an uncertain future. He sets out to move his life offshore, and in the process, he learns to survive in the wild,...
Emergency traces one man’s story of a dangerous world– and how to stay alive in it or die trying. It is Strauss’s white-knuckled journey through a country that’s lost its sense of safety, as one man equips himself with the tools necessary to save himself and his loved ones from an uncertain future. He sets out to move his life offshore, and in the process, he learns to survive in the wild,...
- 10/20/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Neil Strauss is having an awesome day. Earlier this morning, Robert Downey Jr. and Columbia Pictures optioned his non-fiction book Emergency!: This Book Will Save Your Life and now another one of his books has found a pair of writers to script an adaptation. The Wrap reports that Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, best known as the head writers on The Office and the guys that Bill Murray likes to make fun of, have been hired to write The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, based on Strauss' best seller. The non-fiction book is a controversial and somewhat disturbing look at the self-described "pick-up artist" Mystery, a Toronto-based magician who teaches ugly men how to pick up women (you may remember him from his short-lived reality series on VH1 from a couple years ago). Ari Sandel, who won an Oscar for his short film West Bank Story,...
- 10/20/2010
- cinemablend.com
It turns out that Due Date might be a test run for heading out into the wilderness with the threat of death (and an annoying asshole with a lap dog) around every corner. It will be great preparation for Robert Downey Jr who’ll be producing an adaptation of the book “Emergency! This Book Will Save Your Life,” and might end up taking the lead role. The book is the work of Neil Strauss (the same guy behind pick-up artist tome “The Game”), and it tells the story of a man who faces the same world we face today and decides the only real response to all the economic disaster, terrorism, and cultural upheaval is to become completely self-sufficient. It’s written in the same style as “The Game,” where Strauss does long-term investigative journalism in order to get himself ready for the worst. Based solely on the paranoia needed and the antics that might ensue, it...
- 10/20/2010
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It’s another real story about survival. Columbia Pictures optioned the rights to author Neil Strauss’ nonfiction book, “Emergecy!: This Book Will Save Your Life.” The film will also be produced by Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey and Michael DeLuca. They are also considering Robert Downey Jr. to star in the movie as well. Allan Loeb will be writing the screenplay. “Neil Strauss is a tremendous talent and we think ‘Emergency!’ is his best work yet. It’s a hugely entertaining read that couldn’t be more timely or topical. We think there is a fantastic film in this book and Robert and Susan, of course, Mike are the perfect producers to take on the themes o this project,” said De Luca in a press release. Here is the official synopsis of the movie: “Emergency! traces one man's story of a dangerous world--and how to stay alive in it or die trying.
- 10/20/2010
- LRMonline.com
Neil Strauss, the journalist-turned-author of the popular dating book The Game, has sold the feature film rights of his book Emergency!: This Book Will Save Your Life to Columbia Pictures and Robert Downey’s Team Downey. The project is being considered as a possible starring vehicle for Downey. Allan Loeb (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) is writing the screenplay.
The book traces Strauss’s three-year journey, where he traveled around the country equipping himself with the tools necessary to save himself and his loved ones from an uncertain future. According to the book description, “He moves his life offshore,...
The book traces Strauss’s three-year journey, where he traveled around the country equipping himself with the tools necessary to save himself and his loved ones from an uncertain future. According to the book description, “He moves his life offshore,...
- 10/20/2010
- by Nicole Sperling
- EW - Inside Movies
In Chris Weitz's interview with HitFlix, we learned that The Twilight Saga: New Moon drafts were due to Summit Entertainment in the few next coming weeks. After Weitz submits his work on New Moon, his involvement with the Twilight series will go the way of Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke. Making way for the incoming of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse director David Slade, Weitz will continue on from the series with new and different projects. Weitz will be producing a new book-to-film story through his production company Depth of Field called The Game. Starring Poorna Jagannathan, Sagine, Billy Snow, and Jennifer Malenke. The Untitled Elric Saga Project based on novels by Michael Moorcock. His brother, Paul Weitz, will also be producing the film. Thirdly, Chris Weitz is also teaming up with his brother in an up-coming film entitled Another Bullshit Night In Suck City. The film is based upon the...
- 7/19/2009
- by thetwilightexaminer
- Twilight Examiner
Warner Bros. has set in motion a prequel to the Will Smith starrer “I Am Legend,” confirmed by Variety Thursday. The plan is for Smith to reprise his role as scientist Robert Neville, with Francis Lawrence returning to direct. Akiva Goldsman and his Weed Road banner will produce with James Lassiter, Smith’s partner in Overbrook Entertainment. The studio has set D.B. Weiss to write a script that is based on a detailed outline that was hatched over the past few months by Smith, Goldsman, Lassiter and Lawrence. The prequel will chronicle the final days of humanity in New York before a man-made virus caused a plague that left Smith’s character the lone survivor among a mutated mob in the city. Making a prequel was the only way to extend a franchise that grossed $584 million worldwide for Warner Bros. and keep Smith in the lead role. His character...
- 9/26/2008
- UGO Movies
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